New Government in Holland.

[damocles]

Most probably French deliveries will be by barges not rail, inland waterways are extensive.

Nverse Netherlands need to import foodstuff more than OTL. OTL it was a leader in intensive agriculture, but that won't help with the Nverse larger population.
If an alternative of the French deliveries is sought, it should be Ukraine-Poland. Outside Europe, it would be South America - but with higher than OTL population they don't have that much available for export - they have to grow wheat on the OTL cattle pastures.

If those canals are like this:



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Then barge capacity is about 500 tons (coal)? It seems to make some sense to use  coast-wise shipping and rail which can enter into harbors and city centers, unload and turn around much faster and cheaper to do this.   

D.

 

[ctwaterman]

Macedonia in Greece was still in early 1900 under the Ottomans using wooden plows..... and Investment in Greece and or Ukraine and mechanization could yield very bountiful harvest.

As a note the Italian and Sicilian and Egyptian Winter Wheat Crops should all be hitting the market from May to July is the harvest.  With the Spring Wheat Harvest begining in October and November.

[The Rock Doctor]

For my part, I understand that the Kongo was, historically, a modest exporter of rice and sorghum (or something).  This may still be going towards the Netherlands, as the Colombians' interest was in acquiring the rubber, cash crop, and mineral resources.

Agree that GC Heartland is not likely an exporter - possibly an importer.  Although I would guess a lot of the Amazon rain forest has been chopped down in the past fifteen years to make way for agriculture.

[maddox]

The "state build" French Peniches are for river and canal use capable of 250 ton loading capacity, and at least 35 of these do regular Dutch tours. And that's not counting the real commercial shipping interests.

With an avarage of 5 kts those canal barges can transport grain from the big ports to the hinterlands of The Netherlands.

[Kaiser Kirk]

a) I would presume most Franco-Dutch trade would be by barges. Even the Rhone connects to the Rhine via canal. These are duplicated by rail.

b) The Arnhem treaty should ease rail transit issues through the ESC and Bavaria. Gee, pity the Dutch didn't invite the French to join that one.

c) on Bavarian agriculture, I did subsidize the building of synthetic ammonia plants using the Haber-Bosch process in 1914-1915, which also gives me something to put in my explosives if cut off. However, I haven't dwelt heavily on the others and don't expect Bavaria to be a great exporter of food. Or beer for that matter, we drink that.

d) Yes, the British treatment of the Dutch as the "port of Germany" in the OTL and the hunger that resulted get glossed over generally. Not having productive parts of Belgium serving as the front lines might help a bit though.

e) Overall, the Baltic trade, the ESC/Ukraine/Russia would appear most helpful in the longer term.

[maddox]

a) I would presume most Franco-Dutch trade would be by barges. Even the Rhone connects to the Rhine via canal. These are duplicated by rail.

France is even sponsoring Barge Trafic, with the build of 80 Peniches (38*5.5m barges, specific for the French and Belgian Canals), and the subsequent "cheap lease for civilian puroses" on those, even if upkeep is payed for by military funds.

b) The Arnhem treaty should ease rail transit issues through the ESC and Bavaria.

Rail or Rhine...

Gee, pity the Dutch didn't invite the French to join that one.

I guess it has other reasons the Leipzig Compact was started.

c) on Bavarian agriculture, I did subsidize the building of synthetic ammonia plants using the Haber-Bosch process in 1914-1915, which also gives me something to put in my explosives if cut off. However, I haven't dwelt heavily on the others and don't expect Bavaria to be a great exporter of food. Or beer for that matter, we drink that.

Octoberfests anybody. or Oppau

d) Yes, the British treatment of the Dutch as the "port of Germany" in the OTL and the hunger that resulted get glossed over generally. Not having productive parts of Belgium serving as the front lines might help a bit though.

Pity it's all but forgotten in Belgium.

e) Overall, the Baltic trade, the ESC/Ukraine/Russia would appear most helpful in the longer term.

True, but France is equaly close by. And is still an important trading partner for the Dutch

[damocles]

The Dutch Foreign Ministry invites the Gran Columbian ambassador to a set of meetings. Subject?
.........................................

Meanwhile the Dutch ambassador to Gran Columbia calls upon the GC foreign ministry. Presumably Gran Columbia and Holland discuss possible trade issues.     

[damocles]

Dutch  Foreign Ministry: Den Hague.

Anders Welsen: It looks like it can go either way in New Zion.

Nicholas van Rijn: Not important. We were not invited. We have no say. What about France?

Anders Welsen: They suggest barges and the canals.

Nicholas van Rijn: We stick with our original plan. Coastal steamer and railroad. Why haven't you talked to the Ukraine?

Anders Welsen: You never asked me to.

Nicholas van Rijn: I never asked you to talk to Gran Columbia either, do I have to do everything?

A Dutch colonel appears. He says: We have it.

Nicholas van Rijn: About time. To Anders Welsen, Get out of here and set up the agreement like I told you! And talk to the Ukraine!

NvR reads the report. The MVB has done some hasty work. Still not feasible......

[damocles]

Dutch  Foreign Ministry: Den Hague.

Anders Welsen: We have a reply from Ukraine.

Nicholas van Rijn: Well?

Anders Welsen: They will sell is the wheat.

Nicholas van Rijn: How much?

Anders Welsem shows him.

Nicholas van Rijn: That's a fair price.  Contact Bavaria and the ESC and get permission for the special transports. Maker sure of it. No slip ups!

[damocles]

The MVB sets up a foreign language school in Leiden.

[P3D]

I don't think much of that grain would arrive on rail. Barged to the Black Sea or the Baltic on inland waterways, then loaded on freighters. Water transport is much cheaper for bulk freight (by a magnitude).

IIRC Ukrainian grain was cheaper than Hungarian in the era, as there was no need for extensive rail travel.

[damocles]

I don't think much of that grain would arrive on rail. Barged to the Black Sea or the Baltic on inland waterways, then loaded on freighters. Water transport is much cheaper for bulk freight (by a magnitude).

IIRC Ukrainian grain was cheaper than Hungarian in the era, as there was no need for extensive rail travel.

I agree with that, but some of it would still pass through ESC and Bavarian controlled territory either land or water..   

[ledeper]

It will most likely be transported by train to Liepaja,then by boat through the Baltic to Kiel and then through the Kieler-channel to Holland.

[Marek Gutkowski]

Most likely, however transport only by land is a possibility. 

[damocles]

Speaking of which, can I get a safe conduct for the grain shipments?