WesWorld

Q1, 1934

Note to Atlantis, 2 January 1934

To: Marus Xanthus, Foreign Minister, Atlantis
From : Queen Wilhelmina, Queen of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Circulated to all Contracting Powers of the Cleito Treaty, as well as the larger non-Treaty powers.

Yesterday marked the first day of the withdrawal of Bharat from the Cleito treaty. While we find it severely disappointing that Bharat saw fit to break faith with the signatory nations, we do acknowledge the unusual aggravations which preceded the event.

Considering the history of rhetoric and actions by Bharat against the Netherlands, we could justifiably view Bharats action as one of belligerence aimed at the Netherlands and therefore a basis to excuse ourselves from the treaty's strictures.

However, we have always been staunch supporters of the concepts embraced at Cleito, and Brashkar II has chosen not to continue the provocations of his predecessors. Despite flaws, we do not wish to contribute to the premature collapse of the treaty.

Presuming that Bharat continues reasonable transparency in it's building program, and that program reflects obvious needs and responses to threats, then the United Kingdom of the Netherlands will remain within the bounds of the treaty, and would welcome the return of Bharat to the treaty without censure.

- Wilhelmina

The Hauge Herald January 3rd

The Foreign Minister was accosted by reporters regarding the announced Japanese withdrawal from the Cleito treaty and commented

"The Netherlands is severely disappointed, we had hoped for better from Japan, that the Japanese would adhere to the treaty rather than abandoning honor and breaking her sworn word. With that he glanced at his pocket watch and exclaimed "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" and departed.

The Queen's spokesman, Fredrik Mercurr, did issue a statement :

"It is Her Majesty's position that the stance of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands has not changed regarding the Cleito treaty in principle, despite the flaws and loopholes, the general adherence of many nations to is preferable to it's demise. The Japanese action presents the possibility of collapse of the treaty in a manner that will likely sabotage the possibility of a follow on treaty. The resulting lack of an arms limitation treaty is a state the Kingdom continues to feel is undesirable. The Naval escalation prior to the great war did little to alter the balance of power, rendered new vessels built at great expense obsolescent within the decade, plundered the pockets of the citizenry, and was directly related to the escalating tensions that set the scene for the Great war. "

The Hague Herald January 10th

The States-Generaal returned from Winter recess today to consider several items. The hot topics of discussion were the imminent failure of the Cleito treaty, the Indian and Japanese withdrawal, the spicy pictures of a certain Rotterdam starlet, and speculation that the remainder of SATSUMA may withdraw.

The Hague Herald January 15th
Prime Minister Land, introduced paired legislation to enact the remaining political provisions of the TIDE report.

The first bill, like it's predecessors, shows the signs of compromise, as well as several items seemingly unrelated to the NEI. The bill establishes provincial and district legislatures. Per the TIDE report the district seats are to filled initially by appointees drawn from prominent citizens. The provision to elect 1/2 the district seats every four years has been pushed back to commence in 1938, which means the district legislatures will not be fully elected until 1942. As suggested in the TIDE report, the membership of the provincial legislatures is to consist of members of the district legislatures elevated by their peers.

The second bill is an amendment to the Netherlands constitution, establishing that any official province, with a legislature comprised of freely elected members, shall have representation on the Erste Kamer. Observers note that this wording would pave the way for Dutch Guiana to claim a seat should a Volksraad be enacted, but this would serve to give Erste Kamer voting rights to the seven provinces of the Indies after the 1942 elections.

The Brussels Sprout January 20th,
The Government was pleased to display a fourth quarter report which shows signs of economic improvement in Belgium. Detractors claim the government has manipulated the numbers as part of a publicity effort. With the Constitutional Convention, or National Congress reportedly arguing over final touches, the current government appears to have abandoned efforts to forestall the result. Already members of the ruling party have started public appearances in anticipation of an election following the adoption of the Constitution.

The Rotterdam Rototiller January 24th.
Crowds gathered over the fiery wreckage of Koolhoven's prototype F.K.55. The sleek fighter had taken off for an endurance test, and developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff, crashing six miles beyond the Koolhoven factory. Koolhoven first previewed the mockup in 1933, but while the F.K.55 has impressive looks, the plane has been reported to be experiencing substantial issues with the mid-engine placement and the gun/contrapropeller shaft arrangement retrofitted to the modified Napier Lion engine.

The Amsterdam Advocate , January 25th.

A joint Dutch-Kongo force has been announced for deployment. The Kongo has volunteered their 2nd Brigade. The Kongo brigades were formed in 1933 from the old territorial battalions that had been raised in that Kingdom. As there were insufficient territorial personnel to round out all five brigades, each is at partial strength and shall be reinforced.

