A few typos in here - It's Wacht Am Rhein and die Deutsche Wochenschau, otherwise, I liked the update as usual.
Ack, I knew it! I rushed this to publication. Whein was a genuine slip of the finger, though, I know how to spell Rhein
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Ack, I knew it! I rushed this to publication. Whein was a genuine slip of the finger, though, I know how to spell Rhein
Too late, send him to Krupp Germaniawerft and make a galley, chain him into it and make them row.
Looks like the WC made it even in this AAR . My money would be on Austria-Hungary for this one: Austria and Hungary where both among the strongest teams in the 30s.
Whats next? An update from the States or from the Raj?
. My money would be on Austria-Hungary for this one: Austria and Hungary where both among the strongest teams in the 30s.Whats next? An update from the States or from the Raj?
Extract from ‘The Great Gatsby’, published 1932
This book by F. Scott Fitzgerald was written as a contemporary critique of American attitudes to society and the wider world. In this extract, the narrator meets with the fiercely nationalist husband of his cousin, and is amused by his outbursts. Fitzgerald intended this, along with those in the book’s treatment of Gatsby, as a warning against complacency about ‘the American way of life’ surviving all transformations, as many of the extremist factions emerging in American politics at this time espoused.
“You make me feel uncivilized, Daisy,” I confessed on my second glass of corky but rather impressive claret. “Can’t you talk about crops or something?”
I meant nothing in particular by this remark, but it was taken up in an unexpected way.
“Civilization’s going to pieces,” broke out Tom violently. “I’ve gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things. Have you read ‘The Rise of the European Empires’ by this man Long?”
“Why, no,” I answered, rather surprised by his tone.
“Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is we missed a trick by not joining in that Great War. Our businesses got left behind, and we allowed the Germans to dominate the world and – and this is the really depressing part – we allowed them to eventually dominate us.”
“Tom’s getting very profound,” said Daisy, with an expression of unthoughtful sadness. “He reads deep books with long words in them. What was that word we ——”
“Well, these books are all scientific,” insisted Tom, glancing at her impatiently. “This fellow has worked out the whole thing. If we don’t take steps now to keep the world in line, we’ll be left behind for a generation and then who knows where we’ll end up? Look at our people today – we’ve got more strikes than ever, fuel shortages in the winter and maniacs like Thomas and Reed telling us we need to emulate that horrible French ‘Commune’. Long understands what we have to do about those types.”
“We’ve got to beat them down,” whispered Daisy, winking ferociously toward the fervent sun.
“You ought to live in California —” began Miss Baker, but Tom interrupted her by shifting heavily in his chair.
“This idea is that we’re Americans. I am, and you are, and –” After an infinitesimal hesitation he included Daisy with a slight nod, and she winked at me again. “— and we've got a right to – to be powerful in the world, because that’s who we are. No German or Red has the right to lord it over us, it should be good Americans working together for Americans - see?”
There was something pathetic in his concentration, as if his complacency, more acute than of old, was not enough to him any more. Unwisely, I asked him what this Long fellow proposed to do about this apparently awful situation.
“Now that’s the best part –” began Tom, pausing irritably when Daisy noisily tossed her hair back over her shoulder, "- he wants to start these, what are they, programs.”
“Programs,” echoed Daisy, staring out of the window.
“He wants every man to be able to live like a king,” Tom continued, “by letting the state help him out when he need it – none of this Red nonsense, you understand, that’s not what he’s about, you see, but – but – oh, it just has to be read to be believed. I understand the problems we’ve got here now – the rising prices, the property collapse, and this do-nothing we’ve elected just panders to the state governors. What we need is a stronger union, Nick – you heard it from me first.”
When, almost immediately, the telephone rang inside and the butler left the porch Daisy seized upon the momentary interruption and leaned toward me.
“I’ll tell you a family secret,” she whispered enthusiastically. “It’s about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about where we got the butler?”
“That’s why I came over to-night.”
“Well, he wasn’t always a butler; he used to be the overseer for some big company over in New York. Big money, too! Then one day the workers decided they’d had enough of being – what’s it called?”
“Downtrodden,” suggested Miss Baker.
