WesWorld

Confusing, isn't it?
Take "Lord Charles, Abbot of Costelloe." Instead of reading it as the English word 'of', read it as the Dutch word 'of' (so 'or' in English). What do you get then?
...
...
...
Three elder brothers. "Lords Charles, Abbot or Costelloe."

So if you are talking about just one stooge, it would be

Curly, Moe of Larry?

'Moe' short for 'Moeder' (= 'Mother'; 'Moe' would be similar to 'Mum')
So twisting and corrupting that a bit you could read it as "Curly, Mum of Larry"
The horror!

Quoted

Originally posted by Kaiser Kirk
Well my relatives got it wrong then The Gaeltach (sp?) is fading

Damn close, sir!!

Gaeltacht

Have a gold star!!!

I'm sure somewhere there is an office for a company: "Howard, Fine, and Howard.", or something close to that.

The Brussels Sprout , February 25th.
Special Sunday Evening Edition
Albert, King of the Belgians, was laid to rest today in the family crypt. Huge crowds lined the processional way, and leading politicians and royalty from around Europe attended. The King's family led the procession, as the King's brother Charles and the widowed Princess Juliana, walked behind the caisson. Following Charles and Juliana was a carriage in which rode his Aunt the Duchess of Ghent, his wife the Duchess Elizabeth, and the heir apparent the Duke of Brabant.

The Government estimates that in excess of three hundred thousand citizens paid their respects while he lay in state this past week. The King was seen by many as a war hero for his personal command of the Belgian Army in the Great War, capped by his triumphal return to Brussels. The King took a prominent role in reconstruction, championed the rights of the Flemish minority, and most recently the King was deeply engaged bringing a new constitution to his people.

The Matadi Messenger, February 26th
The lead elements of the Kingdom of the Kongo's pledged force to Bolivia has begun arriving in Peru. The ships are arriving in the charming coastal city of Mollendo, from which they will take trains up the Tambo river valley and up through the city of Arequipa and thence to the town of Puno on Lake Titicaca. From that location they will deploy to Bolivia.

Troops of the 3rd Pioneer battalion were first to disembark, followed shortly by Brigade-Generaal Kotie De Wet and his staff. The Kongo force will be reporting to American Marine Generaal Roy Geiger who is tasked with coordinating the international forces. Troops of the Netherland's 195th Fusilier Regiment are scheduled to arrive on the 28th, with the 2nd Kongo Brigade expected on March 7th.

The Brussels Sprout , February 27th.
The government issued a press release at 4:50pm yesterday evening declaring their commitment to holding the March 15th election per the wishes of Albert I. They have announced that the referendum ballots will go to press on March 8th. The ballots will ask the voter to :
"Maintain the current Constitution, and Heir"
of
"Adopt the new Constitution crafted by the National Congress, and Head of State the National Congress names"

The opposition voiced, well, opposition, to the clauses regarding the succession as they had not been included in the original language.

While the National Congress did reconvene briefly, members were unwilling to conduct business while King Albert lay in state. The Congress reconvened Monday. With Charles still refusing the crown, the Congress spent most of the morning hearing investigators the merits of different claims and the character of individuals involved. While reporters are welcome to the process, most sensed imminent death from boredom and snuck away.

Discussions this morning at first revolved around angry denunciations of the government's announcement and a fiery resolve to come to a resolution, but discussions quickly devolved and in general have proceeded in a desultory fashion.

Bickering Belgians! When will they grow up and realize they should just let the Dutch manage things?

Quoted

Originally posted by Alikchi
Bickering Belgians! When will they grow up and realize they should just let the Dutch manage things?

Shhhhhh don't tip them off...

The Brussels Sprout , March 2nd .
The National Congress has continued to debate the succession. The idea of a presidency was raised and voted down. A sizable faction believe the charming and gregarious Duke of Brabant may mature into an acceptable King, an opinion the majority does not seem to share. Attempts to find suitable candidates by heredity having failed, the Congress has turned to scrutinizing European Noble families for suitable candidates and several are being championed.

The chairman of the Congress, Gaston Eyeskens has insisted that the National Congress will find a new King, an man of good character, with a keen intellect and knowledge of politics and world affairs, an understanding of Belgium, and known to her people. This is of course a high standard to meet.

The Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family, as relatives of King Albert, was extensively looked at for candidates, but the German military and political ties of the Duke and his second son discredited him, while Prince Heir Johns recent morganic marriage promised renewed succession issues. The English Royal Family, through Prince Consort Albert, is also related and some attention have focused on Prince Arthur of Connaught, age 51, and his son Prince Alastair, 20. However, Prince Kyril of Bulgaria, second in line to that throne and also a member of house of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, has attracted many partisans. Only 37 years of age, he is well thought of internationally.

The search has extended so far that Louis Ferdinand of Prussia was given a serious reflection, and though it was agreed that he was a fine man, the fact his father waged war on Belgium quickly lost him consideration.

Prince Karel's title of Count of Flanders spurred interest in whom that title reverted to until it was pointed out the House of Orange had double claim both through his widow and by prior claim.

As the day wore on, the Royal lines of Europe were considered and some female candidates started to get serious mention. The first of these was Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, whom was suggested yesterday, to create a joint realm. Reports are this proposal has sparked some debate in the Grand Duchy. However, Prince Karel's widow Princess Juliana has a goodly number of champions.


The Paramaribo Paramecium March 3rd
Staatssecretaris of Foreign Affairs, Jan Bogaart arrived in Cartegena, Columbia today. Herr Bogaart is the Netherlands representative to the talks at Bogata regarding Bolivia.

Time: March 4th
Place : Kongo sector, Bolivia

Shortly after the arrival of Dutch mounted units, flyers are placed in all town squares and Priests are asked to read them to their congregation.

PEOPLE OF BOLIVIA

The troops arriving in your lands are those of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Some are from the Netherlands, many from the Kingdom of the Kongo in Africa. Most of the troops do not speak your language, but there will be one man for every 200 who will speak Iberian. Ask for the interpreter or translator , and the troops will get him so you may be understood.

Why are the Dutch and Kongo troops here?
Bolivia launched a war of aggression and her neighbors Chile, Peru and Brazil vanquished her. Without a new government or army, Bolivia can not control her own lands.

We are here to provide stability and so the Chilean, Peruvian, and Brazilian armies will go home.

We bring tractors and trained men to help rebuild roads and bridges damaged in the fighting. Once those are fixed, we may build other things.

We bring doctors and medical supplies. Doctors are not miracle workers, but they can help greatly. These are available for the people of the area.

When Will the Dutch and Kongo troops go home ?
We will leave when Bolivia's fate has been settled and a new Bolivian Government controls this area. The truth is, we do not know how long this will take. Our soldiers would rather be in their homes, so we hope less than a year.

Can Bolivians Make Them leave sooner ?

YES.

Your priests can organize an open election. If more than half the adults want the Dutch and Kongo troops to leave, they will leave within three months, and Peruvian, Chilean, or Brazilian troops will come.

Who is in charge?
The American Marine Commander commands the International Troops
Brigade-Generaal Kotie De Wet will be the Commander of the local troops.
After that, your chiefs, priests, mayor, police chief, and judge in that order.

We will ask your priests for the names of the three most trustworthy people, these will become the mayor, police chief and judge of the town. They and your priests will be second in command. If there is a tribal chief, he will be considered the same status as a mayor.

When Bolivia has a new government, they will take charge.

Laws

This area is under martial law. We will enforce the laws of Bolivia as best we can. We expect the people of Bolivia to live by the law.

The troops are soldiers, not police. Lawbreakers who fail to cooperate may force troops to shoot. We will apologize and pay blood money if the troops are wrong.


Obey these commands:
If you have a gun, the troops may ask to see it. Do not point it at them or they will shoot you. The troops may take the gun and give you a piece of paper. Take the paper to your Priest, Mayor, Police Chief or Judge and they will help you talk to the local troop commander and convince him you need the gun for hunting. Guns needed for hunting will be returned. Guns or explosives normally only used on the battle field will be confiscated.

People who try to hide in this area, but leave to fight elsewhere will be hunted down and put in jail if they surrender, or slain if they fight.

People that attack Dutch or Kongo troops will be put in jail if they surrender or slain if they fight.

