NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: As I have just gotten confirmation of being able to run France, this will only be news from 1905 to 1906. Does anyone know where I can find some information on what the other French players were doing?

IC:

1905

Conservative Party Maintains Power; Radicals Defeated
PAris, France- The Radical party suffered a major setback, having failed to improve it's standing in the French Paliament. Indeed, the Conservative PArty appears to have gained power.This further cements the role of the Catholic Church in government and Education.

Palrliament Passes Conscription Act
Parliament has decided to pass a Conscription Act as the growing unrest in Europe may eventually spread to France. This mandates taht all able-bodied men between 18 and 38 must sign up for the draft and attend a basic training session, as well as serve at least one year on active duty.


Early 1906

France Mobilizing Reserves
France, in response to the War flaring in Easter nEurope and especiall because of Germany's mobilization ahs mobilized it's own troops and begun moving troops towards it's borders.



Basic France Information

French Population: 38.9 Million

French Economy:
GDP per capita: $2849
Population: 38.9m, 14.4% urban
GDP: $110,826,100,000
Industrial Base: 39 (capacity), 36.8 (potential)
Tech Level: 4.5
Probable Revenues:
Comments
GB: Economic rating Thriving, and it has a massive empire, which helps a lot. Although the demographics in France are essentially stagnant and remain so for the entire 20th Century.
FW:
VP:
LR:


French Navy Information: http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/french.htm

French Army Regulars:
910,000

To: Prime Minister (ooc: insert random name here)
From: Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary

My dear sir,

As you already know, Germany has entered into, if only temporarily, an alliance with with the war mongaring Russians. Germany has done so, supposedly in revenge of the sinking of a Germany ship. One sunk on accident by the Italian Navy. So, they have set about to attempt to conquer Italy. When my nation refused to let them enter our borders to do so, Italy being one of my allies, they declared war on my nation as well, hardly a civilized act, especially considering Austria-Hungary was one of Germany's allies. One most be foolish to think however, that they will stop there. It is well known that they have never liked France, and I believe they will attack you as soon as they are able. There for I urge you to defend youself as best as you can. What this means however is war with Germany. I know it is not easy to attack another nation, but in this case it must be done to protect yours.

I urge you to consider what I have said.

From: Prime Minister Émile Loubet

To: Ernest von Koerber, Premier of Austria-Hungary

I have talked with parliament and we have come to a concencus. You will know of our decison tomorrow.



The next day's headlines...

WAR!

Paris, France-In response to Germany's growing aggression, recent attack upon Italy ad Austria-Hungary, and Germany's call upon all Germanic people to rise in rebillion against their rightful governments, the French Parliament has voted to go to war against Germany and her allies. As the reserves have already been mobilized the French High Command has ordered all troops on the Franco-German border into an all-out attack along the entire front. Troops along the Italian Border have been ordered to make their through Italy to the front, once permission from teh Italian government has been obtained.

. . . may be found here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=431409).

France to Improve Navy

Taking a hint from the Americans, as well as the Germans, the French have begun working on eliminating the pre-dreadnaughts and protected cruisers from their navy and replacing the with armored cruisers and dreadnaughts. The government has also ordered central fire control systems installed on all warships as soon as is feasibly possible.

"After all," remarked one French offical, "we must keep up with the Germans!"

The French are also looking into oil-burning ships, but as of yet have not found a suitable oil source. The French Navy has, after muc hdeliberation, decided on a mixed building system. They are currently working on one dreadnaught, three torpedo boat squadrons, and two Desrons. They have also rearranged their navy, placing most of their cruisers and dreadnaughts in the Atlantic, while upping numbers of destroyers and torpedo boats in the Med. Several outdated warships are being scrapped for raw materials.

French Army Scrambles to Acquire Heavier Guns
As it has been realized taht heavier guns are needed to destroy fortifications the French army is scrambling to get their hands on anything over 100mm in caliber. The arillery plants have been ordered to devote at least half of their production to heavier guns.

It has also been noted that the French are looking into planes as a recon vehicle.

Colombia is now producing 152.4mm Artillery (6") for export to countries. Munitions are included with orders, along with delivery by Colombia. Are our french friends interested?

The French are very interested. We would like to purchase as many as you can supply.

Today's headlines in Paris.

GREAT VICTORY AT SEA!

Scheliswig Holstein Sunk with Great Loss of Life!

Five German Cruisers Sent to the Bottom by our Brave Navy!

German Fleet Routed!

Victorious French Fleet Steaming Back to Cadiz

France has won a victory at sea over the Boche! The two fleets engaged near Trafalgar and the Germans were smashed with great loss of life. History it seems has not repeated itself. Vive la France!

"Tirpitz," remarked one French admiral, "is no Nelson!"

A Smaller headline notes:

The French Army has purchased several areoplanes for experimental use as recon and scouting units.

France Expanding Draft Age
Fracne has expanded the draft age to include to 18 through 45 in order to make up for manpower shortages.

News from French Indo-China
In response to the mobilization of Chinese troops along the Indo-Chinese border France has orderd troops in the region to the borders to defend the key passes, roads, and railway hubs. They have also called for Vietnamese volounteers to join the Colonial Troops in order to swell the armed forces in the region. Much of the recruiting methods focus on the age-old antagonization between the Vietnamese and Chinese nations.

France has begun shipping small arms and light artillery pieces to Indo-China. All regular troops are on high alert.

GREAT VICTORY IN ITALIAN LYBIA!

Over 100,000 Turks Made Prisoner!

Our Brave Italian Allies Carry the Day!

Foreign Legion Distinguishes Itself Once Again!

Our brave Italian allies, assisted by our brave marines and the esteemed Foreign Legion have smashed the Turks in a month long battle. The Turks invaded Italian Lybia, thinking our allies weak and off their guard. Unluckily for the mthey were wrong! Our brave allies held off the Turkish hordes, buying time for the Legion and Italian troops to arrive by sea.

Weeks later our brave allies and our marines cut their supply lines and their line of retreat. Despite their desperate attempts to break out they were defeated and over 100,000 enemy troops were bagged. THey are currently languishing in prison camps. This will teach the enemies of France and Italy not to underestimate us.

France Announces Blockade of German Ports
The government of France has announced a blockade of German-owned ports. All ships carrying War Material to Germany will have their cargos impounded and be sent to France. Once the cargo is offloaded here the frieghters will be released. Foodstuffs and other materials vital for the civilians will be allowed through.

France Creates New Medal
France has created a new naval medal, which can be awarded to anyone enlisted in th French Navy. It is the Labeyrere Cross, awarded for actions above and beyond the call of duty or extreme bravery in the face of the enemy/peril.

Sankt-Peterburg in no way endorses those decisions of Admiral Tirpitz which resulted in the loss of civilian lives at Dunkerque and Calais, and shares the horror the French must feel at this tragedy.
We deeply regret any responsibility that Russian forces may have had in the incident, and express our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the dead. God will judge us all, and we may only pray for His mercy, and bend our efforts to ensuring that such terrible events do not recur.

Count Sergei Yulyevich Witte, Grand Chancellor of the Empire of All the Russias

Shortly following upon this letter, a million lilies are delivered to the French government for distribution to the families of the dead.

Official German Statement

The Kaiser, after realizing the horrors that Tirpitz has dealt to the French People and the horrors that have been dealt to the Rhineland and Lorraine, calls for a ceasefire along the Franco-German Border and along the British Channel.

Realizing that this war between France and Germany is not of our doing, the Kaiser hopes that peace can begin to unfold and agreements can be dealt.

Statement from the French Government

The Ceasefire is accepted along the Lorraine-Rhineland front and in the Atlantic. Too much killing has gone on in this part of the world. Be aware, however, that our forces will continue the fight against the Russians, Turks, and if neccessary, German forces in the Middle East and in Eastern Europe.

The French government expresses it's gratitude to the Czar and the Russian Government.

ooc: so are you still able to fight those dirty krauts along side my troops correct?

OOC: Yes, I believe so. The cease-fire applies only to the Western Front. If I am wrong Parthini, please correct me.

OOC: w00t! I'm "sometimes deadly" :p

....Oh yeah. You can move troops to Austria and the Levant. I'm gonna do it :p

Following Italy's lead France has begun construction projects in an effort to further industrialize the country and bring modern technology to the rural areas. Rail lines and roads are expanded, with more electric power stations and factories being built under government contract.

France has invested money in the new Model T and French business men are working on building their own cars. For the adventureous, French rail companies in Palestine need labor and managment.

France is also instituting land reforms in Indochina in an effort to allow the natives to have more of a stake in their own country. The Navy is also offering jobs at shipyards to help scrap out-dated warships and build new ones.

There is a movement in Parliament to give women the vote, but it is still the subject of much debate. No one is sure if it will pass.

In an effort to copy Germany otehr Frenchmen have begun working on their own zeppelin and blimp travel for commercial use.

OOC: What of my offer?

After careful consideration Parliament has decided to sell Australia the isalnds it requested for 10 million U.S. dollars. It will be paid currency and in bullion.THe money, once recieved, will immediatly go towards paying off the debt.

To: French Government
From: President Mustafa Kemal Pasha of the Ottoman Government

I ask of you to look ahead and work for peace, we must repair our relations between our lands. Under my leaderships I my government will not theaten the Arab Republic, now we'll open relations with the republic to maintain peace and happness. I wish only for peace for our nations, for peace I ask that our nations sign a peace pact. For the stake of the future , we must pull our past behind and look ahead.

To: French Government
From: President Mustafa Kemal Pasha of the Ottoman Government

I ask of you to look ahead and work for peace, we must repair our relations between our lands. Under my leaderships I my government will not theaten the Arab Republic, now we'll open relations with the republic to maintain peace and happness. I wish only for peace for our nations, for peace I ask that our nations sign a peace pact. For the stake of the future , we must pull our past behind and look ahead.

France will gladly sign the peace pact and put this dreadful war behind us.

Communique to France
From: China

Greetings.

It has come to our attention that your nation is under severe debt, approximately over $20 billion in debt, from the Great War and the terrible tragedies that befell the French people and economy.

China would like to extend another offer regarding Indochina. Despite our tensions in the past over Indochina, China believes it may be able to aid the French people emerge from debt and recession. China is prepared to pay $750 million for Indochina, along with 90% discounts on rubber exports to France. This will go a long way towards resolving your debt and recession issues. China is also prepared to negoiate the final price of Indochina should it come to that.

Perhaps this time, our people will reach an understanding and an agreement that was not possible in the past. Thank you.

~Emperor Guozu

Spending Cuts (X-Posted from Eco thread)
In order to facilitate a faster economic recovery and pay off the debt, France will be cutting military spending and reducing the size of the regular army. THe nayv building project will be slowed down to allow for more money to be spent towards debt and economic recovery.

Message to the Chinese Government

France must once again decline your offer to buy Indochina. It is still a valuable source of resources for France and has much to offer us in the future. We thank you for your time.

Surplus Weapons for Sale
France has begun selling surplus weapons left over from the great war. THey are currently selling rifles, machine-guns, and other small arms in lots on hundreds and thousands.

Artillery is also being sold, mainly the fast-firing 75mm.

75mm Artillery Piece
$800 dollars US

105mm Aritllery Piece
$900 dollars US

150mm Artillery Piece
$1000 dollars US

Spending Cuts (X-Posted from Eco thread)
In order to facilitate a faster economic recovery and pay off the debt, France will be cutting military spending and reducing the size of the regular army. THe nayv building project will be slowed down to allow for more money to be spent towards debt and economic recovery.

Message to the Chinese Government

France must once again decline your offer to buy Indochina. It is still a valuable source of resources for France and has much to offer us in the future. We thank you for your time.

Surplus Weapons for Sale
France has begun selling surplus weapons left over from the great war. THey are currently selling rifles, machine-guns, and other small arms in lots on hundreds and thousands.

Artillery is also being sold, mainly the fast-firing 75mm.

75mm Artillery Piece
$800 dollars US

105mm Aritllery Piece
$900 dollars US

150mm Artillery Piece
$1000 dollars US


If France is willing to completely retrain the Brazilian ground forces along the lines of Western militaries, Brazil will be very generous in purchasing your surplus artillery pieces. Also, we will half major trade tarriffs with your nation and enter into closer diplomatic relations. If the retraining of our ground forces is acceptable in return for the benefits already mentioned, please notify our government as soon as possible by telegram (OOC:or on this thread) as we will also be purchasing French small arms for our troops.

Regards.

We find this proposal acceptable! We will send advisors and begin shipments as soon as you are ready.

