December World - game thread

[Seon]

North German Federation counter-mobilizes in response. May God help us all.

 

[Immaculate]

From the Desk of the North German Chancellery

Deeply concerned about the full extent of the Russian demands made upon the Ottoman State and the tacit acceptance of Italian influence on the Balkans including Serbia and Croatia, the nation of North German Federation sees little option but to seek redress in favor of the Turkish state.

The nations of: Shogunate of Japan, the Greatest and Most Illustrious Commune of France, Empire of Portugal and Brazil, Union of North America, Confederate States of America, Royal British Commonwealth, Republic of Poland, Kingdom of Sweden, and the Kingdom of Buganda hereby declare the following:

That

1.The current demands imposed upon the Ottoman State by the Russian Directory is unacceptable to the civilized powers around the world. The ultimatum must be recanted in full, and the Signatory Powers shall use full range of diplomatic options available to them in order to bring necessary pressure to achieve this goal.

2. The Signatory Powers hereby reaffirm Polish Sovereignty within its current borders, and that Russia must accept that its concerns have been effectively addressed by current concessions offered by the Republic of Poland.

3. The Signatory Powers hereby pledge to defend each other with commensurate responses to any perceived Russian aggression to any Signatory Powers as a result of this declaration.


The Council of Savant hereby votes in favor of the motion.

Bugyō Ōta Ieyasu, director of Shogunate Foreign Affairs, signs the Accord

We join with Denmark-Norway in noting that the Shogunate does not wish for the tensions to escalate past the diplomatic stage.

We also note that the primary point of concerns are in Europe and not in the Pacific. We invite the Pacific Directory (@Kyzarc Fotjage) to discuss this issue further.

 

[tobiisagoodboy]

Italy takes back its support for the Russian Ultimatum and declares neutrality.

 

[Seon]

Well, uh, okay then.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

The Confederate States mobilizes in response as well.

 

[JohannaK]

Understanding that this upcoming conflict is chiefly a European one, concerning European interests, Indostan wishes to remain neutral. However, we would see mobilisation by Britain as a threat to the terms of the Treaty of Hong Kong, and in the event of such mobilisation we would be forced to respond in kind. We are also affirming our status as guardians of the Treaty of Odessa, and will militantly guarantee the independence and neutrality of Kurdistan and Armenia, should they wish to declare it.

 

[Marcher Jovian]

Poland signs and counter-mobilizes.

 

[tobiisagoodboy]

In light of the escalating International Situation, Italy will hereby specify the conditions of its neutrality.

1.The Italian Army, due to the nations neutrality, will not be mobilized. The Italian forces stationed in Greece will however remain there in their current strenght, to protect the Hellenic nation until this crisis has been resolved, unless the Greek goverment demands a reduction or complete removal of the Italian presence.

2. The Strait of Messina and all Italian waters (defined as any waters in a 20 nautical miles range from the Italian shoreline, of course the waters of Sardinia-Piedmont are not included) are until further notice completly closed to any foreign military vessel, unless specifically allowed by the Italian Goverment. The Russian Naval forces are at the moment considered guest of the Italian Republic, as are their crews. As long as they inside of Italian ports, they can expect our hospitality and protection. However they moment they set sail and leave italian waters this status ends.

3.The Italian Navy will, in case war breaks out, patrol Italian waters in full force and provide protection to every civillian ship inside of them, no matter the flag they fly. Any attack on civillian ships in our waters will be answered with force, any Military vessel entering our waters will be given adequate warnings to leave. If those are ignored, these ships will be seized by the Italian Navy and the vessel and crew interned until the end of the war or until an agreement with the responsible goverment has been achieved.

4. Italy makes it clear that it will continue to trade with every nation that is a part of this conflict. However we wil not supply any "biased" support to any party in this conflict.

 

[Jehoshua]

To: the Empire of Portugal-Brazil
From: The Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont

Regretfully it would appear that events pertaining to the Sublime-Porte have brought the civilised world to the brink of war. We wish to note that Sardinia-Piedmont, considering the weariness of her people of war given our recent conflicts with the Communards will consider itself neutral on the matter of war against Russia (should it eventuate) unless the Empire of Portugal-Brazil specifically invokes our alliance.

We hope that the Empire will not see fit to invoke our allegiance given the aforementioned circumstances, and given our Kingdom's role in such a conflict is likely to be negligible even if involved given the theatre and scope it would entail.

