An Empire Dismantled? (MT)-RETCONED

[Lowell Leber]

Aries City, L.L.
The Chamber of the Imperial Senate.
January 25,2011

Newly elected High Chancellor Anna Mara of the Labour Party was nervous to say the least as she prepared to adress the senate and the nation as a whole. It had been nearly 30 years since the Labour Party had been in the majority and had one of their own as High Chancellor. The recent election of the past year had been a close run thing, but she felt that Labour and herself could drag the country into the 21st century.

"Fellow senators, and my fellow countrymen, today marks the turning of a page in our nation's history. The page of yesterday was by no means a bad one, and nor should we forget it. But it is now that we must look to a brighter future, one in which our nation must play a more responsible role in international affairs. A future in which our citizents recieve a better deal from their government, and those who are downtrodden lifted up."

Applause

"And it is a future in which all who wish to belong to our nation, and reap the rewards do so on their own free will. No more will we hold lands under our grip, no matter how benevoleant that grip has been. So I announce today that my first policy goal is to allow plebiscites in our colonies of Altamark and The Colorado Islands to ascertain whether they will remain a part of our republic..."

Applause and boos

"...and to formally incorporate TheCrayfish Islands as a province in our republic.

"Once these issues are decided, our government shall look at ways to improve the social conditions in our society while staying true to our capitalistic economic heritage. May the Lord bless us and our Republic as he has since the days of King Lowellius the First."

Applause

General Archibald Thomas III clapped half heartedly. He and the leadership of the military were disturbed by the possible end of empire, an empire that had been won by soldiers and sailors blood. It was an empire that until recently had brought great riches without much cost, that is until all of the independence movements and the calls at home to reduce military spending. But, perhaps the nation's course on this matter could be reversed if an inspirational figure could be brought before the citizens of the Republic and convince them of the essential need to maintain the Empire.

OOC-Primarily for my region, but any government can comment at this time.

[Australien]

To: The Government of Lowell Leber
From: Australien Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Having seen the recent developments in relation to your nation's foreign territories, we have seen fit to offer our assistance. Our government is currently running successful programs to transfer several overseas territories to self-governance.

We would be more than willing to:
Oversee the transition process in one or more areas.
Administer the transition process in one or more areas.
Provide administrative, theoretical or logistical support in one or more areas.

We would strongly recommend foreign support for this operation, as it is important to ensure the legitimacy of any outcome.

[Lowell Leber]

High Chancellor's Office
Aries, L.L.

Anna was happy to recieve the offer of assistence from their Australien allies, but she was less than happy with the response of her own cabinent. Already the Foreign Minister Dr. Michelle von Thyssen, who was away on a diplomatic mission, had come out against this. Michelle's opinion was that a commonwealth should be formed, whereby the people of the colonies had local home rule but the Republic retained nominal control and a military presence. This was what Anna had hoped to do when leading her party during the election, albeit with a reduced military footprint.

But this was not enough for many of the more liberal members of her party, who claimed that the results of the election showed that the citizentry wanted done with the Empire in its current form completely. This faction had also argued that the only way to obtain the reduction in military spending that was required to fund the proposed social programs at home was to leave the remaining colonies for good.

And yet Anna also had to consider the largest minority party, The Imperialist Party, and its ability to hold things up in the Senate. The Imperialists were most adametly opposed to granting the colonies independence other than local home rule. And most important of all was the military and the Imperial High Command. Though technically under the the authority of the High Chancellor, the military was required by the constitution of the nation to "protect the nature of the republic " , whatever that could mean. If the Imperial High Command bulked at the policies in the name of this duty, what could be done to stop them without encouraging a possible coup?

All Anna knew for sure was that wasnt the battle she had wanted to fight. She had ran as leader of the Labour Party to ensure that the working man got a better deal with a few more social programs to be offered by the government. After the recession of 2010, more radical elements in her party had championed more sweeping social reforms to come at the expense of cutting the massive military budget. From there, the ideas snowballed until the idea of giving up the Empire had become a central plank in Labour Party platform.

[Lowell Leber]

The ranch of Field Marshal Thomas von Peiper (Retired), 2nd Viscount of Kustrin.
Fifty miles south of
Kustrin, Galicia, L.L.

The old man was surprised at the speech made by the new High Chancellor. To a man of his upbringing this was not what the Empire, or the Republic after the death of King Lowellius XVI had stood for. In the last one hundred years the L.L. had been to war three times, twice against the bloody Kievis and once between wars in the Colorado Islands to put down a native revolt sponsored by the Kievistani government. All of those wars had been fought to maintain or increase the power of the Empire, now the Empire was to cease to exist of its own free will.

von Peiper was sympathetic to the cause of the working class, and agreed that an increase in social programs was needed, but he felt that the Empire could better support these increases if it stayed whole in some way. Perhaps a commonwealth of some sort, but it must stay whole. Allowing natives to decide the future of Lowell Leber was not in anybody's best interests to him.
And what did it matter what he thought, well he was the last great hero of the 3rd Kievistani War. He was a living legend and an inspirational figure to the majority of the nation, and what he thought mattered though he was nigh on one hundred years old. Just than the phone in his study rang...

[Colorado Islands]

The ghetto of west Port Carson, Colorado Islands, L.L.

