Gilded Ambitions: Concert of Europe Part V (Gameplay Thread)

[Dereich]

Having avoided such improprieties in our own conduct, it is with great pleasure that the Emperor hears and accepts the call of Wilhelmina to properly regulate ungentlemanly warfare among civilized peoples. A representative of the Emperor will attend the conference at Tróis Rivieres.

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Convention of Strasbourg

I . The Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Kingdom of France, hereinafter “the Contracting Parties,” declare today that their common purpose shall be the preservation of peace and the preservation of their vital national interests.
II . The Contracting Parties agree to respect one another’s borders and take all efforts to collectively maintain the global system of trade, commerce, and equilibrium, and undertake to provide all aid, including military, in order to address threats to that system.
III . The Contracting Parties agree to collectively take all necessary steps to maintain their territory and national sovereignty should offensive acts to any of their insular and maritime possessions in Europe or abroad, or to their vital national interests occur, and agree to undertake all efforts, including military, in order to address these threats.
IV . Notwithstanding the previous provisions, the Contracting Parties remain free to pursue an independent foreign policy in line with their national interests.

x Charles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

x Louis XX de Bourbon, King-Emperor of France

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Vienna Declaration

The powers, taking note of the proclamations from Mexico City, do not find them binding owing to the persistence of multiple claimants to the Mexican throne.

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Treaty of Mutual Guarantee between the Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Russian Republic

Article I:
The Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Russian Republic, hereinafter “the High Contracting Parties,” collectively and severally guarantee, in the manner provided in the following Articles, the maintenance of the territorial status quo resulting from the frontiers between Scandinavia and Russia, between Scandinavia and the Habsburg Monarchy, Scandinavia and Poland, between Poland and the Habsburg Monarchy, between Poland and Russia, and between the Habsburg Monarchy and Russia and the inviolability of the said frontiers as fixed by or in pursuance of the Treaty of Peace signed at Warsaw in 1873, the Treaty of Peace signed at Limassol in 1876 and the Treaty of Peace signed at Prague in 1877.

Article II:
Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, Poland, and Russia mutually undertake that they will in no case attack or invade each other or resort to war against each other. This stipulation shall not, however, apply in the case of the exercise of the right of legitimate defense, that is to say, resistance to a violation of the undertaking contained in the previous Article.

Article III:
In view of the undertakings entered into in Article II of the present treaty, Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, Poland, and Russia undertake to settle by peaceful means all questions of every kind which may arise between them.

Article IV:
In case of a flagrant violation of Article II of the present Treaty by one of the High Contracting Parties, each of the other High Contracting Parties hereby undertakes immediately to come to the help of the Party against whom such a violation or breach has been directed as soon as the said Power has been able to satisfy itself that this violation constitutes an unprovoked act of aggression and that by reason either of the crossing of the frontier or of the outbreak of hostilities immediate action is necessary.

x Charles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

x President Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Stockholm Declaration

The powers hereby guarantee the value of the private and state investments of their respective governments and citizens in the Kingdom of Mexico.

x President Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Veracruz Convention

The Kingdom of France, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Kingdom of Mexico, “the High Contracting Parties,” agree to the following:

Article I:
(a)The Kingdom of Mexico shall return previously nationalized property and investments of French, Habsburg, Russian, Scandinavian, New Englander, and Quebecois private investors to their previous owners.
(b)The Kingdom of Mexico shall return previously nationalized property and investments of the French, Habsburg, Russian, Scandinavian, New Englander, and Quebecois states to their previous owners.
(c)The Kingdom of Mexico guarantees that the rights of the above foreign states and nationals to this property shall remain unabridged.

Article II:
(a)The Kingdom of France, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic and the Kingdom of Scandinavia recognizes King Luis II de Bourbon-Orleans as the rightful and sole ruler of the Kingdom of Mexico, and disavow approval or recognition for any other claimant to the Mexican throne.

Article III:
(a)The High Contracting Parties agree to undertake no hostile actions against any other High Contracting Party of this treaty, including acts against naval vessels, private property, and national territory.
(b)The Kingdom of France, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic and the Kingdom of Scandinavia agree to provide no military support to any active belligerents engaged in hostilities against the Kingdom of Mexico.
(c)The provisions of this article shall not apply in case of a conflict with an ally of the Kingdom of France, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic or the Kingdom of Scandinavia.

Article IV:
(a)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article II and Article III, the Kingdom of France, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic and the Kingdom of Scandinavia reserve the right to take action to any violation of Article I.

Charles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

X King Luis II de Bourbon-Orleans

x President Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Wikimedia Commons

Regarding the Future of the Empire

Last month we marked the third anniversary of the late Emperor Charles. We recall with great affection his memorable life, spent in devoted service to bettering the lives of his many subjects. We particularly note the great affection he continually showed through his tragically short life to those who were to succeed him: his loving mother, his supportive wife, and his obedient children.

Throughout his reign Emperor Charles expressed a deeply held desire that his son, our beloved Emperor Maximilian, should inherit a realm that was united in vision and purpose, ready and able to meet the challenges of the 20th century. For that reason he advanced a third great reform of that most ancient and august of his realms, the Holy Roman Empire. That ancient empire continues now as it has for centuries, unchanging and incapable of adequately representing the needs to its subjects.  Indeed, alone among the constituent realms of Emperor Ferdinand, the subjects of the Empire have no say in who will speak for them. It is both tragedy and farce that the Emperor's subjects in far away Ningpo or Abyssinia might be more fairly represented in the halls of Imperial power than those in the first and greatest of the Emperor's realms. The institutions of the Imperial Diet and the College of Electors, moulded to their current forms in the flames of necessity, no longer stand capable of adequately serving the subjects of the Empire.

