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Thank you. I follow in the grand tradition of French Leftists having infinitely arcane spats in literary journals. :D 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. :p
You say that, yet each edition of Libertaire is still an entertaining read, so I think you under-sell yourself.

I did consider Geneva, so I'm glad Le Temps has suggested it. The Swiss are very much not the neutrals we know and distrust from OTL, so I did wonder if the Swiss being an A-H puppet and Allied with the UK might disqualify them from being a 'neutral venue'. But if the French are happy then (most) of the Allied Powers would be happy as well.
 
The Imperial Financial Journal #4
The Imperial Financial Journal
The value of unvarnished truth outshines even the finest diamond

Eastern Practices
As the fever of socialism continues to grip the major powers we at the Imperial Financial Journal have been trenchant in our defence of markets, capitalism and the benefits of trade and specialisation. However intellectual honesty, and our journalistic integrity, requires that we are just as determined in our opposition to bad policies that emanate from the other end of the political spectrum, to that end we must draw our readers attention to the ongoing problems in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth where the notionally conservative National Democratic Party is in office.

The Second Agricultural Bank of Poland is not an institution that is counted among the great finance houses of Europe, yet by it's own lights it was a respectable enough institution. Prudently managed and with ample reserves it had navigated the recent turbulence rocking the continent and continued to pay a modest dividend while providing the loans and advances that are the lifeblood of commerce. Despite this spotless, if unexceptional record, the bank was nationalised by the Commonwealth government, in a naked act of expropriated the capital of the shareholders and bondholders was confiscated without compensation and the entire enterprise placed under the wing of the Finance Ministry.

It is suggested by our correspondents in the region that this event was driven by internal political concerns around in the Eastern regions around Kiev, that the bank had become improperly involved in the financing of the many ‘liberation’ movements that plague the Commonwealth. Be that as it may, and we note the lack of actual proof around these admittedly serious allegations, that is no excuse or justification for this act of state sponsored theft. Far more significantly we observe that the NDP subscribe to the twisted doctrine of State-Capitalism and this act of larceny would fit within the confines of that barbarous policy.

While we sympathise with the dire straits that the Commonwealth finds itself in, the Imperial Trade Board for the region estimates there may be no more than 50 actual capitalists in a country of some 23 millions, that should be a spur for reform not ill thought out revolution. An end to the pernicious ‘progressive’ taxation that assails the country is what is called for, along with encouragement for more of the nations' aristocracy to follow the example of their historic British counterparts and become patrons of industry not gentlemen farmers. Instead the Commonwealth seems determined to plumb the depths of their faulty doctrine; we understand a rash of clothing manufactories are under construction, all funded by the state in the absence of any meaningful private capital. As an observant investor should know garment prices has been in secular decline for many years due to chronic global over-capacity, with little prospect of any change due to lavish state subsidy from governments which should know better. While the Commonwealth possess some land suitable for cotton production in it's African colonies it lacks any textile mills, thus it has to import raw fabric for processing further squeezing the possible margin of profit.

In short, there is no arguable case that the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has a comparative advantage in this industry and the long term prospects are for further decline in prices until even the most stoneheaded of politicians is forced to admit they cannot fight the market and turn off the subsidy taps. Yet in the name of State-Capitalism it is into this industry that the Commonwealth government is pouring it's nation's capital! We can only advise our readers to ensure they resist the tempting yield offered by the bonds of the region's banks and financial firms, lest further piracy occur, continue to steer clear of all clothing manufacturing enterprises and look for opportunities elsewhere until such time as sanity and the wisdom of our namesake returns to the region.

Ricardo
 
You say that, yet each edition of Libertaire is still an entertaining read, so I think you under-sell yourself.

Truth be told, I was worried they were getting a little samey – so thank you.

I did consider Geneva, so I'm glad Le Temps has suggested it. The Swiss are very much not the neutrals we know and distrust from OTL, so I did wonder if the Swiss being an A-H puppet and Allied with the UK might disqualify them from being a 'neutral venue'. But if the French are happy then (most) of the Allied Powers would be happy as well.

