Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

[DensleyBlair]

((I'd sort of imagined it would go to the player who displayed the best sportsmanship (the Chairman, in this case, being the Chairman of the FA)...))

((That makes infinitely much more sense. I must have read the results post incorrectly.))

 

[Scrapknight]

((Isn't the Vanderhoof Cup still lying around somewhere? It feels like you guys should do something or other with it...))

 

[GreatUberGeek]

De Coock is reading his morning newspaper. He comes across the football scores, and raises his head up in surprise. He says to his wife:
"Hmm...did you see, dear, Ghent FC won this year? Good for those boys...of course, I had bet on Westerlo to win.
His wife nods silently. He flips the page.
"Ah, and I see van der Goltz has been up to his old tricks. Monarchists on the attack...more votes in parliament...damn Beuafortists..."
He folds up the newspaper.
"Oh well, to work I go."

 

[DensleyBlair]

((Isn't the Vanderhoof Cup still lying around somewhere? It feels like you guys should do something or other with it...))

((Here's the FA's response to the matter.))

 

[Terraferma]

Dieric stood in front of his old 4th Division Infantry along with several other soldiers and officers.

Gentleman, throughout my military career I’ve had the greatest pleasure and honor of serving under you, alongside you and for some as your commanding officer. I have watched many of you develop into fine soldiers and officers through the years. I have watched you become the men that this nation can be proud of, men that I would affectionately call my brothers at arms. We have experienced both victory and defeat. We have fought, bled and suffered together. We honor our veterans and those who serve while venerate the men who never returned home. Many of you have known me from the beginning: from the days of early glory starting with the 4th Infantry Division’s mission into Benin and Sokoto followed by the establishment of the colonies and their administration to the dark days of our exile from our beloved homeland during the Beauffort regime that would lead to our eventual return and restoration of democracy to our latest war against our enemies that laid to rest any lingering doubts of our sovereignty and independence. We have witnessed much and continue to do so in these interesting times.

I have served this nation proudly and faithfully and there was never a moment that I would hesitate to give my life for King and Country. For Hearth and Home. After what seems like a lifetime in active military service it is time for me to step aside…to finally put away my pistols and sabre. It is to be effective once the new elections have taken place and a winner is declared. I wish to live out the remaining years of my blessed long life fulfilling long overdue ambitions while remaining Vice Chairman of the Belgian Football Association, we still need to show those sailors what true victory on the pitch looks like. Until then I will remain as the Chief of the Army to help ensure the continued stability of our nation and smooth transition to my successor.

It is my hope that our nation continues on its path of stability, economic prosperity and democratic example while maintaining its hard won prestige and status as an influential force in Europe, Africa and beyond. It was an honor serving the call of duty, without you the men who have sacrificed so much I would not be here. I would be nothing. May god watch over our beautiful nation.


Clip from newspaper article

After more than 50 years of active military service the widely revered Colonel General Jacques Dieric has announced his imminent retirement which in many circles within the military had determined was long in coming. When asked what he would do next after his eventual final day as Chief of the Army, he replied cheerfully on the creation of a military academy tasked to help train the current and future generations of soldiers and officers along with remaining Vice Chairman of the Belgian Football Association citing the need for the Brussels RAFC, also known as Army FC, to continue its competitive play in the Military Shield despite their defensive liabilities as of late... -Story continues on Page 5A

(New character incoming I believe, so Dieric can be NPC'ed until his replacement is made and such unless he is needed on some critical non-election vote.)

 

[Thoctar]

Well, I did always say that Pierre Savarin was mad, being a Republican and all. Oh, and he is a Liberal, and that's terrible too. I think I am a much better candidate to lead Belgium than him.

Moreover, I am of the opinion that the Netherlands must be destroyed.

- Deputy Lambin l'Escargot, Party Leader of the Right Party

It is my professional opinion that this man suffers from some form of mental disorder

~Random MLP Deputy Who Happens to be a Psychologist.

 

[Thoctar]

Finally, an active military leader has some sense. Africans should not be given military positions in which they simply, naturally can't properly fulfill.

I, also believe Parliament should be dissolved and an election be called on the issue of the Belgian Monarchy.

