Bavarian News 1914

[Kaiser Kirk]

January

The first budget formally submitted to the parliament by King Lugwig IIIs administration looks substantially similar to the first of Lugwigs regency.

The substantial allocation to foreign adventures continues, targeting the rebuilding of Greece, supporting peaceable Rumania, and supporting efforts at mercantile outreach in far away lands.

The mutters of discontent over subsidies for foreign investment over domestic are partially answered by monies allocated for supporting new industries of coal conversion and synthetic ammonia production. Either or both of these industries offers the potential to produce vital supplies in wartime, or provide an alternative to expensive imported goods in peacetime.

The most notable change in the budget is a substantial alteration of military posture. The changes in reserve infrastructure and army deployments made this year are, according to the War Minister, expected to result in much greater efficiencies in the military infrastructure and capability for mobilization of the reserves. This, coupled with improved relations with the East Sea Confederation and Empire of Italia, has allowed a substantial portion of the Army to step down to reserve status.


In other news...
The Bavarian Ministry of Trade has announced the founding of a strategic partnership between selected Bavarian and Italian firms. Rapp Motorenwerke and Daimler-Gesleeschaft have been selected to work closely with FIAT, Ansaldo and Caproni. MAN AG has agreed to a licensing agreement in support of the deal.  The arrangement is expected to improve the balance sheets of all involved.

February

The Bavarian foreign ministry has announced a limited term deal in which Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nürnberg AG will produce high quality steel plate to Iberian specifications, while Bavaria will receive technical assistance.

The Bavarian foreign ministry has also confirmed plans for a series of high level meetings in Rome. While there are several competing rumors regarding the potential subjects, none have risen to particular prominence.

In other news...

The arrival of Dutch officers and men to Berne was occasion for a full honor guard by order of  Generalfeldmarschall von Dellmensingen.  The Dutch have been great material aid in the training of Bavarian naval officers. The Dutch fleet having a far longer tradition of naval operations.  The Dutch personnel will be working closely with the Gebirgsjäger troops and commanders. Gebirgsjäger Regiments are well known for their reliance on organic firepower and intrepid commanders maneuvering along thrustlines to allow effective operations in broken terrain with limited higher level command and control.

It is expected the Dutch will primarily be training with the Württemberg Mountain Battalion, 6th Württemberg Regiment. A similar detachment of Dutch personnel are reportedly en route to Breslau to train with the Cavalry regiments of the Elite Garde I Corps.

[Kaiser Kirk]

March

Count von Zeppelin has given permission and support to one of his outstanding employees, Claudius Dornier, placing him as the head of a new aircraft manufacturing division. Herr Dorniers "Do-" division will concentrate on seaplanes and flying boats, using factory space on the shores of Lake Constance in Friederichshafen.

Architects and medical staff departed today for the Afrikan coast.  Promising trade opportunities have led to government financing for an expansion of the Bavarian mercantile presence and the founding of both a consulate and a hospital to provide support for businessmen.

The University of Munich has announced that Associate Professor Einstien, from the University of Zurich, will be joining the Academy of Sciences under chair Professor Röntgen.

April

April 13th, 1914
The news from Venice regarding a new treaty with Italy have been well received both in Munich and in Udine.  While the prominent citizens of the former Austrian Littorial invited the Bavarian intervention in 1905, many in Munich have been concerned regarding Italian intentions and nationalism, particularly in the wake of the Treaty of Nassau.

The Palace also announced the engagement of Tommaso Cecilo Filberto Giovani  Prince of Savoy and Princess Gundelinde Maria Josepha of the House of Wittelsbach.

The Princess and the Prince met last year when members of the Royal Family toured Italy, and both are reportedly quite willing to make the match.

The date of the wedding has been set for Easter Sunday, April 4th, 1915 and shall held in Vatican city, Rome.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Bavarian News

March

The King arrived in Udine today to meet with local authorities.  The creation of the new Duchy of Friuli has necessitated reorganization of local administration. The King intends on meeting the local department heads before selecting buildings for purchase to serve for the Duchy administrative corp.

The news of the Treaty of Venice has proven tremendously popular in Udine. The Friuli region had long suffered under the thumb of the Austrian overlords, but found their unique culture eroding when ruled from Venice.

The Bavarian intervention has generally left the locals to conduct their own affairs, but there has long been mutterings that this happy state of affairs could not last. The selection of the new Duke, Prince Tommaso Giovani of Savoy, the people of the region see an Italian champion for their causes in an otherwise German state, and a guarantee of Friuli's future status.   The King's arrival was cause for a  parade, under waving flags of the House of Wittelsbach and the House of Savoy.

June

Senator Prince Frederick Augustus III has put forward a proposal to create a new Duchy in southern Schliesen.  The Senator's proposal is to create a Duchy centered on the independent city of Kattowice.  The Senator drew a parallel to the recent creation of a Friuli Duchy.
"The peoples of Schliesen as a whole are German, but the majority of the southern peoples are of Polish extraction. The Prussian policies of Germanization caused considerable rancor among the peoples there and their subsequent rejection of Prussian rule. The peoples of this region have differing languages, traditions and history than we Germanic peoples. The Cantons of the Swiss, and now the Duchy of the Friuli give our Kingdom the model to apply to this region as well."

The Senate outcome, much less the parliamentary, is not yet decided. There is considerable speculation as to whom would be created the new Duke of Kattowice, should that come to pass. Primary speculation centers on the Senator wishing the title to himself, as the Wettins have twice been Kings of Poland, and were the last Dukes of Warsaw.

