NationStates Jolt Archive

The Italian Times

King Victor Emmanuel III today announced that he would extend suffrage to all Italian citizens, and that he plans on mobilising the many poor in Italy. In a speech he declared, "Italy shall become a modern state, with poverty at a minimum, a booming industry, and a modern military. . . ." He went on to say that he would accomplish the modernisation by providing the many poor farmers of Italy with irrigation, fertilizer, and modern farming equipment such as the tractor. The Italian Times suspects that the new King, whose father was murdered two years ago, will attempt to take out a large loan.

In other news, the newly formed Italian Worker's Party has staged a small demonstration in Rome calling on King Victor to adopt a socialist economy. Although many Italians are either opposed to or indifferent to the Worker's Party, the IWP is growing rapidly and currently contains at least 1,000 members. King Victor and others are quick to describe the IWP and similar parties's rise as a product of Italy's sporadic economic success, with the north having greater economic well-being than the south, which they feel will dissappear after time. "It is clear," King Victor said in his earlier address, "that the rise of this Party is a temporary thing, relying on the south's endemic poverty. It is my goal to do everything in my power to industrialise farms and modernise our infrastructure to wipe out poverty and, by extension, this Worker's Party."

With the year's end, Italy has worked out several deals from Germany and France. France has agreed to build a shipyard in southern Italy, while Germany has agreed to send officers to retrain the Italian army and build weapons factories in southern Italy, with Germany getting a base near Syracuse on Sicily. With these deals in hand, King Victor Emmanuel III has declared that "Southern Italy is well on its way to levels of development comparable to that of the north. Within a few short years people will wonder if southern Itay ever could have been less well-off than the north."

While his statement may be bold, many independent economists predict that southern Italy's economy will grow, though it remains to be seen if it will meet the north's level of development. Some economists predict that, with such fixation on the south, the government will leave the north to its own devices and not support any further development. Still others feel that there are more pressing needs than developing the south, such as finding cheap sources of coal. When asked about that, King Victor Emmanuel III said "discussions are under way concerning coal, though no progress has been made up to this point, though the discussions are relatively new."

Militarily, many advisors feel that Germany's officers and weapons plants will greatly increase Italian military strength, though many say Italy needs to either produce or purchase battleships. "Italy," writes one military commentator, "is in an excellent geographical location to control the Mediteranean Sea. With the development of a strong modern navy, Italy can finally achieve the status of great power that it has long since deserved."

Today King Vittorio Emanuele III (OOC: I finally found his Italian name) announced that Italy's destiny was "to rule the Mediteranean with a wall of steel and a cloud of smoke, with a navy unmatched in our sea. The British and even the Russians and Turks have navies in this sea or quite close, and all of their local resources must be surpassed. This is not meant as a threat to any of the above nations: it is our rightful destiny to have a significant naval presence in the sea that our forefathers, the Romans, once ruled over. History must come circle, and Italy must once again be the homeland of a mighty nation."

Italian naval planners began designing a new warship to compete with the powerful British warships. Military commentators from several nations had, in the past, theorized that secondary guns on a battleship were useless and that only the big guns really counted. It was decided that Italy would build four all-big-gun warship and retire a few of the older battleships. Designers began rushing to come up with the design (expect that in a few days; these things take time) while Italian shipyards would continue with the four laid Regina Elena battleships, with two of the Regina Elena's expected to be completed by mid-1904 with the others in early 1906.

Naval planners began, in their secret communiques to each other, began describing this new design as the Savoy Class battleship, and the Savoy in their communiques would follow the Italian naval tradition in past battleships. The Regina Elena was a fast battleship that was the forerunner of the battlecruiser. The proposed Savoy class would also be faster, but it would have all-big-guns and would have thicker armor (though not by too much). As a further advancement, the Savoy would use the new diesel engines to power it instead of dangerous and less-efficient steam engines.

Despite grand claims of challenging Britain and other powers in the Med., the primary motive for Italy's production of a more powerful fleet is to expand its small empire, with Eritrea not the only colony Italy has in mind. Italy has begun eyeing the Ottoman Empire with envy, and several colonies are desired by Italy.

With the production of the four Regina Elena battleships accelerated, government ministers contacted the German civilian planners that had descended upon Italy to build weapons plants and a shipyard or two had their focus changed. Weapons plants currently under construction would be finished, but newly planned ones would be scraped or have their construction taken over by Italian engineers learning from the German ones. The German planners would then focus their efforts on the construction of two more shipyards in southern Italy with 50,000 tons of capacity for each. Italian capital flowed into the projects and Italian engineers would construct another two shipyards on their own, also with 50,000 tons capacity each.

The end result was intended to be two-fold: the shipyards would produce warships with any excess capacity being used to build merchant vessels for sale on the international market. Both projects would provide jobs for the southern Italians, and the selected cities would likely be the site of an economic boom.

The Russian ambassador (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=432096) in Rome has been making discreet inquiries with regard to rumors of tensions between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire . . .

To His Excellency Emilio marquis Visconti-Venosta, Foriegn Minister of the Kingdom of Italy

My Dear Sir,
You must forgive the gaucherie of our ambassador to Italy. I had heard some rumor regarding a strain between Rome and Vienna, and simply asked of him whether he knew anything about it.
All of the relations of Austria-Hungary are of particular interest to Russia at the present time, as you might well imagine, given that, with the Ottoman withdrawal from the Balkans, the Habsburgs alone remain as oppressors of the Slavic peoples of Europe.
Let me furthermore assure you that Sankt-Peterburg has no "designs" on anything pertaining to legitimate Italian interests, nor to any presently-held Italian territory. I sincerely apologize for any concern our man may have caused, and I assure he will be disciplined and reassigned.

With Respect,
Graf Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Empire of All the Russias

OoC: He was supposed to be more subtle than direct, but it makes no difference, I think.

