NationStates Jolt Archive

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Flag_of_Poland.svg/800px-Flag_of_Poland.svg.png

The Republic Of Poland

Capital: Warzawa
Population: 26,000,000 (1914 est.)
Indepence: 1914

Politics

Note: Constitutional Convention will present formal structure in 1916, a provisional governing council (mainly ex-city leaders, ex-officers) is running affairs meanwhile

Structure: Bicameral Republic
Head of State:
Legislature:
Next Elections:

Economy


Military: Wojsko Polskie
Army: Wojsko Lądowe
Infantry
1st Infantry Corps: Lvov
2nd Infantry Corps: Brest-Litovsk
3rd Infantry Corps: Bialystok
4th Infantry Corps: Wroclaw
Cavalry
10th Cavalry Division:
11th Cavalry Division:
12th Cavalry Division:
13th Cavalry Division:
Air: Siły Powietrzne
1 Observation Plane Unit: Brest-Litovsk
Reserves
1st Infantry Reserve:
2nd Infantry Reserve:
3rd Infantry Reserve:
4th Infantry Reserve:
5th Infantry Reserve:
6th Infantry Reserve:
7th Infantry Reserve:
8th Infantry Reserve:

(Welcome Poland)

Spain decides to finally agree with it's accepting polish independence and send embassy members to the new nation. It's taken so long due to paperwork being held up.

The Polish constitutional convention, set up after the war to create an official constitution, has announced it will present an official constitution to the provisional Sejm for approval in early 1916.

News of Spanish recognition is met with with regard and relief, as another Catholic country regards the state as legitimate.

Japan greets the new polish government as a friend and informs them they are wiling to construct any weapons they may need, though Germany may be a closer canidate for that. If Poland need help they only need ask

1914 Poland
population 26 million, tech level 5, production centers 5 (Warsaw 2, Lodz 1, Krakow 2), Coal 3 (Katowice, new find), food production 40, budget: 27, military: 4 infantry corps, 4 cavalry divisions, 8 reserve infantry corps (8 points), level 2 social spending (5.2 points), purchase 1 observation plane unit (1 point), remainder on recovery and civilian assistance this year. Most of the ethnic Ukrainian population moved to Ukraine. 24 Points from Germany to start production center

growth: .54 factories

1915
Normal Spending
Population: 26 million
Tech Level: 5
Production Centers: 5 (Warsaw 2, Lodz 1, Krakow 2)
Coal: 3 (Katowice)
Food: 40 (14 spare=3 production points sold)
Income TOTAL: 26
growth: .5 (1.04 factories=>1 new center @Wroclaw, .04/1 growth required for factory)

Military Maintenance: 8.5
Level II Social Services: 5.25

12 points to finish production center @Katowice
.25 points-bonus for wounded veterans (no in game effect)

The proposed 1916 budget sees severe cuts in government spending, and significant tax reduction. Government subsidies for industry last year have led to new economic growth throughout the country. The government also pays for the beginning of a merchant marine. Some ships are intended for trade down the Vistula and Oder, while others will operate out of Danzig and other German ports.

1916
Budget Cuts
Population: 26 million
Tech Level: 5
Production Centers: 7 (Warsaw 2, Lodz 1, Krakow 2, 1 Katowice, 1 Wroclaw)
Coal: 3 (Katowice)
Food: 40 (14 spare=3 production points sold)
Income TOTAL: 20
growth: 1.02 (1.06/1 factories=> new factory at Lvov)

Military Maintenance: 8.5
Level II Social Services: 5.25

6 Shipping Units: 6
begin new shipping unit: .25 (.25/1)

Russia sends a team of diplomats to set up an embassy in the Polish capital and let the Poles know that Russia would like to extend the hand of friendship to the new nation. If they ever require aid, be it military or economic, they have just to ask.

The Kingdom of Norway wishes luck to the Republic of Poland in its upcoming constitutional unveiling. Furthermore, Norway (as well as the rest of Scandinavia) sends its ambassador and staff to Poland, as well as newly-formed Baltic nations and Macedonia, in recognition of the sovereignty of these nations as given by the treaty of Arlington.

