The Sword of Damocles (Gameplay Thread) (Early 1930)

[windjammer]

I condemn Churchill's last message.
France will take all the necessary measures to keep Greece safe from the imperialistic UK Prime Minister.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Having put trust in proposed talks, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty doesn't wish to see the situation deteriorating with more nations getting involved by committing their troops. Though we respect the Prime Minister's desire for helping to bring hostilities to the end, we don't think this approachment would work out.

That being said, we request the French government to demonstrate its good will by arranging their citizens to leave the front area. Due to an unilateral ceasefire we've declared, it won't change the situation.

Last, but not least, we will not accept any foreign forces to enter enemy territories we've been currently holding.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Also, the very idea of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Government entering any sort of covert agreement with the Papist regime in Rome regarding Greece is a nonsense.

[Kingpoleon]

It is not imperialism to defend against war crimes. I do not care for how internationally unpopular a move may be. I only care for what is right. A leader is not someone who takes a vote from the other groups he's not in charge of and then decides what to do. A leader leads with justice, doing what they know to be right. No battles were threatened. We merely promised to bring an end to war crimes. It is deplorable that all nations cannot accept that the assumed rules against war crimes must be enforced. We, if in the other nations' positions, would either withdraw your condemnations at once, or understand the natural outrage of the United Kingdom at your condemnation of opposition to war crimes.

If violence had been threatened, it would have been another matter. Forcing surrender merely implies in this case gaining the backing of the French government in arresting the French volunteers. If the United Kingdom were in charge of peace conferences, Greece would be expelled if they refused to expel the French volunteers which are criminally and internationally illegally there.

- PM Winston Churchill

[Kingpoleon]

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Urgent:
1. Possibly request deadline extension(may be edited)
2. See Private PMs
3. Any and all Cabinet members may send ideas for legislation to the Prime Minister. While no very major changes will be made, additional funding will be given for the military and military research to rally any foreign policy hawks converned about the welfare legislation.
4. For the sake of peace and peace alone, the Prime Minister intends to vote for and encourage others to vote for the Home Rule if asked by others how to vote. However, if Labor and Liberal seem to largely support it, this will be a conscience vote for all non-Cabinet Conservatives. All Cabinet Conservatives are to be whipped to vote for it, with Prime Minister Churchill himself being called in if there are any stubborn holdouts. Should an extremely prominent Conservative or the whip himself oppose the Home Rule, Churchill will promise to appoint an independent unionist like Tommy Henderson as Governor-General.

[windjammer]

It is not imperialism to defend against war crimes. I do not care for how internationally unpopular a move may be. I only care for what is right. A leader is not someone who takes a vote from the other groups he's not in charge of and then decides what to do. A leader leads with justice, doing what they know to be right. No battles were threatened. We merely promised to bring an end to war crimes. It is deplorable that all nations cannot accept that the assumed rules against war crimes must be enforced. We, if in the other nations' positions, would either withdraw your condemnations at once, or understand the natural outrage of the United Kingdom at your condemnation of opposition to war crimes.

If violence had been threatened, it would have been another matter. Forcing surrender merely implies in this case gaining the backing of the French government in arresting the French volunteers. If the United Kingdom were in charge of peace conferences, Greece would be expelled if they refused to expel the French volunteers which are criminally and internationally illegally there.

- PM Winston Churchill

Except they didn't commit war crimes.

[Dereich]

It is not imperialism to defend against war crimes. I do not care for how internationally unpopular a move may be. I only care for what is right. A leader is not someone who takes a vote from the other groups he's not in charge of and then decides what to do. A leader leads with justice, doing what they know to be right. No battles were threatened. We merely promised to bring an end to war crimes. It is deplorable that all nations cannot accept that the assumed rules against war crimes must be enforced. We, if in the other nations' positions, would either withdraw your condemnations at once, or understand the natural outrage of the United Kingdom at your condemnation of opposition to war crimes.

