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
This post has been edited 2 times, last edit by "Kaiser Kirk" (Mar 12th 2007, 6:05pm)