The Short Peace (1921) Roleplay thread

Belgium Turn 1:

The Military budget is increased but many question why a Navy is needed. 

The Army cannot increase the number of White Officers as that would require an increase of over 2000 new commissioned personnel. The Army instead authorized an increase in the number of white NCO's. As a result, squads of Askari soldiers are now commanded by white NCO's. Under this new command structure, new close order drill and training procedures are implemented to increase discipline among the ranks. 

There is not enough white personnel to fully man the new colonial brigades. As a result, the Army intends to transfer 3 Brigades from Belgium to the Congo. The remaining 2 Brigades will be raised from volunteers recruited in Belgium and the Congo. 

Naval Officers have been dispatched to the United Kingdom for training in British naval academies. Italy has also received a mission from Belgium. Other such missions are being sent out to any major naval power that will receive them. 

The new settlement initiative is received with much enthusiasm by the Belgian population. In the aftermath of the great war, many lost their homed and their jobs and this is seen as an opportunity to start anew. Hundreds of families apply for the relocation program hoping to settle in the Congo. The plan however has come under much scrutiny from the Belgian industrial sector as many economist and industrialist fear the affects of removing people from the labor force. Some within the Belgian government have also pointed out that the increased military budget and funds being put towards developing the Congo may be better spent reviving Belgium's deflated economy and industrial power. 

Belgium has received tender offers from the British government as well as Armstrong Whitworth and the Italian government as well. 

The United Kingdom offers the following ships for 10% over scrap value: 

Capital Ships: HMS Dreadnought, HMS Bellerophon, HMS Temeraire

Armored Cruisers: 2 Drake Class, 4 Monmouth Class

Light Cruisers: 1 Active Class, 2 Blonde Class, 3 Arethusa Class

Destroyers: 9 Beagle Class, 1 Tribal Class, 6 Acorn Class


Armstrong offers to construct 1 new battleship to the same design as the cancelled Brazilian Battleship Riachuello for a cost of construction + 10%


Spanish SECN offers to build a new battleship to the same design as the Reina Victoria for a cost of construction + 20%

Italy offers 1 Garibaldi class Armored Cruiser, as well as Marco Polo, 3 Nembo class Destroyers, for 10% over scrap Value. Italy also offers to construct MAS boats for cost of construction + 8 percent. 

Agreements with Japan acknowledged. 


USA Turn 1


British and Canadians are open to free trade agreement. 

Both also accept the mutual defense agreement. An attack on one shall be considered an attack on all. 

Canada states flatly that it would never sell one of its provinces. They however go onto say that if US oil companies want access to the region, an arrangement could be made. The rights to the resources in the region will not be sold off. However, US oil companies may offer bids to acquire licenses to mine the area for oil and other precious resources. Any such operations would be subject to Canadian oversight as well as appropriate taxes and stipends. 

A committee composed of American, Canadian and Mexican mail services is put together to increase cooperation and efficiency. 

Vickers shows an early model of the Vickers Light Tank first proposed in 1920. 

The Intern notices you spending more time in the office with him. Unfortunately he is married to his lovely wife and has no interest in other men. 

The Fourth Force Act is passed through congress but has little effect. State and local law enforcement are simply unwilling to enforce the laws passed. Federal Agencies are also ineffective due to a lack of cooperation from local agencies. Congress also amended the act preventing the use of military force as it is currently illegal for the US Military to be used as a law enforcement agency. State Governors may use National Guard Forces to maintain order but local governors likewise have been reluctant to take any action. 

The Voting Rights and desegregation acts do not make it through congress. The acts also spark an increase in violence against African Americans in the Southern States. Lynchings rise to shocking levels with authorities either unwilling or unable to intervene. In a few cases, these attacks are supposedly carried out by the local law enforcement. 

Women gained the right to vote back in 1920. Never the less, this is still seen as a landmark legislation as it ensures women are granted equal opportunity employment rights. The act also makes women eligible to be drafted into the US Military in non combat roles. 

The Operation against the mob goes well at first. All across the country, the FBI arrests dozens of known mobsters. However, the operation loses momentum quickly as its details were leaked to the public through an unknown source. As a result, most of the FBI hits miss their intended targets. Furthermore, most of the arrests have been made due to misdemeanor crimes. The FBI is attempting to build cases against each defendant but without hard evidence, most of those arrested are expected to be released within the next month or two. 

New Hires are being made rapidly. The FBI mob squad is being greatly expanded to increase the current tempo of operations. 

Secretary of State, Charles Evan Hughes points out that one area where massive amounts of money could be saved is the bloated naval budget. He proposes that the US host a conference with all the major naval powers invited to discuss cutting back naval expenditures. There is no need to expand the Navy if the United Kingdom and Japan can be convinced to cut back their own programs. This may also present an opportunity for the US to catch up to Great Britain. Instead of trying to out build them, we may convince them to give up their naval dominance with a stroke of a pen. 

