Letters of War: A WW1 ISOT

[raunchel]

Letters of War
Father and Daughter






Antwerpen, August 1, 1914

Dear Jakoba,


As you have doubtlessly heard, the strange flash of light that you mentioned in your letter of the 28th has led to quite a few changes. I guess that the newspapers will also have been reporting this by the time you read this, but it appears that we have been transplanted to another world, one with all sorts of tensions. I thank God that you haven’t accompanied Karel to his posting to Zeelandia, although of course, my prayers are with you in this difficult time. Of course, I will send a telegram as soon as I hear anything. I can however tell you that ships have arrived that were at sea when this happened, so at least some of our possessions must have come with us.
I can't deny that I'm truly worried for Geertje and her young girl. I pray every day that they are alive and well and that we will get to see them some day. 

The news today is that it appears that the English have been threatening our ships, so, aside from the earlier small sorties, permission has been given to set sail with the full squadron to ensure that no one will intervene with our shipping. If they do not behave, I believe that we might be forced into a war, which we will naturally win.

Have you heard from Hendrik? Your brother hasn’t written to me in ages, I know that he thinks that I disapprove of him joining the army, even if I don’t, but it would do me much good to hear from him again. And if you see her, tell your mother that she is with me in my heart and that I truly look forward to seeing her again after our sortie.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots







Leiden, August 4, 1914

Dear father,

I’m happy that you will be going back to sea, and am both thrilled and worried at the prospect of war. Here in Leiden, my fellow students are exhilarated at the prospect of going to fight, although no one seems to know who we will have to fight! This German Empire to our east has apparently taken an aggressive posture, and so have the French. It worries me that both are so close to us, and if what I’ve heard is correct, they each have millions of soldiers mobilized against us!

I also have some big news! Uncle Sytze has asked me to accompany him on his mission as our new ambassador to the Germans, because, as you might recall, I studied their language. And since Aunt Anna’s passing, he lacks someone to host guests at the embassy. Naturally, I will have to interrupt my studies, but this way, I can actually help our Republic! I hope that you won’t mind me having accepted this invitation without asking you first, although I of course did ask Mother. We will depart later today, you wouldn’t believe how excited I am!

There hasn’t been any news from Karel, but if our ships at sea have also come along, I see no reason to believe him dead or missing, although, of course, the possibility of war still worries me. Hendrik is fine, his regiment has been sent south, although it seems that he is still somewhere on the railways. And in the army, they actually censor what they’re allowed to write! Silly, isn’t it?
And I’m sure that you will be very proud of Johannes, he has passed all of his exams, and is so happy that he can go to the Naval Academy to follow in your footsteps! They however all are very worried about Geertje and Albert, but your words have done much to put them at ease. I have to stop writing now however, I still have to pack my things. I promise, I’ll write you as soon as we’ve reached our destination and will pray for you.

Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
Here it is, the start of another project, although it will be a much simpler and more defined one than most of my others. Basically, it's a WW1 isot where a Dutch empire from a timeline where the conflict between the Gomarists and Arminians went the other way around, keeping a slightly milder form of Christianity in power and crippling that of the Stadthouder. This empire naturally is much more succesful, and actually still is a serious Great Power at this time, with large colonial possession including (but not limited to), Brazil, the East Indies, Formosa, Ceylon, bits of Africa, Australia, and India, along with a whole bunch of smaller holdings. I'm not revealing how things change, but basically, I want to keep it somewhat fair in terms of how the different colonial empires are affected.

This story will be in the format of an exchange of letters between two characters, Jakoba who is one of the few women studying at the time, and her father, Johan, a rear admiral in command of what essentially is a battlecruiser squadron. The family is quite important and well-connected (as is to be expected), allowing me to explore multiple angles. At the start of the story, Jakoba is engaged to a young officer who has been sent to Formosa (if only to allow me to also write about that bit of the world). She has three siblings, the older brother, Hendrik (shame of the family who joined the army, which, as we all know, is the true enemy), Geertje (who already is married, and together with her husband, she is in Brazil) and Johannes (the youngest, who has just finished High School and will join the navy).

And yes, this way of doing things is an excuse to write a timeline without having to be an expert like some of the others around here are!

I'm thinking about adding images too, but I honestly can't find any decent pictures of someone who could look like a Dutch admiral (made worse by the fact that logically, they will have different uniforms from otl)

[lordroel]

Nov 12, 2018 16:21:20 GMT raunchel said:

Letters of War
Father and Daughter



Antwerpen, August 1, 1914

Dear Jakoba,


As you have doubtlessly heard, the strange flash of light that you mentioned in your letter of the 21st has led to quite a few changes. I guess that the newspapers will also have been reporting this by the time you read this, but it appears that we have been transplanted to another world, caught into a great war. I thank God that you haven’t accompanied Karel to his posting to Zeelandia, although of course, my prayers are with you in this difficult time. Of course, I will send a telegram as soon as I hear anything. I can however tell you that ships have arrived that were at sea when this happened, so at least some of our possessions must have come with us.
I can't deny that I'm truly worried for Geertje and her young girl. I pray every day that they are alive and well and that we will get to see them some day. 

The news today is that it appears that the English have been threatening our ships, so, aside from the earlier small sorties, permission has been given to set sail with the full squadron to ensure that no one will intervene with our shipping. If they do not behave, I believe that we might be forced into a war, which we will naturally win.

Have you heard from Hendrik? Your brother hasn’t written to me in ages, I know that he thinks that I disapprove of him joining the army, even if I don’t, but it would do me much good to hear from him again. And if you see her, tell your mother that she is with me in my heart and that I truly look forward to seeing her again after our sortie.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots







Leiden, August 4, 1914

Dear father,

I’m happy that you will be going back to sea, and am both thrilled and worried at the prospect of war. Here in Leiden, my fellow students are exhilarated at the prospect of going to fight, although no one seems to know who we will have to fight! This German Empire to our east has apparently taken an aggressive posture, and so have the French. It worries me that both are so close to us, and if what I’ve heard is correct, they each have millions of soldiers mobilized against us!

I also have some big news! Uncle Sytze has asked me to accompany him on his mission as our new ambassador to the Germans, because, as you might recall, I studied their language. And since Aunt Anna’s passing, he lacks someone to host guests at the embassy. Naturally, I will have to interrupt my studies, but this way, I can actually help our Republic! I hope that you won’t mind me having accepted this invitation without asking you first, although I of course did ask Mother. We will depart later today, you wouldn’t believe how excited I am!

There hasn’t been any news from Karel, but if our ships at sea have also come along, I see no reason to believe him dead or missing, although, of course, the possibility of war still worries me. Hendrik is fine, his regiment has been sent south, although it seems that he is still somewhere on the railways. And in the army, they actually censor what they’re allowed to write! Silly, isn’t it?
And I’m sure that you will be very proud of Johannes, he has passed all of his exams, and is so happy that he can go to the Naval Academy to follow in your footsteps! They however all are very worried about Geertje and Albert, but your words have done much to put them at ease. I have to stop writing now however, I still have to pack my things. I promise, I’ll write you as soon as we’ve reached our destination and will pray for you.

Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
Here it is, the start of another project, although it will be a much simpler and more defined one than most of my others. Basically, it's a WW1 isot where a Dutch empire from a timeline where the conflict between the Gomarists and Arminians went the other way around, keeping a slightly milder form of Christianity in power and crippling that of the Stadthouder. This empire naturally is much more succesful, and actually still is a serious Great Power at this time, with large colonial possession including (but not limited to), Brazil, the East Indies, Formosa, Ceylon, bits of Africa, Australia, and India, along with a whole bunch of smaller holdings. I'm not revealing how things change, but basically, I want to keep it somewhat fair in terms of how the different colonial empires are affected.

This story will be in the format of an exchange of letters between two characters, Jakoba who is one of the few women studying at the time, and her father, Johan, a rear admiral in command of what essentially is a battlecruiser squadron. The family is quite important and well-connected (as is to be expected), allowing me to explore multiple angles. At the start of the story, Jakoba is engaged to a young officer who has been sent to Formosa (if only to allow me to also write about that bit of the world). She has three siblings, the older brother, Hendrik (shame of the family who joined the army, which, as we all know, is the true enemy), Geertje (who already is married, and together with her husband, she is in Brazil) and Johannes (the youngest, who has just finished High School and will join the navy).

And yes, this way of doing things is an excuse to write a timeline without having to be an expert like some of the others around here are!

I'm thinking about adding images too, but I honestly can't find any decent pictures of someone who could look like a Dutch admiral (made worse by the fact that logically, they will have different uniforms from otl)

Nice work raunchel.

[James G]

Great to see you writing. Your good at this business of story telling!

[Zyobot]

I must say, you have a piquing first entry. However, I'm unsure as to where the ISOT comes in; my closest guess is that some modern-day WW1 participant or another will find itself back in 1914.

Nonetheless, I look forward to reading the rest of what you have to write. Time travel ISOTs tend to get me interested.

[raunchel]

Nov 12, 2018 18:50:35 GMT lordroel said:

Nice work raunchel .

Thank you! I'm hoping to make an actual contribution for a change.

Nov 12, 2018 20:01:38 GMT James G said:

Great to see you writing. Your good at this business of story telling!

That really means a lot coming from you!

Nov 12, 2018 20:53:48 GMT Zyobot said:

I must say, you have a piquing first entry. However, I'm unsure as to where the ISOT comes in; my closest guess is that some modern-day WW1 participant or another will find itself back in 1914.

Nonetheless, I look forward to reading the rest of what you have to write. Time travel ISOTs tend to get me interested.

Thanks! The ISOT has already happened a few days before the start of the story, I didn't really feel like describing it because for some reason, it often feels a bit cliché. Basically, there has been a country-wide ISOT of the Dutch Republic from an alternate timeline (where the main characters are from) to our own world at the 28th of July, just after the Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia. Of course, the exchange of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemburg with a strong Dutch republic will seriously change the course of the first world war.

[stevep]

Nov 12, 2018 16:21:20 GMT raunchel said:

Letters of War
Father and Daughter



Antwerpen, August 1, 1914

Dear Jakoba,


As you have doubtlessly heard, the strange flash of light that you mentioned in your letter of the 21st has led to quite a few changes. I guess that the newspapers will also have been reporting this by the time you read this, but it appears that we have been transplanted to another world, caught into a great war. I thank God that you haven’t accompanied Karel to his posting to Zeelandia, although of course, my prayers are with you in this difficult time. Of course, I will send a telegram as soon as I hear anything. I can however tell you that ships have arrived that were at sea when this happened, so at least some of our possessions must have come with us.
I can't deny that I'm truly worried for Geertje and her young girl. I pray every day that they are alive and well and that we will get to see them some day. 

