Capto Iugulum

[Jehoshua]

ooc: didn't notice this was back up and running... oops.

-

Papal Commentary on the Italian Election

-

The Holy Catholic Church, which was established by our divine Lord for the salvation of souls and contains within its doctrine all truth is the sole standard by which society should be managed. For in itself containing all truth, the teachings of the Church likewise contain within themselves the right order through which society should be managed. Only through adherence to these social doctrines, subsidiarityl; the affirmation of objective truth and the divine law; the just treatment of souls and the due chastisement and rejection of error can any nation hope to attain stability and peace of God.

The Holy See observes with sadness the division within Italian society, where a great multitude reject the divine law and the Catholic faith and instead fall for the perverse and ignoble doctrines of liberalism. These doctrines which erroneously pressupose man as the centre of creation, of man as the sole arbiter of truth, and which in a perverse subversion of genuine freedom open men to the slavery of conscience and mind that comes with unlimited license to do what is intrinsically evil and gravely immoral ultimately sow the seeds of division and despair.

This the Holy See sees in the italian situation where already mere years after the Italian states creation, we see divisions amongst those who have fallen into the errors of liberalism, and the shattering of the ideal of the common good amongst the italian nation. We lament that our hopes have been sundered, and Pope Leo's fears, his fears of moral degeneracy and corruption appear to be proceeding apace.

Yet in the light of the risen Lord and of the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord and Giver of Life, the Holy See prays that in this hour that the italian people by the grace of God return to their christian roots, firmly planted in the faith of the Catholic Church, and through unity to Peter join the ark of the Church in travelling forward in this the 20th century of our Lord, and in radical conversion to truth and the faith of Christ find the spiritual unity they have so tragically lost in the ideological pursuit of temporal unity. May the ever virgin Mary, immaculate Mother of God intercede for us, and the blessed Archangel Michael defend us before the sight of God against the evils that beset Italy, and fester like a gangrenous wound in this world, bringing about the ruin of innumerable souls.

~ Pope Paul VI.

 

[Azale]

The Treaty of Washington


The successor governments of the First Union of the United States of America at Charleston and Albany, desiring to end the state of war now existing between brothers, have for that purpose appointed as peace representatives:

Jonathan Hayes, President of the United States of America,
Vincent M. Jonathan, Edmund F. Muiris, Jonathan G. Cortney, Stewart B. Yancy;

Zachary F. Jacobs, Acting President of the United American Republic,
Patrick D. Paden, Oliver C. Roswell, Sweeney B. McKay, and Adelbert M. Arbeid;

The Citizens under the administration of the Charleston and Albany governments;

Who, having assembled in Washington, this most hallowed of patriotic grounds, and having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due and proper form, have, after discussion of the matters before them, agreed upon the following articles:​

Article I. Immediate cessation of hostilities between the governments at Charleston and Albany.

Article II. The convening of a new Constitutional Convention in Washington with the re adopting of the original 1787 Constitution of the United States and its attached Bill of Rights and the reunification of the Charleston and Albany governments under its aegis as its stated goal.

Article III. The continuing Emancipation of the Negro through processes of the law and the dismantlement of the Negrotarian red enclaves now in open rebellion against the Legitimate government of the United States.

Article IV. Congressional and Presidential elections to be held at the end of 1916.

Article V. Emancipation of all significant leaders, military and civil, currently serving the Charleston government.

Article VI. Displaced Senators from states currently under rebel control will be allowed to maintain their posts until the liberation of their state, when free elections will then take place.

Article VII. The Capital will be moved to Washington as a good faith compromise between the Charleston and Albany governments.

Article VIII. Upon the ratification of the 1787 Constitution, the two parties will adopt the name of the Second Union of the United States of America as the official title of this grand restored Republic.



In faith whereof, we, the respective Representatives, have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed our seals in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifteen.

Signed, Zachary Jacobs, Acting President of the UAR

Awaiting the signature of Jonathan Hayes, President of the United States

 

[spryllino]

To the Netherlands
From the Confederation

In light of the result of the recent elections, we would be delighted if we could renew our previous treaty of alliance. Would you like to agree to be allies along the same lines as before?

 

[EQandcivfanatic]

Johnathan Hayes has signed the Treaty of Washington.

OOC: Direct any diplomacy that would go to the Fed to Azale.

 

[ZeletDude]

To the Netherlands
From the Confederation

In light of the result of the recent elections, we would be delighted if we could renew our previous treaty of alliance. Would you like to agree to be allies along the same lines as before?

To: The Franco-Burgundian Confederation
From: The Republic of The Netherlands

We are more than happy to renew our previous alliance commitments.

