Prussia signs.
Art of the Possible
- Thread starter EQandcivfanatic
- Start date
Prussia signs.
Crezth
i knew you were a real man of the left
The Mexican government has experienced a change of heart and repudiates the Fort Lauderdale Trade League and all its doings. We rescind our support of the aforementioned and shall not be engaging in economic restrictions against the nations of Britain or France.
From Russia
To all participants of the Siamese crisis
As a country that chose to stay neutral in the growing conflict, Russia encourages all sides to admit that rush steps were made by all participants of the looming conflict and take action to deescalate the situation and prevent the world economic crisis and a possibility of a Great War.
Siam - your mobilization in response to rather heavy-handed Anglo-French diplomacy (but diplomacy nevertheless) was what provoked the United Kingdom and the French Empire to assume you were preparing for war. Simple protection of your merchant marine would not have required mobilization of land troops. If the war you are preparing yourself against comes to your land, there will be no chance for you to win, so save your people from the futile struggle for the pride of their ruler. Earlier this year provisional government of Fujan and Guangdong have already rescinded their trade agreements with the USA in order to prevent a larger conflict, and their economies do not seem to show any signs of collapse.
Great Britain and France - we understand that mobilization of a country next to your borders, as well as a rather war-welcoming rhetoric of its ruler, were indeed a safety concern. However, your declaration of war in response to mobilization was very uncalled for. Either of your countries has enough naval power to enforce any limitations on the Siamese trade that you choose necessary. You have shown your power and determination to protect your spheres of influence - now show the world that true strength and power can be merciful as well.
The USA - we understand that American government, due to the nature of its source of power, cannot force American companies out of Siam. However, it is in your power to rescind the trade agreement that has led to the crisis in the first place. We do realize that it is an unpleasant diplomatic withdrawal, but it is unlikely that any trade with Siam will take place now that that country is facing invasion and naval blockade. American businesses already dominate South-American and Canadian markets, so is Siam really worth risking a Great War and a world economic recession?
Attending members of the Fort Lauderdale Conference - your joint economic action is not going to damage the only two self-sufficient economies in the world, instead it will impoverish your own people. While we agree that steps have to be made to prevent the dictate of superpowers in each and every regional issue, we consider your embargo action to be but an act of self-destruction. If you are truly interested in diplomatic solution of the problem, please elect a speaker from your ranks that would represent your joint effort and act as a negotiator for all countries of the Fort Lauderdale Conference in the diplomatic exchange with Great Britain and France. Current experience of Anglo-American negotiations shows that the decentralized, horizontal nature of your union makes any attempt to negotiate a settlement essentially futile.
As a final statement, Russia would like to remind the world that local conflicts and wars are inevitable as they are nothing but consequences of inherent flaws of human nature. However, we live in a world where even small conflicts could lead to a world-wide disaster, and it is the sense of consideration and awareness that should guide countries' leaders through this time of global empires and rapid progress. Let us not put the world aflame over regional issues, however concerning they might be from the humanitarian standpoint.
To all participants of the Siamese crisis
As a country that chose to stay neutral in the growing conflict, Russia encourages all sides to admit that rush steps were made by all participants of the looming conflict and take action to deescalate the situation and prevent the world economic crisis and a possibility of a Great War.
Siam - your mobilization in response to rather heavy-handed Anglo-French diplomacy (but diplomacy nevertheless) was what provoked the United Kingdom and the French Empire to assume you were preparing for war. Simple protection of your merchant marine would not have required mobilization of land troops. If the war you are preparing yourself against comes to your land, there will be no chance for you to win, so save your people from the futile struggle for the pride of their ruler. Earlier this year provisional government of Fujan and Guangdong have already rescinded their trade agreements with the USA in order to prevent a larger conflict, and their economies do not seem to show any signs of collapse.
Great Britain and France - we understand that mobilization of a country next to your borders, as well as a rather war-welcoming rhetoric of its ruler, were indeed a safety concern. However, your declaration of war in response to mobilization was very uncalled for. Either of your countries has enough naval power to enforce any limitations on the Siamese trade that you choose necessary. You have shown your power and determination to protect your spheres of influence - now show the world that true strength and power can be merciful as well.