If violence had been threatened, it would have been another matter. Forcing surrender merely implies in this case gaining the backing of the French government in arresting the French volunteers. If the United Kingdom were in charge of peace conferences, Greece would be expelled if they refused to expel the French volunteers which are criminally and internationally illegally there.

- PM Winston Churchill

Except they didn't commit war crimes.

In fact, it is quite the opposite. Should the United Kingdom enter the Kingdom of Greece to remove the volunteers, under accepted laws of war (OOC: I'm just going to assume the Hague Convention still happened) they themselves would be committing war crimes:

France has no obligation to stop volunteers from fighting for Greece:

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Should Britain use its conflict with France to enter Greek territory, it would be violating international law unless it declared first declared war on Greece

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[Kingpoleon]

We merely promised to defend any and all nations from the French volunteers, who are essentially mercenaries from the medieval era if Greece allows them to "help", and who are currently violating the sovereignty of a nation at war. Punish the first violators, not those who are attempting to right the wrong that France may refuse to.

Additionally, if China is willing, we have been informed of a neutral power willing to negotiate an end to the Hong Kong crisis. If they refuse to negotiate, supplies will reach Hong Kong to save the lives of possibly hundreds of thousands citizens. Once again, we expect certain nations may not like the threat of the military if diplomacy fails. However, while we wish for the questions of the age to be settled by peace and diplomacy, it is our belief that eventually a great question of our time may lead to war.

Against our wishes, the position of the British in the world may not be determined by its peace but by its power. The British Empire must concentrate its strength and hold it. Unfortunately, if the wish of our opposition is granted, not through peace and diplomacy will the great questions of the day be decided - but by the blood, the brigades, and the battles.

Do not make this day of blood, brigades, and battles come to pass now. We applaud Germany, Italy, and Russia for being the silent forces in Europs. They have not condemned the end of their war by the end of our weapons. Wisdom reigns supreme in Berlin, Rome, and Moscow as other capitals make foolish condemnations.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Having been deeply committed to maintain positive relations with both the United Kingdom and the Chinese Empire, the Sublime Porte is available as a mediating part if requested.

[NeverAgain]

China agrees to meet at the Sublime Porte. Our demands have already been given to the Ottoman diplomats.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte is on it.

[Lumine]

BBC News:

"The Athens Pact has formally announced a cease-fire today, thanking the French Government for its effort and accepting the terms for the upcoming Paris Peace Conference to be hosted by France and the Magyar Republic. Representatives from Greece and Bulgaria express some hope in peace after what they consider to be somewhat conciliatory moves from the Ottoman Empire, although they warn they enter the Conference in a united front. It has been reported, but not confirmed, that the Romanian government seems to be at odds with its allies in Berlin and Istanbul.

With outrage and shock King Constantine of Greece and the entire Greek Government denounced the latest comments by Prime Minister Winston Churchill as "a shocking display of imperialism". While originally the British position was well-recieved in the Athens Pact, Churchill's declarations have soured the British relationship with the Balkan allies. Even more, Japan's open attack on the Prime Minister's position have recieved open acclaim from South American countries and even neutral parties such as Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. This, combined with what promises to be a complicated vote on Irish Home Rule and the developing Hong Kong situation set up an interesting scenario on British politics..."

[Lumine]

Russian Civil War: June 1929

Overall:

Having served as the eminence grise of the latter part of the reign of Nicholas II, Vladimir Purishkevich (former Prime Minister) was a man with a lot of blood on his hands. Originally in command of Moscow, the Black Hundreds and a large part of the Okhrana apparatus, Purishkevich was a serious contender during the early stages of the Civil War despite his massive unpopularity. Indeed, it took a grueling campaign against Field Marshal Wrangel for Purishkevich to see his rule crumbling, evicted from Moscow and finally set onto a single Oblast his followers managed to held onto. Backed by the remains of the once formidable Black Hundreds, he survived for a significant number of years as the Provisional Government had to contend with different and more powerful enemies.