Major Events in France, 190-1920

Navy
All outdated shps are refitted, scrapped, replaced or sold off. Construction is begun on a fleet of dreadnaughts, armored cruisers, destoyers, and submarines. The build-up is slow due to lack of money and having to pay off debt, but it is going. Planes are developedand are mainly used for reconaissance and torpedo bombing. Taking a page from the American's book (again) they have switched over to the 21 inch torpedo and oil-burning ships.

French Navy by 1920: 8 Dreadnaughts, 17 cruisers, 2 aircraft carriers, 75 detroyers, and 55 submarines. More ships are planned. Currently there are two more dreadnaughts, five cruisers, another carrier, twenty destroyers and ten submarines under construction.

Four of the dreadnaughts are Courbet class, with the other four of the Bretange class.

[u]Dreadnaughts[u]

Courbet Class
Courbet
France
Jean Bart
Paris


Bretange Class
Bretange
Lorraine
Provence
Charlegmane II

Army
The army has incorporated steel helmets, light machine guns, submachine guns, and armored cars into the French forces. They are also using aircraft as recon craft and the occasional bombing run. The size of the army was reduced drstically and currently stands at 500,000 regulars, with more in reserve. (down from 900,000 in the early 1900s) The intelligence service has melded with the Italians.

Economy
France has knocked down all trade barriers with the Italian and has enjoyed an excellent trade relationship with them. (Rest is for the Mods to decide...)

Politics
The conservatice party ahs managed to maintain a healthy majority, but a coalition of liberal parties are beginning to close the gap. Jacques Castet stepped down in 1912. Alexandre Milelrand, who was won over to the conservatives, was appointed in his palce and has been a good prime minster for the last eight years. He is expected to continue in that position for some time.

EDIT: Fixed for historical navy build. Founds a good site.

We find this proposal acceptable! We will send advisors and begin shipments as soon as you are ready.

Major Events in France, 190-1920

Navy
All outdated shps are refitted, scrapped, replaced or sold off. Construction is begun on a fleet of dreadnaughts, armored cruisers, destoyers, and submarines. The build-up is slow due to lack of money and having to pay off debt, but it is going. Planes are developedand are mainly used for reconaissance and torpedo bombing. Taking a page from the American's book (again) they have switched over to the 21 inch torpedo and oil-burning ships.

French Navy by 1920: 8 Dreadnaughts, 13 cruisers, 2 aircraft carriers, 75 detroyers, and 55 submarines. More ships are planned. Currently there are two more dreadnaughts, five cruisers, another carrier, twenty destroyers and ten submarines under construction.

Four of the dreadnaughts are Courbet class, with the other four of the Bretange class.

[u]Dreadnaughts[u]

Courbet Class
Courbet
France
Jean Bart
Paris


Bretange Class
Bretange
Lorraine
Provence
Charlegmane II

Army
The army has incorporated steel helmets, light machine guns, submachine guns, and armored cars into the French forces. They are also using aircraft as recon craft and the occasional bombing run. The size of the army was reduced drstically and currently stands at 500,000 regulars, with more in reserve. (down from 900,000 in the early 1900s) The intelligence service has melded with the Italians.

Economy
France has knocked down all trade barriers with the Italian and has enjoyed an excellent trade relationship with them. (Rest is for the Mods to decide...)

Politics
The conservatice party ahs managed to maintain a healthy majority, but a coalition of liberal parties are beginning to close the gap. Jacques Castet stepped down in 1912. Alexandre Milelrand, who was won over to the conservatives, was appointed in his palce and has been a good prime minster for the last eight years. He is expected to continue in that position for some time.


Excellent! We have 250,000 regulars for training and 350,000 reserves. Let us take the training as starting immediately as soon as the advisors arrive. Could you reccommend the amount of arms the army would need to be fully proficient?

OOC:wtf mate?

IC: Japan as a staunch ally of France stood up and prevented IndoChina from being forcibly seized from you. We put in offer after offer to buy your pacific possesions if you would wish to sell them. Then you go and sell Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands to Australia who if Britain had gone to war would have attacked you to gain Indochina. My government wishes to know why.

OOC:wtf mate?

IC: Japan as a staunch ally of France stood up and prevented IndoChina from being forcibly seized from you. We put in offer after offer to buy your pacific possesions if you would wish to sell them. Then you go and sell Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands to Australia who if Britain had gone to war would have attacked you to gain Indochina. My government wishes to know why.

OOC: I don't remember ever getting an offer from you. Sorry.

OOC: I don't remember ever getting an offer from you. Sorry.


OOC:I offered to buy any of your possesions when I also declared I'd help you if china attacked.

1908: As the war comes to an end the army is drastically reduced in size, down to 500,00 men. France officially recognizes the Duchy of Burgundy and promises to ensure it's nuetrality. Sells Pacific island holdings to Australia and the U.S.A to help pay off debt. Begins investing in Palestine and helps them train their military.

French advisors and surplus military weapons begin arriving in Brazil.

1910: Army adopts light machine-guns and subamchine guns. New doctrine revolves around using the machine-guns as an effective cover-fire weapon and fire and movement tactics. Steel Helmets issued. France begins knocking down all trade barriers with Italy and integrates it's intelligence service with Italy's.

1912: Jacques Castet steps down as Prime Minister and is replaced by Alexandre Milelrand. Conservatives maintain power in Parliament. Army adopts new 7.5mm cartridge as standard ammunition for machine-guns and rifles. Production begins on the MAS-10 Bolt Action Rifle. It has a five-round magazine. Chauchat one-man light machine gun enters service chambered for 7.5mm round.

1914: New machinegun,the Hotchkiss M-1914 introduced, chambered for the 7.5mm round. Also introduced is the Darne machine-gun, re-chambered for the 7.5mm.

1915: France begins constructing new academies, academic and military, including a new Naval Academy at Calais. Cars begin to become affordable. Construction begins on new naval ships. Division Navale D'Aéronautique and Division D'Aéronautique D'Armée formed. Air mail use begins.

1916: Conservative Party maintains power, but begins losing some ground to a coalition of the Partie Française D'Ouvriers (French Workers Party) and the Communists who are offering more power and rights to the aeverage worker. Parliament begins land reform in Indochina to allow natives a larger stake on the land.

1917: In an effort to curb the growing Liberal movement the Conservative Party passes several reforms, including unviersal suffereage and creating a six-day work week, with a one-day weekend. This defuses several of the Liberal Coalitions arguements and they begin to lose power.

1918: Debt payed off. France eyes the on-going civil war with displeasure, but remains nuetral. Parliament orders the Army increased in size to 700,000 men.

1919-1920: France refuses to recognize the new German government and in a spasm of fear and paranoia begins cracking down on socialists and communists inside it's own borders and begins building fortifications along the Belguim-Burgundy borders. They also offer political asylum for all people fleeing the new Communist Germany. Army size increased again to 800,000. naval building project come to an end, but several more ships are ordered built.

First Cuirassés De Terre enter service, the first being the Reanault FT-20.

The Republic of Albania has emerged from two centuries of Turkish misrule and 19 years of civil war and is in dire need of help. Our government is in need of money for development and weapons for self-defense and the defeat of rebels in the interior. Our country currently has no central banking system or a single University.

Any help the Republic of France provides will to appriciated. In exchange for badly needed aid we can offer your country concessions in the development of our many untapped natural resources, such as oil, bitumen, lignite, iron, chromite, copper, bauxite, manganese, and some gold.

-President Turkhan Pasha of the Republic of Albania

Colombia would like to request free trade and possible military negotiations with the French Republic.

Frrance has agreed ot assist Albania in exchange for natural resources.


With the recent developments at the Washington Treaty and the success of the Democrats in the United States, Fracne, under th leadership of ALexandre Milerand, has begun pressing for an Anti-Communist Agression Pact against the growing power of Communist Germany and the Union.

In France, growing anti-communist sentiments explode in a three-day riot in Paris when a Communist group attempts to bypass police barricades to protest the crack-down on communism. Someone hurls a bomb at the police, killing two and levaing seven others injured. The police respond by opening fire on the crowd and calling armored cars to disperse them. Anti-Communists take to the streets and calsh with communist supporters. It takes three days for the riots to end, leaving forty-three dead and hundreds more injured, most of them communists.

Parliament passes another law further craking down on the communists, all but outlawing it as the majority of the blame forthe Paris Riots are placed on them.

The Republic of Albania requests the following from the Republic of France.

1. Weapons (small arms and light artillary) for self defense.
2. France will allow Albanian students to attend Frence Universities for free.
3. France will help establish the University of Tirana.
4. A long term fixed loan at a fair interest with a one year grace period.

For the exact details on the sectors of our economy you wish to invest/have concessions granted in go to the Albanian Development Fund.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=442522&highlight=Albania+Development+Fund

Frrance has agreed ot assist Albania in exchange for natural resources.


With the recent developments at the Washington Treaty and the success of the Democrats in the United States, Fracne, under th leadership of ALexandre Milerand, has begun pressing for an Anti-Communist Agression Pact against the growing power of Communist Germany and the Union.

In France, growing anti-communist sentiments explode in a three-day riot in Paris when a Communist group attempts to bypass police barricades to protest the crack-down on communism. Someone hurls a bomb at the police, killing two and levaing seven others injured. The police respond by opening fire on the crowd and calling armored cars to disperse them. Anti-Communists take to the streets and calsh with communist supporters. It takes three days for the riots to end, leaving forty-three dead and hundreds more injured, most of them communists.

Parliament passes another law further craking down on the communists, all but outlawing it as the majority of the blame forthe Paris Riots are placed on them.

To: M. Alexandre Milerand, President of the French Republic
From Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs

It is ironic, if also tragic, that you who claim to stand for liberty should immediately suppress it whenever it is expressed. Even in the Union, where Marxism is written into the very constitution, we permit free, open debate and peaceful protest [OoC: This is, at least at the present time, true.].
How is it, monsieur, that you can claim to represent democracy while disallowing its exercise?
Were it not for the terrible human cost, it would be laughable. As it is, the tears of the mothers and children of the fallen are squarely the responsibility of your government, which sees fit to murder those very persons it is ostensibly sworn to protect. Clearly, the liberty you serve is only the liberty of the rich and the powerful to oppress and exploit the poor and the weak.
It is an offense before Justice, monsieur, and one which you and your kind shall one day have to answer for.
Moreover, it has come to the attention of the Supreme Council that you are trying to build a new international alliance against the growing Communist "threat." We ask, What threat is this? The threat of unarmed protestors in your very streets? The Union has made no moves against Paris, though surely such moves would be eminently justified by your actions had we chosen that course. Nor has the Workers' Republic. Indeed, it is France which has chosen the course of aggression, militarizing its borders and murdering its own citizens as proxies for the free men of our Republics, who thankfully remain out of your reach.
It is disgusting to how fear has corrupted the once-proud and graceful French Republic under your stewardship. Have you no culture, monsieur? No dignity? No sense of history?
You must step down. You must repeal these tacky laws [OoC: That's right, we called the Frenchman tacky]. You must restore liberty to the French people, who deserve it more than narrow, bourgeois-minded men such as yourself can even imagine.
For the good of the Republic.

To: M. Alexandre Milerand, President of the French Republic
From Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs

It is ironic, if also tragic, that you who claim to stand for liberty should immediately suppress it whenever it is expressed. Even in the Union, where Marxism is written into the very constitution, we permit free, open debate and peaceful protest [OoC: This is, at least at the present time, true.].
How is it, monsieur, that you can claim to represent democracy while disallowing its exercise?
Were it not for the terrible human cost, it would be laughable. As it is, the tears of the mothers and children of the fallen are squarely the responsibility of your government, which sees fit to murder those very persons it is ostensibly sworn to protect. Clearly, the liberty you serve is only the liberty of the rich and the powerful to oppress and exploit the poor and the weak.
It is an offense before Justice, monsieur, and one which you and your kind shall one day have to answer for.
Moreover, it has come to the attention of the Supreme Council that you are trying to build a new international alliance against the growing Communist "threat." We ask, What threat is this? The threat of unarmed protestors in your very streets? The Union has made no moves against Paris, though surely such moves would be eminently justified by your actions had we chosen that course. Nor has the Workers' Republic. Indeed, it is France which has chosen the course of aggression, militarizing its borders and murdering its own citizens as proxies for the free men of our Republics, who thankfully remain out of your reach.
It is disgusting to how fear has corrupted the once-proud and graceful French Republic under your stewardship. Have you no culture, monsieur? No dignity? No sense of history?
You must step down. You must repeal these tacky laws [OoC: That's right, we called the Frenchman tacky]. You must restore liberty to the French people, who deserve it more than narrow, bourgeois-minded men such as yourself can even imagine.
For the good of the Republic.

