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Minister of Pigeonry wrote:
The Ambassador removed his hat and held it in both hands, nodding as the President spoke, “You are quite correct, your Excellency, however, as you probably already know, the Uruguayan Northern Defensive line sits some fifty kilometers back from the border proper. Forces were moved up to the line, yes, but I can personally assure you that no units shall move any closer than forty kilometers from the border, save for the usual check point guards, of course.”

“I must apologize, though, for failing to inform your government of the exercises sooner… as you know, Spain has recently forged a defensive agreement with the Chilitinians and these actions were personally ordered by her Majesty with instructions to increase our readiness level with all deliberate haste. I myself was quite surprised to hear the orders, very little information was given, but I can assure you these exercises are in no way offensive, we have never wished your nation harm.”

"A very curious set of... exercises mr ambassador. Why our Chilitine friends have not moved a single soldier so far. As for your own country from what my military advisors tell me in looks rather more as if your country has put Uruguay at pre-mobilization or whatever your military calls the state in your plans that only sending the order for general mobilization is left, than any kind of normal exercises even on a grand scale."

Portland, Federal District
24 July 1925


In the childs' ward of St. Matthews there was one particular private room at the end of a corridor, near a fire escape, flanked by uniformed Marines of the Presidential Guard. Within the room the Cascadian President and his family were sitting quietly, even the two boys of the family showing uncharacteristic silence as they looked at the sleeping figure of their little sister.
The surgeries had been delicate and intensive. The bullet was removed, the damage patched up, but she had still not woken. The doctors were cautiously confident at least, believing they had caught every potential problem and prevented infection, that it was only a matter of time before Sophie awakened and they could confirm she would survive.
Stephen and Rachel were sitting together at one side of the bed, Rafael and Thomas at the foot of the bed in seats. They each put hands on their little girl, touching her face, her arms, speaking quietly to her to encourage her to wake up.

The door opened and MacKenzie was at the door, Dale behind her. Stephen gave them a nod and kissed Sophie's forehead before standing up and walking to the doorway. In a hushed voice he asked, "Yes?"
"The military authorities in Darwin are digging in forces. We've had some ground fire shoot at our transport planes reported but nothing more." Dale gave him a concerned expression. "I think it's time. More leaflets won't provoke any kind of collapse of resistance, but if we actually attack it might bring the house crashing in on this Colonel Huytz."
"Rachel?"
"I have to agree. It is time. Though, Mister President, shouldn't we..."
"Get a declaration of war? Who would we declare war on?" Stephen drew in a sigh. "But I think you might be right. Tell the Staff to send the orders to strike tomorrow, I'll go make preparations to address Congress."

The two Cabinet members nodded and walked off to do so. Meanwhile Stephen returned and gave brief goodbyes to his family, the duties of State calling him away yet again.
Ten minutes later, Rachel would be looking intently, sadly, on her daughter's sleeping face when those small eyelids opened for the first time in over a week, and Sophie would hoarsely ask, "Where is Daddy?"


Congress


The members of Congress waited patiently for their President to step up. All rose in respect for the Head of State as he was called and then returned to their seats when he arrived at the podium to address the two houses. "My fellow Cascadians, I come to you today to make a somber request of you, one I wish was unnecessary to make. In the Top End of Australia, land that has been Cascadian by legal right and treaty for over half a century is still under unlawful occupation by Dutch authorities. These authorities have treated our generous offer of re-annexation with scorn and have declared their intent to fight, even as their own government comes down around them. They will condemn the innocent people in Darwin, whom we harbor no grudge toward, to the rigors and terrors of war for misbegotten pride."
"As such, the hope of peacefully reclaiming Cascadian land in the Top End is no more. We have no choice.... but to make recourse through force of arms, and to ask our brave soldiers and sailors to risk their lives to uphold their nation's rights and territorial integrity. I hope and pray that our attempts to reach the common citizens in Darwin and the Dutch-held zones will succeed and that they will welcome us and prevent great bloodshed, but I ask of you and of the nation to be prepared for whatever dangers we face in asserting our right to our lawful territories and to our national security."
"So it is with a heavy heart that I must ask the Congress to pass a resolution authorizing this Government to occupy with our military forces the Top End to facilitate its return to Cascadian sovereignty, including the use of military force against attempts to resist this restoration."

After he was done he sat down, needing help because of the uselessness of his left arm. Some of the Conservatives demanded a declaration of war; the Socialists tried to oppose it but were swatted down. In the end, the Australia Restoration Resolution was passed, authorizing the use of military force to take back Darwin.

So it was the orders would be sent out, and just as he finished the President would be rushing back to St. Matthews eagerly upon the news that his daughter had woken up.


The Top End
July 26 1925

In the early dawn light of the Top End, the peace was shattered by the crack of Dutch rifles, firing upon a Cascadian platoon sent forward to begin the occupation and restoration of Darwin to Cascadian rule. Upon the confirmation of those gunshots, 45,000 Cascadian troops surged forward under the thundering of a hundred medium and heavy guns to assault the main Dutch positions facing them. The 13th Infantry Division, one of the newly-activated units, had mostly been honed back to active service quality by over five months of training; it was tasked with the advance into Darwin, which was to tie down the Dutch forces there long enough for the 1st Australian Guards to break the line to the east and begin an envelopment of the city. The 2nd Guards, coming up from behind would be the immediate tactical reserve by acting as the pivot of the advance, maintaining a link between the mobile forces of the 1st Guards and the slower infantry of the 13th Division. Darwin, and the bulk of the Dutch garrison in the Top End, would be caught in a jaw of steel, forced to surrender or be crushed by the jaw's strength.

From the skies the PF-3s of the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons dominated all below them; the handful of scouts and recon aircraft the Dutch had were faced with remaining grounded or being shot down by a much larger force.

To the west and the north, the ships of the Cascadian Navy moved in, ready to attack the Dutch fleet should it lend its guns to the defense of Darwin or attempt to flee.

Colonel Huytz had scorned the enemy arrayed against him; now he and his troops, outnumbered and outgunned, were facing terrible consequences for their action.

Summary:
Sophie Garrett awakens after a week-long coma, prognosis for recovery is looking better.
Cascadian Congress approves resolution to occupy Darwin and authorizes military force should it be resisted. Dutch forces open fire on advancing units and provoke military action.

Map of Combat Area:


Teal lines in the sea represent the Cascadian blockade lines. 1st and 2nd Australian Guards and 13th Infantry are commending main attack. 11th Infantry Division is the operational reserve, cited in Pine Creek and Katherine to prevent minor Dutch detachments out of the Jabiru region from attacking into Cascadian territory. 14th Infantry Division is fulfilling a similar task with two brigades north of Katherine while a third is manning the Bush outposts north of Roper Bar.

Union of the Low Countries
Dutch War Day 3

The German army started to untangle itself of the mess of the previous day. With most of the logistical obstacles cleared - a task that was made easier due to the dutch reservists and main army having gotten a headstart with their evacuation and therefore offering generally less resistance - the German army advanced at a good speed again.

Zwolle
The German 2nd and 4th Korps had been preparing for this moment. Their Generals Max Hoffman and Fritz von Lossberg had carefully studied the movements of the Dutch and felt that the time was right to attempt an attack. At exactly 10:00 AM over 700 artillery cannons, half of them heavy siege artillery, opened up. The bombardement was merciless, with over half of it directed against the enemy artillery, which consisted of a single artillery brigade and was utterly outclassed, having only 50 guns to respond with. Seeing the city crumble under the heavy brigade (and having already suffered long-range railway gun attacks since day 1 of the invasion), the Dutch artillery brigade commander quickly gave the order to retreat his guns.


In the trenches, the German Sturmtruppen were ready to attack. Attacking in the shadow of their own artillery, using tactics developed by General von Hutier, they threw themselves against the enemy positions. Nevertheless, no artillery barrage was 100% effective, especially not against the largest garrison town of the Union of the low countries. A fierce close-quarter fighting ensued, but eventually the far greater number of German soldiers and their specialized assault training won the day.

The Dutch lines broken, the Life Guard Cavalry brigade of the Kingdom of Saxony charged forward, trying to capture the vital bridge over the Ijssel river. However, this proved to be in vain, for the dutch had rigged the bridge with explosives during the course of the night when german ditches had come ever closer to the dutch front lines. All the Life Guard Cavalry brigade could do watch the bridge explode before their very eyes.


Around Apeldoorn
The dutch army had chosen a stalling tactic to buy more time for men being evacuated over the Zuidersee. Elements of their motorised brigades fought delaying actions, using their speed to escape before artillery could be brought to bear on them. While these caused comparatively little damage, they managed to delay the german advance by several hours.


Timor
The German colonial troops crossed the border into Dutch Timor. This time, the assault was more succesful and the dutch reservists broke. (OOC: No roll made here, but as Karmic's OOB shows no ground troops at Timor, this is the only outcome).

Hertogenbosch
At Hertogenbosch, the German Luftwaffe had flown several sorties during the day. This was the first city the Dutch did not plan on losing, and it showed. While over 60% of bombs hit their targets, the Luftwaffe lost another 20 planes to concentrated air defences, most of them fighters trying to strafe enemy positions. German siege artillery blasted away at the fortress city all morning. The bombardement was highly effective and many dutch positions crumbled under the weight of German artillery. Then the time came for an infantry attack, lead once more by the Sturmtruppen and the Pioniere. The motorized elements were held back in case this city would fall as well. However, the reservists defending Hertogenbosch were some of the best in the netherlands - and had been motivated by the recent speech made by General Seyffardt. They were also favored by the civilians having been removed from the city, allowing them to turn it into a deathtrap with snipers and mines.

The German troopers encountered heavy resistance. Soon, the city turned into the nightmare of warfare - house-to-house fighting. Still, the greater firepower of the german forces and the training slowly turned the tide. When night fell, German forces were in effective control of the city, though the casualties had been extremely high.

At the end of the day, the German army had gained more territory, but had failed in the objective at Zwolle, necessitating the redeployment of several korps if they were to be of any use in the war. The German army had also gained effective control of Hertogenbosch, though losing over 40.000 men in the process.

All in all, the German army lost 47000 men that day, with the Dutch army losing 52000 men (10000 captured/dead at Zwolle, 40000 dead at Hertogenbosch, 2000 dead in delaying actions in the pocket).

Berliner Zeitung
Germany and USA reach agreement on massive purchase of grain and foodstuffs.
American grain exporters have stepped in to fill the void left by Russian grain exports to the Union of the Low Countries, which might be unlikely to continue in the future. Germany is, thanks to state-of-the art farming equipment, able to feed herself. However, the addition of several million former dutch citizens would overtax the system, forcing Germany to become once more an importer of food. The initiative was apparently vigorously pursued by the office of the Reichskanzler and was a full success.

Sänger finished reading the article and thanked his lucky stars that the agreement had come through. The alternative had been to practically put the entire populace at war rations - and even that might not have been enough. And it was of the utmost importance that the dutch were well-fed - after all, well-fed people might believe the Germans did not want to destroy them after all.

However, there was a more pressing concern. The fighting had increased by orders of magnitude in the severity and if the casualty reports from the Front were correct, the German army had lost almost three divisions in a single day.

Office of the General Staff
"So if we break through at Hertogenbosch, we can make a try for the Waal River bridge. If we manage to capture it, we can try to outflank the Grebbelinie." Ludendorff finished the briefing and the Kaiser nodded appreciatively. Sänger then posed the question: "So far the Dutch have been extremely lucky in destroying bridges before we can take them. What if they destroy the bridge?"

Ludendorff shrugged. "if they do, they have cut off their army in Flandern and we can then destroy it." "But we will be unable to cross the Waal River." "Correct, not with the current dutch forces assigned to it." "So we have to break through the Grebbelinie, the Waterlinie and the Stellung Amsterdam, defended by over 2 million men?" Ludendorff nodded. "Quite right. If we attack them. I have spoken with Mackensen and he agrees that an attack on that front would result in major casualties, in the millions if we are unlucky."

The reichskanzler pressed on. "And if we do not attack? What then?" "Then we starve them out."

Sänger almost did a double take. "You cannot be serious." Hindenburg interjected at that moment. "Of course we are serious, Herr Kanzler. If the Dutch do not surrender, we starve them out. It is a bit regrettable that our advance is so fast, or otherwise we would have even more pressure on them. The population of the Netherlands before the war was close to 100 million, of which a tenth was situated in the colonies. If the speed of our advance continues, we would estimate that, counting refuges, there would be around 40 million people behind the dutch lines. These, and the massive army, need to be fed. With our sea blockade, imports are impossible and the ladn itself cannot sustain that many. We estimate that within three months at the latest, hunger riots would break out and the army would be so weakened that it would collapse."