 

[spryllino]

The Confederation is extremely delighted by the Treaty of Washington. We are glad that the war came to a conclusion that looks likely to bring true sound government to the United States of America - indeed, a government that, in its conception, is not so unlike our own - and moreover it must be universally apparent that, without this excellent treaty, many more men of all sorts would have died needlessly in the conflict. We have ourselves worked to make this a possibility by committing our own troops to the fight against the rebellious Proletarist so-called Republics (while discouraging internecine fighting between other the UAR and the USA) and helping to prevent the pillars of government in the south from being overwhelmed, and we are enthusiastic about the prospect of the new Constitution being as far as possible from the former tyrrany built on slavery and avarice and which fought on the side of destruction and injustice in the Great War, and which we have repeatedly deprecated since its inception.

We desire to cooperate with this great reformed nation as much as possible henceforth, as we have not hitherto been able or willing to on account of their subjection to a tyrrany - and we hope that the USA might join us in our double objective of maintaining some sort of balance and in not committing ourselves to either of the grand alliance blocs that currently pose such a threat to international cordiality. We would like to offer to the Second Union of the United States of America a defensive alliance, a trade agreement (particularly respecting, perhaps, measures designed to regenerate the southern economy) and agreement to cooperate in other fashions as we each see fit.

The Confederation awaits a reply, and also requests some sort of opinion (delivered privately) on what the most useful action on the behalf of the American people would be with regard to our expeditionary force in Georgia.

To the Netherlands
From the Confederation

We are delighted to hear it, and we consider that we are just the same allies that we were when our troops marched victorious across Polish China!

 

[Lord_Iggy]

MÅÅÅL!​

So goes the cry across Vinland as the ball flies through the open basket. Born around the turn of the 20th century, Varukorgboll is rooted in the ball-throwing games and pastimes in the frontiers of Vinland, though its rise to prominence is often attributed to the contemporaneous organization of another sport, Balompie, on the far side of the Atlantic.

In a game of Varukorgboll, two teams of six compete to throw an elastic, inflated 8-inch ball through a vertically-suspended hoop two feet in diameter, suspended with a centre point 11 feet in the air. Players are able to run if they hold the ball one-handed and away from their body, or they may stand with their feet rooted to hold the ball with two hands. This limitation has led to many players adopting a practice of bouncing the ball off of the floor while running. Physical contact, within certain limits, is permitted, requiring the players to wear a small amount of padding. The sport requires a mixture of speed, strength and dexterity to play, though many players specialize- for example, many teams have shooting specialists who are protected by stronger team mates, who serve to ward off opponents.

Originating in the city of Sammanström, gateway to the Vastermark of Vinland, the sport grew to prominence rapidly. The 1890s saw a clearly recognizable form of the game being played, the first newspaper article mentioning Varukorgboll dates to 1892, and the first incarnation of the modern rules was penned in 1899. By 1902, Vinlandic Statsminister Axel Gyllenstjerna presented the first Två Nationer Kopp (Two Nations Cup) to the winner of a challenge series between the elite teams of Vinland and America, with Sammanström VK seizing a 3 games to 0 victory in a best of five series against Saint Louis AC.

From these beginnings, Varukorgboll only continued to grow. While the heartland of the sport remained in the continental interior, where such titans as Sammanström VK and Duluth AC captivated fans from across their respective countries, the sport soon began to grow in the east, and even managed to establish a lonely outpost in the far west, in rainy Konradsköping. Americans embraced the sport, christening it ‘Varooka Ball’ in a rough approximation of the original pronunciation. Vinlandic Volunteer soldiers in the Atlantic War brought the sport to Scandinavia, where it was just as swift to catch on, although here the competition with Balompie was far less one-sided in Varukorgboll’s favour.

More than being a simple athletic competition, Varukorgboll has come to play an important political role as well. Many credit ‘Varukorgboll Détente’ with lessening the tense relationship between Vinland and America that had existed since the Bodenborg Incident and the War of the American Presidency. The sport has also featured significantly in the strained link between Vinland and post-revolutionary Scandinavia. In 1911, King Ingvar himself defended the sport from criticism by Syndic Mannerheim, who suggested that it was a sport of the bourgeoisie. Ingvar’s now-famous ‘Sammanström Speech’ heartily rebutted Mannerheim’s characterization of the sport, declaring it to be a unifying, rather than a stratifying sport, while noting how extraordinarily ill-advised to ever try to call an inner-city gang of Varukorg-playing Vinns ‘bourgeois’. Incidentally, this was also the first formal diplomatic contact between the Monarchy of Vinland and the Workers Commonwealth.

