Six-Months War; Take 4

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Guangxi Clique
CC: Germany, Japan, Anyone Else It May Concern
It has come to our attention that among the vessels the Guangxi faction seized when it occupied Hainan in the ongoing hostilities between it and the other factions of the Chinese insurrection (of which we have no concern other than the safety of Spanish citizens) was a Spanish shipping vessel. We have made note of this due to the fact that this ship and its crew have not returned to any Spanish port. We can only conclude that the Guangxi clique has illegally seized this ship and its cargo, and potentially detained without informing the government of Spain, Spanish citizens. Naturally we demand the return of this ship, its crew and cargo, and the payment of reparations amounting to 25EP for this insult against our nation. Otherwise we shall find it necessary to take this matter into our own hands.

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Germany
CC: Italy
We are glad that this incident has been cleared up. We hope that our diplomatic relations with the German Empire will be normalized, and the Madrid-Berlin Pact will remain in force, as we intend to continue to abide by its terms and respect the amicable relations it represents between the Spanish and German nations and peoples.

To: Spain
From: Empire of Japan
CC: Guangxi Clique

As the preeminent power in the East Asia region, given the lack of effective Chinese power, we cannot abide by the unnecessary actions undertaken by the Guangxi Clique in hostility to global commercial interests. We support the Second Spanish Empire in their efforts to prosecute justice.

The “Committee for the Free and Open Press” was created by Generalissimo Estardo in 1922 to regulate the Spanish press. Or more accurately, it was created to bring under the direct supervision of the new Imperial State, the already supplicant forces of media intelligentsia that were eager and ready to push the agenda of falangism. Despite this, Estardo felt it necessary to ensure that the Committee was chaired by someone he could trust. This meant of course that he would be recruiting from among the ranks of his friends in the old officer corps of the defunct Royal Army. Among those men Estardo cherished the immutable and stalwart character of one above all others, General Jose Millan-Astray. Millan-Astray was a decorated veteran of the Great War, much like Estardo, a war hero. He was also a violent and egotistical braggart who lashed out at his inferiors at the slightest provocation. Millan-Astray, when he wasn't busy conducting the affairs of the Empire elsewhere in the world, conducted the business of the Committee for the Free and Open Press like he conducted the business of the Imperial Army, with an iron fist, well-prepared for insubordination and disobedience with a long list of punishments and reprisals for any potential slight or insult.

The elevator creaked and rumbled. The committee headquarters had been requisitioned from what once, ironically, had been the clandestine offices of the Spanish Popular Front. This was intentional – the old order of political instability and infighting was to be replaced and overwritten with the uniformity and glory of falangism; but, one of its drawbacks was that the Popular Front had never been quite so popular as to be able to afford decent infrastructure. General Millan-Astray marked his annoyance by slapping his secretary. Some women are like gongs, he reflected, to be beaten regularly.

In addition to his cruelty streak (if it could be called a streak, it was more like a stain that had permanently soiled the only clothes he owned) the good General was a cripple. No, a war invalid. In Morocco he lost his left hand and part of his wrist (actually, most of his arm), in Andalusia – or was it Alentejo? – his right eye. Unlike Estardo, General Jose Millan-Astray had little redeeming character that made up for his sadist obsession with blood. The lift doors opened.

The third floor of the Committee building could have been any office in Europe, with sunlight streaming through half-shuttered windows and the sound of workers pecking away at typerwiters filling the warm summer air. The General adjusted his cap in place of shedding the layered uniform he wore at all times, no matter how hot it was. His secretary followed him at a brisk pace, applying another layer of makeup as usual (the slut) to cover the bruising Millan-Astray gave her.

“Media Secretary Hernandez!” the General barked. It didn't matter how old he got, he still had the energy to make himself heard across a battlefield. Or a room.

“Senor Millan-Astray, your excellency Committee Chairman, what a pleasure to see you return from Greece!” what a sniveling little piece of excrement Hernandez was. Millan-Astray had little respect for civilians, least among them journalists. God curse all of them, miserable and worthless the whole lot.

