WesWorld

5 January 1924

The Reichsmarine is said to be following developments of so-called “Pocket Battleships” with some interest. “Our Versailles Treaty limitations would not permit us to build anything larger”, said a source within the navy. “It makes sense to consider all possibilities.”

The Pocket Battleship is generally equal in protection and armament to a Great War-era battleship, but with the greater speed that newer powerplants offer. Recent examples being discussed in naval design circles include the Danish Tyr and perhaps the recently laid down Indian Akbar class.

“If there’s one aspect of these designs the Reichsmarine dislikes, it’s the dispostion of the main battery. Two triple or quadruple turrets is not well looked-upon around here”, commented our source. “Perhaps we would instead look at an improved Hindenburg type as the basis for a German equivalent.”

18 January 1924
Although there will be no reparations paid to France this year, or hereafter, funds remain in short supply throughout the government. Speaking with the Berlin Observative, Finance Minister Hans Luther said:

“Our non-discretionary expenditures will decrease with the termination of reparations transfers to the Republic of France. However, a significant percentage of that figure will instead be transferred to the Empire of India to cover loans received last year.”

There will be no immediate windfall for any government ministries either: “We will not increase spending in any program areas, but will instead use the newly-freed funds to reduce the amount of foreign loans required to fund existing programs”, Minister Luther noted. The primary source of loans to date has been the United States, which has been experiencing a run of economic growth.

26 February 1924

Thirty-six members of the NSDAP are now on trial for treason, as a result of their parts in the aborted “Beerhall Putsch” of last October. The attempted coup d’etat ended in dismal failure with the suicide of party leader Adolf Hitler.

Among those accused are Hermann Goring and Hienrich Himmler. Goring led the stormtroopers who seized the beer hall, while Himmler carried the party’s flag both inside and outside the hall. One senior member of the party, former army officer Ernst Rohm, remains at large after his SA section broke through a police cordon and escaped.

The trial is expected to conclude in early April. A verdict of guilty could result in a sentence of life in prison.

13 March 1924

President Friedrich Ebert has dissolved the Reichstag, in advance of the general election scheduled for the fourth of May.

While the renunciation of reparations payments to France has boosted the popularity of Chancellor Wilhelm Cuno and the parties of the “Weimar Coalition”, the incumbents’ monetary policy has left them with a mixed legacy. On one hand, inflation has been brought under control and the standard of living for the working classes has improved; on the other hand, industry has suffered from the relatively higher operating costs, resulting in a general slow-down in economic growth. Recent activities by the NSDAP and the KPD are not expected to garner significant improvements in those parties’ standing in the Reichstag.

One issue that may take the forefront is that of the Versailles Treaty’s arms limitations. The Weimar Coalition parties have accepted the terms of Versailles, while the DVP and DVNP believe that Germany should renounce the Treaty and either pursue an independent course or negotiate entry into existing treatys such as the Cleito Treaty. The KPD is the lone party advocating disarmament, noting that Versailles’ seemingly harsh terms were the stated prelude to general global disarmament.

Chancellor Cuno has confirmed that he will run as a candidate of the Catholic Center Party, ending speculation that he would return to his post at HAPAG.


(Edit: Got Cuno running for the right party; historically he didn't belong to any of them, but here he does join up).