Sänger calculated the numbers in his head. Ludendorff and Hindenburg were correct, of course. But the number of people who would have died due to starvation - and the epidemics that would follow - would be in the high millions. Quickly, he turned to the Emperor. "May I have a word in private, your majesty?"

A few minutes later, the Emperor and his Kanzler were alone. "Your Majesty, what is planned is murderous and uncivilized. It would kilel the young and the old, the infirm and the civilians. This is not warfare, it is a slaughter." Wilhelm chuckled. "It is war, Chancellor." Seeing that the Kaiser was quite delighted by the success of the army, Sänger used his last trump card against Wilhelm. "Your Majesty, it is unchristian. We would be killing millions of children - you would be known as the new Herodes." "HOW DARE YOU?", the emperor thundered. "I dare because I know that there might be a better way." After Sänger had outlined his plans, the emperor gave his grudging assent.

At the end of the day, Sänger, taking a transport plane, had arrived at the headquarters of the Commander of the Dutch Front, Field-Marshal von Mackensen, at Rehmagen. A telegraph was passed to the front and handed to a dutch prisoner, who was set free with instructions to deliver it to his superiors. After the prisoner had been freed of the blindfold the Germans had put upon him when setting him free, he took a look at the paper.

To: Acting Commander of the Union of the Low Countries, General Hendrik Seyffardt

Request meeting near the Grebbelinie to discuss urgent matter.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

As it was deep at night already, the meeting would have to wait till tomorrow morning or mid-day, provided the Dutch would even accept it, of course. The German troops dug in for the night, while artillery finished adjusting their positions. Today had been a bloody day for both sides.

The day before,
Unreal time

The Battleship Kaiser rendered passing honours to the Slava, but left the fleet and continued to shadow the Soviet battleship from afar as it made its way into the North Sea.

Harbor of Harderwijk
Province of Gelderland

The port of Harderwijk was flooded with ships: small fishing boats; customs and police cutters; river clippers; Frisian skûtsjes whose skippers had fled the German advance; long-distance cargo traders; many dozens of ships of the 'brown fleet', the traditional sailing ships of the Dutch rivers and lakes; and increasingly more and larger cargo ships. They had flocked to the city in order to evacuate the army caught there between the two prongs of the German attack.

The authorities had begun evacuating the army, so far focusing on the marine division and the three infantry divisions, but now that German reinforcements had made harrying attacks on the enemy flanks all but suicidal paying increasingly more attention to armor and trucks. As the defensive lines around Harderwijk grew increasingly more elaborate, with lines of trenches, fortifications and killzones for machine gun emplacements spiraling outward from the city limits the harbor saw the small boats who had helped the ad-hoc evacuation gradually replaced with larger cargo ships brought in from Amsterdam, and indeed through the North Holland canals from the North Sea harbors of Rotterdam and IJmuiden.

Still the evacuation was difficult. There were no German warships on the Zuijderzee but the military authorities in charge of the evacuation feared aerial attack. The precious few aircraft of the Union air force had so far been kept in reserve, which had practically handed the skies to the attackers. This forced the army to improvise an escort system: some cargo ships were laden with tanks, but others had their top decks littered with guns hastily converted for anti-aircraft duty. If enemy aircraft were to attempt an attack on the ships, they would be in for a nasty surprise...


Outskirts of 's Hertogenbosch
Province of Brabant

After a day of ferocious fighting and heavy casualties German forces had driven Army Group Brabant back to the very outskirts of the fortress-city. But if the Germans thought they could rest on their laurels they were sorely mistaken: even now the army was massing troops for a counter-attack, the first such attack the Union would make in the war. It was unlikely the Germans didn't at least expect such a thing so the fighting was undoubtedly going to be bloody again, and the outcome of the Second Battle of Den Bosch might very well be crucial to morale and the rest of the war.

If the Union scored a victory here they would prove that the army of the Kaiser was not the invincible juggernaut it appeared to be, which would surely raise spirits throughout the Union. But if it suffered defeat, there was a chance the opposite might happen. A lot hinged on the outcome of this attack, which was why the Union made sure some of its finest crack troops were assigned to the attack. They would be assisted by freshly mobilized troops, some of them perhaps green but not yet exhausted by three days worth of marches and skirmishes.

Angarag sat in his office, another very late night or very early morning, depending on one's view. Trying to figure out how to bus divisions of troops to Afganistan was difficult, especially without a response from the Afganis. Luckily, as long as they didn't respond, he wouldn't develop too big a headache from trying to figure that out.

However, constantly being on guard from a possible Manchu invasion was a much larger headache. He was hoping that war would finish up soon so he could get Mongolia's port, one way or another.

Speaking of ports, he wrote up a letter to the Qing Emperor, seeing if he could convince him to cede a port to Mongolia.

To the Qing Emperor wrote:
Your Imperial Highness,

Mongolia still requests a port and wishes to enter official talks with China in order to reach an agreement on the acquiring of a port. Please respond with all due haste.

May Buddha Smile Upon You,
Khan Angarag

ARE THE SPANIARDS IN ON IT?

Casualties are mounting in the new war with the Mexican Empire over Panama. Thirty thousand lives lost in the first two days of fighting, followed by the reported loss of multiple cruisers in naval battles. But are the Mexicans really the only ones who deserve our anger? Costa Rica is not a Mexican colony; it belongs to none other than Spain. The Spaniards, who, while pretending neutrality, allowed Mexican troops to cross their borders without so much as warning them to stop.

Clearly the blood of our brothers and sisters is as much on their heads as on those of the Mexican vermin. [...]

Southeastern Caribbean
Battlefleet Flagship Guadalajara

The bridge crew had scrambled to the windows when a lookout had called out the inbound shell. Admiral Bernardo hadn’t been so shocked and casually watched as the shell landed some distance short sending a geyser of seawater into the air. “Relay the Dutch response to the wireless room,” he droned in a rather perturbed tone.


Spain
Sometime later

In a room adjacent to the main CCC War Room a meeting of the Kingdom’s top Ministers and Her Majesty was currently in session. They discussed the Dutch “response” and rumors that the civilian governments in the Dutch Caribbean territories were likely no longer in power. It had been deemed imperative that annexation should be accomplished peacefully or with fighting kept to an absolute minimum. With the Portuguese successfully across the river and into Dutch Guyana it was decided to attempt to complement the Portuguese approach of direct negotiation with the civilian population.

Reports of leaflet campaigns employed by the Cascadians in Australia served as inspiration for a similar Spanish attempt at informing the peoples of Dutch Guyana and the like of Spanish intentions. Leaflets would have to be quickly printed in Costa Rica and brought to the fleet, something that would take at least a few days. Special hollow shells would have to be acquired or made, several could be constructed in Costa Rica, but it was decided the majority of the leaflets would need to be dropped from aircraft for maximum effect. In addition to the Cascadian style campaign, the ships of the fleet were to continuously broadcast the Spanish message, offer and terms on multiple frequencies. Unless the Dutch holdouts destroyed every radio in the territories, it was likely at least some people would hear it.

Soon enough, a message was sent to Admiral Bernardo to begin preparations for the campaign. Orders included authorization to begin overflights of the Dutch territories with the Odesia’s aircraft and those carried by the Fleet’s Battleships and heavy Cruisers. The Admiral was further informed to hold fire even if fired upon from the Dutch colonies and continue to enforce a full Blockade upon them. If heavy fire was encountered, the fleet was ordered to move out of costal range and continue Blockade operations.

With the unfortunate Colombian outrage at the Spanish-Mexican Agreement in Costa Rica, the fleet and the Semi-Autonomous Overseas Province of Costa Rica were instructed to increase security, watch duties and make every possible effort to avoid antagonizing the Colombians.

On the subject of the War in Europe, Queen Marian had authorized the deployment of several “Volunteer” Flights of aircraft to be sent north in support of the Germans and French. Six CASA Cb-181b Cóndor Heavy Bombers, ten HA T-11c “Light” Bombers and ten CASA Q-6 Mk.III Matador fighters were quickly in the air and headed north. Fortunately, the complete crews and grounds crews for the aircraft had volunteered as well and those not aboard the aircraft themselves flew aboard several CASA C-110 Heavy Transports or rode north via train. The aircraft, ground crews and supplies would take some time to set up, at least one fuel stop in France would be required on the way over but, soon enough, the first real combat contributions to the German-French effort would arrive.



As the meeting wound down, a proposal was quietly discussed to the end of easing tensions with the Colombians, though, further discussion would be required before the plan could be authorized.


Cisplatina
Florianopolis
Presidential Office

"A very curious set of... exercises mr ambassador. Why our Chilitine friends have not moved a single soldier so far. As for your own country from what my military advisors tell me in looks rather more as if your country has put Uruguay at pre-mobilization or whatever your military calls the state in your plans that only sending the order for general mobilization is left, than any kind of normal exercises even on a grand scale."

Ambassador Ramón tilted his head slightly to one side, “I was informed by the CDCU that the Chilitinians were increasing the alert status of their lines in conjunction with our own and coordinating with our Regional Defense Commands in general. I believe the Embassy was also informed in a SACDeF report that the Chilitinian navy was in a heightened state of preparations as well, though, I’m not certain if that was to be in conjunction with our, erhm.. Mass exercise or something entirely Chilitinian.”

The Ambassador reddened slightly, “I’m afraid I can’t give you exact information on the reasoning behind the Readiness Condition changes, though. Primarily because I do not know the exact reason for them. The orders simply stated the new status for the province and we moved ahead as ordered. Nowhere in the information I have seen, however, is it stated forces are to be arrayed in an offensive manner, quite the opposite in fact. This truly leads me to believe that it is nothing more than a readiness test.” Ramón turned his hat about several times in his hands, “If you wish, I will see to it that you are informed as soon as new information arrives from Madrid in regards to the Readiness Condition, your Excellency.”


Southeastern Caribbean
Battlefleet

With the orders confirmed and a course of action set, word was relayed to Costa Rica with instructions to begin preparations for the “Information Campaign” and the first two Macchi M.18 Long Range Flying Boat Bombers were launched from the Odesia’s catapults to begin scouting out the Costa Defenses along the Dutch Guyanese coastline. In the communications centers of several warships the first messages were prepared to broadcast on various frequencies and the Fleet continued on vigilantly with its blockade duties.




Cascadia
Portland
Spanish Embassy

“Yes, these ought to do nicely.”

The courier nodded and was off with his bundle of yellow roses destined for the Cascadian first family.

To President Stephen Garrett and the First Family of Cascadia

I speak for the whole of the Spanish Empire when I say we were all shocked and repulsed by the brutal acts committed against your family by the depraved agents of International Communism. You and your family have been in our prayers over this last tense week and we rejoice now at the news your dear daughter’s condition is improving.

Bless you,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Marian Alfonso Francisca

Cosigned,
(Various Members of the Council of Ministers)

Translated from Spanish:

Balkan Confederacy
Belgrade
Unreal Time

The Prime Ministers office was a large well furnished room, located quite close to the throne room, where the Emperor resided. It was easily accessed, but rarely visited - because the PM preferred to be the one doing the visiting. Today though he was alone in his office, working out the last of the details, before his planned trip to the Sultanate.

The table was littered with papers and folders, and although to an outside observer it looked like a big mess - the Prime Minister had a system in place. Even his secretary was forbidden from touching or moving anything, unless he specifically ordered her to do it.

Sirah was taking a break from work and enjoying a nice cold drink when he was interrupted by a knock on the door, his secretary entered the room and smiled.

"He's back."

"Send him in."

She nodded and left the room, soon after a large, bulky man -over two meters tall, wearing a suit and an expression that made small children cry, entered the room. He moved slowly to the center of the room and scratched his forehead.

"Things here, haven't changed much." He said and smiled. Strangely enough, his smile was even more horrifying, thanks to the large scar he had on his face. The scar extended from his left eyebrow, down the side of his face - and ended somewhere on his neck. His left eye was covered by a black eye patch.

A smile appeared on Sirah's face. "So, you're back. It took you long enough." Sirah said and gestured for the man to sit down.

The man smiled again. "How about I shoot you and we see how long it will take you to recover from a chest wound?" The man said and leaned back in his chair. It screeched under his weight.

Sirah laughed.

"Bit touchy are we?" He smiled. "All jokes aside, I appreciate what you did for me. I take it you are fully recovered and ready to get back to work?"

"I'm ready." The man answered. "Hospitals are boring."

"Good." Sirah said. "I have a trip coming up soon, it will be good having you watching my back again, Mr.Chervenkov."

"You expecting trouble?" Chervenkov asked with a smile.

Boris Chervenkov, the Prime Ministers personal bodyguard and one of his closest friends, ex military and highly trained. He was one of the most dangerous people in the Confederacy.