The news today is that it appears that the English have been threatening our ships, so, aside from the earlier small sorties, permission has been given to set sail with the full squadron to ensure that no one will intervene with our shipping. If they do not behave, I believe that we might be forced into a war, which we will naturally win.

Have you heard from Hendrik? Your brother hasn’t written to me in ages, I know that he thinks that I disapprove of him joining the army, even if I don’t, but it would do me much good to hear from him again. And if you see her, tell your mother that she is with me in my heart and that I truly look forward to seeing her again after our sortie.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots







Leiden, August 4, 1914

Dear father,

I’m happy that you will be going back to sea, and am both thrilled and worried at the prospect of war. Here in Leiden, my fellow students are exhilarated at the prospect of going to fight, although no one seems to know who we will have to fight! This German Empire to our east has apparently taken an aggressive posture, and so have the French. It worries me that both are so close to us, and if what I’ve heard is correct, they each have millions of soldiers mobilized against us!

I also have some big news! Uncle Sytze has asked me to accompany him on his mission as our new ambassador to the Germans, because, as you might recall, I studied their language. And since Aunt Anna’s passing, he lacks someone to host guests at the embassy. Naturally, I will have to interrupt my studies, but this way, I can actually help our Republic! I hope that you won’t mind me having accepted this invitation without asking you first, although I of course did ask Mother. We will depart later today, you wouldn’t believe how excited I am!

There hasn’t been any news from Karel, but if our ships at sea have also come along, I see no reason to believe him dead or missing, although, of course, the possibility of war still worries me. Hendrik is fine, his regiment has been sent south, although it seems that he is still somewhere on the railways. And in the army, they actually censor what they’re allowed to write! Silly, isn’t it?
And I’m sure that you will be very proud of Johannes, he has passed all of his exams, and is so happy that he can go to the Naval Academy to follow in your footsteps! They however all are very worried about Geertje and Albert, but your words have done much to put them at ease. I have to stop writing now however, I still have to pack my things. I promise, I’ll write you as soon as we’ve reached our destination and will pray for you.

Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
Here it is, the start of another project, although it will be a much simpler and more defined one than most of my others. Basically, it's a WW1 isot where a Dutch empire from a timeline where the conflict between the Gomarists and Arminians went the other way around, keeping a slightly milder form of Christianity in power and crippling that of the Stadthouder. This empire naturally is much more succesful, and actually still is a serious Great Power at this time, with large colonial possession including (but not limited to), Brazil, the East Indies, Formosa, Ceylon, bits of Africa, Australia, and India, along with a whole bunch of smaller holdings. I'm not revealing how things change, but basically, I want to keep it somewhat fair in terms of how the different colonial empires are affected.

This story will be in the format of an exchange of letters between two characters, Jakoba who is one of the few women studying at the time, and her father, Johan, a rear admiral in command of what essentially is a battlecruiser squadron. The family is quite important and well-connected (as is to be expected), allowing me to explore multiple angles. At the start of the story, Jakoba is engaged to a young officer who has been sent to Formosa (if only to allow me to also write about that bit of the world). She has three siblings, the older brother, Hendrik (shame of the family who joined the army, which, as we all know, is the true enemy), Geertje (who already is married, and together with her husband, she is in Brazil) and Johannes (the youngest, who has just finished High School and will join the navy).

And yes, this way of doing things is an excuse to write a timeline without having to be an expert like some of the others around here are!

I'm thinking about adding images too, but I honestly can't find any decent pictures of someone who could look like a Dutch admiral (made worse by the fact that logically, they will have different uniforms from otl)

  Interesting.  Their going to find themselves in the middle of things as if the Antwerpen is presumably OTL Antwerp this Dutch republic contains most/all of the OTL Belgium so its currently being invaded by a pretty large German army.  Actually checking the German ultimatim was issued on the 2nd August and reject by Belgium on the 3rd.  Here its going to cause confusion as Belgium doesn't exist.  A lot would depend on what the size of the home territories of this Netherlands are, i.e. does it include parts of OTL France or Germany or Luxembourg, which was occupied on the 1st August by Germany.  Going to be a huge amount of confusion on both all sides.

  Not sure why Britain, which is still neutral on the 1st would be seeking to restrict Dutch shipping?  Note that Jakoba mentions some surprise that both French and Germans are so close but whether that means there were some sort of buffer states in the world she comes from or simply that her world wasn't on the verge of a major conflict with massive conscription I don't know?

  If the Dutch empire is that large and has come along that's going to cause chaos as well.  The British, Japanese and Australians are all going to be unhappy as they will have lost some territories and possibly others as well while if Brazil is a Dutch colony not sure what the American attitude will be.  Does the OTL Belgium Congo colony still exist, in whole or part, in which case its now stranded without an homeland.  Suspect Britain has lost at least some of the S African dominion as well.

  I find it hard to see there not being war between the Dutch state and Germany as the latter's entire war plan depends on marching west before the Russians mobilise and not doing so will cause chaos.  Definitely if this Netherlands includes Luxembourg as that was pretty much under way when the ISOT started.  With the demand for passage through 'Belgium' the Germans are going to be confused in that it sounds like there isn't a Belgium any more, nor any German diplomatic corp there, or at least not one answering to Wilhelm II's government.  How things develop with other powers depends on where the territorial changes are and how the locals on both sides are affected.

  One point is that unless this Netherlands is significantly more advanced than OTL 1914 it will depend on telegram cables for most international communications and those will be cut which will mean people in their colonies will suddenly find themselves out of touch with the homeland.  Some of OTL communications are likely to be affected as well depending on what areas exactly have been transported across.

  Anyway a fascinating scenario and looking forward to seeing how it develops.

[raunchel]

Nov 12, 2018 23:08:09 GMT stevep said:

Nov 12, 2018 16:21:20 GMT raunchel said:

Letters of War
Father and Daughter



Antwerpen, August 1, 1914

Dear Jakoba,


As you have doubtlessly heard, the strange flash of light that you mentioned in your letter of the 21st has led to quite a few changes. I guess that the newspapers will also have been reporting this by the time you read this, but it appears that we have been transplanted to another world, caught into a great war. I thank God that you haven’t accompanied Karel to his posting to Zeelandia, although of course, my prayers are with you in this difficult time. Of course, I will send a telegram as soon as I hear anything. I can however tell you that ships have arrived that were at sea when this happened, so at least some of our possessions must have come with us.
I can't deny that I'm truly worried for Geertje and her young girl. I pray every day that they are alive and well and that we will get to see them some day. 

The news today is that it appears that the English have been threatening our ships, so, aside from the earlier small sorties, permission has been given to set sail with the full squadron to ensure that no one will intervene with our shipping. If they do not behave, I believe that we might be forced into a war, which we will naturally win.

Have you heard from Hendrik? Your brother hasn’t written to me in ages, I know that he thinks that I disapprove of him joining the army, even if I don’t, but it would do me much good to hear from him again. And if you see her, tell your mother that she is with me in my heart and that I truly look forward to seeing her again after our sortie.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots







Leiden, August 4, 1914

Dear father,

I’m happy that you will be going back to sea, and am both thrilled and worried at the prospect of war. Here in Leiden, my fellow students are exhilarated at the prospect of going to fight, although no one seems to know who we will have to fight! This German Empire to our east has apparently taken an aggressive posture, and so have the French. It worries me that both are so close to us, and if what I’ve heard is correct, they each have millions of soldiers mobilized against us!

I also have some big news! Uncle Sytze has asked me to accompany him on his mission as our new ambassador to the Germans, because, as you might recall, I studied their language. And since Aunt Anna’s passing, he lacks someone to host guests at the embassy. Naturally, I will have to interrupt my studies, but this way, I can actually help our Republic! I hope that you won’t mind me having accepted this invitation without asking you first, although I of course did ask Mother. We will depart later today, you wouldn’t believe how excited I am!

There hasn’t been any news from Karel, but if our ships at sea have also come along, I see no reason to believe him dead or missing, although, of course, the possibility of war still worries me. Hendrik is fine, his regiment has been sent south, although it seems that he is still somewhere on the railways. And in the army, they actually censor what they’re allowed to write! Silly, isn’t it?
And I’m sure that you will be very proud of Johannes, he has passed all of his exams, and is so happy that he can go to the Naval Academy to follow in your footsteps! They however all are very worried about Geertje and Albert, but your words have done much to put them at ease. I have to stop writing now however, I still have to pack my things. I promise, I’ll write you as soon as we’ve reached our destination and will pray for you.

Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
Here it is, the start of another project, although it will be a much simpler and more defined one than most of my others. Basically, it's a WW1 isot where a Dutch empire from a timeline where the conflict between the Gomarists and Arminians went the other way around, keeping a slightly milder form of Christianity in power and crippling that of the Stadthouder. This empire naturally is much more succesful, and actually still is a serious Great Power at this time, with large colonial possession including (but not limited to), Brazil, the East Indies, Formosa, Ceylon, bits of Africa, Australia, and India, along with a whole bunch of smaller holdings. I'm not revealing how things change, but basically, I want to keep it somewhat fair in terms of how the different colonial empires are affected.

This story will be in the format of an exchange of letters between two characters, Jakoba who is one of the few women studying at the time, and her father, Johan, a rear admiral in command of what essentially is a battlecruiser squadron. The family is quite important and well-connected (as is to be expected), allowing me to explore multiple angles. At the start of the story, Jakoba is engaged to a young officer who has been sent to Formosa (if only to allow me to also write about that bit of the world). She has three siblings, the older brother, Hendrik (shame of the family who joined the army, which, as we all know, is the true enemy), Geertje (who already is married, and together with her husband, she is in Brazil) and Johannes (the youngest, who has just finished High School and will join the navy).

And yes, this way of doing things is an excuse to write a timeline without having to be an expert like some of the others around here are!

