[BoP: Archives] Balance of Power Alt-1919:

* an earthquake hits and london sinks into the ocean.

Girlfriend left and I finished the USSR card and ship names yesterday. I woke up early so I could finish some cards before I have to do something in 3 hours.

Jeez guys, don't worry, I'm still working on it. I'm just busier this week compared to last turn.

Just leave it until Halloween, then break out the zombie apocalypse. 

Poopxel if you haven't re-done the tech system yet. Perhaps using something similar to the Technology readiness level to help guide people with their tech advancement and how close the respective tech is to completion would be good.

I have already re-done it but that is an interesting suggestion, I'll look into how I could possibly model it at some point.

Gonna cram some reports tonight while eating some carrots and compressing my let's play recordings.

You do lets plays?

Well I used to, and I started doing it again because I've started recording the weekly professional Hearts of Iron III games I participate in.

2 reports left, by the way. The ones I've been dreading... Canada and Poland.

Don't look at the OP, by the way. There's totally no hints at all of whats to come. Nope.

You said you liked the way I organized my orders!

Better than last time, certainly

Its okay, best orders award goes to Bohemia anyway.

Meeting in Rome!
In the Kingdom of Italy, Fascists and Socialists met in the assembly house, and held a debate that was observed by the monarchy as well as various other third parties. In the end, the debate
was inconclusive. If anything, Italian citizens are becoming much more aware of this strange thing called 'Fascism'. The debate was arranged so that both sides would be treated with
fairness, and Italians were impressed with just how fairly and justly the Fascists and Socialists treated each other. Both sides made good points which ended the debate on a dead end. Italians
who watched the debate or listened to it became curious of both ideologies, though not necessarily supportive of either.

End of Russian Civil War!
War has ended in Russia as Trotsky and Kolchak make a formal peace. White army troops have withdrawn from Russia, occupying Poland and declaring independence. Polish citizens are completely
alienated. Kolchak has installed himself as the dictator of Poland and, eager for another war, has launched an offensive against the German Confederation. Details on that later. When asked
for comment, Lenin simply declared that Poland isn't his business anymore, and that Russia needs to recover from the civil war.
Famine breaks out in Ukraine, and several Soviet republics are questioning the point of the Union, just as Lenin needs time to recuperate and rebuild his damaged country. However, the Soviet
success in the Civil War is a beacon of hope and evidence for communists and socialists everywhere, proving that the cause has its roots in major powers, and will someday rule the world.

Portuguese Civil War!
The colonial war in Portugal's African holdings has ended. The president of Portugal, in desperation, sold the territories for an extremely high price to the Ethiopian Empire, declaring that
"at least they are under the control of a responsible and wise African leader." The troops from the colonies were allowed dispatch back to Portugal - while Portuguese who desired to leave
Angola or Mozambique were provided safe passage by Ethiopian ships. Portuguese who stayed in the area were only allowed to do so if they held important assets - of which, half were seized.
In the mainland, the fight for Republicanism in Portugal continues. The struggle for Lisbon lasted for 7 and a half months before it finally fell to the Monarchists. Just as reinforcements
arrived from the colonial armies, the city falls under siege again, this time by the desperate Republicans, who have set their new capital at the city of Lejos.
Spain continues to take in thousands of refugees every day. While Spanish troops still patrol the border, disallowing troops from either side to enter Spain, all civilians have been granted
passage to several specifically built refugee camps near the Spanish cities of Badajoz, Vido, and Cadiz.

After the gaining of the territories of Angola and Mozambique, Emperor Haile Selassie I of the Ethiopian Empire had this to say:
“Brothers and Sisters of Africa,
Today, we see another piece of Africa being given back to the Africans; today, we see the liberation of our kin; today, we see Africa take another step towards unity. The Portuguese have
seen that they cannot hope to oppress our people whilst our God still watches over us and we strive on in the name of our father. It will not be long before the British come to this
realisation and cease their subjection of millions of people around the world. I give this, a message of hope to all South Africans that their day will come with time and perseverance.
In a time of intrigue and hidden daggers, we have managed to bring light and honesty to Africa, in this act of freeing her people. Angola and Mozambique shall be fully incorporated into
the Ethiopian Empire, enjoying the same citizenship as all their brothers. We have hundreds of years of Colonial Oppression to reverse; I must stress the need for calm and order so that
we can rebuild a stronger, fairer, happier society. This is only the beginning of our journey towards a freer Africa.”
He went on to condemn the attacks on Ethiopian ships in the summer of 1919.

