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

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We of course do not recognize the "Kingdom of Poland". The new "king" will face justice in due time.

Well, well. I'm sure the Polish people will take note of Mr. Romanov making almost criminal threats toward a monarch they have elected.

Mr. Romanov may talk his head off about freedom of Serbia and Montenegro, but when we see his approach toward Poland, we can easily see his statement are full of common hypocrisy. And, considering he's walking on a very thin ice, I would be very careful about refeering to courts if I were him.

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Since the Kaiser's visit to Constantinopole has been long planned, I think it will be convenient that Wilhelm III and I should travel together to America for a summit directly from there, so we can have first state visit and then a summit in next turn.

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With the war over, the straits are completely reopened to all Russian vessels, effective immediately.

We are also ready to resume normal, peacetime relations with Petrograd.

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Our ambassador to Turkey shall return to Constantinople.

Likewise with our Ambassador to Petrograd.

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A Declaration of His Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Franz Ferdinand I, Concerning Women's Suffrage in the Austro-Hungarian Empire

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This is end of civilization!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I echo President Hay's statement. No peace is possible without caution and the Ottoman Empire had learned to maintain one.

Joint defense will be undoubtedly an important topic during the incoming summit.

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OOC: I'm sorry Oldies, I completely forgot about it before, but Austria didn't have Universal Male Suffrage until 1907. So now, every Austrian women but not every Austrian man can vote.

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OOC: Yes, the former Eastern Rumelia has returned to the Ottoman Empire, as clearly stated in the treaty.

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(This is a secret manifesto, but no point of sending it as PM to GM)

We are very pleased with our dear brother, Mehmed Vahideddin, performance as special envoy to Arabia. From now on, we shall consider him a leading candidate for succession and give more responsibilities accordingly.

Our dear cousin Abdulmecid has showed no political ambitions, but a considerable degree of diplomatic skills. While we no longer consider him for succession, there is no reason not to use members of our house in service of the state. Accordingly, we shall appoint him our Ambassador to Paris. Not very political role, since the two governments are directly talking to each other, but given Abdulmecid's status as patron of arts and accomplished artist on his own, we believe he'll do well on Paris scene.

Our dear brother, Mehmed Reshad, is no longer considered as well, but we shall retain his services for ceremonialdiplomatic purposes.

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Morocco:

Now that the war with Bulgaria is over, in addition to committing third regiment of the Naval Infantry, we shall send some regular troops, as well as some ships to help with the blockade.

Some of our troops shall secure an area assigned to us, while the rest will continue to fight along our allies (OOC: I hope desert scouting did some good).

Now onto some organizational stuff:

The area, promised to us, shall be known as the Ottoman Maghreb, a special territory of the Empire.

Our dear son, Prince Şehzade Mehmed Burhaneddin, shall serve as the first Governor of the Ottoman Maghreb.

(OOC: Since the deal is already known, I see no harm in organizing the area)

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I ask the Italian and Ottoman forces to siege the port city and I will link up with them once I've gotten Raisuli from the north and south.

As you wish.

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The Ottoman Empire offers its most heartfelt congratulations to Kaiser Karl on his ascension to the throne. Also, we congratulate Chancellor von Posadowsky-Wehner on his appointment.

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Well, it was nice while it lasted.  I won't miss it, though.

We won't miss you

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First some formalistic stuff.

We congratulate His Majesty King Vittorio Emmanuele III on such a joyful occasion as birth of his first son.

We are concerned about the crisis in Serbia and we hope the situation can be resolved peacefully.

Last, but not least, we are pleased to recognize independence of the Kingdom of Norway and offer our congratulations toward its people on achieving their sovereignty.

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The Ottoman Empire - Early 1905

Domestic Affairs:

- We are very pleased with an extraordinary success of our domestic projects. Now, that we've got funds and our nation is at peace (we do not consider Morocco a „war”, more an expedition), it is imperative to continue with them. Until already existing projects are completed, there will be no more grand projects initiated, as overextending our reforms is as dangerous as making no effort at all.

- Since we've got direct funds to continue with our domestic projects, we shall not spend Russian war reparations (4 billions of Golden Franks, IIRC) on them. Instead, we shall use these money to enlarge our gold reserves.

- The Sultan is most pleased with performances of his dear brother, Mehmed Vahideddin, and the Grand Vizier Hilmi Pasha, two very able men.


Military Affairs:

We are not interested in maintaining a huge, mass army in peacetime. It is not only a heavy burden for the state, it also stifles our military capabilities.

Our goal is to have a sufficient, professional army in peacetime, with capability of quick mobilization in case of general war.

In order to increase our mobilization capabilities, we order a formation of the Ottoman National Guard: a locally based small, professional units that would provide a periodical military training for reservists, and provide leadership in case of mobilization.

Another group of reservists will be periodically called to serve in the Public Work Corps (a wartime invention we shall retain on smaller scale) to assist with implementation of our domestic programs as alternative way of military service.


Foreign Affairs:

Serbia:

The Ottoman Empire is concerned with the crisis in Serbia, given the fact we are neighbours and our desire to maintain stability in such a sensitive spot as the Balkans.

As states before, we have abandoned any ambitions to extend our influence, whether officially or unofficially, in the Balkans. However, we wish to offer our services in helping to end the crisis if requested by sides.

Turkestan:

The Ottoman Empire is most disturbed with the breakdown of Turkestan for obvious strategic reasons, as well as the fact these are our Turkic brothers.

