-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Unfortunately he is far too young to serve, but I had the honor to fight personally in this war as an officer until just few months ago when I was wounded near Bruges.
Does that satisfy your unending curiosity?
- Baron Alexander Van Den Brucke
Indeed, Jules, I know, and must congratulate you on this very happy marriage that connected two great houses. I am sorry I could not visit your wedding. Sadly enough... external circumstances kept me from public life for several years, but now I am happy again to serve my fatherland, especially at a time of troubles.
I must note that my two sons are in the army now, and one of them have been already wounded, serving under General Tillens. I must admit that if one of them dies, I would mourn them until the end of my life, losing a part of my soul. But a duty to ones country is above everything else, we cannot sacrifice its interests - and must be valiant and steady, as we always were. Defeatism and antimilitary sentiments now only would help our enemies. They are like poison at a time like this, for they destroy the will to prevail and military spirit that is neccessary for victory.
- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duke of Anjou-Brienne, Minister of Colonies
Last edited:
Yes it does. I wish to thank you for your time, your opinion is, intresting.
- Kristina van den Berg
I recommend that the investigation into Deputy Coppens' death be resumed. I realize it is wartime, but we have waited for answers far too long.
-Amedee Dupointe
-Amedee Dupointe
Amedee whispers to Kristina
Usually you are the one who urges me not to interact with these madmen!
Kristina whispers back
Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I studied the art of Psychology, and know exactly what questions I need to ask.
Last edited:
((WOAH THERE, LET'S KEEP IT PG
))The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing our options in these most difficult of times. We must find a way to bring in new allies to help the war effort, and will release a comprehensive report shortly.
- Pierre Savarin, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
((WOAH THERE, LET'S KEEP IT PG
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing our options in these most difficult of times. We must find a way to bring in new allies to help the war effort, and will release a comprehensive report shortly.
- Pierre Savarin, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Can the Dutch be convinced to fight with us? ((Are they our satellites?)) And what of the Spanish who the late de Leeuw worked so hard on to bring them under our influence?
((With respect to the ties: they have been broken by coin flip since no golden votes were cast.
Van den Berg will be your MoFl, while Maximiliaan Willem de Haan will be MoBr))
Van den Berg will be your MoFl, while Maximiliaan Willem de Haan will be MoBr))
((Nice map TH, I really enjoy that you used military counters!))
Now with this major war going it it strikes me odd that Belgium lacks forms of military decoration for acts of valour. I think this is a disgrace to our armed forces and the men who have sacrificed themselves for our country that we pay little heed to there sacrifices and that we do not honour them. So with this in mind I propose the following act to remedy this.
- Jules van de Velde
Now with this major war going it it strikes me odd that Belgium lacks forms of military decoration for acts of valour. I think this is a disgrace to our armed forces and the men who have sacrificed themselves for our country that we pay little heed to there sacrifices and that we do not honour them. So with this in mind I propose the following act to remedy this.
- Jules van de Velde
From de Graaf's last speech before the elections:
So this is it. I did my best to prepare this country for the worst, and now, the history shall judge my actions. I hope that the line named after me will stand strong and protect Belgium from its enemies in a way I always did, but now cannot. There were good years and bad years, but I have no regrets. The tasks of daily life were getting increasingly hard in the last years, but I went on, held my pain and fought. Now, this fight is coming to its end, as I will be meeting Saint Peter very soon. Doctor Peeters gave me three years after the first diagnose in 1894, and yet I have lived to see this next century coming to life. Now, when I end my days in this Chamber, I can only wish that those who come after us will not let this country fall. Belgium's very existence is at the stake, but I believe in our triumph, for the spirit of Belgians can't be killed or maimed by any weapon.
And so, I announce that I will not be seeking re-election to this chamber, and I will spend the short time I have by finally having some rest. I thank you all, notably my colleagues from NDP and especially Pierre Savarin for everything they have done. Keep fighting, I may not see my dream come true, but it is our duty to fight for it no matter what it costs.
