Press from the Free Cities - New Head of State approves troop deployment

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

Carentania notes that Asylan possesses a strong naval base in Eastern Himyar, where it has otherwise no strategic interests. It furthermore notes the continued deployment of massive force in the region and the recent expansion of the Asylan military. Asylan assurances are words, but they are not guarantuees. The Tripartite Pact has shown its willingness to act aggressively if it deems the chances of success high enough. The impeachment of the Asylan president does not affect the chances of a renewed attempt to subjugate Himyari lands once and if Carentanian forces are involved elsewhere.

 

[The Federation]

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA

​

What we have here is not a failure to communicate but rather deliberate war mongering on the part of the Carentanians, Asylan has already addressed any issue that was raised in Augustaborg by withdrawing its forces and handing the issue over to Cathiopia. Carentania's demands are nothing more than an attempt to further destabilize an already unstable region for reasons that are still unclear. No nation in the Tripartite Agreement wants to risk war over this issue and we are confident that the other member nations of the RDTO and the ICD do not want to see a war in Himyar so close to the Easter Cape disaster. Cease your ridiculous demands and posturing lest we civilized nations find ourselves in a useless and endless war.

Autumn Viklund,
Director of Foreign Affairs

RENDER NOT UNTO TYRANTS!
CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
​

 

[Polesia]

Luzabi ya Malongo
Ministry of the Exterior

Responsibility for the territorial integrity of the Eastern Cape rests with the entirety of the International Commission on Decolonisation, not just Carentania alone. The hawkish tone of the Carentanian Commissariate for Foreign Affairs risks reigniting conflict when the Eastern Cape needs peace.

 

[Free Cities League]

Freie Städte Bund Vrije Stede Verbond Free Cities' League Frëe Staeden Bound	You must be registered for see images ​
	Allgemeine Verwaltungsrat - Generaldirektion für auswärtige Angelegenheiten​ Algemene Administratieve Raad - Directoraat-generaal van Buitenlandse Zaken​ General Administrative Council - Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs ​ Allmëners Fervaltingsrad - Direktorat-General for Autlandishe Zake​

Öffentliche - Openbaar - Public - Openlish​

On the Augustaborg and Erdenshire Situation

We echo the statements of our Cathiopian colleagues and our Sylvanian allies. The Workers' Republic of Carentania should not bring into question the 'usefulness' of a determined territory of a sovereign State. While Augustaborg was a question of the Republic of Asylan dealing with an external situation, Erdenshire is part of the sovereign territory of Asylan. If Carentania is worried that it is a threat to security in the region, then it should not demand its handing over, as there is no legal or political basis to do so. The Workers' Republic, if afraid of Erdenshire, then it should reinforce its garrison in the region, for in time it will understand it would have been of no use, since Erdenshire is no threat to security - it is just a part of the sovereign territory of Asylan. We ask the Workers' Republic to exercise restraint and abstain from any aggressive behaviour, in order to secure peace in a region that has already seen too much war.


The Director-General for Foreign Affairs,
Thomas Buddenbrook[/QUOTE]

 

[Ionia]

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Ionian Confederation - 3rd Ionian Republic
᾿Ιωνική Συνομοσποδία - Γ' ᾿Ιωνική Δημοκρατία
​

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Ionian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
᾿Ιωνικόν ᾿Υπουργεῖον ᾿Εξωτερικῶν​

As mentioned by our colleagues Carentania only seeks her personal benefit by bullying, intimidating and outright blackmailing a fee nation devoted to democracy such as Asylan. Asylan never installed a puppet government and only stationed peacekeepers, for which the Asylanian President paid the price. This is a hawkish act by the militarist and warmongering Worker's "Republic" which constantly seeks to expand itself over other peaceful nations in an aggressive and unjust manner.

SIGNED & SEALED

Ionian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Aristotle Filanthropos Kifisodotou

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[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

Responsibility for peacekeeping missions in the Eastern Cape lies with the International Commission on Decolonization. Any peacekeeping forces from nation not part of the ICD are within the Cape region on terms of the ICD and have to respect the sovereignity of the Eastern Cape. The deployment of peacekeeping forces to ensure the success of a coup d'etat in one of the cities of the Eastern Cape was itself a violation of the peacekeeping mission and an act not coordinated with the International Commission on Decolonization, thus an illegal violation of the legal boundries within which Asylan forces had arrived on the Eastern Cape in the first place.

This constituted an illegal act of aggression and Carentania is merely reacting towards it, seeking to bring the Tripartite Pact around to forming a lasting solution that prevents similiar incidents in the future.

Ionian disrespect for the strong democratic institutions in the Workers' Republic has been noted and dismissed as baseless insult. It is Ionia itself which should reconsider the state of its own democracy if it believes a two-class society to be in any way, shape or form democratic. Then again, it prides itself on a political tradition rooted in the slaver societies of the ancient polis.

 

[Ionia]

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Ionian Confederation - 3rd Ionian Republic
᾿Ιωνική Συνομοσποδία - Γ' ᾿Ιωνική Δημοκρατία
​

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Ionian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
᾿Ιωνικόν ᾿Υπουργεῖον ᾿Εξωτερικῶν​

These "slaver societies" were developing philosophy and democracy while Carentanians were living in caves. Then again it would seem that Carentanian foreign policy is stuck in those violent and primitive times.

