Read All About It! - A Community NewspapAAR

[TheButterflyComposer]

Unquestionably many incurious investors found the sight of a British Dominion going bankrupt to be a shock.

Huh? How did that even happen?

...oh.

How unusual, the british are using New Zealand like some resource rich african colony rather than a civilised dominion.

We encourage those in government circles to ascertain if the time is now ripe for a Trans-Tasman Sea Pacific Dominion to be reconsidered.

It's the only way admit! Bankruptcy is for the French!

-M

 

[El Pip]

How unusual, the british are using New Zealand like some resource rich african colony rather than a civilised dominion.

More like a resource poor African country that must be hustled towards self-government, or some other cheap form of rule, as fast as is seemly to stop it being a drain on the exchequer. Though if it had been a truly poor place it would have been partitioned.

I don't know enough Vicki II to be sure, but New Zealand looks doomed to this sort of thing. No attractive 'New world' bonus to migration, no land to expand into and no valuable RGOs. It is also tiny, population is smaller than Luxembourg.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

To be fair, New Zealand is a bit more unattractive to migrants than australia. It's full of natives who are quite good at fighting the british at times, empty of much else aside from farm animals, and has a more dangerous climate in winter.

 

[El Pip]

With all the forum issues do people want a delay of a week to get in their edition or should I continue on schedule and put up the pre Peace Conference update?

Or has everyone lost interest and I can just carry on for my own amusement?

 

[DensleyBlair]

I’d like to move ahead towards the peace conference personally.

 

[Nikolai]

With all the forum issues do people want a delay of a week to get in their edition or should I continue on schedule and put up the pre Peace Conference update?

Or has everyone lost interest and I can just carry on for my own amusement?

I must confess I have had enough with RL and my own AAR lately, but I hope to be able to write again at some point.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

I have stuff to post but I've not had a computer to upload stuff from lately. So do what you will.

 

[GangsterSynod]

I'm still interested, just busy until the end of May, so do what you want.

 

[Le Jones]

I must confess I have had enough with RL and my own AAR lately, but I hope to be able to write again at some point.

This, really. Although the forum chaos hasn't helped.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

My computer is back with me so I could feasibly upload tomorrow. I think I'll try, just to get the ball rolling again. Not that tickety boo was the lynchpin of this affair but it might serve as a honey pot.

 

[El Pip]

My computer is back with me so I could feasibly upload tomorrow. I think I'll try, just to get the ball rolling again. Not that tickety boo was the lynchpin of this affair but it might serve as a honey pot.

I'll be honest with you, tickety boo may well end up being the lynchpin of the affair due to a complete lack of other candidates.

I’d like to move ahead towards the peace conference personally.

As the only person (bar TBC) with the time and inclination to write who expressed a view, we will be following this recommendation.

Next round should be uploaded later today. It won't be too far in the future, just enough so that it's obvious a peace conference would happen. I'm also going to try and record a few more of the flavour events in case they give someone a hook to write something (a man must have hope or he is lost).

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Peace conference should be interesting. Not that my paper can really talk about it unless mycroft gets a article again.

 

[El Pip]

We have reached December 1890, less than a week before Christmas and the world teeters on the brink of... Peace?

ReadAllAboutIt Dec1890.v2

drive.google.com

The Franco-Belgo-Otto-Japanese Alliance is at -100% war score so their will be peace. But the various demands of the victors far exceed this, and doubtless there are other demands not yet listed, so what is to be done? (For starters you should ignore the game mechanic limits, for I have no truck with such false limits from Paradox ).

Some have suggested Berlin or London for a conference, to settle affairs, others neutral Venice might be a better venue. Yet there are rumours the Germans wish to sign a Treaty in Strasbourg, just to hammer home the point about Alsace-Lorraine. The talks to decide where the talks will be held could be the first diplomatic fight.

Spoiler: A Summary of World Events

Lots of war. Obviously.

Nov 20th - Bhutan broke their treaty with Sikkim! (One for the Himalayan Gazette perhaps?)

Early December - The Royal Navy develops large calibre guns and quick firing guns, further cementing British naval dominance.

Mid December - The Austro-Hungarian Army reaches Constantinople and starts besieging the city. They also decide to add "Contain Japan" as a war goal. These events may or may not be connected.

