Balance of Power (Gameplay Thread) - Epilogue and Game Over

[CLARENCE 2015!]

To Japan-


The Treaty of Manila

1- The Philippines are hereby handed to Japan for administration

2- The US Navy will be perpetually permitted to maintain bases and forces in the Philippines in coordination with Japanese and Filipino leaders

Signed
President William McKinley

Signed
William Howard Taft
Military Governor of the Philippines



If Japan signs this treaty- I recall Taft to Washington to serve as Secretary of War

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We find this very amusing the Entente is condemning Austria-Hungary for annexing Ottoman territories, while at the same time they are trying to conquer the other Ottoman lands. This is a matter between Vienna and Constantinopole to settle.

The Entente has already lost any moral claim of "supporting the oppressed" the moment their governments broke the peace, brought death and destruction to common man and attempted to destroy our citizens with deadly opium.

The Ottoman government, that has already begun impelling serious liberal domestic reforms before the treacherous attack, wishes only to live in peace with all powers. We are open minded toward reasonable requests from our neighbours, as all can be solved diplomatically, but we will not surrender to the powers attempting to destroy and subjugate our country. The war has only strengthen our resolve and we are prepeared to make a long stand if necessary.

We appeal to the government circles in London, Paris and Moscow, as well as to the peace-loving citizens of these contries, to think about amicably stooping this horror. No nation is going to benefit from a long conflict.

(EDIT: OOC: Well, I guess I shall sit for the rest of the turn)

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

All we want is for the Serbs, Bulgars, Greeks, and Armenians to have some level of self-determination. We have a duty to protect our Orthodox brothers. Austria is attempting to dominate the Balkans just as you have. Also, our capital is in St. Petersburg.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Also, our capital is in St. Petersburg.

Well, I should probably behead a dumb typist

[Donerail]

To Japan-


The Treaty of Manila

1- The Philippines are hereby handed to Japan for administration

2- The US Navy will be perpetually permitted to maintain bases and forces in the Philippines in coordination with Japanese and Filipino leaders

Signed
President William McKinley

Signed
William Howard Taft
Military Governor of the Philippines

His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan

[Spamage]

Treaty of Jerusalem:



--France gains control and administration of Libya
--Britain gains control and administration over Hedjaz
--Britain gains control and administration over Palestine and Jordan
--Arabia is created as a British protectorate and Ottoman East Arabia is absorbed into it
--Remaining Sahara is divided evenly between British Egypt and French Libya
--Armenia is granted Independence and is in a personal Union with Russia
--Bulgaria gains land in the Balkans with the Ottomans retaining Istanbul
--Serbia gains land in the Balkans as shown
--Greece gains land in the Balkans as shown
--The Kurdish are guaranteed rights by the Ottomans
--Free Orthodox Settlement in Istanbul
--De-militarization of the Dardanelles
--Free Russian ship movement through the straight of Dardanelles
--Britain, France, and Russia shall respect the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire
--All changes agreed upon but not mentioned are shown in the map above


X-Prime Minister Salisbury

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Treaty of Jerusalem:



--France gains control and administration of Libya
--Britain gains control and administration over Hedjaz
--Britain gains control and administration over Palestine and Jordan
--Arabia is created as a British protectorate and Ottoman East Arabia is absorbed into it
--Remaining Sahara is divided evenly between British Egypt and French Libya
--Armenia is granted Independence and is in a personal Union with Russia
--Bulgaria gains land in the Balkans with the Ottomans retaining Istanbul
--Serbia gains land in the Balkans as shown
--Greece gains land in the Balkans as shown
--The Kurdish are guaranteed rights by the Ottomans
--Free Orthodox Settlement in Istanbul
--De-militarization of the Dardanelles
--Free Russian ship movement through the straight of Dardanelles
--Britain, France, and Russia shall respect the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire
--All changes agreed upon but not mentioned are shown in the map above


X-Prime Minister Salisbury

X-Abdul Hamid II

[Enderman]

