staznesVI: The Road to Armageddon

[Insane_Panda]

lies, all lies!!

 

[Gelion]

Fritz Von Braun had just moved to Isfahan. He was one of the few German officers allowed to train the new Persian Army. Marching through the streets like a true descendant of the Prussian Knights he was confident. Confident in his abilities, in his mission and in the fact that he has a lot of work to do. The Empire gave him his orders and he intended to do well. Finally he enters a courtyard. The soldiers were there. Almost like he imagined them – tanned, in funny uniforms, and in disarray. As he came closer he understood why. Some of the soldiers still remained in a line while others chased a young officer with their sabres. The fellow dodged their attacks, hiding behind palm trees, blinding them with water from the fountain, clashing sabres for a few seconds and then dodging again. He was better at it than his adversaries, but he was severely outnumbered. The soldiers became more and more desperate. The chasing intensified. Finally the officer broke through a window and disappeared inside the building. Soldiers chased after him. “That’s the Shah’s Palace! – thought Fritz – “They are my responsibility! The Shah is going to kill me!” He ran to the courtyard as fast as he could trying to prevent a disaster. He was late. Noises of a fight were heard from inside the palace. Pieces of expensive oriental furniture, that Fritz has grown to admire, flew out the windows on the second flour one by one. Then some vases and small statues followed. Fritz was turning from red to pale “How am I going to pay? What of the soldiers? Our agreement with the Persians? God please don’t let my appointment end in this way!” Finally he saw the officer breaking through one of the windows. He stood on the balcony wall for a second, before making a somersault all the way down to the courtyard.

“I shall have your court-martialled! Beheaded!” – Fritz ran to him shouting. “It’s ok Fritz, don’t trouble yourself” said the officer. Then he stood to attention and said “Officer Fath Ali Qajar reporting for duty”. Fritz halted and looked at he officer. Then at the soldiers. They were smiling. Then he looked back at the officer. “God this will be a hell of an assignment!!” he thought. But that’s another story.

OOC: Sorry for the pic guys, the forum is being stubborn.

 

[Sheep]

The Imperial Guiard Reformed

All empires of France have had elite trained Imperial Guard army regiments capabable of much more than the ordinary infantrymen. Mounted units of Imperial Guard were among the first to enter Moscow in the Napoleonic Wars. The Imperial Guard however has come back with avengence.

The Imperial Guard is reposnsible for the saftey of the Emperor and the state. The Imperial nation of France must be kept strong at all costs and these young men give the embodiment of all that is good about France!

VIVE LE FRANCE

Poster child of the French Imperial Guard in full dress uniform standing outside a green building somewhere in Paris

 

[Oruc]

Nope!

 

[Sheep]

Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault. Mounted Officer of the Imperial Guard.
HERO OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE

STANDARD FOR THE FIRST IMPERIAL GUARD REGIMENT

 

[Sheep]

To Spainish Nationalist Order
From France

We can spare 15 divisions to assist you in the defeat of the Alfonsoists of Spain.

 

[Gelion]

OOC: Sheep you are going to have to help me with that pic. For some reason it displays as URL. I know you had the same problem. Help

 

[Sheep]

L'Impérialiste Aujourd'hui​

La France impériale ranime, notre endroit au soleil est garantie​

It has been one year since the Emperor Napoleon IV took the throne from the Republic that was unloved and France has not looked back! The French people are enjoying a new era of prosperity as the goods of the world are brought to the boutiques of Paris, Toulouse, Marseilles, Lyon and other French cities and towns. Indeed this is a great time to be a Frenchman!

As Imperial France re-awakens from its long and enforced slumber, France too re-enters its rightful place in the sun, as a great nation among greats and as a nation whose influence can change history. France shall never be left weak again as the Republicans have allowed it to remain.

France does not look back to the past, but towards the future of a France that is the beacon of enlightment, liberty, fraternity and honour! VIVE LE FRANCE!

L'économie française gronde !​

Since the collapse of the Republic and the ascension to the Imperial throne of Napoleon IV of the House of Bonaparte, the French economy has never looked better! Indeed when the French Republic fell the economy was termed at 'Good Enough', but could France and the Emperor be satisfied with just 'good enough'? NO! France as a great nation deserves more than 'good enough!'

