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

[GoTfan]

The Soviet Union deplres the actions of the United States President in presenting an award to a member of the reactionary Fascist government in Italy. Mussolini and his Italian Fascist Party will bring ruin to the people of his nation.

It is not surprising though. When faced with a choice, capitalists will always choose fascism before socialsim.

[GoTfan]

The Reactionary Hugenberg has fallen victim to his own hubris!

[GoTfan]

Stalin speaks to the world

"In 1932, we as a nation signed multiple agreements of non-aggression. These agreements were signed with the governments of the Republic of Poland, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Finland, and the Republic of Estonia.

There are some who would say that these agreements conceal the true intentions of out nation. I wish to dash these rumours. The Soviet Union is not intent on expanding its borders, and is committed absolutely to these non-aggression agreements, and to peace and prosperity in the world."

[GoTfan]

The Soviet Union denounces Horthy's comments regarding France. They are little more than the ramblings of a fascist who cannot accept that his country lost the war.

[GoTfan]

The fascist Horthy, much like his ideological cousin in Germany, falls victim to his own hubris.  The Soviet Union stands in firm solidarity against the fascist powers of central Europe.

[GoTfan]

The demands for peace from the United States and United Kingdom betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the reactionary mind. The reactionary cannot accept the success of other nations, for it draws attention to said failings. The reactionary cannot accept the peace of the people, so they rile up their own population to distract from their own failings. The reactionary cannot accept changes in the world, not accept that the world has left their insane beliefs behind.

The actions of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia are little more than pre-emptive operations to ensure the security of their own nations against the ramblings of a reactionary who longs for the returns of an Empire brought down by the people demanding self-determination. Perhaps President Roosevelt and Prime Minister MacDonald would disavow the Treaty of Versailles as well?

The Soviet Union stands firmly against the reactionaries in Hungary, Germany and Italy. The workers of the world must resist these powers with all their might.

[GoTfan]

The Soviet Union extends its support to the Franco-Polish agreement, and reaffirms its commitment o the non-aggression pact signed with the Republic of Poland

I also wish to declare that as of today, the Soviet Union is extending offers of security guarantees to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Kingdom of Romania, and Republic of Czechoslovakia against foreign intervention in their ongoing struggle. Fascism, that inherently regressive ideology bent on the oppression of the workers, must be strangled in its cradle.

[GoTfan]

Stalin on the unity of workers

In recent times, we have seen the rise of reactionaries determined to maintain their power. Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary . . . these nations have seen fit to rattle their sabres, then cry wolf the second anyone dares to take a stand against them. One onaly need see the actions in Hungary to understand this.

Let us be clear: The Soviet Union will honour its guarantees to Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and Romania.

In these dark times, we must heed that precept of that great revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin: Workers of the world, unite!

In Germany, an attempt has been made by the old feudalist Hugenberg to assault the workers.His thugs attack them in the streets, march to restore a disgraced Kaiser, all with a fanatical hatred of any worker who dares defend his rights. Because of this, Germany now finds itself in civil war.

The bleating of the Kaiser's most loyal sheep must not distract from his attempts to restore a feudal order over a world that has left him behind.

We shall not allow this to stand.

I call on all workers of Germany, whether you be communist or social democratic, to unite under one banner, and free their country from that barbarous old feudalist!

[GoTfan]

The Soviet Union must express it's puzzlement at American actions, given the aid package provided to the Eastern states just lat year.

The Union is more than happy to step into the void the US leaves, and invites the Treaty's foreign ministers to Moscow to discuss mutually beneficial arrangements for the anti-fascist cause.

[GoTfan]

Following a productive meeting in Sevastopol, Comrade Stalin and Turkish President Kemal Ataturk have agreed to release the following Joint Statement on the Conflict in Eastern Europe:

The people and governments of the Soviet Union and Republic of Turkey stand in solidarity with the nations of the Balkans against the meddling of Italy, and unequivocally condemn the needless escalation that is the Italian naval blockade.

The nations of Czechoslovakia and Romania are undertaking pre-emptive operations to ensure their security against the expansionist Horthy, who would have undoubtedly attempted to invade both countries himself to restore the empire he rambles so nostalgically about.

The Soviet Union and Republic of Turkey will do what must be done to ensure the security of the Balkan states against external interference.

x Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

[GoTfan]

Any attempted invasion by the Italian dictator will meet the same fate as the misadventures Charles XII of Sweden and Napoleon before him.

[GoTfan]

The Soviet Union will support Istanbul's bid for the Olympics.

[GoTfan]

The two-faced hypocrisy of the American President has made itself known once more. He is ready to slap sanctions on the Balkan states, but refuses to slap them onto the unequestioned aggressor. More accurately, he places sanctions on them one minute, then removes them when he feels like it.

Perhaps the American President should leave the affairs of Europe to Europe, seeing as he is unable to decide a course for his own nation.

[GoTfan]

Capitalists and fascists, once again, flock together.

I wonder how many negroes have been lynched in the last year in America?

