NationStates Jolt Archive

Info on OFS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Free_State

President: Johannes Henricus Brand
Capital: Bloemfontein
Population (white): 81,000
Population (nonwhite): 250,000 (population numbers are made up until I find a good source)
Economy: Agriculture based
Territory: Lime Green area on map http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SouthAfricaOrangeFreeState.png
Religion: Dutch Reformed (Calvinist)
Language: Dutch, Afrikaans

The South African Republic is always glad to meet with her brothers in the Free State. President Burgers would be happy to meet with representatives of the Free State in Pretoria, or Bloemfontein if it is preferred.

OOC: Just so you know, in 1876 Lesotho was the British colony of Basutoland, not part of the Orange Free State.

We will meet in Pretoria

OOC: really? it didn't seem that Britain controlled much in Africa except the cape area in 1872

President Johannes Henricus Brand arrived in Pretoria. He saw a small group of people holding a sign with his name on it. We and his entourage walked over to them.

OOC: just speeding this up a little

Roeland Jordaan waved the President over. Shaking the man's hand, he greeted him in clipped Afrikaans, choosing the language of his house over the more eloquent Dutch of the upper class. He gestured to the waiting wagon, and took the reins while Brand climbed in. Had Brand been a visiting British dignitary or German envoy, Jordaan would have apologized for the rough country transport. Truth be told, President Burger probably would have arranged for a carriage had the visitor been from Europe or America. But Brand was a Dutchman and a Boer, as was nearly everyone else in the city. A volkswagen would carry him just as well as it would anyone else.

A few moments later, they arrived at Government House in downtown Pretoria, where the wagon was greeted by Commandant-General Kruger. Taking the Free State President's hand in a firm grasp, Kruger nodded to Jordaan. "I will take the good President from here, Roeland. Thank you," he said, handing the other man a pound-note as a tip. Jordaan placed the folded note inside his coat pocket and began rolling a cigarette as two native workers led the horse and wagon around to the stables.

Stepping inside the large doors of Government House, the air grew immediately cooler. Kruger wallked quickly through the hallways, leading Brand to an office. Knocking on the door, he opened it and gestured that Brand could enter. "By your leave, sir." With that, Kruger was gone.

As Brand stepped into his office, President Burger was studying a map of South Africa on the wall. Turning to greet his guest, he smiled. "Paul wants my job, I am afraid. But how are you, Johannes? What is it you wish to speak to me about?"

President Brand noted the Afrikans used. It didn't mean much to him, he was fleunt in both and most Boers knew both languages anyway. "Good evening Francois, I trust you are well. I came here as you know to discuss the continued prosperity of our two nations, and other Boer republics nearby. The British seem to grow bolder with each passing year, and if they expand they will go northward, toward us. We therefore must remain strong. I propose that we spread the Boers further, and expand our republics to include more territory which holds more people and resources. We should therefore look to areas like Natalia, and Rhodesia and Bechuanland (not sure what they called them back then) to exand into. Your thoughts?"
President Brand sat back and waited for the reply

Burgers thought for a moment, and frowned. "Expand? With what? The volk number barely two hundred thousand, including those who live in British territory. We are spread thin enough as it is. We cannot go to Natalia, or Bechuanaland. The British exert enough influence there so as to essentially constitute a government. Southern Rhodesia is much the same.

"Besides, why should we expand? Our only goal since we trekked north seventy years ago was to leave behind the British, so that we might have a land of our own, free from foreign rule. Acquiring more land would bring us only more problems, and more bloody kaffirs. I am sorry, but the Transvaal will not embark on any imperial adventure while I am President."

"it is true that we are spread thin as it is, but we need more strength if we are to remain independant. What do you suggest that we do? We would also like to construct a railway between our two capitals to help transportation matters"

The Minister of Interior called for more Afrikaner childen to be born. "We must remain strong, and we need more people to ensure this" The Initiative will reward families with more children.

OOC: I don't think Britain controls Bechuanaland or Rhodesia

OOC: Bechuanaland is a British protectorate, and the British, Portugese, and Germans are all vying for influence over the African kingdoms north of Transvaal.

IC:
"How exactly is embarking on some imperialistic expansion going to make us stronger? Our people will be even more dispersed than they already are, our coffers drained, and our resources spent.

"As for a railway linking our two capitals, I believe that to be a worthwhile venture."

"most of these areas have friends in there, and while they may not be Afrikaner, they are still friends (ie white). Most of these areas are not sophisticated and would probably not be hard to take, giving us more room to hold more people. If you do not wish to do this, then perhaps we should agree on an Alliance between our two nations"

"most of these areas have friends in there, and while they may not be Afrikaner, they are still friends (ie white). Most of these areas are not sophisticated and would probably not be hard to take, giving us more room to hold more people. If you do not wish to do this, then perhaps we should agree on an Alliance between our two nations"

Burger sighed. "There is no need of a formal alliance between our republics; if blood will not have us stand together, no piece of paper shall. But you know that. Even if we did take these other lands, as you seem so bent on doing, the induction of even more kaffirs and uitlanders will dilute the volk even further, causing us to lose power even in our own homeland. If space for a growing population is your concern, then you are getting ahead of yourself, my friend. There is plenty of space within our borders."

OOC: A couple of things:
1) The South African Republic and the Orange Free State have pretty much been blood allies since the foundation of the Orange Free State in 1854 (Transvaal was founded in 1852). The two nations are as close as, for example, the US and UK in RL.
2) The Boers of Transvaal hate the British, and the Boers of the OFS strongly dislike them. Anglos would hardly be viewed as "friends" by either nation.
3) The two Boer Republics cover an area about the size of Texas, with only about half a million people between them. Space really isn't an issue.

I just wanted to expand while the area hadn't been colonized yet. But whatever.

"We will be fine with an informal alliance as there always has been. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Brand asked