Liotainian National News Service

### February

* The Liotainian Locomotive Works in Rokantiskes has unveiled a new type of patented articulated steam locomotive, the Riteri-Morvan, designed by Mr. Edgaras Riteri and Ms. Gwenaëlle Morvan, for use on the Moturiki Tramway (600mm gauge) in Tukefu. The locomotive has received the 0-4-0+0-4-0 classification.

### April

* Fifty examples of the new Gourkunv M1907 machine gun have been released for testing. Twenty examples are earmarked for foreign evaluation, with interest from Syrellia, Ostrony, and Eirenn. Production will likely begin later this year.
* Naval exercises ongoing.
* Prince Edmundas announces he will make a diplomatic visit to Commodria, Rema Nova, Pupiena, and other assorted nations in the region. He will travel by liner.
* **10 April**: The Royal Liotainian Navy celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Rietavas, which resulted in the end of the Firoccan-Liotain War. The RLN celebrates with some naval exercises with friends and allies.

### May

* The immunologists Orazia Rossisydas and Zinedine Abrika, working at the Neris Institute of Infectious Diseases (part of the Royal Neris University) announce that they have developed a treatment for Kijanan "sleeping sickness," which is caused by infection induced by parasitic insect bites. The treatment method will be sent for further experimental trials in Kijana proper, whereupon the Institute's findings shall be published.

### July

* With the state of affairs in Antargentina, the Royal Liotainian Navy wishes to purchase the two coast defense ships placed up for sale by Joseon. An offer will be extended.
* Two new coast defense ships, lightly modernized versions of the vessels built in 1902, will be laid down immediately. Additionally, four shallow-draft riverine monitors will be laid down.
* The RLN also acknowledged that in June, a number of destroyers and torpedo boats sailed to ports in Antargentina in order to pick up Liotainian and other foreign nationals trapped by the outbreak of civil war in that country. On two occasions, Antargentine coast artillery fired on the Liotainian ships, probably assuming the vessels belonged to a hostile party. No hits were scored; the Liotainian vessels held their fire and laid smokescreens to cover their movements. The Navy declined to release final numbers, but noted that "over six thousand" foreign nationals were transported to safety by Navy ships.
* The RLN has also undertaken to escort civilian vessels along the Liotainian shore of the Gulf of Argent. Merchant vessels wishing to take advantage of this service will move in scheduled coastal convoys.
* The number of ships transitting the Tripartite Canal (bordering Liotain, Celtica, and Erisia) nearly doubled in the month of June. The rise in transits is due to the temporary closure of the eastern entrance to the Great Rift Canal, which runs through Bascanet, part of the Antargentine Civil War's current combat zone. According to the canal administration, the number of transits would be even higher, but the shallow draft of the Tripartite Canal (4m) limits the size of ships that can use it. Those ships shallow enough for the canal have no shortage of work. Transloadings from deep-draft ships to canal barges, and vice-versa, are crowding the terminus ports of Mena (Celtica) and Eletrinai (Liotain). War is good for business.
* Unloadings have also risen notably in Svyturys, where the railways are carrying goods across the border to be loaded onto ocean-going ships in Erisian ports. War is good for business.
* L&O Ferries announces that they currently have no plan for when ferry service can restart between Antargentine and Liotainian ports. Ferry travel to Valpo remains unaffected, but passenger loadings are down by almost 30%. Similarly, much of the longtime cross-Gulf trade has come to a complete standstill. There is no estimate of how many florins of trade have currently ground to a halt, disrupted by the civil war. War is bad for business.
* The first Liotainian-built airship, *Dumiskas No1*, launched on July 4th from its hanger outside Svyturys. Powered by a 40CV Flavia rotary engine, the airship made a 12-kilometer flight before returning to land. Unfortunately, when the ground crew attempted to put the airship back into its shed, they ran it into the side of the shed and ripped the envelope, causing the airship to deflate. One ground crewman was injured. No further flights will occur until repairs are completed.
* Limited-circulation news: hunters in the newly-settled region of Gjoa discovered alarming behavior among the region's reindeer herds. Liotainian hunters noted the reindeer stumbling and walking around as if intoxicated, and slowly drifting away from the protection of their herd. The reindeer showed further signs of malnutrition and lesions. A request has been filed with the Royal Liotainian Institute of Science to investigate the issue.
* Along with other refugees arriving in Liotain are four hundred civilians from Dauneach, who fled their homes following the Arkadyetsiyan invasion of their homeland. The refugees apparently crossed the border into Antargentina just in time to become enmeshed in a second conflict. Some have chosen to accept the Liotainian government's offer of assistance, while others have asked to go to Celtica.

