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

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Guys, are you dead? I'm not receiving PMs anymore.

Huh? I thought we're suppoused to slow down a bit so Lumine can get everything covered.

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Indeed, I'll end the turn with the results of the Reichstag and the US midterms in a few hours, and next turn should begin today or tomorrow.

Mighty nice Easter gift from you!

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While the Sultan cannot make official comments regarding partisan policy in foreign countries, he welcomed the Republican victory with satisfaction and congratulates President McKinley via unofficial channels.

The Sultan is also worries about political crisis in Germany, but restrains himself to sent a standard congratulatory cable to the Chancellor.

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Some formal stuff first:

To: The United Kingdom
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Excellency,

I was very saddened by the passing of Lord Salisbury. Although we happened to face each other on the battlefields, he was truly a great statesman for which he had my deep respect. He was a brave leader, not afraid to reach a settlement to preserve the world peace, even against political pressure at home.

We are looking forward to continue our cooperation in achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: The French Republic and the German Empire
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Majesty; Your Excellency,

I am pleased that your joint efforts to resolve the difficult Alsace question were rightly recognized.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: The Austrian-Hungarian Empire
From: The Ottoman Empire

Your Majesty,

Please accept my congratulations upon assuming the throne. I hope our countries will soon restore good relations.

x Abdul Hamid II

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(I will respond to specific issues later; awfully tired)

Honoring my obligations to the American ally, as well as to please the military, which hopes to regain some glory soon:


-- The Regiment dispatched to await transportation to the Carribean is to board.

-- If our transportation vessels are not sufficient, I hereby order drafting private boats fit to do the task.

-- The Regiment is to disembark in Cuba and await futher orders.


To: The United States

Honoring our obligations, we are sending a regiment of troops to the Carribean. We request a permission to disembark in Cuba.

To: United States Navy Task Force, Izmir

We request a small escort for our transportation vessels going to the Carribean.


Message to the Commander of the Regiment

Congratulations!

You and your regiment has distinguished yourself during the recent war. That is why you were selected to join our allies in the Carribean.

More importantly, you have been given the honor of becoming a foundation for a new, elite force: The Ottoman Naval Infantry.

You are thereby transferred under the Navy. Colonel, you are temporarily promoted to Brigadier General and named Commanding Officer of the Ottoman Naval Infantry.

The Sultan is proud of you.

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The Ottoman Empire

Cabinet:

Thanks a lot, Mehmed Said Pasha I need an active Grand Vizier, fully committed to my vision (GM, could I have some names?)

Economy:

Works on the Railroad and to clean up Bosphorus are a very good news, but I realize we're facing more wider challenges.

To responsible Ministries:

-- How are our roads? What should be improved?

-- We need to futher industrialize our country. Suggestions? Specific areas?

Kurdistan:

Good work, soldiers. Continue offensive against the rebels.

We need to double our intelligence efforts of all agencies involved to identify the source of support for the rebels. I order that works commences to establish an unified, modern intelligence service. Geographically speaking, there are two close possibilities: Russia and the British Empire. Hopefully, we'll be wrong as we were with Persia.

Continue reaching to moderate Kurdish leaders. The Sultan wishes to move on and swears off  any kind of revenge for supporting the enemy during the war. He is serious about cultural and language autonomy, with possible reforms in future, but the Kurds must realize they won't be getting a better deal (given they were abandoned by the British when peace was signed), and unrests only delays peace.

Also, the Sultan wishes to work seriously with the loyal Kurdish leaders to build a strong, multinational state. But it can't happen before there is peace restored.


(More responses to follow)  

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To: The Police

You need to take serious measures to protect British and French citizens against attacks. It's understandable our people are angry and yearns revenge, but that is not a desirable course.

The people anger must be channeled in other, managable direction.

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The Ottoman Empire, that was just reminded the horrors of war, is deeply disturbed by the conflict in the Far East and urges the belligerents to find a peaceful resolution before we all will face a global catastrophe.

