Chapter II: Birth of the Mitteleuropa Community
Flag of the Mitteleuropa Community, representing the nine members.
-2nd of February 1918, München-Gladbach, the German Empire.
“
Männer der großen europäischen Kontinent, ich begrüße Sie in ein neues Zeitalter des Friedens, des Wohlstands und Glücks! Arbeiten Sie mit mir und ein besseres Europa! I propose a council of European nations: the Mitteleuropa Community, a mutually-beneficially economic union and mutual defense organization. Gentlemen, around us lies a broken Europe, broken and burnt from centuries of warfare and deceit. Together we shall rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes and claim a golden age of Europe!”, the Kaiser of Germany spoke with authority to the Council, which had assembled in München-Gladbach* specially to discuss the matter of the Mitteleuropa. The Kaiser had invited most of the states of continental Europe, though only a few which weren't puppet states of Germany had actually showed up.
"The Mitteleuropa Community shall have many unique features, many of which have never have been implemented in Europe. The first of which shall be that the Reichsmark shall be accepted in all countries in the union. The countries within the union will still be able to keep using their own currency if they wish, but the Reichsmark shall be made legal tender all!" he said to the council, but then Aalbert-Pieters te Winkel (representing the Netherlands) spoke up: "
Ihre Majestat, why the Reichmark? Why not any other currency? Or a new Pan-European currency?",
"Because, my good man, the Reichmark is representative of the most powerful economy in Europe at the moment, so it only makes sense to adopt the most powerful currency!", Aalbert-Pieters te Winkel furrowed his brow at this comment, as did Magnus Nørgård of Denmark. The Kaiser paused before continuing: "The statesmen of Germany have prepared a short summary of what the Mitteleuropa Community entails. Of course, the legal details shall be worked over in due course, and tailored to make as many member states as happy as possible. I'll hand over to Max von Richdorf, who will discuss this with you"
A short, bearded man stood up and harrumphed, "Thank you,
Ihre Majestat" he said while bowing respectfully to the Kaiser, who sat down subsequently, "Gentlemen, to the Mitteleuropa Community, the first point which I would like to discuss is that of the currency. As already aforementioned by the Kaiser, the proposed currency is the Reichsmark. I know many of you may find this unsettling, but this is for good reason, I assure you. The Reichmark is currently the strongest in continental Europe -" but he was cut off by Aalbert-Pieters te Winkel,
"What about the French Frank or the British Pound?" he shot the question at von Richdorf aggressively,
"The French Frank is in decline and will
shortly be worthless! I assure you!" he said with an air of contempt,
"If you say so,
Herr von Richdorf"
"As I was saying... The Reichsmark is an excellent choice for a Mitteleuropean currency. And, the member states will still be able to keep their own currencies. The Reichsmark shall be a trade currency if you will" said von Richdorf. There was a slightly awkward moment as von Richdorf shuffled through his notes, then he resumed: "The second point of the Mitteleuropa Community is it's mutually-beneficial defense pact. Every nation of the community shall protect the others. If any nation is attack by an aggressor, the community shall band together in order to vanquish their foe. Likewise, if a nation of the community necessitates a war for reasons of national security, the other nations of the community shall aid that nation. We shall stand together, or divided we will fall.
The third point of which I would like to discuss is the implementation of a plan that shall insure the free movement of all peoples, goods and capital within the community. Basically, any member of the community is able to travel, move goods or capital across the border of the another Mitteleuropean country without the hassle of border control. However, we must also be wary of non-Mitteleuropean countries, and border control of non-Mitteleuropean countries shall be strengthened considerably. This will not only aid the economy of all the Mitteleuropean countries, but it will be effective in allowing us to function as one."
Magnus Nørgård, speaks out suddenly: "Can we opt to join certain areas of the Mitteleuropa but not others? For example, are we able to become members of this free borders scheme but not adopt the Reichsmark?" Max von Richdorf regards Nørgård with cold, grey eyes that sparkle with dislike,
"No. You can either be with us or not" he says slowly, which sends murmurous ripples throughout the assembly.
"Anyway, as I was saying before I was - interrupted - by
Herr Nørgård, the free borders scheme will create a stronger and united Europe. Those are the main arguments for the inception and subsequent joining of the Mitteleuropa Community. Gentlemen, it is a prospect well worth considering."
Max von Richdorf's speech was concluded by respectful clapping on behalf of those representing the German puppets, and not-so-respectful clapping from the Dane and the Dutch man. After due deliberation, the signatories of the Mitteleuropa Community Agreement were narrowed down to nine: Germany and her puppets.
