[BoP: 1910] Balance of Power: Europe 1910 - Game Thread

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Indivisibiliter ac inseparabiliter

Demanding Peace

Based upon faulty and possibly fraudulent intelligence sources, the German military has begun to mobilize and threaten peace in Europe. Their Foreign Ministry offered to de-mobilize only on the condition that a non-aggression pact is offered and signed by the Nouvelle Entente.

Since then:
- France has offered a non-aggression pact.
- France clarified it speaks for the Nouvelle Entente.
- Russia confirmed it will sign a non-aggression pact.
- Italy has confirmed it will sign a non-aggression pact.
- Our foreign ministry confirms it will sign a non-aggression pact.

In spite of these numerous overtures to appease the Germans' demands, no commitments have been made to de-mobilize. In our continued and blatantly clear commitment to peace, the Nouvelle Entente formally extends an offer of a non-aggression pact to Germany and demands it commits to immediately de-mobilize its military. We wish to see whether German actions will match their rhetoric or if they are seeking to inflame Europe in war.
 
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Germany Signs Non-Aggression Pact

Upon Austria-Hungary finally offering to sign a non-aggression pact with the German Empire on behalf of the Nouvelle Entente, we rejoice in doing so. This is a great step towards peace in Europe.

Germany will not apologise to any Entente powers, as previously demanded by France, but will cease mobilising and keep the borders open as promised.

We will consider offensives against our allies a breach of this agreement.


Gott mit uns!
 
(Howdy folks. Since the previous player has stepped out, I am now filling in. And hoo wee. Do I got some things to solve and do. My predecessor well... let's just say I am not of the same approach. Also, still getting grips with this BoP's situation so bear with me)

Belgium would like to state that it intends to maintain its neutrality in regards to the affairs of the greater alliances, as per the treaty of London has dictated- Belgium honours its obligation to this day.

King Albert has grown restless and unhappy at the state of events within Belgian parliament, and that of the affairs of the Congo.

We are publicly decreeing that the outrages suffered in Congo, the barbarism and negligence associated with colonial officials is now warranting a full on investigation and an increase in proper police training and funding for the colony, in addition to scholarship programs for aspiring Congolese and Belgians alike. As a nation ruled by King Albert through the grace of god almighty, the welfare and long term stability of the people is to be respected. No longer is Congo to be a location of misery and exploitation. The first step is to establish order, to hold trial within the convenes of respectful law and to punish those who be found guilty of criminal behaviour.

The second step, is to enlighten and uplift. Belgium aims to provide useful education to the Congolese, especially promoting agricultural and industrial applications in both the usage of new technologies and even with pioneering the sciences behind these industries to help provide increased work opportunities and to bring the Congolese into the fold of being respected subjects proper of the Belgian state. If our colony of Congo, and the homeland of Belgium as a whole is to be successful, we must equip our populace with the right tools to succeed. The pain and horror is over. The time for learning and healing is now.

In addendum to this, Belgium is pursuing the construction and financing of various universities, and will have its doors open for foreign nationals- including our German neighbours, who may have been receiving mixed messages what with recent border developments.

There has been indictments of abuse of party power by previous government officials, which has now been remedied with scrutiny from their fellow parliament members and a review of policy, and of course, the diligence of King Albert.

While there is indeed growing concern among our populace, and government, that hostile behaviour between our fellow European nations is alarmingly evident- which is what spurred such drastic (and quite frankly, redundant) defensive improvements; the proliferation of warfare is only going to bring great ruin among our nations. Trade and commerce, the free flow of ideas and knowledge, and the risk to life and stability is not worth sacrificing in the name of pride and war like gesturing. Are we not enlightened nations, pioneering progress in all manner of different forms? Do we not have a moral responsibility to the welfare of our citizens, our people? To not throw away their lives?

There has been a shift of alliances, that we could have not possibly have foreseen. Austria Hungary has befriended the Russian Empire- where after harsh conflict in Bosnia, the common opinion was that the two great nations were not even on speaking terms. Germany and Austria Hungary, former trading partners, have changed their relations with each other when for numerous years large percentages of their respective economies have relied upon each other's support. Britain and Russia- although long time rivals have now truly bittered their relations over what is effectively a very far and distant concord in the orient- a situation that could've been avoided if communication was more prevalent.