SIGNED & SEALED

Ionian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Aristotle Filanthropos Kifisodotou

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[Free Cities League]

De Garenmarkter Handelsblad voor kennis van zaken24 Maart 1954 • Joris van Dijver • Garenmarkt​

Allgemene Administratieve Raad bespreekt voorstel voor negro kiesrecht General Administrative Council Discusses Proposal for Negro Enfranchisement​ Handelsburg The General Administrative Council, through its President Stijn van de Voorde, announced it is discussing a proposal on negro enfranchisement to be presented to the Citizens' Assembly. Simon Jackson, the Director-General of League-Cities' Relations, who is also in charge of the general administration of the Outerseas Province of Providence and Bruno Koopmans, Director-General for Justice and Security will present to the legislature a plan of differential enfranchisement of the negro population, in what is called 'Law on the Universality of Political and Civil Rights'. Basically, the law aims to fulfill the obligations impending upon the League and its Members stemming from the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Free Cities' League. However, it does so progressively: - Negros in all territories except Providence shall be immediately and totally enfranchised. Those who do not hold, for any reason, the right to vote or other political rights, will gain them effect immediately. - Negros in the Cape District of Providence shall be immediately enfranchised. In order to preserve traditional tribal structures, any member of the Xhtosi Confederation, i.e., the association of tribes leaving in the hinterland of the Cape District, shall have a special representation in the District Assembly and will vote to the Citizens' Assembly through the Confederation. - Negros in the urban areas of the Sandfeld District shall be immediately enfranchised. Those in the hinterland will only be able to exercise their political rights through the Luanga Chiefdom and its associates for a period of 10 years of the duration of a programme of civic education aimed at Whites and Negros. After that period, such hinterland Negros shall be fully enfranchised and will vote for the Citizens' Assembly. - Negros in the Oerwoudland District shall be subject to a literacy assessment to be eligible to vote. However, other civic rights, such as the right to demonstrate, are fully ensured. The Transkaai Federation will have a special representation in the District Assembly. After 12 years of a programme of civic education aimed both at whites and Negros, all Negros shall be fully enfranchised. The restrictions aforementioned only apply to the right to vote and to stand for election. Every other right, civic or political in nature is ensured and a strict policy of non-discrimination shall apply. This differential approach was surely not in van de Voorde's plans, but he had to compromise due to pressure from the conservative wing of the Liberals, the BBB and some elements of the Volksunie, being said that the preference of the GAC President was to have a full and immediate franchise. However, internal sources have stated that, while in the mainland and in the Cape District of Providence, discrimination and anti-Negro sentiment is not as virulently violent as in the other districts, and, as such, full enfranchisement is possible, in Sandfeld and, especially in Oerwoudland, a sensibilisation and education campaign must be undertaken in order to avoid episodes such as the Oerwoudstad Massacre and white riots. The law has the support of all the parties of the governamental coalition (Liberals, Volksunie, Norssexer Interest and Bogan nationalists) and from the social-democrats and communists. It had a lukewarm reception by the Citizens' Alliance, who preferred an even longer education programme and is opposed by the German-speakers' Union, now reconstituted under the name Cities' Rights Party. In Providence, it has been enthusiastically received by the moderate Himyari National Congress (HNC), who called this legislation 'an essential step to the empancipation and eventual better well-being' of the Negro population of the FCL, and skeptically by the Marxist-inspired Party of Himyari Workers (PHW), saying 'anything short of full and outright enfranchisement is a scam'. In the white population, it was well-received by thousands of whites in the Cape District, where inter-race relations are good, ambiguously in the Sandfeld District and negatively by Oerwoudlander leaders, who claim the new law will 'bring anarchy and chaos', summoning demonstrations for tomorrow in Oerwoudstad.

Krantenkoppen Headlines​ • Cardinal de Wever returns to Garenmarkt after electing the new Pope. 'A new hope for the Church' he says. • Gemeenteraad of Ieper approves new driving laws privileging cyclists. • Petrol prices go up as Providenz Benzin, the main extractor of oil, fears violence in Providence. • Elections in the new Free Republic of Boganhem scheduled for two weeks • One week until Flensburg elects a new Boroughmaster. With Karsten Schmidt on the verge of losing, the next will come either from the SDP or a co-opted Liberal.

 

[Polesia]

Luzabi ya Malongo
Ministry of the Exterior

The Republic of Cathiopia welcomes the partial improvement in the political rights of native peoples in the Himyari provinces of the Free Cities' League, although bemoans the lack of progress in Oerwoudland District.

The Republic of Cathiopia continues to hope for full and equal status to be granted to the true inhabitants of the Cape of Providence, and eventually for the Cape of Providence to join the family of independent nations under majority-rule.

