Confederate Freedom and Gallipoli-China

[Zimmerwald]

Well, I'm glad this was compiled beforehand; the Herald's sounding like we don't have much time before these other two show up.  Viktor opened his briefcase, pulled out the sheets on top, which had been stapled together, though they still bore the marks of the paper clip that had secured them on the flight across the sea.  "You tell me, High Chancellor," said Viktor, handing the document to Collier, "do you want this getting out?"

Collier having taken the document, and seemed to be perusing it, Viktor sat back in one of the room's chair.  "Now, I have no problem talking to Herr Beruff about this, but I think it would be better if Herr Waldman didn't know, at least for the present.  When did you say they would be arriving?"

CHARTER OF THE UNITED AXIS OF SOCIALIST STATES

CHAPTER I. PRINCIPLES OF THE AXIS
Article 1.   This alliance is a grouping of independent, sovereign states, organized to benefit constituent states, and the working people that make up the citizenry of these states.
Article 2.   The name of this alliance is the United Axis of Socialist States.  The language of its diplomacy is Inglish.
Article 3.   The symbols of the United Axis of Socialist States, symbolizing the peaceful intentions and international character of the Axis, include:
 a. the Flag of the Rose;
 b. the Internationale;
  i. the validity of the various versions of the Internationale is determined by a simple majority vote of the Axis Council.
Article 4.   The United Axis of Socialist States embraces as its core policies anti-imperialism and internationalism, and
 a. aspires to peace with all states, based on respect for sovereignty of states and the right of peoples to choose their government;
 b. advocates the unity of all exploited and socialist countries in the face of the colonialist and imperialist policy which seeks to limit the sovereignty of states and peoples;
 c. condemns imperialism as the main force of aggression and war;
 d. repudiates armed aggression against any state;
 e. considers armed aggression of any sort an international crime, and recognizes as legitimate all counter-aggressive efforts, whether by states, organizations, or peoples.
Article 5.   The United Axis of Socialist States commits itself to the spread of socialism throughout Taijitu by peaceful means.
Article 6.   Constituent states of the United Axis of Socialist States must maintain
 a. a socialist or planned economy, directed toward production for the profit of all citizens of that state;
 b. a democratic or representative government that allows the working class to govern the state;
 c. a society that allows for advancement based on the work one does;
 d. a society that has eliminated, or is devoted to eliminating, exploitation of man by man.
CHAPTER II. ADMITTANCE OF NEW STATES
Article 7.   Any state that wishes to apply for membership in the Axis must possess the characteristics enumerated in Article 6.
Article 8.   All the representatives of the constituent states at the time of an application have the right to question the applicant nation’s representative to determine that they comply with Article 6.  Such questioning will be held for seven days, unless the representatives of the constituent states unanimously wish to abbreviate it.
Article 9.   A vote on the application of a new state shall take place immediately after the questioning period.  Each representative shall have one vote.  Admittance will be based on a simple majority vote.
Article 10. A constituent state may only be ejected from the United Axis of Socialist States if it has failed to comply with the requirements listed in Article 6, or if it has failed to send its representative to the Axis Council within one month of admittance.
Article 11. Ejection shall be decided by a super majority vote of the representatives of the constituent states whose ejection is not being voted upon.
CHAPTER IV. ALIENS
Article 12. Non-citizens of the constituent states are to be afforded every opportunity to observe and experience the building of socialism.
Article 13. Diplomatic immunity is provided for, save in the following cases
 a. economic exploitation of citizens of the constituent states;
 b. sexual exploitation of citizens of the constituent states;
 c. taking the life of a citizen of any constituent states;
 d. attempting to incite citizens of the constituent states against either the United Axis of Socialist States, or any individual constituent state.
Article 14. Diplomats who have violated the provisions of Article 14 may be tried by a Special Commission set up by the Axis Council