The man was a living legend for years, after he stopped an assassination attempt on the PM, by singlehandedly defeating a group of twelve attackers, using nothing more than his bare hands and weapons he confiscated from their dead bodies.

"Perhaps." Sirah answered and sighed. "Some of our friends are not happy with the handling of the Dutch situation..."

"And you think they may try something?" Boris asked.

"Yes." Sirah said. "Normally I wouldn't be worried, but we have a lot riding on the upcoming meeting - and if those idiots try anything, they could ruin months and years of hard work. I cannot allow that to happen. That is why I want you to send them a message..."

"Of course." Chervenkov said. "What kind of message?"

"Your kind." Shady Sirah smiled and scratched his beard.

"Consider it done." Chervenkov smiled a wicked smile.

Results: New character introduced, and an insight into the inner workings of the Confederacy. A foreshadowing of things to come.

A smoke-filled room, somewhere in Caracas
August 5th, 1925

"So, can we expect the support of Brazil in spite of this unfortunate turn of events?"

"In a word, 'yes.'"

"Thank you so very much, Señor Embajador. I cannot express our gratitude--"

"Think nothing of it--for now. We can negotiate the terms of a settlement once this mess has been sorted out."

"Of course, Señor Embajador, and thank you again. When can we expect the liason to arrive?"

"For our volunteer pilots? Oh, not long. The 10th, perhaps a day earlier. As for everything else, well, that could take a while longer. But, rest assured, it will be there."

Buenos Aires

Inside the prime Minister's residence, a high level conference was underway regarding recent world events. The army chief Hansen had just finished giving Morales the latest news from the fighting in Columbia.

Morales gave his opinion,

"It seems our Mexican friends are doing quite well indeed. We may not have to do anything to ensure their success after all."

"We still haven't seen what the Brazilian's will do,"
interjected Admiral Mendez, the Naval chief.
"If they decide to get involved the Mexican gamble might very well fail. Our fleet stands fully ready to engage the Reds if the parliament deems it necessary."

Hansen grimaced and said,
"I can not say the same for the army however. Most of our forces are being retrained and are in no shape to mount operations. With Cisplatina moving into the communist camp and making noises about routine precautions on the border, I must advise against any overt action against the communists at this time."

Morales, fiddling with his lighter pondered for a moment and then said,
"It is a thorny problem we have isn't it? As always gentlemen I value your advice. We must be patient now; if we are too hasty everything could be lost."

Thanas wrote:At the end of the day, Sänger, taking a transport plane, had arrived at the headquarters of the Commander of the Dutch Front, Field-Marshal von Mackensen, at Rehmagen. A telegraph was passed to the front and handed to a dutch prisoner, who was set free with instructions to deliver it to his superiors. After the prisoner had been freed of the blindfold the Germans had put upon him when setting him free, he took a look at the paper.

To: Acting Commander of the Union of the Low Countries, General Hendrik Seyffardt

Request meeting near the Grebbelinie to discuss urgent matter.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

As it was deep at night already, the meeting would have to wait till tomorrow morning or mid-day, provided the Dutch would even accept it, of course. The German troops dug in for the night, while artillery finished adjusting their positions. Today had been a bloody day for both sides.

Nationaal Hoofdcommando
Utrecht

General Hendrik Seyffardt was woken up after a brief two hours sleep by a knock on the door. After grumbling a barely inaudible 'come!', his aide-de-camp entered, looking possibly even less alive than the general himself.

"Joseph", Seyffardt gave the man a curt nod and sat up. "What's going on? Has the Hun launched a night offensive?"

Jan Joseph Godfried van Voorst tot Voorst shook his head. "No sir. We've received a telegram." He paused. "From rijkskanselier Sänger. He wants to talk to you." He handed the general a slip of paper.

Seyffardt read the brief message the chancellor had sent, considered it briefly, then sighed. There was only one reason Sänger could want to talk to him. The Germans were prepared to offer terms. "Very well. Joseph, let Sänger know I will meet him at Renswoude. That is still contested territory is it not?" His aide nodded. "Prepare a staff car. It's time to see what they're offering."

Oslobodjenje
Official Confederate Newspaper
Unreal Time

Marko Ivanovic found dead

Marko Ivanovic, the head of the Socialist Party of Croatia, has been found dead in his family home. The man apparently committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling. His wife says that he was under a lot of pressure lately, but she had no reason to believe that things were so bad, as to lead him to this horrible act. He leaves behind a loving wife and two children.

His successor Jovan Vlajic has assured us that the Ivanovic family will be well taken care off...

Belgrade
Prime Ministers Office

Prime Minister Sirah just finished reading the morning paper, he placed it down on his desk and smiled.

"A job well done..." He smiled. "Mr. Vlajic sends his thanks. He is quite pleased."

Boris simply smiled and leaned back in his chair.

"I've got assurances from our Croatian friends...they won't be causing any more problems." Sirah said and got up from his chair.

"I am glad they see things our way now." Boris Chervenkov said.

"Sooner or later, everyone sees thing our way, my friend." Sirah smiled. "Now let's go, we have a plane to catch. We mustn't keep the Emperor waiting."

Near Darwin
The heavy cruiser SMS Manteuffel had arrived and its seaplanes were already looking for the dutch fleet. The crew and their commander were eager to avenge the disastrous result of the invasion of Timor and were now trying to shadow the Dutch fleet if it were to come out.

Near Kenya
German Wolfsrudel

The Dutch fleet had left Kenya before, but their slow cruising speed meant that the German U-Boote had managed to catch up with them, overtake and manage to stage an ambush. Wolfsrudel Ostafrika had been reinforced with some of the finest captains of the German fleet, and this showed itself. Fregattenkapitän Otto Weddigen had planned the attack in a masterful manner.

First to attack were two Mittel-UII Uboote under the commands of Reinhard Saltzwedel and Walther Forstmann. Each fired six torpedoes at their targets, sinking one destroyer each before being forced to dive in order to escape the escort destroyers who went after them with a vengeance. This left the main ships of the convoy unprotected against the attack of the final two boats - one commanded by Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, one commanded by Otto Weddigen himself. One torpedo hit both the first and the last cruiser, with the middle cruiser being hit by two almost simultaneously (the two commanders would later share the kill). Diving as well, the U-boats escaped unharmed. The dutch tried to regain their formation, at which time two further destroyers were sank. Altogether, the Union of the Low countries lost 3 armored cruisers, 1 V class destroyer and 4 Wolf class destroyers. Only 4 V class and 4 Wolf class DDs survived the attack, their decks now ladden with survivors from the destroyed ships. For all intent and purposes, the Dutch Kenyan fleet had ceased to exist as a combat unit.

Harderwijk Pocket
After an artillery bombardement, the German troops moved forward cautiously.

While Stosstrupps were attacking those positions the dutch had entrenched, normal infantry was cautiously moving forward into areas where the dutch had presumably retreated or not been found in strength. The aim for Army Group North and Center in this area was to advance cautiously and trying to capture or kill as many Dutch soldiers before they could be evacuated and reinforce the dutch defence lines.


However, the German army was in for a nasty surprise, owing to many factors. The success of the dutch at blowing the bridge at zwolle meant that only a tenth of the artillery or Army Group North could focus on the attack and the artillery of Army Group Center had been mostly concentrated against the Grebbelinie. Furthermore, what supplies got through the railroads was mostly shifted to the troops at Hertogenbosch, meaning the effectiveness of German Artillery was largely reduced.

Furthermore, the Gardekorps units assigned to this area of the front did not take part in the fighting, as the dutch had wisely erected the strongest defences against them. This forced the non-armored and non-motorized troops of the Heer to do most of the fighting - which turned into disaster when it was found out that the dutch had focused their evacuation efforts at light infantry, meaning their heavily armored and best-equipped troops were still manning their positions. After taking over 6000 casualties and accomplishing little, the offensive was halted for the time being.


Hertogenbosch
The Dutch artillery opened the fight for the city with a bombardement of over 250 guns. While this was less than one fourth the German artillery had concentrated against the city, the dutch commanders knew the terrain far better and seeing as this had been decreed the decisive battle, it had been decided no expense would be spared. Thus, the guns were manned by double the manpower assigned to them, resulting in a far higher rate of fire than the german guns. As most of the fire was also directed against the city, the Dutch did have the luxury of keeping most of their batteries out of range of the german artillery, greatly limiting the efficiency of counterbattery fire.

Then, when the smoke cleared, the elite dutch units of the 4th Infantry Division appeared like ghosts and started the attack on the city. The German regiments holding the outskirts of the city could not hold on and soon, they were pushed back. Fierce close-quarter fighting once more ensued in the ruined city.



Outside Hertogenbosch

The German scout troop was the first to encounter the Dutch offensive. The Ground shook when the dutch tanks moved forward, their armore easily absorbing the rifle shots of the skirmishers. Then the tanks increased speed and rushed the German position. One of the riflemen, one Heinrich Himmler who had barely escaped being captured in the aftermath of the coup before being called up to serve, tripped over a rock.

It was the last thing he ever saw. Both in the city and over the front, the Dutch units pushed the Germans back, trying to encircle them over a wide front.

Five hours later, they had almost succeded.

Pionierregiment 152, German lines
Oberstleutnant Rommel cursed as the dutch tanks moved forward once more, smashing the last Maschinengewehrstellung of the neighbouring regiment. His men had lead the charge into Hertogenbosch and had suffered a quarter of their numbers as casualties. As a consequence, they had been relegated to the flank in order to regroup and to receive replacements. Of course, the Dutch had not seen fit to grant them their reprieve. And now it looked as if his men would be the last barrier between the dutch and a succesful enemy encirclement maneuver. He reviewed his chances and did not like them. His men had fought a tenacious defence, having beaten back three attacks. But now, with the neighbouring regiment having been utterly crushed, their own flank would be left open. And of course, the damned Gardekorps was nowhere to be seen. Rallying his men, he prepared for a final charge when suddenly, artillery shells started to fall among the advancing dutch troops. Then, another kind of shell landed between the tanks - and Rommel could now hear the less thunderous, but even more sweet to him and his men, sound of German tank cannons. As if on cue, one of his men cheered - "Die Garde. Die Garde kommt."

Field Marshal von Mackensen, taking personal command of the attack had, together with Oskar von Hutier formed a daring counterattack plan. As soon as the Dutch line had pressed deep into German lines, the Gardekorps would launch its own assault into the dutch flank. To accomplish this purpose, the 3rd Garde-Infanterie Division, the Garde Panzer-Division, the 2nd Garde-Infanterie Division and the 2nd Garde-Reserven Division had not reinforced the front lines as soon as the attack had started but had instead using their status as fully motorized units to arrive in a perfect position to attack the Dutch - who were now in range of the German artillery again.

Hertogenbosch
At the same time, ten Infantry brigades started to move into the city, arriving just in time to prevent the last vestiges of the German sturmtruppen stationed in it, lead by one Major Walter Model from being wiped out. The arriving forces quickly stabilized the line and now it was the Dutches turn to blead. On the flanks of the German army, the 2nd and 3rd Garde-Infanterie Division, each outnumbering the Dutch attackers, stabilized the flanks. The battle now turned into a German offensive as the first trenches were retaken.


On the German left flank, Rommel watched as the Garde-Panzerdivision employed their full firepower for the first part in the campaign. The heavy tanks moved forward, sowing death and destruction on the Dutch. Motorized artillery units meanwhile had finished setting up their positions and started quick-firing.

The 1st. and 2nd Garde-Panzer brigade had caught the enemy unprepared. As they charged forward, the Dutch assault was in severe danger to be cut off themselves. Seeing that he had no other choice but to retreat, the Dutch commander issued the order. But it had been too later - for while the Dutch troops escaped encirclement themselves, they lost all territory gained. Even worse, they were unable to form defensive positions in time when the Panzers, supported by motorized infantry, smashed through their lines. A general rout followed while the Panzer formations, lead by the fast Sturmpanzerwagen Oberschlesien IIs, headed for their target, the bridge over the Waal River. Dutch engineers were already in the process of wiring it to blow, but the speed of the German Panzer was too much.

On 16:32 of the fourth day of the Dutch war, Oberstleutnant Guderian of the 1st. Garde-Panzer Regiment reported to General Oskar von Hutier that the bridge over the Waal River was secured. The motorized Gardekorps strived to put as many men as possible over the bridge in order to defend the bridgehead. The battle for Hertogenbosch had been won.

It had, however, been another costly day. The Dutch had lost a total of 60.000 men, the Germans a total of 72.000. For while the battle had been won, the casualties had been high. But to Mackensen - and to the German High Command - the objective had been reached and the German Army now possessed a bridgehead behind the Grebbelinie, having effectively cut off Flanders from the rest of the Netherlands.