But sure enough, the Tsarist troops came knocking at his door when the time was right. Backed by an impressive military display thanks to the increased confidence of Wrangel and Kerensky's armies, they soon cut through the paramilitary forces serving the Premier in late May, with the entire region up in arms in an uprising by early June. Indeed, it didn't took long for the situation to become hopeless, with a cadre of officers ambushing Purishkevich as he took a train to the southernmost part of his domains and shooting him at a train station. A few hours later, most pockets of resistance surrendered, putting the Provisional Government in virtual control of Western Russia and signaling the most powerful force Russia had seen after the downfall of Nicholas II.

But not all is bright for Russia. Admiral Kolchak continues to smash the Kazahks and General Yudenich, stopped only by logistics and the dismal terrain. Even more, the states beyond Siberia have rejected pressure to cut their links to Kolchak, signaling a complete lack of influence for Kerensky beyond the Urals. Reunification still has a long road ahead...

War Info:

Provisional Government of Russia:

-Russian Army: 66 divisions (47 inf, 10 cav, 9 mil)
-Russian Navy: 1 BB, 3 CR, 4 DD
-Russian Airforce: 8 Fighter Wings, 2 Bombing Wings, 2 Transport Wings.

[Lumine]

Spanish Civil War: June 1929

Overall:

After two years of incessant struggle, the battlefronts across Spain have finally quieted down. Despite a desperate battle to the end, the Besteiro regime came to an abrupt end by June 1929, signaling the end of the revolutionary experiment in Spain. As a domino effect, the inevitable surrender of Catalonia due to the widespread blockade and famine freed significant manpower for the Carlists, allowing them to redouble the push for Madrid. Slowly but surely morale collapsed across May, leading to a countercoup by disaffected officers inside Besteiro's troops. The coup failed, but it deeply divided the forces inside the city and prompted the surrender of several increasingly isolated pockets.

General Secretary Julian Besteiro died on the burning headquarters of his government, set ablaze by artillery fire. Madrid surrendered shortly afterwards, on June 8th. As the news spread, the demoralized regular units of the revolutionary army surrendered or attempted short lived last stands, as Alfonsist and Carlist units scrambled to fill on the territorial gaps and secure the cities. As of the last week of June, units from both sides have found each other and established a rudimentary frontier, with King Luis Filipe of Portugal ceding all captured ground to King Alfonso XIV and supporting the Alfonsist frontier. Both armies appear to have celebrated the fall of the revolutionary government and there have been cases of revolutionary supporters being hunted down and executed by units of both sides, but all eyes are set on Burgos and Seville.

Will Spain avoid a second civil war between Alfonso XIV and Jaime III?

War Info:

French Republic:
-French Army: 117 divisions (92 inf, 20 cav, 5 mil)
-French Navy: 10 BB, 22 CR, 71 DD, 40 SUB
-French Airforce: 32 Fighter Wings, 12 Bombing Wings, 42 Transport Wings.

Kingdom of Italy:
-Italian Army: 72 divisions (53 inf, 12 cav, 7 mil)
-Italian Navy: 12 BB, 14 CR, 31 DD, 14 SUB
-Italian Airforce: 14 Fighter Wings, 4 Bombing Wings, 5 Transport Wings.

Kingdom of Portugal:
-Portuguese Army: 13 divisions (10 inf, 3 cav)
-Portuguese Navy: 2 CR, 6 DD, 3 SUB
-Portuguese Air Force: 3 Fighter Wing, 2 Bombing Wing.

Carlist Spain:
-Carlist Army: 32 divisions (10 inf, 22 mil)
-Carlist Navy: None.
-Carlist Airforce: 3 Fighter Wing, 3 Bombing Wing.

Alfonsist Spain:
-Alfonsist Army: 18 divisions (8 inf, 10 mil)
-Alfonsist Navy: None.
-Alfonsist Air Force:  1 Fighter Wing, 1 Bombing Wing.

