Swords of Damocles - Istanbul Conference (1929)

[Lumine]

Istanbul Conference (1929)

Info:

-Conference Host: Sultan Abdulmecid II (but really, Enver Pasha)
-Participants: Ottoman Empire, Kuomintang China, British Empire.
-Place: Istanbul, Ottoman Empire.
-Conflict: Hong Kong crisis.

Rules:

Simple and straight forward. You send proposals and debate them, as this conference involves only players. You are free to engage in covert actions if you wish, or leak to the world news if that seems necessary. Should you require NPC's, I'll take action as them.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Both parties have presented their initial terms in non-public messages. Does Britain and China care to restate these here?

[Kingpoleon]

We have given our responses to the Chinese offer. Here they are again:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Ftr, if a mutual demilitarization if agreed upon, the Ottoman Empire can sent a task force to oversee its implementation (to be pulled when all stabilizes).

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire is concerned about a deep humanitarian aspect. On the one hand China must be understood in their desire to protect their people from the flow of opium. At the same time the civilian population of Hong Kong is caught in between.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Hello?

[NeverAgain]

Hello?

Posting my stuff soon.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

(Btw, you do know you have secret PMs from yours truly?)

[NeverAgain]

First off I want to relay some information I have just received from the Emperor of Japan -

You must be logged in to read this quote.

France has also agreed to release their territory in Chinese land to our people.

By the end of January 1st, 1930, all foreign occupancies (and ports) on Chinese land will be returned back to their rightful owner, that is, except for Britain. Britain will be left alone in our lands, their occupation of Hong Kong left only as a target for hostile attacks from Communists and their terrorist comrades.

Our blockade has been peaceful and protected the people of Hong Kong from attacks and threats from the Communists, while also protecting our people from continued Opium outbreaks spurred by the British. If these blockades were to end, and the British still remained, now defenseless in Hong Kong, with no European or Japanese land in China. We could see attacks on their people like never before.

Furthermore, the Chinese people grow angrier by the day at the intervention by European forces on our lands, and has been quelled by the fact that multiple nations occupied our territory, but now I fear these citizen's anger will be directly affecting Hong Kong and worry of the damage it will do to Hong Kong and Britain's reputation abroad.

On to proposals. We do accept the proposal given to us by the British on Opium that "[The British] will shift the opium trade to other countries. China will receive 50% of the profit every month until appropriate reparations are paid off." And we demand that the reparations equal $750 Million U.S. Dollars (sorry, couldn't find British Inflation Calculator).

We also agree to a fair and peaceful transfer of power, if the British cooperate, (ensured by the Ottomans) to our new leadership of the people of Hong Kong. At this, we will accept no less but will give the British as much time to transfer our governments and to ensure that the values that we as humans hold dear is upheld in this transition. I would be fine with negotiating how this transfer is done, but the people of China have spoken time and time again for this reform, and I think it is only fair to the people of Britain to have their interests upheld here too. They deserve to have their troops and their money go to their own homeland and their livelihoods, not ours. We deserve the right to protect our land, as the British do theirs.

That's why I plead with PM Churchill to drop this cause that will only further divide between him and his own people and focus on their interests, not attempt to protect lands that will only prove fruitless and possibly damaging if he continues this. We as a just and honest society all want our rights upheld, and that is why I will do whatever is necessary to protect British interests in this transfer, as we will do with the French and Japanese cases.

I also want to thank the Ottomans and the British for meeting us here. This is a great testament to how humanity as evolved that, 3 countries representing three continents can meet here to decide the future of our world. And with that comes our responsibility to show our children, and our children's children how to lead. I have the utmost faith we can come to a conclusion that will be beneficial to all sides.

Thank you all,

Chiang Kai-shek, Prime Minister of the Kuomintang Republic of China

[Dereich]

Neither the Empire of Japan nor the government of the French Republic have signed any agreement with the government of China as to the situation in the treaty ports. We have no intention to vacate any property or cede any privileges fairly secured and recognized in international law until we reach such an agreement.

For the government of China to say otherwise is a shocking diplomatic error which Japan demands that the Generalissimo retracts and apologizes for immediately.

