Capto Iugulum

[Milarqui]

We are, as cosignatories of the Treaty of Milan, entitled, or indeed obliged, to speak to help you to ensure the peace and sound establishment of Italy. We have tried, and it is now our opinion that you are acting to undermine it. I hope we are wrong and you are right, but rather doubt it, and with that we conclude, as you wish, this present correspondence.

Before trying to act against the Empire of Spain in any way, please note that the ones who initially undermined the "peace and sound establishment of Italy" were the Neapolitans.

 

[spryllino]

To Spain
From the Franco-Burgundian Confederation

We do not see why you seem to think we are about to declare war on you, just because we have been giving you our best advice and considered opinion in pointed terms, but, nevertheless, we have no intention whatsoever of intervening materially in something that really lies well outside our zone of influence in Italy, and never had any such intention, particularly as we strongly disapprove of the Neapolitans' actions. We merely think you are dealing with them quite incredibly badly and in a way that is likely to be staggeringly deleterious to Italian stability, and so we object in the strongest purely verbal terms, as we feel obliged to given that we are fellow-signatories of the Treaty of Milan.

Seeing as you are not likely to budge, we will urge the Neapolitans to pay up immediately, but we think that that is about as likely as them sprouting wings and emigrating en masse to Poland, given their rhetoric so far.

To Naples
From the Confederation

Pay up. Your behaviour is completely outrageous, and you ought to compensate for the material harm you have done to the Spanish nation, and to apologise immediately for your illegal sponsoring of nationalist and republican rebels.

 

[Milarqui]

To Spain
From the Franco-Burgundian Confederation

We do not see why you seem to think we are about to declare war on you, just because we have been giving you our best advice and considered opinion in pointed terms, but, nevertheless, we have no intention whatsoever of intervening materially in something that really lies well outside our zone of influence in Italy, and never had any such intention, particularly as we strongly disapprove of the Neapolitans' actions. We merely think you are dealing with them quite incredibly badly and in a way that is likely to be staggeringly deleterious to Italian stability, and so we object in the strongest purely verbal terms, as we feel obliged to given that we are fellow-signatories of the Treaty of Milan.

Seeing as you are not likely to budge, we will urge the Neapolitans to pay up immediately, but we think that that is about as likely as them sprouting wings and emigrating en masse to Poland, given their rhetoric so far.

To Naples
From the Confederation

Pay up. Your behaviour is completely outrageous, and you ought to compensate for the material harm you have done to the Spanish nation, and to apologise immediately for your illegal sponsoring of nationalist and republican rebels.

To: France-Burgundy
From: Empire of Spain

Thank you for proving our fears about your direct intervention against us in this sordid affair wrong, and for supporting our position.

To: Naples
From: Empire of Spain

If you compromise to pay us proper compensation, we are perfectly willing to give you 4-5 years to do so. It would mean payments of between 16 and 25 EP per year, a quantity you can easily afford.

 

[Nailix]

To: Genoa
From: Naples

We thank you for your support in this undesirable situation.

To: The Franco-Burgundian Confederation
From: Naples

We understand your point of view and applaud you for making a statement against the unfairness of Spain's attempts to bully smaller nations. We understand as well that you believe we should pay Spain, yet simply do not believe we should. Thank you for speaking your opinions on the matter.

To: Spain
From: Naples

There will be no compensation given to Spain, we have apologized when it has not been necessary and will not throw money into Spain's Empire. We are already paying back three nations and can not afford to give any to Spain even if we wanted to. Hopefully this does not have to lead to war, but Naples will stand firm on our opinion about the matter.

 

[Lord of Elves]

From: Empire of Scandinavia
To: Parties of the Stockholm Conference
We are greatly pleased that you are willing to partake of our mediation. We look forward to a peaceful resolution, and do whatever is in our power to ensure one.

From: Empire of Scandinavia
To: Naples
CC: Spain, Franco-Burgundian Confederation
We urge you to do what is functionally the least in your capability to repair your international transgression: pay up.

 

[Milarqui]

To: Spain
From: Naples

There will be no compensation given to Spain, we have apologized when it has not been necessary and will not throw money into Spain's Empire. We are already paying back three nations and can not afford to give any to Spain even if we wanted to. Hopefully this does not have to lead to war, but Naples will stand firm on our opinion about the matter.

To: Naples
From: Empire of Spain

Apologizing was not necessary? Considering that your actions could be easily construed as an act of war against the Empire of Spain, apologies are not only necessary, but fundamental. And, you know why you have to pay back to three nations plus Spain? Because you decided to use the money those three nations gave you to improve your navy and funded a rebel group in a foreign nation. If, instead of misusing that money, you had used it for its intended purpose, you would not be in this situation, and you would not have to go through this problem.

As we said, Naples has two choices: war or payment. If you are unwilling to pay in money now, you will pay in blood and then pay in money. We know you would prefer not to pay in blood, so, you know what you can do.