a. the Special Commission will have all the powers of a Court of Law;
Article 15. Non-citizens of the constituent states are subject to the laws regarding non-citizens in the individual constituent states, and of Joint Axis Territory. 
CHAPTER V. MUTUAL DEFENSE PACT
Article 16. All constituent states have the right to expect military support from all other constituent states, save when the military of a constituent state is engaged in some equal or greater operation.
Article 17. The only obligation of military aid is to expel an aggressor, not to carry war into an aggressor nation’s territory, or against its people.
Article 18. Military formations are to retain their internal command structure, but shall be subordinated to the supreme command of the state to which they are deployed.
Article 19. Should a non-constituent state aggress upon more than one constituent state, or on Joint Axis Territory, the command shall fall to a Central Axis Military Command.
CHAPTER VI. GOVERNANCE OF THE AXIS
Article 20. The governing body of the United Axis of Socialist States shall be known as the Axis Council.
Article 21. Each constituent state shall have the right and duty to send one representative to the Axis Council.
Article 22. Representatives to the Axis Council are elected by popular vote of the citizenry of the state they are to represent.
Article 23. Each constituent state has one representative in the Axis Council, and each representative has only one vote.
Article 24. The Axis Council shall have the power to
 a. admit and eject constituent states, in accordance with the procedures outlined by this Charter;
 b. directly govern Joint Axis Territory;
 c. issue directives on foreign policy for all constituent states;
 d. create Special Commissions and appoint the members of the Central Axis Military Command;
 e. affiliate the Axis with other powers or organizations;
 f. appoint envoys to represent the collective Axis in situations where it requires it.
CHAPTER VII. OTHER AFFILIATIONS
Article 25. No individual constituent state may consider itself a member of any other military alliance.
Article 26. Individual constituent states may consider themselves parties to other international trade agreements, in keeping with Chapter IX.
Article 27. Individual constituent states may consider themselves members of other types of supranational organizations.
Article 28. The Axis as a whole, while limiting its members’ rights under Article 25, may consider itself a member of an outside military alliance.  Authority to decide on such a measure shall be vested in the Axis Council, and shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
Article 29. Withdrawal from an outside military alliance shall be on whatever terms that alliance stipulates.
CHAPTER VIII. JOINT AXIS TERRITORY
Article 30. All Joint Axis Territory shall be under the collective sovereignty of all constituent states.  An attack on Joint Axis Territory shall be considered aggression against all constituent states.
Article 31. All constituent states have the obligation to contribute to the defense of Joint Axis Territory, unless specifically directed not to.
Article 32. The Joint Axis Territory of Utopia shall be the meeting place for the Axis Council.
Article 33. The location of the Joint Axis Territory of Utopia may be determined by the Axis Council.
Article 34. The Joint Axis Territory of Utopia shall be considered a Jewel Colony of the constituent states of the United Axis of Socialist States under customary international law, and all constituent states shall have equal access to its resources.
Article 35. Other Joint Axis Territories may include
 a. military bases;
 b. embassies;
 c. any other territory declared by a super majority of the Axis Council to be Joint Axis Territory.
CHAPTER IX. ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICY
Article 36. All constituent states have the right to expect economic aid in times of crisis, and the duty to give economic aid to other constituent states when they require it.
Article 37. There shall be free and fair trade of commodities other than labor-power between all constituent states.
Article 38. Constituent states have most-favored-nation status.
Article 39. Constituent states have the right to any scientific or technological breakthroughs made in other constituent states, and have the duty to provide other constituent states with any scientific or technological discoveries made or employed in their territory.
CHAPTER X. CHARTER REFORMS
Article 40. This Charter may be altered or modified by a super majority vote of the Axis Council.

