Balance of Power (Gameplay Thread) - Epilogue and Game Over

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The World
From: The Ottoman Empire

We are deeply disturbed with the news about situation in Belgian Congo and we feel the world cannot stand idle in face of this human tragedy.

As a neutral power, not involved in the African affairs, we wish to offer our services as a mediating part in order to solve this crisis.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: The United States
From: The Ottoman Empire

We were deeply saddened with an untimely passing of Senator Mark Hanna and we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences toward family, friends and the entire American nation.

x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Ottoman Empire - Early 1904

-- Our domestic and military reforms has already proved to be a resounding success and we shall maintain the course without hesitation.

-- Azerbaijan shall be organized into a sixth Special Administrative District (District F), in line with our administrative reform implamented some time ago.

Emphasize close historical and ethnic ties with the Azeri people. I shall personally visit liberated Azerbaijan as soon as possible.

-- I am very pleased with the army's performance in Kurdistan. I wish to reconfirm my desire for integration and reconciliation between the Kurdish people and the Ottoman Government by rewarding loyal (or, at least, very restrained) Kurdish clans, including offering lucrative jobs to their members (under a watchful eye till they loyalty is beyond doubts, naturally).

I am prepeared to offer a conditional amnesty for the rebel foot soldiers, as long as they swear an oath of allegiance and submitt into a proper supervision.

I ask the government of Turkmenistan to make sure that those rebels who has fled into their territory remains there.

-- I shall encourage settlements in recovered part of Armenia by offering available land to my poor subjects, especially those who lost their property during the Second Great Turkish War.

-- With capture of a half of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, I order that the Ministry of War and the Admiralty to start implementing this plan.

Also, as we've just gained an access to the Caspian Sea, we need to organize a small force there to monitor our shores (pretty much a border patrol, nothing extravagant).

-- I am confident that we can very soon reach an agreement with the Patriarch along lines outlined by me.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The United Kingdom
From: The Ottoman Empire

We must voice our concerns regarding the Saudi ambitions. Creating of a large, independent state under such an unpredictable dynasty will only increase tensions in the Middle East, as well as antagonize other eminent Arab leaders, that have difficult relations with the Sauds.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: The French Republic
From: The Ottoman Empire

Generally, we have no objections regarding the Kurds serving in your Foreign Legion. However, we have to ask our French friends that you'll make an discreet inquiry whether notable rebel leaders are among them and, if so, to take necessary steps to prevent them from continuing any anti-Ottoman activities.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: Sultanate of Morroco
From: The Ottoman Empire

We pray our Morrocan brothers be able to resolve their diffrences with foreign powers peacefully and to secure Mr. Perdicaris release.

x Abdul Hamid II

(OOC: Generally, we don't give a damn about Morroco)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire wishes to reconfirm its readiness to serve as a mediating part regarding Belgian Congo, as we are not involved in African affairs and, therefore, has no own interest in this distressing case.

Therefore, we would like to propose this plan:

- Belgian Congo shall cease to be King Leopold II's private property and his authority shall be transfered to the Belgian government

- A multinational corps of observers and peacekeepers shall be deployed to Congo in order to ensure that all atrocities stops (we are already willing to participate along other powers)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We hereby appoint Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha as Grand Vizier. We believe that he, as an experienced and competent administrator, will effectively carry out our vision.

x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The Prime Minister of Belgium
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Excellency,

I wish to humbly recommend that the Belgian government will endorse the Ottoman Plan to resolve the Congo crisis. In face of great international outcry, which, I'm confident, is being shared by the Belgian people as well, it is simply impossible for the King to keep Congo as his private property, especially since times of entire countries being held as a private property has thankfully passed. We do not wish to strip Belgium from her overseas possessions, so the offered compromise is the most sensible solution, that would satisfy both Belgium and the world.

Peace Be Upon You,
x Abdul Hamid II


To: The French Republic
From: The Ottoman Empire

Thank you for your answer. We wouldn't ask for anything more.

x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The Kingdom of Italy
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Majesty,

Given good relations between our two governments, I wonder if I could ask you for a little favor. We desire a reconciliation between us and the Kingdom of Greece, which is a close ally of your country, but we have rather poor communication with Athens. Would you consider communicating our most sincere intentions to put the past behind and establish friendly, neighbourly relationship with them?

I believe our proposals to settle any differences with the Patriarchate of Constantinopole is a very sound sign of our intentions,

x Abdul Hamid II


OOC: Spamage, how is our regional pact?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Since a self-proclaimed "Tsar of Bulgaria" has blatantly ignored our compromise proposals, the Ottoman Empire will not waste any more time to deal with him.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We point out that the Ottoman Empire, a year after recognizing Bulgaria as an independent kingdom, blatantly violated its neutrality and now demands control over over half the country. We of course have our hands tied against the Germans, but Russia is willing to do what is necessary to protect Bulgaria's independence.

Bulgaria is not a matter that should concern Russia and we would consider any aid for Bulgaria as an act of war against Sublime Porte.

We remind the Ottoman Empire was ready to make a significant concessions during our recent peace talks in order to achieve an agreement with Russia. Therefore we would at least expect Russia to not get involved in our affairs.