The Danish Ambassador designate was eager to arrive and his post and with the legal basis as set in the Treaty of Arlington recognising Poland as an independent entity is seen in Denmark as a mere formality as opposed to any sort of foreign policy statement. A piece of land, with a house, under the approval of the Polish provisional government, was choosen and the first people came to prepare for the immenent arrival of the Danish Ambassador.

While no monetary aid is offered pretty much all other assistance is offered to the newly created Polish state.

Scenes like this are repeated throughout as the Danish send their delegations to the Baltic Union and Macedonia as well as any other newly independent nation created in the Treaty of Arlington

Constitutional Convention Presents Document to Sejm
February 1916

The Constitutional Convention, after over a year of deliberations, has produced a final draft. This draft constitution has been sent to the provisionary Sejm for ratification. The ratification process could take up to one year, if deadlocks form in the Sejm or in acquiring provincial approval. Upon ratification, an Electoral Commission will conduct the first elections in the new Polish state.

(almost identical to the 1921 constitution, full text of which can be found here (http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~zbigniew/Constitutions/k1921.E.html). Elections will probably be Spring/Summer of 1917)

OOC: Poland’s Head of State is President Józef Piłsudski (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3zef_Pi%C5%82sudski), Field Marshall and leader of the Polish Socialist Party. He is Poland’s unofficial dictator and President for Life. Since he is very powerful in Poland this time around (given his role in liberating Poland from Russia) it should be assumed that one of the differences between the RL 1921 Constitution and this Constitution is that the Presidency has a lot more power. Piłsudski wanted a Strong Presidency and would not stand for his Presidential powers being limited.

OOC: I was planning on having him as President, and have more to come during the ratification process. I'll probably change the constitution a bit during the ratification as well, then.)

April 1916
In a formal ceremony in Warzawa, President Józef Piłsudski and leading members of the provisional government enacted the new Constitution of the Polish republic. The constitution, revised since its presentation to the Sejm, has been approved by the central government and provincial (Voyevodship) officials. The constitution will take full effect on Jan 1, 1917, and the first elections to the Sejm and Senate will occur in March 1917. As part of a political compromise, President Pilsudski will remain in office, with a term officially beginning in 1914, placing him in line for re-election in 1921.

1921 Polish Constitution (http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~zbigniew/Constitutions/k1921.E.html)
Major changes from 1921 Constitution: mainly lead to increased Presidential power
Article 5: moved to presidential control
Article 21: Deputies elected to political office are not exempted from previous prosecutions
Article 26: 40 day period for public vote after dissolution of legislature extended to 365
Article 31: removed
Article 46: Removed
Article 51: 80% vote required
Article 97: 7 days allowed
Article 125: Requires presidential approval as well
Article 127: Removed

Two to go on Polar Expedition
President Pillsudski announced that, after consultation with Norwegian officials, two Poles, Józef Unrug and Kazimierz Porębski (ooc: both RL Polish admirals), will accompany Norwegian and American explorers on an expedition this year. The government has diverted a small amount of money (.25 points) for outfitting the explorers, and the expedition as a whole, with some of the most modern equipment available. The President called the expedition a great step for Polish science, though some question investing so large a portion of the budget on these two men.

(Justification for those two is that, with lack of a Polish coastline, those who once had significant roles in the Russian or German navies now must find something else to do.)

November 1, 1916
1917 Bugdet Approved

The provisional government has gone through its final budget approval process before being replaced by an elected body next year. However, several major changes were approved this year. While continuing under the tax reduction approved last year, the government managed to raise public services beyond the level protected by the constitution.

The other major project was the restructure of the railroads. Currently, Poland's railroads are a disaster, in several different gauges, and using many incompatible trains. This year funds have been approved to begin creating a standard gauge network, raidiating out from Warsaw. With luck, the project will be completed by 1920.

November 15, 1916
President Pilsudski delivers speech to joint meeting of the legislature this morning. The following transcript is posted in many Polish newspapers

My Fellow Poles

As you are undoubtedly aware, there is currently a dispute between the Baltic Union, Germany, and Russia over the interpretation of the Treaty of Vlilno. This only highlights the unsatisfactory results of the post-war treaties.