July

The Heer announced the forming of a new Army corps to be based in Kattowice. The Corps will be the only predominantly mounted force in the Heer, though most corps have a mounted force for reconnaissance and screening. 

The new Cavalry force will draw heavily from the German and Polish population of Silesia, but it is expected to be a popular berth for officers from throughout the kingdom.

The Cavalry force is expected to bring enhanced mobility to the Bavarian army when it is not confined by mountains.  A more modern alternative is also being explored with the motorization of the I Garde Corps in Breslau. This motorization includes a brigade of 'Panzerspahwagens' as reconnaissance and wheeled pillboxes, crawler tractors for artillery transport and vehicles to support the supply and command branches.

September

Senator Prince Frederick Augustus III's campaign for the creation of a Duchy of Kattowice, on the model of the Duchy of Friuli, has come to fruition. King Lugwig III has announced the creation of the new Duchy, which like the Duchy of Friuli, will have seats at the Senate. 

In a surprise, the Duchy was not granted to Prince Frederick Augustus III's immediate family. The Prince's second son, Friedrich Christian, Margrave of Meissen, was considered by some as the leading candidate. While principally known as the Royal house of Saxony, the House of Wettin's has twice served as Kings of Poland, and provided the last Dukes of Warsaw.

King Lugwig III has chosen to create Prince Adam Ludwick Czartoryski as Duke of Kattowice. Herr Czartoryski was born in exile in Paris to nationalist Prince Wladyslaw Czartoryski and Princess Marguerite Adelaide d'Orleans. Prince Adam Czartoryski is the grandson and namesake of Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, once President of the Polish National Government.  The soon to be Duke of Kattowice related to the House of Wettin by marriage, as his wife Countess Maria Ludwika Krasi?ska is a member of the House and the couple has on occasion lived in Dresden under the patronage of Prince Frederick Augustus III

October

The Foreign Minister  and War Minister welcomed representatives from The East Sea Confederation and the Netherlands in Amalienburg lodge on the grounds of Nymphenburg Palace, Munich.

In response to questions, the Foreign Ministry made this Press release :

Greater Bavaria and Switzerland is currently at peace, and expects to remain so. We are pleased with our relations with France, Italy and the Hapsburgs and would welcome improvement. The fact remains that our countries [1] are inferior numerically, militarily, and economically to each of our neighboring countries is a sobering reality.  The recent treaty of Arnhem will bolster the economic aspect, but there are steps that can be explored to bolster the long term security of our countries.

[1] A reference to the formerly sovereign states which now form the Kingdom

October 22
The arrival of the Confederate Fleet in Trieste today brought the city to a standstill. The proud ships were in remarkably good condition for the considerable distance they have sailed.

The twin torpedo boat squadrons, each lead by a kliene kruiser, steamed out early in the morning to find and greet the Confederate fleet and serve as an honor guard for its arrival. Generalfeldmarschall Crown Prince Rupprecht was on hand to receive the visiting Confederate officers.

A series of fair days have been declared to ensure the panoply of local goods and delights are on hand for the visitors to sample. A babble of Italian, Friuli, Slovene, Croat and German can be heard in the streets as the novelty of the Confederate fleet has drawn in many from the countryside.

November

The XXVI Corps, comprised of the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions, was formally created today in Kattowice.

December

In the Royal Palaces of Europe, and the presidencies of the great Republics,  Blue and white Envelopes are delivered.  Inside are formal invitations to the grand wedding of Princess Gundelinde Maria Josepha of the House of Wittelsbach to Prince Tommaso Cecilo Filberto Giovani, Prince of Savoy.

The Wedding is to be held Sunday April 4th, 1915. It will be held in the Pauline Chapel in St. Peters Basilica Rome.  Please RSVP."

The invitations are signed and sealed by King Lugwig IIIs own hand and ring.

later..

Revelations in Italian newspapers of New Zion's complicity in the assassination of Pope Pius X leads to outraged statements from members of the Catholic communities.  News from Italy of violence against Jewish citizens and temples has led to police leave being canceled to provide additional protection and dissuade would be agents of violence.

King Lugwig III, himself well known as a devout and faithful member of the Church, is said to be deeply disturbed by both the allegations and the news of violence, having ordered the additional security measures personally.  There have been some calls for Bavarian troops to join any punitive force, but no official statements.

...still later...
The tensions over New Zion have sparked the call for a conference to be held in Le Havre. The Foreign Minister of the Confederate States, a neutral party in this matter, has called on the major powers of Europe to participate. The presence of Greater Bavaria and Schwiez is not requested, as the Kingdom has no direct role, nor means to influence events across the Mediterranean.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Ad in newspapers around the world:

To our Brothers around the World. Once again we face the murderous hand of the Roman Legions and the Catholic Popes. For two thousand years we have been without a land to call our own, and now we are once again a free nation. The Papist Nations unable to see a free and independant Jewish Nation, are once again on the warpath. We ask for your support and help in this time of trial.

Trusting in the Lord our God we shall triumph.

Contact your nearest Zionite Embassy for further information.

The Bavarian Foreign Minister is in a foul mood when he summons the Zionite diplomatic representative. He places the copy on the table
"This did not run in the Kingdom, rather loyal editors contacted the Bavarian State Police. This is fortunate, for expelling your staff for fomenting unrest and slander against the Church. That expulsion could potentially be viewed as an endorsement of the Italian view, something that we are inclined towards but are awaiting better disclosure of evidence. 

Had this run, we may have seen temples burn, despite the police posted on guard, we do not appreciate your attempts to endanger our citizens, Jewish or German. I strongly suggest you do not make this mistake again.  You are dismissed.