People that help fighters voluntarily will be jailed. If there is doubt if help was voluntary, they will be tried.

<Pictorial of 5 hand gestures with captions in Spanish. The commands "Halt", "Show hands", "We need to search", "put down gun",
"You are under arrest">

Our troops must live by the law too.
Our Troops will pay for goods they take.
Our Troops will be jailed for major crimes, but there must be proof and fair trials.

Who to complain to ?
Only serious complaints, with as much proof as you can.
No bad consequences will come of Complaints, unless they are minor and everyday.
You can complain to your Chiefs, Priests, Mayors, Police and Judges.
You can also come to our camp and ask to see the Commandant and Interpreter.

We come to do the best we can, but we are only soldiers and need your cooperation to make the peace.

Sincerely,
Brigade-Generaal Kotie De Wet

Brigade- Generaal Kotie De Wet

edit: darn squares

Hmmm. Brazilian troops aren't leaving anytime soon...

Well they might from some areas if the Santa Cruz de la Sierra Republic got/gets its independence in the Great Atlantian Bolivian Solution Discussion - but the rest of the area occupied by the Empire, remains occupied by the Empire.

If there are concerns about this policy, please send them by courier to the Provisional Capital of the Occupation Government in San Jose de Chiquitos. Emperor's Hand Mara Jade* will be happy to...accept your apologies.


(* - I looked it up and 'Jade' translated into either Spanish or Portugese is...'Jade'. So presumably it would also be 'Jade' when translated into Iberian. )

...I wouldn't think Ms. Jade would be doing such...public work, tho. (:

Quoted

Originally posted by Swamphen
Hmmm. Brazilian troops aren't leaving anytime soon...

Wasn't suggesting they were. For that matter I don't believe the troops are relieving any Chileans either. It's only posted where the 2nd Kongo is taking the reins. I expect the entire area was formerly occupied by Peruvians.

Quoted

Originally posted by ShinRa_Inc
...I wouldn't think Ms. Jade would be doing such...public work, tho. (:

Well, if you're manufacturing concrete shoes, you need to have a concrete plant as a respectable front.

The Brussels Sprout , March 3rd.
Evening Edition
The National Congress expended yesterday morning expanding the Candidate list still further to include Francis Xavier of Bourbon and Bragança, Duke of Parma, Jean Pierre Clément Marie d'Orléans, Duke of Guise, both of the House of Bourbon and Prince Aimone, Duke of Spoleto of the House of Savoy, and Prince Philippe Franz of the Burgundian House of Croÿ-Solre and some lesser candidates. This completed and defined the candidate list by the afternoon, and the National Congress moved to debates and straw polls to attempt to whittle the list down.

The Brussels Sprout , March 4th
Evening Edition
The National Congress debated this morning and eliminated several candidates, including the lesser candidates, as well as the Bourbons, and Prince Aimone. The Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Kyril had several strong supporters, but by noon they conceded they lacked sufficient support within the Congress. The debate centered over Prince Philippe, Princess Juliana and Prince Alistair was became centered on the relative ages and experience of the individuals.

When supporters of Princess Juliana kept returning to her popularity and countering that her mother's rule had been good, the delegate from Liege, a supporter of Prince Phillipe, declared "She is a twenty four year old girl who just lost her husband, of course she is sympathetic, but we have no basis to conclude she would make a better Monarch than Prince Phillipe, if her mother's rule is what we base her candidacy on, why do we not place her mother on the ballot?" to which a delegate from Andenne queried "excellent point, why is Queen Wilhelmina not under consideration?"

The chamber quickly dissolved in chaos as dozens of delegates called out their views, the brief furor led to calls for order. After which the delegate from Andenne finished :
"We had Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg under consideration for many of the same reasons, but in comparison; Queen Wilhelmina has hosted two peace conferences, assumed the burden of the Kongo, and has in general much greater international standing than the Duchess. Wilhelmia has also been involved in matters of state for over fourty years, and has counseled a complex series of governments with good results, we know she is well aware of Belgium's economy and poltics, and furthermore the people of Belgium know and think well of the Queen."

