Reichskanzlei, Berlin
September 13th, 1926
DarthShady wrote:From the Balkan Confederacy to the German Empire
Your excellency,
It is my hope to find you in good health. It is my wish to reassure the German Empire that all treaties they signed with the Balkan Confederacy remain valid with the new government, as always we remain a friend to the German people. And although our nation has just passed a turbulent period, we still wish to uphold to our responsibilities to the world and our neighbors.
As such the matter of the Gulf of Aden concerns us greatly, as it is a serious problem that threatens to disrupt our trade routes as well. The Confederacy agrees to the sharing of information and wishes to cooperate with the German Empire in the resolution of this problem.
The Confederacy wishes to inform you that we are contemplating sending additional ships to the area to help protect our trade routs and shipping and as well to discourage and prevent any attempt at mining the area.
With respect,
Shady Sirah,
Prime Minister of the Balkan Confederacy
"So he's really done it", Sänger remarked as he put the telegram aside. "The sin of regicide.", von Westarp said with a shudder in his voice, which caused the leader of the dutch socialists to smirk. As always, the leaders of all parties were gathered at the Reichskanzlei to discuss the affairs of state. Sänger had promised each of them a weekly meeting during the campaign and this was one of those. The atmosphere was relaxed, with the leaders sitting around the grand table in Sänger's recreation room. The dark, wooden walls were framed with the medals he had gathered throughout his life and the pictures of those politicians Sänger admired most - von Stein, Hardenberg, Metternich, Bismarck, von Baden, von Holstein, Augustus, Marc Aurel, Aurelian, Diocletian, Wallenstein and Karl V. A recent new addition had been the portrait of Johann Heinrich Burchard.
Hugenberg, Sänger's opponent in the recent election and the one person Sänger hated the most of all those sitting around the table, however had other things than art on his mind. "When will you give the order, Herr Kanzler?" Sänger frowned. "What order?" "The order for the Generalmobilmachung. We have to avenge the murder of a divine ruler." The Reichskanzler barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Alright, Herr Hugenberg. Let us say we somehow manage to prevail against the Balkan forces. And the Byzantines. And the Egyptians. Let us also presume we will somehow manage to not have our economy collapse from the lack of goods coming through the Suez. What then? What will we have gained?"
Hugenberg's face started to become red. "We shall have avenged the sacrilege of regicide." Seeing that Sänger was close to exploding, Burchard intervened. "A noble goal, Herr Hugenberg. But what will we have gained? A ruined territory? And why should we expend German blood for the Balkan when we need them?"
Before Hugenberg could respond, Sänger had collected himself. "No. Alexander was clearly mad - and Sirah, by all accounts is not. In fact, he has promised to keep all treaties, something we could not be sure with Alexander. No, we shall recognize his government. Better a regiciding and sane politician than a legitimate madman."
The issue was settled.
From the German Empire to the Balkan Confederacy
Your Excellency Sirah,
Though His Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Wilhem II., von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preußen, Reichsverweser von Österreich und Ungarn etc., cannot condone the circumstances of your ascent and is especially saddened by the death of his Imperial brother, His Imperial Majesty is reassured of your benevolence by the clear gesture of friendship.
The German Empire recognizes your Government in recognition of your commitment to peace and honor, as evidenced by your recognition of all treaties signed during the reign of the late Monarch. We hope the situation in your country will normalize as quickly as possible and pledge to not interfere with your internal politics in any way.
The German Empire thanks you for your most reasonable reply to the request for the sharing of information and views it as a promising start to a mutually beneficiary future.
With the best wishes for the future of your country and yourself,
Sänger, Reichskanzler
Berliner Zeitung,
October 4th, 1926
Reichskanzler Sänger responds to Dominion slander
In a debate in the Reichstag today, Reichskanzler Dr. mult Johannes Sänger answered many of the charges made in the Dominion press. The Reichskanzler was adamant in his defence of his actions and produced documents disproving all of the charges made by the the Dominion Foreign Minister. Reichskanzler Sänger did not only say that the German Empire never accused the Dominion of planning such a mining operation, but merely noted its concern about the recent expansion of minelaying capabilities of the Dominion Navy. He also noted that the German Empire had formed an exchange of information with most of the nations bordering the Indian Ocean territories. "The Suez canal is vital to our economy and all nations using it shall have the same information to prevent any threat to the canal."
The Reichskanzler also dismissed the charges of forming a coalition against the Dominion or planning a war. In fact, by showing the dispositions of the Imperial Navy, the Reichskanzler was able to prove that any such charge is pure fantasy. In the debate, the Reichskanzler said: "Did the German Empire reinforce the battleships stationed there? No. Did we transfer any marine brigades or troop transports? No. Did the Empire relocate more airplanes? More U-Boote? The answer to those questions, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a resounding No."