National Defense Act of 1920 passes through congress. 

United States Army Air Service is to be re-designated as the US Army Airforce

Budget increased

The Secretary of the Navy proposes issuing a naval tender to Belgium. They may be interested in some of America's older battleships and armored cruisers that are rapidly becoming obsolete. 

4 Lexington Class will be converted to carriers. Design work will require 2 turns. After which construction will take an additional 5. 

10 more Omaha Class cruisers will be laid down. Construction will take 4 turns. 


Pensacola Class will take 4 turns to research. However, these 8 inch guns will be the earlier mark 9 version and the AA armament will be replaced by 3"/50 caliber guns and 50 caliber M1921 machine guns. 



France Turn 1:


34cm gun will be returned to France

Naval Tender submitted to Belgium

Cattaro has been left. 

Reconstruction is continuing. 

The plan to obtain a complete historical record of the Great War for national preservation is met with mixed opinions. Many Veterans of the war just want to forget about what they experienced and wish to return to their civilian lives. However, the families of those who lost their lives have come out in overwhelming support. The French Government has been inundated with letters, diaries, and memorabilia from families of those soldiers who died in the fighting. Some Veterans are also openly talking about their experiences in the trenches. The government program has also inspired many officers to begin writing their memoirs for posterity. There has even been response from American Veterans who fought with the French Army as well as interest from Colonial Troops who also served. 

All Military plans proceed as scheduled. The 55cm 19D torpedo shows promise in initial testing. Poland Bulgaria and Romania all show interest in the Vedettes and would like to acquire 1 each for testing purposes. 


100 Saint Chamond tanks will be converted into ammo carriers. Of the rest that are not preserved as museum pieces will be scrapped. 

Refurbishment of war prizes is ongoing. 

4 Normandie Class Battleships resume construction. Construction will take 5 turns. Bearn will take 8 due to being the least advanced in construction. 

1 DD Enseigne Gabolde will take 3 turns


2 SS Lagrange will take 2 turns


3 SS O’Byrne will take 2 turns


1 SS Maurice Callot 2 turns


1 SS Pierre Chailley 2 turns


11 F Amiens Will take 6 will take 2 turns, 5 will take 3


2 RG Vigilante (1923) 3 turns


All operations are a success. 


Japan Turn 1:


With the collapse of the White Russian Army in the east, the survivors begin pulling back to Vladivostok. This results in a surge of White Russian soldiers and civilians wishing to be evacuated before they are captured by the Bolsheviks. Many White Russian Officers seek refuge for themselves and their families as the remains of the White Russian Army prepare defenses in the east. 

Spain and Greece both show interest in acquiring ships. Specifically the Asama Class armored cruisers as well as the cruiser Chitose. The Murakumo class destroyers are also of interest to Spain, Greece, Peru and Venezuela. 

Deal with Belgium approved

Offer sent to Netherlands. 


Imperial Labor Organization act passes through the Diet. However, Japanese labor unions are not thrilled about having their right to protest taken away. But this is offset by them now having representation within the Japanese government. Where as in the past, protest were put down violently. This offers them a chance to implement new legislation. 

Tojin and Dejima have been declared historical sights with provisions for preserving and restoring these sights. 


Refugee camps and temporary troops barracks and housing will be constructed. Wont take long. 


Mock fortifications will be completed in time for the planned exercises. 



The Fleet Revitalization program is met with great enthusiasm by both the Japanese Diet and the Imperial Japanese Army. The Diet sees it as an important cost saving measure while the Army thinks it presents an opportunity to increase their own budget. The response from the Navy however was less than ideal. With some high ranking Admirals even threatening to resign in protest. However, clearer heads prevail when Admiral Togo of all people appeals to the Navy leaders. In a rare move, Togo spoke out telling his former subordinates that older obsolete ships only drain the capabilities of the Japanese Navy. He did not defeat the Russians using old ironclads. But with the most modern ships Japan had. The next war will not be won by ships that he commanded in battle 20 years prior. Even so, officers are still protesting the move with many demanding to know how Japan plans on making up for the reduced number of available hulls. 

The 11th and 4th Divisions are preparing for their withdrawl from Siberia. The local commander has expressed some concern over the White Russian forces pulling back along his lines of supply. The large number of refugees may make movement difficult. He is requesting that his command be temporarily be reinforced as they may have to fight a rear guard action of the Red Army closes in further. 


70mm Mortar and 70mm Infantry Mortar will take 2 turns to research

Torpedo design will take 2 turns to research plus 1 turn for testing. 


Venezuela Turn 1:


Foreign companies have received more formal stationary upon which they may send letters. 


Unfortunately, your de-corruption campaign is ineffective due to high levels of corruption. 

German military officers and former soldiers are forbidden from working for foreign powers due to Versailles Treaty. 


Venezuela's 5 year plan is being planned. 


I expect you to develop Nuclear Weapons, Jet Propulsion and High Speed computers by 1930.