The USA - we understand that American government, due to the nature of its source of power, cannot force American companies out of Siam. However, it is in your power to rescind the trade agreement that has led to the crisis in the first place. We do realize that it is an unpleasant diplomatic withdrawal, but it is unlikely that any trade with Siam will take place now that that country is facing invasion and naval blockade. American businesses already dominate South-American and Canadian markets, so is Siam really worth risking a Great War and a world economic recession?
Attending members of the Fort Lauderdale Conference - your joint economic action is not going to damage the only two self-sufficient economies in the world, instead it will impoverish your own people. While we agree that steps have to be made to prevent the dictate of superpowers in each and every regional issue, we consider your embargo action to be but an act of self-destruction. If you are truly interested in diplomatic solution of the problem, please elect a speaker from your ranks that would represent your joint effort and act as a negotiator for all countries of the Fort Lauderdale Conference in the diplomatic exchange with Great Britain and France. Current experience of Anglo-American negotiations shows that the decentralized, horizontal nature of your union makes any attempt to negotiate a settlement essentially futile.
As a final statement, Russia would like to remind the world that local conflicts and wars are inevitable as they are nothing but consequences of inherent flaws of human nature. However, we live in a world where even small conflicts could lead to a world-wide disaster, and it is the sense of consideration and awareness that should guide countries' leaders through this time of global empires and rapid progress. Let us not put the world aflame over regional issues, however concerning they might be from the humanitarian standpoint.
Shadowbound
Incorrugible
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,079
The Empire of Japan has received no communication from any member of the Ft. Lauderdale Conference regarding negotiations. We will not partake in sanctions against Britain or France, nor will we sign the proposed treaty (which we were not consulted on). We announce our withdrawal from Ft. Lauderdale as we have no desire to continue to subsidize our ambassador's Florida vacation.
Further, we have received convincing evidence that certain nations have consistently argued an incredibly hostile policy towards the Empire of Japan in foreign capitals. They have advocated for a strategy of containment and military conflict against us, lest we swarm across the Pacific like a horde of locusts. This is combined with a diplomatic history of petty insults and aggressive commercial practices.
An appropriate response is in the works.
Further, we have received convincing evidence that certain nations have consistently argued an incredibly hostile policy towards the Empire of Japan in foreign capitals. They have advocated for a strategy of containment and military conflict against us, lest we swarm across the Pacific like a horde of locusts. This is combined with a diplomatic history of petty insults and aggressive commercial practices.
An appropriate response is in the works.
The British Government had been approached at the eighth hour by the United States to negotiate a settlement.
The United States has demanded that Britain demobilise, and has indicted that it intends to request Siam do the same.
The United States has promised that the Conference's sanctions will not take effect unless the British and French Governments go to war with Siam. The British and French Government's are already at war with Siam.
The United States has refused to consider the Boer Question. The British Government refuses categorically to liquidate its Empire.
The United States did not wish to discuss terms with France. The British Government stands by its allies.
The United States did this on its own initiative and without the blessing of the other Conference powers. The British Government considers this nothing more than a ploy.
The United States would have us disarm, and leave the Siamese at the threshold to India; the United States would offer us nothing to stop its war on our trade; the United States wishes to superintend the death of the Empire; the United States would split us from our allies; the United States would split from it's own allies to save its trade and profit from our misfortune. We reject wholly this entreaty as nothing more than a farce added to farces.
The United States has demanded that Britain demobilise, and has indicted that it intends to request Siam do the same.
The United States has promised that the Conference's sanctions will not take effect unless the British and French Governments go to war with Siam. The British and French Government's are already at war with Siam.
The United States has refused to consider the Boer Question. The British Government refuses categorically to liquidate its Empire.
The United States did not wish to discuss terms with France. The British Government stands by its allies.
The United States did this on its own initiative and without the blessing of the other Conference powers. The British Government considers this nothing more than a ploy.
The United States would have us disarm, and leave the Siamese at the threshold to India; the United States would offer us nothing to stop its war on our trade; the United States wishes to superintend the death of the Empire; the United States would split us from our allies; the United States would split from it's own allies to save its trade and profit from our misfortune. We reject wholly this entreaty as nothing more than a farce added to farces.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Hold on... this is completely misrepresenting our efforts to find a 11th hour solution.
Why are you doing this? Russia; we beg of you to continue to mediate this discussion!
Responses:
US diplomats are trying to find a peace.
Why are you doing this? Russia; we beg of you to continue to mediate this discussion!