The forces committed shall include a brigade sized force under Kongo Brigade-Generaal Kotie De Wet. The 2nd Kongo Brigade will form the core of the force, but as the Kongo forces are still understrength, the 195th Regiment will be attached, as will a second Kongo Pioneer battalion. Provisional arrangements were made in December, and the attached forces can embark at Matadi within the week, while the 2nd Kongo Brigade proper can follow in mid February.

The Army maintains a number of fluent Italian, Danish, and Spanish speaking personnel for liaison duty with our allies, and this group will be utilized to provide Spanish-speaking liaisons which will be attached to each company. The liaison troops will embark here in Amsterdam shortly.

Deployed forces include : 9 Fusilier battalions, 4 Mounted Reconnaissance Companies, 2 fire support battalions, 2 Pioneer battalions, 4 Supply & Medical transport companies, 4 Headquarters & Communications Companies.

TOE includes 5,920 riflemen, of which 736 are mounted, 1,472 pioneer troops, 32x 75mm pack how, 8x 37mm ATG, 8x 20mm AA, 24x 13.2mm HMG, 80x 81mm mort, 80x 13.2mm ATR, 160x 7.92mm MG. Total force : 9,090

Quoted

the spicy pictures of a certain Rotterdam starlet

Care to share?

I'm not quite sure how the FK.55 can be called "sleek". Large and rotund are things that spring more to mind. In OTL the actual aircraft didn't have contra-props or retractable undercarriage.

The information on the web is suggests that he wound up making significant modifications to make it fly, and didn't get the engine he wanted.

The version that flew OTL wound up being far more portly and with a higher mounted wing than the earlier design, which did fit "sleek". The basic concept of a mid-engine is doable, the P-39 is evidence of it, but I've been wanting to have further failed designs.

So I crashed the prototype-been he can start again with a more suitable engine.

Hmmmm, a Jumo-211? Or perhaps a DB-600?

The SAE ambassador in The Hague delivers a letter from the South African Emperor to his friend on the Dutch throne applauding the NLs decision to react reasonable to the withdrawl of the Indians, further support the need for an arms treaty and the CT in particular....

Quoted

Originally posted by Hrolf Hakonson
Hmmmm, a Jumo-211? Or perhaps a DB-600?

While a number of my next designs have Pegasus radials or Jumo-211A inlines (and I'm looking forward to the lower weight/higher power of the 211B), the FK55 goes back to the Hispano-Suiza because it is both familiar and is already designed to take a cannon in the propeller shaft, which should simplify things for Koolhoven.

[

Quoted

the spicy pictures of a certain Rotterdam starlet

Quoted

Originally posted by Red Admiral
Care to share?

They might violate some Italian laws : )

Quoted

While a number of my next designs have Pegasus radials or Jumo-211A inlines (and I'm looking forward to the lower weight/higher power of the 211B), the FK55 goes back to the Hispano-Suiza because it is both familiar and is already designed to take a cannon in the propeller shaft, which should simplify things for Koolhoven.

Italy will be running a flat-8 of requisite power in 1935. That might be a reasonable choice as it allows the fuselage to be cut down a lot.

Here is another mid-engined fighter with an air-cooled radial.

Quoted

Presuming that Bharat continues reasonable transparency in it's building program, and that program reflects obvious needs and responses to threats, then the United Kingdom of the Netherlands will remain within the bounds of the treaty, and would welcome the return of Bharat to the treaty without censure.

If the moderators and other folks think it useful, I can go to my records and see what was on tap for the BNS 1934 program...

Well the situation with Japan withdrawing may make it irrelevant, but the key questions would be if Bahrat continue to more or less disclose the size and nature of the planned vessels, and if there was sudden great secrecy somewhere. If the Dutch have no idea what Bahrat (and Japan) is doing, they will eventually have to assume the worse.
If there is disclosure, then the nature of the build program would also matter and would be useful.

The Brussels Sprout Feb 5th,
The chairman of the National Congress Gaston Eyeskens, has announced the successful conclusion of the convention with a final but has some substantial differences from previous constitution. Significant changes include a more federal approach and a bi-cameral legislature, coupled with the direct election of representatives , as opposed not from party slate. The Monarch is strengthened, and now has formal advisory role, as well as a oversight role. Should a Court find reasonable cause to believe in the corruption of a government member, said member shall be suspended and his designated successor will take his place. Since Prince Karels death, provisions have been added requiring the Monarch to designate , and the government approval of, a successor. The Constitution also clarifies an amendment process initiated by voters.

