Tróis Rivieres Conference (1900) (Final Text)

[KaiserDave]

The Honorable Georgy Yevgenyevich has been recalled to Moscow to participate in government formation. His deputy, the Honorable Nikolai Nikolayevich Pokrovsky will take his place. The Russian position remains unchanged.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

The Kingdom is France maintains its position that foreign inspectors would constitute an unacceptable violation of state sovereignty and indeed, one that could easily lead to espionage and the leaking of information about the development of legally permissible yet still top secret weapons.  

If we want to give the proposal teeth, then penalties for its violation should be so swift and severe that they will act as an effective deterrent for signatories and non-signatories alike.  Let us go beyond the mere embargo and say that the use of these weapons - if proven - shall constitute a declaration of war upon all the signatories.  Let every power - great or small, Catholic or heretical heathen - tremble with fear at the fate that shall await him if he brings such evil back into the world as he faces the wrath of a world united behind a righteous cause!

The Kingdom of France also shares the Mexican delegation’s concerns.  There is no reason not to immediately begin down the most divine and blessed road the ban on ungentlemanly warfare would represent.  We are nearing the dawning of a new day; let us not shy away from the light at the last moment.  If we do so, we may snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  Today, we speak with good feeling in our hearts.  And yet such moments are few and fleeting!  How long before we see a nation exploit any delay and utilize chemical or biological warfare?  Such a response will surely be met in kind by the victim.  And then seeing the carnage, will it not start off an arms race, treaty or no treaty?  Surely other nation’s will keep secret stores, lest they be left vulnerable once the carnage is fresh in their minds. 

No, we cannot let that darkest night descend.  If we do not act now and without hesitation, then I fear all our efforts will be for naught, although I pray to the almighty that I am wrong.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Kingdom is France maintains its position that foreign inspectors would constitute an unacceptable violation of state sovereignty and indeed, one that could easily lead to espionage and the leaking of information about the development of legally permissible yet still top secret weapons.  

If we want to give the proposal teeth, then penalties for its violation should be so swift and severe that they will act as an effective deterrent for signatories and non-signatories alike.  Let us go beyond the mere embargo and say that the use of these weapons - if proven - shall constitute a declaration of war upon all the signatories.  Let every power - great or small, Catholic or heretical heathen - tremble with fear at the fate that shall await him if he brings such evil back into the world as he faces the wrath of a world united behind a righteous cause!

The Spanish delegation would be willing to agree to this, though we also support the current draft

[YPestis25]

While the Kingdom of Scandinavia would sign onto a draft absent inspections, our delegation believes that without an inspection, and thus an enforcement mechanism prior to the actual use of these chemical weapons, the treaty will be much weakened.

[GoTfan]

Naples would like to suggest Switzerland as an independent arbiter and investigative power, if they can be convinced to sign on. The Swiss are a known neutral force in Europe and their integrity is beyond reproach.

[Lumine]

The Québecois delegation concurs that Switzerland would be a most acceptable arbiter and best location for the eventual commission. We would appreciate hearing from more powers.

Delegates, we have reached a crucial threshold. We agree on the basics, but face a final impasse regarding three key issues. It is our belief that an immediate declaration of war would make the treaty an ultimately unrealistic position. Not only that, it could leave a future power prone to being framed, and it is beyond important that this treaty be not abused in any manner in the future conflicts that, perhaps regrettably, some or many of us may face.

Gentlemen, we submit these three issues to you, so we can determine what is the consensus here:

-Should the penalties for violation be embargo, or war?

-Should the treaty have inspections as currently outlined?

-Finally, should the treaty enter into force immediately or after the Scandinavian threshold is put into place?

(To these, the Québec delegation says "embargo", "yes", and "Scandinavian threshold".)

[OBD]

New England understands the French concerns, but believes that a war clause would be unrealistic and potentially burdensome on signatory states.

With this in mind, we vote "embargo", "yes", and "Scandinavian threshold".

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

War, No, Immediately

[YPestis25]

Scandinavia echoes the New Englander delegation and votes "embargo", "yes", and "Scandinavian threshold".

[KaiserDave]

The Honorable Nikolai Nikolayevich agrees with the Scandinavian and New English delegations.

[Kuumo]

Colombia votes “embargo”, “yes”, and “Scandinavian threshold”.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Spanish votes "War", "Abstain", and "Scandinavian Threshold"

[GoTfan]

Naples votes embargo, yes, and immediately, but will accept the results.

[PPT Spiral]

The Turkist Empire votes "embargo," "no," and "Scandinavian threshold."

[Dereich]

The Hapsburg Delegation votes as follows:

Embargo: A proper mechanism to halt improper action must take into account the needs of those who will have to enforce it. Should small and destitute nations be compelled to spend blood and treasure to enforce this agreement across the world? It is neither practical nor reasonable to assume that they will. No man could call an embargo of those violating the rules we all share unreasonable; that is the proper floor for punishment. 

Yes: The addition of sanctions makes some form of preventative inspection and proper means of documenting violations an absolute necessity.

Immediately: We are all in agreement to limit this behaviour for reasons both practical and moral. These weapons are an affront to human dignity and are unnecessary to succeed on the field of battle. Any nation willing to subject themselves to these rules later should be willing to do so immediately.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Embargo, yes, immediately

[OBD]

New England formally changes its vote to "embargo", "yes", and "immediately".

With tensions in North America seemingly spiraling towards imminent war, it is crucial that we put this treaty into effect at the earliest possible moment. The virgin fields of North America must remain free of chemical weapons, lest we forget the horrors that occurred hardly three decades ago.

With respect to the Scandinavian delegation, who raised an extremely important concern regarding the presence of bad actors refusing to ratify the treaty, the embargo mechanism should be adequate dissuasion of chemical weapons usage given the involvement of most of the global economic community in the treaty. It is the stance of New England's delegation that the embargo mechanism will force compliance among non-signatories, and thus make immediate implementation a preferable outcome.

New England, of course, urges all nations to sign this landmark treaty at the earliest possible date, to render these concerns moot.

[Lumine]

Upon careful consideration and review of arguments, the Québecois delegation switches its vote to "immediately", understanding, nonetheless, that the Scandinavian threshold is nonetheless still a reasonable alternative.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Spanish delegation will not change its vote, but we will accept the results.

[YPestis25]

Upon further consideration, I would also be satisfied with the immediate entering into force of the treaty, particularly in light of the growing conflict zones around the world.

[Lumine]

Monsieurs,

For the past few weeks and months, we have debated an issue of vital importance to the whole world, with our decisions here likely to have an impact on the lives of millions of human beings. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the fate of dignity on the battlefield is in our hands. With the recent vote and the withdrawal of the Scandinavian amendment, we have a consensus text.

There is a temptation to let the process further extend itself into another year, but we feel, and we have been approached by other delegations in this sense, that there is too much of a danger in delaying things further. With the rise of diplomatic tensions in Europe, in Asia, in the Americas, the risk of war is altogether too high. And without a functioning agreement in place, we may well find it impossible to reach the necessary consensus should war begin and we prove unable to stop it.

As host, we believe we have reached the crucial point. We submit the final text that results from this conference and will be inviting nations - participant or not - to sign.

FINAL TEXT, TREATY OF TROIS-RIVIERES

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.

[KaiserDave]

The Honorable Nikolai Nikolayevich confirms the full support of the Russian government, and has been empowered by the new government to sign on behalf of the President of Russia himself.

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

The Great Padshah of the Durrani Empire wholeheartedly endorses this effort at curtailing such Godless and barbaric weaponry, and as such, will send the Shahzade, Amanullah (?) on behalf of His Highness to ratify this treaty.