Republic of Doria annexes two new territories

JACARANDA—On 25 August, the Republic of Doria expanded considerably as Dictator Dorian Grimes signed the proclamations officially annexing two more territories into the nation: Jacaranda and Yucca.

Jacaranda is by far Doria’s smallest territory, consisting of only 93 square feet; however, it is now one of the most important territories, as it has become the Dictator’s new residence. The Dictator will be living in Jacaranda on a more consistent basis than she ever lived in Hyacinth or Rhododendron, for she is no longer splitting her time between all of her inhabited territories. For the next nine months, nearly all Dorian governmental activities shall take place in Jacaranda.

Yucca consists of 5,000 square feet of land surrounded by the nation of Mexico, near the city of San Felipe. It is the most barren of the Dorian territories, containing no permanent residents and only sparse vegetation. The Dorian government currently has no plans for developing, populating, or improving the territory.

While the three older Dorian territories have all resided within walking distance of one another, Jacaranda and Yucca are far removed from the Northwestern territories and each other. Over 1,000 miles stand between Jacaranda and the Northwestern territories, and over 370 miles separate Jacaranda from Yucca. The Dictator trusts that her citizens and her generals will protect and maintain the Northwestern territories in her absence. She plans to visit Hyacinth and Rhododendron this coming November to check on their conditions.

Territorial flag of Jacaranda.

Territorial flag of Yucca.

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Dorian Dictator Explores Potential New Territory

HYACINTH—On Thursday July 30, the Dictator of Doria returned from a three-day visit to the city of Los Angeles in the United States of America to scope out land for a potential new territory for the Republic of Doria.

The Dictator will be relocating to the Los Angeles area in late August of 2015 to attend school at California State University, Northridge. This will mean that the Dictatorial Residence will need to be relocated to a new territory, which will likely be named Jacaranda after the purple flowering trees prevalent in the surrounding area.

Although the Dictator will be living a considerable distance from the other Dorian territories, Hyacinth and Rhododendron will continue to be occupied by other Dorian citizens, and Laburnum will remain unoccupied, unless invaded.

The visit left the Dictator feeling pleased about the decision to move to and establish a new territory in the area. Attractions within walking distance of Jacaranda will include a notable American university, an orange grove, a turtle pond, and many fine eateries.

A proclamation by the Dictator will be issued when the territory is officially established.

Image of a Jacaranda tree.

Disorder in Dorian Army as top generals go AWOL

ROSEWOOD – The brief disappearances of two feline Dorian Army generals in separate incidents over the weekend created uncertainty in the republic’s military and the injury of one of the officers.

On the morning of Saturday, 23 May, Lieutenant General Maxine, a female calico cat, left her station in the Dorian province of Rhododendron without leave or orders from her superiors. Her absence lasted up to two hours.

Residents of Rhododendron report that when Maxine returned, she seemed emotionally distressed. Orange fur believed to be that of another cat was found between her toes, and at least one of her claws was broken in what was probably a fight with the other feline.

General Mugs, the chief of the army, was found on doorstep of the Dictatorial Residence Sunday afternoon, apparently having returned from an unauthorized expedition. Like Maxine, she did not have permission to vacate her post. She did not appear to be distressed or injured.

Despite the temporary absences of some of its military leaders, Doria’s security does not seem to have been compromised.

As the truant generals are cats, Dictator Dorian Grimes does not intend to discipline them for their disappearances.

Yarn pricing deal reached as Doria considers exporting crafts

ROSEWOOD – Überstadt and Doria reached an agreement Tuesday on the pricing of Überstadti-dyed yarn, despite initial disagreement over the material’s value.

King Adam I and Dictator Dorian Grimes met at Überstadt’s consulate in Lynnwood, Washington to discuss the price of yarn reserved for sale to Doria for use in crochet projects.

Ms. Grimes and the king had attempted to negotiate a sale several days prior, but the Dorian leader’s initial offer was rejected as being too low when compared to value calculations reported by Überstadt’s economy ministry. These estimates were based on the price of the uncolored yarn, chemicals, and equipment used in the dyeing process, according to the king.

The consulate meeting had not been previously planned, but was instead held out of convenience, as the two leaders were already there on other business.

Following an explanation by Adam of the determination of the yarn’s value, Ms. Grimes agreed to increase her offer. After discussing the probability that the material would be used in handicrafts made for sale on the Internet, she agreed that Doria would purchase at least one skein, dyed with ivy, for $12.

Should a second skein to be dyed with onion skins appeal to the dictator after its completion, both will be purchased for a total of $20.

Immediately upon reaching an understanding, the leaders drafted and signed a communiqué detailing the agreement, which will also guide future pricing.

This deal was reached as Doria moves towards the possible establishment of an online store for selling domestic goods, mostly crocheted projects, which Dorian artisans are producing at an increasing rate. Überstadti yarn, dyed using plants, will probably be used extensively in such products offered for sale.

Überstadt, Doria pledge Nepal aid

ROSEWOOD – The leaders of Überstadt and Doria have pledged aid packages from each of their countries to Nepal in the wake of lethal earthquakes.

The Überstadti and Dorian contributions are to be sent to a Red Cross fund dedicated to responding to the disaster, which has killed more than 3,000 people.