I'm thinking about adding images too, but I honestly can't find any decent pictures of someone who could look like a Dutch admiral (made worse by the fact that logically, they will have different uniforms from otl)

  Interesting.  Their going to find themselves in the middle of things as if the Antwerpen is presumably OTL Antwerp this Dutch republic contains most/all of the OTL Belgium so its currently being invaded by a pretty large German army.  Actually checking the German ultimatim was issued on the 2nd August and reject by Belgium on the 3rd.  Here its going to cause confusion as Belgium doesn't exist.  A lot would depend on what the size of the home territories of this Netherlands are, i.e. does it include parts of OTL France or Germany or Luxembourg, which was occupied on the 1st August by Germany.  Going to be a huge amount of confusion on both all sides.

  Not sure why Britain, which is still neutral on the 1st would be seeking to restrict Dutch shipping?  Note that Jakoba mentions some surprise that both French and Germans are so close but whether that means there were some sort of buffer states in the world she comes from or simply that her world wasn't on the verge of a major conflict with massive conscription I don't know?

  If the Dutch empire is that large and has come along that's going to cause chaos as well.  The British, Japanese and Australians are all going to be unhappy as they will have lost some territories and possibly others as well while if Brazil is a Dutch colony not sure what the American attitude will be.  Does the OTL Belgium Congo colony still exist, in whole or part, in which case its now stranded without an homeland.  Suspect Britain has lost at least some of the S African dominion as well.

  I find it hard to see there not being war between the Dutch state and Germany as the latter's entire war plan depends on marching west before the Russians mobilise and not doing so will cause chaos.  Definitely if this Netherlands includes Luxembourg as that was pretty much under way when the ISOT started.  With the demand for passage through 'Belgium' the Germans are going to be confused in that it sounds like there isn't a Belgium any more, nor any German diplomatic corp there, or at least not one answering to Wilhelm II's government.  How things develop with other powers depends on where the territorial changes are and how the locals on both sides are affected.

  One point is that unless this Netherlands is significantly more advanced than OTL 1914 it will depend on telegram cables for most international communications and those will be cut which will mean people in their colonies will suddenly find themselves out of touch with the homeland.  Some of OTL communications are likely to be affected as well depending on what areas exactly have been transported across.

  Anyway a fascinating scenario and looking forward to seeing how it develops.

The actual ISOT happened on the 28th, so there has been a little bit of time between everything going even more insane although Austria and Serbia already are at war, so things are in motion. And with the Balkan trigger cemented in the Franco-Russian alliance, war has practically become unavoidable. I'm not saying anything about the colonial empire yet, but even in Europe, some borders have changed because the Dutch never lost the westernmost bits of Flanders in still hold Dunkirk and the area around it as well as some small changes on the rest of the borders of course (I don't see a way to keep such things perfectly identical with our world when things diverged a few centuries ago).

If the empire comes along, there will be even more issues, and practically the whole world will be unhappy (except for the Serbians I guess, they were unhappy already). But here is a map I made in Photoshop (not having Paint still hurts). Some borders and the like are off, because I'm still lazy.

SPOILER: Click to show

The level of technology is roughly the same. There will be some slight differences, but that's mostly smaller stuff because not everything would be developed at exactly the same pace. At this time, it's possible to send radio messages across the ocean (if doing it from the right place and the like), but the Dutch indeed rely on cables that don't exist anymore. To restore distant communications, they will have to rebuild those, and until then, they either have to rely on the cables of other countries, or the traditional despatch ships. 

At this time, the British fleet already was mobilised (OTL happened on the 29th, but the dispersal after exercises was stopped on the 26th by Battenberg and Churchill). With the fleet already mobilised, my thinking is that scout elements will be sent out to sea, and with all the tensions and the strange event of an actual ISOT, I could see a captain deciding to stop a Dutch ship, even if only to ask some questions. To a jingoist like Johan, this would be a horrible provocation. 

It is important to keep in mind that I won't have the characters necessarily telling the truth or anything close to it, and Johan at least is quite a jingoist so not everything he says will be fully reliable. Jakoba is a little different, but she also isn't fully honest in all of her letters and both of course only write their perception of matters.

[raunchel]

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 6, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

I expect that by the time you read this, you will already be in Germany, and hope that you will enjoy it there. There hasn’t been a hint of war yet, but in the Channel, I did encounter an English fleet consisting of around fifteen primitive battleships and assorted escorts, all of an inferior kind to those that we employ. You may remember what I told you about the revolution in warship design that the Tijger represents? Fundamentally, these ships all appear to follow a design that doesn’t incorporate those lessons.

In order to make an impression, I had supper with their commanding admiral, one Sir Frederic Hamilton, and several of his captains. They were friendly, but you know that you can never trust an Englishmen. In their hearts, they’re all liars and semipapists. Naturally, I informed them that they should not intervene in any way with our shipping, and I believe that the sight of my squadron made them realize that.
Not much was said about the international situation, and I’m happy that I instructed my own companions to not speak of it either. It however appears that they perceive the German empire that you are visiting to be their main adversary, but they aren’t certain that it will be war, because it’s all because of something silly in the Balkans. I can’t understand how the Turk could ever have let that happen.

In our conversation, I learned that one of the Englishmen actually was from Scotland, which seemingly was fully integrated into the country. On several occasions, they also proclaimed themselves to be part of the greatest navy in the world, which doesn’t say much good about what was there before.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots



Berlin, August 8, 1914

Dear Father,

How was your sortie? Every day I pray for your continued safety, but all this talk of war has me deeply worried.

I just arrived in this strange city, Berlin. I always thought that it was just a small provincial town, but somehow, it’s become their capital instead of Magdeburg! And instead of four, there are only two German countries, which does explain a lot. Berlin however is a beautiful city and the people are incredibly friendly, although that might have to do with their hopes for an alliance of course.

The journey took longer than expected. There were countless trains, all of them filled with soldiers, guns, and more. It was a truly frightening sight when we were waiting in Hanover. There just wasn’t an end to it, such an enormous army moving west! I tried counting the wagons, to calculate how many men there would be, but I actually had to give up. It made me worry for Hendrik, who will be right in their path if it comes to war. Just before I left, he wrote me again, his letter was censored, but it was clear enough that he is somewhere around Luik. I fear that even with the manpower of all the colonies, it won’t be enough to stop such an army.

Here in Berlin, we are staying in a hotel with all the luxuries you could hope for, it actually generates its own electricity and even has hot water coming from taps! Can you believe it? There isn’t an embassy building yet, there already are Dutch and Belgian embassiesm and even one belonging to Luxemburg! They actually were separate countries here, crazy as it may sound, but their staffs refuse to make room for us, so we will have to work from the hotel for now.

Tomorrow, I will go on an audience to meet the Emperor and Uncle Sytze will formally present his credentials. I’ve never met royalty before, so that’s really exciting. Especially because it’s not some petty king in a grass skirt with a bone through his nose! I will of course wear my best dress, and am so grateful that Mother gave me the emerald necklace from Ceylon to wear.

Today, I already met the German state secretary of the foreign office, a rather unimposing man to be honest. He however seems sincere in his desire to work with us. He explained me how their state functions, in broad terms of course. There is an emperor, but as he should, he doesn’t hold too much power (any of course already is too much). But somehow, he still has the final say. Von Jagow told me that the emperor is a very warm man, but for some reason, he warned me that he sometimes likes to talk.

Anyways, I have to prepare for tonight’s reception now. So I pray for your good health and fortune.

Your faithful daughter,
Jakoba

[lordroel]

Nov 13, 2018 14:49:39 GMT raunchel said:

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 6, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

I expect that by the time you read this, you will already be in Germany, and hope that you will enjoy it there. There hasn’t been a hint of war yet, but in the Channel, I did encounter an English fleet consisting of around fifteen primitive battleships and assorted escorts, all of an inferior kind to those that we employ. You may remember what I told you about the revolution in warship design that the Tijger represents? Fundamentally, these ships all appear to follow a design that doesn’t incorporate those lessons.

In order to make an impression, I had supper with their commanding admiral, one Sir Frederic Hamilton, and several of his captains. They were friendly, but you know that you can never trust an Englishmen. In their hearts, they’re all liars and semipapists. Naturally, I informed them that they should not intervene in any way with our shipping, and I believe that the sight of my squadron made them realize that.
Not much was said about the international situation, and I’m happy that I instructed my own companions to not speak of it either. It however appears that they perceive the German empire that you are visiting to be their main adversary, but they aren’t certain that it will be war, because it’s all because of something silly in the Balkans. I can’t understand how the Turk could ever have let that happen.

In our conversation, I learned that one of the Englishmen actually was from Scotland, which seemingly was fully integrated into the country. On several occasions, they also proclaimed themselves to be part of the greatest navy in the world, which doesn’t say much good about what was there before.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots



Berlin, August 8, 1914

Dear Father,

How was your sortie? Every day I pray for your continued safety, but all this talk of war has me deeply worried.

I just arrived in this strange city, Berlin. I always thought that it was just a small provincial town, but somehow, it’s become their capital instead of Magdeburg! And instead of four, there are only two German countries, which does explain a lot. Berlin however is a beautiful city and the people are incredibly friendly, although that might have to do with their hopes for an alliance of course.

The journey took longer than expected. There were countless trains, all of them filled with soldiers, guns, and more. It was a truly frightening sight when we were waiting in Hanover. There just wasn’t an end to it, such an enormous army moving west! I tried counting the wagons, to calculate how many men there would be, but I actually had to give up. It made me worry for Hendrik, who will be right in their path if it comes to war. Just before I left, he wrote me again, his letter was censored, but it was clear enough that he is somewhere around Luik. I fear that even with the manpower of all the colonies, it won’t be enough to stop such an army.

Here in Berlin, we are staying in a hotel with all the luxuries you could hope for, it actually generates its own electricity and even has hot water coming from taps! Can you believe it? There isn’t an embassy building yet, there already are Dutch and Belgian embassiesm and even one belonging to Luxemburg! They actually were separate countries here, crazy as it may sound, but their staffs refuse to make room for us, so we will have to work from the hotel for now.

Tomorrow, I will go on an audience to meet the Emperor and Uncle Sytze will formally present his credentials. I’ve never met royalty before, so that’s really exciting. Especially because it’s not some petty king in a grass skirt with a bone through his nose! I will of course wear my best dress, and am so grateful that Mother gave me the emerald necklace from Ceylon to wear.