 

[m.t.cicero]

To: Naples
From: Flanders
CC: Spain

Although Flanders is a neutral nation, we would find it tragic if yet another war were to occur in Europe, and in Italy especially. If your refusal to pay reparations to Spain is truly a matter of finances rather than a matter of pride, then in the interest of peace please allow Flanders to loan to you, at no interest, half (45 EP) of the cost of reparations over the next five years as per the settlement Spain has already proposed, and in exchange we will allow you to repay us, after all of your reparations are paid, over 15 years at a rate of 3 EP per year. While we can understand that you do not wish to give in to what you see as bullying from Spain, we believe that Spain's indignation is justified and that they will not fail to act on their words.

 

[spryllino]

To: The Franco-Burgundian Confederation
From: Naples

We understand your point of view and applaud you for making a statement against the unfairness of Spain's attempts to bully smaller nations. We understand as well that you believe we should pay Spain, yet simply do not believe we should. Thank you for speaking your opinions on the matter.

You misunderstand us: we do not find Spain's policy unfair in the slightest, merely extraordinarily imprudent, and we urge you to find the money to pay them.

 

[erez87]

GENOA

to Naples:
In the interest of peace we will also aid you with the payment and give you 10EP for the payment of Spain, with no need to ever return it. Peace in Italy must be more important than any cost. We know our share is tiny, but we hope it would help.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

From: Vinland
To: Scandinavia

Hello my old friend! The transatlantic crossing was dreadful, but it is a pleasure to be back in Old Stockholm after all these years. Did the Neapolitan Ambassador really apologise for their gross breach of trust, then justify it by saying that they did so because, had you known their true intentions, you would not have given them the money in the first place? Was the man drunk?

News is slow crossing the ocean, but this Sicilian Affair seems most troubling.

Regarding the Sicilian Affair
Vinland would like to add its voice to that of Scandinavia in condemning Naples' duplicitous misuse of foreign assistance. The government of Naples has darkened its name by attempting to achieve a diplomatic ends by shamelessly subversive means. Diplomacy must always be the first resort for civilized nations.

 

[Nailix]

To: Flanders and Genoa
From: Naples

As we see no other choice but war, and Naples does not want to see, let alone be involved, in a war any time soon, we will accept your offers and pay Spain what they have requested.

To: Spain
From: Naples

Naples will pay you your [90 EP] said amount for what happened, with the aid of Genoa and Flanders we should be able to pay it all within a two year span. We hope peace will follow and we can become friendly nations in the future. Again we apologize for the incident and hope everything will be settled.

 

[Milarqui]

To: Flanders and Genoa
From: Naples

As we see no other choice but war, and Naples does not want to see, let alone be involved, in a war any time soon, we will accept your offers and pay Spain what they have requested.

To: Spain
From: Naples

Naples will pay you your [90 EP] said amount for what happened, with the aid of Genoa and Flanders we should be able to pay it all within a two year span. We hope peace will follow and we can become friendly nations in the future. Again we apologize for the incident and hope everything will be settled.

To: Naples
From: Empire of Spain

We are glad that you have finally chosen to pay. Spain will not declare war on Naples. It will take a lot of time for us to recover even a tenth of the trust we had on you before this incident, and hope it will not be repeated.

 

[Crezth]

The United Kingdom, on behalf of the Krakow Pact, would like to extend a cordial invitation to the nation of Brandenburg and all her constituencies for membership in the Krakow Pact, a defensive alliance of nations.

 

[Nuka-sama]

Brandenburg accepts. Long may our countries enjoy beneficial relations and success.

 

[Nailix]

To: Sicily
From: Naples

Now that all is settled with the Spanish, we would like to offer reduced tariffs and taxes on trading between our nations and extend the opportunity for a defensive pact.

 

[Milarqui]

Although we accept that Brandenburg has the right to ally with any other nation, as it is their prerrogative as an independent nation, we cannot help but be worried by Brandenburg's entrance in the Krakow Pact, especially after the recent attacks on the legal government of Pommerania and Brandenburg's all but directly stated role in them. We are essentially opposed to the formation of a German nation, as this would clearly destroy the balance of power that currently exists in Europe and that is carefully kept in check by all nations therein. We do know that the Krakow Pact is, essentially, a defensive pact, but we cannot help but fear that Brandenburg may use this alliance as a means to force an annexation of Pommerania and then initiate a world war that may eventually allow them to keep the Pommeranian people unwillingly tied to them.

Thus, we would like to ask the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as all other members of the Krakow Pact, to keep Brandenburg in check so that they may not use their current alliance as a platform to initiate their forceful annexation of Pommerania, which would more than probably provoke an answer from other nations, igniting a great war that will only help to destroy Europe.

We would also like to ask all other nations of Europe, you who clearly do not desire that a war starts, to join behind this petition so prevent Brandenburg from destroying the balance of power.