Near Renswoude
Reichskanzler Sänger had been waiting for General Seyffardt to arrive when an aide-de-camp informed him about the victory. So that is what has kept Seyffardt waiting.

"My congratulations to the Field Marshal. Now, I think we can put an end to this war."


Result:
- German Army in the north is less than succesful
- German submarines have a field day against old and outdated Dutch ships
- Battle of Hertogenbosch is over, Germans have crossed the Waal River

Minister of Pigeonry wrote:
Cisplatina
Florianopolis
Presidential Office

"A very curious set of... exercises mr ambassador. Why our Chilitine friends have not moved a single soldier so far. As for your own country from what my military advisors tell me in looks rather more as if your country has put Uruguay at pre-mobilization or whatever your military calls the state in your plans that only sending the order for general mobilization is left, than any kind of normal exercises even on a grand scale."

Ambassador Ramón tilted his head slightly to one side, “I was informed by the CDCU that the Chilitinians were increasing the alert status of their lines in conjunction with our own and coordinating with our Regional Defense Commands in general. I believe the Embassy was also informed in a SACDeF report that the Chilitinian navy was in a heightened state of preparations as well, though, I’m not certain if that was to be in conjunction with our, erhm.. Mass exercise or something entirely Chilitinian.”

The Ambassador reddened slightly, “I’m afraid I can’t give you exact information on the reasoning behind the Readiness Condition changes, though. Primarily because I do not know the exact reason for them. The orders simply stated the new status for the province and we moved ahead as ordered. Nowhere in the information I have seen, however, is it stated forces are to be arrayed in an offensive manner, quite the opposite in fact. This truly leads me to believe that it is nothing more than a readiness test.” Ramón turned his hat about several times in his hands, “If you wish, I will see to it that you are informed as soon as new information arrives from Madrid in regards to the Readiness Condition, your Excellency.”

"My dear Mr ambassador come into my position for a moment. All of a sudden your country goes on full alert and as you say yourself Chilitina closely follows your lead in moving troops in support of your own movements to their northern regions. Along with mobilizing their fleet, your squadron has already taken to see. Now who would be the logical target of your actions? Obviously not Chilitina since you are acting in concert. Obviously not Brazil. You don't border Brazil... Cisplatina lies between Uruguay and Brazil and the chances of Brazil overrunning us are non existent. Not when we outnumber their whole army by something in the order of 70+ divisions and outgun them even more. Therefore who is left by such simple deduction as the sole plausible target of your actions?

Portland, Federal District
31 July 1925

A crowd of reporters and photographers were waiting at the side exit of St. Matthews Hospital when Stephen emerged with his family, pushing the wheelchair carrying Sophie out after the doctors had cleared her to go home. With an air of triumph he reached down and lifted her into his arms as she smiled, much to the joy of the photographers looking for good shots of the President and his daughter. There was a slight grimace from the President that the photographers would obviously not publish and would ruin a couple shots; his left shoulder surged with pain at even the slight weight of helping his right arm and shoulder lift Sophie, and he would end up putting her in his right arm as they walked past the photographers.

"What have the Doctors said?"
"...news of an agreement between Germany and the new Dutch authorities..."
"....true that Darwin's forces surrendered without a fight?"
"....comment on Mexico's ultimatums to Colombia?"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please," Rachel pleaded, getting between her husband and the reporters. "We just want to get home with our daughter."
A wide smile on his face, Stephen was barely able to lift his left arm enough to put a hand on his wife's arm; it again surged with pain at the effort due to the damage in the shoulder from the assassin's bullet. She moved away enough for him to look the reporters face-to-face, his vision dancing with blobs of color from the constant camera flashes. Sophie actually pressed her head against his chest to avoid the same flashes. "I'll give you comments on all this in good time gentlemen. For now, the only thing I have to say is that I thank God for the skilled doctors and medical professionals who saved my daughter's life, those here and those thousands of miles away who contributed to the effort. The finest doctors in Cascadia, Germany, England, and the US have shown just how great the progress of Mankind in the arts of healing has been these past years. I'd also like to thank my good friend Chancellor Sänger for the personal initiative he took in setting up the array of doctors that gave us aid and for his friendly letters of support during these trying times, all while his duties of state have trebled due to the current conflict."

"And the Communists that tried to murder you and nearly killed your daughter?"
The smile only slightly waned; no prodding journalist was going to ruin Stephen's day if he could help it. "They failed, which is good enough for me. That said, I would think that people who talk about bringing Mankind into a world of peaceful cooperation and community would know better than to give in to the darker impulses of human nature and shoot at those who've done them no harm, particularly children. Now, if you'll excuse me...."
"Daddy, can I say something?"
Looking down and smiling, Stephen said, "Go ahead, Sophie."
Sophie turned her head and, with that tone of voice that sounded oh so very adorable to her parents, said, "I'm happy I'm going home, I miss playing with Speedy."
One of the reporters, puzzled, asked, "Who or what is Speedy?"
"My kitty-cat."
"Alright now, everyone, you heard her," Stephen said, resuming his walk to the waiting car. "We'd like to get going..."


Darwin, Top End

Days had passed since the 1st Australian Guards had entered Darwin in triumph, greeted by a resigned population that only wanted peace and were afraid for the future. The Dutch civil authorities had been mostly restored for the day to day operations of government while Australian legal and constitutional experts arrived by the trainload to help them take up the labor of establishing a new Constitution for the Top End.
In the port of Darwin the Dutch fleet, centered around the 17 year old dreadnought Maarten Tromp, was mostly unmanned. Only small Dutch crews remained aboard under Cascadian naval observers while the rest of the crews were accommodated in the city. Under command of Cascadian authorities their internment was a light one; as opposed to being treated as prisoners they were primarily treated as active duty personnel, with restrictions on movement and a curfew in that fashion. The garrison units of the Top End had been temporarily disarmed and sent home, but their unit affiliations were being recorded so that they could be reactivated when the time came as the new state's reservist cadre.
Huytz was dead. He had attempted to rally his supporters in the city streets to restore order and try to start a defense when he was gunned down by the revolting local garrison troops. Admiral Blauvelt, commander of the Dutch force, was hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt when Red Cross officials had informed him that his wife back in Holland had died due to an errant artillery shell during the intense battles at Hertogenbosch. Several other crew of the fleet would successfully end their lives upon being informed of shattered hometowns and slain loved ones back home or, in a couple cases, sheer depression at the collapse of their nation and its seemingly-impending annexation by France and Germany.

In contrast to this, throughout the rest of Australia the "re-annexation of Darwin" was being responded to with large-scale celebrations. The Australian Assembly, the devolved legislature responsible for the continental government, voted to declare July 26th "Unification Day" in honor of the deed. There was celebration in North America as well, and on both sides of the Pacific the Liberal Party was milking it for everything it was worth; after thirty-five years, despite constant bleatings and promises by Whig and Conservative governments to resolve the "theft of the Top End", it was a Liberal President who had brought about the restoration of the Top End to Cascadia's lawful sovereignty (that this had been accomplished due to an outbreak of war elsewhere was not to be noted).

On the 31st, the local Dutch authorities would print and broadcast the most recent announcement from Portland. The Congress of Cascadia, by a sizable margin, had approved preliminary funding for providing for the education and sustenance of the local population as well as accepting in principle all of the terms that President Garrett had sought for the re-annexation. Far from being forcefully subsumed into the Australian body politic as a minority, the Top End Dutch would be granted their own state, with representation both in Melbourne and in Portland, and their own state constitution with all the same rights granted other states in the Cascadian Federal Republic. Though there would be no celebration, there were sighs of relief, as this was the first sign the Darwin Dutch had seen that maybe, when all was said and done, their future truly was secure.


Summary:
Sophie goes home... and gets to hug the kitty! Yay!
Thanks are rendered to all the medical professionals who saved Sophie's life and to Chancellor Sänger as well.
Attentive reporters and photographers may note that the President's left arm has become almost useless to him.
The Cascadian Congress approves the Darwin Re-Annexation Act proposed by the Garrett Administration, providing for a state within the Cascadian federal system for the Dutch majority of Darwin. The Dutch fleet remains interned there, though news from home has been highly disheartening to those who can do nothing for their loved ones there.

Niew Amsterdam (OTL Porto Allegre)

The cemetery was choke full,with several thousands that had come from all over the republic for the first anniversary of the death of Riccioti Garibaldi. Prominently featured the surviving members of the family, along with Italian expatriate politicians and patriots, that couldn't stand living under German rule or in Tuscany, Cisplatinian politicians, after all the republic had a massive Italian community and the Garibaldi family had featured prominently in Cisplatina's wars since her fight for independence as well as simple citizens. Of the many thousands many, veterans of the Italian war with the Cuerpo Voluntario Cisplatino or more commonly known as the Garibaldini, wore the khaki Cisplatine uniform with the distinct red bandana of the volunteers, the last vestige of the original redshirts uniform. Others wore uniforms of the old Italian army with the distinct hats of the Alpini, yet more Italians that had found to republic a more agreeable home.

President Sneider had already spoken and now it was the turn of Riccioti's son Peppino. Following on the steps of his father and grandfather he had fought with the Garibaldini volunteers in the Cisplatine-Brazilian war of 1897, then against the Spanish and Mexicans in Cuba, in the French-Dutch war where the Legione Garibaldina had been 4e Regiment de Marche of the Legion Etrangere and last with the Italian army against the Germans. While talking he sent a look at Sneider who sent him a slight nod.

"The 20th century has seen the return of many evils that we thought the 19th century had put to the dustbin of history along the creation of new ones. Totalitarians both of the left and the right are on the march. Naked aggression and monarchism trample the right of nations to liberty around the world. In the last few months we have seen many outright attempts at landgrab around the war launched on the slightest of justifications. While I can't say that I did not abhor the Dutch communist regime and its actions. But neither can't I support the heroic fight of the Dutch people against the German aggressor and the Portuguese, Spanish and Dominionate vultures that have joined it. Match closer to our new fair home here in Cisplatina the Mexican empire has invaded the home of Simon Bolivar, Gran Colombia for no other reason but to steal the Panama canal from its people. Gran Colombia's system of government may not be as fully democratic as we would like. But the Mexican aggression must be still resisted.

President Sneider has chosen to keep our fair republic neutral to the Mexican-Gran Colombian war. I will be the last to question his decision. But as a person, as a Garibaldi I can't but place myself in the fight against Mexican aggression. Here I ask you my comrades in arms in countless fights for freedom in the sacred grounds of Italy and Cisplatina to everywhere else freedom was in danger to join me in the fight for Panama's liberty."

His voice was drowned from applause by the crowd, particularly the veterans.


Florianopolis, Cisplatine Ministry of war

Lt Colonel Estigarribia looked at the supply officer in front of him. "Per direct presidential order brigadier Garibaldi is allowed to buy surplus army equipment to equip the Legiona Voluntario Cisplatino volunteers. In the list you can find what equipment is considered surplus and available for sale"

The supply officer looked at the list of surplus items. "Leone medium tanks, M24 rifles... there must be a mistake here."

Then his eyes widened and he quickly co-signed the paper.

Action summary

A. Send a volunteer unit to Gran Colombia
B. Use the volunteer unit as a testing ground for newer arms and tactics.

Diplomatic Telegram to Mongolia

TELEGRAM

REPEAT BACK

People's Republic Afghanistan is grateful for Mongolian assistance in war stop Request send men across sea and then on railroads to Kabul stop Request four divisions to shore up defences stop Afghani forces not combat ready stop Signed Minister Al-Ludd stop

Diplomatic Telegram to the Netherlands

TELEGRAM

REPEAT BACK

People's Republic Afghanistan sends regards stop Are aware of Dutch troubles with German-French war stop Are unable to furnish military aid stop However can provide safety for Dutch officials and wanted civilians stop Guaranteed protection for any Dutch refugee to Republic stop Signed Sub-Minister Al-Havari stop

Co-written with Siege


Dutch War Day 4
Renswoude
Sänger waited as the car approached the meeting place. Both he and Seyffardt were to come alone except for two aides, as had been agreed on. He had chosen Hans and General Max Hoffmann. The car stopped and out stepped General Seyffardt, wearing a uniform without any medals or splendour attached to it. Ever since the government fled Rotterdam for the Soviet Union Seyffardt had refused to wear the regalia affixed to him by the central committee. The Union general brought his aide-de-camp Joseph and Hendrikus Colijn, an older man in a three piece suit who had once been a soldier in and later the governor-general of the Western African colonies. Colijn, a known anti-communist, was there to give the impression that the civil authorities of the Union had at least had some say in the negotiations.