To: L.B. Kamenev

From: Prime Minister Milerand

These laws are in place to protect us from any possible uprising, such as the ones in Germany or the Russian Empire. You overthrew the rightful governments of both of those nations in violence. Your message is one of violent revolution and we will not see your insidious propoganda festering in our streets. THe communists in our country are a minority and if they feel the need to live in a communist country they may re-locate to Germany or Russia. OUr country is a Republic and we will stand by while the Red Menace threatens on our doorstep. In the interests of Democracy and Fairness we will relax the laws, but we will be watching he communists for any sign of inserruction or rebellion.

Several of our police-men were killed when one of your "peaceful" protesters threw a bomb at the police line. Thati s hardly peaceful and hearkens to the armed revolutions of your county. THe majority of our citizens do not wish a communist revolution here. They are content to live under our capitalist Republic.

John Locke once said that we, as men, had the rights to life liberty and property. You take away these fundemenal rights. As such, we bid you good day.

Prime Minister Milerand


The laws are relaxed several weeks after the riots as the public realizes it was knee-jerk reaction adn the few PCF members in parliament manage to convince the rest of parliament that the bombing was an isolated incident. However, French Intelligence and the police are watching the Communists. A suspect, one Maurice Thorez, is arrested in connection with the bombing and will go to trial in a few weeks.

From: Queen Catherine I of Bulgaria
To: Prime Minister Alexandre Milerand of France

I am very concerned with this situation between you and the German and USDR governments and assure you that even when we fought you in the Great War...I still had a heart to deal with you when everything was calm and still in the world. I know I will never let my Kingdom turn into a "communist state" in the same way as Germany and the Russians...
I know that our future will depend on nations like yours, Britain, America and several others for survival and for mutual help with the rest of the world. My late father Ferdinand and my sisters Anne and Maria-Louise would never want it any other way. Hopefully both of our nations can heal from our little war and recover...

[b]To:[b/] Queen Catherine I of Bulgaria

We all hope for peace and prosperity in this world, your Highness. We are willing to talk with your nation about trade and other subjects.

Prime Minster Milerand

OOC: Hey, I think we are in agreement that I did sign the Pan-American agreement and that America can't do this to us. Putting politics aside and on a completely personal level would you just take my side that I did actually sign it as he thinks I didn't. Thanks a lot mate.

Current French Navy

Courbet-class Battleships (Currently being up-gunned to 13-inch guns)
Courbet
France
Jean Bart
Paris


Four Bretange-class Battleships
Bretange
Lorraine
Provence
Charlegmane II

Seventeen up-to-date Cruisers (i.e. up-gunned, given better armor)

Edgar Quinet Class
Edgar Quinet
Waldeck-Rousseau

Leon Gambatta Class
Leon Gambetta
Jules Ferry
Victor Hugo
Jules Michelet
Ernest Renan

Gloire Class
Amiral Aube
Conde
Gloire
Marseillaise
Sully

Duguay Trouin Class
Duguay Trouin
Lamotte-Picquet
Primaguet

Duquesne Class
Duquesne
Tourville

Older models are currently being phased out in favor of more of the Duguay Trouin Class and the Duquesne Class.

Carriers(Three)
[i]Bearn
Castet
Normandie (Currently being converted from a battleship hull)

Destroyers (Forty)
Twelve Arabe Class
Three Enseigne Roux Class
Six Bisson Class
Twelve Bouclier Class
Seven Spahi Class

Thirty Submarines (More being built)

Dear
France

Ecuador would like to set up diplomatic relations between are countries. We would like to put a embassy in Paris. You can have a embassy in Quito. If you ever come under attack we will be there to fight. We also would like to buy a Crusier for are navy.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

To: French Government
From: Ottoman Government

Dear Sir,

We ask that your nation companies be allow to invest and build up industies in our nation. We welcome whatever you can do for us..in return we will open up our markets to your nation. All in the hopes of impoving relations with your fair nation.

To the Ottoman Government

We will encourage our businesses to further deversify and begin investing in your country. I hope our nations will enjoy a long, peaceful relation.

Prime Minster Milerand

To the Government of Ecuador

We will accept your propsal of embassy exchnage. We ae also willing to sell you an older cruiser.

Prime Minster Milerand

Dear
Prime Minster Milerand

So were are allies now. How much will it cost for an old cruiser? I hope are alliance will last for ever.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

Current French Military Aircraft

Breguet 14bisB2 (Oberver/Scout)
Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breguet_14)

Um..Yeah. Looking up more.

Dear Sirs,

Brazil would like to enquire if France is willing to aid us in helping to develop our inner city healthcare and our industrial practices? We need around 20million US dollars for the completion of our industrial region in Matto Grosso and we need proffessional doctors to train our medical corps. Any help you can give us would be most appreciated. Especially in lieu of our despicable treatment by the rest of the right wing world apart from yourself and Great Britain who I will also be requesting aid from.

Many Thanks.

Russia would like to see the normalization of diplomatic relations between Moscow, Paris, and Berlin. The present crisis over the ridiculous little non-country of Albania has shown just how precariously European peace is balanced under the current arrangements.
There are many individuals in our government who believe that the ultimate transition to communism must inevitably transpire by violence, but the leadership for the moment remains more level-headed than that, and hopes that some peaceful coexistence may bring about the desired changes by moral suasion. The best revenge is living well, as they say, and so is the best example.
We hope that your government will thoughtfully consider this.

We agree in principle to peaceful relations with any state, and hope for the tensions in Europe to disappear. However, now is not the time to listen to promises of peace from a Nation which at this moment is threatening Albania (a country of only 900,000 people) with war. Russia's attempts to disguise it's imperalitic goals are laughable (non-country indeed), and we urge you not to give into appeasement. If they take Albania they will not stop till they have all of Europe!

We will give you 2 million dollars and 50 barrels of oil for a old crusiers. We hope you answer soon.

To the Government of Brazil

France is perpared to give some aid, but cannot presently afford to give Brazil 20 milion US dollars. We can lgive you the money on loan, allowing you to pay it back over the period of several years. We can also provide medical personell to help train your people.

To the Communist Government of Russia
France is willing to open diplomatic channels...But we are very wary of Communism. It has already overthrown two governments and goes against all the practices of Free Trade and a Free Market. We remain cautious, but will agree to open diplomatic channels in the name of peace and understanding. However, any unprovoked action against any European country, including Albania, will be responded to.

To Ecuador

Upon further review of the situation in South America and your belligerence against Brazil, France's ally, we cannot in good faith sell you a cruiser.


Liberal Coalition Gains Ground in Parliament
The Parti Libéral de Coalition de la France has gained ground in French parliament, riding on the votes of the working class. They are still outnumbered by the Conservative Party, but are closing the gap. The Coalition is made up of an amalgation of Liberals, Socialists, and a few Communists. They are promising reform of labor laws and greater power for the average worker.

To the Communist Government of Russia[/b]
France is willing to open diplomatic channels...But we are very wary of Communism. It has already overthrown two governments and goes against all the practices of Free Trade and a Free Market. We remain cautious, but will agree to open diplomatic channels in the name of peace and understanding. However, any unprovoked action against any European country, including Albania, will be responded to.

I really hate the Albanian player. He absolutely refuses to see reason. I can't back down. Even if it weren't a critical interest--which it is--I've invested too much. I don't want a freakin' war right now. Any ideas on how to avoid one would be appreciated.

I really hate the Albanian player. He absolutely refuses to see reason. I can't back down. Even if it weren't a critical interest--which it is--I've invested too much. I don't want a freakin' war right now. Any ideas on how to avoid one would be appreciated.

I've posted in the Albanian thread, suggesting a conference in Paris in an attempt to resolve this peacefully.

OOC: It is the Russian player who refuses to see reason. It is he who is declaring war even though he claims not to want it. I am doing nothing to threaten him. There are no Italian troops in Albania nor do I have any plans for there ever to be any unless they attack!

The Commissariat has just received news that the Albanian Parliament has passed a law forbidding the presence of Italian forces within Albania's borders. With this, we feel that the Union's critical interests and those of its allies are satisfied, and our forces are standing down.

OoC: A conference might still be a good idea, though. Like the charge d'affaires said, it's pretty scary how close we got to WWII over such a little thing, and it really seems like it ought to be made harder if possible.

To the Government of Brazil

France is perpared to give some aid, but cannot presently afford to give Brazil 20 milion US dollars. We can lgive you the money on loan, allowing you to pay it back over the period of several years. We can also provide medical personell to help train your people.

To the Communist Government of Russia
France is willing to open diplomatic channels...But we are very wary of Communism. It has already overthrown two governments and goes against all the practices of Free Trade and a Free Market. We remain cautious, but will agree to open diplomatic channels in the name of peace and understanding. However, any unprovoked action against any European country, including Albania, will be responded to.

To Ecuador

Upon further review of the situation in South America and your belligerence against Brazil, France's ally, we cannot in good faith sell you a cruiser.


Liberal Coalition Gains Ground in Parliament
The Parti Libéral de Coalition de la France has gained ground in French parliament, riding on the votes of the working class. They are still outnumbered by the Conservative Party, but are closing the gap. The Coalition is made up of an amalgation of Liberals, Socialists, and a few Communists. They are promising reform of labor laws and greater power for the average worker.


We thank you for your offer of medical personnel, it is greatly appreciated. We are spending (as socialist governments do) huge amounts of money on healthcare but we still need professional doctors to train up our staff. We would be interested in the loan but only to the tune of 10million dollars as we do not want to risk financial insolvency at a later date. Is a five year pay back period acceptable? It is hoped that the profits from the creation of the industrial district will fund the payback. To secure your investment however, maybe you could send over also some skilled engineers to help with construction of the industrial district? Just to make it clear, 50million dollars are needed for the project, 30million have so far been raised from the capital from the sale of surplus agricultural produce thanks to aid from Russia to modernise our agricultural practices and introduce new technology in that field. If this loan is acceptable please notify us as soon as possible.

Deepest Regards.
Brazils Politburo and Parliament.

We thank you for your offer of medical personnel, it is greatly appreciated. We are spending (as socialist governments do) huge amounts of money on healthcare but we still need professional doctors to train up our staff. We would be interested in the loan but only to the tune of 10million dollars as we do not want to risk financial insolvency at a later date. Is a five year pay back period acceptable? It is hoped that the profits from the creation of the industrial district will fund the payback. To secure your investment however, maybe you could send over also some skilled engineers to help with construction of the industrial district? Just to make it clear, 50million dollars are needed for the project, 30million have so far been raised from the capital from the sale of surplus agricultural produce thanks to aid from Russia to modernise our agricultural practices and introduce new technology in that field. If this loan is acceptable please notify us as soon as possible.

Deepest Regards.
Brazils Politburo and Parliament.


A five-year payment plan is acceptable for a ten million loan. We are more then willing to rpovide engineers and some equipment to help.

ALexander Milerand.

A five-year payment plan is acceptable for a ten million loan. We are more then willing to rpovide engineers and some equipment to help.

ALexander Milerand.

Thank you. We appreciate your assistance in this matter. Let the money and the engineers be sent immediately to assist in the building of the industrial district in Matto Grosso. Thank you once again.

Regards.

The Palestinian Government demands that the French Government remove it's garrisons in Haifa and Jerusalem, as we are no longer in danger of an impending Ottoman attack. You will have until the end of the year 1921 before the troops are expelled forcefully.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Othman

Greetings from Mexico, the Mexican government wishes to inquire as to whether France is willing to sell Clipperton island (heres a link seen as you probably dont know you have it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipperton_Island). If so what sort of price would you be looking for.

Polar Expedition Launched
Not to be outdone by the Germans the French have launched their own expedition for the North Pole. The specially designed ship the SS Victoire, along with a supply ship, has set sail from Calais. The Victoire carries a plane to enable long-range exploration and has a crew of twenty, plus expedition personell of thirty. The expedition plans to use skis, sleds, and a specially cold-weather equipped plane to find and reach the North Pole. The expedition is headed up by Captain Alexandre Delven of the French navy, an experienced officer who ahs worked in the Artic waters before.

Labor Strike Broken up by Government Troops

After a week-long stand-off between a large portion of factory workers and factory security, government troops arrived and broke up the strike using machine-guns, rifles, armored cars, and clubs.

The mostly unarmed workers were protesting for a pay raise and shorter work-days. The Factory owners ahd refused to give in and the factory workers ahd voed to stay on strike until their demands were met.

Over fifty workers were killed and hundreds more wounded.

The Union profoundly regrets the recent loss of life, and offers to assist in compensation for the families of the fallen.

An official spokesperson for the workers says that the compensation would be accepted with open arms.

