The Brussels Sprout August 2nd
Fractures in the body politic are becoming more evident as days go on. The Flemish north is demanding that the 30% and greater protective tarrifs that are throttling the import business and merchant marine be dropped. Unemployment is not as bad as projected, in large part due to the road & rail projects being developed to link Benelux nations, at the urging and financing of the Netherlands. However the loss of stability and the attendant uncertain future has led to significant unrest.
The majority of industries being helped by the tarrifs are in the south, and many well connected companies have also been beneficiaries of government support. However, despite the greater economic prosperity, the Walloon south is protesting against the ballot stuffing, bribing, nepotism and other evidence of corruption that has come to light in the past year.
Many are calling on the King to disband the Parliament again and call for new elections, but most see the election system as hopelessly corrupt. This led to the King to call for changes to the constitution, an idea which appears to be popular and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of signatures on petition drives. The current Government is threatening not to recognize the signatures or any changes originating outside the Parliament. The mayor of Liege grabbed headlines in the preceding week by proposing that his city recognize the King, under his title of Prince of Liege, as sovereign of the city, and not the Belgian government.
The Amsterdam Advocate, August 5th
Overnight cables relayed the news that War Minister Snellensoon has died on Safari. The War Minister was big game hunting when he requested his driver to stop the armored car. Minister Snellensoon secured his machine gun and disembarked to examine a bush. Unfortunately a rhino was sheltering from the days heat on the far side of the bush and was awakened by the Minister. The Minister bravely attempted a impromptu retrograde motion while sounding the alert. Unfortunately the maneuver failed when the Ministers feet became tangled and he was cowardly gored, knocking him face down on the ground in front of the Rhino which then trampled him. The Ministers Aide, equipped with a demonstration model Garand, fired several shots at the Rhino, aggravating it terribly and causing to spin in place seeking the gadfly prior to the rifle jamming. The driver then sped off in a panic and the Rhino was gone by time they returned to the scene. Minister Snellensoon passed away shortly after they were able reach him.
The DMZBBP is expected to appoint Minister Snellensoon's replacement shortly.
The Amsterdam Advocate, August 7th
The DMZBBP has nominated the Minster of the Army, Jan Krook, to take Minister Snellensoon's place.
The offices of the Crown Prince, August 8th
Prince William motions Gerrit Schuyt to enter. Gerrit, you said you needed to ask me something ?
Yes your highness, forgive me, but..was Snellensoon's death necessary?
Gerrit, if you are suggesting I managed to arrange that, I am a bit perplexed....and little flattered.
Well Sir, you once mentioned a need for Elephants. I went to Siam for vacation, I do not know why I did not think of it before, but ...
Gerrit, have you ever heard of anyone training a rhinoceros, then send it to stealthily ambush a man riding around in an armored car? Think about it man.
Granted, if I could get my hands on some mutant form of rhino that was trainable, teach it the legendary skills of the Japanese Ninja, how would I convince the man to stop by that particular bush and get out? There are a great many easier ways of killing a man than shipping him halfway around the world to be ambushed by a rhino. Never fear Gerrit, I know if I ever, for Crown or Country, need someone removed, to call you.
I am terribly sorry your Highness, the notion is indeed laughable. I trust you shall forgive me?
Of course Gerrit, now do you have any real business to discuss?
Yes your Highness, you see...
The Batavia Bugle, August 15th
With the conflict in Sulawesi long over, and the quarantines complete, the long delayed Tri-annual wargames are expected to commence in the next several days. Reports are that the Indic fleet will rebase to Balikpapan for the games. From there the traditional week of fleet problems will be followed by a mock attack on a base constructed for the purpose in New Guiana. Reports of Territorial battalions being alerted indicate that troop transport elements may be included in the war games, and warnings have been up for the past month that ferry service will be limited for the next three weeks.
The Amsterdam Advocate August 18th
The German election results are in and the DNVP, DZP, KP and EP all gained from their prior standings. At this time the DNVP is now the largest contingent in the German version of the Staten-Generaal.