The Late Emperor Charles's noble goal, one which respected the needs of his Imperial subjects while staying true to the institutions and traditions of this ancient empire, was tragically cut short by his death. It was right and proper to postpone the implementation of his reform as a sign of piety and propriety regarding the Emperor's passing. However, that time has come to an end. Events across the world show that the Empire, now more than ever, must adapt to the ways of the 20th century or fall into disrepute. As those who inherit his desire for a bright future in which Emperor and Subjects speak as one and move forward together, it is our duty and prerogative as regents to Emperor Maximilian to see his father's dream implemented before he assumes his exalted station on his own rights.

The Third Imperial Reform will therefore be reintroduced before the Imperial Diet, to be debated and considered by the Imperial assemblies before the conclusion of the year.

Viribus Unitis.

So Say We All,

Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen
Dowager Empress Vittoria de Bourbon-Savoie
Christina Hanover the Empress Mother

[Dereich]

The Austro-Québecois Aeronautical Accord (1900)

The signatories, recognizing the enormous possibilities associated with civilian use of the ingenious Hapsburg invention of the Zeppelin, hopeful about the prospect of future civilian air travel, and mindful of the need for intensive research, hereby agree to the following:

1.) That a Trans Imperial Aeronautic Corporation (TIAC for short) be formed with offices in Vienna and Montréal. The Hapsburg Monarchy and the Empire of Québec will have equal participation, shares and seats at the TIAC board.

2.) The Empire of Montréal will contribute a permanent supply of Helium for the TIAC’s operations, and the Hapsburg Monarchy will share its expertise and technology in Zeppelins. Neither party will be allowed to share the research nor redirect the Helium supply to a third party.

3.) Both nations will fund a Scientific and Technological Department within the TIAC to lead continuous research on Zeppelin and such other aeronautical machines that may be of use.

4.) At such point in which technological developments and Zeppelin production allows, the TIAC will enact the very first civilian commercial air routes between Vienna and Budapest; and Montréal and Québec City. Long term development will then aim to cover the Hapsburg Monarchy and the Empire of Québec, and then the European and North American continents proper.

x Wilhelmina I von Hohenzollern,
Empress and Defender of Québec

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

We are delighted to enter this partnership with our Hohenzollern friends and look forward to the great aeronautical strides this mutually beneficial agreement will bring to both of our empires.

[Dereich]

TREATY OF TROIS-RIVIERES (1900)

ARTICLE 1
Any form of biological warfare, as well as all forms of chemical warfare with the sole exception of non-lethal tear inducing irritants for emergency domestic situations; are hereby considered to be ungentlemanly forms of warfare.

ARTICLE 2
The previously mentioned forms of ungentlemanly warfare are hereby banned within the territory of the signatures for domestic use, and for international use in terms of pre-emptive or first-use.

ARTICLE 3
The stockpiling of agents for biological and chemical warfare is hereby prohibited. All current stockpiles of such agents must be disposed of.

ARTICLE 4
Research on chemical and biological warfare will only be allowed for the purposes of finding countermeasures, antidotes or for purely scientific purposes. Incentives and support will be provided for experts in such fields to switch to non-lethal research. Signatures must share their findings with the Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission in order to prevent and/or deter the start of a new arms race.

ARTICLE 5
The sale of agents for chemical and biological warfare will be made illegal. Companies that held a role or stake in such fields until January 1st, 1900, and who may encounter financial losses as the result of this protocol, may be reasonably compensated by their respective nation if they so decide, under their preferred mechanism.

ARTICLE 6
The signatories will further formally renounce the right to non-first usage of chemical and biological weapons in self-defence for all time. To enforce this renunciation, all signatories will agree to enact immediate and full economic sanctions, including an economic embargo, against any nation that engages in ungentlemanly warfare after the aforementioned date. Signatories must also pass legislation or enact decrees that ensure compliance with Article 6.

ARTICLE 7
An Ungentlemanly Warfare Commission will be established in a city belonging to the Swiss Republic or any such other neutral and non-aligned nation, with participants from all signatories. Delegations from the Commission will be provided reasonably access to signatory countries to ensure compliance with the previous articles.

The Commission must ensure that the make up of delegations to specific countries places emphasis on neutral, non-aligned, or non-rival nations to the one to be inspected. Information thus collected will remain the private, exclusive property of of the Commission, which must enact regulations with harsh penalties for any actors who illegally access or divulge any of its contents.

