The Zenith of Power: Gameplay Thread

[GoTfan]

A Royal Decree for the Kingdom of Naples

As we enter this new age, Naples finds itself as one of the last bastions oof absolutist rule in Europe.

With this decree, I end that rule.

Our brightest minds are hereby called to the city of Naples to begin immediate discussions on the development of a constitution. It is no longer feasible, in this day and age, for one King to rule over the fiercely independent Italian people by his lonesome.

[GoTfan]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Stockholm Conference

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Stockholm Conference - a plan by a few crowned heads of Old Europe and their allies to carve and divide the African Continent as they see fit for their devises. As a kingdom united in the bonds of fraternity and liberty, the United Kingdom of Louisiana is deeply opposed to this euro-centric colonialism, in the vein of the classical colonialism that had oppressed the New World prior to our fathers and forefathers standing up for our rights and liberties.

What God has given these crowned heads the authority to divide a continent - an inhabited continent - in their own image? What right do these crowned heads have to force their will on already-established sovereign peoples?  What power do these crowned heads have to decide that they are the only peoples fit to decide the governance of the largest continental land?

The United Kingdom of Louisiana  states it’s strong opposition to the carving of Africa as a European plaything - much as they dictated North America in the not too distant past - and declares its support for the right of all voices to be heard in this declaration of overlordship - including those whom will be governed.

I call for either the abandonment of this conference or, at a minimum, the inclusion of a broad scope of voices, including the Africans and those recently under colonial yokes, at the table in a new round of discussions.

- Henry-Philippe, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

I find myself in agreement. It is not our right to divert the people of Africa from their God-given destiny. The Lord has a plan for all of us, and that plan for the people of Africa must not be interfered  with by the men of this mortal plane.

-King Charles VIII

[GoTfan]

The Declaration of the Rights of African Self-determination
Jointly Issued by King Henry-Philippe of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and King Charles VIII of Naples

We, the undersigned, jointly and wholly condemn the partition of Africa and the African people, beyond the established and recognized boundaries, without the inclusion and consent of the African people.

We, the undersigned, believe that the Stockholm Conference of 1871 is an inappropriate forum for deciding the governance of the African continent and, further, believe that the appropriate decisions makers were not included at the Conference.

We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the belief of some that crowned heads of states many thousands of miles away - who will never set foot upon the land they claim to have authority over - are the universal arbiters of people’s futures.

We, the undersigned, encourage the people of Africa to be allowed to choose their path for themselves, in the eyes and light of God.

We, the undersigned, recommend the people of Africa ignore the Stockholm Conference and encourage those that took part to recant their claims over native African land.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

In solidarity with the people of Africa and the loyal citizens of Tunis,

x Charles VIII Bourbon, King of Naples.

[GoTfan]

The atrocities of Portuguese and Catholic Republican forces in Spain cannot be ignored by anyone supportive of peace and justice. We have reports of men being lined up and shot, women being raped, and perhaps most egregious, the brutal executions of national leaders.

As of now, the Mediterranean is closed to all Portuguese and Catalonian ships.

-King Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

The Neapolitan Constitution of 1872

1. The Kingdom of Naples is to be regionalised, with each provice electing a provincial assembly. These provincial assemblies will have control over matters such as local roads, railways, housing, and local defence.

2. The legislature shall consist of an upper house, referred to as the Senate, and a lower house, referred to as the Chamber of Deputies.

3. The 350 members of the Chamber of Deputies are to be popularly elected using the proportional represenation system. Elections are to occur every five years, with the Sovereign reserving the right to issue writs for election in the event of prolonged dispute, and the Chamber is to be presided over by a President of the Chamber of Deputies, elected by the Deputies.

4. The government shall consist of the following Ministers, appointed by the Sovereign with the confidence of the Parliament, with at least two Ministers being members of the Senate:

     -Prime Minister
     -Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Colonies
     -Minister of Finance
     -Minister of War
     -Minister of Justice
     -Minister of the Interior
     -Minister of Trade
     -Minister of Industry
     -Minister of Agriculture

5. The Senate shall have twelve members from each province's nobility, nominated by the provincial assembly and appointed by the Sovereign.

6. The Senate may debate and vote on Acts passed by the Chamber of Deputies, but may not veto Acts related to the Ministries of Finance, War, Trade, Industry or Agriculture

7. Members of the Senate are to serve eight-year terms, staggered so that half the Senate shall be either reappointed or replaced every four years.

