Special Bulletin from Militia Captain Robert, Commander of the Northern Liberation Forces

On day 3, we really started digging into the meat of national defense. The broad structure of the Directorate and the office of the War Director were established on day 2, but there were many details to work out. The big dispute I had with the army representatives was over the independence of the militias. Aguilo and Oliphaunt were pushing for the militias to be fully subsumed into the army. Aguilo really took the lead on this one, and he argued passionately for a unified defense as necessary in the face of the Royalist Coalition. I see his point, but independent militias are a check on centralized tyranny, and I cannot allow them to be dismantled. Crysta backed me up, which I think rattled Aguilo, but he stood his ground.

The wily old aristocrat, Charles, conjured up a compromise. He said the militias could be independently run in peace, and in war they could be placed under the command of army officers, but remain as operationally distinct units even in war. I felt this was an acceptable balance, that maintained enough independence for the militias, and still allowed us to work with the army during a war. Aguilo accepted the compromise as well, and I think Oliphaunt was flustered, but decided to defer to the group.

Of course a key part of that compromise was a change of command during a war, which raises the question, who declares war? I got into my second argument with Aguilo over war declarations. I said it should be the democratic lower house of the legislature that declares war, while he thought it ought to be the Directorate. A smaller body could make a decision quicker, and he thought the lower house would be too slow. I insisted we needed the most democratic body to be in charge of something as important as war declarations.

Charles again offered a compromise, which would allow the Directorate to conduct limited military operations in response to an invasion or blockade, but full war declarations, the kind that would put militias under centralized command, would be given to the lower house. It was a good idea, but I still wasn’t fully on board with it. Dauphin suggested that the budget should be under control of the lower house as well. Although not explicitly stated so far, it is a logical conclusion from our day 2 agreement. The Directorate would then have flexibility to respond to immediate threats, but would be hindered from sustaining undeclared wars without the ability to control the military budget. Agreeing with an explicit budget power for the lower house, I was ready to accept this compromise.

Despite our two fiery debates, there was no ill will between me and Aguilo, he invited me to a local bar during our break after the morning session. He is a far greater man than that slimy Oliphaunt.

Statement from General Aguilo, Revolutionary Commander - Western Front

After 2 days of very broad issues, day 3 got to the heart of a most critical matter, national defense. I had quite a productive debate with Robert over the independence of the militia and on the authority of war declarations, both of which were eventually settled with compromises proposed by Charles. It appeared that Charles had gotten all the bad ideas out of his system on the first 2 days, and was now ready to play the role I expected of him. He intervened on these issues, despite having very little personal stake in the outcome. I found his compromises acceptable, they maintained a decisive and centralized defense policy, but still offered a nod to democratic and regional accountability. After the debate, I offered a handshake to Robert and invited him to a local pub during our break. Oliphaunt was often my drinking partner, but I decided not to invite him that day. He and Robert did not quite get along, so it seemed best to keep them apart. I respect them both as fellow warriors, but I also accept that their differences may be irreconcilable.

After two days of noise, the agitator was noticeably quiet on the morning of day 3. Barely participating in the debate on militias or war declarations. Perhaps she considered defense too insignificant. Her lack of interest betrays her ignorance of what is truly important. This revolution would be wiped out by monarchist forces if our national defense is not properly led and structured. Her only comment was near the end of the session, when she asked about conscription, hoping to get refusal of military service enshrined as a basic right. Crysta decided that was a matter for the broader discussion on rights, which would occur in the afternoon.

Official Communique from Ambassador Charles, Envoy to the United Kingdom of Hibion

The morning of day 3 was quite eventful. Crysta was pushed by the military members to adjust the agenda so matters of defense could be settled early on. This is not exactly my area of expertise. Defense runs parallel to diplomacy, in a manner of speaking, but I listened with great interest. 

Robert and Aguilo were deadlocked in a fierce debate over the independence of militias, while Crysta and Dauphin provided support. Seeing they were at an impasse, I felt it was my duty as a diplomat to try and come up with a solution. I suggested independence for militias in peace, but centralized command during war. It was accepted by all, but led to a new debate. Who declares war?

I again offered a solution, let the Directorate respond to immediate threats, but put full war declarations in the hands of the lower house of parliament. Dauphin helped out by suggesting that budgetary control should be in the hands of the lower house as well, which would prevent undeclared wars by the Directorate from expanding out of control. Despite his military background, I am beginning to see Dauphin as a kindred spirit. We managed to work together on an acceptable compromise. After the contentious vote on the legislative branch that soured day 2, we had once again found a topic to reach consensus on.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 3 - Morning - Defense

This morning we dug deeper into issues relating to national defense. Robert and Aguilo had two different disputes. First over the independence or absorption of the militias into the military. Secondly over whether declarations of war reside with the Directorate or lower house of the legislature. Charles twice proves himself useful, providing workable compromises on both issues, with some help from Dauphin on the second issue. This is why I don’t regret pushing for his inclusion in the convention, Charles is a very capable mediator. Emilia was notably quiet, except a brief mention of conscription, which was tabled until the afternoon.

Result - Consensus reached on multiple defense issues.

Command: Centralized military (army and navy) under senior flag officers, controlled by the Directorate as a whole during peace, or single War Director if war is declared.

Militias: Independent in peacetime. Placed under command of army flag officers during wartime, but will remain distinct units. Militia members retain equivalent ranks when integrated.

War Powers: Directorate can authorize immediate military action for urgent threats. Lower house has the authority for full war declarations which can integrate the militias and allow the selection of a War Director. 

Budget: Not strictly a defense issue, but control of the budget is placed in the hands of the lower house, which would restrain military adventures that the lower house does not approve of.