The War That Never Was - An Alternate-History RP | (IC)

[Arvenia]

Гетьманська Газета
March 2, 1938

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Transcaucasian Conflict Leads To Possible Soviet Annexation
TRANSCAUCASIA - For the duration of an entire week, the Transcaucasian Republic had suffered from riots and assassinations, which led to martial law being declared by President Iosif Dzugashvili, otherwise known to the world as "Joseph Stalin". He has called for a referendum on integration into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). International reactions have so far been mixed, with most countries describing Transcaucasia as an "artificial state".

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Surikov Cabinet Slams Danubia Over Remark About Transcaucasia
KYIV - Prime Minister Oleksandr Surikov (UNDP) and his cabinet have recently slammed the Danubian Confederation over an offensive remark made by Baron Max Wladimir von Beck in regards to the situation of Transcaucasia. The remark centered around the claim that Transcaucasia is an "artificial state", which has been used as a way to deny countries' right to existence. Baron von Beck has also accused Ukraine of breaching international law in regards to Eastern Galicia, despite the latter being recognized by the international community as Ukrainian territory. Foreign Minister Stepan Vytvytskyi (UNDP) has described Danubia's attitude towards Ukraine and other neighbouring countries as "Austrian imperialism" and called upon the League of Nations (LN) to intervene.

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Pro-Danubian Protests Across Eastern Galicia
WESTERN UKRAINE - The Danubian Party of Galicia-Lodomeria (DPHL), a pro-Danubian party in Ukraine, has recently organized protests across what was once Eastern Galicia. The party has been demanding the region's return to the Danubian Confederation, despite repeated opposition from Ukrainian nationalist groups. The protests have somewhat been peaceful, but some turned aggressive as protesters tend to shout insults at Ukrainians and clash with counter-protesters from nationalist groups such as the far-right Nationalist Party of Ukraine (NPU) and the left-wing Ukrainian Radical Party (URP). The police have been advised by the government to keep an eye on the protests.

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Notorious Fraudster To Be Tried In Germany
GERMANY - Serge Alexandre Stavisky, a Polish Jew who is notorious for defrauding hundreds of people, will be facing trial in Germany earlier this month. He is being charged with numerous financial crimes. In Berlin, daily protests have been held outside the prison where Stavisky is being currently held. Ukrainian businessmen, such as elite banker Mykola Akhmetov and industrial magnate Andriy Slobodian, have condemned Stavisky for his crimes.

[Orostan]

Kaifeng, February 27th 1938

The Marshal loomed over the telegraph operator as the message from the Japanese came through. It must have been stressful to have the master of half of China breathing down your neck while working. None of the other operators envied that young man.

"Well, what's it say?" asked Wu.

The operator hesitantly handed a paper to Wu, who immediately began looking it over with his foreign minister who was standing next to him.

"Minister Wang, what are your thoughts?" he asked.

Wang Chung-hui wiped some sweat off his brow. "It's not good. Condition five is right out. Six has a number of issues. The rest is just humiliating and costs us little."

Wu looked over to General Chiang, who was seated in the corner of the room with some of his own men reviewing his own copy of the telegram. A Communist officer was trying to pry his way into the crowd of KMT military officers to take a look at the message.

He glanced back to Foreign Minister Wang. "Tell the Japanese to drop five, six d, eight, and nine. The rest is acceptable if it prevents war. If they have an issue with our conditions see to it that their deadline is extended. See if you can move that tank deal with Danubia forward as soon as possible afterwards."

Wang nodded and began directing the telegraph operator to make a response.

Foreign Ministry of the Republic of China

To: Empire of Japan Diplomatic Service in Mukden.
Special response to Japanese ultimatum (2)

The Republic of China finds conditions five, six (specifically section 'D'), eight, and nine as totally unacceptable. The Republic considers its conflict with southern rebels totally unrelated to the current issue. The recognition of "Manchukuo" as totally unacceptable and requests that if Japan believes Manchukuo ought to be recolonized internationally it petition the League of Nations rather than unilaterally attempting to enforce a condition on China. Furthermore it is not entirely understood what is constituted by "de facto" recognition considering China already maintains trade offices in Manchuria and other representatives without exerting government authority there, the lack of which and presence of Japanese occupation forces our government and others considers a violation of its sovereignty.

Conditions eight and nine are totally unacceptable. Eight is already ensured by default (see agreements pertaining to 'open door policy') and a Japanese imposition of any specific economic policies would be an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and if the issue of Chinese economic policy is difficult enough to be included in an ultimatum then Japan should petition the League of Nations. Nine is irrelevant to Japan-China relations and unenforceable without violations of Chinese sovereignty that the Republic sees as unacceptable although sections 9A and 9b are reasonable and already implemented by the Republic.

All other conditions can be met (including section six "C" which is already met by treaties the Great Qing signed and the Republic inherited after 1911) or require in person negotiation between representatives of both governments (section 4 in particular) to finalize. An extension of forty eight hours from the receipt of this message is requested to facilitate further negotiation. We request that Japan cease threatening war and agree to send representatives to negotiations in Beijing or Kaifeng.

[Shohun]

Imperial General Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
February 27, 1938

"Gentlemen, we have received a reply from the Chinese. They are again seeking to alter the terms of the deal." said Prime Minister Konoe, addressing the Imperial General Headquarters Government Liaison Conference.

"Our terms were already generous as it is. Already we make only minimal gains despite their heinous attack on our security, sovereignty, and pride. Let us proceed with our operation, take the border towns and bomb several targets across the mainland. Then those dogs will scamper back, having regained their senses. They are confident in their non-existent support from the international community. Let us make it clear to them that when it really comes down to it, their partners will not risk it all." said General Itagaki.

"What happens if they do not 'scamper back to us' for a deal? The tyrant in Kaifeng only cares about one thing; power. If he is able to rally the Chinese people against us, even temporarily, he will take what he can get." replied Foreign Minister Ugaki.

Itagaki scoffed. "Then we level Kaifeng and every city within reach of our bombers. We sweep down into North China, occupy what we can, and then we can leverage international pressure to support a peace settlement. We cannot afford to look weak. Our subjects in Formosa and Korea are watching. Our allies in Manchukuo and Mengjiang are watching. The Soviet Union, Britain, Germany, and the United States are watching like vultures, ready to prey on the weak. Let the weak state be China, not Japan."

"If our decision cannot be unanimous, then let the conference put the matter to rest with a vote. If we are to prosecute a war, we cannot spend our entire war conferences talking about peace." said Admiral Yonai, looking to the Chairman of the conference, Prime Minister Konoe.

Konoe glanced around the room, and then at the Emperor, who remained seated above the conference members. By the nature of the new system of government, the military had the power. Four military votes against only two government votes. but even he had reservations of offering the Chinese yet another chance. Everyone did. "Gentlemen, I propose we send back a final offer, and extend the deadline another 24 hours. Meeting some of their points, and retaining others. If they do not commit to the agreement then, we shall go forward with the plans to seize numerous border towns. Should that still not be enough, the bomber campaign, and if still needed, the whole operation."

Itagaki looked at Yonai and the two Army and Navy Chiefs of Staff. "We are all in agreement then. Let us prepare to execute our full scale operation by the second week of March, should peace not come before then via the implementation of the border strategy on the 29th of February, assuming the rejection of our demands."

Final Conditions for Peace in East Asia Required of the Chinese Regime in Kaifeng
To: The Chinese Regime in Kaifeng
Encryption: High

It is the position of the Japanese Government that the key tenets of the following terms are essential to peace in East Asia. Without, true peace could not possibly be realized. It is the position of the Japanese Government, that it must remain firm in the recognition of the Empire of Manchukuo as being officially outside the scope of the Kaifeng government's control, as well as that key economic interests are preserved.

1. The government of China, based in Kaifeng shall immediately cease all funding, shelter, and supply of anarchist insurgents engaged in fighting against the Empire of Manchukuo and the Empire of Japan.
1a. Compliance with section one shall be enforced and regulated by Japanese and independent League of Nations observers.
1b. The government of China shall open its arms depots, arsenals, and military bases at the request of international observers as part of the investigation into the origin of explosives.
1c. The government of China shall temporarily cease production of explosives used for the Kwangtung Bombing, pending international investigation.
1d. The government of China shall not destroy any evidence related to the Kwangtung Bombing, nor shall it instruct officials to give false statements to investigators.
1e. To the best of its ability, the Chinese government shall provide the names of all insurgents and their addresses to Japan.
1f. The government of China shall immediately cease all destabilizing efforts in the Empire of Manchukuo, Mengjiang, and the Empire of Japan and withdraw all of its agents.
1g. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the government of China shall respect the findings and judgement, and shall implement measures accordingly.
1h. The government in China shall immediately make efforts to disbar of all openly anti-Japanese organizations throughout China.
1i. The government in China shall immediately end military mobilizations observed on the border between China and the Empire of Manchukuo.
2. The government of China shall immediately make efforts to arrest and extradite all all accessories to the bombing in the Kwangtung-Leased Territory, as well as insurgent attacks in Manchukuo.
2a. This effort shall be assisted by Japanese and independent League of Nations delegates to take part in investigations.
2b. Authorized delegates shall be given full investigative powers equal to Chinese investigators.
2c. The government of China shall make efforts to arrest and extradite all insurgents, some of whose names the Japanese Government will provide.
3. The government in China shall implement a demilitarized zone within 30 miles of the border with the Empire of Manchukuo, to be administered by an independent government chosen by the League of Nations.
3a. Chinese troops affiliated with the regime in Kaifeng shall be forbidden to enter the demilitarized zone.
3b. Compliance shall be ensured with an independent security force, and Japanese military delegates.
3c. The government in China shall be limited to deploy a maximum of 100,000 military troops within 20 miles of the demilitarized zone.
3d. The government in China shall not deploy any artillery with ranges equal or greater than 20 miles within 20 miles of the demilitarized zone.
3e. The government in China shall not deploy any armored vehicles within 20 miles of the demilitarized zone.
3f. The government in China shall not deploy any military or government aircraft within 20 miles of the demilitarized zone without the expressed consent of the League of Nations or informing the Japanese Embassy.
3g. The government in China shall not deploy any military ships within 12 nautical miles of the demilitarized zone.
3h. The government in China shall not deploy in excess of 300,000 troops, 100 armored vehicles, 200 artillery pieces, or 50 aircraft within the entire Huabei region.
3i. The government in China shall not deploy aircraft to bases in the Huabei region capable of a range greater than 200 miles or payload of over 50 kilograms.
3j. The government in China shall not deploy naval vessels with displacement in excess of 20,000 kg within 50 nautical miles of the Kwangtung-Leased Territory.
3k. The government in China shall permanently demilitarize all islands within the Bohai Strait.
4. The government in China shall accept in China representatives of the Japanese Government for talks regarding stabilization of the region.
5. The government in China shall to the best of its ability, ease civilian suffering in other Chinese states.
6. The government in China shall provide explanations to the Japanese Government for all hostile acts carried out in Manchukuo, and immediately accept full responsibility and issue an official apology.
6a. The official, written and verbal apology shall be personally delivered by the Chinese President to the Japanese Ambassador.
6b. The Chinese government shall issue official written apologies to every victim of the bombing and their families individually.
6c. The Chinese government shall create and fund a memorial statue for the lives lost in the Kwangtung Bombing, to be emplaced near the Japanese Embassy.
6d. Every year indefinitely, a representative of the Chinese government shall pay respects to the memorial on the anniversary of the bombing.
6e. In accepting responsibility, the Chinese government recognizes the sovereignty of the Japanese Kwangtung-Leased Territory.
6f. In accepting responsibility, the Chinese government recognizes the de facto independence of the Empire of Manchukuo from the control of the regime in Kaifeng.
6g. In accepting responsibility, the Chinese government renounces all current and future territorial claims to Formosa, Korea, and Karafuto.
7. The government in China shall provide the Japanese Government and victims of the Kwangtung Bombings the equivalent of 175 million Yen in reparations for its attack.
7a. Reparations shall be paid in installments of 5,500,000 Yen on a monthly basis, beginning on the 29th of February.
7b. Failure to pay reparations shall result in the seizure of Chinese property of equal value, or upon the exhaustion of assets, the termination of this agreement.
8. The government in China shall remove all sanctions, embargos, tariffs, boycotts, or other economic measures against the Empire of Japan, Mengjiang, and the Empire of Manchukuo.
8a. The government in China shall not impose any further economic measures against the Empire of Japan, Mengjiang, and the Empire of Manchukuo.
8b. The government in China shall not restrict Chinese citizens from engaging in trade with the Empire of Japan, Mengjiang, and the Empire of Manchukuo excluding instances prohibited by international law.
8c. The government in China shall not restrict Japanese citizens from engaging in trade in China.
9. The government in China shall without delay, to the best of its ability remove from schoolbooks and public documents all untruthful propaganda against Japan.
9a. The Chinese government shall make efforts to prosecute individuals for instances of violent racial discrimination against Japanese or foreigners.
9b. The Chinese government shall commit to protecting the lives of international citizens in China with the full extent of the law.
10. The government in China shall immediately cease and never engage in production of military weapons prohibited under international law.
11. The government in China shall notify the Japanese Government without delay of the execution of the measures comprised in the conditions for peace.
11a. The Chinese government shall notify the Japanese Government within 72 hours of original receipt.

