WesWorld

July 4

A small explosion occured outside a government building in Caracus Venezuela today. Its not known who left the bomb or what the motive was following the early morning blast. Local authority's suspect disgruntled civilians dis-satisfied with the government planted the device as an act of defiance. In a seperate incedent a prominent Venezuelan buisnessmans home was set on fire, luckily no one was home at the time.

July 6

Another bomb explosion took place in Venezuela today, this time in Valencia outside a local police station. Several police officers were injured in the explosion, with few clues as to who the culprit or culprits were.

July 23

American and Atlantian diplomats have expressed the interest in building a canal through Mexico to not only bolster the Mexican economy but the American shipping industry as well. The Atlantian Ambassador to the United states, Richard Cerasus has taken to the idea dirrectly to Prime Minister, Crassius Dominia who was also intriqued by it. No conclusive statements have come from either the American or Atlantian governments, leading most to believe it is merely the musings of diplomats dreaming of grandure.

August 6

The new Type 1 Landing craft underwent their first exersise this week off the Canary islands. Ten of the new craft took on the 1st battalion/2nd marine infantry division at Puerto de la cruz, Terrinife and sailed towards Isla de la gran canaria with the task of landing their load of troops at Agaete. The landing craft were escorted by the gunboats G-5 and G-11, three E class patrol boats and 12 subchasers. Residents at Agaete had been given prior notice of the exersise and a speacial public observation area was set up at a safe distance so that interested onlookers could witness the event.

Dug in to greet the 1st battalion/2nd marine infantry division were their brothers in arms from the 2nd battalion in simulated lightly fortified positions that could be expected on the average hostile coastline. Cheers rose up from the crowd when a white flag pertruded from one of the fortified positions after a lengthy simulated battle.

The exersise demonstrated the ability of the landing craft to traval 80 nautical miles with their precious cargo and deliver it safely to the target zone. The navy would not elaborate on the overall performance of the operation itself but was very pleased with the landing crafts ability's.

August 18

The pair of Atlantian airships being built in Acron Ohio are progressing at a steady pace. The pair are to be completed by the spring of 1928. After much speculation, the Atlantian government has finally announced that their names will be Atlantes and Maeotis . The American workers at the Airdock have begun to call them “Stan” and “Ollie” after the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

August 21

Names for the two Atlantian built airships building in the Cleito shops of Accrisius Aero-industry's have been decided upon.
The Antilia and Meropis are the two Atlantian build versions of an American designed airship. The Antilia is close to the final assembly stage of building, while the building of the steel frame for Meropis has begun. Once the metal frame is completed the other compoments will be instaled and the outer skin attached.

August 26

After an incredible display of airobatics yet seen, Atlantian engineers are feverously modifying airship mast designs following the unplanned manuvers performed by the U.S.S. Los Angeles. The engineers have opted to take the suggestions of American Airship Captain Lansdowne who stated that a shorter mast should prevent such incedents.


September 4

Yet another bombing has taken place in Venezuela, this time claiming a life of a sanitorial engineer at local government office in Maracaibo. The blast shattered glass of the adjacent buildings and destroyed almost the entire facade of the small building. Following the attack local officials stated that these attacks are not a sign of public unrest but something more sinister. AGIA (Atlantian Government Investigative Agency) officers have been sent to the region to cunduct their own investigation.

September 12

A new tank design is in the works at the General ordinance works in Automoli. Testing of the AT-27 has proved successfull and the tank design is expected to be a great improvement over existing designs such as the AT and FT-17's currently in service.

The tanks Chassis will also be used for a new series of artillery/supply tractors to increase the mobility of the Atlantian army with its amazing speed that exceeds that of the AT-17's 7.7km/h (4.3mph). The Tank will mount the tried and tested Iurcae 37mm gun, currently mounted on the newest AT-17 tanks and two 7.92mm MG's.

September 19.

AGIA (Atlantian Government Investigative Agency) officers and local officials are still unable to obtain any significant leads on the whereabouts of the culprits responcible for the rash of bombings that have taken place in Venezuela the last few months. Their presence however has seemed to prevent further attacks from taking place.

September 25

Accrisius airship shops, Cleito.

Final assembly on the airship Antilia has begun. The engine pods, control gondola and other components will be instaled as the airships skin is attached to the metal frame.

October 1

The Accrisius airship fabrication shops in Illisus have been completed. Construction of airship components will begin in several weeks, destined for instalation of the planned Passenger airships to be laid down in 1928.