From: Emilio marquis Visconti-Venosta, Foriegn Minister
To: His Excellency Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs

I am sorry that I used such harsh language in my previous telegram. We understand that Russia would have no interest in Italian interests seeing as those interests in Europe are, to say the least, fairly narrow in scope. We were simply wondering if Russia intended to liberate the slavs of Austria-Hungary, a process that could spur Italian liberation of Trieste and other occupied cities.

As it appears that this may not be the case, the great tragedy of the occupation will continue to go for an apparantly indefinite time. Italians trapped in Austria and the many slavs weep at this reality.

(OOC: If you didn't catch it, Emilio is saying "Yes Russia, go to war with Austria; we'll help you out." )

Italy and Spain Begin Joint Design of a Submarine

A few weeks ago, Italy and Spain began a historic cooperation and possible alliance with Italian designers hiring Spanish submarine designer Raimondo Lorenzo D'Equevilley and Italian designer Signor Triulzi. Triulzi and D'Equevilley have begun work on what the Italian navy has called the Pelloux-class submarine, with an investment of $400,000 from Italy and $200,000 from Spain. Currently, the only submarine Italy has is the Il Delfino, and this joint venture may result in both Spain and Italy producing more submarines. As Italy has agreed to produce half of the Spanish submarines, a few economists predict that the submarine production will help establish Italian shipyards as the busiest shipyards in the Mediterranean. Some Italian naval officials say they will try and extend the economic importance of the shipyards by contracting with other nations' shipping companies to get Italian tonnage into the ocean. With many Italian naval ventures these days, the Italian army has taken a few hits in the budget wars, and has been forced to downsize to 150,000 men, with more cuts possible.

France Agrees to Lower Coal Prices for Italy

Another bit of news, though reported belatedly, is that France has agreed to remove all taxes on the coal industry and remove all possible taxes for exporting them to Italy. Italy has, in turn, removed all tarrifs on the imported French coal, providing cheaper coal. Some economists say that the gains of this will be limited to a few businesses, as they say French coal production is not high enough to meet all Italian demand. Still, some say, the cheaper coal will provide some economic benefits.

King to Invest in a "People's Car"

Along with enormous Italian investment in the ship building industry, King Vittorio Emanuele III has declared that Italy will build a cheap automobile that "all people of any economic standing can afford. It will revolutionise our society, linking all the corners of Italy by the automobile." The King has also declared that this new "people's car" initiative will be run by the state until it has been established, at which point the car and factories will be sold to the private sector. Many Italians see this as pandering to the increasing-popular Italian Workers Party, as the shipyard and automobile industry have been increasingly state-run. The Italian Worker's Party has been demanding that the King use his powers to abolish capitalism and establish a more fair, state-run, economy. King Vittorio himself has commented on the accusations and stated that "some features of the economy advocated by the Italian Worker's Party have real merit and can be integrated into the Italian economy. However, the State has no scheme of banning private enterprise--the purpose of these features is to allow the State to mobilise resources in a way the private sector cannot."

Road System to link Italy Planned

With the advent of a "people's car," there has been one question left unanswered: where would the car be driven? The answer, so says the government, is a winding line of pavement from Rome to Venice to Milan to Taranto and all other major Italian cities. Cities not linked would, on their own, pave their way to the nearest road. This system is not expected to even begin construction until after the major shipyard project in the south has been completed, sometime in 1905.

To: King Vittorio Emanuele III
From: Kaiser Wilhelm II

As you may have noticed, the terms of our mutual defense alliance have expired as of May 20, 1902. Currently, the situation in Europe is such that an alliance of this calibre is not needed. It seems as if the initial purpose of staying safe from France is now no longer an issue with your nation. Therefore, unless you can persuede me to the contrary, I propose that the alliance be put away with no hard feelings. I will continue to honor the treaties of factories and my naval base in Syracuse. Also, the officers that were sent to train the Italian army shall continue to do so for an additional 4 years. I further propose a non-agression pact between our nations, only to be broken should the transgressor nation enter hostilities with an ally.

Sincerely,
Wilhelm

With regard to the disposition of Constantinople, the Second Rome shall not be restored to the First, as long as the Third still stands. Italian "claims" on Slavic and Muslim lands in the East will not be countenanced by His Imperial Majesty, and the Italian king is hereby advised by the Sovereign Emperor to retract his bellicose rhetoric and withdraw these absurd pretensions to rule over peoples and territories to which his house has never possessed the claim. Further agitation by Italy in this region, whether diplomatic or otherwise, will henceforth be taken as an aggressive action directed against Russian power, which will respond accordingly.

Military Dispositions
The Black Sea Squadron is moving from Odessa to Varna, in Bulgaria, and its commander has received instructions to liaise with the Turkish Admiralty to explore the possibility of commencing joint maneuvers.

OoC: Sorry, but your plans for Eastern Europe just don't seem to be compatible with Slavic liberty. This means war, unless you back down.

With all these nations together--what an unexpected alliance, Slavs, Germans, and Turks!--Italy could not win. King Vittorio, though he often went against the greatest judgement of his advisors, was not crazy enough to go forward with his plans--yet. He still desired more territory, and if meant fighting the whole world, he would do it. He just wasn't quite ready for it.

Official Italian Statement

Italy rescinds its claims to Constantinople and accepts Germany's offer. Italy, therefore, is no longer allied with the German Empire and has no claims to Constantinople. It is with this statement that we hope peace will once again settle over Europe, and our bruised relationships can mend themselves.

Rome, Italy

The revolutionary fasci met together for the first time. The fasci were Italian radicals, a cross between communism and nationalism. They had sprung up with the Austrian occupation of Italian cities--but Austria had given the cities back (OOC: In Austrian news thread)! There was a need for a new purpose, and the groups had to discuss this. The Fasci d'Azione Rivoluzionaria (FAR), Fasci d'Azione Rivoluzionaria Internazionalista (FARI), and Italian Workers Party had come.

In the negotiations leading up to the inter-fasci talks, the groups agreed to calling the united front the Fascio d'Italiana Rivoluzionaria, or Group for Italian Revolution. More to come.