The delegate from Liege countered "You can not seriously be suggesting we become part of the Netherlands!" to which the delegate from Andenne retorted "Of course not. She can fulfill the roles we ask of Queen of the Belgians without our merging with the Netherlands. The arrangement would undoubtedly bring us closer, and may require our joining the Netherlands and the Kongo as coequal states in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, but we have been talking about closer relations since 1923."

The delegate from Tournai, a veteran of the Great War, shouted "What about 1914 !!!" to which the delegate from Andenne replied "Please, that just shows her willingness to move on our behalf. Even good King Albert came to see that her intervention put a halt to the German outrages, why do you not ask the delegate from Antwerpen, he was there". To this the Antwerpen delegate replied "Frankly, people in Flanders hold her in high regard. They may have difficulty choosing between Prince Alastair and Princess Julianna, but they would support Queen Wilhelmina."

Further discussion whirled around the Chamber, with a straw poll indicating that Queen Whilhelmina was likely a stronger candidate than Prince Alastair and Princess Julianna, while Prince Phillipe's supporter were insufficiently numerous. The Congress resolved to recess for a day to confer with their home districts, and hold a final vote on the 6th.

The Hague Herald , March 5th
After a particularly contentious debate, repeatedly sidetracked by the reports from Belgium, the Tweede Kamer passed a bill today authorizing the establishment of legislatures in the Netherlands East Indies. The bill was virtually identical to that which was voted down previously, but the sudden switch of the Arbeiders-Democratische Bond to support gave it sufficient backing.

With ex-Prime Minister De Voor and the Vrijheidsbond still leading the opposition to his Protégés PEP party, the majority of the DMZSBD also broke with the government, leaving the new Minister of the Army, Herman Loeder to vote for it, a curious stratagem. They were joined by both members of the Communistische Partij Holland for 56 votes against. However the combination of Eduard Lands PEP , the RKVP, the Partij van de Arbeid and the new support of Lodewyk van der Berg and Hendrik Colijin's Arbeiders-Democratische Bond gave the bill 93 in support. The Erste Kamer had previously signaled it's support and passed the bill with little dissent, the Queen is expected to sign it this evening.

The Brussels Sprout March 7th
Evening Edition

After a series of straw polls yesterday afternoon, the National Congress reduced the individuals under consideration to Prince Alastair and Queen Wilhelmina. Having received confirmation that both candidates were willing to accept the crown, debate resumed today, but was ended at noon by a call for the vote. the Congress confirmed by supramajority the selection of Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to be Queen of the Belgians. The results were transferred to the Government, who has lined up printing presses for the simple ballots slated to print tomorrow.

The Brussels Sprout March 8th
A furor erupted as the first ballots came off the presses, and were found to deviate from the previously announced form:
"Maintain the traditional Constitution, and the rightful heir Duke Phillipe of Brabant"
or
"Abandon the Constitution adopted when William I was overthrown, and adopt the new descendant, Wilhelmina, joining the United Kingdom of the Netherlands"
The Chairman of the National Congress, Gaston Eyeskens, issued the following statement "The reneging on a prior deal and rewording of the ballot document only goes to show how the current government can not help but to stoop. We are offered the choice of the Constitution that offers no recourse but to keep these gentlemen in power, and taking as a King a young man that cannot manage his own life; or selecting a seasoned Monarch who has a deep understanding of the problems and traditions of this country. Lastly, the misrepresentation of this choice as also involving the UKN is simply irresponsible, this is merely about whom will serve the people of Belgium in this capacity."

The Kinshasa Messenger , March 10th

Troops of the 2nd Kongo Brigade finished entraining for Bolivia this morning. The commander of the 2nd Brigade being in Bolivia with the advance force, Colonel Moese Tshisekedi, from the Duchy of Twa, was in charge of the complex arrangements of disembarking from the ships and then loading each regiment with associated kit in the rail cars provided by Peru for the long journey over the magnificent Andes to Bolivia. While shipboard instruction covered many topics, including attempts at basic Iberian, the troops were pleased to find Dutch translators waiting to join them. The translators will attach to each company to facilitate communications with South Americans.

