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

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The British Empire has to face the insurgency of the Senussi in Western Egypt, the Palestinian revolt, an ongoing war against the Afghans, and now they also have to face a potential war with their new subjects: the peoples of Kazazhstan, who have declared independence from the British Empire.

The area the Russians handed over to the British was Russian Turkestan, not Russian Kazakhstan. The Kazakh territories are further north and were retained by Russia according to the map.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

OOC: The Quadruple Alliance seems more and more like a legal fiction at this point, given Italy kept neutrality during the whole conflict, and Japan's separate peace pissed off Germans too.

[Donerail]

OOC: The Quadruple Alliance seems more and more like a legal fiction at this point, given Italy kept neutrality during the whole conflict, and Japan's separate peace pissed off Germans too.

OOC: Yeah, the 'likely to be damaged' tag should go one down.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Agreed... Japan's separate peace is not a lingering issue for me

[Spamage]

    The British Empire hereby is the first nation to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Turkmenistan nation. We ask they send delegates to London immediately so we can sign a formal alliance and help work on constructing railroads and factories as a way to reduce the isolation and dependency of the region as well as helping them ward off any Russian attempts to invade.

          We will fight against our enemy rebels in Afghanistan who are now alone and un-supplied and also will face off against the insurgents in Africa. God save the King.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

OOC: Calling it Turkmenistan isn't really accurate either. The new...thing in Central Asia probably won't stay a single country for long.

[Lumine]

OOC: Calling it Turkmenistan isn't really accurate either. The new...thing in Central Asia probably won't stay a single country for long.

Precisely. For the time being, I changed it to Turkmenistan and made a few suggested changes, but I have some very fun (read: bloody and violent) ideas for Central Asia. I will have the turn ready by the end of the night or tomorrow in the afternoon!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire is proud to be the second (and first non involved) country to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Turkmenistan nation.

We shall send a delegation to establish formal diplomatic relations between our Muslim brothers in Central Asia and us, and we are looking forward to forging a close ties with them.

x Abdul Hamid II

(OOC: Good move, Spamage)

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Along with my British and Ottoman allies- I hereby recognize Turkmenistan and will send a delegation led by Special Envoy Grover Cleveland

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

OOC: I know what you're trying to do, Spamage.

The Russian Empire provisionally recognizes the Turkmen Federation, or whatever it will be called when it stabilizes.

[free my dawg]

The Kingdom of Italy recognizes the nation of Turkestan as well.

[Dr. Cynic]

France also formally recognizes the new nation of Turkmenistan.

[Donerail]

Japan formally recognizes Turkestan.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

OOC: What's so quiet today?

[Spamage]

OOC: What's so quiet today?

I'm waiting for the next turn.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Me too

[Donerail]

Indeed; it's fun to backstab each other and whatnot, but Lumine promised something fun (or bloody and violent) this turn, so we may as well wait for it.

[Lumine]

Turn Seven - Early 1904: (Part I)

-Russia:

First of all, congratulations on your new family members, Tsar! Despite a complicated pregnancy and fears regarding the health of the mother, the Tsarina has given birth to twins, two sons who are now the presumptive heirs to the Russian Empire. So far they don’t seem to have health problems, and it’s up to you to name them.

Despite the constant surge in popularity that you were facing during the year, it seems the popularity of your government is rapidly sinking after signing the treaties with Britain, Japan and the Ottoman Empire. The losses are not grave (a few minorities and deserted land), but the Russian people are extremely discontent with losing territory at the hands of the west. Not only that, but even in light of the mild reforms to the rights of workers, Okhrana is quickly losing control of the unions they created to control the protests. Father George Gapon heads a massive protest in Petrograd, and he threatens to call a strike for most of Russia unless the Tsar dismisses Witte (you are personally popular, but the people blame everybody else).The opposition is not unified (you have nationalists, socialists, liberals and so on), but they pose a grave danger to the war effort.

Without the necessary time to carry out urgent bureaucratic reforms, corruption keeps spreading in the government, making things complicated, halting projects, and forcing the waste of even military supplies. Russia still has the manpower, allies and a good part of the will, but either arms have to be bought or produced in masse again in order to continue the fight.

