Diplomacy & News

[PhilThib]

The Poruguese capital has fallen last week. The walls had been breached by the continuous heavy artillery bombardments, both from the army batteries and the Reichmarine heavy guns. An assault led by the Wurtemberg contingent carried the day.

The King of Portugal was taken under custody and sent for internment at his castle at Sagres, off Cape Saint Vincent. The main members of the former government, responsible for the crisis, were placed under house arrest.

Similarly, as the last forces in the Portuguese colonies were defeated or surrendered, their governors were arrested on charges of corruption, neglect and unproper behavior and sent back to Portugal. German officers took over the various Captaincy-Generals ( governorships) in wait for further instructions following the expected peace treaty.

Talks will start with the civil society of Portugal to quickly find people able to form a new Portuguese government. In the meanwhile, German investors are encouraged to help the Portuguese repair and improve their country, which was found in an abysmal state of development, education and infrastructure.

Other powers will be soon apporached to take over some of the burden from the poor Portuguese state, the time their private economy is rebuilt and recovers from years of neglect.

Some Portuguese ships were reported on privateering missions in the merchant shipping boxes. Naval units will be sent to protect trade as far as possible, as Germany is unsure a civilized behaviour and appropriate instructions not to harm trade were given to the Lusitanian captains.

All troops barring a small occupation and police force will be returned to Germany very soon, and demobilization of the reserves will be ordered upon their reaching home sometimes in July or August.

[Leibst]

A great Victory!!! Vienna celebrates your total Victory.
(Please dont forget to send that 1000 bottles of Porto we have talked about)

[coolbean]

Военное министерство
Российская Империя
[HR][/HR]
Ministry of War
Russian Empire
[HR][/HR]



Russian Declaration of War on Romania


The purpose of this war is to liberate the long oppressed Slavic minority of Constanza. Constanza has long been held by the Czar as Russian territory, and is our only demand from the Romanians. We hope this war will be short with minimal collateral damage.





OOC - Constanza is a Russian objective city.

[Lemoni]

The Dutch Government would like to thank Germany for the gift of a brand new shininig automobile! Excellent construction and design. May the automobile factory prosper and grow more and more...

[Soulstrider]

After the occupation of North Africa and months of stalemate only interrupted by a short but bloody Italian incursion in the northern margin of the Red Sea, the Italians finally moved a large army into the Levant itself only to be met by the brave Ottoman Troops at the gates of Jerusalem. After intense fighting the stalwart Ottoman soldiers repelled this Italian incursion dealing much larger causalities to the invaders.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Jim-NC]

Britain and America Agree to Trade Colonial Areas:

Dateline September 1884

America and Britain have come to a mutual understanding of the transfer of colonial regions. America will give up it's interest in the colonial area of Rhodesia, and Britain will give up it's interest in Belize (British Honduras). The transfer will be come effective as soon as administratively possible.

[bjfagan]

ITALIAN TROOPS AMBUSHED


Rome - Italian troops of the Army of Cyrenaica, marching under the command of General Alberto Cerruti, were ambushed by hordes of savage Muslims upon entering Judea. Cerruti's forces were enroute to Jerusalem to rescue Roman Catholic missionaries reportedly under siege by Muslim vigilantes. Reports from frontline units stated Ottoman soldiers appeared out of nowhere in the desert and attacked all along the marching columns of Italian formations. There was initial chaos, but the brave Italian soldiers rallied together to make an organized retreat back to the Sinai. Losses were reported to be light.

The Palace has confirmed His Majesty King Umberto I ordered more troops be sent to the Sinai to support the relief of Jerusalem. "We will not give up on the Christians who need our help in Jerusalem," stated an aide-de-camp to the King.

[Soulstrider]

Ahmed Pasha while seeking to resupply in Cairo after a long trip through the Nile was contacted by local Egyptian authorities regarding an large Italian convoy seeking supplies in town from less scrupulous merchants.Though the Autonomous Government of Egypt is neutral in this war, Egypt is still a de jure province of the Ottoman Empire so Ahmed exercised is authority and quickly acted to apprehend these supply wagons.