Signed,
Emperador Felipe Décimo de España
Carlos Moret Santiago, Presidente del Consejo de Ministros del Imperio Español

 

[Lord of Elves]

Although we accept that Brandenburg has the right to ally with any other nation, as it is their prerrogative as an independent nation, we cannot help but be worried by Brandenburg's entrance in the Krakow Pact, especially after the recent attacks on the legal government of Pommerania and Brandenburg's all but directly stated role in them. We are essentially opposed to the formation of a German nation, as this would clearly destroy the balance of power that currently exists in Europe and that is carefully kept in check by all nations therein. We do know that the Krakow Pact is, essentially, a defensive pact, but we cannot help but fear that Brandenburg may use this alliance as a means to force an annexation of Pommerania and then initiate a world war that may eventually allow them to keep the Pommeranian people unwillingly tied to them.

Thus, we would like to ask the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as all other members of the Krakow Pact, to keep Brandenburg in check so that they may not use their current alliance as a platform to initiate their forceful annexation of Pommerania, which would more than probably provoke an answer from other nations, igniting a great war that will only help to destroy Europe.

We would also like to ask all other nations of Europe, you who clearly do not desire that a war starts, to join behind this petition so prevent Brandenburg from destroying the balance of power.

Signed,
Emperador Felipe Décimo de España
Carlos Moret Santiago, Presidente del Consejo de Ministros del Imperio Español

Signed,
His Majesty, Emperor Harold II of Scandinavia, King of Sweden and Norway and,
Chancellor of the Imperial Rikstag, The Honorable Fredrik von Otter

 

[Crezth]

To: Spain
From: The United Kingdom

How rich, coming from the nation that so callously threatened to burn Naples to the ground for a petty distinction. How truly peculiar that you should pretend to be so concerned over the poor Pommeranians being tied to a foreign master, while you sit there with the Sicilians firmly under thumb, such that when they dare speak up you brutally slap them down. How interesting that you should care about the balance of power, that status quo which you exhort us all to uphold for our own benefit, which is really nothing more than the eternal preservation of your own property.

We would advise you keep to your own knitting, just as we keep to ours. We did not intervene when you were dealing with Naples, we would appreciate it if you did the same in the Krakow Pact's dealings with Brandenburg. It is a defensive alliance, nothing more, truly more conducive to your desired status quo than the fragmentation and isolation of otherwise defenseless states.

Signed,
Lord Henry Adelbert, British ambassador to the Spanish Empire

 

[Milarqui]

To: Spain
From: The United Kingdom

How rich, coming from the nation that so callously threatened to burn Naples to the ground for a petty distinction. How truly peculiar that you should pretend to be so concerned over the poor Pommeranians being tied to a foreign master, while you sit there with the Sicilians firmly under thumb, such that when they dare speak up you brutally slap them down. How interesting that you should care about the balance of power, that status quo which you exhort us all to uphold for our own benefit, which is really nothing more than the eternal preservation of your own property.

We would advise you keep to your own knitting, just as we keep to ours. We did not intervene when you were dealing with Naples, we would appreciate it if you did the same in the Krakow Pact's dealings with Brandenburg. It is a defensive alliance, nothing more, truly more conducive to your desired status quo than the fragmentation and isolation of otherwise defenseless states.

Signed,
Lord Henry Adelbert, British ambassador to the Spanish Empire

To: United Kingdom
From: Empire of Spain

It is quite obvious that you have not been paying much attention to the comings and goings of the problems between Spain and Naples, as well as not reading well the actual content of the message we sent to you. However, in terms to maintain a diplomatic correspondence, we will let your uninformed insults fly.

We are not telling the United Kingdom to turn down Brandenburg's admission into the Krakow Pact. We are just asking you to use your influence in Brandenburg to ensure that they will not try to use the Krakow Pact as a platform to provoke a war between the nations of Europe. Whether you do it or not, it is your prerrogative, but we certainly would sleep better if we knew that the United Kingdom is doing its best to help prevent a great war from engulfing the whole world.

 

[Crezth]

To: Spain
From: The United Kingdom

The very fact that you feel the need to be reassured of our desire for peace demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the United Kingdom and her allies in the Krakow Pact. This is the crux of the issue. It goes without saying that we will curb aggression, whenever and wherever we find it, but promoting aggression is not the purpose of a defensive alliance. The members of the Krakow Pact are honor-bound to mutual defense in the case of external aggression. Nothing about aiding one another in annexing Pomerania, I'm afraid.

As for your correspondence with Naples, we don't wish to discuss it, as we respect that the Empire of Spain has business that it must tend to in the name of order. However, comments such as these:

So, if you think you are going to get away from being properly punished for your actions with just a poor and false apology and a series of badly constructed and pitiful excuses, think better: do you prefer burning Naples, or happy Naples?

Can only be construed one way.