Finally, the loss of Poland, Lithuania, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, while humiliating, had a positive effect in regards to the strain posed by these minorities. As a result, the main focus of insurgency has shifted to Estonia, Latvia, Finland and the Caucasus, which is easier to contain that if you hadn’t let those people go.

-United Kingdom:

With enough time to prepare and knowing the Afghan rebels wouldn’t attack India, the British General Staff has made plans for an expedition of Indian troops and a few British brigades into Afghanistan to recapture the country, and they ask for your approval.

Today, more than 80.000 people gathered in Hyde Park, London to protest the policies of the government in regards to South Africa, as hundreds and thousands of Chinese laborers are being sent there to work, becoming pretty much slaves of Rhodes and the colonial authorities.

In regards to Africa and the Middle East, the Senoussi have taken the chance to strike intro Egypt as well, and while they prove unable to take cities, they are extremely effective in controlling the desert. Palestine continues to be a problem, as is almost impossible to please both sides and the moves are only alienating them. The Zionists and the Jewish settlers accuse Balfour of anti-semitism and a lack of decisiveness, the Palestinians, while slightly pleased to see the government is reconsidering its position, are not willing to cede an inch or land, now or never. The House of Saud waits for the proposed treaty and the creation of an Arabic state, and it is advisable not to make them wait too long.

Chamberlain has quieted down a bit, but that doesn’t mean he has surrendered. While praising your constant efforts to strengthen the economy of the Empire (as London virtually controls most of the world economy), he demands a clear course of action in regards to tariffs, advocating once again for his imperial preference system as opposed to the free trade approach of the more “hard-core” tories.

-France:

Brutal in their methods as they are, the French Foreign Legion has managed to crush the Senoussi insurgents in a couple of battles, forcing them to stay in the desert and halt further attacks on the cities. There are rumors of tactics that are no very, ehm, “christianlike”, but they seem capable of getting the job done. Somehow, there is an increasing number of Kurds, Filipinos and American recruits, nobody knows why.

The propaganda campaign in Libya has both backfired and worked, in a way.  While the Sultan’s position has weakened more and more, the people of Morocco don’t seem willing to accept being a French colony. An intervention resulting in an independent country might (might) work, but any attempts to install a protectorate will certainly trigger some level of insurgency, which might be mild or harsh depending on the national mood.

By taking ideas from your cabinet and pushing for an investment in public works the economy seems to be having a good moment, but it is precisely now that your cabinet is split on the idea or either having a tax increase or cuts in spending. Furthermore, the Nationalists in Parliament demand another military surge to counter any possible attacks on continental France. They are pleased with the investment and concern over aerial technology, but they feel it’s not enough.

As a final note, your message to the Pope was a nice surprise for the French Catholics, and they seem rather optimistic about your second government as of now (as opposed as the chaos in the past election).

-Germany:

Greetings, Chancellor Von Bülow. The Kaiser seems close to recovery, but so far you are at the helm for another six months ruling the German Empire. Main issues to consider:

It seems you have developed quite a good amount of charisma by giving several speeches to foreign leaders of the oppressed minorities in Russia, and that seems to have created a sense of goodwill among them, specially in light of an upcoming election for a Polish monarch. Good work, Chancellor!

The High Seas Fleet, despite being victorious, is in dire state. Heavy losses sustained in the battles for the Baltic Sea have seriously hampered the ability of the navy to compete with Britain, but so far the fleet has more than enough strength to blockade Petrograd. Perhaps when the war is over it might be wise to start buying or building ships?

Despite the loss of colonies over Wilhelm II and his sales, the remnants of the German Colonial Empire in Africa are still there, and despite the peace deal in what remains of German South West Africa, there is another problem. An officer from the Foreign Office, Heinrich Schnee, claims that the treatment of natives is abhorrent, and slavery has to be abolished in those zones. On the other hand, officers from the colonial administration claim Schnee is an idealist, and that abolishing slavery is bound to cause resentment in the colonies.

[Lumine]

Turn Seven – Early 1904: (Part II)

-Japan:

The Great Russian War is over, and while there’s some disappointment over the war being brought to an end so soon, you managed to increase the size of your Empire, destroy Russian attempts at having supremacy in the East, and prevent an economic crisis by ending the war before a year had passed. Now you must choose what to do with your new territories, and meditate about your next move.