 

[Free Cities League]

Die Handelsburger Zeitung
seit 1795
​

7. April 1954 | 1. taller | Handelsburg

Neger Wahlrecht Gesetz Debatt: "Oerwoudland wird sich weigern, das Gesetz zu halten", sagt Wymeersch, leiter der Trekkers Negro Enfranchisement Law Debate: "Oerwoudland Shall Not Respect the Law" says Wymeersch, leader of the Trekkers ​ Cape City, Neue Handelsburg and Oerwoudstad The Negro Enfranchisement Law is generating the biggest debate since the constitutional reform earlier this year and it has not even been voted by the Assembly. While it has been accepted mostly without problems that the situation of Negroes in the Mainland has to be uniformized, since half have voting rights and others have not, and many are still discriminated against in commercial venues and in public spaces, they represent only 2% of the population of the mainland. However, in Providence, they are 75%, but different sensibilities and attitudes towards Negroes led the General Administrative Council to propose a differential enfranchisement, according to which, the three different Districts of the Outerseas Province of Providence will have three different regimes. There, in the English-speaking Cape District, local leaders have accepted without any problems the proposed full enfranchisement. The Norssexer settlers who came there in the late 18th century always kept good relations with the local Xhtosa populace formed on the basis of consensual commerce and mutual aid - the Xhtosa provided help in how to deal with the harsh and rocky environment of the area and the settlers provided technological development. The District Administrator Jon Boyle said of the law: "it is a mere confirmation of what we were already doing in a casuistic basis - Negroes in the Cape are as educated as whites, with no considerable system differences. Hence, they must be full-time citizens" In the German-speaking Sandland District things get more complicated, but full enfranchisement for the urban-dwelling Negroes is still guaranteed. Gradual enfranchisement is foreseen for the rural, tribal Negroes. District Administrator Uwe Huckemann says the "law strikes a balance between basic human rights and the order we need to have in order to eventually build a community based on mutual respect" However, in the Dutch-speaking area of Oerwoudland, there is widespread hostility to Negro enfranchisement. Though it is the only place in the League where Negroes need not to be immediately enfranchised, even the gradual enfranchisement is strongly rejected. Why? Oerwoudland was founded by Flemish calvinists who fled religious discrimination in catholic Flemish cities in the 16th and 17th century. They founded the city of Oerwoudstad but soon started to spread to the surrounding areas, setting up large plantations and enslaving the local population. Those who left the city were known as Trekkers, and such term began to designate the whole Flemish-Himyari population. Staunchly Calvinist, they saw themselves as recreating biblical patriarchs and wandering in the wilderniss living off agriculture. Due to violent conflict with the local Transkaai Federation of tribes, the Trekkers generated a deep hatred and mistrust for the local Negroes. As such, they are reacting violently against this proposed new law. Riots in Oerwoudstad occurred and, Carl Wymeersch, the District Administrator and a leading conservative and pro-segregationist said today in a rally that the Terkkers would not accept the law: "We, the Trekkers, descend from brave families who decided to flee the security of the North to the Himyari wilderness, in order to escape the clutches of the Catholic Church our compatriots in the Flemish Cities embraced. After centuries fighting savages, who burned our farms and killed our families, after centuries left abandoned by the League and paying taxes anyway, they impose on us the way to deal with our problems? That is unacceptable! Legally, the League might have competence to deal with this matter, but morally and logically, it is unacceptable. Whites and Negroes will never be able to live side by side. Let them stay in their villages and we will not bother them. Let us stay in our farms and our villages. If this law is approved, it would have the overwhelming opposition of the Trekker people and will not, as such, be applied. I vow not to implement any measure!" Stijn van de Voorde, President of the General Administrative Council, has already warned Wymeersch that, should the law be accepted, it will have effect in 'every part of the League' and he could face dismissal should he refuse to implement it. You must be registered for see images Carl Wymeersch is starting a conflict with the General Administrative Council ​	You must be registered for see images Flensburg ​ Wähle in Flensburg : Schmidt verliert zwei Positionen und Sozialdemokraten wieder einmal die Stadt zu steuern Elections in Flensburg: Schmidt leaves his two Positions and Social-Democrats Reassure Control of the Cities ​ Flensburg It was with surprise that the League witnessed Karsten Schmidt, the first non-social-democrat Bürgermeister of Flensburg since 1910, was elected in 1945. The industrial and harbour city of Flensburg has been staunchly for the SDP since its inception and some saw as an anomaly the elections and reelections of Karsten Schmidt was the chief executive of the city, through a fragile alliance between the CA and the Liberals. He managed, through his capacity to negotiate and compromise, to be nominated President of the Council of Boroughmasters of the FCL in 1946, having retained the highest magistrature of the League for 8 years. Now it is all gone. The citizens of Flensburg elected the Social-Democrat Elias Darmstadt as Bürgermeister, running on a Social-Democratic and Liberal ticket, attaining 59% of the vote. Schmidt was unable to have to explain to a mainly left-wing electorate his labour law reforms, in which he changed Flensburg's Law of Labour Conditions in order to 'introduce more flexibility to the Flensburger economy', considering that 'rigid labour structure mean loss of competitiveness'. However, the trade unions and left-wing leaders of Flensburg accused Schmidt of embarking into a 'campaign of destruction of the dignity of labour' and, while acknowledging the need to make the labour market less rigid and cut red tape, the facilitation of dimissals will be only feasible with increase of unemployment support. Running with the help of the Liberals, Darmstadt easily defeated Schmidt. In the end, the new composition of Flensburg's Bürgerschaft (City Assembly) is: SDP - 40%; CA - 35%; LDP - 19%; PAB (communists) - 7%; DsB (right-wing populists) - 4%. As the social-democrats and the liberals negotiated a coalition agreement beforehand, the LDP presented no official candidate, endorsing Darmstadt. The consequences of this election are the dismissal of Schmidt as President of the Council of Boroughmasters in two weeks, when Darmstadt is predictably elected by Flensburg's Bürgerschaft as Boroughmaster, as the office of President of the Council of Boroughmasters is inherent to the quality of Boroughmaster. As such, once Darmstadt is confirmed Boroughmaster, the Council must convene and elect a new President among their peers. This will most likely be negotiated in the following weeks.

