Italia News and Such 1918 - 19??

[ctwaterman]

March 2nd 1919

The Rome Times [Above the Fold]
Civil war in New Switzerland ends.

Culminating in the Peace of February 14th Rebel Forces have forced the surrender of Forces Loyal to the Swiss Monarchy..   King Henry a captive of the Rebel since they cowardly assaulted his Palace in the dead of the night several months ago and all his loyal servants have been stripped of all their wealth and possessions if not their lives.   The Rebel Swiss faction have agreed to grant the Empires request that they except Exile within the Empire.  Many nobles were granted their titles in the New Swiss Kingdom based upon merit.  These court nobles, many of them former industrialist had their factories, properties, and even their Jewelry stolen from them by the Red hordes of the Swiss Rebellion.

Evidently This News Article Came out in March of  1917 as I missed how far behind the war in Phoenix really was.

[ctwaterman]

Shortly After Dawn April 1st 1919

Lt.  Luthario, Flt Sgt Allesandro, Gunner Sgt Claudius and Flt Corporal Massamba had won the dawn patrol through the unfortunate event of a bad roll of the Dice by Lt Luthario.   Even at the Equator flying at 1,500 meters over the ocean it was Cold.

Lt. Luthario was paying tedious attention to his navigation with the Help of Sgt Allesandro.   About an hour into the flight Sgt Claudius pointed something out of the Port wing of the Aircraft.  3 Large Freighters being escorted by what appeared to be 2 warships.   Time for a closer look he headed toward them at an oblique angle and had Sgt Claudius ready the Camera.

Shortly before Noon the Aseb Air Base  Lt. Luthario made his report to Commander Carlo Lambardi.

Lt. Luthario:  Yes Sir I have Photographs of 4 Warships and 3 Freighters all flying the Swiss Flag moving South, South, West they are heading for New Zion waters.  In addition the freighters are carrying what appears to be either submarines or some other small ship as deck cargo along with several large crates.   The Small craft of submarines were under tarps but the shapes are very distinctive.

Commander Lambardi, checks a patrol schedule.  Damn they must have slipped right past the patrols out of Mogadishu yesterday due to the weather and past the patrol ships in the night.  Get those Photographs ready and be prepared to fly them to Mogadishu in an hour.

[Carthaginian]

Who is Italy sharing this information with?
How much is being distributed to NASSAU?

[ctwaterman]

Who is Italy sharing this information with?
How much is being distributed to NASSAU?

Patience My Young Jedi ?

Imperial Palace Rome April 3rd 1919

Actors:
Armedo Ferdinando Camila - Emperor of the Italia Empire
Spurius Valerius Maximus - Consul of Military Affairs
Sextus Aurelius Cotta- Consul of Foreign Affairs
Juguratha Mastanbal - Imperial Army Chief of Staff
Lucius Cornelius Sula - Imperial Marina Chief of Staff

Emperor Armedo:  Well Exactly why did we require a very secret emergency meeting?

Maximus:  My Emperor, we have information forwarded to the War Department from magistrate Titus Fabia Quintillius.  One of our Reconnaissance Aircraft photographed a convoy of New Swiss Ships heading into New Zion waters.  The Ships 2 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers, and 3 Freighters are very concerning.   The Freighters appear to be carrying crated Aircraft and at least 3 possibly as many as 5 Submarines.

Emperor Armedo:   "I see",  so the Rabble in Phoenix not satisfied with overthrowing their own monarchy are seeking to re-establish contact with their old allies in New Zion.
I see no possible reason the Empire to allow this to occur?  Options Gentlemen I need options?

General Mastanbal:  I am sorry to say You Majesty that  the Army of East Africa while fully capable of defending it borders in to at this time in a position to launch any of our planned war plans excepting possibly War plan Masada.

Emperor Armedo: "Frowning", and why exactly is that General?

General Mastanbal:  Per our 5 year Plan this Fiscal Half we began issuing new weapons to many of the Units in East Africa.  The Reserve Units just began their early spring call up and are training with many of these new weapons they will not be ready to use them offensively for at least several months as we do not call up entire units at a time but cycle through the units in each Legion every couple of Weeks!  Basically my Liege this Fiscal cycle we have implemented a large training cycle updating everything from Light Arms to Artillery and even our reconnaissance units are receiving motorcycles, new armored cars and light tanks.  We simply could not predict that now would be the time that the Zionist would choose to take such a provocative action.  In addition we will need the Navy to conduct War Plan Masada?