October 10

The Minister of the Army, Tiberius Baltar, Information Minister, Hector Dominia and the Minister of Transportation, Patmos Toranius were at a joint press conferance in cleito today to announce the intentions to build a canal in partnership with the United States, Mexico and France.
"The Coatzacoalcos Canal will be one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and possibly to date", said Hector Dominia. "Atlantis, along with America and France will be the architects of the largest canal in the world. The hope is that American and French experience in the Panama endeavour coupled with Atlantian ingenuity will produce one of the worlds greatest engineering mavels. The Atlantian army engineers division will participate in the project along with civilian contractors from America, France and Mexico. Its also expected that the much vaunted American army corp's of engineers will once again vault its reputation to new hieghts by building the worlds largest canal, an achievement already reached with the joint project in Panama with Iberians. The bulk of labour is expected to come from Mexico, which will undoubtedly improve Mexico's economy. French, american Venezuelan, Autochthon and Columbian workers are also expected to join the construction efforts providing an ample suply of workers.

October 15

Surveyer's have been sent to Mexico to begin preperations for Coatzacoalcos canal. Once they complete their survey of predetermined sites the final route of the canal will be laid out. Most of the terrain in question has already been documented in previous survey charts reducing the workload for Surveyers and allowing them to consintrate on key sites.
With any luck, construction will begin in the spring of 1928.

October 23

Silver Cresent meeting *see additional news post*

November 6

Two groups, the United Self-Defense Forces of South America and Columbian Fatherland and Liberty claimed responcibility for the rash of attacks taking place in Venezuela. Local authorities are finding it difficult to locate the culprits as few lead present any opertunity's to capture the suspects. Two anonymous letters were sent to the local authority's in Maracaibo boasting of their actions and stated that "more attacks will take place at a time of our choosing".

November 15

A new self defence force has been set up in the Byzantine mandate. The "Varangian Guard" is mainly made up of local conscripts lead by Atlantian officers and is under dirrect control of the Atlantian army. Currently the Varangian Guard consists of roughly 1000 men and its expected that in another year the ranks will swell to brigade strength.

November 21

The General ordinance works in Automoli have begun production of the first AT-27 tanks. The initial order is for 100 of the new tank model which is expected to suplement the existing AT-17's already in service. Older AT-17's and the remaining FT-17's still in operational tank platoons are expected to be taken out of service. In addition to the AT-27 contract General ordinance has also been awarded the contract to convert roughly 100 FT and AT-17's into command tanks and artillary tractors.

December 28

Today the government of Atlantis made a request to the League of nations ambassador calling for a clairification on the situation with SATSUMA in China, more specifically the actions of the Philippines. The comments come following actions of the Philippino battleship San Pablo. "We don't recall the league ever granting the Philippines permission to firing on Chinese soil whenever it considers pirates to be in the area" stated an Atlantian official. "If we are to allow this type of action to take place we demand that ample evidence be presented to justify the actions of the Philippines, who are these so called Pirates? We cannot support this type of action because for all we know these "pirates" could merely be political opponents to the SATSUMA supported government or even the presence of Philippino forces. Satsuma needs to clairify the situation and persue the proper League of Nations consent."

(December 30, 1927)

"In answer to the concerns raised by the Atlantian Government to the League, we will seek to clarify the situation involving China and las Filipinas.

"On the 23rd of July, 1926, the Marina de Filipinas light cruiser Calayan encounted a life raft adrift in the South China Sea. In it was a single Chinese sailor.

"After several weeks of delirum in the Manila Naval Hospital, the man had recovered enough to be interviewed by MdF officials. He revealed, in exchange for asylum, that he had been a crewman aboard a junk involved in pirate activities. His ship had been sunk by 'hostile' action, however he could not recall any details regarding the ship that sunk his junk.

"The most startling revelation, however, was that the so-called "Pirates of the South China Sea" were enjoying substancial support, both financial and in the way of supplies, from several warlord factions in the south-east of China.

"This man is currently living in the Philippines, under the protection of the Filipino Government. If the Atlantian Government wishes, it is possible that an interview could be arranged with their ambassador.

"This information was brought to the world's attention that August, but aside from India there was virtually no response, and the League of Nations apparently did not see fit to take up the matter.