My idea is that the French government probably sees its task as getting the conference out of Berlin (or London) rather than into somewhere truly neutral. The scale of the defeat is truly horrific after all.
 
Yeah the French avoiding a Berlin or London victory parade as they are signing their empire away would probably be the best they can hope for. Plus a Swiss treaty makes them still seem like a big power in Europe even though they're probably about to lose most of their stuff outside Metropolitan France and haven't got much control within that area either.

IFJ probably wouldn't like the modern US attitude towards their cotton growing and manufacturing industry if they don't like obscene government subsidy. To the point that they started subsidising Brazil's as well to stop them complain about it.

Alas in Vicky two, if the state isn't telling stupid capitalists what to build, they will build things such as cotton factories 90 years after their heyday) and never build any gun factories (because they think everyone already has enough). Why would the country need a vast metalworking industry? They already have some ships!

Unless this particular game has some randomly cunning capitalists in the U.K. Making it all work, this article might even get a snarky response from Mycroft. Not like he needs much excuse to decry the stupdity of mankind.
 
My idea is that the French government probably sees its task as getting the conference out of Berlin (or London) rather than into somewhere truly neutral. The scale of the defeat is truly horrific after all.
That makes sense and it may yet happen.

Yeah the French avoiding a Berlin or London victory parade as they are signing their empire away would probably be the best they can hope for. Plus a Swiss treaty makes them still seem like a big power in Europe even though they're probably about to lose most of their stuff outside Metropolitan France and haven't got much control within that area either.
We shall see if any other paper chimes in with a dissenting view.

Alas in Vicky two, if the state isn't telling stupid capitalists what to build, they will build things such as cotton factories 90 years after their heyday) and never build any gun factories (because they think everyone already has enough). Why would the country need a vast metalworking industry? They already have some ships!

Unless this particular game has some randomly cunning capitalists in the U.K. Making it all work, this article might even get a snarky response from Mycroft. Not like he needs much excuse to decry the stupdity of mankind.
From my quick skim over the saves giles it looks like the UK did get some decent capitalist. Labour only took power in '85 so I went back before then and there were a load of small weapon and artillery factories built and in the queue, along with a scattering of the usual cement, steel, steamers, etc. El Pip updates are nothing if not needlessly over-researched.
DYAEiOu.gif
 
From my quick skim over the saves giles it looks like the UK did get some decent capitalist. Labour only took power in '85 so I went back before then and there were a load of small weapon and artillery factories built and in the queue, along with a scattering of the usual cement, steel, steamers, etc. El Pip updates are nothing if not needlessly over-researched.
DYAEiOu.gif

British exceptionalism then? Only this time they're right?
 
British exceptionalism then? Only this time they're right?
Don't think so. Maybe I've got lucky with the AI, or maybe the final patches and DLCs actually fixed something, but Germany and A-H have fairly sane looking industries and are churning out small arms / artillery / explosives. Fuel Refineries are proving popular as well.

British industry dominates everything, but other people are producing things as well. Except clipper convoys for some reason, which is a British monopoly bar a tiny PLC shipyard. But with Steamers available, and being produced by others, who cares?
 
Peace Conference Thoughts. Instead of a new save file this weekend, which would end up containing an agreed Peace, I wonder if I could do something a bit different.

I'm proposing drafting up an Allied peace proposal and an Entente counter-proposal, sticking them in Spoiler Tags and have them 'leak' to the press so they have something to write about during the 'negotiations'. These will be initial proposals, so nice and controversial. On the off chance of any other newspaper deciding to publish before the weekend that would inform the proposals as well.

Any interest in this? Or indeed any better ideas to rejuvenate interest in this project?
 
Peace Conference Thoughts. Instead of a new save file this weekend, which would end up containing an agreed Peace, I wonder if I could do something a bit different.