The treaties that created Poland and the Baltic Union were intended to create stable, economically viable nations. To this end, they have failed. The Baltic Union is too small to compare to Russia or Germany, and, while we are a large nation, we are landlocked. Only a handful of other nations share that dubious title. We join Switzerland, Paraguay, Kurdistan, Baghdad and Tibet, as those dependent on others for their trade. As long as Poles cannot walk along the seashore, we cannot walk as free people. Always will we be chained to our neighbors, eternally subservient. We will never rise to the level of Russia or Italy, but will remain a Paraguay, hampered by the economic inequities impressed on us.

Poles live in significant numbers in many cities on the Baltic coast, cities that could benefit twenty six million of their countrymen. However, these cities remain controlled by the Baltic Union. Why? Surely they would be better under a stronger, more active economy. They could live with better railroads, better healthcare, better education, and a better life overall. A unified Polish-Lithuanian Republic would lead to greater quality of life, greater political independence, greater economic prosperity, for us all. Let us make it so.



"On one thing all Poles agree: the need for access to the Baltic. We put up with many great hardships because we could foresee Poland being a great power again with trade flowing along the Vistula and railways which run to the sea."

Free Elections of 1917!
The results from Poland's first free elections have been published. Voter turnout was very high, with many jumping at the chance to vote for the first time in their lives. While political parties have not yet emerged on the national scale, hundreds of small, localised parties formed, many with similar or identical platforms.
In the elections for the Sejm, all sorts of political beliefs were represented. Communists, Fascists, Anarchists, and dozens of other philosophies are present. However, the two largest blocs are the moderate movement, encouraging economic improvement and political neutrality, and the 'socialist' movement. While the Polish Socialists are not socialist in the general sense of the word, they believe that Poland must take progressive action to improve the general welfare, through agressive diplomacy and military growth. However, the moderates seem to be the dominant force in the Sejm.

In the Senate, many provisional legislators were reelected, and the upper house is not as diverse as the Sejm. Moderates and Socialists form the bulk of the membership, and the President, a Socialist, will likely find greater support from this house.

Upon taking office, both houses sat down to buisness. The 1918 budget, a top concern, has already sparked controversy. Can the lowered taxes and buisness subsidies continue? Moderates argue the rapid industrial growth justifies the decreased revenue, but many Socialists claim that a tax hike is necessary to enable modernization of the military, without cutting welfare programs or the regauging of the railways.

The second big issue is the Presidential Appointment of 1924. President Pilsudski's term will end in 1924, an election year. Many debate whether the outgoing legislature should appoint the President, or if the duty should belong to the new houses, as the constitution does not specify the procedure.

Spain wishes to get closer ties to Poland. We have assured peace with Germany, and wish to have peace with most in our continent.

United Kingdom2 wishes to make peace and allies with poland.

This is a closed historical RP, please delete your post.

United Kingdom2.... This is part of the E20 alternate roleplay world. As such each NS player has got their own *real* country to play. The current E20 year is 1919, As you currently do not have an E20 nation E20 Poland (played by Novum Elephantum) cannot recognised your existance.

And as Amestria, please delete your post and if you would like to read up and learn more about the E20 world before possibly joining then I'd recommend you start here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=497568)

Spain wishes to get closer ties to Poland. We have assured peace with Germany, and wish to have peace with most in our continent.

(As this got cluttered by an unwary outsider.)

Poland and Germany have come to a compromise on the status of Danzig. East Danzig (Wschód Gdansk, Osten Danzig) will become Polish, and West Danzig (Zachód Gdansk, Westen Danzig) will be German controlled. Active units in the Polish army will not be stationed in the city, though reserves may be based there. In addition, work will begin on a separate naval yard for the new Polish Republican navy.
(OOC: Germany agreed to this, if he has any complaints, this may be voided)
Poland will allow any residents of the city who wish to take Polish citizenship to do so, and plans elections for city administration and legislative seats for next spring. Polish Gdansk will only operate customs offices for foriegners arriving at the port (anyone can come from the german city or surrounding area, instead of posting customs agents on every streetcorner).

President Pilsudski thanked the German people for their support and cooperation, and called the move "a great step for Polish prosperity and independence. All Poles should celebrate the arrival of a brighter economic future. It will mean a brighter future for all, and the government will take measures to ensure all share the gains."

