Elsanoran Minister Cancles Trip to Communist China

March 16th, 2008
Germany/Elsanor

"The repression of the people of Tibet by the chinese army is an attack on the freedom and honor of the whole world", Minister Lüttich-DeKalb said on Sunday.

The Elsanoran Minister of Domestic Affairs also canceled a scheduled trip to China in protest. of the recent actions by the Communist Chinese. The trip had been planed for next September and would have included visits the main hospitals for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Peking.

A strongly worded diplomatic note was also to the Communist Chinese Ambassador to Germany (the Minister is Macronational Citizen of Germany).

Elsanoran Military Academy Adds Courses

The Grand Duchy of Elsanor has opened a new college of Health Sciences and Alternative Medicines within the Gustavus Adolphus Military Academy.

Presided by the acting head of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Lord Lüttich, the new faculty opened its doors on March 13th, 2008. The faculty offers a wide field of courses on the Bachelor's level. All courses are distance learning courses monitored by well educated Professors.

More information may be had by visiting the Gustavus Adolphus Military Academy, or by contacting the Minister of Domestic Affairs, Dr., Lord Luttich, directly.

www.elsanorgov.net

Earl of Rum (Grand Duke Eric I of Elsanor) Announces State Visit Plans

March 12, 2008
-- Elsanor

Representing Elsanor, the Grand Duke Eric (who is also, in the Dominion Peerage, the Earl of Rum) regularly makes official visits in Elsanor and abroad. He also receives heads of state and other foreign guests on official visits to Grand Duchy of Elsanor. This is one way in which he represents the Realm.

On March 20th, 2008, His Serene Highness will depart Elsanor for his second foreign visit of the year. His Serene Highness will fly out of New York and arrive in Paris, France on the 21st for a two day break before flying on to Venice, Italy. Once in Venice, the Grand Duke will travel overland via rail and bus to Slovenia. From there, he will embark on a 12 day cross country tour of Slovenia and Croatia.

His Serene Highness, the Grand Duke of Elasanor, Earl of Rum and of Traquair, will visit such antiquated and culturally-infused cities as Bled, Slovenia; Zagreb, Postojna, Lipica, Opatija, Split, Dubrovnik, and Korcula, Croatia.

While abroad, HSH, the Grand Duke will meet with locals, enjoy cultural and technical aspects of the two states, and observe local official's tending their daily duties.

HSH Grand Duke Eric I will return the 3rd of April. During his travel abroad, Vice Admiral, Lord Aubrey, Duke of Pierce will serve as administrator of Elsanor's daily affairs.

Elsanoran Navy Faces Fleet Reductions

-- PBN March 5th, 2008

Officials at Elsanor's defense ministry have put together proposals that would dramatically reduce the Royal Navy's fleet.

Citing details e-mailed to it by a source within the Ministry of Defense, the source reported that because of the projected lack of need for a blue water navy in what is projected to be a decade of low intensity conflicts, two warships and could be decommissioned from April.

The source told the PBN that the cuts would reduce the Royal Navy's capacity to just "one small-scale operation" per fiscal year.

According to the source, the Ministry of Finance's Comprehensive Spending Review, which allocated an annual increase in defense spending just of 1.5 percent above inflation, sparked rows between senior MoD officials and Minister of Finance Steven Chin.

In addition to that, commitments to expand the land forces at a total cost of four thousand dollars over the next 5 years forced the MoD to tighten its belt, the email said.

"The Finance Minister directed that no further money from the CSR would be allocated to defense and to maintain force levels the dept must find the savings/cuts," the source told the PBN.

"For the ERN, the CSR deal and the MoD's commitment to land based expansion is such that a proposal for the immediate decommissioning of five ships (two schooners and three tenders) from April this year has been considered.

"This would reduce the ERN's capabilities to just one small-scale operation and that is it."

The source also provided an internal MoD briefing paper that said that, assuming no further commissioning of ships, the combined size of the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary could fall from its current level of 13 to 7 within 5 years.

Vice Admiral, Lord Aubrey dismissed the idea that the Royal Navy's capacity could fall by more than half, and said that documents such as those cited by PBN source were produced as a matter of routine.

Ships scheduled for decommissioning in FY 2008 include three from the Auxiliary Fleet (schooner HMES Jaguar, and lightwater crafts Sunfish and Sand Mite), and two from the ERN (HMES Fearless, and lightwater craft Islander, Elsanor's longest serving surface component).

HSH the Grand Duke of Elsanor completes state visit to Europe.