 

[Free Cities League]

De Garenmarkter Handelsblad voor kennis van zaken24 Maart 1954 • Joris van Dijver • Garenmarkt​

Opstand Uitbreekt in Providentie! een Onafhankelijke 'Oerwoudlandse Republiek Uitgeroepen Revolt Breaks Out in Providence! an Independent 'Republic of Oerwoudland' Declared​ Oerwoudstad The League was surprised today with the news of a revolt in the Oerwoudland District in Providence. This morning, a group of armed men occupied the oil extraction wells in Oostkamp and Nieuw Aalst, followed by an armed uprising in Sint-Kruis, the most important town of the Oerwoudland hinterland. Such uprising was supported by Frank Wymeersch, the mayor of Sint-Kruis, who declared this afternoon an independent 'Republic of Oerwoudland' claiming the whole district. The reasons behind this revolt, openly endorsed and supported by F. Wymeersch, are the 'unacceptable attitude that the central government has towards Providence in general and Oerwoudland in particular', saying no real autonomy exists, and that such lack of autonomy culminates in the absurd of having 'bureaucrats in Handelsburg determining how hardy Trekkers deal with Negroes'. The 'Trekkers' Wymeersch alleges to represent is a fluid designation given to the Dutch-speaking white settlers inhabiting the whole of Oerwoudland or sometimes just the hinterland, excluding coastal cities such as Oerwoudstad and Sint-Pieters. Wymeersch demands the revocation of the provisions on the Negro Enfranchisement Law that concern Oerwoudland in exchange for laying down arms, which the General Administrative Council deemed 'unacceptable'. Though the law has not been approved yet, it is predicted that it will have a sizeable majority supporting it in the Citizens' Assembly. What some press has already dubbed as the 'Trekker Revolt' seems to be anti-Negro emancipation and anti-centralisation in general, ideas supported by the Trekker plantation owners in the hinterland and their associates and white workers, with the latter fearing increasing competition of newly-educated Negroes. The rebels have hoisted, in several government buildings, a makeshift flag for their 'Republic': half of it is the Flemish flag (black lion on yellow background), representing their cultural heritage, and the rest is a colorful sun, representing arguably Oerwoudland. The Council of Boroughmasters has met in an extraordinary meeting with the General Administrative Council this afternoon. After the meeting, leaving President of the Council of Boroughmasters Karsten Schmidt and President of the GAC Stijn van de Voorde announced to the press that the Boroughmasters had unanimously agreed to deploy the Confederal Army's Southern Army in Oerwoudland. The Southern Army is located in Providence, just outside Cape City. van de Voorde vowed to 're-take Sint-Kruis in a matter of days'. He also shortly described what he deems a 'short-lived conflict': "This conflict is one of those conflicts who has clear good and bad guys. We stand for human rights, for equality and for granting to every human beings, regardless of ethnic origin, equality before the law; Wymeersch and his partisans stand for racism, cruelty and servitude. It is not hard to pick your side. These rebels fighting for 'freedom' do fight for their freedom, but freedom to oppress. Nobody holds that right" All the major parties support the intervention, with the former German-speakers' Union, now Cities' Rights Party refusing to sanction the intervention, because they see 'colonial self-rule' as one of their goals and would 'prefer dialogue before outright armed intervention'. All Boroughmasters voted in favour, but for different reasons. Many of the Liberal, Social-democrat, Volksunie and NIP Boroughmasters voted due to human rights considerations, considering the rebellion 'a reactionary uprising' by 'bigoted farmers'. The Citizens' Alliance and the BBB relied on 'League unity' and anti-seccession discourse. Meanwhile, the Himyari National Congress, the main organisation representing Negroes in Providence, has summoned a mass demonstration in Oerwoudland against the rebellion, with leader Jack Vilpenda describing the Trekkers of the hinterland as 'the worst kind of cruel, racist and bigoted settlers, who have no consideration for the black man'. The occupation of oil wells is worrying government officials, as they estimate a sharp rise in oil prices this week. van de Voorde does not hesitate to see in this occupation a 'deliberate act of terrorism against the whole FCL population, depriving them of one of the most essential resources to modern life'. Richard Eisenacher, CEO of Providenz Benzin AG, owner of the wells, has issued no statement, though the company says he is now in Neue Handelsburg to follow the situation closer. You must be registered for see images Some of the rebels armed with old rifles​

Krantenkoppen Headlines​ • Prospective enfranchisement leads to the inclusion of Negro Music in charts in Norssex. •​New set of dikes built in Ieper, anticipating the spring storms. • The Tour of Flanders (de Ronde van Vlaanderen) starts today in Garenmarkt - 1,000 cyclists expected. • University of Gent opens new building for its Faculty of Social Sciences • Eekhoutpoort - deputy in the Ciy's Gemeenterad resigns after paedophilia scandal.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We express our support for the Negro Enfranchisement Law proposed to the Assembly of the Free Cities League. Indeed, all inhabitants of the territories of the Free Cities League, also the Negroes in th Hymiari Territories of the Free Cities League, should have the same rights before the law, and that includes enfranchisement. With that said, we completely don't understand the stance of the Trekkers. We condemn the revolts in Providence because they are based on plain racism. The Republic of Oerwoudland will not be recognised by Eiffelland.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Polesia]

Luzabi ya Malongo
Ministry of the Exterior

The Republic of Cathiopia denounces the creation of the 'Republic of Oerwoudland', an illegal separatist entity built on the racial prejudices of a minority of white settlers. We hope for a quick and successful end to the crisis, and that all the native inhabitants of Providence get to enjoy the rights promised to them by the Free Cities League.