8. The Senate shall have charge of appointing all Judges with advice from the Chamber of Deputies.

9. The Sovereign shall personally appoint men of talent to a Privy Council, to provide advice on matters of State.

10. The Sovereign shall retain Reserve Powers. These Reserve Powers are:

    -The power to issue Writs of Election in the event of prolonged government indecision or inability to
     pass budgetary laws
    -The power to appoint and dismiss Ministers of the Crown with the confidence of Parliament
    -The power to exercise veto of all Acts passed by Parliament
    -The power to declare war.

[GoTfan]

Statement from the Court of New Orleans

On the Appointment of an Ambassador to Naples

It is with great joy that I announce the establishment of an Embassy of the United Kingdom of Louisiana in the Kingdom of Naples and the appointment of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Neapolitan Court. The embassy staff shall include diplomatic, cultural, military, and religious attachés.

The Kingdom of Naples will of course reciprocate, establishing a Neapolitan Embassy in New Orleans and appoint an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with all requisite attaches

[GoTfan]

The Royal Bank of Naples

With this decree, I declare the formation of the Royal Bank of Naples. This will be a step towards achieving financial stability in the Kingdom and allow for easier direction of the economy.

Governance of the Bank will be devolved to a Governor, appointed by the Sovereign on advice of Parliament, and a Court of Directors, consisting of the most talented economists on the Kingdom, appointed by the Sovereign on advice of Parliament.

I sign this charter for the bank to begin 20 years of operation.

x Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

In light of the recent reforms, I hereby issue writs of election on this date.

Elections to the First Parliament of Naples are to occur on the day of June 25th, 1872.

I wish luck to all candidates.

x Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

The attempt on my life has left me without the use of my right leg, but rest assured, the perpetrators of this brutal act will be punished, as will their supporters.

[GoTfan]

Statement of King Charles VIII to the people of Naples

Delivered from the balcony of the royal palace.

"I would extend my heartfelt congratulations to all candidates for Parliament who have been elected. You have all proven as to why we Italians are lovers of liberty, democracy and fraternity. Such was the dream of that ancient republic that ruled Europe all those years ago.

To those who attempted to assassinate me, I have nothing to offer but a firing squad, and the wrath of God for such a cowardly act. Know this: I swear on this day that retribution will come for whoever ordered this!

I am humbled by the support that has been granted by my friends King Henry-Philippe of Louisiana, and King Henry of Quebec. Their friendship in this will not be soon forgotten.

Brothers and sisters, let us go forward together as one!"

[GoTfan]

The King's Speech to Parliament on the Agenda of the Government

Fellow Italians, we have managed to survive the last few months since our Consitution, that beacon of liberty, was put int action and our government elected. Since then, we have managed to negotiate our affairs with grace and aplomb. Inflation of our currency is being brought under control byt the very best economists our nation has to offer at the Royal Bank.

With this, I will lay out the agenda of my government going forward.

My government will pursue reforms to our education, military, and establish a form of home rule for the loyal citizens of Tunis.

My government will reform the labour sector. For too long, the workers of this country have languished in poverty, so in the spirit of those great Italians-Caesar, Marius, and the brothers Gracchi-the urban and rural poor will be protected from the chaos that grips our continent.

My government will establish a National Guard in order to provide for the common defence of the realm.

My government will pursue the war in Spain to its conclusion, and will raise ten additional divisions for the task of bringing the war to a favourable conclusion.

My government will endeavour to preserve the right of the African people to pursue their own destiny, as determined by God.

Members of the Chamber of Deputies and of the Most Noble Senate, estimates are laid before you.

[GoTfan]

Military Reform Act of 1873

Presented to Parliament in January of 1873

1) All officers and enlisted men of the national military to conduct no less than 15 weeks of annual training in order to maintain maximum readiness.

2) A Royal Military Academy is to be established for the training of officers. The Academy will be headquartered in Naples, and the headquarters itself will serve to train the most exceptional graduates of the Army and Naval Academies. The Army Academy is to be established in Tuscany, and the Naval Academy in Rome. No man shall become an officer without a minimum of three months of specialised training.

3) All prospective members of the national military must complete a minimum of four months' Initial Training, designed to condition men for war

4) A National Guard is to be established to provide for the defence of the realm. All those who join the National Guard will be required to undertake two months of training per year and a yearly stipend.