East China Sea
100 Miles Southwest of Kyushu
February 27, 1938

At the bridge of the Akagi stood Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa, Commander-in-Chief of the newly formed China Area Fleet. Under his command would be the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Fleets, as well as a number of smaller naval units, including the specially formed unit he was currently embarked with, the China Area Mobile Striking Force. It was a powerful fleet to command to say the least. And the Mobile Striking Force was no joke either. Formed out of the Second Carrier Division, the force consisted of the Akagi and the Ryūjō, under the escort of the Nagato, the Kii, the Maya, the Sendai, and six Fubuki class destroyers.

It was highly unlikely that the force would come under attack, given the distance it was from the Chinese mainland, but with some of the newest ships in the fleet, it would be unwise to mess with. The force was currently making its way to position itself 100 miles from Shanghai, in preparation of providing air support to local defenders.

The Third Fleet based in Takao was prepared to defend Formosa and blockade the Chinese coast, consisting of a single heavy cruiser, five light cruisers, and a dozen destroyers. Further north, the Fourth Fleet based in Kwangtung would protect Kwangtung and Korea, with its two heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, and twenty destroyers. Finally, the Fifth Fleet would protect Japan and serve as an escort force, with one heavy cruiser, four light cruisers, 15 destroyers, and one seaplane tender.

The strongest navy in Asia was ready for a fight, with what was just a small fraction of its true might.

North China Area Army Headquarters
Rehe, Empire of Manchukuo
February 27, 1938

"General sir, all of our forces, excluding independent Kenpeitai units have returned to their positions along the border in preparation of the operation. The Manchu 5th District Army is continuing its counter-insurgency operations in Rehe, supported by the Kwangtung Army Kenpeitai, Chosen Army Kenpeitai, and the North China Area Army Kenpeitai formations. Gando Special Force specialists just arrived from Gando to advise Manchu forces in the continuing counter-insurgency operation. The 1st Brigade of the Imperial Guards Division landed today in Huludao, which will form the Mixed Guards Brigade. They are currently assembling and will deploy to the border by the evening to support our units there. The first of the five divisions from the Kwangtung Army has arrived via train in Chengde, and are at your disposal until General Hata arrives from Tokyo." said Major General Naozaburo Okabe.

"Excellent." replied General Terauchi. "Hold the Kwangtung division in reserve until further notice. Have only their anti-aircraft artillery set up around the city to supplement our units. Send word to the Chosen Army command to request that they pull one of their divisions further north, so that they can quickly supplement our forces once the reserve divisions start arriving in Korea from the homeland." He paused. "Are our forces ready to begin operations?"

"Yes sir. As soon as we receive word from Headquarters, they are ready to go. Our men are on heightened alert, and I have authorized our tank units to prepare to launch a penetration. I have directed the Manchuria Aviation Company and Manchukuo Imperial Air Force to take over reconnaissance and support flight duties over Rehe, so that our men are solely focused on the border and upcoming operation. At any given moment, I have directed our forces to have aircraft fueled and armed to go. Regular patrol fights sunrise to sunset as well. We are completely ready."

"Do you expect insurgent operations behind the frontlines to increase?"

"No sir, we have clamped down pretty well. Targeted strikes have eliminated key positions and several leaders. We have them on the retreat. Six years of counter-insurgency operations have dealt a blow to their power, and what we see now is likely the last of their strength."

"Very well. What of the Water Purification Department?" asked General Terauchi.

"Their supplies are in the hands of the relevant units. And the men have been briefed on their use."

"Perfect." said Terauchi. "I have heard word from Tokyo that our deadline has been extended another 24 hours, so I doubt we will engage the Chinese until at least then. But have the men be vigilant. I have heard that we may go forward ahead of schedule depending on the extent of Chinese mobilizations opposite of the border."

The Asahi Shimbun

Kwangtung Army Commander Announces Railway Bombers Caught:

Kwangtung, February 27th - In a brief statement released by General Hideki Tojo, the Chief of Staff of the Kwangtung Army, the Japanese Government has announced the capture of seven railway bombers and collaborators. While the statement did not go into details, the General announced that some of the anarchists had been captured in the initial roundups, with several others caught in the past two days. According to the statement, the anarchists confessed their involvement to the Kenpeitai and expressed no remorse for killing civilians on behalf of the Chinese government. According to the report released by the Kenpeitai, the anarchists confessed to deliberately targeting Japanese and Manchu officials, as well as international civilians.

The perpetrators are due in court by the 29th.

[Orostan]

Kaifeng, February 28th 1938

"Marshal, this is probably the best we are going to get. Most of it is unenforceable anyway." said FM Wang as he and Wu stood over the large wood table in Wu's office. A portrait of Sun Yat-Sen and George Washington loomed over them.

Wu slumped into his chair and glared at the copy of the Japanese telegram on his desk. "I agree. Tell the Japanese we will implement their terms but don't be specific. Most of these conditions are unrealistic anyways. It's an excuse for a war later when they can say we've violated them in some way."

"Do you want me to make that clear to the other ministers?"

Wu glanced up. "I said tell them we agree. I'll do the rest."

The foreign minister nodded and turned to leave the room, and Wu set to work writing orders to his officers and a speech to the people.

KAIFENG OBSERVER - FEB. 28TH
MARSHAL WU GIVES SPEECH ON ACCEPTANCE OF JAPANESE CONDITIONS, WIDESPREAD STRIKES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST JAPAN

Wu's government has announced that it will accept the conditions of an altered Japanese ultimatum note following a series of telegrams exchanged between the Chinese foreign ministry in Kaifeng and the Japanese diplomatic office in Mukden. The terms of the final ultimatum were very harsh towards China but it is unlikely that most of the terms Wu read out in his speech are capable of being enforced. In particular the limitations in the number of troops and artillery guns in Hubei province would be extremely difficult to enforce considering it would require Japanese observation aircraft overflights at minimum to notice Wu's government violating the 'agreement' and Japanese ground observers more practically. Regardless, Wu read out the terms without comment and then proceeded to say that the Chinese government had been forced to accept them under threat of war. Each condition attracted more boos and jeering from the crowd than the last. It is often said that a picture speaks a thousand words and the scowling expression of Marshal Wu through the entirety of the first part of the speech, which essentially just amounted to reading the Japanese conditions to the public certainly was one of those pictures. The second part of his speech could have been totally unrelated to the first under any other circumstances and was the announcement of a new "military first" policy that would make military development China's number one priority. Wu appealed to the Chinese people to join the army and learn the skills "necessary for the maintenance of our country's sovereignty". An hour after Wu had finished his remarks the largest labor unions in China announced a boycott on Japanese goods and a nationwide strike against all Japanese business in the country, which has been operating in accordance with the American backed "open door policy" until now. As of writing this the Japanese embassy is currently being pelted by rotten fruit by student protesters. A similar scene is occurring at the Japanese consulates in Beijing, Nanjing, and a number of other places. The police have been deployed in large numbers to keep order and prevent the destruction of Japanese property in Kaifeng and these other cities. Already it was reported that dock workers at the Tianjin port seized the cargo of a Japanese steamer (the name and details of which the Observer has been unable to obtain yet) and began dumping it into the ocean. The provincial government has already promised to pay the Japanese firm owning the steamer for any damages. It is no doubt that Wu prefers the public anger to be directed against his enemies in Japan rather than himself, and it is of particular interest that Wu made himself prominent in the government's acceptance of the Japanese conditions. He probably believes his credentials as a Chinese nationalist are unquestionable and would not be affected by such a display... continued on page A3

[Shohun]

The Asahi Shimbun

Prime Minister Konoe Lauds Chinese Acceptance of Peace Conditions, But Warns Against Non-Compliance:

Tokyo, February 29th - Outside the Imperial Diet, after Prime Minister Konoe held a joint session to inform the Diet of the peace deal, the Prime Minister held a speech in which he laid out the details of the arrangement and praised the Chinese government for "averting drastic measures." The following is an excerpt from his speech.

"I must commend the brave efforts of our glorious Armed Forces for deterring further enemy aggression, and our noble diplomats for skillfully averting imminent drastic measures. I commend the Chinese regime in Kaifeng for wisely accepting a strong peace agreement, and I expect its immediate implementation. The good and loyal subjects of Japan and the Manchukuo can rest easily knowing that the aggressor has been disarmed and is deterred."

However the Prime Minister went on to warn the Chinese regime against non-compliance noting, "Already the regime in Kaifeng is in open defiance of the agreement. I have been informed of a boycott against Japanese goods and a general strike against Japanese business, in clear violation of section eight of our agreement. Furthermore, anti-Japanese demonstrations and violence are on the verge of violating section 1h, and we are still yet to receive an official explanation of the attack, mandated in section 6. While we will allot a reasonable amount of time for the full implementation of the deal, open defiance will not be looked kindly upon. The true test of the agreement shall be if international investigators are allowed in, and the insurgents extradited. We shall be sending a list of suspects to the Chinese government shortly, whom we fully expect to turn over for questioning, as required by section 2c."

The Prime Minister further expressed concerns over anti-Japanese violence, noting the destruction of Japanese property in Tianjin was a "dangerous step," and that he fully expects perpetrators to be arrested and "dealt with."

In a positive light however, the Ministry of Finance reported that the first Chinese reparation payment had been received, in accordance with the deal, and would be distributed by the Japanese government to the victims, the families of the victims, and companies which suffered losses.

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Kwangtung Bombers Paraded Around City, Sentenced in Court:

Kwangtung, February 29th - Two days after the announcement of their capture, the seven perpetrators of the attack, five perpetrators of the attempted bombing of railway offices, and a dozen other suspected insurgents whom were caught previously were toured around the streets of the Kwangtung Leased Territory by local officials. Booed by Japanese and Manchu civilians, the perpetrators were hit with rotten fruit from the crowd, who called for their execution.

In court today, the Japanese magistrate and jury found all of the defendants guilty on charges of high treason, espionage, and murder, and promptly sentenced to death by hanging. The court rejected the possibility of appeal and the sentence was carried out in front of the public during the afternoon.

Local officials have praised the ruling, demanding Japanese and Manchu courts that a harsh stance against "Chinese-backed anarchism and violence." Reportedly across the Empire of Manchukuo, a number of suspected insurgents will be up for trial in the coming days, with advocates calling for the death penalty.

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Top Japanese Commander Orders Military Delegates into Demilitarized Zone, Announces Provisional Government:

Changde, February 29th - A day after the acceptance of the conditions for peace by the Chinese side and the withdrawal of troops from the demilitarized zone, General Terauchi, overall commander of Japanese forces in south Manchukuo, announced that Japanese military delegates have entered the DMZ. In accordance with section 3b of the deal, Japanese military delegates have moved into the DMZ and are currently certifying the full withdrawal of Chinese forces.

According to a statement released by General Terauchi, a provisional government made up of local government officials shall be set up in the interim of League of Nation's judgement, and shall be headed by Chairman Chi Zongmo. The government has reportedly been dubbed the North Hebei Autonomous Interim Government, and will be headquartered in Qinhuangdao.

North China Area Army Headquarters
Rehe, Empire of Manchukuo
February 29, 1938

"Sir, I have received word from Tokyo to continue all preparations until further notice."

"Good. If the nefarious Kaifeng regime wishes to deceive us, we will be fully prepared to ensure the full compliance with our temporary arrangement." replied General Terauchi. "What of our 'delegation' to the demilitarized zone?"

"The 114th Division has entered the eastern section of the DMZ and has set up positions along the new border, while the 110th Infantry Division has entered the western portion. The Imperial Guards Mixed Brigade has moved into Qinhuangdao and is in the process of setting up a provisional government. Thus far they have faced no organized resistance, and we expect them to be able to certify the Chinese withdrawal from the DMZ by the 5th of March." replied Major General Okabe.

"Perfect. Notify our Kenpeitai detachment to prepare to deploy into the DMZ to perform as sweep for remaining insurgents." said Terauchi. "Inform the men that they are not to engage Chinese forces on the border in skirmishes unless fired upon first. They must not void our arrangement quite yet. Authorize our air patrols to being operations within the DMZ to provide support and ensure Chinese compliance."

First List of Names of Chinese Suspects Requested for Questioning or Extradition
To: The Chinese Regime in Kaifeng

In accordance with Section 2 of the agreed upon conditions for peace, the Government of Japan requests the Chinese government provide the following individuals for questioning or extradition, to be delivered, unless otherwise stated, either to the Japanese Concession in Shanghai or the Japanese Concession in Tianjin.

The Japanese Government demands that individuals requested for extradition be turned over within 10 days, and wishes to offer Japanese delegates to assist in their capture.

1. Chiang Kai-shek - For questioning at the Japanese Embassy for involvement in the Kwangtung Bombing
2. Ma Zhanshan - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
3. Su Bingwen - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
4. Zhao Shangzhi - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
5. Yang Jingyu - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
6. Zhou Baozhong - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
7. Li Zhaolin - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
8. Ding Chao - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
9. Feng Zhanhai - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
10. Tang Juwu - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
11. Wang Delin - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
12. Lao Pie-fang - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
13. Peng Zhen - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.
14. Chang Hsueh-liang - For extradition related to insurgent activities in Manchukuo.

More names shall follow.

[Orostan]

Kaifeng, February 29th 1938

The conference room table was cluttered with copies of various telegrams, maps, and reports from northern Chinese army commanders. Its seats were filled with Chinese commanders and warlords of varying rank, a number of which had found their names on the Japanese list. They muttered amongst each other in tight groups, none apart from Chiang Kai-Shek or German military advisors stepping too close to Marshal Wu.

"Quiet!" Wu commanded, and everyone fell silent. The only sound was everyone in the room turning to face Wu.

After a tense moment, their leader said; "We will resist the Japanese. You have your orders. Go execute them."

Men began filing out of the room at once. Only the senior Generals of Wu's army remained, staying in their seats. Wu and Chiang took theirs as well. There was a long conversation to be had.

KAIFENG OBSERVER - FEB. 29TH
THE LINE IS DRAWN, KAIFENG GOVERNMENT ORDERS GENERAL MOBILIZATION

In response to the demand that senior military and political leaders be handed over to the Japanese including Chiang Kai-Shek, Zhang Xueliang, and famous anti-Japanese resistance fighter Ma Zhanshan Wu's government has delivered a flat "no", claiming that none of the men involved have even been to Manchuria for years and that Japan should request the extradition of actual insurgents. Further, Wu's foreign ministry has reiterated that the terms of the last ultimatum Japan sent would be accepted if Japan ceased making "unreasonable" demands. It is doubtful that even if Marshal Wu wanted to that he could fulfill the Japanese conditions, which is why he has issued the order for a general mobilization of fighting age males and the preparation of his army for war. The chances of Chinese victory are not seen as high by international observers, but morale is high in China. If Japan does actually choose to invade over a Manchurian railway bombing which no conclusive evidence of Wu Peifu ordering emerges, it is likely that a war will be long and difficult for both sides. Wu has already ordered his army to organize itself into "mobile detachments" capable of acting and maneuvering independently in small groups to mitigate the Japanese firepower and air power advantage, and the evacuation of civilians from North China is ongoing with whatever resources are available after the military requisitioned the vast majority of locomotives and rolling stock on China's railway system. Fighting in the south of China where Wu's forces have been advancing on the Anhui clique strongholds near Changsha has also totally ceased and it is reported that delegates from both sides are negotiating a ceasefire and possible alliance against the Japanese. It is reported that nearly the entire Chinese air force has been put into the air and has been moved, or is being moved, to the northwest of Wu's territory. While the Chinese air force is very limited in size and capability it is likely to in the first phase of a war limit the amount of damage the Japanese air force can inflict on Chinese ground forces. It is overwhelmingly likely that the Japanese will first attempt to seize the northern province of Hebei, followed potentially by landings in... continued on page A3

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

SERGE STAVISKY ASSASSINATED!

(Berlin) Following his conviction by the Berlin Kriminalgericht for economic and financial crimes, well-known fraudster Serge Alexandre Stavisky was assassinated this Monday. Two gunmen armed with a machine pistol and a service pistol opened fire from the back of a car, killing Stavisky instantly, along with a bystander and a police officer. Eight others were wounded. The two gunmen and their driver are as of yet unaccounted for, with Berlin police starting a manhunt.

The attack happened some time after 4PM. Stavisky had been convicted by the jury for seven different crimes, with the judge setting his sentence at twenty years in prison. Despite the relatively high sentence compared to similar but less well-known cases, three assassins did not think it enough. Stavisky was led down the stairs of the Landgericht to a police truck in order to be transported to prison. When he was half-way down, a car raced from a side street and barrelled past the assembled crowd, almost hitting several people. The car stopped in front of Stavisky and a rattle of gunfire sounded, causing the crowd to disperse in a panic and leaving several people, including Stavisky, lifeless on the steps. Stavisky was hit in the chest by a hollow point round from the pistol and three regular rounds from the machine pistol.

As of yet, the identity of the attackers remains unknown. The machine pistol was recognised by local veterans as a Czech ZK-383, used by the army of the Danubian Federation and a common weapon among veterans of the Balkan War. While police cannot confirm any information as the investigation is ongoing, it is well-known that Stavisky was the target of many antisemitic and other far-right groups.

Minister of the Interior Hans Vogel (SDAP) has stated that the full resources of his Ministry will be utilised to find the assassins. Respect for the judicial institutions of the Empire are the pillars on which society rests, according to the minister. Any attempt at political violence, in broad daylight, will be met with the full force of the law, he further explained.

Responses from the DAP and other right wing organisations have been muted. Anton Drexler condemned the killing, but responded that he cannot be too concerned about a criminal Jew meeting his deserved end. The Imperial Legion too said that they do not condone the breach of the peace of the Fatherland, but similarly note that such actions might deter others from following in Stavisky’s footsteps.

Stavisky’s body will be returned to his parents in Ukraine for burial in accordance with his ancestral rites.

RHENANIA-OSSAG AG TO EXPAND TO ROMANIA

(Danzig) German-based oil company Rhenania-Ossag, owner of several petrol stations and oil wells in the Middle East, will expand simultaneously into Iraq and Romania. Following announcements by both the Romanian and Ottoman governments that their infrastructure will expand in order to allow for more oil production and export, various companies including Rhenania-Ossag, Deutsche Petroleum AG and the Benzol-Verband have indicated that they have interest in these regions. Only Rhenania-Ossag, however, indicated having detailed plans to invest heavily in both regions, a move that would make them Germany’s largest oil producer and therefore a market leader. General director Walter Krusig, the youngest oil executive on the continent, is reported to have explained in detail company plans to develop a large number of Romanian oil fields.

The comments made by Krusig have jumpstarted the value of Rhenania-Ossag, which was still behind projected growth following the revelations that the late Serge Stavisky had defrauded investors of they money. Overnight, Rhenania-Ossag began outperforming share prices as they had been expected in December last year. Investment firms have lauded this development as proof that the predictions made by American economist Robert Babson, with some even speculating that modern communications technology has made the old boom-bust cycle of capitalism a thing of the past, and that growth will be the continual trend for decades to come.

GOVERNMENT OFFERS GOOD OFFICES TO BALKAN NATIONS

With growing tensions along the Danube, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Ludwig Kaas (Zentrum) has offered so-called ‘good offices’ to Danubia, Romania and Bulgaria in order to find a peaceful solution to various territorial grievances held by the states. The move means that Germany will offer to host, and be actively involved, in international talks regarding the redrawing of borders in Eastern Europe. Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in Europe and the subsequent Great Balkan War, many borders relate more to the balance of military power at the end of the various Balkan conflicts than they do ethnic, cultural or historical divides.

While as of yet unknown, the proposal by Kaas might signal a major departure from previous policy, which held the borders of the Danubian Federation to be sacrosanct and to have full German support. By providing good offices, Germany must abandon this sanctity of the Danubian frontier, especially as it relates to the Hungarian region of Transylvania, which houses many more Romanians than it does Hungarians. Foreign policy experts claim that such a move is motivated by a desire to pacify Eastern Europe and to unify it against possible Soviet aggression, as was shown in Transcaucasia. Others speculate further that, if the Balkans were to come to blows again, one nation might willingly align themselves with the Soviet Union and give them the key to the Balkans.

While these invitations are open, it is expected that Germany will be using its diplomatic influence in the region, especially its Zollverein with the Danubian Federation, to put limited pressure on the states to come to the table willingly. However, minister Kaas has also stated that Germany is willing to actively reward those nations who are willing to work towards international peace and prosperity. One solution proposed by Frankfurt economists is to expand the concept of the Zollverein to more nations, in order to lessen the threat of territorial wars for resources and to truly integrate the economies of Central and Eastern Europe. While such a move would be beneficial for the economically dominant Germany, it will have to have major advantages for minor nations to influence them to sign onto such a deal, which the Ministry of Foreign Trade has denied is in the making.

Rhenania-Ossag Headquarters
Danzig, Prussia
6th of March 1938

The atmosphere in Walter Kruspig’s office could only be called ‘oppressive’, if you asked the 41 year old oil director. Despite leading one of the world’s largest oil companies as the youngest director in all Germany, and despite commanding the company that owned the very building they were in, Kruspig did not feel in command. His heavy oak desk, flanked by two heavy oak book cases, set opposite a heavy oak standing clock, was supposed to give him the sturdy comfort of being grounded. Right now, however, they felt like a prison. His demeanour was mirrored, in the sense that a sentence might be mirrored, by the man sitting opposite him. Georg Solmssen was smiling as always, in that clever way which made Kruspig wonder what the banker knew and he didn’t. They both had their attendants, of course, but the room only truly focussed on them. The walls of the room seemed to grow tighter around Kruspig as Solmssen methodically went through the papers. Apart from his smile coming and going, Solmssen otherwise remained completely stationary, preventing any attempt of guessing his thoughts through his body language. After what seemed like an hour, the speaker of the Deutsche Bank board of directors looked up, and put the stack of papers down on Kruspig’s desk.

“I’m sorry, Walter, but no” he said, shaking his head in a performative pity that made Kruspig as angry as the rejection. “All of our capital reserved for Rhenania is already booked for the expansions of your subsidiaries in Iraq. Any expansions into Romania will not carry the same low interest as those other expansions will” explained Solmssen.

“Why is that?” asked Kruspig. Solmssen smiled again.

“We factor in the cost of labour, political stability, tax climate…” he explained further.

Your own profit margins too Kruspig thought, though he was wiser than to antagonise the man who held his career in his hands. Walter Kruspig had just barely held on to his position as director by explaining to the shareholders that he would use company profits to oversee the biggest expansion of oil fields in the history of the company in order to prop up stock prices. It had been a gamble, especially since Rhenania-Ossag had not secured funding for such an expansion yet. And despite not knowing how, Kruspig knew that Solmssen knew, or at least suspected, the amount of sway he held over the oil director. Solmssen at least had an inkling that Kruspig would be willing to agree to any amount of interest on the loan he had requested, and was playing coy in order to eventually come to some kind of agreement in the middle.

“However” said Solmssen, as if reading Kruspig’s mind. “We would be able to allocate funds earmarked for other areas, but that is a large undertaking, requiring…”

“Increased interest to balance the books” Krupsig said. Solmssen merely answered with his signature, devilish smile.

“Precisely” the banker answered. “In order to make it worth our while, we would need to leverage 7% interest on the principal”

Though there was no audible gasp, Kruspig could feel the concerned aura radiating from his two attendants. They had made the calculations: any interest above 6,2% would make the venture not worth the investment. While still hugely profitable, it would not produce the kind of growth in profits that the shareholders were expecting, and would be demanding once the new quarterly reports were published.

“That is steep” Kruspig simply replied. Solmssen shrugged. “Perhaps if we had known sooner, but I read it in the papers same as everyone else” the banker replied. “Which gave us so little time to prepare”

Fuck you was all that came to Kruspig’s mind. This was all about profits. It was legalised corruption, was what it was. He was forced to make use of Solmssen’s services and therefore had to pay out of his ears to get it. It felt like slipping a twenty mark bill to a traffic officer to avoid a fine. Then again, he surmised, it was little different from him promising cloud castles to the shareholders, or the shareholders blaming him for the fuck-up made by Stavisky, whose death Kruspig could only feel elated by.

“I feel that 6,5% would be more fitting” answered Kruspig. “Seeing as we would be strengthening the Romanian economy against Bolshevik incursion”

Solmssen shook his head. “It is exactly the threat of Bolshevik incursion that makes this such a precarious investment” he explained. “The board won’t accept anything lower than 7%” The fact that Ukraine was sitting squarely between Romania and the Russian border was squarely forgotten, as was the fact that Romanian oil could be moved to Germany entirely via the continental rail system that Germany had built. But Kruspig knew this was hardly about facts. It was about power.

Which Kruspig had as well.

“Well, that leaves us only one option” he said, sighing. “Kessler, please prepare a press statement” he continued, speaking now to one of his attendants. “We will have to explain my resignation and the fact that the Romanian expansion will not be going through, despite earlier reports”

Solmssen kocked his head and seemed to ponder whether to even respond, but curiosity got the better of him.

“Not your resignation, surely?” he asked, but Kruspig shook his head.