Responses:
True
We never demanded anything. We outlined a proposal to de-escalate the situation that included demobilization of British troops.
We reiterated that our sanctions were a response to your declaration of war. They are not meant to initiate hostilities. They are meant as a diplomatic tool to prevent violence. We were trying to get you to rescind your declaration of war, at least temporarily, as a means of de-escalating the situation and offered to remove our sanctions in a similar vein.
What the heck does the Boer issue have to do with the USA? They invited themselves to the conference. We don't control your rebellious populations nor the conference. We've never recognized them publicly and will take this opportunity to say that as of right now, we do not recognize the sovereignty of a Boer Republic. Hopefully this act will help alleviate British concerns.
We showed up at a meeting; don't blame us for not including France.
We reached out to you of our own initiative. We do not speak for other sovereign nations. Our goal was to try and negotiate a peace; there is no ploy.
US diplomats are trying to find a peace.
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
While we hope for a peaceful resolution to the Boer Question, Due to the unrecognized nature of their nation, we cannot accept the presence of the Boer Delegation to the Fort Lauderdale Conference.
As a neutral party, the Confederate States offers to mediate the dispute.
As a neutral party, the Confederate States offers to mediate the dispute.
Before any observers try to jump to conclusions, Russian diplomatic corps would like to assure them that, despite some statements made by participants of the negotiations, the discussion keeps going and the final decision is still pending.
DuneBear
Warlord
As a currently neutral nation in this diplomatic affair, Denmark would like to express its displeasure in the lowering of tariffs between nations at the Fort Lauderale Conference, as it directly affects the competiveness of not only Danish goods, but other neutral nations.
The British Government categorically rejects the CSA's attempt to interject itself into the Boer Question through "neutral" meditation.
***
The British Government has made its minimum terms for negotiation abundantly clear numerous times and is thankful that at least one of them has been belatedly delivered upon at the last possible minute. Unfortunately, the original terms which we so stridently objected too have now been replaced by something almost as odious. The British Government applauds the Russian Government for trying to meditate this dispute, but is skeptical that a solution can be reached to this crisis at this juncture.
***
The British Government rejects the United States Government's claims as one half delusion and one half self serving propaganda. It was the United States which caused the crisis, told the Sianese to hold firm and formed a coalition when the British Government refused to back down.
***
The Conference's proposals are a wholesale assault on the trade, industry and freedom of navigation of all non-signatories. Danish trade will not be the only one to suffer.
***
The British Government has made its minimum terms for negotiation abundantly clear numerous times and is thankful that at least one of them has been belatedly delivered upon at the last possible minute. Unfortunately, the original terms which we so stridently objected too have now been replaced by something almost as odious. The British Government applauds the Russian Government for trying to meditate this dispute, but is skeptical that a solution can be reached to this crisis at this juncture.
***
The British Government rejects the United States Government's claims as one half delusion and one half self serving propaganda. It was the United States which caused the crisis, told the Sianese to hold firm and formed a coalition when the British Government refused to back down.
***
The Conference's proposals are a wholesale assault on the trade, industry and freedom of navigation of all non-signatories. Danish trade will not be the only one to suffer.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
The Shah of Persia joins the Fort Lauderdale trade league.
DuneBear
Warlord
OOC: it's a trade league now?
theDright
King
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2011
- Messages
- 605
OOC: I thought that this situation can be summed up best this.
Link to video.
IC: The Kingdom of Ukraine signs the Ottoman-Ukrainian Trade Agreement of 1901.
The Kingdom of Ukraine thinks that the involved parties of the Siamese Affair are overly sensitive and injurious to the peace and prosperity of the world. We see no model for peaceful diplomacy expressed by any of the parties directly involved.
Link to video.
IC: The Kingdom of Ukraine signs the Ottoman-Ukrainian Trade Agreement of 1901.
The Kingdom of Ukraine thinks that the involved parties of the Siamese Affair are overly sensitive and injurious to the peace and prosperity of the world. We see no model for peaceful diplomacy expressed by any of the parties directly involved.
Terran Empress
Hornet
ooc: can i be honest? all this head butting, rhetoric, and sheer lack of either side to attempt to find an acceptable compromise is really putting me off of this game, it just feels so stressful, (though i guess that is what i should have expected from a game taking place just before OTL's WWI) and i've started to see people who I saw as friends as hostile and in different lights, and I'm just really not in the mood for this kind of action, I guess i've never really been in the middle of this kind of thing, or it's never been this darn serious, and honestly a part of me wants to drop because of all this stress.