Thank you gentlemen, and farewell.
De Graaf then started writing a book of memoirs, but he never finished it. He lost his fight with the lung cancer only three months after his final speech, and was buried in a family tomb in Bruges.
((New character coming soon... ish.))
So this is it. I did my best to prepare this country for the worst, and now, the history shall judge my actions. I hope that the line named after me will stand strong and protect Belgium from its enemies in a way I always did, but now cannot. There were good years and bad years, but I have no regrets. The tasks of daily life were getting increasingly hard in the last years, but I went on, held my pain and fought. Now, this fight is coming to its end, as I will be meeting Saint Peter very soon. Doctor Peeters gave me three years after the first diagnose in 1894, and yet I have lived to see this next century coming to life. Now, when I end my days in this Chamber, I can only wish that those who come after us will not let this country fall. Belgium's very existence is at the stake, but I believe in our triumph, for the spirit of Belgians can't be killed or maimed by any weapon.
And so, I announce that I will not be seeking re-election to this chamber, and I will spend the short time I have by finally having some rest. I thank you all, notably my colleagues from NDP and especially Pierre Savarin for everything they have done. Keep fighting, I may not see my dream come true, but it is our duty to fight for it no matter what it costs.
Thank you gentlemen, and farewell.
De Graaf then started writing a book of memoirs, but he never finished it. He lost his fight with the lung cancer only three months after his final speech, and was buried in a family tomb in Bruges.
((New character coming soon... ish.))
Comrade Dupointe, your loyalty to the party is always greatly appreciated. I regret that I was unable to allocate a ministry to you but this is Cabinet of all parties. The ministries have been allocated as equitably as possible with no party getting entirely what they wanted. We have put the common interest of Belgium above personal desires. I hope you understand.
***************************************************************
To the Cabinet
I would appreciate your reports as soon as possible as to our options. In particular, I would appreciate consideration of the following:
- From the Chief of Staff, as to the feasibility of putting a holding force on the De Graaf line in order to concentrate the remainder of army to fall upon the detached French and Bavarian forces in the Rhineland to provide some relief to our North German allies.
- From the Minister for Defence, whether we have reached full mobilisation, whether there is any prospect of raising more troops and when/whether the troops from the Corps d'Afrique may arrive to bolster our numbers.
-From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the state of our allies, the prospect of adding to new allies to the war and the prospects for a negotiated peace that preserves Belgium's interests.
- From the Minister for Finance, the status of our financial position, assuming full funding of the army and navy, as well as social benefits. I have no objection to raising taxes to cover these extraordinary expenses of war, and even taking loans if the taxes are not enough.
- From the Minister for Commerce, please liaise with the Finance Ministry as to the feasibility and cost of constructing an artillery arsenal in Liege and steamship yards in Bruges.
- From the Minister for the Interior, please report on home morale and any opportunity to pass emergency social relief reforms which help raise said morale. Please also liaise with the Minister for Defence and the Chief of Staff about the feasibility of a focus on a national recruitment drive.
- From the Minister for the Colonies - Please report on the state of the African colonies, whether there is any opportunity to release more troops to fight in metropolitan Belgium and the prospects of raising more troops in the colonies for garrison duty.
- from the Minister for Education - To use her best endeavours to promote research of military devices of a novel and technologically superior character to assist our armies and navies in their current travails.
- To all other Ministers - Please liaise with your committees to prepare reports on steps which may be taken to strengthen the defence of Belgium and end this war.
Action this day
Frederic Burke
***************************************************************
To the Cabinet
I would appreciate your reports as soon as possible as to our options. In particular, I would appreciate consideration of the following:
- From the Chief of Staff, as to the feasibility of putting a holding force on the De Graaf line in order to concentrate the remainder of army to fall upon the detached French and Bavarian forces in the Rhineland to provide some relief to our North German allies.
- From the Minister for Defence, whether we have reached full mobilisation, whether there is any prospect of raising more troops and when/whether the troops from the Corps d'Afrique may arrive to bolster our numbers.
