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

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We will send 1000 of additional troops to Morocco.

Also, I shall send a congratulatory telegram to both Mr. Hay and Mr. Dockery on becoming nominees of their respective parties.

OOC: Technically, neither the United States nor us has declared a war on Morocco. We are just participating in peacekeeping operation

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

For domestic use, to boats the population's spitis, this is a version of a letter to Tsar Ferdinand:

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For international use, our position is "Bulgaria still got some time to comply with our generous terms".

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Orders sent.

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-Sultan Abdul Hamid II: High.

I thought I never live to see this day, lol.

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We appeal to all sensible people in Russia to stop Nicholas Romanov before his reckless actions, unnecessary prolonging the lost war in futile attempt to hold illusionic influence in the Balkans, will cause the collapse.

Podgorica is not worth of the Russian people dying for and Petrograd to fall.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The United Kingdom
From: The Ottoman Empire

We are shocked and disgusted with an awful act of terror on the Trafalgar Square. Our prayers and sypmathy goes for the victim and their families. We wish the British Police quick success in finding and arresting the criminals.


OOC: I rather expected an assassination attempt to be made in Greece, rather than Italy

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The Kingdom of Italy
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Majesty,

We would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful welcome we have received in Rome. An act of madman cannot possibly spoil a positive results or our two great nations coming closer. If anything, your Carabinieri did confirm their reputation of bravery and effectiveness.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: The French Republic
From: The Ottoman Empire

We are deeply shocked and saddened with Your Excellency's illness and we would like to wish you a speed recovery. Under your leadership, the French Republic and the Ottoman Empire has made an extraordinary progress in mutual relations and our people shall never forget that.

x Abdul Hamid II

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire - Late 1904

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم


I am very pleased with Hilmi Pasha's performance as my new Grand Vizier.

As of specific challenges:

Baghdad Railway

Our domestic programs has already proved to be a resounding success and must be continues. Completion of the Baghdad Railway is a priority, as it not only will improve our communication, but also provide steady jobs and revitalize our commerce.

I'm surprised we're short on cash to finish the project. We have imposed tax on aristocracy, lands seized by the state are generating income, there are American investments (particularly in the railways), and soon we will start collecting (if we are not collecting already) Russian war reparations.

I'm reluctant to raise taxes on general population. Some time ago we have ordered to issue "Reform Bonds", how is that going? We can combine this with War Bonds, as the Bulgarian campaign is still going on. Maybe we should seek a loan abroad?

Before making a decision, I wish to consult with my economic advisers (that is, the Game Moderator )


Armenia

There's no need for an immediate action, as the problem hasn't fully develop, and we surely hope we won't have to face it. However, we need to have options.

I understand massacres are tempting for some, due to "cheap" nature. On the other hand, in the era of new approachment in foreign affairs, I don't wish to inflame world public opinion. Massacres are ruled out.

While this must remain a secret for now, we ought to consider a resettlement of any troublemaking elements in our Armenia. Either to the Kingdom of Armenia or export them abroad. Since France is interested in gaining settlers in Libya, that is a possible avenue. How is that, Paris?  


Kurdistan

Continue to reward loyal tribes.

Once again, we must stress upon the Kurds that we will honor our promises of cultural and language autonomy once the peace is restores and, with no hopes for independence, this is the best deal they ever got.


Arabia

Naturally, we are no longer responsible for this territory and we do not wish to impose anything on our British friends. However, we feel obliged (especially given our recently signed regional pact) to give our opinion.

We are concerned about the Saudi ambitions. We can say, from our long experience in dealing with them, that they are unreliable and won't stop at nothing in purse of their dream of domination over the entire peninsula. And that would have a disastrous effect thorough the entire Middle East.

If you decide to recognize the Saudi emirate, we advise to not abandon the Shariff of Mecca and the Rashidis, so Ibn Saud can be keep in check.


I'll post some additional stuff later.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Bulgaria

We have no intentions of expanding into the Balkans again. These provinces were nothing but a constant source of sorrows for me any my great ancestors.

Bulgaria is an exception because we need to defend out capital and the Bulgars has already provided the base for a foreign attack in this very young century.

However, we wish to confirm that we have no intentions of annexing and occupying the entire Bulgaria. Our territorial demands are limited. We are even willing to allow Ferdinand to remain in throne, provided he'll surrender quickly. All we want from remaining Bulgaria is an exclusive military and diplomatic alliance, as we do not wish to meddle in her domestic affairs.


Education

We need to pay more attention to our educational policy. While we are already tightly controlling school circullums, that is hardly enough.

We ought to make primary education as universal as possible, as we need more educated society (primarily on elementary level) to improve our economic standing.

Second, but not least importantly, we need to forge the young generation's minds. They must be raised in unshaken belief that we all are Ottoman citizens first, united in one, multinational state by our history, traditions and Muslim heritage. We have nothing against ethnic and cultural autonomy (it actually makes our culture richer) but that cannot contradict the principle of Ottomanism.


Public works

With our reserves still largely mobilized, we have already ordered that those not needed at front or its vicinity will be directed to help advancing our domestic projects, particularly in area of transportation and logistics.

Learning from this experience, we thereby order an establishment of the Public Works Corps once the war is over to continue these envadeours (not only in transportation). The corps will provide a employment and housing opportunities to those in need, as well as serve as an alternative form of national service for some.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We consider international anti-terrorist agreements as valid and any help the Ottoman Empire can provide on this field is assured if requested.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Obviously, thinking of succession can't be nice for any autocrat, but after incident in Rome, although we have no intentions of departing anytime soon, we are forced to consider the matter.

