The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)
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  The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)
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Author Topic: The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)  (Read 23997 times)
YPestis25
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« Reply #350 on: September 25, 2022, 05:48:04 PM »

Statement from the Elysee

The Hohenzollerns have again shown their true colors and have violated the sovereignty of a neutral and sovereign state of Europe. The German invasion of Austria is an unacceptable violation of the European peace and a shattering of the norms that preserved peace in the center of the continent for 20 years.

Germany must withdraw at once from Austria or consider diplomatic relations with the French government broken. If my government does not hear a response within 24 hours the French Republic will begin a partial mobilization in line with our and our allies’ obligations in the Stresa Front.
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KaiserDave
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« Reply #351 on: September 25, 2022, 06:46:33 PM »

Statement from the Elysee

The Hohenzollerns have again shown their true colors and have violated the sovereignty of a neutral and sovereign state of Europe. The German invasion of Austria is an unacceptable violation of the European peace and a shattering of the norms that preserved peace in the center of the continent for 20 years.

Germany must withdraw at once from Austria or consider diplomatic relations with the French government broken. If my government does not hear a response within 24 hours the French Republic will begin a partial mobilization in line with our and our allies’ obligations in the Stresa Front.


The Kingdom of Italy signs on to this statement and Il Duce personally demands a German withdrawal.
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« Reply #352 on: September 25, 2022, 07:10:19 PM »

The German government declares victory over an international conspiracy to prevent the planned Austrian referendum from taking place and recalls its troops, warning it is ready to send them back at a moment's notice should the conspiring foreign powers incite another coup.
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DKrol
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« Reply #353 on: September 25, 2022, 08:09:50 PM »

The Prime Minister issued a statement condemning the German occupation of Austria. The Prime Minister demands the German occupying force immediately withdraws from Austria without delay. The Prime Minister applauds the leadership of the Italian and French Governments on this matter.
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« Reply #354 on: September 25, 2022, 08:12:22 PM »

The United Kingdom hereby severs all diplomatic ties with Germany, recalls its ambassador and orders the expulsion of the German Ambassador.
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KaiserDave
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« Reply #355 on: September 25, 2022, 09:00:57 PM »

Special Address from Il Duce to the Italian Nation



The broadcast is carried throughout Italy and in the colonies and territories of the empire. The broadcast is preceded by a news broadcast of recent Serbian war crimes, and then a playing of "Saluto al Duce", then the voice of Il Duce is heard...

Men and women of Italy. There are times in the thousand years of the history of humanity, and of civilization, and of Italian civilization, where very little happens in a decade, and there are times when a decade happens in a year. This is one of those times. Much has occurred in recent weeks. But fear not, I, your Duce am always here, tirelessly working for our fatherland to secure her destiny. Always working, always fighting, always participating in the historical struggle for Italy. I tell you, people of Italy, I will not rest until we have our nation fully realized, our sea, and our rights.

I extend a revolutionary and national salute to Giovanni Messe and our soldiers of the Albanian campaign! With great precision and skill our forces conquered the feeble resistance of a greedy mad King. The people of Albania have greeted us as liberators. The separation of Albania from Italy was a mistake of history, a mistake we have now corrected. The cowardly Albanian King fled into the Serbian entity to join his allies, the barbarian savages of Belgrade, he as well took his gold reserves with him! And he called himself a patriot! What a pathetic nuisance, history is very well done with him. Our King Victor Emmanuel the Third has taken up the crown of Albania. Albania has joined the fatherland.

In Croatia, there was an attempted seizure of power by Belgrade criminals and a campaign of bandits against the state. There was a great deal of chaos. This was not acceptable, I instructed our forces to put a stop to such nonsense, which they accomplished successfully. I congratulate the Leader of the Croatian people, Ante Pavelic on his accession to power. The Italian forces will stand with him to crush the Serbian provocations and the bandits who are attempting to cause chaos and anarchy in Croatia. Even now the Serbian regency is planning to take back Croatia and eliminate its inhabitants by driving them into the sea. We must stay vigilant in that area, but our forces have proven themselves to be totally superior, I trust in their abilities.

In Austria, we have witnessed a horrible crime. Patriotic forces attempted to take back their state, just as we took back our state from the forces of liberalism that were destroying our country in 1922. Just as we took our nation from the brink of extinction, so did the nationalist forces of Austria. These forces were tragically unable to succeed due to the criminal aggression of the Berlin conspirators. On the brink of returning control of Austria to Austrians, German forces have entered the country. This is an unspeakable aggression, totally unacceptable action of invasion. Italy has made treaties to expressly disallow this. A Fascist can NEVER show weakness, NEVER go back on his word, so for that reason I personally demanded that Germany withdraw their forces or force the full might of the French and Italian armies. Today, the German Chancellor agreed to our demands, and has withdrawn his forces.

Though our threat of overwhelming and superior military force has preserved the peace between our nations. The situation in Austria remains dark. The cretinous worm Emil Fey is determined on a course of bringing Austria into Germany in an outrageous liberal referendum. Most likely he will use force to rig such a referendum for his preferred outcome, submission to North Germany. Whoever betrays their nation in this matter is the lowest of the low. Traitors are scum, never forget this. I will not tolerate traitors in Italy. The Kingdom of Italy will never recognize the results of this sham referendum under any circumstances. I have ordered Marshal Graziani, and our diplomatic and security staff in Vienna to immediately return home where their services are needed. It is a total outrage what has happened in Austria and Italy lodges its most furious and sincere protests for this historical tragedy. I can only imagine what my late friend, Engelbert Dolfuß would have said. I still mourn him, a hero.

Men and women of Italy. Our nation is guarded by our Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is guarded by millions of armed patriots who will take up the rifle and sword if we are ever threatened. Most of all it is guarded by fascism, which makes us totally invincible to the schemes of the enemy, the tide of anarchy, and the forces of Bolshevism. With fascism we go on! With your Duce we go on! Despite it all, we go on! Despite that the antiquated British Empire is ablaze with revolution and war, we go on! Despite instability in France and conspiracies from Moscow and Berlin, we go on! I say to you the eternal doctrine of fascism, unshakable and iron, is Italy First! Italy First, Italy always, Italy forever!