Emperor Armedo:  And the Marina Admiral Sula is the Marina ready?

Admiral Sula:  Yes, and No!  The Navy is completely prepared to carry out defensive operations in the Rift and Indian Oceans.  Offensive Operations against only New Zion by light units could also be carried out.  However,  IMS Gaulius and Imperator have just finished a basic refit of their Fire Control Systems and are currently undergoing a shake down and fire control test after that refit in the Indian Ocean.  IMS Arminius and IMS Germanicus started the exact same refit in Taranto less then a Month Ago?  So we have half of our Battle Line available until at least Late June possibly Early July we could expedite the upgrades!

Emperor Armedo: Looking at Admiral Sula and General Mastanbal.  Well I can not say that I am pleased with this situation.  But I honestly can not say that I see any possible way you could have predicted that this would occur.  So Maximus how do we go about fixing this situation.

Maximus:  The only realistic way to deal with this problem now is the reason I made sure Magistrate Cotta was invited.   We have started trying to Isolate the Rabble that calls itself a government in Phoenix! We are talking to our friends and even some of our enemies about the problem.  I would suggest that since we have just recently repudiated the useless treaty of Dar-Es-Salaam that we contact the three supervisory members and get an actual answer from them.  In the meantime I would leave the diplomatic side up to Magistrate Cotta.

Emperor Armedo:   Magistrate Cotta,  what would suggest we do about this flagrant re-arming of New Zion by the Swiss ?

Magistrate Cotta:  To start with we will as Consul Maximus indicated contact Japan, CSA, and the ESC ask them for a ruling on the Issue?  In addition I would directly contact both the New Swiss and New Zion through our Embassy in Paris and demand in a politely phrased request to know why the New Swiss are interfering in New Zion and to find out if New Zion really wants to accept the New Swiss into their country.

Emperor Armedo:   I will consider the options you have given me and Magistrate Cotta begin the Diplomatic Dance as soon as Possible.   Admiral Sula, General Mastanbal I want position papers on all options available to the Empire by the End of the Month!

[ctwaterman]

April 5th 1919

From: Sextus Aurelius Cotta- Consul of Foreign Affairs
To:    The Foreign Offices of the East Sea Confederation,
   The Foreign Office of the Confederate States of America
   The French Foreign Ministry
   The Imperial Japanese Office of Foreign Affairs
   The Foreign Office of Gran Columbia
   The Foreign Office of Kaiserreich Brandenburg

Sirs,

The Empire of Italia regrets to inform you that on April 1st off the coast of East Africa and Imperial Reconnaissance flight observed and photographed a Convoy  of Swiss Warships delivering Armaments to the Kingdom of New Zion.  

The Empire can only view the actions of New Zion and New Switzerland as very provocative.  This message is to inform you that the Empire will be contacting the representative of both these nations in Paris and requesting that they clarify their actions.

Sextus Aurelius Cotta.

[Carthaginian]

The Confederacy will send former V.P. Thadeus Deveroux to Paris as well to contact the Swiss and N.Z. representatives.

Mr. Deveroux will have the powers of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary for this meeting, and his statements should be regarded as bearing the full backing of the CSA.

[maddox]

The palace of Versailles is reserved for involved countries.

[ctwaterman]

April 6th 1917 Paris France

Liborio Valentinius, Imperial Magistrate to the Republic of France was meeting with the a ranking member of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry.  

Magistrate Valentinius:  I must apologize for the haste with which this meeting was scheduled Minister.  However the Empire has need of Frances renowned diplomacy.

Minister Capet:  In what way can the Republic aide the Empire Monsieur Valentinius?

Magistrate Valentinius:   It is really a simple matter Minister!  As you know the Empire has serious diplomatic problems with both the New Swiss Republic or whatever they are calling themselves now and the Kingdom of New Zion.  It appears that we need to get them a message so that they can clarify some matters before things get out of hand.

Minister Capet:   *smiles* Do you not also have problems with the Republic of Orange as well ?

Magistrate Valentinius:  *coughs* yes but as you are also aware we are currently holding high level talks with the Republic of Orange both our Governments have undergone significant changes since our last dispute.  The Empire sincerely hopes that compromises can be reached and our dispute ended.  But, in the meantime as we informed your government the New Swiss are sending arms and trainers to work with the Kingdom of New Zion.