I'm proposing drafting up an Allied peace proposal and an Entente counter-proposal, sticking them in Spoiler Tags and have them 'leak' to the press so they have something to write about during the 'negotiations'. These will be initial proposals, so nice and controversial. On the off chance of any other newspaper deciding to publish before the weekend that would inform the proposals as well.

Any interest in this? Or indeed any better ideas to rejuvenate interest in this project?

I'll try on that basis, Pip...
 
Should have a bit of time this weekend so that sounds ideal!
 
Well I'm putting one out before the weekend but then again, tickety boo has the barest grip on reality so shouldn't have any impact on the peace conference in any way. Unless someone there both reads M's articles and agrees with him?
 
Peace Conference - Opening Proposals
The two sides have agreed for the conference to be held in Geneva. Such has been the scale of the conflict and the stakes involved that many lesser powers, satellites and puppets have sent representatives, thought what weight (if any) will be given to their input is another matter. The attending powers have put together their initial proposals for the peace, but not yet co-ordinated them and it is unclear which are non-negotiable, which are aspirations and which, if any, are just negotiation bluster to be sacrificed during the talks.

Alas these confidential notes have somehow leaked to the press...

France
  • Alsace-Lorraine to be de-militarised and placed under joint Franco-German administration for give years, with a plebiscite on it's final fate at the end of that period.
  • Given the complexity of the haphazard and unplanned colonial boundaries in Africa, a congress to be held to regulate and organise the boundaries. It being understood that the regularisation of the colonies may require the transfer of territory from Entente to Allied control.
  • The Allied Armies to assist in the suppression of the illegal, so-called, "White Army" rebels prior to departing French territory
Ottoman Empire
  • Bulgaria to be released as a satellite state of the Ottoman Empire
  • The Bosnian vilayet to be transferred to the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Japan
  • No reparations of any kind to be imposed on Japan
  • Japanese mastery over East Asia to be acknowledged
Belgium
  • No restrictions to be imposed on Belgium until such time as the War of the Palestine Concession is concluded
  • That conflict to be recognised as independent and all contracting powers not already involved to commit to non-interference in the conflict or it's resolution

Germany
  • Alsace-Lorraine to be returned to it's rightful owner and it's correct name - Elsass-Lothringen
  • Bulgaria to be given it's independence under the protections of Germany
  • Ottoman Libya to be transferred to German control and Germany acknowledged as a Mediterranean Power in addition to her current privileges and positions.
United Kingdom
  • Cyprus to be transferred to British control
  • The Japanese Indian Ocean Territories to be transferred to British control
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon, being untidy aberrations, will be transferred to British North America from French control.
  • The Ottoman Empire to return to Greece her rightful territories in Macedonia and the Aegean, with Albania to be released as a satellite of the Greek state.
Austria-Hungary
  • Japan's recent infamous acts to be acknowledged and contained, in addition to her reparations for the War.
  • Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania to be liberated from the Ottomans and returned to the rightful control of Austria-Hungary
  • Moldova, being acknowledged as in the Austro-Hungarian sphere of influence, shall cease being a satellite of the Ottomans and fall under the protection of Austria-Hungary
Russia
  • The Kars regions, including all fortifications and passes through the lesser Caucasus mountains, to be transferred from the Ottomans to rightful Russian control
  • Japan's recent infamous acts to be acknowledged and contained, in addition to her reparations for the War.
  • The Dobrudja region to be transferred to Russian control
Confederate States of America
  • Mali and East Guinea to be transferred from French control to Confederate Africa
  • Comoros island to be transferred to CSA control and the Confederacy to be an Indian Ocean and East African power for the purposes of any future congress, in addition to her current privileges and positions.

Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth - has expressed a keen interest in a future African congress, doubtless because her current colonies are entirely land locked.

Greece - Naturally fully supports the British proposal and has also indicated that the transfer of her African colonies would be an acceptable price to pay.