We do not hesitate to work with other nations. As everyone knows we are in fact foremost in the world in terms of our cooperation with other nations, we are the ones who brought about the Anti-Bolshevik Pact with Spain, Japan, and Hungary to cooperate against the red menace. We extend our hands to all those civilized and decent nations who will work against the vile Marxist menace. We have worked with France to contain the war-making threats of Berlin. But we must always remember that our duty is to Italy, always and forever! So despite it all, despite the chaos of the world, remember we have the fascism, we have the Army, we have I, your Duce. We have a history of greatness, and history will bear out the final supremacy of superior civilization, we will realize our destiny. Our sacred blood at the Isonzo will be vindicated. God gave us fascism, and with it we shall be victorious. I promise to always protect Italy from harm, and to secure our rights, as I have in Dalmazia and Albania. We will continue to achieve splendid successes in the economy and in production. We will continue to be victorious in all the struggles we wage for the glory of our beautiful nation. Countrymen, remember, long live the immortal truths of fascism! And Italy First, all for Italy!  
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« Reply #356 on: September 26, 2022, 12:24:18 PM »

Effective immediately, the Eurasian Alliance is implementing a total embargo against the United Kingdom on all oil and petroleum products from the Middle East. This shall be effective until Britain recognizes our basic sovereignty in economic destiny and withdraws forces from our territory for a peaceful resolution. As we have attempted numerous times prior, we always seek peace first and foremost but we shall be unafraid to defend our people.

This embargo is now extended to the Alliance's reach in Europe, with our partner Romania excluding resources as well.
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« Reply #357 on: September 26, 2022, 02:19:48 PM »

We are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached with the Republic of Turkey and the tsardom of Bulgaria:
Quote
The Republic of Turkey, the republic of Poland and the Tsardom of Bulgaria agree on the followings:

1) A full custom union on industrial goods between our respective nations.
2) Cooperation to build, to improve railways or other infrastructures to connect Warsaw, Bucarest, Sofia and Istanbul. Each national industry will be tasked to build the railways on their territory regarding this international infrastructure project.
3) A full review of the impact on the economy of all participants will be held every two years. The goal is to help each participant to grow its industry and the treaty can be renegotiated with that goal in mind.
4) The Kingdom of Romania can join this treaty by just signing it

x President Koc
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« Reply #358 on: September 26, 2022, 02:22:05 PM »

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Treaty of Warsaw

The Republic of Poland and the Empire of Japan hereby agree to the following:

1. The Republic of Poland  and the Empire of Japan  agree to sharply reduce tariffs on trade between our two nations in order to fight against inflation and to promote growth to both of our nations.

xPresident Koc
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« Reply #359 on: September 26, 2022, 02:23:11 PM »

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Treaty of Warsaw

The Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland hereby agree to the following:

1.  Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland agree to sharply reduce tariffs on trade between our two nations in order to fight against inflation and to promote growth to both of our nations.

xPresident Koc
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« Reply #360 on: September 26, 2022, 02:28:38 PM »

We are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached with the Republic of Turkey and the tsardom of Bulgaria:
Quote
The Republic of Turkey, the republic of Poland and the Tsardom of Bulgaria agree on the followings:

1) A full custom union on industrial goods between our respective nations.
2) Cooperation to build, to improve railways or other infrastructures to connect Warsaw, Bucarest, Sofia and Istanbul. Each national industry will be tasked to build the railways on their territory regarding this international infrastructure project.
3) A full review of the impact on the economy of all participants will be held every two years. The goal is to help each participant to grow its industry and the treaty can be renegotiated with that goal in mind.
4) The Kingdom of Romania can join this treaty by just signing it

x President Koc


x Tsar Boris III
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« Reply #361 on: September 26, 2022, 02:31:29 PM »

Quote
Treaty of Warsaw

The Republic of Poland and the Empire of Japan hereby agree to the following:

1. The Republic of Poland  and the Empire of Japan  agree to sharply reduce tariffs on trade between our two nations in order to fight against inflation and to promote growth to both of our nations.

xPresident Koc
X Chiune Sugihara, Japanese Representative to Poland and the Baltic States
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« Reply #362 on: September 26, 2022, 02:43:24 PM »

We are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached with the Republic of Turkey and the tsardom of Bulgaria:
Quote
The Republic of Turkey, the republic of Poland and the Tsardom of Bulgaria agree on the followings:

1) A full custom union on industrial goods between our respective nations.
2) Cooperation to build, to improve railways or other infrastructures to connect Warsaw, Bucarest, Sofia and Istanbul. Each national industry will be tasked to build the railways on their territory regarding this international infrastructure project.
3) A full review of the impact on the economy of all participants will be held every two years. The goal is to help each participant to grow its industry and the treaty can be renegotiated with that goal in mind.
4) The Kingdom of Romania can join this treaty by just signing it

x President Koc


x Tsar Boris III

X President Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
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« Reply #363 on: September 26, 2022, 08:08:19 PM »
« Edited: September 27, 2022, 01:23:05 AM by Devout Centrist »

League of Nations Rejects Food Aid for China! (1937)

Quote
You are listening to the East Asian Broadcasting Company, the voice of the people.

We have a significant update regarding the ongoing conflict in Mainland China. The League of Nations has formally blocked a Japanese motion to send famine relief aid to territory held by the National Government in Nanjing and their allies in Northern China. Representatives from the United Kingdom and Canada voted to veto the resolution, voicing concerns over 'unsatisfactory language' and fears over potential abuse of the programme. The motion, proposed by Japan's envoy to the League of Nations, would have established a global famine relief programme for conflict zones. In particular, the motion identified China as a candidate for urgent famine relief as the National Government mobilizes all men of fighting age for war.

Undeterred by the League's rejection of their proposal, Japan has quickly concluded a treaty with the French Republic to send much needed nutritional assistance to the people of China. Said one Japanese representative, "the potential for famine and food shortages is there. The effects of the enormous 1931 Yangtze flood are still being felt throughout China. If the world does not act, millions could go hungry if this year's harvest fails."

Representatives of the National Government in Nanjing could not be reached for comment. A member of the unrecognized Chinese Northern Coalition accused Japan of muddying the waters and stated that the people of China would pay 'an unlimited price' to rid their homeland of all foreign interference.