Let's see my brothers first. Mehmed Reshad? He doesn't seems like a leader material, more a figurehead material. Mehmed Vahideddin is utterly untested. Finally the third, Abdülmecid, seems more interested in arts than politics.

We are going to need some advice from my government. Meanwhile, we shall test them (we can make use of our relatives after all).

Mehmed Reshad is going to be my personal representative in recovered parts of Armenia. Mehmed Vahideddin is going to be send to officially meet with Ibn Saud and see, what is really going on there. Abdülmecid will be my plenipotentiary in talks with the Patriarch, as we are still moving to establish the Pharnar City State. We will watch carefully their performance.

Another option is selecting one of my own elder sons (on which I also need some reports). Third, most unusual option, is to name a minor, under which his mother, by then a Valide Sultan, would exercise regency together with the Grand Vizier.

We must emphasize that our successor must not only be committed to our reforms, but also to maintain unity of our "party" (moderate reformists, secret services and the army).

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Since His Majesty the Kaiser has recovered from the Russian assassination attempt, we would be delighted to invite him for a state visit in Constantinopole.


OOC: Dmowski and Piłsudski in one room? That can end in murder

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Propaganda

- Our domestic projects and foreign activity has proven a success. We will carry on with these reforms, which shall bring even more prosperity and security to the Empire.

- Soon, Nicholas the Damned will be thrown back to hell, from where he originates. There, he will pay for all his sins against the world, exposed to the most atrocious tortures by the Devil himself for all eternity.

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There is growing feeling around the world that the former Tsar of Russia should be held accountable for his high crimes against peace and that justice for causing death of hundreds of thousands good people can only be served with his own blood, soaking through the wood of the scaffold.

However, in our generosity, we are prepeared to offer him an asylum in the Ottoman Empire, provided he would abandon his mad cause now, before deciding for a next unnecessary battle.

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lol

Very well, insolent man. We hope you will retain your good humor when facing your maker.

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OOC: It's kinda funny that everybody makes alliances with everybody, yet the game is so unpredictable xD

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Now the missing stuff:

Economy

Having reviewed our finances, we have concluded that it is neither right, nor wise, that our court, especially the Harem, is spending such sums of money when our people are making great efforts to rebuild the country. Therefore, we order the costs be reduced by a half and saved funds be used to finance important state projects.

Our brave soldiers are fighting in the trenches of Bulgaria and our workers tirelessly building new roads, so our courtiers can surely make some sacrifices on their own.


The Ottoman Empire is not interested in seeking colonies, as we have enough pressing matters to attend at home (and, as Libyan example showed, it's difficult to hold distant areas when our Navy is still being reconstructed). What we are interested in is securing trade outposts to revitalize our trade.

We thereby order an establishment of the Ottoman Trade Authority, which shall coordinate our national trade policy, research and seek new routes, maintain our commercial fleet, etc.

Most importantly, as we are approaching closer and closer to gaining a valuable outpost in Morocco, the OTA shall be responsible for maintaining the area, building a modern port, markets and exchange center there.


Foreign Affairs:

As our dear brother, Mehmed Vahideddin, has left for a diplomatic mission to Ibn Saud, we would like to ask our British friends (since Arabia is their protectorate) to take appropriate measures to ensure his safety.

Obviously, we do not expect that any harm can come upon our brother, the prince of the Ottoman Empire, from the Saudis or other prominent clans, but the area can be dangerous.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Morocco

Our commitment to aid our French and Italian allies in Morocco remains unaffected and we are ready to send another regiment of our Naval Infantry to strength the allied forces.

Meanwhile, given our problems with logistics (damn Navy still being rebuilt), we would greatly appreciate some assistance with supplies.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Morocco

Our commitment to aid our French and Italian allies in Morocco remains unaffected and we are ready to send another regiment of our Naval Infantry to strength the allied forces.

Meanwhile, given our problems with logistics (damn Navy still being rebuilt), we would greatly appreciate some assistance with supplies.

France will provide some assistance in this regard. We will send you supplies and we will fill orders for ships for your Navy (though, given that France has never been the kind of naval power that say Britain is).

OOC: Well, your navy when compared to ours is like Paris compared to Tirana.

Damn you, Lord Salisbury, for sinking my fleet!

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I gladly come to visit Constantinople. After my visit of Warsaw, I would dearly come to your court, mani Sultan!

We will be deligted to host Your Imperial Majesty.

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We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Hay. We are confident the historic American-Ottoman friendship will not only continue, but grow stronger, with such an able statesman, whose record as Secretary of State is most impressive and whom we had an honor of hosting in Constantinopole, firmly at the helm.

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We are most delighted with King Adam Ludwik's accession to the Polish throne. The House of Czartoryski had long been a friend of the Sublime Porta and we are confident that this historical friendship will soon enter a new chapter.

Also, the Ottoman Empire was the only state that did not recognize a forced disestablishment of the Polish state in 1795. And that is why we are even more pleased with its spectacular rebirth.

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x Abdul Hamid II

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Having meet with President Hay twice when he served so honorably as Secretary of State (first in Constantinopole, second in Washington), I hope I will soon have an opportunity to meet with him as President of the United States.

Perhaps during the first Triple Summit between the three leaders?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I shall be most happy to visit Milwaukee for the first summit.