Belgium has its own sins and issues to look after. And the sin shall be cleansed, rectified and paid great heed to. We urge every nation to do the same- we are of a modern era, and this posturing for war is a grave concern that we do not foresee ending with glory and triumph, only ruin and misery. We ask that for the sake of your own people, for your neighbours, that dialogue and diplomacy is given a chance before it is too late.
 
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Danish-Norwegian Defensive Alliance
King Haakon VII is glad to accept the invitation into a defensive alliance. May there be peace in our time!

Herein are the conditions referenced by the Danish goverbnment
-Norway and Denmark will not attack each other in case war breaks out.
-Norway and Denmark are not allowing nations to attack the other from their territory. However, it would be acceptable for our allies to use our bases and harbors for any other means.
-If Denmark is caught allowing access for other nations to attack Norway (by land or through its sea or other ports) or vice-versa, the defensive alliance between Norway and Denmark will be void

Norway Accepts the Non-Agression Pacts offered by France, Italy and Austria-Hungary
Following the resolution of conflict in Europe, Norway accepts the return to stability proposed by the Nouvelle Entente. Norway wishes to reiterate that it already holds a non-aggression pact with the Russian Empire.

May this new state of affairs result in prosperity for all nations. Huzzah

King Haakon VII
 
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The lord is my aid​

Danish-Norwegian Defensive Alliance

King Frederick VIII confirms his commitment. We will respect all terms. May an everlasting peace reign paramount between our peoples.

Denmark joins the Nouvelle Entente

Denmark has decided to join the Nouvelle Entente under the following terms:
Denmark will not join unmotivated wars of conquest or aggression;
Denmark will be allowed to sign a defensive alliance with Norway.
May prosperity, peace and freedom guide and illuminate our future.

Non agression pact with Germany

King Frederick VIII is more than glad to join his new allies in signing a mutual non agression pact with Germany. We simply and politely ask a public confirmation from Germany.

New Belgian route

We are really glad to express our deep admiration for the path taken by Belgium. We wish you success and prosperity.

Frederick VIII
 
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Danish Alignment
Germany is saddened to hear that Denmark sided with the Nouvelle Entente and did not remain neutral. We are also surprised since the Danish economy relies so much on British and German trade, and we are sure they will feel the financial consequences of this decision.

Germany does not have a non-aggression pact with Denmark in particular, but with the Nouvelle Entente which Denmark benefits from nonetheless.


Gott mit uns!
 
Grikiard said:
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Danish Alignment
Germany is saddened to hear that Denmark sided with the Nouvelle Entente and did not remain neutral. We are also surprised since the Danish economy relies so much on British and German trade, and we are sure they will feel the financial consequences of this decision.

Germany does not have a non-aggression pact with Denmark in particular, but with the Nouvelle Entente which Denmark benefits from nonetheless.


Gott mit uns!


Montenegro is concerned that Germany has implied trade embargoes against countries siding with the Nouvelle Entente. While We, as well as our allies in the Balkan Brotherhood, remain neutral, any such actions would surely raise tensions in an already tense environment. We fear Europe sits atop a powderkeg, and in this time of heated heads and shifting of long-standing agreements, it would only take the smallest spark to destroy the entire continent.

If martial ambitions must be fulfilled, We urge other nations to focus not on rival countries, but those who truly threaten everything we have built, and seek to build. Pagan tyrants in distant lands, bandit kings in far flung territories, and the ever-present threat of piracy and banditry on international trade routes surely demand more military attention than a changing of alliances, especially when new agreements have been made. Set aside the old in-fighting and let us build a new, beautiful future together, as friends and allies rather than deadly enemies.​
 
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The Lord is my aid​

Diplomacy issues with the United Kingdom and Germany

After we publicly expressed that we had started negotiations with the Nouvelle Entente the United Kingdom contacted us
to have us sign a non aggression pact with Germany. Although they attempted to hide their meaning behind veiled threats, their intent was unmistakable. They clearly tried to force us into signing an agreement by threatening us with a repetition of the horrible events of 1864. If that was not enough, they even warned us that we will be  sorrounded on all sides if a war between them and the Nouvelle Entente breaks out. That's why we decided to join the Nouvelle Entente in a Defensive Alliance. Now we are even economically threatened by Germany, who claim to be part of a Defensive Alliance themselves. May the world know who is going to ruin the peace I and the Nouvelle Entente are working for. Therefore it is our king main concern to directly ask his majesty Edward VII and his highness Wilhelm II to change their foreign ministers or to remind them that threats can only bring hatred or repercussions. We reassure that we, alongside our allies  have no interests in a meaningless war of conquest. That being said we confirm our goodwill and our desire to sign a non agression pact with Germany. If the United Kingdom and Germany fail to lower their tones we will be more than glad to only speak with Norway or the Ottoman Empire. Lastly we want to praise the diplomacy of Norway. The United Kingdom and Germany could learn much from it.