5) The military is to be consolidated under the model of a Central Command. The Army, Navy and National Guard will serve as independent organisation coordinated by Central Command. The Minister of War shall appoint the Chief of Central Command, Chief of Army Command, Chief of Navy Command, and Chief of the National Guard. All appointments are to be conducted on merit alone and approved by the Senate and Sovereign.

6) A Department of War Planning is to be established as part of Central Command. This Department will consist of the most brilliant military strategists and logisticians in Naples, tasked with develop plans for the defence of the realm.

7) A Department of Military Research will be established as part of Central Command. This Department will consist of our finest scientists to research and develop new weapons and equipment to improve the effectiveness of our military.

Military funding is to consist of no less than 2% of annual Gross Domestic Product.

[GoTfan]

The Kingdom of Naples is taking all measures to ensure national security in light of recent events.

[GoTfan]

Naples is pleased that the conflict is finally over

[GoTfan]

We are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the Kingdom of Naples regarding the future of Corsica:

Joint declaration of the Kingdom of Padania and the kingdom of Naples:

1) Both kingdoms agree it is vital that we remain at peace with each others.

2) Both kingdoms understand that Corsica has close ties with both our kingdoms and that this issue should not be resolved by war given the current economical and domestical context.

3) Both kingdoms hereby agree to host a referendum where corsicans will be able to decide their fate between 2 alternatives:
- An alternative presented by the kingdom of Padania
- An alternative presented by the kingdom of Naples

4) This referendum will be hosted by both the kingdoms who will guarantee there will be no fraud.

5) Both kingdoms will accept the result and will cooperate for a peaceful transition.

X Queen mother Charlotte Hohenzollern on behalf of her son King Luigi II of Padania

x Charles VIII of Naples.

x Francesco Crispi, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples

x Luigi Amadeo Melegari, Minister of Foreign and Colonial Affairs of the Kingdom of Naples

[GoTfan]

A Message to the People of Corsica and Sardinia

Corsicans and Sardinians! Your hour of freedom is at hand!

Your Italian brothers and sisters in Rome, Tuscany, Sicily and Naples invite you to join with them in singing from one united Italian voice! An Italian deserves not to have throw himself at the feet of anyone! We Italians, united under God, are turly devoted to theGod-given rights of liberty, democracy and fraternity!

Join with us, and together, we will turn our land into the greatest ever witnessed with human eyes!

[GoTfan]

A Royal Decree

Emergency measures are to be established in the Kingdom Naples. In order to ensure that the stain of hunger does not visit us, a Grain Dole is to be established as a measure until the financial situation stabilises. Grain will be purchased from farmers by either the government or the crown directly, and distributed though the Church.

x Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

The Neapolitan-Russian Treaty of Understanding and Friendship

1) The Kingdom of Naples and the Russian Republic agree to an extensive strategic partnership, in the pursuit of mutual interests and the defence of freedom and liberty in Europe

2) Neapolitan companies will receive the right to bid on shipbuilding contracts for the Navy of the Russian Republic

3) Russian companies will receive rights to bid on contracts for the Royal Army of Naples

4) Neapolitan shipbuilding experts will travel to the Russian Republic to aid the modernisation of the shipyards and Navy of the Russian Republic

5) Tariffs between the Kingdom of Naples and the Russian Republic are to be reduced by 10%

6) Both nations are pledged to defend the independence of the liberated Balkan states in the event of an attack.

x Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

Special Address to Parliament

Prime Minister, members of the cabinet, and esteemed members of the Seante and Chamber of the Deputies,

Our continent is on fire.

The action of this pretender Xavier are based in his desire to create an autocracy, with a nation built around him and him alone. Worse still, he has dragged our brothers and sisters in Padania, Genoa and Turin into his mad adventure.

I cannot, and will not stand for this.

With the power invested in me by the Constitution of 1872 as commander-in-chief of our military, I have decided to conduct a special military operation to ensure the security of our peninsula, and our Italian brothers and sisters.

I wish godspeed to our brave soldiers.

[GoTfan]

The Kingdom of Naples joins the Russian Republic, the Sublime State of Iran and the Kingdom of Mexico in acknowledging Louis XX as the rightful King of France under the regency of Charlotte Hohenzollern. Xavier is nothing but a pretender with delusions of grandeur dragging Italians into a war for his own personal aggrandisement.

x Charles VIII of Naples.

x Francesco Crispi, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples

x Luigi Amadeo Melegari, Minister of Foreign and Colonial Affairs of the Kingdom of Naples

x Giovanni Lanza, Minister of War of the Kingdom of Naples

[GoTfan]

Special Address to Parliament

"Gentlemen,

I do not deny the magnitude of the task ahead of us. This invasion of our land by the Austrian army is one that we failed to anticipate, and as such, we were forced to rely on the bravery, skill and resolve of our soldiers to halt their advance. There can be no disguising that this has been a colossal disaster for us.

