AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (Pete Smith)
A(Ser) - Gre; F(Tri) - ADS; A(Vie) - Tri (FAILED); A(Gal) - War (FAILED)

ENGLAND (Joshua Ellery)
F(SKA) - Den (FAILED); F(NTH) - HEL; F(Lon) - NTH; A(Edi) - Yor

FRANCE (Herman v der Meulen)
A(Bur) - Mar; A(Spa) s A(Bur) - Mar; F(MAO) - Por

GERMANY (Andy Powell)
A(Hol) s A(Ruh) - Bel; A(Ruh) - Bel; A(Pru) s AUSTRIAN A(Gal) - War; F(Kie) s F(Den); F(Den) Stands

ITALY (Brian Wansleeben)
A(Ven) - Tri (FAILED); A(Pie) - Tyr; F(WMS) - Tun; F(TYS) - ION

RUSSIA (Mikey Lamont)
F(GoB) - Swe; A(Ukr) s A(War); F(Sev) - Rum (FAILED, DISLODGED - DISBANDED NRP); A(War) Stands

TURKEY (Ian Pringle)
A(Arm) - Sev; F(BLA) s A(Arm) - Sev; A(Bul) - Rum (FAILED); A(Con) Stands


Autumn 1902 Adjustments:
A: +Gre, Vie, Ser, Bud, Tri = 5; Gains 1.
E: Edi, Nwy, Lon, Lpl = 4; No change.
F: Mar, +Spa, +Por, Bre, Par = 5; Gains 2.
G: Hol, +Bel, Kie, Den, Ber, Mun = 6; Gains 1.
I: Ven, Tun, Nap, Rom = 4; No change.
R: +Swe, War, Mos, StP, -Sev = 4; No change.
T: +Sev, Bul, Con, Ank, Smy = 5; Gains 1.


Builds/Disbands:
A: Builds F(Tri).
E: None.
F: Builds F(Bre), A(Par).
G: Builds A(Ber).
I: None.
R: Builds A(StP).
T: Builds A(Ank).

PRESS

ALB: Enjoy Yule Tide & see you in the New Year.

Vie Gov't: Field Marshal Count Von Haehtrarp was sat in the corner of his office. All around him lay the bits of wrapping paper, ribbons and half wrapped Christmas presents. He checked his list.
King of England - One packet of cigar's.
President of France - One tub of snails.
Duke of Italy - One Holly Cross
Czar of Russia - One gold pen.
Sultan of Turkey - One candle
Kaiser of Germany - One pommel hat.
God the GM - Tin of fish food.
He smiled, and thought " What a merry Christmas I will have, and its all down to the SPIN editor and his newspaper."
He glanced at the tabloid which was near by, opened to the ARTICLES FOR SALE page. The advert from a Mr Q of International Exports, was circled in red ink.
For Sale, industrial spy equipment, surplus to requirements.
Poisoned fish food, exploding hats, gas filled candles, pens with shoot darts towards writter, plastic explosives shaped as church icons, 3 year out of date box of snails ( ex staff canteen, not for eating), cigars made with cyanide.

Vie Gov't to All (and also to God the GM) - My I wish you and all you're family a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year. My peace and kindness be granted to you, and it goes without saying, death to anyone who encroaches on my land. Happy New Year as well ( thats 2006, not 1902). ALSO, to who ever is the SPIN editor, please keep up the good work, as it makes fun reading this end.

Anon: From the headlines of the infamous world news leader, we bring you the Seasonal Press International Newspaper (“SPIN”). With a readership of a staggering 6 individuals, SPIN is your source for happenings, happenstance, sheer idle gossip, and unfounded conjecture. Whether it happened or not, you’ll find our probing investigative reporting interesting and plausible.

Headline: "Apologies: A message from the Editor" -- SPIN wishes to extend their sincerest apologies to our loyal readership for the absence of last season's edition. In an effort to diversify our printing staff, an un-educated German intern was hired to run our printing equipment just before our deadline. However, since the machine instructions were not written in his native language (and since the Germans are world renown engineers), the intern thought it best to disassemble the machine to learn how it works so he could operate it properly. Though his intentions were good, his efforts to re-assemble our printer proved beyond his mechanical acumen, thus leaving us here at SPIN with a defeated German intern and a non-functioning 500 pound paper weight which used to be our printing press. Rest assured that his incompetence did not pass unpunished. Hired to print copies of our newspaper one way or another, I have decided to take our production "digital" and require that the intern re-produce SPIN for our entire readership using no more than his fingers to hold the pen. I thank you for your patience during this transition period and look forward to your continued patronage. (Note: For prompt action, please direct any supposed misspellings or oversights found in your copy of SPIN directly to my attention.)

