Crumbling Reich: A Weimar Republic Game (Gameplay Thread)

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

While the KPD's recovery plan looks nice on paper, it simply costs more than Germany can afford to spend at this time. As such, I encourage all parties to vote Nein, on the KPD recovery plan.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I like tax cuts. I think everyone likes tax cuts. However, they cannot be the only solution to bringing Germany back to work. We need to cajole the business leaders of Germany into hiring more German workers if we are truly going to recover from our economic depression.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen response to Thalmaan

The problem with your recovery plan, besides the barely disguised Communism, is that it does nothing to keep German workers employed. There is nothing in your plan stopping German business from hiring a bunch of workers for two weeks and then firing them again. That's not good for the economy either. While your plan promises guaranteed work for Germans, there is no enforcement.

If you present a revised plan, removing the minimum wage provision and working hour provisions and add an enforcement mechanism for your guaranteed work promise, I will direct the Government to vote in favor of it.

 

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I've been Chancellor for a year now. In that time, we've survived a coup, come partially back from the worst economic depression Germany has ever seen, and scored foreign policy triumphs the likes of which we haven't achieved in thirty years. However, we aren't done. I'm aware that President von Hindenburg's time is growing short, that he is in his twilight years. The SPD is backing a refrerendum on the monarchy returning to Germany. It would give me great pleasure to support the Kaiser, or one of his Children resuming the throne of Germany in a Constitutional Monarchy similar to the British model. That way, everyone, from Herr Hugenberg, to Kaiser Wilhelm II, to the British and French, to even the SPD are satisfied.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I'm interested in your proposal, and I look forward to campaigning for the Kaiser's return.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen response

This proposal is acceptable to me. I will see to it that the referendum be held as soon as possible.

[NewYorkExpress]

Franz Von Papen

My feelings on the Monarchy are well known. I support restoring the Imperial Throne to Germany. However, how that throne is arranged still needs to be determined, and as per the SPD's referendum proposal, that would be the purpose of our Constitutional Convention.

I believe that when the monarchy is restored, Germany will be brought into a bright new future.

[NewYorkExpress]

Franz Von Papen, Cologne

Now, I am a man of faith, and in Catholic School, we got taught about the Divine Right of Kings. So, when I note that my former Party is supporting a flawed Republic such as this one, it occasionally makes my blood boil.

Now, there are some decent things about the Republic. The people are more involved and informed than they ever were. But that doesn't change the fact that making decisions is now as slow as molasses. Bringing back the Kaiser, or one his heirs will fix this. This is what we need. We have made great strides in fixing our economic situation, but until we have a monarchy, and a monarch who is able to make the tough decisions the Government cannot, we will never truly recover.


Franz Von Papen, Dusseldorf

The SPD is responsible for much of the problems that have plagued us during this period of financial uncertainty. It was a SPD Government, in which the economic crisis started. An SPD Government was in place when the Diktat of Versailles was signed. Why should we trust the SPD to be trustworthy regarding the return of the monarchy?

[NewYorkExpress]

Franz Von Papen, Frankfurt

The SPD is responsible for the economic catastrophe we find ourselves in. It was an SPD Chancellor who presided over our economy's collapse. An SPD Government signed the Diktat of Versailles. Only the return of the Monarchy can truly fix the ills of Germany, and bring us back to our former glory.


Franz Von Papen, Hanover

I think having a monarch again will give us the opportunity to rebuild stronger ties with countries that still have a monarchy, like Britain. It will also allow for more decisive decision-making, both in foreign and domestic affairs, something we have badly needed ever the birth of the Republic.

[NewYorkExpress]

Franz Von Papen, Munich

A victory for the Republic in the Referendum dramatically increases the chances of a Communist Coup. We've already seen the the Nazis attempt to overthrow our government. Why wouldn't the Communists attempt to overthrow our government too?

Franz Von Papen, Nuremburg

The Republic's win would dramatically increase the chances of a coup by the Communists one day. Already, like the Nazi's before them, they are stockpiling weapons to overthrow the government, regardless of the result of the referendum. It would be even easier to overthrow this government if the Republic is still alive and well.

[NewYorkExpress]

Franz Von Papen, Munich

So, Ernst Thaalman says that the KPD supports Democracy. Need I remind him, that when the Communist Party in Russia overthrew the Czar, they established a dictatorship under Vladimir Lenin! Marxism and Democracy are simply incompatible, and you should not listen to the lies of the KPD!