### August

* Opinion piece (Neris Dienrastis): "The Liotainian government continues to jeopardize our relationship with Antargentina by acting neither to support the Republic nor endorse the Nationalists, instead adopting a wait-and-see attitude to whoever emerges as the victor! Meanwhile, our neighboring state burns."
* Regent and Queen Mother Annachiara du Firocco received a major bump in approval polls after her statements at the recent Conference in Île d'Oléron, Celtica. Her Grace's criticism of the crass attempts to sell off the remaining free nations of Kijana drew praise from Liotainians across multiple parties.
* The Royal Liotainian Navy announced today (August 3rd) that they had intercepted a number of vessels flying the Astyrian flag carrying armed volunteers with the intention of joining the Antargentine Civil War. The ships were intercepted when they attempted to pass through the Strait of Moirai, bound for Antargentine ports. The ships were inspected prior to passage through territorial waters. The ships and equipment will be seized for violations, while a total of two thousand Astyrian and Denishuan citizens will be interned until arrangements can be made.
* The government announced the heroes of the successful expedition to reach the North Pole will return in October, where there will be a parade. According to news sources, the explorers have declined to leave the Arctic "until good sledging weather ends."
* Two fascinating new methods for beating the equatorial summer heat have made a splash this year with Liotainian natives. Here in the capital, Queen Kotryna ordered a wide, shallow fountain with the express purpose of allowing children to play in the shallow water; the fountain was installed in one of the poorer neighborhoods of the city. In Sventoji, four tall, curved slides were built allowing swimmers to slide into the water along the beach-front. Both have been marked as highly successful experiments, and appear likely to be emulated elsewhere in the near future.
* The Royal Liotainian Navy has asked for permission to bring forward at least one of the planned 1908 battleships to begin construction *immediately*. The Naval Constructors have advised that this can be done, and the *Rudeksna* is laid down at Svyturys Naval Yard.

### September

* Given the state of international affairs, Princess Elze Urmana has been released from her duties with the Royal family due to her reactivated reservist status in the Royal Liotainian Navy, where she serves as the executive officer of a destroyer. Her role will be temporarily filled by Adelé Urmana (b.1888, 3-5-3) (cousin to King Aronn, Prince Edmundas, and Princess Elze).
* The tire-making firm of Valeska & Co has announced they intend to sponsor an annual automobile race based on the 1904 overland race. The 1907 race will start in Eletrinai (southwest Liotain, on the Celtican border) and end in the capital city of Neris. Contestants will have to pass through a series of fourteen checkpoints, but are otherwise free to drive any route they choose. A driver and co-driver are mandatory. Foreign competitors are welcome.
* Due to heavy traffic on the Tripartite Canal and overflow traffic on Liotainian and Erisian railways, Liotainian investors have announced a partnership to invest in the proposed Anitkabir Traverse Railway, running from the northern coast to the southern coast of Anitkabir. Details will be released elsewhere.
* The Liotainian airship *Torpedna No.1* has flown once again following major repairs. It successfully crashed without incident.
* The steel barque-rigged gunboat *Perlas* has been ordered to depart Mbassa and sail for port calls in Sebiris and Granadine.
* Internal Report: An Army inspection of the landward and coastal defenses of the Treaty Port of Yizhui found the majority of the defenses in excellent condition.  The inspector-general made a list of recommendations, including raising the available troop levels, increasing the artillery, and tripling the number of machine guns.  (Rolled 1d20+4, received a 20 out of possible 24.)
* The Gorkunv M1907 machine gun has been ordered into full series production with high priority.  License production of the Fusoan-designed Madsen machine gun has also been raised to high priority production over the last two months.
* Two small coast-defense ships have been purchased from Joseon for the sum of £100,000; they will be taken into service immediately and pressed into service with the Second Fleet.