Minister Capet:  Ah???  So you wish us to forward letters to the New Zion and New Swiss Ambassadors?

Magistrate Valentinius: Exactly we wish to request an explanation of their actions perhaps even a clarification?

Minister Capet:  And these letters may I read them?

Magistrate Valentinius:  Of Course Minister, "Hands over two Envelopes."

From: Empire Of Italia
To: To her Majesty' Government , Kingdom of New Zion

Sir/Madam:
  The Empire of Italia has credible information that a large shipment of weapons has recently been delivered to your Kingdom by the Military Forces of the New Swiss Republic.   The Empire seeks clarification as to rather or not your Kingdom is going to seek military alliance with the New Swiss Republic and if you intend to allow ships of the New Swiss Republic to utilize the harbors and ports of your Kingdom?

Given the Empires recent dealings with the New Swiss Republic and its violent overthrow of its legally elected Monarchy the association of your Kingdom with that of the New Swiss Republic can only be viewed with the Gravest Concern by the Government of the Empire of Italia.

From: The Empire of Italia
To:  The Government of the New Swiss Republic

Sirs,
  The Empire of Italia has recently observed ships of your Nation delivering Military Equipment and supplies to the Kingdom of New Zion.  Given recent events within your country the Empire believes that supply arms to a nation with a history of antagonism and rancor towards the Empire is a dangerous and unnecessarily provocative action.   The Empire would request that you clarify the reasoning for you actions as the Empire can only view such actions at this time as needlessly destabilizing to the region and in the Gravest possible manner

The letters are handdelivered to the respective countries ambassadors or envoys.

[Desertfox]

OOC Can I speak in New Zion's name?

IC From New Switzerland:

New Switzerland does not see why it has to explain any business it conducts with other nations to Italy. But New Switzerland will respond. First, NS has yet to read in any history book about this fictitious antagonism and rancor that NZ has displayed towards Italy, on the other hand, we do see six wars of aggression by Italy against NZ. Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that a further Italian invasion is a grave possibility in the future, and that NZ must be given the opportunity and means to defend itself. The weapons delivered to NZ where of a strictly defensive nature. If Italy feels threatened by them then it must be contemplating offensive operations against NZ and therefore more than legitimizes the arrival of said weapons in NZ.

New Switzerland has also pledge itself to defend NZ in case of foreign aggression.  It has also come to our attention that Italy has unilaterally and without cause repudiated the peace treaty it signed not to long ago. That is seen in NS circles as preparation for conducting offensive operations against NZ.  And if that is tha case, with point 5 no longer relevant, NS will extend NZ a formal request for a full military alliance including basing rights.   

[ctwaterman]

So A day to transit the message back to Phoenix how long to compose a reply and send it back to France.   ????

[Desertfox]

Call it April 10th for the reply.

[ctwaterman]

April 9th 1919 Praetorian HQ Rome

Actors:
Mario Decumius - Commander of the Praetorian Guard.
Mori Hebel - Commander Praetorian Criminal Investigative Division.
Pietro Sansone - Commander Praetorian Counter Intelligence Division.


Mario Decumius:   Mori, Pietro, we have a problem and you two are going to help me solve that problem.  By now you have both had a day to review the information we have managed to gather on the attack.  So Mori what does your department have?

Mori Hebel:   Commander as you indicated early on the 7th I dispatched my best investigative officer and a staff of qualified technicians' to Sanremo they arrived this morning by train and took over from the Officer dispatched from Genova on Monday.  We have positively identified six of the attackers to their Tourist Visas by picture and finger print.  We are positive that the names and countries of origin are false.  We have also tentatively identification from several witness on four others who were involved.

Mario Decumius:  Excellent so where do you go from here Mori?

Mori Hebel:  We have gathered all the recovered weapons and shell casing we will attempt to recover finger prints from the shell casings, the weapons, and from the basement and police station.   We can then compare those to recent Tourist and Travel Visa and see if we can positively identify any of the others.  We have warned the French, Iberians, and Bavarians to be on the look out for the men we have Identified and that at least two possibly three of the Pirates are wounded possibly seriously.  Once we begin searching the finger print cards however it could take a great many months before we get any further information.   Since we started using the finger prints we have finger printed all people arrested in the Empire and we include the use of the Bertillon system of body measurement to help narrow the search. But still that tens of thousands of manual print comparisons?