[Lumine]

Chinese Civil War: June 1929

Overall:

The Civil War resumes its carnage, and the Communist forces score their first set of major victories as 1929 nears the mid-year. While on the north the Kuomintang has smashed another Imperial division to deepen their march on Manchuria as Guangxu's regime falters, the Communist Party has gathered their strength once again to continue their past offensive, successfully linking their main forces to another isolated Soviet and expanding towards the West in light of the failure to take Nanjing. The Japanese forces and some Kuomintang divisions score victories of their own in the south as morale and training improves, but it does not look like either side will break soon as both Chiang and Li Dazhao grow in their following. For the Emperor in Beijing, however, the future looks grim.

War Info:

Kuomintang:

-Chinese Army: 46 divisions (31 inf, 8 cav, 7 militia)
-Chinese Navy: 2 BB, 3 CR, 8 DD, 4 SUB
-Chinese Airforce: 4 Fighter Wings, 3 Bombing Wings, 4 Transport Wings.
-Volunteer Force: 6 divisions (5 inf, 1 mar)

Communist China:

-Communist Army: 31 divisions (11 inf, 2 cav, 18 militia)
-Communist Navy: No navy.
-Communist Airforce: 3 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.

Imperial China:

-Imperial Army: 9 divisions (6 inf, 1 cav, 2 militia)
-Imperial Navy: 1 CR, 1 DD.
-Imperial Airforce: 1 Fighter Wings, 1 Bombing Wings.

[Lumine]

End of Early 1929:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

In the News:

Cuban forces storm Guantanamo, Hearst and McAdoo captured:

Desperate over the US blockade and the lack of support from Europe, Cuban President Mario Garcia was forced into resigning after massive protests across La Habana signaled the end of popular support for his provisional government. The popular leader Ramón Grau was installed as President after reaching an understanding with the Cuban military, signaling a turn to the left by the Cuban independentist movement and a sharp turn regarding the relationship with the US Government-in-exile. The Cuban military stormed Guantanamo Bay shortly afterwards in a bloody struggle, capturing the fortress and placing both William Gibbs McAdoo and William Randolph Hearst under arrest. Grau and the new government is expected to send a formal peace proposal to Washington D.C.

Kamenev, MacArthur into exile:

Both General Secretary Lev Kamenev and former Commander in Chief Douglas MacArthur, the former leaders of Archangelsk and the United States, have settled in their respective places of exile after their downfalls from power. Mr. Kamenev was moved to the Ottoman embassy in London after being offered asylum, reaching Istanbul via ship a few weeks afterward. General MacArthur has disembarked in Italy as well, placed under safe arrest at a villa in Sicily. Neither is expected to be able to return to Russia or the United States, but the world remains attentive to their fates.

Giolitti inquiry a source of discord:

The opening phase of an international inquiry on the sinking of the Giolitti on the Adriatic Sea continues to cause divisions, as experts on both sides of the issue charge Italy or Greece as the culprit without agreement, although most of Europe believes Italy to be the more suspicious side on the entire matter. Some denounce pressures from an European power in trying to forge evidence, although the European press it at a loss to find leaks on the matter.

Pope Alexander speaks out:

Pope Alexander IX, nicknamed by some as the "War Cardinal", celebrated today the fall of the People's Republic of Spain at an event in St. Peter's Square, denouncing anarchism, socialism, communism and several forms of leftist revolutionary through as heresy to be actively fought. Further more, the Pope issued a new encyclical, calling for the Church to be defended against her enemies across the globe with violence if needed be, citing the Spanish War as a successful "crusade" for the Church. The Pope was also particularly harsh with the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan and leading minister Enver Pasha, and he is believed to be conducting his own investigations onto matters regarding the Spanish War and the Balkan War.

Bernard von Bulow dies:

Former Chancellor of the German Empire during the Great War (1900-1904) and one of the leading forces behind the ultimately failed reform of Austro-Hungary Bernard von Bulow has died of natural causes at his home in Berlin. Tributes pour in through Germany, although Austria and former imperial nations take a more neutral view of his legacy. The leading Habsburg claimant Crown Prince Otto von Habsburg issued a speech from Switzerland praising some elements of Bulow's role within the Empire, while noting his concern with the ongoing warfare on the Balkans. While exiled, the young Crown Prince still enjoys significant popular support in Hungary and the German annexed Austria.