Whenever Millan-Astray wasn't shouting he made a point of talking quietly, softly, even sweetly. It unnerved people – there was nothing so good as watching someone squirm. “Senor Hernandez. Your report on the state of the press, please.” Hernandez handed the General a bound folder, taking care not to look at his eyes. Or his eye. Or his eye-patch. Anywhere at his face, really.

The General had been a handsome man once. Or maybe his memory was playing tricks on him. He didn't have time to reflect on this, as he noticed that the folder wasn't stamped properly. For a second he almost smiled. Then he remembered not to – it made his few remaining teeth ache. Whenever Millan-Astray was in the building, everyone made a point of avoiding him. Millan-Astray didn't actually need to oversee the duties of the press as much as he was there to ensure that anyone who did step out of line was quickly and painlessly – hah, painlessly – disposed of. And so out of boredom, or just spite, the General became an obsessive bureaucrat.

“Senor Hernandez, this form has not been properly filed.”

“Er, how so, Excellency Chairman?”

“This form,” the General pointed at it and then allowed himself to smile – oh dear God that hurt – his best toothless grin “has not been stamped correctly.” And then, the General unbound the form and threw it out the window. “Rubbish comes in, rubbish goes out.”

By now a small crowd had gathered, out of fear or voyeurism or something else entirely, to watch the berating that was about to unfold. If it was indeed a berating, so many of them expected that some day Millan-Astray would undertake to make good on his threat to “blow the place sky high”.

“Senor Hernandez, what is your job? Nevermind, don't answer that question – Carla,” the General turned to his secretary “Carla, what is it exactly that Senor Hernandez does?”

“As Media Secretary, it is Senor Hernandez's job to keep an active tab on the status of the press in Spain so as to ensure that it continues to uphold the glorious principles of the Falangist Peoples' Revolution represented by the Great Lea --”

“Spare me the Christ-damned litany, Carla you unlettered, repetitious whore.” then Millan-Astray paused. Dammit. Where was I? Oh, yes!

“Now. How can we expect the Media Secretary to bear such a heavy burden of responsibility when he can't even file and stamp his papers correctly?” the question was rhetorical. General Millan-Astray hated it when people answered rhetorical questions. If anyone answered his rhetorical question he'd slap them back to Manila in '98.

“Son,” he turned back to Hernandez “you disgust me. Not only did you misfile these papers, but you threw them out the window!”

“But, Excellency Chairman, you --”

“Do not presume to tell me what I did or did not do!” the General thrust out his right hand and ripped the badge that read “Media Secretary” from Hernandez's uniform. “Who among you is the meekest, most useless, most disreputable, gormless and spineless piece of miserable human wreckage in this building? Other than Senor Hernandez, of course.”

No one raised their hand. No one ever did. General Millan-Astray inspected the crowd, and he picked out one particularly frightened-looking young man. “You. What is your name?”

He squeaked, “Ferdinand.”

“Ferdinand. You're my new Media Secretary. As for you, Hernandez.” the General paused.

“Get the hell out of my Committee building.” before Hernandez could turn on his heels and run, the General pulled out his pistol (he always carried one) and fired at a ceiling tile. The report echoed off the walls. “Go, go, go!” And then Hernandez ran. And ran, and ran, and ran. Until he reached the elevator door, where he stood sort of awkwardly until the lift arrived, and disappeared with his tail between his legs.

When the crowd dispersed, Millan-Astray's secretary turned to him and said quietly, “General – I... I love you.”

“Shut up Carla, you know the Portugese took my genitals.”

To: The Soviet Republic of Russia
From: The Far Eastern Republic of Russia

We do not ask for your recognition, or for close relations. We do ask that you leave us be, so that both of our nations may flourish in peace. Perhaps some day in the future, our historical bonds will allow for closer relations, if you wish it.

From: The Qing Empire
To: The Empire of Japan

Manchuria always has been a province of the Imperial Court, and should not be looked at as a region where Japan can flex it's muscles. We once more request that Japan return the region to Imperial control, and cease it's attempt to turn the region into a Japanese Dominion, or we will be forced to recognize Japanese soldiers, ships and planes, as enemy combatants.

