WesWorld

The Berlin Observative, 16 July 1921

1. Protests in Munich
2. Victoria Luise Sold
3. Argentine Diplomat Arrives in Cuxhaven

1. Protests in Munich

Right-wing protestors have taken to the streets of Munich, apparently to protest the impending arrival of the Indian Raj. Approximately three hundred individuals, mostly young men, undertook a noisy march through the city’s business district, shouting slurs and breaking windows before the march culminated at a beer hall.

“We gave them money and equipment, but when it came time to stand beside us against our enemies, the Indian despot abandoned us”, one protestor declared. “He has a lot of nerve coming here - especially when he’s going to the funeral of one of our enemies.”

Police said that despite the noise and minor vandalism, there were no reports of serious violence. One protestor was arrested, but sources indicated that the man was already known to authorities and was detained on an unrelated matter.

The protest has raised concerns about the security around the Indian ruler, who is due to arrive in Munich tomorrow. It is expected that dozens or even hundreds of police may be called upon to secure the train station during the Raj’s short visit to the city.

2. Victoria Luise Sold

The Hamburg-America Line has confirmed the sale of the passenger ship Victoria Luise to the Government of Nordmark. In a statement released early this morning, the company said, “After some consideration, HAPAG has agreed to sell the Victoria Luise to the Government of Nordmark. Terms of the sale will remain confidential, but were considered favourable given the ship’s history of mechanical difficulties. Proceeds from the transaction will contribute to the company’s ongoing building program.”

The former Deutschland is currently undergoing a refit that would have seen her emerge as a transporter of immigrants to North America. It was expected that the ship would return to service in October. Neither HAPAG nor the Nordmark government have commented on possible changes to this timetable or the refit itself.

The twenty-one year old ship held the Blue Riband - awarded to the passenger liner with the fastest Atlantic crossing - for several years in the first decade of this century, before losing it to the Cunard liners Lusitania and Mauritania in 1907. Although the vessel was elegant and fast, hull vibrations dissuaded many would-be passengers from travelling upon her, and mechanical issues prevented her use as a troopship during the war. Post-war, she was the only significant German merchant ship not handed over to the Allies as reparations.

The proposed sale prompted considerable rhetoric from both sides of the political spectrum, but the actual transaction has yet to result in statements from any politicians.

3. Argentine Diplomat Arrives in Cuxhaven

A man implicated in the death of the Nordmark royal family has arrived in Cuxhaven. Guillermo Gonzalez, Charge d’Affairs with the Argentine embassy in Copenhagen, was arrested and extradited to Nordmark nine days ago by Denmark. The Nordmark government soon released Mr. Gonzalez and deported him to Germany, where it is expected that he will acquire passage to Argentina.

Hans Muellenbach, with Cuxhaven’s customs office, said, “We were informed of Mr. Gonzalez’s arrival and spoke with him for a few minutes upon his arrival. We advised him to avoid Nordmark and Danish diplomatic missions in the country, which he agreed to do. As his papers were valid, we granted him entry, with all the rights and privileges his diplomatic status entitles him to.”