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Koblenz Kourier

Government Reaffirms Neutral Stance!
The Kourier conducts a special interview with Count Von Manstein, Advisor to the King and Minister in the Court of Hesse.

There has been widespread discussion in the coffee shops and clubs of central Germany this last week following the statement in a foreign paper that the government had abandoned its previous pledge to the people that it would seek to avoid involvement in foreign wars. It was reported in the Austrian press that the foreign ministry had staked its backing of an Anglo led anti French alliance, confirming to many that war was soon to fall upon their homes and fields.

In an effort to clarify the situation the Kourier arranged an interview with Count Von Manstein, the influential civil servant and central advisor to King William. His response was immediate and forthright. 'Utter nonsense,' he informed us. 'This government remains committed to peace and neutrality. That was our pledge to our subjects, and it is a policy that we have actively pursued in European diplomacy.' When asked how the newspaper in question may have thought such a situation existed Von Manstein stated that the only way one could form such a view of foreign policy was to gain ones intelligence from 'fish wives gossip' or the 'analysis and insight provided by sanatorium inmates.'

We asked the Count whether he suspected involvement by the Austrian government in the production of the article. 'I seriously doubt it', he replied. 'The Austrian government has remained on most agreeable terms with the King. In fact he has just returned from Leipzig where a treaty of reaffirmed friendship has been signed with them. I am sure this remains nothing more than an editorial error in a second rate publication.'

Finally we asked the Count if the report gave the court cause for concern, given that rumour can prove as deadly as truth in such times. 'Not at all' was his carefree response. 'Though I can understand this causing concern amongst the chattering classes, no one with even the slightest true interest in, or knowledge of, the state of affairs amongst the German Princes will be concerned by such journalism. Our government retains strong ties with our neighbours and there are so many errors in this article that it will not be taken seriously by men of standing. My advise is to continue about your business, and not let the random conjecture of foreign gutter press concern them.'