Today, I already met the German state secretary of the foreign office, a rather unimposing man to be honest. He however seems sincere in his desire to work with us. He explained me how their state functions, in broad terms of course. There is an emperor, but as he should, he doesn’t hold too much power (any of course already is too much). But somehow, he still has the final say. Von Jagow told me that the emperor is a very warm man, but for some reason, he warned me that he sometimes likes to talk.

Anyways, I have to prepare for tonight’s reception now. So I pray for your good health and fortune.

Your faithful daughter,
Jakoba

Nice update raunchel, so the Netherlands navy is a match for OTL 1914 British Navy, nice.

[stevep]

Nov 13, 2018 14:48:31 GMT raunchel said:

Nov 12, 2018 23:08:09 GMT stevep said:

  Interesting.  Their going to find themselves in the middle of things as if the Antwerpen is presumably OTL Antwerp this Dutch republic contains most/all of the OTL Belgium so its currently being invaded by a pretty large German army.  Actually checking the German ultimatim was issued on the 2nd August and reject by Belgium on the 3rd.  Here its going to cause confusion as Belgium doesn't exist.  A lot would depend on what the size of the home territories of this Netherlands are, i.e. does it include parts of OTL France or Germany or Luxembourg, which was occupied on the 1st August by Germany.  Going to be a huge amount of confusion on both all sides.

  Not sure why Britain, which is still neutral on the 1st would be seeking to restrict Dutch shipping?  Note that Jakoba mentions some surprise that both French and Germans are so close but whether that means there were some sort of buffer states in the world she comes from or simply that her world wasn't on the verge of a major conflict with massive conscription I don't know?

  If the Dutch empire is that large and has come along that's going to cause chaos as well.  The British, Japanese and Australians are all going to be unhappy as they will have lost some territories and possibly others as well while if Brazil is a Dutch colony not sure what the American attitude will be.  Does the OTL Belgium Congo colony still exist, in whole or part, in which case its now stranded without an homeland.  Suspect Britain has lost at least some of the S African dominion as well.

  I find it hard to see there not being war between the Dutch state and Germany as the latter's entire war plan depends on marching west before the Russians mobilise and not doing so will cause chaos.  Definitely if this Netherlands includes Luxembourg as that was pretty much under way when the ISOT started.  With the demand for passage through 'Belgium' the Germans are going to be confused in that it sounds like there isn't a Belgium any more, nor any German diplomatic corp there, or at least not one answering to Wilhelm II's government.  How things develop with other powers depends on where the territorial changes are and how the locals on both sides are affected.

  One point is that unless this Netherlands is significantly more advanced than OTL 1914 it will depend on telegram cables for most international communications and those will be cut which will mean people in their colonies will suddenly find themselves out of touch with the homeland.  Some of OTL communications are likely to be affected as well depending on what areas exactly have been transported across.

  Anyway a fascinating scenario and looking forward to seeing how it develops.

The actual ISOT happened on the 28th, so there has been a little bit of time between everything going even more insane although Austria and Serbia already are at war, so things are in motion. And with the Balkan trigger cemented in the Franco-Russian alliance, war has practically become unavoidable. I'm not saying anything about the colonial empire yet, but even in Europe, some borders have changed because the Dutch never lost the westernmost bits of Flanders in still hold Dunkirk and the area around it as well as some small changes on the rest of the borders of course (I don't see a way to keep such things perfectly identical with our world when things diverged a few centuries ago).

If the empire comes along, there will be even more issues, and practically the whole world will be unhappy (except for the Serbians I guess, they were unhappy already). But here is a map I made in Photoshop (not having Paint still hurts). Some borders and the like are off, because I'm still lazy.

SPOILER: Click to show

The level of technology is roughly the same. There will be some slight differences, but that's mostly smaller stuff because not everything would be developed at exactly the same pace. At this time, it's possible to send radio messages across the ocean (if doing it from the right place and the like), but the Dutch indeed rely on cables that don't exist anymore. To restore distant communications, they will have to rebuild those, and until then, they either have to rely on the cables of other countries, or the traditional despatch ships. 

At this time, the British fleet already was mobilised (OTL happened on the 29th, but the dispersal after exercises was stopped on the 26th by Battenberg and Churchill). With the fleet already mobilised, my thinking is that scout elements will be sent out to sea, and with all the tensions and the strange event of an actual ISOT, I could see a captain deciding to stop a Dutch ship, even if only to ask some questions. To a jingoist like Johan, this would be a horrible provocation. 

It is important to keep in mind that I won't have the characters necessarily telling the truth or anything close to it, and Johan at least is quite a jingoist so not everything he says will be fully reliable. Jakoba is a little different, but she also isn't fully honest in all of her letters and both of course only write their perception of matters.

  Raunchel

  Ah so their assuming that their empire is still about but it may not actually have come along for the ride.  If it has it will upset a lot of people because of the lost lands.  Is there by any chance a canal through their territory in central America?

  By the sound of it Germany is split into 4 main states rather than two here - or technically one possibly because if you accept the Austrian empire then argument for including Switzerland as well, that the 'Prussian' capital is Magdeburg for some reason and the Dutch don't seem to have a high opinion of them - in their world anyway, or of Britain, which seems to have an independent Scotland?

  Sounds like the ISOT was early enough and dramatic enough to stop the Germany occupation of Luxembourg so their entire war plan is going to be screwed up somewhat.  However this could help then as the French will probably still launch their insane attack in Alsace-Lorraine which will be repelled with very heavy losses and the Germans might be able to counter-attack there.  France will also be less than happy at the loss of some territories to the Dutch Republic although not sure whether its actually got any lands that were part of Germany in OTL 1914

  Without the Low Countries being dragged in not sure what response Britain would have to the ongoing conflict as the same pressure for joining the conflict will be substantially reduced. 

  Sounds like the Ottoman empire, or its equivalent is larger and more successful in TTL as well.

  At the time the British were being pretty careful about respecting neutral rights and even those of the Germans - if you think of the refusal to do anything against the Goeben before we actually declared war.  Also only relatively small stuff was in the southern N Sea and mainly pre-dreads at Dover so the Dutch father could have encountered them, which would suggest that the Tijger is a Dutch dreadnought and they could have a nasty shock if they actually encountered the GF.  Although hopefully it won't come to that.  Mind you if there are large foreign naval forces detected in the channel region its likely to have the RN jumpy which could well mean forces including the Channel fleet is sent to investigate.

  Not sure what the Dutch homeland is in comparison but it has found itself in a very hot spot in OTL August 1914 with a hell of a lot of troops marching around it and with the Germans especially in considerably confusion as they were planning on marching through its southern sections.  Can't see it meaning the war gets stopped as if nothing else the eastern section has already started with Austria attacking Serbia and Russia, Germany and France all perched on the brink if not already over the edge.

  If the Dutch overseas empire hasn't come along for the ride Britain, with the bulk of the international telegram lines will know pretty quickly, especially as if it had Britain has lost a lot of land and links.  Would expect it also has a diplomat heading for the Hague, or wherever the Dutch capital is.

  If TTL's Dutch empire hasn't come along I wonder how OTL's smaller but still significant colonies will react?  Probably seek to join it for protection but how compatible they might be in technology, laws and culture would be important.

  Was the comment about the English being semi-papists a reference to Calvinist attitudes to OTL Anglian church, or to the England of their world being closer to Rome than here, or just a matter of personal bigotry since as you say that could play a part?

  Anyway looking forward to seeing more.

  Steve

[raunchel]

Nov 13, 2018 16:12:58 GMT lordroel said:

Nov 13, 2018 14:49:39 GMT raunchel said:

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 6, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

I expect that by the time you read this, you will already be in Germany, and hope that you will enjoy it there. There hasn’t been a hint of war yet, but in the Channel, I did encounter an English fleet consisting of around fifteen primitive battleships and assorted escorts, all of an inferior kind to those that we employ. You may remember what I told you about the revolution in warship design that the Tijger represents? Fundamentally, these ships all appear to follow a design that doesn’t incorporate those lessons.

In order to make an impression, I had supper with their commanding admiral, one Sir Frederic Hamilton, and several of his captains. They were friendly, but you know that you can never trust an Englishmen. In their hearts, they’re all liars and semipapists. Naturally, I informed them that they should not intervene in any way with our shipping, and I believe that the sight of my squadron made them realize that.
Not much was said about the international situation, and I’m happy that I instructed my own companions to not speak of it either. It however appears that they perceive the German empire that you are visiting to be their main adversary, but they aren’t certain that it will be war, because it’s all because of something silly in the Balkans. I can’t understand how the Turk could ever have let that happen.

In our conversation, I learned that one of the Englishmen actually was from Scotland, which seemingly was fully integrated into the country. On several occasions, they also proclaimed themselves to be part of the greatest navy in the world, which doesn’t say much good about what was there before.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots



Berlin, August 8, 1914

Dear Father,

How was your sortie? Every day I pray for your continued safety, but all this talk of war has me deeply worried.

I just arrived in this strange city, Berlin. I always thought that it was just a small provincial town, but somehow, it’s become their capital instead of Magdeburg! And instead of four, there are only two German countries, which does explain a lot. Berlin however is a beautiful city and the people are incredibly friendly, although that might have to do with their hopes for an alliance of course.

The journey took longer than expected. There were countless trains, all of them filled with soldiers, guns, and more. It was a truly frightening sight when we were waiting in Hanover. There just wasn’t an end to it, such an enormous army moving west! I tried counting the wagons, to calculate how many men there would be, but I actually had to give up. It made me worry for Hendrik, who will be right in their path if it comes to war. Just before I left, he wrote me again, his letter was censored, but it was clear enough that he is somewhere around Luik. I fear that even with the manpower of all the colonies, it won’t be enough to stop such an army.

Here in Berlin, we are staying in a hotel with all the luxuries you could hope for, it actually generates its own electricity and even has hot water coming from taps! Can you believe it? There isn’t an embassy building yet, there already are Dutch and Belgian embassiesm and even one belonging to Luxemburg! They actually were separate countries here, crazy as it may sound, but their staffs refuse to make room for us, so we will have to work from the hotel for now.

Tomorrow, I will go on an audience to meet the Emperor and Uncle Sytze will formally present his credentials. I’ve never met royalty before, so that’s really exciting. Especially because it’s not some petty king in a grass skirt with a bone through his nose! I will of course wear my best dress, and am so grateful that Mother gave me the emerald necklace from Ceylon to wear.