-From the Foreign Affairs Minister, the state of our allies, the prospect of adding to new allies to the war and the prospects for a negotiated peace that preserves Belgium's interests.
- From the Minister for Finance, the status of our financial position, assuming full funding of the army and navy, as well as social benefits. I have no objection to raising taxes to cover these extraordinary expenses of war, and even taking loans if the taxes are not enough.
- From the Minister for Commerce, please liaise with the Finance Ministry as to the feasibility and cost of constructing an artillery arsenal in Liege and steamship yards in Bruges.
- From the Minister for the Interior, please report on home morale and any opportunity to pass emergency social relief reforms which help raise said morale. Please also liaise with the Minister for Defence and the Chief of Staff about the feasibility of a focus on a national recruitment drive.
- From the Minister for the Colonies - Please report on the state of the African colonies, whether there is any opportunity to release more troops to fight in metropolitan Belgium and the prospects of raising more troops in the colonies for garrison duty.
- from the Minister for Education - To use her best endeavours to promote research of military devices of a novel and technologically superior character to assist our armies and navies in their current travails.
- To all other Ministers - Please liaise with your committees to prepare reports on steps which may be taken to strengthen the defence of Belgium and end this war.
Action this day
Frederic Burke
I understand, though it disappoints me. At least you maneuvered yourself to the PM chair and instituted a proper socialist industrial policy.
-Amedee Dupointe
-Amedee Dupointe
- Where is my mustard? - Frederik van der Bancke, a proud patriot and Vanderbruckist, the leader of the Far Right in the Flemish Regional Assembly and the Chairman of the Brusselard Northern Bank, frowned, looking at his sausages. The Flemish mutiny made some of his lazy servants damned unobliging, he even thought he heard one of his livery lackeys humming a rebel hymn. However, everything would change soon.
The banker buttered his toast and took the newspaper in his hands. In a moment his private secretary, Helmut Criisens, arrived, looking at his patron with ratty devotion.
- Ah, Helmut, have some tea! You are just on time! Probably have news from the Assembly? - van der Bancke took a swig from a goldened saucer and lightened his gigantic pipe – However, stop, I already know everything. Very soon we will crown dear Alexander as our new leader and have a comfortable majority…
- You think so, sir? – Criisens said, sitting down carefully. You had to do everything carefully, when you were around Frederik-Dirk-Eduardo van der Bancke with his famous temper.
- Of course, my dear little man, are you a retarded Walloon? The Good Baron has a tie with That Woman, but now everything depends from a few Vanderbruckist backbenchers… Some of their collegues already joined us, nobody wants a Communist antimilitarist pansy to represent the region during the war. If you remember right, Andrei was very Antisocialist, he even wanted to repeal the trade union reform! Soon we will get their vote…
Frederik stood up and walked through the room, full of expensive mahogany furniture, rubbing his large hands gleefully.
- Oh, the things we would do with that majority! First of all, need to pass some laws against antimilitary propaganda… Oh, I cannot wait for the moment, when we will proclaim the new Lord Minister of Flanders!
- Lady Minister… - said the secretary quietly, while hiding behind one of the round tables.
- WHAT? – the banker stopped abruptly and his chubby cheeks became pale.
- The backbenchers have voted for That Woman… - Helmut Criisens commented in a very small voice.
SLAM! In a moment the goldened saucer, whirling in the air, flew at the secretary, hit the wall and broke into several pieces.
- That Woman now represents Flanders? What are we, a damned Wallonian Jacobin hellhole? AFTER ALL THE MONEY I SPENT? THE NICE FANCY POSTERS WITH THE BARON? FREE CANDY FOR THE FAR-RIGHT CHILDREN? THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSIONS?
Furious van der Bancke stopped for a moment and took a gulp of air. His face was now red and sweaty. In a moment he sat down – and backlashed with his hand, sweeping all the fashionable china off the table.
- AND, FOR GODNESS SAKE, WHERE IS THE BLOODY MUSTARD?
Last edited: