Paris Temps

[Desertfox]

And who else can they turn too?

The "Do nothing" Orange or the "We are waiting for #16728 Crusade" Ottomans?

And I STILL don't understand this unwarranted hatred towards the Swiss. Well I guess it's just a cover used by the truly evil states to conduct their world domination plans unperturbed. That or everyone really fears me, which is understandable.

[Desertfox]

Posted all around France with and without permission, starting say August 6th? Includes relevant pictures and stuff.


People of France! Wake up to the danger posed by your overlords!

Your sons die on foreign land without cause in the service of others. Your rulers in their lies murder your young men for the glory of evil men.

Italy without cause of reason, invaded the peaceful nation of New Zion. A grievous case of imperialism. Glorious France, instead of standing against the evilness of foreign adventurism and unwarranted aggression, has sided with the Italians, sending massive fleets to starve the innocent people of New Zion into submission to an evil regime. And those that sough to assist the people of New Zion in their time of peril have been attacked without cause.

Do not believe the lies of your government who says that they where victims, for proof exists, that a mighty fleet of French flagged ships attacked a peaceful Swiss fleet in the high seas, a fleet that was escorting ships filled with food and medical supplies for the people of New Zion. Sending battleships such as the Superb against neutral merchants is a most egregious case of piracy yet seen. Only the brave actions of Swiss destroyers saved the merchants from extinction.

However, despite their aggressive actions towards New Switzerland, New Switzerland will not respond in kind. New Switzerland has no quarrel with the French people and will not declare war on France. No offensive actions will be taken towards French military forces, and the Swiss will fight only in defense. All actions of New Switzerland to date have been in support of the defense of New Zion, and only in her defense will we fight.

We call on the French people to bring your leaders to their senses. Do you want to see your sons die in support of a foreign aggressor power? Die without cause in a foreign land, for an evil cause?

[maddox]

That wil cause a lot of mumblings in the pubs and back rooms.  Of course this article got front page of Le Monde.

And with 1920 an election year, it is already seen that the Liberal-Socialist coalition will go seperate ways for their election campagnes.

Nonetheless, only if a large (66% or 51%+ the vote of the Premier)mayority in Parliament can push trough an amendment to return to full peacetime status, the orders will stay in effect.

And for now, certain aspects of the situation are so it will be difficult.  After all, war isn't declared at anybody, just a reinforcement of the hurt Bastion Djibouti.

[TexanCowboy]

Posted over Swiss propoganda in the days following the Swiss Propoganda posting  ;D ;D

[

[Guinness]

Because they bring cake?

[TexanCowboy]

How do you know that isn't a hand grenade shaped like a pie?

Nonetheless, that guy's makeup makes The Joker from Batman look shabby....

[maddox]

Mid september 1919, the mediterranian, of the French coast, not far from Nice.

Chuff... chuff...
Through the silken blackness of the night the little steamer laborously lumbered forth. There are few things less exiting in the world than night duty on such and Julien Legrand, nick-named "Le P'tit" ("Little 'un"), sat mororesly at the steering wheel. He knew this trip by heart, he did, and could steer it with his eyes closed. The fact that he didn't, in fact, steer with his eyes closed would not save him. Nor his crewmates.

Because in the inky waters, bobbing merrily just a few inches under the water, a little something was waiting for them. If it had a mind, and a voice, it would have been humming in happy anticipation. As it did not, it simply waited there. Silent. Unnoticed.

Julien did notice. Not the faint whunk! of something tapping against the bow, but the rather more impressive WHUMP! of a sudden piece of Hell descending onto his hapless ship. There was no time to alert the captain, the crew or the passengers, and the noise alone whould have woken a dead man, so the only thing he could do was try and get the dinghy off. Then jump. And hope others would remember -and get time- to do the same. As he prepared to jump he felt something furry streaking by.

In the engine room the stokers lived in a little Hell of their own every day anyway. But they felt the WHUMP! and they noticed the sudden shock shuddering through the ship. Bastien and Mokhtar just looked each other in the eye, and then as one man, turned to run for the hatch. The sudden lurch of the ship threw both men off their feet, with Bastien slamming into the furnace. Which, since it was night and the ship wasn't making full speed, wasn't glowing-white hot, but it was hot enough. The smell of baking pork made Mokhtar instantly nauseous. He tried to drag his mate to the hatch but then saw water running in. Uh-oh.

The crew bunking in the bow had been asleep. Most never woke up. The unfortunate ones who did suddenly found themselves living in a very focused little world of misery. A world with hatches who wouldn't open because everything had deformed badly. But that didn't matter. The hole in the rump was big enough to get out through, as soon as the water stopped gushing in. The survivors hoped their air would last long enough for that.

The 5 passengers of the little steamer had better accomodation. But they lacked the awareness of the seamen that would have told them that something was amiss. After the WHUMP! they all woke up, got out of their bunks, and milled about in the gangway, not sure what to do. But the sailor who had been on night duty (in case a passenger needed something) soon turned up and shouted at them: "Get out on deck, the boat is sinking !"
"But I can't swim", wailed one of them.
"There's a dinghy. Here are floating vests. Put one on, you won't sink. Now get OUT !"

As Julien looked on he saw some people jumping off his rapidly sinking ship. He waved a torch to guide them, "Viens ici ! Come over here !"

Captain Tommassin sighed. He knew the romantic stories and ballads, lore had it a captain should go down with his ship. But he figured, you can always build a new boat in a year, it takes 40 years to make a good captain. Adieu ma belle bateau... He picked up the journal he had hastily wrapped in oilpaper, and jumped.

Which was the moment when the inrushing water met the boiler.

In the end all 5 passengers, 12 of the 39 members of the crew, and -yes- the captain survived. As did the ship's cat.

With thanks to Phoenix.

[miketr]

Subject:   Report of Sinking, MNS Danton, September 10, 1919
 
1.   This report is made up from notes made by me about 1230 Wednesday, September 10, 1919, following Danton striking of several mines in the main channel of Trincomalee.  Danton was preparing to return to France for final decommissioning and disposal.  As such with the fighting going on in East Africa the ship was provided with a full crew and munitions for the voyage.   

2.   I had just turned out of my bunk about 0755 when I felt the ship shake from a heavy explosion which seemed to be below and forward. I ran forward to my battle station to Central Station, proceeding via the starboard side of the second deck and down through an armored hatch into compartment A-420. During this time, I felt another heavy shock to the ship. Men were proceeding to their battle stations with a minimum of confusion.

Upon reaching the third deck in compartment A-420, I noticed water entering the port side through the junction of the port bulkhead and the deck. The ship at this time had a considerable list. I continued down in Central Station and upon reaching there heard Ensign Durand, the Assistant Navigator, pass the word to set condition Zed. Ensign Durand has had a battle station in central only a very short time and I consider his presence of mind in taking correct damage control action, although not one of his duties, to be highly commendable.

The inclinometer at this time shows a list of approximately 15°, when reports were being received via the sound powered telephone from repairs II and IV that the third deck was being flooded from the port side. I immediately had the word passed over the loud speaker at the same time via the sound powered telephone to counter-flood all voids on the starboard side. At about this time all power went off the ship so that I do not believe the loud speaker system was operating.

I received word from repair II and repair IV that they were commencing to counter-flood. For this quick action, Lieutenant Rousseau, Assistant Gunnery Officer and former Assistant Damage Control Officer, was deserving of the highest praise and commendation. On his own initiative and with the consent of the Commanding Officer, he left his station on the bridge and proceeded to the third deck for the purpose of counter-flooding the starboard voids.

I noted that the pendulum inclinometer was off the scale to such an extent that I estimated a maximum list to port of 28°. The list eventually stopped and commenced to decrease so that at the time we were forced to abandon central station it had decreased to about 21°.

At this time, water commenced to pour down the trunk leading to central station and the watertight door to that trunk was closed and dogged. However, the door was closed with one dog in such a position that it could not be tightened and water began to enter central. About this time personnel from Plot and the forward distribution room were entering central station through the starboard communicating door. These men were covered with soot and water but I do not recall any water entering through the door. Certain men banged and hammered on the port door from the trunk leading to central stating that there was water filling the trunk and wanted entrance into central. We asked how much water was in there and they stated that it was getting high. In as much as we still had communication and counter-flooding seemed to be taking effect, I refused to allow my men with me to open this door and directed the men outside to try to get through Plot and around to the starboard side in order to enter through the starboard door which was not yet leaking water. At the same time, I directed repair II to attempt to open the armored hatch above the trunk in order to let these men escape. Repair II reported back that there was about one meter of water above the hatch and they were unable to open it. I believe that these men were lost, as I am quite certain no further personnel entered central through the starboard door.

Since central station by that time was filling rapidly with water, I directed all personnel except the telephone talker to evacuate via the armored tube leading to the conning tower. This was accomplished, Ensign Durand being the last of this group to leave. The telephone talker, and I, remained there.

Communication had been regained with repair II and Repair IV. About this time, Main Control came on the line and reported a number of men trapped in one of the engineering compartments, I do not recall now which one, and requested a repair party to attempt to burn a hole in the deck for the purpose of allowing these men to escape. I passed this work to repair IV and feel now that the correct information was given to repair IV regarding the exact compartment number. An acknowledgment was received for this word, but at this time communication with all but repair I failed, and since the port side of central station then had about 2 meters of water in it and water was rising rapidly, I decided to abandon central. Repair I was informed that central station was being abandoned. I sent the telephone talker up the ladder and followed immediately thereafter.

I wish to take this opportunity of commending the coolness and the attention to duty of Girard, who conducted all telephone communication without the slightest trace of excitement and in every was in the manner in which he had been taught.

At no time throughout my stay in central station, was I able to get in touch with the captain by telephone, either conn or the bridge.

Upon reaching the Flag Bridge, I was informed that the Captain was seriously injured. I saw him and reported to him that the list on the ship had been stopped, that the starboard voids had been counter-flooded and that the ship would remain upright. I then proceeded down to the forecastle and found Lieutenant Commander Bertrand who informed me that I was the commanding officer of the ship (neither of us knew that the Executive Officer was in the after part of the ship). At this time there was some calm and boats were alongside the forecastle for the purpose of evacuating the personnel. I told Bertrand to take charge in the evacuation of the wounded, but not to abandon ship because I did not think it was necessary and that I was going aft to inspect the ship.

I proceeded aft along the starboard superstructure deck and down on the quarterdeck. There appeared to be no fire there and I went below through the after starboard hatch. I found considerable smoke and talked to Petit, MM2c in charge of the repair patrol there. He informed me that there were several fires onboard. I directed him to close all air and battle ports on that side and then to bring his party topside. I attempted to go forward again on the starboard side, but found my way blocked by flames approximately at the mainmast. I worked my way then up the port side of the quarterdeck, which was already about one and third meters underwater, and so up to the superstructure deck and to the forecastle.

I then went below to the starboard side of the main deck and directed that all wounded men be placed in blankets, brought up to the forecastle, and placed in boats on the port side. Several men told me that various personnel were dead. I directed that they be left alone and moved out of the way. At this time, also, men were still being brought up from the second deck, the starboard side not yet being underwater. About this time a large explosion aft shook the ship.

When this attack seemed to be finished, evacuation of the wounded was then continued and I directed that the Captain be brought down and placed in the boat in spite of the fact that the pharmacist's mate said that it would be dangerous to move him. I determined on this action because I felt that the ship would have to be abandoned in the near future on account of fire. I went to the boat deck and saw that the port side was partly on fire and seeing that arrangements had been made to lower the captain the port side directed that lines be shifted to the starboard side which was clear of fire.

About this time I looked aft along the boat deck port side and saw patches of fire on the water front and that flames were proceeding rapidly up the port side, having already passed the break of the deck. I ordered all hands to abandon ship, but at the same time directed that the boats stay near the ship until the last possible moment. I then went below on the starboard side of the main deck and passed the word, All hands abandon ship immediately over the port bow. I am quite certain that at this time, no wounded were left below. I proceeded to the forecastle and shoved off all boats but one at the extreme bow. The fire, by this time, had reached the forecastle and was proceeding forward with great rapidity. I looked around and could see no one left on the forecastle with the exception of one or two officers preparing to dive over the starboard side into the water, and then I got into the boat and ordered it away. At this instant two ensigns appeared and jumped into the boat. The boat then cleared the ship and cleared the flames, by not more than three feet.

We proceeded to the main docks and disembarked, sending the wounded and a few shell shocked cases to the hospital. Lieutenant Commander Bertrand was with me in the boat and since I began to feel the slight effect of shock, after we arrived on shore I requested that he take charge of the men and use his own judgment in any necessary steps. He directed a collection of all men into a group and then after getting tea and sandwiches, evacuated the men to the Receiving Barracks. During this period Lieutenant Commander Bertrand kept me informed as to what steps he was taking and at each instance I approved of them.

I desire to invite the attention to the highly commendable conduct on the part of every officer and every enlisted man with whom I talked or had contact with or observed throughout the entire action. Although I have singled out two or three in the foregoing for special commendation, this only means that their action was forcibly brought to my notice and does not mean that equally meritorious initiative and action was not performed by every other officer and man.

[signed]
J.S. Lambert

From: The Salvage Officer
To: The Commandant, Navy Yard, Trincomale

Subject: MNS Danton, Report of Salvage of.
 
Condition of the Ship: The Danton is sunk and resting on the hard bottom 100 meters past the main shipping channel, with a list of about three degrees to port. The draft is 15.4 meters forward and 12.2 meters aft. Exploratory work by divers has revealed very extensive damage in the midship area, port side. This damage is the result of the mine hits and a possible coal bunker explosion.  In addition, divers have found that the rudder has been knocked off and is lying on the bottom, and that the steering engine room is considerably damaged. A serious fire had burned on the Danton for about ten hours following the September 10th mine hits, and has caused extensive damage throughout the ship. For about three quarters of the length of the ship all of the deck plating above the second deck and some of the bulkheading is seriously buckled from the heat. The upper works on the portside aft are very heavily damaged by an explosion in the ready munitions magazine of portside number five 70mm battery.  At the time of hitting the mines on December 10th, the ship had on board approximately fifty percent of its capacity of coal and was fully loaded with fresh provisions and meat. The records of the Danton indicated that there are approximately seventy bodies on board the vessel.

By any definition Danton is considered a total loss but the ship presents a hazard to navigation and restricts movement near the main shipping channel.  As such the ship needs to be removed.

Suggested Scheme of Salvage: In view of the divers' findings that at least two mines have struck the ship in the midship area, a third aft, the port side the coal bunker explosion, the classes lack of torpedo defense system it is deemed likely that the hull has been seriously ruptured.

In view of the nature and extent of the damage to the Danton it was apparent that the ship can not be raised without the use of patches to shut off the inflow of water. It is therefore decided to install one large cofferdam-type of patch in the midship area, frame 61½ - 97½. This will completely covered the damage resulting from mines striking in this area both below the armor belt.  In the case of the damage to the rudder and steering gear room it is decided to isolate this area by watertight doors and to utilize air pressure if necessary to reduce the amount of flooding. The salvage scheme is as follows:

a. Install a cofferdam patch over the damage to midship area, port side, frame 61½ - 97½.
b. Isolate steering engine room area by watertight doors.
c. Pump out the vessel, using about ten large pumps (25 cm) to gain control over the inflow of water.
d. After gaining control, stop off leaks into the hull and improve tightness of patches, watertight doors, watertight covers, etc.
e. Apply Air pressure to tanks and voids on the port side to empty or partially empty those that were ruptured.
f. Pump out all intact tanks and voids on the port side and empty starboard tanks and voids correspondingly.
g. Apply air pressure to flooded areas aft in order to reduce the amount of water in those areas.
h. Remove all weight possible, such as water, coal, stores, provisions, meat, ammunition, personal belongings, furniture, trash, wreckage, etc.

[maddox]

October 1919
Design Bureau of the Santos compagny du Diregibles


Gentlemen. The New Zion war has brought us some lessons.
Our Air-gunships have proven to be too slow to keep up with modern aircraft, and their casemated guns lack elevation or depression to be of much use in the 3 dimensional war in the sky. As scouts they are unsurpassed and as bombers usable.
But our competitors at the Dune Factory have beaten us in that respect. Their giant airplane flies twice as fast in most weather as our airships in good weather with favorable winds. Also, the better agility of this aircraft compared to the airships makes it more useable as a bomber, even if the payload is only a 16th for the same range as our latest design.
The aircraft don't need huge hangers for maintenance, nor are they as expensive in raw materials. We use the best Heroult aluminium alloys, the best silk and goldbeaterskin and impragnated high grade canvas for our airships. Dune uses wood, steel and cheap fabric for his aircraft.

We need to maximise the advantages of the airship, and not to compete with those flying bedspring contraptions. So, messieurs, I would like your ideas.

Chairman, the advantages of the airships as we have in use, compared to the aircraft, even the newest prototypes. Is that a fair comparisation?

No, but life ain't fair, so we need to compensate by specialising.

Chairman, currently our company can't cope with the orders. 8 Type 2 airships, 12 Coast defense blimps, and then the Italian order, even the tentative UKN questions about building our airships in licence. Not to mention the sideshows, the hangar building and techn team in Firenj. It seems everybody likes our product.

No, the French government, and Minister Lebrun especialy likes our product, and that's pushing airships everywere. Even with the mishaps. Luckely the Type 2's are rocksolid and every loss can be attributed to "mishandling".  The new Coastal Blimps are too new, and we lost 3 already . This, luckely, was calculated into the maintenance budget. We're here together to provide an anwer to a question we will get soon. So please, get me potential answers.

Chairman, the main advantages of the airships are their endurance, payload capacity and potential in altitude.
We had a test flight with an unloaded type 2, with only balast and fuel for a 2 hour flight and the crew couldn't get to the maximum the airship was willing to do. Above 5000 meters all people seem to have trouble breathing,and the cold was sapping all strength of the crew. Some reported problems as low as 3000 meter. This is known as Soroche. Altitude sickness.  We are conducting tests now to find out what we can do about it. Also, the engines don't deliver the power as they do on sealevel. But this is a known issue, and can be worked around by using the newest kind of engines.

That sounds promising. Altitude, depending on clouds, gives more scouted area.

Yes, and some defence against aircraft.  Most can't get above 3000 meters. Also against anti airship guns, as some navies and armies are starting to use.
But, our airships, can't we trow it on another market? We're talking military use here. Our airships are comfortable compared to aircraft, can make much longer flights, and space isn't a constraint, weight is. So if we configure a type 2 airship for pure passenger use, we can carry 9 passengers with light bagage in sumptious comfort. I know, we can't compete with the modern trains in France, but most of our neighbors use another trackgauge, and that is a market we can use.

Not a bad idea. But that means we need to create that market, and find customers. With only the French government as customer for diplomatical airships, we won't jump far.

[maddox]

Paris, offices of Premier Galpoux.  Early october.

Premier Galpoux has a bundle of papers , and is reading them diagonaly.
Minister Lebrun, the losses for the navy are horrible.  We amased a fleet that  never was seen before on the earth, and it seems we got our ass handed by a few destroyers and some mines. 50 000 ton and more of ships, sunk, unrecoverable, in the deep parts of the Rift sea or Indian ocean.
Yes premier. It seems a heavy pricetag to be payed by the French voters, and that just because we were willing to support our treaty partner. Not that this will be said outside these offices. But in effect, we learned a lot of things, and the New Swiss lost about their entire fleet. I think we'll have a nice dinner with the New Switserland embaresm euh, ambassador, and let us see what we can recover.

Why do you think we're having to pour our own drinks now.  Advice from Monsieur Grange actualy. I don't like it, my people are trustworty, but monsieur Grange has subtil ways to convince people. (OOC, this conversation isn't easely overheared.)

Ok premier. But now you have the reports, and have looked trough them, and read the condensed information. Would you like to hear the recommendations my experts gave me in person?

Of course, please continue.

We have the Demarce series of cruisers.  The latest of them, the 6000 ton Volcano's are the best we have. The older version ain't bad, but the older 165mm guns are , even if the shell is heavier, not as effectieve as the newer 140mm's.
But those 140mm guns have their own problem, the 60 kg heavy shell, case and propellant charge is just to heavy to be tossed around by 1 man- of course, there are exceptions, and even those slabs of muscle tire faster than anticipated-.
Using 2 men and a shellsissor slow the rate of fire a lot.