Today, I already met the German state secretary of the foreign office, a rather unimposing man to be honest. He however seems sincere in his desire to work with us. He explained me how their state functions, in broad terms of course. There is an emperor, but as he should, he doesn’t hold too much power (any of course already is too much). But somehow, he still has the final say. Von Jagow told me that the emperor is a very warm man, but for some reason, he warned me that he sometimes likes to talk.

Anyways, I have to prepare for tonight’s reception now. So I pray for your good health and fortune.

Your faithful daughter,
Jakoba

Nice update raunchel , so the Netherlands navy is a match for OTL 1914 British Navy, nice.

Thanks. I noticed a certain lack of timelines with strong Dutch navies, and thought that it would be fun. And besides, if it isn't strong, the Dutch position makes them just someone to be fought over and against like Belgium in WW1. 

Nov 13, 2018 23:43:20 GMT stevep said:

Nov 13, 2018 14:48:31 GMT raunchel said:

The actual ISOT happened on the 28th, so there has been a little bit of time between everything going even more insane although Austria and Serbia already are at war, so things are in motion. And with the Balkan trigger cemented in the Franco-Russian alliance, war has practically become unavoidable. I'm not saying anything about the colonial empire yet, but even in Europe, some borders have changed because the Dutch never lost the westernmost bits of Flanders in still hold Dunkirk and the area around it as well as some small changes on the rest of the borders of course (I don't see a way to keep such things perfectly identical with our world when things diverged a few centuries ago).

If the empire comes along, there will be even more issues, and practically the whole world will be unhappy (except for the Serbians I guess, they were unhappy already). But here is a map I made in Photoshop (not having Paint still hurts). Some borders and the like are off, because I'm still lazy.

SPOILER: Click to show

The level of technology is roughly the same. There will be some slight differences, but that's mostly smaller stuff because not everything would be developed at exactly the same pace. At this time, it's possible to send radio messages across the ocean (if doing it from the right place and the like), but the Dutch indeed rely on cables that don't exist anymore. To restore distant communications, they will have to rebuild those, and until then, they either have to rely on the cables of other countries, or the traditional despatch ships. 

At this time, the British fleet already was mobilised (OTL happened on the 29th, but the dispersal after exercises was stopped on the 26th by Battenberg and Churchill). With the fleet already mobilised, my thinking is that scout elements will be sent out to sea, and with all the tensions and the strange event of an actual ISOT, I could see a captain deciding to stop a Dutch ship, even if only to ask some questions. To a jingoist like Johan, this would be a horrible provocation. 

It is important to keep in mind that I won't have the characters necessarily telling the truth or anything close to it, and Johan at least is quite a jingoist so not everything he says will be fully reliable. Jakoba is a little different, but she also isn't fully honest in all of her letters and both of course only write their perception of matters.

  Raunchel

  Ah so their assuming that their empire is still about but it may not actually have come along for the ride.  If it has it will upset a lot of people because of the lost lands.  Is there by any chance a canal through their territory in central America?

  By the sound of it Germany is split into 4 main states rather than two here - or technically one possibly because if you accept the Austrian empire then argument for including Switzerland as well, that the 'Prussian' capital is Magdeburg for some reason and the Dutch don't seem to have a high opinion of them - in their world anyway, or of Britain, which seems to have an independent Scotland?

  Sounds like the ISOT was early enough and dramatic enough to stop the Germany occupation of Luxembourg so their entire war plan is going to be screwed up somewhat.  However this could help then as the French will probably still launch their insane attack in Alsace-Lorraine which will be repelled with very heavy losses and the Germans might be able to counter-attack there.  France will also be less than happy at the loss of some territories to the Dutch Republic although not sure whether its actually got any lands that were part of Germany in OTL 1914

  Without the Low Countries being dragged in not sure what response Britain would have to the ongoing conflict as the same pressure for joining the conflict will be substantially reduced. 

  Sounds like the Ottoman empire, or its equivalent is larger and more successful in TTL as well.

  At the time the British were being pretty careful about respecting neutral rights and even those of the Germans - if you think of the refusal to do anything against the Goeben before we actually declared war.  Also only relatively small stuff was in the southern N Sea and mainly pre-dreads at Dover so the Dutch father could have encountered them, which would suggest that the Tijger is a Dutch dreadnought and they could have a nasty shock if they actually encountered the GF.  Although hopefully it won't come to that.  Mind you if there are large foreign naval forces detected in the channel region its likely to have the RN jumpy which could well mean forces including the Channel fleet is sent to investigate.

  Not sure what the Dutch homeland is in comparison but it has found itself in a very hot spot in OTL August 1914 with a hell of a lot of troops marching around it and with the Germans especially in considerably confusion as they were planning on marching through its southern sections.  Can't see it meaning the war gets stopped as if nothing else the eastern section has already started with Austria attacking Serbia and Russia, Germany and France all perched on the brink if not already over the edge.

  If the Dutch overseas empire hasn't come along for the ride Britain, with the bulk of the international telegram lines will know pretty quickly, especially as if it had Britain has lost a lot of land and links.  Would expect it also has a diplomat heading for the Hague, or wherever the Dutch capital is.

  If TTL's Dutch empire hasn't come along I wonder how OTL's smaller but still significant colonies will react?  Probably seek to join it for protection but how compatible they might be in technology, laws and culture would be important.

  Was the comment about the English being semi-papists a reference to Calvinist attitudes to OTL Anglian church, or to the England of their world being closer to Rome than here, or just a matter of personal bigotry since as you say that could play a part?

  Anyway looking forward to seeing more.

  Steve

There isn't a canal through the bit in central America. There was one in our world, but it was where it would have made sense geographically. So, for now, they're stuck with the Straight of Magellan or the long way around the globe.

Jakoba sees Austria as a second Germany, in her time, there were four states in the rough area. One based around Saxony, Austria-Bavaria, one based around the old Palatinate, and a fourth Bohemian one. Scotland indeed remained independent in their time, also because of Dutch support. The opinion of the English is fairly low, there have been quite a few wars fought between the two countries, which has led to a lot of distrust. 

I have some plans to build up further tensions, but those will be developed further later on. Suffice to say, nobody is happy with all this. The French have lost land, the Germans find a new country in their way (and lost some of their few colonies as well), the British find a major naval power based far too close for comfort, the Americans suddenly have a major competitor in Latin America (and lost part of the Phillippines and other islands), the Japanese have the Dutch occupying part of the home islands, and so on. 

The current situation of the war is that the French, Germans, Austrians, and Russians are all at war. For now, Britain, Italy, America, and the Dutch remain neutral. We all know how reliable Italy is as an ally, Britain has its needs, but no strong reason to join the war yet (although, German military activity at the French coast for instance could force their hand, which has become less likely with a major naval power in the way), and America will be America. It's still a sleeping giant.

If the Dutch empire has fully come along, the remaining colonies (such as Congo) will be in a difficult position. There are significant legal and religious differences, given that the Remonstrants defeated the Contraremonstrants in their timeline, giving rise to quite a different branch of Calvinist thought (some would even say that it's not Calvinist at all anymore, but a different branch entirely. I don't fully agree, but then again, I'm not a theologist). There also is much less tolerance of Catholicism given a more thorough victory in the war against Spain. So the southern bits also are protestant now (Sorry Roel).

The semi-papist thing is something that I was warned about when I moved to the UK. I thought that it would be something nice to include, as these letters are at least slightly based on the letters that I write to my parents (yes, actual pen-and-paper letters). Only with actual things happening to talk about and a bit less religion.

[raunchel]

Antwerpen, August 9, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

We have returned safely and in friendship. At first, I hesitated to tell you, but now that your mother has joined me in Antwerpen and I mentioned it to her, I decided to no longer hold my silence. As you know, I always have your portrait with me, and several of the younger officers actually asked me if you were still free. They were quite disappointed when I told them about your engagement. Not that I’d ever allow something like that anyways, but your mother said that you would take it as praise.

Much else has also been happening. All the admiralties have been brought to full readiness and all reserves have been recalled and all ships fully loaded. A ship arrived from the Goudkust, so at least that remains with us. I am still hopeful for Nieuw Holland and Formosa.

It seems that your and your mother’s letters have had at least some influence, and Hendrik has written me. He says that all is well and that his men are ready to defend our borders. I however do worry for him, and pray that you will be able to preserve the peace. A Rots doesn’t do well on land.

In other happy news, I have been given orders to return to sea, to protect lighter ships that are safeguarding our nation from afar. I will write you when I can, I promise, and I hope that this letter finds you safe on foreign soil.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 10, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

It fills my heart with the deepest grief to write you this, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you receiving the news through other channels or being wrecked by worries. No matter how it’s written, it will hurt, but in times such as these, we don’t have that freedom, so I gave this letter to be sent at once.

From the Englishmen, I received a report of an engagement off the Japanese coast involving our ships and the Japanese. In that engagement, a ship whose description matches that of the Psalm 6 suffered several hits and a catastrophic detonation leaving no survivors.

Karel would have been aboard, filling me with fear that he has made the ultimate sacrifice. He has fallen as one might pray for an officer of our navy, which I hope will give you some comfort.

I promise you, even if it won’t mend your heart, this will mean war and we will teach the savages a lesson they’ll never forget. I will request the admiralty to prepare a fleet to avenge our honour, and God willing, I will head out myself. Karel was a fine young man, and for you to be deprived of him by such treacherous actions is truly beyond words. All my prayers are with you and I hope that you will be able to find comfort in the thought that he performed his duty.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots


Berlin, August 11, 1914



Dear Father,



Your letter of the sixth fills me with joy. I truly hope that peace can be preserved, if only for our nation. I truly admire the bravery of the men who go to war, but it’s us, the women, who are left grieving when the fighting is done. I wish that I could have written you sooner, but there has been so much that was happening.
Let me begin with the most important.

We met with the emperor, and when he found out that I am the daughter of an admiral, he spoke to me for a very long time indeed, mostly about the subject of his own navy. At first, he did ask a few questions, but soon enough he was talking and talking, saying that if we would work together, nothing could stop our combined might, neither at sea nor on land. Naturally, I agreed with him, but did say that such things are for others to decide. He told me that his fleet possesses many battleships, built after the example of the Tijger, with fifteen modern battleships and four battlecruisers. It however seems that the English possess many more, around twenty modern battleships and eight battlecruisers, a force capable of matching your own. Both forces are significant enough to pose a threat, and we absolutely cannot allow them to be combined. I have written down everything I now know in the table that should come with this letter. Naturally, a copy will be sent to the general admiralty.