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Well, we won. This isn't the end of course. We have to decide just what the Kaiser's powers will be, and who will be that Kaiser.

I welcome all members of German society, no matter how they voted, to take part in this discussion.

I will not be following that path with you. I believe, that the new Kaiser should be free to pick his own Chancellor. As such, I am tendering my resignation as Chancellor, upon the installation of the new Kaiser.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

If you are so are worried about voter fraud, just call a vote of no confidence in Herr Hugenberg. You know, and I know, that he is most likely responsible for any alleged voting fraud that may or may not have happened. And even if it did happen, it wasn't enough to tip the referendum to a specific result.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, where did you learn the definition of treason? I'll spell it out for you. Treason is "betraying one's country to another country". Last time I checked, Herr Hugenberg rigging a referendum on the monarchy, assuming he even did that, cannot be treason, because the only people it would benefit are Germans! The Kaiser, though he lives in exile is still a German. The Crown Prince is still a German. The millions who voted for the monarchy are still Germans. Unless you can prove that another country benefits from the return of the monarchy, then by definition, anything that Herr Hugenberg did cannot be treason.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, you take your orders on what to do directly from Josef Stalin himself. THAT is treason, NOT what Herr Hugenberg is doing.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, I had nothing to do with any hypothetical vote rigging. If any rigging occurred it would have been Herr Hugenberg, most likely who supported and encouraged it. I did not sanction, nor would I have endorsed such actions. I prefer to win elections the clean way, regardless of what others may think.

Your definition of traitor needs work. I am not a traitor. The late Herr Hitler was a traitor. Herr Hugenberg is not a traitor. The late Herr Roehm was a traitor.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I am sorely disappointed by the outcome of the Reichstag's meeting today. I take full responsibility for the failure to bring have a successful Constitutional Convention. As such, I feel it is my duty to offer my resignation as Chancellor, with immediate effect.

I hope to serve the German People at some future date.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I encourage all of Germany to support Chancellor Von Schiechler in this trying hour.

However, I have a request of the new Chancellor. Sack Herr Hugenberg from your cabinet. He is at at fault for the failure of the passage of the constitutional convention, because he unnecessarily rigged the vote in the referendum. Do this and you will have the support of the German people. 

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

While I am no friend of Herr Thalmann or anyone in the KPD, I agree with them on this. Chancellor Schumacher must call elections immediately.

In addition, given President Von Hindenburg's failing health, I call on the Reichstag, to pass a constitutional amendment or other legislation calling for an immediate special election in the event of the death of the President of the Reich.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Hugenberg, I supported the referendum and the monarchy. However, your actions in rigging the vote, when it clearly was not needed, have cost us the chance to get the monarchy. And you have the gall to name me an enemy of the monarchy? You can rot at the bottom of the Rhine, Herr Hugenberg.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

What on earth makes you think I would have approved of a plan to rig the referendum on the monarchy? I most certainly did not approve of Herr Hugenberg's actions, and had I known what he was up to, I would have put a stop to them.

I am willing to testify in court, that I had no knowledge of Herr Hugenberg's ballot rigging, nor would I have supported it.

I like winning elections the honest way, Herr Thalmann.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I knew nothing about any voter fraud going being committed by Herr Hugenberg. Why do you think I've been calling for Chancellor Von Schleichler to sack him and call for new elections.

If I do get elected President, I will commit to using my Article 48 powers to ban Hugenberg's DNVP party, as his actions have undermined Germany's Government for the final time.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

You know, in America, they have something called Freedom of the press. They don't really have that here, because people like Herr Hugenberg have control of media establishments, and are allowed to serve in the Government.

Herr Hugenberg, you must choose. Your Government position, or your media empire? Which will it be?

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Vice Chancellor, why on earth are you sending troops to protect Hindenburg?  The reason we are worried about him dying soon is because of his health, which has been failing for years, not because of a Communist plot to kill him!

You are lucky, that I am not Chancellor anymore, or I would put a stop to your blatant attempt to seize power.

As it is, if the Communists were interested in overthrowing the government, need I remind you, Herr Vice Chancellor, that you and I, because we are conservatives, would be among the first people shot?

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Vice Chancellor, just as I would ask you to do if I were still Chancellor, show me, and the German People, the evidence of a Communist Coup.

Remember, we had all sorts of evidence for the Nazi's putsch, back in January. Can you produce any to show me the Communists are planning the same thing?