Italian Colonies of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica Merged

The two Italian colonies of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica have today been merged into the province of Libya. Ahmed-el Sherif, of the Senussi, has been appointed Emir of Libya and will rule under King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy, who has taken up the title "Emperor of Libya." The new Emperor has pledged to give the Libyans a high degree of internal autonomy, but will not give Libya any power in foriegn affairs. The Libyans's religion of Islam will be tolerated, but Italy will not ban missionairies.

National Education System Implemented

Furthering his wide reforms, King Vittorio Emanuele III has started a national education system, and has seized many abandoned buildings for conversion into schools. Education is going to be a high priority of the Italian government, which already has a fine balancing act between the competing needs of various construction projects and the military. To ease the process, Italy is expected to take out a loan, but where is not known.

Incentives to Invest Increased

Realising that Italy needs foriegn investment to get the economy moving, Italy has removed all restrictions to foriegn investment. There will be no taxes, duties, or tarrifs associated with that and foriegn companies that invest will face lower tarrifs for their goods depending upon how much they invest. High investment will yield lower tarrifs, while lower investment will bring about higher, though somewhat reduced, tarrifs.

Massive Trade Agreement with Brazil

With the signing of a trade agreement with Brazil, all tarrifs on trade between Brazil and Italy have been removed. In addition, Italian engineers have been sent to Brazil to help develop the Brazilian coal and iron industry. Several Italian businesses have also followed suit, and many have their hopes up. If Brazil's coal industry grows rapidly, the surge in coal production may send world wide coal prices down, advantageous to Italy's coal driven economy.

John Holland Hired for Submarine Design

John Holland, the revolutionary submarine designer from America, has today been hired for $1,000,000 dollars to design a new class of submarine. Raimondo Lorenzo D'Equevilley and Italian designer Signor Triulzi, finishing work to create an Italo-Spanish submarine design, are not expected to help with this new submarine. The new submarine is expected to be an Italy-only submarine, with no exports planned.

[Tag]

Secret

R.E. Warships

we would like literally a small navy from your shipyards... we are interested in getting warships, battle cruisers and submarines.. along with merchant craft.

this will take years to pay off ofcourse but The offer should be reasonable

what do you suggest we should have for a small coastal defense fleet and trading fleet? and name your price. if we lack the necessary monetary funds we will be more than happy to Provide something of equivalent value. ( . I.e. Stategic bases. Direct access to resources e.t.c.)

we Anticipate your reply...

-Brazilian government-

-DOUBLE POST-

Allanea: Unless you just joined the Alternate History Earth, this is another one of those damned Earth RPs that everyone hates.

TOP SECRET

To: The Brazilian Government
From: King Vittorio Emanuele III

For a coastal defense fleet, we propose that Brazil buy two Regina Elena battleships. They are equivalent to a battlecruiser, being fast and not as well-armed as a normal battleship. Each costs $8 million (estimate) to build, bring the total to $16 million so far. Each will, as an added bonus, have their triple expansion engines replaced by newer and faster steam turbines, making them better than the Italian ones.

Now, past the Regina Elena's, we think you should purchase four Vettor Pisani class armored cruisers for $4.5 million each (again, estimate). This brings you to $9 million for the cruisers, for a total of $25 million.

Finally, you need destroyers. We advise ten of these, all Nembo-class, at $750 thousand each. For the destroyers, that's $7.5 million. This brings the grand total to $32.5 million. Though it may tax your nation's budget a bit, this should provide for your coastal defense needs. Being laid at the earliest in 1905, the destroyers would be ready in 1907 with the cruisers and battleships finished in 1908.

Now we need to build merchant vessels. We will produce a group of merchant vessels with a total cargo capacity of 50,000 tons for $10 million per batch. Being laid down in 1905, they would be finished in 1907. Each additional batch is $8.5 million each, though we can only do 6 batches at the most, if there were no other ships being built. We currently advise you only build 100,000 tons at the moment, which brings your total to $18.5 for merchant shipping. This should provide for both merchant trading and for any potential military shipping.

All totaled together, the cost is $51 million dollars.

Secret

To the Italian Government

Our govenrment believs nothing comes for free. so we believe this deal satisfactory and accept this offer... out budget is strained a bit but we will cope under our enlightened president....

The money will be payed Half now and half on completion and shipment to Brazil... is this satisfactory????

To: The Brazilian Government
From: The Italian Government

We, too, understand that nothing its free. We also understand your budget contraints, and we will allow you pay half now and half later. The ships will start construction in early 1905. All of the warships--and half the merchant vessels--will be completed in early 1907, but the merchant fleet will be finished in 1908.

_______________

Secret IC:

Having profited from the Brazilian deal, Italy spends $1 million dollars on research for the proposed "Savoy" class, with the intent being to get all four planned ships laid in 1905. As compensation, the two Regina Elenas currently under construction are to be finished and used as the ships to be sold to Brazil. A few of the older warships are also being considered for scrapping.

Secret IC:

The Italian Army has begun planning for a major war, with contingency plans for every power, from Russia to Greece to Belgium. Military planners, knowing they will be fighting what is likely to be vastly superior enemy numbers, has begun thinking up ways to increase the individual Italian soldier's capacity to fight and kill. Therefore, the Cei-Riggotti (an Italian assault rifle--made in the late 19th century--that never saw service) has recieved increased attention due to the fact that it is a machine gun for individual soldiers. Terming it a light machine gun, Italian military planners have ordered 500 for use in the Alpino mountain units.

To: King Vittorio Emanuele III
From: His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Franz Ferdinand

My dear friend,

I am glad to see that our two nations have been able to work out our differences and that any bad blood between our two nations is behind us. To show this appreciation, I have a very unique offer for you. As you know, there are very few living military commanders on any level that have combat experience in Europe. One of the exceptions of course being the men in Austria-Hungary that put down an unlawful rebellion a few years ago.