From: The Qing Empire
To: The German Empire

The Kaiser's support, especially in the wake of American cowardice is reassuring. May our bonds of friendship continue well into the future.

From: The Republic of Greece
To: The German Empire

We are glad to hear the Kaiser supports us, and will willingly accept any aid the Kaiser wishes to send.

To: Sìchuān Jì
From: The Heavenly Kingdom of Tibet

Your aid and support is much appreciated, and will never be forgotten. You have a friend in Tibet, that is certain.

To: Sìchuān Jì
From: Yúnnán Jì

We appreciate the show of support, and we must make a point that we would be more than receptive to recieving aid from you, in a show of unity in our war against the Guangxi snakes.

To: The Austro-Hungarian Empire
From: The Republic of Greece

We are glad to have your support, and we must request that you return the detained soldiers, and even our wayward King to Greece, so that he may be tried by an established and fair Greek court, and that they may return to their normal lives.

To: The Guangxi "Clique"
From: Portugal

We have no qualms with your government thus far, and as far as our knowledge goes, no Portuguese ships were impressed by your military. We would like to point out that we have no intention of leaving Macua, and hope you continue to respect the treaties that the previous Imperial government had signed with us, and other European powers.

To: The Union of South Africa
From: The Transvaal Republic

Despite our tense relationship, we would like to offer to help you tackle our mutual Zulu issue. By working together, we can stop the spread of unrest, and end this issue quickly.

To: The World
From: Hussein bin Ali, former Emir of Mecca

We are being murdered in our own homeland by the evil Turk. We request immediate assistance in stopping their assaults, and allowing for us to return to the land we, and our ancestors have called home.

To: The Second Spanish Empire
From: His Holiness, Pope Pius XI

We would like to thank your Emperor Alfonse for his visit this year, he, and all the other Spaniards in attendence were most pleasant. You have our support and blessing for years to come.

To: The Dutch Government
From: Indonesian Nationalists

You say we are to be treated as Dutch citizens, yet we are not afforded the same rights that true Dutch citizens are blessed with. We are "equal", just not as "equal", and we think this is absurd. The military needs to crackdown on the owners of your factories not abiding by your new laws, and you need to keep the reforms coming!

To: The Soviet Republic of Russia
From: The Thessalonki Sovietiki

The Falangists and Imperialists have turned our countrymen against us, and plan on destroying the beautiful Republic for the People we have established. We fear that without direct help, all may be lost. Comrades, help us, please!

To: The Soviet Republic of Russia
From: East Turkestan

We'd like recognition, and to sign a Non-Agression Pact.

To: Involved Parties
From: Qatar

We wish to reassert that we support the Sultan in whatever decisions and dealings he makes.

To: The World (specifically the British Empire, and the Empire of Japan
From: The Heavenly Kingdoms of Tibet and Mongolia

We would appreciate recognition, and support so that we may never fall under the yoke of the Qing or any other government again.

To: The Second Spanish Empire
From: Crimea

For reasons obvious, we'd appreciate a Spanish garrison to be posted Yeysk, for the forseeable future. Is this possible?

To: General Millan-Astray
From: Carla

General -- Why are you so abusive?!

EDIT: New labelled map, hopefully better.

To: Transvaal
From: South Africa

In this matter we are of one accord. Despite the differences between our two nations, there is only one way to deal with such a situation as we are in, and that is to co-operate. The enemy of our enemy is our friend.

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Il Papa
We are honored to be in the service of the Catholic Church and His Holiness the Pope. God's will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Crimea
This can of course be arranged. Spain remains committed to her friendship and alliance with the nation of Crimea, whose independence we shall defend if necessary.

From: General Jose Millan-Astray
To: Carla
Because you're a whore, Carla. Because you're a whore.

From Guangxi
To Spain:

We must ask sorry for our crime to illegally seize a Spanish ship and we shall make sure that it will not be repeated again.

We shall return your ship, along with the Spanish citizens, but 25 EP's are too much. Can you please lower your demands to 5 EP's?

I am sure that we can find a solution.

Also an economic and trade pact beteeen our two nations may prove to be good for both Spain and China.