This is the East Asian Broadcasting Company. Stay tuned for more updates on the conflict in China after this commercial break.
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GoTfan
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« Reply #364 on: September 26, 2022, 09:18:19 PM »

Effective immediately, the Eurasian Alliance is implementing a total embargo against the United Kingdom on all oil and petroleum products from the Middle East. This shall be effective until Britain recognizes our basic sovereignty in economic destiny and withdraws forces from our territory for a peaceful resolution. As we have attempted numerous times prior, we always seek peace first and foremost but we shall be unafraid to defend our people.

This embargo is now extended to the Alliance's reach in Europe, with our partner Romania excluding resources as well.

The United Kingdom hereby issues an embargo against the Eurasian alliance and orders the expulsion of its ambassadors. Turkish forces have killed British servicemen without a declaration of war, a violation of the Hague Convention of 1907 and potential war crime.
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« Reply #365 on: September 26, 2022, 09:54:48 PM »

Quote
Treaty of Warsaw

The Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland hereby agree to the following:

1.  Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland agree to sharply reduce tariffs on trade between our two nations in order to fight against inflation and to promote growth to both of our nations.

xPresident Koc

X Eamon de Valera, President of the Irish Free State
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« Reply #366 on: September 26, 2022, 09:57:36 PM »

De Valera kicks off his reelection campaign, running against continued British interference in Irish affairs, and pledging to do whatever it takes to get the Irish treaty ports in Irish hands.

De Valera, on the campaign trail repeatedly attacks Neville Chamberlain for rejecting a "perfectly reasonable" agreement, that would have solved many issues relating to British-Irish relations.
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KaiserDave
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« Reply #367 on: September 27, 2022, 09:55:20 PM »
« Edited: September 27, 2022, 11:13:04 PM by KaiserDave »

Protests Against German Aggression



Despite reports of successful diplomatic discussions between the German Reich, the Kingdom of Italy, and the French Republic, over the Austrian Crisis, and the withdrawal of German forces from the embattled Federal State, the Fascist State has kept up bellicose rhetoric over the seemingly likely ascendance of Austria to union with Germany. State broadcasters routinely denounce "North German conspiracies" and "vigilance against German espionage and sabotage" portraying Chancellor Hugenberg and Kaiser Wilhelm III as privileged creatures of the reactionary Junker aristocracy. Marshal Balbo declared over the radio that "fascism was forged in the crucible of war! I bled for the motherland, Il Duce bled for the motherland. Fascism is born in the knowledge of how to fight! The effete Kaiser and his Chancellor have NEVER been in the fight! This determines the superiority of nations."

On the border crossing with Austria near Tarvisio, a very large portrait of the faces of Il Duce and the deceased President Dolfuß has been erected, that lights up at night and can be visible from far across the border. At that site, and along several other border crossings and mountain passes, smaller versions of that image have been erected, and border crossings near populated areas have had loudspeakers installed to play traditional Austrian music, and songs of the Fatherland Front over the border. Numerous streets in Italy (including Rome) and in Südtirol have been named after Dolfuß, and a memorial is being constructed to the friendship between him and Il Duce outside Milan.

Despite these actions, there has been no military build up on the border or anything like that. The rhetoric of the state has carefully avoided any mention of armed conflict, and the Italian ambassador and his staff remain in Berlin. Il Duce is reported to be in constant talks with his counterparts in Berlin and Paris, and has no conducted any military inspections or visits on the border with Austria.




Other National Policies



A raft of new policies of have come down from Rome in the wake of a conference of senior fascist leadership, these include....

There has been a reorganization of the youth organizations of the Fascist Party. There has been some tension between state youth organs and the age old traditional youth organizations of the Roman Catholic Church. Il Duce has sworn to maintain his agreements with the Church, allowing their organizations to coexist freely with the organs of the state, with parents being able to pick between organizations of the Church and the State. The state organs are open to Jews, Protestants, and Muslims as well as Catholics.

The Organizzazione Nazionale della Gioventù Balilla (ONGB), has been reorganized, to organize male youth aged 9-14. The ONGB will teach the values of the fascist state, patriotism, enthusiasm for the empire, loyalty to the Duce, basic practical skills that could be used in military service (knot tying, fire starting, use of the Resolza, etc). It will also promote Catholic values of piety, filial piety, the traditional family, and honor. The ONGB will organize summer camps and backpacking trips to promote solidarity, practical skills, and fascist ideology.

The Lega Giovani Fascisti dei Vespri (or simply, the Lega) is the new youth organization for young fascist men aged 14-28 to educate the fascists of the future. Whereas the ONGB is open to all, the Lega is only open to those who show particular aptitude for leadership. The goal of the Lega is to prepare the next generation of fascist leaders, which means an extensive ideological education. It means as well as to further military training, with the Lega including an extensive paramilitary wing. It further includes education in the career of choice, in technology, and in history.

The Lega delle Ragazze Italiane (LRI) has been organized to educate Italian girls aged 9 to 16 on the duties of women in the fascist society, traditional notions of femininity and motherhood, the importance of raising as many children as possible for the benefit of the nation, and the practical skills of motherhood and home-making in an age appropriate way as they grow through the organization. The LRI will provide a basic political education in fascist and nationalist principles, as well as promote Catholic notions of the role of women.

Il Duce has redoubled his commitment to the Betar Naval Academy in Civitavecchia of Ze'ev Jabotinsky and his Revisionist Zionist Naval Cadets, extending their lease. Marshal Balbo in fact visited the academy to extend revolutionary and national greetings to the cadets, where he was received with a Roman salute. Balbo briefly spoke, firstly offering to welcome these Jews into the Italian nation if they so desired, commending their "martial spirit" and lack of "antiquated superstitions" as befitting fascism. Failing that, he offered his personal support for a Jewish state in Palestine along the lines that Jabotinsky has described. The Italian government has voted in favor of a Jewish state in the League of Nations, however Balbo's statements were not backed up by Rome, who has rather attempted to curry favor with Arab leaders as of late. Overall, the event has not seen much press coverage.