-- Pelican Broadcasting System - Jan. 4th, 2008

Representing Elsanor, the Grand Duke regularly makes official visits in Elsanor and abroad. He also receives heads of state and other foreign guests on official visits to Grand Duchy of Elsanor. This is one way in which he represents the Realm.

On January 4th, His Serene Majesty returned from his trip to the United Kingdom. Having left on the 27th of December, His Majesty spent a full week traveling through England, Wales and southern Scotland. His Serene Majesty has proclaimed the highlight of the trip to be his stay in London for the New Years Eve festivities.

While abroad, His Serene Majesty met with Matthew Pierce, an old friend and citizen of Elsanor since 2004. Matthew currently resides in Perth, Australia. The two arranged their holidays so as to provide for a rendezvous for a few days.

His Majesty counts among the highnotes of the trip his visit to the Tower of London, an excursion to Buckingham Palace, the lush scenery in Cumbria, a ride on the London Eye, the numerous art and history museums, and of course his arrival at the seat of Ball power in Scotland- Traquair Castle, just north of Edinburgh.

Grand Duke of Elsanor, the Earl of Rum competes in Triathalon

On Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, His Serene Majesty traveled to Panama City Beach to compete in the American Triathalon Association's Florida Event. After a hearty pasta dinner with several friends at olive Garden, His Majesty saw to final preparations for the next morning's event.

Commencing at 7:30am, the event began with a one-third mile swim. Following this, a 15 mile bike rek was undertaken, followed lastly by a 3.5 mile run.

His Majesty's final time was 1 hour and 36 minutes. He finished in the top third, and soon came to realize that he beat out his Spring Hill College history professor.

The results per leg are as follows:

1/3 mile swim time: 8:28 minutes
15 mile bike time: 1 hour, 4 minutes
3.5 mile run time: 23:31 minutes

Dr. Holger Luttic, Baron of Dekalb appoined Elsanor's Minister of Domestic Affairs

His Serene Majesty, Eric I Grand Duke of Elsanor has chosen Dr. Holger Luttich as Elsanor's next Minister of Domestic Affairs.

A native of Reinhausen, Germany Dr. Luttich is fluent in English, Italian, Dutch, and German. He currently serves as a Teacher and licensed practitioner of Alternative Medicine in Bavaria. Dr. Luttich has been elevated to the title of Baron of Dekalb in reparation for his agreement to serve as Elsanor's newest Minister of Domestic Affairs.

Among the programs Dr. Luttich plans to implement during his tenure are:
Developing a national passtime
Creating visual and musical art competitions (either online or in realtime)
Expediting citizenship applications
Expanding the auction of Noble titles
Development of a course of study dealing with Alternative Medicine at the William Bartram Naval Academy
Aiding Elsanor in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, specifically those dealing with Elsanor's lack of adequate medical facilities.

Elsanor and New Texas Sign Treaty of Peace

-- Pelican News

The Grand Duchy of Elsanor and the Principality of New Texas have signed a Treaty of Peace.

His Serene Majesty, Eric I, Grand Duke of Elsanor plans to celebrate the signing of the accord by hosting an informal dinner party this evening at 6:00 in Mobile with several of the officers of the Elsanorian Royal Navy to include: Capt. Aubrey, the Commander of the Eastern Flotilla and Minister of Defense; LtCDR Chin, the Minister of Finance; LtCDR Aubrey; and LtCDR Zito.

Sub-Lieutenant Patrick McCleary, Baron of East Horn has been removed from his position as His Serene Majesty's Minister of Domestic Affairs.

HH Suzanne Ball, Grand Duckess Mother of Elsanore Celebrates 54 Birthday

Her Highness Helene Suzanne Ball, the Grand Duke's mother, celebrated her 54th birthday on Friday, the 31st of August.

The occasion was commemorated by His Serene Majesty and the Royal Mother with dinner at a lovely restaurant in Mobile.

Her Highness, the Grand Duchess Mother upon returning home, went to bed at 9:30pm, while His Serene Majesty, the Grand Duke, rushed back to Spring Hill College to prepare several reports for the coming week's classes.