The Papal States / Two Sicilies - Are very keen that Belgium is held accountable for her part in the Great War, doubtless for entirely altruistic and moral reasons.

Catalonia - Would like to be released from the French sphere.
[/QUOTE]
 
And so it begins! Will aim to have something up either tonight or tomorrow.
 
  • Cyprus to be transferred to British control
  • The Japanese Indian Ocean Territories to be transferred to British control
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon, being untidy aberrations, will be transferred to British North America from French control.
  • The Ottoman Empire to return to Greece her rightful territories in Macedonia and the Aegean, with Albania to be released as a satellite of the Greek state.

The British proposals seem fairly reasonable at least. Interested in CSA's African ambitions. And organising the scramble for Africa is probably a good idea for Europe, if not for Africa...
 
LE LIBERTAIRE #4
LE LIBERTAIRE
Journal du Monde Libéré

EDITION SPÉCIALE—CONGRES DE GENÈVE



Perfidy! The leaked demands to be bargained over by the European powers at the Congress of Geneva reveals the true extent of the greed and ruthlessness endemic to the many states of our sorry Continent. These powers bargain over the spoils of their devastating war. And the currency in their bargaining? The blood of the wounded and the lives of those killed, sacrificed on the altar of military–industrial capital!


In these straitened times, we lack the resources to fully cover the total extent of the demands of the various convening parties. While aristocrats, diplomats and profiteers argue over where to set the borders until the next great conflict requires that they be redrawn once more, our fields are spoiled and our hearths lie cold. Our stomachs are empty and our inkwells exhausted. We barely have enough paper to print one hundred copies of this pamphlet! We therefore humbly submit to our dear readers and comrades, and entreat you to copy and distribute this urgent message by whatever means possible. The word of the workers’ revolution will not be extinguished by the ravages of poverty! It lives on so long as we do.


Nevertheless, we cannot spare any more paper on our own misfortunes. The ills currently being perpetrated against the workers of the world by the fools in Geneva warrant far greater attention!


The various exchanges of money, territory and prestige that accompany the end of any war are, grimly, to be expected. Nevertheless, two clauses stand out as deserving of particular condemnation. The first: the appeal of the French government to the victorious powers, whose armies still occupy our cities and ravage our towns, to prolong their occupation further still, and indeed to legitimate it in the service of defeating the treacherous so-called White Army; the second: the call of the French government for a future conference on the “question of Africa”, so that the lands of the African people may be parcelled up and shared out amongst the capitalist powers for their own enrichment.


In answer to the first demand, we note that our complete opposition to the so-called White Army does not cease. We remain unswervingly dedicated to the fight against the aristocrats and reactionaries who wish to exploit the chaos that engulfs France for their own bleak ends. We reject wholeheartedly the notion that a restoration of the so-called House of France would improve the lot of the international workers living on French soil, and we abhor the nature of monarchs and tyrants of all kinds. The men currently involved in the craven fight for this sorry future deserve nothing but our fullest contempt and condemnation, and we will meet them in the streets to repel their cruel violence!


Yet this being case, we need neither the French government nor the government of any other nation to assist in the fight against these reactionaries. How can we trust those same capitalist soldiers, who only weeks ago shot at us and raped our fields, in the work of ridding our provinces of the monarchist menace? No master but ourselves alone, united in defence of our freedoms and our livelihoods!


The cowardly politicians in Paris reveal their true colours: gratitude for having been invaded, so that their erstwhile enemies may do for them the dirty work of defending their discredited regime! We denounce this treachery as the highest of treasons against the liberty of Frenchmen everywhere!


In answer to the second demand, we declare in the fullest voice our opposition to the notion of European incursion onto the African continent, and we express our total solidarity with the oppressed people of the colonies everywhere. The criminal attempts of the government in Paris to turn this terrible defeat in their favour will not escape the memory of the workers of France! We shall remain vigilant against all instances of capitalist greed and indifference to the fate of those whose lives have been lost or devastated by the recent war.