The Second Great War?!
Acting upon the promises of containing Ethiopia's rapid expansion, the British and Soviets have invaded Ethiopia. Britain by sea, and Soviets by land. The Soviets met little resistance
through their campaign in Somalia, as most Ethiopian forces were deployed South, and the ones that were in the Area were caught by surprise and desperately began organizing themselves into
a cohesive fighting unit. In the meantime, Russian troops sack the 'Paris of Africa', Addis Abeda, capital of the Ethiopian Empire. Partisans take root in the Ethiopian highlands and a fierce
resistance group has started fighting in the streets of Addis Abeda, while the Ethiopian military embarrassingly tries to get itself together, the people of Ethiopia act.
When asked for comment, Lenin stated that he had no idea what Trotsky was saying when he said "War on Ethiopia" and drew a very simple map indicating his plan. Assuming Trotsky was just drunk,
Lenin told him to carry on and left the room. Trotsky must've took him a bit too seriously...
When asked for comment, Haile Selassie had no statement, and appeared to be strangling the general in charge of the Army located in central Ethiopia, who already had a black eye.

Germano-Polish War!
Alekzander Kolchak, after occupying Poland and declaring himself its dictator, mounted an invasion of Germany. The Polish army (made up almost entirely of White Russian soldiers and refugees) has successfully made gains against the Germans, including the occupations of Konigsberg and East Prussia, and are only a hundred miles from Berlin. Krakow, the last vestige of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, joined to Poland shortly after its formation, though it had little to contribute overall.
The Germans are outnumbered by the former White Army but have little reason to fear. As both sides dig in their trenches and the German Army fully mobilizes, its becoming more and more of a questionable decision on Kolchak's behalf.
While also going on a containment mission against Ethiopia, the British have done the same with the Germans, invading German waters with a massive armada of British ships. The resulting naval battle has been costly for both sides, but most especially the Germans, of whom all trade was completely destroyed. Mexico and other countries may soon see their coal stockpiles dwindling, relying upon German trade. This disturbance in the world's economy may lead to diplomatic tensions between the United Kingdom and other major powers.

Commercial Airlines?
In Bohemia a company was founded this week called EuroAir. With airports in Istanbul, Turkey and Bern, Switzerland, and of course in Prague, the first ever passenger airline has taken root.
Although only possessing 10 planes, they are a new design called the 'Goliath' which is capable of carrying up to 14 people over a distance of 250 kilometers. With EuroAir's various airports
dotting Europe, the airline is able to offer flights to Paris, Rotterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Trieste, Rome, Bucharest, Prague, Bern, and Istanbul, with its busiest routes being the one
from Prague to Paris.

Spoiler: Poster for EuroAir

Feel the cold, feel the oil, feel the future!

1920 Belgium Olympics!
The world gathered together to compete, in Brussels, this year of 1920. After two weeks of harsh competition, Belgian shameless self-promotion and advertising, and many upset racists, the final
results are:
1st Place: Ethiopian Empire
2nd Place: Republic of Turkey
3rd Place: Netherlands
4th Place: Kingdom of Italy
5th Place: German Confederation
The Ethiopian athletes return home victorious. American and Canadian athletes return home ashamed and absolutely astonished that they were out-witted and out-competed by colored folk, and
Spain didn't participate at all, taking their isolationist values to the extreme.

Referendum in Mongolia
Mongolians unanimously choose to stay with the Soviet Union.

Incan Empire integrates new member
The invasion of Ecuador finally successful after a year of jungle and riverside warfare, the Incan Empire has become the dominant power of South America. While Brazil and Argentina look with
envious eyes, they have yet to put whatever devious plans they may have into action.

The Mexican Canal continues construction - most of its expenses this year have ironically been in trying to rescue the local wildlife in the area rather than actual canal work. Regardless,
the canal has progressed enough that most of the world knows where it is. At the narrowest point of Mexico, in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca. In Oaxaca, the region of Istmo and heading
directly North.

The United States lifts all tolls on the open seas and removes its embargo on the Mexican Empire, being an example for all of us that we can, truly, get along after all.

Cuban insurgents rise up in Habana, expelling the local Spanish garrison, who was expecting the uprising to merely be yet another simple riot. While other overseas territories of Spain are
indeed content with the new policies that give them the status of a state, a seperate kingdom within a united nation, the Cubans are not so - they want things to be run their own way.

Greenlandic insurgents do the same in Greenland, expelling German garrisons and accepting Canadian rule. Considering how isolated the region is, however, perhaps there's more to the story?

In Korea, the Emperor of Japan has decreed that all Korean educational institutions must educate in the Japanese language, not Korean. Koreans are in uproar against this move.

Afghanistan is annexed peacefully by the Soviet Union.

The USSR and Great Britain and its Commonwealth have gone to war after the Soviets push through Pakistan - another part of the Second Great War mentioned above.