Analysts in Constantinople predict this large apprehension will cause problems to the large Italian Army camped in the harsh region of Sinai

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Soulstrider]

After a surprise landing in Tirana and undeterred by the losses of their comrades in the Levant, the Italian hordes march towards the interior of the Balkans only to be met by the brave Ottoman defenders under the command of Abdülkerim Nadin Pasha in Macedonia. The ensuing battle results in a stalemate for both sides however the courageous Ottoman troops can boast of having inflicted more casualties.

However in worrying news, report have arrived of yet another large army landing in the Balkans. Nevertheless the Porte and the High Command feel confident that the Ottoman soldier will rise to the challenge as he was able to do until now.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Jim-NC]

Russia's embassy was destroyed in Washington DC.

America's embassy was destroyed in Rome.

[PhilThib]

Russia's embassy was destroyed in Washington DC.

America's embassy was destroyed in Rome.

Repair works will start soon

[Sir Garnet]

IMPERIAL FOREIGN OFFICE, London November 1, 1884


Her Majesty's Government is pleased to announce the completion of a sale of ships to the Sublime Porte. This shall go some way to repair and redress the inadequacy of Ottoman naval power to defend its coasts as a result of early reverses in the current Italian war. We have seen that this encouraged the spread of conflict in scope from an affair in Libya to widespread Italian onsets from the coast of Arabia to the precincts of the Suez Canal, the deserts of the Levant and the mountains of the Balkans. In a balance between Rome and Constantinople may be found grounds for peace with honor.

The welfare of professing Christians in Jerusalem and on pilgrimage and the amelioration of any injustice under the law or oppressions they experience is a matter of interest for all Christian powers. If formal redress on this matter and reparations to civilians wronged is considered sufficient by the Italian Kingdom to satisfy its honor and the interest of justice, then this government is willing to exercise its influence and encourage others to do so in support of such a resolution.

-------------
-: Royal Navy Reports Successful Anti-Pirate Operations :-

-: Italy's Embassy in London Wrecked - May be Due to "Chemistry Experiment" by Trade Attache's Son :-

[Soulstrider]

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[PhilThib]

The German military commander in Portugal, Graf von Fabrice, has decided to convene a peace conference in the famous old Portuguese university of Coimbra. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the end of the conflict and the future of Portugal.

The king of Portugal was cordially invited to leave his Sagres castle and attend the conference as an observer. He will be housed at the episcopal palace during the talks.

Members of the former Portuguese government and colonial authorities have fled abroad (supposedly in nearby Spain) and are refusing to enter constructive discussions, just bombarding the Wilhelmstrasse (German Foreign Ministry) with ridiculous proposals every month, not even acknowledging their responsibilities.

As a result, Graf von Fabrice took the following steps and decisions:

* Representative of a future Portuguese government will be appointed through a nomination via local city and provincial councils, and approved by the king. Ten of them will form a "shadow" cabinet to discuss with the German military commander. The deadline for the Portuguese representatives to assemble is set at end of June, 1885
* Germany will send official invitations to Britain, France, The Netherlands and The United States to accept future mandates on Portuguese colonial territories in order to ensure their development. Mandates will not be allowed to be exceeded (no formal colony status allowance)
* Germany will finance a reconstruction program of Portugal with an enveloppe of 5 Million Reichmark. Some of the expenses already started, to rebuild the logistical and defensive infrastructures of Portugal. Next step will be improvement of Portuguese economic structures to modern standards.
* Portuguese private properties will be restaured in the colonies, once the exact mandates are assigned, which is expected sometimes in the middle of 1885.
* Germany will return to Portugal at the conclusion of peace all captured shipping (currently in Africa)

As a gesture of goodwill for the opening of the conference, all Portuguese prisonners will be liberated and returned to Portugal in time for Christmas 1884.