When asked what the reasons for the Dominion outcry were, the Reichskanzler refused to speculate. "There might be those among us who might suggest Lord Fairfax is deliberately trumping up the actions to get his parliament to fund more battleships. There might also be those among us who suggest that the Dominion is in fact trying to recover from their resounding diplomatic defeats in the last year. I shall refuse to take part in any such speculation."
The Reichskanzler further added that with the recent information exchange network being put in place and the official guarantee of the Dominion not to mine the Gulf of Aden, the German Empire had achieved its objective. Dr. Sänger went on to give a pledge of the German Empire as well: "For as long as it is the policy of the Dominion not to mine the Gulf of Aden or to impair Germany's trade routes to the East Asian territories, Germany itself promises not to station a greater number of warships in the Indian Ocean than the Grand Dominion itself has."
The Reichskanzler refused to answer the insults leveled at him in the Grand Dominion press, merely stating that "it is beneath the dignity of any state official to stoop to the level of answering insult with insult."
Reichskanzlei, October 16th, 1926
The sound of voices outside the door jolted Sänger awake. He had taken a little nap during the midday, feeling exhausted from yesterday's chamber negotiations for the new Naval Bill. The voices were undoubtedly that of his wife, his secretary Elise and his valet/bodyguard Hans. "Good morning, Elise, Hans. Is my husband in?" The question was pure politeness - of course, Natasha knew that he was in. However, by following the familiar ritual she showed respect to their domain, so to speak. "Your husband, Countess? I am afraid that he has gone and evolved into a higher being."
The banter was light-hearted, as always, as Natasha feigned shock. "My apologies, Hans. I was unaware that he had chosen to do that. Where is he?" "Gone, Mylady. His place has been taken by the Overlord of Europe." The deadpan delivery by Hans was enough to send Elise into fits of laughter.
Sänger himself felt his spirits lifted by the casual banter outside. He was half-tempted to step out as in the Dominion caricature of himself and declare that everybody kneel before him or face his wrath, but stopped himself. After all, he would look rather foolish doing so and Elise's sides probably hurt enough from laughing. So he rather sat up and pretended to be working.
Eventually, his wife entered, a smile on her face. After hugging each other, Sänger asked what brought her here. "I have found us a house." Sänger's left eyebrow rose. "Already?" "Yes." Reaching into her purse, she produced a letter from her agent and handed it to her husband.
While Sänger looked over the letter, she proceeded to tell him all about the house. "It is a lovely countryhouse, with a large swath of lands including some forests. A marvelous area for riding and the house is large enough for all our purposes." Sänger nodded. Then his eyes looked at the price. It was high. Very high, in fact. As if she had read his minds, Natasha continued. "I also talked to my father. He is willing to provide the money."
Sänger looked up and smiled gratefully at her wife. He would have hated to go and beg an aristocrat for money. He reached over and kissed her hand. "Thank you." After he had finished the letter, he nodded at her. "Very well. When shall we go and take a look?" The House is currently empty, so we can go and take a look whenever we want to." Sänger nodded. "In eight days then? The debate about the new Naval bill will then be over."
Berliner Zeitung,
October 8th, 1926
First debate about Naval Law finished
Today, the first debate about the 1926 Naval Law came to a close when the extraordinary expenses were funded.
Subject of much debate was the immense amount of money set aside to replace all turrets on the battleships of the Einheit and L20alpha as well as the Ziethen class battlecruisers. The turrets about to be replaced are going to be used in coastal defence batteries for the remainder of their barrel life. In the debate, much criticism was levelled against Krupp and other arms manufacturers. "What good are turrets that need replacing after 4 years?" was a familiar critique heard in the Reichstag today. The Navy refused to answer what precisely was wrong with the turrets, except noting that the flaw had been fixed in the new Bismarck class before she received her turrets.
The Reichstag also funded the continuation of the joint coastal shipping initiative with France, despite criticism that so far it had not had a positive impact on the economy of both states.
The operating costs of the Navy were also funded today, with several members calling on the Reichskanzler to end the cost-intensive training/maneuver program with the French Republic as well as the deployment in the Indian Ocean.
Dutch play gains notoriety
The Dutch play "Our Kaiser" has gained a massive following, having opened in nearly all major dutch cities. The play ridicules his Majesty the Kaiser and the Reichskanzler, depicting the former as a bumbling baffoon and the latter as a weakling who is dominated by his self-loathing for having married an aristocrat. There was no response by the Chancellery or the Hof. A sequel, "Overlord of Europe", is currently planned.
Sänger put aside the newspaper and rubbed his eyes. The debate had taken almost all out of him. But the latest headline made him smirk. Some members of the Reichstag had insisted on action being taken against the play. But Sänger had other plans.