Foreign minister of the Kingdom of Denmark Erik Scavenius
 
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[size=10pt]TENNIS



Negotiations are complete and Sweden joins the Nouvelle Entente

The Kingdom of Sweden is glad to announce that the Negotiations ended completely satisfactory, and now from now on Sweden will be a full member of the New Entente.
An final attempt was made by the German Empire, on behalf of the Tripartite Alliance, to join them instead, offering industrial support, sharing of research, licenses to build german military equipment and favorable trade deal. These fell on deaf ears, however, as the Kingdom of Sweden is outraged about the threats the Tripartite Alliance made towards our Scandinavian brothers in Denmark! These attempts to coerce the sovereign Kingdom of Denmark into their alliance show the whole world how this Tripartite Alliance only serves as a tool for the imperialistic ambitions of its Members, and their disrespect towards the minor nations of Europe. This was the final straw that made us bring the negotiations to and end, and the Kingdom of Sweden feels completely justified in joining the Nouvelle Entente.

King Gustaf V of Sweden
 
Belgium is disappointed in the fumed decisions these alliances have brought... they should follow the Belgian example.

Belgium is proud to announce the following policies and events- including an invitation to a number of nation states!

Belgium has agreed to the following agreements with both France and Germany!

An agricultural industrial and horticultural research agreement with the German state shall be enacted within Belgian universities, the finds devoted to improving the science of agriculture with increasing yields and sustainability of crop, and improving production models of common farming equipment such as tractors.

Civilian road and rail infrastructural endeavors with France! The new routes shall connect some of our most liveliest cities together for increased transit between our citizens and to bolster our economy. Similar offers for our other neighbours are of course, welcome, as Belgium wishes to become a hub of European commerce and a symbol of peace in our time. A nation to where all of our European brethren and sisters can come, enjoy themselves, learn and obtain profit.


We also have a special announcement for The Congo:



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We invite the following nations to send dignitaries of their choosing to our colony of the Congo for an exotic safari, to showcase our up and coming colony and the reforms it has made, as well as the brilliant and exotic array of wildlife it features. Gratis to the Bulgarian Foreign Affairs ministry for suggesting the idea, the Bulgarians will also be assisting us with ensuring the event is well safeguarded and funded, with proper police coordination and for the payments of porters, guides and others.

The nations on the invitation list are:

-Great Britain and any members of her commonwealth
-France
-The Russian Empire
-Austro-Hungarian Empire
-Germany
-Italy
-Sweden
-Denmark
-Norway
-Switzerland
-The Netherlands
-Serbia
-Montenegro
-Greece
-Romania
-Bulgaria.
-Mexico
-Brazil
-Peru
-Argentina
-Chile
-Colombia
-The United States of America
-Japan
-Ethiopia
-Spain
-Portugal

We wish for the newly emerging nations on this list, including Japan (of which we know has pursued more aggressive policies within the Asian continent) to perhaps consider that, while we European nations have conquered and colonized different regions of the globe, to consider adopting a humane touch to their acquired colonial territories.

The Safari is to celebrate and promote the idea of world peace and cooperation. Let us explore the heart of the Congo together, and see the vast riches, exotic flora and fauna and its lively people and culture that it has to offer!

 
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Fellow monarchs and democraticly elected leaders of Europe, I join Belgium in inviting you to this gathering, which aims to lessen the tensions that grip the European diplomatic landscape since a few months. We believe that it is convenient to make friends and end hostilities and rivalries while having fun, while coming to a better understanding of the outside world in all its richness! It is our hope as well as firm belief that peace can be preserved for the coming generations.