We are condemning a gang of irresponsible Russian Admirals for firing the first shots. We believe they acted against His Majesty's wishes and that St. Petersburg will act responsibly.


To: Garrisons on the Russian and Orthodox League borders

-- The border control must be tightened.

-- Alert status. Do not respond to any provocations shall such occur. Defend yourself if attacked.

-- Send regular reports.

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To: The United Kingdom
From: The Ottoman Empire

Contrary to my people wishes, which are no secret to the world, I do not want to see more troubles in the Middle East. It would led to more rage of my subjects and distract them from real priorities, such as reforming our state.

We are welcoming your proposal of peaceful mediation and if you agree, we can proceed with such in Ankara (Constantinopole is not the best place for such exposed task).

There are two small things we would like to ask your assistance with. First, we are, as you know, facing similar troubles in Kurdistan. We have situation under control militarily, but someone from outside is using those radical militants. Any relevant Intel you have or may have would be appreciated.

Second, we still face a refugee crisis, so some assistance is welcomed. Also, such aid would greatly improve the British image internally.

x Abdul Hamid II

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We are very disturbed with Russian declaration of war against Germany. Once again, we appeal for restrain to all sides involved.

The Caliph of Islam (yup, me ) calls upon all Faithful to pray for peace.

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We are very disturbed with Russian declaration of war against Germany. Once again, we appeal for restrain to all sides involved.

The Caliph of Islam (yup, me ) calls upon all Faithful to pray for peace.

Germany declared war on us first and we have an obligation to defend our country.

OOC: Fair point, but we're kinda biased now

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To: The Japanese Empire; The Russian Empire; The German Empire
From: The Ottoman Empire
CC: The whole damn World

We ask the belligerents to give peace a chance before crossing the point of no return.

We propose:

- A temporary cease fire

- Agreeing to a mediation of a neutral power (Brazil? Spain? Portugal? Sweden? Freaking Switzerland?)

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Economic orders:

- Commence improving existing roads, as well as building new ones, in Anatolia. With our allies helping to improve our military, we can hopefully direct more domestic funds here.

- Our country must be more industrialized. Ankara and its area shall become a center for new works. Seek foreign assistance and investments.


Government:

We shall create a second chamber of parliament, called the Senate. Senate shall be a deliberative body (may change later, we'll see how it goes), made up from representatives of three main nations of the Empire (Turks, Arabs and Kurds) in equal number (10 Senators). Leading minorities will be assigned 2 Senators each.

To emphasize a need to develop Anatolia beside Constantinopole, the Senate shall be located in Ankara.


Propaganda points:

-- Massive domestic works are not only a golden opportunity for workers, it also shows the new, better state is being built

-- With aid from our allies and their presence, our military is on the road to regain it's rightful position among armies of the nation

-- Our participation in Venezuelan conflict shows we're back in business

-- Kurdish radicals are on the run. Soon there will be peace withing again

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The Ottoman Empire is happy about posiitve reception to our negotiation proposals. Our forces remains on alert, but we hope we will be able to stand them down soon.

Alert does not limit our current committment in thhe Carribeans. The Naval Infantry is on route to Cuba.

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OOC: And I had worked so hard to try and burn Europe to the ground... Oh, well!

OOC: We know you will try your best

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This is not an official action, just something I consider.

Creating four Constituent Countries (or some other name instead), based on current Administrative Districts.



Green: Anatolia
Blue: Syria
Red: Mesopotamia
Yellow: Kurdistan

By this I hope to decrease some national tensions and make the bureacracy more efficent, without changing fundamental.

(Kinda leaking this now to make the Kurds understand we're cool )

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We are extremely pleased to receive Vice President Hay.

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We are deeply disappointed with the Venezuelan refusal to comply with the rightful international demands.

The Ottoman Empire will continue to stand with our allies and if the crisis prolongs, we are pledging to send another regiment of troops.