 

[Free Cities League]

Die Handelsburger Zeitung
seit 1795
​

8. Juni 1954 | 1. taller | Handelsburg

Verhandlung mit den Trekkers fehl: Wirdt die Bundesarmee in Oerwoudland eingesetz? Negotiations with the Trekkers Fail: Will the Confederal Army be Deployed in Oerwoudland?​ Oerwoudstad Two months ago, a group of rebels in the hinterland of Oerwoudland, in the Outerseas Province of Providence, took up arms and seised strategic points such as three economically important oil wells and the major settlement of Sint Kruis. The mayor of Sint Kruis, Frank Wymeersch, led the rebellion, ostensibly against the Negro Enfranchisement Law and the centralisation of race policy - the rebels, known as Trekkers, unilaterally declared independence of the areas they controlled, establishing the 'Republic of Oerwoudland'. Though Stijn van de Voorde, President of the General Administrative Council, wanted swift action in order to enforce the law and quell the rebellion, pressure from within his own party (Liberals) and some of the other parties of the governamental coalition (such as the Volksunie, fearing a backlash from its Flemish speaking electorate who might sympathise with the rebels) led him to try to negotiate with the rebels a possible compromise. The Trekkers sent Benedikt van Sluis to Handelsburg, but to no avail. Van de Voorde, in a press conference today, stated that the GAC could not accept a proposal that would result in the blocking of progressive Negro enfranchisement in Oerwoudland - 'Negro enfranchisement will happen - it is a moral imperative'. Meanwhile, Frank Wymeersch, leader of the rebels, said that 'the so-called liberal Stijn van de Voorde has shown his true colours - by saying this ridiculous law WILL take place, he shows no consideration for the wishes of the white settlers who transformed Oerwoudland from a jungle wasteland into a productive part of the League. With no respect, we cannot keep on contributing to this League'. The GAC already authorised the mobilisation of two battle groups of the Confederal Army to be deployed in Oerwoudland as soon as possible. However, this decision has been criticised - according to the Basic Law, the Confederal Army can only be deployed with the authorisation of the Council of Boroughmasters. However, the Council has given no attention to the issue because it is searching for a new President: as Karsten Schmidt was defeated in the elections in Flensburg, he is stepping down. Undisclosed sources claim that the decision to deploy troops in Oerwoudland is being used as a bargaining factor in the negotiations within the Council to elect their new spokesperson and Head of State of the FCL. Defending his actions, van de Voorde claims he is sending 'battle groups' to quell 'an insurgency' - not 'armies' as said in the Basic Law, that has in mind external situations. Whether this legal interpretation will proceed or not it is not known, but the rebels are slowly advancing towards Oerwoudstad, the capital of the District, and, if nothing is done, the whole District might be under their control. Tomorrow or Tuesday, the Council may have a new name for President and the vote can be held. Depending on the outcome, the new President might deem the actions of van de Voorde illegal, as most of the conservative (CA) and autonomist (Cities' Rights Party, the new form of the old German Speakers' Union) opposition thinks van de Voorde overstepped the line and acted illegally. ​	​ Turbulenzen an den Rat: wer der nächste Staatsoberhaupt sein? Turmoil in the Council: Who will be the next Head of State? ​ Handelsburg As the Oerwoudland crisis drags on, Karsten Schmidt steps down as President of the Council of Boroughmasters, i.e., the Head of State of the FCL. Having been defeated in the elections in Flensburg, Schmidt is no longer a boroughmaster and, therefore, is not eligable to become President of the Council of Boroughmasters. Acting in an interim manner, he summoned a grand meeting one week ago to nominate his successor as President, acting only as a coordinator for the negotiations, as the new mayor of Flensburg, Elias Darmstadt, now sits as its representative. Who will be the next Head of State? Karl Larenz (CA/Liberal) from Handelsburg? Heinrich Monar, the liberal from Lübeck? Alfred Behrens from Erding, the populist conservative? Probably none of those, as there is this unofficial rule, not always strictly followed, that there should not be two Presidents from the same language group in a row. As such, in the Flemish side, the Boroughmaster from Garenmarkt, Renaat Landuyt, is a likely candidate, being a liberal Flemish. Or even Tine Govaerts, the social-democrat from Gent. However, according to insiders, the two strongest candidates are William Earnshaw, Boroughmaster of Shoreham-by-Sea, independent but supported locally by the liberals and the Norssexer Interest party or Frank Villsun, the President of the Free Republic of Boganhem, as a token of trust for the new Bogan 'Member-Republic' and also to have, for the first time, a Bogan Head of State. Earnshaw might find opposition from the Cities' Rights Party and some more ruralist CA supporters, as well as possibly some social-democrats, while Villsun seems more ideologically neutral within the right, though completely opposed to by the social-democrats. The Council will have to act quickly in order for the League to be able to swiftly react to the Trekker rebellion.