[Herald_Collier]

Collier took the document, adjusting his glasses before sitting back in his chair, responding to Viktor's question as he perused the charter intently.

"Within the next half hour, thereabouts. And I'd agree; Herr Waldman doesn't need to know about this...in fact, it would probably be best to keep this information out of the public eye for a while, until its successful carrying out is confirmed." He stroked his stripe of a goatee while analyzing the document in his hand, occasionally silently mouthing the words as he read them; so far, he didn't seem to have any ill opinions about the charter, which was a good thing.

[Talmann]

     Hans Beruff and Klaus Waldmann looked out the window of the "car" and were astonished. The estate was awe-inspiring. They stopped and got out at the end (meaning closest to the building) of the circle drive.
     "Welcome to Kohlersburg," said the butler who opened the door. "You must be the... people from Talstadt? I always forget what they call you..."
          "Talmänner," said Klaus and Hans in unison. They were used to people not knowing how to pronounce their "race", even if they spoke german.
     "Yes, please come in. I'll notify the Herald yoou've arrived. He's busy at the moment, but I'm sure he will see you in just a few minutes."

[Zimmerwald]

"Then you approve?" asked Viktor, glancing at the wall clock.  They only had fifteen or so minutes before the Talmanner were supposed to appear.  He needed a response from Collier, especially if he was going to suggest any changes.

[Herald_Collier]

The Herald smiled as he nodded, "Yes. Yes, I do approve of this charter. It is brilliant work, if you don't mind me saying so..."

Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. The Herald looked up, "Yes?" he shouted.

The door creaked open to reveal Weimann holding the doorknob on the other side, "Your sister and her family are here; they want to see you as soon as possible."

The Herald nodded with a soft smile, "Very well; tell them to wait in the sitting room. Viktor and I shall be along shortly."

Weimann simply nodded, saluted, and promptly shut the door.

Meanwhile, the Herald returned his gaze to Viktor, "Now then, Mister Debs, shall we discuss any changes you may have had in mind...?"

[Zimmerwald]

Viktor's smile was not, as one would expect hearing his words, condescending, but rather sprightly.  His mind was not, for once, on politics.  "High Chancellor, I've had my input on this document already; I was one of the people who drafted it.  It would not have come to your desk if I didn't approve."  He pointed to a spot on one of the pages.  "I drafted the entirety of Chapter Seven, except this bit of Article 28.  If you approve, then there's no more to be said, and once we are able, it shall be presented to you formally by our state to yours.  If the political situation then demands changes, it allows us to make them."  He picked up the pages, and put them back in his briefcase.  He gestured toward the door.

"Your family's waiting."

[Herald_Collier]

The Herald nodded, smiling as he stood up and smoothed out his coat, taking his cap and placing it on a coat rack as he and Viktor left the room, just in time to hear a loud clamor of rapid footsteps and childish laughter.

The Herald smiled as he and Viktor walked down the staircase to see five young children, ranging between the ages of six and twelve, rush into the foyer, followed by a man and woman, undoubtedly the Herald's sister and brother-in-law. Sean Lucier wore a simple two-piece suit, while Breanna, Matthias' sister, handed her coat to her husband, who was placing them on a nearby coat rack, her long hair being let down to flow like a cape behind her back as she wore a nice blouse and knee length skirt.

Upon seeing the Herald, the children squealed and shouted gleefully, rushing towards the laughing head of state with cries of "Uncle Matti!" Anna, the youngest and smallest of the group, managed to reach Collier first. He laughed, smiling wide and showing a glint of his white teeth as he caught the small girl in his arms and picked her up, swinging her about playfully as he spun once, then set the girl back down to address her siblings as Sean and Breeanna approached.

"Viktor Debs, meet my sister, Breanna, and her husband, Sean Lucier; Dr. West's adjutant." The Herald smiled as he introduced the couple, "And of course, their children: Anna, Stephen, Leanne, Christine, and Erich." He introduced the five children from youngest to oldest.

"Now, shall we make our way to the dining room? Johannes and the Talstadt representatives should be here soon..."

[Talmann]

     Hans looked about the room they were given. It looked even better than the train car. 'These people sure aim to please.' He put his bags on the bed and got ready for dinner. As he was putting on his tie, a faint knock was heard at the door. "Kommen Sie ins."
     Klaus opened the door a bit, "Hans, die Zeit ist vorbei. Abendessen ist in fûnf Minuten."  (hans, it's time. dinner in five minutes.)
     Hans finished his tie and went into the hallway to join his companion. As they walked down the hall, they heard the laughter of small children. "Children?" asked Hans, "I did not know the Herald was a father."
     "Neither did I, Herr Beruff. Perhaps it is the children of the servants here. I could understand all their children playing together."
          "As could I. Whoever's children they are, it seems they are eating with us."
     "Why would you assume that, Hans?"
          "Because the noise comes from the kitchen." As they turned into the kitchen, they saw five children running around. "Well," said Hans, "I hope we sit close to the Herald, because with this noise, I don't think we could hear him from much farther!" Then they saw who the children were running around. It was the Herald, and as soon as they saw him, Hans and Klaus gave him a Talstadt salute. (raise three fingers to the head just above the ear and then extend arm forewards at a ~45º angle)

[Herald_Collier]

The Herald smiled as he saw the two Talstadt representatives, returning the salute with the Confederate salute before striding up to them, shaking their hands.