The Demarce IV's are a dissapointment.  Their superiour speed isn't worthwile compared to the faster responce of equaly fast ,smaller ships, nor is their tactical radius comparable. The older 195mm guns in the light mounts just don't have the qualities nor resilience needed in modern naval war. 

The Leopards are fantastic, the speed those run, and the heavy torpedo armament makes those about the deadliest vessels in our fleet, ton per destruction. And the light armament seems perfect for the changing ways of war on the 7 seas. I would suggest to replace the single 105mm gun to as much as possible of the 37mm guns.

Why is that?

Simple. 1 105mm gun is maybe a weapon against a merchant or submarine, or against a torpedo boat. On the other hand, torpedo's do the same job, many times better. Our current torpedo's have about the same range as that gun, and pack a wallop much greater. The 37mm guns we have, if we can adjust the mounts, can shoot a merchant, can damage a submarine, and shoot at aircraft with shrapnell and are light enough to lead an aircraft or MAS boat.

I see. (makes a note) But we lost our Habsburger Fleetpride, Chevalier Rouge. Again, torpedo damage.

I agree Premier. It seems ships of a certain size are perfect torpedo magnets. Big enough to be a very tempting target, and unwieldy enough to be hit easely by torpedo's. And small enough to succumb easely. As our Demarce IV's prove.
Actualy, it is our recommendation not to spend time and resources on ships between 8000 and 25000 tons. Not for France.  I would even suggest to have the cutt off for cruisers at 6000 tons, and for Bretagne alike ships, 25000 tons. Or well armored against underwater damage, or especialy designed for speed and agility to avoid torpedo's.

Our designers are going to have a party it seems. Oh well, it won't be my responsibility anymore. in 7 months the new elections will make sure of that.
What are the direct implications?

Actualy, nothing directly disastrous. Some of our cruiser squadrons will be understrength untill we have build replacements.
I would like to get a yes on a replacement of the 6 Demarce IV's, and the damaged III's replaced by IIIb's or even C's.  The surviving IV's and III's have good resale value. I believe Egypt would be very happy with 3 more D III's. And the 4 IV's should be of interest to about anybody that has to protect parts of the pacific.
I also suggest to expand our Destroyer forces with a ship that has Anti submarine capacity, heavy torpedo's and good anti aircraft armament. Guns would be provided by the big boys. We have seen that our first  GBB's can take the licks.

to be continued


List of losses and damages, as compiled by TexanCowboy.

1xChevalier Rouge Armoured Cruiser (sunk)
2xDemarce IV Cruiser (sunk)
1xDemarce III Cruiser (sunk)
1xLeopard Destroyer (sunk)
7xDestroyers (sunk)
1xSuperbe Battleship (damage)
1xDeCreme Battleship (damage)
1xDemarce IV Cruiser (damage)
1xDemarce III Cruiser (damage)

1x Danton sunk in harbor.

[maddox]

Continued.

So, minister Lebrun, we're going to build smaller cruisers, destroyers, coast defence destroyers, patrol boats and treaty max Superbe's.

If parliament agrees Premier.
The idea is to expand the coast defence ports and airfields so every bit of border of Glorious France has its own permanent presence. If possible, we would construct a series of defensive works to make any invader pause. But with the pricetag of Ligne Decreme, we're working on a cheaper alternative. Unfortunaty, that plan ain't ready yet.

Oh well, get me a list of countries that you would allow to buy the ships we're selling. and make sure it won't bite our ass in 5 years.

I will do so Premier.

[maddox]

October 1919, Paris, a secure location.

Monsieur Grange. You and your team have analyzed the RRC report on the Burma war, cause and effect.

Yes premier, and compared it to the other information we have. I have cut down the report and removed the propaganda bit of it. The propaganda was aimed against the MK, but you could have replaced the Middle Kingdom with New Swiss without any loss of credibility. Or any other country. Even Rohan.

Not Rohan, those white knights wouldn't lend a hand to any shady dealing.

True, but even then, it would have been the same text.

RRC Report on Sino-Burmese War

The Republic of China and the Kingdom of Burma share a relatively long border along the province of Yunnan.

This border is maintained by a relatively light border patrol on the side of the Republic of China.

