Great War? What Great War? (IC)

[Agarntrop]

It's the year 1918, and tensions are rife in Europe, with countries forming rival alliances and creating larger and larger armies to rival each other. In Asia, Japan is strengthening its empire and increasing its influence whilst China plummets into instability.

App:

Code: Select all

NS Nation:
RP Nation:
RP Nation Flag (if you have chosen to RP as an alternate nation. Otherwise, optional):
Location:
Capital:
Head of State:
Head of Government:
Population:
Alliances?:
Additional Info:


Rules:
- If you make no posts within a week you are removed from the RP but may rejoin as any unclaimed nation.
- Keep it realistic. It's 1918.
- Don't spread other RPs here
- Do not, intentionally or unintentionally, derail or degrade the RP
- Rule enforcement is at OP discretion

Austro-Hungarian Empire - Agarntrop
United States of America - Dentali
The Kingdom of Italy - Sapientia Et Bellum
British Empire - The Archipelago Territory
The Prussian People's Union - Azlaake
Kingdom of Greece - Adurnak
Kingdom of Belgium - Imperium of The Huron
Republic of the United States of Brazil - Jerno
The Argentine Republic - Goverment Of The Argentinian State
Kingdom of the Netherlands - Sarderia
Kingdom of France - Greater Karthago
Congolese Independence Movement - The World Capitalist Confederation
Republic of China - Duestchstien
The United Sovereign States of Russia - The Imperial Warglorian Empire
Empire of Iran - Nuxipal
Baltic Autonomous Federal Territory - The Felan Federation

Quebec - [nation]Nouveau Québécois[/nation]
Russian Empire with Iranian puppet state - Imperial Warglorian Empire

Congo Rebellion (Belgium and Allies vs Congolese Rebels)
2nd Italo-Ethiopian War (Italy vs Ethiopia)

- Allied Powers (Standard Countries)
- Central Powers (Standard Countries)

My App:
NS Nation: Agarntrop
RP Nation: Austro-Hungarian Empire
RP Nation Flag (if you have chosen to RP as an alternate nation. Otherwise, optional):
Location: Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to 1918
Capital: Vienna
Head of State: Emperor Franz-Ferdinand
Head of Government: Count Richard von Bienerth-Schmerling
Population: 52.8 million
Alliances?: Central Powers
Additional info: In 1914, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand never occurs. However, Franz Joseph I dies in 1912 (four years before he did in real life), and thus Ferdinand becomes emperor. Ferdinand imposes great reforms on Austria, granting autonomy to ethnic areas in order to keep the country together. He reforms the country constitutionally, with the Imperial Council being given more power and influence. However, he is pressured to retain Austria's commitment to the Central Powers in Europe.

OOC

[Agarntrop]

1st January 1918
One of the final effects of the 1915 constitutional reforms is finally coming into effect today. The Imperial Council has now been given full governmental powers and the Emperor will just serve as head of State. The elections for the Council were not decisive, and thus the government is held as an uneasy coalition of independents and liberals from across the empire. Another feature of the new reforms are that the House of Deputies will now preside over the House of Lords officially, being given more powers than ever before.

[Azlaake]

January 1st 1918

The plot to assassinate the President of the Prussian People's Union, Karl Liebknecht, is uncovered by local police in Hamburg. While at a speech by the President, a radical right-wing activist was captured while trying to shoot Karl from backstage. He was later identified as a man named Adolf Hitler, who fought for Wilhelm II during the German Civil War, he awaits trial in the Hamburg Court of Justice. President Liebknecht has ordered police forces to root out other radical right-wing activists as he says "...they are a threat to this great and glorious union!"

OOC: Btw the PPU is Libertarian Socialist

[Dentali]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Recession of 1914 had officially ended, and America was celebrating its 44th straight month of economic boom. Unemployment was down from 7.9% to 4%, in part due to the massive drive toward manufacturing jobs masterminded during Roosevelts third term and now bearing fruit. The Real GNP per capita had been between 2.5 and 3.5 percent over the past 3 years making the nations economy the strongest in the world, or at least the fastest growing.