Thus the French Empire sold its most troublesome colony and secured a strategic ally, the Empire of Japan. Japan holds the same ideals as the Empire of France and thus marches along to the future as a brother in arms of the Imperial throne. The sale of Indochina along with intesfication of domestic markets saw the French economy rise to the status of 'Very Rich', yet there is talk that that is not even enough for the French people or its empire! We look forward to the future, filled with prosperity and greatness!

L'empereur Napoleon IV apporte la paix à l'est​

In a stunning move of diplomacy the French Emperor, Napoleon IV has brought superior stateman skills to the Empires of Russia and Austri-Hungary to ensure that peace will remain on their respective borders.

After the Russian absorbtion of the rengade Rumanian provinces and the destruction of Bulgaria after the Bulgarian furative attempt at invading the Ottoman Empire the Russian and Austrian armies stood across the Galician borderlands spoling for a fight. Indeed France is becoming great once more as war is now avoided and thus young men around the world have been saved!

La défaite de l'Espagne est assurée​

The complete collapse of the Alfonsist's in Spain is expected within the next three months. The new Spainish government, recognised by France just three weeks ago, the Spainish Nationalist Council, has agreed to sign the peace treaty that France offered. In it the Spainish colonies captured in the recent war have been annexed by France, one economy level shall be given to France from the Spainish government in reperations. Alfonso will be deposed and the rightful King od Spain, Louis Bonaparte shall be returned from exile.

Together the French and Spainish governments shall work, towards friendship and liberty for all. It is expected that a military alliance with the new Spainish government will be signed within days.

Le terroriste socialiste DAS s'échappe de Marseille ! Réseau mondial de solidarité fatalement nui en France !​

In a stunning turn of events the socialist terrorist known only as DAS escaped capture at the hands of French police able to sail away on the Greek freighter the Naxos from Marseilles. However all is not lost as his son, DAS2, was killed in a skirmish, when he found that he was unable to escape himself.

The Worldwide Socialist Solidarity Network (or whatever they call themselves today) has been fatally harmed in France and their terrorist activities should be curtailed. However as long as the nefidious individual known as DAS roams this earth the French Empire shall not rest in hunting the miscreant down!

 

[Kozmos]

Blast it!I know your all out to get me!You people are even worse then the UN!

YEEEEEEEAAARRRRGGGGHHH!

I`ll send orderz when Symphony D. answers my diplo.

 

[Symphony D.]

OOC: I'm going to be out of town today and I'm still working on some things, so you should have an answer later today.

Also still need that reply, Azale.

 

[das]

The Proletarian questions the wisdom of the French government in writing about a fictional hunt on a fictional character in a (theoretically) serious newspaper.

 

[Azale]

From: Italy
To: Germany

Quite frankly, the moves of Napoleon have worried us. We would like to confirm an alliance with our German friends, something we wish the Austrians could have done aswell. A balance must be maintained in this continent...you as Germany must do something before the scales are tipped for good!

 

[Symphony D.]

Pamphlet in Circulation in all Areas Under Argentine Control Excepting Brazil:

People of South America!​

The dawn of a new century provides us with the possibility for beginning a new age as well. Word of Argentina's decision to allow free elections in your respective countries has no doubt reached you by now. Argentina has kept its word to you, the people, in its promise of allowing voting. However, what you do not yet know is there is a measure which Argentina proposes to include upon the ballots. In light of the turmoil and devastation this war has wrought upon the Southern half of the continent, Argentina proposes the formation of a new state out of the existing nations of lower South America.

The benefits of such a move are obvious: a stronger economy encompassing diverse markets and capable of competing with the world's best, a government elected by the people and charged with representing them as justly as possible, and a strong military capable of defending its citizens. It is clear from this war that mere leagues and alliances do not suffice for protection, nor do they guarantee the civil liberties of citizens in their constituent countries. It is also clear from our history that nationalism has in many ways hampered the growth of our people as we have fought petty wars and held meaningless rivalries with one another. If we are to survive and become a power of any reckoning, such things must come to an end. The only way to do such a thing is to put aside our differences and stand together as one.