In addition, many officers with experience in the Russian and German navies before independence are contacted with offers of careers in the new Polish fleet. The legislature has set up a committee deciding how much of recent military appropriations will be diverted towards naval spending.

ooc
what is the situation with Memel?

ooc
what is the situation with Memel?

OOC: It is part of East Prussia.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11975731&postcount=105

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11972397&postcount=83

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11972878&postcount=86

Japan offers to sell the Polish navy 4 Old Battleships, with additional other ships if the situation changes

The Russian ambassador to Poland quietly lets the Polish government know that Russia would be much more receptive to a Polish fleet in the Baltic, and would probably be willing to sell them ships, if Poland were to withdraw from the Vienna Compact.

Poland has not signed the Vienna compact. We sent a delegation to the conference, however, due to uncertainty about reception of certain terms, have refrained from signing so far.

Poland has not signed the Vienna compact. We sent a delegation to the conference, however, due to uncertainty about reception of certain terms, have refrained from signing so far.

The Russian ambassador replies that if Poland can guarantee it will not sign the Vienna Compact, Russia would be willing to drop it's objections to the Polish Fleet and perhaps make several Russian ships (which need to be sold off within the next few years due to the Washington treat) avaliable for sale.

Japan informs the Polish that they have 1 Battleship, 3 Old battleships, and 8 Light Cruisers for sale

In late 1920 and early 1921, Russia extends diplomatic feelers to Poland, inquiring as to a treaty whereby Russia guarantees Poland's independence would be acceptable.

They also offer to sell two older, mothballed ships, the Alexei and Imperatritsa Maria, to the Poles (OOC: 2-4 points?).

Poland is glad to accept the guarantee of independence, and is willing to buy both ships for a combined total of 4 points, deducted from the 15 point naval expansion fund.

The Russian government agrees to his and in mid-1921 Anastasia I signs the treaty in Warsaw, taking some time for a state visit and to see the city before returning to Petrograd. Aside from having Russia guaranteeing Poland's independence, it also expresses friendship between the two nations.

The sale is also agreed to and the two ships are transferred in October of 1920, with some fanfare, by the Russian navy to Danzig, escorted ceremoniously by the new battleship Rosen. There they greet their newly-formed counterparts and, in an appropriate ceremony, hand over control of the ships to the Polish Navy. They spend a few days there, watching the Poles put the ships through their paces before they return to Russia.

Polish Military 1925
Active Duty: 510,000 (all services, 810,000 max)
Reserve: 360,000

Army: Wojsko Lądowe
Command
Motorized HQ: Warsaw
Infantry
1st Infantry Corps: Lvov (in fortress)
2nd Infantry Corps: Brest-Litovsk (in fortress)
3rd Infantry Corps: Bialystok
4th Infantry Corps: Wroclaw
Mechanized Infantry
10th Mobile Division: Warzaw
11th Mobile Division: Krakow
12th Mobile Division: Poznan
13th Mobile Division: Lublin
Siege
1st Artillery Brigade (Siege Artillery): Lvov
1st Engineer Brigade (Assault Engineer): Warsaw
Air: Siły Powietrzne
Depots currently exist in Warsaw and Brest
Fighters
1st Fighter Wing: Brest
2nd Fighter Wing: Warsaw
3rd Fighter Wing: Brest
Bombers
1st Bomber Wing (Light): Brest
Reserves
1st Infantry Reserve: Warzaw
2nd Infantry Reserve: Krakow
3rd Infantry Reserve: Poznan
4th Infantry Reserve: Wroclaw
5th Infantry Reserve: Bialystok
6th Infantry Reserve: Brest-Litovsk
7th Infantry Reserve: Lvov
8th Infantry Reserve: Lublin
Navy: Marynarka Wojenna
A naval yard currently exists in East Gdansk
Capital Ships
Reczpospolita (republic): Modern Battleship (ex Japanese, flagship)
Biały Orzeł (White Eagle): Old Battleship (ex Russian Alexei)
Czarny Orzeł (Black Eagle): Old Battleship (ex Japanese)
Święty Piotr (Saint Peter): Old Battleship (ex Russian Imperatritsa Maria)
Cruisers
Mały Biały Orzeł (Small White Eagle): Light Cruiser (ex Japanese)
Gwiazda (Star): Light Cruiser (ex Japanese)
Fortuna (Fortune): Light Cruiser (ex Japanese)
Błyskawica (Lightning): Light Cruiser (ex Japanese)
Grom (Thunder): Light Cruiser (ex Japanese)
Smaller Ships
Escort Flotilla (20, German built)
Submarine Flotilla (20, German built)
Paramilitary
Right Wing paramilitary groups, equipped unnoffically by the government. While groups operate around the country, in game terms there are 2 divisions worth of equipped troops.