It seems the idea of making the navy a stronghold of the Imperial loyalists has been a resounding success after the IJN’s magnificent performance (with Admiral Togo becoming the hero of Japan) and the Army’s poor performance. Some reforms will be needed, but your position grows stronger every day in comparison to 1901.

The Philippines grow more and more stable, and it could be said that without foreign support the rebels won’t last the year.

-Italy:

-Your military surge has been rather effective, with the newly transported troops ready for action and the navy ready to send reinforcements if needed be. Of course, this has greatly alarmed the Abyssinian Empire, and they seem to be searching for a sponsor to back them should you strike at them.

-Your appointment of the young and mostly unknown Cesare Mori to head anti-mafia forces came as a surprise (a worrying one for the police), but he has proved that is more than up to the difficult task. After capturing two hundred Mafiosi and engaging into countless fights, he has earned the nickname: Iron Prefect. If a long term policy is set and Mori continues to face success, the mafia might very well be crippled (many members are escaping to the United States), but it should be warned that if they get desperate, they might go after key figures of the government.

-After facing success in the economic front, Prime Minister Giolitti would like to go ahead with political efforts to change the current status quo, and he wants to deal with two groups often ignored: Socialists (despised by many) and Catholics (who are technically being encouraged not to participate in politics). It is a risky move, but it could result in greater stability.

-Austria Hungary:

-After the lack of success against the Orthodox League and the loss of Transylvania, panic spreads across the Empire, with rumors of mutinies in several units who are beginning to believe the Empire is weak. Swift military and domestic action must be taken or the Empire will suffer.

-It has been no secret that Franz Ferdinand held some level of anti-semitism before taking the throne (as many of his friends and allies do), but so far he has been silent on this issue. With anti-semitism on the rise across Europe, many wonder what the Kaiser thinks about this.

-Could it be that Austria-Hungary has a chance to get a colony? While the war against Russia must not be underestimated, Morocco seems like an easy target to pick after the war is over, in the event the French decide not to move here.

-USA:

Nicaraguan President Jose Santos Zelaya reports that he is very interested in building the canal on his country, and he wishes to discuss the details with you. Sadly, he doesn’t trust Hay, since the Secretary was the one to shot down an earlier deal about a Nicaraguan canal. And, of course, President Santos desires quite an impressive amount of money in order to go through with the project. 

The Presidential Election of 1904 comes this year, and at the end of the turn we will see the results of the RNC and the DNC. As a result, you must choose your candidate and your strategy in order to get through the convention. Potential candidates are: Attorney General Philander Knox, Sec. of State John Hay, Sec. of the Treasury Bob La Follette, Speaker Joseph Cannon, Senator Charles Fairbanks, among others.

Senator Mark Hanna, your mentor and friend, has passed away, right after ensuring the Senate passed the proposed Habeas Corpus Act of 1904, which seems to be the potential solution to the constitutional crisis faced in the fall of last year. Truly a loss for America (as he was a potential candidate for President as well) and for the President’s Men, who face their first loss in regards to members.

-Ottoman Empire:

The Armed Forces of the Empire have seen their pride and confidence restored with the victory in the war and the annexation of Azerbaijan, where the Azeri people have welcomed the troops with enthusiasm. Not only that, but with the new regiments of marine infantry, the German battleships and new ways of training designed by the officers, the Ottoman Army might very well become a truly European styled force very soon.

Your proposal for a solution to the crisis with the Orthodox Patriarch over the new city state of “Phanar” it’s not going without a controversy or two, but your attempts to solve the crisis have been praised, meaning that the deal could very well work as long as both sides managed to compromise.

As of now, the main Kurdish guerrillas have either surrendered or withdrew to the newly created Turkmenistan. They will be back, but at least the Empire enjoys internal peace for now, and the economy keeps doing rather well thanks to competent management and the new tax set on the aristocrats, who see their powers more and more diminished as time goes by,

[Lumine]

Event – Perdicaris Incident!

TO: United States.