In other news, many ofthe striking workers were fired after the strike was broken up, including many of the key ringleaders. It is also said that several have been imprisoned.

ooc
by the way, the Germans win the race to the North Pole.... better equipment.
random roll with a minor plus to it for better equipment

IC
New York Times and the National Geographic Society make mention and laud the brave French and German polar explorers.

Parliamentary elections are set to take place this year. It is said that the SFIO will be running several strong candidates.

The Worker's Republic is sorry at the tragic loss of life in France, our honorable foe.

We also applaud the French explorers for their efforts in the North Pole, and invite those that were headed for the Pole for a celebration at the Engals Base Camp on the Pole. Possibly in the future, joint scientific operations can take place?

The French explorers accept the generous offer from the German's and share the champagne they'd brought along to celebrate a successful journey with the Germans.

The French Government is open to joint scientific studies with the Germans in the future.

OOC: Parliamentry elections tomorrow or later tonight.

Please we must buy a crusier from you. We are at peace with Brazil. But Mexico has threaten us with a invasion of the Galagopos Islands. We must build up are defense. We only have two gunboats, so can you just spare one crusier.

To the Palestinean Government

France will remove it's troops from your territory, as per your wishes. We hope you will prosper and continue to grow as a nation.

Parliamentary Elections Held; SFIO Upsets Conservative Party

In a stunning reversal of fortune for the Conservative Party of France, who had held power for over twenty years, the SFIO (Socialist PArty of France) gained majority control of Parliament. Their victory was mainly due to their strong platform of labor reform, which was supported by many of the working-class.

The SFIO has gained over 70% of the seats in Parliament, relegating the Conservatives to a minority rol in the government. The new prime minster is Leon Blum who will be replacing Alexander Milerand.

The SFIO has promised extensive labor reforms and better relationships with France's neighbors.

Brazil formally applauds the election result and the triumph of sensible left wing politics. We promise you our full support in the future and any help we can give, we will give.

Deepest Regards and Congratulations,
Brazil's Parliament and Politburo.

Right-Wing Coup Crushed by Loyal Army Units; Martial Law Declared in France

In a stunning series of events, an attempted right-wing coup against the ruling Socilalist Party of France was crushed by loyal army units.

The Coup began on December 17th, 1921. Several army units under the command of Maxime Weygand and Phillipe Petain entered Paris inthe early morning and attempted to kill or capture key officials of the goernment. The conspirators murdered Édouard Depreux, the Minister of the Interior, as well as four members of parliament. Prime Minister Leon Blum recieved word of the coup from a loyalist army officer, Colonel Charles De Gaulle, and escaped his would-be assasins by jumping out of his bathroom window. He immediatly ordered De Gaulle to mobilize his troops and delay the disloyal army units in Paris until more loyal troops could arrive.

The rebels had siezed the Parliament Building, as well as several other key government buildings and Weygand declared a "Fourth French Republic".

However, the police of Paris had recieved word from Paul Ramidier, Minister of Justice who had also evaded his killers and fled to police headquarters. The police at the headquarters, armed only with rifles and other small-arms, barricaded themselves inside and held off disloyal army units attempting to storm the building.

Several volounteers carried word to other members of parliament and loyal army officers. In the meantime, De Gaulle had mobilized his Infantry Regiment and entered the city, clashing with rebel units. Outnumbered, he was forced to fall back after several hours of fighting.

By the next day, as loyal troops, supported by tanks and armored cars began to surround Paris, the citizens of Paris had realized something was happening. Word of the coup was spreading. The people themselves mobilzed. With the cry of "Aux barricades!" on the lips of many, the citizenry took to the streets, erecting barricades and arming themselves with whatever came to hand.

They effectively cut off the rebels from each other nad their commanders. As the morning wore on the Loyalists moved in, crushing the rebels as many threw down their arms and surrendered. Petain and Weygand were captured as they attempted to flee and were imprisoned.

As the fighting died down the final death-toll was counted. Twenty government officials had been killed by the rebels, as well as over five hundred loyalist troops. A dozen police officers ahd been killed in the fighitng and several dozen more wounded. Hundreds of civilians had been injured and over three dozen killed. The rebels had lost three hundred killed with countless wounded and over three thousand captured.

The Aftermath

Parliament re-convened the following day and immediatly established martial law through-out France until all the conspirators were brought to justice. Prime Minster Blum made a speech, thanking the citizens of Paris for standing by him and the government.

The decision was made to disband the rebel army units and disperse the men throughout the army. The higher-ranking officers, along with Weygand and Petain, will be put on trial within the next few moths and tried for treason against the stare.

De Gaulle will be promoted to the rank of General de Division for his services and the police-men of Paris will be rewarded with the highest honor France can afford a civilian.

However, France remains under martial law as the other conspirators are hunted down and any remaning rebels arrested. Army units have begun policing the country and the situation is expected to last for several months.

The Worker's Republic is shocked and appalled at the disgusting destruction that the Right-wingers in France have showed against the fairly elected government. The apparent lack for respect of life that they have shown shows the true side of those who oppose the will of the people. The People applaud the actions of General De Gaulle and wish to pledge their support to those who have lost their loved ones defending against the tyrants.

Prime Minister Blum thanks Germany for their support and well-wishes.

The Union, too, is disturbed by the Rightist violence, and commends the French People and government for possessing the strength, the courage, and the foresight to put down this treason against them. Vive la France, vive la Republique!

- Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

The United States government condemns the illegal acts of the rogue army units that tried to overthrow the government of France that had been elected by the will of the people. Our own Civil War shows however that democracy can survive the harshest trials, and the people of the United States send our best wishes to the people of France.

Privately the US Ambassador also expresses his shock and outrage and promises that any of the rebels who flee to the US will be arrested and extradited to France if the French government requests it.

The French government expresses it's thanks to the governments of the world for their well-wishes and privately informs the United States, England, Belguim, Germany, and Burgundy taht they will expect extraditaion of any rebels attempting to fleet the country.

The French also thank the United States for it's offer and privatley hope that it will not become neccessary to hunt them all the way to America.

We hope that Premier Blum will be pleased to learn that the crisis with Romania will be resolved diplomatically. In contrast to American actions in Venezuela.

The Republic of Haiti wishes to open up trade and diplomatic relations with its old colonial master, France.

The United States urges France to assist its old colony of Haiti. The US has cut tariffs on Haitian sugar cane, and urges France to do the same.

France is quite willing to open trade with Haiti. PLease send us the particulars.

Trail of Weygand, Petain to Begin

Weygand and Petain, the two key ringleaders of what is now being called the December Coup, along with several of their followers have been put on trial for Treason Against the State. The French government has spent the past moth building their case and are confident that the ringleaders will be convicted.

Army Continues to Scour Countryside for Rebels

The Frenc hArmy, along with civilian volounteers and local police forces, have been scouring the countryside for the last month in search of any surviving rebels. So far they have got several and the search-as well as martial law-is expected to last for at least another month.

Parliament Makes Vietnam a Commonwealth

Today Parlaiment voted to make French Vietnam a Commonwealth and begin helping the Vietnamese people towards independence.

Parliament Makes Vietnam a Commonwealth

Today Parlaiment voted to make French Vietnam a Commonwealth and begin helping the Vietnamese people towards independence.

Comminque to France
From: Greater China

Greetings.

We are happy and grateful that you have held to your agreement in aiding the Vietnamese establish home rule. This clearly shows promise for further improvements of relations between China and France, as both of us continue to honor our deals and promises. The trust is returning, which is a beautiful step in the correct direction.

May we look to a bright future together!

~Emperor Guozu

ooc
you may regret sending Weygand to the dustbin of history, he was a pretty good general.

IC
The United States wishes to suggest to France that a joint development partnership between France and the US regarding Haiti would bring the most benefit to those people. The US has the resources, while the French have language and cultural ties and in partnership more can be done than by either nation alone.

Britain joins the rest of the world in condemning the perpretators of this coup against the rightful government of France. Britain has promised that it will allow extradition of any plotters captured on our soil.

SIC: Britain quietly directs any right wing Frenchmen who wish to flee the country towards the colonies particularly South Africa and Australia.

Major labor reforms pass in Parliament

Parliament passed a series of law today that will increase the rights of the orking clas. Among them was the creation of a five day work week ,with a half day of work an one day off on the end of the week. Minimum wage was increased to living standards and the work day has been limited to a maximum of nine hours. Workers have also been given the right to form unions.

Also, several laws were passed concerning the quality and safety of food.

France to Improve Rail Network

France has begun improving the nation-wide rail network, improving safety standards, fixing poblems, and modernizing any out-of-date equipment.

Charity Groups Collecting for Russian Famine Relief

Several large charity groups, including the Catholic Church, have begun collecting money and food donations to help the victims of the Russian Famine. The goverenment is prepared to offer a loan, as well as troops or volounteers to help aid the Russians.

French Gov't Encouraging Farmers to invest in Modern Farming Equipment

The French gov't has beun encouraging their agricultural farmers to begin investing in and using modern farming equipment, such as tractors.

French Army to Begin Using New LMG

The French have begun implementing a new Light MAchine Gun and will be phasing out the Chauchat LMG in the next few years.

MAS-22 Mitrailleuse Légère

OOC: Getting kicked off, post more later.

Charity Groups Collecting for Russian Famine Relief

Several large charity groups, including the Catholic Church, have begun collecting money and food donations to help the victims of the Russian Famine. The government is prepared to offer a loan, as well as troops or volunteers to help aid the Russians.

The Union extends its most sincere thanks to the French people for their generosity and humanity. The donations of food, and the loan for use in importing grain, are appreciated more than our mere words can express.

OoC: I've done some digging, and I'm pretty sure I can avoid even a noticeable death toll just by having a government response, as long as people are willing to export grain to me. I'll go into debt, of course, and it means delaying some projects while I deal with the disaster, but it shouldn't be too bad, as long as I don't do what the Bolsheviks did.
The loan will really help, though, and you totally have my gratitude.

Haiti wishes that France help train our soldiers adn invest in us. Also, an expansion of trade would be appreciated.

To the Russian Union

France has no wish to see the people of Russia, or indeed any country, suffer from lack of food, water, or shelter. We are quite willing to loan you the money you require. We are also willing to increase our grain exports to Russia if you need help in that regard.

Your Friend,
Prime Minister Leon Blum

To the People of Haiti

France is willing to invest in Haiti and provide military advisors to your military.

And now...the new Light machine gun!

MAS-22 Fusil Automatique De Peloton (FAD)

Type: Fully Automatic

Caliber: 7.5mm

Barrel Length: 610mm

Ammunition: 7.5 millimeter Mauser

Magazine: 30 rounds

Action: Gas Operated, Open Bolt

Length: 1214mm

Weight: 19 lbs.

ROF: 650 Rounds Per Minute

Muzzle Velocity: 2640 feet per second

The FAD is light machine gun designed with the BAR in mind and is based off of it heavily. It departs from the BAR on two points: it has a carrying handle on the barrel and the magazine is placed on top rather then underneath. It has a detachable bipod and is supposed to be used as a squad light machine gun. The guns is designed for operation by one person, with the rest of the squad carrying extra ammunition.

It is supposed to replace the Chauchat with in the next few years.

From: Bolivian Government
To: French Government

The Bolivian army has shown intrest in your new MAS-22 Fusil Automatique De Peloton light machine gun. We wish to purchase these guns to help modernize our military.

Krasnaya Zvezda, Moskva - 12 V 1922

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER OPENLY MOCKS THE HUNGER OF THE POOR

While the drought in Ukraine has as yet claimed few lives, nevertheless it has ruined many poor families and brought crushing poverty into the lives of tens of thousands more who had earlier prospered.

The rest of world has responded to the government's declaration of a state of emergency and decisive action by contributing aid or at least offering to sell grain for distribution to the poor. Even Colombia, putting aside a longtime hostility, has donated perhaps the largest contribution to the relief effort so far, while the United States has opened its markets to Union relief agencies.

Yesterday the British Prime Minister delivered the United Kingdom's gift to the Ukrainian people directly to the Union Embassy. What was it? A crate of caviar, a sack of potatoes, and a note suggesting that "perhaps [they] should be sent back to the Russian Empire [sic] to help feed the people of Ukraine."

Can there yet remain any question as to the moral distinction between the Socialist and capitalist modes of thought?

Trial of Weygand, Petain Ends

After several months the trial of Weygand, Petain, and several other ringleaders has come to an end. After intense investigation and deliberations the jury found all guilty of Treason Against the State. Weygand and two others are to be imprisioned for life because of their willingness to take the stand for the prosecution. Petain and four other officers are to be executed by firing squad. A single civilian was implicated and also found guilty. He is to be executed by guilliotine. One officer was acquitted.