The Signatories were:
- The German Empire
- The Kingdom of Poland
- The Grand Duchy of Byelorussia
- The United Baltic Duchy
- The Free Lands of Lithuania
- The Khanate of Crimea
- The Crown of Ukraine
- The Wallonian Federation
- The Duchy of Flanders
The Mitteleuropa Community was chaired by Kaiser Wilhem II the Victorious (of course) and was due to be phased into effect by 1928. The creation of the community created considerable ripples throughout Europe, many (such as France and Italy) scoffed at the idea, and claimed it was imaginative and fantastical, but stupid and idealistic. This nay-sayers claimed it would crash as soon as it would take effect as they asserted that the German Empire was not as economically strong as they said they were and that they could not support the economy of the largely unindustrialized countries that made up most of the membership.
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Meanwhile in the German Empire, things were seemingly going swimmingly. The recent victory over Germany's archrival, the French, had not only lifted the average German's morale, but sent a wave of monarchism through Germany. Staunch monarchists have been seen knowingly quipping the recently-popular phrase "
Monarchie tötete die Republik" in a I-told-you-so manner. Kaiser Wilhelm II has been given the cognomen "the Victorious" which now appears frequently, both in every-day chit-chat and in literature. Indeed, the Reichsmark is becoming stronger, although wether is looks to be stronger than the Pound Sterling or even the Frank remains to be decided by the future. The losses at the Somme and Verdun have been forgotten for now (except for the Socialist parties) as people rejoice in the victories.
However, not all the Central Powers are doing so well. In Austria-Hungary, the Emperor is faced by an empire in rapid disintegration. During the war, the Hungarian Kingdom became
de facto independent, and the Emperor is having trouble wresting the power back from the Hungarian nobles. In Serbian, a defeated people still doggedly continues an insurgence against the occupying Austrians, and while it isn't inflicting much casualties, it is breaking the morale of an already-humiliated empire. In Slavonia, Croats and Slavonian Serbs against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, albiet they are have a considerably smaller impact.
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-4th of February 1918, München-Gladbach, Germany
The Kaiser was not pleased to be interrupted from a game of chess by one of aides, Falke Hussel, but needless to say, it happened anyway.
"
Ich spiele Schach! I have told you Falke, don't interrupt me" said the Kaiser, quickly shielding his withered arm from the man,
"I know,
Ihre Majestat, but this is important. It is concerning the Russians" Falke said. The Kaiser eyeballed his chess opponent, his son the Crown Prince Wilhelm III,
"
Mein Prinz, listen in. Soon you'll be running this empire" said Wilhelm II to his son, and then he turned to Falke, "Well? What is it?"
"Well... The Bolsheviks"
"Yes, the Bolsheviks! I am perfectly aware there is a civil war in Russia"
"The Bolsheviks... They have made repeated incursions in the Ukraine, especially into the region around Rostov-on-Don"
"So? Can the Hetman not run his own country?"
"Well, that is the thing. They are not met with the resistance. Rather the Hetman allows them to stay and deliver their outrageous propaganda provided they do not cause to much of an uproar"
"What? Why on Earth?
Durch Gottnamen..."
"Well, the political situation appears to be touchy. Recently a string of riots in the eastern areas of the Ukraine have caused the Sich Riflemen to go on strike"
"Riflemen on strike? Who ever heard of such a thing?"
"There is widespread support for the Bolsheviks, and also the Anarchists. The Hetman's recent strengthening of the Ukrainian aristocracy is not exactly welcome news. There is sporadic acts of terrorism committed by Ukrainian nationals. Albiet, they are sporadic, but they are becoming more and more frequent."
"Ach! So what? Is Pavlo blind?"
"He is just trying to stay in power..."
"So he allows the Bolsheviks in? I tell you what we'll do! Send a telegram to
Herr Trotsky stating that if he allows more Bolsheviks into the Ukraine, we'll be forced to retaliate!"
"
Sagen Sie das wieder? You'll go to war with Russia again?"
"Not war... Just an intervention or something. At least we shall set up a perimeter along the Ukrainian borders"
"That'll cause a great uproar amongst the people, these Bolsheviks are very good at propaganda, can convince the peasants of almost anything"
"Do you know what is also good at convincing people?"
"What,
Ihre Majestat?"
"Guns"
* the city of München-Gladbach is now known as Mönchengladbach, as of 1960.
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Elfwine said:
Check with Hendyrk to check if he has anything to dispute too. But by all means yes.
I have left the new chapter fairly editable, so if he does have any qualms, it won't be too hard to implement them.