Meanwhile the US Government under Roosevelt and continued under Root had been financing a massive expansion of the navy and a reform of the army, though its size remained relatively the same. (To be detailed soon)

[Jerno]

January 1st 1918
Venceslau Brás realized that Brazil was going to have to step up into global politics. In order to do that the continent was going be needed to stabilize. So talks started with one of Brazil’s southern neighbor, Argentina. The proposal was an alliance of military and economic trade and the trade of Technology as well. When Chile heard of the talks, it wanted to be included as well. The Alliance was under the Negotiation table but the first set of talks resulted in the alliance name : ABCMET Trade Agreement.

[Azlaake]

January 5th 1918

Karl sat behind his desk, extremely tired as he had taken a midnight train from Hamburg to Dortmund. He had arrived to his home around 5:00 am and had gotten to his office around 8:30 am. He picked up a stack of paper titled "Universal Healthcare". The German Congress had just passed this bill a few days before and now they were waiting for him to sign. He found a pen in one of drawers and wrote "Ka-", then suddenly one of his advisers burst through the door. It gave him a heart attack as he was still frightened from the attempted assassination by Adolf something or other.

"Sir, sir. I have very important news for you!" His adviser told him.

"Yes, what is it? Mr..........?" Karl responded.

"Mr. Mueller sure. And the news is that over 50,000 leftists have risen up in the Belgian Congo!!" Mr. Mueller said.

"Hmmm....... This is great, tell the Minister of Arms, James Luxem, to send advisers and weapons down there immediately, also tell General Paul Von Hindenburg to rally troops in case the Brits back the Belgians."

"Yes, sir!" Mr Mueller said as he rushed out of the room.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

The Epiphany Railroad Bombings

Between 10-11pm on the 6th of January, 1918, several bombs have gone off in the Belgian Congo's railways, causing large-scale destruction of Belgian supply lines and logistics. Travel in the Congo has also been disrupted, along with shipping routes and vital infrastructure. Over 214 people were reported dead from the attacks, all mostly traders from mainland Belgium. It was the spark of revolution that was about to begin in the Congo....

[Imperium of The Huron]

January 1,1918
The growing unrest in the Congo, coupled with global arms race, has led to in increased concern for the state of Belgium's Military.
Well many people believe that the great powers of the world, particularly Britain, would intervene in the event of an invasion, others fear that foreign aid might not come in time, or even at all.
Regardless, King Albert I, after inspecting his troops and talking with his generals, has approved plans to grow the army from 180,000 to 350,000 by 1928.
Furthermore, foreign military advisers would be invited to speedup modernization, and a Navy consenting of 5 torpedo boats and 3 minesweepers would be built.

In the Congo...
Governor Philippe starred out his widow.
"why don't these natives appreciate what we've done for them? Roads, railways, hospitals, schools, churches, civilization!
He said to himself. "All that and still, they rebel!"
"Governor! Urgent news." an aid said as he handed him a note.
"Thank you," the governor said as he took and read the note.
"They've bombed the railway!? This is getting out of hand, I got to telegram the King at once!

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

The January Strikes

The less-military inclined of the CRM's supporters have begun a month-long general strike, getting many unions to cooperate, as the Belgian Congo is put to a halt. Protests have also begun in the capital regarding this, as protesters block the streets and are getting ready to riot at the slightest provocation. An estimated 500,000 workers have taken part in the general strike and about 30,000 in the protests. It was now or never.

Ngueb sat in the Military HQ, pondering the future.

"It is time, is it not? It is time for revolution."

The CRM has now declared full revolt, as underground CRM HQs break open, with over 50,000 soldiers having pledged themselves to the CRM and having received training in guerilla warfare. The Belgian Government has not but a few hours to respond until the revolt really begins...

[The Archipelago Territory]

The Epiphany Railroad Bombings

Between 10-11pm on the 6th of January, 1918, several bombs have gone off in the Belgian Congo's railways, causing large-scale destruction of Belgian supply lines and logistics. Travel in the Congo has also been disrupted, along with shipping routes and vital infrastructure. Over 214 people were reported dead from the attacks, all mostly traders from mainland Belgium. It was the spark of revolution that was about to begin in the Congo....