“Yes, that kind of thing. The workers were – downtrodden, yes – and they banded together into one of those big striking groups and shut the whole plant down for six weeks. Things went from bad to worse, until finally he had to give up his position.”
“My,” I remarked with a hope that my tone would not betray my lack of interest. Everyone and their grandmother had a story to tell about some villainous Syndicate putting some no doubt equally villainous bosses out of business. Daisy leaned forward again, her voice glowing and singing.
“I love to see you at my table, Nick. You remind me of a — of a rose, an absolute rose. Doesn’t he?” She turned to Miss Baker for confirmation: “An absolute rose?”
This was untrue. I am not even faintly like a rose.
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Interesting to hear how Long's been talking about how America has to "keep the world in line." I always considered him to be an 'America First' style isolationist but it looks like we'll be seeing an active America in KR for once, no matter who wins the Civil War.
And why the world would need America to save it?
Because Britain has fallen to the dark side and is unavailable.
In my view it's in line with Long's KR characteristics. Make America strong and, not so much keep the world in line militarily, but keep any one economy from dominating the world - in this case Germany. That's who he wants to keep in line.
Any requests on who to hear about next before I begin the next volume?
Time for the mighty Tercios to strike again!
Oh, wait, the Spanish civil war. Well... this may take a little, you know...:rofl:
Something about Japan would be nice; and great work so far, I absolutely love the depth and realism portrayed here.
Should be interesting to see if they are going to go through the democratic route, or fall into a military junta.
Great Men of the Japanese Empire, December 1933
This list, first comissioned in 1930, was published each year to mark out who the Emperor and his government believed had aided Japan and Japanese interests the most. It was considered a great honour to be on the list. Below are some extracts that offer a rough picture of the Japanese sphere of influence during this time.
Inukai Tsuyoshi
For years of service to his Emperor and nation, Japan’s Prime Minister is once again honoured on this list. A pillar of strength through these dark times for the world, Inukai has time and again demonstrated the might and indefatigability of a just form of democratic government. It was Inukai himself who negotiated with the military to assuage their concerns over Manchuria last year. His diplomatic skill allowed the military to see and respect the value of maintaining the Fengtien Clique’s governance in the region, thanks to the careful leadership of Zhang Xueliang. His just hand now guides Japan under the approving eye of his Emperor, who has chosen to honour him this year with his second appearance on the list of Great Men of the Empire.
Zhang Xueliang
The people of the Fengtien Clique know they are ruled by a fair and just hand. Since his father's death and the turmoil of 1928, Zhang has created greater East Asian harmony by steering the Manchurian region that he controls towards greater friendship with Japan. The Emperor is particularly grateful for his work in recent years in reforming his armies on the Chinese frontiers. Zhang represents all that is good about mutual East Asian co-operation with his careful administration, loyalty to both people and Emperor, and just rule. For this reason the Emperor has granted him the honour of being the first Chinese man to appear upon a Great Men of the Empire list. Long may he continue in this way.
Sadao Araki
For service to the military and the Empire as a whole, Sadao Araki is honoured this year by a place on this list. A fierce warrior in our internal struggles against Syndicalism and a Japanese patriot of the highest degree, Japan could not ask for a finer Chief of its Armed Forces. After the historic Inukai-Sadao Agreement of 1932, thanks in part to the stoical nature of Zhang Xueliang, Sadao assured his Emperor that his political ambitions had come to an end. With this move, Sadao laid down a precedent that the Emperor has set in stone – the military shall never again seek control of our country, and democracy shall be upheld to the last. In his capacity, therefore, Sadao also serves as an effective counterweight and safeguard against the potential rise of a new, dangerous cadet class – the last of which are believed to have been executed after the rumoured plans to execute Prime Minister Inukai over the Manchuria Agreement. Sadao’s abilities have also been applied to our military as a whole, modernising it and turning it into a formidable force ideal for the maintenance of East Asian peace, whether the threat comes from Sino-German Expansionism, Syndicalism or the Russian Bear. For skills both military and diplomatic, Sadao is honoured by his Emperor on this year’s list of Great Men of the Empire.