The CSA has an election 10th January 1891 and went for "Why should they have the same rights?" in the immigration debate, but also the pro-Secularisation one. They have also grabbed a chunk of West Africa and would like the rest in the peace conference.

A/H election is April 1891 for those interested in a possible peace conference point there. No other major power has an election any time soon (or in the case of Russia, Ottomans, etc - no elections ever).

Mid December - The Papal States not-a-Crusade reaches Jerusalem and begins occupying it. Deus Vult!

Late December - The French White Army (reactionary monarchist) rebels started to spawn. The actual French army was too busy fighting British and Germans armies, or being dead, to do much about it.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Tickety-Boo #2

An apology from our Illustrious Editor, Mr E. Bear​

Today’s featured article was meant to be released some time ago, a delay I must humbly beg apology for. Alas, recent calamity has rocked the publishing world to its core, as you might have noticed by the lack of paper on your breakfast tables these past few weeks. Breakfast of course was also the lesser because of the Great Honey Shortage (GHS), made all the worse by collapse in farming markets across the world in New Zealand and utter apathy on the part of bees everywhere.

It has been an Ordeal of the Highest Order, let me tell you. But…is that not what we are for, here at Tickety-Boo? Indeed, should we not take strength and power from this misery, leaning on our banner until we have the capability, nay, the wherewithal, to raise it once again and demand, “No-more Sir! Elevenses for all, not teatime!”

Anywho, Mr Holmes has been ever so obliging to promise unto us a further demonstration of his literary prowess and great humanity on the upcoming peace conference. However, today’s feature article is something of a mystery. It appeared alongside a pot of most unusual Honey from the Dark Continent, so I am sure the author is of similarly unusual but excellent taste and character. Do enjoy it.

…​

It was a surprise and, may I say, delight to be…presented with this new paper tasked with the upliftment of Mankind. At my age, melancholy is a habit rather than a hindrance yet I do not dislike the temporary despoilment of ancient misery such a thing provides. I am not young, and time does not heal all things. It must be said, however, that Mr Edward Bear stoked a fire within my chest that has not yet proven fleeting. It has certainly made me consider my living arrangements if nothing else.

We are, all of us, entombed within the walls of our homes more often than not. Where we sleep, where we…reside, where we feast and hunger, where we plan and concoct, these places of ours are not mere residences but a part of our very being. No man with a song in his heart and a spring in his step returns home every day to a joyless abode or darkened hall. Dilapidated it might be, but love and warmth will coat its walls in a manner paint or blood never could. Similarly, a ruined fellow, who has taken the world upon his shoulders and been crushed by the weight, who walks bow legged and bent backed, might live in the mightiest of castles yet his hearth is cold and his possessions, though potentially ample, will be dim with dust and rust.

My homeland tis of me, any sweetness upon its wind spent over centuries of terrible war and tragedy. My ancestral place, a ruin of a castle, a mockery of a family seat, where never again shall a child laugh in delight nor a maiden swoon in genuine romance. Such is the way of things. The past may be a foreign country, but it encroaches like any imperialist upon that which it should by rights lay out of. Nothing is sacred these days.

I have decided to make a change, to remove myself from such entropy and re-join with society in another place. To live again, amongst the living of the modern age. Such a thing for me is fraught with difficulty, liturgical, logistical and…otherwise. To that end, very soon a fine Englishman will be arriving at my sorry dwelling. I hope he is not infected with its demeanour, but in all honesty this place hungers for more things than I care to mention.

Forgive me, a person of my unique condition slips often into rhapsody and unforgivable bouts of depression. As I was saying, each of us contains a part of ourselves within our homes and takes part of our homes away with us. So, what is to be done? Well, you must make your place fit for your purposes I suppose. For those whom require air, light, a connection to nature – all such things can be provided with a large window. Preferably unlatched. The more studious, independent, dare I say…lonesome types, they would presumably prefer a wall to wall, floor to ceiling library, shuttered windows, limited light sources, that sort of thing.