### October

* Civil
	+ With news of Gaboria's declaration of independence from Antargentina, perception of the civil war there has largely shifted.  In July, 74% of Liotainians felt it was "likely" or "very likely" that the Republic would emerge triumphant at the end of the war.  However, public opinion polls taken at the beginning of October now indicate that only 23% of Liotainians think the Republic will win, comparable to 15% who think the Caudillos will emerge triumphant (rising from 11% three months ago).
	+ A propaganda effort by the Republican ambassador to Neris has also changed opinions for the worst.  The ambassador's speeches and news releases made heavy reference to the strong socialist presence fighting on the Republican side.  The strong anarcho-socialist elements in now-rebel Gaboria have further soured the nation's opinion.
	+ Countess Adelé Urmana and Patriarch Carolus Rimantus made a joint visit to the Principality of Valpo in early October.  Their goal was to further reassure the nervous principality of Liotainian support, and inquire if Valpo wants supplies for their armed forces.
	+ With clear signs of socialist and nationalist rebellions breaking out in Astyria and Denishu, the Liotainian-financed railway project in Denishu has been placed on hold for twelve months, pending further clarity about the security of the employees there.  A short-term railway project in Somal or Granadine will instead be proposed.
	+ Arctic explorers Laurynas Balchunas and Captain Voldemaras Mazeika returned to Liotain from Kanqaamiut.  Both were received officially at the Karolean Palace by Queen Kotryna, in recognition of their achievement of leading the first expedition to reach the North Pole.  Queen Kotryna presented them with a newly-created medal called the Order of the Polar Star, which will be awarded to those who have contributed meaningfully to the exploration of the polar regions.
* Military
	+ October 3: The armoured cruiser *Vydas* is dispatched on a diplomatic cruise to Eirenn, Pictfearr, and Yuezhistan, while her sistership *Vasilkas* will call on Somal, Prem-Bol, and Joseon.  Both ships will return home in mid-November.
	+ October 15: The Liotainian Army requests prototypes for a military war-machine based on an automobile chassis.

### November

* Liotainian railway experts have returned to work in Denishu after a temporary pause in railway construction.  The pace of construction is being massively accelerated, with the goal of completing the work by December of 1908.
* The social secretary for the palace announced that Grafiené (Countess) Adelé Urmana has departed for a trip to visit Granadine and Sebiris.  The countess travelled by train (Nov.1) to western Celtican ports to take a civil steamer to Trinidir (arriving Nov.11) for another ship to Granadine (arriving Nov.15).  After spending five days in the capital city, she will take another civilian steamer to Sebiris (arriving Nov.19) before returning to Liotain (by Dec.4).  The countess will present the Ha'i Basa (Granadine) with gifts, and discuss how the Liotainian government might help improve the country.  In Sebiris, she will discuss poverty and infrastructure, and present the president with tokens of esteem.
	+ Commentary on Countess Adelé Urmana's Diplomatic Trip
		- Countess Adelé was very well-prepared for her visit to Granadine (which was viewed as the most important segment of the trip).  Out of respect for the religious sensibilities of the local Mak Mai, she wore a traditional green veil and headdress.  She met with the Ha'i Basa's wife in a first interview, and then later with the Ha'i Basa himself; in both occasions successfully charming them and winning significant diplomatic credit.  The gift of an excellent thoroughbred horse to the Ha'i Basa (and the countess's knowledge of equestrianism) firmly solidified these successes.  Adelé was invited to tour a local Mak Mai temple (rarely open to foreigners) and became the first woman to have her photograph placed on the front page of the local newspaper (the Ha'i Basa's wife declines to be photographed).  Significant progress was made advancing international diplomacy.  Follow-up efforts and investment will start immediately. (Rolled 1d20+4, rolled 17, final score 21.)
		- Countess Adelé did not fair so well during her visit to Sebiris.  The president, in conversation, pressed the countess to discuss territorial changes in Breda (claimed by Sebiris but occupied and administered by Liotain since the 1870s).  Although the countess had been instructed not to discuss Breda, she was bullied off her prepared script, answering the president with factually incorrect data.  The president then verbally schooled her on the facts, commenting negatively on her youth and her lack of preparedness, severely rattling her composure.  She excused herself for several minutes to recover, but failed to make headway for the remainder of her interview.  Through the remainder of her visit, the countess looked nervous and intimidated whenever she ran into Sebiris's president.  A follow-up visit by another senior diplomat will be required to repair potential damage. (Rolled 1d20-4, rolled 3, final score -1.)
* Arctic explorer Laurynas Balchunas has confirmed he will return to the Arctic next summer for further adventures.  The leader of the first successful expedition to reach the North Pole has stated he will focus his summer's work on studying animal movements in Gjoa.
* Preparations are underway for the 1907 Liotainian Cup automobile race, which shall start December 1st.

