The Gathering Storm, Redux - Gameplay Thread (WW2 - Early 1940)

[NewYorkExpress]

Some weeks ago, we presented the British Government with a perfectly fair proposal addressing the issues facing us. Unfortunately, His Majesty's government has elected to ignore us, rather than even attempt to negotiate with us. This is not right, and if this is how His Majesty's government wishes to do business, then they have brought whatever comes next upon themselves.

Eamon de Valera, President of the Council, Ireland

[NewYorkExpress]

Hours ago, I warned the United Kingdom of the consequences of ignoring the generous offer I laid out to them. Let me make clear. That offer is still on the table. We wish to negotiate, and we wish nothing more than a deal. But if His Majesty's Government elects to ignore us, they will pay the price.

You know where to find us to talk.

Eamon De Valera, President of the Council, Irish Free State.

[NewYorkExpress]

Prime Minister Chamberlain seems to think that the Treaty of Versailles can still be enforced, despite recent actions taken by the German and Austrian Governments. If he wants to go there, then he should ask his Parliament for a declaration of war against Germany. They are ones pulling the strings here, and the ones clearly violating the treaty.

Eamon de Valera

[NewYorkExpress]

Hasn't reuniting Austria and Germany been a goal for Germans for generations now? I only wish to enforce the treaty of Versailles, which I recall that almost everyone in Europe agreed to.

Your refusal to abide by it is what will do you in.

Eamon de Valera

[NewYorkExpress]

While I'm no fan of the Monarchy across the Irish Sea, or the Anglican Church, it is my belief that an individual has a right to marry whoever they wish, no matter how distasteful it may be to the rest of us.

As such, should Edward VIII decide to or be forced to abdicate, we in Ireland would be happy to welcome him and Ms. Simpson to live here.

Eamon De Valera

[NewYorkExpress]

While I'm no fan of the Monarchy across the Irish Sea, or the Anglican Church, it is my belief that an individual has a right to marry whoever they wish, no matter how distasteful it may be to the rest of us.

As such, should Edward VIII decide to or be forced to abdicate, we in Ireland would be happy to welcome him and Ms. Simpson to live here.

Eamon De Valera

I didn't know Ireland was fine with divorce and granting asylum to the anglican head of the church!

Don't put words in my mouth. I believe a person has a right to marry whoever they wish. Just because they wish to marry a divorcee whose been married twice means nothing if that is what they truly want. We shouldn't stand in their way, even if they are bringing God's wrath upon them.

As for granting asylum to the head of the Anglican Church, he wouldn't be head of the church if he abdicated, if my memory is correct.

Eamon De Valera

[NewYorkExpress]

Treaty of Warsaw

The Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland hereby agree to the following:

1.  Republic of Poland and the Republic Ireland agree to sharply reduce tariffs on trade between our two nations in order to fight against inflation and to promote growth to both of our nations.

xPresident Koc

X Eamon de Valera, President of the Irish Free State

[NewYorkExpress]

De Valera kicks off his reelection campaign, running against continued British interference in Irish affairs, and pledging to do whatever it takes to get the Irish treaty ports in Irish hands.

De Valera, on the campaign trail repeatedly attacks Neville Chamberlain for rejecting a "perfectly reasonable" agreement, that would have solved many issues relating to British-Irish relations.

[NewYorkExpress]

GUARANTEE OF INDEPENDENCE AND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Abyssinian Empire

Preamble:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Abyssinian Empire recognize the importance of maintaining mutual respect, cooperation, and friendship between their nations. They further recognize the significance of promoting and safeguarding the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. With this understanding, they hereby agree as follows:

Article I: Sovereignty and Independence

1. The USSR recognizes the sovereignty and independence of the Abyssinian Empire as a fully autonomous state with the right to make its political, economic, social, and cultural decisions without any external interference.

2. The Abyssinian Empire recognizes the sovereignty and independence of the USSR as a socialist state with the right to make its political, economic, social, and cultural decisions without any external interference.

3. Both parties agree to refrain from any action that may infringe upon each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence.

