Prime Minister Johan Lentz looked around in the small room. The situation was critical and he had assembled his closest advisors, the military leaders and king Frederik VI for a discussion on the proper cause of action. Apart from the king, the foreign minister, the minister of the treasury, the admiral of the fleet, the marshall of the army and the minister of internal affairs were all present.
Looking at each face in turn Lentz cleared his throat and began.
"I've asked you to join me here in order to brief you on the current situation and ask you all your opinions. Relations between us and Sweden are deteriorating rapidly and we must decide on a course of action. We are allied with Russia and France, so we are relatively safe if we can trust them to honor their allegiance. Sweden are as yet unallied, but seem to be getting closer to the Pope and Spain. Recent news also say that Spain and the Ottomans have allied and you all know that relations between Russia and the Ottomans aren't the best. The situation, is highly unstable. The goal of this government has always been the restoration of our rightful lands, but initial contact with Sweden over a diplomatic solution has fallen on deaf ears.
Gentlemen, we must face the fact that whether we want it or not, we can find ourselves at war soon. The questions we need to look at is if we are ready or not, if we shall pursue a peaceful solution or launch an attack ourselves. And keep in mind that regardless what, the choice might not be in our hands." Lentz looked at Michael Taasinge, the foreign minister. "Michael, update us on the situation, please".
"The situation is as follows. Currently we are allied with Russia and France, and, as an extension of this, also with Augsburg, though that is defensive. We also have a treaty of no aggression with Brunswick.
The Russians seem to have a minor crisis with Spain and relations are uneasy between them and the Ottomans. This is further complicated by the new Ottoman-Spanish alliance. Spain is also allied with Venice and the Pope. Sweden appears to be considering joining this alliance.
Should wars erupt the major areas of conflict appears to be the sea, the Swedish borders, the French-Spanish border and potentially in the Balkans. Potentially it could be the twenty-year war all over and on an even bigger scale. I would advise a course of peace as we might lose Norway if the Russians are occupied otherwhere."
"Thank you Michael." Lentz looked around. "Admiral Struensee, what is the condition of the fleet?"
"The fleet is ready for combat. We have recently concluded a series of training exercises and should it come to battle against the Swedes our fleet is strong enough to defeat theirs. Also, the first of the new Tordenskjold class ships of the line will be entering service next year. These are bigger than anything else in our fleet and will be an unpleasent surprise for the Swedes. One on one they are stronger than anything else that we know of. New protective systems will shield the crew better against enemy fire, the cannons have longer range and there are three gundecks carrying a total of 112 cannons. Several other improvements have been made, but I won't bore you with the technical details. Suffice it to say that these will rule the seas for decades to come. Gaining control of the seas will not be a problem."
"Admiral, we thank you. General von Slesvig, what is the status of the army?"
"The army is ready to fight, though I will not advise any action against Sweden. Their army is stronger than ours having both more men, better equipment and, sadly, better leadership. Our only hope against them is Russian intervention forcing them to split their forces in two. For now the army is not ready for any action and I can't emphasize strongly enough my opposition against any attack. We can fight a defensive war, but not an offensive. Furthermore, it will be a long time before we can due to the ressources diverted to the fleet. If war comes we might lose Norway"
Nodding Lentz turned to the minister of the treasury, count von Loeve. "Count, how are our coffers?"
"The treasury advises against war. We might do well at first, but Sweden are stronger economically than us and should we lose ground in Norway it will be even worse. We are not in a financial position to fight."
"Mr. Johansson, how do the people feel?"
"As always the people do not want war. War is disruptive, raises taxes, damages property and kills people. They do not want it. Reports say though that Snaphanerne in Scania are ready to rise up and support us if we aid them."
Turning to the king Lentz bowed formally. "Your majesty, while you rule only in name we do value your opinion. How do you feel about all this?"
Rising slowly to his feet the king looked around. "My ancestor lost the entire kingdom by going to war. I do not wish to see that happen again, but also we cannot just ignore our people who are just now living in Sweden. I advise to continue negotiations and make the Swedes see reason. At the very least we must have Scania back. It is our by right and has been so since the beginning of time"
Lentz looked around. "Am I right then in assuming that the general advice here is to continue negotiations and do what we can to prevent a war?" A chorus of "Ayes" came from the assembled men. "I thank you gentlemen. I will send instructions to Stockholm and invite the Swedish Prime Minister here for negotiations. If we can avoid a war, then we must do so. Meeting adjourned."