To USA, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Ottomans, etc.
From Austria-Hungary:

We, on when this letter shall be brought to all troops and throughout Europe, shall pull out of the Austria-Hungarian and Ottoman War that is occurring.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

The USA commends ALL parties involved for coming to this resolution

[Dr. Cynic]

Treaty of Jerusalem:



--France gains control and administration of Libya
--Britain gains control and administration over Hedjaz
--Britain gains control and administration over Palestine and Jordan
--Arabia is created as a British protectorate and Ottoman East Arabia is absorbed into it
--Remaining Sahara is divided evenly between British Egypt and French Libya
--Armenia is granted Independence and is in a personal Union with Russia
--Bulgaria gains land in the Balkans with the Ottomans retaining Istanbul
--Serbia gains land in the Balkans as shown
--Greece gains land in the Balkans as shown
--The Kurdish are guaranteed rights by the Ottomans
--Free Orthodox Settlement in Istanbul
--De-militarization of the Dardanelles
--Free Russian ship movement through the straight of Dardanelles
--Britain, France, and Russia shall respect the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire
--All changes agreed upon but not mentioned are shown in the map above


X-Prime Minister Salisbury

X- Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Treaty of Jerusalem:



--France gains control and administration of Libya
--Britain gains control and administration over Hedjaz
--Britain gains control and administration over Palestine and Jordan
--Arabia is created as a British protectorate and Ottoman East Arabia is absorbed into it
--Remaining Sahara is divided evenly between British Egypt and French Libya
--Armenia is granted Independence and is in a personal Union with Russia
--Bulgaria gains land in the Balkans with the Ottomans retaining Istanbul
--Serbia gains land in the Balkans as shown
--Greece gains land in the Balkans as shown
--The Kurdish are guaranteed rights by the Ottomans
--Free Orthodox Settlement in Istanbul
--De-militarization of the Dardanelles
--Free Russian ship movement through the straight of Dardanelles
--Britain, France, and Russia shall respect the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire
--All changes agreed upon but not mentioned are shown in the map above


X-Prime Minister Salisbury

X Tsar Nicholas II

To: Kingdom of Romania, Tsardom of Bulgaria, Kingdom of Greece, Kingdom of Serbia, Principality of Montenegro
From: Russian Empire

Though the war with the Turkish Empire is won and the menace is finally out of the Balkans, it is still necessary to promote cooperation between our nations. We ask you all to join us in the Orthodox League, a defensive mutual alliance and possibly in the future a league of economic cooperation.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

To the UK

The Anglo-American Alliance

1- The USA and the UK are hereby allies

2- Both nations shall come to the other's aid in any conflict in which the other is involved

3- Both nations shall consider the other a priority trading partner

4- Both nations leaders should consult the other before announcing or enacting policies which may affect the other in a substantial way

Signed
President William McKinley

[Spamage]

To the UK

The Anglo-American Alliance

1- The USA and the UK are hereby allies

2- Both nations shall come to the other's aid in any conflict in which the other is involved

3- Both nations shall consider the other a priority trading partner

4- Both nations leaders should consult the other before announcing or enacting policies which may affect the other in a substantial way

Signed
President William McKinley

X-Prime Minister Salisbury

[CLARENCE 2015!]

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: The United States of America
From: The Ottoman Empire

We are deeply grateful for all support during our era of need.

Since, as the war ended, there is no possible conflict between allies, we propose to strength our alliance with adopting similar treaty you have just signed with the United Kingdom.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To: Kingdom of Romania, Tsardom of Bulgaria, Kingdom of Greece, Kingdom of Serbia, Principality of Montenegro
From: The Russian Empire

Despite our difficult history, I hope that concluded war can bring a new opening in our mutual relations.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

To the Ottoman Empire-
I look forward to further strengthening the bond between our nations...I propose-

The Turkish-American Alliance

1- The USA and the Ottoman Empire are hereby allies

2- Both nations shall come to the other's aid in any conflict in which the other is involved

