The Sword of Damocles (Gameplay Thread) (Early 1930)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire is very pleased with entering what will surely be a long and fruitful cooperation with Romania. Both sides shares a strong desire for stability in what is rather troubled region and, together with Germany, we are sure we can secure it.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Selected ministers of the Ottoman Government

Grand Vizier: Ahmet Tevfik Pasha
Minister of War and Foreign Affairs: Ismail Enver Pasha
Minister of the Interior: Talaat Pasha
Minister of the Navy: Djemal Pasha
Minister of Finance: Mehmet Cavit Bey
Minister of Education and Science: Ahmed Rıza
Minister of Culture: Ziya Gökalp
Minister of Justice: Emmanuel Carasso

Ministers of War, the Interior and the Navy assembles the Council of Ministers Standing Committee on National Security.

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The Ottoman Empire reiterates that we will consider deploying such "volunteer" force no diffrent than an open declaration of war. We've already announced that any aggressive side that destabilizes peace in Europe will meet with severe sanctions.

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Having no particular interests at stake in the region, the Ottoman Empire is nonetheless concerned with rapidly deteriorating situation in China and hopes for a peaceful resolution. Because of this lack of vital interests in the region, the Sublime Porta is available is there's a need for an impartial mediator.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The incident in the Straits is not just a cowardly attack on the Ottoman Empire, but an attack against the world's commerce. By attempting to commit this atrocious act, Bulgaria threatened the peace and welfare of all Europe.

In response to the crisis, the Ottoman Empire:

1. Closes their territorial waters to all shipment from and to Bulgaria
2. Put our armed forces in the region on alert

We are disappointed with the belligerent attitude taken by the Kingdom of Greece. We will however, at this moment, take no steps other than diplomatic protest.


(Anonymous comment by an official within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "It's extremely ironic that Greece, that once used an opportunity presented by the Ottoman-Bulgarian conflict to seize Bulgarian territory now pretends to be Sofia's friend")

(OOC: I'm sorry if I shouldn't have posted, Lumine. It's merely a reaction to new development)

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PROCLAMATION

In the name of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdülmecid II,

Padishah, Sovereign of the House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor 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, and of the Cities of Damascus and Cairo,

etc. etc.


A cowardly attack on our facilities in the Straits was not only an attack on the Sublime Porte, but a threat to the peace and welfare of all the Europe, given significance of said waterway for global commerce.

We have tried to maintain a peaceful relations with Bulgaria, but in the light of recent events we can't ignore the threat anymore. It's time for an energetic military action to defuse the threat once and for all.

Thereby:

The Ottoman Empire declares war on Bulgaria

In order to prevent any undesirable escalation, we shall not ask our German and Crimean allies to intervene.

(please don't cancel, Lumine)

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His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan, along with his Minister, wishes to extend his warmest congratulations toward Chancellor Marx for his pacemaking efforts being so loudly recognized.

The Ottoman Empire is watching developments in the former Russian Empire with a great deal of interest and concern. We hope the current conflict won't escalate.

The Ottoman Empire believes that there's a sinister third force working on damaging relations between Romania and Crimea, and by extension with us, by spreading outrageous and unfounded rumours. Those people are cowards and will not succeed in destabilizing the relations between Constantinopole, Bucharest and Sevastopol.

The Ottoman Empire congratulated the People's Republic of Spain on dealing the crippling blow to a revolt led by a disgraced former King.

The Ottoman Empire is saddened with the conditions on Cuba. However, the Cuban government is directly responsible for bringing this misery on their own people by supporting a fringe American "government in exile". No sovereign power would leave such a threat unanswered. We wish General MacArthur all the luck in crushing the traitors, both at home and abroad.

(The Ottoman Empire had no bloody idea what to think about the situation in China. Since our German allies has important interest there, while we do not, we should just support their policy.)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

1. We wish to reiterate our full commitment to freedom and welfare of the Kingdom of Hejaz. We will never allow the Wahhabi heathens to conquer the holiest land of Islam. The Shariff of Mecca and King of Hejaz (OOC: I assume it’s Ali bin Hussein who holds the title now) is not just an allied ruler, but is recognized as the second highest Muslim religious leader, outranked only by the Caliph.