What I propose is an exchange of military officers. Your men get the benefit of working with officers that have experience in the field and under fire. If they wish, I may even arrange for them to go on one of the occasional suppression missions so that they learn first hand what it is like to be under fire, while remaining completely safe of course. In exchange, Austro-Hungarian officers would be able to work with your elite units and gain experience working with your men, an excellent idea if our two militaries will continue to work together in the future.

I also propose a few more items. One, that each others respective navies will be able to dock and re-supply at each others ports, if only temporarily. Also, that we drop all economic tariffs on each others products, which will help foster more ties between our two nations. In addition, my military advisors have asked me to ask you about a weapon named “Cei-Riggotti” and to inquire if we may purchase some for our military. (ooc: that’s assuming the weapon isn’t classified, if so just ignore this last sentence)

(OOC: The Cei-Rigotti isn't classified as far as its existance is concerned, but it is classified as far as the technology is concerned. So if Austria-Hungary disassembles the Cei and makes assault rifles for export, Italy is going to be angry. Especially if Germany gets it.)

IC:

To: His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Franz Ferdinand
From: King Vittorio Emanuele III

Your offer concerning the military officers is most intriguing. It would be an excellent way for ideas and experience to flow freely through our two nations, and we agree to that. We can begin exchanging officers in our two militaries at once, if Your Majesty agrees to it.

Concerning the sea and trade, it would be excellent to share our ports for resupply. Additionally, dropping all tarriffs will increase economic cooperation in our two nations. Furthermore, Italy will recognise all Austro-Hungarian claims to Bosnia, and will recognise claims to Albania as per our previous agreement. Lastly, we will support Austria-Hungary in any war with the Russians over the Balkans. Those who stick their nose where it doesn't belong wind up with no nose, and the Russians have no business in the Balkans.

The Cei-Riggotti is one of our experimental new weapons, a fairly recent design by one of our army captains. We will sell the rifles to you under one condition: Austria-Hungary will not sell the rifles, or any technology associated with them, to any other nation, save for Italy if need be. That said, we will sell you as many of the rifles as you want, at $250 per rifle. Italy would also be willing to sell warships, if Austria-Hungary requires that.

We have another offer for Austria-Hungary: as we have previously stated, Italy will support Austria-Hungary in a war against Russia, so long as no other great powers are involved. The First Rome is rising once again, and for its ascendancy to be complete, the Third Rome must fall. But as a further condition, Austria-Hungary would support Italy against the Ottoman Empire, after the Russians are taken care of.

To: King Vittorio Emanuele III
From: His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Franz Ferdinand

Excellent!

Your officers may come as soon as they are able and if you could submit a list of those being sent to the Austro-Hungarian Embassy in Italy it would be most appreciated.

As to the matter of the Cei-Riggotti, we will purchase one thousand (1,000) if possible for $250,000. As to the matter of selling this technology do not fear. Austria-Hungary may be allies with Germany, but that does not mean we do not want a level of military superiority over them.

Finally there is the matter of the Ottoman Empire. As you know, Austria-Hungary has great plans for the Balkan Peninsula. Obviously many of these plans clash with those of the Ottoman. We will gladly support you in your campaigns against the Ottoman Empire in exchange for your support if a war between Russia breaks out.

ooc: I'd also like to confirm that AH has use of some of your shipyards as per our original agreement

To: King Vittorio Emanuele III
From: El Rey Imperial Alfonso XIII de Espana

The Spanish Armed Forces wish to purchase 250,000 of the Cei-Riggotti Assault Rifle as it has proven to be an effective weapon. We offer coal as a payment along with currency.

Mongolia requests aid in its potential independence fight with China. Any weapons, soldiers, and/or supplies that could be spared are greatly welcome. We have vast space and resources that we cannot tap and believe it would be profitable if you helped us.

ooc: Contact me on AIM (KoRnSOAD4) or MSN (rugbyfiend@gmail.com), we must discuss things.

Mongolia has withdrawn its ambassador from Italy.

Anti-Recession Measures Introduced

With the world-wide recession, Italy has enacted the Anti-Poverty Act, aiming to get former soldiers working. New railways, power plants, roads, etc. have been planned and the army has been downsized. The government is racking up large foriegn debt, but the idea is that the economy needs stimulus.

More Democratic Measures

Today King Vittorio Emanuele III has ammended the Constitution with Senate approval, making the Senate elected by popular vote. Also enacted is suffrage for men and women of all races, and Libya has been given a few locally-elected representatives. Also, a historical agreement has been signed by the Pope, giving the Pope a new state of Vatican City in exchange for the Pope's co-operation concerning democracy.

The Government of Austria-Hungary expresses its interest in selling much of its fleet to Italy.

The Republic of Albania requests Italy's help in establishing a central banking system.

Turkhan Pasha, President of Albania

From: The Government of Romania
To:The Government of Italy

Greetings,
In the spirit of increasing economic cooperation in the region we would like to offer you the following:

Romania would like to offer reasonablly favorable oil deals in exchange for increased industrial investment in our country.

The economics minister asks any one the following:

1-The development of mineral extraction industries (coal and Iron miining)
2-The development of the manufacturing industry (A Power Plant, An Auto Factory, A Food Processing Plant...etc build two)

We are ready to negotiate with you any changes or new offers you would like

From: The Government of Italy
To:The Government of Romania

Italy is willing to help the government of Romania in its endeavors to industrialise. In exchange for the favorable oil deal you have offered, Italy is willing to do what Romania has asked. However, in exchange for favorable contracts to Italian companies in the mineral sector, Italy will provide military advisors for Romania and several of our Cei-Riggoti Model 1911 rifles.

To:The Government of Italy
From: The Ottoman Cargo Shipping company

Dear Sirs, we will be interested in buying 20 cargo ships from your shipyards to be build for the Ottoman Shipping Companies. We await your word on the matter.

Colombia would like to discuss Submarine designs with the Italian Navy. We have seen some of your work and are quite impressed.