Persia, fearing Russian invasion, has mobilized its armies and appears to be using very modern equipment compared to the last time Persia had been on edge.

Germany has purchased the Greek island of Zakynthos, and has formed an alliance with Greece and Denmark.

Ethiopian Air Force has been reported doing mysterious actions in the Sudan. No one is quite sure what they're doing out there - all they know is that a lot of local tribesmen are dying...

Spoiler: Ratings:

Best Orders: Bohemia
His orders were the most entertaining to read and he gets bonus points for entertaining the host.

Easiest Orders: Germany
The award goes again to Germany for having orders that are clear, concise, as well as detailed.

Best Roleplayer: Ethiopia
He reminds me of Haile Selassie. ;c

Wealth:
Richest Country: United Kingdom
2nd Richest Country: German Confedation
3rd Richest Country: France

Military:
(Excludes China)
Largest Navy: United Kingdom
Largest Army: Poland
Largest Air Force: German Confederation
2nd Largest Army: Mexican Empire
3rd Largest Army: France
Best Army: Mexican Empire
Best Navy: United Kingdom
(The Largest Army is just your units totalled. The Best army is as if the entire army was put into the combat formula, what the result would be.)

Technology:
Most advanced technology: United Kingdom

Society
Largest Country (Size): Soviet Union
Largest Country (Pop): Chinese Empire
Most industrialized: German Confederation
2nd Most Industrialized: United Kingdom
3rd Most Industrialized: France
Best quality of life: Mexico, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Australia
Worst quality of life: Soviet Union, Brazil, Japan

Great Britain; _Greatest_ Britain.

Well now, Wilhelm, you've been a very naughty boy this year. You'll be happy to know that your militia were captured, not killed. You'll be sad to know that your unwarranted attack on my coast guard means that I won't be returning Greenland. I also wish to ask if any of Germany's neighbors had trouble with his ships attacking them in shared territorial waters, because I don't believe for a moment that this was an accident.

Full story: My coast guard was attacked while patrolling near my east coast, no where near Greenland's 12 NM border, when a small fleet of German ships attacked them. This was interpreted by my generals as a prelude to an invasion, and we launched a counter attack to sink his local navy and disable his supply ports. Their navy turned tail and ran, taking some lovely damage as they went, and our men landed at Greenland. We found that the militia stationed there were engaged in putting down a revolt, and were ill prepared for the determined brought against them. As they're not capable of independence given their limited economic capabilities, we've worked out a temporary agreement with them as a vassal state until a more permanent solution is decided. (They're determinedly communist, but they do realize the limitations of their situation and are willing to work towards a middle ground.)

In summary, I can only conclude that Ody had planned a 'diplomatic accident' (as there were only two militia units in the region beyond his fleet), and my generals misinterpreted it as a full attack.

And what do you think would have made him want to cause a "diplomatic accident" ?

Honestly, I have no idea. Possibly spite over the row we had ironing out the whole territorial waters business, but I don't see what he had to gain. Unless his other neighbors had the same trouble though, I'll have to assume it was deliberate, especially since my coast guard weren't attacked within 12 NM of his turf (even ignoring the possible shared waters).

I'm enamored with this 'Goliath' the Bohemians have produced! It can really transport over a dozen people reliably over 200 miles?

Alright, I have now reviewed my reports.

First, my extensive naval patrols revealed a large German military contingent around Greenland early this year, although no incident occurred with them at that time. With this knowledge, I fully support the Canadian Intervention. This German attack on American soil cannot be reconciled and will be responded to swiftly.

Second, I personally have a surplus of coal and have heard that coal supplies have been disrupted. Contact me for trade deals regarding.

Third, I would like to announce that after many talks with the great women of this country, the United States of America, that their time of being in the background is over. If the men of America are it's brains and fists, then women have certainly been it's backbone. This was seen by all during the recent war in Mexico when females nation-wide took up jobs in industry and even management.

Women will be allowed to vote in all polls, their position within the Senate will be strengthened and possibilities for women to become justices will be opened. Furthermore, I will be founding the Women's Army Corps of the Army, Air Force and Navy which will provide exciting and educational opportunities for young American women.

God bless.

Pixel, am I to take decimated literally in the first item of your report?

Ethiopia is selling a hellalot of steel.

Shatari said:

Honestly, I have no idea. Possibly spite over the row we had ironing out the whole territorial waters business, but I don't see what he had to gain. Unless his other neighbors had the same trouble though, I'll have to assume it was deliberate, especially since my coast guard weren't attacked within 12 NM of his turf (even ignoring the possible shared waters).

Click to expand...

My ships patrolled Greenland. You must've triggered my defenses. Either way we're at war now.