Poland in the Early 20's

Recession sets in
In the ealry 1920s, as many of Europe's major powers enter an economic downspin, the effects begin to reach the Polish economy, still highly dependent on German, Russian, and Austrian goods. The Sejm, unwilling to maintain current spending levels, immediately orders a tax break, to lighten economic hardships and maintain industrial growth. This policy, while limiting the President's military expansion plan, and requiring small amounts of funding from Germany, has brought some successes, witha remarkable level of industrial growth, as companies move to fill gaps left by failing German and Russian companies.

Military Affairs
The Republican navy, the President's pride and joy, was met at first with excitement. However, of late it has come under criticism. Its capital ships are either old Russian ships or Japanese designs, designed for the wide open seas of the Pacific. In addition, it has been called "top heavy", with a large number of battleships, and few cruisers or other ships to support them.

In addition, some think, especially after the regime change in Germany, the army should station more troops along the German border, a change taken into consideration, but not yet implemented.

(Social news to come soon)

1924 Constitutional Crisis and elections
In 1924, the clash between right and left reached a boiling point as the current legislature, highly supportive of the President, was denied permission to elect a President before their terms ended in the spring.

In the legislative elections, many found themselves struggling for seats. After a series of highly contested elections, however, Socialists, Far Left groups, and centrists dominated the Senate, while rightist groups maintained control of the Sejm. While leftists claimed rich buisness owners abused the electoral system, making workers vote for candidate's of the employer's choice, the buisness owners retaliated with accusations of trade unions doing the same.

Presidential Appointment Degenerates into Chaos
The newly elected legislature's first course of action was to appoint a President for the Republic. While many supported Pilsudski's actions and sought his re-election, he was defeated in a very close vote by Gabriel Narutowicz, a leftist supported by socialists and minority parties, along with many centrists. Narutowicz was sworn in early June, however, just 5 days after his inaugural ceremony, he was shot and killed by Eligiusz Niewiadomski, a painter and art critic, at a gallery in Warsaw.

A month after the assassination, Niewiadomski was found, tried, and hung. Meanwhile the legislature was still debating who to appoint in Narutowicz's place. The right again nominated Pilsudski, while the left brought forward several different Socialist and Communist leaders. Eventually, a compromise was reached. Stanisław Wojciechowski, an ally of Pilsudki's before Poland's independence, both working on the Socialist newspaper Robotnik (the worker), Wojciechowski had taken a more liberal stance after independence. As part of the compromise electing Wojciechowski president, Pilsudski was appointed as Minister of the Army, and Ignacy Mościcki, one of Pilsudski's closest allies, was appointed Minister of Justice.

Wojciechowski promises a better financial situation, and alterations to foreign policies.

(OOC: Assassination was historical, though election and assassination took place 2 years later than historical due to timeline differences)

1924
Aid Package From Britain
As a sign of goodwill, the British government has send a large aid package (ooc: 9 points) for national defense. At the President's orders, fortresses are to be built at Vilno, Lodz, Katowice, and Krakow. The rest of the points will be spent on a unit of medium bombers, built in England.

Series of Violent Strikes
A series of strikes broke out in Katowice and Warsaw this week, as, while many companies have tolerated the recession well, others have faced severe budgetary problems, leading to layoffs and pay cuts. After several days of strikes in Katowice, where workers were demanding a 20% pay cut be reversed, Armia Krajowa (the Home Army), a right wing militia operating in the area, sent its men in to end the strike. After a short fight, leaving 11 dead and 47 injured, police appeared and the militia withdrew. Later that week Obóz Polski Walczącej (Camp of Fighting Poland), a similar group, broke three strikes in Warsaw, leading to outrage among some government ministers, and praise from industrial leaders.