 

[Free Cities League]

De Garenmarkter Handelsblad voor kennis van zaken9 Juni 1954 • Joris van Dijver • Garenmarkt​

William Earnshaw is de Nieuwe Voorsitter van de Burgemeesterraad: Goedkeuring van Tropen inzet in Oerwoudland is zijn Eerste Officiële Daad William Earnshaw is the new President of the Council of Boroughmasters: Approval of Troop Deployment in Oerwoudland is his First Official act ​ Handelsburg After one week of negotiations, the Council of Boroughmasters managed to nominate one of the Boroughmasters as its President and Head of State of the Free Cities' League. Sources say the final battle was between Frank Villsun, the President of the Bogan Republic and William Earnshaw, the Boroughmaster of Shoreham-by-Sea. Villsun, hero of the Bogan national movement could not take the support of the social-democratic Boroughmasters neither some more conservative elements in the Citizens' Alliance, who resented his role in Bogan emancipation and the creation of the Regions. In the end, Earnshaw, a moderate liberal from the Norssexer Interest Party, known as a moderate advocate of Regionalism, but also as more conservative than his liberal NIP, was a compromise accepted by the right-wing Boroughmasters, who managed to secure a qualified majority within the Council. Votes are not public. Emerging as the new Head of State, Earnshaw immediately presided over an extraordinary meeting of the Council in order to approve the General Administrative Council's deployment of troops in Oerwoudland to quell the Trekker rebellion, saying in the official communiqué that, despite some procedural irregularities, 'for the sake of Confederal security and the due enforcement of the law, confronted with the scale of the uprising, must be dealt with militarly, considering negotiations failed.' There had been some rumours that the deployment of troops without permission from the Boroughmasters was unconstitutional, but, anyhow, the Council ratified the decision. Who is William Earnshaw, 127th President of the Council of Boroughmasters? Born in 1900 in Chippenham, a village in the territory of the Free City of Shoreham-by-Sea, to a middle-class family of public servants, Earnshaw gained a degree in economics in the University of Rutherford, in Warmstrand, in 1923, with the distinction of being one of the best students in the University's history. Following an academic career in the said University, he started his political life during the National Awakenings of Norssex and Flanders, being the founding member of the youth wing of the Norssexer Interest Party, the moderate liberal and regionalist Norssexer party. As he climbed the ranks of the party, he became one of the best-known faces of the 'urban wing' of the NIP, promoting moderate economic and social liberalism, promotion of Standard English in its Norssexer variety (as opposed to the attempts of the 'rural wing' of promoting the endangered Norssexer language as the official language of all Norssexer cities) and being generally pro-business and anti-protectionist. This led him to win the elections for Boroughmaster of Shoreham-by-Sea in 1948, having been reelected in 1952 with a large majority. In Shoreham, he is best known for abolishing protectionist measures, relaxing income and corporate tax and restricting the teaching of Norssex to schools in areas where the language is still spoken, mainly in the hinterland of Shoreham, including his own hometown of Chippenham. Though suffering annoying opposition from the 'rural wing' of the NIP, he gained the support of the local CA and LDP. He is seen as a moderate, a man of compromise and a skillful mediator, making him ideal for the post of Head of State, as opposed to the more uncompromising character of Frank Villsun. He was inaugurated in a ceremony in the League Palace in Handelsburg, swearing an oath to protect the League's Basic Law, its citizens, the democratic and republican form of government and the sovereignty of the Member Cities and other constituent members of the League. You must be registered for see images William Earnshaw, 127th President of the Council of Boroughmasters​

Krantenkoppen Headlines​ • Good weather in Flanders leads thousands of tourists to the beaches of Knokke, Blankenberge and Westend (Garenmarkt) and De Panne (Eekhoutpoort). • Holy Blood Procession in Garenmarkt once more a success. • 'Eerste sneeuw', a single by Genter folk singer Jan de Wilde, tops the Flemish charts for three weeks in a row. • Pentecost today - faithful celebrate in Churches all around Flanders. • Club Garenmarkt defeats its rival Malachor United by 2-0, leaving Handelsburg 1906 FC more comfortable on the lead of the Confederal League.

 

[Rheinbund]

Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

Our congratulations to William Earnshaw with his election to President of the Council of Boroughmasters and Head of State of the Free Cities League. We hope for fruitful relations between the Free Cities League and Eiffelland.

Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Chancellor

 

[Free Cities League]

