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

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Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdülmecid II, Padishah, Sovereign of the Sublime 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 Two Noble Sanctuaries, Caesar of the Roman Empire, etc. etc.

We see the struggle our brothers in Libya undertaken against the latter day crusaders as just and noble. May Allah grant them victory and freedom from heathen opressors. May the false Roman Emperor and his chaplain burn in hell.

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

(I love our war of words, Southern Gothic)

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Ismet Pasha (since there's no Surname Law, he's not called İnönü), one of Vice Ministers of War, is appointed as the Ottoman Ambassador to the United States.

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1. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdülmecid II, Commander of the Faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries has full confidence in Grand Vizier Carasso and his ability to oversee the implementation of economic and administrative reform.

(Non-public: Clergy doesn't have a reason to worry. The principles of Islam and Muslim unity remains, and will remain, a cornerstone of the Ottoman state. The spiritual authority remains with the Caliph, while political decisions with the Pashas. Carasso was appointed to oversee implementation of economic and administrative reforms.)


2. The very intention behind creation of a local elected assemblies is that the people will have a say in the matters that most concerns their daily lives. The only requirement we see as paramount is a candidate's unquestionable loyalty to the House of Osman and the Ottoman State.

(Non-public: The goal is to relieve burden on the central administration in dealing with local affairs and make the population satisfied with having a say there. Under no circumstances the reform is indicating any chance for implementing such an experiment on the national level.

During the Restoration and July Monarchy, the French government showed a great ability in ensuring elections of candidates loyal to the state, without getting too heavy handed. Let's take this example.)


3. We are greatly pleased with continuing development of our modern railway system and native military industry, and we intend to stay on the course, not just to have a capability of arming ourselves, but also to stimulate our overall economy and reduce unemployment.

Because the Ottoman territory, with exception of a Moroccan enclave, is contignious, air and land got natural priority over the navy. We shall, however, dispatch a mission to the United States and seek their assistance on the naval production field.


4. Palestine: remain vigilant.

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The Ottoman Empire invited the United States of America and the Tsardom of Romania to form a some kind of a forum of oil producing countries.

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Although great, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's patience is not limitless. What began as a small, surgical military operation in response to the enemy's attempted sabotage, escalated into a full-scale war because of the Tsar's stubborn and foolish arrogance and refusal to acknowledge the inevitable. We command Bulgarians to bow before the might of the House of Osman, or face a complete doom. (No, we don't change our policy, just telling it on benefit of the popularion at home.)

The Ottoman Empire is pleased with Greek apparent willingness to talk. However, given that it was Greece that declared war on us, not the opposite, we cannot accept peace without real guarantees, and acceptance of points 4 to 6 is not sufficient.

The Ottoman Empire and His Sacred and Imperial Majesty are deeply saddened with health problems of our most esteemed ally, Chancellor Marx. We wish him a speedy recovery. The world politics will not be the same without him.

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• Ask to meet with Enver Pasha and President Roosevelt on the status of the Trade Alliance

No problem for us. Where the troika can meet so it would be convinient to all?

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It is absolutely clear for the Sublime Porte that our Romanian ally became a convenient scapegoat for some foreign circles. The Bulgarian government could have stopped the war long time ago, but choose to sacrifice it's own people in stubborn and, which will be ultimately, a futile efforts. They and only they are to blame for Bulgarian people's suffering.

We find that hypocritical that certain foreign circles are quick to denounce Romania, but did they denounce Bulgarian terrorist attempts? Did they denounce Greece and Serbia declaring war without a valid reason?

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OOC: Will we not have national urgent matters any more?

I think we're in the middle of a turn, so these were just midturn updates.

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On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan I have an honor to offer our heartfelt congratulations to Chancellor von Papen on his accession to the office. We are looking forward to many more years of friendship and cooperation between the German Reich and the Sublime Porte.

Ismail Enver Pasha
Minister of War and Foreign Affairs 

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External Relations:

1. The Ottoman Empire would like to propose the three fellow great European powers, presently engaged in hostilities in separate conflicts (that is Italy, France and Germany) to hold a four-side conference on a neutral ground, with no preconditions from the Sublime Porte. At this difficult point even an honest exchange of views would be a welcome development.

2. The Ottoman Empire had no wish to wage a war against Greece in the first place, but we can't show our willingness to settle things indifinitivelt with no reaction in kind from the Athens.

3. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan is disappointed with actions of some European nations regarding Romania. It is his belief Romania remains a convenient beating boy, so to speak, for hostile foreign circles.

4. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan is delighted with President Roosevelt's election to a full term. He believed that under a strong and capable leader such as him, the great American people will soon enjoy peace and stability.

5. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan congratulated Prime Minister Inukai on his splendid majority.

6. The Ottoman-American-Chinese trade deal is a priority.

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Any Naval intrusion in the areas of the Aegean Sea that are being currently occupied by the Ottoman Forces in the light of Greek aggression will be treated similarly as intrusion on the Ottoman territorial waters: a hostile act.

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Any Naval intrusion in the areas of the Aegean Sea that are being currently occupied by the Ottoman Forces in the light of Greek aggression will be treated similarly as intrusion on the Ottoman territorial waters: a hostile act.

It is not the intent of the Italian Imperial Navy to provoke the heathen government in Anatolia. We will take great measures to ensure that the Ottoman Empire's territorial claims are respected. But implore you to understand that mistakes happen, and should not be considered provocations.

We appreciate the clarification. The Ottoman Empire will not look for an excuse to provoke tensions.

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On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan
x Enver Pasha
Minister of War and Foreign Affairs

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No one is interested in the powers' summitt beside Germany? Sad!

We tried.

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The Ottoman Empire has no intentions of destabilizing the oil market by flooding it with the products of our increased production of oil. Aside of our friends in Germany and the Izmir Treaty, our main area of interest shall be expanding markets with the East, as declared before: most notably China and Japan. In the case of the former we shall temporarily sell the oil on decreased price, due to the local government facing political and economic challenges.

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The Ottoman Empire is greatly concerned about the developments in Greece, namely strange presence of the French troops there. This action is nothing short of declaring war.

We don't believe a responsible stateman such as President François de La Rocque is behind these dangerous and irresponsible actions. It clearly seems as a rogue action of elements within French military. Still, we request Paris in the strongest terms to put the end of this.

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We find it even more troubling these events occured after we have proposed a four-part talks to prevent any escalation. Let the history record which side tried to mitigate and which to escalate.

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The Ottoman Empire is prepeared to accept a general ceasefire with no preconditions.

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As a show of good faith, the Ottoman Empire declared an immediate, unilateral cease fire. No futher offensive moves will be taken and our forces will only fire if fired upon.

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Would the Ottomans accept it?

Yes we do.

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There were no hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and the Magray Republic. We do not object to their participation.

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We would like to remind everyone that neither France nor Hungary have declared war against any of the belligerants in the Balkan conflict.

We believe the presence of some French troops in Greece is a rogue action of some insubordinate General, not the Paris government.

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Let the record show the Ottoman Empire took the first practical step toward peace by our unilateral ceasefire.

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With the German Empire reaction, the Ottoman Empire sees no reason to prolong the whole affair.

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The Ottoman Empire is reluctant to see more countries deploying their forces in the region.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Government is confident the French Government can easily subdue their own rogue citizens without futher external interference.