The Vlissengen Verisimilitude , August 19th
Fokker rolled out the two companion prototypes to the G.1 for their first flight tests.
The G.1b is equipped with two Avia Pegasus engines, and has a two person nacelle, larger wings, and lengthened booms. The plane is expected to serve as an attack fighter, carrying up to a 500kg internal bomb load at over 270kph to attack targets up to two hours from it's base. With a top speed in excess of 470kph, and capable of climbing 10 kilometers into the sky, there is no bomber she cannot intercept and destroy.
The third prototype, the G.1c, has much the same appearance as G1.b but is designed as more of a pure fighter. The nacelles hide a pair of Junker's Jumo engines, and the conical rear gun turret is deleted as the nacelle is trimmed to suit a single seat fighter. A smaller internal bomb bay allows the pilot to toggle the doors to the 200kg internal bomb bay.
The G.1 rollouts were in contrast to the Fokker C.XII attack bomber prototype which failed its trials today. The military is unhappy with the planes large size of 4,000 kilos, and the navy believes the landing speed to high for safe carrier usage, demanding less than 70 knots and preferably closer to 60 knots. The rates of turn and climb are also stated to be inadequate for the Navy's desire to use the plane as a bomber destroyer.
Fokker has retorted that this is the natural result of the design specifications calling for a heavy attack plane and turretted fighter. The C.XII was built to a specification requiring heavy gun armament for strafing, with four MGs firing forward and two MGs in a dorsal turret. The pilot and gunner were to be protected from ground fire by armor plate fore and aft of the cockpit area. Fokker reports that these elements alone add 530 kilos to the plane. When added to the 700 kilo bomb load and 800km range desired, a large plane is unavoidable and underpowered by the Hispano-Suiza engine specified.
The Amsterdam Advocate, August 21st
Reports are that President Eckener has requested Dr. Karl Jarres of the DNVP being asked to form a government.
The Batavia Bugle, August 23rd
The magazine Hindia Putra or "Son of India", reports that Perserikatan Nasional Indonesia is now claiming dubious credit for the series of attacks, arson and vandalism on government buildings and businesses affiliated with the government. The most recent attack was on a new school opened in Serang, which followed the murder of a loan officer for the Bank of the Kongo. The PNI claims that passively accepting these facilities is an act of collaboration, and will foster support for Dutch rule and undermine the populance's willingness to free themselves from the Dutch yoke. Several arrests have been made of late and rumors have it that the Perintah Alus (secret police) are closing in on the responsible parties.
The Batavia Bugle , August 30th
Governor-General A.C.D. de Graeff has announced a contract with Skoda-Davao to provide agricultural and crawler tractors over the next several years. The contract has a penalty clause in case of default by NEI, should future budgets fail to incorporate the funds.
The Amsterdam Advocate August 31st
The annual Koninginnedag celebrations kicked off today with a quick parade followed by revelry. The Queen sponsored an open family picnic in Vondelpark, and the Queen and the Crown Princes family spent her birthday among the crowds there. King Albert of Belgium was present, although his dear wife the Duchess Elisabeth was unable to attend due to her long illness. Princess Juliana and Belgiums Crown Prince Karel were also in attendance. The Queens cousin, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg is also expected to be present. The Grand Duchess and her family have been enjoying the Scheveningen beaches for the past week. As dusk came, the Queen departed by carriage for the Koninklijk Paleis te Amsterdam for a private birthday dinner. It is understood the Prince Consort has returned from Africa to be in attendance this evening. The Queen's cousin, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg is also expected to be present. The Grand Duchess and her family have been enjoying the Scheveningen beaches for the past week.
Tomorrow the Queen is scheduled to return to the Hague, where she is to host a large party for the Staten Generaal in Lange Voorhourt Palace.
This post has been edited 3 times, last edit by "Kaiser Kirk" (Feb 16th 2007, 4:51pm)