Please do not risk what we've achieved together by interfering.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Just as you came to the aid of your Azeri compatriots, we reserve the right to protect the independence of a fellow Slavic and Orthodox kingdom.

Except we were at war then. Now we are not. As Bulgaria is not a member of the Orthodox League, we consider this to be a matter betwen us and them. We have no issues with the Orthodox League. Bulgaria is not even a real "Slavic nations". Those are merely Turkic people converted to Orthodox faith.

We made peace with Russia and we hope Russia is going to respect this. We respect our agreement and provide no aid to those countries that are still at war with you. Therefore we expect you not to aid countries that are at war with us.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Italy is also confused by by Austria-Hungary's signing of a treaty that is completely irrelevant to their concerns.

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[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We acknowledge that context has changed, and we are not going to go to war with Turkey yet again unless Bulgaria's very existence is threatened. However, we advise the Sultan to seek a reasonable peace with Bulgaria rather than imposing an unfair one.

Dismantling the Bulgarian state is not and has not been our goal, therefore such declarations are only putting our relations at strain. Honoring our peace treaty, we won't make any aggressive moves toward Russia. However, if Russia decided to break the peace by intervening there, we wish to remind that it would also mean breaking the same agreement the United States has signed.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Taking this opportunity, we wish to voice our concerns over atrocities committed against ethnic minorities, foreign citizens and working class in Russia by so-called "Black Hundreds". We respectfully hope the Tsar, instead of trying to interfere in external affairs, will pay closer attention to problems within his own country.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

There is no systematic effort to eliminate whole ethnic or religious groups. We merely saw the need for absolute internal security during the war due to treacherous agitators backed by the Germans, and we are enforcing the law by clearing out these violent agitators.

Yet the number of victims that were of Jewish background is quite troubling. We won't imply anything. We'll just say that since the world has condemded the King of the Belgians for his actions in Congo, it will surely react very strongly to ethnically and religiously motivated violence anywhere, in Russia too.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

TO: Him Majesty King Leopold II of the Belgians


Your Majesty,

I am writing to you deeply concerned about the crisis surrounding the Free State of Congo. Since I know very well how it is to face a strong external pressure myself, I shall take a liberty of being candid. Due to unanimous international reaction to the news about situation in Congo, it is not possible that you would be able to continue as its sole ruler. The best alternative is accepting our proposal of transferring Congo directly to the Belgium with international observers monitoring the transition.

I urge you most sincerely to accept, instead of facing losing the work of your life to another country.


Peace Be Upon You,
x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire believes that the Sultan of Morocco has lost all legitimacy and is therefore unfit to rule, or shall we rather say, misrule over his realm, which, under him, became notorious for banditry and violence against foreign nationals.

The Ottoman Empire joins our French and American friends in ensuring his deposition and restoration of order in Morocco.

We hereby order that our second naval task force, including two regiments of the naval infantry, will be dispatched to the region.

x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We wish to thank the French Republic for their most generous offer, that exceeded our expectations.

We also wish to make it clear the Ottoman Empire is not interested in acquiring overseas possessions. All we desire is to maintain an outpost to energize our trade in the Western direction.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

There is no genocide (OOC: that word didn't exist in 1904 ) against Jews or any other group of people in Russia.

Yet the statistic is quite suspicious.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

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x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

There is no state-sponsored wanton killing of Jews, only dealing with violent traitors who seek to aid the German invaders and destroy Russia from within. As you accuse of us of murdering our own people for no reason, thousands of proud Russian Jews are on the front lines defending their homeland.

All we've did was noting that a number of Jewish victims is disturbingly high.

But if you're reacting like you were accused of something, then maybe you have reasons to feel as an accused.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty, Sultan Abdul Hamid II,

Padishah, Sovereign House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Sanctuaries, Emperor of Rome, Emperor of The Three Cities of Constantinople, Adrianople and Bursa, etc. etc.

Do hereby proclaim:


To commemorate our victory in the Great Russian War and the amazing development of the Ottoman Empire, reversing years of misfortune and stagnation, we order a commission of the new official state flag.

The flag shall consists of a white cresent on the left, four white stars (symbolizing Anatolia, Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Mesopotamia and Syria) in the right corner, on the red background.




x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We wish to invite the Shariff of Mecca for an official visit to Constantinopole.

Given Mecca is under the British rule, we shall invite the Shariff as an important religious figure in the Muslim world, not a political leader. Likewise, we shall host him as Caliph, not Sultan.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Since I assume my visit to liberated Azerbaijan will be over by next turn, I shall immediately depart after that on a historic, cross-oceanic diplomatic trip to meet with President McKinley in Washington, D.C.

While my voyage aboard the battleship won't cut me off entirely from communications, that means a lot of orders will be given by the Grand Vizier and other members of my inner circle.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire offers either temporary or permanent asylum to all people of Jewish descent, as well as other targeted minorities, threatened by an internal violence within Russia.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His Royal Majesty King George I of Greece


Your Majesty,


I cannot express how happy I was to live to see this historic moment when Greek and Ottoman troops meet on the battlefield, for the first time as allies, not bitter enemies. I truly believe we were able to finally overcame our long and difficult past and enter the era of reconciliation and friendship.


x Abdul Hamid II