Very, Very Secret Communication (sealed, taken by ship, delivered by hand, etc.)

Dear Sirs,

With your impending negotiations with Brazil progressing well, Argentina would like to offer a military treaty, much the same as the ones our Portuguiese speaking brothers have with you. A sizable block of nations in Latin America could help tip it ever so slightly away from blatant American influence, into one where all nations have an equal chance to develope their own public policy.

As for the nature of our contact with you, we fear too greatly that any further entanglement with socialist nations will look bad to our principle voters. Call us what you will, but Argentina will be known as a nation of pragmatists. Your continued alliance with Japan, our ally, and Brazil, our friend, is a testimate to your pragmatism as well.

Please send a response by similar channels.

Your friend,
Miguel Garuda Mellón, Undersecretary of Foriegn Affairs

Communique to the Argentinians, Sent by Similar Methods

You have our full support on this matter. No continent should be dominated by solely one nation. We are more then willing to enter into such a treaty with you.

Your friend,
Prime Minister Blum

French Military to Initiate Reforms

After observing the stunning and quick takeover of Denmark by the German military the French have looked at their own methods and begun revising them. They have begun developing their own Stosstruppe, armed with submachine guns, grenades, and the FAD. They are designated Troupes D'Assaut, or Assualt Troops, and are to recieve special training on close in fighting, quick movement, and infiltration techniques. Paratroopers are currently seen as impractiable due to the lack of transport planes.

In addition new French tank designs are being discussed, as well as a semi-automatic rifle.

President Fan S. Noli wishes to know if the current Socialist government of Prime Minister Blum would come to the assistence of Italy in defending Albania should the Russians or Germans ever invade, like in Denmark.

We would like to inform you that France has no wish to get involved in a war over Albania or any other Balkan state. You are on your own.

Prime Minister Blum

Secret Message from the Albanian Government

The previous government was willing to aid in the defense of our nation, why the sudden change?

President Fan S. Noli

Message to the Albanian Gov't

The people of France have no wish to send their sons, fathers, and brothers to die for Albania. THe government is merely implementing that wish. We wish you good day and sincerely hope that war will not come to you.

PM Blum

The Albanian Government secretly begins to funnel money to parties which support defending Albania from attack. The French-Albanian community forms the Albanian National Congress, a think tank/pressure group which lobbies politicans on Albanian issues and distributes anti-appeasement propoganda to the press.

Parliament quietly ignores the small, yet vocal, minority group and goes about it's business of running the country.

France to begin Re-building Trade Walls Between Itself and Italy

Parliament has begun repealing the historical laws integrating France's economy and military intelligence with Italy's. This process is supposed to take at least a decade, if not longer.

President Cox extends a invitation to Prime Minister Blum to visit Washington in May 1924 to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Prime Minster Blum accepts the offer gladly and looks forward to visiting the American capital.

Prime Minister Departs for America

Prime Minister Blum has departed for America aboard the French cruiser Republique. He expects to arive in New York within a week and plans to travel to Washington DC by train, where he will meet with American President Cox and discuss issues of mutual importance.

France Withdraws from LTA

Parliament voted to withdraw from the LTA, citing concerns of increasing world tensions and a wish to avoid war if at all possible.

Hotchkiss 1923 Machinegun

The Hotchki 1923 is an improved version the 1914 model. Lighter and more portable it is now belt-fed and can be either water- or air-cooled. It has a ROF of 800 RPM. It takes a crew of two (one to carry th tripo, one to carry the firing assmbly and barrel, plus ammo) to man it. It is expected to replace the 1914 model within a few years.

France Withdraws from LTA

Parliament voted to withdraw from the LTA, citing concerns of increasing world tensions and a wish to avoid war if at all possible.

The Union will propose a permanent Non-Aggression Pact with France - not an alliance, rather an agreement that French and Russian soldiers never be compelled to murder one another. The Union also has no love of war.

- Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

Parliament would like time to consider the proposal and will issue a response when Prime Minister Blum returns from his American trip in a month or so.

-Yvon Delbos, Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Albanian National Congress asks the Frence Government to intervene in Kosovo to stop the slaughter.

Horrendous stories of raped and tortured Albanians, as well as pictures of dead women and children, are leaked to the Frence press.

The French government issues a strong condemnation of the brutal actions of the Yugoslavian government, but parliament dithers on wether it would be wise to intervene.

:: 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..........

The Valencia Gazette

Partido Conservativo Popular, that is the name that the sad men revolting in Zaragoza have called themselves. Already the government has sent 50,000 troops to the city to take control. Many known conservatives have defected to the PCP includeing the once popular Colonel Fransisco Franco. His brother has declared his allegiance to the Partido de Monarcho-Syndicalism and Partido Socialista Obrero Espana. Both popular partys have declared allegiance to the King and Government and the Basque and Catalan seperatists have declared their opposition to the PCP as the current government has given them an equal representation in Parliament and allows limited autonomy. Colonel Franco has declared himself Caudillo de la gente Espana and many of his troops have defected to the PCP with Franco.

The Francist forces led a revolt in Cadiz which effectively took control of the province of Cadiz. The Francist forces are said to number 17,750 and are being bolstered by citizens pledgeing their support. Zaragoza is controlled by the PCP who have officially formed a coalition with the Francists in Cadiz. The total number of their forces is 43,750 and they are marching on Madrid. The 50,000 Government forces will arrive in Zaragoza within two days and 3 cruisers, a destroyer, and 23 torpedo boats have been sent to Cadiz to blockade the port.

France watches the on-going civil war with distaste and the border is locked down, although refugees are allowed through after inspection.

Three Divisions Embarking for Possible Action in the Americas

Two divisions of French regulars and a divison of Vietnamese colonials have embarked on transports and are currently standing by for a possible action in Uruguay against Argentinian forces. They total some 27,000 men, plus recon, fighter, and ground attack aircraft, as well as a single tank brigade made up of mainly FT-19s, with a few Napoleons.

Accompanying the transports, should an expedition prove neccessary, are the Battleships Bretange and Lorraine, the aircraft carrier Normandie, six cruisers, and a squadron of destroyers.

Construction on Vietnam-China Railroad to Begin

Construction is set to begin on a Vietname-Chinese railway which will allow for greater transportation and trade between the Commonwealth of Vietnam and Imperial China. It is to run from Hanoi to an as-of-yet undetermined Chinese city. It will later be expanded to other cities in both China and Vietnam.

France watches the on-going civil war with distaste and the border is locked down, although refugees are allowed through after inspection.

Three Divisions Embarking for Possible Action in the Americas

Two divisions of French regulars and a divison of Vietnamese colonials have embarked on transports and are currently standing by for a possible action in Uruguay against Argentinian forces. They total some 27,000 men, plus recon, fighter, and ground attack aircraft, as well as a single tank brigade made up of mainly FT-19s, with a few Napoleons.

Accompanying the transports, should an expedition prove neccessary, are the Battleships Bretange and Lorraine, the aircraft carrier Normandie, six cruisers, and a squadron of destroyers.

war mod here.... the forces in Metropolitan France can get to Uruguay in about a month, but the forces in Indochina will take 3 months.

ooc: And if I close the Panama Canal?

edit: Wait a 'sec... I support france in this matter..

[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

France to Standerdize Education System[

France has begun building public schools for grades 1-12. As of yet Kindergarten is not a concept. It is hope that a greater degree of education will help France's people and help France prosper in the long run.

[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


The United States quietly lets its fellow LTA members, Russia and Germany know that it is not about to go to war over yet another damn fool thing in the Balkans. The US government feels that everyone should have learned their lesson over the Balkans during the Great War.

French to Sign Non-Aggression Pact with Russia

The French government announced that it and Russia had reached a consenus and agreed to sign a non-agression pact, forbidding either nation from making aggressive military manuvers against the other.

French Unviel MAS-24 Semi-automatic Rifle

The MAS-24 Semi-Automatic Rifle has been released and it is planned to replace all MAS-15s currently in use by continental French forces and eventually the colony and commonwealth troops.

The MAS-24 is loaded with a ten-round magazine and is chambered for a long 7.5mm rifle round. The action is a closed, rotating bolt and gas-operated. It can be equipped with a bayonet. It is 43 inches in length.

A shorter, carbine version is planned for artillery crews and other personell who do not need a full length rifle.


French Aricraft

Breguet 19 Fighter/Recon Craft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breguet_19)

My version carries two machineguns instead of one.

Amiot 120 Bomber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiot_120)

Unchanged

More aircraft later.

Premier Bukharin himself will be travelling to Paris to sign this historic compact.

From: Worker's Railroad Commission
To: French Government

Viewing this new pact in wonderful light, we offer to further our connections. It is our wish to connect more closely with our Spanish bretheren. However, seeing our new friendship, we offer to connect France with the Worker's Railroad. Three Tracks would be made to go through Brussels, Metz and Strasbourg, and then spread out through France. One would move down Normandy, while one would head to Paris. The third would extend south to Marseilles and then across the Pyrenees. Our only request is that those main tracks be under ownership of the Worker's Railroad Commission. There was a mishap in Albania which caused much pain and we feel this is the only way. France would still own the offshoots. However, these tracks would strengthen us greatly.

We also wish to create a Zeppelin Route to Paris and Marseilles.

To: The Government of Germany

We welcome the railroad with open arms. Despite the bloodshed and war between our two peoples and nations we should move forward to the future with the vision of peace and prosperity for both nations. A zepplin route is also acceptable. We are currently looking into larger aircraft as a method of transportation as well.

Yours in Friendship,

Prime Minister Leon Blum

To Czeckoslovakia

We will of course grant you permission to pass through French territory.



In Paris a special pavalion and review stand is being constructed in front of the Effiel Tower for the historic Franco-Russian Non-Aggression Pact. Security will be provided by French military forces and the Parisian gendarmes.

In addition to the signing ceremony Prime Minister Blum plans to review several French regiments recently returned from peackeeping operations in Albania with Premier Bukharin and make a speech focusing on world peace and promoting friendship between France and Russia.


With transport planes actually becoming avaliable France has begun experimenting with paratroopers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jensai
The French would like to inquire if the Brazilians are interested in purchasing the new MAS-24 semi-automatic rifle. We have just begun production and plan to equip our own forces with it as soon as possible.



We are very interested in this new weapon. As we are in the purchasing of your new fighter/recon aircraft

France is perfectly willing to begin shipments of both the plane and the rifle.

The French military has begun experimenting with flat-bottomed landing craft.

With the withdrawal of the United States from the Washington Naval Treaty, France no longer feels that it can uphold the treaty and as such it has chosen to withdraw as well.

In the light of these new events France has brought back the concept of the Normandie class battleship and the first one, the Normandie, has begun construction. The original Normandie, which was turned into a carrier when the treaty was signed, has been re-named the Republique. Four others are planned.

The French have also begun upgrading their navy, making the ships faster and improving armament and armor.

The French have also begun work on an improved, longer range torpedo bomber and a naval recon aircraft.

After seeing gas warfare used in the Spanish Civil War France has made gas masks standard issue for all of it's combat troops.

Following the Russian example France forms a special "assualt" portion of the armed forces, which will include land-based storm troopers, airborne paratroopers, and the marines. French military theorists begin exploring ways of clearing beach obstacles and improvements to landing craft. The first paratrooper Company is formed, all volounteers.

The land-based storm troopers are used for quick assaults against enemy fortifications and wreaking havoc against enemy positions. The units are designated "Revenants". Two volounteer Revenant divisions are formed and began training on hit-and-run tactics, attacking enemy fortifications, and other such tactics. The unit patch is a skull on dark blue field.

The marines begin amphibious assault training.

Following the Russian example France forms a special "assualt" portion of the armed forces, which will include land-based storm troopers, airborne paratroopers, and the marines. French military theorists begin exploring ways of clearing beach obstacles and improvements to landing craft. The first paratrooper Company is formed, all volounteers.

The land-based storm troopers are used for quick assaults against enemy fortifications and wreaking havoc against enemy positions. The units are designated "Revenants". Two volounteer Revenant divisions are formed and began training on hit-and-run tactics, attacking enemy fortifications, and other such tactics. The unit patch is a skull on dark blue field.

The marines begin amphibious assault training.

Communique from Greater China:

Greetings.

We have heard of these new types of warfare. Would you be interested in engaging in excerises, both amphbibious and naval, near China and French Vietnam? Perhaps this will help further cement the bonds of respect, cooperation, and understanding between our two people. Should this proposal work out, it will be of considerable help to impress our new generation and children.