Italian media has been ablaze with reports of Serbian barbarity as of late, with news reels showing a sanitized version of the crimes committed in Sarajevo. It seems that state media these days is speaking so much of the threat posed by the Serbian entity, still known as the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia." Not only do they speak of the crimes of the Serbian forces, but also of their imminent military build up on the border with Croatia, and the threat of war. Ante Pavelic has been introduced to the Italian public as an ideological comrade of Il Duce, who is prepared to beat back the threat of the Serbs. The exiled King Zog of Albania and the imprisoned Vladko Macek of the HSS have been depicted as part of a larger Belgrade conspiracy to threaten Italy. Fortunately, as propaganda always emphasizes, Italy has the Army, Fascism, and Il Duce.






Il Duce extended an invitation to the leader of the British Union of Fascists (which now has parliamentary representation), Oswald Mosley, to visit Italy. He extended his revolutionary and national salute to the man who has taken after his example in the British Isles. Il Duce has proclaimed Oswald Mosley to be a man of character and honor, and the only man capable of leading the British fascists in their effort to lead the masses. Il Duce has expressed sentiment that "Italy and Britain are perhaps natural partners and allies to co-govern the Mediterranean, but Britain needs strength. I do not see that in London today, I see weakness and complacency. Signor Mosley represents strength."

Oswald Mosley responded to the invitation with enthusiasm. He had been to Fascist Italy once before, in 1932, but only a visitor, now he is a guest of Il Duce. Il Duce greeted Mosley at the airport personally, where they together, Mosley in his blackshirt uniform and peaked cap, inspected a group of Italian Sailors presenting arms. Il Duce took Mosley in his car through a parade in Rome where they were received by the population, waving Italian flags and the flag of the BUF and greeting Mosley with a "Eia Eia, Alalà!" Il Duce took Signor Mosley around to show him numerous sites emblematic of the new Italy. To see soldiers, to see industrial works, new architecture and statues, and a youth camp of the ONGB.

Il Duce and Signor Mosley held several private strategy conferences and dinners. Il Duce said to a group of the press in Rome that, "Britannia is a great Empire, they conquered half of all the continents of the world. Now they cannot handle a few Iraqi tribesmen and Turkish aeroplanes. It is a credit to the Arabs and the Turks, but most of all it is an indictment of the folly of English liberalism. If Signor Mosley was Prime Minister, we would get along very well with Britain. And Britain would not be dealing with these present problems."

Very little is known on their private conferences, but it is known that Italy is showing they are open to the possibility of cooperating with a friendly Britain....  
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« Reply #368 on: September 28, 2022, 09:03:34 AM »

We are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached with the Republic of Turkey and the tsardom of Bulgaria:
Quote
The Republic of Turkey, the republic of Poland and the Tsardom of Bulgaria agree on the followings:

1) A full custom union on industrial goods between our respective nations.
2) Cooperation to build, to improve railways or other infrastructures to connect Warsaw, Bucarest, Sofia and Istanbul. Each national industry will be tasked to build the railways on their territory regarding this international infrastructure project.
3) A full review of the impact on the economy of all participants will be held every two years. The goal is to help each participant to grow its industry and the treaty can be renegotiated with that goal in mind.
4) The Kingdom of Romania can join this treaty by just signing it

x President Koc


x Tsar Boris III

X President Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey

X King Carol II
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« Reply #369 on: September 28, 2022, 09:52:12 AM »

Quote
Treaty of Istanbul

Be it resolved,

1. The United Kingdom is to accept the recent nationalizations of oil and petroleum supplies done by the Kingdom of Iraq and Kingdom of Iran.

2. The United Kingdom shall permanently withdraw from holding military bases in the Kingdom of Iraq. Two major British military bases in the Middle East are to be upheld in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Egypt may also be admitted as a member of the Eurasian Alliance following ratification.

3. Upon the signing of this treaty, the Eurasian Alliance Oil Company shall be formally organized to oversee all relevant business operations. The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen starting members encompassing representatives from all countries in the Eurasian Alliance, in addition to three guaranteed directors representing the United Kingdom.

4. For addressing the status of the Suez Canal, the Kingdom of Egypt agrees to never pursue nationalization.

5. In return for ongoing cooperation and friendship among the signatories, the United Kingdom shall accept observers from these states to oversee military research projects and modernization techniques.

X President Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
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« Reply #370 on: September 28, 2022, 09:53:28 AM »

The Eurasian Alliance is to cease the ongoing oil embargo against the United Kingdom, effective immediately following ratification of the Treaty of Istanbul.
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« Reply #371 on: September 28, 2022, 10:15:29 AM »

Quote
Treaty of Istanbul

Be it resolved,

1. The United Kingdom is to accept the recent nationalizations of oil and petroleum supplies done by the Kingdom of Iraq and Kingdom of Iran.

2. The United Kingdom shall permanently withdraw from holding military bases in the Kingdom of Iraq. Two major British military bases in the Middle East are to be upheld in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Egypt may also be admitted as a member of the Eurasian Alliance following ratification.

3. Upon the signing of this treaty, the Eurasian Alliance Oil Company shall be formally organized to oversee all relevant business operations. The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen starting members encompassing representatives from all countries in the Eurasian Alliance, in addition to three guaranteed directors representing the United Kingdom.

4. For addressing the status of the Suez Canal, the Kingdom of Egypt agrees to never pursue nationalization.

5. In return for ongoing cooperation and friendship among the signatories, the United Kingdom shall accept observers from these states to oversee military research projects and modernization techniques.

X President Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
x Edouard Daladier, Prime Minister
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« Reply #372 on: September 28, 2022, 05:31:26 PM »

Quote
Treaty of Istanbul

Be it resolved,

1. The United Kingdom is to accept the recent nationalizations of oil and petroleum supplies done by the Kingdom of Iraq and Kingdom of Iran.

2. The United Kingdom shall permanently withdraw from holding military bases in the Kingdom of Iraq. Two major British military bases in the Middle East are to be upheld in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Egypt may also be admitted as a member of the Eurasian Alliance following ratification.

3. Upon the signing of this treaty, the Eurasian Alliance Oil Company shall be formally organized to oversee all relevant business operations. The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen starting members encompassing representatives from all countries in the Eurasian Alliance, in addition to three guaranteed directors representing the United Kingdom.

