Messages - vDiplomacy

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31 Dec 22 UTC	Spring, 1900: GameMaster: Please remember that negotiations before the game begins are not allowed.
31 Dec 22 UTC	Spring, 1900: Info: This is a choose your country game.
03 Jan 23 UTC	Spring, 1900: SPANISH KING DIES IN SAILING ACCIDENT Uncertainty looms over unborn heir MADRID - The King Alfonso XIII of Spain has perished in a sailing accident near the Rock of Gibraltar. The late King was reportedly celebrating the new year and century on his yacht when, almost immediately with the strike of midnight, a dense fog descended across western Europe's shores. The fog is said to have rendered the yacht's captain helpless as he piloted the vessel blindly into Gibraltar Rock. The resulting wreckage was found on New Year's Day by a routine patrol of the Royal Navy. In an interview, the lone surviving crewman of the yacht explained that "[t]he fog was impossible. The heavens simply fell upon us. We did not know whether we were above the water or below it." Several maritime accidents were reported to have been caused by this extreme and widespread fog phenomenon. Leading French meteorologist Cordonne Bléu, striking on the survivor's account, released a public statement contending that "such a spontaneous and debilitating fog is indeed impossible" and thus that "it was no fog at all, but instead an attack of smoke from Marrakesh, and likely not the last." Monsieur Bléu's statement is expected to add to growing public pressure in the French Republic to reassert its colonial influence in Africa. Curiously, the Moroccan Sultan has not issued a denial of Monsieur Bléu's accusation, and Moroccan emissaries have been hastily dispatched to gather support from the European capitals and, it is rumored, even from the Ottomans and the Russians. The late King of Spain is survived by no living heir. However, his wife, the Queen Victoria Eugene of Battenberg, was not seen aboard the King's yacht and is reported to be in the first trimester of pregnancy. Fearful that uncertainty surrounding the crown's succession may serve to foment revolutionary republican sentiment in Spain, the late King's ministers have urgently convened to consider the possibility of inviting another European noble to accept regency of the Spanish throne, as well as whether such regent should again be a nobleman of the declining House of Bourbon, or perhaps instead a nobleman from prior claimants of the Spanish throne, including from the Houses Hapsburg, Hohenzollern or Savoy, all of which possess the strength of another crown.
07 Jan 23 UTC	Spring, 1900: So if everyone is ok with it, I will draft a press release (need roughly 24 hours to evaluate the moves and write something cool), and then can follow up with a little "Retreat" Blurb
22 Jan 23 UTC	Spring, 1901: WASHINGTON PEACE CONFERENCE DEEMED A FAILURE Europe enters a new naval arms race WASHINGTON - President Lopreiato is facing increasing pressure and a drop in the polls as it becomes clear that the President's summer peace conference in Washington has failed. The conference had been organized by the President in response to the Spanish succession and Moroccan crises and was attended by all of the European powers other than Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, whose Hapsburg Emperor is said to have politely declined the invitation with explanation that his horses cannot swim. Although the conference had initially been met with support from the American public, the subsequent conquest of both Spain and Portugal and invasion of Morocco by the French Republic, one of the conference's principal attendees, has fomented American isolationism and encouraged opposition to the Lopreiato administration's international policies. Republican Senator Leighty of Virginia, expected to be President Lopreiato's challenger in the November election later this year, criticized the President's efforts to intervene in Europe, declaring that "we must be neutral not only in thought, but in action." The Senator also released a statement denying that he had previously called President Lopreiato a "papist" and clarifying that he had instead called the President a paternalistic "pap-ist." It is unclear what prior remarks the Senator's statement refers to. In Europe, the new-century crises and Washington conference have been met with a rapid massive naval arms race. Dockyards in London, Brest, Marseilles, Rome, Naples, Kiel and even Beirut have all birthed new fleets for the European powers. In a rare radio address to his people, the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III described his nation's expansive naval conscription program as necessary in light of the changes to the balance of power across Europe caused by "Britain's complete abandonment of its role as an Atlantic power to the French communards." The Italian King vowed that, with the help of his people, "the British fleet menacing you in Rome and Naples will soon understand that, if it wishes to continue its adventure, its part in the Mediterranean will soon be limited to Malta and Malta only, and then, for only so long as our sailors will tolerate." Great Britain's pivot from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea has remained inscrutable by most outside analysts, as well as, it is rumored, to many officers inside the Royal Navy. There are reported sparks of unrest in Ireland, where some argue that French preeminence in the Atlantic will require them to look once again to their old Catholic allies in France for protection; and dockworkers in Liverpool are also said to be considering a strike in response to their exclusion from Great Britain's naval rearmament program alongside their now increased vulnerability along the homelands' Atlantic coast. Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II has however offered a loud and confident explanation that "my cousin in London has always lusted for Queen Victoria Eugene, who reminds him of his own Queen mother, and now that she is pregnant with a future King herself, she has become irresistible to him, and my cousin has thus succumbed to his passions and ordered the Royal Navy to take her to Malta at all costs and to await his arrival. It was no surprise to me, under these circumstances, that it was of course the British that found King Alfonso dead, and where but Gibraltar; and now they flee the scene of the crime." Perhaps in furtherance of the Kaiser's claim, the German Auswärtiges Amt has reportedly issued a demand to Great Britain that Queen Victoria Eugene be permitted to return to her home in Battenberg, where Germany has promised to protect her and her future child. Nonetheless, it is widely accepted that the French Republic is now de facto able to resolve the Spanish and Moroccan crises unilaterally. Additionally, the "Moroccan fog" appears to in fact be a real phenomenon rather than, per Germany's Kaiser, a British cover-up. The organization of France's initially successful invasion of Morocco were overwhelmed by new plumes wafting from Marrakesh upon the 1901 new year, such that confused French colonial troops who believed they were advancing deeper into Morocco instead found themselves back in Algiers once the fog passed. Under increased pressure at home as a result of French meteorologist Cordonne Bléu's prior statements, the French government is reportedly considering deploying French regulars in Spain to the Moroccan invasion to deal a decisive blow before other powers have an opportunity to intervene. The central powers of Austria-Hungary and Germany appear to have largely not participated, or in the case of Germany, only nominally participated in the European naval arms race. Both empires have instead instituted wide-scale work and industrialization programs. The Kaiser has pledged that "Reichsland Elsaß–Lothringen" will be further integrated into Germany and turned into a supply depot by 1904, and the Hapsburg Emperor has vowed to unite the Slavic peoples now under his protection into a joint "Danubian" customs union in order to achieve their "full employment" in converting the Adriatic Sea into a land province. However, this incorporation of peoples at one time previously ruled in the name of the Sultan has raised questions of an Ottoman response, especially in light of reported border clashes in Rumania last year. While some in the Ottoman Empire see the Austro-Hungarian rationalization of the Balkans as providing an opportunity to consolidate and modernize their own forces in peace, others warn that the lack of resistance in Bosnia had led to Austrian ambitions in Serbia and Rumania, and that the lack of resistance there will lead to Austrian ambitions in Bulgaria, where the Danube also flows. For now, it appears that the prior faction has the ear of the Sultan and his Pasha, whose first modernizations have been to the Ottoman Mediterranean fleet. The posture of the Ottomans is of course to be of great interest to the Tsar of Russia, whose autocratic leader appears strategically isolated on the European continent after failed personal diplomacy with the monarchs of Austria-Hungary and Germany. Many observers note, however, that the personal diplomacy of the Tsar with the Kaiser had in fact succeeded, with joint exercises held in Silesia in the spring, and the Kaiser reported to have afterward even visited the Tsar on his Baltic yacht, where the two cousins entered into a pact to preserve peace and assign Sweden to Russian protection. In this matter, it is speculated that the Kaiser met the limits of his own waning power in Germany, and that the increasingly influential German Oberste Heeresleitung (OHL) (High Command) refused to potentially quicken Russia's army buildup with free access to Swedish iron and potentially Rumanian oil. The OHL appears to have demanded that Germany instead secure its eastern flank as quickly as possible either before or perhaps in order to prevent any potential conflict between the Western powers. It remains to be seen whether the Tsar's diplomacy with his cousin King in Great Britain has been any more successful. It is noted by many that King Edward's Queen is Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who is the sister of the Tsar's mother, once known as Princess Dagmar of Denmark before she became the Tsarina of Russia. The two Danish sisters are known to share a long and deep hatred of the Prussians, and are rumored to be organizing a royal visit in London in attempt to bring their husbands together.
22 Jan 23 UTC	Spring, 1901: CLARIFICATION: Prior reporting stated that all "European powers other than Great Britain and Austria-Hungary" attended the Washington peace conference. A number of readers have asked us to issue a correction and clarify that Russia also did not attend the peace conference. We do not think this correction is necessary, as Russia is an Asiatic rather than European power.