We do not presume to impose such sweeping changes on you, the people. Instead, we offer the option to join together with Argentina to form a greater whole out of lesser parts. To give you no choice would make us little better than the governments which we have swept away from your lands. We would like, at this point, to give an excerpt from the Articles of Union which has been drafted by our government and is being circulated in your nations:

The Articles of Union​

Article I – Cessation of Hostilities
1.) The nation in question shall agree to a peace-treaty to officially terminate hostilities. Any remaining military forces involved between the signatories will stand-down from any engagements and will serve only in a peacekeeping function within the national borders of the signatories.
2.) The nation of Argentina shall agree to a peace treaty to officially terminate hostilities. Any remaining military forces involved between the signatories will stand-down from any engagements and will serve only in a peacekeeping function.
Article II – Renunciation of National Sovereignty
1.) The nation in question will agree to the loss of territorial sovereignty for the purposes of forming a unified state.
2.) The nation of Argentina will likewise agree to the loss of territorial sovereignty for the purposes of forming in a unified state.
Article III – Renunciation of Government Rule
1.) The nation in question will disband its government for the purposes of forming a unified state.
2.) The nation of Argentina will likewise agree to disband its government for the purposes of forming a unified state.
Article IV – Establishment of a Unified State
1.) The nation in question and the nation of Argentina will agree to complete integration including, but not limited to the economic, governmental, military, and territorial integration. These will be accomplished in the following manner:
_____a.) The standardization of a single currency, taxation system, stock market, and so on between all member _____territories.
_____b.) The creation of a supranational governmental body representative of all member territories and composing _____an Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch, along with other assorted agencies necessary for the continued _____operation of government. The precise details of this will be discussed in a later document.
_____c.) The combination of all remaining military assets under a single unified command structure tasked with _____protecting the newly created state.
_____d.) The dissolution of prior national borders between member territories and the division of preexisting areas _____into states which will be given limited local government subject to the authority of the federal government.
2.) The nation in question and the nation of Argentina will submit delegates to form an interim government for the term of one year while a more permanent system of government is established.

Effectively, such a union would unite Argentina with your respective country on all levels, making them one state out of many. This would provide full economic and military support to all parties and would eliminate many hard years of rebuilding for all involved, in all areas.

The option to vote for such a union will be included on all ballots in all voting stations administered by Argentine forces. It will be the first option, and will be listed as:

Articles of Union
A "YES" vote for the Articles of Union will result in a vote for incorporation of your respective country with Argentina (or for Argentine voters, with other countries whose majority votes for the proposition), and the formation of an interim government for one year's time prior to popular elections for offices. If you select "YES", go to Section 10 for Interim Candidate Nominations. A "NO" vote for the Articles of Union will result in a vote for maintaining national sovereignty and the remainder of this ballot should be filled out as normal. Please check only ONE box.
YES: []
NO: []

The government of Argentina would like to emphasize that its forces have been informed that they are not to impress, threaten, preach, cajole, or otherwise force this option upon the citizenry of Bolivia, Chile, or Uruguay. Due to the currently unresolved nation of conflict with Brazil, this option is not yet open to their people.

We urge you to think carefully on this matter and consider it well before reaching a decision. The consequences of your vote may change South America, and the world as a whole, forever. We believe such change would be for the better, but we leave it in the hands of the people to decide their future, for it is the government's job to serve the people.

-----​

To: Brazil
From: Argentina
The government of Argentina offers the government of Brazil the following peace treaty:

1.) All Brazilian military forces must stand down and relenquish their arms to Argentine authorities. A general ceasefire will then be declared between both countries.
2.) All high-ranking Brazilian government officials will turn themselves over to Argentine forces for the duration of the vote.
3.) Argentine forces will be permitted to setup and administer a new vote in Brazil which will include the option to vote on the Articles of Union. International parties will be allowed to view the fairness of such a vote and Brazil may call upon whomever it wishes to ensure the fair prosecution of such elections.
4.) If the Articles of Union receives a majority vote in Brazil, no attempts will be made to interfere with the wishes of the people in exercising their rights.
5.) If the Articles of Union fails to receive a majority vote in Brazil, the new government of Brazil will sign a permanent NAP with the government of Argentina, and will submit to having a military force no larger than 25 Divisions and 10 Squadrons in perpetuity. It must also submit any future military alliances with other powers to review by the Argentine government.

 

[Kozmos]

To: Brazil
From: Argentina
The government of Argentina offers the government of Brazil the following peace treaty:

1.) All Brazilian military forces must stand down and relenquish their arms to Argentine authorities. A general ceasefire will then be declared between both countries.

