Senators,
Welcome back from the intermission. Many of you have brought forward various concerns, and they will be addressed at the end of the address.
When the Private Bank Money Bill Printing laws had been drafted, We allowed the Admiralty to design naval bases that could specialize in different forms of ships. Though it seemed it might be some time before any could be built, as the world was facing a great shortage of cement.
In July of 1875, there was a much larger revolt. You no doubt remember when the Scholai Palantinae were forced to retreat and Constantinople was put to siege.
And how XXIV. Legio assisted the Scholai Palatinae in repulsing the rebels before they came close to breaching the walls. The rest of the rebels were easily dispersed. Before the end of the year the last rebels had been removed.
When the naval bases were designed, We tasked a group with finding cheaper ways of making steel.
This research also gave the Empire improved methods of extracting coal.
While the Empire's dye supply problems seemed to have been eased, an errant experiment with coal tar had produced a new artificial dye. The Chemistry Department at the University of Constantinople promised a new age of innovation if they were supported in their quest to understand organic chemistry. So We gave them support in this endeavor.
In April of 1877, Germany declared war on Bavaria. We had added Germany to Our sphere of influence, and were surprised when they did not immediately ask for Our aid. We quickly signed an alliance. But when no request to join their war came, We began fabricating a reason for war with Bavaria, pointing out to the Empire's newspapers the danger their fortifications proved, how those were a sure sign of their aggressive intentions.
When the initial research into organic chemistry was complete (again improving the Legion's ability to avoid disease and other attrition), We ordered the Legions to begin training junior officers in how to make decisions for themselves, which would allow them to better take advantage of changes in the battles they faced.
The war with Bavaria lasted until April of 1878, when they agreed to dismantle their fortifications in Bayern. Germany was now positioned to crush Bavaria.
The improved military tactics only came after the war, but that meant that the next war would be even better fought.
We insisted the Admiralty make the same training improvements as the Legions had just done.
We spent the following months as We had most of the time in the previous years: heavily investing in the economy to try to provide jobs for everyone, and upgrading the Empire's naval bases.
Meanwhile, the new naval training was beginning to bear fruit.
It was in August of 1879 that England saw the beginning of a new political force: Communists. Their reach was rapidly felt everywhere.
And meanwhile, Germany's war with Bavaria stagnated, and it looked as though Bavaria might soon push back against them.
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