Elwynnese Instrument of Government 1730-001
 Palace of One Thousand Columns | |
| Subject | |
|---|---|
| Decreed by | Jahangir Khan |
| Extent | Elluenuueq |
| Set before Council | 12.V.1730 AN |
 | |
The Instrument of Government for the Establishment of a Regime of Auxiliary Labour Service was a law of Elluenuueq on 20.V.1730 AN. It instituted a compulsory civilian auxiliary labour service to support the realm of Elluenuueq during a period of escalating tension between the Benacian Union and Shireroth.
Background
In early 1724 AN, tensions between Shireroth and its ally the Benacian Union came to a head over Shireroth's plans to withdraw from the Raspur Pact military alliance. The Second Thuylemans Government had been elected in 1723 AN on a platform of leaving the Raspur Pact, which was integral to the security of the Benacian Union. However, it had not yet taken concrete steps to implement this policy shift when the Benacians launched Operation Jagdbeute in the third month of 1724.
Operation Jagdbeute was a series of actions by Apollonia Command and Benacia Command, the military forces of the Raspur Pact, to seize and withdraw assets and personnel stationed in Shireroth. This included attempts to recover armaments from Shirerithian arsenals, evacuate Raspur Pact officers and soldiers, destroy sensitive documents, and disable computer networks.
The razzia marked a dramatic souring of relations between the two allies. Pro-Humanist politicians in Greater Kildare were even arrested by Shirerithian authorities. Public opinion in Shireroth turned hostile towards the Benacians, who were seen as the instigators behind the unilateral military action. Calls grew for Shireroth's complete withdrawal from the Raspur Pact.
For its part the Benacian Union had becoming increasingly convinced that the Shirerithian determination to withdraw from the Raspur Pact in order to further its ambitions of reversing the Kalirion Fracture of 1671 AN. The recovery of Kildare by negotiated accomodation of the rulers of Jingdao had transformed the strategic position of the Imperial Republic, turning it from a beleaguered Benacian state to a global power once more astride two continents. As the Benacian Union was a member of the Raspur Pact, formed of former Imperial States of Shireroth, the wider alliance had transformed from a benefit to a liability as it inhibited its ability to recover lost province.
Provisions
The act mandated that all able-bodied Elwynnese men between the ages of 16 and 60 had to register for potential conscription into an auxiliary labour force. Even those deemed unfit for regular military service were still required to be available for auxiliary duties.
The Commissioner of Internal Affairs was tasked with maintaining rolls of all eligible men and assigning them to labour assignments as deemed necessary by military authorities. Conscripted men could be sent anywhere within the realm to perform tasks including:
- Air raid protection and civil defence;
- Construction and fortification work;
- Agricultural labour;
- Armaments and munitions production;
- Other support roles for the State Guard of Elluenuueq.
The edict allowed for the forced evacuation and relocation of families if their homes were required for military purposes. It prescribed harsh penalties including imprisonment and forced labor for conscripts who failed to answer call-ups or deserted their assigned duties. Anyone assisting labour deserters also faced punishment.
The Commissioner for Logistics was granted authority to issue further guidelines and regulations for organising and administering the auxiliary service.
Significance
The Instrument enabled the Humanist regime to compel civilian labour on a massive scale during the final years of peace on the continent, as the Benacian Union levied an increasing portion of the Elwynnese labour force for Benacian Union Defence Force and the burgeoning war industries of the Union-State. It reflected the willingness of the Humanist coordinated state to make extreme demands of the civilian population of the Harmonious Society. The act moreover represented one of the most radical mobilisations of civilian labour in the years since the Second Elwynnese Civil War.
Text
By decree of the Szodan of Elluenuueq, the following is proclaimed:1. All men between the ages of 16 and 60 are subject to compulsory auxiliary service for purposes of national defence and maintaining public order and security.
2. The Commissioner for Internal Affairs shall maintain labour rolls cataloguing all men fit for auxiliary service duties. Those unsuited for service in the State Guard, due to age or condition, shall still be required to register.
3. Men called up for auxiliary service shall be employed as needed in roles including air raid protection, construction/fortification work, agriculture, armaments production, and other tasks in support of the military.
4. Conscripts may be assigned to service anywhere within the Realm or occupied territories as deemed necessary. Families may also be evacuated from their homes to make way for military operations.
5. Failure to answer a call-up or desertion from assigned service shall be punishable by prison sentences or forced labour assignments. Abetting deserters will also be subject to penalties.
6. The Commissioner for Logistics shall determine and publish specific guidelines and regulations for the organisation and administration of the auxiliary service.
All subject shall dutifully comply with the provisions of this Instrument for the greater good of the Elwynnese Realm. Disobedience will be met with severe punishment.