The Amsterdam Advocate March 12th

The C.11W floatplanes were accepted for service today. The first production examples will be shipped on the Zeven Provincien once she has completed her refit. The production C.11W is armed with twin 7.92mm Madsen MGs forward, and a second pair on a flexible mounting aft, and up to 100kg of payload. With a range of 1,500km, the C.11W can cover 25% more area than the preceding C.7W, and should substantially aid fleet reconnaissance efforts.

In other Aeronautical 's bomber specifications has generated interest within the Air Force. The T.V has been well liked in service, and in exercises has reportedly proven quite handy off of short and relatively rough airfields, but the T.VII is significantly improved in other areas. Fokkers attempts to interest the military in the Design 115 or Design 119 four-engine bombers designs has reportedly not been successful, with the military showing interest but citing budgetary issues in relation to costs of up close to 7.5 fighters per bomber and commiserate crewing issues.

The Brussels Sprout March 15th
Evening Edition

After a week filled with commentary from media and politicians, voter turnout today was heavy as crowds trooped to the polls. As the votes came in, tallies have been posted in town squares and updated as the day wore on. Preliminary results are a victory for the Dutch Queen, quite likely by a large margin.

The Brussels Sprout March 17th
EXTRA

The Government officially conceded defeat today. While counting will continue for several more days, over 90 percent of polling stations have reported. Voter turnout appears to have exceeded 73 percent, with 27 percent voting for retaining the current constitution and government, 2 percent for an obscure professor of "New Math", 3 percent report they failed to understand the complex, two option ballot, and 69 percent for adopting the new constitution and Queen Wilhelmina as Queen of the Belgians. Legal scholars have opined that the portion of the ballot regarding membership in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands must be viewed as no more than advisory, as no means exists under either constitution to enact such a treaty by popular acclamation. Reports are that celebrations have brought several towns, mostly in Flanders, to a standstill.

Members of the National Congress, including Chairman Gaston Eyeskens, met the Queen at the border with the Netherlands. The Queen disembarked from her official car, left her courtiers and guards behind, and calmly presented her passport to a flustered customs official. The Queen, trailed by the congressmen, then went to the depot and embarked on the scheduled passenger train to Brussels.

In Brussels, the Queen gave a short speech in French:

"People of Belgium, I am deeply honored to serve you in this manner. My family failed you once, I cannot express how much it means to be entrusted with this role again.
In your name, I will give the best advice I am able, and honor and enforce your new Constitution. The oversight provisions will be taken seriously, and every effort made to cleanse high offices of corruption, whether by trial, or by voluntary exit. I can work no miracles, and I am not without flaw, but while tomorrow will look much like yesterday, next year should be better than this year, and prosperity will return to Belgium, as this is a land with a strong and talented people. "

The Brussels Sprout March 19th
The new Queen of the Belgians has moved with breathtaking speed in setting up the new Monarchal Special Investigation Service and a Monarchs advisory council. The Queen had obviously done her homework as special invitations were delivered to select police inspectors, lawyers, accountants and select scholars, businessmen and judges.

The Amsterdam Advocate , March 23rd
The Marines took delivery today of the first Madsen 23mm anti-aircraft gun. Based on the 23mm Madsen aircraft cannon being considered for destroyer aircraft, the weapon will be mounted on a three legged platform carried on a two-wheeled trailer. The mounting is designed with a balance system and sights to enable rapid engagement of ground or air targets. The entire mounting is said to weight under 350kg, and can be broken into pack loads, allowing it to be easily portable regardless of terrain.

The Brussels Sprout March 22nd
Following a meeting with the Queen, several members of the current government have resigned their seats, including the Prime Minister, Ministers of Finance, Justice, Economy, Civil Affairs, and Social affairs. A number of subsecretaries have also resigned. This will deprive the Socialist - National Front coalition of the majority it had enjoyed in Parliament. The Ministers of Defense, Budget, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Agriculture remain. Many of those who resigned today have been rumored to be targeted for criminal prosecution by the new Special Investigation Service. The Queen has requested minority parties in Parliament to nominate members to fill the vacancies.

Brazil sends a polite note of congratulations to Queen Wihelmina. Siam sends a rather more flowerly one.

Congratulations from King George to Queen Wilhelmina.

What was a New Math professor doing on the ballot sheet?

Congrats from the Royals in South Africa too!