Die Handelsburger Zeitung
seit 1795
​

15. Juli 1954 | 1. taller | Handelsburg

Bundesarmee bombardiert Sint Kruis - Rebellen drohen die Ölfelder zu zerstören Confederal Army Bombs Sint Kruis - Rebels Threaten to Destroy Oil Fields​ Oerwoudstad After the Council approved the General Administrative Council's decision of troop deployment in Oerwoudland, 10,000 troopers arrived in that District of the Outerseas Province of Providence. Composed by the 5th Infantry Regiment 'the Flemish Lions' and the Special Operations Group 'the Northern Saxons', both of which have participated recently in military exercises in the region, it is the first time since the Xhosa Rebellion in 1927 that the Confederal Army is deployed to quell a violent uprising. The main objective of the first step of the operation is to capture Sint Kruis, the only major urban centre controlled by the rebels known as 'Trekkers', as most of their power base lies in smaller villages in jungle areas and big plantations. As part of the fulfillment of such objective, the Army has started, with the help of the Confederal Air Force, to bomb strategic positions in Sint Kruis, having managed to destroy a major weapons storage and several light aircraft captured by the rebels. According to Lieutenant van het Groenewoud and Major Jones, the two men in charge of the operation, the objective is to 'weaken the rebels' weapon resupply capability' in order to restore control of the city without bloodshed'. According to the Confederal Army, it is estimated that 20 people died in the bombings, most of which armed rebels, though it has been confirmed that at least 4 civilians perished. Also, in what has been deemed a 'success', the destroyed weapon depot has huge amounts of ammunition that the rebels would have needed for the continuation of their activities. It has also been confirmed from sources within the Armed Forces that the Transkaai Federation, i.e., the legally recognised alliance of tribes that lives in the Oerwoudland District, is helping the Special Operations Group with jungle operations. Meanwhile, Carl Wymeersch, the leader of the rebels, writing on the rebel newspaper 'Het Hijmaarse Leuw', has claimed the bombings were a 'civilian massacre downplayed by mainstream media', claiming that over 80 people, most of which civilians, died in 'undiscriminated carpet bombing'. Wymeersch now claims that 'the Sint Kruis massacre has destroyed any chances for dialogue' and that 'peace is unattainable', unless the League recognises the Republic of Oerwoudland. The Trekker leader has further threatened to order 'undercover operations' to 'destroy' the oil fields not under rebel control, which would represent a huge blow in the regional economy and would have serious repercussions in gas prices in the mainland. He vowed he would fight for the basic human right of 'self-determination', claiming that a huge majority of Providence Flemings are pro-independence. However, other reports claim that Wymeersch's violence has alienated large segments of the white population of Oerwouldland, namely the urban population. There seems to be a consensus within the governmental coalition about military involvement, and even the opposition does not seem to oppose it. The social-democrats see the rebels as the 'last remnants of an unacceptable race-driven thought' that must apply 'a law guaranteeing basic human rights'. Even the conservatives of the Citizens' Alliance, fearing the big economic losses the independence of Oerwoudland would entail, support the deployment. The communists as well, see the rebels as 'fascist reactionaries'. The only party with an official position against the invasion is the Cities' Rights Party, which resulted from the former German-speakers' Union, now defending decentralisation and the right for white settlers to legislate themselves on racial policy. Udo Lausberg, the spokesman of the CRP, claims the invasion is a 'clear proof' that the League has too much power, is too 'bossy' and should return a number of competences to the Cities and, in Providence's case, to its Districts. You must be registered for see images Soldiers patrolling the hinterland with help from a Transkaai warrior ​	You must be registered for see images Handelsburg playing today​ Handelsburg 1906 FC - Bundesmeister 1953/1954! Handelsburg 1906 FC - League Champions 1953/1954! ​ Handelsburg After one of the most competitive League Championships in our lifetime, Handelsburg 1906 FC have won their 10th title since the competition has been created in 1930. After defeating the Chippenham Rangers by 3-0 in the Stadtsstadion in Handelsburg, they managed to keep the distance from Malachor United and become champions. This season even started badly for the Handelsburg side, as they lost in the first match with the recently promoted Cercle Garenmarkt, leading to an outcry from fans followed by two ties (one with city-rivals St. Pauli and another with Erdinger FV). However, after sacking coach Paul Schneider and hiring Joseph Lander, the red-and-whites started an unstoppable campaign, seeing no defeats since October. Lander, with a new tactical approach, transformed the shy, unassuming young players of Handelsburg into an aggressive offensive machine with a solid defence. Also, the tough decision of using Michael Alter, the youth team goalkeeper, was extremely decisive, as the young player made an impressive season. When playing with the other big names of the League Championship, the Handelsburg side also overcame them, having defeated Malachor United once by 1-0 and another time by 3-1, Club Garenmarkt by 2-0 twice and Shoreham by 1-0 and an impressive 4-1. However, their bad start made them dependent on the failures of Malachor, Garenmarkt and Shoreham. The latter, eventually went on a spree of ties, which put them away from the title, but the Malachorians and the Garenmarkters held on until the last minute. Garenmarkt's victory over MU in June was essential for the Handelsburg side to achieve the first position, and, having not lost until the last day, they conquered the title. Here are the final classifications: 1 - Handelsburg 1906 FC - 65 pts 2 - Malachor Ferënet FK (United) - 63 pts 3 - Club Garenmarkt FC - 60 pts 4 - Shoreham FA - 56 pts 5 - FV Lübeck - 51 pts 6 - Gentse Leuwen - 51 pts 7 - Chippenham Rangers - 50 pts 8 - Lancing Wolves - 45 pts 9 - Cape City Boys - 41 pts 10 - Erdinger FV - 39 pts 11 - Regenthaler SG - 33 pts 12 - Seeshlosser FK - 32 pts 13 - St. Pauli FC - 29 pts 14 - Cercle Garenmarkt - 25 pts 15 - Ieper VV - 23 pts 16 - Warmstrander City FC - 20 pts 17 - Vodenskoven Godden - 18 pts 18 - Eekhoutspoort VV - 15 pts The Vodenskoven Godden and Eekhoutspoort were demoted, ceding place to the promoted Gentse Duivels and Malachor Stad FK.