We believe the international community ought to get its act together and do its utmost to help restoring peace there. At the same time, we feel strongly that no foreign power should be allowed to take advantage of the situation. The Ottoman Empire officially renounces any pretense to extend our rule there, whether officially or unofficially, and we will oppose such moves by other countries.

Morocco:

Needles to say, the Ottoman Empire continues to stand firmly with our French and Italian allies.

Greenland:

The Ottoman Empire fully supports our American friends claim for Greenland, which is justified strategically and economically. As much as we understand the sensitive issue of national pride, we respectfully submit to Copenhagen that Denmark will benefit a lot from selling the island, as opposed to hostilities with the United States.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We just want to note that any effort made by Petrograd to take advantage of the crisis in Serbia to regain influence in the Balkans would be countered accordingly.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We just want to note that any effort made by Petrograd to take advantage of the crisis in Serbia to regain influence in the Balkans would be countered accordingly.

We will not attempt to force a new military alliance with Serbia; however, a common Slavic Orthodox heritage makes at least friendly relations between Belgrade and Petrograd inevitable. In addition, given that Alexander is hiding out in our embassy, we have no choice but to involve ourselves in peaceful negotiations with the coup leaders.

We have no reason to oppose promoting peaceful resolution by any part, including Russia. Given Serbia is our direct neighbour in a very delicate region, we are simply going to watch every move by every part closely, which is quite natural move.

We wish the Russian initiative best luck. As long as Serbia continues to observe the peace treaty concluded with our allies, the Ottoman Empire doesn't see any reason to get involved in the developments.

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We are happy to offer our congratulations to His Majesty the Kaiser on such a joyful occasion as his engagement.

Regarding Turkestan, we suggest that all powers would refrain from individual moves and engage in open, honest discussion, so the international community as whole can devise a plan to restore peace in this sensitive region.

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Sadly, we must agree that Turkestan has no future as one state, since there is no will whatsoever there to stay united.

However, we are going to strongly oppose any attempts by any power to take advantage of this dreadful situation to extend its rule over our Turkic brothers, whether officially or not. Therefore, if Russian incursion is not a part of an international peacekeeping effort, we will consider this as blatant attempt of Petrograd to return on the path of expansionism and respond accordingly.

We propose that interested powers would instead form a multinational task force for peacekeeping operations there. We are ready to committ a significant number of troops and open our infrastructure for this purpose.

We also propose a conference between interested powers and representatives of Turkestan ethnic groups to fairly determine a future of the region.


We also fully support French position over sudden Spanish involvement in Morocco. To speak bluntly, Spain is a latecomer to the party, hoping to get the biggest share of the cake.

Spain cannot expect to make gains in Morocco after the allies, led by France, had already do most of the job. Prime Minister Rouvier is absolutely right to call out such nonsense.

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We are glad Italy shares our position that international community has a responsibility to put the end to atrocities in Turkestan, just as we did in Congo.

We wish to reiterate our proposal to establish a multinational peacekeeping force and hold a conference with representatives of various Turkestani ethnic groups, to devise a peace plan.

Doing nothing is a mistake, but so would be allowing any power to purse its agenda. We wish to protect Russian nationals in Turkestan. But we are also committed to protect our Turkic brothers from becoming subjugated to Petrograd again.

We would be happy to work together with Russia as peacekeeper, but that must be a partnership.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Germany instead proposes a Conference in an appropiate location, well fit would be the city of Baku, that should serve as to propose a solution to the Turkestan situation.

We shall be most pleased to host such a conference in Baku.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sultan is happy to arrive to Milwaukee for the historic summitt between the United States, the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

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Russia is the only great power in a position to handle this conflict.

Pardon me for being candid, Your Majesty, but your country barely started to recover from a war that almost ended your rule. Russia is in no position to get involved alone in crisis of such magnitude. Overextending, especially at such point, one's efforts is as dangerous as pretending everything is fine, both at home and abroad.

The Ottoman Empire seeks to resolve the crisis, which of course includes protecting Russian nationals, by an international effort. Working together with other powers, now that you need to focus more on rebuilding than foreign expeditions, would be a right decision for Russia. And we would be most happy to work with you. Just as you wants to protect ethnic Russians there, we wish to protect the rights of our Turkic brothers. I would say that's a good basis to cooperate.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

You should be glad that we are taking this upon ourselves, and to suggest that we are ill-equipped to fight tribesmen in the steppes is insulting. And given the Americans' bullying of Denmark and your conquest of half of Bulgaria in a war of blatant aggression, you have little position from which to condemn us.

Truth is, no one can stop you from crossing into Turkestan. In fact, if you really wish to stumble into this mess with no one to support you, we won't lift our little finger to help you when you're getting stuck there instead of rebuilding your country after a devastating war, which, frankly, you owe to your tired subjects.

Your arrogance shall be your demise.

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The USA is committed to finding a peaceful solution to the Turkestan situation- I will happily send an envoy to peace talks with the Ottomans, German,s Russians, Italians, French, British, and others who have a stake or an interest in the resolution of this crisis

We certainly do have a strong interest in resolution of this crisis. Russia is talking like she was the only part concerned with the events, which is simply inaccurate. We are bordering Turkestan by Caspian Sea (very sensitive point on the map). Also, most of the region's residents are Turkic, and we don't want to see our brothers under any yoke.

Also, given the fact Turkestan directly borders with the British territories, I believe it concerns London as well.

Turkestan is a common problem.