Wars are not won by retreat.

Yet, we can take heart, for now the Austrians have realised what even a handful of Italians, driven to defend their homeland, can do to invaders. They realise that one of our soldiers is equal to ten of theirs. They have suffered grievous losses, and have failed to achieve the majority of their objectives, thanks to the bravery of our soldiers, who fling themselves selflessly before an almighty foe.

Yet, as David felled Goliath, we shall fell Austria.

I am issuing a decree for full mobilisation of our regular forces on land and sea, as well as our National Guard, and for conscription of all able-bodied males between the ages of 18 and 55. Their spots in the factories will be taken by the women of our nation, who are in this fight as much as the men.

This story of ours will not end here, gentlemen, but if it must, then let it end only when each of us lies choking on his blood, screaming defiance at those who would subjugate us!

Avanti Italia!"


Address to Soldiers on the Front Line

"Soldiers! Heroes!

The Austrians have seen the roar of our cannons and the crack of our rifles, and they know now that one Italian is worth ten Austrians!

The task ahead of us is monstrous, brave men, but it is one that must be done. There is no other course open to us but to fight it out! The Austrians will advance until our last city falls, but we will not fall! We will not falter!

Each of us will be defined by our actions in the coming months. Every position must be held to the last bullet; there can be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, courage in our hearts, and belief in the righteousness of our cause, we will prevail!

Stand tall! Stand strong! Stand together!

Avanti Italia!"

[GoTfan]

The Kingdom of Naples applauds the nations of North America on their historic agreement, and extends its support for the Montreal Accord.

[GoTfan]

A Royal Decree of the Kingdom of Naples

The Monarchy is not separate from the people.

With decree, I declare that the Royal Family of Naples will undergo the same rationing and privations as everyone else in the Kingdom. We are all together in this.

-Charles VIII of Naples

[GoTfan]

The Padania Declaration

Delivered by Chares VIII from the balcony of the Palazzao Reale di Napoli, later printed and distributed in Italian territories controlled by Amadeus

Today, we have shown that the people of Italy truly are one, united and indivisible. A proud people, seeking merely to ensure that Italy is ruled by Italians, not puppets of foreign powers, or those who wuld drag us into pointless wars to seize a foreign crown.

Xavier is dead. He died cowering in his private residence. A King does not cower when faced with threats on his life; I myself have had my leg taken from me by an assassin, yet I do not cower. Every member of my family has endured the same rationing as the common man and woman, and I regularly make the effort to visit the front lines.

I today wish to extend the following to all Italians under arms in the army of the false Italian Amadeus:

With Xavier dead, your cause for fighting this war dies as well. If you lay down your arms and return home, you will be unharmed. You will keep your land and any titles you may possess. You will receive all the rights of a citizen as decreed by the Constitution of 1872. You will be free to run for election to political office and to vote.

I, Charles, King of Naples, do solemnly stand by these words I have said in the eyes of God.

Avanti Italia!

The Kingdom of Naples formally recognises the right of the Russian Republic to its newly conquered territories. At last, the capital of the Byzantines has been returned to those the treacherous Ottomans seized it from.

Charles himself looks forward to a visit to the famed Hagia Sophia.

x Charles VIII, King of Naples

x Francesco Crispi, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples

x Luigi Amadeo Melegari, Minister of Foreign and Colonial Affairs of the Kingdom of Naples.

[GoTfan]

Constantinople has been returned to the light!

The great city of the East, named for Constantine, became the capital of that great Emperor as he waged his wars in defence of that Empire. It was from Constantinople that Justinian would launch his war to reclaim Rome from the Ostrogoths, and where that great cathedral, the Hagia Sophia, was constructed.

Then on the 29th of May 1453, the great city, after over fifty days of valiant resistance, fell to the treacherous Ottomans. The streets were sullied with the blood of Christians, Catholic and Orthodox alike.

Since then, it has been the dream of Christian everywhere to see this righted.

In recognition of his great success in the East and thus, his service to the Christian faith, His Majesty Charles VIII hereby appoints His Excellency President Aleksey Suvorin as a Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.

x Charles VIII, King of Naples and Grand Duke of Corsica.