Mario Decumius:  *shrugs* we might have to expand the number of clerks and agents available that will be up to the Emperor and the Senate?  However, Pietro what is the likelihood of this being a covert action by the Swiss ??

Pietro Sansone:  While the attack has a great deal in common with other Swiss [SSS] actions in the past including the use of what appear to be Thompson Submachine Guns actually proving this was an attack by the Swiss would be extremely difficult if not impossible.   If I were to speculate I would infer Swiss involvement possibly with planning and supplying of weapons but no direct Swiss Secret Service involvement!

Mario Decumius: In this case proof really does not matter.  It will depend on what we know, what we can infer and only then what we can prove.   A well run Covert Op should never lead directly back to those involved.  However everyone appears to know who Mr. Sparrow appears to have worked for in the past.  If it turns out that the New Old Swiss  were involved or we highly suspect that they were then It will be up the Emperor to decide what to do about that.


Mario Decumius:   Pietro before we closed down their Embassy' last year did we identify anyone that might have been run by their official covered attaché.  If so put them under observation and if any of them do anything suspicious bring them in for questioning.

Pietro Sansone: Ok, watch gather and arrest on suspicion?

[ctwaterman]

April 11th 1919

Imperial Marina HQ Rome.

Actors:
Spurius Valerius Maximus - Consul of Military Affairs
Lucius Cornelius Sula - Imperial Marina Chief of Staff

Consul Maximus: Admiral I came here today to talk to you about a threat analysis on the Fleet of New Switzerland.

Admiral Sula:  *pauses* and considers his reply very carefully.  The Fleet of New Switzerland is ideally designed around the Concept of Cruiser Warfare!  Their fleet mix of Small Battle Cruisers and Cruisers with extremely long range is ideally suited to a war on Commerce.

Consul Maximus: So if we declare a blockade of New Zion again will the New Swiss be able to do what the Republic of Orange did and break that Blockade?

Admiral Sula:  That would depend upon a great many factors.   However they would need to deploy a very large force and coordinate the action of that force with the forces of New Zion to accomplish that.  They would also need to find somewhere to base their shipping to refuel closer then their base in Sydney.

Consul Maximus:  And the Forces in the Southern Rift?

Admiral Sula: The Forces in the Southern Rift were designed to allow the Empire local dominance in the Rift in the case of renewed hostilities with New Zion.  The Shore Batteries protect the Entrance to the Rift and dominate Imperial Waters along the Rift they also protect the Harbor of Blantyre inside the Rift and the Harbor of Nacala outside the Rift.   So forces operating from those bases are well protected.

Admiral Sula:   In the North we have bases at Mogadishu, and Massawa to help close the Northern Rift.  In that area a more traditional defense was envisioned.  Here the Imperial Marina would face off against a foe in line of Battle.  Here the Empire can deploy 4 DN Battle Ships, 7 Armored Cruisers, many lesser cruisers and Destroyers.   In any battles around East/Ost Africa the Empire can deploy the Airships Leased from France and shortly the ones we have purchased.  In addition we have hundreds of Maritime Reconissance aircraft in the region.   The Empire should operationally enjoy a significant Reconnaissance advantage over any New Swiss task force.

Consul Maximus:  So what you are saying is that the Empire would need to take precautions to protect our Merchant Shipping but that with sufficient warning you should be able to concentrate your forces and turn back any New Swiss adventures.

Admiral Sula: Ideally yes, but there are other factors involved will the Republic of Orange support the Zionists again?  Because if they do then they could provide the Swiss with bases and the additional ships necessary to win a battle of attrition in the Southern Rift.

Consul Maximus:  That is a very good question and I understand that the Foreign Office is even now attempting to ascertain the Orange Republics views on the possibilities of a war in East Africa.   We also need to talk with Grand Columbia to determine their opinion and if we feel that the Orange Republic is likely to join any Swiss adventurism we will need to talk with France, the United Normal Kingdom and the Confederate States of America as well.

Admiral Sula:  That would be a very unpleasant widening of any conflict but we simply do not have the economic force to take fight both the Swiss the Orange Republic as well as New Zion. 

Consul Maximus:  I will so Inform the Emperor.

[ledeper]

the United Normal Kingdom

LOVE YOUR TYPO :D :D :D :D :D :D

[ctwaterman]

Cool we will leave it that way then.