The Zenith of Power: Gameplay Thread

[Dereich]

On the Situation in China

It is with deepest regret that Holy Roman Emperor views the situation in China. It has always been the policy of the Empire to maintain collegial and productive ties with that ancient and storied land. In considering the great abundance of Our own realms, made all the more prosperous due to close relations to the Chinese Emperor, it is incumbent upon us to alleviate the suffering of the peoples of China.

We are therefore pleased to announce a humanitarian initiative of peace and mercy to support the people of China. Medical personnel as well as supplies of grains from the endlessly productive fields of Our domains will be sent as aid those displaced by the conflict.

It is also of vital importance, so as to minimize the breadth and horror of this conflict, that interventions by outside powers into internal Chinese affairs be done in an orderly manner, based on a set of rules agreed to by those involved. We therefore call on the Queen of Scandinavia, the Emperor of Japan, the Joseon Emperor, and the President of the Russians as well as any other interested parties to meet with Us in person or by plenipotentiary in conference at a suitable place in the coming weeks to agree to common rules on intervention in China.

x Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document. 

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X-Henry X, King of Britain, Ireland, and America

X-Frederick IV, King of Prussia

X Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

xQueen regent of France and Padania on behalf of his majesty King Louis XX of France and King Luigi II of Padania

x Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen, with reservation as to issues involving non-signatories.

[Dereich]

Treaty of Brandenburg:

1) The Kingdom of Prussia and the Habsburg Monarchy reaffirm the recognition of each other's respective territories in Europe, Africa, and Asia resulting from the Treaty of Breslau and Stockholm Conference.

2) The Prussian Government reaffirms its recognition of the territorial integrity and autonomy of the Holy Roman Empire. No ambassadors will be sent to any of the lesser princes and all dealings with the Empire on behalf of Prussia will be conducted through the Emperor in Vienna. King Frederick IV pledges to not interfere with internal deliberations in the Reichstag.

3) The two signatories agree to a pact of non-aggression. Any termination of this pact will require notice of one year.

4) The Kingdom of Prussia and the Habsburg Monarchy jointly agree to recognizing the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saxony.

5) In addition to full restoration of diplomatic relations, Prussia and the Habsburg Monarchy will work towards increased economic and mercantile cooperation moving forward.

6) Maria Louisa, Archduchess of Austria, will be wed to Crown Prince Frederick Louis of Prussia

x Charles von Habsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

Vienna Accord

In the interests of maintaining peace in Germany and across the continent, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia, hereafter referred to as the signatories, have agreed to the following terms:

I . The signatories agree to a mutual defensive alliance in order to protect the status quo in Central and Northern Europe. Any attack on one signatory will oblige the other signatories to commence hostilities with the offending state.

II . The signatories agree to consult one another prior to any negotiated changes in the post-Breslau territorial status quo in Central and Northern Europe.
    a). A veto by one signatory will render any such negotiated change nudum pactum.

x Charles von Habsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

On Popular Government

The Emperor and his Ministry have noted the evolving fad of popular governance supplanting the ancient and distinguished traditions which have led Christendom to the happy place it sits today. It is a sad thing to see both subjects and rulers be swayed by the siren call of governance by ever-changing committees of greedy and nakedly ambitious men. One needs only look at the disorder and division that “constitutionalism” has recently caused the Emperor’s noble cousin Charles in Napoli or the warlike tendencies it has fostered among the French leading directly to their shocking and outrageous attack on Austrian soldiers defending Gibraltar. Such government is particularly ill suited for the Emperor’s domains. Such diverse governances require a well-trained and steady hand to maintain stability and order. The Empire could not survive radical changes at the fleeting whims of those who think themselves masters of that they have never been trained to comprehend.

While Constitutionalism is a plague on stable governance, the Emperor agrees that modern times have shown that there is a role for the popular voice in Imperial decision-making. The various constituent kingdoms, duchies, counties, free cities, and other polities of the Empire each have their own unique codes and laws. This is right and proper, for different peoples should be governed according to their temperaments and the characteristics of their lands. Nonetheless, the Emperor’s Ministry is sadly unable to always identify and correct issues which might arise in every portion of the Empire. A popular voice may be useful in assisting the Emperor in correction of such issues. Therefore, the following proclaimed and made law across the constituent realms of the Empire:

The Right to Directly Petition the Emperor and Government is to be revised and codified across the Constituent Realms of the Empire.