The research into improving the railway is to be continued, but we must consider alternative, less vulnerable ways to improve crucial transport, including roads and maritime transport. More emphasis is to be put on training and arming the Shariff’s forces (OOC: how are establishing arm industry going? Also, what’s the situation in Northern Yemen?)

Just to be safe, send two additional divisions of calvary in Hejaz.


2. The Jewish residents of Palestine, as Ottoman citizens, have every right to bring their grievances in front of the legal authorities and we would certainly give them our consideration. However, attempting to get another government to interfere is treason and will not be tolerated (OOC: beside, trying to get the British support is, given how unpopular they became in the region, a bit silly). Any riots, no matter how justified the anger is, should be prevented. Arab of Palestine can rest assured Palestine is Muslim.

Not-public: Emphasize again the difference between „loyal” Jews and those who were settled there during a brief colonial rule. We are prepeared to make important gestures to those Jews that are loyal to the Empire.


3. Following a successful establishment of the Islamic bank in Beirut, steps should be undertaken to establish it’s branches in every General Governate (one for now).

A careful look should be taken on the economic needs in Mesopotamia, other than oil research.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Communique from the Ottoman Petroleum Authority:

Due to reorientation of our markets by increasing trade with Asia, the OPA will no longer sell oil to the Kingdom of Hungary, judging our commercial relationship unsatisfactory. The OPA will also reduce our oil sells to France by 40% due to more pressing demand elsewhere.

This decision has nothing to do whatsoever with recent political developments ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


To: Empire of China
From: The Ottoman Empire

We have noted your interest of establishing closer trade relations.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Communique from the Ottoman Petroleum Authority:

Due to reorientation of our markets by increasing trade with Asia, the OPA will no longer sell oil to the Kingdom of Hungary, judging our commercial relationship unsatisfactory. The OPA will also reduce our oil sells to France by 40% due to more pressing demand elsewhere.

This decision has nothing to do whatsoever with recent political developments ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


To: Empire of China
From: The Ottoman Empire

We have noted your interest of establishing closer trade relations.

Let me be clear about something:
- You stop the aggression of Bulgary
-You stop putting me an embargo.

If you don't do that,
THIS IS WAR

We have way too much respect toward the French Republic to believe this is a genuine ultimatum. It is clear it must have been badly distorted by some incompetent officials.

There will be no change of policy. The Ottoman Empire, a sovereign power, can trade or cease to trade with anybody we desire. We could have withdrawn our oil from French markets altogether, given there is more profitable demand elsewhere. We decided against this as a sign of good will. However, if such a hostile statement should ever come from any nation, we would put an absolute embargo.

Thirdly, we would like to humbly remind any potentially aggressive power that declaring war on the Ottoman Empire or Bulgaria means declaring a was on all members of the Treaty of Izmir, as well as individual allies.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire will not back down to any ultimatum. However, we've been always believing in settling all problems via honest diplomatic dialogue (Yep, diplomatic channels are always open).

The French Republic should understand that we made serious economic commitments to China and Japan.

There is no embargo and we protest against this incorrect description. Any sovereign nation decides the degree of it's trade.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The People of China thank the OPA for their increase in willingness to trade. We will be accepting their advances with open arms. A Chinese Trade Delegation will travel to Istanbul to set up a trade route through the Middle East (around British Territory) to offer our resources like glue, tea, silk, sugar cane, tobacco, cotton, corn, and peanuts. We hope that this trade route will be the start of an illustrious friendship for many years.

We are most happy with the government of China taking up our offer. We're looking forward a long and fruitful commercial relationship.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Kingdom of Greece has taken more drastic steps, ordering a partial mobilization of its armed forces and demanding Istanbul and Bucharest to enter the negotiation table or risk escalation of the current war.

"No hostile moves toward Greece have been or are now anticipated by the government. We've made it clear years ago we have no issue with Athens. If Greece however uses military force, we are prepeared" - official in the Ottoman Foreign Ministry.

"If the French are willing to engage in a diplomatuc dialogue, we certainly would give a due consideration," was another comment.