Greek-American citizen Ion Perdicaris, a playboy currently living in Morocco, has been kidnapped by a known bandit (a Robin Hood for some), Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli. Raisuli is demanding the Sultan of Morocco $70.000 as a ransom, safe conduct for he and his men, and control as governor of several key places in Morocco. Samuel Grummere, the American consul in Morocco, has relayed his demands to President McKinley, while diplomats from the world powers have sent messages to their respective nations as well, informing them that Morocco is about to become a center of attention for the world.

Event – “The Fall of Constantinople”, a new movie!

TO: Ottoman Empire.

Today, Constantinople watched in both shock and joy the very first more filmed and produced in the Ottoman Empire, distributed to several places across the city. “The Fall of Constantinople”, a short historical drama detailing key moments of the siege of Constantinople in 1453 and the fall of the Byzantine Empire. While the movie could not be as large as planned, it did managed to send the message and it was very well received by the audience, opening a potential market for movies in the Middle East.

Of course, some foreign critics denounced obvious propaganda in the characters and their portrayal, as Sultan Mehmed II was portrayed as an old and wise leader and was given the nickname: “Crimson”. On the other side, the portrayal of Basileus Constantine XI and his foreign advisers (Yusupov, a grisly man from the Duchy of Moskowa, Thomas, an English adventurer and Pierre, a decadent French nobleman) was slightly critical and not very flattering, but the movie has achieved quite an interesting level of popularity so far.

Crisis – Genocide in Belgian Congo!

TO: All Players.

British diplomat Roger Casement, fed up with the increasing amount of atrocities he has seen so far in Belgian Congo, has decided to publish an account of the abuses of the personal ownership of said colony by King Leopold II of Belgium. The report has shocked and enraged the more liberal parts of Europe, with accounts of kidnappings, armed violence, beatings, and even instances of genocide on behalf of Belgian officers, who were apparently encouraged by similar events in the Philippines during the American control of the zone. Many call to strip Leopold of the Congo, or at the very least transfer the possession to Belgium as a nation instead of Leopold as a person, correcting the mistake made in the Berlin Conference many years ago.

[Lumine]

OOC: There are two or three events I had to leave out because I don't have enough time now, but don't worry... they will come, sooner or later. Have fun!

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Russian Empire - Early 1904

• My sons, the legitimate heirs of Russia, shall be named Alexei and Vladimir.
• A scapegoat is necessary to maintain internal stability and support for the House of Romanov, so Sergei Witte will have to be sacrificed. He will remain an economic adviser for the time being, and may play a role in post-war domestic policy. I hereby appoint Ivan Goremykin in his place; Russia must embrace strength and nationalism if she is to win this war. The far-right organization, the "Black Hundreds", shall be incorporated and molded into an official paramilitary to enforce law and order in Russia while moving away from the more wanton acts of violence.
• I personally order a massive sweep of our government both to weed out graft and corruption and to identify any traitors or collaborators. In addition, our secret police shall investigate and put down potential ethnic rebellions and conduct campaigns against violent agitators on the far left.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Three Items for now...

Mark Hanna

I order flags flown at half mast and a day of national mourning



Morocco

The USA will not rearrange its global strategy to save a playboy not even living within our borders.... nor will we negotiate with a low rate bandit kidnapping our citizens for ransom. I order a Bureau of Investigation unit to make its wait using Gibraltar as a staging area. Attempt to free our citizen- and use whatever means necessary- but do not do anything which distracts from our national prestige




1904

I propose a unity Republican ticket of John Hay and Robert La Follette. These men represent two wings ideologically of the Republican Party and are both respected statesmen- Hay mostly for foreign policy and La Follette for domestic policy. I have known both for a long time- John Hay began his career as an assistant to the greatest President in our nation's history and he will be a historic leader of our nation in his own right. I urge the party to quickly nominate these fine men

Lincoln and Hay

[Donerail]

The appearance of a significant number of Japanese subjects halfway around the world piques our curiosity. The Empire of Japan formally requests that the French Republic inquire as to the backgrounds and reasons for joining the Legion among any citizens of the Empire who are currently serving, and to share whatever information that might be uncovered.

[free my dawg]

Italy strongly condemns the genocide in the Belgium Congo and demands an immediate cessation and desistance of violence.