Wars, Economy and Popularity:

Ongoing Wars:

Russian Civil War:
(Various Russian states)
Kolchak and Yudenich in war, Provisional Government on the rise.

Chinese Civil War:
(Chinese Empire v. Kuomintang v. Chinese Communist Party)
Three way war, still confusing.

Spanish Civil War:
Besteiro's government finished. Remains to be seen.

Second Balkan War:
(Athens Pact v. Ottoman/German/Romanian alliance)
General ceasefire, peace conference upcoming.

Popularity Ratings:

Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky: High
President Francois de la Rocque: High
Chancellor Franz von Papen: Medium
Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi: Medium
Minister of War Enver Pasha: Medium
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Medium
Prime Minister Chiang Kai Shek: Low
Prime Minister Winston Churchill: Very Low
Emperor Victor Emmanuel III: Very Low

Economic Ratings:

German Empire: Strong
Japanese Empire: Strong
Ottoman Empire: Strong
Republic of France: Moderate
United Kingdom: Moderate
Kingdom of Italy: Moderate
Provisional Government of Russia: Moderate
United States of America: Weak
Kuomintang China: Very Weak

Current Armies:

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[Lumine]

Turn Six: Late 1929

Once one of the jewels of Europe, Madrid now lies in ruins...

USA:

-President Grau from Cuba has seen a formal proposal to Washington DC after the storming of Guantanamo, hoping to find an end to the conflict. Grau and the Cuban Government propose returning Hearst, McAdoo, their supporters and all their war material from Guantanamo to the United States, in exchange for an end to the blockade and for the US to recognize Cuba as a independent, sovereign state. If the answer is a positive one, Mr. Grau would also like to enter talks regarding the future of Guantanamo.

-Through dealings and offers the administration has gained some degree of a foothold in Congress, collaborating with populists and socialists from time to time and holding the Speakership of the House for one of your allies. Will you propose any given set of laws?

-While small public works efforts in the South aid with unemployment, the US economy is experiencing severe trouble after President MacArthur dramatically lowered taxes and left a hole in the budget. How will the White House deal with the US economy to avoid a potential disaster?

United Kingdom:

Evening, Prime Minister. 

1.- The Home Rule bill eventually passed parliament with a small majority, mostly thanks to Labour Leader Oswald Mosley's support for the Irish cause as a Liberal and Conservative backbench revolt (alongside the Ulster Party and the National Party) almost brought the bill down. Your popularity takes a hit as several MP's eye defecting to the Nationals, and in Dublin many await your pick of a Governor-General as elections in the new Dominion of Ireland are scheduled by November.

2.- With Hong Kong recieving enough food to avoid famine, the new peace conference is to open in Istanbul with China. Press barons Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere flood the newspapers with furious calls not to cave against the Kuomintang and go to war if necessary, and the nation is indeed watching the situation with interest.

3.- The British economy appears to be slowing down, affected negatively by other trade deals, rising prices of oil and a lack of a general direction inside the Government, with some favoring austerity in a way not disimilar to the Samuel Ministry (1921-1926) and others believing a more interventionist approach is the way to go. What will the Government do regarding the economy?

Japan:

1.- Work on the Nicaragua Canal is going smoothly under the joint collaboration efforts, with the Nicaraguan Government proving cooperative (although a bit too demanding on "contributions"). The Japanese engineers have set up a finish date of no later than 1936, and hope to break their own records and finish before that date.

2.- Some degree of success has been found regarding the strategic reserve, although its current effectivity is far lesser than the intended target. While the ownership of the Philippines and Indochina are an excellent starting point, the General Staff and the Finance Ministry warn that such a reserve will always depend on trade, unless Japan was to either expand mining operations or expand into new colonies.

3.- Trading efforts with China continue to be a success as the Japanese business sector penetrates deeper into Chinese markets, turning a consistent profit as many European nations have been barred from normal trading. Crown Prince Puyi has made a diplomatic flight to Tokyo as well, formally requesting Japanese support for the Imperial regime in Manchuria.