“Rhenania-Ossag stock prices only just recovered to their old levels. This news will put is back at least a dozen percentage points, and someone has to take the fall to limit the impact. Even then… The promise of the Romanian expansion is keeping our stock prices high at the moment, so who knows what will happen”

Now, Solmssen was engaged. His smile had been lost, replaced by a scowl.

“Now, be serious, Walter. That kind of news is nothing to joke about at a time like this” he said, but Kruspig again shook his head.

“You leave me no choice” he answered. “7% means my ruin just as much as not going through with it at all. Might as well get the bastard shareholders who got me into this mess in the first place”

“You understand what such a shock could cause on the Börse” Solmssen exclaimed.

“It won’t be too bad” Kruspig said gingerly.

“It. Will.” Answered Solmssen. “Especially with what’s happening in Japan, we can’t…”

“So, perhaps we can reconsider?” Kruspig said. Solmssen now calmed down and rested back in his chair, fully grasping the game his opponent was playing. His eyes narrowed.

“How much?”

“4%” Krupsig answered. “For the good of the economy” he added.

“4,5%” Solmssen almost immediately retorted. Before he could take it back, Kruspig slammed the table.

“Agreed, 4,5% interest” he shouted out, smiling. He held out his hand, which Solmssen stared at for a moment in disgust. However, convention compelled him, and he shook it firmly.

“You won’t regret this, Georg. I promise” Kruspig said, elated. Solmssen stood up and picked up the proposal from the desk.

“I hope not, for all our sakes” Solmssen answered, before leaving without another word.

[Tracian Empire]

Danubian Confederation
Donaubund
Podunajská konfederace
Podunavska konfederacija
Dunai Konföderáció
Podonavska konfederacija
Confoederatio Danuvii


Indivisible and Inseparable
Unteilbar und Untrennbar
Nedělitelný a Neoddělitelný
Nedeliteľne a Neoddeliteľne
Oszthatatlan és Elválaszthatatlan
Nedeljivo in Neločljivo
Indivisibiliter ac Inseparabiliter

---

Confederal Government responds to German offer of mediation

Following the announcement by the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ludwig Kaas, that the German Empire is willing to mediate negotiations between Danubia, Bulgaria, and Romania, His Excellency, Leopold Anton Johann Sigismund Josef Korsinus Ferdinand Graf Berchtold von und zu Ungarschitz, Frättling und Püllütz, the Foreign Minister of the Danubian Confederation, has tasked His Excellency Karl Emil Prinz zu Fürstenberg, the Danubian ambassador to Berlin, to express the official position of the Danubian Government on the matter. In the Foreign Minister's own words, the Danubian Confederation wishes nothing but peace on the European continent, and is more than willing to negotiate with Romania in order to end the grievances between the two nations, but such negotiations should only naturally lead to the returning of Transylvania to the Confederation. Transylvania was after all, annexed forcefully, through war, confirmed through a treaty widely described as a Diktat. Forceful changes of border through military action go against international law and the spirit of the League of Nations, which is why ever since the creation of the League, the Danubian Confederation has repeatedly expressed its desire for a peaceful alteration of the borders which had been established through war. The argument of ethnicity presented by Romania as its defense does not hold up to close scrutiny. While it is true that Romanians have a majority in the territory, of little over 50%, they do not have a majority throughout the territory, as there are considerable regions with a Hungarian and respectively a Transylvanian Saxon majority. Furthermore, it is not believed by the Confederal Government that all ethnic Romanians would have willingly supported being part of Romania, particularly considering the internationally proven acts of oppression against the Greek-Catholic Romanians, so the notion that the annexation of Transylvania would have been supported by a majority of the population is very difficult to believe.

The Romanian government has also historically been quite combative and has repeatedly taken advantage of tensions and wars in order to expand its territory through force of arms, as it has done in 1913 against Bulgaria with the annexation of Southern Dobruja, in 1920 against the former Russian Empire with the annexation of Bessarabia, and in 1927 through its participation in the Great Balkan War and the annexation of Transylvania. As long as such views continue to be held in the Romanian Government, the Danubian Confederation would find it difficult to negotiate, particularly as the Romanian Government is doing nothing or is even tacitly encouraging its nationalist groups in their performing of violence against the Hungarian and Saxon ethnic minorities in Transylvania, and the Bulgarian minority in Dobrogea.

As such, the Danubian Confederation is willing to negotiate, but wishes to see the Romanian Government immediately taking steps against the violence perpetrated against the ethnic minorities of its country, otherwise it would be difficult to consider negotiations as being done in good faith. The Danubian Confederation also continues to consider Transylvania as its rightful territory, and wishes to see it all or in part returned to the Confederation. Danubia also supports Bulgaria in its claims over Southern Dobruja, which clearly has a Bulgarian majority.

The right-wing press throughout the Confederation has been a little more aggressive than the statement of the Foreign Minister, as some have started to accuse Germany of treason, and of attempting to abandon its previous support of a full restoration of Danubian borders, with some newspaper bringing back notions of the "perfidious Prussia" and its theft of Silesia, or its brotherly attack in the Austro-Prussian War. Most right-wing outlets however have been directly calling out the current government, Ludwig Kaas, Zentrum and the SPD of this treason, particularly calling Kaas out for being a "Catholic priest supporting Orthodox oppression of the Catholic and Greek-Catholic population of Transylvania", and continuing to maintain the belief that the Kaiser remains firmly oriented towards the friendship with Danubia. Some journalists have also responded to rumors that Germany wishes to expand the Zollverein, claiming that if Germany were to propose an entrance of Romania into the Zollverein, the only response that Danubia could have would be to exit it, with immediate effect.

Some have also been quick to mention that if Germany is suddenly concerned with the ethnic reality, then they would expect Germany to immediately announce the return of Poznań to Poland, of Alsace-Lorraine to France, and a quick end to the German colonial empire with the liberation of the natives.

Emperor Charles himself has simply states that he supports negotiations with Romania, but that such negotiations have to be done in good faith and without establishing military force as a tool of international diplomacy and of the changing of borders.

Furthermore there have been unconfirmed reports of border clashes along the Danubian-Romanian border, with Romanian nationalists clashing with the Schutzkorps. His Excellency, Admiral Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya has claimed that an investigation is ongoing.

---

Imperial and Royal Flying Troops to order the new A.300 medium bomber prototype of Aero Vodochody

As part of the Law on the Expansion and Modernization of the Imperial and Royal Armed Forces of the Danubian Confederation, the Imperial and Royal Government, last year, issued requirements for a multi-seat, light day and night bomber, assigned the Type IV markings, requirements which were sent to the Confederation's main aircraft factories under Directive 644/1937 of the Imperial and Royal General Staff. Following subsequent negotiations and presentations, the government has contracted Aero Vodochody to develop this new bomber aircraft design, as an improvement of the military variant of the Aero A.304 airplane of which 20 units were acquired last year by the Imperial and Royal Flying Troops. The initial design was apparently envisioned as more of a multi-role aircraft closer to the Type III designation, but following the directive of the Government it was remade to follow the Type IV specifications. The A.300 is said to show much promise and to be comparable if not better than the latest European designs of our age, and it can carry up to 1000kg of bombs. It will be equipped with locally produced twin piston engines and will be crewed by three people.

As of right now, the main bomber aircraft of the Imperial and Royal Flying Troops is the obsolete Bloch MB.200 variant, licensed from the French Republic in 1936. The rapid pace of technological development in the aerial sector means that the k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen require a new, modern design, and the Imperial and Royal Government have taken this opportunity in order to show the evolution of the Confederation's native aerial industry and its self-sufficiency. As part of the requirements, any competing factories had to come up with designs that favored domestic materials - imported materials could only be used if the Confederation had no domestic production. After the development of a wooden model which was tested aerodynamically in the Aeronautisches Forschungs- und Prüfungsinstitut, the construction of the prototype started in late spring 1937, and the factory has met its deadline of the 14th of January 1938.

This first prototype of the new Aero A.300 bomber had already had its successful first flight in January, under the command of test pilot Karel Vanek, in the presence of Alois Eduard Fürst von Schönburg-Hartenstein, Imperial and Royal Minister of War. His Excellency was impressed by the performance of the aircraft and particularly praised its speed, claiming that the prototype is faster than any other aircraft currently in the Confederation's service. Two more prototypes were developed, and following multiple other tests, the Imperial and Royal Ministry of War has today announced that it will order a first production line of 100 Aero A 300 bombers, with the first expected to enter service before summer.

While the announcement is just a coincidence, considering that the prototype had already been up in January, the national press has been quick to point out that the development of a truly modern bomber arm for the k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppen would bring it fully in line with the forces of other great powers, considering its already excellent fighters, and that more modern bombers would somewhat change the situation in Central Europe. With a range more than double that of the Bloch, the Aero would be perfectly able to organize bombing runs against the oil production and refineries of the Romanian city of Ploiesti.

---

Danubian Confederation to sell Avia B-534 IV fighters to Bulgaria

As part of the military cooperation between the Danubian Confederation and the Tsardom of Bulgaria, the Imperial and Royal Ministry of War has announced today that it has authorized Avia to sell B-534 IV to the Bulgarian Air Force, in order to help replace the domestic but limited DAR-3 plane currently in Bulgarian service. Despite being a biplane, the B-534 IV is one of the best fighters currently in service, comparable to the monoplane configurations of the other European air forces, well known for its superb performance, excellent handling characteristics and ease of maintenance. It is currently unknown how many fighters will be sold, as that is likely to be decided following further negotiations with Bulgaria and presumably also to be influenced by a report from the Danubian military mission in Sofia, but the use of such fighters should turn the Bulgarian Air Force into a more formidable opponent for any hypothetical rival. It is also further believed, though only currently supported by rumors, that in response to the Romanian funding allocated for IAR and its new monoplane fighter, the Imperial and Royal Flying Troops are planning to double down on the Avia B.35 monoplane prototype, with tests and serial production expected to happen before the end of the year, which would in turn free more B-534 IV's to be sold abroad.

---

Marches in support of protests in Eastern Gallicia

In the past few days, marches in support of the pro-Danubian protests in Eastern Galicia have bee organized both in the major cities of the Confederation and along the Danubian-Ukrainian border, with the help of associations of Galician exiles, Great Balkan War veterans, and of the Ruthenian Uniate Church in Exile. While mostly peaceful, such marches were somewhat violent at the address of the presently unrecognized Ukrainian state, and were usually ended with the singing of the Imperial Anthem in Ruthenian. The marches in Danubia and the protests in Eastern Galicia have prompted a response from His Excellency, Leopold Anton Johann Sigismund Josef Korsinus Ferdinand Graf Berchtold von und zu Ungarschitz, Frättling und Püllütz, the Foreign Minister of the Danubian Confederation, who continues to express his sadness that the Eastern Galicia continues to remain an issue in the path of diplomatic relations in Central and Eastern Europe. With a recognition of Ukraine and of its present control over Eastern Galicia unlikely to ever be approved by the Confederal Government, the Foreign Minister has nonetheless stated that agreements could be reached to kickstart diplomatic relations between the two countries, which was most likely an allusion to the so called Lemberg for guarantees concept, proposed by the now deceased Karl Georg Otto Maria Graf von Huyn, the last governor of the Kingdom of Galicia-Lodomeria, which would see Ukraine returning Eastern Galicia to Danubian control in exchange for firm diplomatic and military commitments by Danubia to the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, presumably in the face of Soviet aggression. Nevertheless, His Excellency has refused to directly respond to the comments of Baron Max Wladimir von Beck in regards to Transcaucasia and Ukraine, only stating that "military invasions can not become once again the norm of European affairs" and that "even states considered by others to be artificial have a right to defend themselves". Furthermore, the Foreign Minister has expressed his hope that diplomacy and negotiations can resolve the tensions in Central and Eastern Europe and allow its nations to present a common, unified front against aggression.

---

Communists, nationalists to be excluded from first Hungarian elections

In a rather unsurprising move, His Excellency, Admiral Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, Governor of the Kingdom of Hungary, has announced that the political movements associated with the noted traitors and wanted criminals Ferenc Szalasi and Bela Kun, so the Hungarist Movement and the Hungarian Communist Party respectively, will not be allowed to run in the first democratic elections to be held in Hungary in more than a decade, despite the two movements having already announced that they will boycott the elections. His Excellency, the Admiral and Governor, has justified this move by mentioning that both movements are illegal and are noted for their anti-democratic stance, as such they can not be allowed to participate in democratic elections. His Excellency has also stated that the Royal Police and the Danubian Hofsicherheitsrat will continue their efforts to find and arrest Ferenc Szalasi, for charges of sedition, and that the Danubian Confederation continues to use unofficial diplomatic channels to ask the Soviet Union for the extradition of Bela Kun, wanted for charges of rebellion and war crimes.

Despite this, His Excellency continues to believe that the elections will be fair and well organized, even if so far no international organization has announced an intention to send observers.

[Upper Magica]

Élysée Palace - Paris, France
March 3, 1938 - 5:31AM

---

Premier Daladier - curiously among French cabinets, also minister of National Defense and War - paced back and forth in the empty Cabinet room. Things were afoot in East Asia; things that could very well change the geopolitical balance there. Foreign Minister Bonnet sat, drumming his fingers on the conference table, having been the one to call this emergency meeting.

In moments, the Cabinet had assembled.

Minister for Education Zay was the first to speak. "What, now, is the reason we've been roused from our beds at this godforsaken hour?"

Bonnet replied. "It's war in China. The Deuxieme Bureau has reported that Japanese troops have crossed the Northern border."

The Cabinet groaned - some that they were woken so early on account of such a faraway conflict, others that the fragile peace of the world seemed to unravel in front of their eyes.

"Well, what do we do about it? China is, for all intents and purposes, an Anglo-Teuton colony. We don't have much interest there. It seems to me the only concern is to make sure this Far East boondoggle doesn't spread into the legations and Indochina." The Minister of Finance - Paul Marchandeau - spoke.

"I'm more concerned about the National Syndicalists; public opinion for the PCF is lagging with the recent aggressive moves into the Caucasus. Conversely, as less radical elements of the PCF flock to the SFIO and Radical Socialist platforms, the more rightist elements are flocking to the National Syndicalists. Hell, some Reds are even turning in their red shirts for silver. I hear Doriot and his little faction got defrocked for proposing coalition with the SFIO; something about a radical Popular Front; now they're in talks with that silvershirted bastard Arthuys about joining up." The Minister of Justice, Paul Reynaud, cut in.

Daladier groaned. "Please. This is a major crisis. We need to get back to the topic at hand." Minister Zay retorted. "We're inundated with major crises, and most of them start at home. Asia is like the Balkans now; woe to the man that dips even a finger in the mud there. Like a parasite, it will perpetuate and corrupt."

Bonnet coughed. "At any rate, our options are limited. If we keep Indochina open to Chinese trade, circumventing the blockade the Japanese will no doubt put up - la Patrie could be dragged into the war. On the other hand, if we declare our ports there closed for Chinese war materiel, we could harm German interests - and those of our 'allies', the Anglos, immensely." Mandel, the Minister for Colonial Affairs, broke his silence, hearing this. "Why not have our cake and eat it too?"

Daladier looked puzzled. "What do you mean, monsieur Mandel?" Mandel stood up. "We can close off our ports - officially - and make the Anglos, Germans, and anyone else jump through hoops - our hoops - to aid their Chinese interests. Of course, they'd have to do so unofficially; we can't go back on our neutrality once we publicly announce it."

Bonnet shook his head. "What if the Japanese found out we-" Mandel interrupted his political enemy. "Do you really think the Japanese will risk going after France in the middle of a fight between them and the Chinese? The Americans disapprove heavily enough as it is; would they risk battle with the Anglos? Whitehall would certainly see confrontation with our holdings in Indochina as a provocation."

Bonnet bit his lip. Daladier spoke up. "I see both points, to be honest. If we freely let Chinese war material pass through, France gains nothing to the benefit of the Germans while the Orientals cast covetous eyes on our Asian territories. I rather like your idea, Minister Mandel. We shall close off Indochinese ports to the import of Chinese war materials at once. We'll see what offers get made." He nodded approvingly, while the Cabinet clamored amongst each other. "We have the Teutons and their investments in China by their crown jewels they prize so much, to say nothing of the aircraft deal we've been pressuring the Amis for. We can make some wheeling and dealing happen, yes, monsieur Bonnet?"

Bonnet grudgingly nodded. "I'll see what our back-channel contacts can arrange."

With the single order of business addressed for this meeting, the Cabinet was dismissed. Camille Chautemps, the Cabinet's Vice-President, however, had remained silent this entire time - brooding thoughts weighing heavily on his mind as he walked out.

---

MARCH 7, 1938

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PEACE AT LAST IN MONTMARTRE? NO, SAYS FAR-RIGHT

Outraged by the ease of which the Paris police prefecture capitulated to what National-Syndicalist leader Jacques Arthuys decried in the National Assembly as '..mentally diseased buggerers', and further incensed by the forced retirement of Parisian police prefect Jean Chiappe, whom was revealed to have ordered the initial raids on Montmartre and a known sympathizer to rightist causes, it was perhaps inevitable that the reaction of Jeunesse Patriotes, Volontaires Nationaux, Croix-de-Feu, and other militant rightist groups was forthcoming.

For the last day, it has been reported that rioting and running street battles between the paramilitaries and the patrons and residents of Montmartre are ongoing as the silver shirted thugs of the National-Syndicalist Party are perpetrating what seems to be an anti-homosexual pogrom in the neighborhood, smashing storefront windows, burning clubs, salons, and bars known to be frequented by that curious demographic.

A focus of particular wrath for the Silvershirts was the Le Monocle club itself, the center of last week's rioting between police and homosexuals and their sympathizers was itself burned down - albeit with much resistance by local residents - by a column of Volontaires Nationaux led by a "Mssr. Bucard", reportedly the shadowy leader of the paramilitary group.

Eyewitness accounts tell that the neighborhood resembles something like a war-zone, as armed partisans of both sides haven't been shy in using their weaponry; Parisian police caught between the two rioting factions have seized hunting rifles, pistols, shotguns, five Thompson-type machine guns as well as one Chauchat machine-gun - of which most quantities have originated from the ranks of the right-wing paramilitaries.

The reaction from the Government has been immediate, as Premier Daladier signed and issued orders for a regiment of Tirailleurs under Brigadier F. Olive to enter the neighborhood and restore order - by force, if need be.

On the other hand, Red Guards have reportedly armed themselves with weaponry ranging from table legs to carbines, and eyewitnesses and anonymous sources have confirmed that fighting is also currently ongoing between Red Guards and National-Syndicalist silvershirts. It is noted by this paper that the Paris Commune of so long ago originated in this neighborhood of Paris.

Whatever the outcome of this tragic event is - it is but another tragic blemish of the recent descent of France into political barbarism.

---

FRENCH ARMED FORCES ANNOUNCE EXERCISE ON THE MARNE; EQUIPMENT TO BE SOLD TO ROMANIA?

The French Armed Forces have publically announced that a military exercise is forthcoming to take place on the Marne river.

In the press conference, the General Staff officer by the name of de Gaulle said that the Army and Air Force would practice actions in concert - that is, planes, tanks, and motorized troops acting as one. The Army's new SOMUA S35 tanks will receive their first trial by fire here, as well as existing cavalry battalions equipped with AMX 38 and 35 tanks.

New to the French military, the concept of motorized infantry theorized within the General Staff for the last few years will be first put into action, however theoretical this action may be, as a few regiments of infantry will be equipped with trucks and drilled in their usage in concert with armored vehicles. Engineers will practice bridge-building over deep river, as well, while river-crossing tactics in shallow waters will be put to the test.

Most revolutionary of all, though, will be the Armee de l'Air's participation in this Army exercise; fighters of the D.520 type and MS.406 type will operate in concert with bombers of the MB.200 type and Potez 630 types, which will provide support to the Armee de Terre. In addition, the Air Force has announced it will unveil several new types of aircraft during the exercise, the details of which are still classified.

Pundits were immediate to react, claiming that the grounds of the exercise - presumably somewhere within the Marne department - are a deliberate provocation towards the Benelux and the Germans, and could lower the diplomatic standing of France in these countries. Supporters of the exercise, however, claim that the exercises will serve only to benefit the Army and Air Force's understanding of the new modes of warfare currently emerging.

Some, however, posit the idea that these exercises are a mere distraction from other events. Earlier in the week, Le Monde, among other circulars in the country, received news of ongoing negotiation between the country's defense industry, the Daladier Government, and the government of Romania regarding a possible arms deal and military mission.

Reportedly, semi-modern airplanes, tanks, and artillery are on the table, while it is rumored that Rumanian representatives will be present to observe the Marne exercises, observing not only the tactics of the French Army, but also its variety of equipment.

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NOTICE TO SAILORS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
From: The Ministry of the Merchant Marine of the Republic of France

All imports of war material to the Republic of China through the Indochinese Union, defined below as:

a. weapons, tanks and other wheeled and tracked armored vehicles, munitions and military explosives;

b. equipment that has been specifically conceived or can be modified for use in combat or for the conduct of combat and which is not as a general rule used for civilian purposes;

c. industrial chemicals widely recognized as precursors to chemical weaponry;

d. aeroplanes, tractors and automobiles of any kind;

e. watercraft of any kind;

f. petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil.

are hereby forbidden to transit through the territory of the Indochinese Union, and ships bearing such loads on their manifest shall be at once turned back by the authority of the Governor and the customs agents at whose pleasure they serve. Additionally, those persons wishing to transit through Indochinese territory with the intention of aiding either one of the belligerents in the Chinese conflict shall at once be deported to their country of origin.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Letter from the Office of President Spiridonova to the Joint State Political Directorate

The Japanese have reached out to us about sending them Whites and other traitors over as soldiers and advisors for their military. This could present us a tremendous opportunity if we play our cards correctly. We just need to make sure that they remain properly incentivized to remain loyal to our aims. We need to put together a list of candidates to send over exclusively made of traitors to the revolution that have families that they care about. The volume and content of their letters sent back and forth should help deduce that, for example.

When we've got our list, we’ll inform them of this opportunity to work with the Japanese, who will pay handsomely for their services. But, we’ll make it clear that since all payment from the Japanese goes through us first, the amount that we will release to their families will depend on how useful they continually prove themselves to our aims. We needn't skim anything off the top from this, their favours will be worth more to us than anything they make. Simply ensure that the payment rate is relative to their usefulness.

Where possible, provide their families goods and services in kind, rather than money. Particularly, we want to get them to move into communities together so we can keep easier track of them. Then, we can also include the families own good behaviour in deciding payment. It won't be too difficult to incentivize everyone from grandfathers to granddaughters to watch and discipline each other for favour, even children are capable of being quite mean and good informers with the correct incentive. Consider pooling payment to drive competition and other soft means of breaking down solidarity between eachother. Appear benevolent, but make them their own terror to one another.

Revolutionary Union - March 12th, 1938

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Foreign Commissariat expresses regret at conflict in Manchuria, Demands Peifeng Regime respects the borders of the Soviet Union, reaches out to existing connections in East Turkestan.

Foreign Commissariat put out multiple statements recently in relevance to the on going conflict in China. First, the Foreign Commissariat stated that the conflct between Japanese and Chinese forces in Manchuria was highly regretable and that the Soviet Union had been hoping that peaceful resolution to the conflict between Imperial Japan and the Peifeng Regime could be reached. They stated that the Soviet Union had plans to see the the completion of an oil pipeline into Manchuria, as despite disputesover the region, they still see the creation of economic ties to be primiarly between both proletariats across national bounds. However, the ongoing conflict in the region has lead the Soviet Union to request that Japanese cover the costs of construction due the danger of destruction and sabotaged posed by any pipeline in connection to this regional conflict.

Additionally, the foreign commisariat put out of an uneviicable statement demanding that the Peifeng regime immediately announces a repudiation to all claims made on soviet governed territory, Mongolian and territory in Turkestan. The Commisariat specifically insisted that any disscussion of Manchuria would occur on the tail of their hostilities with Japan. While the Commisariat said that the Soviet Union understands the pressure brought about by warfare with the Japanese, an inability even now to accept the sovereignty of the Soviet Union would represent an unwilling for Peifeng's regime to carry its self as a reasonable international actor.

As for aid to China, the Soviet Union has moved to reinvigorate ties with friendly elements within the region of Eastern Turkestan. The Commnisariat has confirmed that it is willing to provide surplus ammunition, weapons and equipment to China through these intermediaries, alongside faccilicating the transfer of non-Soviet aid into china through them, including non-military aid.

Premier Bukharin: Supreme Soviet ready for Transcaucasian ascension into Soviet Union.

In a press briefing, comrade Premier Bukharin confirmed what most domestic and foreign observers assumed, should Transcaucasia agree to submit an application to join the Soviet Union as a member state, the Supreme Soviet would be quick to accept their application. Further more Comrade Bukharin was asked about territorial claims made by Azerbaijan and Armenia that are currently under foreign occupation and how they'd be addressed upon Transcaucasia's ascension into the Soviet Union, Bukharin made it clear that they'd taken as seriously as the Ukrainian and Belarussian SSRs claims on occupied territory and as such the Soviet Union will seek to a just settlement on those claims with relevant powers.

President Spiridonova: Hohenzollern regime abandons Danubian integrity, forces central, eastern europe to choose between Soviet Democracy and Hohenzollern Imperium.

President Spiridonova noted that Ludwig Kaas has recently alrified that Hohenzollern regime no longer considers the integrity of the Danubian state to be a priority and now seeks to see that Hohenzollern imperium brings its influence to bare on the 'redrawing of borders in Eastern Europe'. Combined with its ambitions to expand the Zollverein, the intentions of Hohenzollern regime is clear, said Spiridonova. They do no seek equitable raangement with central and eastern europe, they seek its domination. Before one even considers that the Bourgoise-Aristocratic nature of the Hohenzollern regime, precludes the true expression of democracy within it its dominating core, An economic union without political democracy is inevtiable dictatorship of its centre imposed with economic forces on its periphery. Yet at the same time, political democracy within this Zollverein is impossible because the creation ofa transnational state without proletarian rule is its own form of tyranny.

Only in the Soviet Union, Comrade Spiridonova sad can a truly democratic transnational economic and political union be realized, by the nature of its rule by workers and peasants. Yet, however Spiridonova 'thanked' Ludwig Kaas for making the ambitions of the Hohenzollern regime clear on concise. They intended nothing less that the imperial dominance of central and eastern europe, with the Hohenzollern regime as its beating, unchallenged and undemocratic core that the rest of europe serves. Now doubt after accomplishing such an order to their east, they would move to start imposing to their rest. For the liberty of all nationalities in europe, those subject nationalities and central and eastern europe most realize that ultimately their choice is between Soviet Democracy and Hohenzollern Imperium.

Foreign Commissar Litvinov: Ukrainian Nationality ‘indivisible’, condemns banning of communists in elections, rejects extradition of Bela Kun, other dissidents.

Maxim Litvinov, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs was asked about Max Wladimir von Beck of Danubia's claims about Ukraine and what the Soviet Union's policy in Ukraine was. Comrade Litvinovrepeated a line that's been consistent with Soviet policy since the end of the fighting Soviet and Hetmanate forces in 1922. He clarified that the Soviet Union believes in a singular indivisible Ukrainian nationality, separate to and siblings with other slavic and ultimately all, nationalities. Litvinov insisted that the divide between the SSR and the Hetman regime is a political division within the Ukrainian people, rather than between Ukrainians and Russians. A divide, he said that the Soviet Union will continue to work to rectify.

Furthermore, Litvinov condemned the Danubian regime for banning the participation of Hungarian communists from the Hungary's upcoming elections. He insisted that the Communist Party must have been well aware of its likelihood of being permited fair participation in the Danubian elections, which must have figured in their early announcement that they were boycotting the elections. Litvinov reiterated that it has been the advice of the Soviet Union to communist and revolutionary socialist parties to participate in all sufficiently fairly managed elections in borgeoise parlimentary systems to form a 'popular fronts' of progressive forces against aristocratic and fascist parties. Nonethless, Communist and Revolutionary Socialist parties are expected to maintan a "vigorous reserve millitance" in preperation for reactionary counter coups or supression. Litvinov also made it clear, that the Soviet Union refuses to hand over Bela Kun or any other communist or revolutionary socialist dissidents, insisting that the Soviet Union will forever remain a safe haven for revolutionary proletarian dissidents from repressive capitalist regimes.

---

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Год XXXVII. Брой 1917 (1938)

37th Year. No. 1917 (1938)

Sofia, 16th of March 1938

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ПРАВO

Elections underway

12.03.1938, Sofia - The 1938 Parliamentary
Elections have been underway for nearly a week,
with polling stations reporting a healthy voter
turnout so far with as many as 70% of the
registered voters being expected to have cast
their votes. The elections are expected to conclude
on the 27th of March, including the count of
the votes.

The election has not proceeded without its fair share
of trouble however as particularly Nikola Petkov of
the former Bulgarian Agrarian National Union found.
Petkov, who was one of the opposition-candidates,
was harassed by IMRO members for his anti-fascist
agitation and had to be hospitalised. However,
Petkov has reaffirmed his desire to win a seat in
parliament and as such remains in the race.
However, he faces far worse than mere agitation
from the far right as there is a not insignificant
chance that even if he does win a seat in the
National Assembly, his election may be invalidated
as the government has opened a court case against
him and may charge him with treason against the
state.

There are other reported cases of the IMRO,
guardians of the people, overseeing the elections
and exposing would-be-traitors such as Petkov,
ensuring that no more traitorous elements such as
Stambolyiski are voted into office by a populace
ignorant of their true agenda. Members of the
banned BANU have protested these actions
alongside former communist allies but the
government has refused to comment on the issue,
leaving the IMRO to continue operating freely.

Though in one instance there was a clash reported
between state authorities and the IMRO, when
police officers stepped in to IMRO men savagely
beating a pro-peace activist in Varna. The victim
was hospitalised and the IMRO members arrested
for public displays of violence. Their court cases
are still pending at this moment.

Vakarel Transmitter damaged in Storm

15.03.1938, Vakarel - The freak storm hitting
Bulgaria and particularly the capital of Sofia has
caused extensive damages to the state of the art
radio transmitter erected in Vakarel, a small
village not too far from Sofia. Staff at the facility
admitted to having been caught entirely by
surprise and uncertain of how to protect the
structure against the storm and were as such left
helpless against the elements.

The Vakarel Transmitter, which was inaugurated
only just last year, is Bulgaria's largest and most
modern broadcasting facility for long and medium
wave. It consists of a directional antenna made of
three guyed masts and another made of two masts.
The most remarkable mast of course is the 215m
tall, diamoned cantilever shaped main tower, a
design rarely found in Europe but all the more
prominent in the United States of America where
a company going by the name Blaw-Knox erects
them.

According to a spokesperson from Radio Sofia, the
former Rodno Radio, international broadcasting will
be off air for the foreseeable future but country-wide
broadcasting will, with help from the old Sofia station
as well as the stations in Stara Zagora and Varna,
continue. Repairs will have to wait until a suitable
foreign repair service can be contracted and until then
Radio Sofia will remain off air. Due to the costs involved
in making such contracts, it is unlikely that the tower
will be fixed at the present time, meaning that the
international bulgarian audience will be forced to rely
on newspaper and letters to keep being informed on
the goings on within the country.

Concerned citizens have asked if the damages could be
a result of foreign interference, perhaps an aerial attack.
The Royal Bulgarian Air Force however reassures the
populace that there is no foreign air force present around
Bulgaria capable of invading its airspace in such a way.

Berlin offers to mediate for the Balkans - Again

10.03.1938. Sofia - In a move that hold little surprise to anyone familiar with the history of the Balkans, German Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ludwig Kaas, has offered to mediate between the victimised parties of the Tsardom of Bulgaria and the Danubian Confederation as well as the criminal perpetrators of Rumania, conveniently ignoring the Kingdom of Yugoslavia rightaway, the second great perpetrator of the crimes of 1913 and 1927. He follows as such in the footsteps of a long line of german politicians, always seeking to divide the Balkans so as to satisfy foreign parties rather than the people who have to live with their cruel decisions, much like Bismarck did in the Dictate of Berlin, 1878. Kaas' words are as such merely honeyed lies and sweet nothings as he attempts to somehow maintain a status quo that others before him have established, the order of the Balkans as the great powers deemed it fit to be after the slow dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in Europe.

Of course Kaas' offer is not motivated by sheer bleeding heart for the oppressed peoples of the Balkan but rather by more politically relevant developments. Rhenania-Ossag AG has recently announced its decision to greatly expand its operations, among others into Rumania. As such the current tensions and righteous fury put german investments, german mone at risk, which is something the german government can not tolerate. No, instead it even seeks to further its economic reach by breaking down the tariffs which have become crucial for many countries to protect what industries they have and ensure the creation of a german dominated economic Empire. On the other hand the German has, ever since the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, considered the Balkans and Eastern Europe his backyard and he desires order in his backyard, for all to dance to tune of Berlin so as to not invite another power in like our slavic brothers to the east, misled by their ideologues but nonetheless our brothers.

Despite the transparency of Berlin's proposal, his majesty the Tsar has agreed to come to the negotiating table but has clarified that unless territorial concessions alongside reparations as a form of interest for the unlawful 25 year long occupation of Dobrudja are granted to Bulgaria, his government has no reason to waste time with idle talk. The Tsar's words were likely motivated by a strong undercurrent of Bulgarian nationalism present within the nation as well as the recent news of Rumania seeking arms and experience from France, suggesting a further militarisation following the formation of Rumanian militia formations and the like. Despite these clear and obvious signs of aggression by the Rumanians, the Tsar and his government have so far refrained from beginning the mobilisation of the armed forces. But with the situation in Dobrudja only increasing in intensity, it is likely merel a matter of time.

[Arvenia]

Гетьманська Газета
March 8, 1938

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Serge Stavisky Assassinated?!
GERMANY - The notorious fraudster Serge Stavisky has suddenly been assassinated alongside a bystander and a police officer. Two gunmen opened fire at him from a car and have yet been arrested following the shooting. Eight people have at least been wounded and the German police has started a manhunt for the gunmen. The gun that was used to kill Stavisky is believed to be of Danubian origin. It is worth knowing that Stavisky was targeted by far-right groups who deeply hates Jewish people. Many right-wing groups in Germany had been silent on the matter, Anton Drexler stated that he cannot be concerned about a "criminal Jew meeting his deserved end".

Stavisky's body is due to be returned to his family here in Ukraine and buried in accordance with Jewish traditions.

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French Far-Right Organizes Violence Against Homosexuals
FRANCE - A failed police raid on a popular hotspot for homosexuals and their sympathizers led to outrage among far-right activists across France. A neighbourhood in Montmarte was subject to an anti-homosexual pogrom by members of the far-right National Syndicalist Party. Windows were smashed, while several bars, salons and clubs were set on fire. Le Monocle, a well-known club for homosexual people, was set ablaze by members of the Volontaires Nationaux, a far-right paramilitary group aligned with the National Syndicalist Party.

These incidents caused a ruckus here in Ukraine, especially with the French far-right groups being heavily condemned by members of the Liberal Party of Ukraine (LPU). The LPU has been a major supporter of homosexual rights in Ukraine due to its liberal ideology, which led to frequent conflict with the Ukrainian Cossack Party (UKP), a major right-wing nationalist party who heavily despises homosexual people.

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Ukrainian Parliament Votes On Female Military Service
KYIV - Today, the Ukrainian Parliament will be voting on an important matter concering women in the Ukrainian military. It all started with a legislative proposal by one of Ukraine's current ruling parties, the centre-left Ukrainian Social Democratic Party (USDP), who described the proposal as a way to expand gender equality across Ukraine. The proposal received heavy support from both the Liberal Party of Ukraine (LPU) and many left-wing parties. However, it has also seen stern opposition from the right-wing Ukrainian Cossack Party (UKP), whose leader, Yevhen Kravchenko (UKP), described military service as a "male institution". The vote might play a big role in Ukrainian politics, especially in regards to social changes across Europe.

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Pro-Danubian Agitator Calls For Danubian Annexation Of Western Ukraine
IVANO-FRANKIVSK - Walter Habst (DPHL), an Austrian-born political agitator and head of the Danubian Party of Galicia-Lodomeria (DPHL), held an agitating speech in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, where he called for Western Ukraine to be annexed by the Danubian Confederation. He also made several remarks about Ukrainians, whom he described as a "filthy and artificial race that should be deported from Eastern Galicia". His speech was met with condemnation from the Ukrainian community, as well as applause from his fierce supporters. He has lately been put under police surveillance due to his political activism, especially his deep hatred towards Jews and Ukrainians. His party has also faced criticism for being an ethnocentrist one centered around Austrian people, despite it being also a political front for the Slovak and Hungarian communities in Ukraine. The party's most outspoken opponents include the Ukrainian Cossack Party (UKP), the Nationalist Party of Ukraine (NPU), the Ukrainian Radical Party (URP), the General Jewish Labour Bund (ZYTB) and the Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (YSDRP). The Jewish community has also demanded a swift crackdown on the DPHL due to its political extremism. The Ukrainian coalition government has promised to keep an eye on the pro-Danubian protesters in the coming days.

It is also worth knowing that the pro-Danubian protests helped spawn sympathetic marches across the Danubian Confederation.

[Shohun]

Imperial General Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
March 1, 1938

These Imperial General Headquarters Government Liaison Conferences were becoming awfully frequent. But such only indicated the dangerous situation the nation found itself in. "What the Chinese have done is a spit in the face and a strike against our honor. Gentlemen, we are left no other choice but to strike back." said General Itagaki, pounding the table.

"I believe we can all agree with that sentiment, General. It is no longer a matter of choosing if we are to go to war or not. It is now a matter of how we execute one. Their act of defiance of our deal alone is testing our resolve. Their general mobilization is an act of war." replied Prime Minister Konoe. "All that leaves us is to consider our options. Shall we enact general mobilization in response?"

"I believe that would be completely unnecessary, sir." replied Field Marshal Kotohito. "Mobilize the rest of our reserves and ready them for deployment to China. I expect this to be a swift war, with an equally swift peace agreement. Only the Chinese would be foolish enough to order general mobilization. The immediate damage to their economy will harm their war effort, and if the war is quick, most of their mobilized will never see combat."