IC: Austria Hungary urges both sides to come to a compromise, for the sake of all our people. A war will destroy us, ALL of us, the monarchies of europe will crumble, the people will lose faith in us to protect them and provide for them and they will rebel, everywhere. In France, in Britain, in Prussia, in Austria, in the Ottoman Empire, there will be mass rebellion, and there will be mass liberal revolutions. For the sake of monarchism, for the sake of the people, FIND A COMPROMISE!
IC: Austria Hungary urges both sides to come to a compromise, for the sake of all our people. A war will destroy us, ALL of us, the monarchies of europe will crumble, the people will lose faith in us to protect them and provide for them and they will rebel, everywhere. In France, in Britain, in Prussia, in Austria, in the Ottoman Empire, there will be mass rebellion, and there will be mass liberal revolutions. For the sake of monarchism, for the sake of the people, FIND A COMPROMISE!
OOC: It's all just a game. I wouldn't take it too seriously. Maybe we'll see you again soon.
Decamper
..!
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2014
- Messages
- 1,159
OOC: Indeed, just a game, it's all just good fun. Like a big game of Diplomacy, but with the added bonus of not having to worry about getting strangled by your friends. Personally, the current situation is exactly why I think these kind of games are so fun! If it is feeling more stressful than entertaining though, I'd highly suggest taking a little break from it. There's no reason to sacrifice free time for an additional source of stress.
It is my great misfortune to announce to the people of France that, through the machinations of the United States of America, the Empire is now at war. We had hoped for a peaceful situation, but by enlisting the most deplorable nations this world has been cursed with, including the Sublime Porte, Austria-Hungary, and the Judas of nations, the Confederate States of America, the United States designed an illegal and irrational sanction of France and the United Kingdom. When pressed to negotiate, the only offer the United States was willing to entertain was one that would bankrupt and humiliate France and the United Kingdom.
It has been made clear to us, in the revelation of a variety of secretly negotiated treaties, that the United States has sought to undermine both the French and British empires by supporting rebellions, by encouraging warfare, and threatening the commercial lifeblood of France. Faced with a common enemy, once more I am proud to stand by British soldiers, soldiers I have fought side by side in Africa during my youth. Yet never before did I imagine that we would stand together, side by side, to fight perhaps the greatest enemy of world peace, prosperity, and stability.
We had tried to reason with our enemies arrayed against us. But they cannot be negotiated with. They do not fight for principle nor for honor as their propaganda would trumpet. With Great Britain and France acting as the bulwarks of peace and prosperity, the Habsburg despot cannot make war against the Sublime Porte. Nor can the Confederacy extend its empire to Korea, nor can the United States encourage war in China. This is not a war to defend Siam; this is a war of jackals, eager to see the world order collapse so that they might war against one another, consequence free.
In our efforts to create global peace, we have awoken the darkest desires of these deplorable despots. It is our desire for peace that drives us so, a desire so great that France and Britain, once the greatest of enemies, can now stand together against horde that would destroy all of the progress made by Western Civilization. An end to freedom of trade, a return to petty and violent wars without end.
We will not tolerate such a horde on the doorsteps of France and her allies. We will not stand for powers that seek to throw back humanity to an era of ceaseless war. Therefore, we will take upon this burden to safeguard civilization.
It is with a heavy heart then, that France hereby declares war on the United States of America, the Confederate States of America, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Kingdom of Bavaria.
We implore you, surrender and we will be lenient. Otherwise, you will cast your people into a crucible you cannot withstand. Surrender, or pray God will show you mercy because we will only show you steel.
Long live France! Long live the Emperor! Long live Civilization!
-Napoleon V, Emperor of France
It has been made clear to us, in the revelation of a variety of secretly negotiated treaties, that the United States has sought to undermine both the French and British empires by supporting rebellions, by encouraging warfare, and threatening the commercial lifeblood of France. Faced with a common enemy, once more I am proud to stand by British soldiers, soldiers I have fought side by side in Africa during my youth. Yet never before did I imagine that we would stand together, side by side, to fight perhaps the greatest enemy of world peace, prosperity, and stability.