Article II: Economic Cooperation

1. Both parties agree to promote economic cooperation and trade between them for mutual benefit.

2. The USSR shall provide technical assistance, as well as machinery and equipment, to support the Abyssinian Empire's economic development.

3. The Abyssinian Empire shall ensure the protection of Soviet investments in its territory.

Article III: Military Cooperation

1. The USSR recognizes the right of the Abyssinian Empire to maintain a defensive military force for the protection of its territorial integrity.

2. The Abyssinian Empire recognizes the right of the USSR to maintain a defensive military force for the protection of its territorial integrity.

3. Both parties agree to cooperate in the exchange of military knowledge, training, and equipment for the purpose of ensuring their mutual defense.

Article IV: Cultural Cooperation

1. Both parties agree to promote cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, and educational exchanges for mutual benefit.

2. The USSR shall provide assistance in the training of Abyssinian students and scholars in its universities, while the Abyssinian Empire shall offer opportunities for Soviet scholars and students to study and conduct research in its institutions.

3. Both parties shall encourage the development of people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges to foster mutual understanding and friendship.

Article V: Settlement of Disputes

1. Any disputes or disagreements that may arise between the USSR and the Abyssinian Empire shall be resolved through peaceful means and consultations between the parties.

2. If consultations fail to resolve the dispute, the parties agree to submit the matter to arbitration by a neutral third party or an international organization.

3. Both parties agree to abide by the decision of the arbitrator or the international organization.

Article VI: Duration and Termination

1. This agreement shall enter into force upon signature by the parties and shall remain in force for a period of ten years.

2. If either party wishes to terminate this agreement, it shall provide written notice of its intention to do so six months prior to the expiration of the ten-year period.

3. If neither party provides such notice, this agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive ten-year periods unless terminated by either party.

Article VII: Mutual Defense

1. The USSR and the Abyssinian Empire recognize that their mutual security is inextricably linked.

2. In the event of an attack on the Abyssinian Empire by a foreign power or powers, the USSR shall provide military and logistical assistance to help defend the Abyssinian Empire.

3. The form and extent of the assistance provided by the USSR shall be determined through consultation between the parties.

4. This article shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the USSR to provide military assistance if the attack on the Abyssinian Empire is a result of aggression or provocation on the part of the Abyssinian Empire.

Article VIII: Economic Development

1. The USSR and the Abyssinian Empire recognize the importance of promoting economic development for the benefit of their peoples.

2. The USSR shall provide technical assistance and investment to support the Abyssinian Empire's economic development plans.

3. The Abyssinian Empire shall provide favorable conditions for Soviet enterprises operating in its territory.

4. Both parties shall promote joint ventures and cooperation in the fields of agriculture, industry, transportation, and energy.

5. The USSR and the Abyssinian Empire shall cooperate in the exploration and exploitation of their natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and timber.

6. The parties shall encourage the development of economic and trade relations between their regions and localities.

7. Both parties shall exchange information and experience in economic planning and management.

Article IX: Intelligence Cooperation

1. The USSR and the Abyssinian Empire recognize the importance of exchanging intelligence information in order to enhance their national security.

2. The intelligence services of the USSR and the Abyssinian Empire shall cooperate in the exchange of information and analysis related to matters of mutual interest, including terrorism, organized crime, and other threats to national security.

3. The exchange of intelligence information shall be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations of each party.

4. The parties shall designate liaison officers to facilitate the exchange of intelligence information and to promote cooperation between their intelligence services.

5. The parties shall ensure the protection of classified information exchanged between them, and shall take appropriate measures to prevent its unauthorized disclosure or use.

6. The parties shall cooperate in the training and professional development of their intelligence personnel.

7. The parties shall share best practices and techniques related to intelligence gathering, analysis, and operations.

8. The parties shall regularly review the effectiveness of their intelligence cooperation and make adjustments as necessary.

Article X: Arms Trade

1. The USSR and the Abyssinian Empire recognize the importance of maintaining a strong defense capability to ensure their national security.

2. The parties agree to facilitate the trade of arms and military equipment between them, subject to the laws and regulations of each party.