Inform us whether you would be interested in undertaking such efforts.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

Communique from Greater China:

Greetings.

We have heard of these new types of warfare. Would you be interested in engaging in excerises, both amphbibious and naval, near China and French Vietnam? Perhaps this will help further cement the bonds of respect, cooperation, and understanding between our two people. Should this proposal work out, it will be of considerable help to impress our new generation and children.

Inform us whether you would be interested in undertaking such efforts.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu


To the Government of China

We would be honored to work with your troops and navy in the area surrounding French Vietnam. This will surely help us reach a better understanding betwen our peoples. Please let us know the particulars.

Yours in Friendship,

Prime Minster Leon Blum


In preperation for exercises with the Imperial Chinese Nayv, A squadron of the French Fleet, including two battleships and a carrier, set out for French Vietnam.

To the Government of China

We would be honored to work with your troops and navy in the area surrounding French Vietnam. This will surely help us reach a better understanding betwen our peoples. Please let us know the particulars.

Yours in Friendship,

Prime Minster Leon Blum


In preperation for exercises with the Imperial Chinese Nayv, A squadron of the French Fleet, including two battleships and a carrier, set out for French Vietnam.

Communique from Greater China:

Greetings.

We would be interested in practicing new types of tactics, as well as improve on existing ones. The first excerises should be naval in nature, while our ground based forces prepare for various ground-based excerises. The naval excerises should work on the application of air-power, coastal defenses, and flexible fleet formations. As for the ground-based excerises, they could focus on the newly developed amphibious tactic, urban combat, harsh terrain combat, and perhaps some new tactics that our generals may be able to come up with.

Would this be satisifcatory? I look forward to the day that our two people will have completely forgotten our, how do you Europeans say, "getting off the wrong side of the bed".

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

Communique from Greater China:

Greetings.

We would be interested in practicing new types of tactics, as well as improve on existing ones. The first excerises should be naval in nature, while our ground based forces prepare for various ground-based excerises. The naval excerises should work on the application of air-power, coastal defenses, and flexible fleet formations. As for the ground-based excerises, they could focus on the newly developed amphibious tactic, urban combat, harsh terrain combat, and perhaps some new tactics that our generals may be able to come up with.

Would this be satisifcatory? I look forward to the day that our two people will have completely forgotten our, how do you Europeans say, "getting off the wrong side of the bed".

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu


Greetings,

I believe the saying is, "Getting off on the wrong foot," my friend.

YOur proposal is excellent. Our fleet should arrive in a moth or so and then we can begin exercises. We would especially like to see how effective our torpedo bombers are.

In Friendship,

PM Blum

France Backs Warsaw Pact

The French have always been a friend to the United States of America, bnut we must demand that the territory taken by the so-called "kingdom of Morroco" be returned to the soverign nation of Spain.

In light of the recent dismissal of Russia's demand, it is with a heavy heart that we issue a decleration of WAR against the United States and it's people. We hope that one day we will meet as friends again. For now, however, we must be enemies.

Yours,

PM Leon Blum



French forces are placed on full alert all across the globe and the fleet prepares for possible combat. All along the coast lines spotters are positioned and air patrols increase. The squadron steaming for Vietnam continues and plans to rendevous with the Russians in Vladivistok. In Vietnam preperations are made for a possible invasion by the Japanese, should they enter the war.

French colonial troops in North Africa prepare for an invasion of Morocco and the FFL deploys troops to assist, as well as men to protect the Lybian-French border. In France itself recruitment posters go up and draft is instated. The economy goes into full war mode.

Palestine insists that they will not be drawn into this war, but popular public opinion is with the French, the original liberators of the Palestinian Republic. As such, a division of Palestinian volunteers have raised money for transport to France, where they will join the French Army. They depart Haifa with a brass band playing a slightly off key version of the Marseille and to the cheers of a large crowd.

A troubled and harried Premier Bukharin arrives in Paris by German Zeppelin for Bastille Day, to conclude the negotiated Non-Aggression Pact and discuss French integration into "Continental security provisions," widely (and correctly) interpreted as a euphemism for the Warsaw Pact/Cordoba Conference network of alliances.

Marshal Trotsky (commonly known to despise Bukharin in any case) remains in Hamburg due to the looming possibility of war with the United States, but he send his chief of staff, Colonel G.K. Zhukov, to represent the Red Army.

Prime Minister Blum welcomes Bukharin personally, with A French honor guard and a brass band playing the Russian National anthem. Several private cars, including an armored one, convoy them first to the Parliament hall and then to the pavalion for the signing of the Franco-Russian Non-Aggression Pact.

Fance mobilizes fully for the coming war.

The US seizes all property and assets of France in US territory, and immediately interns all French citizens.

A request is sent to the Swedish government to handle the transfer of internees and diplomatic personnel.

(ooc This will happen in all the belligerent nations, its up to the Socialists on whether they agree to exchange diplomats etc, but historically the Allies even did that with the Nazis and Japanese during World War II... it works for eveyone)

Current French Navy

Courbet-class Battleships (Currently being up-gunned to 13-inch guns)
Courbet
France
Jean Bart
Paris


Four Bretange-class Battleships
Bretange
Lorraine
Provence
Charlegmane II

Seventeen up-to-date Cruisers (i.e. up-gunned, given better armor)

Edgar Quinet Class
Edgar Quinet
Waldeck-Rousseau

Leon Gambatta Class
Leon Gambetta
Jules Ferry
Victor Hugo
Jules Michelet
Ernest Renan

Gloire Class
Amiral Aube
Conde
Gloire
Marseillaise
Sully

Duguay Trouin Class
Duguay Trouin
Lamotte-Picquet
Primaguet

Duquesne Class
Duquesne
Tourville

Older models are currently being phased out in favor of more of the Duguay Trouin Class and the Duquesne Class.

Carriers(Three)
[i]Bearn
Castet
Normandie (Currently being converted from a battleship hull)

Destroyers (Forty)
Twelve Arabe Class
Three Enseigne Roux Class
Six Bisson Class
Twelve Bouclier Class
Seven Spahi Class

Thirty Submarines (More being built)

tagged so I can find it a bit easier

France siezes all LTA country businessess and asset and politely detains citizens of those countries as well.

France check your tg's.

France siezes all LTA country businessess and asset and politely detains citizens of those countries as well.

the Swedes agree to handle a transfer, and will use extremely well marked ships to carry that out in about a month. The transfer point will be Lisbon, Portugal, unless that nation enters the war, in which case the transfer point will be Sweden.

Land Reforms, Semi-Autonomy in French Algeria

Parliament passed land reforms in Algeria today, dissolving many large land-holdings and giving them to the native population for their own use. Although this move may have angered the alrge land-owners, it is considered just for the Algerian natives. In addition, France has granted them semi-autonomy, much as it had recently granted Vietname semi-autonomy.

Secret IC: The Courbet and Paris are both being converted to carriers.

France has also begun construction of airbases along the Mediterrian and Atlantic Coast and in North Africa.

Secret IC: The Courbet and Paris are both being converted to carriers.

This will take a year, and should I assume its at Bordeaux or are you going to move them to Brest?

times based on the historic Japanese conversion of 2 battleships to hybrid carriers during World War II

Bordeaux is fine. Strict securit is maintained, with planes flying air patrols.

France begins placing anti-aircraft guns along the coast and begins building cement bunkers covering all feasible alnding beaches, including large gun casements. Barbed wire, steel, and concrete are poured into the construction of massive shore defenses. Mines are used liberally along exposed stretches. The called for defenses are supposed to Stretch from Belguim to Spain. However, in some areas it will most likely by only a a machine-gun post or three until construction can get to them.

Tanks Currently in use by The French Army

Char 2C Heavy Tank

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/france/France-Heavy.html

Currently 100 in use.

FT-20 (OOC: FT-17)

Two versions currently in use: one with a hotchkiss 1923 machinegun in the turret and another with a 37mm gun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FT-17

MG Version: 200 in use

37mm Gun Version: 150 in use

Total: 450 Tanks

Current French Aircraft

NiD 481

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fww1/nid48.html

150 in use. More planned.

GL-22

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fww1/gl22.html

200 in use. More planned.

D.1

http://www.airwar.ru/enc_e/fww1/dewd1.html

100 in use. More planned.

Fighter/Bomber:

Breguet 19

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breguet_19

150 in use. More planned.

Torpedo Bomber:

F.60 Torpedo Bomber

210, currently land-based. A carrier version is entering production.

Bombers:

Bleriot 127 Multipurpose Bomber

250 in use. More being constructed.

Potez 25 Light Bomber-Reconnaissance aircraft

200 in use. More being built.

1110 planes total.


Also in use are seventy transport planes and forty flying boats.

A heavier bomber is also being designed

French Armored Car

Puegot 18

http://derela.republika.pl/peugeot.htm

The French military currently uses this as an infantry support vehicle, command car, or scout car. Most are armed with machine guns, although some carry a 37mm gun in it's place. Currently 2700 in use by the French armies. More are being built.

France has unveiled three new designs that it plans to put into production next year.

THe first is the FT-25 tank, a new design based on the T-26.

The FT-25 is a 14-ton tank, with a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour. It has a 47mm gun in the turret, along with a 7.5mm machine gun. The driver is situated on the left-hand side of the hull, with a machine-gunner operating another 7.5mm machine gun on the right-hand side. The turret contains a commander, a gunner, and a loader. The front armor is .6 inches thick, with the sides rear at .5 inches.

The next is the Batterie Mobile D'Artillerie or BMA, an assault gun designed for taking out hard targets. It is armed with a 75mm hull gun and single 7.5mm machine gun mounted in the hull. Their are four crew: a gunner, a loader, a driver, and a commander. It's armor is .5 inches thick and ahs atops speed of 35 kilometers per hour.

Finally, there is the Armored Carrier, a small armored troop carrier armed with two 7.5mm machine guns. It can carry a squad of troops and tow a light artillery piece. It's top speed is 45 kilometers per hour. It's armor is .4 inches.

The French army is also planning on introducing motorcycles into the army as as a scout unit.

OCC: How many men are stationed on Madagascar? Do you have a garrison or fort there?

The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the Second Great War the French people have begun picking up the pieces of their shattered country. With assistance from the US, and hopefully the Russian Union and Germany, reconstruction should not pose an incredible problem. Still, it will be a hard road to prosperity. Already people are going back to work, either for the government, government hired contracters, or private companies to rebuild cities, railroads, port facilites, factories, and other vital facilites. The Free French military has been reintegrated into the French command structure and will be providing for the security of the nation, as well as forming the core of the new French army. It will be moving back into the country at the soonest possible date.

The remaining French submarines have been recalled to French ports. It is hoped that French POWs still in prison camps will be returning home in the coming months. Hopefully, the French ecoomy will be getting back into full swing.

With the country now at peace, French civilians are beginning to mingle with the Allied soldiers still living in their country. Most civilians are friendly or at least polite to the Americans and British, although the British are treated somewhat colder.

On the military front, the French High Command and gvernemnt begins analyzing what went wrong and what they did wrong. Most come to the comclusion that the army is badly in need of more mechanized troops. It is agreed that the bulk of the army will be made up of mechanized troops from now on.

The airforce is also revised and is slated to be updated. The new ]D.510 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.510) was slated for production in the closing months of the war, but had been canceled. It is agreed that when time and money allows that this will become the primary fighter aircraft of the French Air Force. The LN.40 is to be a naval dive bomber and there will also be a land-based ground-attack version. Therei s also talk of a torpedo bomber.

Frane has also joined the new League of Nations, leaving many optimistic about the future of France and the world as a whole.

With several divisions having been disbanded, many Slavs are out of work for awhile. The new Socialist government of Yugoslavia is willing to pay these unemployed men to go to France and help rebuild if the French and occupation forces will allow it. This is the most Yugoslavia can give for now, and we hope that our workers can help our former brothers in arms rebuild their society and nation. We await your answer comrades.

The US releases all French POWs still in France who are married and have children immediately upon the announcement of the cease fire, and begins sending those who are overseas home as well. The remaining POWs are released or sent home after the peace treaty is signed as rapidly as they can be sent home.

The US spends 4 points a turn (rebuild Toulouse, Paris, Marseilles, and Lille)... which means all four will be back to prewar production levels by January 1928. The British spent substantial points already, and Nantes and Brest will be back to normal beginning September 1926.

Incidently, Spain has had its production restored by the end of 1926, and also gained some rail capability, including being upgraded to the same railroad gauge as the rest of Europe.

The French government thanks both the United States and Britan for their contributions. They also thank the Yugoslavians for their help as well, accepting thier offer.