Valentin-Alexandre Klinkenberg, Founder and Owner of Belgian Africa Rubber Inc.

While I agree they are not suited for politics as of yet, they can advance in contact with our civilized ways. Or must I remind you that those African auxiliaries are the ones protecting our plantations and if they are not given the opportunity of advancing they may find less....scrutable ways of advancing their wealth and position in society, like looting their wards for one.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

((Tally.))

Proposal Regarding the Firing of Ministers: 3/13/3
Decent-Sized Military Proposal: 8/9/1

 

[SirkTheMonkey]

Proposal Regarding the Firing of Ministers: No
Decent-Sized Military Proposal: No

I would like to see introduced into parliament a bill that will be of the benefit of our African possessions. I have not had time to confer with Minister-President DeWitt for what he may consider appropriate special provisions for the Congo so I pre-emptively give him my apologies if what I have included does not directly match with what he would have wanted.

Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act

1. The National Government shall help fund anthropological facilities for any Belgian university that wishes to study the indigenous cultures of the Free States.
2. The National Government shall grant an endowment to the Benin Free State for the construction of cultural buildings and the establishment of cultural programs, including but not limited to:
a. The expansion of public library facilities in Brabantville;
b. The establishment of subscription libraries in any major town within the Free State;
c. A paleontological museum to be established in Brabantville with life-sized models;
3. The National Government shall grant an endowment to the Congo Free State for the construction of cultural buildings and the establishment of cultural programs, including but not limited to:
a. The expansion of public library facilities in Daretville;
b. The establishment of subscription libraries in any major town within the Free State;
c. A series of public lectures on scientific matters that shall travel around the Free State to any major town that wishes to host one;
4. The National Government shall provide a small stipend to the Caliphate of Sokoto to be spent solely on measures that will improve the literacy of its population.

Once again, let me reiterate how much of a joke the General-"Superior" of Africa is. I know many local Beninese and Congolese officers who have ten times his military-integrity who would be demoted should Monsieur van der Gotz (([sic])) get his way. Some of these men served and fought in the last war and helped secure the Final Victory of the Belgian Revolution. In the event that he does not follow his superior's orders and rescind his demotion order, for I have not seen any declaration of such a case, I will offer any demoted officer, commissioned or not, places within the administration of the Benin Free State.

While I feel that a Republic is best for the future of our nation, we should not set aside the Final Victory and the Union of the Low Countries for ideological gain. Perhaps we should consider provisions for allowing Protestant Belgian monarchs when they would also share the throne of the Netherlands. Surely as a nation we are secure enough in our Catholicism to tolerate a brother in faith on our throne for the greater temporal benefit of our nation?

Claude F. Palomer, Minister-President of the Benin Free State
via Telegram from Brabantville

((I think I got Brabantville/Daretville correct. Brabantville for Benin and Daretville for the Congo?))

 

[unmerged(718634)]

A secretary enters parliament and hands a telegram to de Vos. Felix's expression is visibly shaken as he rises.

It seems that early this morning Pierre-Claude de España passed from this world. Doctors pronounce that he passed peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90. He... He stops, attempting to recollect his thoughts. ... in his life time he served as a Delegate to the Belgian Constitutional Convention, Minister of Education from '36-41 and '66-70, and Minister of Finance from '51-56. He founded and led the Social Democratic Party for its eight year history and co-founded the Free Belgian Post whilst in exile in London. From his earliest days he stood for cooperation and progression, the Father of Belgian Education, and a friend to any and all. He will most indeed be missed and mourned. ... Funeral arrangements are currently set to occur at St. Martin's Cathedral in Arlon.

 

[G.K.]

A secretary enters parliament and hands a telegram to de Vos. Felix's expression is visibly shaken as he rises.

It seems that early this morning Pierre-Claude de España passed from this world. Doctors pronounce that he passed peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90. He... He stops, attempting to recollect his thoughts. ... in his life time he served as a Delegate to the Belgian Constitutional Convention, Minister of Education from '36-41 and '66-70, and Minister of Finance from '51-56. He founded and led the Social Democratic Party for its eight year history and co-founded the Free Belgian Post whilst in exile in London. From his earliest days he stood for cooperation and progression, the Father of Belgian Education, and a friend to any and all. He will most indeed be missed and mourned. ... Funeral arrangements are currently set to occur at St. Martin's Cathedral in Arlon.