OOC: Dang. Y'all really must love Italy today. Telegrams, posts, this is probably a record. Albania, your offer in the telegram had me loan you money (as historically happened), and this post contains an offer to loan you more money. Just be sure that you can pay for all these loans, as the historical Albania eventually was an economic vassal of Italy.
IC:

To: Albania:

Several Italian companies would be interested in helping to establish a central banking system. A few banks would be willing to loan Albania some money to do this, but we want to be sure that Albania will not default on its loan payments before we will allow this deal to go forth.

To: Colombia:

Italy is quite honored that Colombia wishes to discuss submarine designs with Italy. What is it that Colombia would like to discuss?

To: Ottoman Cargo Shipping company/Ottoman Government

Italy will allow 20 merchant ships to be purchased by the Ottoman Cargo Shipping company.

Colombia actually requires a submarine for its navy; Both Coastal and Oceanic Patrols would be necessary... what do you have to offer?

What are the terms of the loans (length, interest payments, we request a grace period of one year) and how much is offered? Albania will pay back the Italian loans in gold and petrodollars (once the oil system is up and running.

Furthermore, did you get that other telegram we sent you?

-President Turkhan Pasha

OOC: Colombia, Italy's submarine force has like 20 different classes, lots of them built around this time. I haven't been able to get any stats at all, but based on the dates that the ships were scrapped/sold/whatever, and numbers built, the F Class and Provana Class proved to be the best. It could be that that is not the case, but I have found no stats.

IC:

To Colombia:

For coastal patrols, the X2 Class Submarine Minelayer may prove to be the best choice for Colombia. Though (OOC: probably) lacking in torpedo tubes, the X2 Class can lay mines, which may prove to be invaluable for your nation. Also, the F Class and Provana classes are some of our best designs.

To Albania

We will loan your nation $100 million dollars, to be paid over 15 years, with 5% interest. We will allow your grace period and will accept gold, petro dollars, or hard currency. And the aid that we have prepared for your nation (OOC: from the telegram) will be sent as quickly as possible.

Thank you, Albania accepts the terms of Italy's loan. We will begin repayment in April 1921. As for the other aid, please send me an exact date for it's arrival (OOC: by telegram).

President Turkhan Pasha

ooc: Actually, my massive submarine book informs me that most if not all of Italies submarines were done in the 30's... but if you can find some stats for me, I'd be very happy.

OOC: That is probably the case, but, not including British/Austrian/Russian/etc. ships that Italy historically bought up, there were 14 sub classes between 1905 and 1918. 1913-1918 saw 11, I think. I've found no stats, and the only piece of info I managed to find was that an Italian F Class managed to sink an Austro-Hungarian battleship. But that doesn't give much info about range, as that is just across the Adriatic.

From: The Government of Italy
To:The Government of Romania

Italy is willing to help the government of Romania in its endeavors to industrialise. In exchange for the favorable oil deal you have offered, Italy is willing to do what Romania has asked. However, in exchange for favorable contracts to Italian companies in the mineral sector, Italy will provide military advisors for Romania and several of our Cei-Riggoti Model 1911 rifles.

From:The Government of Romania
To:The Government of Italy

Excellent! both are welcome and acceptable, may this signal a new begining of a new prosperous relationship

Dear
Italy

I will being willing to give you $2 million and 25 barrels of Oil for the battleship
Giulio Cesare.The ship will met a South African ship and go threw the Panama Canal. 1/3 will be paid now the next 2/3 will be on arrival.

From,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

And the aid that we have prepared for your nation (OOC: from the telegram) will be sent as quickly as possible.

When can it be expected, a date is important...

-The Albanian Governing Coalition

IC:

Secret IC to Albania:

The aid will arrive at the end of this (OOC: game time) month. We hope the aid helps grow your nation into a fully modern and strong nation, and we hope that this is the start of a long and mutually prosperous friendship.

To Ecuador:

Giulio Cesare is one of our most modern battleships (OOC: and would historically be modernised in the 30s or so, and I believe the class became pretty good at that time) and we cannot part with it. Not yet, at the least. We will sell you this battleship and finish construction of the Caracciolo-class battleship Francesco Caracciolo. Once the Caracciolo is finished, the Guilio Cesare will be transfered into Ecuadorian hands.

To: Italian Government
From: Ottoman Government

The Ottoman Fleet would like to buy the following ships from your yards

1xCAIO DUILIO CLASS Battleship
2xConti di Cavour Battlecruiser
20x Destoryers

To: The Ottoman Government

The Italian government approves this purchase, and the ships will be laid shortly. This will cost an estimated $40 million, and an extra $10 million can be spent on rushing the delivery and cutting the build times by one year. Canti di Cavour and Caio Dulio classes can be finished by this time in three years, but the destroyers will be finished within two years.

Dear,
Italy

When will the Francesco Caracciolo be done? Also when will we get the Giulio Cesare ? When are in despare need of ship!

From,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

When i mean when the Francesco Caracciolo gets finish in our time and also when the Giulio Cesare will be in Ecuador in our time?

From,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

When i mean when the Francesco Caracciolo gets finish in our time and also when the Giulio Cesare will be in Ecuador in our time?

From,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

by the way, Ecuador, were you approved by Sharina or Vas Pokorihim for this RP? Secondly, as the referee handling military affairs, you CANNOT operate a battleship, especially not a dreadnought. You simply don't have the tech level, manpower, budget, or skilled naval personnel to do so. Modern day Ecuador couldn't even do so, or the equiv capital ship in a modern navy, a missile cruiser or nuclear submariine. I commented on this earlier more gently, but its time to be blunt. NO dreadnoughts for Ecuador, in fact, a cruiser would be stretching it.

OOC: Got your telegram, GB

IC:

To: Ecuador
From: The Italian Government

After reviewing Ecuador's situation, it has been decided that Ecuador cannot support or purchase a dreadnaught or battleship. As such, we must cancel your order and will refund it in full.