Since then, Scandinavia has seemed to continue embracing the sport, with the Elite Workers Team, Stockholm Röd, becoming a mainstay of global tournament play.

At the present, there are several active high-level championships, none of which are explicitly affiliated with any one of the half-dozen or so Varukogboll leagues that exist. The oldest championship, the Two Nations Cup, was held annually from 1902 until 1912, after which point the collapse of order in the United States precluded its ability to produce a national champion to face the Vinlandic national champion. The Cup presently rests in the Clubhouse of ’KöKö VK’, as the Konradsköping Club is often nicknamed. The Atlantic Cup, held between America, Vinland and Scandinavia, has gone on since 1909, though it has not yet attained the fame and notoriety of the Two Nations. Finally, the King’s Cup, founded in 1914 to take the place of the on-hiatus Two Nations Cup, is awarded to the champion team of Vinland.


Championship Records


Vinlandic-American Championship (Två Nationer Kopp/Two Nations Cup)

Year|Winner|Runner Up
1902|Sammanström VK|Saint Louis AC
1903|Sammanström VK|Albany AC
1904|Duluth AC|Sammanström VK
1905|Konradsköping VK|Albany AC
1906|Nya Göteborg IF|Duluth AC
1907|Albany AC|Sammanström VK
1908|Sammanström|Duluth AC
1909|Albany AC|Vattenby IF
1910|Sammanström VK|Duluth AC
1911|Wichita Lightning|Sammanström VK
1912|Konradsköping VK|Wichita Lightning
1913|N/A|N/A
1914|N/A|N/A
1915|N/A|N/A

Global Tournament (Atlantenkopp/Atlantic Cup)

Year|Winner|Runner Up
1909|Sammanström VK|Duluth AC
1910|Sammanström VK|Stockholm IF
1911|Stockholm IF|Albany AC
1912|Konradsköping VK|Stockholm Röd
1913|Vattenby IF|Stockholm Röd
1914|Stockholm Röd|Vattenby IF
1915|Sammanström VK|Stockholm Röd

Vinlandic Championship (Kungens Kopp/King’s Cup)

Year|Winner|Runner Up
1914|Konradsköping VK|Konradsköping Svart Örnar
1915|Sammanström VK|Nya Göteborg Tigrar

IF = Idrottsförening = Sports Club
VK = Varukorgbollsklubb = Varukorgboll Club
AC = Athletics Club

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Consider this an open invitation to those who might reasonably take part in the sport to talk about the teams that might exist in their countries, so that I may start including them in the annals of Varukorgboll! I'm looking at you in particular, post-Ameican States... and while I've got your attention, diplomacy form Vinland is waiting for you on the previous page.

 

[Agent 89]

To: United Kingdom
From: Sardinia

The Suez Canal has lain in disrepair and disuse since the Great War, yet the Great War has long been over. As such, peace and trade must return to the Mediterranean and the world. Control of the Suez Canal Zone lies in your hands, and it would be a shame to let such a rich prize go unused. We know that work has begun on rebuilding the canal, but the world should not be forced to wait another decade to resume trade through the region. We urge you to realize the necessity of rebuilding the Suez Canal and turn your full attention to the project so that it may be completed as soon as possible.

Should it be that other events require your attentions and funds more sorely, Sardinia would be happy to offer loans to aid with the rebuilding of the canal.

 

[Crezth]

To: Italy
From: The United Kingdom

We appreciate the offer. We will wait to see what Russia's opinion is before committing, however.

To: Sardinia
From: The United Kingdom

We took on the Suez Canal as a liability we were prepared to accept responsibility for. The refurbishment program is an engineering challenge the likes of which the world has never seen before, one which we are footing the bill for alone - even as nations like yours invoke the common good in talk of urgency regarding the matter.

But know this: the canal will be finished before the decade is out. And it will be a testament to the unsurpassable might of man. If you wish to donate to efforts for its rebuilding, we will be appreciative. But we will accept no loans. We have no need of them.

 

[Azale]

To: American Successor States
From: Vinland

We find ourselves in the unfortunate situation of potentially having to deport a large number of unlawful refugees who have spent the last three years squatting in Vinlandic territory. We wish to discuss with you the possibilities of your nations receiving these populations.

From: The Transitional Assembly of the United States

The USA is willing to repatriate all American refugees from the Great War. They will be reintegrated into the country in a humane and fair manner under the authority of the temporary War Repatriation Agency.

In addition, the Washington government will pay a reasonable proportion of the costs associated with removal and processing of refugees.

Consider this an open invitation to those who might reasonably take part in the sport to talk about the teams that might exist in their countries, so that I may start including them in the annals of Varukorgboll! I'm looking at you in particular, post-Ameican States... and while I've got your attention, diplomacy form Vinland is waiting for you on the previous page.