3- Both nations shall consider the other a priority trading partner

4- Both nations leaders should consult the other before announcing or enacting policies which may affect the other in a substantial way

Signed
President William McKinley

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

To the Ottoman Empire-
I look forward to further strengthening the bond between our nations...I propose-

The Turkish-American Alliance

1- The USA and the Ottoman Empire are hereby allies

2- Both nations shall come to the other's aid in any conflict in which the other is involved

3- Both nations shall consider the other a priority trading partner

4- Both nations leaders should consult the other before announcing or enacting policies which may affect the other in a substantial way

Signed
President William McKinley

Signed

Signed
Sultan Abdul Hamid II

[Enderman]

To The Ottoman Empire:
From Austria-Hungary:

We deeply regret our war with your nation. We wish to enter into agreements in regards to the border in the Balkans. If we must, we will sign the Treaty of Jerusalem, but only if the Franco-Anglo-Russo Alliance would allow us to do so.

To The Russian Empire
From Austria-Hungary:

Since we have ended the Austrian-Hungarian and Ottoman War, we wish to start a nonaggression pact between us two nations.

To the United Kingdom and France:
From Austria-Hungary:

We deeply regret entering into a war that only your alliance's reason to be there. We deeply know hat we do not want a war. We too know how it feels to be ravaged by war. We now wish to enter into a resolution, in regards to the superiority of the Franco-Anglo-Russo Alliance, and in their foreign affairs. Austria-Hungary have learned the lesson. We, therefor propose the following:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[/i]

[Lumine]

Very well, I got all the answers and the war is over. There's a lot to consider and calculate, so next turn will start either tomorrow or Tuesday. IBDD said that he doesn't wish to keep playing as Germany, so Germany is now available if anybody is interested.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Very well, I got all the answers and the war is over. There's a lot to consider and calculate, so next turn will start either tomorrow or Tuesday. IBDD said that he doesn't wish to keep playing as Germany, so Germany is now available if anybody is interested.

OOC: Excellent, beside of answering to new challenges, there is a lot I'd like to mention.

[Dr. Cynic]

OOC: Well if I lose out in France, I'll play as Germany

[Lumine]

French Legislative Election, 1902:

Overview:

French Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau entered the race with a strong push for left wing policies, but his moves were often seen as "too extreme". As a result, he seemed to have lost the middle class vote, and he looked headed to an electoral disaster despite the unity in the left (which led to a fear campaign against the Socialists). Alas, his efficient handling of the Mount Pelee eruption and the quick conclusion to the war against Abdul Hamid II led to a surge in the polls, which ended with a surprise:

Left Front: 275

Radical Party: 118 (+14)
Radical-Socialists: 71 (-3)
Socialists: 50 (-7)
Independents: 36

Independents, Others and the Opposition: 321

Monarchists: 38 (-6)
Progressive Republicans: 120 (-134)
Nationalists: 53 (+50)
Popular Liberal Action: 98 (+56)
Miscellaneous: 3 (-7)
Independents: 9

A massive swing to several parties, the Socialists took losses thanks to the terror campaign of some groups in the right, the Radical Party won seats, and the Radical Socialists lost some. The surprise was the high number of independent candidates supporting Waldeck Rousseau. On the other side, the Monarchists took some losses and the Progressives took heavy losses thanks to many Deputies becoming independents. The Popular Liberal Action and the Nationalists became major parties thanks, ironically, to Waldeck-Rousseau himself (his anti-catholic stances and his nationalist propaganda helped those parties). In the end, the opposition was too divided to form a government, and some leaders struck a deal with the Prime Minister. A coalition government of the center-left and the center-right was formed. Waldeck Rousseau, who was personally popular, stayed as Prime Minister, but he had soften his stances: end his anti religious views,  switch to soft economic views, and limit foreign adventures.