We had tried to reason with our enemies arrayed against us. But they cannot be negotiated with. They do not fight for principle nor for honor as their propaganda would trumpet. With Great Britain and France acting as the bulwarks of peace and prosperity, the Habsburg despot cannot make war against the Sublime Porte. Nor can the Confederacy extend its empire to Korea, nor can the United States encourage war in China. This is not a war to defend Siam; this is a war of jackals, eager to see the world order collapse so that they might war against one another, consequence free.
In our efforts to create global peace, we have awoken the darkest desires of these deplorable despots. It is our desire for peace that drives us so, a desire so great that France and Britain, once the greatest of enemies, can now stand together against horde that would destroy all of the progress made by Western Civilization. An end to freedom of trade, a return to petty and violent wars without end.
We will not tolerate such a horde on the doorsteps of France and her allies. We will not stand for powers that seek to throw back humanity to an era of ceaseless war. Therefore, we will take upon this burden to safeguard civilization.
It is with a heavy heart then, that France hereby declares war on the United States of America, the Confederate States of America, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Kingdom of Bavaria.
We implore you, surrender and we will be lenient. Otherwise, you will cast your people into a crucible you cannot withstand. Surrender, or pray God will show you mercy because we will only show you steel.
Long live France! Long live the Emperor! Long live Civilization!
-Napoleon V, Emperor of France
Fellow Britons, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that in consequence of a persistence by the United States to interfere with our interests, strangle our commerce and bring ruin to our Empire, Britain finds itself at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement. Great Britain and France have struggled to avoid this tragedy. We have, as I firmly believe, been patient. We have kept the door of negotiation open. We have given no cause for aggression. But I in the final result, our efforts have failed and we therefore involved in a struggle which we must win at all costs and which we believe in our hearts we will win.
What I want to do tonight is just to put before you, honestly, and as clearly as I can, a short account of how this crisis has developed.
The history of recent months in Asia has been an eventful one. It will exhibit to the eyes of the future student some of the most remarkable instances of indifference to the service of peace in all the centuries of war. Moreover, I believe, I will demonstrate that the United States has for a long time pursued a policy which was deliberately designed to produce either a state of general war or a subjugation of one power after another.
We all remember when President Roosevelt speaking in Washington said, referring to the Siam Crisis, which was then approaching its acutest stage that would “commit to sanctioning the goods of the United Kingdom and France”. This was a heavy blow for which the United Kingdom and France received no forewarning or chance to negotiate. The reasons for this ambush soon became manifest when four days later, before the United Kingdom and France could even respond the United States committed to “dramatically reducing our import and export trade tariffs with all nations who have united in defense of Siam’s sovereignty“. The United States had resolved to pair the diplomatic hammer with the economic noose to smoother in one swoop the commerce of the United Kingdom and France. Still the United Kingdom believed the United States when it desired peace.
What a strange piece of irony that seems today, only months later. In those months, what has happened? In cold-blooded knowledge of its actions the United States has sought to play for time as the world slid towards chaos. It has called the United Kingdom children, it has cursed us, and protested that it desired peace.
In the meantime the United States has, without flickering an eyelid, strengthened its pact with autocracies and Oriental despots and made common cause with the slave owners who had been his chief stock-in-trade to criticize. And has now, under circumstances which I will describe to you, sought to bring about the downfall of the United Kingdom and France, in service to these interests and against the interests of democracy and against the interests of his own race. All I need say is, that whatever the inflamed ambitions of the American President will be, he will undoubtedly learn, as other great enemies of freedom have learned before, that the bayonet, yoke and whip will stand prostrate to the Royal Navy's Castles of Steel.
Let me now say something about the events of the last few days. The facts are not really in dispute. They are, for the most part, contained in documents which are now a matter of record.
On Friday, Roosevelt asked the British Ambassador to call on him, and had a long interview with him. Roosevelt said that he wished to make a move towards the United Kingdom, as decisive as his overtures to his current allies. He went on to indicate that he was looking forward to a general settlement in Siam and that if this would be achieved, he would be willing to accept a reasonable peace. The Cabinet consulted on the matter and replied on Monday that the desired a complete and lasting understanding between the two countries. It emphasized that the British Government would not demobilize, unless the Siamese Government demobilized and sent its troops to barracks, and that at that point a conversation could be had on the fate of Siam. The United States accepted this formulation.