Quran T'ol listened over the radio to the High Chancellor's speech with great interest. His Independence Front, the milita of the Colorado Island's native Independence Party, had waited for good news since the change of government in L.L. The Independence Party's leadership had advocated a wait and see approach, hoping to see independence come peacefully through democratic means. It seemed now that that had been the right approach. Of the Island's 3,000,000 inhabinents, over two thirds were native Elvas, though half of these were citizens and likely to vote to remain as a part of L.L. in some way. The non-natives, some having been here for three generations, were violently opposed to anything than the status quo, and would likely attempt to rig the plebiscite or intimidate native voters. This was where the Independence Front would come in, to protect native voters and "encourage" them in their voting.

[Altamark]

Tag

[Finnish North America]

Official Finnish North American Government Statement

We applaud your Labor Party for its recent victory and decision to allow self determination to several regions in your nation. We would be more that glad to help assist these new nations in the transition process if they so choose to become independent.

~ Secretary of State, Ráidner Engström ~

[Lowell Leber]

The ranch of Field Marshal Thomas von Peiper (Retired), 2nd Viscount of Kustrin.
Fifty miles south of
Kustrin, Galicia, L.L.

"Hello, oh yes General Thomas, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Well you did see our new High Chancellor's speech did you not? This is not what my father would have wanted for our great nation, and I would venture to say that it is not what you wanted...?"

"Well of course not Archie, but the world is changing. I see no reason why the Empire cannot be preserved, but the bureaucrats and politicians say otherwise. I mean, we do need to do more here at home..."

"With all repect Field Marshal" interupted General Thomas, " reasonable minds can disagree, but if I could show you what the agenda is behind all this, perhaps you would be willing to come out against this in public? We could use the support of a patriot like you before the Senate begins this debate."

"Let me think about this one Archie" replied von Peiper. "Perhaps you could take a helo up here to the ranch in a few days? I would much rather discuss this in person after a few days contemplation."

"It would be an honor Field Marshal, I will be up for lunch two days from now. Goodnight sir!"

"Goodnight Archibald" replied von Peiper.

[Lowell Leber]

Two Days Later...

General Thomas arrived at the von Peiper ranch in a small plane and was driven to the house by on of the hired hands. He was dressed in civillian clothes as to not draw attention to himself. The two men greeted each other and made small talk until dinner was served. After dinner, General Thomas brought up the subject on which he came to speak about.

"Field Marshal, what the Labour Party's more radical elements aim to do is to turn this into a socialistic nation. Their calls for a more fair society and a greater social safety net are just the beginning. I have a dossier of their meetings with the Socialist Party's leaders and these are the stated goals. But, in order to do this they realize that they must free up some government funds by eliminating the Empire and reducing the size of the military."

"I dunno General, I would have to see this dossier of yours" replied von Peiper. "But this isnt the first time there has been talk of dismanling the Empire, and many of those time is was some in the military and the conservative parties that have broached the subject. I dont see a socialist plot in the making here yet, but after much thought I have decided to come out against this when the Senate starts its debate on the issue. In the mean time where is this dossier?"

"It is in my briefcase right here sir." General Thomas opened the case and pulled out a binder and handed it over to von Peiper. "The names of who attended our on the back page, and thankfully our new High Chancellor is not among them. I believe, as does S.I.B.(1) that she is a mostly unwitting pawn in the socialist plot..."

"You have involved SIB in this...?" interrupted a startled von Peiper. "You shouldnt have done that, if this plot is bogus or covered up your career could be over. Not to mention the damage that would be done to the military's prestige?" He looked back down at the dossier and flipped through the pages, shaking his head from time to time. General Thomas' statements about its contents had been true, but this seemed extremely too appearent to not be fabricated.

"What do you thing Field Marshal?"

"Do you trust your source?" replied von Peiper.

"With my life sir...."

[Australien]

FSIS HQ, Melbourne.
Emergency Situation Room (EBR).
The various representatives from across all the branches of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were gathered for an urgent briefing. The topic of conversation among all present was obviously the situation in Lowell Leber, and what would become of the statement by the government.
"If I may have your attention." The head of Old World Affairs, Allen Heiner, began, "I would like to start the briefing"
The room quickly fell silent, as all were eager to know the meaning of their hurried congregation.
"As you all know, the government of Lowell Leber has announced that it seeks to dismantle it's empire, and further social programs within its nation." He continued, "Many are questioning this unexpected move, claiming that a socialist conspiracy is behind it."
"That's the same ridiculous right-wing bullshit that we've been hearing all over the world! Anyone could see that!" The minister for trade exclaimed.
"Not as ridiculous as you might think." Heiner rebutted, "The details are sketchy, and our sources are questionable,"
"As usual" someone muttered loudly.
Heiner ignored the comment and continued. "But our main concern is this man." An image flashed on the screen against the far wall. "He fancies himself a left-wing revolutionary, and he's been linked to at least 3 violent revolutions around the globe."
"And what does this have to do with us" the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked impatiently.
"Because, this man is an Australien citizen" Heiner replied "He has a history of violent attacks against governments, and if he gets caught, it would be a serious blow to our foreign relations and influence."
"Well, what do you suggest we do?" The Minister for Intelligence asked.
"With your approval, I suggest that we deploy an intelligence task-force to apprehend this man before he causes any serious harm. We should contact the government of Lowell Leber immediately." Heiner said.
"You'll get your task force, Heiner, but we cannot let the government of Lowell Leber in on this." The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated bluntly.

Documents were signed, and 6 men were on a plane to Lowell Leber within 2 hours.

[Lowell Leber]

I am going to RETCON this thread due to a lack of time in developing the story.