Age of Steam and Steel: Gameplay Thread

[Dereich]

A Declaration on the Operation of the Suez Canal

We, the Undersigned, declare without regard to the current conflict occurring within the Eyalet of Egypt, that the right of travel through the Suez is of paramount interest to the peace and prosperity of the civilized world. As such, the Suez Maritime Canal should always be free and open, in time of war as in time of peace, to every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag.

X Francis III, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Declaration from Stockholm

After long deliberations between the French and Austrian delegations, the Crown of Scandinavia is pleased to announce the ratification of the following treaty regarding the Piedmontese Succession. All parties are hopeful that this agreement will cement the long Italian peace.

Treaty of Stockholm

1)    Prince Xavier, youngest grandson of Grand-Duchess Marie Joséphine of Savoy shall be designated as the heir to the Grand-Duchy of Piedmont and shall renounce his claim to the French throne.
2)   The Grand Duchy of Piedmont shall remain independent and neutral. It shall never become a protectorate  or be in a personal union with an another realm and shall never participate to any military conflicts except in the case of an invasion of its territories.

x King Louis XVIII

X Francis III, Holy Roman Emperor
Technically not sure if I sign this as the involved land is not directly Hapsburg, but it can't hurt

[Dereich]

This is an out-of-character comment. I'm surprised that concerns over Suez would cause an impact on tobacco prices in Europe. Historically, Europe in this era sourced its tobacco from the Americas and the Balkans. Possibly the report was made by a Dutch journalist as it was in the 19th century that growing tobacco as a cash crop in the East Indies began. Or maybe tobacco traders are factoring in the possibility of being cut off from Turkish tobacco.

Staying out of character, I think you could put a lot of that on the ongoing wars in the Americas. Cotton and sugar would have also been majority imports from the New World (though Austria and the Balkans also produced large amounts of cotton) but the ongoing conflicts there (several of which have now lasted many years) could serve as reasonable justification to diversify towards East Africa and Asia. Plus, as a mercantilist tactic the French might have pushed tobacco production in India.

[Dereich]

The Convention of St. Petersburg

In consideration of the fraternal affection and longstanding ties shared by the the Russian and Holy Roman Emperors and in the interests of the maintenance of peace in Christendom, the signatories hereby renew their commitment to mutual defense should they find themselves attacked in their European or Asiatic holdings.

X Francis, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Prague Conference

In the interests of maintaining peace in Germany and across the continent, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia, hereafter referred to as the signatories, have agreed to the following terms:

I . The entrance of any new German state into either the Holy Roman Empire or the German League must be approved unanimously by the signatories.
II . Both the Kingdom of Prussia and Habsburg Monarchy agree to cease individual negotiations with member states of the Holy Roman Empire and the German League respectively, and to only negotiate through their suprastate bodies.
III . The signatories agree to a mutual defensive alliance in order to protect the status quo in Germany. Any attack on one signatory will oblige the other signatories to commence hostilities with the offending state.
IV . The Electorate of Saxony’s borders will be restored to their pre-1780 status, with the lands lost being transferred to the Kingdom of Prussia.
V . The Duchy of Wurttemberg will resume its place within the Holy Roman Empire.

X Francis, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Treaty of Versailles

I. The Suez Canal shall be administrated by an eight member Suez Canal Commission. One member each shall be appointed by: the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Scandinavia, France, the British Empire, the Netherlands, Austria, and Prussia.
II. The Commission recognizes the territory and jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire over the Canal.
III. The Ottoman Empire recognizes the administrative authority of the Suez Canal Commission over said Canal.

X LOUIS XVIII

X Peter IV, Emperor of all the Russias

xFrederick IV and Catherine, King and Queen of Scandinavia

X Sultan Mustafa IV

x King William II of the Netherlands

X Francis, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

A Proclamation by the Holy Roman Emperor

IN RESPONSE to the concerning events occurring through the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, two hundred thousand additional men will be mobilized and are hereby ordered to muster in Vienna in the coming weeks to await further instruction.

[Dereich]

The Emperor Speaks

YESTERDAY, July 7, 1838- a date which will live in infamy. The Empire was suddenly and deliberately attacked by military forces of the Kingdom of Prussia.

The Emperor was at peace with that Kingdom and, at the solicitation of Prussia, was still in conversation with its Government and its King looking toward the maintenance of peace in Central Europe. Indeed, hours before Prussian columns began marching towards Bohemia, the Prussian Ambassador in Vienna provided a reply to an Austrian message aimed at the maintenance of peace. And while this reply stated that it was unclear if Berlin would accept the proposed agreement, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the timing of the messages from Prussia makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Prussian Government has deliberately sought to deceive the Empire and Emperor by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack on Bohemia has caused severe damage to Austrian military forces. We regret to tell you that very many lives have been lost. In addition Austrian ships have been reportedly seized on the high seas between Pola and Delagoa Bay.

Prussia has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the area of Bohemia. The facts of recent days speak for themselves. Our subjects have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our peoples. As Emperor and Protector of Our Subjects, We have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will we all remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the united and diverse subjects of the Empire in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of God and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no denying the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

[Dereich]

On the Suez Canal

Francis, August Emperor of the Romans, hereby renounces all interests in the Suez Canal Authority in favor of his friend the most excellent Sultan Mustafa Osmanoğlu as the party best able to fulfill the noble purpose of that waterway as laid out in the Declaration on the Operation of the Suez Canal of 1835.

X Francis, Holy Roman Emperor