View from Benacia/Issue 67: Kaiser Speaks to the Nation
This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2005/03/issue-67-kaiser-speaks-to-nation.html at 03/10/05.
Yesterday, Kaiser Mors IV posted a truly humongous and voluminous speech in the Kaiser's Court, in which he laid out his plans for the next few weeks, and announced the upcoming end of his reign at the end of March.
The speech went over the Kaiser's efforts as leader of the nation, attempting to highlight both good and bad, and included specifically the mention of the Lorelei dispute. Criticism of his softness on the issue is believed to have had something to do with the posting of the speech; Duke Scott of Hyperborea noted a tone of "inferiority complex" in the text. Indeed, the Kaiser streated himself harshly on his performance in negotiations, admitting himself to have been too lenient and going on to say that he had "failed" Shireroth.
The Kaiser then went on to state his intent to leave the Throne toward the end of March, although an exact date was not given. Saying that he would "soon need a rest", he began to outline his activities between now and then. Particularly, he took up a harder line on Lorelei than he had previously done, giving an attempt at negotiations (see here) by Duke Johanns of Arminy (also Prime Minister of Attera) two weeks to show results favorable to Shireroth; after that, he said, "the matter will be closed permanently, and Lorelei will be officially proclaimed Shirerithian, and specifically Arminian, and outside claims shall have no bearing upon it ever again."
He said that in this spirit, he wanted to be remembered for definitively solving problems, and gave himself the Benacian epithet Nerrolar, or "arbiter"/"judge". But he said at the end of his speech that this did not exempt him from being judged:
"I do not know fully what you, my subjects, think of my rule; and if you think poorly of me, I apologize. I can only promise to do better in the future, or to refrain altogether from becoming Kaiser again. If you do not feel that I did so badly, I am glad and content. But either way, this remains true: being your Kaiser has been an enjoyment and an honor, and will be for as long as you will have me. Thank you."
Reaction to the speech was almost universally positive regarding the Kaiser's performance, even prompting a comment by Hypatia's mom (yes, we see you!); this main sense in which this was not true was in the numerous regrets concerning the Kaiser's planned leavetaking from the Throne. There were several calls for him to stay on longer, but after thanking everyone for their kindness, he rejected the notion.
A spokesman for the Kaiser has explained to the View that His Majesty's planned abdication at the end of the month was in no way connected to the Lorelei incident, except in the weariness he experienced in having to consider his position. "But he most emphatically did not choose to leave over his perceived discord with the wishes of the Shirerithian people," added the spokesman. "His Majesty had originally expected to rule for only a month, and having passed that he had already become intent on limiting himself to three months for his reign. He is weary, wishes to pass on the Crown before that fact comes to adversely affect his style of government."
More Woes in Attera
Earlier this week, Attera suffered another blow when Le'ul Ras Daniel Dreesbach announced that Interland, a formerly independent region that has long since been part of Attera, would be resuming its independence as the Holy Roman Empire of Interland, with himself as Kaiser. Mr. Dreesbach canceled all military leases to the Atteran Empire, and assumed control of the property of the University of Munich, dismissing all personnel. He also announced he would be a dual citizen of Attera and Interland until the latter's recognition by Attera, at which time he would resign his Atteran citizenship.
According to the new ruler, Interland has a working government. This may indicate that the independence of the nation may be more than a symbolic gesture, and that it intends to become active in the online micronational community. Much of Attera's active population having emigrated in the wake of the Emperor's perceived crackdown on his government, Mr. Dreesbach was one of the few who had remained and was vocal in his opposition to his sovereign's actions, going so far as to parody his claim to Lorelei; this culminated in an argument over Interland, and this argument may have spurred Mr. Dreesbach's decision.
Meanwhile, the Emperor himself has not responded in public to the secession of Interland, nor to the suspension of the Lorelei talks by Kaiser Mors. Nor, indeed, has he made any known appearances on the Atteran forums since Monday, even after former Ras Noseworthy left a notice to the effect that someone had re-registered his "HIH Noseworthy" account, and might have access to the private forums. (See a more general announcement here.)