We don't benefit from our involvement, but we do value international commitments. In interest of all involved, we appeal to President Castro to come to the table.


As a side that proposed peace talks, we will send our envoy to observe the conference and participate in negotiations. 


We endorse the U.S. claim to Greenland, which they already control in all but name. We advise the Danish government to accept the generous offer.

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Despite some rumours, the Ottoman Empire is neither conducting nor attempting the remilitarization of Dardanelles. We have already proven there is no country more committed to the Treaty of Jerusalem than we are.

In case of being attacked we will close the straits for enemy ships and no one should be surprised. We have right to defense like every nation. But we're not being attacked and we do not anticipate attack.

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It grieves me, as everybody knows we have tried our best to save the peace, but we simply cannot tolerate any more Russian provocations. We will stand with our American, Japanese and British friends until the St. Petersburg's intrigues are stopped.

I hereby declare the state of war exists between the Ottoman Empire and Russia

We are therefore considering terms of free passage and Orthodox settlements as nullified. This does not affect our commitment to honor agreements with Britain and France.

-- Seize all Russian assets.

-- Put prominent Orthodox priests, that settled down in Istanbul, under arrest (but treat them well). Observe other settlers.

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The Ottoman Empire wishes to solidify their wartime alliance with Japan, Great Britain and Germany by entering a formal alliance, similar to one we enjoy with the United States.

We commend the French Republic for refusing to side with the aggressor.

The US Navy's Mediterranean Task Force will support the Ottoman Navy if the Sultan orders the straits closed

Yes, the straits are declared closed.


Propaganda:

Russian aggressors are threathing our motherland once again, but we are stronger and got powerful allies. THIS IS REVENGE TIME! We will soon reclaim our lost glory!

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We have no intentions whatsoever of destroying or portioning Russia. We are interested in securing a solid peace and security for us and our allies against any potential aggression in future.


To: Kingdom of Armenia; Kingdom of Greece; Kingdom of Romania; Kingdom of Serbia; Principality of Montenegro
From: The Ottoman Empire

We bear absolutely no hostility toward your nations.

x Abdul Hamid II


To: Empire of Persia
From: The Ottoman Empire

We request that your country would kindly allow British and Ottoman transits through your territory, as we purse war with Russia.

x Abdul Hamid II

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I hope that our firm reaction to the Russian threat will finally convince Venezuela that the patience of the united nations cannot be tested indefinitely.

President Castro, please do yourself and your country a favor.

I order the second regiment of troops, awaiting in Beirut, be dispatched to the Carribean (Italy: since we're on the same side on Venezuela and you're not warring with Russia, could we have a hand in transporting the regiment to Cuba? We're low on our own available transport.)

(US: These two regiments and our Navy Task Force is all we can committ now there.)

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Contrary to some opinions within my own court, I have no issue with the Orthodox living in Constantinopole. I am, actually, quite receptive to the city serving as a bridge between the Christiandom and the Muslim world. 

We have only took precautionary measures of detaining potential dangerous Russian agents. Detaining with all dignity, that international observers are invited to verify.
 
After victory, I plan to confirm Orthodoxy's rights, but as long as they won't hold an allegiance to a foreign power.

Russia, that has enslaved millions of Poles, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Georgians, Azeri, Chechens, Kazakhs (among many, many others), and still conducts despicable pogroms of the Jews, has zero credibility to accuse us of any "oppression".


PROCLAMATION

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Abdul Hamid II, Padishah, Sovereign of the House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Emperor of Rome etc. etc., hereby proclaims that:

-- As the Caliph of Islam, I declare Holy War against the Russian barbarians and call upon all faithful to take up their arms, and those unfit to serve to actively aid our brave troops.

-- All non-political criminals serving in our prisons, except of those deemed as too dangerous to be released, are offered an amnesty providing they will join our Armed Forces and fight for the state.


x Abdul Hamid II

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x Kaiser Wilhelm III, King of Prussia and Deutscher Kaiser

x Abdul Hamid II