(It is rumoured that when asked unofficially about Czech statement, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said "AYY LMAO", which is, of course, unattributable)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

A partial mobilization is ordered in response to a similar move taken by Greece.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Constantinopole

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Abdülmecid II, Sultan of the Ottoman State and Caliph of Islam, wishes to contribute to forging closer ties with our allies and is interested in visiting several allied countries in official capacity.

(He may be a Sultan, but he should do some actual work from time to time. It's not like he'll spend his entire time on painting.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Communique from the Ottoman Petroleum Authority:

The OPA is most interested in trading with proven Ottoman friends in Europe, most notably Germany, as well as opening to new markets in China, Japan and Spain. Reconsideration or priorities should be viewed as a normal business decision, not a hostile political gesture. It is only natural that our allies have precedence.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Communique from the Ottoman Petroleum Authority:

After most satisfactory talks with our French counterparts, the OPA announces that oil sales to France will return to previous level with moderately increased prices.

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Institutional Decree

On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty by the Council of Ministers.


1. Offices of Governors General are hereby abolished and replaced with position of Minister-Resident in each General Governate.
2. Minister-Residents of Azerbaijan, Greater Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia and Kurdistan shall take over Governors General role of representing the central government in their respective provinces, direct central government administration in the province and overseeing local authorities on the governates level.
3. Minister-Residents shall be simultaneously members of the Council of Ministers.
4. The General Governate of Anatolia is to remain under direct supervision of the central government.
5. Each General Governate, including Anatolia, shall have an Assembly, elected on a non-partisan basis (I guess there are no parties TTL) to participate in deciding on local affairs.
6. A local consultative council shall be established in the Ottoman Morocco.

For the Council of Ministers:
/-/ Ahmet Tevfik Pasha
Grand Vizier

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

(OOC: Marvelous work, Lumine! I'm always impressed on how well you're handling such messy breakups XD)

From Radio Beirut:

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The Ottoman Empire is disappointed with the French Republic deciding to escalate the crisis. We have made it clear we will not support the side that commence aggressive moves in this conflict and we will keep our word. We are even more disappointed that this decision came shortly after we've extended our hands towards Paris regarding the oil trade. Part of French statement regarding this matter is downright insulting.

The Ottoman Empire suspends all diplomatic relations with the French Republic and will seriously reevaluate it's futher policy.

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Diplomatic relations with Italy are hereby severed.

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The most troubling is that foreign policy of certain great powers is now being driven by pure ideological considerations. Communism is as alien to His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's government, as it is to our counterparts in Paris and Rome. This is, however, an internal matter of Spain and violating their sovereignty over some new crusade is a very dangerous development. It's not Spain that tried to force their ideology over France and Italy. It's the other way around. Are we, as a Muslim country, to fear being attacked by one of these countries over religious issues? We're certainly highly alerted because of these events.

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Territorial waters of the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hejaz are closed for any ships from or to Italy.

/-/ Ahmed Djemal Pasha
Minister of the Navy and Commander of Constantinople.

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We are most disappointed at Greek declaration of war. We have made it clear over and over again we desire nothing but peace and reconciliation with Greece. Let's the history record it was their decision to initiate hostilities, not ours. (Also, they had no problem with partitioning Bulgaria in cooperation with us in 1902. And now they are playing saints, even though they gave some hints about sharing this time too. Oh well. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is proud to have such a strong and honourable allies as the German Empire. If there were any doubts before, we can now see the German-Ottoman friendship is unbreakable.

The Ottoman Empire attempted, in vain, to maintain peace with Greece. To no avail. It is clear to us that Greece does not case at all about Bulgaria, as it was evident in 1902, but wants to use this as a pretext to annex Albania and threathen the Anatolian soil. Exactly the same low motivations were on the part of Serbia, which has sickening ambitions to threat our friends in Bosnia. Albania and Bosnia put their trust in the Constantinopole and we shall never, ever let them down.

The Ottoman Empire is hereby seizing all Bulgarian, Greek and Serbian assets. All citizens of these states currently on the Ottoman territory shall be put in the protective custody until an eventual exchange of prisoners can be arranged.

The Ottoman Empire formally request that Crimea will honor treaty obligation and join the war (/i]can use some Czech legionists XD[/i]). We will not request our allies in the Kingdom of Hejaz to join the war, given logistical issues (I'm not drying Hejaz out of needed forces)