"What of our plan of action?" asked Konoe.

"The longer we allow the Chinese to mobilize, the more resistance we will face. We must strike soon." replied Itagaki. "A small thrust into Hebei province may be enough to secure a peace deal, however I would recommend complementing any ground attack with comprehensive airstrikes on targets across China... Numerically we are disadvantaged, initially at least, so I would also recommend employing chemical and biological weapons to an extent towards the beginning of the campaign."

"You have my approval to utilize chemical weapons at the ground commander's discretion. Biological weapons may be employed later on if the war continues to escalate, but are unnecessary this early on." replied Konoe. "Moving on, what of our own mobilizations?"

"Our initial mobilization and movements are going well," said Kotohito. "The five Kwangtung Army divisions will have completely arrived by the 4th, forming the China Expeditionary Army. We expect the first of our mobilized reserve divisions to be landing in Korea by the 6th as well, allowing us to reinforce our push into Hebei. My only recommendation for further action would be the deployment of reinforcements to the concessions."

"What can we deploy? I do not want to sacrifice the strength of our North China Area Army," said Konoe.

"My belief is that our garrison at Tianjin will be safe enough that they can withstand an attack before our army arrives. Shanghai is where we must reinforce. If you will allow it sir, I wish to deploy six SNLF units to further garrison the area."

"You have my permission. See to it that the units receive a proper escort before they ship off."

Initial Japanese advances into China shown in pink

North Hebei Demilitarized Zone
March 5-6, 1938
3 AM
-Co-Write with Orostan-

The long awaited moment was now. It was time for the battle to begin. Months of planning would lead up to this moment, and for its purpose, the most critical element of the strike had already been underway.

Hours earlier, Navy and Army bombers had filled the air, flying high in formation in preparation of hitting their targets. The same would be occurring across other Japanese bases around China, but this would be the first striking force. The diversion. As ground forces made their final preparations and began their movements, the air attack had begun. It would be a small strike in the north, given the hopes that infrastructure could be captured and reused, but several key targets would be destroyed.

The first raid would be against Wanping, relatively unimportant at the first glance, but a crucial target behind the frontlines. For this task, a dozen quick B5M bombers escorted by six A5M fighters swooped low over the city. The target? The rail station, the critical connecting line allowing Peking and Tienstin access to the rest of China. It was dark, but the skilled pilots made their way to their target utilizing city lights. Banking downward, the bombers dropped their payloads down on the unsuspecting Wanping Rail Station before swooping up and heading back toward the sea.

Other small scale strikes, carried out by a few Army Ki-2 bombers escorted by Ki-27s would strike the local army headquarters in Changli and the communications center in Tangshan simultaneously. Many simply loitered overhead the Japanese ground formations, ready to provide support if called upon.

Moments after the first bombs had been dropped, the ground offensive had begun. Hundreds of artillery guns opened up on the Chinese defenses around the small towns of Changli, Shunyi, and Nankow, blanketing the towns in a stunning array of firepower not seen since the Great Balkan War. From the sea, the aging Mikasa escorted by Fourth Fleet ships would send her 12 inch shells raining down on Changli, as Ashigara joined in with her ten 8 inch guns.

While hundreds of shells bracketed the light Chinese positions, Japanese forces would prepare to make their move. The shelling was ordered to last around thirty minutes before Japanese infantry and tanks began their advance.

At Changli, three divisions and the Imperial Guards Mixed Brigade were ready to go, while five divisions around Shunyi, and six divisions around Nankow prepared to begin their assault..Six other divisions further west would hold their positions, or were held in reserve. The battle had begun.

Despite their overwhelming disadvantage in firepower and airpower, the Chinese believed they could mount a series of delaying actions to slow down and exhaust the Japanese. This was why rather than stick to defensive positions the army simply withdrew and engaged the Japanese forward elements in small delaying battles for the most part. When the encirclement or destruction of a Chinese army group was threatened they would be given the order to spread out into the countryside, a process that was already taking place in areas where Chinese troops knew they had been cut off from communications and support. To ensure that the Japanese were distracted as the army executed its orders and escaped south, a few Chinese divisions were selected and ordered to fight to the death to blunt the initial Japanese attack. A number of these were made up of former Fengtian Clique troops and anti-Japanese rebel fighters from Manchuria which were seen as less likely to surrender or lose cohesion against the overwhelming Japanese attack, many of them having experienced air and artillery attack by the Japanese before. Some of these units would mount a defense near Tangshan, and use suicide bombers against Japanese tanks to compensate for their lack of adequate numbers of anti-tank rifles. The battles that began around Tangshan were meant to delay the Japanese for up to two weeks while China prepared for a total war and established a series of defensive lines that would blunt Japanese offensives into China. Troops were also being moved towards important coastal cities where it was expected the Japanese might attempt landings. In particular the garrison of Shanghai was strengthened in violation of an agreement Wu Peifu had been forced to sign only a few years ago.

The main body of the Chinese army focused on supporting an organized retreat. Heavy equipment, what relatively little the Chinese had, could be moved deeper into China by train while the infantry moved south on foot. In the first few days of the war the Chinese would begin tearing up rail lines behind their retreating armies to ensure the Japanese could not match their pace or easily supply an advance deep into China. Rolling stock and locomotives were either transported deeper into China or destroyed when they were at high risk of capture. Essentially anything that could be of use to the Japanese and wasn’t able to be moved (due to Japanese attack on rail lines or other reasons) would be destroyed if it was in danger of being taken by the Japanese.

The lack of Chinese resistance at the smaller towns was surprising yet not unanticipated. By 4 AM, Changli, Shunyi, and Nankow had been captured, with light casualties on both sides due to the Chinese withdrawal. The same could not be said for the towns themselves, now in rubble from the artillery, but the earlier evacuation of most civilians had meant now Japanese commanders could bombard towns without concern for international condemnation.

Within another three hours, following another series of artillery bombardments, the towns of Shahochen, Tungchow, and Lanchon had been secured, putting Peking to the west and Tangshan to the east within range of artillery.

As Peking was pounded by heavy artillery, reconnaissance aircraft over Tangshan would quickly inform headquarters of the presence of a significant number of Chinese divisions, likely forming a small army. At North China Area Army Headquarters, a plan of action was forming.

It was clear this unit would resist, unlike the rest. In the eyes of headquarters, it was a prime time to make an example out of them to the rest of the Chinese military. Donning their gas masks, Japanese infantry patiently waited as Mustard and Phosgene gas were fired into the enemy city, blanketing Tangshan. The mustard would attack the skin of the enemy, while the phosgene would harm anyone without a mask.

It was believed that the Chinese army would not be equipped enough to handle such an attack, with only a few regular army units possessing gas masks and none with enough protective equipment to handle the mustard gas. So as the shells of gas and other artillery continued to rain down, Japanese infantry and tanks waited for the gas to settle and dissipate, while at Peking, Japanese forces prepared their assault following heavy artillery and air bombing.

The imminent gas attack and lack of gas masks among the Chinese troops necessitated that to avoid suffocating the defenders of Tangshan leave their positions immediately - and attack the enemy. Advancing and dividing into small groups to avoid quick detection the Chinese Fengtian divisions launched attacks while Japanese air and artillery was bombarding a rapidly emptying city. In the span of an hour or so a series of battles began in the forward areas of the Japanese army attacking Tangshan, and Japanese commanders began to receive the first reports of suicide attacks by Chinese troops injured by gas who would throw themselves under tanks and into trenches wearing vests of grenades to provide openings for their comrades to repel the Japanese or kill as many of them as possible to buy time. What little firepower the Tangshan garrison had in the form of mountain guns, light artillery, and mortars would be concentrated along a limited section of the front and used to shell the Japanese and disorientate them before an infantry attack. Then after a few shots they would be moved to another section of the front so as to avoid air attacks. Despite the large numbers of enemy aircraft the Chinese Air Force would make several attempts to support Tangshan, attacking in the largest numbers they could muster against targets of opportunity such as dive bombers which were flying low. After only a single attack in some cases the Chinese warplanes would retreat.

Despite the conditions caused by Japanese attempts to interrupt communications an orderly retreat from Beijing took place with only a small number of soldiers and armed civilians remaining to delay the Japanese. The artillery bombardment of the city would cause vastly more civilian casualties than at Tangshan due to the larger size of Beijing and the impossibility of organizing a large evacuation of civilians.

The continuing battle at Tangshan was vicious and bloody. Attacking Chinese forces were quickly scrutinized by Japanese artillery and machine guns, allowing entrenched Japanese soldiers to mow down ranks of the charging enemy. The Chinese had numbers, but the Japanese forces around Tangshan had more. More troops, more machine guns, more artillery, more air support; the result was inevitable.

The air war would tell a similar tale. While resistance was fierce, Japanese fighters waited for their prey to come and attack. Flying at altitudes above the range of the aging Chinese fighters, Japanese aces in new Ki-27s and A5Ms would sweep down, firing their machine guns on flights of the enemy.

By the end of the day, Japanese forces had entered the city, and by the end of the second day, the city and smaller town just south of it had been secured. Peking had been captured, while Japanese troops surged to take Wanping. Further north, limited advances had been made into rural Inner Mongolia, slowed by the lack of roads and in hope that battles there would draw in Chinese strength before attempting a route.

Already the stage was being set for further Japanese advance into the whole of Hebei.

Across China
March 5, 1938
6 AM

The opening attacks in the north lite the fuse for war with China. The only thing left for the aviators of the Imperial Japanese Navy was to bring that war to the enemy. The first target to be struck would be the Jinan Arsenal, deliberately picked for its suspected role in the production of explosives used in the Kwangtung Bombing. With enemy aircraft drawn in battles further north, now was the perfect time to strike. Launching from airbases in Heijo, a dozen G3M bombers with six A5M fighter escorts made their way southwest. Flying high over the clouds, the small group darted northwest after flying 50 miles southwest of Qingdao. Avoiding flying over major Chinese cities in order to avoid detection, by 6 AM the small group was over its target. Descending below the cloud cover and now exposed to enemy anti-aircraft artillery, the group began its bombing run. Dropping four 200 kg bombs each, the G3Ms blanketed the enemy arsenal with their munitions. Then, as soon as the attack had started, it had ended. The small group turned back northeast to their base in Korea.

The second target, but arguably the most important of the day would be the Jianqiao Airfield, home to the CAMCO aircraft plant based there. For this task, a larger force from the main islands had been assembled, consisting of 36 G3M bombers, 12 B5M bombers, and 30 A5M fighters. The coastal airbase was vulnerable, but its destruction was essential to maintaining air superiority in future missions.

The final main target of the day was the Guangdong Arsenal. Flying from Formosa, a sizable group of 24 G3Ms, 12 A5Ms, and 6 A4Ns made their way to their target, unleashing their payloads on the enemy target below, before quickly flying high to avoid the reach of enemy aircraft or flak.

But what would decide the war was logistics, and the Imperial Navy knew that. At sea, Japanese fleets had fanned out, with Japanese submarines based in Formosa and in Japan taking up positions all along the Chinese coast, with permission to sink any merchant or military vessel flying the Chinese flag. The Chinese government had forced a war, and now all of China would begin to feel it.

North China Area Army Headquarters
Rehe, Empire of Manchukuo
March 7, 1938

"General sir, we have received a report from the frontlines that Tangshan has been secured."

"Excellent. What of the casualties?" asked General Terauchi.

"8,623 dead in Tangshan, and more wounded. However we believe the enemy suffered around 30,000 KIA."

"Acceptable losses." replied Terauchi, "What of the entire front?"

"8,671 of our men. Around 30,098 enemy troops, if our count is correct. Several hundred Chinese civilians and a few Manchu civilians as well, sir."

"Very well." said Terauchi. "In the coming days our efforts shall be focused on Tianjin. My sources indicate the Chinese are preparing to initiate a significant delaying action there, and I hope it shall be our opportunity to win the war for the north outright. Tianjin shall be our trap. Reinforce our units in Tangshan and prepare them to advance. Make sure the enemy is well aware that we are reinforcing them. Intensify air bombardments around Baoding, so they suspect our center grouping is preparing to attack there simultaneously. Only once the trap is sprung, we will be able to move our center grouping south to route the Chinese at Tianjin and encircle them. Then all we need to do is wait as our ground and naval bombardments tear them to shreds."

The Asahi Shimbun

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directs Citizens to Leave China, Recalls Ambassador:

Tokyo, March 2nd - Following the Kaifeng Regime's refusal to comply with Japanese peace conditions signed just days ago, and full scale general mobilization in China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Japanese and Manchu citizens to leave Chinese territory, directed to quickly find safe passage to foreign concessions in China or into the Empire of Manchukuo if they cannot return to Japan. The Ministry warned that "the likelihood of illegal violence or unjust detention of Japanese nationals in China has made regime controlled areas unsafe for Japanese civilians."