Finally, we must use what short space we have left to register our disgust at the prospect of illegitimate governments deciding the fate of the people of Alsace-Lorraine, which by inalienable right is their and theirs alone. Resist all false governments! Organise towards the downfall of the capitalist system of oppression! Victory and freedom to all workers in all lands!
 
EL SIGLO FUTURO #3
EL SIGLO FUTURO
Especial Edición | Sobre el Futur d'Europa
***


How the Tenth Crusade Will Bring About Royal Restoration
At the same moment that this publication reaches the eyes of our Christian readers, the powers that be are involved in discussion regarding what the future of Europe is to be. A great conflict has raged across the continent. Many souls have gone to join our Lord in Heaven, their lives taken in service against the infidel. It is to them that this victory should be awarded, those brave men who marched for their faith, and have succeeding in liberating their búlgar brethren. That is not, and should not, be the end of the reward which God has bestowed upon us. Nay, punishment must be visited upon all those who dared to oppose the Will of the Almighty Creator.

The demonic figures which have captured the people of France deserve to have a mighty punishment wrought upon them. They have committed a great evil in leading our nation astray, in taking us away from the light of God. It is our duty, as His children, to smite them from this Earth, and return them to that fiery domain from which they emerged. However, it doing so, we must also remember the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was given to us in order that all Men might be forgiven of sin, both future and past. Whilst those who have enthralled the minds of France are unGodly creatures, and thus not capable of repentance, those who should rightfully fall under the guidance of His Majesty Carlos VII & XI should not be punished. Rather, they are in need of guidance, they must be saved by the paternal love that can only be granted to them by their Rightful King.

The Crusade against the heretics and infidels has provided for the perfect opportunity for the restoration of Our King to his rightful place as God's representative on Earth for the people of France. Our fellow Crusaders have injured the foul republicans such that some of our fellow francesos have broken free from their corrupting influence and begun waging an internal war in the name of the One True King of França & Espanya. To this end, it is our belief that the gathering of the Crusaders in Geneva, might result in a resolution to support these saintly men in their holy war against the heretics in the heart of Europa. Knowing that they would fight with the power of Allmighty God, it is this Author's belief that there might would bring about the return of the stolen lands of France to their Rightful King, Carlos VII & XI.

((Carlos VII & XI would never think it unreasonable to demand that his monarchy be restored in the now defeated France. In-Game, this might amount to Catalonia annexing all of at least metropolitan France. It would provide the other powers with a sympathetic, yet legitimate, Government in control of a nation which is now ripe for instability. Also, I'm sure Carlos would be very willing to make some concessions in exchange for him being put 'back' on the throne.))

***

The Civilising Light in Respect to the Savage Africá
It is no secret that the mission to bring the teachings of the Holy Bible to the unenlightened peoples of the Dark Continent has been mislaid by the same corrupting influences of wealth and republicanism which have so harshly impacted the French people. Where once preachers flourished, sent forth by Papal Bull, their forced absence, and the damages of war, have led the lands to regress into moral impoverishment. Thankfully for the faithful Christian, this most recent Crusade, although primarily directed against the treacherous infidels of the Orient might also provide for Catholicisms return to the heart of África.

It has been proposed that the Moslem people of the Barbary Coast who are currently claimed by the defeated infidels of the Orient be granted the gracious patrimony of the good Kaiser Wilhelm II. In freeing these peoples from the clutches of the depraved turcs it is hoped that they might also be freed from their false Mohammadan beliefs. It was not that long ago that the peoples of this area were of the Faith, and it must be so that they know the Truth within their hearts. The Kaiser has succeeded with the sword in one hand, and now he is to be gifted the opportunity to show himself capable with the Bible in the other. The responsibility of restoring Christianity, albeit in its inferior alemany form, to the people's of the Eastern Maghreb is understood to be being gifted to the Kaiser in Geneva.