-

OOC Note [will remain neutral should war eventuate with Russia unless you specifically invoke the alliance. Noting also we do not want you to do so given the war-weariness situation]

 

[NinjaCow64]

The Royal British Commonwealth does not consider itself at a state of war nor will it mobilise unless Russia infringes upon British territory, per our understanding with the Coalition of Russia. However, we will use use a wide range of political options to bring great pressure to bear on the Russian State to meet the Coalition’s demands. We will start by cutting off all diplomatic contact with Russia.

 

[Decamper]

From Directorial Russia
To the Ottoman State

On the 11th of January, the Foreign Directory presented you with a short memorandum containing Russian concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the Balkans and along the Black Sea Coast. This memorandum went ignored. This is unfortunately not unusual for us: similar memorandums regarding Turkey's alliance with Hungary, or its invasion of Persia, were initially ignored.

Russia has a keen cultural, political, and humanitarian interest because of our long-standing ties with the inhabitants. Russian culture and religion has incredibly strong ties to the region and despite conquest by the Turkish Empire we have maintained those close relations. We are intimately aware that the inhabitants of these regions have repeatedly demonstrated a strong desire for greater autonomy or independence from Ottoman rule. We don't need to remind you of the Great Balkan Rebellion: the current back and forth of assassination, repression, and terrorist attacks keep it in the mind of every inhabitant. We do need to remind you of the petition made of the Majles al-Shura of the Crimean Tatars for independence back in 1890, that has remained unaddressed.

The Ottoman State has a demonstrated history of ignoring growing crises until they require immediate resolution. As our initial memorandum was ignored, much like the other initial diplomatic notes sent before it, we are faced with the unfortunate requirement for escalation in order to preserve Russian interests.

Russia requires:

1. Ottoman withdrawal from the Balkans, which includes but is not exclusive to recognized Bulgarian, Serbian, and Hellenic majority regions to be turned over to their respective nation-states.
2. A recognition of Russia's future role as the chief stabilizing force in the Balkans, which will involve us taking the lead in organizing these newly independent nations due to our close cultural ties.
3. Ottoman withdrawal from Crimea, to be turned over to Russian control pending a final resolution of its political status, to be determined in consultation with the Russian minority in Aqyar and the Tatar Majles Al-Shura.
4. Special privileges in Konstantiniyye, because of its key importance to the development of early Russian culture and faith, including extraterritoriality for Russian nationals, toll-free passage through the Bosphorus, Russian political control of important religious heritage sites, and a military delegation in the city to take over security duties.

Russia hopes the Ottoman State will cooperate with these decisive actions intended to restore stability in the Balkans. If not, we are prepared to use a wide range of political options to bring great pressure to bear on the Ottoman State in order to effect these demands.

From the Ottoman State
To Directorial Russia
CC Coalition

We reject your demands in full.

The Russian funded terrorism in the Balkans, during a time of peace and state building on both the side of the Ottoman State and the Balkan peoples within its borders, is a disgrace.

The Ottoman State is prepared to defend its Balkan territories, as well as the right of those territories to work with the Ottoman State to negotiate their own futures without interference from foreign powers.

 

[Ahigin]

The map is updated and shared in the top post of this thread. Links, lists of players, etc. - everything should be up to date as well.

Early orders deadline for Update 10, i.e., all economic, domestic, and diplomatic orders are due by: February 4, 2019, 9 am CST
Late orders deadline for Update 10, i.e., all military orders are due by: February 11, 2019, 11 pm CST.

 

[Seon]

Russia rejects the demands of the pro-genocide coalition out of hand and mobilizes.

North German Federation's ambassador asks for clarification. Is this a declaration of war against the coalition? Would Russian troops be mobilizing as we speak in St. Petersburg and the Polish borders?

 

[Traveller76]

The United Mexican States declares neutrality.

Signed Porfirio Díaz, President of Mexico
Espiridion Hector Lobo, Secretariat of Foreign Affairs

 

[Shadowbound]

North German Federation's ambassador asks for clarification. Is this a declaration of war against the coalition? Would Russian troops be mobilizing as we speak in St. Petersburg and the Polish borders?

As the foremost advocates of peace and prosperity in Europe, the Russian Commonwealth and the North German Federation have reached a tentative agreement for compromise about the Balkans. Rising tensions between Moscow and a coalition of nations concerned about the balance of power have regrettably pushed Europe to the brink of war. But, rejoice, keen diplomatic minds have found a solution!