The Greetings were exchanged in a courteous, if frosty manner. After they had been seated at a table Hans had folded out, Sänger started the conversation. "My congratulations on your spirited defence, General."

Seyffardt responded with a curt and almost imperceptible nod. "It would have been even more so had our armed forces not been irreversibly crippled by a corrupt and criminally negligent government." There was bitterness in his voice, but it wasn't directed at the German chancellor -- rather, the general was clearly aiming his criticism at the central committee. "Had you not caught our armed forces in a state of complete disarray, the reserves not mobilized, the fleet in a state of neglect and the army utterly ill-positioned for war, and all this out of sheer political opportunism... Then there is little doubt in my mind that we would have kept your armies at bay much more easily." He shrugged melancholically and fixed his eyes on Sänger. "But that is neither here nor there, is it? We both know why you have asked for this meeting, so let us get to it."

Then, Sänger came to the gist of the matter. "General, I say the Dutch have two options. Either we can come to terms now, or we can come to terms in a few months when your people have starved to death. I am prepared to offer generous terms, but if this struggle persists I am not sure I can continue to do so. I have prepared a document, please read it."

Hans unfolded a long document and passed it over to Seyffardt, who proceeded to read through it.

Treaty regarding the situation in the Low Countries

Whereby it is resolved that although neither the Union Army nor the dutch people have been defeated in the field, the warring parties have decided to resolve the current matter in the interests of preventing further devestation and suffering. Whereby, under the terms of the treaty, the Union of the Low Countries surrenders wholly to the German Empire, to be henceforth a member of the German Empire.

The terms of the treaty are as follows:

The Union army will conduct a honorable surrender to German and French forces or any other forces authorized to act on their behalf. Union soldiers will not be subject to the indignity of being prisoners of war and may keep their colours and swords after being registered as having surrendered. All prisoners of war are to be released immediately.

The Union of the Low Countries is to be dissolved into the Kingdom of the Netherlands and into the Kingdom of Belgium. This too affects all former Union colonies. His Imperial and Royal Highness The German Crown Prince, Eitel Friedrich, Crown Prince of Prussia, is to be crowned as king of both kingdoms.

In accordance with the pledges given by the German government, no military officer or union citizen shall be punished for his actions under the communist Government unless they were against existing dutch law at that time. The determination is to be made by independent dutch courts.

As the Dutch Army remains undefeated in the field, any Dutch soldier who wishes to enter into the army of the German Empire can do so under the respective banners of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kindom of Belgium, provided he swears an oath of allegiance. Anybody who does so will receive no reduction in rank or pay. Those who do not wish to take this offer may retire with full pensions equivalent to those of German soldiers of one rank higher than they currently hold. All titles, ranks and decorations gained by members of the military during the communist government will remain valid.

The German empire furthermore declares that as it did not wage war against the Dutch culture, it shall take no efforts to influence it in any way. As such, it will grant widespread cultural autonomy to the new kingdoms. This includes, but is not limited to the guarante of dutch/flemish/french/walloon to still be taught as primary language in schools of the kingdoms with the condition of German being taught as first foreign language after class four.

All former Union citizens will receive free and equal votes in Reichtag elections, one Union vote equaling one German vote.

The new kingdoms will receive legal semi-autonomy, meaning that with the exception of the German constitution, penal code and the BGB, every other area of law is to be decided by the newly reconstituted Dutch and Belgian assemblies. A cabinet minister will be appointed to oversee this task and ensure the fair representation of the new kingdoms in Berlin.

The German Empire will pay for any damage done during the war. This includes the damage to property, which will be paid at 120% of the market price. Damage for loss of life is to paid in an amount exceeding 1200% of what German citizens would receive in such a situation. All union citizens shall have access to deaht benefits normally open only to the relatives of dead German soldiers.

The German Empire will finance all reconstruction and any other measures necessary to ensure the integration of the new kingdoms into the German Empire.

Any war crime committed by German forces will be strictly punished. Any dutch citizen may come forward with such a claim and any claim will be thoroughly investigated without any reprisal enacted against the citizen.

No martial or occupation law is to be enacted.

Any dutch citizen may receive the same benefits, including but not limited to the social security system enacted under Bismarck, as a German citizen of their age and status would receive.

Any dutch citizen may enter the German civil service under the same laws as would apply to a German citizen.

No dutch citizen may be punished for his actions during the communist government except if they were illegal under dutch law of that time.

None of the Guarantees given in this treaty apply to the communist government officials who flet the country on the battleship Slava. All parties recognize the right of the German Empire to pursue and punish them however the Empire sees fit, though the Empire guarantees that it will, if possible, seek a fair and public trial.

Signed on the 5th August 1925,

For the Union of the Low Countries:
General Hendrik A. Seyffardt, Commander-in-Chief and head of the Union Government

For the German Empire:
Dr. mult. Johannes Sänger, Reichskanzler

Witnessing:
General der Infanterie Max Hoffmann, Commander II. Korps of the German Army
Majoor b.d. Hendrikus Colijn, voormalig gouverneur-generaal van Nederlands West-Afrika

When he finished reading the proposed treaty Seyffardt passed the document to Colijn, his expression studiedly neutral. The former governor-general considered it and looked up at Seyffardt. Something unspoken seemed to pass between them, and the general nodded again. Then he looked at Sänger. "You offer generous terms. There is one thing however: the matter of Union colonies in the Antilles, in Africa, and in the Indies. If I sign your treaty, I cannot promise they will follow my lead." A bitter smile pierced his mask of neutrality. "Although in some cases this might not be a problem for you, seeing as how even now our overseas possessions are being torn away from us like a vulture might tear flesh from a dead carcass..."

"Indeed." The Reichskanzler nodded. "I'll relay the orders immediately."

Result:
- The Union surrenders and is incorporated into the German Empire as described in the treaty in return for generous terms, no national humilitation and semi-autonomy.

Rotterdam
SMS Einheit
The same night

Generaladmiral von Hipper watched as the massive dreadnoughts of the HSF entered Rotterdam Harbour. As soon as the notice of surrender had came, the German fleet had passed the massive forts that guarded Rotterdam. He admitted he had felt a bit of trepidation at the thought of a last-minute betrayal, but this had not come to pass and now, German crews were already debarking and mingled with their dutch counterparts. Specialized teams had been posted to Dutch ships in order to survey them, with Marinesoldaten preventing any sort of foul play on both sides. He tried to be as gracious as possible - after all, the German Empire would need dutch expertise if it were to succesfully incorporate the country.

Antwerp
SMS Ziethen
The same situation happened at Antwerp, where the German battlecruisers fulfilled the same duty the HSF had done at Rotterdam.


Darwin
SMS Manteuffel passed the Cascadian blockade and entered the Harbour to take possession of the fleet. Of course, Darwin would have to be ceded to Cascadia, but for the moment, it was a nice gesture that did much to restore confidence.

Timor
The German commander received the surrender of his opposite and as customary, returned the sword offered to him to his original holder.

Mombassa
The lone german submarine approached the Kenyan coast. It's orders were to act as representative and to take control of the Kenya province, leaving the dutch administration in place. At the same time, two telegrams were sent:

From the German Empire to the Congo
Your excellencies,

it has come to the attention of the German Empire that you have started an occupation of the German colony of Kenya. We request you stop any such action immediately. Failure to do so will result in consequences.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

From the German Empire to Governor-general Pieter van der Löwe, Kenya
In accordance with the Treaty regarding the situation in the Low Countries, the German Empire hereby appoints you as Governer-General of the former dutch and now German Colony of Kenya. We trust you will discharge your duties faithfully and with confidence in your new ruler, the designated King of the Netherlands and of Belgium, the Crown Prince Friedrich Eitel.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

Darwin

From the German Empire to acting governor-general colonel Roelof Huytz
In accordance with the Treaty regarding the situation in the Low Countries, the German Empire hereby appoints you as Governer-General of the former dutch and now German colony of the Top End. We request that you stop all resistance to the Cascadian advance and await further orders. We trust you will discharge your duties faithfully and with confidence in your new ruler, the designated King of the Netherlands and of Belgium, the Crown Prince Friedrich Eitel.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

Dutch Antilles

From the German empire to the former Dutch Colonial Governments in Dutch Guyana, Curacao and Bonaire
In accordance with the Treaty regarding the situation in the Low Countries, the German Empire hereby affirms your positions as Governer-Generals of the former dutch and now German colonies. We request that you stop all resistance to the Spanish naval force, let them enter the harbours and await further orders. We trust you will discharge your duties faithfully and with confidence in your new ruler, the designated King of the Netherlands and of Belgium, the Crown Prince Friedrich Eitel.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

West Africa

From the German empire to the former Dutch Colonial Governments in Western Africa
In accordance with the Treaty regarding the situation in the Low Countries, the German Empire hereby requests that you stop all resistance to the french advance. We trust you will discharge your duties faithfully and with confidence in your new ruler, the designated King of the Netherlands and of Belgium, the Crown Prince Friedrich Eitel.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

Retconned leadup to the Cascadian entry to Darwin, now that Siege and Thanas decided to make the war so damned quick.


Portland, Federal District
2 Days Before the Franco-German Ultimatum

Mrs. Diane Hershey was a rather lovely-looking young woman in her own right, an experienced secretary and daughter of a Congressman from Olympia. Dressed in appropriate business attire with her hair curled up, she was seated at the desk outside the Presidential Office, going over papers that her boss, the President himself, had signed and needed sent out for delivery.
The door from the nearby hall opened into the waiting room. The man who strode in, clad in a business suit but with a very military manner, was immediately recognized as Graf Maximilian von Spee, German Ambassador to Cascadia. He gave her only the slightest of friendly nods and looked intently at the door. "If you would please, madam, I must speak with His Excellency immediately."
Diane picked up the internal Residence phone and dialed the President's office. He answered within two rings. "Sir, the German Ambassador is here to see you." She got her reply and motioned him in.
After this Diane went back to work. Ten minutes later von Spee exited, looking quite worn, and gave her a friendly nod before departing. Whatever it was that had brought the Ambassador to the Green House, Diane was sure it wasn't good news.

About an hour later President Garrett exited the room. He looked almost exhausted. To her surprise she thought she saw dried tears in his eyes. Has someone died? she wondered. The President had friends in Germany, it was known, including the Chancellor himself. News reports indicated the Chancellor had survived the Munich Uprising, but maybe the media was wrong? Maybe Chancellor Sänger had in fact been killed by the Brownshirts?

He handed her a piece of paper. It had a wax seal with the Presidential seal embedded in it, indicating it was private correspondence of State that was not to be read. "This must be sent immediately to Berlin and the office of Reichkanzler Sänger," he said to her. "Money is no object. Contract that new Lufthansa High Speed Air Mail Service.

"Yes, Mister President...."

Two days later, the letter would be delivered to Sänger.

Dear Johannes,

I have received the Ambassador von Spee upon the matter you sought to discuss with me. I am quite saddened and upset by the content. Despite the fussiness of the Senate I believe I have been on the verge of a diplomatic solution with the Dutch. Now that will fail and I must go back to my generals to tell them to prepare for War.

I understand that with your attempt to ally with France you must give the Kaiser and those in your nation who deserve the sobriquet "militarist" a concession. Whether it is bringing Holland into the Empire or restoring the Dutch monarchs in a state of subordination to Germany is not my affair but your's. Nevertheless, you have committed us to a course and the future of our nations' friendship demands I accept it.

I will order my forces to prepare for the coming conflict, should it be necessary for our security to invade the Top End. As there are no proper garrisons at Bakahueni or Banda Aceh, I will instruct my divisions on Sumatra to post such there and prevent any other powers from seizing those ports, though for the moment they will not be replacing the Dutch authorities and will only fire upon any militia or security forces they have if fired upon first.

I am not sure if I can convince the Congress to formally declare war or that I would even want to; even with the Red Scare atmosphere the Dutch have made no overt moves and attempting to mislead them with claims of Dutch obstinance in the talks would only harm the cause. As it is, if I am to commit aggression, even in the name of reclaiming territory rightfully our's and aiding Germany, I shall do so honestly and not hide it behind misdirection and falsehood with fake provocations or obtuse legalisms.

I have no love for Communists, you know, but I am afraid this effort will not speak well for us in posterity. I only hope, my friend, that we do not regret the decision to mollify the militarists amongst us. God help us all and may He forgive us for the blood we are about to shed.

Der Deutsch-Cascadische Bund, er lebe hoch.

Sincerely,
Stephen

Banda Aceh, Sumatra


The Dutch authorities would watch as elements of the Cascadian 5th Guards Division, the famed "Jungle Rats", made their way to the border checkpoints; though they didn't yet know it, a similar scene was taking place to the southeast at Bakahueni, where the 7th Guards were also moving forces in.