At the same time, there have been many enquiries about passing through the southern provinces in order to strike at the French who seem to have overthrown their king and now are a republic. I don’t quite understand this need as they do share a land border, but the Germans keep insisting. There already is fighting at the border between the two nations, with the French on the attack.
The emperor also mentioned that if we were to aid his war, he would support major gains on the peace table. He mentioned that certain French holdings in Africa or South-East Asia could be transferred to our control, along with a buffer zone adjoining France. He also mentioned granting us control over a town named Calais. It took me a few moments to understand that he meant Kales and I explained that it already is one of our foremost fortresses.
It would seem to me that it would be much better for them to direct their forces to the south, where terrible battles have been fought around Mulhouse and the town has been taken by the French. I have however been assured that it will quickly be retaken.


We also met with embassies of the Netherlands and the rebellious territories. They appear to be quite angry and the Belgian ambassador, one Count Greindl, actually demanded to have his country returned to him! It appears that his nerves have collapsed on him, which is no surprise given recent events. The Dutch ambassador seems to be more reasonable, but he is more youthful. This is a Baron Gevers (I thought that those were just some old-fashioned thing that persisted in some families), and the decision was made that the ambassadors would represent any overseas territories from this world that remain. I pray that few do, I deeply wish to see Geertje’s child and my dearest Karel.


There have also been discussions with representatives from Vienna, including an ambassador named ‘Count László Szőgyény-Marich de Magyar-Szőgyén et Szolgaegyháza’. I asked for the correct spelling of course. But he didn’t seem very interested in speaking to me and actually is deaf! From a young woman from the foreign ministry, I heard that he isn’t taken entirely seriously anymore even if the emperor likes him. This man however asked me one thing that I don’t quite understand, he wondered if I was Uncle Sytze’s niece, or his niece. The second time he pronounced it with more emphasis placed on the word. I asked Uncle Sytze, but he only laughed. Do you know what it could mean?


But these two countries are in a close alliance, and together are at war with Russia and France. Their alliance has a third member, Italy, but for some reason they haven’t yet declared war although it’s expected to happen in the coming days. The general conviction is that the Germans will win a quick victory, although I did hear rumours that the Russians have an even greater army!
There is one thing however that is troubling me the most. There are no proper ministers here, and Mr van Houten actually had a row with a member of this world’s embassy concerning the nature of free will. The two almost came to blows about the subject! This however means that there is no proper church for me to visit, and I am left to my own prayers for all of us.



Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

[stevep]

Nov 14, 2018 9:36:05 GMT raunchel said:

Nov 13, 2018 16:12:58 GMT lordroel said:

Nice update raunchel , so the Netherlands navy is a match for OTL 1914 British Navy, nice.

Thanks. I noticed a certain lack of timelines with strong Dutch navies, and thought that it would be fun. And besides, if it isn't strong, the Dutch position makes them just someone to be fought over and against like Belgium in WW1. 

Nov 13, 2018 23:43:20 GMT stevep said:

  Raunchel

  Ah so their assuming that their empire is still about but it may not actually have come along for the ride.  If it has it will upset a lot of people because of the lost lands.  Is there by any chance a canal through their territory in central America?

  By the sound of it Germany is split into 4 main states rather than two here - or technically one possibly because if you accept the Austrian empire then argument for including Switzerland as well, that the 'Prussian' capital is Magdeburg for some reason and the Dutch don't seem to have a high opinion of them - in their world anyway, or of Britain, which seems to have an independent Scotland?

  Sounds like the ISOT was early enough and dramatic enough to stop the Germany occupation of Luxembourg so their entire war plan is going to be screwed up somewhat.  However this could help then as the French will probably still launch their insane attack in Alsace-Lorraine which will be repelled with very heavy losses and the Germans might be able to counter-attack there.  France will also be less than happy at the loss of some territories to the Dutch Republic although not sure whether its actually got any lands that were part of Germany in OTL 1914

  Without the Low Countries being dragged in not sure what response Britain would have to the ongoing conflict as the same pressure for joining the conflict will be substantially reduced. 

  Sounds like the Ottoman empire, or its equivalent is larger and more successful in TTL as well.

  At the time the British were being pretty careful about respecting neutral rights and even those of the Germans - if you think of the refusal to do anything against the Goeben before we actually declared war.  Also only relatively small stuff was in the southern N Sea and mainly pre-dreads at Dover so the Dutch father could have encountered them, which would suggest that the Tijger is a Dutch dreadnought and they could have a nasty shock if they actually encountered the GF.  Although hopefully it won't come to that.  Mind you if there are large foreign naval forces detected in the channel region its likely to have the RN jumpy which could well mean forces including the Channel fleet is sent to investigate.

  Not sure what the Dutch homeland is in comparison but it has found itself in a very hot spot in OTL August 1914 with a hell of a lot of troops marching around it and with the Germans especially in considerably confusion as they were planning on marching through its southern sections.  Can't see it meaning the war gets stopped as if nothing else the eastern section has already started with Austria attacking Serbia and Russia, Germany and France all perched on the brink if not already over the edge.

  If the Dutch overseas empire hasn't come along for the ride Britain, with the bulk of the international telegram lines will know pretty quickly, especially as if it had Britain has lost a lot of land and links.  Would expect it also has a diplomat heading for the Hague, or wherever the Dutch capital is.

  If TTL's Dutch empire hasn't come along I wonder how OTL's smaller but still significant colonies will react?  Probably seek to join it for protection but how compatible they might be in technology, laws and culture would be important.

  Was the comment about the English being semi-papists a reference to Calvinist attitudes to OTL Anglian church, or to the England of their world being closer to Rome than here, or just a matter of personal bigotry since as you say that could play a part?

  Anyway looking forward to seeing more.

  Steve

There isn't a canal through the bit in central America. There was one in our world, but it was where it would have made sense geographically. So, for now, they're stuck with the Straight of Magellan or the long way around the globe.

Jakoba sees Austria as a second Germany, in her time, there were four states in the rough area. One based around Saxony, Austria-Bavaria, one based around the old Palatinate, and a fourth Bohemian one. Scotland indeed remained independent in their time, also because of Dutch support. The opinion of the English is fairly low, there have been quite a few wars fought between the two countries, which has led to a lot of distrust. 

I have some plans to build up further tensions, but those will be developed further later on. Suffice to say, nobody is happy with all this. The French have lost land, the Germans find a new country in their way (and lost some of their few colonies as well), the British find a major naval power based far too close for comfort, the Americans suddenly have a major competitor in Latin America (and lost part of the Phillippines and other islands), the Japanese have the Dutch occupying part of the home islands, and so on. 

The current situation of the war is that the French, Germans, Austrians, and Russians are all at war. For now, Britain, Italy, America, and the Dutch remain neutral. We all know how reliable Italy is as an ally, Britain has its needs, but no strong reason to join the war yet (although, German military activity at the French coast for instance could force their hand, which has become less likely with a major naval power in the way), and America will be America. It's still a sleeping giant.

If the Dutch empire has fully come along, the remaining colonies (such as Congo) will be in a difficult position. There are significant legal and religious differences, given that the Remonstrants defeated the Contraremonstrants in their timeline, giving rise to quite a different branch of Calvinist thought (some would even say that it's not Calvinist at all anymore, but a different branch entirely. I don't fully agree, but then again, I'm not a theologist). There also is much less tolerance of Catholicism given a more thorough victory in the war against Spain. So the southern bits also are protestant now (Sorry Roel).

The semi-papist thing is something that I was warned about when I moved to the UK. I thought that it would be something nice to include, as these letters are at least slightly based on the letters that I write to my parents (yes, actual pen-and-paper letters). Only with actual things happening to talk about and a bit less religion.

  Very true that a strong Dutch state and a strong British/English one will be natural rivals, especially since their in a position to threaten each others vital interests.

  Ah I hadn't noticed that as well as Taiwan the Dutch have a bit of the Japanese homeland.  Definitely going to be unhappy with that.  Could be especially volatile if the local population there are reasonably content under Dutch rule.  Almost certainly going to be war here rather than just a few clashes.

  Britain has lost the lesser Antillies, as have other powers, British Guiana and the Falklands in S America let alone a lot of investments there.  In Africa the main loss is most [all?] of the dominion of S Africa which again includes a lot of resources and important naval bases.  Surprised that the Dutch have all that as presumably Britain would have fought hard for some base near the Cape.  Also Nigeria.  In Asia there is another important base at Aden, especially since it threatens to cut the link between India and the Suez Canal, Ceylon, some islands west of Ceylon I don't recognise and the British part of Borneo.  In the Pacific they may have lost an island or two while Australia has lost one state [Tasmania] and part of the northern territories.  Overall that's a hell of a lot of some of the richer parts of the empire and important bases.  It will hurt.

  Africa has also seen minor losses for the Spanish, French and Belgium and probably more substantial for the Portuguese. 

  The US has lost a good chunk of the Philippines so not sure what their reaction would be, but at least they still have New York and Hawaii.   Not sure about Guam or Wake.

  Noticed that the Dutch empire seems to include the Faroes and some island north of Russia, which I suspect is the Novaya Zemlya islands - what the hell are they doing with bases way out there!

  Germany as you say has lost some of their Pacific lands and just noticed the Dutch also have Heligoland along with most of the Balearic [Spain] and half of Crete [Greece].  Plus of course the chunk of French national territory.

  What is the population of the Dutch homelands?  With that degree of naval strength I would also expect their a significant industrial power and their possession of Belgium and Luxembourg would definitely help here.

  Gods this is going to be messy.

  Had a bit of a plough through the PoD from what I can tell and its a somewhat more tolerant branch of Protestantism winning out in the Netherlands, which might well have been a factor in it regaining the S Netherlands [i.e. Belgium] at such a late stage.  Possibly also its greater hostility towards the monarchy as it was OTL persecuted by Maurice of Orange.  Some of the Wiki references says its was a contributing factor in Methodism OTL so that might have led to the latter being suppressed/less popular in Britain in TTL given continued hostilely between the two states.

  Are there some additional bits of land in the world the Dutch came from?  Like I notice a long thin island just west of Sumatra which I don't think exists here and also a small island north of the Fareoes also showing up in yellow.