4. For addressing the status of the Suez Canal, the Kingdom of Egypt agrees to never pursue nationalization.

5. In return for ongoing cooperation and friendship among the signatories, the United Kingdom shall accept observers from these states to oversee military research projects and modernization techniques.

X President Kemal Atatürk, Republic of Turkey
x Edouard Daladier, Prime Minister

x Neville Chaberlain, Prime Minister
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« Reply #373 on: October 05, 2022, 03:22:17 PM »
« Edited: March 09, 2023, 09:44:21 PM by Lumine »

End of 1937



In the News:

TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR: Emil Fey
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: Édouard Daladier

Anschluss: the Austro-German Union
Despite last minute grumblings, Fey pushes referendum through,
Supervised by Spanish observers, Austria votes for the Anschluss by 62%,
Fey, ennobled by Hugenberg, becomes Reichskommissar of new Länder

The immediate aftermath of the failed coup d’etat attempted led by Prince Starhemberg in Vienna and the entry of the Reichswehr into Austria raised the fears of another European-wide conflict, driving the long-running crisis to what many considered to be its ultimate climax. Tense weeks of negotiations, speeches and intrigue ensued, coupled with dramatic warnings from Rome and Paris demanding an immediate withdrawal by the Reichswehr. Cryptically – for the rest of the world -, Chancellor Hugenberg was later to declare a supposed victory and order said withdrawal, an act which, though immediately perceived as a German defeat over their latest gamble, proved to be the unexpected prelude to triumph. Despite the removal of the German troops, President Fey’s post-coup purge solidified his previously shaky hold over the Austrian state, and the referendum proceeded with only minor timing delays.

Said delays, to the surprise of many, appeared to be geared towards the arrival of a team of international observers to guarantee the validity of the vote, all of them sent directly from Madrid at the behest of Prime Minister Alejandro Lerroux. With no further (public) complaints from either Daladier or Mussolini, and aside from a marked escalation in rhetoric by London – whose domestic results are best discussed elsewhere -, the campaign thus followed. By all accounts, it was a relatively peaceful affair, with President Fey confirming previous suspicions by announcing his public support for the so-called Anschluss, the Austro-German Union. Several powerful interest groups slowly came out in support of it as well, though the opposition would complain to the international press that government restrictions made it next to impossible to campaign fairly.

The only potentially dramatic event – near the end of the campaign – came within Vienna itself, as a particularly nasty rumor began to develop surrounding President Dollfuss’ assassination back in 1935. Among other allegations, the rumor claimed the President had been killed not by the Soviet Union, but by Germany, a similar allegation to that issued by a number of Swiss newspapers months ago. Although the story failed to pick nationwide steam due to a subsequent purge of opposition newspapers in Vienna by the Austrian police and the seemingly speculative nature of the facts, it left a sour taste in many voters, causing not insignificant embarrassment for Fey as his final campaign appearances appeared to be more contained and carefully handled.

On election day proper, the Spanish observers quickly gained a reputation for remarkable stubbornness and toughness, denouncing and cracking down on the slightest sign of potential irregularities and demanding re-votes in small, isolated areas in which local machines – some of them for, some against the Anschluss -  seemingly produced suspiciously lopsided results. When the votes were accounted, President Fey was able to declare a victory for the YES side – YES to the Anschluss – by a 63% to 37% margin, a result later confirmed by the Spanish observers through their own private records. Whilst the opposition to Fey has alternated between denouncing fraud – despite the Spanish guarantees – and/or arguing the result should be read as a rebuke in light of limited campaign for the NO side, the government announced its intention to comply.

Within a few hours, barriers at the Austro-German border were lifted as German Reichswehr and Austrian Bundersheer soldiers fraternized with each other. Following a few weeks of implementation, the Federal State of Austria was declared extinct on December 1st, 1937, resulting in its inclusion into the German Reich as its newest Länder (German Austria). President Fey, now Graf Emil von Fey after the implementation of a law in the Imperial Diet restoring titles of nobility, became Reichskommissar of German Austria, second only to Vice Chancellor von Papen – himself Reichskommissar of Prussia since 1932 – in terms of territorial control.

In general terms, international response has been muted while observers have pronounced the Anschluss as a major strategic victory for Germany. While claims of a supposed international arrangement – levied by Starhemberg supporters in exile – to allow for the referendum to take place remain unsubstantiated, the same observers note with interest that Berlin seemingly – and quietly dropped - plans for a similar referendum to take place in the city of Memel.

1937 Canadian General Election
Despite rising fears of war, Bennett’s gamble succeeds,
PM wins third consecutive majority, Liberals lose heavily but hold onto Québec,
National Party defectors caught off guard, Social Credit rises

Now seven years in office, Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett could be reasonably satisfied that the exceedingly grim outlook of his first few years in office had seemingly changed. Having survived his first re-election thanks to good timing, Bennett had presided over a rapidly recovering economy whilst ramping up social expenditure and adopting a Keynesian approach to economics, enabling to increasingly transform the Conservatives into a more interventionist force whilst leaving his Liberal foes with little room to maneuver. Such political movement, however skillful, was not without a price. The revolt from the old guard of fiscal conservative MP’s, led by former minister Earl Lawson, had robbed Bennett of his majority, raising the prospect of a minority parliament until 1939. Bennett, trusting the increasingly popularity of his government, repeated the same trick used to forestall a split back in 34’: call a snap General Election.

This time the damage had already been done and the Conservative defectors, now the National Party, were not to return, but they were also caught with no time to organize to a national level. The first stage of the campaign was more or less a triumph for the once hated Bennett, who under the slogan “Better Schools, Safer Cities, More Jobs” ran across the nation energetically championing his record as Ernest Lapointe’s Liberals – with Lapointe succeeding Mackenzie King after his resignation - struggled to find a proper avenue of attack, leaving the Social Credit Party and the Co-operative Commonwealth (CCF) to lead the rhetorical struggle on the PM as being, among other things, “too elitist” to lead the nation any further. What was to be a projected landslide for Bennett only started to change as tensions in Europe rose higher and higher, drawing up the prospect of a war over Austria.

