The Times 1906

[Earl822]

2nd January
London

His majesty King Michael II has announced that he is greatly pleased that the Norman Kingdoms, have united under his crown almost effortlessly. He has stated that he is especially pleased at how fast that the armed forces of the two Great nations have joined together to form one of the greatest Navies in the World.

5th January
Falmouth

The Royal Navy has aquired 2 old coastal colliers to train the Royal Marine Division based in Plymouth, in Amphibious warfare. The ships, which have been renamed HMS Falmouth and HMS Exmouth, will be refitted in the autumn to allow their improved use.

[Earl822]

12th January
Foreign Ministry, London

The Government, in agreement with the French Government has issued a request to the Governments of Russia, the Netherlands, and the Baltic League that they pay a tariff for their Merchant, and Military shipping to pass through the straits of Dover. This tariff will be equal to 1BP per year, with all shipping's identity subject to checks by French, and or Norman ships. Any merchants wishing to pass through the straits without prior authorisation, will be impounded.

[Borys]

14th January

Diplomatic Note from Habsburg Legation, delivered by the Minister in Person

The Habsburg Monarchy is outraged by this proposal, equating to Piracy on the High Seas. If such a regulation is extended to include Austrian shipping, the Monarchy will impose reciprocate measures in the Sicilian Strait.

[P3D]

Any such fee must be paid in $ not BP. BP IS NOT A CURRENCY BUT CAPACITY.

[Earl822]

15th January

Diplomatic note to the Hapsburg Legation, delivered by courier.

The United Norman Kingdom and France will not charge Austrian ships for the use of the straits, as most Austrian trade with the Kingdom is carried out through the channel ports. The Kingdom's major concern is to prevent the use of the straits of Dover by the named nations for movement of fleet units, as this adds to the problems caused by congestion of shipping in the straits.

Diplomatic note to the Russian, Baltic and Dutch ambassadors.

The Times was incorrect in its announcement of a serving of levies on all shipping. These levies will only apply to fleet units including torpedo boats and auxillaries, charges will start on the 1st July 1906, and if payment of $4 for half a year is not recieved, any fleet units attempting to use the straits will be turned away.

[Earl822]

P3D, caught that one ty

[P3D]

In other words, pay us the equivalent of the price of an armored cruiser or we won't let you through?

[Korpen]

15th January

Diplomatic note to the Hapsburg Legation, delivered by courier.

The United Norman Kingdom and France will not charge Austrian ships for the use of the straits, as most Austrian trade with the Kingdom is carried out through the channel ports. The Kingdom's major concern is to prevent the use of the straits of Dover by the named nations for movement of fleet units, as this adds to the problems caused by congestion of shipping in the straits.

Diplomatic note to the Russian, Baltic and Dutch ambassadors.

The Times was incorrect in its announcement of a serving of levies on all shipping. These levies will only apply to fleet units including torpedo boats and auxillaries, charges will start on the 1st July 1906, and if payment of $4 for half a year is not recieved, any fleet units attempting to use the straits will be turned away.

Any attempt to block or size ships of the Royal Dutch fleet on the high sees will be considered acts of piracy or war and responded to accordingly.

[khymerion]

In an official statement from the office of the Prime Minister of the Baltic Confederation.

"The outrageous fees imposed to pass through the straights of Dover will not be paid as it is far too much to make use of the trade lanes.  Therefore, for any Confederation merchant or allied ship wishing to make passage for the northern lands may be given a quiet berth in any Confederation port to make up for the longer trip of not being able to pass through the straights of Dover, no fees beside the standard costs of fuel.  Free trade amoungst nations shouldn't be regulated or stiffled in such a manner."

[P3D]

All the debate over strait crossing is moved into the Meeting Room.

[maddox]

Premier Paixhans is supporting King Michael II to the full hilt.

If the Pas de Calais is to be used by potential hostile shipping France reserves itself the right to capture, impound or even outright sink the offending ships.

[Borys]

Moderator hat on:
Maddox, before you come out sabre waving, please do post a report and tell us where your sabres are.
The same applies to everybody else who still hadn't posted his Army and Fleet deployments.
No report&deployment - no play.
Borys

[Earl822]

OOC: I am sorry to spoil everyone else's sabre rattling, but I need a storyline my poor brain can cope with so this is a necessary move

IC:

Times Headline, 2nd February 1906.

In the last few days, a number of former UKA officials from the foreign office, and the War Office have been arrested on undisclosed Charges. All that this Newspaper has been able to asscertain is that they were in someway responsible for the proposed charges for use of the Channel, and also the Azores affair.

Actual Events 5th February 1906.