In both places Dutch authorities would be informed, by phone line from the checkpoints, that the Cascadian troops had come to "garrison" their ports against "foreign takeover". The authorities were not fools and knew this was a landgrab that would likely result in war, but they had not yet learned of the Franco-German ultimatum...



Brisbane, Cooksland


The troops of the 14th Infantry Division were surprised to hear they were not to continue training for the day. They were being ordered to the rail yard company by company, battalion by battalion, in perparation for dispatch to the north. It was said that at the town of Katherine and the barracks there they would recommence their activation training. But not a soul among them was deluded as to the actual possibilities of their new position....


Townsville, Cooksland

As night ended the crews made their way back from liberty to their ships. The MPs, with the help of local police, had hunted down all the sailors to make sure they got back as, upon the rise of dawn, the vessels of the 2nd Battle Group began filtering out of Townsville. Eight dreadnoughts, older vessels of the 1912 and 1914 classes, joined a screen of 20 destroyers and cruisers as they sailed north to pass through the Torres Straits.



Portland, Federal District

The War had begun earlier in the day, as Cascadians slept peacefully in their beds unaware that guns were thundering across the world in northern Europe. The Germans and French were prevailing in Europe, though there had been difficulties in the German attacks on Bali and West Timor between some lucky actions from the scrappy Dutch fleet and foul ups by the German forces attempting a daring amphibious attack in Timor. Cascadia, though not a belligerent, had not joined other states in condemning or lamenting the aggressive attack upon the Dutch, there was simply no way Stephen could do so.

The outbreak of war had made Stephen upset, visibly so to his family. It had virtually killed any hope of peacefully gaining the Top End and now he was under immense pressure from the General Staff and the Congress to commence an invasion of the Top End as well as to formally annex the Dutch ports at Banda Aceh and Bakahueni, where Cascadian forces had already entered to "defend them from foreign attack". Congressman Ghandi, ever the firebrand, had even berated him for not getting guarantees from Germany on the disposition of Bali, a Hindu-majority island. Altogether it was pressure he could not resist for much longer; as it was, he was buying time by reminding his generals that the extra infantry divisions they wished to commit as reserves were still in activation training and by timetables would not be ready for combat until August. Of course, the hope of a peaceful transfer was dead; by August, if not sooner, Cascadian troops would have to enter Darwin and the rest of the Top End if just to ensure that Australia remained wholly Cascadian territory. Within the month, Cascadia would most likely be at war.

As he walked with his wife and children, flanked by a couple Marine Guards, along the East Lawn, his daughter Sophie could clearly see her father's sadness. "What's wrong Papa?," she asked sweetly. "Did you find out about the kitty going potty in the closet?"

His two sons exchanged upset glances. Rachel's expression showed she already knew, and Stephen... could only chuckle. "No, sweetie, I didn't. I'm just sad."

"Why?"

"Because I might have to something bad." He lifted Sophie into his arms as they approached the main gate. Onlookers and some media photographers were present, taking pictures of the Presidential family out for a summer stroll, though Residential security held them back. "I was trying to get people to give us back something that belonged to us. We were being friendly about it, and they were going to so long as their people were cared for. But now I will have to take it from them and hurt them."

"Why do you have to hurt them?"

Because the Kaiser listens to his generals too much, was the dark thought in his mind. Before this business had started he had been working with MacKenzie to pick a gift for the Kaiser to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his ascension to the German and Prussian throne. Now he was not sure he could stomach it, not with his irritation at the Kaiser for starting this war. With Sophie up against his left shoulder he touched her head gently and answered, "It's how the world sometimes works, Sophie. And it's a decision I have to sometimes make as President. I wish I didn't."

"It's okay, Daddy." She put her arms around his neck. "I still love you."

"LONG LIVE SOCIALISM AND COMRADE HAMMER'S UNION! DEATH TO IMPERIALISTS!"

The shout echoed from behind the crowd at the gate. People fell out of the way as three men came from it, each bringing up rifles. The crack of gunfire sounded as Stephen whirled around, his guards shouting "GET DOWN!". He held Sophie close as he went down, hoping to shield her body with his own.

There was a painful impact on his shoulder, wet and powerful, as he came down. I've been shot went through his head even as a tumult came from the crowd. Marine Guards around the House came running and those watching the roof opened fire with sniper rifles. There was some gun fire and then screams of pain, one of the shooters having only been wounded but in a way thaft left them writhing "Mister President! Mister President!"

He looked up to see a Marine Guard Corporal running up, his bolt-action rifle readied. As he did so Stephen looked at his family. All had hit the ground and were getting up; Rachel, Rafael, and Tom all looked fine. "Are you okay Sophie?" he asked as he looked toward her, ignoring the pain in his shoulder as he thought about his little girl's welfare. She had blood on her chest, understandable as the bullet had hit him there....

Then he saw it wasn't all his.

There was a small hole in Sophie's green blouse. A horrified gasp came from him as his mind processed the wound was very close to her heart. She was breathing faintly and there were tears in her eyes from where she'd started to cry in pain before falling unconscious. “I need help! I need a doctor!”, he shouted, so loudly it made his throat grow coarse as he did so. He stood up, holding Sophie.

Rachel raced over to him as he remained on his knees on the grass of the East Lawn, holding the still body of his little girl tightly. Seeing her husband's reaction she let out a scream that became a wail, calling out her daughter's name as she came up to them, weeping. Cameras snapped from the other side of the fence, the guards coming up and stopping the photographers only after the first few were taken.

Soon the world would see an iconic image; the wounded Cascadian President on his knees with his little girl in his arms, her chest covered in blood.


Portland, Federal District
14 July 1925

The day following the assassination attempt had sent a wave of discontent and horror through the nation. City after city learned of the attack through newspaper reports, early radio messages, and word of mouth, and rage was the response; rage at the entire radical Left. In San Francisco a small mob broke windows of the Socialist Party Headquarters; in Vallejo the National Shipyard Machinists and Builders Association voted to expel a worker who had been distributing Marxist literature, exposing him to being fired by his employer. The Soviet consulate in Oakland had windows broken by hurled stones fromo the street while the Dutch military attache to Ambassador Palmkoek was harrassed in the street of Portland and denied service wherever he sought it.

The situation was soon spread by telegraph wire to Australia, where one Lance Sharkey would learn of it from a telephone call from his family in Cascadian Austalia; it would prompt the smashing of windows at the Australian Communist Party's headquarters in Melbourne and the near-lynching of radical Communist Carl Turner in Adelaide, who ended up in policy custody under spurious charges of "fomenting a riot". The news itself became a source of sad relief: the President had been wounded, not severely, at least, but his four year old daughter Sophie's prognosis was critical and "not favorable". It was said that the doctors were uncertain if she would survive the surgery to remove the bullet, even with the aid of the finest surgeons in the nation and further verbal assistance via telephone line from America, Germany, and Britain.

This was the scene when, a day after the shooting, the Cascadian Congress held a special joint session, summoned by Vice President Andrew Cadbury of Victoria. President Garrett was not in attendance, still at the hospital watching over his stricken child alongside his family, but members of his Cabinet and his Chief of Staff Reginald Etps did sit in attendance at Cadbury's request.

"The Communist movement has long been a blight upon the world," Cadbury proclaimed from the podium, "misleading innocent workers into acts of grotesque violence in the name of an equality that the movement itself has always failed to achieve. Wherever a Communist nation stands I can show you a nation dominated by an unelected elite, self-perpetuating, their people held in terrible bondage. And this is the system they wish to spread across the globe in the name of the average worker. Now our President has been struck at by these fanatics, an innocent child brought down by a Communist assassin's bullet. Already our nation has endured the scorn of the Communist movement. We have endured the prolonged theft of our national property. We have endured the threats of the Dutch government and the insults of the Brazilian one. Are we to still tolerate this after our President has taken a bullet from their assassins? After his daughter, an innocent child who has never given them any harm, has been left stricken upon a hospital bed upon the verge of death?"

"If we are to remain an honorable nation, then the answer is clearly NO. The time has come to deal with this viper in our midst. That is why we are here today, to follow the example set by other nations, and to forbid the Communist Parties any participation in an electoral process they plainly seek to destroy. We shall make them an illegal party, unfit to sit upon even the councils of our smallest towns! And finally, we shall set right the misdeed of thirty years ago and we shall reclaim our lawful territory!"

A roar erupted from the Congress, Conservatives, Whigs, and Liberals commonly voicing agreement in their latent rage at what had happened. Only the handful of Socialists in the seats of the House did not join in the common roar. Nervous looks were exchanged, as this was the Cascadian Socialists' worst nightmare; that the violent, truly radical branch of the Socialist-Communist movement would do something grotesque and bring the wrath of the majority down upon all of them.

The vote was held and, by a wide veto-proof majority, the Anti-Communist Act was passed, forbidding Communist Party members from participating in elections or holding elective office and authorizing the National Investigative Service to look into suspected links between the Communist Parties and overseas sponsers.

The next act was a simple resolution in response to issues about the Top End: the Subsidary Union government there would be offered annexation, but only if the Communist authorities relinquished their posts, their secret police shut down operations, their fleet stood down and accepted internment and their files were provided to Cascadian authorities so that political dissidents could be freed from local jails or forced work farms. A third act, the more aggressive one, announced the formal annexation of the ports of Banda Aceh and Bakahueni into the Cascadian Republic's domains as parts of the Sumatra Territory on the grounds that the Dutch had not maintain a proper garrison and that the security of the Sumatra Territory demanded Cascadia take formal possession of them in light of this Dutch oversight.


That night


As successful as Cadbury had been in utilizing the national rage in bringing about his proposals, he was having less success with the Cabinet.

"This was a travesty!"

Rachel MacKenzie's proclamation was answered by grim nods from the Secretaries of War and the Navy. She was also being plainly defiant about the transmission of the annexations and the Darwin annexation proposal to the Dutch government proper, though Cadbury was assured by the Army that the proposal, more of a demand, would be sent to the Darwin leadership.

"The President was committed to a diplomatic solution," she continued, glaring at Cadbury as he did at her. "Now you are to destroy that? And do you honestly think this law of your's will pass the Supreme Court once the Communists challenge it legally? You have wasted the time and effort of the government with that unconstitutional farce!"

"You call it a farce, but many would call it the only logical solution to a faction that wants their election to office to be the last election," Cadbury retorted. "And we had to get ahead of this, we had to, because our own countrymen are enraged and horrified at what has happened. We did not force the Communists to take shots at the President, Madame Secretary, they did so on their own! And they must pay the consequence! If the Supreme Court wishes to overturn the Act then let them, but for the time being it assauges the anger and fear of the populace."

"And this... ultimatum you are sending to the authorities in Darwin? You are going to cause the war the President sought to avoid," MacKenzie pointed out.

"He had already approved military action, Ma'am," General Samuels pointed out. "For the coming month."

"Which was to give us time for the diplomatic solution he was seeking," MacKenzie answered. "And given their situation the Dutch authorities would have had to agree."

"Assuming they simply did not behave as standard Communist fanatics and use the extra time to start preparing defenses, defenses that would cost Cascadian blood to overtake," Samuels spat.

Before MacKenzie could further argue the door opened. Reginald Etps was there first, and quickly stood out of the way to admit President Garrett. The Chief Executive looked very haggard to the assembled and they all immediately spoke up, offering him verbal condolence and reassurance. "How is she?", SecWar Dale asked tentatively.

"She survived the surgery," Stephen answered very hoarsely. "The doctors say the next week will be critical. I'll be returning to St. Matthews as soon as this meeting is over. So, from the shouting I heard through the door..."

"The Congress approved a resolution to insist upon re-annexation of the Top End and the dismantling of the Communist authority there," Cadbury stated. "I was preparing the appropriate dispatches but Secretary MacKenzie was being... forceful in her disapproval." The fact that he didn't use "insubordinate" was a hard choice, but to Cadbury necessary to prevent the President from thinking he'd lost control of the Cabinet.

"That's what I pay her for," Stephen's coarse reply was. "Rachel, I'm sorry. We tried to do this the right way and now we probably can't. Go ahead and send those dispatches, God help us all."

MacKenzie glowered and gave a stiff nod.

Seeing his cue, Samuels spoke up. "The 13th and 14th Divisions have joined 1st and 2nd Australian Guards in the Top End, and the 14th's detachments should have fully relieved those of the 2nd Guards in the Bush observation posts. All posts have been reinforced and ordered to maximum defensive alert. Our attack plan is the same; 1st Guards division will attack in a hook around the east of Darwin to sever all roads to nearby towns and to trap the bulk of the Dutch forces in the city while 13th Division attacks into the city proper and ties down the enemy force. 2nd Guards will provide the central pivot that keeps the units linked. Once the city is our's we can begin utilizing launches to take coastal towns under cover of naval gunfire."