As long as they laugh about us, they don't hate us. Instead, inspiration struck him. "Elise. Please book enough seats for my wife and the staff. We are going to watch a play in a few weeks."
Oktober 14th, 1926
Outside Berlin
It was dark when the party composed of the Count, the Countess and the Reichskanzler arrived at the house. Or rather the villa. For though it was dark, the house itself was perfectly illuminated by strategically placed lights.
The debate in the Reichstag had run longer than he had anticipated and the fallout tomorrow would demand his entire attention, so they had to visit it now. The villa itself was lovely and of - for Sänger - enormous size. The location was superb - only one hour drive into Berlin.
Puzzling to Sänger was the question why somebody would want to sell it and the surrounding land now. Berlin was scheduled to expand again next year and the villa was just outside Berlin. Some of the enormous mass of land that belonged to the villa was scheduled to become plots for the urban expansion, something that was guaranteed to multiply the value more than tenfold (while still leaving enough to call it a massive estate). In short, anybody selling now would either be in no need for the Villa, in desperate straits or completely insane.
Possibly a combination of all three elements, Sänger mused.
Natasha had not exaggerated. The Villa had a beautiful lake behind it, with ample forests for hunting. Those forests also shielded the Villa from the land used for farming. Even more practicable were the two servant/guests buildings. Roughly the same size of the Villa, they were spaced out at a fair distance and not illuminated now. However Sänger had seen the plans and knew they existed. He had actually preferred such an arrangement - it would give him much needed privacy and prevent overcrowding of the Villa while also allowing for a good number of servants.
As the agent continued extolling the virtues of the Villa, Sänger once more wondered what on earth could cause anybody to sell this house and the land around it. After they had finished the tour - the rooms were in good condition and would need little renovating - the Reichskanzler looked upon the crest on top of the manor entrance. It was smudged with dirt and the dark made it hard to see, yet it was easily recognizable for anybody who saw it every day.
And suddenly it became all clear.
This must be Wilhelm's way of saying thanks. The Emperor's pride would forbid him from making a direct bestowal on his Chancellor, but this would be a discreet way to say thank you.
Even more, as Natasha was going to buy the house in her own name, it neatly sidestepped the issue of hanseatic tradition. Still, standing in the entrance, Sänger fought with himself. He was strongly tempted to go back to the Kaiser and throw the deed in his face. But he also knew that he had no legal grounds to do so, as it was not strictly his property in the first place.
And it is such a nice house.
The decision was made for him when Natasha linked her left arm with his right and sighed contently. This would be where they would live.
Berliner Zeitung
October 15th, 1926
Naval Law passed
With the votes of the Liberals, the National Liberals, the Conservatives, the Centrum and parts of the SPD, the 1926 Naval Law was passed. This bill will regulate the amount of money that is at the discretion of the Chancellery for the following two years. The amounts described in the bill are maximum limits and the Chancellery has not yet made a comment on whether they will ask for the full amount of ships provided for in the bill.
The total bill allows for the construction of up to four battleships and up to four battlecruisers. An equal amount of Battlecruisers is also provided for. Also provided for are the construction of 42 cruisers and up to four aircraft carriers. The Chancellery is also empowered to further expand shipyards and order light units and submarines as needed.
In a first statement, Reichskanzler Sänger said that he would not ask for the total of eight capital units and limit the construction of cruisers to light cruisers and scout cruisers unless the threat situation would change. The new Utrecht class design, a modified Hamburg-class, would most likely be selected as the mainstay.
The Naval law is a first in German history as it does not provide for the construction of a fixed number of units, but instead allows the Chancellery and the various Ämter to determine the amount of construction.
Berliner Zeitung
October 19th, 1926
Reichskanzler Sängered honoured by German shipping and shipyard companies
Reichskanzler Sänger has been named Man of the Year by both the German shipping and shipyard companies. In a joint statement, they praised the chancellor for "steadfastly defending German commerce against pirates" and for preventing both a loss of jobs and bankruptcy in the dutch shipyards. The Reichskanzler declined to speak at the event, but released a statement that German commerce protection was the utmost goal of his administration.
Results:
- Germany recognizes the Balkan confederacy
- Sänger defends himself against "Dominion slander"
- Sänger makes pledge that Germany will not station more ships in the IO than the Dominion Navy
- Naval law of 1926 is passed
- A house is purchased
- major refit of all battleships having 16.5" and 16"/50 guns announced. Refit will be extremely costly (a total of 402 IBPs) and will be finished by Q3 1927. At the end of Q4 1926, 2 Ziethen class BC and 2 Österreich class BBs will have finished refitting, rest wil be refitted during Q1/2 1927.