Graf von Fabrice
Reichkommandeur Portugal
Lisbon, Dec. 1, 1884

[Irish_Brigade]

I do not know if it is meant to go here. But I will soon be taking over control of The Great Spanish Empire. If any have had contact with past spain please feel free to e-mail me at house_boeruine(at)yahoo(dot)com

[PhilThib]

Wlcome

Jim, can you give him access to dropbox please

[Lindi]

hi, by the France when you see the situation of Spanish in Morocco, send mail to France, you and me can talk about that and Happy Welcome for you!

[Irish_Brigade]

Thank you, GM warned me I may need to do some smoothing over with France since Spain went AI

[Sir Garnet]

Thank you, GM warned me I may need to do some smoothing over with France since Spain went AI

OOC - FYI: in the general thread, Lindi said "I have an agreement with the Spanish, for Maroc, if the playeur is dead, I considered this agreement dead, so plz said here you are live or I go Maroc. Edit : Maybe do a new post for recruting new playeur?"

A player is needed for player-player agreements. Maybe you can pick up from there.

[unclejoe]

[Lindi]

January 1st, 1885, Constantinople

Jules Grévy, President of the French Republic, had moved in the greatest secrecy to the island of Crete where he met his counterparts Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig von Preußen, Emperor of Germany, and Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King de Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia. All three embarked on a German warship, strongly escorted, and took the way of Constantinople where Abdülhamid II, 34th Ottoman Sultan, awaited them.

Upon their arrival on the spot, an official announcement was made of the opening of a decisive international conference which goal was to set and fix the last details of a diplomatic revolution such as Europe had not known any since the Treaties of Vienna 70 years earlier. Namely that the four concerned powers joined together here began in creation of a great alliance, or block, whose objective was to ensure a permanent peace in Europe and if possible all over the world.

The PABEVICO block was created!

PABEVICO for Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Constantinople.

A treaty linked the various Member States under the banner of only one and great alliance.
[ATTACH]23304[/ATTACH]

The very first declaration of France to put this treaty to the test and to bring back peace to Europe was that which all Europe wished to see, namely that it became imperative that a final and rapid end is put to an unjust war, which had started in an infamous way, that of Italy against the Ottoman Empire.

Consequently, France addressed to Italy an ultimatum whose terms are mentioned below, which would lead her to declare war in the name of the Alliance to Italy should the latter failed to comply.

Those quotes from the French President were retransmitted in the hours which followed to Paris and in all the provinces of France, where all the inhabitants understood that it was no longer time to show the French diplomatic talents, but rather to let the weapons of the Republic speak and show that, in this field too, France could excel.

The President of the French Republic however made a point of specifying that his country strictly respected the terms of the previous “Treaty of Bizerte”, that no renewal of the non-aggression pact with Italy would be carried out, and that this last pact not having a specified completion date, France considered that it ended on January 1st, 1885.
It will thus be on this date that France will carry its ultimatum to Italy and will expose its terms to the Italian official representative in visit to Paris.

[ATTACH]23305[/ATTACH]


Ultimatum to Italy :

* Italy shall immediately sign a white peace with the Ottoman Empire (no conquests or indemnities)
* Italy shall pledge not to declare war to any European nation for the next 15 years
* France will occupy Tunisia as a guarantee
* Austria will occupy Milano as a guarantee
* Lybia and all other conquests shall be returned to original Ottoman Empire ownership
* Italy shall not enter any alliance without consent of PABEVICO
* If Italy does not reply with full acceptance of all those terms within 15 days, France will get a CB against Italy
* France shall give 2,000 state funds to both Italy and the Ottoman Empire for rebuilding purposes
* Italy shall give 16 war modern warships to Ottoman Empire to compensate those sunk by surprise in the initial naval battle of the current war.