### December

* In light of the increasing insurgency in Astyria-Denishu, the Liotainian Army will mobilize more police and fortress troops in Yizhui, and will raise the equipment level and training of those troops already present.
* The two armoured cruisers of the *Perkunas* class are completed.
* The Army has ordered another 50km worth of 60cm prefabricated military railway track, ten military locomotives, and 65 carriages. The order will expand the Army's current stockpile of 300km track, twenty locomotives, and a hundred fifty carriages. This offsets the transfer of 50km of track, 5 locomotives, and 40 carriages to the APG. Countess Adelé has returned from her trip to Kijana. On her return trip, she made an unscheduled stop in Celtica for a social dinner with the Queen.
* The monthly conference of Metropolitans within the Liotainian Orthodox Church saw some unusually fierce debate in early December, as the Metropolitans voted to officially defrock three patres and a theologian, who had expressed support for Gvidasine (Liberal) theology. The Gvidasine faction within the Orthodox church supports allowing women in the hierarchy, leans a little more toward the socialist side of economics, and is in favor of ~~colonizing~~ civilizing anything that doesn't have the right kind of flag.

## 1908

### January

* January 3: The Maruguayan cargo-liner SS *Presidente Moreno*, 8,500 DWT, was chased into the harbor of Niukaslas (Northern Bight) by an unidentified warship shortly before dawn today.  The *President Moreno*'s captain noted that he evaded L'acquan and Orsettan warships on a number of prior occasions in the attempt to reach a neutral port.  The unidentified foreign warship attempting to capture or sink the *Presidente Moreno* was warned away by several shots of coastal artillery when it approached Liotainian territorial waters.
* January 4: Protests started in the capital today about Liotain's acquisition of the Yuantouzhu Peninsula in northern Astyria.  The protestors came from opposite sides of the political spectrum.  The larger portion of protesters, numbering some ten thousand strong, were Simonites (the most "Orthodox" faction of the Orthodox Church) who opposed the territorial acquisition on the whole.  The Simonite protesters, being pacifists, largely avoided conflicts with police.  The latter was not true for the smaller group of protestors, including a number of Socialist-Agrarians, who felt the territorial concessions were too minor in comparison with the acquisitions of Drakenstaat and Firocco.
* The government, in separate statements, indicated they would follow the same general procedures established in Yizhui and other Liotainian overseas territories.  The government's emphasis will lie in developing Yuantouzhu's education, infrastucture, and work opportunities.
* January 16: An official proposal has been made regarding the construction of the Dakuat Railway.  The project is part of a major joint investment in the states of northeastern Zamoroziet by Liotain and Firocco.
* January: The recent market recession has sobered the new year mood, and serious discussions are going on within the Bank of Liotain about how to learn from the current events.  Liotainian investors largely understand that the blip is a minor market correction, but notes of concern are sounded about the poor reaction of a number of large players in the economic scene, including the L'acquans themselves.  Firocco's response with the creation of a national currency reserve received wide approval, and the government is putting together structural procedures for a similar body.

### February

* February 1: The government named Ye Pei-Tsun, the deputy mayor of Yizhui, as Governor-General of the newly created territory of Yuantouzhu.  Pei-Tsun, upon his arrival in the district capital of Weihei, declared his intention to revitalize the Yuantouzhu Peninsula, building synthesis with Yizhui across the water.
* The various ceremonies did not proceed without incident.  A number of individuals identified as part of the local CPAD group threw stones at various points.
* One operative apparently wanted to attack the new Governor-General but couldn't get close enough, and instead threw his gasoline bomb into the crowd at random, injuring seven.  The crowd, very upset by this, chased him up a tree, shook the tree until the operative fell out, and then kicked him until police managed to rescue him.
* Security for Yuantouzhu is provided, temporarily, by 2nd Yizhui Regiment, who were selected for duty as native Astyrian speakers.  Impeccably turned out in their white-and-olive parade uniforms, the 2nd inspired awe among the population.
* Early February: The Liotainian government confirmed that it has pledged £35 million florins of the national surplus as assistance for the relocation of dispossessed Firoccan / half-Firoccan refugees stuck in Laotaosia.  Speaking for the Council of Regents, Patriarch Carolus Rimantas indicated while the fund is currently a "loan," the government intended further negotiations with the goverment of Firocco; he specifically noted that private donations handled through the Orthodox Church would probably be applied to cover much of the £35 million cost.
* Mid-February: As a gesture of goodwill, the Liotainian government has offered to send ten physicians to @Laotaosia for two months to train local doctors on the recently-developed treatment for Kijanan "sleeping sickness."
* Late February: Tawhiri Parata, the ''rangatira'' of Fiheoru, critiqued the Liotainian government for their hefty investment into Yuantouzhu when his own island-kingdom of Fiheoru is even poorer and equally in need of investment.  "Why give them money just because they're new?"  When questioned about the matter by reporters, Prime Minister Della Rovere said "No comment at the present time."