The Government having committed to be bound by the new document should a majority approve, the proposed constitution is to be circulated for six weeks, with a vote for adoption to be held on March 15th, with the potential for a general election to follow on October 4th. In the meanwhile the Convention members will return to their home districts. While King Albert has been reluctant to leave the capital during the past several months, his advisors believe some time away will do him great good, and so he has been persuaded to take his annual vacation in the Ardennes.

The Hague Herald February 8th
After languishing in the Tweede Kamer since the middle of January, votes were called on the two bills affecting the political framework of the Malay Archipelago. The first bill failed by a razor thin margin. Prime Minister Land indicated that he took this to mean that minor changes may make this acceptable, so he has proposed another vote be held in two weeks, clear indication that that further backdoor dealmaking may be needed to sway votes.

Surprisingly, the second bill, granting representation in the Erste Kamer, passed both chambers today. As this calls for a constitutional amendment, it will of course have to be approved by the people and then re-voted on by the States-Generaal. These provisions do of course give the delegates political cover should the people disapprove.

The Brussels Sprout , February 17th.
EXTRA

The King is Dead Reports of death of Albert I in mountaineering accident have been confirmed by the palace. Few details are available at this time King Albert I died in a climbing accident at Marche-les-Dames, in the Ardennes region of Belgium near Namur.(1) Reports are sketchy at this time ...

The Brussels Sprout , February 19th.
The Government was embarrassed today by the arrest of Phillipe, Duke of Brabant. Lord Phillipe apparently attempted to issue orders to the customs officials at the border while claiming he was King of the Belgians. The Duke was arrested and placed in custody for a short time.

The Duke was released when the Foreign Ministry was informed and the Ministry informed the officials that Lord Phillipe was indeed in the line of succession and may indeed be the King. This has not been the first jail visit by Lord Phillipe, as he was jailed two years ago in Monaco for shoplifting shortly after his bankruptcy. Word from the Government is that there is a split between the Prime Minister and some members of cabinet regarding the advisability of a quick coronation.

The National Congress having been reconvened on news of King Albert's passing, reporters caught Chairman Gaston Eyeskens on the steps. Chairman Eyeskens is quoted as

"Salic law provides for heredity through the male line, and with Prince Karel's passing followed by good King Albert's death, that line goes through his elder brother Lord Charles, Abbot of Costelloe. The acclamation of Lord Phillipe, Duke of Brabant by the Government is fraudulent as his standing traces through his grandmother. The King is the People's, not the Government's. King Albert's brother Charles, the Abbot of Costelloe must first be asked. "

When reporters asked the obvious question,
"Lord Charles removed himself from the line of succession in 1905, what if the Abbot refuses to put aside his vows, as in the past?"

"We have in essence returned to the days of 1830, with a provisional government and a National Congress, and no king. In 1831 the people chose to elevate Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield to be Leopold I, King of the Belgians.

I was not a strong monarchist prior to the Congress, and in the past may have suggest we institute a presidency. These past months working with King Albert proved he was not just a war hero, but a man with a unique perspective on the workings of our nation, a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to his people.

If Lord Charles does not prove willing to assume the throne, the National Congress will scrutinize the line of sucession, and if Salic law means there are no viable candidates, we will work hard to find a suitable candidate to present to the people for their approval."


(1) The historic date and means of the King's demise.

Quoted

the Abbot of Costelloe

Isn't that an Irish city? (aside from the likely play on names).

Quoted

Originally posted by Ithekro

Quoted

the Abbot of Costelloe

Isn't that an Irish city? (aside from the likely play on names).

No, village (of the one horse variety!)

Quoted

Originally posted by Ithekro

Quoted

the Abbot of Costelloe

Isn't that an Irish city? (aside from the likely play on names).

City would be a bit much. It's a Irish village west of Galway, near the Rossaveel ferry to Innishmore. In real life lacks a monastery. Put it makes for a good pun, and I have family there. I am told the name means 'bend in the road' : )

its from the Irish for "SEA INLET", so it would kind of "force" a bend in the coast road!!

Quoted

Originally posted by Commodore Green
its from the Irish for "SEA INLET", so it would kind of "force" a bend in the coast road!!

Well my relatives got it wrong then The Gaeltach (sp?) is fading

The heck of it is, that's my Grandma's branch of the family, the Costello branch, and I know she spoke gaelic with her sisters, so the folks living there ought to have told us the right thing !

Quoted

Abbot of Costelloe

Belgium receives the usual formal condolences from Siam and The Empire.

So from a Dutch point of view, are we dealing with Abbot or Costelloe?
(Note: the Dutch word 'of' means 'or' in English)

Quoted

Originally posted by Rooijen10
So from a Dutch point of view, are we dealing with Abbot or Costelloe?
(Note: the Dutch word 'of' means 'or' in English)

Um, yes... I think.