Suspicion of non-compliance must be brought to the Commission, who will issue a report – by majority vote – within 90 days outlining whether Article 6 ought to be invoked.

x Wilhelmina I von Hohenzollern,
Empress and Defender of Québec

x Chairman John Francis Fitzgerald, Confederation of New England
x Secretary of State Lucius F. C. Garvin, Confederation of New England

x Francis III, King of Naples.

x Tommaso Tittoni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples

x Giovanni Giolotti, First Minister of State and Minister of Foreign and Colonial Affairs of the Kingdom of Naples.

x President Arsenio Linares y Pombo

x Foreign Minister Francisco Silvela y Le Vielleuze

x Federico González Suárez, Archbishop-President of the Holy Republic of Gran Colombia

x Manuel Antonio Matos, Secretary of State of the Holy Republic of Gran Colombia

x Louis XX de Bourbon, King-Emperor of France

Charles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

x Nikolai Nikolayevich Pokrovsky, Envoy of the Russian Foreign Ministry
on BEHALF of
x President Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov
x Prime Minister Georgy Yevgenyevich Lvov

X, Queen Mary III, Queen of the United Kingdom

x Maximilian von Habsburg-Lothringen, manu propria at the behest of his regents

[Dereich]

Treaty of Mutual Guarantee between the Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Republic of Japan

The Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Republic of Japan, hereinafter “the High Contracting Parties,” declare that their common purpose shall be the maintenance of peace, trade, and commerce in East Asia.

Article I:
The High Contracting Parties collectively and severally guarantee the maintenance of the territorial status quo of the frontiers of their territorial concessions in Hainan, Leizhou, Ningbo, Formosa, and their attached territories against all outside interference.

Article II:
The Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Habsburg Monarchy collectively and severally guarantee the maintenance of the territorial status quo of the Japanese Home Islands against all outside Great Power interference.

Article III:
In view of the undertakings entered into in Articles I and II of the present treaty, the High Contracting Parties undertake to settle by peaceful means all questions of every kind which may arise between them.

Article IV:
In case of a flagrant violation of Article I or II of the present Treaty, each of the High Contracting Parties hereby undertakes immediately to come to the help of the Party against whom such a violation or breach has been directed as soon as the said Power has been able to satisfy itself that this violation constitutes an unprovoked act of aggression and that by reason either of the crossing of the frontier or of the outbreak of hostilities immediate action is necessary.

xCharles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

x- President Tokugawa Iesato

-Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

With a heavy heart, the constituent realms of Emperor Maximilian will comply with our obligations under the agreement made at Trois Rivieres. We urge our friend, the King of Louisiana, to ensure speedy compliance regarding ungentlemanly weaponry so that normal trade relations may be swiftly resumed.

[Dereich]

Convention Regarding Merchant Transit in the Strait of Gibraltar Signed at Portici

Article 1. The High Contracting Parties recognize and affirm the principle of freedom of transit and navigation by sea in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Article 2. In time of peace, merchant vessels shall enjoy complete freedom of transit and navigation in the Strait, by day and by night, under any flag and with any kind of cargo, without any formalities.

Article 3. In time of war, the High Contracting Parties not being belligerent, merchant vessels, under any flag or with any kind of cargo, shall enjoy freedom of transit and navigation in the Strait.

Article 4. In time of war, the High Contracting Parties being belligerent, merchant vessels not belonging to a country at war with said Parties shall enjoy freedom of transit and navigation in the Straits on condition that they do not in any way assist the enemy. Such vessels shall enter the Straits by day and their transit shall be effected by the route which shall in each case be indicated by relevant authorities, if any.

Article 5. In time of war, the High Contracting Parties not being belligerent, shall, should such a request be agreed to by the parties and after being duly announced, enforce the principles described in previous articles by joint naval exercises that will take place among the High Contracting Parties utilizing the Port of Cadiz, the Port of Gibraltar, and the Port of Málaga as necessary for this purpose.

Article 6. The present Convention shall, as from the date of its entry into force, be open to accession by any Power regarding Articles 1 through 4. A Power will be permitted accession regarding the full convention by agreement of the High Contracting Parties.

Article 7. The present Convention shall remain in force for twenty years from the date of its entry into force. The principle of freedom of transit and navigation affirmed in Article 1 of the present Convention shall however continue without limit of time. If, two years prior to the expiry of the said period of twenty years, no High Contracting Party shall have given notice of denunciation to the Imperial Government which bears this document, the present Convention shall continue in force until two years after such notice shall have been given.

Done at the Palace of Portici by the following representatives:

-Graf Lexa von Aehrenthal, Ambassador to the Court of Naples on behalf of Emperor Maximilian von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

A Review of the Alleged Biological Incident in Gran Colombia

The alleged use of animal droppings as described in certain reports in the vicinity of Pisco, Gran Colombia has been referred to the Imperial Foreign Ministry for potential violation of the Treaty of Tróis Rivieres ("The Treaty") and the Ministry has undertaken a review of those allegations ("The Allegations"). The Ministry makes the following findings:

• The Opening Statement of Her Majesty, Queen Wilhelmina of Quebec, to the Conference at Tróis Rivieres ("The Conference") made frequent references to man-made weapons, including specific references to living Quebecois veteran victims of mustard gas in the 1875 Battle of Pittsburg as well as to extensive civilian causalities observed by international observers in Morristown during the campaign to relieve New York City. It was in reference to such events that She then presented the assembled delegates the initial proposals.