  I must admit I don't get the Uncle Sytze joke by the Austrian ambassador they met in Berlin.

  Steve

[lordroel]

Nov 14, 2018 9:41:41 GMT raunchel said:

Antwerpen, August 9, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

We have returned safely and in friendship. At first, I hesitated to tell you, but now that your mother has joined me in Antwerpen and I mentioned it to her, I decided to no longer hold my silence. As you know, I always have your portrait with me, and several of the younger officers actually asked me if you were still free. They were quite disappointed when I told them about your engagement. Not that I’d ever allow something like that anyways, but your mother said that you would take it as praise.

Much else has also been happening. All the admiralties have been brought to full readiness and all reserves have been recalled and all ships fully loaded. A ship arrived from the Goudkust, so at least that remains with us. I am still hopeful for Nieuw Holland and Formosa.

It seems that your and your mother’s letters have had at least some influence, and Hendrik has written me. He says that all is well and that his men are ready to defend our borders. I however do worry for him, and pray that you will be able to preserve the peace. A Rots doesn’t do well on land.

In other happy news, I have been given orders to return to sea, to protect lighter ships that are safeguarding our nation from afar. I will write you when I can, I promise, and I hope that this letter finds you safe on foreign soil.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 10, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

It fills my heart with the deepest grief to write you this, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you receiving the news through other channels or being wrecked by worries. No matter how it’s written, it will hurt, but in times such as these, we don’t have that freedom, so I gave this letter to be sent at once.

From the Englishmen, I received a report of an engagement off the Japanese coast involving our ships and the Japanese. In that engagement, a ship whose description matches that of the Psalm 6 suffered several hits and a catastrophic detonation leaving no survivors.

Karel would have been aboard, filling me with fear that he has made the ultimate sacrifice. He has fallen as one might pray for an officer of our navy, which I hope will give you some comfort.

I promise you, even if it won’t mend your heart, this will mean war and we will teach the savages a lesson they’ll never forget. I will request the admiralty to prepare a fleet to avenge our honour, and God willing, I will head out myself. Karel was a fine young man, and for you to be deprived of him by such treacherous actions is truly beyond words. All my prayers are with you and I hope that you will be able to find comfort in the thought that he performed his duty.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots


Berlin, August 11, 1914



Dear Father,



Your letter of the sixth fills me with joy. I truly hope that peace can be preserved, if only for our nation. I truly admire the bravery of the men who go to war, but it’s us, the women, who are left grieving when the fighting is done. I wish that I could have written you sooner, but there has been so much that was happening.
Let me begin with the most important.

We met with the emperor, and when he found out that I am the daughter of an admiral, he spoke to me for a very long time indeed, mostly about the subject of his own navy. At first, he did ask a few questions, but soon enough he was talking and talking, saying that if we would work together, nothing could stop our combined might, neither at sea nor on land. Naturally, I agreed with him, but did say that such things are for others to decide. He told me that his fleet possesses many battleships, built after the example of the Tijger, with fifteen modern battleships and four battlecruisers. It however seems that the English possess many more, around twenty modern battleships and eight battlecruisers, a force capable of matching your own. Both forces are significant enough to pose a threat, and we absolutely cannot allow them to be combined. I have written down everything I now know in the table that should come with this letter. Naturally, a copy will be sent to the general admiralty.


At the same time, there have been many enquiries about passing through the southern provinces in order to strike at the French who seem to have overthrown their king and now are a republic. I don’t quite understand this need as they do share a land border, but the Germans keep insisting. There already is fighting at the border between the two nations, with the French on the attack.
The emperor also mentioned that if we were to aid his war, he would support major gains on the peace table. He mentioned that certain French holdings in Africa or South-East Asia could be transferred to our control, along with a buffer zone adjoining France. He also mentioned granting us control over a town named Calais. It took me a few moments to understand that he meant Kales and I explained that it already is one of our foremost fortresses.
It would seem to me that it would be much better for them to direct their forces to the south, where terrible battles have been fought around Mulhouse and the town has been taken by the French. I have however been assured that it will quickly be retaken.


We also met with embassies of the Netherlands and the rebellious territories. They appear to be quite angry and the Belgian ambassador, one Count Greindl, actually demanded to have his country returned to him! It appears that his nerves have collapsed on him, which is no surprise given recent events. The Dutch ambassador seems to be more reasonable, but he is more youthful. This is a Baron Gevers (I thought that those were just some old-fashioned thing that persisted in some families), and the decision was made that the ambassadors would represent any overseas territories from this world that remain. I pray that few do, I deeply wish to see Geertje’s child and my dearest Karel.


There have also been discussions with representatives from Vienna, including an ambassador named ‘Count László Szőgyény-Marich de Magyar-Szőgyén et Szolgaegyháza’. I asked for the correct spelling of course. But he didn’t seem very interested in speaking to me and actually is deaf! From a young woman from the foreign ministry, I heard that he isn’t taken entirely seriously anymore even if the emperor likes him. This man however asked me one thing that I don’t quite understand, he wondered if I was Uncle Sytze’s niece, or his niece. The second time he pronounced it with more emphasis placed on the word. I asked Uncle Sytze, but he only laughed. Do you know what it could mean?


But these two countries are in a close alliance, and together are at war with Russia and France. Their alliance has a third member, Italy, but for some reason they haven’t yet declared war although it’s expected to happen in the coming days. The general conviction is that the Germans will win a quick victory, although I did hear rumours that the Russians have an even greater army!
There is one thing however that is troubling me the most. There are no proper ministers here, and Mr van Houten actually had a row with a member of this world’s embassy concerning the nature of free will. The two almost came to blows about the subject! This however means that there is no proper church for me to visit, and I am left to my own prayers for all of us.



Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

So there is already a shooting war ore incident between Japan and the Republic, that makes me wonder if Formosa is under the Republic control, ore did you already mention that.

[raunchel]

Nov 14, 2018 12:03:50 GMT stevep said:

Nov 14, 2018 9:36:05 GMT raunchel said:

Thanks. I noticed a certain lack of timelines with strong Dutch navies, and thought that it would be fun. And besides, if it isn't strong, the Dutch position makes them just someone to be fought over and against like Belgium in WW1. 

There isn't a canal through the bit in central America. There was one in our world, but it was where it would have made sense geographically. So, for now, they're stuck with the Straight of Magellan or the long way around the globe.

Jakoba sees Austria as a second Germany, in her time, there were four states in the rough area. One based around Saxony, Austria-Bavaria, one based around the old Palatinate, and a fourth Bohemian one. Scotland indeed remained independent in their time, also because of Dutch support. The opinion of the English is fairly low, there have been quite a few wars fought between the two countries, which has led to a lot of distrust. 

I have some plans to build up further tensions, but those will be developed further later on. Suffice to say, nobody is happy with all this. The French have lost land, the Germans find a new country in their way (and lost some of their few colonies as well), the British find a major naval power based far too close for comfort, the Americans suddenly have a major competitor in Latin America (and lost part of the Phillippines and other islands), the Japanese have the Dutch occupying part of the home islands, and so on. 

The current situation of the war is that the French, Germans, Austrians, and Russians are all at war. For now, Britain, Italy, America, and the Dutch remain neutral. We all know how reliable Italy is as an ally, Britain has its needs, but no strong reason to join the war yet (although, German military activity at the French coast for instance could force their hand, which has become less likely with a major naval power in the way), and America will be America. It's still a sleeping giant.

If the Dutch empire has fully come along, the remaining colonies (such as Congo) will be in a difficult position. There are significant legal and religious differences, given that the Remonstrants defeated the Contraremonstrants in their timeline, giving rise to quite a different branch of Calvinist thought (some would even say that it's not Calvinist at all anymore, but a different branch entirely. I don't fully agree, but then again, I'm not a theologist). There also is much less tolerance of Catholicism given a more thorough victory in the war against Spain. So the southern bits also are protestant now (Sorry Roel).

The semi-papist thing is something that I was warned about when I moved to the UK. I thought that it would be something nice to include, as these letters are at least slightly based on the letters that I write to my parents (yes, actual pen-and-paper letters). Only with actual things happening to talk about and a bit less religion.

  Very true that a strong Dutch state and a strong British/English one will be natural rivals, especially since their in a position to threaten each others vital interests.

  Ah I hadn't noticed that as well as Taiwan the Dutch have a bit of the Japanese homeland.  Definitely going to be unhappy with that.  Could be especially volatile if the local population there are reasonably content under Dutch rule.  Almost certainly going to be war here rather than just a few clashes.

  Britain has lost the lesser Antillies, as have other powers, British Guiana and the Falklands in S America let alone a lot of investments there.  In Africa the main loss is most [all?] of the dominion of S Africa which again includes a lot of resources and important naval bases.  Surprised that the Dutch have all that as presumably Britain would have fought hard for some base near the Cape.  Also Nigeria.  In Asia there is another important base at Aden, especially since it threatens to cut the link between India and the Suez Canal, Ceylon, some islands west of Ceylon I don't recognise and the British part of Borneo.  In the Pacific they may have lost an island or two while Australia has lost one state [Tasmania] and part of the northern territories.  Overall that's a hell of a lot of some of the richer parts of the empire and important bases.  It will hurt.

  Africa has also seen minor losses for the Spanish, French and Belgium and probably more substantial for the Portuguese. 

  The US has lost a good chunk of the Philippines so not sure what their reaction would be, but at least they still have New York and Hawaii.   Not sure about Guam or Wake.

  Noticed that the Dutch empire seems to include the Faroes and some island north of Russia, which I suspect is the Novaya Zemlya islands - what the hell are they doing with bases way out there!

  Germany as you say has lost some of their Pacific lands and just noticed the Dutch also have Heligoland along with most of the Balearic [Spain] and half of Crete [Greece].  Plus of course the chunk of French national territory.

  What is the population of the Dutch homelands?  With that degree of naval strength I would also expect their a significant industrial power and their possession of Belgium and Luxembourg would definitely help here.

  Gods this is going to be messy.

  Had a bit of a plough through the PoD from what I can tell and its a somewhat more tolerant branch of Protestantism winning out in the Netherlands, which might well have been a factor in it regaining the S Netherlands [i.e. Belgium] at such a late stage.  Possibly also its greater hostility towards the monarchy as it was OTL persecuted by Maurice of Orange.  Some of the Wiki references says its was a contributing factor in Methodism OTL so that might have led to the latter being suppressed/less popular in Britain in TTL given continued hostilely between the two states.

