To: The World
From: Savoy-Milan
CC: Tuscany, Roman Republic
I, King Victor, an pleased to announce to all of Europe the unification of the Kingdom of Savoy-Milan with that of Tuscany and the Roman Republic this year. With this unification, I also announce the formation of the Kingdom of Italy, with myself at its head as King Victor I of Italy. The newly added regions of Tuscany and Rome will enjoy representation within the new Italian Senate, alongside the Senators of Savoy, Milan, and Venice. General Gallo will continue to hold his position as First Consul of Italy.
To all those who may worry and feel threatened by this pronouncement, I tell you now to rest assured, for this declaration of the Kingdom of Italy is in little more than name. We hold no hostility towards those nations who may consider themselves Italian, or those nations who hold territory in the Italian peninsula. All treaties and non-aggression pacts signed under the Kingdom of Savoy-Milan will continue to be honored by the Kingdom of Italy. As king of this new state, I can honestly say that I wish for nothing more than peace and prosperity.
To: Paris-Burgundy
From: Kingdom of Italy
We can understand your concerns over the status of the non-aggression pacts. However, these pacts were made just last year and we have non intention of breaking them so soon, or for that matter, ever. We have no acted aggressively towards either Tuscany or the Papal States in regards to the rebellions there. In fact, the new legitimate governments of each state have welcomed us with open arms. In the same manner, we have not acted with hostility towards either yourself or Austria, and we have no plans to do so. We intend to maintain our various treaties to the utmost, and allow Austria to interact with these new regimes in anyway they see fit, without using any military forces to precede their interventions.
However, as these new states are now part of the Kingdom of Italy, we would have the full right to defend ourselves from any military actions Austria may taken. As this would be an entirely defensive measure, we can hardly be accused of having broken our agreement in any way. In fact, any Austrian attack against the regions of Tuscany or Rome, or any other part of the Kingdom of Italy, would be a breach of the non-aggression pact signed just last year with them.
We also would like to remind you that we have not signed a non-aggression pact with Naples, although we are very willing to the moment they return the illegally occupied Sicilian lands and make peace.
To: Paris-Burgundy, Austria
From: Kingdom of Italy
We would like to restate our commitment to the non-aggression pacts signed last year with both of your nations, in case you have had any doubts about our wish for peace. These NAPs continue to be legally binding treaties between our nations, which now include the regions of Tuscany and Rome. To borrow the words of Paris-Burgundy, any breach of this NAP through military force would be disgraceful, perjurious and unbecoming conduct.
To: Austria and Naples
From: Kingdom of Italy
We wish to repute your accusations right here. The actions of the Brothers of Italy in Tuscany and Rome this year were out of our control. In fact, this organization, while perhaps supported by private citizens within Savoy-Milan, was never under the control of the government, and thus we find it laughable that you blame us for the rebellions in Tuscany and the Papal Sates. These coups were the result of years of abuse and oppression by the governments of these states of their citizens.
We resent your attempts to tie the hands of our government and bend it to your wishes. While we know that Austria is sensible enough to realize the value of peace, as shown by their signing of a NAP with us just last year, we cannot tie the hands of Naples. While we hope you will not be so rash as to break the fragile ceasefire which has preserved peace in the peninsula for so long, you have no obligation to do so, unlike other states. However, should your soldiers invade Italian land, we will presume it to be a breaking of the ceasefire and will take full measures to retain our sovereignty and restore our rightful rule over Sicily.
To: Pope Leo XIII
From: Kingdom of Italy
While my father may have supported a reduction of the Pope's secular power in theory, he had great hopes that someday the Pope would realize the necessity of abandoning worldly power to focus more on religious matters. It saddens me greatly that Your Holiness has been removed from his seat in Rome in such a way. However, it was an inevitable fate. Over the last decades, the Papacy's preoccupation with secular matters, mainly the many Italian wars and oppressing liberal uprisings, has caused its religious leadership to slacken. The faithful leave the Church in droves, and in those areas which still follow the leadership of the Pope, many minor officials of the Church have been found to be corrupt, taking advantage of your preoccupation with secular affairs.
In your own kingdom, the Papacy has violently suppressed numerous rebellions, whether by your order or not I do not know. It is clear from the events of last year that the people of the Papal States and the leaders of your own army no longer wish for religious rule over the region. We believe it is best for it to remain that way. You may be able to take back the Papal States after a protracted and bloody war, yet what will that leave you? Rule over a land where the people have no wish for your rule, backed only by the continual presence of Spanish troops? This is no way for one as holy as the Pope to live. I beg you to see the wisdom of reducing your earthly power so that you may make more use of your heavenly one.
Yet, we realize that Rome has long been the city of the Papacy. We also know that it would be folly to have the Pope reside under the jurisdiction of any one country. As such, we offer you a solution that will prevent any bloodshed. Return to Rome, and accept rule over your own state once again. This will be restricted to an area within the city of Rome around the Vatican, but so much the better. Italy will offer you an eternal guarantee of independence, as I am sure will Spain. You will be free to keep armed forces within the Vatican, and you and your representatives will be free to travel through Italy as much as you wish. If rule over a portion of Rome is not acceptable, we would suggest the establishment of a similar Papal state encompassing the whole of Avignon. Italy would be happy to provide the funds for the purchase of the city if necessary.
We implore you to accept this compromise, the only which will avoid much bloodshed and death. Either way, we will maintain all Papal possessions until your return. Whether it be peaceful or violent is up to you.
To: Switzerland
From: Kingdom of Italy
We take this opportunity to reaffirm the alliance between our two states.