Signed,
King Vittorio Emanuele III

The Giulio Cesare is to be scrapped, but the Francesco Caracciolo will continue being made. The view is that, we've started it again, we may as well finish it. Asside from this and the conversion of the Regina Elenas into carriers, there is going to be no Italian naval buildup (historical, I believe) until the 30s unless something happens to change this. I believe that Italy will still be in accordance with the Washington Naval Treaty.

The Union has begun mobilizing its European armies in Ukraine, Poland, and Western Russia, and is moving troops to Yugoslavia's borders with Italy and Albania. And both the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets have been placed on alert.
This will also be posted in the Yugoslavia, Albania, and Main Threads.
You can only push a bear so far into his den before there's trouble.
Just so everyone knows.

A diplomatic solution was found. The mobilized forces are standing down.

Message from the Government of Albania

We send our condolences for the greatly tragic and ironic death of King Vittorio Emanuele III. Many of Europe’s most proud statesmen have been felled by extremists, whether those extremists are communist, anarchist or fascist. We hope the best for Re Umberto II and our President Turkhan Pasha will attend the funeral/coronation.

Long Live the King

(The letter is signed by all members of the Albanian cabinet)

To: Umberto II
From: Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea, President of Bolivia

I send my condolences for the death of your father. I will personally attend his funeral in Rome.

To: Whomever in the Italian Government this may concern
From: The Albanian Ministry of Trade
The Albanian Ministry of Finance
The Albanian Ministry of Agriculture
The Albanian Society for Free Trade

Currently Italy and Albania employ tariffs against each other, currently the tariffs stand at 3%. We believe these tariffs are best eliminated and a Free Trade Agreement with Albania signed. The reasons are:

1. Italy collects very little income from goods made in Albania, as Albania currently exports mainly cheese and other "animal products". Although the Albanian economy will be expanding into manufacturing and mining this year, these will still not create any-real income for Italy nor threaten Italian companies (and it is likely that Albanian firms will avoid Italy in favor of nations which do not currently have tariffs).

2. Italian companies are losing ground to Greek and Yugoslavian companies in the Albanian market as there are no tariffs against these companies due to Free Trade Agreements with their respective countries. Italy would make more money by taxing the corporate profits of successful Italian companies then from Albanian tariffs.

3. It would contribute to economic growth in Albania and make communism less appealing in the Balkans. Free Trade is a way to fight communism non-violently, as communism cannot export prosperity, unlike capitalism which can.

To: The Albanian ministries of Trade, Finance, and Agriculture, and the Albanian Society for Free Trade
From: Duke Umberto II of Aostra

I, Duke Umberto II, have personally taken interest in your offer. While we do not feel that Italian businesses are losing greatly or failing to generate revenue, we do understand that freer competition in Albania and Italy between the corporations of each nation would naturally increase the wealth of both nations. As Albania has free trade agreements with Greece and Yugoslavia, and Italy with France, an agreement would allow our nations to act as middlemen for trade east and west. Italy, therefore, will accept your offer.

Also, I invite all members of the Albanian government to the funeral of my father, King Vittorio Emanuele III. May his, and his father's, death at the hands of radicals be remembered by all as an example of the terrible qualities of man. I pray that such terribleness does not occur in Albania

(OOC: he is ignorant of Albanian affairs at the moment, though he will be up to speed shortly. Meaning, my next post)

OoC: Has Umberto found a wife, yet, by the way? The Tsar-in-exile (Aleksei II, now seventeen years old or thereabouts), is probably looking for friends in London and Rome, since Paris is getting a little Red, and I imagine he'd rather like to marry off one of his sisters (probably Anastasia) to one of the staunchest anti-communist leaders there is.

The Republic of Haiti wishes to open relations with Italy. We have valuable coffee, sugar, and bauxite up for trade. In return, we require silver, copper, cement, lumber, and steel. We also are in need of skilled workers to help train our citizens(teachers, engineers, doctors...).

OOC: Umberto isn't married yet, but he historically married a Belgian (I think) princess. However, marrying a noble from Russia--even if the noble is an exile--would be a great political action. I think the Tsars at one point married the old Byzantine ruling family--which was probably descended from Romans--and so by marriage Umberto has created a new (diluted) "Roman" lineage. Plus, these "Romans" just so happen to be from the Third Rome, which, according to Italian propaganda, is on the wane.

The Grand Duchesses Anastasia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_of_Russia), Olga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Olga_Nikolaevna_of_Russia), Maria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Maria_Nikolaevna_of_Russia), and Tatyana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Tatiana_Nikolaevna_of_Russia) are all a little older than Umberto, but all are unmarried, and the Tsar Aleksei, being quite infirm himself, might well consider making one of their husbands an heir.
Not that it really means anything, of course (unless something totally weird happens), but yeah, it'd be kind of cool.

OOC: Tatyana, I suppose, would be good. Actually, any woman but that Belgian princess would be good; that way, Vittorio Emanuele IV, when he is born, will have some type of talent. From what I've heard, the latest incarnation of the House of Savoy is quite the jackass.

Tatyana is the eldest, after all. And I don't suppose that the age difference (just a few years, anyway) would matter much to a man of Umberto's proclivities.
I mean, I don't judge. But I do like to use to use the word, "proclivities."
I like to waggle my fingers around when I say it, too.

To: Umberto II
From: Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea, President of Bolivia

The Bolivian Government relizes that industrial nations are richer and more powerful than nations in which resourse gatering is the economy. Given Bolivia's current situation, the only way Bolivia will become a industrial nation is if it receives substatial investments from other countries. We wonder if it is at all posible for Italy to invest in our nation.

To: Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea, President of Bolivia
From: King Umberto II of Italy

While the Kingdom of Italy believes that investment in Bolivia would prove to mutually prosperous, we wish to know what industries Bolivia is interested in developing before we open the spigot of investment. We can invest perhaps $100 million in Bolivia, but we must know what needs to be done.

Regardless of where we invest our money, we will unilaterally remove tarrifs on Bolivian goods. Also, we will open Italian universities to Bolivian students. We look forward to your response.

ooc: here is a link for Bolivia in the CIA World Factbook Website:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bl.html#Econ

you can see kind of industries that can be developed in Bolivia based on Bolivia's resources.