Argentine forces retreat from Brazil.The military of Brazil stands down and a genereal casefire is declared.Brazil keep its arms and military.

2.) All high-ranking Brazilian government officials will turn themselves over to Argentine forces for the duration of the vote.

Unacceptable.We do not turn over innocent people for no reason.

3.) Argentine forces will be permitted to setup and administer a new vote in Brazil which will include the option to vote on the Articles of Union. International parties will be allowed to view the fairness of such a vote and Brazil may call upon whomever it wishes to ensure the fair prosecution of such elections.

We are capable of holding elections ourselves.We do not need Argentina to look over us.However we will allow Argentina to send its observers to see the elections are fair.After elections we will hold a referendum on this Article of Union.

4.) If the Articles of Union receives a majority vote in Brazil, no attempts will be made to interfere with the wishes of the people in exercising their rights.

No objections here.

5.) If the Articles of Union fails to receive a majority vote in Brazil, the new government of Brazil will sign a permanent NAP with the government of Argentina, and will submit to having a military force no larger than 25 Divisions and 10 Squadrons in perpetuity. It must also submit any future military alliances with other powers to review by the Argentine government.

Unnaceptable.We will sign a permanent NAP with Argentina but we will not allow our military to be limited in any way.

OOC:My AIM is hind38 if you need to contact me.

 

[Symphony D.]

OOC: [EDIT] Ok, apparently I'm not going anywhere today, so expect an answer sooner.

Also, Azale, I was reviewing stats and neither my project or tech went up this turn. Should we include them in orders?

 

[das]

About the pamphlet - SOMEONE claimed that they didn't want to annex anyone? I request that neutral observers are invited to make sure the elections are fair. I suggest Switzerland, Sweden-Norway and Germany.

EDIT:

As for the treaty...

1.) All Brazilian military forces must stand down and relenquish their arms to Argentine authorities. A general ceasefire will then be declared between both countries.

Um... That's rather unfair. I believe that both armies should withdraw to pre-war borders, perhaps with a small DMZ along the border.

2.) All high-ranking Brazilian government officials will turn themselves over to Argentine forces for the duration of the vote.

No, they won't. They should turn themselves over to a neutral authority invited to oversee the elections - if to anyone at all.

3.) Argentine forces will be permitted to setup and administer a new vote in Brazil which will include the option to vote on the Articles of Union. International parties will be allowed to view the fairness of such a vote and Brazil may call upon whomever it wishes to ensure the fair prosecution of such elections.

So, in effect, Argentinean forces are to occupy Brazil for the duration of the vote? I believe that Brazil is perfectly qualified to do it itself, or at least a neutral power could.

4.) If the Articles of Union receives a majority vote in Brazil, no attempts will be made to interfere with the wishes of the people in exercising their rights.

What if it is a narrow majority with a large minority being opposed to it? Would you risk setting alight a civil war in Brazil in your drive to annex a country just because it happens to be so close to you?

5.) If the Articles of Union fails to receive a majority vote in Brazil, the new government of Brazil will sign a permanent NAP with the government of Argentina, and will submit to having a military force no larger than 25 Divisions and 10 Squadrons in perpetuity. It must also submit any future military alliances with other powers to review by the Argentine government.

So, in effect, if the majority of the people of Brazil don't want anything to do with Argentina Brazil will *only* become an Argentinean client state. No, this draconian proposal is outrageous. Let the people in Brazil also vote whether they want their military forces limited, and whether they want to indeed agree to this treaty. Hold a referendum. Lets see the turnout.

I believe that a neutral authority should propose a just and fair peace treaty.

 

[Kamilian]

From Austria-Hungary
To Italy:

From: Italy
To: Germany

Quite frankly, the moves of Napoleon have worried us. We would like to confirm an alliance with our German friends, something we wish the Austrians could have done aswell. A balance must be maintained in this continent...you as Germany must do something before the scales are tipped for good!

What are you implying? Are you implying that I'm plotting against either you, or our German brethren?
Since when does a mutual defense pact signify a threatening aggressive maneuver?

From Austria-Hungary
To France:

the Russian and Austrian armies stood across the Galician borderlands spoling for a fight

Hardly. There were no border maneuvers by either side, I assure you. There were maybe concerns on our side about Russian movement into Romania, but we were not gearing up for war with our eastern neighbor.
You have statemanship skill, but don't presume too much.