  Are there some additional bits of land in the world the Dutch came from?  Like I notice a long thin island just west of Sumatra which I don't think exists here and also a small island north of the Fareoes also showing up in yellow.

  I must admit I don't get the Uncle Sytze joke by the Austrian ambassador they met in Berlin.

  Steve

As was to be expected, the first clashes there have already occurred. And the local garrison even called for some support for some proper gunboat diplomacy. In their world, Japan is a bit more like China in terms of the state it's in, so there isn't any clue about there actually being any kind of naval power in the area. Fortunately for the world, the Anglo-Japanese treaty doesn't yet kick in, because that requires one of them to be at war with multiple countries, which isn't happening yet.

The British losses indeed are quite large. They still have some bits of the South African interior, but those have lost their main connection. They however still have their crown jewel, and Singapore and the like have also been preserved. The main reason for this overlap is that for a naval empire, there are certain hotspots that are very nice to control in some way, so they would always have been occupied (I for instance can't see the Cape not falling into the hands of a major empire). But this won't be a small blow, and will certainly have major effects. Fortunately for the Belgians, they no longer exist to worry about the losses, although they now are in the very difficult position of Belgian Congo still being there without a motherland. I'll have to think about what will happen there, but I fear that it won't be fun. For New Amsterdam, I decided that that area became independent over some religious struggles. I didn't want to cripple the USA for this to be honest. Wake Island remains in US hands, but Guam is a Dutch island now called Groot-Kamorië.

The Faroes and Spitsbergen, and Nova Zembla are held for the fisheries and whaling (not yet entirely a relic). Of course, Novaya Zemlya isn't worth all that much, but at some point, those things also become a matter of pride. Which has led to there being a few very cold and grumpy people who get sent there, under the leadership of one Wim Hof as governor. I also decided on it to have something to give the Russians something to be angry about. There also is a little bit of mining there, but for some reason, it's seen as difficult to find workers.

The Dutch have quite a significant industrial power, comparable to Great Britain or Germany (although it doesn't have the German chemical industry). It is a more mercantile power, but the heart of its industrial strength remains in the southern parts of the country, near the coal deposits. Unfortunately, this puts it right in the path of the two most capable land armies in the world. The Metropole has a population of some thirty million, which is a bit of an issue in terms of manpower when faced with the surrounding Great Powers. It really relies on the empire for numbers. Some colonies have become additional provinces over time, but other areas still have to be kept in check somehow. A bit like you had with the White Dominions.

Arminianism can be seen as being a little more tolerant than Gomarism (which I have to confess, I'm much more familiar with). This however doesn't make it a milder kind of Christianity. In a way, it lends itself to wholly different kinds of extremism, given the status of works and the idea that one can choose faith or reject it (an idea that remains completely alien to me). This leads to a far more publicly expressed form of religion, and a greater urge to help others see the light. They after all haven't been rejected entirely because they aren't Elect. At first, it was more tolerant, and that indeed allowed for the reincorporation of the southern Netherlands, especially with the highly capable leadership that survived. Unfortunately, later on, things did change a bit. Instead of Oldenbarnevelt being executed, it was Maurice who got the chop, permanently crippling the Prince's party.

There weren't any additional landmasses, just some artefacts of the map (that island for instance is actually the line of islands west of Sumatra, like Siberut and Nias. The island above the Faroes is Jan Meyen. As I said, the map isn't very good, and my photoshop skills are even worse so I didn't manage to make anything decent.

The joke was actually very distasteful, as powerful men would (and still do) often claim that young ladies that accompany them are their niece, while everyone knows that they are an escort ormistress. It's something that I've also been asked a few times on dates (although I never made such a claim of course), mostly by incredibly annoying men who can't understand that I just like going out with nice women. Once, I actually encountered it as a kind of compliment, covered by a vulgar joke, as a comment on one's appearance. I think that it was in one of those Weimar-era magazines (Yes, I was crazy enough to buy a pile of those). So, it actually was quite an insult and the old ambassador with the impossible name should have been very happy that Jakoba's brothers weren't around because they wouldn't have maintained diplomatic decorum.

And yes, it has all the potential to make a very messy and awful situation even worse.

Nov 14, 2018 15:46:27 GMT lordroel said:

Nov 14, 2018 9:41:41 GMT raunchel said:

Antwerpen, August 9, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

We have returned safely and in friendship. At first, I hesitated to tell you, but now that your mother has joined me in Antwerpen and I mentioned it to her, I decided to no longer hold my silence. As you know, I always have your portrait with me, and several of the younger officers actually asked me if you were still free. They were quite disappointed when I told them about your engagement. Not that I’d ever allow something like that anyways, but your mother said that you would take it as praise.

Much else has also been happening. All the admiralties have been brought to full readiness and all reserves have been recalled and all ships fully loaded. A ship arrived from the Goudkust, so at least that remains with us. I am still hopeful for Nieuw Holland and Formosa.

It seems that your and your mother’s letters have had at least some influence, and Hendrik has written me. He says that all is well and that his men are ready to defend our borders. I however do worry for him, and pray that you will be able to preserve the peace. A Rots doesn’t do well on land.

In other happy news, I have been given orders to return to sea, to protect lighter ships that are safeguarding our nation from afar. I will write you when I can, I promise, and I hope that this letter finds you safe on foreign soil.

Your loving father,
Johan Rots

Battlecruiser Geloof, August 10, 1914

Dearest Jakoba,

It fills my heart with the deepest grief to write you this, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you receiving the news through other channels or being wrecked by worries. No matter how it’s written, it will hurt, but in times such as these, we don’t have that freedom, so I gave this letter to be sent at once.

From the Englishmen, I received a report of an engagement off the Japanese coast involving our ships and the Japanese. In that engagement, a ship whose description matches that of the Psalm 6 suffered several hits and a catastrophic detonation leaving no survivors.

Karel would have been aboard, filling me with fear that he has made the ultimate sacrifice. He has fallen as one might pray for an officer of our navy, which I hope will give you some comfort.

I promise you, even if it won’t mend your heart, this will mean war and we will teach the savages a lesson they’ll never forget. I will request the admiralty to prepare a fleet to avenge our honour, and God willing, I will head out myself. Karel was a fine young man, and for you to be deprived of him by such treacherous actions is truly beyond words. All my prayers are with you and I hope that you will be able to find comfort in the thought that he performed his duty.

Your loving father,

Johan Rots


Berlin, August 11, 1914



Dear Father,



Your letter of the sixth fills me with joy. I truly hope that peace can be preserved, if only for our nation. I truly admire the bravery of the men who go to war, but it’s us, the women, who are left grieving when the fighting is done. I wish that I could have written you sooner, but there has been so much that was happening.
Let me begin with the most important.

We met with the emperor, and when he found out that I am the daughter of an admiral, he spoke to me for a very long time indeed, mostly about the subject of his own navy. At first, he did ask a few questions, but soon enough he was talking and talking, saying that if we would work together, nothing could stop our combined might, neither at sea nor on land. Naturally, I agreed with him, but did say that such things are for others to decide. He told me that his fleet possesses many battleships, built after the example of the Tijger, with fifteen modern battleships and four battlecruisers. It however seems that the English possess many more, around twenty modern battleships and eight battlecruisers, a force capable of matching your own. Both forces are significant enough to pose a threat, and we absolutely cannot allow them to be combined. I have written down everything I now know in the table that should come with this letter. Naturally, a copy will be sent to the general admiralty.


At the same time, there have been many enquiries about passing through the southern provinces in order to strike at the French who seem to have overthrown their king and now are a republic. I don’t quite understand this need as they do share a land border, but the Germans keep insisting. There already is fighting at the border between the two nations, with the French on the attack.
The emperor also mentioned that if we were to aid his war, he would support major gains on the peace table. He mentioned that certain French holdings in Africa or South-East Asia could be transferred to our control, along with a buffer zone adjoining France. He also mentioned granting us control over a town named Calais. It took me a few moments to understand that he meant Kales and I explained that it already is one of our foremost fortresses.
It would seem to me that it would be much better for them to direct their forces to the south, where terrible battles have been fought around Mulhouse and the town has been taken by the French. I have however been assured that it will quickly be retaken.


We also met with embassies of the Netherlands and the rebellious territories. They appear to be quite angry and the Belgian ambassador, one Count Greindl, actually demanded to have his country returned to him! It appears that his nerves have collapsed on him, which is no surprise given recent events. The Dutch ambassador seems to be more reasonable, but he is more youthful. This is a Baron Gevers (I thought that those were just some old-fashioned thing that persisted in some families), and the decision was made that the ambassadors would represent any overseas territories from this world that remain. I pray that few do, I deeply wish to see Geertje’s child and my dearest Karel.


There have also been discussions with representatives from Vienna, including an ambassador named ‘Count László Szőgyény-Marich de Magyar-Szőgyén et Szolgaegyháza’. I asked for the correct spelling of course. But he didn’t seem very interested in speaking to me and actually is deaf! From a young woman from the foreign ministry, I heard that he isn’t taken entirely seriously anymore even if the emperor likes him. This man however asked me one thing that I don’t quite understand, he wondered if I was Uncle Sytze’s niece, or his niece. The second time he pronounced it with more emphasis placed on the word. I asked Uncle Sytze, but he only laughed. Do you know what it could mean?


But these two countries are in a close alliance, and together are at war with Russia and France. Their alliance has a third member, Italy, but for some reason they haven’t yet declared war although it’s expected to happen in the coming days. The general conviction is that the Germans will win a quick victory, although I did hear rumours that the Russians have an even greater army!
There is one thing however that is troubling me the most. There are no proper ministers here, and Mr van Houten actually had a row with a member of this world’s embassy concerning the nature of free will. The two almost came to blows about the subject! This however means that there is no proper church for me to visit, and I am left to my own prayers for all of us.



Your faithful daughter,

Jakoba

So there is already a shooting war ore incident between Japan and the Republic, that makes me wonder if Formosa is under the Republic control, ore did you already mention that.

The Republic holds Formosa, which is where Karel (Jakoba's fiancé) was based before the gunboat diplomacy to Japan. But given the rest of the worldwide obligations the Republic has here, Formosa is awfully exposed.