WesWorld

Quoted

There is also the possibility that the Dutch may themselves decide to extend the limits of their territorial waters to "close off" the DEI. Other nations can shout all they want, complain all they want, not recognize it all they want, but as was mentioned in the past there is really nothing that those nations can do to stop and prevent the Dutch from doing that and enforcing that. The talks that were held back a long time ago were the only things that could have if nations had agreed to it, but it ended nowhere (although even if it did, the proposed limits would have "closed off" the DEI anyway).

Oh there is certainly something that could be done. It is called war. Somehow I do not believe that the Netherlands Government wants that, though Japan has been known to court such. :P

I was not intending to stop and search every merchant, but if a Dutch agent saw something fishy with a shipment in a port or the Abwher gave a tip-off someone was sending a large shipment of stuff to destinations that seemed odd then they could call us up and we could intercept before they get into harbour where corrupt hands ease the passage onward. Even the existence of this force and its threat of use might make the smugglers choose slower overland routes or consider other options.
Lets face it, we know Anglo-Egyptian Sudan only buys British and EAS buys Italian, a load of old Lebels or Nigant rifles looks dodgy in the extreme heading in those directions and since most of Africa is European or SAE controlled we know anyone getting shipments outside official channels are crooks, freedom fighters or rebels. No matter whose hands they fall into, it spells bad news for the British, French, Dutch and Italians.

If even a nation did complain, we have political blackmail on our side, such as photos of massacres "look country X complains about us stopping a vessel for 1 hour and condones this". With 1940s hat on, photos of massacred white people would cause some discontent country X would have to explain.
We only have to look at OTL events and plans in early 1940 off Norway, Great Powers always stretch the international rules, especially when bigger issues intrude.

Anyhow, I never mentioned DEI and don't consider shipments of arms from the Far East a major threat... yet.

1 September
The War Ministry announced several orders for aircraft today.
Approval has been given to fund development of a single-seat aircraft being developed in the DEI by KOOPD, following trials with two Loire-Nieuport LN.190 Épouvantail loaned from the French Air Force since February 1946, 50 have now been ordered. Of other tactical types, another 25 Fokker C.XIII and 30 De Schelde S.21 have been ordered.

18 September
The new light cruiser Sumatra, fresh from her builders trials, commissioned today as CL-36. She will be assigned to the 6th Cruiser Division at Soerabaja alongside her sistership, Java. Also recently joined is the newly refitted ex-Belgian cruiser Van Ghent.
In related news, the appearance of four Putten Class vessels and a tanker in Yemen has been explained as an exercise conducted in cooperation with the Yemeni government to train their sailors in anti-piracy operations.

[Some backdated news]

14 August
Rather than turning north after leaving Naval Air Station Boma, the giant Fokker turned south. On board the King and his entourage began preparing papers for the next stage of their visit. The steward served coffee as the flying boat reached its stable cruising altitude. Out of the port window stretched the coastline of Angola along the horizon.
An aide came back from the radio operator's cabin. "Your Majesty, we've had word from Cape Town. They are prepared for your arrival. An airliner will fly us directly to Pretoria tomorrow after we spend the night in the city. The official release of your State visit to South Africa is now released to the press as per your instructions. No-one knows anything about your stopover in Kongo. our security plans seems to have worked."

[More backdated news]

19 August
King William arrived at Pretoria airport today, after flying from Cape Town early this morning. The streets were lined with crowds of well-wishers and Orange and Dutch flags were much in evidence.
This evening he attended an official reception in his honour hosted by the Queen-Emperor of the SAE, Queen Victoria I. The King will stay in the Royal Palace during his brief visit.
Many commentators in the press believe his sudden arrival is due to the events in Ubangi-Shari and that he may be seeking official support from the SAE to help end the conflict that has been raging for a year.

20 August
King William addresses the South African Parliament in Pretoria, his speech covers several important cultural topics and also discussed democratic movements in Africa and the shining example the South African Empire has set for free and democratic politics in a diverse and varied continent.
Later in the day he toured the scientific departments of Pretoria University.

21 August
King William met with Queen Victoria I this morning and discussed the situation in Ubangi-Shari and the help the Dutch require to quell the rebellion and secure peace.
In the afternoon more detailed talks took place between the King and his advisers and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of War.
At this secret meeting several agreements were made. First, the Dutch would ignore the presence of mercenary fighters from the SAE and would not interfere with further batches of recruits known to be training in Zanzibar and Cameroon. In fact, the Dutch would welcome them to shore up the protection of economic assets in the country. There was a possibility some could be employed semi-officially with Dutch units and the QIS would oversee local control. The RSAA agreed to send material aid consisting of heavy mortars, pack howitzers, rifles, trucks and armoured half-track trucks, light and heavy armoured cars in varying quantities. In addition several companies of Scouts and elite bush troops would be sent to Ubangi-Shari. It was felt there would be little public opposition to deployment of small numbers of troops as part of an international force (Dutch, Kongolese and South African). Indeed several editorials had supported the King’s visit and man felt this was suitable payback for Dutch support during the South American War and that dangerous military despotism on its borders should be stamped out.