Governor-General Issues Proclamation Commending the Earl of Rum

-- Virtual Pensacola

Whereas the Earl of Rum has been faithful to the Crown, this Dominion, and its Present Government in difficult times;

Whereas he has bolstered the publicity and public opinion of the Dominion;

Whereas he has worked to avert and allay the current constitutional crisis concerning the office of the Governor-General;

And Whereas he continues to show those traits of Dedication, Honesty, and Morality that all should strive for,

Now Therefore, I, Bo Register, Marquess of Mobile, Baron Von Servers of Fayette, Her Majesty's Acting Governor-General in and for the Dominion of British West Florida, do here by proclaim the thanks and commendation of the Dominion of British West Florida.

Know you all by these presents that the Lord Eric Ball, Earl of Rum, Knight of the Order of Saint Barnabas, Grand Duke of Elsanore, and recognized claimant to the Earldom of Traquair, is Commended by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the Dominion of British West Florida for his faithfulness to the Crown, this Dominion, and Her Majesty's Lawful Government in and for this Dominion of British West Florida,

Know also that the Earl of Rum is furthermore also commended for his efforts to avert and allay the Constitutional Crisis following the withdrawal of the Governor-General from public actions,

Know you all that he is also Commended and Encouraged for his efforts and ongoing work with Pelican Broadcasting, and its publicity for the Dominion of British West Florida.

Know also that it is the desire of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Dominion, by these presents made manifest, that the Earl of Rum continue with his wholesome and edifying broadcasts; that he know his labours are not in vain, and that God would continue to bless him and his efforts.

Proclaimed this 24^th Day of August in the Year of Our Lord 2007, and of her Majesty's Reign the 55^th.

G-G issues statement of support for Eric Ball's claim to "Earl of Traquair"

-- Virtual Pensacola

Bo Register, the Most Honourable, the Marquess of Mobile, Acting-Governor-General in and for the Dominion of British West Florida, to all whom come the presents greeting:

Whereas The title Earl of Traquair was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1633 for Sir John Stewart, Lord Stewart of Traquair, together with the subsidiary title Lord Linton and Caberston.

Whereas
* John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair (d. 1659) was succeeded by his only son John (c. 1622-1666)
* John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Traquair (1624 - 1666) was succeeded by his only son
* William Stewart, 3rd Earl of Traquair (1657 - 1673) was succeeded by his only son
* Charles Stewart, 4th Earl of Traquair (1659 - 1741) was succeeded by his only son
* Charles Stewart, 5th Earl of Traquair (1697 - 1764) was succeeded by his only son
* John Stewart, 6th Earl of Traquair (1699 - 1779) was succeeded by his only surviving child
* Charles Stewart, 7th Earl of Traquair (1746 - 1827) was succeeded by his only child
* Charles Stewart, 8th Earl of Traquair (1781 - 1861) left no male heir

Whereas
LTC Mottrom D. Ball (1835-1890), son of Sallie Lewis Wright (niece of the 8th Earl of Traquair), left no male heir
Silas I. Ball (1832-1898), was the eldest cousin of LTC Mottrom D. Ball
William A. Ball IV (1863-1928), was the eldest son of Silas I. Ball
Douglas P. Ball (1898-1976), was the only child of William A. Ball
Bruce W. Ball (1922-1991), was the only son of Douglas P. Ball
James W. Ball (1946-1998), was the only son of Bruce W. Ball
Eric Z. Ball (1989- ), is the only nephew of James W. Ball

Now therefor we, having taken notice of the Genealogy and Claims of our Lord of Rum to the title of “Earl of Traquair“, do make known our support for his efforts, We pray Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in her most Excellent Grace, confirm and confer this title to Our Lord Rum, Eric Z. Ball, to have and to hold for his self as senior legitimate heir-general of the body of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair.

Know all that, pending the action of Her Majesty and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, this Dominion recognizes the Lord Eric Z. Ball, our Earl of Rum, as the true heir and Earl of Traquair.


Bo Register, Marquess of Mobile, Baron Von Servers of Fayette,
Acting Governor-General, His Grace being in Georgia,
in Service to The Dominion of British West Florida

Grand Duchy of Elsanor appoints new Baron of St. Clair

-- Elsanoran News Service

The Honorable Gabriel Morton, Baron of St. Clair, has obtained his current title as a part of our "Title Relief" program.

Lord Morton has submitted his application to be considered for the position as Elsanor's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I have reviewed his credentials, and upon due reflection of the plight facing my current Minister of Foreign Affairs (Lord Aubrey serves concurrently as MFA and Minister of Defense/Commander of the Eastern Flotilla), have decided to allow the Honorable Baron of St. Clair to assume the position as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Any correspondence should be redirected to emailunited@yahoo.com or to myself at baronyofball@yahoo.com effective immediately.