As part of its commitment to this lasting harmony and friendship between nations Russia withdraws its ultimatum and announces it is demobilizing, pending a similar North German announcement of demobilization. We will meet North German representatives in Riga over the coming week to hash out the final terms of the arrangement and settle Russian concerns about the instability in the Balkans.

 

[Marcher Jovian]

Poland announces demobilization.

 

[Seon]

North German Federation reminds the Russian Commonwealth that NGF does not, in fact, own the Balkans, and that it cannot actually promise any solid compromise terms as of this moment without consultation with the Ottoman Empire.

However, with this withdrawal of the ultimatum and announcement of its demobilization, NGF admits that the Coalition have reached its objectives. NGF announces its demobilization and continued commitment to peace in Europe. We give reassurance to our partners in the coalition and few interested parties outside of it that we will not forget their aid and diplomatic support, and will be repaying this favor back ten folds in due time.

We invite the Ottoman representatives to Riga in order to work out a workable compromise in the Balkans.

 

[Shadowbound]

...[the] NGF does not, in fact, own the Balkans,

Sounds like a personal problem

 

[Ahigin]

Midsummer Crisis, July 1896

While the Congress of Riga continued to play out in its glory, its complexity, and its hypocrisy, Sultan Mehmet Selim I continued brooding over the depressing news he kept receiving from his diplomats. As much as he could see, the motley Anti-Russian Coalition wasn't particularly invested in preserving the Ottoman territorial integrity - at least, not at the cost of having to fight the Russian behemoth. From bits and pieces of information, it looked that the creation of the Balkan Federation - a geopolitical construct that he himself had created in hopes to preserve the Balkans as a satellite or, at least, an ally - was also no longer on the table. Angered by what he saw as a treason and de-facto partitioning on his beloved Sublime State, Mehmet Selim I eventually sent a telegram to Riga, ordering his diplomatic delegation to leave the city in protest to the nature of the negotiations taking place. Simultaneously, telegrams were sent to the Ottoman diplomatic missions in Petrograd, Frankfurt, Paris, Lisbon, and even Edo, instructing them to prepare for a possible declaration of war to all powers that wish to test the Empire's resolve.

Little did the "Young Sultan" know that his diplomatic notes were intercepted by various government factions and deemed absolutely unacceptable in their blind denial of the geopolitical reality. Soon, Mehmet Selim I found himself put under a house arrest for a brief period of time (officially, receiving special treatment due to his deteriorating health), but less than three days later he was found dead in his bed, having overdosed on his sleep medication (possibly, having committed suicide). The news were kept secret for another five days, during which his body was preserved in a refrigerating unit of the Edirne palace. At the same time, several court factions struggled to reach some sort of a compromise on the course of action. Eventually, a palace servant spread the news throughout the city, and the truth had to be admitted (at least, an embellished version of it). Hoping to buy themselves time for a peaceful and orderly transition to a new, yet undefined successor, the Grand Divan hurried to accept the current state of the deal negotiated in Riga, but that proved to be one big mistake. This exposed the weakness of the state formed by the departed Sultan as a replacement for the old-fashioned, yet functional Sublime Porte, and many more political factions arose virtually overnight to start a brutal game of political backstabbing and cabinet intrigue. Administrations and provisional governments rose and fell with an almost sub-atomic speed, with the longest-living cabinet surviving for exactly 78 hours.


This left the powers driving the Congress of Riga in a strange position. On the one hand, they knew that the very deal that they had just more or less agreed to was accepted by the last stable Ottoman government. It also looked like the chaos in the Ottoman State could be later exploited to the many major powers' advantage. Yet, it was also clear that the nation had not yet disintegrated, and it was unclear what faction or ideology would emerge triumphant in the end of the events dubbed the Midsummer Crisis. It looked like the decision had to be made in a fog of uncertainty about the very subject of the deal.

(OOC: This is NOT a crisis update (i.e., I'm not giving you a chance to send your units to respond to these events - they unfold way too quickly and over too short period of time for any nation to react. This is, however, a statement of Decamper's resignation as the Ottoman player (he had a great run, and I thank him for the participation, and I hope to see him back eventually). The future Ottoman regime will be determined by a dice roll. It will be fun.

Other players: consider that whatever you agreed upon by yesterday (whatever you shared with me) was accepted by the Ottoman State. Any changes past that point may or may not be rejected. In fact, the Ottoman reaction to any changes at this point is utterly unpredictable. Deal with it, and have fun.)

 

[jackelgull]

I already got agihin's approval, I'm gonna be joining the Ottomans next turn and abandoning Deseret to its fate