"And the Dutch fleet at Darwin?"

"Australia Fleet arrives tomorrow," was the reply.

Nodding grimly, Stephen breathed a sigh. "Very well. Continue on then. You can all go." He motioned to Cadbury to remain seated and the Vice President did, everyone waiting for the Cabinet to file out.

"I had to do something, Stephen," he protested, knowing the President's disapproval was imminent. "Have you read the reports, we've nearly had riots in the streets against Communists and even the Socialists..."

"So to appease the immediate rage of the population we must violate our own Constitution?"

"These people want to destroy us..."

"So we'll beat them to the punch and do the job first?", Stephen responded sarcastically. "Yes, I'm sure the Congress was as mad as the nation, but you're the one who summoned them and put them in session without giving time for heads to cool. This is what you wanted, Andrew, admit it."

"I won't deny that I think the Communists have no place in the national political sphere since their entire purpose is to make their victory in a free election the last such election."

"So you used the rage over what happened to me, what happened to Sophie, to accomplish that," Stephen remarked in accusation. "You're a real bastard, Andrew."

"Understood, Mister President."

"You may go now, I need to get back to the hospital."


Border Checkpoint, Top End
15 July 1925 (Day 3 of the War)

The Subsidiary Union forces at Darwin knew that something was up when the noon-time train from Pine Creek ran abnormally late. Trade between the Dutch-held Top End and the rest of Australia was usually prompt and precise, typically foodstuffs from the farms of the eastern regions coming in and various refined goods from the factories at Darwin going out, bound for stores in the nearby towns at Katherine and Pine Creek. Now... there was nothing.

Then a lone motor vehicle approached from the Cascadian side of the border. A flash of an ID and the Cascadian-side border guards let them pass. The Pay-Bas at the Union side prompted them to stop and explain their purpose, which a translator informed him was to deliver a note to the local government.

They left shortly thereafter, and shortly Lawrence "Lance" Sharkey and his Dutch security overseers would be reading the note.

TO: Authorities of Subsidiary Union Government of the Top End
FROM: Department of State, Federal Republic of Cascadia


Greetings to you, gentlemen. As you know, your local government's responsibility areas are now under direct attack from German forces. The island of Bali has already fallen and a renewed German assault in Timor is undoubtedly imminent. To preserve security on Sumatra Cascadia has regrettably been forced to garrison and annex the ports of Bakahueni and Banda Aceh.

Given the situation, we now request that you give final consideration to our offer of re-annexation of the Top End into the Republic of Cascadia. Cascadia cannot tolerate the risk of another power declared hostile to your Union seizing this territory and so we must seek a final resolution to its status with Cascadia.

Again we remind you that our terms to the peoples settled here are generous. We recognize their right to assemble themselves into a state within the Cascadian Federal Union and for local militia to remain armed and in service, to be governed under the provisions of the Territorial Defenses Act of 1882 and the National Army and Militia Acts of 1890, 1904, and 1917. Their possession of property currently held will be recognized, and all local government will be free to organize and operate as desired in conjunction with federal laws and statutes upon the operation of such.

The fleet stationed at Darwin will be considered interned for the duration of hostilities, with repatriation arrange upon the conclusion of them by whatever terms the belligerents of the current war decide upon.

If we do not receive a positive response, we will sadly be required to consider other measures to guarantee the territorial integrity of Australia.

Signed,
Rachel MacKenzie, Secretary of State

It would be shortly after that note that they would be informed that fishermen ranging the northeast had forwarded reports of a "fleet" approaching from that direction, while there was indications of activity on the Cascadian side of the border by Dutch border-watchers and scouts. Soon it would be clear that many thousands of troops were poised on the Cascadian border around Pine Creek, springs coiled back and ready to be released.

In the hours after these movements, Cascadian aircraft began to buzz overhead, raining leaflets upon the Dutch citizenry carrying the President's re-annexation proposal translated into Dutch. Huytz would order the leaflets destroyed and arrest any found to be reading them, but it remained to be seen how effective either side was in the matter.


Alice Springs

The local denizens took the time to wave at the train passing by, marked with military insignia and made up of passenger and freight cars. From within hundreds of uniformed young men waved back from the windows. And another detachment of the 11th Infantry Division continued on its way to Pine Creek and, perhaps, to war.



CRS Colossus


From his station on the bridge of the dreadnought Colossus, Vice Admiral Upton Michaels surveyed the seas of the extreme end of the Gulf of Carpenteria with a solemn expression. The destroyer screens had confirmed that small vessels had spotted them earlier in the morning; undoubtedly they were Dutch, and the Dutch fleet at Darwin would be alerted to his presence.

Surveyed around him was the might of the Cascadian Navy's Australia Fleet. Eight older dreadnought battleships - the four Constitution-class vessels as well as Colossus and her three sisterships - were surrounded by 20 screens, made up of 14 destroyers and six light cruisers. To the west, Admiral Wallace's Fast Battle Squadron with its screen from the 11th Destroyer Squadron would be taking up blocking positions so they could bar escape into the Indian Ocean for the remnant Dutch East Indies Fleet or, alternatively, to attack said fleet in port if given the order.

Admiral Marston had given Michaels, the official commander of the 2nd Battle Group (which was the technical designation for Australia Fleet's main striking arm), his best wishes and some hope that the Dutch might see reason and accept the re-annexation offer. If not, however, then by the end of the week Cascadia would be at war.


Indian Ocean


It was a rare sight, but it occasionally happened; all four of the Cascadian Large Cruisers, meant to sail alone, were gathered together. They had no screens, as even at cruise speed they were typically too quick for a destroyer or tender to easily keep up with, but with a cruise of 18 knots and their own primitive "sonar" gear to go with hydrophones they were capable of quickly escaping submarine ambush.
The gathering of the Commerce Defense Squadron, as the four cruisers were called when combined, was that on event of war it would facilitate interception of Dutch vessels attempting to sail southwest through the Indian Ocean to safe harbor in Madagascar and South Africa. It would also permit them to block any fleet elements from Darwin that attempted to find sanctuary at Yogyakarta, where commandeered tenders could potentially let such destroyers escape into the Indian Ocean and become a threat to Cascadian shipping.


Honolulu Marine Merchant Association Headquarters


From the Association Headquarters the maritime authorities of Cascadia could transmit radiograph and telegraph alerts to Cascadian-flagged merchants across the Pacific, via networks spread along the Cascadian and German Pacific territories, should such things be necessary. And today, an alert from Portland came in for immediate dispatch.

ALL VESSELS REPORT TO PORT PREPARE FOR CASE ORANGE NOT A DRILL NOT A DRILL


The Top End
July 17 1925

In the early dawn light of the Top End, the peace was shattered by the crack of Dutch rifles, firing upon a Cascadian platoon sent forward to begin the occupation and restoration of Darwin to Cascadian rule. Upon the confirmation of those gunshots, 45,000 Cascadian troops surged forward under the thundering of a hundred artillery guns to assault the main Dutch positions facing them. The 13th Infantry Division, one of the newly-activated units, had mostly been honed back to active service quality by over five months of training; it was tasked with the advance into Darwin, which was to tie down the Dutch forces there long enough for the 1st Australian Guards to break the line to the east and begin an envelopment of the city. The 2nd Guards, coming up from behind would be the immediate tactical reserve by acting as the pivot of the advance, maintaining a link between the mobile forces of the 1st Guards and the slower infantry of the 13th Division. Darwin, and the bulk of the Dutch garrison in the Top End, would be caught in a jaw of steel, forced to surrender or be crushed by the jaw's strength.

From the skies the PF-3s of the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons dominated all below them; the handful of scouts and recon aircraft the Dutch had were faced with remaining grounded or being shot down by a much larger force.

To the west and the north, the ships of the Cascadian Navy moved in, ready to attack the Dutch fleet should it lend its guns to the defense of Darwin or attempt to flee.

Initially the Dutch garrisons fought back. The 13th sustained losses attacking along the main road to Darwin, being repulsed by machine gun fire and defensive light artillery here and there. 155mm and 203mm fire from the Australian Guards Artillery proved helpful where directed, but most of that fire was being directed eastward, helping the tanks and motor troops of the 1st and 2nd Guards to break the Dutch defenses southeast and east of Darwin. Soon it became clear to Huytz that the mobility of the Cascadian force was decisive; the 1st Guards' tanks had secured a breakthrough and his outstretched forces lacked the manpower to seal the breach.

Then everything went wrong. Huytz learned from forward observers that the Cascadian motor troops had sealed off the Arnhem Road, the rail and track roads leading to the east and the rural settlements scattered around the Top End. His chance of slipping forces into the Bush to commence guerrila warfare was waning. Mere minutes later he learned the fleet on station, far from answering his orders to prepare to commence support bombardments on the Cascadians, was standing down. In a rage he ordered Admiral Blauvelt arrested but, as he soon learned, he had no real power to enforce that.

The rebellion started amongst civilians constructing the ordered street barricades. It soon grew to the hastily-armed militia companies held back in reserve. Soon there were armed men and women stomping through Darwin, and they were not wearing Cascadian uniforms. Shots rang out at any who dared oppose them. Seeing the revolt Huytz gathered his loyal staff and troops and tried to stop the rebellion, but instead an irate militiaman who's brother had been arrested over the leaflets shot him dead.

As word of the rebellion spread to the front, the Pay-Bas resistance collapsed. The deposed civil authorities in Darwin were released from the jails as Cascadian troops marched into the city from two directions. By the time sunset came, the Battle for Darwin was over.


Portland, Federal District
31 July 1925[/b]

A crowd of reporters and photographers were waiting at the side exit of St. Matthews Hospital when Stephen emerged with his family, pushing the wheelchair carrying Sophie out after the doctors had cleared her to go home. With an air of triumph he reached down and lifted her into his arms as she smiled, much to the joy of the photographers looking for good shots of the President and his daughter. There was a slight grimace from the President that the photographers would obviously not publish and would ruin a couple shots; his left shoulder surged with pain at even the slight weight of helping his right arm and shoulder lift Sophie, and he would end up putting her in his right arm as they walked past the photographers.

"What have the Doctors said?"
"...news of an agreement between Germany and the new Dutch authorities..."
"....true that Darwin's forces surrendered without a fight?"
"....comment on Mexico's ultimatums to Colombia?"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please," Rachel pleaded, getting between her husband and the reporters. "We just want to get home with our daughter."
A wide smile on his face, Stephen was barely able to lift his left arm enough to put a hand on his wife's arm; it again surged with pain at the effort due to the damage in the shoulder from the assassin's bullet. She moved away enough for him to look the reporters face-to-face, his vision dancing with blobs of color from the constant camera flashes. Sophie actually pressed her head against his chest to avoid the same flashes. "I'll give you comments on all this in good time gentlemen. For now, the only thing I have to say is that I thank God for the skilled doctors and medical professionals who saved my daughter's life, those here and those thousands of miles away who contributed to the effort. The finest doctors in Cascadia, Germany, England, and the US have shown just how great the progress of Mankind in the arts of healing has been these past years. I'd also like to thank my good friend Chancellor Sänger for the personal initiative he took in setting up the array of doctors that gave us aid and for his friendly letters of support during these trying times, all while his duties of state have trebled due to the current conflict."

"And the Communists that tried to murder you and nearly killed your daughter?"
The smile only slightly waned; no prodding journalist was going to ruin Stephen's day if he could help it. "They failed, which is good enough for me. That said, I would think that people who talk about bringing Mankind into a world of peaceful cooperation and community would know better than to give in to the darker impulses of human nature and shoot at those who've done them no harm, particularly children. Now, if you'll excuse me...."
"Daddy, can I say something?"
Looking down and smiling, Stephen said go ahead.
Sophie turned her head and, with that tone of voice that sounded oh so very adorable to her parents, said, "I'm happy I'm going home, I miss playing with Speedy."
One of the reporters, puzzled, asked, "Who or what is Speedy?"
"My kitty-cat."
"Alright now, everyone, you heard her," Stephen said, resuming his walk to the waiting car. "We'd like to get going..."