The USA would like to restart this exercise in American-Vinnish goodwill. Our athletic stock might be a bit depleted from wartime exigencies though.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

OOC: Won't change the results nuthin' hurr hurr.

IC:

To: The Transitional Assembly of the United States
From: The King and Riksdag of Vinland
We wish you the best in restoring the rule of law and democratic governance to your people, and greatly appreciate your offer to repatriate your wayward citizens. Additionally, we look forward to the resumption of the Two Nations Cup, should your present attempts succeed we expect that a resumption could occur as soon as 1917.

 

[Luckymoose]

TO: United States of America, Second Union
FROM: Empire of Brazil

Brazil offers a full defensive and economic alliance to the Second Union. May liberty forever burn bright as our hands shake in agreement.

 

[Azale]

TO: United States of America, Second Union
FROM: Empire of Brazil

Brazil offers a full defensive and economic alliance to the Second Union. May liberty forever burn bright as our hands shake in agreement.

From: The Transitional Assembly of the United States

The future of the USA has always resided in the Western Hemisphere. The new government accepts the offer extended by the Empire of Brazil.


To the Franco-Burgundian Confederation, we hope the you can understand our position on this. To join in a non-aligned bloc is to still join a bloc.

 

[spryllino]

To the Second Union
From the Confederation

We understand you perfectly. Finding ourselves unexpectedly on territory of a non-ally, we shall, of course, not trespass on your land a moment longer than absolutely necessary under the circumstances, and shall expect our troops to be replaced in their positions within the year, upon which we will withdraw them.

 

[GamezRule]

The Allied Territories of America does not recognize the Second Union. It is policy that when the Charleston government of the United States of America was blackmailed by the Franco-Burgundian Confederation, it became lost it's ability to lead a restored Union and therefore was illegitimate. Thus, the Federal government of the United States of America was lost with the Treaty of Washington. We are forming a new federal government in Denver out of necessity for a legitimate government to act on behalf of the United States. Until such a time that this government can be organized and inaugurated, General Robert Wallace shall be named Acting President of the United States of America effective immediately.

 

[Azale]

The Allied Territories of America does not recognize the Second Union. It is policy that when the Charleston government of the United States of America was blackmailed by the Franco-Burgundian Confederation, it became lost it's ability to lead a restored Union and therefore was illegitimate. Thus, the Federal government of the United States of America was lost with the Treaty of Washington. We are forming a new federal government in Denver out of necessity for a legitimate government to act on behalf of the United States. Until such a time that this government can be organized and inaugurated, General Robert Wallace shall be named Acting President of the United States of America effective immediately.

To All Concerned Parties,

The specious arguments of the aggrandizer of Tyranny, Mr. Wallace, as well as his treason to the legitimate representative of the people of all the United States, will not be held against the people currently under his despotism. This applies also to individuals in the armed forces of the rebellious states.

The existence of the ATA was a military exigency. They operated as an arm of the Federal government, which has been reformed under the 1787 Constitution. The presence of the ATA is no longer required and its continued existence and belligerency is in direct contradiction to its raison d'etre.

It now unlawfully occupies territory belonging to the United States and breeds discord in a time of Hope and Restoration.

As punishment, I call upon Nations seeking cordial relations with the Legitimate government of the United States to end all formal and trade relations with the Denver government.

 

[Grandkhan]

@EQ: Um, I think my EP stats are wrong.

Firstly, you haven't changed the bank section of the EP. If I didn't get the designs I paid for last turn, then I should have 480EP more in the bank. So my banked EP should be 683.

Secondly, you haven't deducted the changes from last turn. So my EP per turn should be 401, not 406.

So the line about EP should read:
Economic Points: 683 (+401), unless I'm making a mistake somewhere.

Cheers.

 

[ZeletDude]

We hereby extend our full recognition of the Second Union of The United States as the sole legitimate government of the United States. Liberty, and Democracy may once again thrive in the United States.

We wish you best in your crusade against the Dictatorship in Denver.

To: The Commonwealth of Flanders
The recent revival of the Franco-Dutch Treaty of Alliance will not in anyway alter our commitments to you, as per the Amsterdam Concords. You are still our closest, and most important ally.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

To: Allied Territories of America
From: Vinland

We strongly advise you to recognize the legitimacy of this Second Union, so as to bring peace back to the continent as quickly and cleanly as possible. What justifications can you provide that your government has a greater degree of legitimacy than that of the New Democratic Government forming in the east, especially with the issue of the proletarist states roiling in your own nation's hinterland?