3. The parties shall establish a joint commission to oversee the trade of arms and military equipment, and to ensure that such trade is consistent with their respective national security interests.

4. The parties shall ensure that the trade of arms and military equipment does not contribute to regional instability, and shall take appropriate measures to prevent their diversion to unauthorized users.

5. The parties shall provide each other with information on their respective defense requirements, and shall consider opportunities for joint production and development of defense equipment.

6. The parties shall cooperate in the training and professional development of their military personnel.

7. The parties shall regularly review the effectiveness of their arms trade cooperation and make adjustments as necessary.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this Guarantee of Independence and Partnership Agreement in duplicate in the Russian and Abyssinian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

X Halie Selassie I, Emperor of Abyssinia

[NewYorkExpress]

We will not get involved in the conflict tearing Europe apart, and humbly request the great powers of Europe to keep their drama out of Africa. If they cannot, then maybe it would be best to grant them their independence.

Haile Selassie, Emperor of Abyssinia.

[NewYorkExpress]

Abyssinia condemns the horror and violence continuing to sweep Europe, from Lithuania, to Romania, to France. We are especially aggrieved, both by the Polish invasion of Lithuania, and especially by the use of poison gas in France, which has caused untold suffering among French soldiers and civillians. We call these actions what they are, barbaric.

x Emperor Haile Selassie.

[NewYorkExpress]

David Ben-Gurion on the war

The violence going on around the world is an affront, not only to our people and our religion, but to any civilized individual anywhere. We here in Palestine will not stand for it any longer, and we will not continue to be a colony under the thumb of a power that does not care whether our people live or die another day.

I give the British Government until January 1, 1941 to give us the Independence and Self-Determination we ask for, Jew and Muslim alike, or we will claim it for ourselves.

[NewYorkExpress]

All Political Parties are banned in Spain until further notice. The Cortes is to remain closed indefinitely.


All individuals in the leadership of any left wing party, such as PSOE are to be executed.

xGeneralissimo Francisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

The Basque Country and Catalonia shall have devolved governments, with their governments being elected every fourth year.

Their governments shall be parliamentary in nature.

The Catalan and Basque Governments shall pay up to 1/6 of their tax revenue to the central government in Madrid if there is surplus, and shall pay no tax revenue if there is a tax deficit.

The Capital of Catalonia shall be Barcelona, and the Capital of the Basque Country shall be Vitoria-Gastiez.


xGeneralissimo Francisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

All Adults in Spain between the ages of eighteen and fifty shall now have to complete five years of national service.

Those completing National Service can choose between serving in the military, serving in the intelligence corps, or serving as a nurse, police officer, firefighter, or other civilian public safety officer. The time training for any of these positions will not count towards the five years of national service.

x Generalissimo Francisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

Treaty of the Rising Sun and the Setting Sun

The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain, desiring to strengthen the bonds of friendship between their two nations and promote mutual interests, have entered into this treaty of alliance.

Article I
The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Spain agree to form an alliance for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas.

Article II
Both signatories agree to share intelligence and cooperate in matters of mutual interest, including but not limited to trade, cultural exchange, and scientific research.

Article III
This treaty shall remain in force for a period of ten years and shall be automatically renewed for successive ten-year periods, unless either signatory provides written notice of its intention to terminate the treaty at least one year prior to its expiration.

Article IV
This treaty shall be ratified by both signatories in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures, and shall come into effect upon the exchange of instruments of ratification.

Done in duplicate, in the Spanish and Japanese languages, both texts being equally authentic, in Madrid and Tokyo

x Fransisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

The Spanish Government invites the former Monarchy to return to Spain as a constitutional head of state, like the Monarchy in Britain.

All parties shall be summoned to a constitutional convention, held in Madrid this summer, to define the powers of the monarch.

XFransisco Franco

[NewYorkExpress]

The Spanish Government shall nominate Barcelona for the 1944 Summer Olympics.

[NewYorkExpress]

General Elections in Catalonia and the Basque Country shall be held on Tuesday, November 12, 1940.

Any Party that supports Catalonian or Basque Independence shall be prohibited from standing in the elections.

Francisco Franco