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• Minutes of the Conference reflect extensive discussions regarding the intended meaning of the treaty and a general consensus as to the types of activity that would be banned. His Excellency, Minister Marchand, made reference to the "chemical weaponry industry" on the subject of compensation. His Excellency, Secretary Garvin, made similar references to compensation to corporate industries of such weapons. The Most Excellent Ambassador Lagerheim proposed the addition of an article regarding states with the capability to create chemical and biological weapons. A brief statement during the amendment process by The Most Excellent Silvela y Le Vielleuze noted concerns of the ability of non-signatories to "wipe nations off the face of the map without repercussions." A highly descriptive speech by The Most Excellent Minister Plenipotentiary Bourgeois expressed concerns that were the treaty not enforced in short order "will it not start off an arms race, treaty or no treaty?" Subsequent references to exclusively chemical weapons were then made by His Excellency Secretary Garvin and by the Most Excellent Ambassador Lagerheim.

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• Article 3 of the Treaty forbids the "stockpiling of agents for biological and chemical warfare." Article 4 of the Treaty allows for "Research on chemical and biological warfare will only be allowed for the purposes of finding countermeasures, antidotes or for purely scientific purposes....in order to prevent and/or deter the start of a new arms race. Article 5 states "The sale of agents for chemical and biological warfare will be made illegal. Companies that held a role or stake in such fields until January 1st, 1900....may be reasonably compensated by their respective nation." Article 7 provides for "delegations from the Commission will be provided reasonably access to signatory countries to ensure compliance with the previous articles."

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• The current allegations are as follows: during the course of the Siege of Pisco, unknown agents of either the Holy Republic of Gran Colombia or of the "Free State of the Andes" did deliberately and maliciously introduce horse manure into the water supply of the Colombian City of Pisco knowing that in doing so the opposing soldiery of the Divine Republic of Brazil would be made ill and would therefore surrender. There is no confirmation regarding whether the perpetrator was an agent of the Colombian or the "Andean" State. There is no confirmation that the Colombian or "Andean" State stockpiled horse manure for expressly warlike purposes. There is no confirmation that any tampering or modification was done to said horse manure before its introduction. There is no confirmation that any alleged illnesses were the direct result of said introduction.

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From the above review the Ministry concludes as follows. Discussions during the Conference made it clear that the intent was to ban the production , stockpile, and use of chemical and biological agents made for use in warfare. References to chemical weapons industries as well as "arms races" made it clear that the delegates understood that gasses and biological agents created primarily for warfare were the ungentlemanly warfare that Queen Wilhelmina meant to restrict. The discussions regarding inspections further reinforces this conclusion.

There was no discussion of banning common farming fertilisers or commonly used plants and household varmint poisons which would theoretically constitute "chemical or biological agents." References to "states being wiped off the map" and that only certain states possessed the capacity to create the disfavored weaponry further illustrate this point. Were Colombia to be sanctioned under the Treaty, it is unclear to the Ministry what they could present to the inspectors to establish a lack of biological agents so long as any excrement-producing creatures still lived. Even were horse excrement to constitute unacceptable biological weaponry under the Treaty, it is unclear from the record if it was agents of Colombia or the unrelated "Free Andean Government' which were responsible for the act. 

The Ministry therefore finds this case distinguishable from the use of chemical weaponry by the Commonwealth of Louisiana in 1900. For the above stated reasons, the Imperial Foreign Ministry declines to impose an embargo on the Holy Republic of Gran Colombia.

Graf Montecuccoli, Imperial Foreign Minister

[Dereich]

Conference of Konstantingrad

A Treaty between the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Greece, and the Kingdom of Serbia, and, The Turkist Empire, the Tsardom of Bulgaria, and the State of Albania, under Russian mediation, putting an immediate end to the Balkan War

PREAMBLE
The signatories, sharing a common concern over balance of power in the Balkans, as well as common concern over the costs of a long term war, have agreed to peace based on moderation and respect for the Principles of the Treaty of Limassol.

Article I: General Provisions
A . Complete cessation of all hostilities upon the agreement of all parties, to be followed by a ten-year non-aggression pact between both sets of signatories. Scandinavia will serve as a guarantor by pledging to embargo the guilty party on breaches of this article.
B . The release of all prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons to their respective party, including dead bodies.
C . A pledge from each party to not intervene in the domestic and internal affairs of each respective party.
D . The disavowal of all foreign claims by Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania, including that on Konstantingrad by Greece.

Article II: Concerning the Turkist Empire
A . The international boundaries between the Kingdom of Greece and the Turkist Empire shall revert to the status quo antebellum. These boundaries shall be guaranteed by the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Russian Republic.
B . The Kingdom of Greece agrees to enact a domestic programme for the protection of Turkish minorities within its borders.
C . The Turkist Empire agrees to enact a domestic programme for the protection of Greek minorities within its borders.

Article III: Concerning Albania
A .The Kingdom of Greece shall take possession of Northern Epirus to a line from just north of the City of Vlore to Lake Ohrid.
B . The Kingdom of Serbia shall take possession of the Kosovo District as well as those lands in Northern Albania as far as, but not including, the Lezhe District.
C . The Turkist Empire's special interest in the State of Albania and its Muslim population is formally recognized, and the signing powers commit to respect this interest.
D . These boundaries shall be guaranteed by the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Russian Republic.

Article IV: Concerning Bulgaria
A . The Kingdom of Greece shall take possession of the districts around the Rodopi Mountain Range.
B . The Kingdom of Serbia shall take possession of those districts of Macedonia ranging from the northern environs of Skopje to Mt. Korab.
C. The Tsardom of Bulgaria shall take possession of those districts of Western Thrace as far as Xanthi.
D . These boundaries shall be guaranteed by the Habsburg Monarchy, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Russian Republic.