As a lover of nature and exotic fauna, our great Tsar will personally take part in this initiative for peace among the nations of Europe.
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Ehh...
Why the heck did you invite the South American nations to this too?
 
Captured Joe said:
Ehh...
Why the heck did you invite the South American nations to this too?

Mostly for the statement of "Emerging Colonial and Ex-Colonial nations that might have ideas of empire building or whatever, lets invite you to the stage so you can see how a real colony is run sorta tish tosh pish posh."  Also because why not.
 
Norwegian Biologists Accept Invitation to the Belgian Congo
The Norwegian Science Association of Food, Agriculture, Animals, and Other Stuff (NSAFAAOT for its English initials) gladly accepts the invitation into the Congo. The association hopes to gain practical and theoretical experience in the months which Belgium will allow them to have a smashing good time.
 
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"Dieut et mon Droit"

To the Danish delegation
The Prime Minister was found to have choked on his breakfast this morning with laughter as he had read out what the Danish interpreted to be threats and so on. The British delegation wishes to know if the Danish actually believe that a non-aggression pact constitutes a threat. We put the question forward, what is so oppressive and aggressive about suggesting a non aggression pact to maintain peace and stability. By the Dane's logic, the non aggression pact offered to us by France should have been scoffed at and rebuked a as a measure of brinkmanship. We demand that the Danish issue a formal apology to the United Kingdom for their slanderous accusations. These accusations have hurt the United Kingdom's reputation with no evidence to back these claims either than their faulty interpretation, habeas corpus.

Belgium
We wholeheartedly agree that the European stage has become strife with turmoil and we accept the invitation to the safari. We would also like to contribute to any humanitarian aid conducted by the Belgians. The British government is now drawing up plans for a universal organisation that deals with epidemics and so on that is comprised of the world's finest doctors

Settling differences
Recognising the fragile state that exists between the European powers, we believe that the best way forward is to host an international conference where all major powers of each respective alliances come to negotiate new deals. The powers invited are as follows: Russia, France, Austria-Hungary, Germany, the Ottoman Empire and Italy.
 
Montenegro happily accepts the invitation to the safari peace talks, and We will be holding a lottery to select five citizens at random to accompany the official delegation.

However, the last communique from Great Britain has left us confused, as they have committed to attending the talks in the Belgian Congo, but seemingly also suggest another, separate set of peace talks with severely limited invitees. As any agreements reached among these nations would surely affect us all, would it not behoove us to discuss, as a united Europe?
 
Norway Sends Diplomatic Envoys as Well as Scientists
Nations of the world, we are grived to say that Norway fired its former Royal Diplomatic Interpreter. It seems that he mistranslated the message from the Belgian government. We were not aware there would be actual diplomatic talks in the Belgian Congo. A diplomatic will deploy, set up a Norwegian embassy of sorts and await for diplomatic talks. However our biologists and otherstuffologists will also make the trip to drink, shoot and research in the appropriate order.
 
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[size=10pt]TENNIS


Belgium's invitation

Sweden gratefully accepts the Belgian invitation to join their Safari. We plan that King Gustaf V himself as will lead the Swedish delegation, and he hopes he will be allowed to teach the Congolese natives how to play Tennis, so they may later spread this beautiful sport all across the continent.

Regarding the proposal for a conference of the major powers

Sweden shares the confusion of Montenegro, we too fail to understand why only a limited numbers of nations are invited to a conference that would affect all of us. This only seems to reinforce our previously stated impression that Britain and its allies see diplomacy only
Councilor Crassius Curio said:
as a tool for the imperialistic ambitions of its Members, and [it shows] their disrespect towards the minor nations of Europe.

King Gustaf V of Sweden

edit: made a small edit in the quote so that the sentence makes sense, for the original quote, see above  :razz:
 
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[size=10pt]TENNIS


In Response to Great Britain's answer to the Danish allegations

Denmark shared the details of your proposal with us, their Scandinavian brothers in Sweden, and we fully agree with the Danish interpretation. It is obvious what a Non-Aggression Pact entails, you however literally talked about "a repeat of the events of 1864", which we, if something similar would be presented to us, would also perceive as a threat. A veiled threat, sure, but poorly so. And if we also consider the economic sanctions that Germany promised, it should be obvious to anyone and everyone that it is not Denmark which should apologise!

King Gustaf V of Sweden
 
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