The Siamese Government however has remained silent and its troops still stand at the threshold of India and Malaya. We have been informed this morning that a British patrol has been attacked patrolling the British side of the frontier in Malaya and that localised fighting has developed with the exchange of artillery fire and probing attacks by Siamese troops along the frontier. The British Government has been informed that troop transports from India under escort by the Singapore squadron will arrive shortly in Malaya to repel the assault. A separate convoy is now on route to ferry troops to Burma to hold the frontier there. The British Government has taken all possible care to resolve the crisis, and has delayed a response, but does not see a path to peace with Siam. The crisis in Siam lies directly at the feet of the United States which precipitated a crisis there, having failed in China. It gave succor to Siamese resistance and provided diplomatic cover for its actions. The British Government therefore finds itself inescapably and regrettably at war with Siam.
The sanctions imposed by the United States have therefore come into force. The British Government noted early on that tying the United States hand to such an irresponsibly party on the international stage carried with it risks. The United States did not care and offered no alternative formulation which averted the imposition of sanctions. Russia which acted a mediator in these final discussions agreed that there was no hope of averting a crisis without a change in the United States position. No such change was made. The United Kingdom has since concluded that this effort was never sincere and that its chief purpose was to split the United Kingdom from France. War was the desired goal of the President Roosevelt, but he preferred that it be against one power and not two. The formulation which drove us to war was decided upon by the United States, with limited input from a select group of belligerent powers, moderate powers like Japan were excluded and asked to sign a formulation which guaranteed war. Japan and Mexico to their credit declined to involve themselves in this and their judgment is to be recognized and applauded.
You see what a travesty the whole thing was. The American Government was treating the United Kingdom and France as in default, because the Siamese would not negotiate irrespective of the terms offered. The American Government was no help in reaching out to Siam, and its intentions should are clear in that it pushed a Treaty which sought to insulate its interests and smother our trade even as we feverishly sought to avoid war. The only reply to the United Kingdom and France efforts to reach a peaceful settlement was blandishments as the Siamese attacked our soldiers.
The United States claims that it intends only sanctions and not a blockade a stance which the British Government has dismissed as posturing. The bare truth of the matter is that the United States blockade will deal an incalculable blow to British trade, industry and way of life. The United States would seek to deny us the Americas. They would seek to close Russia to us. In fact the United States would seek by its actions to close our trade the world and lock in this state of misery by taking advantage of us. This has real consequences for the provision of food and material comforts to British subjects. Though the Empire is vast, our surviving markets vast, such a loss will be difficult to make up. The United States has also been quiet as to how it intends to enforce these sanctions.
We have received an answer, this morning a British merchantman was boarded, the crew arrested and the ship impounded for breach of sanctions. Some among the crew were injured. Elsewhere a Confederate destroyer fired upon a merchantman enroute to Freeport in the Bahamas. It was to the great fortune of these brave seafarers that the Royal Navy cruisers Agincourt and Diadem and attached destroyers of the First Destroyer Squadron were in the vicinity. After repeated attempts to communicate with the Confederate vessel and mindful of the risk of ambush from other Confederate vessels and fearful of the clouds of great smoke coming from the merchantman, Agincourt and Diadem opened fire at 6000 yards and scored a number of hits. Agincourt ceased fire and moved to assist the merchantman. Six merchant sailors were killed by the Confederate fire. Diadem continued her pursuit to screen Agincourt but ceased her fire after it was observed that the Confederate destroyer was listing heavily to port and that her guns were silent. Six minutes later the Confederate destroyer exploded. Numerous secondary explosions were witnessed.
Similar though less dramatic incidents have occurred in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, there a British merchantman managed to elude pursuit, a British merchantman managed near Cyprus to frustrate a Turkish boarding party for long enough for the cruiser Andromeda, a sister ship of the Diadem, to arrive upon which time the Turkish vessel fled, and in a final act an Austrian vessel sought to intercept a French merchantman on route to Dalmatia, a French warship exchanged fire with the Austrian vessel which was forced to limp back to port trailing thick smoke. War has by the very operation of the United States policies become inevitable. This was forseeable as the Austrian ambassador in his final comminuqe noted.
The United Kingdom however pledges this. It does not hold any enmity towards those nations which signed up under a false understanding of the United States intentions. States other than those named here being the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Persian Empire, Bavaria, the United States and Confederate States of America which wish to retreat from the precipice may do so with honor and without threat of retaliation or consequence. Those who do intend to hew to the United States line will find themselves at war with ourselves.