Article V: Concerning Balkan Minorities
A .  A committee shall be convened of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Russian Republic, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Turkist Empire for the monitoring of minority rights within the Balkan states.
B . Such committee shall have a rotating chairmanship, and shall issue reports periodically to ensure the continued protection of minority populations in the Balkans.
C . The freedom of movement of minorities to their home nations in the Balkan peninsula is guaranteed, and the Habsburg Monarchy and the Kingdom of Scandinavia shall provide compensation to those of Turkish descent who wish to depart for the Turkist Empire in Serbia and Greece, respectively.

Reference Map Prepared by the Royal-Imperial Scandinavian Cartographic Society

Source: Spamage/Me

xCharles XIV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

X Grand Vizier for Life Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, Turkist Empire

Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Charles IX von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

On the Death of His Holiness, Pope Clement XIV

The Holy Roman Emperor, as the sole temporal Emperor whose position is endorsed by God through the authority of His Holiness the Pope, sends his most sincere condolences to Rome on hearing word of the death of Pope Clement XIV. It is the utmost consideration of the Holy Roman Emperor that the head of the Church be chosen both safely and quickly. As neither France nor Naples is safe or at peace, the Holy Roman Emperor, as the sole defender of the faith at peace in Europe, declares that either Konstanz or Verona, both of which have both had the dignity of hosting papal conclaves in times of trouble, and are indeed the only locations in which conclaves have been previously held where there is no threat of war, will be the sole locations that the House of Hapsburg will tolerate for the upcoming Papal conclave. It is of such high importance that the conclave be held in one of these cities, again reiterating that they are the only locations which combine safety outside the bitter war between the French and Italians and historic significance, that the Holy Roman Emperor does hereby demand that the King of France and the King of Naples agree to either make peace or to submit to one of these cities or else face the full force of the Imperial and Royal Armies of the Holy Roman Emperor.

[Dereich]

On the Developing Situation in Italy

The Holy Roman Emperor has maintained retained a preeminent role in serving as a guardian for the Italian People as King of Italy for 952 years and, more recently, as Kings of Lombardy-Venetia and Grand Dukes of Tuscany. While the role as protector of the Italians has sometime resulted in discord and strife, including with his cousin the late King of Naples, it is still one cherished and important to the very identity of the Emperor. It is therefore with deep sorrow that the whole of the Empire has viewed the recent suffering of the Italian people. The Emperor has personally met with some of the many refugees of the recent violence who have sought shelter within His realms and all of the constituent peoples of his Empire have opened their hearts and hearths to aid those seeking peace and security. It is in this capacity above all others that the Emperor looks on with astonishment at the recent proclamations and developments regarding areas within the Kingdom of Naples.

That the King of France, in his arrogance, would believe he has the right to unilaterally reorganise governance of the Italian peninsula merely because he has defeated the King of Naples in battle is as laughable as it is offensive. The Emperor, as King of Italy, will not permit the Italian people to be treated as disposable trash in the way that King Louis and his mother have treated the Dutch since they came to rule over them. As recently as three years ago the people of Naples expressed their unforced desire to maintain the popular monarchical government under the late King Francis. That knowing this, King Louis would impose manifestly unpopular and out-of-touch "Catholic Republican" regimes in parts of Naples where those promoting those ideologies were just recently laughed out of the public square (despite obvious and clumsy attempts by the King of France to support them) shows the profound lack of respect for the people of "Latin Europe" whom the King Louis is now supposedly to protect. Indeed, from Portugal to Italy, all of the peoples of Latin Europe would evidently prefer to fight and die rather than submit to the "protection" of King Louis or his associates.

It is here that the Emperor must address the crowning disappointment regarding the Church. There is no way to read the so-called "Concordat" establishing a new Papal State on top of Italian corpses other than as something imposed on the faithful by those with profoundly superficial and shallow faith. His Holiness would well know, as would the rest of the Curia, that their "restored temporal power" could only survive by the threat of the bayonet against His Holiness's new subjects. Perhaps ruling by the fear of ones own subjects is so ingrained in the King of France that he sees no issue with having His Holiness rule the same way; to the free Catholic world it can only be a travesty. And that the agreement would seek to sully the immortal souls of the most faithful by making them complicit in repressing the innocent peoples of Lazio and Romagna against their wills, all while pretending such tyranny is noble, is an outrage. The decision to incorporate Tuscany, a region long associated with the House of Hapsburg, in this coerced Concordat can only be treated as a personal slight against the Emperor created not by the faithful contemplation of His Holiness but by the arrogance of the French or the cunning of the Quebecois. Indeed, the ever-impressive Queen of Quebec is to be commended in crafting an agreement so guileful and odious that it could at a stroke end the ancient agreements ensuring peace for longer than her kingdom has existed. It is the position of the Emperor that this "Concordat" is illegitimate. His Holiness could not have agreed to such a foolish scheme willingly; indeed no rational man could have done so.

The Emperor and his Government hereby pledge to investigate all potential options regarding the future of the Italian peoples except acceptance of the so-called "Concordat" recently promulgated. Christendom can be assured that His government will take all action to protect the rights and freedoms of the Italian people.