OOC: I'm guessing that oil would be good to invest in--if oil has been discovered yet. You don't have all that much oil, however, and selling millions of barrels per day is going to deplete your oil in just a few years. I'd suggest automobiles, but lots of people are getting into that in this game. Hmm...what to do, what to do....

ooc
I would suggest importing sugar from Haiti and using the native coco crop to create a chocolate industry... it has the virtue of being different.

ooc: yeah, would the oil have been discovered yet?

OOC: GB, that is an interesting idea. At the very least, it would be interesting. But let's make it even more interesting. In addition to the chocolate industry, let's invest in carbonated beverages. Have they gained any popularity yet?
Also, Bolivia could make tires and possibly condoms from rubber in Brazil. The industries, becomming the greatest in Bolivia, are reffered to as "King Cocoa and Queen Condom." Interesting, to say the least.

If your looking for a bride, Princess Sophie von Hohenberg is looking for a husband. (born in 1901)

Secret Message from the Albanian Government

In light of the recent German invasion of Denmark, President Noli requests further Italian-Albanian military cooperation. Could it be possible for Italian Engineers to construct fortifications and gun emplacements around Tirana and Vlore, which are currently vulnerable to attack. As Yugoslavia currently has a navy, and Albania is without a fleet, we feel that coastal defenses need to be established. Italian aid towards helping Albania establish a 20,000 man National Militia would also be appreciated.

The Albanian Ministry of Defense also would like to join it's Italian counter-part in drawing up military plans for the defense of Albania in the event of war.

A Non-Secret Message from the Albanian Ministry of Education

Currently Albanian students can attend German Universities for free. We however feel that a purely German experience is limiting and would like to ask if the Italian government could also offer free education for Albanian students?

Secret Message from the Italian Government to Albania:

Italy will help build the fortifications around your two cities, and will help Albania recruit a militia, but we feel that building coastal defenses is not strictly neccessary. We feel that the primary threat your nation faces is an invasion by land, not by sea. In the event of any war between Yugoslavia and Albania, Italian forces will probably take complete control of the sea from Yugoslavia fairly quickly. Albania would then be stuck with coastal defenses prepared to face a phantom threat. Were these defenses to be placed on the battle line, they would see some use.

Also, we agree to your request to have our highest officers discuss the defense of Albania in war time.

Publicly Broadcast Message to Albania

Italy is willing to grant free education to Albanian students visiting Italy, including all of our universities. We hope this will encourage stronger links between our two nations.

Message from the Albanian Government

Due to the violence in Kosovo caused by the actions of the Yugoslavian government, many refugees have fled into Albania. We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe; our resources are stretched to the breaking point. We need help, any medicine, food, or personnel the Italian government could provide will be appreciated.


Secret Message from the Albanian Ministry of Defense

Could we secretly acquire (or purchase if necessary) the latest weapons and portable explosives (land mines, grenades, est.).

Could the Italian government increase the number of troops on the Yugoslavian border, and hopefully draw troops and attention away from Kosovo.

We also must request that the Italian military mobilize at least 30,000 troops and prepare to ship them over to Albania, just in case Yugoslavia, not satisfied with the current blood bath in Kosovo, decides to invade Albania.

:: Shortly before noon on September 1st a massive Earthquake with an Estimated magnitude of 8.3 has Struck Tokyo with an Epicenter in Sagami Bay and stretching for miles around. Few details have gotten out since the magnitude of the devastation has prevented any real communication from getting out of the Disaster Area word is that the palace has been damaged and the status of the emperor is unknown at this time. Japan is calling out to the international community to give any aid at all possible to this disaster. A massive firestorm erupted due to the earthquake and the wooden and paper structures incinerated untold thousands.::


OOC: ouch..........

To Albania:

(OOC: Publically)

Italy will be glad to assist our friends in Albania in helping the poor refuges from Yugoslavia. We will provide humanitarian workers, doctors, teachers, and other workers to help the refugees.

(OOC: Secretly)

Italy will mobilise 30,000 soldiers and ship them to the heel of Italy. As far as the Italo-Yugoslav border goes, we will send a few divisions to Trieste. We can provide whatever we can as far as weapons goes. Any Yugoslavian invasion of Albania will be met with as much Italian force as is possible, and if your nation falls we will not rest until we have liberated it from the enemy.

To Japan:

Our resources are tied up with the crisis in Albania, but we will provide whatever humanitarian assistance we can scrounge up.

To: Italian Government
From: Ottoman Government
Topic: Carrier

The Ottoman Government would be most interested in buying one air craft carrier from your nation, we await your word on that matter.

To: The Ottoman Government
From: The Government of Italy

Italy is willing to sell one of its carriers for $5 million dollars. Although the ship is old, it has served Italy well. We can ship the carrier to Constantinople as soon we recieve the first payment.

To: Italian Government
From: Ottoman Government

The paynment for the Vittorio Emanuele class carrier, has been send to your nation accounts. We thank for your selling us this ship.

If your looking for a bride, Princess Sophie von Hohenberg is looking for a husband. (born in 1901)

Not to nag, isn't she married to Gang from Korea? Or was that soembody else? We RPed them meeting, though that never got finished....

IC:

To: King Umberto II of Italy
From: Our Majesty Prince Gang, Emperor Of Korea

I heard you were looking for a bride. Some relatives of mine (OOC: Not sure if Gang had any kids yet) are looking for a suitable suitor, and I think you'd be great. What do you think?

To: His Majesty Emperor Gang
From: King Umberto II

I, dear sir, am looking for a bride. However, it has been my hope to marry into the House of Romanov. If I am successful in marrying into the Romanovs, I will have one of my children marry into the royal house of Korea (OOC: Is it the House of Yi, or am I way off?). If I am not, I would be honored to marry a Korean bride.