### March

* March 1:  Without any reply from Laotaosia, the Liotainian government's offer of ten doctors to train native physicians on treatments for Kijanan sleeping sickness is now extended to Jamaika.
* Early March: the Liotainian government once again presses both sides of the Antargentine Civil War to enter into a ceasefire and begin peace talks.  In a prepared statement read to the press, the Prime Minister said "This bloody conflict has gone on long enough.  The war increasingly becomes a proxy for the aspirations of various powers, solely for the suffering of the Antargentine people.  Foreign powers as far as Kijana now feel it necessary to involve themselves in the struggle, for reasons that become increasingly ideological with each passing day, furthering the interneccine divide and worsening the conflict."
* March 11: The nation celebrated Queen Kotryna's thirteenth birthday today, with Her Majesty showing up to various different events, closing with a night at the Royal Liotainian Opera.
* March 15: The nation was stunned this morning to learn of an assassination attempt on Queen Kotryna.  The queen, who was staying with her uncle (Prince Edmundas Urmana) and cousins in Breizh, was unharmed during the attempt.
	+ According to accounts released by the Royal Government, the lead assassin, a female member of the household staff, opened a side door for an accomplice, who stole a revolver from Prince Edmundas's safe.  The two conspirators then entered the Queen's bedroom shortly after 3 AM yesterday morning.  Before the gunman could pull the trigger, he was attacked and killed by the Queen's two Tokkaidan Forest Cats, who were found sitting on the assassin's chest, swishing their tails and looking pleased with themselves.
	+ The accomplice, also wounded, fled the scene but was chased down by Prince Edmundas and three members of the queen's bodyguard.  When trapped by the sword-toting Prince, she attempted to jump out a third-story window, but the window-pane didn't break and she instead knocked herself unconscious.  She will be tried for attempted regicide.
	+ According to initial investigations, the conspirators apparently hoped to pin the Queen's assassination on Prince Edmundas himself.  They apparently hoped to use the "Evil Uncle" stereotype, the Prince's role as first in the line of succession, the murder's locale in the Prince's own family home, and the use of a particular murder weapon in a slightly complicated attempt to spark a civil war.
* March 18: the government confirmed that the two assassins who made an attempt on the queen's life several days ago were members of an underground Parxist organization.

### April

* April 6: After a somewhat stormy discussion period where the Representatives wandered off-topic, the Liotainian Teismas voted to extend diplomatic recognition to Kyslev as an independent state from Astyria-Denishu.
* April 8: The Household Guards (bodyguards to the Royal Family) have a new commander assigned, who begins very aggressively re-training all of the assigned personnel.
* April 9: The surviving assassin from March 15th was formally charged today with the crimes of attempted regicide and attempted murder of a child.  If convicted, she could face serious repurcussions.
* April 9: In news that is assuredly unrelated, Liotainians have a sudden new mania for Tokkaidan forest cats.  The market price to acquire one of said cats has jumped by 14,153% since this time last month.
* Late April: Svyturys Carnival!
* The cruisers *Perkunas* and *Pergalingas* rounded Jihau in order to join this year's fleet games held by the SPQR.  Along the way, they stopped to show the flag in Yizhui and Yuantouzhu, rendered courtesies to the Fusoan Navy east of the Straits, dragged their coats for a day or two off Qichau, and then raced south and west for their main mission.  Off the Dengfeng coast, they kept watch for a reported pirate cruiser.  En route, they had a new task assigned to them - namely, to represent Liotain at the snap Coronation Fleet Review in Erisia.  They are poised to have a very busy month.