London, United Kingdom

Prime Minister Edward Williams mentioned in a speech to the House of Lords today that the leftist terrorists in the Congo that bombed railways were “nasty communists” and the “paramilitary movement” needed to be met with force. He also sent a small brigade of infantry with weapons to provide assistance to the local Belgian authorities and military groups.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

The Epiphany Railroad Bombings

Between 10-11pm on the 6th of January, 1918, several bombs have gone off in the Belgian Congo's railways, causing large-scale destruction of Belgian supply lines and logistics. Travel in the Congo has also been disrupted, along with shipping routes and vital infrastructure. Over 214 people were reported dead from the attacks, all mostly traders from mainland Belgium. It was the spark of revolution that was about to begin in the Congo....

London, United Kingdom

Prime Minister Edward Williams mentioned in a speech to the House of Lords today that the leftist terrorists in the Congo that bombed railways were “nasty communists” and the “paramilitary movement” needed to be met with force. He also sent a small brigade of infantry with weapons to provide assistance to the local Belgian authorities and military groups.

Emile Ngueb replied with a short statement:

"I am aware that Prime Minister Edward Williams has chosen to support the Belgian Government. I am disappointed, but not surprised. The white imperialists of the world unify together to fight against the coloured man's right to freedom! They fought to enslave us with chains on our backs, and when that wasn't profitable, they still enslaved us, only with longer chains! Williams has the audacity to label us terrorists, whilst ignoring the clear genocide of the Belgian Government against the peoples of the Congo. 15 million, dead, and they don't care about it. They have no regard for human life, only for greed and for profit! The capitalist powers conspire against our freedom, so let us attack at them! I will not let pigs put my nation to the slaughter, for today, my countrymen, we shall feast upon the rich!"

[Imperium of The Huron]

January 2,1918
In Leopoldvill, governor Philippe ordered 5,000 solders under the command of general Charles Tombeur to
"restore order to the streets and breakup any and all strikes using what ever means necessary."
Confronting the strikers general Tombeur warned of "death and destruction that if they do not go back to work in 24 hours."
Meanwhile, in response to the telegram from governor Philippe, King Albert I dispatched 5,000 troops to reinforce the the colony.

[Azlaake]

Today, Ugandan brigades have crossed the border over into the Belgian Congo to aid the Belgians in the Congo Revolution....

Karl turns off the radio

"Crap! Those darn Brits, they're sending help to the pitiful Belgians!!! Something must be done about this!" Picks up phone from his desk, "Yes, hello. I want you to send 4,500 infantry and 50 armored cars down to the Congo, yes, yes, I don't care what those darn Brits will think, just do it!! Also send 80 planes and air volunteers down to. Hmm... Yes, but do it in secret and do not display our flag or symbol on anything. Yes, thank you, and goodbye."

He sets back down at his desk.

[Sapientia Et Bellum]

Ash Into Gold

January 7th, 1918

"Pepino" Garibaldi leaned back in the chair that rested behind a grand oak desk littered with papers and spilled ink. Pepino, the only son of the King, had spent the last 8 years among the deserts of Mexico fighting a bloody revolution in the name of monarchy. His time spent in Mexico had turned him into a brilliant strategist but had also made him an insufferable drunkard and a hard line leader. The title High Prince had always been ceremonial but the Kings age and rapidly expanding illness had thrusted the bearer of the title into a position of almost absolute control over the nation. Pepino looked down towards the black ink of the newspaper before him which was dated for the previous day. The headline read "Tensions Rising In The Belgian Congo: Garibaldi Family Silent" which brought much stress to the face of the relatively young Pepino. The high prince would take a sip of wine from a nearby glass before grabbing a small notepad and scribbling a note upon it. He would stand and leave the office, handing the note to a modestly dressed young woman.

Later that day, police would usher thousands of Italian men and women into the center that overlooked the palace that Pepino and his family had claimed as home. Condensor Microphones would line the balcony of the palace for the purpose of noise amplification and recording. Pepino Garibaldi and the King would emerge from the grand glass doors and step onto the balcony. Pepino would be found wearing a rugged uniform similiar what he typically worn during his time in Mexico whilst the King wore much more traditional attire. The pair of men and their wives would be met by thunderous applause by those standing witness to the grand display. As soon as the applause died, Pepino stepped forward and began his decent into a heavy worded speech.