Waldeck-Rousseau got his second term as Prime Minister with the following numbers:

Concentration Républicaine (Unity Pact) 459

Radical Party: 118
Radical-Socialists: 71
Progressive Republicans: 120
Popular Liberal Action: 98
Independents: 45

Opposition: 146

Socialists: 50
Monarchists: 38
Nationalists: 53
Miscellaneous: 3

This coalition won't be easy to handle and it might not last, but for the time being, it will allow Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau to stay in office, provided he is moderate enough.

[Lumine]

End of Early 1902:

In some of the most eventful six months in living memory, the balance of power of Europe was almost destroyed, and the World Powers managed to avert a potential great war. Under false pretexts, the United Kingdom, Russia and France invaded the Ottoman Empire, aided by Arab and Balkan rebels and other small nations. Despite a brave defense, the Ottomans chose to surrender when their "allies" failed to support them, and they signed the Treaty of Jerusalem, which virtually finished the Empire's hopes of being a major power. New nations were created, like Montenegro, Armenia and Albania, and now the Middle East has a chance to gain stability... or turn into a quagmire.

President William McKinley showed an iron-fisted attitude after the death of Theodore Roosevelt, which led to a massive revolt in the Philippines. The islands were finally handed over to the Japanese, which dealt another blow to McKinley's popularity. On the other hand, Japan grows stronger and stronger, and it's now one of the leading forces in the East. While Franz Joseph I and Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau struggle to keep their governments afloat, a new face has appeared in the world stage. Shortly after the signing of the Jerusalem Treaty, a madman shot Kaiser Wilhelm II dead while giving a speech in Hamburg. Crown Prince Wilhelm has taken the throne as Kaiser Wilhelm III, and it's up to him to regain the ground that Wilhelm II lost.

All in all, it looks like the next six months will be used for the nations to recover the lost stability... or they could be used for further wars.
 

Alliances, Wars and Popularity:

-Ongoing Wars:
  
-Rebellion in German South West Africa.
  -Guerrilla Phase.
-Philippines Revolt.
  -Guerrilla Phase.

-Popularity Ratings:
(Frozen for Early 1902)

-Tsar Nicholas II: Low.
-President William McKinley: Very High.
-Kaiser Wilhelm III: Unknown.
-Kaiser Franz Joseph I: Low.
-Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau: Low.
-Prime Minister Salisbury: Medium.
-Emperor Mutsuhito: Very High.
-Sultan Abdul Hamid II: Medium.
-King Vittorio Emmanuele III: High.

Current Alliances:

Quadruple Alliance (Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Japan)
Franco-Russian Alliance (France and Russia)
Franco-British Alliance (France and the UK)
Anglo-Japanese Alliance (UK and Japan)
Turkish-American Alliance (Ottoman Empire and USA)
Anglo-American Alliance (UK and USA)
Orthodox League (Russia, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania)
Russo-American Defensive Alliance (Russia and USA)

The Map:

Map Changes:

-Treaty of Jerusalem (Goddammit, Spamage, why do you have to put such detail into maps?)
-Defeat of the Boxer Rebels.
-Japan takes over the Philippines.

[Lumine]

Turn Four - Late 1902: (Part One)

A few changes: From now on, diplomatic messages to NPC countries will be handled by Windjammer (excluding China), except in case of a crisis or event. He will also post a few events at some point, so be prepared.

To Russia:

Sergei Witte has begun to work and look into your proposal for limited welfare programs. He already has a framework, but the conservatives oppose him, the money is still limited, and he complains that the office of Chairman of the Council of Ministers does not have enough power to get anything done.

Hampartsoum Boyadjian, nicknamed “Mourad the Great”, is the current leader of the Armenian rebels who have just formed your puppet state in Armenia. He, along with known rebels Kevork Chavush and Hrayr Dzhoghk, are demanding that the Armenian Liberation Movement should be recognized as the legitimate government of Armenia, and they have asked for full independence.

There is a lot of discontent in Finland over the new “Russification” policies, which are causing major unrest. It is reported that if this policies continue, then the Finish leaders might feel inclined to formally revolt against the Tsar.

