In a surprise move this month, the First Consul Winterfritz of the French Republic had himself crowned Emperor by the Pope and France proclaimed an Empire. It is believed that a major factor in the Papal endorsement of Emperor Winterfritz are the French armies situated in Northern Italy, now ominously on the move.
Also, in a dramatic swing in foreign policy, Winterfritz has dismissed the British as a threat, saying 'the Channel is merely a ditch they dare not cross.' And many agree with the Emperor, as the victory of the peace party in the last British election, led by
Alan
Ianson, seems to bode ill for future British war efforts.
In keeping with the Emperor's statements, the bulk of the Grand Armee has been withdrawn from the Atlantic and Channel coasts, and is making its way across France at this very moment, for redeployment on the Rhine frontier.
The Emperor has been unclear about his intentions behind this dramatic re-arragenment, but a drive into the unorganized states just across the Rhine seems likely.
The French diplomat Talleyrand is also reported to be working with the Austrians towards an understanding about French expansion eastward. The Russians, under the new Tsar Ivan, have not yet contacted the new Empire in the west. Perhaps they fear their diplomats will wake 'the French colussus'?
the Austrian armies have begun to prepare the siege of some prussian cities.