Willem de Graaf, apparently shocked by the news, interrupted the conversation with several cabinet members and without a single word left the parliament building.

During the service in At. Martin's cathedral, Willem, who attended the funeral together with his sister Catharina, gave a very brief and short speech:

"I do not feel Pierre-Claude de Espaňa needs any long speech full of praise - we all knew who he was, and that very few men like him ever walked on this Earth. For a significant part of my life, he was a like a father for me, as the Fortune took my real father away way too early. He was the man that showed me the way, the gentleman who accepted me to his family as a young, scared boy and made me a grown up adult, ready to stand for what I believe and fight those who took my father away from me. Whenever me or Cathy needed him, he was here for us, and even though we are both on our own now, I enjoyed every minute I could spend with him and listen to his stories from the times when he and my father were in the Parliament and at the Convention. Pierre, your were an inspiring person for me, and for every Belgian.

I can't express how much do I and my sister owe to this man, who saved our freedom and possibly even our lives from Beauffort's pawns. Our family shall never forget about you Pierre-Claude, and neither should Belgium.

Rest in Peace..."

 

[ThunderHawk3]

Player Actions Needed:
Okay, there's some apparently urgent stuff to vote on. Some people made relatively vague statements about what they want brought to a vote so I'm going to try to guess.

So vote to [post=16862338]Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August[/post], [post=16862798]Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891[/post], and on the [post=16869723]Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act.[/post]

Sample Ballots:

[post=16862338]Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August[/post]: Yes/No/Abstain
[post=16862798]Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891[/post]: Yes/No/Abstain
[post=16869723]Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act[/post]: Yes/No/Abstain

Note that the top two items require a 2/3rds majority.

This vote ends at 8 PM PST 2/10 (4 AM GMT 2/11 assuming we do not call a temporal convention)

 

[unmerged(718634)]

Force the Immediate Resignation of Prosper-August: NAY
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Aye
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act: Aye

~ de Vos, Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Otto of england]

Force the Immediate Resignation of Prosper-August: Abstain I can't not bring myself to bring a proper vote to this.
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: No
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act: No

- Christian van de Velde, Count of Ypres

 

[Davout]

Proposal Regarding the Firing of Ministers: No
Decent-Sized Military Proposal: No


Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August: No
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Yes
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act.: Yes

I thank the Prime Minister for his continued confidence in my services with the re-allocation of Ministries. I am currently consulting with the civil servants of the Interior Ministry as to the state of our Nation before reporting to this chamber. However, I invite submissions from the other Ministries and the Chief of General Staff in respect of the continuation of change of the current social programmes in Flanders and Walloon ((Any comments re the current foci)).

Frederic Burke

 

[Marschalk]

Force the Immediate Resignation of Prosper-August: Aye
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Nay
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act: Abstain

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duke of Anjou, Chairman of the Conservative League

 

[viola]

Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August: No
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Yes
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act.: Yes

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Belgiumruler]

Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August: No
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Yes
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act.: Yes

- Josef de Leeuw

 

[Dyranum]

Force the Immediate Resignation of Prosper-August: Yes, although I think a better solution is to simply declare him insane - for that is what he is - and appoint healers to ensure that his mind returns to this world.
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: No
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act: No

It is my professional opinion that this man suffers from some form of mental disorder

~Random MLP Deputy Who Happens to be a Psychologist.

Hmph, you Socialists and your demonic rites! Well I say, back in my day, we did not have your pseudo-scientifical so-called "method".

- Deputy Lambin l'Escargot, Party Leader of the Right Party

 

[Gen. Marshall]

Force the Immediate Abdication of Prosper-August: No
Call a Constitutional Convention in 1891: Yes
Enhancement of Culture in Africa Act.: Yes

I also wish to note that the present constitution does not allow for special circumstances regarding a Constitutional Convention. Therefore, although I have voted in favour of this convention, all amendments must be passed by at least a 2/3rds majority and be ratified by both the King and the new Prime Minister.

- Senator Sir Maximiliaan van Brabant