"Herr Beruff and Herr Waldman, I presume? I'm Matthias Collier, Herald of the Party and High Chancellor of the Parliament. I'm glad you could join us for lunch, though I'm afraid my sister and her family will be joining us as well. I do hope that veal and potatoes are to your liking; its one of our national dishes. There will be a menu to select from, of course, to provide you gentleman with a meal fitting to your tastes." The Herald then gestured to Viktor, "And this is Viktor Debs, a representative of the Socialist Party in Gallipoli-China. He will be joining us as well. Now come; let us be seated. The dining room is this way."

The Herald led the group to the large dining room, and the large rectangular table within it. Candles were lit and the table had already been set, the last few pieces of silverware and plates being put meticulously into place by uniformed attendants with white gloves on their hands. The wall across from the dining room entrance was replaced by a large and impressive picture window, which displayed to the guests the small mountain/forest landscape that surrounded both Kohlersburg and Einheit, blanketed in snow. The Herald sat at the head of the table, gesturing Viktor to sit close to him at the table's right side, the Talstadt representatives sitting across from Viktor, with the Herald's sister and family sitting a tad further down. The attendants walked up to the table, providing each guest a menu and a glass of champagne--with the exception of the children, of course, who were each given a glass of fresh milk. Strangely enough, the Herald's glass was also filled with the white, opaque beverage, though whether this was because he was a teetotaler or just didn't drink at noon was not clear.

The menus were not too large, but did have a considerable selection, including a variety of potatoes and veal-based recipes, along with beef, a salad or two along with a few other choices of vegetarian  cuisine, and an assortment of beverages.

"I do hope our modest selection is suitable to your tastes. Now then, pick whatever you like; the attendants will bring in our meals shortly."

[Talmann]

     After handshakes all around, the Herald brought Hans and Klaus to the dining room. The large window on the opposite wall gave a glimpse to what could almost be considered home. The two men were seated and given menus. "Hmm..." said Klaus. "Haben Sie Baronauslese Wein? Das habe ich sehr gut." (Do you have Baronauslese wine? I would love it.)
     "Na ja," said Hans. "Aber Klaus, warum nicht Kabinet Wein? Wir möchten nicht so kostliche Gäste. Ich werde Kabinet Wein haben. Und fûr essen... hab' ich.... Haben Sie Wurst? Ich mag' gern Cheddarwurst. Vielleicht hab' ich Hähnchen, wenn Sie nicht Wurst haben." (Yes, but Klaus, why not Kabinet wine? We don't want to be costly guests. I'll have Kabinet wine. And to eat... I'll have.... Do you have wurst? I like cheddarwurst. Perhaps I'll have chicken if you don't have wurst.)
     "Okay, Hans. Okay... Kabinet hab' ich auch." Klaus let out a loud laugh from his belly. "Und... ich möchte Rindfleisch bitte haben." (Okay, Hans. I'll have Kabinet, too. And I'll have steak, please.)

[Herald_Collier]

(OOC: Waiting for G-C to reply, here. And yes, Talmann; Kroenher's name is meant to be spelled with the umlaut; I just don't know how to add them into a post. )

[Zimmerwald]

Well, that was fast, thought Viktor after he had greeted Collier's family and the Talmanner.

After browsing the menu, Viktor ordered veal and a claret, though he was more partial to seafood.  The old Republic probably overfished, he mused, as the four began the long nadir between ordering food and tasting it.  Viktor sat sedately, waiting for one of the other three to strike up a topic

[Herald_Collier]

The Herald smiled as he ordered his own vealwursst, as the Confederate peoples called the veal-based sausage, along with baked potato, the attendants taking the menus away after having taken down the orders of the dinner guests. Collier then looked to Viktor and the Talmanner, smiling, "So, Herr Beruff, Her Waldmann, tell us of your homeland; the children have never been abroad and, I'm embarrassed to say, neither have I. I've heard it's a beautiful place, not too different from our lands here?"