Before I conclude, may I say this to you – in the bitter months that have come, calmness, resoluteness, confidence and hard work will be required as never before. This war will involve not only soldiers and sailors and airmen, but supplies, foodstuffs, money. Our staying power, and particularly the staying power of the empire, will be best assisted by keeping our production going; by continuing our avocations and our business as freely as we can; by maintaining employment and, with it, our strength. I know that in spite of the emotions we are all feeling, you will show that the United Kingdom is ready to see it through. May God in his mercy and compassion grant that the world may soon be delivered from this agony.
What I want to do tonight is just to put before you, honestly, and as clearly as I can, a short account of how this crisis has developed.
The history of recent months in Asia has been an eventful one. It will exhibit to the eyes of the future student some of the most remarkable instances of indifference to the service of peace in all the centuries of war. Moreover, I believe, I will demonstrate that the United States has for a long time pursued a policy which was deliberately designed to produce either a state of general war or a subjugation of one power after another.
We all remember when President Roosevelt speaking in Washington said, referring to the Siam Crisis, which was then approaching its acutest stage that would “commit to sanctioning the goods of the United Kingdom and France”. This was a heavy blow for which the United Kingdom and France received no forewarning or chance to negotiate. The reasons for this ambush soon became manifest when four days later, before the United Kingdom and France could even respond the United States committed to “dramatically reducing our import and export trade tariffs with all nations who have united in defense of Siam’s sovereignty“. The United States had resolved to pair the diplomatic hammer with the economic noose to smoother in one swoop the commerce of the United Kingdom and France. Still the United Kingdom believed the United States when it desired peace.
What a strange piece of irony that seems today, only months later. In those months, what has happened? In cold-blooded knowledge of its actions the United States has sought to play for time as the world slid towards chaos. It has called the United Kingdom children, it has cursed us, and protested that it desired peace.
In the meantime the United States has, without flickering an eyelid, strengthened its pact with autocracies and Oriental despots and made common cause with the slave owners who had been his chief stock-in-trade to criticize. And has now, under circumstances which I will describe to you, sought to bring about the downfall of the United Kingdom and France, in service to these interests and against the interests of democracy and against the interests of his own race. All I need say is, that whatever the inflamed ambitions of the American President will be, he will undoubtedly learn, as other great enemies of freedom have learned before, that the bayonet, yoke and whip will stand prostrate to the Royal Navy's Castles of Steel.
Let me now say something about the events of the last few days. The facts are not really in dispute. They are, for the most part, contained in documents which are now a matter of record.
On Friday, Roosevelt asked the British Ambassador to call on him, and had a long interview with him. Roosevelt said that he wished to make a move towards the United Kingdom, as decisive as his overtures to his current allies. He went on to indicate that he was looking forward to a general settlement in Siam and that if this would be achieved, he would be willing to accept a reasonable peace. The Cabinet consulted on the matter and replied on Monday that the desired a complete and lasting understanding between the two countries. It emphasized that the British Government would not demobilize, unless the Siamese Government demobilized and sent its troops to barracks, and that at that point a conversation could be had on the fate of Siam. The United States accepted this formulation.
The Siamese Government however has remained silent and its troops still stand at the threshold of India and Malaya. We have been informed this morning that a British patrol has been attacked patrolling the British side of the frontier in Malaya and that localised fighting has developed with the exchange of artillery fire and probing attacks by Siamese troops along the frontier. The British Government has been informed that troop transports from India under escort by the Singapore squadron will arrive shortly in Malaya to repel the assault. A separate convoy is now on route to ferry troops to Burma to hold the frontier there. The British Government has taken all possible care to resolve the crisis, and has delayed a response, but does not see a path to peace with Siam. The crisis in Siam lies directly at the feet of the United States which precipitated a crisis there, having failed in China. It gave succor to Siamese resistance and provided diplomatic cover for its actions. The British Government therefore finds itself inescapably and regrettably at war with Siam.
The sanctions imposed by the United States have therefore come into force. The British Government noted early on that tying the United States hand to such an irresponsibly party on the international stage carried with it risks. The United States did not care and offered no alternative formulation which averted the imposition of sanctions. Russia which acted a mediator in these final discussions agreed that there was no hope of averting a crisis without a change in the United States position. No such change was made. The United Kingdom has since concluded that this effort was never sincere and that its chief purpose was to split the United Kingdom from France. War was the desired goal of the President Roosevelt, but he preferred that it be against one power and not two. The formulation which drove us to war was decided upon by the United States, with limited input from a select group of belligerent powers, moderate powers like Japan were excluded and asked to sign a formulation which guaranteed war. Japan and Mexico to their credit declined to involve themselves in this and their judgment is to be recognized and applauded.