Already damaged by association by Neville Chamberlain’s hardline stance against Germany – which many thought made war likelier -, Bennett’s extensive efforts at rearming Canada became the object of the Liberal campaign, which focused on the possibility of war and, in a direct appeal to its Québec base of support, the need to stay away from it. Though such attacks weren’t enough on by themselves to cripple Bennett, they did wound him, as the public appear to shy away from military expansion and rearmament in favor of social programs. When the dust settled, Bennett had won the largest Conservative majority in almost two decades and crushed the challenge to his right, making gains across the nation which were only mildly tempered by loses in Québec. Lapointe, though clearly defeated – resulting in his resignation as Leader of the Opposition -, managed to prevent a debacle and hold onto the Qúebec stronghold, from which the majority of surviving Liberal MP’s now come from.

As the National Party failed to retain the seats of almost all defectors – with only Earl Lawson surviving in York South after countless recounts -, it was Social Credit and the CCF who profited the most, the former by expanding its appeal on Alberta by gaining seats, the latter by drawing more votes away from the Liberals. Despite being hurt by the international crises, Bennett now stands ever closer to remaking the Conservative Party with another five year mandate, which, should he serve out until the end, would make him one of Canada’s longest serving PM’s.

1937 Canadian General Election:
Party   Votes (%)   Seats
Conservative Party45% (+2)143 (+14)
Liberal Party 34% (-3)79 (-16)
Social Credit Party6% (+3)14 (-7)
Co-operative Commonwealth10% (+1)12 (+2)
National Party3% (NEW)1 (+1)
Others2% 3 (-1)
Total252 MP's

Incoming Prime Minister:
R. B. Bennett (Conservative)

Incoming Government:
Conservative Majority (34 Seats)

Moscow: The Ides of March
Following Yezhov’s assassination, NKVD and military join forces,
Kirov captured and executed after show trial, Stalinists in disarray,
Tukhachevsky and Yagoda seize power, USSR on verge of civil war

If Sergei Kirov was seen by many as a compromise choice for Acting General Secretary, this may have come as news to him. Determined to seize power, and perhaps more decisively, to do so without any help other than from his most loyal cadre of Leningrad supporters – for not even the surviving Stalinists were called to assist -, Kirov wasted little time in launching a blistering speech reminiscent of Stalin’s last address to the party. In it, Kirov denounced a major Trotskyist conspiracy as being behind Stalin’s apparent murder, calling on rivals Yezhov, Yagoda and Tukhachevsky to be arrested as enemies of the state, allegedly on the service of foreign powers. The address, purposely dramatic, appeared to have had a stunning initial effect as a Red Army battalion – allegedly pressed into action by its political officers – tried to arrest Yezhov, the NKVD Deputy Chief, and shot him as soon as he tried to resist.

Whether Kirov stood any real chance of further enacting his crackdown remains a matter of speculation. The same applies to his actions, as it is said the Acting General Secretary, for unknown reasons, hesitated on his next move. Whichever the case, it was to become apparent he had made too enemies and/or courted too few allies. Soon after Yezhov’s murder, several dozen T-26 tanks were deployed across the streets of Moscow, all while Red Army and NKVD units systematically arrested men marked on long, seemingly endless lists. Kirov and Zhdanov, his deputy, were arrested on the Kremlin and dragged into the Lubyanka building for, among other things, a fairly thorough interrogation. That night, a radio speech from Moscow announced the formation of a State Defense Committee (GKO) to “Save the Soviet state from foreign plots”. Both of the surviving men marked for death by Kirov; Tukhachevsky and Yagoda, announced their assumption of emergency powers as Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

On the following weeks, several prominent Soviet politicians either disappeared or left the Soviet Union in a hurry, all while the surviving Stalinist and Left-Right Opposition blocks intensified their apparent lobbying to prevent a purge at the hands of the State Defense Committee. Kirov and Zhdanov were both tried for treason at a secret GKO session, a one-day trial with no witnesses or defense counsel that resulted in their conviction for multiple counts of treason, corruption, conspiracy with foreign powers, and the assassination of Yezhov, the new regime’s shining martyr of Communism. Though this remains unconfirmed by the few press reports leaking out of Moscow, both men were said to be dragged back to Lubyanka for their immediate execution via a shot at the back of the head. In the meantime, as the Red Army mobilizes to seize control in key cities, elements of the party remain restless, and there’s talk of conspiracies, revolts and perhaps even civil war in the air.

And whilst Communist parties in Western Europe remain paralyzed by the events in Moscow, with no formal line yet being directed from the Third International, open dissent has already begun to emerge within the People’s Republic of Mongolia, the USSR’s largest vassal state. From Ulaanbaatar, Prime Minister Genden has denounced the multiple coups that have taken place, and is perceived to be moving his nation away from the Soviet camp. Reports of internal infighting have also begun to arrive from Irkutsk and Vladivostok, where local Red Army officers appeared to have formed two rival camps due to unspecified reasons. As the world holds its breath, the future of the Soviet State appears to be one big open question.

Upheaval in the Commonwealth
Ireland and Australia see regime change in elections,
“Big beasts” Lang and de Valera brought down by controversies,
Whilst Dublin turns moderate, Canberra invokes a “rightist” Lang

In apparent contrast to recent electoral triumphs for Jan Smuts and R. B. Bennett, cementing the influence of their respective parties in both South Africa and Canada, other parts of the Commonwealth have seen their fair share of electoral upheaval for incumbents. In Australia, the highly controversial – some would say mercurial – Premier Jack Lang scored early successes by championing female suffrage on the world stage and by successfully pushing an unprecedented National Health Service pilot through a highly divided Parliament. In spite of such wins, the government was quick to descend into infighting and disarray as Lang himself, perhaps exhausted out of persistent infighting with London, the media, and his own party, became more and more reclusive. By the time the 1937 campaign rolled in, and despite the absence of his previous nemesis Joseph Lyons, it became clear Lang was not the same force of nature that he had proved to be in 1934.

At the end of a muted, yet not inconsequential campaign, and with the economy suffering from government paralysis, the results were not surprising. The Australian Labor Party was to return to the political wilderness, losing almost half their seats despite retaining a larger share of the vote than what it was originally predicted. This, in turn, enabled former PM Billy Hughes – originally elevated to the UAP leadership to fight Lang as his right-wing counterpart – to take the UAP back into government despite Hughes’ notoriously bad relationship to the more conservative Country Party, which performed strongly. In the end, Hughes proved to be the sole plausible premier, securing the barest of majorities with supply and confident from independent MP’s. With Lang almost certain to see a leadership spill from his own unhappy backbenchers, many expect Hughes to dismantle the NHS pilot at the earliest opportunity. It remains to be seen how Hughes will approach both the fraught relationship with Britain, and the rise of Japanese influence in the Pacific.