On June 6, 1916. at night along the Burmese-Sino border, the patrol soldiers were shot and killed by a small force of operatives.

The operatives were not found until much later through human intelligence networks and tracking their "foot-prints" down.

President Chiang Kai-shek and various parts of the government were not informed of the situation until June 13, 1916 due to communication errors and a series of communication officer deaths in Yunnan.

A series of secret telegrams were exchanged between the Burmese government and the Republic of China from June 20 to 26. Communicated ceased afterwards due to disagreements and the repeated denial of an obvious attack on Republican soil. When asked for cooperation to find the supposed real criminal, Burma refused.

This break down in communications forced the declaration of war on Burma in July 7, 1916.

On July 22, 1916; the discovery and capture of several operatives involved in the border shooting caused for an immediate reach to the Burmese government for a ceasefire and peace treaty.

The information was shared between a few nations involved, including Firanji, the Netherlands, and Burma.

The result was an immediate peace conference and ceasefire.

This is known as the 1st Batavia Treaty.

My departments analysis gives that a crime on a larger than custom scale happened along the border. Maybe some over the border intervillage rivalry went wrong,and the RRC border patrol came into the crossfire in the middle of the dense mountainous forests. 
An escalation of panic messages along the responsibility tree activated the military , and from there it went down.
That wouldn't a surprise, the RRC is a young country, trying to achive international recognition. And any insult to their "honor" should be met with force to show resolute defence. France has done the same concerning the Swiss.

So, what do you recommend I can do to support this blossoming republic?

For the time being, nothing to obvious. Supporting the RRC is a NoNo for several neighbors. 
Best things that can be hidden in plain sight. One of my staff had the idea to scrap the Dantons- currently in Tricomalee in reserve- but in reality those can be sailed to the RRC and let them scrap those.  It can be done in relative secrecy, to avoid press.
And even if parliament balks at it, you just can show the books, and show them that RRC scrapyards yield a better scrap to money  exchange. That is assuming the RRC is not looking for a free lunch.

[maddox]

Premier, we finished the analysis of RRC involvement in the Dutch Siamese war. Again, we removed the obvious propaganda bit.

Ah, the Kra Canal war.The one that ruined my birthday party and the relations with the Siamese.

Yes, that one. It seems that President Sarrault pulled a fast one for everybody, if this report is made in good faith.
The information we got from Indochina was exactly the opposite, with the RRC starting the talks about the endeavor of uniting  Indochina. So, With the other information we got, it seems that both sides were planning a fast one, and whoever started the talks about unification, it blew up in their faces.
But if Sarrault would have believed the good intentions of the RRC, he's more stupid than we ever imagined. Minister Rimauld and Minister DeCreme agreed for once in the split of Indochina and the Dutch investment in North Indochina. It created a good , and cheap buffer against the hordes of the MK, what was learning the lesson of modern warfare too fast for anybodies comfort. If Sarrault forgot that lesson in the 14 years Indochina was split, it's not boding well for his country.
Not only that. Some official in the RRC gave the world the kernel " Asia for Asians", or another translation " Asia for the Chinese". I myself don't believe the RRC would have stopped with advancing, even with the Germans abandoning North Indochina. It would have been stupid not to take the advantage of that situation.

And how is this to convince me to support the RRC ,especialy with the subtile situation we're working with?

Simple enough Premier Galpoux. Just doing what France always does, making sure nobody holds a grudge and has some reason to believe France is aiding them. What reminds me. We have all reasons to believe the Dutch are selling the Demarce III's to the MK. With a nice profit of course. Once this news hits the newspapers, it's our job to "condemn" the resale. Something like "Glorious France wasn't willing to sell the cruisers to warring parties in interest of neutrality in that conflict."

RRC Report on Dutch-Siamese War

A series of telegrams prompted by the Dutch government were exchanged between Dutch and Republican government.

The issue was the construction efforts in the Kra Canal. The Dutch indicated an very high hostility towards the Siamese for the creation of said Canal.

President Chiang Kai-shek appeared to offer sympathy for the concerns, but remained firmly against war on the Dutch side, it was made clear the RRC would not join the war.

When the Dutch declared war on the Siamese, the Republic of China yielded some monetary aid to Siam to assist them in their troubled times.