To: His Majesty Emperor Gang
From: King Umberto II

I, dear sir, am looking for a bride. However, it has been my hope to marry into the House of Romanov. If I am successful in marrying into the Romanovs, I will have one of my children marry into the royal house of Korea (OOC: Is it the House of Yi, or am I way off?). If I am not, I would be honored to marry a Korean bride.

OOC: Far as I know, its the Joseon Family.

IC:

To: King Umberto II
From: His Majesty Emperor Gang

That arrangment is fine with me.

OOC: After looking at Wikipedia, both Yi (it was founded by a General Yi) and Joseon are correct. However, Joseon is what Korea is using, so that, I suppose, is what is more correct.

OOC: This of course would be directed towards the House of Romanov, not the Russian government.

IC:

From: His Majesty King Umberto II of Italy
To: His Majesty Tsar Aleksei

Dear sir,

As you may know, I, head of the House of Savoy, am unmarried. I can produce no heir to the Italian throne in this state, and I beseech you, Emperor of all Russias, to provide me with a wife to produce an heir. Let us put asside our past differences, and let a new House of Savoy-Romanov rise in the future.

To His Majesty, King Umberto II of Italy

My dear sir, I should overjoyed to call you brother, for I know full well your principled stands and wise policies. Though our blessed Fathers fought mightily against one another, nevertheless I can think of no greater gift to their memories than the gift of peace between our great and ancient Houses.

I should be pleased to offer the hand of Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna in marriage to Your Majesty.

Za Mir! [OoC: Russian for, "To Peace!" But could also be interpreted as meaning, "For the World!" in an imperialistic sense.]

His Majesty by the grace of God Aleksei II Nikolayevich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias

[OoC: Postmarked from London, where the Romanovs went after Paris, but they might relocate to Rome after this.]

[OoC: There's a huge background to this in the Yugoslavian Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=440871&page=8&pp=15)]

You cannot predict with such certainty the outcome of a military campaign. Do not even try to pretend to me that this is possible. You are evading justice and obstructing the peace process in an attempt to illegally seize the historically Serbian land of Kosovo. You have not answered any of the Council's concerns openly or honorably. The only obstruction to a solution is Tirana, which protects its terrorists behind the human shields of Albanian refugees. It sickens me, frankly.

You will permit French peacekeepers to do their jobs - which is to keep the peace, by effectively dealing with threats to it. Or the consequences will be dire for the current Albanian Government.

The Mediterranean Squadron of the Red Fleet is already returning from Spain to blockade the Albanian coast.

If you refuse, Red Army units will be ordered to fire on any Albanian that comes within range of our guns. After all, any of them might be a terrorist, and we must do whatever we can to keep the peace. And let me assure you, Mr. President, the range of our guns is long.

This is your final warning. Moscow has lost all patience with your obstinacy.

- Premier N.I. Bukharin, Union of Social-Democratic Republics

November 1923

The Red Fleet comes off station in Turkish waters, and takes up station in the Adriatic. Italian warships sighted near the Albanian coast will be warned off as being in violation of the Russo-Albanian agreement. If they enter Albanian waters they will be fired upon.

With the regime change in Tirana, the Red Fleet stands down and returns to the Black Sea, passing by Tarento and flushing out its heads all at once.

An End to the War?

With many belligerent nations accepting a new treaty to end this Second Great War, it appears as if the war is finally over. King Umberto II has declared victory, saying that the war showed the world the power of Italian martial might. Now, he has declared, Italy must show that world that, even after wartime devastation, Italy can get its economy rolling.

More Autonomy granted to Italian Colonies

In a move to appease Libyans, and any possible residents of future Italian territories, King Umberto II, with the support of the Senate, has signed into a law granting colonies the right to organise local governments based upon local laws and customs. Local militia units can also be formed, but no foriegn policy can be conducted, except for requesting economic aid from other countries. The new law, however, still declares that Italy is still the final authority on almost all matters, if those matters conflict with national interest.

A letter is sent to King Umberto from Premier Kuusinen, informing His Majesty that, although the Yugoslavs and the Union had both agreed to fixing the borders status quo ante bellum (OoC: i.e., giving up Trieste and keeping Pola - did you miss that part Fluff, or are you seriously trying to start the war back up by trying to expand your territory at Yugoslavia's expense?), the insulting, indeed asinine behavior of his delegate to the League of Nations made all negotiations a farce. "It is my belief, Your Majesty," writes Kuusinen, "that your interests are not well-served by that man. It may not be my place to advise you, but I hope you will consider my words."

Senate and King Draft Plan to Stimulate Italian Economy

In an effort to stimulate economic growth, Italian senators and King Umberto II have drafted the Italian Revitalization Plan, a quick-growth plan that seeks to undo all war damages and then some. The Plan, which calls for 10 years of rapid growth, will last from 1927 to 1937, and shall more than double the standard of living for all Italians, so the plan's proponents say. In addition, the navy will be expanded and the Army will be rebuilt.

(OOC: As fascists never took power, this guy is still alive and is still a Red. I think he would be....interesting to the Union, to say the least.)

Giacomo Matteotti, leader of the Italian Socialist Party, has published Capitalism Exposed: The Feudal Domination. Matteotti's book is an attack on capitalism and the monarchy in Italy, and it calls for a peaceful transformation into a socialist, ultimatly communist, state. The work was delayed during the Second Great War.

In addition to attacking capitalism and calling for peaceful revolution, Matteotti has announced that he is running for the position of Prime Minister in the upcomming elections later this year. Although his Socialist politics are in conflict with that of many Italians, his harsh condemnation of the Union as a "capitalist plutocracy with a socialist decorator" and his pledges to fight the spread of "pseudo-socialism" have won over some Italians. The winner of the election is anyone's guess, analysts say. The Senate elections, it is predicted, will oust many Socialist supporters, many of whom openly praised Union troops.

Although [Matteotti's] Socialist politics are in conflict with that of many Italians, his harsh condemnation of the Union as a "capitalist plutocracy with a socialist decorator" and his pledges to fight the spread of "pseudo-socialism" have won over some Italians.
Oh, but this made me laugh.