[GoTfan]

With the recent moves to rearm in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, and now the impending restoration of the Hohenzollerns, the United States is demanding all war debts and indemnities payable to the United States be paid by Germany by January 1, 1936 or there will be severe consequences.

XFranklin Delano Roosevelt, President of The United States

For once, the Soviet Union finds itself in solidarity with the American President.

All German forces must stand down immediately or suffer the consequences.

[GoTfan]

Statement from the Soviet Foreign Ministry

Our world is on fire.

The reactionaries of Europe stomp all over the peace that they themselves agreed to in 1919. The restoration of the German monarchy is a clear and blatant violation of the Treaty of Versailles, as is any German rearmament whatsoever. The public statements made by the German Chancellor are likely lies to placate the Western nations.

We see an example of this reactionary hypocrisy in Japan. The Japanese Empire makes an issue of what is happening in Ukraine, yet cannot prevent the atrocities that are taking place in China under its own forces.

We cannot ignore what is happening in Eastern Europe either.  The would-be Caesar is attempting to enforce his will upon the sovereign nations of the Balkans. Rest assured, the Soviet Union remembers its obligations to its friends and allies, and will do what must be done to fulfil said obligations.

In light of the recent actions of Italy and Germany, it is only fair that other nations reassess their policies as well.

That is why the Soviet Union stands in total and unequivocal support of President Kemal's statement. The Turkish Straits, by right, ought to be controlled by the country they are named for.

x Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

x Vyacheslav Molotov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.

[GoTfan]

Radio address from Stalin

It cannot be denied that the world today is one that is not peaceful. In recent years, the Soviet Union has endeavoured to develop its nation and bring itself to the standard of other modernised nations; to leave our past under the Romanovs behind. A land where the Tsar ruled all and lived in opulence, while the people were refused everything. Against the will of his people, the last Tsar joined a war that was unpopular with the people. he ignored that, and both he and Kerensky paid the price for their refusal to listen to the people.

The leadership of the Soviet Union is committed to the people.

To this end, the Soviet Union is in unequivocal support of the global push for the rights of women. As was said by Marx himself, social progress can be measured by the social position of the female race. We honour that great revolutionary Rosa Luxembourg, who was so cruelly cut down by fascist reactionaries. The Soviet Union will establish a department to oversee the inclusion of women in the political apparatus of the Union.

On the incessant bleating from the Italian fascist, I would remind him that Caesar was a man who sought nothing but his own benefit. A man who routinely betrayed his allies and launched illegal wars. A man who gleefully murdered enemies and friends alike. A man who desired to make himself King. The King of Italy should be on his guard.

I would also caution him that if he were to attempt a war against the Soviet Union, the fascist experiment will break itself upon us.

The Soviet Union remembers its obligations to its allies and friends. To the nations of Poland, Romania, and Czechoslovakia: We stand with you against the fascists. We guarantee your security against foreign powers.

The Soviet Union remembers its friends and comrades.

[GoTfan]

Anti-Bolshevik Pact

The Govemment of the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Japan, recognizing that the aim of the Bolshevik ideology, known as well as Marxism, Marxism-Leninism, communism, is to disintegrate and subdue existing States by all means at its command; convinced that the toleration of interference by the Bolshevik menace in the internal affairs of the nations not only endangers their internal peace and social well being, but is also a menace to the peace of the world; desirous of cooperating in the defence against Communist subversion; have agreed as follows

Article 1: The High Contracting States agree to inform one another of the activities of Bolshevik factions, to consult with one another on the necessary preventive measures and to carry these through in close collaboration.

Article 2: The High Contracting Parties will jointly invite third States whose intemal peace is threatened by the subversive activities of the Bolshevists to adopt defensive measures in the spirit of this agreement or to take part in the present agreement.

Article 3: The High Contracting Parties recognize that the USSR is the headquarters of the international Bolshevik menace, which directs and commands communist organizations worldwide, and that it is the premier threat to civilized nations.

The Empire of Japan agrees to Articles 1-3 of the Anti-Bolshevik Pact

X Toshio Shiratori, Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Italy

This is an untold provocation, and rather hypocritical given the untold atrocities Japan has committed in China and the current Italian invasion of the Balkans.

The Soviet Union will take any and all measures needed to remedy the situation.

[GoTfan]

Alfred Hugenberg: "Stalin once again shows his true colors and psychopatic nature by engaging in the diplomacy of threats! Europe must stand united against this mad man, as my government has been saying for years!"

We have not marched into a demilitarised zone in defiance of a treaty that we signed. We did not withdraw from a place of international diplomacy.

If you wish to see the man most responsible for the troubles, look in the mirror.

[GoTfan]

Now we see what Stalin's threat to "take any and all measures needed to remedy this situation" meant! It meant assassinations! The German government sends its most deepest condoleances to the Austrian people for the death of Engelbert Dolfuss, a man of high moral virtue and unquestionable patriotism and both Kaiser Wilhelm III and Chancellor Hugenberg will personally attend the funeral. It also calls for all Europeans to take a stance against the murderous regime in Moscow.