[Dereich]

Tripartite Lease and Investment Protocol

Article 1. The High Contracting Parties of the Kingdom of Austria, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Republic of China agree to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of each other’s internationally recognized borders.

Article 2. The Republic of China shall extend leases of currently occupied Chinese territory to the Kingdom of Austria and the Kingdom of Scandinavia not to exceed 45 years.

Article 3. The Republic of China shall establish a tripartite Special Development Corporation to serve as a clearinghouse for High Contracting Party investment in industry and commerce; a board of directors for the Corporation is hereby established and shall be composed of 50% Chinese members, 25% Austrian members, and 25% Scandinavian members.

Article 4. The High Contracting Parties of Austria and Scandinavia shall make substantial loans and grants to the Special Development Corporation and to the Central Bank of China in exchange for common stock in firms that receive investment capital.

Article 5.  Firms that receive investment capital shall be designated as either Chinese owned, joint ventures, or tripartite ventures. Chinese firms shall retain 50+1% ownership from citizens of the Republic of China and shall receive not less than 40% of total investment capital allocated by the Special Development Corporation per annum.

Article 6. The Kingdom of Austria and the Kingdom of Scandinavia shall be granted most favored nation status with respect to the Republic of China, entitling them to minimal export duties and import restrictions or quotas in the Chinese market.

Article 7. All Han, Mongol, Hui, Tibetan, Manchu, and other Mainland Chinese minorities residing in territories leased to The Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Kingdom of Austria shall be granted Chinese citizenship immediately and shall have the right to participate in national elections. The High Contracting Parties agree to respect the rights of all Chinese citizens living in territories leased by the Republic of China in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China.

Article 8. Port, harbor, and docking facilities currently owned and operated by the Kingdom of Scandinavia and Austria in lands leased by the Republic of China shall retain not less than 50+1% ownership of these facilities, with the understanding that such facilities may be used by the Republican Navy upon request or by fair market contracts made between private citizens and the facilities.

Article 9. Foreign citizens living on lands leased by the Republic of China to the High Contracting Parties shall be subject to the laws of their home country, except in circumstances where a foreign citizen victimizes a citizen of the Republic of China.

Article 10. The Habsburg Monarchy, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia shall dispatch Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to serve as their representatives in the Chinese capital. This diplomatic promotion is carried out as recognition of China’s leading role in the global concert and Asian peace, as well as in recognition of its role as a guarantor of Asian stability and security, and its victories against other western powers.

x Extraordinary Plenipotentiary for Western Affairs, Sun Yat-sen

xGustaf Oscar Wallenberg, Ambassador to China

X Graf Montecuccoli, Imperial Foreign Minister

[Dereich]

Treaty of Syracuse (1904)

A Treaty between the Hapsburg Monarchy, Kingdom of Scandinavia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the Empire of Québec, and the Commonwealth of New England.

PREAMBLE:

The signatories, noting the ongoing economic strife, the growing threat of the pandemic, and the need to avoid full-scale war across the North American continent, hereby agree to the following:

DISPOSITIONS:
1.- The complete cessation of all hostilities upon the agreement of all parties, return of all POWs with exclusion of those involved in point 7, and the military withdrawal from, as well as the return of all occupied territory not mentioned as having been ceded.
2.- Western Massachusetts, Western Connecticut, and the remainder of New York State shall be transferred to the British Union.
3.- The northern portion of upstate New York returned to Britain shall become an internationally guaranteed demilitarized zone. No British fortifications may be constructed there, nor British troops enter. Moreover, the area will remain open to New Englander trade and civilian movement.
4.- Safe transfer will be offered to all Adirondack, Western Massachusetts and Western Connecticut residents who prefer to remain citizens of New England.
5.- New England will pay financial reparations for the loss of Scandinavian and Austrian civilian lives and merchant ships in the attacks.
6.- New England will repay a loan made by Scandinavia before Operation Sunset, with preference given to the payment of reparations to victims.
7.- To secure proper justice over the unfortunate demise of Princess Helen, an international tribunal will be held on Geneva. It will be comprised of neutral judges, concerning solely high-ranking officials – political and military – involved in the planning and execution of Operation Sunset. Sentences will be up to the discretion of the judges, with all signatories pledging to comply by and accept them.
8.- A formal and personal guarantee from the Holy Roman Emperor and the King-Emperor of Scandinavia to the Empress of Québec that the treaty will be complied with on part of Britain.

x Wilhelmina I von Hohenzollern,
Most Devout Majesty,
Empress and Defender of Québec

xJohn IV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

X- Acting-Chairman Patrick Collins

X Leopold, Graf von Berchtold, Imperial Minister-Plenipotentiary

[Dereich]

The Imperial Government, in reviewing the ongoing situation in Italy, hereby orders general mobilization as a necessary precaution.

[Dereich]

TREATY OF ROME

A Treaty Under Russian Mediation

In the name of God Almighty, His Holiness Pope Alexander X, His Majesty the Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the King of Scandinavia; His Excellency the Archbishop-President of Brazil; and His Excellency the President of Russia,

WHEREAS, the Powers are in agreement on the need for preserving the European and global peace;

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the preservation of the European balance of power and the continued development of brotherly relations between states;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from the current Italian situation,

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Russia, in agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Scandinavia, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Vienna, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the Italian Peninsula:

Source: Me/Spamage

AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the Italian Peninsula, to the following articles:

ARTICLE I: His Holiness the Pope’s temporal authority is restored in the province of Latium and on the islands of Corsica, Elba, and Malta. The sanctity of His Holiness the Pope’s temporal sovereignty is mutually guaranteed by the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France.