A Ministry of Petitions is established. The ministry is tasked with collecting various petitions for action directly from Imperial subjects and translating the proposals therein into legislation to be considered by the Emperor and the State Council. The Minister of Petitions will be a full member of the Imperial Council of State so as to give voice to the current demands of the people in government deliberations. The ministry is also enabled to take any other methods it thinks appropriate to ascertain popular demands for Imperial legislation. The ministry will begin its work by publicizing the call across the Empire for petitions of grievance and redress.

Ferenc Deák, that celebrated Magyar statesman who himself has before submitted petitions that the Emperor has looked favorably upon, is invited to join the State Council as Minister of Petitions.

[Dereich]

Mobilization Announcement

Poland Calls and the Empire Answers! The Emperor calls 1 million men to arms to defend Breslau and peace in Eastern Europe.

[Dereich]

Vienna Accord

In the interests of maintaining peace in Germany and across the continent, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia, hereafter referred to as the signatories, have agreed to the following terms:

I . The signatories agree to a mutual defensive alliance in order to protect the status quo in Central and Northern Europe. Any attack on one signatory will oblige the other signatories to commence hostilities with the offending state.

II . The signatories agree to consult one another prior to any negotiated changes in the post-Breslau territorial status quo in Central and Northern Europe.
    a). A veto by one signatory will render any such negotiated change nudum pactum.

x Catherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

Prusso-Scandinavian Entente

The Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Kingdom of Prussia, recognizing the historic brotherhood between their nations and the long standing ties which unite them, and driven by the need to restore order and stability to the Baltic Sea, have agreed to the following terms and the immediate cessation of hostilities.

I . The city of Danzig and the portion of Scandinavia Pomerania east of the Oder River shall be ceded immediately to the Kingdom of Prussia.
   a . The Kingdom of Scandinavia renounces any and all claims to the above territories.
   b . The Kingdom of Prussia reaffirms Scandinavian sovereignty over Western Pomerania    
   and Bremen and Verden.
   c . The Kingdom of Prussia reaffirms Scandinavian sovereignty over the Duchies of
   Schleswig and Holstein.
II . The Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Kingdom of Prussia agree to a non-aggression pact.
III . The Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Kingdom of Prussia agree that a customs union shall exist between their states to begin in 1874.
IV . The Kingdom of Prussia shall float a major low interest loan to Stockholm in the interests of reviving economic prospects in the Kingdom of Scandinavia.
V . Docking and portage fees for Prussian ships at the port of Bremen will be eliminated.

Catherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X King Frederick IV von Hohenzollern, King of Prussia

Pursuant to Article II of the Vienna Accord, I veto the Prusso-Scandinavian Entente as having been made without consultation.

X Charles VIII von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

France is please to announce a treaty ending the great eastern war has been signed:

Treaty of Warsaw between the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Russia, the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of France, the Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Iran Shah

1)   Ukraine and Crimea are ceded to Russia.
2)   These polish territories are ceded to Russia.
3)   Romania becomes fully independent under a member of the Bourbon family (OOC : either Xavier and if he refuses Augustus Francis)
4)   It is always agreeed that :
-   Serbia becomes autonomous with the first monarch being appointed by Austria.
-   Bulgaria becomes autonomous with the first monarch being appointed by Prussia
-   (Greece + Cyprus) becomes autonomous with the first monnarch being appointed by Scandinavia. Additionnally, on Cyprus there will be a naval military scandinavian base.
-   Autonomy means : these territories are still part of the Ottoman Empire. However the country has broad domestic powers.
5)   Rhodes is ceded to Scandinavia.
6)   The second map represents the territories annexed by Persia. Additionnally autonomy will be granted to the Alawites and Rashidis. Freedom of worship is granted as well for the Yemeni Zaydis. (Spamage please don’t forget autonomous lands for Alawites and Rashidis, I have no clue who they are and where they live). Zaydis will be able to go back home without persecution.
7)   Soudan is ceded to Scandinavia
   Ottoman sovereignty on Egypt is confirmed. The Suez Canal will be reopened and be administered jointly by the Kingdom of France and the Archduchy of Austria.
9)   The Russian President is declared as Protector of the orthodox christians :
-   The Ottoman Empire recognizes freedom of worship of all of its orthodox subjects. If the orthodox subjects start being persecuted in any way, all the signatories recognize the right of Russia to intervene until this persecution ends.
-   The Ottoman Empire will not try to do anything that would put under jeopardy the autonomous statute of the newly christian autonomous kingdom. If anything is done to put an end to this autonomy, they would become independent.