France considers that Italy bears the responsibility for starting this savage and unending conflict in Europe. Italy offered no discussions, just went to war and is asking for everything possible. A previous war was barely avoided between Italy and France in 1880 only because Italy considered it could not win against the French army in Europe, especially when other powers where also threatening. So targeting the Ottoman was a choice made to avoid a larger conflict with stronger power, and there were little or no discussions between Italy and Turkey. A false pretext was used, and when the Ottomans offered anyway to investigate and talk, the sole answer from Rome was "we declare war!".

Italy's behavior was unfair, provocative and utterly bad and dangerous for the balance of Europe, hence our current ultimatum!

Jules Grévy

[Jim-NC]

Wlcome

Jim, can you give him access to dropbox please

I believe I have. He should have it as soon as he accepts. If it doesn't work, then bjfagan will probably have to do it as he is the owner.

[Jim-NC]

January 1st, 1885, Constantinople

The PABEVICO block was created!

The very first declaration of France to put this treaty to the test and to bring back peace to Europe was that which all Europe wished to see, namely that it became imperative that a final and rapid end is put to an unjust war, which had started in an infamous way, that of Italy against the Ottoman Empire.

The President of the French Republic however made a point of specifying that his country strictly respected the terms of the previous “Treaty of Bizerte”, that no renewal of the non-aggression pact with Italy would be carried out, and that this last pact not having a specified completion date, France considered that it ended on January 1st, 1885.
It will thus be on this date that France will carry its ultimatum to Italy and will expose its terms to the Italian official representative in visit to Paris.

Jules Grévy

America wonders why France has decided to no longer honor it's treaty agreements? If a treaty is signed in June of 1880, how can 5 years be up in January 1885? By our reckoning, the following timeline is the valid timeline.

1. France invaded Tunisia in March of 1880 (see Post 15 in this thread).
2. The last reference to the troubles is April of 1880 (post 21 in this thread).
3. The dates of the treaties of Luneville and Austrian-Italy Non Agression are March 1880, and September 1880 (posts 14, and 41 this thread), thus we know that the treaty of Bizerte is between those two (OOC - dropbox date is 3/26/13 which is right in the middle of 3/21 and 3/31, which puts the treaty at early June 1880), and is in fact in June 1, 1880.

Thus we are very concerned, as France has proven by it's words and actions that it's word can not be trusted, and that treaties are only for it's convenience, and will be discarded as soon as France determines it is no longer convenient to France's interest. We hope that the other countries in the PABEVICO block are not so short sighted, and that they will honor their treaty agreements.

American State Department
Frederick T. Frelinghuysen

[Lindi]

America wonders why France has decided to no longer honor it's treaty agreements? If a treaty is signed in June of 1880, how can 5 years be up in January 1885? By our reckoning, the following timeline is the valid timeline.

1. France invaded Tunisia in March of 1880 (see Post 15 in this thread).
2. The last reference to the troubles is April of 1880 (post 21 in this thread).
3. The dates of the treaties of Luneville and Austrian-Italy Non Agression are March 1880, and September 1880 (posts 14, and 41 this thread), thus we know that the treaty of Bizerte is between those two (OOC - dropbox date is 3/26/13 which is right in the middle of 3/21 and 3/31, which puts the treaty at early June 1880), and is in fact in June 1, 1880.

Thus we are very concerned, as France has proven by it's words and actions that it's word can not be trusted, and that treaties are only for it's convenience, and will be discarded as soon as France determines it is no longer convenient to France's interest. We hope that the other countries in the PABEVICO block are not so short sighted, and that they will honor their treaty agreements.

American State Department
Frederick T. Frelinghuysen

You said event, and yes is a fact. But you not understand this treaty have no date so the counter is only the years. If I said I go to Germany in one years, and I said that in 1712, I can go the 2 January of 1713 to Germany, the years have change. If you need specific date you need to have accuracy, and in this treaty he have not accuracy for the date, so 1880 to 1881 = 1, 1881 to 1882 = 2, 1882 to 1883= 3, 1883 to 1884 = 4 and 1884 to 1885 = 5.