 

[Free Cities League]

De Garenmarkter Handelsblad voor kennis van zaken21 September 1954 • Joris van Dijver • Garenmarkt​

Rebellen Verdreven uit Sint Kruis, Terugtrekken in het Oerwoud Rebels Driven Out of Sint Kruis, Retreat Back to the Jungle ​ Oerwoudstad The High Command of the Confederal Army has reported that the 5th Regiment and the Special Operations Unit's joint operation in Sint Kruis broke up the rebels' defences and captured the city. After two months of strategic and surgical bombardments of the rebels' military defences, reduced supply lines and war exhaustion has led most of the fighters to surrender, paving the way for the Confederal Army's entry in the city. Though there were some enthusiastic people welcoming the Army, the environment in the city was reported 'heavy' and 'silent'. The siege had been laid out past July, but the Confederal Army took the 'necessary steps' to inflict the 'possible less harm' in the civilian population. However, as many of the rebels are irregulars and blend in the civilian population, it is difficult to ascertain who's who. As such, the Army has counted with the assistance of the Confederal Air Force, undertaking strikes in strategic buildings, attempting to cripple the rebels' infrastructure. The 5th Regiment 'the Flemish Lions' will remain guarding the city and its outskirts, due to the cultural similarities with the locals, while the Special Operations Group 'the Northern Saxons' will conduct counter-insurgency operations in the area north of the city, the Rimboe forest. Meanwhile, it was reported that 2,000 'well-armed' rebels had fled into the jungle north of the city, including their leader Carl Wymeersch. According to local sources, the fugitives were the 'core' of the rebel army, and the most well trained. Despite the loss of their most important city, the rebels still control a third of the Oerwoudland District, most of it inhospitable jungle or savannah environment, with few settlements but with two oil wells and many rubber extraction plants. An undisclosed source in the Army suspects that Wymeersch will probably set up his 'government' in the only significant settlement in the Rimboe area, Oostkerke, while using the oil and rubber to get money to buy weaponry. Considering the difficulties in the terrain, any swift advance will be difficult. You must be registered for see images Our soldiers after the battle​

Krantenkoppen Headlines​ • Gent University opens History Faculty. • Conservatives of Garenmarkt propose a ban on alcohol sale after 10pm in places other than bars and ask the raising of the legal drinking age to 18. • Youngsters in Gent crazy about new music style from Norssex with Hyimari influences. • Volksunie reaffirms opposition to decriminalization of abortion in situations other than threat to the woman's life. • Confederal League starts with the Garenmarkt derby, opposing Club Garenmarkt and Cercle Garenmarkt, ending up with a draw.

 

[Free Cities League]

The Norssexer Telegraph

Tuesday, 23rd September, 1954 - 1,5 tallers
​

The Norssexer Renaissance: Rising Economy and New Habits
by Anthony Brooks

There's something in the air in Norssex. If one walks the streets of Warmstead, one sees cranes, high-rise buildings being built in its traditional financial district. If one visits Shoreham-by-Sea, the port is full with cargo coming in and out. And in the green fields of my native Lancing, agriculture is booming. It seems that what many scholars had already predicted it's happening - the three Norssexer free cities are growing fast and can soon surpass some German-speaking cities in wealth and prosperity. It is the Norssexer Renaissance. This year, the Free City of Warmstead issued the Company Law Reform Act, which largely simplified procedures and requirements for the formation of companies, relaxing minimum capital requirement rules, allowing for easy seat transfer and lowering some corporate taxes. The results were impressive - many companies from the German-speaking cities, most of them dominant in the League Market, transferred their seat to Warmstead, visible in the amount of construction going on. For instance, Providenz Oil is now a publicly traded company under Warmsteader law, running away from Handelsburg. English is starting to rival German as the language of business - though most businessmen are familiar with at least German, English and Flemish (Bogan being more uncommon of course), English is becoming some sort of lingua franca. Almost everywhere, our youth emancipates young, with more youngsters going to a university, with greased hairstyles, leather jackets and suede shoes. And now they have their own music - wierd as it might sound to our old ears, this 'rock n' roll music' - a mix of blues, a style originating in Providence and traditional folk music - gives youngsters a sense of healthy rebellion and empowerment, of independence and self-reliance - essential for their future success. They accept Negroes as their own, and the most popular rock n' roll performer, John Berry, is the greatest example of that. We have created tenacious, ambitious, independent but tolerant and open-minded youth. Agricultural production is diversifying and keeping its ground, unlike what happens in some places in Flanders. New techniques, enterpreneurial farmers and good years have made our products the staple of the meals of the whole League. Our population grows rapidly, and soon we will take Flanders' place as the 2nd most populated area in the League. We are before a new era for Norssex, a new era for Warmstead, Shoreham and Lancing - an era of growth, prosperity, tolerance, respect and cultural relevance. In the last years, Norssexers have shown themselves as the most progressive yet the most business-minded people in the League, and it goes on! I do not wish for us to culturally dominante the League, far from that. I have spoken several times against the German cultural dominance. But we can be a force for equalization - we can help our Flemish and, most importantly, our Bogan brethren in winning their place. Anthony Brooks is a regular commentator in the Norssexer Telegraph and is Secretary for Economy in the Free City of Lancing, having been a MCA (member of the Citizens' Assembly) for the Norssex Interest Party. He is a professor of economics, with several papers published.

"We are before a new era for Norssex (...) an era of growth, prosperity, tolerance, respect and cultural relevance. In the last years, Norssexers have shown themselves as the most progressive yet business-minded people in the League."

 

[Serenierre]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
DIRECTORATE FOR SCANIAN AFFAIRS

The Republic of Belmont is interested in engaging with its counterpart government in the Free Cities League to develop bilateral ties positively. We seek to schedule a meeting with envoys of the FCL at a venue of their choosing.