The Dutch Government was making less gains in the war than expected and repeatedly harassed the Republic of China to join the war on the side of the Dutch.

However, as it went on, the Republic of China was approached by Independent Indochina in a request for the unification of Indochina. This called for an invasion of the DKB.

The DKB was at war on the side of the Siamese, against the Dutch. The Republic of China was moved by Independent Indochina's request for aid in unification as unification was something the Republic of China was seeking for itself.

Thus the promise of intervention was set down. The Republic of China would declare war and attack North Indochina first and draw away most of the DKB garrision in the part. Then Independent Indochina would attack at a later date with less resistance.

Then the two forces would met halfway and the occupied land would be given to Indochina.

In the process of this planning, a point was raised to inform the Dutch of operations for this act due to a shared enemy.

For this, the Dutch gave a promise for sending transports for the Republic of China to use.

When the Declaration of war was carried out, the Indochinese were found to have declared war on the Republic rather than the DKB.

The Dutch never provided the transports.

The resulting confusion was met by the Takashima Conference in which the war was ended by ceasefire and peace treaties.

The confusion would be resolved in the aftermath of the war.

Apparently, the plan was a diversion against Dutch war efforts. It was to be a decoy to fool the Dutch into thinking that the RRC and Indochina would aid them in their war effort when in fact, the two would join the DKB in pushing out the Dutch.

However, the communication to tell the Republic of China about this plan was delayed and stopped by operatives. Thus the Republic never got the message and took the plan to mean an actual invasion of North Indochina.

However, Independent Indochina refused to acknowledge this occurrence since the end of the war although the DKB had. This is the reason behind the bad relations between the Republic of China and Independent Indochina to this day.

The identity of the operatives were never discovered.

[maddox]

Parliament, a questionair is making Permier Galpoux very very uncomfortable.



Premier Galpoux, you gave us reports to show the Republican Chinese are worthy of support.
But why do those reports lack the finishing , paranoïd and self serving texts provided by those "republican yellow friends"?

For example, the Burma report lacks this part.

Interrogation and other information extraction methods utilized on the capture operatives revealed that they were sent by the Middle Kingdom.

As extracted, the attempt of border skirmish was something done by the Imperial throne for a few effects:

1. To worsen relations between the RRC and the world.
2. To weaken the RRC's forces by forcing them into a war
where great foreign support would mean heavy losts in troops.

In other words, to weaken the Republic of China's position and legitimacy as the true China.

The findings were noted and led to an increased order in both munitions to replace lost ones, vamped up counter-espionage efforts, and more preparations for war.

It was clear that the Imperial Throne was not in the interest of letting the Republic of China run separate for long.

Or the conclusion of the Siam war report provided by the RRC envoys.

The identity of the operatives were never discovered but there are two likely suspects.

1. The Imperial Throne.
2. The Netherlands.

In the case of the Imperial Throne being the ones behind the communications error, it would be for the same reasons as why Imperial operatives started the Burmese-Sino War.

In the case of the Netherlands being the culprits, it could be assumed they found out about the plans and thus broke down communications to make the allies fight amongst each other, thereby achieving the goal of relieving the Dutch forces.

Due to recent discoveries of heavy Dutch aid into the Middle Kingdom it is assumed that the true answer was a combination of the two.

The Middle Kingdom and the Netherlands launched a joint operative mission into order to both weakened the Republic of China and buy time for the Dutch forces in combat. All in the end to serve the Dutch objective of a strong Middle Kingdom and a weakened Republic of China so the investment into the Middle Kingdom would pay off.

Senator Mitgarde, Those bits, if they are from the RRC reports, as I never have read or heard those texts, are what the RRC believes, are no reason to ignore the plight of a budding Republic.  Also, no concrete arrangements for support are made, as our cabinets are working on the reports, situation and international repercusions.

[maddox]

Tricomalee, end october 1919.

The 4 sisters, Mirabeau , Diderot, Vergniaud and Voltaire are being prepared for their final voyage.
The admirals quarters on Voltaire are filled with heavy steel boxes, sealed with lead and labeled "Lingots d'or".

The only thing lacking is the crews to man them to their next destiny.