"Brothers and Sisters of Italy, we stand today on the edge of a cliff that will determine the future of our people. If we continue our current path of silence and ignorance, we will almost assuradly fall off of the cliff and towards the certain doom of not only the Italian nation but the Italian culture and people as well. The threat of global communism ever expands throughout the world and towards the shores of the Adriatic Sea. The past few days have seen new uprisings in the Congo and Prussian territories. The Italian nation will not stand idly by as nations are ripped apart in the name of Marxist deslusions! Our men will mobilize in arms against this threat along with our brothers around the world who decide to stand with us! Peace is no longer the policy of the Italian people! Our policy shall be the protection of our homeland! Our policy shall be war and death towards those that threaten our people, culture, and land!"

Transcripts of the speech would be hand delivered to the leaders of Britain, Prussia, France, Belgium, and others throughout the world. Each transcript would hold the signature of Pepino Garibaldi, written in blood cut from his own hand.

[Adurnak]

Athens-The Kingdom of Greece

It was the year 1918, 5 years since the last war in the Balkans during which the victorious allied powers of Serbia, Greece, and Romania had not only much humbled and weakened their former ally Bulgaria, but also shown the world that the victorious Balkan nations were strong in their own right and could easily hold their own against major powers (the ottomans in the first war and briefly the Ottomans and Russians in the second).
In this 5 year period tensions in the region had not dissipated as much as many citizens of the Balkans and others on the international stage would have hoped. The second Balkan Wars had in effect neutered and humiliated the tsardom of Bulgaria, making it an unstable state which harbored deep resentment amongst its people towards the country’s neighboring states. However this resentment was also directed inwards towards the politicians and particularly the tsar who had pushed the nation into a disastrous war with its former allies, leading to the country to lose territory to Serbia, Greece, and Romania. With the nation divided however it did not as though Bulgaria would be able to start another war over territory with its neighbors even if it wanted to so even though the country was watched with cautious eyes the real tension came from elsewhere (this is more or less what happened IRL after the second Balkan War).
Though it had happened some years prior by now the annexation of Bosnia by the Austro-Hungarian empire had caused a great deal of tension between the old Habsburg monarchy and the resurgent kingdom of Serbia which, due to a rise in nationalism after the revolutions of 1848 had despaired as they saw fellow Serbs absorbed into the Austrian dominated empire.
Meanwhile the Kingdom of Greece , Serbia’s closest ally aside from Russia was having it’s own problems facing off with another great power at the opposite end of the peninsula. The Ottoman empire and the Greek kingdom were bitter enemies with enmity between Turk and Greek running back almost a millennia. Including achieving independence from the ottomans in the early 1830’s the two nations had fought each other on no less than 4 occasions as the Greek state and people sought to free their countrymen still under ottoman rule and re-conquer land that they saw as rightfully Greek.
The ottomans were by this time the sick man of Europe but would be by no means a pushover for a single relatively small power like Greece who would not be able to call on her allies to aid her this time. Knowing that for the next showdown Greece would have to find another way or other allies, at the conclusion of the second Balkan War during which Greek forces skirmished with, fought and eventually pushed back ottoman forces from Adrianople, the focus for the nation had since been solving this issue. Thankfully this was not too hard of a problem to solve; during the Balkan Wars the Greeks had had to rely mostly on weapons manufactured by outside powers such as France and Britain while their own domestic arms industry caught up and could fully supply that army on its own. By 1918 this meant that the prime ministers’ plan could be put into action.
This plan called for jumping on the trend of nationalism and snuggling all the older French and British made small arms and ammunition into the Levent while also encouraging the local Christian and other Arab or other ethnic minorities to organize and rise up against their Ottoman masters. The time was ripe; 5 years of preparation and economic boom had led to a modernized Greek army and navy which stood ready to flex it’s muscles. 250,000 men were ready for the go ahead, to strike east towards the city of the world’s desire and beyond to Asia.

