The Amsterdam Advocate October 28th, 1935
Tragedy strikes Japan !
A rail accident has robbed Japan of the heir to the throne. Japan, one of the Great and Ancient lands of the East, has a monarchy who's origins sweep back into the mists of antiquity. This tragic loss is sure to be quite a blow to the deeply traditional and honor bound peoples of Japan. Governments of the world, joined by our own, have expressed their sympathies.
As of yet, the Government has not declared the official representative, it is expected that our Ambassador to Japan will be joined by a member of the Royal family. Prince Consort Hendrik, having returned to his abode in the Grand Duchy of Ubangi-Shari, may be called on to travel to the far east to ensure proper respect is paid.
The Kinshasha Klarion November 5th, 1935
Foreign Minister Count Nzinga Mvemba held a press conference today:
"I am pleased to announce that the Kingdom of the Kongo has received the Queens blessing to expand our foreign services. For the past 30 years, our primary window on the world has been the Kongo Affairs section of Dutch embassies worldwide, with the exception of conciliates in Angola, South Afrika and the Netherlands.
The Kongo has advanced by leaps and bounds and is now ready to take a rightful place as a member of the community of nations. To that end, we shall shortly apply for League of Nations membership.
As our nation and commerce grows, we have reached the stage where the people and businesses of the Kongo have sufficient presence internationally as to make our own facilities desirable.
We shall first seek full Embassies to the closest friends and neighbors of the Kongo, the Netherlands, the South Afrikan Empire, and our neighbors the British, French and Iberian Empires. Looking to the trading partners of those nations, we shall seek at least conciliates with Italy, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Nordmark, the United States, the Empire of Bahrat, Australia, Siam, and China. For nations beyond those, the old Kongo Affairs section will continue to suffice.
Any Questions ?"
Matadi Messenger Does this presage any basic change in relations for the Kongo?
Mvemba: "No, this is primarily to lay the groundwork for the future to provide support for our citizenry and forums for relations with other nations. "
Kananga CourierRegarding the choice of seeking League Membership, the Kongo has already participated in one League action, but not in the current Lithuanian events. Do you forsee the Kongo being involved in further League actions?
Mvemba: "Yes, once the 5th Brigade is fully equipped, there is an expectation that a pair of Expeditionary Brigades will be authorized. These two Brigades will be intended to not only aid friends and allies, but also allow the Kongo to support worthy international efforts. To that end the Expeditionary Brigades will be organized with a higher ratio of support elements to allow them to be more self sufficient. "
Lumbumbashi Lecturer How will this effect the organization of the Landwher ?
Mvemba: "There should be no substantial effect. The Swiss style mass militia Landwher design is largely a planning and organization problem at this stage."
Bukavu Bulletin : Given the affront of the Chinese-SAE accord, which commits South Afrika spurn our ores for Chinese ores from half a world away, and even saw the Chinese delegates take trains through the Kongo(1), passing close to our mines, after signing the accord, are there plans to withdraw the Brigades in Kamerun or take other action to signify our displeasure.
Mvemba: "The suggestion is ridiculous. Of course the Kongo shall not withdraw. SAE is involved in a war, this is no time to undermine them over unintentional insults real or imagined. SAE is not bound to be the sole purchaser of Kongo's ores, if they feel it necessary to diversify their supply, that is certainly their right.
Granted it may signify that certain presumptions on the nature of the relationship between our nations need to be reassessed, and certainly that the Kongo needs to work harder on establishing new trade relationships.
We have always enjoyed excellent relations with South Afrika, and owe them our gratitude for their support, but much of the relationship has been informal and we shall be considering if formalization is advisable. "
(1) it's the only WW rail route to Dar-es-Salaam I know of, Hoo can correct if wrong.
The Brussels Sprout November 11, 1935
On the anniversary of the Armistice, the Government has announced it will seek membership in the Pan European Trade Association.
Economic Minister Count Jean Charles Snoy et d'Oppuers says that the Belgian economy has recovered from the doldrums of the recent past, and is once again robust enough to withstand foreign competition. Further, the depression elevated unemployment and repressed wages, making Belgian exports cheaper and Belgian industry a better investment.
Membership in PETA is also expected to strengthen ties to France and the Netherlands and hopefully between those states. While Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium have been part of a mutual trade pact since 1921, expanding trade to include France is a natural course of action and Belgium should benefit both directly from French trade, and indirectly via Franco-Dutch trade traversing Belgium.
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "Kaiser Kirk" (May 16th 2008, 4:41am)