The Soviet Union counsels Hugenberg to watch his words and observe the League of Nations vote on this matter.

[GoTfan]

Stalin's Speech to the Congress

"Thank you.

I stand here today as the voice of the people of our nation. Over 10 years ago, we were battered, bruised, defeated. Yet now, our nation stands a great power, truly on the path to becoming an industrialised nation. THe situation in Ukraine has been stabilised thanks to the efforts of Nikita Krushchev. We have succcessfully stood up to the tide of fascism and imperialism that seeks to engulf our nation. We have continued the struggle of the working class that is to break the chains of the oppressed. We have improved our standing on the world stage and showed those opposed to the workers of the world for who they are.

Yet, there are those here who would destroy the progress that we have made. Men who would split us apart.

The greatest triumph our enemies could achieve is the splitting of our unity. The greatest wish of the imperialists and fascists is to break this nation apart. Their greatest wish to bring about the collpase of our cause by splitting us from the inside. There are people who are willingly doing this work for them.

They are openly doing the work of the fascist and imperialist powers. I will not allow this to stand. With the backing of the people of ths nation, I will use whatever means are at my disposal to secure our national unity, no matter what might they might be.

I do not hope I have to take certain actions to secure said unity.

The fascists and imperialists believe that they are born with the right to rule the world. They believe that some ancient bloodline gives them the right to rule over the rest of us. Let us stand as one and show them that their right to rule is nothing but a ridiculous fantasy.

Workers of the world, unite!"

[GoTfan]

Formation of the Chamberlain Ministry

Prime Minister: Neville Chamberlain

First Secretary of State: Stanley Baldwin

Lord Chancellor: The Viscount Caldecote

Lord President of the Council: Stanley Baldwin

Leader of the House of Lords: The Earl Stanhope

Lord Privy Seal: The Viscount Templewood

Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sir Kingsley Wood

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury: David Margesson

Financial Secretary to the Treasury: Harry Crookshank

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: The Viscount Halifax

Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: R.A. Butler

Secretary of State for the Home Department: Sir John Anderson

Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department: Osbert Peake

First Lord of the Admiralty: Winston Churchill

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries: Sir Reginald Dernan-Smith

Secretary of State for Air: The Viscount Swinton

Under-Secretary of State for Air: Harold Balfour

Secretary of State for the Colonies: William Ormsby-Gore

Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies: The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava

Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs: Anthony Eden

Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs: The Duke of Devonshire

President of the Board of Education: Harold Ramsbotham

Minister of Health: Walter Elliott

Secretary of State for India and Burma: The Marquess of Zetland

Under-Secretary of State for India and Burma: Hon. St Hugh O'Neill

Minister of Labour: Ralps Assheton

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: William Morrison

Paymaster-General: The Earl Winterton

Minister for Pensions: Sir Walter Womersly

Postmaster-General: George Tryon

Secretary of State for Scotland: John Colville

Under-Secretary of State for Scotland: John McEwen

President of the Board of Trade: Hon. Oliver Stanley

Minister of Transport: Euan Wallace

Secretary of State for War: Duff Cooper

Under-Secretary of State for War: The Viscount Cobham

First Commissioner of Works: Herwald Ramsbotham

Attorney General: Sir Donald Somervell

Solicitor General: Sir Terence O'Connor

Lord Advocate: Thomas Cooper

Solicitor General for Scotland: James Reid

[GoTfan]

The United Kingdom will not allow a union between Germany and Austria. It is a blatant violation of the Treaty of Versailles and a threat to the peace of the world.

All measures necessary will be taken to prevent this.

[GoTfan]

We are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached to save Central Europe from collapse:

Krakow conference
1) An independent organization will be created, called "European monetary fund". Its goal will be borrow a loan on the markets and to then propose the loan to the tchecoslovaquian republic.
2) The solvability of this agency will be guaranteed jointly by France, the UK, Italy and Poland, proportionnally on their current GDP. The economic gains made by this organization will be proportionnally redistributed to each participant based on their GDP as well.
3) Each participant will appoint one member. And each participant will jointly appoint the President of this organization. The president of this organization will closely monitor how the money being loaned to the tchecoslovaquia government is going to be spent so that this follows the current way of Poland, the UK, Italy and France of managing their respective economy

x President Koc

xÉdouard Daladier

Benito Mussolini, Duce of Italy and Head of Government

x Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[GoTfan]

The German government addresses the latest developments concerning the Austrian referendum:

"The musings by foreign powers who wiew Austria as nothing more than a puppet state and a buffer about the referendum should and will be ignored. The position of the German government is as follows: if the Austrian people vote to join us we will welcome them as brothers. Should they vote to stay independent, we will respect that decision. But should anyone, no matter who, try to stop them from casting their votes, they will be met with fire and fury from this government as well as the Austrian people."

Our concerns are that the referendum will not be legitimate. That it will be subjected to fraud and interference from certain interests. I understand Germany has little regard for international law, but any referendum must be held with League of Nations observers, otherwise the United kingdom will consider it illegitimate.