In Ireland, the ruling Fianna Fail faced the electoral contest confident of its own strength due to its healthy majority, yet aware of growing discontent due to the ongoing trade war with Britain. Eamon De Valera, the President of the Council, was to see his final year in office dominated by the British question, his actions ranging from attempts to reach a compromise with London to loudly denouncing British interference in Britain. Many observers agree that de Valera was most likely undone by his own enthusiastic diplomacy, which led to the Irish Free State angrily walking out of the League of Nations following a public spat, and, in an act that resulted in open protests in Dublin, inviting Edward VIII to live in Ireland should he be forced to abandon the throne. By the time the campaign started, Fianna Fail was generally perceived to have hit an effective campaign theme. However, the harm appeared to have already been done, with De Valera’s enthusiastic campaigning only serving to minimize loses to Fine Gael, the new major opposition party.

Much like in Australia, the opposition vote was harmed by the firm entrenchment of Fianna Fail, preventing De Valera’s predecessor W. T. Cosgrave from winning an outright majority. Still, Fine Gael – born out of the fusion of previously divided opposition forces – clearly defeated Fianna Fail at the polls, with Cosgrave forming a minority government widely expected to rely on independent TDs on different topics. Although Cosgrave is generally expected to be less outright confrontational to London than De Valera, many wonder how the Anglo-Irish relationship will develop in the coming months.

1937 Australian General Election:
Party/Alliance   Votes (%)   Seats
United Australia Party39% (+6)37 (+13)
Australian Labor Party34% (-9)22 (-16)
Country Party17% (+2)14 (+4)
Social Credit Party4% (=)0 (=)
Communist Party1% (-1)0 (=)
Other3%1 (+1)
Total74 Representatives

Incoming Prime Minister:
Billy Hughes (UAP)

Incoming Government:
UAP Majority with Ind Supply and Confidence (1 Seat)

1937 Irish General Election:
Party   Votes (%)   Seats
Fine Gael48% (NEW)68 (+68)
Fianna Fail41% (-9)54 (-25)
Labour Party7% (+2)10 (+2)
Others4% 6 (-3)
Total138 TD's

Incoming Prime Minister:
W. T. Cosgrave (Fine Gael)

Incoming Government:
Fine Gael Minority (2 Seats short)
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Lumine
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« Reply #374 on: October 09, 2022, 01:51:26 AM »
« Edited: October 23, 2022, 11:44:31 PM by Lumine »

Oil Crisis: Britain vs. Turkey
Atatürk triumphs against Chamberlain in historic gamble,
Treaty of Istanbul radically reduces British influence in the Middle East,
Turkish President emerges as unlikely anti-imperialist hero for Arabs

By and large, the diplomatic community in Ankara had to agree – some more willing than others – that Turkish President Kemal Atatürk had gambled hard and recklessly… and been handsomely rewarded by fortune as a result. The coordinated nationalization of the Iranian and Iraqi oil industry, a clear show of defiance from the rising Eurasian Alliance against the British Empire and its Middle East influence and power, had the makings of a large-scale war. And as British garrisons fought off Iraqi attackers, and the RAF battled the Turkish Air Force across the skies of Baghdad, many assumed war was indeed inevitable. That this was not the case was due to careful and energetic diplomacy, a historic and unexpected solution to the crisis – which threatened to wreak serious economy havoc due to oil embargoes – that earned French Premier Édouard Daladier a Nobel Peace Prize.

The signing of the Treaty of Istanbul seemingly precluded fighting, with Britain accepting – to the outrage of the oil barons – the nationalization scheme and scaling down its military presence in the region, falling back to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Despite commitments by Egypt to never nationalize the Suez Canal – the mere notion of said nationalization previously thought inconceivable – and participation in the oil industry via a new Eurasian Alliance Oil Company, the Treaty was quickly interpreted as a stunning victory for Ankara. As far as many Arab leaders were concerned, Atatürk – who, being Turkish and not Arab, was always to be perceived a distant figure – had taken on British imperial power, and won. This impression was further reinforced by the ailing President himself, by taking on an intense “charm offensive” which, while making him even more hated in Britain proper, earned him plaudits in Western Europe.

In contrast, and despite being defended by a minority for preventing a larger, possibly ruinous war, Chamberlain was to be vilified for signing what many felt a disadvantageous treaty, failing to address what many saw as a direct insult to the Empire. As Chamberlain returned to London to face the blowback and his eventual removal from power, pro-Arab riots in Palestine intensified to a larger scale than before, sensing weakness. With King Farouk now applying for Eurasian Alliance membership, Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia remains the sole key figure still loyal to London, allegedly out of permanent distrust for Atatürk and outright disdain for Faisal of Iraq. Even worse, anti-British protests have even erupted in Muslim-majority areas of the new Dominion of India, whose devolved elections are yet to take place. Thus, as the British Empire appears to be more vulnerable than ever before, Atatürk has emerged not only as an unlikely icon for Arabs keen to see the Middle East free from European influence; but as something of a rallying figure for so-called “anti-imperialistic” forces.

Downfall of a Prime Minister
Chamberlain battles King Edward and Mosley, with mixed results,
Treaty of Istanbul cripples beleaguered premier, Cabinet revolts,
Premier forced to step down, successor yet to be determined

At the end of 1936, most expectations pointed out towards Neville Chamberlain entering history as a successful premier, committed to domestic reform and having the majority to see it through. This was not to be, leading to his removal after one of the most dramatic years in British domestic – and foreign – politics. Although the Prime Minister was generally regarded as having had a positive start in office, working alongside European partners to salvage the Czech economy and starting substantial expenditure on social programs – temporarily undercutting the Progressive coalition MP’s -, controversy was already courted by the decision to substantially ramp up rearmament, a decision that – Winston Churchill’s bombastic PR campaign notwithstanding – proved controversial with a public generally supportive of MacDonald’s more dovish approach. Then the Prime Minister was forced to face the polarizing subject of the King’s marriage, resulting in a press briefing war that soured Chamberlain’s reputation with pro-King circles and voters. And then, of course, Turkey and the Eurasian Alliance stuck.

