Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

[Thoctar]

Valentin-Alexandre's speech during a celebratory dinner at the Klinkenberg Manor

First, I would like to thank the constituents for electing me as their representative to Brussels. May I work hard to satisfy your and every citizen of Belgium's demands with an eagerness unmatched by any previous Members of Parliament for Schaerbeek. God Bless You All!

Next, I would like to congratulate Mon. de Lannoy on becoming Prime Minister-Elect of Belgium, God knows you are the right man for the job. I, sincerely, thank Prime Minister de Lannoy on my appointment to Secretary of State for the Colonies, I will successfully complete all necessary duties relating to my position with diligence and hard work. May the Conservative League under your leadership once again establish a Belgium of tradition, honour and monarchy!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The situation in Africa has reached a boiling point. The arrogance of tribal natives in Africa must be stopped immediately. They have gotten confident that we, Belgians, are weak men who can simply be frightened into leaving the Dark Continent, where hundreds of Belgians and counting call home. This cannot and will not stand, all political parties across the spectrum should be in agreeance that Sokoto must be civilized by our nation and that the natives in Belgian Africa should be dealt with in a proper manor.

For too long we have neglected Belgian Africa. Where, I have resided and built my business, as have countless other Belgians. Colonial reform and proper economic development should be ensued after the Sokotan tribal men are dealt with, I look forward to working with Prime Minister de Lannoy and the rest of the Cabinet on creating a more civilized and efficient Africa.

Valentin-Alexandre Klinkenberg,
Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Member of Parliament for Schaerbeek

A report to the cabinet from William DeWitt.

Like my father, I am a moderate colonialist, I neither believe we should enslave the natives nor take them as our equals as of right now. I support this investigation into the practices of certain Belgian companies in the colonies, and also believe in increased investment into them. Therefore, I would like to propose that we create special tax incentives for those who invest into the colonies and promote our colonial presence.

 

[viola]

It's with great sadness that we have to assist to the return of Beauffortism to Belgian politics, and we must also recognize how its tyranny, its inability to deal with modernity, its Aristocratic and antidemocratic policies are all still there, ready to bring Belgium back to the times of Absolutism and Feudalism. The pretentious notion that this is actually a "meritocratic" government does nothing more than prove the unlimited hypocrisy of the Right, a shameless attempt to hide the return to Authoritarianism.

The government also claims that it is supported by the majority of the Belgian people, I say that this is but another lie. The government keeps a parliamentary majority only thanks to the betrayal of the "moderate" Liberal party, who abandoned any kind of Liberalism, any kind of moderation in order to gain political positions. It was Vanderhoof who sold his party to the Conservatives, betraying the confidence of thousands of Belgian voters, and allowed the far-right to conquer power. There is no doubt that this government lacks any kind of popular support and was created only through shadowy deals and bribery between the leaders of the Royalist Union and of the MLP.


But what's more outraging is how this government will now try to stop the inevitable transformation of Belgium into a Progressive Republic. The will of the King is clear: Monarchy must be abolished. I also believe that the will of the King is also the will of a majority of the Belgian people, therefore I once again call for a Popular Referendum on the question of Monarchy and also want to offer a challenge to the Royalist Union:

If you truly believe that the people of Belgium still support Monarchy then let this Referendum happen. If we Socialists win we will get our new Constitutional Convention according to the will of the people, but if the Monarchists shall be victorious then any demand for a Republic will be silenced forever and the Monarchical institution shall not be menaced anymore by anyone.
Let the Belgian people be the arbiter of its destiny, and let them resolve our dispute once and for all!

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Dadarian]

Besides the typical slander and lies from a known criminal, I would not oppose a referendum on the state of the monarchy in Belgium.

Let us end this bloody debate once and for all.

~ Lord Minister Andrei Popa Vanderhoof, Deputy of Ghent and Minister of Flanders

 

[Andre Massena]

I may not be a man of God but that was well said by the bishops! Better a man of the cloth who looks after his flock than a capitalist who only looks after his wallet.

-Amedee Dupointe

 

[Otto of england]

I'm amused that people insist on having a referendum to try to install an ineffective and corrupt government. It worries me that some people actually believe that it is a good form of governance! They are sadly mistaken though people wont vote for such insaity as that, people know better then to believe there corrupt lies and dreams of a completely corrupt plutocracy running our country into the ground.