23 Jan 23 UTC	Autumn, 1901: PEACE AT LAST IN LIBYA Italian forces intervene to bring peace to war-torn region BENGHAZI - After raging for nearly eighteen months, the Libyan Civil War appears to be nearing its end. At roughly 10am on the morning of Saturday April 20th, units from the 69th Battalion of the Italian Expeditionary Army entered the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. They were met by a garrison of British Royal Marines as fierce fighting raged across the southern and western outskirts of the city. The fighting resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides. Completely surrounded, exhausted and chronically under-supplied British troops were forced to surrender by the end of the day. One despondent British POW cited "reckless mismanagement" by the Admiralty as a leading factor in the military catastrophe. The British foothold in the region was dealt a final crushing blow as Ottoman forces entered Cairo the next day. Egyptian ports are reportedly overflowing with British ex-pats seeking to flee to other Imperial redoubts in the region, but paralysis in the capital has meant long delays and increasing uncertainty. There have even been reports of violence against British refugees by Ottoman forces and resentful Egyptian nationals alike, but this paper was unable to verify these claims. King Victor Emmanuel III and his top military aides held a press conference outside the Quirinal Palace in Rome this morning, extolling the great success of Italian forces in the Libya campaign. "Our brave soldiers bring not only glory to Italy, but peace to a region once bereft of it," said the King, to thunderous applause. He continued, "Let it be known to the nations of Europe and beyond, that senseless provocation against the Kingdom of Italy shall not be tolerated. Indeed, it will be met with the might and fury befitting the heirs of Caesar." One jubilant observer described the experience of seeing the King speak as "cool." Elsewhere in Europe tensions have been growing to crescendo. The Swedish Crisis, which had been a major point of order in last fall's Washington Summit, has escalated considerably with a massive Russian invasion. Tsarist troops entered Stockholm with little resistance last week, after a series of mysterious explosions destroyed all of the Swedish army's armories and magazines on the eve of the invasion. The Swedish government accused British naval special forces of sabotage, but was unable to present any evidence. Russian and British delegations were notably absent from the summit. At a press conference in London, a reporter asked Foreign Secretary Nahmsey Michaelson about the recent Swedish accusations as well as the devastating loss of an entire fleet and its contingent of Royal Marines in Libya. Michaelson allegedly hesitated, then shouted "WILDCARD, BITCHES!" whilst making an offensive gesture to the assembled press before pushing over the podium and running off stage. The Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
10 Feb 23 UTC	Spring, 1902: GameMaster: Germany voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Spring, 1903" the votes will be cleared.
11 Feb 23 UTC	Spring, 1902: GameMaster: Per 2/3 majority vote the gamephase got extended by 4 days. (Voters: Germany / Turkey / Italy / Austria-Hungary / Russia)
19 Feb 23 UTC	Autumn, 1902: GameMaster: Russia voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Autumn, 1903" the votes will be cleared.
19 Feb 23 UTC	Autumn, 1902: GameMaster: Per 2/3 majority vote the gamephase got extended by 4 days. (Voters: Germany / France / Italy / Austria-Hungary / Russia)
22 Feb 23 UTC	Autumn, 1902: GameMaster: Germany voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Autumn, 1903" the votes will be cleared.
23 Feb 23 UTC	Autumn, 1902: GameMaster: Per 2/3 majority vote the gamephase got extended by 4 days. (Voters: Germany / France / Turkey / Italy / Russia)
26 Feb 23 UTC	Autumn, 1902: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Czar on the Run: Russians Wondering Who Will Take the Reins, Bear or Mystic? 1900 was cause for celebration throughout the Russian Empire. Sweden was brought under Russian control. Throughout the empire, the Russian people were treated to Swedish meatballs, Swedish fish, and affordable furniture. And then came 1901. Warsaw was sacked, the campaign to Rumania stalled, and even St. Petersburg was brought under English control. According to sources close to the royal family, the Czar and his retinue were last seen frantically packing their bags and making a break for the nearest train station. The Czar was seen clutching nothing but his precious fuzzy hats in his train carriage as he was escorted to safety. When asked about the sudden departure of the Czar, a spokesperson for the Russian government could only shrug and say, "We have no idea where he's gone. He didn't leave a forwarding address." Now the Czar has fled to the so-called "Vodka Citadel" in Crimea. In the absence of leadership from the Czar, rumors are swirling about who will take control of the country. Some are speculating that it could be the famous mystic Rasputin, while others are pinning their hopes on a particularly clever bear who has been seen wandering the countryside.
27 Mar 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: DEVELOPING: KAISER HOSPITALIZED Berlin - The Kaiser of Germany has been reportedly hospitalized in Berlin after a late-night briefing with German High Command (OHL). A spokesperson for Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff stated that the Kaiser had suffered heart palpitations and was expected to swiftly recover. However, an anonymous adjutant in the OHL is rumored to have claimed that the Kaiser has gone mad with the belief that the entirety of European affairs is just the design of a group of American friends coldly aiming to decorate one of their weddings in the year 2023 with the blood of Germania.
01 Apr 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: GameMaster: Russia voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Autumn, 1905" the votes will be cleared.
02 Apr 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: GameMaster: Per 2/3 majority vote the gamephase got extended by 4 days. (Voters: Germany / Italy / Turkey / Russia / France)
02 Apr 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: GameMaster: Austria-Hungary voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Autumn, 1905" the votes will be cleared.
06 Apr 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: GameMaster: Russia voted for a Extend. If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the current phase will be extend by 4 days. Please consider backing this. If the majority is not reached by "Autumn, 1905" the votes will be cleared.
16 Apr 23 UTC	Autumn, 1904: GameMaster: Game was extended due to at least 1 member failing to enter orders and having an excused missed turn available. This has un-readied all orders.