Headline: "Giant Sea Serpent Seen in North Atlantic Ocean!" -- SPIN has recently learned of the existence of a giant, prehistoric snake-like sea serpent in the deep frigid waters of the North Atlantic. The monster is described as having an orange body with narrow black stripes down its body, and a head half the size of the English island! Currently, English frigates are the only ships equipped to sail in the harsh conditions native to those waters. Well known for their tom-foolery and ability to weave sea stories from thin air, SPIN's diligent research staff found the only English eye witness to see the creature first hand to corroborate the story. Simon Bitter, Bevvy Aleman First Class, of His Majesty's navy was the only crewman of the HMS Bollocks to have seen the creature and was willing to give a statement. "Aye, me mates and I were playing a spot of billiards up deck. It's against regs but the cap'n wasn't the wiser about our shenanigans. The weather was bloody parky, it was, so we had to keep ourselves warm through the use of some swilly spirits we had pinched while in port. They were discount spirits past their prime and we wasn't paying for cheep swill but free's the cat's meow! After wholloping them a good four times, my mates took to a slumber on account of being completely rat arsed, leaving me to finish the bottle we had just opened. Just about half-way through the bottle, I seen a bulge in the water starboard. None else even the cap'n believes that I seen it but it was there. Big as day, almost blocking out the sun, and sending spray over the boat so's I can't even hardly see or walk straight! The sight of her must have caused me head to overload on account of the next thing I remember is waking up in the infirmary with a horrible headache. Mark me words and pay no attention to the way-sayers: That serpent had a mean look in her eye, she did, and has her sights on sinking any ship that dares come too near!" The English Royal navy has no immediate plans to investigate the matter further, but has issued an executive order to seize any and all recreation equipment and pirated booze currently stowed on board Her Majesty's ships.

Headline: "High Ranking Austrian Official Caught With His Pants Down! " -- SPIN has recently learned that Field Marshal Count Von Haehtrarp may engage in a hobby deemed too risqué for the Austrian military complex. It is rumored that the Count is deeply involved in the collection, retention, and restoration of ornate female party gowns. Count Von Haehtrarp has always been one of Europe's "Top Ten Best Dressed Overlords" but it's been secretly whispered in certain circles that his real passion is parading around in all manner of lady's garments. Whether in response to our inquiries or in an effort to save face with his superiors, Field Marshal Count Von Haehtrarp's Office of Public Affairs issued the following statement: "While it is true that the Count collects and restores rare garments of all types, we emphatically deny that he actively engages in wearing female garments of any kind." After forwarding to his office photographic proof of the Count wearing a fine albeit bourgeois beryl blouse and creme coverlet combination, complete with his field sabre, scabbard, and riding boots, Field Marshal Count Von Haehtrarp's Office of Public Affairs rescind their previous statement and offered the following rebuttal, "Our apologies for overstating our position. It has come to our attention that the Count, as all good seamstresses do, must from time to time measure the girth and build of a particular garment himself. Since the good Count has no apprentice readily available to him in the late hours of the evening while he works, he will often don the garments himself to ensure accuracy and craftsmanship. We have no doubt that this photograph was taken during one of these 'quality control' sessions."

SPIN Classified Section:

Help Wanted: Hack & Sack Inc. seeking new recruits to expand it's highly successful "Impoverished Nation Rebuilding Program." Only strong and able bodied men able to carry and wield weapons should apply. Pay commensurate with experience, looting, and recruit's survival. In the face of local uprisings and competing national interests, current recruits are working hard to rebuild Rumania at the behest of their Russian, Turkish, and Austrian clients. If you think you have what it takes to join our team of hired goons, stop by our office for an interview, and always remember our motto: "Don't ask about our procedures if you're happy with the results."

Buyer looking for used evening gowns. All styles, all colors. Matching shoes a plus but not required. Discrete inquiries only!! Please respond c/o Count V.H., Vienna, Austria. Cash payable upon delivery.

For Sale: Five golden rings, various shapes and sizes. Must move all five rings and other holiday inventory to make room for spring fashions. Willing to throw in four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree to the the highest bidder. Apologies for parties inquiring about the nine ladies dancing and ten leaping lords, all of whom have either taken a tour with the Foreign Legion or joined the circus.

Spring 1903 deadline: 5pm GMT, 9th January 2006.