1925
With the Depression worsening, several violent riots against Jews occur in Polish cities. Nearly 100 Jews are killed, and extensive property damage occurs. Rioting is put down with difficulty only with the intervention of the Army.

ooc
Anti-Semitism in Poland is extremely prevalent during this time period in real life and and has considerable historical tradition behind as well. They weren't well treated even before the Nazis came in real life and considerable discrimination existed.

Game effect: Jewish emigration to Palestine and North America accelerates.

On the floor of the Assemblée Nationale, Prime Minister Blum (ooc: who is Jewish, albeit non-practicing) speaks out against “the rising tide of backwardness” and violence in Germany and Eastern Europe.

“Once again the Jews of Europe, a loyal, peaceful, prosperous people, are being accused of putting Black Death in the water.”

Poland 1926
Normal Spending
Socialist Market
Population: 28 million
Tech Level: 5.5
Production Centers: 24 (Warsaw 4, Lodz 3, Krakow 4, 5 Katowice, 2 Wroclaw, Lvov 3, Gdansk 1)
Coal: 3 (Katowice) 1.5 due to depression
Shipping: 3.6 1.8 due to depression
Food: 40 (12 spare=3 production points sold) 1.5 due to depression
Income SUBTOTAL: 100.8
Depression Losses: 24
Corruption losses: 2.3
TOTAL INCOME: 74.5
Growth: 1.49 (1.56/1 factories=>new factory at Wroclaw)

Military Maintenance: 28
Oil: 3
Level IV Social Services: 14
Intel Maintenance: 5

24.5 points to spend
Continue fortification projects: 4 (3/5)
Heavy Cruiser: 1 (2/2) (German or British built)
Supply Unit: 4 (reserve)
Convert 4 Motorized infantry divisions to Corps: 12
Rural Electrification: 1.4 (year 1/3)
Aid to Hungary-Debt Relief: 2
Begin developing 1 Hydropower resource: .1 (.1/18)

The Polish Ambassador to London urges Britain to take action to stop world powers from invading nations that openly declare their intended neutrality. While so far only Hungary is on the Russian list of "convenient shortcuts," if you will, Poland's NAP with Russia will expire in two years' time, and, while Czarina Anastasia signed a treaty of friendship and guarantee of independence, she will not protect us from her own men, if it offers a faster route to Berlin. While Poland benefits from the protection of the British Crown, other small nations, not adequately able to prepare themselves, like the states of the Baltic Union, or Bulgaria, other attendees to this conference, could find themselves victims of Russian convenience, if action is not taken immediately.

Russia denies the French allegations vehemently, noting that the Russian government, not France, is responsible for Russia's foriegn policy. Russia has always maintained the stance that neutral nations be allowed to remain neutral and would never send its troops across a neutral nation's soil without permission.

Russian diplomats ask the Polish government if they will allow the recent years of good faith and relations to drop by the wayside because of a French telegram that the Russian government was not even aware of.


France

The Russian diplomat to Russia furiously bursts into Blum's office and demands that the civil servant responsible for the French telegram to Poland be sacked immediately. He then proceeds to ask why the French government thought it could dictate what Russia would do in the event of war and go so far as to threaten neutral nations with the Russian military.

"Russia will not invade a neutral nation! There are rules of war, rules that Russia has always and will continue to follow! You have jepordaized everything that our administration has worked for! Our attempts to have peace and prosperity with out Eastern European neighbors maye derailed beacuse the honorable French government didn't know when to stop making threats. My government expects a formal apology to both my own nation and our Polish neighbors by the end of the week. Good day sir."


A more calmer and refined version of the above statement is released to the press.

The French State and Government deny ever sending such telegrams, ordering such telegrams sent, or being aware such telegrams were ever sent in the first place. The Ambassador's to Poland and Hungary are each recalled and subsequently sacked for overzealousness after it is determined they acted without approval. It also firmly denies Poland was ever threatened. However, the French Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying that the Hungarians are exaggerating the telegrams for their own political purposes and distribute milder copies contradicting the Hungarian ones.