What I am getting at, distracted as I am with thoughts of dinner (never write hungry, my new friends) is that each of us is less in control of our moods than we might like to think. Our surroundings make us as much as we, human and animal alike, make our surroundings. The streets of London, as filled with delight and fancy as they are, also hide many monsters of your own making. How dark do those winding streets go? How loudly must you scream to pierce the thick fog and cries of machinery? How can any man feel healthy and full-blooded in a place that saps vigour and life like…well, regardless-

Perhaps the City is…not the best place for a person as of today. Still, I must see for myself and rest assured, dear readers, I shall report back to you on my findings. Should anyone wish to enquire upon my good self, I am sure I shall make myself known in your fair kingdom upon my arrival. For now, goodnight, and sleep well.

-The Most Ancient and Noble, Count Dracula, Defender of the Faith in Romania​

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Mid December - The Papal States not-a-Crusade reaches Jerusalem and begins occupying it. Deus Vult!

Late December - The French White Army (reactionary monarchist) rebels started to spawn. The actual French army was too busy fighting British and Germans armies, or being dead, to do much about it.

These two things in particular are of great interest in terms of European politics and society. Catholicism is once again a credible military and political thing, and France going monarchist would kick off another round of revolutions, or fears of revolutions. Interesting times ahead.

 

[El Pip]

The Lynchpin of the Affair has returned! With new columnist who is keeping up the high standards we have come to expect of Bearism.

I must also congratulate you as the sharp contrasts between the esteemed editor of Tickey Boo and the writers he employs remains most entertaining.

These two things in particular are of great interest in terms of European politics and society. Catholicism is once again a credible military and political thing, and France going monarchist would kick off another round of revolutions, or fears of revolutions. Interesting times ahead.

This is my new plan for this project - providing massively interesting political and cultural hooks (or should I say honey pots ) in the hope of luring people in to write.

I will continue to write exceptionally niche economic and financial newspaper columns about the period, partly to leave the field open to others but mostly for my own amusement, so hopefully others will take the bait.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Ooh, I’m liking the prospect of the French White Army. Plenty for the Libertaire to rage against! With any luck I’ll have a piece or two up this weekend once I’ve had a chance to look around the save.

EDIT: As you will see below, the latest issue of the Libertaire appeared far earlier than anticipated – and with a bonus clipping from Le Temps to allow me to cover such boring stuff as "European diplomacy"! It's been a while (in relative terms) since I've been able to work on anything that wasn't academic, so it was nice to fire off a few hundred words on the urgent necessity of the Commune!

 

[DensleyBlair]

LE LIBERTAIRE
Journal du Monde Libéré

NUMÉRO 3 — DEC 1890​

What terrible ruin the Capitalist War has wrought! Half of France aches under the occupation of foreign powers; hundreds of thousands of our sons and daughters lie dead, and those who survive carry the grave burden of unspeakable loss. From a petty dispute cynically manipulated by the false Socialists in Berlin – feigning concern for the plight of the Bulgarian people while in truth concerned only for the expansion of German influence – the War spiralled into a conflict whose like this dark Continent has not known for generations. France’s defeat is total. Her lands lie ravaged by invading armies and her people left forsaken by a spineless bourgeois Liberal government. The fields go empty and the villages stand silent, mourning the dead. Meanwhile, the capitalist profiteers build their fortunes from the sales of armaments and the opening up of new markets. After all, war is good business.

As if this tragedy were not already sufficiently profound, opportunists seeking to exploit the weakness of the enfeebled Liberal Party seek to condemn the Republic in its entirety. It is true, the Third Republic has been no friend of the worker; the cry of those in power has been, Enrich yourselves! Yet who would conclude from this sorry state of affairs that the only way is backwards? Sixteen thousand men, a shameful coalition of aristocrats and class traitors, now seek to take advantage of the parlous state of the French Army and declare an end to the Republic and the restoration of the French monarchy! How low must one stoop before choosing to make good of war by returning the shackles to a liberated people. Having set ourselves against German aggression, foolishly embroiling the people of France in a conflict with which they had nothing to do, our former oppressors now demand a return of their privileges! The democratic tradition has been found wanting, they cry! A return to the Crown and the Church is the only way that France may be free of this cycle of revolution, reaction and ruin!