X QUEEN REGENT CHARLOTTE HOHENZOLLERN

X Charles VIII von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

Holy Roman-New Holland Friendship Accord

1. The governments of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Stadtholder of The United Provinces of New Holland, in the interest of the furthering of prosperity and the brotherhood of nations, pledge to jointly reduce tariffs and other barriers towards cooperation.
2. The Imperial Government agrees to transfer guardianship of its interests in and around the city of Waizao to the Stadtholder.
3. The Stadtholder agrees to extend lines of credit to the Imperial government at rates of interest commiserate with the intentions of this accord should such credit be request.

X Charles VIII von Hapsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

On the Continued Situation in China

The Emperor looks with sadness on the continued and indeed increased state of violence and disorder in China. In that light, we look with approval on and support the initiative of the King of the Great Joseon to bring order to China as its Emperor.

[Dereich]

The Emperor has reviewed the state of His domains and has found the current situation wanting. The Imperial Government faces an unprecedented financial crisis. The Emperor's ability to act with all appropriate speed and vigor in protecting Imperial interests and security has been curtailed. Petitions received from across the Empire suggest that the failure to renew the compact and roles of Emperor, nobility, and subjects has contributed to the ongoing crisis. The failure of the Imperial Government to adapt to the times as have our rivals have also led to what the Emperor sees as most unChristian behavior that has developed in the factories and other industrial areas. As a remedy to these issues, the following decrees are published, to be enforced immediately in those domains under direct Imperial supervision. In other areas the decrees are referred to the Ministry of Petitions for drafting and submission as legislation to relevant local Diets. Acceptance and support of these decrees are a precondition for any Imperial Prince seeking the favor and support of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Brünnerisch Decrees

Decrees on the Imperial Feudal Structure

1.   The legal distinctions between noble land and non-noble land are abolished. Similarly, the hunting privileges of certain animals held exclusively by the nobility are abolished. Certain Royal forests are also opened to public use.
2.   A title of nobility will no longer be a requirement for holding any public office.
3.   Other laws enforcing separation between the nobility and commoners, such as the ban on marriages between commoners and nobles, are abolished.
4.   As of January 1, 1874, title to feudal land on which peasants currently pay rent will be transferred to the occupant of the land should records on taxation and feudal dues establish that they have lived on said land for at least 7 years. The feudal owners of said land will be compensated by redemption payments equivalent to 20 times the revenue generated in 1870. The peasant rent-payer will be responsible for 40% of the total, the Imperial government 30% and the landowner will lose the remaining 30%.
5.   Should special cause be raised by the landowner and accepted by the Imperial government, the date of title transfer may be delayed until 1880.
6.     All remaining feudal land will be transferred to peasant occupants on January 1, 1880.

Decrees on Worker Protection

1.   All places of business classified as “industrial” must maintain written standards on workplace safety and safe operation that are available on request for review by employees.
2.   Existing laws and decrees forbidding labor on Sunday are clarified to extend to industrial employment.
3.   The working day for women may not extend beyond 11 hours.
4.   The working day for workers under 16 years of age may not extend beyond 9 hours. Workers under the age of 16 cannot be required to work at night.
5.   An Imperial Committee on Worker Redress is established to investigate and arbitrate on cases of abuse of employees by their employers. Employers who fail to abide by the decisions of the committee may be sanctioned by increased taxation or temporary closure.

[Dereich]

Second Vienna Accord

In the interests of maintaining peace in Germany and across the continent, and recognizing the chaos which has followed from the degradation of traditional Scandinavian-Habsburg ties, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Habsburg Monarchy, hereafter the signatories, agree to the following:

I . The signatories reaffirm the Treaty of Warsaw

II . The signatories reaffirm the claims and spheres of influence delineated by the Stockholm Conference and modified by the Treaty of Warsaw.

III . The signatories agree to consult one another prior to any negotiated changes in the post-Warsaw territorial status quo in Germany.
 