"The Philippines then entered into negiotiations with the Chinese Central Government under Señor Chiang Kai-Shek. While the discussions proved long and difficult, by this summer an agreement had been reached in which Filipino vessels had authority to operate in Chinese territorial waters, south of the city of Shantou, to "interdict, intercept, and destroy" warlord-supported pirate forces, and when requested to support forces of the Chinese Central Govenment against these warlords.

"The San Pablo was patrolling in the vicinity of Shanwei when - and I wish to emphasize here - she was fired upon by a shore battery. Under the established engagement protocols, she returned fire and destroyed the hostile emplacement.

"Our agreement with China can be confirmed by a simple diplomatic query to the Chinese Central Government. Requests to inspect the area in which the estupidos fired from should also be made in that direction, however this may prove difficult as the area is obviously not under the control of that Government.

"We do not have any land forces whatsoever involved in Chinese operations, and we are most emphatically not going around bombarding Chinese soil whenever we see fit. However we have, and will, exercise the rights of a soverign nation to defend our ships, and if this requires firing upon those foolish enough to open fire first at our vessels, then that is what we shall do.

Thank you."

Quoted

"This information was brought to the world's attention that August, but aside from India there was virtually no response, and the League of Nations apparently did not see fit to take up the matter.

I guess I was taking a nap then. :-)

The following letter is sent to Atlantis, with copies relayed to Japan, the Philippines, Chosen, and Formosa.

From: Jal Kadharni, India

To: Maren Xanthus, Atlantis

Date: 29 December 1927

Dear Maren:

Your people have the Raj rather irate at the moment. Judging from what we've read in the papers, it seems they're still determined to be willfully ignorant of the fact that SATSUMA is not some monolithic hive entity, any more than FAR or AANM.

This is the kind of attitude that starts world wars, Maren. Your own allies in France suffered for four years because some German officials had the same attitude about the Franco-Russian relationship.

We have enough tension between our friends as it is without making it worse. Both France and the Philippines are facing elections in the next year. If the current opposition factions are brought into power, we'll have enough trouble keeping their hands off each other's throats as it is - more so if your government and mine become estranged.

So please, have a talk with your people, and I'll be sure that the Raj doesn't remark on the origin of Chile's new cruisers the first time one of them starts shooting at shadows on this side of the Pacific.

Yours,

Jal.

******

OOC: Good stuff, Wes, apart from pushing my buttons at the end there.

Any construction schedule in hand for this second canal? And is there an expectation that there's sufficient demand for it?

Quoted

Chile is, understandibly, annoyed.
(Roughly September 30, 1926)

I'm licking my wounds. Having been told there is no such problem...then having a ship nearly blow up, followed by some proof that the Chileans were correct....the Chilean government is....oh...slightly miffed at the world...but doesn't have the firepower to go into China just yet....not unless Chile wanted to reactivate the wartime use transports to get the army over to China to take out suspected pirate camps....and even the, it would take a bit to support such an effort without a forward base of operations...(Parcels Islands). Only our Dreadnougts, Predreadnoughts and Armored Crusiers will likely have a chance if these pirates have what we suspect they have...and only something like above will be able to deal with "Deathshadow"...but that is an different target....one that might actually help against the Chinese Pirates

04.03.2005, 04:56

Note: this is almost a month after the cruiser Hyatt was attacked and crippled by the pirate Harlock, and two months after the Chilean destroyer Capitan Simpson found the wreck of an old Iberian-type cruiser flying a pirate flag near the Sulu Sea.

There is genuine concern in the United States about having a vital strategic asset like the Panama Canal in the hands of a potential adversary. The Navy also has concerns that the present canal lock size limits future growth in warship design. It is also hoped that the investment in the Mexican economy and future revenues will greatly help our southern neighbor which has just come out of a vicious civil war and is still having conflicts with pro-Catholic rebels.

October 17, 1927

Chile would like to offer its assistance to the creation of a new canal. While Chile may be the most European friendly of the South American powers, it is still not exactly friendly with Iberia for purely historical reasons, and would rather invest in this future than pay the past dues.

The following letter is sent to India, with copies relayed to France, Russia and Leaugue of Nations representatives.

From: Maren Xanthus, Atlantis

To:Jal Kadharni, India

Date: 30 December 1927

Dear Jal: I assume you are quite aware of the freedom of press we here in the west practice, I would say enjoy but on any given day I too can be subject to its scorn.

The Atlantian government is fully aware that SATSUMA
is not a hive mind state, however its goal of premoting greater asian prosperity is currently being marred by miss-understandings and more importantly bold rhetoric from some of its member nations.