Before the invasion could be launched however new treaties of friendship were drafted and sent off to guard the flanks of the Kingdom. The Albanians had long being their friends with many having fought with the Greeks in their war for independence, and the Serbs were even closer sharing a history of subjugation and struggle against the turks as well as their orthodox faith. These treaties consisted of a declaration of friendship; a non-aggression pact and a hope for closer cooperation in trade and between the countries militaries with Greek arms being sold at a discount to their allies who had no real domestic arms industry to speaking at the time. An additional secret treaty was drafted and sent off to Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro which pledged Greek support if a war with Austria-Hungary should break out in return for their support if any power such as Russia attacked Greece.
Finally feelers were sent out to the nations of Italy and Britain as it was felt that against regional threats the Balkan pact could hold, but having a great power on side would be even more beneficial.
The same rough message was sent to the Greek embassy in each country and was as follows:

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 Dear [the head of government for Italy or the UK]
In these troubling times there is no doubt in my mind and the minds of my people that the powder-keg of Europe has not yet been diffused, there is still an air or tension in a blanket that covers Europe. It is my intention in this telegram therefore to reassure your government that the kingdom of Greece bares no ill will towards you or your people and that if any conflict should break out it would be deeply regrettable if we found ourselves on opposite sides (we don’t want to fight either of you basically and would like to remain friendly).
An additional paragraph was attached to the message to Italy essentially declaring a wish for friendly cooperation in Libya against native resistance which ultimately threatened both colonies.
Britain also got a unique section dedicated to in no uncertain terms asking if Britain would stand in the way if Greek and Ottoman fought once again.

Summary:
- Since the 2nd Balkan War the Greek arms industry has caught up and is now able to provide most of the army’s equipment except for heavier artillery pieces.
- The army has also been heavily modernized and standardized including following a hybrid model of having a volunteer professional core and limited conscription to make up the numbers. The army tried to follow the example of the British as well as possible.
- Diplomatic feelers were sent out throughout the Balkans and Europe hoping for treaties of friendship and cooperation.

[The Archipelago Territory]

January 7th, 1918

The Prime Minister gave the following speech in response to Belgian rebels today:

“We are not supporting the Belgian genocide. We are not supporting Belgium. We are only fighting back against a terrorist group that destroyed railroads specially made for them by the Belgian government. We will not support unrest in the Congo. We own Uganda, which is nearby and could be the next target. The horrors committed in the Congo were the act of Leopold II. Now he is no longer king, and there is no genocide. We will not stand by while rebels cause unrest and destroy infrastructure.”

[The Archipelago Territory]

A telegram arrived in Greece.

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To: Greece
We support your nation and thank you for your kind telegram and we hope to continue to grow the alliance between our two nations. However we cannot guarantee that we will not get involved in a large scale conflict like the one you mentioned. The British Empire owns a quarter of the globe and would most certainly feel the effects of such a conflict. Therefore we would have to take sides. A Great War is coming, and we don’t have much time. Tensions grow across the continents, with African nations rebelling and European empires shrinking. When war breaks out, we can only hope you side with our great empire.

Warm regards,
-Prime Minister Edward Williams and King George V


[The Archipelago Territory]

Washington D.C., United States of America
Ambassador Thomas Powell took out the British embassy telegraph and sent a message to the White House. He needed to know their opinion on the Congo rebellion. He couldn’t have Britain go up against the United States. The US was now backed down to a corner. They couldn’t support the Congo rebels if they wanted to. That would risk a major war and the US would lose against Belgium and Britain.

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Hello, could a senior official from the state department please visit the British embassy for an urgent meeting?


[Sapientia Et Bellum]

Cry Havoc

January 8th, 1918

Pepino Garibaldi stepped off of the great Italian warship of the Regia Marina. The prince would be dressed in clothing given to him by Mexican revolutionaries during his time in the nation. He would be greeted by two men, one obviously a Field Marshal and the other of less important rank. The Marshal would shake the princes hand and lead the men into a small tent that had been set up on one of the docks at the large marina. The tent would be decorated with several beds and a large center table covered in maps of the African colonies. Splashes of Green would represent the holdings of the Italian Kingdom which at the time included the colonies of Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia. The maps would also have splashes of pink to represent the holdings of the British. The most puzzling piece of the map was a large section of land that was denoted by a pure white color. The section of land known as Ethiopia had managed to avoid the colonial conquests of the second half of the last century and now stands surrounded by Italian and British holdings. Pepino and the other men would gather around these maps.

