[u][b]Amsterdam, Netherlands[/b][/u]

	[i]“The Kingdom of Netherlands faced several issues after the Great War ended. Belgium's economy collapsed after they were freed from the German Empire, despite help from Allied forces. Many of its' original citizens quickly returned to their homes and saw the damage caused by the war. Netherlands quickly closed refugee camps after the war ended, but there were still dealing with thousands of refugees. The economy of the Netherlands wasn't in better shape, because of the blockade by the United Kingdoms of Britain and Northern Ireland and the cost of refugee camps. They had no other choice and shut the camps down two weeks after the war ended. As for the refugees, they returned to Belgium in special trains paid for by the Dutch government.

However, many Belgians saw their homes and businesses destroyed by both sides of the war. As mentioned before, Belgium's economy was in ruins and many Belgians rushed back to the Netherlands.  In the matter of months, the population of Belgium decreased and countries', that declared neutrality before or during the Great War, population saw a massive increase. Especially the Netherlands. Many went there, because it was the cheapest option out there. From the most of the 1920s, the Dutch military patrolled the Netherlands-Belgium borders from any illegal immigrates. Often enough, they were dragged to trains or horse wagons and sent back to their country. 

Hundreds and thousands of Belgians were caught and dragged back to Belgium for years until the country managed to repair their economy and infrastructure...”[/i]

Stefaan's focus on the book was interrupted by a knock at the door. He rolled his eyes back, closed the book, and placed it down next to the radio. The radio was still playing classical music as he got up from his chair and walked towards the door. Then, he took a look at the peephole and saw one of his neighbors at the door, Marcel. Living across the hallway of the apartment, he and Stefaan were more of acquaintances than friends but they would talk often enough. Stefaan opened the door and greeted Marcel before offering to let him in, but he politely refused. Marcel had to get ready for his new job as a gym instructor at the new gym between Amsterdam's financial and downtown area. 

Stefaan didn't care about going to the gym and having a healthy body since he started going to the University of Amsterdam. But, there was a gym nearby the university that he was considering to check out someday. Marcel tried to make it quick as he held out an envelope in Stefaan. He started to speak about the envelope, “I found it under the door, but it didn't look suspicious at all. Because you were gone yesterday, I kept it safe so no-one else takes it.” Stefaan took the envelope for Marcel as he looked at the address and discovered that his family sent the envelope. The location was his hometown, Baarle-Nassau. A small border town, between the Netherlands and Belgium, with a population around six thousand.

“Thank you for keeping it safe, Marcel.” said Stefaan gratefully as he was getting ready to close the door. 

Marcel nodded.

“No problem at all.”

Marcel left for work as Stefaan closed the door and walked towards the kitchen with the envelope. He placed it on the wooden table and looked around for a glass cup. He grabbed a clear one from the sink and fill it with water as he headed back to the table. The radio was now playing an advertisement from Thirty Seconds Over Detroit and other newly released films. He sat down and torn the envelope open and pulled the letter out. He threw the envelope to the trash can and looked at the letter. 

	[i]Dear Stefaan,

I hope that you're doing well in Amsterdam. It's such a beautiful place to be during the spring time, especially when you go to Albert Cuyp Market during the rush hour. I hope that Ethiopian lady, that sold the clothes in the market, is still there. They are still in good condition enough to wear.

Anyway, Baarle-Nassau has seen better days since the increased population. The town had a population of 5,700, now it's growing to 6,000. Most, if not all, of the new citizens are Belgians. It isn't only Baarle-Nassau that had an increased. Ulicoten, Castelré, and other border towns had an increased population. Especially Castelré, where it went up from 100 to 200!

I am worried that we are facing another crisis at our hands. Since Belgium's economy has gone downhill, there are wild rumors spreading all over the Netherlands. You must hear some of the rumors while you walk around Amsterdam. This kind of events must interest you since you are getting your major in history. Speaking of which, I hope that you're doing well in your classes. 

Mother is doing well and still has a job down in the local market, making more money than ever. Bart finally got into the army, now he's doing training and he can become a medic. And I'm doing great too. I moved into a new house and found myself a boyfriend, a military guy like Bart; however, he's in the navy not the army.

You need to tell me how you are doing. After all, it took thirty minutes to write this up and I could of done something useful with that many minutes! Anyway, the family loves you and misses you. They also hope that you could come back home once awhile.

- Jacolien Pezie[/i]

He missed anything about his family from the mother's horrible jokes to Jacolien's cooking. And he also missed the market in his hometown. You could always find something worthy in that market, if you look carefully. He placed the letter down as he through on the current situation in Belgium. It's economy was going downhill once again and the government hasn't made any announcements about the situation. The Netherlands hasn't respond the situation at the moment; however, they are going to respond by the end of the week. Then, he got up from his chair and started to look for some paper and pen. He didn't have to write right away, but it would be nice to get something down right at the moment. 

He went to his bedroom and straight to his desk. The desk has been around since he first moved, left by the previous owners. It was made with Teak hardwood in a Southeast Asia 'workshop' and it was old. He started checking out the drawers until he found a piece of paper and then grabbed one of the pens from the pen holders. The radio was still on the same station as Stefaan existed his bedroom. He was getting tired of listening to music, and wanted to hear the news on the television. As he was passing by it, he turned it off and quickly turned the television on. It was on NOS Journaal, the news channel, as always. 