His Majesty King Michael II addresses Parliament in a special, closed session:-

         "Gentlemen, you have proved your incompitence on the World stage already, and you have only been in session since Christmas!"
       Striding up and down at the speakers chair, he took a deep breath and began again. "As you will know, a number of officials, conspiring with a junior minister in the foreign office, have caused me and my Kingdom embarressment, by attempting to charge for the use of the Dover Straits for all shipping; This I cannot abide! Shipping is our nations life blood, we are on the seas, and we depend on them. Merchant shipping will not be charged for the use of our waters, or that of the French! Military Shipping is another matter, I have spoken to the French Premier, he is happy to block the use of the straits by warships of all nations, except the Dutch and the Russians. This, I can agree with happily."
        Pausing for breath again, his eyes burned like fire, those closer to him could see his nostrils flare out as he held back his anger, then he let go; "Gentlemen, you are also aware that these officials were responsible for the Azores affair, and the dealings with Mr Mars. In that our Austrian, and Brandenburg cousins did us a favour, but the are not always going to be in the right place, at the right time to mop up your messes! I am going to attend the Hauge Convention on Territorial and international warfare, with Vice Admiral Greenwich. In my absence, I would ask that you apologise to every one you have offended, and set against us!"
      As he turned to leave, he stopped, and thinking better of it, turned and shouted; "And for goodness sake, get the Austrians to like us again, otherwise I'm going to have to go on tour!" With which he turned and left.

[Earl822]

Diplomatic Statement by Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel of the United Norman Kingdom:-

As Printed in the Times 8th February, 1906

"I feel I must apologise for the actions of my Government over the past few weeks, and even over the past 2 years. The announcement from the foreign Ministry, came from officials, and even a junior minister who, have now been removed from office. This announcement, proposed the effective closure of the Dover Straits to all shipping other than that belonging to nations who have paid a toll for its use. This is not what the King, and for that matter, the greater part of the Government desires. The United Norman Kingdom will not close the Dover Straits to Merchant shipping, and will not charge a toll for the passage of merchantmen of all flags. The Kingdom does ask though, that, as both France, and the Kingdom view the Straits to be territorial waters, and also heavily congested, that nations wishing for Vessels of War to pass through the straits, would first ask for permission to pass through territorial waters, under escort by a vessel of either the Royal Navy, or the Marine National. For now, charges will not be levied, but if nations who are at war with each other, intend to use the straits for the passage of Warships, a charge may be made to ensure safe passage."

February 24th
Shropshire Post

Jubilation was extant in Shrewsbury, and the towns along the line of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire light Railway yesterday, as that line was finally opened in its entirity, with the first trains running right through to Welshpool, departing Shrewsbury Abbey Foregate station just after 1pm.

March 12th
The Portsmouth Herald

The Navy has proudly displayed its first submarine, the diminuative A1 this week, stating it is but the first of may such vessels which will serve with the Navy. The Vessel, like ones built by other nations can reportedly submerge, and attack other vessels from under the water. Some senior sailors have described them as "Barbaric and uncivilised weapons", while others, including the first Sea Lord have heralded them as a "weapon of the future".

March 17th
The Times

The King and several officials have boarded the liner Queen Mary bound for the Hauge to discuss matters concerning International and territorial waters. He has taken with him several senior negotiators, including Vice Admiral Greenwich, who after visiting the Hauge, will be travelling on to Vienna, for talks with the Austrian Government, on how moves can be made to improve the recently poor relations.


April 5th
The Times

In Response to the report that Rohan is sending the Battleship Freawine to a fleet Review at Scapa Flow, the Navy has announced that the Battleships Ocean & Vengeance will be transfered to the Firth of Forth.

[Korpen]

OOC: I am sorry to spoil everyone else's sabre rattling, but I need a storyline my poor brain can cope with so this is a necessary move

Cabinet meeting, Den Haag

"So any change in the unk stance?"
Not as such, they now say the we and the Russians can pass freely, something I feel is even more insulting the previous statement, as it implies that the reason we took offence with the original statement due to it effecting us rather then the absurd principle!"
"True, we will never acknowledge any state the right to in peace time dictated who can travel were on the high seas"


"And did anyone tell the mad Norman king that a invitation was needed to attend the conference?
"So shall we tell him to got bugger himself then?"
"No need, we will send him an message telling the he is so welcome, as an observer!"
"But do you really think he will understand he get snub?"
"Does it matter? Also I think we will get more then enough spoilers at the conference, we have no need to get one more who has already openly declared they will only come to  undermine the conventions. As long as they keep pretending they can deny other nations free passage on the high seas, they have noting in Den Haag conference to do.