- Christian van de Velde, Count of Ypres, Minister of Justice

 

[NikoHoI3]

Statement from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on Plantation Conditions​

The Ministry of Colonial Affairs has conducting its own report on the situation of native African working conditions on plantations throughout Belgian Africa. Our Ministry, has come to the conclusion that, the Minister-President of the Free State of the Congo has overly exaggerated the working conditions of the African tribal people. Studies done on thirty different plantations from across Belgian Africa have concluded that, though the native Africans do not share all equal labour rights' as the average Belgian, they are not in anyway treated as slaves. All plantations pay a weekly wage to the African tribal people, while various others supply them with food and shelter close to their place of employment. While visiting each plantation, most African natives were not upset by their working conditions, but grateful to have an opportunity to work to build a more civilized Africa. Furthermore, as more Belgians immigrate to Africa, the working and living conditions of the natives will continue to drastically increase.

All though we have conducted this research alone, the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Justice may also file their own report and compare the results our Ministries have gathered.

An image of a plantation owner with his African native workers', 1891​

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I, thank the members of this Chamber for supporting my appointment to Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs. Unlike, any other of the Deputies, I built my life in Africa and have resided in southern Belgian Congo for many years, even having my two of my children be born on the Dark Continent. It is my belief that after my experiences in Africa, I have the necessary requirements to fulfill my job competently.

Furthermore, the Minister of Finance's proposal to offer a special tax incentive for colonial promotion and immigration is a policy that our Ministry would definitely like to pursue. The Ministry of Colonial Affairs would also like to offer any Belgian who wishes to immigrate to the African colonies, a free 160 acre morsel of land to begin their life. Hopefully to begin cultivating the African soil and aide the Belgian Africa economy. As well as, increased investment from the government to build proper infrastructure connecting all of Belgian Africa together. Not only is this of military strategic importance, but also of major economic importance as well.

(( Use a National Focus to Encourage Immigration to Belgian Africa. ))

Valentin-Alexandre Klinkenberg,
Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Member of Parliament for Schaerbeek

 

[Andre Massena]

It is a relief that African workers are not being treated like chattel. But we must promote equal rights wherever we can. For what is the purpose of our foreign policy, if not that? And are we not all men who deserve the same treatment, regardless of who we are and where we come from? Some members of this chamber state that the African natives are not ready, yet when will they be ready? The second coming? It is better to promote equal rights and equal wages right now to immediately improve the living conditions of these natives. Furthermore, it will induce the natives to cooperate with our governance instead of rising in rebellion.

 

[viola]

That a known rubber baron like Klinkenberg claims that the natives are not being treated like slaves is not a surprise. Saying otherwise would be an Economic suicide.
Useless to say I'm not convinced by the "research" of the new ministry, something wrong is going on in Africa and the news from the Minister-President of the Free State of the Congo does nothing but prove such fears.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[SirkTheMonkey]

I must announce that the Colonial Minister's comments match the experience within the Benin Free State. Some may argue that the plantations workers are in slave-like conditions but in what world are slaves both paid and free to seek employment elsewhere. The work is hard and the conditions are admittedly worse than that of a Homeland factory worker, but the same can be said of Homeland farmers and growers. It is naive to think that the law of the factory should be the law of the land. Belgium would be a better place if all of us worked more like the native rubberer and less like the ivory tower socialists.

The state of the Benin Free state is quite stately. Crime is at levels somewhat higher than the Homeland but that is to be expected when we do not have sufficient Homelander civil servants to ensure continuity of policing throughout all parts of the colony. Extra police, paramilitary, or even full military forces will not have any deterrent on such crime as they cannot be in all corners of the land at once. The rule of law is of course enforced wherever possible, but possible isn't such an absolute, especially on the frontier. The Free State will of course make available all resources for the housing and provisioning of soldiers in the event of the rumoured campaign against the despicable Sokot slavers.

Claude F. Palomer, Statesman, Businessman, and proud representative of the Beninese​

 

[unmerged(718634)]

I must express that the good and Holy Bishops bring much optimism to my heart with their words. I say this not as a Socialist, but as a devout Catholic of the Cathedral of Tongeren. On the other hand the slander of the Beauffortists against the Socialist cause as being atheist truly insults me to my very core, I support secularism, yes, but in the belief that one should follow the example of Our Savior Jesus Christ in his actions of outreach and respect for the Gentiles.

Under the same optimism I must say, that if our Minister of Labor shows this truly Holy benevolence and wisdom then I am certainly in no opposition to his position.

Overall, as I stated in the near past I have very few qualms with this fairly elected Government of Highly Qualified Men, but there are some points to which I oppose. One is simply one of seeking assurance. I simply hope know that revived Beauffortists hold little sway in the decisions of this government. I say this not because of their reactionary ideals, for I find simple partisanship based upon difference of ideological basis to be rather petty, but because Beauffortism will further inflame the widening rift that has turned political opposition between right and left into a war of foul words. I have little interest to sit here and witness the return of such harsh slander, be it right on left or vice versa.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

Player Actions Needed:

Welp, it's time to vote. The Prime Minister has elected to veto any talk of referendum on the monarchy, so we're not doing that. Instead, we're voting on the [post=16899425]Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact[/post].