We are unaware of any attempts by the Philippines or SATSUMA representatives to publicly address the issues concerning China, quite frankly the attempts to foster international support to solve China's problems have been quite sloppy. Without persistance, SATSUMA members have taken their own initiative and taken matters into their own hands.

We admire initiative but when it is properly applied, these actions are taking place in peacetime and not as a result of hostile action against any SATSUMA member, hostile actions that have taken place have been well within Chinese waters. That is why we have called for the clairification of the situation, via the League of Nations.

The veil of "Fighting Piracy" has been used often to justify hostile actions in foriegn waters and threatens to turn the oceans into a lawless region of the world.

In reguards to the possibility of Chilean cruisers firing at shadows in the western Pacific, I can only hope that you mention to the Raj, the fact that it is Chileans manning them and not Atlantians, just as Chileans will be dealing with Peruvians in their Philippino build ships and not Philippino's.

In an effort to avoid such miss-understandings in the future I shall endeavour to inform you personally and with ample notice before any diplomatic efforts conserning India or SATSUMA take place. This shall allow you to inform the Raj of the true nature of the dealings and not from the selective candy coated statements from the press that coincide with the official diplomatic release.

We can only hope that India can instruct its fellow SATSUMA members to display the same diplomatic restraint and courtesy that India has shown such proficiency in.

Sincerely,

Maren Xanthus

...And remember, shadows don't shoot back.

Y'know, this has provided me with an interesting plot twist or two for Q1...

[SIZE=1]mwahahaha![/SIZE]

Comment from the streets in Pietermaritzburg - found in a local newspaper: "Isn´t Mexico a souvereign state any more? This canal thing sounds a little bit like Mexico became a satellite, radio-controlled by the USA and Atlantis."

Regarding the firing in the South China Sea people in the SAE wonder why some pirates with some niffty shore guns should fire on a passing battleship? Pirates are criminals but not stupid - most often. They sail the seven seas and should be aware of the assets necessary to harm a battleship. Thus people on the streets don´t believe the story told to the world by those SATSUMA guys....

Its 1927...Mexico pratically was a U.S. satellite, as were many central american nations.

As for pirates, perhaps they thought it was a lighter vessel give the size of the modern battleships verses the thing the Filipinos had near their turf. It is also possible that they did have the firepower to take on the battleship, just failed to make contact.

South American Naval News

Today the world gossips about the threat our navy actively is trying to destroy. Piracy in the world is real, and they are quite well armed as shown by what they did to the cruiser Guardia Marina Hyatt. The inefficiency of the Cleito Treaty members along with the potential bribes to governments in South East Asia has made the situation profitable for many it would seem. Perhaps they even line the pockets of the larger powers to keep the smaller ones from acting. The South African Empire seems to be the most in denial about the reality of piracy. Perhaps they have the greatest deal with the buccaneers, or even the infamous Harlock himself....

Quoted

Originally posted by Ithekro
Perhaps they have the greatest deal with the buccaneers, or even the infamous Harlock himself....

Yoll never know.... ;o)

Quoted

Originally posted by Swamphen
Y'know, this has provided me with an interesting plot twist or two for Q1...

[SIZE=1]mwahahaha![/SIZE]

Hmm.... you may want to refrain from biting off more than you can chew, however I never the less look forward to your plot twist plans.

Atlantian Nationalist Gazette, Oct 11th 1927

My fellow Atlantians, yesterday our government has announce the plans for the most abitious plan our country has ever undertaken in its history.

The announcement of plans to build a Trans-Mexican canal have stunned the world and filled the hearts of all Atlantians with a new sence of national pride. While this grand project is not entirely Atlantian in origin there is no doubt that in concert with America the Canal shall become the crowning achievement of the 20th century!

Meropolis Post, Oct 11th 1927

Reactions to the Join American/Atlantian Trans-Mexican canal project have been mixed, some claiming that Atlantis and America are merely pressuring their "puppet state of Mexico" to comply with their ambitions.

"This is simply not true", said Hector Dominia, the Atlantian Information Minister. "Mexico has long been a freind of Atlantis and has also grown to be a close freind to the United states as well. Its only natural that our three nations cooperate on this great endeavour, that above all else should greatly improve the economy of Mexico and further improve relations between our great nations.

The benifits for Atlantis and America are also economic in addition to achieving a marvelous engineering milestone. Its a win win situation for all involved."

The project is expected to begin in the summer of 1928 and take 10 years to complete.