OOC: Orders PM-ed.

 

[das]

The True Story of the Battle for Mexico City - Part the First

Hello. Don't be afraid, I am not going to take away your mug - I am a peaceful chap. This scar is not from a bar fight, but from a war.

Curious? Which war? Well, wait. Barman, just give me the usual. Yes, its me, I came back.

It was the Mexican War. Yes, the last one. The one with the Yankees.

Whose side was I on? Odd question. I was with the Liberty Brigades.

---

Michael Robertson knew this kind of inns quite well. Into those slums, the police rarely dared venture, and when it did it rarely bothered to enter one of those inns. And even if they did, they wouldn't have really cared about the red flag of the International hoisted on the wall.

And wouldn't have bothered to listen to the agitators here. At least this time they weren't explaining to the people that they were poor, and that some people who were richer then they were stupid asses. That was a rather silly thing to do as everybody knew that already. This time, a different agitator was becrying American imperialism. Posters were glued to the walls randomly, with the main message being that you should join the Liberty Brigades, see Mexico, meet interesting Yankee bastards and kill them in an interesting way. Not exactly how they put it.

"All men of conscience, all men of honor - all men who are WORTH ANYTHING here - must join the Fight. This isn't just some socialism versus capitalism, imperialism versus isolationism... its Justice against Crime!

Men of London! People from all over the world rallied to the banner of Liberty and went to fight in Mexico, to "live a short life of a hawk rather then a long life of a raven". Do your hearts not cry for glory? For justice? For LIBERTY? Are you cowards, are you any worse then the others?"

"We're smarter." - smirked the barman quietly.

"Are the British a nation of shopkeepers that cannot stand up and fight? I call you, TRUE Englishmen like myself, to JOIN THE LIBERTY BRIGADES! Lets give McKinley a shove! The Yanks and their friends think they already won the war - well lets damn prove them wrong, men!"

Mexico, Robertson thought. Mexico. Some god-forsaken faraway country where "the People" fought some fat landowners. Just like in Ireland. But anyhow - Mexico. Who needs the friggin' desert?

As if reading his mind, the agitator, a young fair-haired man with a booming voice added - "Some of you might ask - why fight for Mexico? It is so far away, why should I care? But you must! The American Imperialism is on the march, and one day they might want to come here. Lets give them a beating there, a lesson that they won't soon forget! Besides... life is unfair, is it not? But we - men of action - cannot fight for justice here, for here it is a battle of words. We can however fight THERE! We can prove that we are men, we can turn this into a message TO THE WORLD that such blatant warmongering will always be punished, and that now not small nation could be crushed by some tyrant just because that's what pleases him! Lets prove to the world that we - the PEOPLE! - have power. Those of you who want to join the Liberty Brigades - come here tomorrow, at ten."

Tomorrow. At ten. Robertson suddenly realized that he actually wanted to go there - not for justice or any other such idiocy, but for the sake of it. Life was boring here, after all, and the old soldier in him wanted another war. Just one more war.

---

They told us to come to that bar again at ten, to join the Brigades. I have to admit that I did it... because I didn't have anything better to do. To be true, life was - and still is - deadly dull here. That's a whole reason to join the Brigades - not because of ideals, but to have something exciting. To participate in something great, in something... that is worth participating in.

That was why I came. I joined the Third Brigade - that is, I was marked to join it and along with the others I then travelled to France. All expenses paid, ofcourse.

 

[North King]

From: Italy
To: Germany

Quite frankly, the moves of Napoleon have worried us. We would like to confirm an alliance with our German friends, something we wish the Austrians could have done aswell. A balance must be maintained in this continent...you as Germany must do something before the scales are tipped for good!

We of course guarantee your independence in the face of any agressors.

 

[Concona]

To Argentine
From Chile: We are happy that you see for yourself that war is not the only option, I Dano Di Concona president of Chile regrets the fact that it doesn't personally speaks towards the country's and didn't welcome me as the new elected president of Chile.

We also think (our party and therefore the people) that an Union is way to soon to even think about. We saw you as a friend but you annexated us, and therefore we do not trust you at the fullest, it takes time to fully trust you again.

We thought turoughly through this but we decided to decline your humble proposal.

Yours sincerely,

President of Chile and leader of the Partido Laborista Chile or PLC