22 August
King William flew back to Cape Town where he visited the city, attended a dinner hosted by the Mayor and then departed just before dawn aboard his KLM Fokker flying boat.

31 August
King’s Day. A national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in honour of the head of state.
The Royal family appeared on the platform of Soestdijk Palace. Many people enjoyed walking along the mile-long parade and gave gifts and flowers, in which the platform was covered. Across the Netherlands and the Empire, during the morning schoolchildren walked in procession to their town halls singing patriotic songs, culminating in the anthem. Then they organized traditional children's games in many villages and towns, such as sack races and koekhappen. The day was concluded with a traditional lantern parade. In many places there were celebrations for older youths and adults, including performances by jazz bands. In Diever, the day concluded with a performance of A Mid Summers Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. The translation and direction made by G.P. Broekema, founder of the theatre in the town. Also during the day was a celebration of Queen Wilhelmina’s life.

18 September
The new light cruiser Sumatra, fresh from her builders trials, commissioned today as CL-36. She will be assigned to the 6th Cruiser Division at Soerabaja alongside her sistership, Java. Also recently joined is the newly refitted ex-Belgian cruiser Van Ghent.

2 October
The oratorical Association SENECA is formally founded.

7 October
The old ex-South African battleship Kortenaer left Den Helder this morning under temporary commission to begin her final voyage back to her birth place, where this fine old ship will become a museum ship.

24 October
Demonstrations by the Pacifist League in The Hague today have been attended by hundreds of people. The organisation last month published a pamphlet calling for the international ban on the use of liquefied and rubberised oil fire bombs. They cite evidence of use of these bombs in Ubangi-Shari and have also published testimony from the South American War, which also saw similar weapons being used.

31 October
East Indian dissident Mohammad Hatta has urged in a pirate broadcast for Indonesians to turn their back on the Dutch currency and use a new black market currency called the rupiah to create a new economy. The radio station was soon jammed by Army units but now the police are searching for the printing press. The government revealed a press and a large consignment of notes had been seized during an earlier raid in January this year.

Pirate radio broadcasts? Oh my...

Fiat currency? Eek!

What is the world coming to? ;)

A few OOC replies aimed at the Pacifist League...

Quoted

Demonstrations by the Pacifist League in The Hague today have been attended by hundreds of people.

Damn peace-loving hippies!!

Quoted

The organisation last month published a pamphlet calling for the international ban on the use of liquefied and rubberised oil fire bombs.

Good luck with that!

Quoted

They cite evidence of use of these bombs in Ubangi-Shari and have also published testimony from the South American War, which also saw similar weapons being used.

I'm pretty sure that there is evidence that Japan used similar weapons during the Sino-Chosen War (using Ekitai Hinote (a.k.a. Greek Fire) since the late 1920s) but what are those peace-loving hippies going to do about it? Perhaps they need a taste of this wonderful hot 'medicine'.

And a few slightly more normal OOC replies...

Quoted

Fiat currency? Eek!

Probably better than OTL banana money.

Quoted

What is the world coming to?

Yes, maybe some idiot will come up with the idea of some international convention regarding the regulation of whaling next.

8 November
Mohammad Hatta has been arrested and taken into custody on charges of money laundering and fraud following a police raid on a family member’s home where he had been hiding.

14 November
The first of six Fokker D.XXVIII jet-propelled fighter prototypes has made its maiden flight today. It flew for forty minutes around the Fokker airfield without incident. In overall layout it resembles the British de Havilland Vampire and is powered by a South African Rayton Swazi centrifugal turbojet engine. It is thought at least 150 of these modern fighters on order for the Air Force.

29 November
The new submarine O-20 commissioned today. She will be assigned to the 2nd Submarine Flotilla at Medan.

In Batavia, the All Indonesia Centre of Labour Organizations (SOBSI) has been founded. The SOBSI is a new trade union federation. It is organised along industrial lines, but craft unions enjoy equality within the organisation. Amongst the sectors represented in SOBSI are teachers, printers, pawnshop employees, longshoremen, teamsters, miners, seamen, gas and electricity, oil workers, estate workers and railroad workers. The top leadership of the new organization consisted of the chairman Harjono, the vice chairman Setiadjit (chairman of the Labour Party) and general secretary Njono.

21 December
Anne A. de Vries wins the Noorderrondritten, a 150km event skating on natural ice held on the canals of the province of Groningen. de Vries also won the event in 1942.

Quoted from "Hood"

21 December
...the Noorderrondritten, a 150km event skating on natural ice held on the canals of the province of Groningen.

This sounds simultaneously wicked-awesome and stupid-dangerous.

Yes, we Dutch are crazy you know.

According to wiki, it took de Vries 6 hours and 9 minutes to cover those 150 km.

Crazy indeed! Skiing for 6 hours seems crazy to me, let alone over canals!

Don't you mean skating? As for craziness, it could be worse like skating in the dark... oh wait. They do.