Earlier yesterday, the Japanese Government announced it was suspending all passenger and merchant travel to China, citing "safety risks." According to a spokesperson for the Prime Minister, "The lack of intervention by the League of Nations has created a dangerous situation in China. All of the international community's interests are under threat. Railroads, trade, and even civilians are under attack. Unless the Chinese regime commits to de-escalation, resumes full compliance with the treaty, and ceases general mobilization, everyone is under threat. As of today, Japan will formally withdraw all embassy personnel in China due to security concerns and in protest of recent Chinese actions. It is at the advice of the Japanese government that foreign civilians in China also return to safe areas or avoid large cities where violence is more likely."

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Protests Across Japan Demand Government Action:

Tokyo, March 4th - Across major cities in Japan, right-wing parties joined together to call for the Japanese Government to take "drastic measures" against the hostile Kaifeng Regime. Marching in the streets, it is reported that protestors trashed Chinese-owned shops and even beat Chinese civilians, including instances of throwing rocks at the Chinese Consulate in Tokyo. According to sources, protestors were not stopped by Japanese police, who only acted to prevent damage to Japanese-owned stores. Numerous politicians publicly supported the protests, warning the government that the people demanded action.

According to sources on the frontline of the Sino-Manchu border, tensions are already heating up. A number of small skirmishes are reported to have occurred in previous days, although it remains unknown if skirmishes were against Chinese-backed insurgents or with Chinese government forces. Sources within the government have indicated the possibility of war is imminent, noting the scale of recent mobilization in recent days. Despite rumors, the Ministry of War has rejected the possibility of general mobilization, offering the official position that "Japan does not seek war with the Chinese government." Numerous prominent Army officials have firmly denied that general mobilization will occur soon, noting such would be "completely unnecessary to deal with the inferior Chinese threat."

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WAR - Prime Minister Konoe Announces Operation Against Chinese Regime Forces:

Tokyo, March 6th - After disputed reports of a Japanese operation underway in North China, Prime Minister Konoe's office confirmed that Japanese troops had entered regime-controlled areas earlier Saturday morning. According to official sources, the battle began following a skirmish initiated by the Chinese Regime, with Japanese commanders on the ground acting on Tokyo's orders to retaliate. According to an Army official, Japanese operations were in response to Chinese aggressions, general mobilization, and the Chinese refusal to comply with Japanese peace terms.

While details still remain unclear, the Japanese Ministry of War announced that "at approximately 3 AM local time, Japanese forces from the North China Area Army and the China Expeditionary Army began operations against Kaifeng forces, suspected to number 300,000 soldiers." The Ministry announced that in initial clashes, Japanese forces successfully "demilitarized" Peking and Tangshan, as well as a number of smaller surrounding towns. According to Ministry reports, Chinese forces suffered approximately 50,000 casualties in the first strikes, with only 8,600 Japanese casualties in turn. The Ministry announced that our brave and glorious Armed Forces dealt a "tremendous blow" to Chinese forces, sending the majority of the cowards "fleeing back to Kaifeng."

The announcement was met with celebrations across Japan and in Harbin, as right-wing nationalist paraded in the streets, to praise the government and the Imperial Armed Forces. The announcement has been met with thousand of young nationalistic men across the nation rushing to enlistment offices, in the hopes of achieving glory in battle for the Emperor of Japan.

In light of the conflict, Prime Minister Konoe addressed the nation in a radio broadcast, calling the Japanese people to action. The following is an excerpt from his speech;

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor of Japan, I enjoin upon ye, our loyal and brave subjects: I hereby announce the official start of Imperial Armed Forces operations within areas controlled by the illegitimate regime in Kaifeng. Our Army and Navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting this operation. Our entire nation with a united will shall mobilize its strength so nothing shall interfere with our operation's aims. China, failing to comprehend the true intentions of our Empire, and recklessly courting trouble, disturbed the peace of East Asia and has compelled our Empire to take up arms. As the enemy regime continues their fratricidal opposition, we are left no other recourse than to crush their threat to peace.

With the hallowed spirits of our ancestors guarding us from above, we rely on the loyalty and courage of our subjects to speedily eradicate the source of evil spread by Kaifeng."

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Foreign Ministry Praises French Neutrality and Soviet Cooperation, Encourages Other Nations to Follow Suit:

Tokyo, March 7th - In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, government officials praised the French government for its neutrality in the ongoing conflict with the Chinese Regime. Calling the French move to ban the passage of war materials from French Indochina to China, "wise" and "a bold stance against furthering the conflict," Japanese officials stated they strongly supported and respected French neutrality. Promising to ensure French territorial integrity in its Chinese concessions and French economic interests, the Ministry stated that it would do everything in its power to ensure French interests in China were "unharmed or even expanded."

The Ministry went onto call for other foreign nations to follow suit, pledging to ensure "great economic freedom in Free North China," and to respect neutrality of other nations. Foreign Minister Ugaki further stated that Japan would be willing to consider "expanding foreign concessions within the new Chinese government," as well as to "pick up the slack," of any economic losses from ending the trade of war material with China.

Just days after having captured Peking, the Foreign Ministry invited foreigners to return to the city, promising that "safety is guaranteed by the Imperial Army."

Commenting on the matter, the Ministry of the Navy issued a warning to nations that supported the regime, calling support for Kaifeng, "contrary to economic interests and international law." The Ministry warned against "supporting instability and fueling war," saying "the blood of innocents is on the hands of the Kaifeng warmongers." While vowing to ensure economic liberty in China, the Navy Ministry stated it was prepared to take "necessary measures" to prevent "illegal weapons" from falling into regime hands.

Likely aimed at Germany and Danubia, nations that previously supported China but are thought to be more friendly to Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on "all international actors" to "completely withdraw military support for Kaifeng."

[American Pere Housh]

Praeco Novus Romanus
March 21, 1938

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Prime Minister Salemi condemns interference in Transcaucasian Union

Rome, Italy- Prime Minister Fernando Salemi in a speech in delivered to the Italian Parliament condemns the Soviet's interference in the internal affairs of the Transcaucasian Union. He said that any attempted annexation by the Soviets of Transcaucasian territory will be viewed by the entire Italian government as illegal and a violation of international law. The Prime Minister also told that the election in Transcaucasia was ripe with fraud and calls on free and fair elections to be held immediately.

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Italy reiterates its support for Ukraine, rejects the Soviets calling themselves a democracy

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its support for Ukraine and once again declare Ukraine to be an independent country. This declaration was aimed at the Danubian Confederation and the Soviet Union whom have imperial ambitions against Ukraine with the Confederation want Eastern Galicia and the Soviet Union wanting all of Ukraine. Prime Minister Fernando Salemi said at a press conference in Genoa that the leader of Ukraine or a representative of his is invited to Rome speak with himself and the King within the next few weeks. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also rejected the term 'Soviet Democracy' which is considered an oxymoron. The Soviet Union isn't a democracy but it is a totalitarian Communist dictatorship.

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Italian Concession of Tianjin put on heightened alert, Italy condemns Japan's chemical weapons use on civilians

Due to the latest Sino-Japanese War, the military garrison with the Italian concession of Tianjin has been put on heightened alert. Border checkpoints manned by the elite 3rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade were set up at all entrances into the territory. Prime Minister Salemi said that this was necessary but is letting both sides know that if any Italian citizen or soldier is harmed then there will be serious consequences for their actions. The Prime Minister, the King and Italian Parliament have also condemned Japan's use of chemical weapons and calls on the League of Nations to intervene in this conflict. Prime Minister Salemi via an act of Parliament cut off all trade to Japan due its chemical weapons usage on civilians and warns any further usage will have consequences. As a part of its heightened alert, Italian troops have donned chemical warfare gear incase of an attack.

Italian Concession of Tianjin
3rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
March 22, 1938

All across the Italian Concession of Tianjin, Italian troops goes to a heightened alert status as alarms go off at barracks across the territory. Troopers readily don their gear, picked up their weapons, climbed into the back of trucks capable of carrying troops and headed off to their assigned position. 20 Renault R35 light tanks, bought from the French 2 years before, and 15 Panzer III medium tanks headed off to the border checkpoints as back up to the infantry. 20 miles off the coast Tianjin 3 light cruisers, 3 heavy cruisers, 6 destroyers and a battlecruiser of the Royal Italian Navy were patrolling watching for Japanese or Chinese warships. 8 Macchi C.200 fighters took to the sky running combat air patrols and watch from afar as Japanese fighters shoot down the older Chinese fighters.

Off the coast of Shanghai, 2 Italian subs were moving along at the bare minimum steerage speed of 3 knots with orders to listen and report on all Japanese warships in the area. HIMS Scipio Africanus and Marcus Antonius began detecting several contacts which turned out to be Japanese fleets spreading out all along the Chinese coast.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Revolutionary Union - March 22nd, 1938

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Supreme Soviet votes to condemn comments by Italian officials regarding soviet democracy, accusations of imperialism. Demands the Hetmanite cut off ties with 'Rogue Regime in Rome' as a 'destabalizing force'

Recent pronouncements by Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs in rome were read off in the Supreme soviet to uproarious laughter. The general understanding of its members is that the decrepit monarchical regime in Italy is so degenerated, that it lacks even the most basic degree of self-awareness. For the regime in italy, of all regimes, to accuse the Soviet Union of an illegal invasion for accepting an invitation to intervene in Transcaucasia, after the italian regime invaded and now currently occupies Ethiopia, is considered by nearly all within the soviet union and many of not most of the world outside of it, to be utterly preposterous.

For a state, it has been said, such as the regime in rome to accuse the Soviet Union, a nation in which all officials can either be voted out by its whole citizenry, or be removed by those who can be removed by a vote, of not being a democracy and of being totalitarian, is sheer nonsense. Beyond the fact that, members of the soviet pointed out today, the ‘King’ of Italy can not be voted out, the Ethiopian people, who were once independent and united, lack any real say in the governance of their overlords.

The Supreme Soviet, on the initiative of a group of Communist and Socialist-Revolutionary members, passed a resolution today, formally condemning the regime in italy and demanding that the Hetmanite authority in Ukraine immediately repudiates all ties with the 'rogue regime in rome', as it represents a destabilizing force in the region that can only harm reconciliation. The resolution made it clear that if the Hetmanate authority does not meet this demand, there will be swift and overwhelming consequences.

[Dragos Bee]

Kingdom of the Mapuche, March 1938

Twenty years of freedom for the Mapuche, twenty years of consolidating their massive and unlikely gains. Lautaro II had much to be proud about, especially with his children proving to be strong men and women, with his daugther being an accomplished weaver - Weaving being prized skill among their people - but also able to shoot a rifle at a Chilean's eye from a long distance, a distance comparable to some of the Europeans' own snipers. If not for the prejudice against female rulers common in all cultures, he'd have broken with tradition and made her his successor.

But alas, his son, Pelantaro/Pelantarú, was a malcontent and a firebrand, ready to give his ear to appeals from foriegners who claimed even the slightest bit of oppression from other nations. From the 'yellow folk' of the Koreans, the 'black folk' of the Congo, and various other people whose names he cannot pronounce, Pelantaro saw himself as the liberator of the world, a savior who would turn back the tide of 'colonialism' and 'oppression' that had engulfed the globe. And many of the chiefs, those who should know better, were on his side, courting disaster when their continued liberty rested on Brazilian grace.

And now, he had asked for an audience, in the Western-style Palace that had been built with the proceeds from oil fields leased to the United States. The subject: He wanted to go to China, of all regions, to fight with the Koreans and Chinese against the Japanese regime. And he wanted to take several hundred young men with him, men who could be better used guarding the frontier against the Chileans and Argentines, the former whom still had a semblance of central government and an army raring to reconquer their southern lands.

"No," he said as he rested on his western-style throne, crafted by Brazilian woodworkers as a gesture of friendship. "I allow you many things, but if any volunteers are to be sent, they will go to our allies in Brazil, not across the great ocean. You do not know what you ask of me."

Pelantaro followed up with, "I want to go with them to Brazil if their Emperor starts a war of liberation, then. I have formed contacts with the downtrodden in Angola and Mozambique; I will be useful there."

Lautaro II felt a headache split the back of his head, and said curtly, "1,500 volunteers; a tenth of our standing forces. Lead them to victory."

He saw his son's eyes light up before the latter sincerely bowed and expressed his gratitude in a solemn tone.

"I am humbled by your offer, Father; I will do the Kingdom proud," Pelenatro then left, presumably to announce the news to his troops. Inwardly, Lautaro felt like ordering a bottle of whiskey, the stuff that drove fellow natives to alcoholism and vice up north in America. But he didn't; he needed coffee to stay up from this morning to late night - He needed to work on arranging his son's passage to Brazil and sending the requisite letters to Dom Pedro the Third offering the Kingdom of the Mapuche's service in his future conflicts, letters whose language strode the line between loyal friend and servile client.

For this was the secret of the Mapuche's independence - The ability to appear independent at home while accepting clientage to Brazil abroad...