The military has continued its reforms and has adapted a model similar to the American army, with more and heavier artillery at both the corps and division levels. All infantry will be mechanized or motorised. Each squad will have one light machine gun, as well as a mortar. Each platoon will have three MMGs and one towed AT weapon. Tanks are either to be with mechanized infantry or be in their own seperate units. France is to begin work on an armored troops transport as well, building off of the half-track.

Prime Minister Blume,

Friendship may be a distant thing, given the war fought between our two nations, but South Africa is willing to reconcile our differences. We will begin this process by returning to French ownership the agricultural factories seized
at the beginning of the war as soon as is convenient.

La fraternité à jamais.

Sincerely,
James Hertzog
Prime Minister

ooc: check your tg's

France Launchs National Athletic Program

France has launched a national atheltic program for public schools. For some portion of the shool day all students must participate in some sport or athletic activity, preferably a team sport. The options include basketball, which is gaining popularity after French POWs brought it back from the US, football (soccer), field hockey, swimming, fencing, track and field, and cross-country target shooting.

Military Forces of France as of 1932

regualrs
1 HQ
2 Armored Cavalry Corps
1 Mechanized Corps
1 Alpine Corps
1 Fighter Unit (D.510 fighter)
1 Bomber unit (LN 40 Dive Bomber)
1 Maritime Bomber Unit (LN 40.b-Modified to carry torpedoes)
5 cruisers-La Galissonnière Class, Tech Level 6, modernized (Firepower 2, Protection 2, Speed 6, Range 2)
20 destroyers-Tech Level 6, modernized
2 Coastal artillery Units-Calais, Brest
3 Pilots

Reserve:
4 Garrisons
1 Mechanized Corps
1 Armored Cavalry Corps
1 Fighter Unit
1 Bomber Unit
20 Submarines- Tech Level 5


Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.501

French Considering New Aircraft Designs

The French military is considering implementing a new aircraft design to replace the 8-year old D.510 design. Several designs are up for review and one or more may see production next year after the prototypes have gone through their paces.

French Politics

With an election year approaching, parties have begun campagning and are jockeying for key positions in the upcoming election.

Leon Blume and the SFIO have managed to maintain power thus far. They are campaining on a strong platform of further social reform and closer ties to the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. However, they are also in favor of creating an African Commonwealth,which could cost them votes. Furthermore, despite their toted "reconstruction", the opposition will be sure to remind the voters that Frane would not have need rebuilding had France stayed out of the War.

The PCC (Partie Conservatrice De Coalition) is attempting to gain seats in congress, as itis still in the minority. They are campaining on tax cuts, reduced governemnt spending and a strict neutrality in the post-war world.

The more extreme PCF (Parti Communiste de la France) broke off from the SFIO several years ago and is attempting to gain more seats. They want extrmely close ties with the Pact and total opposition to the LTA.

The Libertie Party is extremely libertarian.

A monument is erected in Vichy dedicated to the Polish troops who died attempting to defend it. It shows a Polish cavalryman leading a horse, his head bowed and his lance over his shoulder. The inscription reads "Dedicated to the memory of the Polish cavalry who died defending the soil of France."
There follows a list of dead.

In Paris a memorial is erected to the Pact troops. It is erected in one of the principle parks and is rather big, as it lists the names of all killed in the defense of France. [OOC: Think Vietnam memorial, only bigger and with a statue]. The statue shows a Russian, German, French, Czech and Yugoslavian soldier gathered under a French flag [real] and looking towards the Atlantic. The inscription reads, "In memory of those who died defending French and European liberty."

One section of the wall is set aside for those killed in the defense of Paris.

Repairs have begun on the Eiffel Tower, as it was damaged by artillery barrages during the war. Until now it has not been a priority.

A monument is erected in Vichy dedicated to the Polish troops who died attempting to defend it. It shows a Polish cavalryman leading a horse, his head bowed and his lance over his shoulder. The inscription reads "Dedicated to the memory of the Polish cavalry who died defending the soil of France."
There follows a list of dead.

In Paris a memorial is erected to the Pact troops. It is erected in one of the principle parks and is rather big, as it lists the names of all killed in the defense of France. [OOC: Think Vietnam memorial, only bigger and with a statue]. The statue shows a Russian, German, French, Czech and Yugoslavian soldier gathered under a French flag [real] and looking towards the Atlantic. The inscription reads, "In memory of those who died defending French and European liberty."

One section of the wall is set aside for those killed in the defense of Paris.
Vice-President Kirov will attend the dedication ceremonies for the French memorials.

Kirov is recieved with full honors, especially in Paris.

The United States further expresses its displeasure of the French violation of the peace treaty and its joining the Warsaw Pact. The US Ambassador is recalled to the US for consulations, and all US consulates are closed, leaving only the embassy in Paris open for business.

The French government is directed to close all of its consulates in the United States, but may keep the embassy in Washington DC open.

The French governemnt, after some consultation and debate, has issued a statement to the effect that they will withdraw from the Pact again if the idea of a nation exhibiting its soverign rights so upsets the United States that it would wthdraw from the League of Nations. It also notes that the United States seems to be afraid of a nation that could not possibly attack the United States even if it wanted to.

However, the French government has contacted the Soviet and other Pact governments about the possibility of trade agreements.

The United States further expresses its displeasure of the French violation of the peace treaty and its joining the Warsaw Pact. The US Ambassador is recalled to the US for consulations, and all US consulates are closed, leaving only the embassy in Paris open for business.

The French government is directed to close all of its consulates in the United States, but may keep the embassy in Washington DC open.

With the French announcement that they would not join the Warsaw Pact, the US drops its diplomatic pressure and relations return to normal (tense, occasionally full of rhetoric, but normal diplomatic relations nevertheless).

In the US a lot of people sigh in relief. Until fighting breaks out in China anyway.

OoC: Busy writing this while events outpaced me. Oh, well. I hope it's not too dated.

IC

The Vice-President of the Soviet Union, Sergei Kirov, arrives in Paris by airship in late January to participate in the dedication of the French Second Great War Memorial. With him are a number of distinguished Red Army veterans from the war, a brigade of volunteer engineers and construction-workers to assist in the rebuilding of the Eiffel Tower, and a film crew headed by the gifted former actress Leni Rieffenstahl.

At the airfield, Vice-President is greeted by military bands playing the Marseillaise and the Internationale, to which Kirov sings along, saluting with left fist because his right arm remains crippled from wounds he received at the siege of Paris eight years before.

From there he travels to the Bastille, the former Pact military headquarters during the war, to hold a press conference. A small crowd of protestors, carrying signs and shouting slogans denouncing the recent Communist uprisings in China, is quietly hustled off by the Paris police, leaving a large crowd of veterans and their families waving French and Soviet flags to greet the Vice-President. He begins with a familiar opening.

"My Comrades, People of France, Workingmen of All Countries - "

A swell of cheers drowns out his next words. After a full seven minutes, the attending crowd quiets down. When Kirov begins to speak again, his face is streaked with tears, though his voice remains strong and unbroken.

"It has been eight years since I last stood before you, here upon these sacred steps, and called your brave sons and husbands and fathers and brothers to the barricades in defense of their beloved homeland, for the cause of liberty. Too many did not return, and for that I grieve as much as any man can.

"But in those eight years we have tried to build a better world, a world where war no longer menaces us at every turn, where men and nations can be free to seek their full potential without the imperial jackboot pressing them back down into slavery, and where prosperity may be spread throughout the world rather than hoarded by a greedy few in a handful of company boardrooms and stock exchanges in London and New York.

"Yet we see that this may now be threatened once again.

"A little over a decade ago, the government of the United States of America took exception to the collective security agreement established at Cordoba. Although the treaty signed there was purely a defensive one, certain interests in Washington apparently felt threatened enough to engineer their nation's withdrawal from their own naval treaty and, in what remains a peerlessly infamous act of opportunism, seized the Spanish ports of Ceuta and Melilla as the Kingdom of Spain lay devastated by a bloody Civil War, activating the mutual defense provisions of the Cordoba Treaty and bringing about the War we are here to commemorate today.

"Though we have always tried to work within the League of Nations as best we can to maintain world peace, the Americans once more have become beholden to interests that feel threatened whenever the rest of the world takes steps to make their liberty more secure. We must be highly suspicious, Comrades, of anyone who objects to the conclusion of arrangements for mutual protection among free peoples halfway around the world.

"The threat of conflict is for the moment averted, but at cost to our liberty. My friends, I have seen the face of War in person, as have many of you. It is not something I have any wish to see again - I have only so many arms to lose. But we must be wary, and vigilant, and know when the line must be drawn, and when again to man the barricades of freedom.

"My Comrades, People of France, I have the highest faith in you. Never have you deserted a noble cause. May France remain as ever a beacon to the peoples of the world to the very end of history. And know that we shall never desert you."

The Marseillaise again begins to play.

As the Marseilles begins to play again, General de Gaulle, veteran of the war and still commanding a Mechanized corps steps forward to the podium, politely allowing Premier Kirov to step down before he takes his place. He wiats for a few minutes as the Marseillais plays. As the music fades, he beings to speak. The speeches are being broadcast throughoutthe nation by radio.

"Friends, countrymen, soldiers of the Soviet Union, we all come from different political backgrounds and persuasions. I am not a communist or socialist and probably never will be. However, I first and foremost a patriot and a French man! We may not agree on how to run a country, but I am proud to be standing beside Vice-PResident Kirov, who gave his arm in order to defend our great capital from the invaders. Égalité, liberté, fraternité! These are the ideals which we believe in and will always stand for.

Many Frenchmen died trying to protect this nation. But fighting alongside them were the Russians, the Ukrainians, the Poles, the Germans, the Yugoslavians, and the Czechs! They bled and died! All of France will remeber their sacrifice one hundred, nay one thousand years from now. The Republic will go on and we wil ltrimph in the face of adversity! Vive la France!"

The crowd roars it's approval, flags waving in the breeze. De Gaulle motions for silence. A hush falls over the crowd. De Gaulle speaks again, "I believe a moment of silence is in order. Remember your comrades, your fathers, your brothers, and your husbands . Think of them. They shall not be forgotten."

The crowd, amazingly, is totally silent. The sounds of distant automobiles can be heard in the silence. People remove their caps and bow their heads. As the moment comes to an end, a solitary bugler begins to play "Taps".

The French are introducing two new planes that will be replacing the D.510 design: The short-range, heavily armed Bloch MB.152. It carries two 20mm cannon and two 7.92mm machine guns.

The second is the longer-range D.520. It carries a songle 20mm cannon and four 7.92mm machine guns.

The election results are in! This election was suprisingly tense, with the issue of China being one of the chief points of contention.

However, due to the recent memorial dedication and the impassioned speech made by Kirov the elections outcome was not a certainity. In fact, the SFIO has maintained a majority control, holding 60% of the seats, while the PCF holds 8%. The PCC holds 28%, with the Libertie Party holding 4%.

Vice-President Kirov, departing France following the dedication ceremonies and subsequent elections, issues one last statement at the airfield, as thousands of protestors waving green-and-gold Chinese Imperial flags are held back at the gates by the Paris police.

"My Comrades, these are trying times. It grieves me profoundly that Warsaw and Paris have found themselves on the opposite sides of an issue of such momentous importance as the fate of nearly one-quarter of all mankind.

"I will not take this opportunity to debate the question. No. That will be for history to decide.

"What is more important to me, personally, is that the men and women by whose sides I fought nine years ago, and their worthy countrymen everywhere, recognize that disagreements are sometimes inevitable even among the closest of friends. What is important to me, Comrades, is that the friendship of the French and Soviet peoples can survive this trial.

"We are all of us men of honor, principle, and high ideals. There is not a single Frenchman I know, nor Russian, nor German, nor Chinese, nor even American, who would agree that the oppression of the innocent is a righteous and worthy thing. No. We would do well to remember that in our assessments of one another’s characters.

"My Comrades, it has been my privilege to speak to you, and to be welcomed by you. May we meet again in better times.

"Do svidaniya."

Prime Minister Blum and General de Gaulle shake hands with Kirov and wish him a safe journey back to the Union. The French honor guard presents arms as he boards the plane and a band plays the Internationale.

A smaller group of Pro-Russian and Communist protestors are held back from the Pro-China group by Paris police, but rocks and other projectiles are hurled back and forth as the two groups scream at each other. It would seem that the citizens are still divided.

Protestors clash in Paris

Pro-Chinese protestors clashed with Communist and other left-wing protestors today in downtown Paris. Both groups were large and appeared to be well-organized. The fighitng first broke out when a paving stone was hurled y an unknown assaliant into the Communist group, strikning down a protestor. The Communist protestors responded with a hail of debris and charged. The ensuing melee was broken up Paris police, using truncheons and fire hoses.