4.- Young aviator Minoru Genda makes history by making the longest flight in history, reaching Singapore from an airfield in Kyushu in a more than 5,000 km flight. Genda has been turned into a celebrity overnight, as the new "face of aviation".

[Lumine]

Italy:

1.- General Giovanni Messe smashes the revolt in Tunis and Tripolitania, hailed as a new expert on "desert warfare". Messe, however, has been halted at the entrance of Cyrenaica by the Senoussi, who gather their remaining forces in an attempt to siege and capture Tobruk. Will you give Messe more forces to deliver a victory?

2.- The Giolitti crisis appears to backfire on the government, with the ongoing local elections showing wide support for either moderate or militant catholic representatives rather than monarchist candidates. While your popularity is better in the south thanks to debts being cancelled, the north and the biggest cities have reacted badly to the nationalization of several banks, with the business community (a strong supporter of the monarchy against Mussolini) feeling somewhat betrayed.

3.- The Pope continues to thunder against the enemies of the Church as many veterans from the Spanish War commence to arrive to Rome, and many volunteers join the Papal forces as well. The General Staff has reason to believe the Pope might as well form its own formal army for the Papacy, aiming to use it against the enemies of the Vatican.

4.- Trade has been negatively hurt by a surprising Chinese decision to end trade with many European nation, causing harm to prominent Italian businessmen. What will you do to address this?

France:

1.- Elections will be held this year as announced, but the main questions still remain and must be decided before the public goes to vote on December. Will you stand as both the presidential and prime ministerial candidate? And, will all parties be allowed to participate, or will you ban leftist parties and movements?

2.- Many conferences open up in Paris to secure peace in Spain and the Balkans, and Laval works miracles as representatives from many nations flood Paris. Can you ensure these conferences manage to secure peace across Europe, once and for all?

3.- Trade has been negatively hurt by a surprising Chinese decision to end trade with many European nations, causing harm to prominent French businessmen. What will you do to address this?

Kuomintang China:

1.- A report from the Finance Ministry looks favorably on many efforts to promote public works and industrialization, but the outlook is negative. Not only because the Government lacks the necessary resources and money to handle the countless programmes started on the past months, but because the decision to suddenly end trade with most of Europe has hurt trade and opened up a void captured by the Japanese. Indeed, the Chinese economy grows more and more dependant on its neighbor.

2.-  A new opportunity is born in Istanbul as you are to negotiate with the British Empire on the Hong Kong matter. Many await this with interest, as many Chinese (led by Deputy Prime Minister Wang Jingwei) believe its time for China to stand up and win a diplomatic struggle against the British Empire. Can you deliver on a success?

3.- While your forces storm Manchuria and inch closer and closer to Beijing, Russian warlords Baron von Ungern-Sternberg and General Semyonov have declared war on the Chinese Empire, expecting either concessions or some advancement on Manchuria as their percieve the situation to be ideal. What will you do?

[Lumine]

Russia:

1.- Slowly but surely, Archangelsk, the Urals and Purishkevich's domains are being integrated into the provisional government. Indeed, there is a division in government as Milyukin and the more political side are of the belief the government should halt its expansion and consolidate its gains. On the other hand, Wrangel and the generals believe its now or never for Russia to find unity, before the warlord situation prolongs itself deep into the 1930's.

2.- Four years after the formation of the Provisional Government, many wonder on the future of what appears to be the leading force in the region once again. Not only because Tsar Alexei II is rumored to be interested in taking a far more active role in ruling despite his constitutional role, but because the Duma has already served for four years. Will you take steps to reform government or leave things as they are?

3.- While Ukraine has not proven receptive, trade deals have been secured with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, giving Russia the oil it needs for its rising industry and war machine. Alas, said oil still needs to be transferred via the Caspian Sea, meaning that the route is influence by Pytor Krasnov's loose alliance of Cossacks. Will you seek to make deals with Krasnov?