ARTICLE II: Notwithstanding the provisions in article 1, French naval basing rights are irrevocable and unconditional in perpetuity on the islands of Corsica, Elba, and Malta in recognition of their legitimate and vital security needs in that region.

ARTICLE III: His Holiness the Pope, being desirous of reconciliation in the church, shall revoke the excommunication against Archbishop-President Federico González Suárez and shall welcome back into communion all those involved in the current dispute.

ARTICLE IV: On those areas demarcated as the legitimate French sphere of influence, three Bourbon Grand Dukes shall take up rule in the south of Italy, and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily shall be granted independence.

ARTICLE V: On those areas demarcated as the legitimate Habsburg sphere of influence, Alfonso IV Bourbon, shall take up rule as King Alfonso IV of Etruria. This kingdom shall retain ⅓ of the Neapolitan fleet. The remainder shall be removed to Trieste for scuttling. The strength of the Etrurian fleet will be limited to its size and strength as of the application of this treaty

ARTICLE VI: The King of France is affirmed in his title of Guarantor of Latin Europe except as to those Latins within the legitimate Habsburg sphere of influence.

ARTICLE VII: The below signing powers agree in principle to a non-aggression pact and to consult one another on all relevant matters related to the European balance and of their respective national interests.

x John IV, King of Scandinavia and Emperor of Africa

x Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov
President of the Russian Republic

x Mikhail Alekseevich Suvorin
Foreign Minister of the Russian Republic

X Archbishop Cavalcanti

-Louis-Henry von Hapsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Maximilian V von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor

[Dereich]

Decree Regarding the Situation in Italy

-For the purpose of Imperial and Royal Law, the recently halted war in Italy constitutes a serious matter of foreign policy the resolution of which is entirely within the reserved powers of the Emperor.
 
-For the purpose of Imperial and Royal Law, the ongoing refugee crisis in the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venezia resulting from the recently halted war in Italy constitutes both a serious matter of foreign policy and a domestic emergency within the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venezia, the resolution of which lies within the understood reserve powers of the Emperor.

-In furtherance of resolving the situation in Italy, the Emperor hereby orders the issuance of bonds and surcharges to raise whatever funds He deems necessary to assist our dearest cousin, Alfonso IV Bourbon, in providing for the reconstruction of essential services, housing, and means of providing prosperity for the Italian people.

-Louis-Henry von Hapsburg-Lothringen on behalf of Maximilian V & II von Hapsburg-Lothringen, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Lombardy-Venetia

[Dereich]

Conscription Decree of 1904

-By ancient Imperial and Royal writ, confirmed within the Agram Decrees, the right to conscript men and to command the soldiery as their chief commander is exclusively held by the Crown.
-The purpose of conscription and maintenance of the Imperial Armed Forces is to defend His Majesty’s realms and subjects from threats and crises.

-The current health crisis constitutes a threat to the Empire and its Subjects.

-The Imperial and Royal Armed Forces are, by the authorities so listed, ordered to assist local administrations in combatting the pandemic through the establishment and maintenance of quarantine zones, protection of essential services, and construction of temporary medical facilities where necessary. Imperial and Royal Officers and other specified appointees are authorized to, at their own discretion, conscript additional men whom the specified officials believe to be appropriate for military service for a period of up to nine weeks to assist in these purposes. Due to the nature of the emergency, should good cause be stated the standard requirements of military service might be temporarily waived.

-Any men so conscripted for the purpose of the health crisis will duly compensated for their efforts. They be considered to have “served in the Imperial Service” for the purposes of the electoral franchise as detailed in the Agram Decrees.

On the Successful Flight of the Bauer Brothers

The Emperor and all the Empire celebrate the successful flight of the brothers Wilber and Konstantin Bauer. Their fearless courage and creativity are a guiding light to all who would conquer new frontiers of science and technology. The Emperor would call on the brothers, at their earliest convenience, to personally meet him and his government at Schönbrunn Palace where they might be inducted into the Imperial Order of Charles IX as knights for their meritorious conduct and to receive the von Zepplin Prize for advancement in aeronautics for 1904.

[Dereich]

Treaty between the Austria and the USCR
1)    Despite two very different ideologies, Austria and thee USCR share the same goal of peace and economic development.
2)    A non aggression pact is hereby signed between our respective countries.
3)    A delegation of USCR businessmen will visit Austria and a delegation of Austrian businessmen will visit the USCR in order to increase trade between our respective countries.

x Archbishop President Cavalcanti

X Graf Montecuccoli, Imperial Foreign Minister

[Dereich]

The Imperial Foreign Ministry would seek a rapid clarification from the Kingdom of France regarding the claim to the throne of Portugal maintained by Princess Maria Braganza and what efforts the Kingdom and Princess Maria intend to take to ensure that the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves remains separate and distinct from the French Crown.