Aleksandr Kolchak
In pledging allegience to the Japanese Emperor, this wise Russian Admiral secured the state of Transamur’s continued safe existence. A perfect example of the East Asian harmony that exists under the Emperor, Kolchak is not Chinese, Japanese or even Mongolian, yet is welcomed into the Japanese fold after a simple message of submission. Other, racist Empires like the German or former British one would never be so tolerant of command being shared by one whose ethnicity was so alien to theirs. Transamur goes from strength to strength under Kolchak’s careful hand, and serves as a powerful and noble naval ally for the Imperial Japanese Navy, providing bases, designs and resources. Kolchak is a fine ally and member of the Empire, and for this reason is honoured this year for the first time with an appearance on the Emperor’s list of Great Men of the Empire.
The People of Korea
For the first time, the List Honour has been bestowed upon an entire people. The people of Korea have achieved so much since they achieved the right to be ruled by their fellow East Asians, and Japanese democracy has helped the region develop into a farming, industrial and social paradise. Korea’s aristocracy is highly-regarded, her people well-fed, and her industry bustling and growing. All this is thanks to the spirit of co-operation the Japanese-Korean partnership has imbued, and thanks also to the hard work of the Korean people. For this reason the Emperor sees fit to honour them in particular out of all his subjects by adding them as a whole to this year’s list of Great Men of the Empire.
Honourable Mention: R.B. Bennett
Although not a member of the Japanese Empire, the Prime Minister of Canada has done great things for Japan in recent months. Demonstrating that the old racism of ‘the yellow peril’ and refusal to deal with East Asian economies were no way to behave in the twentieth century, Benett worked with his government and allies to improve trading relations between Japan and her old Entente allies. Though the shame of defeat still hangs heavy on Japan, her allies and Canada (who are in turn host to the defeated exiles of the United Kingdom, driven from their home isles by cruel Syndicalists), Bennett has worked to improve relations with Japan and allows her and Canada to face down the German and Syndicalist threat with strong economies and close friends. With Bennett in charge, Japan knows that Canada shall always be a friend to it. Japan is grateful to have such a loyal friend, and so the Emperor grants R.B. Bennett a special ‘Honourable Foreigner’ award.
Emperor Hirohito
As is tradition, the Emperor himself is the last name on this year’s list of Great Men of the Empire. Without the Emperor, Japan would have lost a large part of her national identity and the solidarity that holds her together in these dark times. After the cruel fate of Emperor Taisho, so bitterly crippled by menginitis, it fell to his son to rebuild Japan’s honour that had been lost at the so-called ‘Peace with Honour’ with Germany. Hirohito inherited the throne of a country wandering without purpose and lamenting a loss in war. Through wise appointments of ministers, reform of the armed forces and a constant reminder to Japanese people that Japan had gained a great deal from her so-called ‘defeat’, losing only the German Chinese holdings she had gone to war to gain, and oversaw the claiming of varous British Pacific possessions left without a master after the British Revolution in the 1920s. Above all, Hirohito has been a beacon of freedom and democracy in a world caught between absolutist imperialism, unstable republics and murderous Syndicalism. For this reason the Empire’s parliament has voted unanimously to once again honour him with the final place on this year’s list of Great Men of the Empire.
This list really captures the feel of the glorious Empire of Japan, that shall benevolently rule all those Asian people so obviously looking for Japanese guidance.
Guess the mentioning of Araki means the Empire will expand soon enough.
(reminds me o complete all those Kaiserreich-Japanese events I have lying somewhere).
Guess the mentioning of Araki means the Empire will expand soon enough.
(reminds me o complete all those Kaiserreich-Japanese events I have lying somewhere).
Somebody has forgotten Kaiser Bill. Without him, Japan wouldn't have the wonderful chance of being so benevolent...
Pah, the Kaiser cheated Japan of her rightful gains by forcing them out of her at the negotiating table. It was left to Japan to care for those peoples left to suffer outside the Sino-German sphere of influence. Transamur Siberians, Koreans, Manchurians and Japanese shall welcome their East Asian brethren if the cunning Kaiser can 'care' for them no more.