There still remains the question of the rightful jurisdictions of Carlos VII & XI, who had intended to bring order to the savages prior to the interference of the Devil himself. Ignored by the greedy republicans of Paris, the people who Carlos VII & XI had sought to protect where left to starve, the land brought under his care was left to rot. It is of great fortune that these uneducated innocents have been liberated by the forces of Confederació Amèrica, but now questions must be asked as to the future of their education. It was to His Majesty Carlos VII & XI that the Pope did foster these youthful souls, and though he never erred in his judgement the challenge presented to him, and our nation, by God, has been such that the interests of the africá might not be best served by continuing within His Majesty's jurisdiction, at least while an emphasis must be placed on saving the eternal souls of the French peoples. In his ever gracious capacities, His Majesty has been known to suggest that the liberating crusader, Senyor Pettigrew of Confedaració Amèrica, be granted the authority over the charges in regions near the Rivière Niger and the Rivière Sènègal. This is a truly gracious and charitable offer from His Majesty, and one sure to benefit the Christian education of the Dark Continent.

***
((More may follow))
 
Tickety-Boo #3
Tickety-Boo #3

pmnurLJoj


A message from our Illustrious Editor, Mr E. Bear

The Ordeal of previous weeks has ended, with the relaxing of certain restrictions and trade once more flowing outwards and inwards. That is to say, honey once more flows. It is a wonderous time to be alive. The war, also, has ended in celebration. Our regular readers have been much uplifted in spirit as of late, going by our letters page. I personally am delighted that this little smackerel of a project has brought joy to so many in what has proven to be challenging times. This week, our featured article comes once again from Mr Holmes, a quite brilliant man, whom has been driven to distraction by recent events. He is currently convalescent in his summer house, surely a state of being we can all aspire towards.

As an additional note for interested parties, the most gracious and noble Count of previous correspondence has safely made his landing in England. No doubt he shall enjoy our unseasonably sunny weather!


My dear brother has been known to remark on occasion that a game is afoot. But my concern this morning is of no game, but a vicious and perfidious plot. A most evil and wicked plot that seeks to disrupt the fabric of civilization and tear apart the bonds of reality itself. I speak of course of the French. Oh, how people mocked when I warned of their tricks. Ho, ho, we are already at war with them, silly sausage. Outraged at the idea that any sausage could be silly, I suffered in silence with the patience of a martyr. The Truth of course did not deny me. Poland, even Poland of all places! Their supposed government suddenly and swiftly took control of their entire economy under the guise of protection, and as the world looked on at the war, no one noticed the threat grow under their very noses. Yes, there is a plot, crossing the length and breadth of Europe. It combines two of the most loathsome creatures in existence, a Frenchman and a Communist. Even now, with their armies supposedly vanquished by gallant Britisher arms (and some unwitting help from the continentals), they are up to their tricks.

A ‘Royalist’ army, why really! In this day and age, they expect us to believe that Bourbons or Bonapartists still live amongst us, plotting in secret to take over the world? Ridiculous. It’s the Communists, I tell you! They armed some drunks from the southern regions, or sent their own soldiers in disguise, and are now insisting from their mouthpieces in Gay Paris for the international community to help ‘them’ deal with the ‘threat’. Worse still, they are also insisting on further international meetings, allegedly to decide the fate of Africa. This combines two tricks into one: it allows them the absurd idea that any part of Africa that the British want might not come to us, and also allow them to seed and infect and whisper into the orifices of innocent Liberals!

THIS. CANNOT. STAND.

We must come down hard on these tricksy devils, and smash their country into pieces. Then burn the pieces down further. It is the only way to be sure! Belgium will not be considered a separate issue. They made their garlic-reeking bed and they will be forced into it as it too is set alight. We must seize any and all French colonies to keep the helpless natives away from the nasty French savages. I don’t know much or care about the Japanese, and that must mean they are equally evil and wrong, so let us take their islands also.