King Adam I of Überstadt announced his intention to send aid a statement on his government’s Facebook page Sunday night, expressing his “sadness” at the crisis and pledging that “Überstadt will send aid this week.”

The April session of Überstadti Parliament will be held Thursday, and a bill authorizing relief spending is expected to pass unanimously.

Dictator Dorian Grimes of Doria promised funds in a private conversation with the king shortly after the Überstadti announcement, despite the practical nonexistence of regular income to her state.

“As tight as money can get in Doria, it hurts my heart to know there are others so much worse off,” Ms. Grimes told the Chronicle when asked for comment.

“I know my contribution is small, but I hope it will help nonetheless.”

Several micronations have joined the throng of governments expressing sympathies for the victims of the tremors, with some also stating their willingness to contribute financially to the international response.

Notably, President Kevin Baugh of Molossia said that his government “will support relief efforts in every way [they] can.”

Molossia has been generous with contributing to disaster relief in the past, which has begun to influence Überstadti policy.

“The last time Überstadt reached out to those in other lands was after the Oso landslide,” King Adam said, referring to a disaster that occurred in his home county in the United States last year.

“We now have so much more in our coffers than we did then, and we ought to follow the example of those nations which help however much they can. I will make foreign aid a higher priority for Überstadt.”

King returns from MicroCon amid media attention

ROSEWOOD – His Majesty King Adam has returned from MicroCon 2015, which has received substantial media attention.

MicroCon, held in Anaheim, California, was the largest ever North American gathering of micronationalists, organized by President Kevin Baugh of Molossia. Other notable attendees included Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica, King Christopher of Vikesland, and Queen Carolyn of Ladonia.

King Adam was accompanied to the conference and associated ball, the MicroCon Cotillion, by Dictator Dorian Grimes of Doria.

The conference and ball were held on Saturday, 11 April, at the Anaheim Central Library and Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim, respectively.

At the conference, many national leaders spoke on their nations and set up displays about them around the room. King Adam addressed those assembled on the history of Überstadt, the nature of its participatory democracy and economy, and its recent progress. Dictator Grimes set up a display about Doria.

The entire physical territory of the Free Ambulatory States of Obsidia, two pieces of obsidian, were also present at the conference.

That evening, most of those who were present at MicroCon attended the MicroCon Cotillion, which consisted of a dinner and ball.

At the Cotillion, King Adam was granted a knighthood in the Order of King Henry the Lion by Queen Anastasia of Ruritania.

The event received substantial media attention, and has been reported on by National Public Radio, the New York Daily News, and the Independent, among many other publications. A portrait of King Adam, including an overview of Überstadt, was featured in the Instagram feed of the American Association of Retired Persons, the first macronational media attention ever given the Kingdom.

MicroCon was the first multilateral conference ever personally attened by King Adam, and the first diplomatic visit by Dictator Grimes outside of Überstadt.

First joint Über-Dorian mission completed

ROSEWOOD – His Majesty’s Navy has announced that last Saturday, the first joint mission between the Royal Armed Forces and the Dorian Army was carried out in Possession Sound, a maritime area abound 10 miles north of Rosewood. His Majesty the King and Captain Michael von Friedeck were joined by Dictator Dorian Grimes herself for the operation.

The mission, conducted aboard HMNS Bert George, a 26-foot sailing sloop, had the dual purpose of training Ms. Grimes in naval theory and practice, and of scouting out the location of the United States home of Dominique Montour, Environment Minister. This latter activity was undertaken to bolster the Navy’s ability to accomplish its mission of protecting Überstadtis wherever they live.

The Bert George, under Captain von Friedeck’s command, began its voyage shortly before noon. Upon exiting the harbor of Everett, Washington, its motor was stopped and its sails were hoisted. Plotting a course to Point Elliott, the Überstadti vessel sailed past Naval Station Everett, a base of the US Navy and home port to supercarrier USS Nimitz.

Around 1330, the Bert George arrived off of Point Elliott, where the city of Mukilteo is situated. Montour’s house was located using nearby landmarks, accomplishing the mission.

This voyage was the first joint venture between the armed forces of Überstadt and Doria. Others are being planned, the next likely to be the marking of Dorian borders.

The Point Elliott lighthouse in Mukilteo, with a Washington State Ferry visible in the background. Photo courtesy Northwest Maritime Heritage.

New alliance formed as Doria founded

ROSEWOOD – This afternoon, friends of Überstadtis founded the Republic of Doria at a residence 2.3 miles from the Kingdom. His Majesty the King was present for the signature of the Dorian constitution, immediately after which a treaty was signed between the two states.

The foundation of Doria was led by a close friend of the King, Dorian Grimes, who was made the head of state upon the ratification of the constitution. Grimes bears the title of Dictator, inspired by the Roman Republic, and has been granted all legislative and executive power due to the small population of the new nation.

According to the King, Grimes has wished to establish a micronation for a very long time.

Because of the already-close relationship between the peoples of Doria and Überstadt, as well as the latter government’s trust of the leadership of the former, a treaty of recognition and alliance was signed on the spot. The treaty provides for the establishment of diplomatic missions, mutual defense, and preferential trade in wild fruit.