Your proposal for an “Orthodox League” was considered a success, being accepted by Serbia, Montenegro and Romania. On the other hand, Greece and Bulgaria chose to reject the proposal. It’s up to you to develop this new league into a capable and strong alliance.

To United Kingdom:

There’s a lot of unrest in the Middle East. The Arabs who were supposedly to be “freed” are demanding their independence from the British Empire, and there are especially vocal about the sacred cities of Medina and Mecca. Even more, a Prince from the House of Saud, Ibn Saud, has managed to take over the city of Riyadh in the not yet formed protectorate of Arabia and proclaimed that he wishes to see a united Arabia. Even worse, the Zionists of Britain and Europe have joined forces with Theodor Herzl and are lobbying for a Jewish state in Palestine.

Cixi has folded and the British Army is now in charge of half of Shanghai and Nanjing. However, the Chinese as a whole are furious about the British attitude, which might lead them to look for friends elsewhere.

Your popularity has taken a hit despite the quick victory in the war. Conservatives enthusiastically support you over the takeover of many new colonies, but the Liberals are dismayed at the fact that a liberation war has turned once again into an imperialist affair. A series of good domestic reforms have meant that the Conservatives are still the favorites for the next election, but the opium scandal with the Ottoman Empire threatens to topple at least one or two of your cabinet members.

To France:

This election has forced you to switch to centrism, so you’ll have to be very careful in order to keep your coalition alive. Economic policy shouldn’t be hard to balance, but all the parties are rather sensitive in social policy. The socialists shouldn’t be of much concern, but the rise of the nationalists is worrying, to say the least.

The Senussi tribesmen in Libya have begun to attack some of the French garrisons with great success, and they might attempt to take over the country if given the chance.

Mount Pelee has once again erupted (this happened OTL), destroying the town of Morne-Rouge and causing 1000 deaths. Martinique will be in need of further help.

To Germany:

The last orders of your father concerned military affairs, and he ordered a rather major increase in military funding, which may push Germany into yet another arms race. The Junkers are rather pleased, of course, and the Centrum is not quite sure of the convenience of this. Anyway, Germany does not know what your political beliefs are, so they wait for your orders.

Given your young age, you are still a bachelor, but Chancellor Von Bülow is fearful of another assassination since you have no sons (only brothers). Because of that, Von Bülow has encouraged you to start a search for a Kaiserin.

Your father has secured new alliances and new pacts, but the results have meant the loss of a great part of the German colonial empire. It’s up to you to find a way to reach Germany’s place in the sun.

The Krupp Factory in Essen suffered an attack with bombs a few days ago, causing much destruction. The culprits haven’t been identified, but they could be anarchists, or they could be foreign agents…

The rebellion in German South West Africa has entered a guerrilla phase after reinforcements arrived, but it’s going to be rather tough to keep control of the zone. General Lothar von Trotha has requested your support for using very tough methods, including poisoning wells, pushing the tribes into the desert, and shooting any possible enemy on sight.

To Ottoman Empire:

The war has ended, and there’s a lot of be done. One of the most urgent matters is the enormous wave of refugees coming from your lost provinces (specially the Balkan ones). They must be handled with care. Besides, the Bosporus strait is still filled with destroyed ships, strangling what remains of your trade. The army managed to survive (but it lost the elite units), but the navy was destroyed as well in the battle of the Dardanelles.

While the war should make you unpopular, the fact is that the alternative options are either dead or even more unpopular. Murad is dead, your family won’t even try to depose you, and with the growing resentment against the British and the French nobody listens to the Young Turks anymore. This is your chance to finally strike your opponents.

The Kurds are revolting near Baghdad, asking for the creation of a fully independent Kurdish state. Someone is funding them and giving them weapons, but your secret policy can’t identify the country behind this.

Left almost without allies, the only remaining friend of the Ottoman Empire is the United States of America. Help from America will be crucial to rebuild what remains of your nation, especially if the Constantinople-Baghdad Railway is to be built after all.