The only difficulty that I see truly, aside from how we shall find enough kindling for the whole of France, is what to do about the Ottoman Empire (or as they are calling it on the ‘street’, the Rottenman Empire. Schoolboys are frightfully clever these days…). Chiefly, the issue is their European holdings. Greece, a problem child for Europe since before Europe came to be, surely cannot be fully trusted with the defence of all her islands, the seas surrounding them and serving as a bulwark between the Turk and the rest of us. Perhaps as Germany sponsors Bulgaria, we too must sponsor the Greeks, for who knows what they will do without us? Of course, they should give us their colonies in thanks for our benevolence. As for the rest of the Balkans, I think everyone of an intelligent mind wishes to have little to no dealing with that part of the world. Giving them to the in-breds might indeed be necessary, if only because I cannot think of anyone else daft enough to assume control of them all.

I leave you all this time with a warning. The French may be down and seemingly defeated, but a diseased tumour such as theirs cannot be left to fester forever. Sooner or later, they must be lanced and cut away, lest they bring down the whole body of Humanity with them. We must look to our monarchs, and yes, even the Pope, in these uncertain times, to defend us from the growing power of the Communist. The Germans, such as they are, at least have the right idea in that sense, as do, by rights, the Hapsburgs, despite their…proclivity.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a good day, and beware of the shadows that creep.


-M. Holmes, KBE (and all that nonsense)
 
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As an additional note for interested parties, the most gracious and noble Count of previous correspondence has safely made his landing in England. No doubt he shall enjoy our unseasonably sunny weather!

Uh oh…

Strong words indeed from Sir Mycroft. In their own ways, both of our papers are strangely aligned in the matter of bringing down the corrupt French state. But I do not like all this talk of fire and fury. Not one bit.
 
Der Trompetenruf #1
Der Trompetenruf
(E. Von Der Tann, B. Daouk)
"Our British friends have occupied France from Dunkirk to Pau and are eliminating the last resistance from Belgium. Our troops have liberated Bulgaria and the rest of the decaying Empire's European lands and are marching in triumph into the Queen of Cities. After the horrors of war, peace is at hand. But what kind of peace? Despite our glorious victories, Japan still reigns supreme in the far East, its barbarous reign of terror over the occupied Korean peoples and unfortunate savages of Borneo persisting, its eyes lingering over China. Our brave and skilled diplomats in Geneva will-and must- ensure that it is held to account. Furthermore, our most noble Emperor has seen the depredations and decay of the vilayet of Bosnia under the rule of the Turk. This must be rectified. The Bosnian people must enjoy the freedoms of a civilized, just monarch, the same freedoms that have been given to all inhabitants of the Duchy of Greater Lebanon..."

In order to quell sinister foreign elements and lingering agents of the Turk, these further security measures will be instituted, in addition to the orders implemented 12th September 1889:
1. Public meetings in the Duchy are forbidden unless a permit is granted by the appropriate authorities.
2. All inhabitants of the Duchy are asked to consent and aid with any and all security searches to root out treason and contraband. All goods entering or leaving the cities of the Duchy will be searched.
3. All persons given official title by the Turkish occupiers are to report to the Imperial Governorate, 3 Sassine Square, Beirut. Failure to do so by 8 February will result in imprisonment.
4. Sales of guns and other weapons to civilians are hereby illegal. Those found distributing weapons will be executed.
Anton von Gablenz, Militärgouverneur von Großer Libanon,in the name of our Lord and of His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty
Franz Joseph I, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria;
King of Jerusalem, etc.;
Archduke of Austria;
Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow;
Duke of Lorraine, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Bukovina;
Grand Prince of Transylvania, Margrave of Moravia;
Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, of Auschwitz and Zator, of Teschen, Friaul, Ragusa, and Zara;
Duke of Greater Lebanon;
Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca;
Prince of Trent and Brixen;
Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria;
Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg etc.;
Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro, and of the Windic March;
Grand Voivode of the Voivodeship of Serbia;
etc. etc.

This day 21 December, 1890.