Kaiserlich und Koeniglich Wiener Zeitung - 1/1908

[Borys]

4th January, KuK press in general

The old warriors, the SMS Tegetthoff and SMS  Jan Sobieski – have sailed from Pola to Marseiles. Although generally perceived as conservative and not swayed by the fashions of the day, nonetheless our Beloved Habsburg Monarchs have been using Bank Transfers since the XVIth century. Whilst the French have styled themselves as the leaders in fashions and that awful thing "progress".
Yet it was the French Republique which refused to use the services of banks, even French owned, to deliver payment for the Rotte Ritter PanzerKreuzer built for the Marine National at Malta.
Yes, Esteemed Readers, the two Schlachtschiffen have sailed for France to pick up several tons of gold, in bars!
In those Sorry Times we live in, when Human Mores are wallowing joyfully in the guter like swine in feces, so distant from the Golden Age of our Yesteryear, when Good Conduct was the norm, not the rara avis it is today, it would had been enough to send a hapless merchant. But in this Age of Iron it is necessary to use two Schlachtschiffen on a business arrangement.

[Borys]

Mid January
The news of several Iberian holdings closing harbours to Dutch shiping caused reactions from "Mein Gott!" through "Scheiss!" to *&#%@!!
And a flurry of activity in some parts of the shipping, banking, insurance, and trade circles, not to mention diplomats and officers.

[Borys]

Mid January

The news from the Pacific War was good. Not like the previous ones, about loss of Austro-Hungarian ships. This time it was Habsburg warships sinking the - who were they again? Swiss warships, thogether with that strange ally - Brandenburgers. And the Dutch, too. And wonder of wonders - France was not hostile!

But the war had minimal impact on the country as yet. No commodiites were lacking, even if some went up in price. Cyclists were complaining of higher prices of tires, but then again, cyclists were always grumbling about one thing or other.

The losses in life had been light - and those who went to sea were considered half-dead until they came back anyway. While the land units involved were those criminals and savages from the AFL.

[Borys]

With the extraordinary success of Swiss GTBs, the Habsbuyrg fleet decided that the next medium calibre weapon will be a 6"/45 gun. It will be designed with ease of handling - amunition included, and ROF. Weight of shell and range is of  lesser importance.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_6-45_mk7.htm

[Borys]

March 1908

After the normalisation of relations with Bavaria, brought about by feelings of mortality experienced by the leaders of both Nations at the funeral of Carlos of Iberia, there now are rumours of further cooperation. Well informed sources mention exchange of military technology, like the secret Bavarian rockets which can put down soldiers behind enemy lines, construction of vessels in beautiful Triest and picteresque Monfalcone, or Habsburg guns which need no oxen nor horses to move!

[Borys]

March 1908
Those wise in the ways of the sea assert that the SMS Bukovina is leading a charmed life. It is the first vessel to have engaged the NSS Anchorage and survived. Albeit at the cost of 7 dead, 12 wounded, and 3 months in the yard.
There is a grwoing campaign to give KK Jan Knapik a high level decoration. The imagination impaired marineAmt replied that "medals are not awarded for running away."

[Desertfox]

March 13th

Captain Melville was most definately in a bad mood. The latest news from Europe had not been to his liking. "Damnations! Who the hell they think they are? Mocking me like this. Hardy remember this, I'm going all the way to the top, and I'm going to get the authorization to hunt down that damned Austrian cruiser, and this time I'll make sure she sinks. Three months, I'll be back for that cruiser, if I have to chase her to the ends of the Earth."

"Captain! Ship in sight!"

"That better be an Austrian, I feel like scalping a couple."

The Cruiser Anchorage heeled as she moved to investigate this newcomer. Was she a friend or an enemy?

[Borys]

OOC
Touchy, sensitive fellows those Swiss. I thought I was matter of fact. Mocking no ....
:)
Borys

[Desertfox]

OOC just thought it would be interesting to comment on the "one that got away"...  ;D BTW take a look at the captain's name. ;)

[Borys]

OOC
I had to google for that. I am not familiar with the whole Moby Dick mythos :)

Borys

[Ithekro]

Oh thar be whales where he's going.  Just they fight back, they do.

[Borys]

Vienna, early Arpil 1908

Enrico di Runio, the Foreign Affairs Minsiters, read the despatch from the embassy in Paris with evident satisfaction. He then opened his drawer and went through a piece of paper with a little scribled note on it - and a very big seal.

He picked up the bell and rang for the orderly.
After giving out instructions he picked up the new fangled invention.

*************************
- So yes, Imre, get packing.  Remember that it is hot where you are going. No, I don't hate you, this assignement wasn't my idea. And the All High expects you to take Last Rites, in periculo mortis. Just in case. Yes, there is hope. He DID get over Hutzpovitch, remember?

[Borys]

Vienna, april 1908

All press
REJOICE PEASANTS!
The double engagment of Prinz Franz von Wittelsbach to Erzherzoghin Eleonora von Habsburg Techen, and of Erzherzog Heinrich Ferdinand von Habsburg Toskana to Prinzessin Wiltrud von Wittlesbach.

A double ceremony will take place in picteresque Prag, in July.

[Carthaginian]

The Confederate States of America, Severally and in Congress assembled, are pleased to send the first of what is it sure will be the first of many wishes for happiness and success to both of the newly betrothed couples. May they be blessed by Almighty God with long lives, fruitful reigns, and many heirs to carry on their name.

[The Rock Doctor]

*Rejoices*