[Dereich]

Treaty

Map Prepared by the Korean Cartographical Society
-

TREATY OF SINGAPORE (1905)

An AGREEMENT between the Republic of KOREA and the Holy ROMAN Empire, establishing a formal state of peace and resolving all outstanding disputes

PREAMBLE
Whereas, desiring peace and reconciliation, recognizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and emphasizing the need for genuine constructive engagement, the signatories have resolved to act in good faith to rectify past injustices and adopt an agreement that affirms the sovereign interests of all parties.

ARTICLE I. IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION.
• There shall be an immediate end to all hostilities between the signatories.
• A state of peace shall exist, which shall be defined by a lack of transgression upon the territorial and political sovereignty by and against either signatory, or upon the rights conferred in this agreement, for no less than 10 years.
• This agreement provides the settlement of all formal disputes between the signatories, who shall agree to undertake any new ones peacefully. To that end, the signatories shall periodically review the terms of this agreement once every 10 years.
• The signatories resolve to fulfill the obligations of this agreement in a reasonable timeframe.

ARTICLE II. ESTABLISHED BOUNDARIES.
• For the purposes of this agreement, the land seized by the Republic of Korea from the Holy Roman Empire in the year of the Gregorian calendar 1904 shall be referred to as the 'dispute territory.'
• The Republic of Korea shall withdraw from and return the dispute territory of Singapore and North Borneo (hereinafter referred to as 'Austrian colonial jurisdiction') to the control of Austrian colonial authorities.
• Recognizing the payment for Singapore has not been completed pursuant to the Treaty of Copenhagen, the Holy Roman Empire shall make arrangement to do so as stipulated by Article V.
• Accordingly, the Republic of Korea recognizes the sovereignty of the Holy Roman Empire over Singapore and North Borneo.
• Likewise, the Holy Roman Empire recognizes the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea over the Korean peninsula below the Amnok and Tumen river, the Sunwon Islands, and other concessions stipulated in Article III.
• For the maintenance of peace, the signatories shall renounce any existing claim upon which they have recognized as the other's sovereign territory.
• Further, it shall be the express wish of the signatories that self-rule may eventually be established in the dispute territory.

ARTICLE III. SPECIAL INTEREST.
• The Holy Roman Empire formally recognizes the special interest of the Republic of Korea in the welfare and security of Singapore and North Borneo and, pursuantly, makes the following concessions.
• The Republic of Korea shall have the right to access the proceedings of the colonial government by dispatching no more than 3 officers to oversee such proceedings. Such officers shall represent the interests of the Republic of Korea.
• The Republic of Korea shall have the right to station a permanent diplomatic mission in Singapore and Brunei.
• All subjects of Austrian colonial jurisdiction shall have those rights which are possessed by subjects of Austria proper, within reasonable confines of Austrian law.
• Ethnic Koreans residing under Austrian colonial jurisdiction shall have the right to obtain Korean citizenship, and renounce Austrian citizenship, or that of another nationality. To that end, Austrian colonial authorities shall permit the construction of several consular buildings within their jurisdiction, including courts.
• When a Korean national is accused of a crime in Austrian colonial jurisdiction, he shall be referred to a consular court, where he will be tried by a Korean official under Korean law.
• To ensure the effective execution of justice, consular courts shall cooperate closely with Austrian colonial authorities, and may, to the extent it resolves a backlog, refer nationals back to colonial courts.
• A plot of land shall be leased to the Army of Korea in Brunei for the construction of a military base, and stationing rights will be conferred therein.
• For the effectuation of the privileges and interests described in this Article, the Natuna, Bintan, and Anambas island chains shall remain in the possession of the Republic of Korea and are ceded for formal purposes.

ARTICLE IV. TRADING PRIVILEGES.
• A special economic zone shall be established between the Republic of Korea and Austrian colonial jurisdiction, wherein businesses and products based in or originating from the Republic of Korea shall be made exempt from taxes, duties, tariffs, and other fees imposed by Austrian colonial authorities.
• In prescribing rules for commerce, Austrian colonial authorities may not issue any that apply to Korean products, businesses, or nationals but not to Austrian products, businesses, or nationals, or vice versa.
• Austrian colonial authorities may not expropriate the property or wealth of a Korean business or national, except as punishment for a crime, which shall require the assent of a consular court.
• The proceeds of any expropriation shall be returned to the Republic of Korea, except when it is necessary to resolve a debt.
• A central bank shall be chartered for the administration of monetary policy in Austrian colonial jurisdiction, which shall be shared and boarded equally by Austrians and Koreans, and nationals of both shall receive preferential treatment in lending arrangements.
• The Austrian Gulden and Korean Won shall both be considered legal tender for all transactions and debts within Austrian colonial jurisdiction.
• The central bank shall provide exchange rate services to facilitate the expeditious conversion of currency and flow of capital.

ARTICLE V. JUST COMPENSATION.
• The Republic of Korea shall issue reparations for damages to property and life in the Battle of Singapore.
• The Holy Roman Empire shall share 15% of its customs revenue from the Austrian colonial jurisdiction with the Republic of Korea for 5 years to finish payment for the land, pursuant to the Treaty of Copenhagen.

REPRESENTING THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA:
x The Honorable 권중현, President of the Republic of Korea
x The Honorable 한규설, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
x The Honorable 김가진, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea at Singapore

X Graf Montecuccoli, Imperial Foreign Minister
X Baron von Ketteler, Minister Plenipotentiary