Chamberlain, it must be said, did his best to try and reverse the situation. Soon the pro-establishment papers started briefing against King Edward, repeatedly portraying him as pro-German and somewhat reducing his luster – despite his still overwhelming popularity – among the British working class. A settlement was negotiated with Turkey, sparing Britain an oil embargo at the cost of much of its Middle East settlement. When the Austrian crisis stuck. Chamberlain shocked many with an aggressive tone, expelling the German ambassador and going much further than most in opposing Hugenberg. And then, when Sir Oswald Mosley received a warm welcome in Italy by the Duce, the Prime Minister struck what he considered to be a crippling blow against Fascism by trying to have Mosley arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit treason. No one, thus, could fault Chamberlain from inaction.

Unfortunately for the surprisingly combative Premier, Mosley being a sitting MP caused a major row with Parliament and the Judiciary, resulting in Mosley’s eventual trial and acquittal due to a lack of evidence. In a rare moment at the Old Bailey, the judges felt forced to chastise the government in public for moving forward with an arrest without due evidence, and Mosley was widely perceived to have been greatly empowered after being made something of a political martyr. The curious, perhaps inconsistent nature of the British establishment regarding foreign policy then reared its head: the same establishment figures who criticized Chamberlain for being “too tough” on Berlin – with some complaining the expulsion of the Ambassador made war unnecessarily likelier – also took distinct offense at the Treaty of Istanbul, finding it unconscionable – all while smaller parties like Labour praised the government – that Britain would be brought down by what they considered to be inferior peoples.

Thus, Chamberlain was suddenly placed in a position of having made too many enemies. As soon as the Treaty was announced, Churchill, Duff Cooper and other “hawks” immediately resigned from the Cabinet, and the Conservative backbenches revolted. The establishment old guard, upset over the European policy, made it clear they felt a new man was needed. Parliament, offended over the breach of parliamentary privilege – even over a man they thought disgusting – made it clear they would not ratify the Treaty. And the King, alienated by the press warfare, had no desire to keep the Prime Minister in office. After a stormy afternoon, the Cabinet forced Neville Chamberlain to resign as Prime Minister shortly after the first anniversary of the 1936 General Election. With Chamberlain temporarily staying in office as a caretaker, the so-called “magic circle” of Conservative grandees is already discussing a successor, and King Edward is said to be carefully considering his next steps.

The Balkan Quagmire
Yugoslavia revamps itself, Bosnian revolt crushed,
Croat and Albanian resistance carries on against Italy,
Hapsburg monarchy restored in Hungary, refugees reach Bulgaria

Having purposely chosen not to invite foreign dignitaries to the ceremony – perhaps in an act of protest over the Treaty that ended the Third Balkan War -, Regent Nedic surprised many in Europe when, in a formal ceremony in Belgrade, the end of Yugoslavia was announced. In a decision that has been linked directly to the rising, ethno-nationalist rising stars in the government as opposed to the more conservative Nedic himself, the Yugoslavian experiment was declared to be over, its demise being explained as a result of the “unreliable, treasonous activities of non-Serbian minorities.” Citing such an explanation as the reason behind defeat in the war, the staunchly pro-Serbian government in Belgrade has proclaimed the foundation of the Kingdom of Greater Serbia, retaining the child Peter I as its monarch and claiming a large extension of territory that, while smaller than 1933 Yugoslavia, is still greater than the post-war order.

Such a dramatic act can be directly linked to recent successes in the field by the newly renamed Serbian Army, which has seemingly broken the back of the Bosnian rebellion by securing all major cities and driving the insurgents into isolated pockets of resistance. In a backdrop of alleged ethnic cleansing, massacres and/or harsh anti-guerilla suppression activities, and as thousands of Bosniaks take advantage of the multilateral refugee scheme to travel – virtually unmolested – to Bulgaria and then to Turkey, Greater Serbia has earned a much needed respite by avoiding its most immediate threat. Although the Bulgaro-Serbian ceasefire still holds, lasting far longer than anyone expected, there are few who believe renewed Serbian activity to recapture Macedonia from Bulgarian intervention will not happen sooner rather than later.

In Albania and Croatia proper, recent Italian occupation has undoubtedly extended the Italian hold over the Adriatic, but not without cost. Although Albania by and large has remained quiet, pro-Zog militias continue to offer some degree of resistance in the mountains, an insurgency that has managed to show some staying power. In Croatia itself, the successful establishment of the Ustashe as the ruling party and government in all the main cities – following a strongly pro-Rome line and entering the TAC - has not prevented the rump HSS from leading a major insurgency. Even as some key figures defect to the Ustashe under promises of mercy and rehabilitation, the original core group continues to fight despite a heavy Italian presence, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides as endless skirmishes and acts of sabotage take place in the countryside.

And, just as the Austro-German Anschluss seemingly closes the door of a Hapsburg restoration in Vienna for good, the Hapsburg dynasty has finally achieved success elsewhere. Despite the dismal state of the Kingdom of Hungary after the war, heavy German investment has been enough to rebuild most of the capital of Budapest, just as promised elections took place. Following a strong victory for the incumbent National Unity Party (NEP), an apparent reward for the relatively successful conclusion of the war, Archduke Otto von Hapsburg was formally elected King, becoming Otto II of Hungary. Although the foreign ramifications of Otto’s crowning are yet to be seen, the news was extremely well received in Hungary proper, with the Archduke having gained popularity after his service in the war. With Admiral Horthy widely expected to trade his Regent post for the Premiership, the fiction of the “Kingdom without a King” has now come to an end.

1937 Hungarian General Election:

Party   Votes (%)   Seats
National Unity Party49% (+9)178 (+29)
Independent Smallholders Party22% (+11)29 (+19)
Christian Economic and Social Party7% (-5)13 (-18)
Social Democratic Party9% (-2)10 (-1)
Others12% 15
Total245 MPs

Incoming Prime Minister:
TBD (NAP)

Incoming Government:
NAP Majority (111 seats)
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