So for France this treaty finish when enter 1885. For other information the begin of discution with Ottman for defence treaty are very begin before 1884, so I only do that in 1885 for respect this treaty, same I not buy many item to Ottoman for help in war or, sell ship and artillery to Ottoman for respect this treaty.

For finish, see the agreement with Germany I respect my deal and agreement with Germany, so said France not respect the treaty agreements is very false. I have only two agreement and I ask to all friend/ally country to France before all big decision about this two agreement.

Président de la république Française
Jules Grévy

[Sir Garnet]

FOREIGN OFFICE

As the party agreed upon by France and Italy to monitor and mediate, it is Britain's obligation to point out that no reasonable interpretation of a treaty term stated as 5 years could ever be other than from the date of the treaty (i.e., June of 1880). If the parties intended any other date, they would have so stated - that is a principle of law in all civilized countries. Furthermore, the treaty clearly states that either party has an option to renew and therefore either may extend it for an additional 5 years to 1890. There is no right of non-renewal by a party and there is no requirement of mutual agreement to renewal. An option is an option. At the time this was viewed as a desirable arrangement best calculated to avoid conflict and, as Mr Grevy agreed at that time, satisfy its wish to maintain peace and friendly relations.

In accordance with the treaty, Britain, which incidentally already offered to mediate the Italo-Ottoman War, opens mediation for this matter, for the nature of which we are searching in vain for a diplomatic description at this late hour. The press has already caused enough of an uproar. We have asked the British and US press to cease calling the ultimatum rapacious, as that is disruptive to public morals due to its suggestively salacious connotations, as well as unhelpful to an amicable resolution. We are obliged on our honor to hope for an amicable resolution.

Great Britain is not a mediator under the Austrian NAP treaty, but the terms are substantially parallel and the same legalities apply. Although the Grevy administration of the French Republic was developing a reputation for its retroactive recharacterization of agreements even before this breach, we are incredulous regarding any suggestion that His Imperial Majesty Franz Josef would countenance any action that would irrevocably stain the honor of his House and nation and discredit it both at home and abroad, and are therefore confident that he will put a stop to this madness and call to account those responsible for providing bad information to the Imperial crown councils.

It bears repeating that the NAP prohibits support to an enemy of either party. Great Britain has been supporting the Ottoman Empire as a matter of right and stability against wrong and disorder, but has no obligation to refrain. Neither Rome nor Constantinople should be reduced to a vassal principality of its neighbors.

Great Britain has cause for concern for its own agreement with France regarding North Africa but that must be addressed as a separate matter on which France has promised complete and frank communication this month, with Herr Chancellor Bismarck facilitating the clarity of that communication.

[PhilThib]

Philip von Thibau, head of the Außenministerium Deutschland is communicating hereafter a statement from Fürst Bismarck regarding the current diplomatic situation and exagerated interpretations that are made here and there by Yellow Press journalists avid for blood.

Herr Bismarck declares:

1 - PABEVICO is indeed a block of countries sharing the same concern about European balance and peace. At the present moment, this is all what it is, nothing more, nothing less. The 4 countries in the block are expressing their clear and strong opinion that the current war started by Italy against the OE should end at the earliest opportunity.

2 - Before howling with the wolves, the detractors should check the diplomatic treaties in vigor: no treaties breached in Europe !

- Germany & France still have a defensive alliance (Versailles 1884)
- Austria & Germay still have a defensive alliance (Zweikaiserbund 1880)
- No one has formally breached their non-agression pact agreements with Italy (Bizerte or Austria-Italy NAP)
- None of France, Germany or Austria has signed any alliance with the Ottoman Empire at the present date, thus no one has breached anything related to supporting de facto Italy's opponent (treaties subsidiary clauses)
- France and Austria have not (yet) signed an alliance

3 - France's ultimatum is just what it is: an ultimatum...it's not a declaration of war (yet), it's not a breach of an agreement as nothing is effected or enacted from Président Grévy statement... it is just the public expression of France's utter disagreement to Italy's act and conduct...and should be a clear warning (threat?) to Rome of what will happen in June of this year if a peaceful solution is not found. At least this time, Italy has received advanced warning of what lies ahead, an act that the Turks feel not to have received in similar advance from Italy...