He liked to hear the television as he's doing something else other than watching it. And he sat back down at the chair and began to write:

	[i]Dear Sis, 

It's good to see that you're writing to me. With the amount of school work, I would of forgot to write to you guys! Anyway, the city is still damn beautiful and the market is doing great. The woman is still around and selling the clothes as well, I might have to buy one for you. 

And it's also good that the town is growing, even if it's Belgians. They are most likely staying until their country gets their shit together. So, be mindful and treat them with respect. Besides, the mayor knows what to do with this situation. Stop worrying about it and stop listening to the rumors. They are most likely made up for some reason. And if it makes you better, I often hear the rumors as well around the city.

The government will fix it before you know it. I trust them and you should as well.

Tell mother that I-[/i]

The sudden, dramatic music blasted the entire apartment room and he almost jumped from his chair. The pen was still in his hands as he forgot that the audio was that loud. He dropped the pen and rose from the chair to investigate the television. But, the first thing that he did was turning it down so the audio won't cause the cops to come over. Stefaan rolled his eyes as he realized that the music was for a commercial about saving animals with ten cents per week. He didn't believe in that kind of crap and the commercial was just to get some money. The commercial finally ended with a picture of a dog with a sad face as it went back to the news. One of the anchors smiled as they appeared on the screen, the other started to talk about a recent press conference that happened about an hour.

“The press conference was held by the Financial Secretary, John Vansteenkiste. He talked about different steps on how Belgium is going to deal with the current financial crisis in the country. And he warned that political unrest “unavoidably” damage the economy and cause “unwanted chaos” for the nation. Vansteenkiste talked how the Prime Minister and the King wants peace throughout the nation and finished the conference with no questions answered.”

Stefaan then moved towards the couch and sat down as he never knew that a press conference had happened. He kept watching the television completely forgetting about the letter as there were two more people next to the anchorman. The letter was going to be finished later on the night after the news would end. Plus, the information provided could be useful for his debate club.
[hr][u][b]Amsterdam, Netherlands[/b][/u]

	The warning about possible political unrest in Belgium was terrifying for the Dutch government. They didn't thought that Belgium would suffer another financial crisis, the worst financial crash that the government even had since the end of the Great War. Still, there were plans in place if something like would happen again. Since the Netherlands remained neutral throughout the war, the country didn't have to make any sacrifices unlike Belgium.

Prime Minister Rikkert Wiecherink was on the phone as he just learned of the news moments ago. The beloved Prime Minister of the Netherlands was a conservative and related to Antoon Wiecherink, the famous Dutch politician that kept the Stelling van Amsterdam for shutting down and becoming a landmark. Despite advances in technology, Antoon and his supporters stool for the fort and it didn't shut down. In fact, the Dutch government is currently in plans to update the defense line. On the other line was the Minister of Defense, Theun Groot Overmeene. He also was a part of the movement to keep the same fort from shutting down as well. A gifted general of the Dutch navy, Overmeene is overseeing the entire fleet and patrolled the East Indies in his youth until the government lost control. Now, he was overseeing the entire Dutch military and kept a close eye on recent events in Africa.

“We need to do something about the so-called 'protesters' at Belgium before its too late.”

Overmeene was worried that communists, socialists, liberals, and every other political party in the country were going to rebel against King Baudouin. Most of the European nations had 'recovered' from the damages caused by the Great War. Belgium was going to be a problem for the European nations if Baudouin were to be overthrown by a left-wing political party or even a socialist party. China and her allies would also take advantage of this moment.

“We will, Overmeene.” the Prime Minister ensured the Minister that the discussion of Belgium will happen. However, the Minister always wanted results right away rather than waiting for them. He lacked any form of patience, but he often got results quicker that way. Overmeene tried to present his reasons for holding an emergency meeting.

“Sir, we can't wait until Friday to talk about it. Something bad could happen during the week and we won't be ready for it. You and I know that those college students can get a bit rowdy when they don't like something or someone. I am afraid that will protest about it and then they'll have a revolt on their hands. That is why I think that you should hold an emergency meeting with the other ministers.”

Wiecherink was used for Overmeene's reasons and theories, even if they were a bit outrageous. He quietly groaned before he spoke up to calm his fears. 

“Listen, friend, you got nothing to worry about. The students are unorganized, stupid people that haven't matured yet. Trust me, the police will put them down before they do fight against the 'corrupted government'. Plus, the rest of Europe will be against the new government if they successfully revolt. I think that you can wait three days and nothing 'terrible' will happen during them. I suggest that you start drinking some tea, it makes you calm after a busy day at work.”

After giving the advice, he looked at the clock and lied to the Minister that he 'had something planned with his family'. He hung up and sighed as he was getting tired of the long phone call. The office was silent as he started to think about replacing the old minister; however, he had been friends with the man for thirty-three years. His thoughts were also about the problems facing Belgium and the rest of the world, especially with the war between Spain and Ethiopia. Then, he got up from his seat and walked out of his office to get some tea. He really needed some tea.