IV . The signatories agree to a mutual defensive pact in order to protect the status quo and peace in Germany and Central Europe.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

x Charles VIII von Hapsburg
lol

[Dereich]

Anglo-Hapsburg Alliance

The Holy Roman Emperor and the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas, in the interests of prosperity and mutual harmony agree to the following terms:

I . A mutual defensive pact to come into effect in 1875 which will bind each signatory to come to the defense of the other in the case of offensive action taken by a third state not presently involved in hostilities against either signatory.
II . The signatories agree that the United Kingdom will commit to a 25% reduction in tariffs on agricultural products while the Hapsburg Empire will agree to a commensurate reduction on the tariffs for silk and flax. Both signatories agree to treat each other as most favored nations as trading partners.

X Charles von Hapsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

Shanghai Declaration

The Habsburg Monarchy, Kingdom of Scandinavia and Russian Republic, hereafter referred to as the signatories, agree to the following:

I . The signatories reaffirm the integrity and inviolability of European interests and concessions in China.
II . In the event of an attack on any one signatory’s concession in China, the other signatories agree to come to the aid of the attacked signatory.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

x Alexsey Suvorin, President of the Russian Republic

x Charles von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

Peace of Sevres

A TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE HABSBURG MONARCHY, and the SUPPORTERS OF PRINCE AMADEUS and THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE, MEDIATED BY THE KINGDOM OF SCANDINAVIA
I . Habsburg armed forces shall withdraw from all occupied French territories.
II . The supporters of Prince Amadeus shall lay down their arms.
III . A general amnesty is declared for supporters of Prince Xavier and Prince Amadeus who lay down their arms.
IV . Prominent supporters of Prince Xavier and Prince Amadeus shall, upon the completion of an oath of loyalty to Queen Regent Charlotte and King Louis XX be restored to their positions in certain high offices.
V . A Privy Council shall be formed of prominent supporters of Queen Regent Charlotte and Prince Xavier and Prince Amadeus. This body shall advise the crown on certain domestic decisions, but will lack veto power with the following exception:
A . The Crown will be unable to appropriate an unreasonable amount of land without the Privy Council’s approval.
VI . Princess Carolina shall be released from her imprisonment upon her marriage to a prominent supporter of Queen Regent Charlotte.
VII . Padania shall remain an autonomous part of France.
VIII . The parties agree to honor their respective national interests in Iberia, the Netherlands and Germany.
IX . The Kingdom of France shall not support dissidents or dissent in the Habsburg Monarchy.
X . The Habsburg Monarchy shall not support dissidents or dissent in the Kingdom of France.

X Charles von Hapsburg-Lothringen

We thank Our friend, the Queen of Scandinavia, for her excellent assistance

[Dereich]

Treaty of Venice

The King of Naples, King of Lombardy-Venezia, and King of Padania, in the interests of peace in Europe and harmony, hereby agree that:

1. All armed conflict between the signatories shall cease. The borders between Padania, Lombardy-Venezia, and Naples shall be status quo ante bellum.

2. The King of Naples is recognized as Grand Duke of Corsica.

3. All parties agree to take every effort to maintain open communications, shipping lanes, and trade through the Italian peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea.

4. The Kings of Padania and Lombardy-Venezia will make efforts protect the heritage and cultural autonomy of their Italian subjects.
 

X Charles von Hapsburg-Lothringen

[Dereich]

On the Reorganization of the Kingdom of Croatia

It is the considered opinion and will of the Emperor acting in his capacities as King of Hungary and King of Croatia that, due to significant changes within and without the Empire, that the governance and structure of the Kingdom of Croatia should be reformed.

It is decreed:

-The Kingdom of Croatia is hereby raised to equal dignity as the other kingdoms of the Hapsburg Monarchy. The kingdom is rechristened as the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.

-The military frontier, no longer serving a purpose, is fully integrated into the Triune Kingdom to be administered by the laws and decrees of that kingdom.

-The General Diet of the Kingdom of Croatia (the "Sabor") is granted primary lawmaking authority over issues of administration within the Triune Kingdom and to levy taxes to enable said administration. Such issues include the maintenance of health and safety, the commission of justice, and of the creation and operation of local authorities. The Sabor is also granted the authority to disapprove of and to call for the removal of members of the Ban's government. The Emperor reserves the right to enforce universal decrees as well as to halt any legislation that might act to disturb the harmony of his subject peoples or the safety of the Empire.