Demand rescinded. We urge the British government to join us and all sensible people in recognizing the sovereign rights of the Chinese people and renouncing the privileges it took from the Chinese government in a moment of weakness.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It appears we may have a breakdown in communication. We plead Japan and other countries involved in the matter would cease from taking serious diplomatic steps until we can hear from all parties.

(Off the record: gentlemen, we can't possibly fulfill our role as a mediator if we're left in the dark. Also, we're disappointed with all the problems with diplomatic cable communication.)

[Dereich]

Any such communications, were they exist, would be bilateral discussions between China and Japan. These hypothetical discussions would not have required input by either the British or Ottoman governments.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Any such communications, were they exist, would be bilateral discussions between China and Japan. These hypothetical discussions would not have required input by either the British nor Ottoman governments.

Right. We're attempting to mediate between Chinese and British, not Japanese and Chinese. However, we would be very grateful if Japan-China bilateral discussions wouldn't be used to derail British-Chinese bilateral discussions. And, for the record, we don't imply either side would conciously attempt this.

[NeverAgain]

And as we can see from this new agreement -

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Almost all European holdings, except for the British will be left here in China. Therefore I stick to my previous request of the peaceful transfer of power on Hong Kong between British and Chinese hands.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Representatives of the United Kingdom and the Chinese Empire:

We believe that in order to move forward the two sides should consider agreeing on some basic principles:

1. The United Kingdom recognizes Hong-Kong should be eventually handed over
2. The United Kingdom recognizes China is entitled to some form of a reparation due to the effects of opium trade
3. The Chinese Empire recognizes that, having long been living under the British rule, the people of Hong Kong may be entitled to some degree of an internal autonomy (one country, two systems anyone?)
4. The Chinese Empire recognizes that due to all assets invested over the years in the development of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom is entitled to a prolonged time table before relinquishing special economic interest

Also, the Ottoman Empire restates it's willingness to provide a peace task force to oversee demilitarization of certain areas if this is agreed upon. 

[NeverAgain]

I think there can be much agreement there. Though, as I have stated. Hong Kong will be a threat for terrorist activities from Communists at home and furthermore shows an increased occupation in our sovereign lands. I am perfectly fine with establishing a date, no matter the length on the withdrawl and completely acknowledge that due to their almost century-long British rule, the people of Hong Kong are entitled to some degree of an internal autonomy.

I also ask the British to look to Japan and France, by January 1st both nations will have relieved themselves of all Chinese territory and Britain will be left as the European Power on Chinese lands.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

If the British subscribe to the general understanding, everything will move forward swiftly.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Wake up, Britain.

[Kingpoleon]

We cannot afford to give up Hong Kong for absolutely nothing. We would be willing to pay a good deal for a ten year lease there, a guarantee of free trade with Hong Kong unless canceled by future authorities of Hong Kong, a massive if not complete reduction of Chinese tariffs on British goods, a promise that the federal Chinese military will never attack or even enter without the request of the Hong Kong authorities, and a guarantee of great autonomy for Hong Kong.

Otherwise, it would take a good deal of money to get us out of Hong Kong in two years or less and/or very, very substantial concessions.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It appears the British side acnkownedges the need to eventually ceding Hong Kong back to China, which we see as a very important step.

China?

[NeverAgain]

Glorious news!

We thank PM Churchill for his ability to seek past the weaknesses that his country have been marred with on the matter of Hong Kong.

As we said, we will give the British ample time to change rulers and allow free trade and open borders with Hong Kong as we make the transition. We will add our list of possible reasonable concessions along with our desires for Britain as we finish up negotiations.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It appears we have, despite no specifics agreed upon yet, a general agreement Hong Kong is a part of the Chinese realm under temporary British administration, right? Does both sides confirm this?

[Kingpoleon]

Unless Hong Kong is purchased, our governance will not be changed for at least ten years. So, yes?

[NeverAgain]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

X Chiang Kai-Shek

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

On behalf of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's:

x Emmanuel Carasso Effendi
Grand Vizier

x Ever Pasha
Minister of Foreign Affairs