Over three dozen people were seriously injured and hospitlized, while hundreds of tohers recieved slight injuries. Four police officers were hospitalized with concussions or broken bones.There were no fatalities reported. This is certainly a sour note to the end of the dedication ceremonies. However, a French governemnt spokesman says that he does not believe this will permenatly hamper French relations with the Soviet Union.

France is willing to sell fighter aircraft to Australia and provide instructors.

An interesting shift considering our recent history on opposite sides. Australia will consider your offer if our allies do not respond, but we are most curious concerning your motives.

An interesting shift considering our recent history on opposite sides. Australia will consider your offer if our allies do not respond, but we are most curious concerning your motives.


France is replacing our current line of planes with new ones, as such we must dispose of our older ones. We currently can offer D.510s.

France is replacing our current line of planes with new ones, as such we must dispose of our older ones. We currently can offer D.510s.

Fair enough. Australia will send observers to France to watch the D.510 in action and report back on its capabilities.

D.510 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.510)

Fair enough. Australia will send observers to France to watch the D.510 in action and report back on its capabilities.

the P36 Hawk is a better plane, and the US will cheerfully sell them to Australia and New Zealand. For that matter so is the Hawker Hurricane (which is better than the Hawk). Assume maintanence costs cover the cost of upgrading aircraft.

The US is also test flying the P38 Lightning and P40 Warhawk, as well as P39 Aircobra, which the US will make available when they enter production.

The Japanese (by the way) are testing the Type 94 Riesen fighter (in our world it is known as the Zero).

the P36 Hawk is a better plane, and the US will cheerfully sell them to Australia and New Zealand. For that matter so is the Hawker Hurricane (which is better than the Hawk). Assume maintanence costs cover the cost of upgrading aircraft.

The US is also test flying the P38 Lightning and P40 Warhawk, as well as P39 Aircobra, which the US will make available when they enter production.

The Japanese (by the way) are testing the Type 94 Riesen fighter (in our world it is known as the Zero).

the D520 should be ready for French production. France also has some very interesting bombers.

check this site out, it evaluates 1939-40 French aircraft and compares them to other powers.

http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1985/sep-oct/kirkland.html

OOC: Out of curiousity, how does the D.520 match up? I've read it's very manuverable.

The D.520 was an awesome Aircraft. Had the French actually built more and utilized them... well... lets just say the Air War may have been very different.

The French economy switches over to war-time and patriotic osters begin popping up all over the country. Many of them show heroic French soldiers going into combat, flags fluttering. The navy also begins a major recruiting drive as the French shipyards begin preparing for massive construction projects. Volounteers from both sides of the political spectrum sigh up for duty with the armed forces.

A political cartoon appears in French papers showing a French revolutionary shielding a Chinese peasant from a bloodthirsty samurai. The caption reads "As always, the defender of liberty."

French reserves are mobilized.

Communique to the French Government
From Emperor Dao Bai

Having thought over my position for a long time since my removal from the throne I have decided to leave my beloved country of Viet Nam for now. The socailists have said that I must either leave or face imprisonment, so I shall leave.
I therefore entreat you to grant me asylum in your fair country.

Faithfully,
Emperor Bao Dai

OOC: I think the Emperor has residences in France, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Fair enough. Australia will send observers to France to watch the D.510 in action and report back on its capabilities.

Britain would gladly supply Australia with sufficient Hawker Hurricane aircraft to meet her needs. There will be a substantial discount of course given our close ties and treaty arrangements.

Hey france bump!!

French scientists continue to work on light anti-tank weapons, using lessons learned in the brief Franco-Japanese war. They have recently come up with a single-shot, rocket-propelled warhead. It contains a shaped HEAT charge and can effectively penetrate most armor. It ha an effective range of 65 meters. Other designs, such as reloadable one, are in the works.

The Colombian Armed Forces are very interested in these anti-tank designs.

To: The esteemed french government
From:His excellency, The emir of Algeria

We greet the fine people from across the Mediterranian and would like to discuss with you the future of the territory known as Mauritania.

As we both know, Mauritania lies in the area of West Africa which France lays colonialisim on, Mauritania shares with us and Morocco a common culture and heritage. Therefore we wish to work out a settlement with you concerning the matter. We await your response.

Comminque to France
From: The Sovereign Republic of China

Greetings.

I would like to make formal inquiries into French aid in rebuilding some of China's destroyed factories, or the option of having France build Mechanized Infantry units for China. We will supply France with the capital to build these modern Mechanized Infantry units.

Please inform China what aid France can provide for the reconstruction of China following the revolts and the atrocious Japanese invasion. We truly hope we can maintain our brotherhood as we have done so for the past two decades.

Thank you.
Chiang Kai Shek

--------------------------
OOC:

What I mean by having France build Mechanized Corps is... I was wondering if China could give France the points so that France can build Tech Level 6 Mechanized Corps for China in hopes of deterring a second Japanese invasion in light of new events.

To: The esteemed french government
From:His excellency, The emir of Algeria

We greet the fine people from across the Mediterranian and would like to discuss with you the future of the territory known as Mauritania.

As we both know, Mauritania lies in the area of West Africa which France lays colonialisim on, Mauritania shares with us and Morocco a common culture and heritage. Therefore we wish to work out a settlement with you concerning the matter. We await your response.

To: His Excellency, the Emir of Algeria

From: The Foreign Secretary

Mauritania is currently a colony and protectrate of the Third Republic of France. In time they will be granted full independence, along with the rest of our colonies. We realise that the time of coloniliasm is coming to an end. As such we will be putting reforms into motion to work towards the independence of the nations in question.

Yours,
Foriegn Secretary

Comminque to France
From: The Sovereign Republic of China

Greetings.

I would like to make formal inquiries into French aid in rebuilding some of China's destroyed factories, or the option of having France build Mechanized Infantry units for China. We will supply France with the capital to build these modern Mechanized Infantry units.

Please inform China what aid France can provide for the reconstruction of China following the revolts and the atrocious Japanese invasion. We truly hope we can maintain our brotherhood as we have done so for the past two decades.

Thank you.
Chiang Kai Shek

--------------------------
OOC:

What I mean by having France build Mechanized Corps is... I was wondering if China could give France the points so that France can build Tech Level 6 Mechanized Corps for China in hopes of deterring a second Japanese invasion in light of new events.

To: Chian Kai Shek

France will be providing economic aid to assist you in rebuilding your shattered nation. (OOC: Sent you ten points this year.) We will continue to assist you for as long as we can or until your nation is rebuilt. We are also willing to supply equipment to your troops and possibly military advisors.

The government of the Third Republic of France would like to extend an invitation to the Soviet Union. It is proposed that the Soviet Union send a detachment of troops to France for the pourpose of war-games to exercise our militaries, identify weaknesses in our strategies, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between us.

We await your response.

To: His Excellency, the Emir of Algeria

From: The Foreign Secretary

Mauritania is currently a colony and protectrate of the Third Republic of France. In time they will be granted full independence, along with the rest of our colonies. We realise that the time of coloniliasm is coming to an end. As such we will be putting reforms into motion to work towards the independence of the nations in question.

Yours,
Foriegn Secretary

We hope that you forgive our persistance, but we would rather that a detailed agenda to be worked out for this, we are of course willing to discuss terms to speed up this process.

We hope that this does not put strain to our relationship of equality and goodwill

awaiting response

The French will dictate when the colonies still under French rule will become nations in their own right. Algeria may advise France on what they think will help, but will not have any say in how it is done. Thank you.


The French begin a program in French East Africa, gradually replacing French administrators and putting elections in place to elect representatives. The colonies are granted more autonomy and local leadrs are contacted as to what they believe the borders of any future countries should be. All are assured that France wants to work towards a free and independent Africa.

The French will dictate when the colonies still under French rule will become nations in their own right. Algeria may advise France on what they think will help, but will not have any say in how it is done. Thank you.


The French begin a program in French East Africa, gradually replacing French administrators and putting elections in place to elect representatives. The colonies are granted more autonomy and local leadrs are contacted as to what they believe the borders of any future countries should be. All are assured that France wants to work towards a free and independent Africa.

The United States officially applauds the French move, and it is very popular in the US press.

In addition, you gain some good PR internationally with the people of Africa.

The United States officially applauds the French move, and it is very popular in the US press.

Likewise for the Union. The former Premier of the USDR, Aleksandr Kerensky (now dean of the law school at Petrograd University), "salute[s] the French people, for being ever and once again in vanguard of the march of human liberty."

We assure you we meant no offence in the matter and were respectfully offering our advice on the matter. We understand that careful and pragmatic action action should be undertaken in the matter and therefore we applaud your actions.

We would would like to express our hope that this manner of handeling arguments, the peaceful and civillised manner, be always used.

The Emir sends his regards and Thanks to the Statesmen of France.

The President himself would like to congratulate our French comrades for their admirable moves towards independence for her colonies. It is hoped that these countries will be prosperous and free because of your generosity for generations to come.

Regards,
President Lafuentes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Brazil wishes to enquire whether the French D.520 aircraft is available for purchase. Brazil would dearly like some of these top of the range planes and would also be grateful if the French nation would send advisers to train our pilots in its use?

We would be interested in purchasing 3 fighter units of the D.520 for immediate use. Please respond forthwith.

Regards,
Snr. Oliveira, Secretary of State for Defence

The French government is happy to sell DW.520s to their friends across the Atlantic.

Comunique to the French Government

With the recent Education and Welfare Act passed we are looking into creating scholarship programs to other country's universities. We would be greatly honoured if you government would agree to participate in such a program.

Sincerely,
Minister of Education
Xuan Nguyen

Communique to the USEA

We would be honored to accept this exchange program.


The French colonial governemnt unviels a plan to begin construction on a major railway network throughout French West Africa next year, conneceting many of the major cities and allowing for greater trade between French West Africa and the world. It is hoped that neighboring nations will allow the French network to connect with theirs.

Marius Moutet, Miister of Overseas France, said "It is with great hopes for the future of Africa nad her people that we put forward this project. We hope that this will help them on their road to independence."

OOC: I'm not goingto screw over Africa like the real French did...

OOC: France, I think you mean French West Africa then to East Africa, since most of your remaining holdings are in West Africa, therefore its know as West Africa then to East.

Woops, you're right. I got my Africa bits mixed up.

Beginning in 1938, the French colonial governemnt begins providing educational facilities and medical care for the citizens of French West Africa. The first year will be spent building up the infrastructure needed and hiring locals to work at the bulk of local facilities. For now, most of the major cities are recieving educational facilities while French workers are doing their best to get out into the countryside.

Ladislov Polic of the Armaments Ministry of Yugoslavia would like to procure enough Panzer IVG's, and Flak 36 88mm cannons to equip it's two panzer corps(six divisions). We would be willing to pay top dollar for them

OOC: how is this handled since i thought new equipment is handled by maintenence costs as long as it is within the same tech level.

Ladislov Polic of the Armaments Ministry of Yugoslavia would like to procure enough Panzer IVG's, and Flak 36 88mm cannons to equip it's two panzer corps(six divisions). We would be willing to pay top dollar for them

OOC: how is this handled since i thought new equipment is handled by maintenence costs as long as it is within the same tech level.

pay the maintenance cost to the French for `1 armored corps I suppose is the simplest way.

Comminque to France
From: Sovereign Republic of China

Greetings.

We were wondering if the French people would be willing to provide China with defensive tools to protect itself aganist any future Japanese incursion. We have heard that the French people are creating several wonderful defensive weapons that could aid China immensely in its development of strong defenses. Towards this end, we would like to make inquiries into what the French people are willing to offer to China.

We truly hope we can continue our close relationship, as your people have stood by China in her times of need. The time is drawing near when China will be able to repay all the wonderful assistance that the French people have provided.

Thank you and go in peace.
Prime Minister Song Jiaoren

Communique to the Chinese Government

The French Government is willing to sell new Panther and Tiger tanks to China.

To the Yugoslavian GOvernment

France is also willing to sell Panther and Tiger tanks to the Yugoslavians.

"This is World News, with a special report straight from Paris, France.

"Even as Spain rejoins the London Treaty Alliance, the Third Republic of France has successfully petitioned for re-entry into the Warsaw Pact. It would seem that the Hauge Treaty is now null and void, leaving the world on the brink of yet another war.

"However, in Paris war is the last thing from many people's minds. As word of the decision to rejoin the Pact has spread, crowds of pact and Soviet supporters have poured into the streets in celebration. A large crowd has gathered at the war memorial and has been singing both the Internationale and the Marseilles."