-The Sabor shall act as a single chamber. Its composition will be of 110 members. 66 members will be chosen by popular election. 44 members will be appointed by the Ban's Government of appropriate subjects of the Triune Kingdom, including those able members of noble birth and certain able subjects of poorly represented minority groups within the Kingdom including Italians, Serbs, Magyars, and Mohammedans. Membership will be denied to those who directly insult the Emperor's sovereign majesty or who fail to support his rightful position as King of the Triune Kingdom.

-The franchise for election of member to the Sabor shall be universal for male subjects of the Triune Kingdom in good standing above the age of 35. Franchise shall also be extended to all male subjects of the Triune Kingdom who have served the Emperor in any capacity as well as to women who independently own property within the Kingdom.

[Dereich]

Austrian-Iranian Treaty of 1877

To Ensure the Free Trade of Goods easily and Protect Cargo and Persons from Criminal Activity, close cooperation in regional security, economic prosperity, and other objectives

Section I: Simplification and Standardization of Tax Laws

I. In the zones of the Ports in the Hormozgan province, there shall be established a joint tax office compiled from the Leader of Homorzegan and the office of administration for the holdings of Hapsburg territory in the Persian Gulf

Section II: Establishment of a joint Customs and trade security office

I. There shall be a joint Customs and Security Directorate
a. Whose purpose shall be to both inspect cargo to ensure quality and deter crime
b. Jointly led by two Chiefs representing the Hapsburg Monarchy and Sublime State of Iran
c. Which shall be made up of the existing security forces and customs office in the Homorzegan province and Hapsburg security and customs for the Persian Gulf Holdings

Section III: Interconnected economic framework

I. There shall be embassies established in
a. Shiraz
b. Vienna

II. Tariffs, taxes on intrastate trade, and fees  shall be lowered on Iran-Hapsburg commercial trading by 10% by both parties

Section IV: Security cooperation

I. Select Iranian cadets will train for a small fee in Hapsburg military colleges and be assigned as Attachés

II. Iran and Hapsburg naval forces shall conduct naval drills in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean

III. Both parties shall cooperate in fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean and the North African coast

Section V: Education and innovation

I. A scholarship program will be implemented to bring bright pupils in Iran and the Hapsburg Monarchy to study in each respective realm
II. Price of Shares of Iranian stock will be lowered by 10% for Hapsburg purchases over what the current price is at the time of purchase.
III. Iranian-Hapsburg partnerships in research will be implemented as feasible.

X Charles von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

The Holy Roman Emperor applauds the humanitarian spirit of the young King of Naples. In that same spirit of brotherhood, the Emperor extends an offer of asylum for those Padanians left destitute by armed anti-establishment terrorists.

[Dereich]

Peace of Prague

Article I
I . The Kingdom of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Saxony, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Habsburg Monarchy declare an end to hostilities.
II .The armed forces of the respective belligerents will withdraw to the boundaries delineated below.

Article II
I . The Kingdom of Hanover shall be reconstituted with Queen-Empress Catherine II serving as its Queen.
II .The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall be reconstituted with Grand Duke Frederick Francis du Mecklenburg-Schwerin serving as its Duke.
III . All other border changes will be carried out in accordance with the map below.

Article III.
I . The Kingdom of Hannover, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall become associate members of the Holy Roman Empire.

Article IV.
I . The Baltic League shall be formed as a trade and defensive alliance.
II . The Baltic League shall be comprised of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Scandinavia.
III . The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall lead the Baltic League.
IV . The Habsburg Monarchy shall be an observer state of the Baltic League.

Article V.
I . Emperor Charles VIII shall recognize Queen-Empress Catherine II as Empress of Africa.

(Made by Spamage/Me)

xQueen-Empress Catherine II

X Charles von Hapsburg

[Dereich]

The Family Pact

The Holy Roman Emperor, the King of Serbia, the King of Prussia, and the Lord Regent of Poland ("The Parties") friends united by bonds of fraternal love and common interest, here proclaim their association in this pact:
1.   The Parties agree to defend each other’s sovereignty and national integrity.
2.   The Parties agree to make all efforts to eliminate barriers to trade and restrictions to travel between other members of the Pact.
3.   The Parties shall support transportation projects between other members of the Pact.
4.   The Parties shall take action to facilitate military cooperation between member of the Pact, including joint military exercises and equipment standardization.

x Charles von Hapsburg