Darwin, Top End

It had been two weeks since the 1st Australian Guards had entered Darwin in triumph, greeted by a resigned population that only wanted peace and were afraid for the future. The Dutch civil authorities had been mostly restored for the day to day operations of government while Australian legal and constitutional experts arrived by the trainload to help them take up the labor of establishing a new Constitution for the Top End.
In the port of Darwin the Dutch fleet, centered around the 17 year old dreadnought Maarten Tromp, was mostly unmanned, waiting for the German prize crews that were to sail them home to Europe. Only small Dutch crews remained aboard under Cascadian and German naval observers while the rest of the crews were accommodated in the city. Under command of Cascadian authorities their internment was a light one; as opposed to being treated as prisoners they were primarily treated as active duty personnel, with restrictions on movement and a curfew in that fashion. The garrison units of the Top End had been temporarily disarmed and sent home, but their unit affiliations were being recorded so that they could be reactivated when the time came as the new state's reservist cadre.
Admiral Blauvelt, commander of the Dutch force, was hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt when Red Cross officials had informed him that his wife back in Holland had died due to an errant artillery shell during the intense battles at Hertogenbosch. Several other crew of the fleet would successfully end their lives upon being informed of shattered hometowns and slain loved ones back home or, in a couple cases, sheer depression at the collapse of their nation and its annexation-in-fact by Germany.

In contrast to this, throughout the rest of Australia the "re-annexation of Darwin" was being responded to with large-scale celebrations. The Australian Assembly, the devolved legislature responsible for the continental government, voted to declare July 26th "Unification Day" in honor of the deed. There was celebration in North America as well, and on both sides of the Pacific the Liberal Party was milking it for everything it was worth; after thirty-five years, despite constant bleatings and promises by Whig and Conservative governments to resolve the "theft of the Top End", it was a Liberal President who had brought about the restoration of the Top End to Cascadia's lawful sovereignty (that this had been accomplished due to an outbreak of war elsewhere was not to be noted).

On the 31st, the local Dutch authorities would print and broadcast the most recent announcement from Portland. The Congress of Cascadia, by a sizable margin, had approved preliminary funding for providing for the education and sustenance of the local population as well as accepting in principle all of the terms that President Garrett had sought for the re-annexation. Far from being forcefully subsumed into the Australian body politic as a minority, the Top End Dutch would be granted their own state, with representation both in Melbourne and in Portland, and their own state constitution with all the same rights granted other states in the Cascadian Federal Republic. Though there would be no celebration, there were sighs of relief, as this was the first sign the Darwin Dutch had seen that maybe, when all was said and done, their future truly was secure.

The Gold Palace

Force R had returned to Saint Diego, and, much to the dismay of the crews, was ordered to remain at the Chagos Lagoon pending a final resolution of Dutch Kenya. When Admiral Runnels' actions filtered up there had a been a howl, on the left by the "blatant imperialistic attempt at seizing land" and on the Right by a failure to do so. And of course him arresting a white captian for gross insubordination. Lord Wythe had already set his sights on Runnels, and Lord Fairfax was doing his bets to put that fire out.

And now it appears that the Union of The Low Countries was no more, and that they were now part of Germany. The chargé d’affaires in Mombasa(who, incredibly, had yet to be arrested by the local authorities)was reporting that a German sub had arrived and sent a message to the Dutch colonial government. A Kenya in Congolese hands was acceptable, it was not acceptable in Germany hands.

Message to the German Empire

Reichskanzler Sänger,

I wish your Emperor good health, and I congratulate the German Empire on the success of it's arms against the Low Countries. It was a campaign worthy of the inheritors of Frederick Barbarossa. The free world breaths a sigh of relief at the rolling back of International Communism.

In regards to the Dutch Mandate of Kenya. The Dutch government there has petitioned for protective custody by the Congo Government, an arrangement that the Grand Dominion recognizes. We would like a German pledge that Kenya will not be stripped away and incorporated as a German Colony.

Yours in Christ
M.B. Bucher
Lord Fairfax
Lord Protector fo the Grand Dominion of the Indies.

(OOC: This is just a post explaining what happened to a few characters in the recent war. If you do not want to read who gets what in terms of medals etc, then you might just skip to the next post. There are no earth-shattering relevations here while I wait for a few PMs).

Berliner Zeitung
August 6th, 1925

Frieden!

Today, after the bloody battle of Den Bosch, the Union of the Low Countries and the German Empire agreed on a peace agreement. The agreement was formulated between Reichskanzler Sänger and the Union General Hendrik A. Seyffardt. The terms of the treaty are as follows:

*list of terms omitted*


Already, the demobilization of the forces has begun, with hundreds of Union soldiers already receiving their new papers.


[imh]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... %BCcke.jpg[/img]
The German Army has also begun the construction of Behelfsbrücken to serve as briges until the dutch infrastructure is fully repaired. Already, the Reichskanzler has set up a commission to do so.

Berliner Zeitung
August 8th, 1925


Prince Eitel Friedrich to become king
The Reichskanzlei has confirmed reports that Ihre Königliche Hoheit Wilhelm Eitel Friedrich Christian Karl, Kronprinz von Preußen, will be crowned as King of the Netherlands and as King of Belgium. Prince Eitel Friedrich distinguished himself through personal bravery while serving with the 1.st Garderegiment during the Italian War. He is currently married to Princess Sophie Charlotte von Oldenburg and currently has no issue. Since 1907 he is the 34th Herrenmeister of the Johanniter Order and since the death of the crown prince Wilhelm in the Vienna Massacre, the current crown prince of the German Empire.


A new German Hero?
The commanding officer of the Union Army, General Hendrik A. Seyffardt, has been the subject of much debate in Germany recently. General Seyffardt is often credited with reorganizing the spirited defence of the Dutch as well as deposing the inefficient and criminal communist government. After the battle of Hertogenbosch, he decided to accept a peaceful solution to the conflict in order to prevent further suffering.

General Seyffardt has reportedly been invited to dine with the Kaiser, something he declined due to pressing issues.

Berliner Zeitung
August 10, 1925

Seyffardt honoured by Army Generals
A dinner today was held at the German High Command in the Netherlands by Field Marshal von Mackensen, to honour General Seyffardt and all general oficers of the recent conflict. The dinner was attended by the commanders of the German and French General Staffs as well as all Korpskommandanten and the Reichskanzler. A surprise visit was made by Prinz Eitel Friedrich.

General Seyffardt was decorated with the Order of the Red Eagle, 1st class, the Knights cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern and the Hanseatic cross of the City of Bremen. The first two were awarded by the Prince, the last one by the Reichskanzler on behalf of his city.

It has also been announced that General Seyffardt will retire as a Field Marshal of the Reserve and campaign for a seat in the Reichstag, to continue the "fight for the well-being of the Dutch people".

Berliner Zeitung
August 13th

Reichskanzler Sänger honored
At a banquet given for his honour, the Reichskanzler was presented with military decorations by the Princes of Germany. Among other things, he was presented with the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph, the Grand Cross of the Military Merit Cross (Bavaria), the Grand Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry (Saxony), the War Merit cross (Lippe), Military Merit Cross 1st class (Mecklenburg-Schwerin), the Knights cross of the Militärverdienstorden (Baden-Württemberg). Throughout the dinner and according to hanseatic tradition, Sänger refused a noble title which many princes offered and refused to wear the decorations, instead handing them over to his valet to keep them with the others.

In his speech, the chancellor once more lauded the efforts of General Seyffardt and the focused on the pressing need for rebuilding. He ended with a plea for the german states to donate and help the reconstruction efforts in any way. As he put it "The war is over, but the battle has just begun. We need to ensure the continued prosperity of our new citizens." He also refused to comment on any titles being awarded to members of the princely houses except for the obvious upcoming coronation of Prince Eitel Friedrich.

The banquet ended with a speech by his Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II., who noted that his faith in the chancellor never wavered and presented him with the order of Pour Le Merité for securing the surrender of the Dutch Army.

Berliner Zeitung
August 16th

German civil service to expand
The German civil service is in the process of recruiting dutch civilians for the administration of the new territories. There is no word yet about the final readministration of the army. The Reichskanzlei has also not yet revealed whether the secretarial staff would be expanded, which highlights that the final administrative division is still not made.

Special medal to be handed out for participation in the war
The Reichstag has passed a law that would provide for a unique medal to be minted and given to all participants in the recent war. As the dutch army remained undefeated in the war, the medal will be given to German, French and Dutch participants. Anyone who served in a combat or non-combat position during the war will be eligible.

Honours list of the war
The Kaiser together with the commanders of the Luftstreitkräfte, the Marine and the Heer today announced the full lists of medals, titles and orders awarded during the recent war. These lists do not include the various awards made by the princely houses.

The current lists are:

Luftstreitkräfte (excerpt)

Order of the Red Eagle, 2nd class with swords
Generalleutnant von der Lieth-Thomsen, commander of the German Air Force

Order of the Red eagle, 3rd class with swords
Manfred von Richthofen (previously decorated with the Pour le Merité)
Ernst Udet (previously decorated with the Pour le Merité)
Max Immelmann (previously decorated with the Pour le Merité)
for 4 victories each over Dutch aircraft

Pour le Merité
Lothar von Richthofen
Josef Jacobs
for 3 victories each and in accordance with conduct in the Italian war

(list continues)

Marine (excerpt)

Order of the Black Eagle
Großadmiral Scheer, Commander of all German Naval Forces (previously decorated with the PLM and the ORE)
Generaladmiral von Hipper, Commander of the HSF (previously decorated with the PLM and the ORE)

Order of the Red Eagle, 1st class with swords
Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, Commander of the German Scouting Groups (prev. decorated with the PLM)

Order of the Red Eagle, 3rd class with crown
Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen (previously decorated with PLM), also promoted to Fregattenkapitän
Kapitänleutnant Lothar von Arnauld de la Perrieré (previously decorated with PLM), also promoted to Korvettenkapitän

Pour le Merité
Vize-Admiral Wilhelm Souchon, Commander of German Pacific Forces
Konteradmiral Erich Raeder, Commander of the German Indonesian Task force
Hauptmann der Marineinfanterie Johann Schneider (posthumous)
Kapitänleutnant Walther Forstmann
Kapitänleutnant Reinhard Saltzwedel
Kapitänleutnant Max Valentiner
Kapitänleutnant Walter Schwieger
........
(list continues)

Heer (excerpt)
Order of the Black Eagle
Feldmarschall Ludendorff, Commander of all German Heereskräfte
Feldmarschall von Mackensen, Commander of the Western Front

Order of the Red Eagle, 1st class with swords
General der Infanterie Fritz von Lossberg
General der Kavallerie Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein
General der Infanterie Max Hoffmann
General der Infanterie Herrmann von François
General der Artillerie Oskar von Hutier


Oak leaf cluster to the Pour Le Merité
General Bertram Sixt von Armin, Rheinarmee
Oberst Georg Bruchmüller, Gardeartillerie
Oberstleutnant Erwin Rommel, 152 Pionnierregiment, also promoted to Oberst

Pour Le Merité
Oberst von Kleist, Commander 1st. Garde - Panzerbrigade
Oberstleutnant Heinz Guderian, 1st. Garde-Panzer regiment
Major Werner Model, 11th Sturmtruppenregiment

(list continues)

Berliner Zeitung
August 19th

Several regiments arrived in Berlin today and were welcomed back by a jubilant crowd

Berliner Zeitung
August 25th

Kaiser visits the troops
His Imperial Majesty, Wilhelm II., von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preußen, Reichsverweser von Östrreich und Ungarn etc., visited the members of some of the hardest-hit regiments today, handing out the first copy of the Medal for the war of Unification. Earlier on, the Reichskanzler had been presented with the Medal as well.

Berliner Nachrichten
Adolf Hitler found guilty
The would-be Putschist and self-described "saviour of the German race" was found guilty today of Treason, murder, attempted murder, leading an unlawful insurrection, Landfriedensbruch, Körperverletzung, incitement to riot, hate speech (snip list).

The court sentenced Hitler and his accomplices to death, following an empire-wide trend. Of the around 7000 members accused of belonging to the brownshirt organization, more than 4000 were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences, with a total of 764 receiving the death sentence.

"Hmmm." Sänger folded his piece of the newspaper and then called for Elise to put him through to Großadmiral Scheer as soon as possible.


Pola
SMS Gneisenau
five days later



The captain of the SMS Gneisenau glowered at the prisoners as they were led onboard by the escorting marine detachement. Soon, the ship steamed for Tel Aviv, carrying a special kind of cargo.


Reichskanzlei
The following Telegramm was sent to the Dominion:

From the German Empire to the Grand Dominion of the Indies

Your excellency,

I trust this message finds you in good health. I thank you for the kind congratulations regarding the recent dutch victory.

With regards to the Kenyan question, it is my Duty to inform you that the policy of the German Empire is not dictated by any other nation. However, the German Empire would be ameniable to hearing your concerns and trusts that we can find a mutually beneficiary agreement.

Signed,
Sänger, Reichskanzler

Results:
- Gneisenau carries prisoners to the Yishuw
- The German Empire would like to know the concerns of the Dominon (OOC: Lonestar, PM me with what ails you and we can discuss it).