"Sir, we are just about ready to launch a full scale invasion of Ethiopia. The First Colonial Field Army, consisting of nearly 250,000 men, will move into Ethiopia from Somalia. The Second Colonial Field Army, boasting an additional 250,000 men, will move into Ethiopia from the north in Eritrea. The charge will be spurred by the use of Fiat 3000 tanks and heavy artillery. Furthermore, the use of chemical weapons such as mustard and chlorine gas has been approved for use on the battlefield. I expect the invasion to be over within one or two months from this moment."

Pepino nodded in agreement with the field marshall

"You have authorization to begin the invasion, Field Marshal.... If you fail, I will not shy from having your tongue cut from your mouth and your man hood ripped from your groin.... I expect nothing less than total victory."

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For Direct Delivery To The Prime Minister Of England By Order Of High Prince Pepino Garibaldi

The Italian Kingdom is preparing for large scale military operations along the borders of the Ethiopian nation. The Italian Kingdom, by order of High Prince Pepino Garibaldi, wishes to express to the state of the United Kingdom that any action against either the state of Italy or the state of Ethiopia in the region of the African Horn will be met with fierce reaction. These threats are not empty and will be carried through if you should decide to make an ill decision.


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For Direct Delivery To The Greek State By Order Of High Prince Pepino Garibaldi

The Italian Kingdom does not and shall not have any ill will towards the Greek people. Aggressive expansion throughout the Balkans will however be met with resistance if it threatens the coasts of the Adriatic Sea. The Kingdom of Italy will not and shall not give itself to permanent statements of peace and cooperation. The Italian Kingdom seeks no further ties with the Greek people and will continue to fend for its own above all else.


[Agarntrop]

(OOC: Remember to Date Your Posts!)

January 9th, 1918

A letter is released by the Austro-Hunagrian Foreign Ministry on the state of the Congo.

Austro-Hungarian Foreign Ministry
Österreichisch-Ungarisches Außenministerium
Osztrák-Magyar Külügyminisztérium

---

FROM: Austro-Hungarian Foreign Ministry| TO: Public |Encryption Level: Very Low

---

To whom it may concern,
The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Ministry condemns the actions of communist militants in this Negro insurrection currently taking place in the Belgian territory of Congo. We shall also ban the sale of weapons to both sides.

Despite this, several Austrian companies secretly sell mustard gas to both sides with Imperial authorisation.

[Dentali]

Washington D.C., United States of America
Ambassador Thomas Powell took out the British embassy telegraph and sent a message to the White House. He needed to know their opinion on the Congo rebellion. He couldn’t have Britain go up against the United States. The US was now backed down to a corner. They couldn’t support the Congo rebels if they wanted to. That would risk a major war and the US would lose against Belgium and Britain.

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Hello, could a senior official from the state department please visit the British embassy for an urgent meeting?


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The Under Secretary of State Frank Lyon Polk is on his way


[/quote]


Frank Lyon Polk was in DC at the time so was sent to the British Embassy to discuss what was apparently an urgent meeting, "likely about some event on the Canadian border" thought Polk as he entered the embassy.

[The Archipelago Territory]

Thomas walked up to the Undersecretary and shook his hand.

“Mr. Secretary, it’s good to see you. Have you heard of the recent turn of events in the Congo?”

[The Archipelago Territory]

January 9, 1918

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For delivery to the Italian government; only to be opened by senior officials

The British Empire does not support such an invasion. We will not interfere, but your troops shall not enter our territory.

Warm regards,
Prime Minister Edward Williams and King George V


[Dentali]

Thomas walked up to the Undersecretary and shook his hand.

“Mr. Secretary, it’s good to see you. Have you heard of the recent turn of events in the Congo?”

"Vaguely, Italy is intervening in some rebellion?"

[The Archipelago Territory]

Thomas walked up to the Undersecretary and shook his hand.

“Mr. Secretary, it’s good to see you. Have you heard of the recent turn of events in the Congo?”

"Vaguely, Italy is intervening in some rebellion?"

“I believe you’re confusing it with the Ethiopia situation. In the Congo, a communist rebellion is brewing and they’ve bombed key Belgian infrastructure. The Prime Minister wants to know your country’s stance on this.”