From Guangxi
To Portugal:

Of course. We shall respect your presence in Macua. An economic pact between our two nations may prove good for both of us. What do you say?

From Guanxi
To Japan, Manchuria:

We recognize the independence of Manchuria. If the Qing declare war on Japan, we shall help you.

From Guanxi
To Germany:

The Qing autocracy has collapsed. A new China emerges, a Republic of China. We want you to recognize us as the successors of the Qing and as rulers of China. The Qing are Manchurians and have no place in China. We want democracy, freedom and equality. Our revolution is both a democratic and a national one.

People were huddled around the only radio in the entire town. This was a very novel feature: Jack Pearsons, the tavern owner, had bought it just a few months ago in Perth, claiming it was the future. The elders naturally scoffed at the affirmation, but the young'uns and the working men were more interested in it, and soon every day saw a great swell of the number of people that visited Pearsons' Tavern, only there to hear what was happening out of their town.

Like every afternoon, Jack would turn on the radio, almost ritually, and as words started to form out of it, people would almost ritually rise their beers in salute.

Of course, the voices were not coming out perfectly. Jack said it was because the radios were not very good yet, but that he had heard that the sports at the National Research Institute were working on a better version.

"What's today about, Jack?" Blacksmith Hollis asked.

"Dunno, man. Methinks it's Parliament today."

A small groan was heard.

"Johnny, boyo, if you don' wanna hear it, you'd better move outta there," one of the other patrons said.

"I'll stay," Johnny said.

"Sshh," someone whispered, and the bar remained silent but for the gulps of the people and the voices in the radio. Apparently, Governor-General Cook had chosen today to give a speech about the Canadians, who were in some problems of the economic kind.

"I stand before you, and before the entire Commonwealth, with several questions that are too important to be set aside. Is it not true that, when a sibling is in need, everybody else aids him? Is it not true that, in a family, everyone loves each other and trusts each other? Is it not true that all of us are a great family, with the United Kingdom as Our Mother and the rest of us as siblings in our titanic struggle to recover from past ordeals?

Because, right now, Canada, our sibling in North America, is in need. They are beset by problems in their economy, thanks to the bad foresight of a few other nations; problems among their population, with some asking for an independence that would only spell doom for Canada; and problems with their neighbours."

"Any of you ever met a Canadian?"

"I did, in the War. Quite polite sports. Always saying 'Eh?' at the end of every sentence."

That sparked a few laughs, but others asked for silence as Joseph Cook continued with his speech.

"Shall we leave Canada alone, to face the darkness? Shall we let Canada flounder away from us?

We say NO! NO to leaving our sibling on their own, NO to not paying attention to our sibling, NO to letting them go! If the Commonwealth will not help one of its siblings, then it is obvious that the Commonwealth works not! And we, Australians, know that it does, for how could it be otherwise, when we now see the fruits of such hard labour in here, with our economy rising thanks to our trade with our siblings, with our people living happily without a care."

"Speak for yerself, pal," someone grumbled.

"The establishment of Imperial Preference is not the only thing that can be done to aid Canada. Right now, they need any and all aid that can be mustered to ensure that Canada does not fall, for if they do, then surely the rest of us will follow soon.

This is why I, in the name of the Government of the Dominion of Australia, intend to formally initiate a program to aid Canada to recover, to formally ask the Commonwealth to step in and do the same as us, and to ask this Parliament to vote in favour of the aid for Canada. Thank you."

As great applause came from the radio, the patrons started to speak about what the Governor had spoken about. It was certainly interesting.

To: Members of the Commonwealth
From: Dominion of Australia

Gentlemen, perhaps it might not be the best moment to say this, but, as you can see, our fellow member, nay, sibling, Canada, is going through troubling times right now. If we do not act soon, Canada may fall into chaos, which would heavily affect all of us, and that is not something we want to let happen, don't you?

OOC: As you know, I am not English, much less Australian, so any misused slang or words can be easily attributed to my lack of knowledge for any of them, or, in-story, to the changes history has gone through.
Also, question: is the Commonwealth able/allowed to develop Aircraft Carriers?