This is the first time using our shiny new vote-by-party system, so remember to list your party.

Sample Ballot:

[GLP/NDP/RU/BSU] ((This is the part that lists your party - don't forget this!))

[post=16899425]Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact[/post]: Yes/No/Abstain

This vote will end at 8 PM PST on 2/21 (4 AM 2/22, assuming that Greenwich is not vassalized by the International Date Line).

 

[Revan529]

Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact: Yea

[RU]

~ Marechal Jean-Joseph de St Sebastien, Baron d'Harfleur and Minister of the Interior

 

[Dadarian]

Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact: Aye

[GLP]

~ Lord Minister Andrei Popa Vanderhoof, Deputy of Ghent and Minister of Flanders

 

[Otto of england]

Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact: Aye

[RU]

- Christian van de Velde, Count of Ypre, Minister of Finance

 

[Andre Massena]

I must announce that the Colonial Minister's comments match the experience within the Benin Free State. Some may argue that the plantations workers are in slave-like conditions but in what world are slaves both paid and free to seek employment elsewhere. The work is hard and the conditions are admittedly worse than that of a Homeland factory worker, but the same can be said of Homeland farmers and growers. It is naive to think that the law of the factory should be the law of the land. Belgium would be a better place if all of us worked more like the native rubberer and less like the ivory tower socialists.

The state of the Benin Free state is quite stately. Crime is at levels somewhat higher than the Homeland but that is to be expected when we do not have sufficient Homelander civil servants to ensure continuity of policing throughout all parts of the colony. Extra police, paramilitary, or even full military forces will not have any deterrent on such crime as they cannot be in all corners of the land at once. The rule of law is of course enforced wherever possible, but possible isn't such an absolute, especially on the frontier. The Free State will of course make available all resources for the housing and provisioning of soldiers in the event of the rumoured campaign against the despicable Sokot slavers.

Claude F. Palomer, Statesman, Businessman, and proud representative of the Beninese​

I propose a constitutional amendment that requires every deputy to work five years in a factory. We shall then see how each deputy determines what are "fair" working conditions.

Amedee smirks

 

[99KingHigh]

Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact: Aye

 

[Andre Massena]

Netherlands-Belgium Associated State Pact: YES

[BSU]

-Deputy Amedee Dupointe of Brussels

 

[SirkTheMonkey]

I propose a constitutional amendment that requires every deputy to work five years in a factory. We shall then see how each deputy determines what are "fair" working conditions.

Amedee smirks

Mijnheer Dupointe, you do your party a grave disservice by displaying your ignorance in such an open and flagrant manner. I am not a deputy nor have I ever been nor do I desire to be. I have been an business manager, a destitute farm labourer, an investor, a plantation owner, and now a political executive, but never once have I been a member of parliament.

Mijnheer Loewen, I know that you are a man of good intentions. I urge you to make sure your parliamentarians are well educated and well informed before allowing them to open their mouths for potentially defamatory statements.

Claude F. Palomer, Minister-President of Benin Free State
In a message sent to parliament and published in the local press

 

[Otto of england]

I propose a constitutional amendment that requires every deputy to work five years in a factory. We shall then see how each deputy determines what are "fair" working conditions.

Amedee smirks

That's a brilliant idea! Who needs a government every electoral cycle lets spend the whole 5 years as some kind of forced factory labourer! Absolutely brilliant no matter if some of us are too old, or have other medical conditions that would pose unnecessary risks for this amendment! Yes I completely agree starting next electoral cycle let us have every deputy that's elected spend his term in a factory, only to be reelected and spend another 5 years in a factory! I'm just so glad the socialists are here to lead our nation into forward thinking times to bring us into there absolutely beautiful Marxist utopia where everything proceeds to slowly fall apart due to the lack of governance. Yes this is a great plan.

Many hard right RU members start chuckling with Christians comment

((Note that was 100% sarcastic read it as such.))

- Christian van de Velde, Count of Ypres, Minister of Justice

 

[Andre Massena]

Once again the enemies of the common man display their elitism by trying to score telling points off of an obviously satirical comment. They think they are at a university debating club! Little do they know that the joke is on them, the people who believe working conditions in Belgium are safe and fair.

Therefore, with all seriousness, I propose to correct this misconception by requiring every member of the government spend one month working in a factory.