We remind all nations that some rules must stick, before even the breach or no-breach of signed agreements. First rule is "no CB no War". Second rule is "Good Relations, No War". These rules by themselves prevent any of the currently at peace members of PABEVICO to go to war with Italy. Therefore, there is no immediate cause for alarm!

This said, the situation is tense. France has expressed openly and in strong terms the unease of the European nations about the current war. They are acting long time in advance to strongly warn Rome of the consequences of ignoring that situation. In other words and in our view, they openly claim what could happen to Italy if a solution is not quickly found to the war... to be even more clear, we fear that on June 1885, France will declare war on Italy if their demand is ignored, and most likely Austria will do likewise in September... that is how we read the statement.

Therefore the ball is in the hands of the European nations to prevent butchery to happen. We require that all members of the European community be convened in a Peace Conference held in Zürich next month to discuss how an end to the Italian-Turkish war is to be made possible in the quickiest of moments.

We trust that, in a gesture of goodwill, no nations in Europe shall make or prepare hostile moves until the Peace Conference is held. We specifically urge both Constantinople and Rome to remain on their positions till we all can sort this out, and we trust the winter and bad winter weather will help and be considered as the hand of god in asking for a truce... In the meanwhile, we shall send a letter to the President of the Swiss Confederation asking him to kindly take provisions for holding the conference in his country.

Berlin, January 1, 1885

Following the above declaration of the German Chancellor, the Emperor has sent a letter to all fellow Sovereigns and rulers of Europe to listen to the voice of peace and in particular to King Umberto and Sultan Abdulamid to urge them to find a peaceful conclusion to their conflict.

[Irish_Brigade]

Tried to access the game. it gave me a critical error and windows started popping up and closing down for configurations. Then the program closed... Do I need to have all files brought over or is it ok just to move a file over for spain?

[PhilThib]

All the files are required

[Irish_Brigade]

including.hst? because i just got the same error

[bjfagan]

The Italian Government was surprised to receive a message, like a bolt of lightening from a clear sky, that issues an ultimatum demanding territory from Italy. France or any of the other countries have made any indication of their displeasure towards Italy. We are most surprised by the actions of Germany, since it was German warships and arms purchased before the war, with their advance knowledge that those arms would lead Italy into a war against the Ottoman Empire. Even during the discussions within the last month in which German officials were discussing selling more ships to Italy, no mention of any displeasure with the was ever received. The Italian delegation was even advised to seek more weapons from Britain, as they might be willing to assist both sides of the war.

His Majesty King Umberto was flattered that three of the continent's most powerful nations would feel their balance of power was threatened by "Little Italy" and conspired to form a major alliance aligned against the seventh ranked military power. Obviously the daring and success of Italian arms has scared the PABEVICO major powers to such a degree that they believe it will take three of them to counter us.

We are also surprised by the involvement of Austria-Hungary in this alliance against "Little Italy," and Vienna's silence on the war too, especially since the Austrian government gave their blessing to the war before it even started. Now considering that the two major powers in Europe, who helped push Italy into a war with the Ottoman Empire, are now conspiring against Italy without ever expressing any regret or displeasure, we are painfully aware that we were used for the evil machinations of Berlin and Vienna.

Italy has no desire to be part of Bismarck's evil plan and to be used as a tool for his little games against Europe. Italy will suspend military operations against the Ottoman Empire. We would have happily stopped a long time ago, but no Ottoman message was ever sent to us asking for a stop to the war. We hope the diplomats of Europe will see this German and now French plot against them. Italy awaits word from Berlin and Vienna.