OOC: There is no restriction on aircraft carriers recognised by the United Kingdom, and no restrictions whatsoever in any regard recognised by the United Kingdom as applying to the military of Australia.

IC:

Announcement

It has been agreed unhesitatingly by the government of Canada and the government of the United Kingdom that it is to the advantage of all for Newfoundland to become a separate dominion within the British Empire. All provisions of the Treaty of Boston, of course, continue to apply.

We also hope that Quebec will take this as a sign that Canada and the Empire have no interest in surrounding it with any sort of view to Quebec's conquest or cooption into any sort of unwelcome agreement or treaty. We wish nothing but the most amicable relations with Quebec.

To Canada
Cc Australia
From the United Kingdom

Any aid Canada needs and requests of the United Kingdom will be given a favourable hearing, provided, of course, that it falls within the terms of the Treaty of Boston. However, it is essential that any support provided should be no more and no different from what Canada herself requires.

To Sikh leaders
From the United Kingdom

Seeing as the Sikh people nowhere forms an absolute majority of the population, it is difficult to conceive precisely what form further autonomy could take. We will consider in good faith any firm proposals that you wish to make.

We might suggest that Sikh interests may be served well by being given rooms in the governmental offices in Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, and London so that they can easily make their concerns known and their interests heard on all relevant matters, and perhaps by greater judicial independence, so that there are laws guaranteeing that Sikhs will not be forced to undergo, in most circumstances and especially civil matters, the jurisdiction of non-Sikh, i.e. Mohammedan and Hindoo, courts, and will have control of their own judiciary, although with continuing appeal available to the British courts. We can also extend laws especially protecting Sikh religious sites against depradations by any of our subjects hostile to those sites. Would these moderate reforms adequately address your concerns?

To South Africa and Transvaal
From the United Kingdom

If you need any help in suppressing the revolting Zulus, please feel free to ask, and we will do what we can, if both of you want that.

OOC: @TLK; is the Barracuda-class submarine going to be added to the stats at any point?

IC:

To: the United Kingdom, the Dominion of Newfoundland
From: the United States of America

We welcome Britain's further disengagement from the American continent, and we congratulate Newfoundland on its newfound (ahah) independence. We wish the Newfoundlanders the best of luck in their new position in the American continent.

To: Alayeska, Quebec, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico
From: the United States of America

We have viewed the collapse of the Treaty of San Clemente with some concern. The recent economic downturn, we believe, has come from the loss of the valuable free trade that the Treaty had brought for us. However, it is true that for many nations, the Treaty of San Clemente was restrictive and outright barred trade between non-member nations - a tragic oversight that led to reduced economic benefits for many members.

As such, we wish to rebuild the Treaty of San Clemente, but in a very different form. The United States proposes to you all the Treaty of Medellin, in which each signatory nation agrees to cut tariffs to 15% on the imports of goods from every other member nation. Trade with other non-signatory nations will be unaffected for the time being and managed by each nation on its own.

If this treaty is successful, we may push forward in further strengthening ties between the economies of signatory nations.

Other American nations are of course welcome to join. It is our intention to create a unified trading bloc across the entirety of the American continent, truly strengthening each of our nations.

Are your nations amenable to such a proposal?

@TheLizardKing

Japan and her possessions, as well as Germany, are still hard to read. Maybe change the font colour to white?

Response to diplomacy, and maybe a story, coming later today.

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Guangxi Clique
CC: Japan, Anyone Whom It May Concern
We are not disposed to lessen the penalty for this insult against our nation and its citizens. We are in fact of a mind to increase the penalty of reparations should the concerned ship, its crew and its cargo not be returned in total to Spain. However, we believe an economic arrangement could be come by. Given that the Guangxi clique is clearly not to be trusted with the management of any significant port facilities, we believe it is in the best interests of all that the island of Hainan be placed under the sovereign jurisdiction of Spain, so as to ensure no further incidents or disruptions to international trade. Furthermore, having done so, the Second Spanish Empire may then engage in any kind of trade relationship that the Guangxi clique may find in its interest or benefit, once that the Guangxi clique has paid the stipulated reparations for its ill-done deeds.