Do not swallow these poisoned words! The salvation of the worker does not lie in any external movement, but within the working class itself! No god nor king will save us from the tyranny of the Capitalists and the bourgeoisie! If there is to be an end to this sordid Republic, let it come at the hands of the workers, empowered by the force of their own position in history! The White Army must be defeated; they number barely fifteen thousand men, while the ranks of the Communists within France exceed half a million! Our capacity for action, if we are conscious of it, knows no bounds! We have a world to win! Take up arms now in defence of the rights and the freedoms of the working classes! Take up arms in opposition to the Capitalist, the Aristocrat and the Bourgeois politicians who treat the fate of the French people as a merely a petty entertainment! Take up arms in defiance of the false concerns for freedom parroted by the so-called Socialists in Germany and Britain, whose malicious manipulation of the state machinery to oppress the working peoples of Europe stands in direct contradiction to all those values they claim to hold dear! Together we can bring about the downfall of the state that oppresses us and begin the construction of a new world for the good of all working peoples of the world!

To all who read these words, do not delay! Act today in defence of this golden dream: the creation of a happy abode of free humankind! True liberty is but one short battle away: join the fight for an end to the chaos and the slaughter that sends millions of workers to their deaths so that the ruling classes may grow fat and rich! Awaken all who have been lying in wait for this auspicious day: the hour of liberty is upon us! Do not rest until the old world lies dead in its grave; we shall not mourn it, for we shall inherit a new world of radical freedom! Though the fight may seem daunting, together our power shall know no equal; we are many, they are few! Forward, to our new tomorrow! Through revolution we workers shall set ourselves free!

______________________________________________


LE TEMPS​

… While it is understood that the victorious Allies would rather hold peace talks in either Berlin or London, there has been a push among the defeated coalition to convene in a neutral location such as Venice. The foreign secretary indicated today that the French government has resolved to push for Geneva as a potential compromise, noting that the city retains close ties to the Allied Powers via the friendship between the Swiss and Austro–Hungarian governments, while avoiding the likely occurrence of a diplomatic incident should talks take place in non-neutral territory.

The desire of the nationalist bloc within Germany to hold talks in Strasbourg, a statement of German aspirations to control the regions of Alsace and Lorraine, has been dismissed out of hands. …

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

First off, someone has sent me a link to the Penguin Classic cover generator. So I made this and it is still making me smile;

Ah, brings back memories of making covers for Albion. Good times.

With new columnist who is keeping up the high standards we have come to expect of Bearism.

Whatever that means.

I must also congratulate you as the sharp contrasts between the esteemed editor of Tickey Boo and the writers he employs remains most entertaining.

He has only good intentions as a good little Edwardian. Unfortunately, this is Victorian literature. Everyone of interest is either dead, a colossal dick or evil. I have noticed the unintentional coronation between all three characters so far in that they all have vast, unquenchable appetites that dominate their thoughts most of the time.

This is my new plan for this project - providing massively interesting political and cultural hooks (or should I say honey pots ) in the hope of luring people in to write.

It's baited with the British empire teaming up with Germany, revolutionary french monarchists and battle popes. Surely someone will take a sniff at it?

I enjoy the liberte, I never that there's probably several papers in France called that, and they all violently disagree on what liberte means, or what freedom they want. From liberals, to communism.

 

[DensleyBlair]

I enjoy the liberte, I never that there's probably several papers in France called that, and they all violently disagree on what liberte means, or what freedom they want. From liberals, to communism.

Thank you. I follow in the grand tradition of French Leftists having infinitely arcane spats in literary journals. Plus, they’re great to write because all I really have to do is take a quick look at the geopolitics of Europe, check whether there’s any massive economic crisis in France and then find a couple of dozen ways to rephrase “you have nothing to lose but your chains; you have a world to win!” until I hit a full page of text.

What is interesting at this particular moment is that there is a significant communist rebel movement (as there has been since ‘89) and it will almost certainly be set off if the White Army achieve their goal – though I’m not entirely certain that they will, seeing as they’re actually quite weak. I think (needless to say) everything will really hinge on the peace. As soon as I opened up the game, I got the news that Germany had rejected the French offer of Bulgarian independence plus 4x GW capitulation. So it looks like Berlin has no intention of letting France off the hook quite so easily. Alsace-Lorraine going seems a certainty at this point, which historically causes all sorts of trouble.

That said, in my current Vicky campaign I noticed that France lost A-L without so much as a ripple for the Bonapartist government in Paris, which was disappointing. Took a second war before exhaustion spilled over into revolution. Granted, that wasn’t a great war…