You see what a travesty the whole thing was. The American Government was treating the United Kingdom and France as in default, because the Siamese would not negotiate irrespective of the terms offered. The American Government was no help in reaching out to Siam, and its intentions should are clear in that it pushed a Treaty which sought to insulate its interests and smother our trade even as we feverishly sought to avoid war. The only reply to the United Kingdom and France efforts to reach a peaceful settlement was blandishments as the Siamese attacked our soldiers.
The United States claims that it intends only sanctions and not a blockade a stance which the British Government has dismissed as posturing. The bare truth of the matter is that the United States blockade will deal an incalculable blow to British trade, industry and way of life. The United States would seek to deny us the Americas. They would seek to close Russia to us. In fact the United States would seek by its actions to close our trade the world and lock in this state of misery by taking advantage of us. This has real consequences for the provision of food and material comforts to British subjects. Though the Empire is vast, our surviving markets vast, such a loss will be difficult to make up. The United States has also been quiet as to how it intends to enforce these sanctions.
We have received an answer, this morning a British merchantman was boarded, the crew arrested and the ship impounded for breach of sanctions. Some among the crew were injured. Elsewhere a Confederate destroyer fired upon a merchantman enroute to Freeport in the Bahamas. It was to the great fortune of these brave seafarers that the Royal Navy cruisers Agincourt and Diadem and attached destroyers of the First Destroyer Squadron were in the vicinity. After repeated attempts to communicate with the Confederate vessel and mindful of the risk of ambush from other Confederate vessels and fearful of the clouds of great smoke coming from the merchantman, Agincourt and Diadem opened fire at 6000 yards and scored a number of hits. Agincourt ceased fire and moved to assist the merchantman. Six merchant sailors were killed by the Confederate fire. Diadem continued her pursuit to screen Agincourt but ceased her fire after it was observed that the Confederate destroyer was listing heavily to port and that her guns were silent. Six minutes later the Confederate destroyer exploded. Numerous secondary explosions were witnessed.
Similar though less dramatic incidents have occurred in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, there a British merchantman managed to elude pursuit, a British merchantman managed near Cyprus to frustrate a Turkish boarding party for long enough for the cruiser Andromeda, a sister ship of the Diadem, to arrive upon which time the Turkish vessel fled, and in a final act an Austrian vessel sought to intercept a French merchantman on route to Dalmatia, a French warship exchanged fire with the Austrian vessel which was forced to limp back to port trailing thick smoke. War has by the very operation of the United States policies become inevitable. This was forseeable as the Austrian ambassador in his final comminuqe noted.
The United Kingdom however pledges this. It does not hold any enmity towards those nations which signed up under a false understanding of the United States intentions. States other than those named here being the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Persian Empire, Bavaria, the United States and Confederate States of America which wish to retreat from the precipice may do so with honor and without threat of retaliation or consequence. Those who do intend to hew to the United States line will find themselves at war with ourselves.
Before I conclude, may I say this to you – in the bitter months that have come, calmness, resoluteness, confidence and hard work will be required as never before. This war will involve not only soldiers and sailors and airmen, but supplies, foodstuffs, money. Our staying power, and particularly the staying power of the empire, will be best assisted by keeping our production going; by continuing our avocations and our business as freely as we can; by maintaining employment and, with it, our strength. I know that in spite of the emotions we are all feeling, you will show that the United Kingdom is ready to see it through. May God in his mercy and compassion grant that the world may soon be delivered from this agony.
JohannaK
Heroically Clueless
"Thus is the world once more plunged into a maelstrom of mayhem and wanton destruction, a steaming cloud of fire and volcanic ash that clouds reason and the senses and is smudged over the faces of all the world.
"Those who cannot find their way in this deadly mist are doomed to fail in any enterprise they undertake."
-Zhu Lixin, trade commissioner in Fujian Province
"Those who cannot find their way in this deadly mist are doomed to fail in any enterprise they undertake."
-Zhu Lixin, trade commissioner in Fujian Province
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