Grom Guangxi
To Spain:

As we told you, the ship will be returned and the Spanish citizens are at good condition and they are treated with all respect we have for foreign citizens. We can pay you 25 EP's. However, we shall not accept Spanish rule over Hainan.

It is pathetic that you use your citizens to take land in Asia. Asia belongs to the Asians.

TLK I sent you diplomacy in a PM. Can you respond?

Does colonial manpower replenish?

spryllino said:

Announcement

It has been agreed unhesitatingly by the government of Canada and the government of the United Kingdom that it is to the advantage of all for Newfoundland to become a separate dominion within the British Empire. All provisions of the Treaty of Boston, of course, continue to apply.

We also hope that Quebec will take this as a sign that Canada and the Empire have no interest in surrounding it with any sort of view to Quebec's conquest or cooption into any sort of unwelcome agreement or treaty. We wish nothing but the most amicable relations with Quebec.

Click to expand...

To: Newfoundland
CC: Canada, Great Britain
From: La Republique Indépendant du Québec

We welcome Newfoundland to the International Community of Nations, and offer our Congratulations to it's New Found Independence. We offer the Fledgling Nation our support, and offer what help we can.

We are prepared, to help jumpstart the Economy of Newfoundland, to cut Tariffs on goods imported from Newfoundland for a period of 3 years, upon which a renegotiation may take place.

Additionally, as a fellow former part of Canada, we are willing to offer advisors in the drafting of your New Constitution.

Jean-Marc Bérubé
Ministère des Affair International et de la Diffusion Culturelle

Grandkhan said:

To: Alayeska, Quebec, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico
From: the United States of America

We have viewed the collapse of the Treaty of San Clemente with some concern. The recent economic downturn, we believe, has come from the loss of the valuable free trade that the Treaty had brought for us. However, it is true that for many nations, the Treaty of San Clemente was restrictive and outright barred trade between non-member nations - a tragic oversight that led to reduced economic benefits for many members.

As such, we wish to rebuild the Treaty of San Clemente, but in a very different form. The United States proposes to you all the Treaty of Medellin, in which each signatory nation agrees to cut tariffs to 15% on the imports of goods from every other member nation. Trade with other non-signatory nations will be unaffected for the time being and managed by each nation on its own.

If this treaty is successful, we may push forward in further strengthening ties between the economies of signatory nations.

Other American nations are of course welcome to join. It is our intention to create a unified trading bloc across the entirety of the American continent, truly strengthening each of our nations.

Are your nations amenable to such a proposal?

Click to expand...

To: the United States of America, Alayeska, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico
CC: Other American States
From: Quebec

Unfortunately, our economists do not believe it is advantageous for Quebec to sign the treaty of Medellin just yet. While we may eventually sign, we'de like to observe it's effects for the time being.

We hope this does not affect the relationship between the United States of America and Quebec

Joseph Lafleur
Ministère des Affair Economic et Financier

From: Second Spanish Empire
To: Guangxi Clique
We have no interest in your petty power squabbles but in the maintenance of the freedom of trade and commerce of East Asia. It is gradually becoming apparent that the Guangxi clique is an obstacle to that goal. After this incident, and your lack of cooperation, we find it hard to trust the Guangxi clique to stay true to its word. If the Guangxi clique is unwilling to cooperate with us diplomatically, we will ensure the safety of our commerce and our citizens by other means.

From: Quebec
To: The World
Quebec is Proud to present the Montreal Expo, and to invite ALL nations to join and send a delegation with the best each nation can offer, in Sports as well as cultural and Scientific advances. This is the opportunity for every nation to gain prestige and reputation, and show off to the rest of the world just what each nation is! Running from June 21st to December 21st, The Montreal Expo will be a PROOF to the world as to the glory of the Modern Day.


(ooc: it'd be realllllll cool if people do send delegations )

From Guangxi
To Spain:

We already told you that the Spanish ship and it's crew will return to Spain safely. What we understand right now is that you do not care for your citizens but you want to use them as a pretext to invade an otehr country.

ignore this