Germany:

1.- A petition to help form the German Volga arrives once again. While at first contented by the proclaims of the Marx administration, the settlers are fareful of ongoing Russian expansion and a possible intervention into Volgograd, and formally request an intervention by German troops to protect the area as a garrison. What will you do?

2.- Some rumblings have begun to appear in the German colonies in Africa. While Tanzania enjoys high levels of german emigration and is held under a close relationship thanks to the colonies, some resistance movements have begun to appear slowly on Madagascar, South West Africa and the German Congo. Indeed, there's even talk of appointing a larger African Viceroy to handle the matter. What will you do?

3.- Trade has been negatively hurt by a surprising Chinese decision to end trade with many European nations, causing harm to prominent German businessmen. What will you do to address this?

Ottoman Empire:

1.- A peace conference opens in Istanbul as you are to mediate between the United Kingdom and China, and there is a lot at stake in Paris to put an end to the Balkan conflict. This presents many opportunities and many dangers, can you deliver a strong position for the Empire?

2.- For the first time in many years the Ottoman economy grows in a surprisingly stable way, aided by a more prominent place in the world as an oil producer and by several trade deals, Chinese markets proving very lucrative for the Empire. The communications issue remains a problem as Mesopotamia remains underdeveloped, but the financial situation of the Empire appears to be stable for the years to come.

3.- The Ottoman Viceroy in Morocco reports that tension have been rising lately as a new Sultan takes over the Kingdom of Morocco. The new Sultan Hassan II is one with an independentist mindset, bitter over the ownership of most of his lands by Germany, Italy, France and the Ottoman Empire. Should any action be taken on the region?

[windjammer]

To China:
Could You repeal your ban on trade ?
Thank you

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Trading with the Saudi entity, which remain continuously hostile toward the Sublime Porte and our brothers in Hejaz, will be viewed as an unfriendly act.  

Giving any support to the Wahabi terrorists is likely to end with total trade embargo from the Ottoman Empire as well as closing all trade routes, land and sea.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan is deeply saddened with the passing of great international statesman, former Chancellor Bernard von Bulow.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan welcomes the news of collapse of Cuban-based "government", set up by the two failed former Presidents. The Sultan believes America is on the road to be great again very soon (sorry...)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Domestic:

- Current works on industrial and financial development are to be continued (remember about Islamic banking)

- Our increased trade with the East demands an expansion of the Ottoman commercial navy, particularly in the Persian Gulf region. Once hostilities in the Balkans are over, a Naval task force is to be permanently dispatched to the Gulf to protect our merchant vessels from the Wahhabi terrorists.

- Increased revenue should also be used in improving our schools, particularly in neglected non-Turkish areas (aside of a need to educate our people, we can't get rid off the tribal mentality from the older generations of Arabs, but we sure can do everything to raise young ones in the spirit of multinational Empire).

- Establish some commercial fleet in the Caspean sea.

- Question: aside of communication, what are areas of interest that need development in Mesopotamia? Agriculture? Industry?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Military

- Having compared the state of our air force with those of fellow European powers, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's government is less than pleased. With the skies becoming the first line of defense, we need to expand and modernize our air force.

- The Ottoman Empire is largely land-based power, not a great naval power as the United Kingdom or Empire of Japan. Our Navy must be sufficient to protect our territorial waters, escort our commercial ships and be able to participate in allied operations. We don't need a Navy that can project power on it's own far away, like in the Falklands (relax, British, just an example).

That being said, while land and air forces takes priority, we need to maintain a navy capable of fulfilling goals set above. Take a closer look on submarine warfare again.

- In anticipation of reaching peace in the Balkans, the General Staff is instructed to set a plan of demobilization to pre-war level. However, since many ex-soldiers would like to continue in their present jobs, a plan is to be set to form an expeditionary corps to China to help our allies.

- If the peace with Bulgaria and Greece is reached, adjacent Ottoman territories must be developed for defensive purposes. Strictly defensive.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Straits are hereby reopened for eventual neutral humanitarian aid to Bulgaria.