"Oh, Matthias," Breanna rolled her eyes, "You've barely talked to your own sister and brother-in-law since they've arrived, and already you're talking to the diplomats again, can you not get politics off of your mind for just once?" She smiled as she said this; clearly this was an inside and ongoing family joke, "The children miss you; they talk about you all the time. Erich even takes part as the flag-bearer who leads the Herald Youth troop from our hometown during the Memorial Day for the fallen Heroes of the first Social Revolution..."

"I always have said that 'Herald Youth' is a ridiculous sounding name; you know I officially had it changed to the Socialist Youth." Collier interjected, and a tad more firmly than was necessary; apparently having things named after him or his Party based title were a slightly sore subject for him. His smile, however, only waned slightly before widening again as he looked to the young blond-haired boy who was the oldest of his nephews and nieces, "Though I am glad that he cares so much for the Movement, and takes pride in celebrating its Success and its Heroes. Such youth is neccessary, if our working-man's State is going to survive for more than two generations."

The boy said little, but smiled wide as he set down his glass of milk, quickly wiping off a scant milk mustache.

The Herald looked back to the Talmanner, and Viktor, "Now then, my apologies for allowing that interruption to last so long...before we hear the Talmanner's regales of home, I can't help but ask the three of you: are you certain that the selection of meals was to your liking? It's a tradition of our peoples to be as hospitable to any guest as possible..."

[Talmann]

OOC: ä = alt 132 on qwerty keyboard, ö = alt 148, û (closest thing to u umlaut) = alt 150, ß = alt 225

IC: "Oh, yes, thank you. We are quite grateful that you offer such a selection. It is not often that I can have steak." said Klaus. "Now, you asked what Talstadt looks like?" He looked around, making sure everyone looked approving of his statement. The Herald's sister wasn't looking, she kept staring out the window. "I'll try to keep it brief. Most of Talstadt is hilly at best. In the East, nearest to here, we have mountians everywhere. It is hard to get a decent road made from town to town. But we do have many small lakes, and one significantly larger lake, Bergensmeer, on which the large trading town of Bergenhafen is located. I come from the north of Talstadt, and so I am used to the large conifer forests that we have there. I remember as a child, me and all the other village children would run about throwing pinecones at one another. Ah.. but anyway, where was I?"
     "You were just about to get to the South and East sections of Talstadt." Hans interjected. "I believe I can cover those. The south is a place of great loyalty to the König, mostly because he was from its capital, Feldenstadt. As is apparent in the name, the south is mainly open fields, forming a large river basin where we get much of our farming done. Then the east of Talstadt is basically the most heavily populated. The coastline is scattered with houses, lighthouses, and ports for trading. Often where one does not see a port, it is because there is a cliff right on the waters edge. Which leaves us just with..."
     Klaus finished his sentence, "The capital of Talstadt. Himmelstadt is so called because it is basically a bowl of land surrounded by mountains. The castle given to our king is on a cliff in the middle of the city. The northern edges of the city limits are farming, the south and parts of the edges are mining. We have several parks in Himmelstadt, several temples to our gods, and... ah, yes, our military training centers."
     Klaus continued, "Well I believe that sums it up. I guess that leaves us waiting on the Herr delegate from Gallipoli-China." After he said that, the eyes of the table turned slowly to Viktor.

[Zimmerwald]

Viktor could tell that Collier's family was occupying far more of his attention than the Talmanner, and he suspected that he would face the same sort of treatment.  Not that he blamed him.  Viktor was an only child, without nieces or nephews, and he hadn't found the right person yet, so he had no children.  But if I had a family, I would want it to be like that...  His reverie ended when Klaus mentioned Gallipoli-China.

"As you may have inferred from my name, I am not a native of Gallipoli-China; my parents and I moved there when I was eleven.  Baltija was collapsing, and the warlords were taking over, and we needed to leave.  But I digress.  We were discussing geography.

"There's something special about an archipelago.  My family settled in the central islands, outside of Istanbul, and I have to tell you, there's nothing like it on Taijitu.  I've always felt very isolated on land; there's so much open space.  But on an island, you have to be tight-knit.  It's beautiful, especially the unspoilt places away from the cities, much of the rainforest stands intact, and when you go there, it's like being in a cathedral.

"Of course, mainland China has its charms too.  It is a land of many rivers, most running north to south, and by the time they get to China, they're languid and peaceful as can be.  Granted, China has its share of pitfalls; some hills and not a few swamps, but when I think of China I think of the rivers."