Concert of Europe: Gameplay Thread

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The Ottoman Empire desires peaceful and balanced relationship with major European powers. That is all for now.

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In his benevolent benignancy the Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Caliph of Islam etc. directs his officials to try to limit the number of head chopped weekly in Istanbul to no more than fifty. Mika Waltari's Mikael reference anyone?

Also, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty decided to extend his grace upon those sentenced to be strangled in this month. All of them shall have the honor of being strangled with an honorable silk rope, not just selected few high-ranking executees.

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Puny European conflicts are of no interest to Morbothe Sublime Porte.

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His Majesty the King in Prussia is most pleased to announce that in a historic diplomatic event, full and formal diplomatic relations are hereby established between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Ottoman Empire. Ambassadors will be exchanged between Berlin and Istanbul, and His Majesty looks forward to a friendly and productive relationship with His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan.

Confirmed.

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His Sacred and Imperial Majesty had decided in his divine benevolence that it's better to give than to receive. Therefore he's sending two beautiful Cherkess slave girls as his personal gift to King Louis XV, as he is aware of the King's glorious reputation as one horny man.

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The official statement from the Sublime Porte regarding diplomatic s**storm in Europe:

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Comment from the Sublime Porte regarding King Louis' handling of the gift from His Sacred and Imperial Majesty:

Disrespectful and saddening.

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

- While the Ottoman Empire is intending to drawn into European conflicts that does not concern us, let it be no misunderstanding the Sublime Porte is not embracing and will not embrace a foolish policy of isolation. We are looking forward to forge closer ties with European powers based on mutual interests and equality.

- Every Ottoman subject, from the mightiest of Pashas to the lowliest of peasants can take his grievances directly to his Sacred and Imperial Majesty, who is the supreme judge of the land. We are not like European counties, where petitioning to the monarch is frequently impossible due to hierarchical barriers. In contrast to rigid class order of Europe, it was not uncommon for a common slave to rise to the Grand Vizier and other high positions of responsibility, and it will not change under this Sultan.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is open to listen directly from those contesting jizya as long, as His supreme authority is not being defied. Until the issue is weighed upon, refusing to honor the tax is treason, mutiny and trolling, and shall be dealt with accordingly (OK, guys, I'm open to listen to your arguments, but don't put me in the position where I can't do anything but to show force. I'll chop off some unimportant heads to placate my Pashas, but nothing off the table.)

- Fellahs of Anatolia, Iraq and Egypt need no fear expanding of the Ottoman commercial businesses is treathening their place in society. One does not rule out the other.

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Remarks from the Sublime Porte:

It's unfortunate there are voices suggesting the Ottoman Empire is staying behind in the "age of enlightenment". Sentiments of concerns are valid and His Sacred and Imperial Majesty shall look into challenges, but wasn't Suleiman the Lawgiver, among many others, an early enlightened despot himself? Wasn't the Ottoman Empire a state where one could rise from the bottom to the top on his merits, regardless of religion? Just saying.

We can learn from Europe, but Europe can and been learning from us as well for centuries.

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Having taken no side in the escalating European conflict, the Sublime Porte wishes to reiterate all of the counties involved will be treated equally in matter of commerce.

However, with Christian powers seemingly unable to find a common ground, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty wishes to announce the Ottoman Empire is available as a mediating part if requested.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is likewise saddened with the deteriorating situation in Poland-Lithuania. Both our countries enjoyed peaceful and fruitful relations since concluding a permanent peace in 1683. The Sublime Porte will not recognize any unlawful spoils if Poland-Lithuania are to be attacked or coerced with neighbouring powers.


Last but not least, Portugal, why u dont reply to me?

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Without pointing fingers, the Sublime Porte considers any attempt to partition or split any nation by its neighbours as a clear threat to the longterm security in Europe.

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In the light of Europe descending into the state of war, additional regular forces shall be deployed to His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's possessions in the Balkans, while we order our vassals in Crimea and Vallachia to mobilize their own forces and put on standby.

This is a purely precautionary move in case of any waring European power violating the Ottoman neutrality.

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His Sacred and Imperial Majesty wants to caution his Muslim subjects, with their just anger, not to lay blame on hundred of thousands of loyal Orthodox and Jewish people living in His realm. It is not known whether it as the act of one madman or a wider conspiracy, but we must recognize the possibility of foreign forces, or traitors within, attempting to throw the Ottoman State in the unrest by antagonizing Muslim against Christians and Jews, for they are victims of this dastardly assault on the state as well.

The martial law is being declared thorough the Empire in case of another dastardly attack being prepared.

(That retard in Greece grossly exceeded his authority by conducting what was essentially a massacre. You don't conduct massacres without the Sultan's order. Bring me his head, but keep it a secret for now.)

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Proclamation:

In recognition to the long and distinguished service of the people of these regions, Eyalets of Algiers, Tunis and Tripolitania are hereby formally recognized as autonomous countries of the Ottoman Empire, remaining under the Sultan’s sovereignty, but with control over their domestic matters, while defense and foreign affairs remains with the Sublime Porte. Taxation will be continued, but on a decreased rate, set up after examination.

Meanwhile, let there be no confusion the Eyalet of Egypt will remain an integral part of the Ottoman Empire with major reforms coming along the way.

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The Sublime Porte warns any foreign power that attempting to capitalize on the dastardly assassination of Osman III by sewing poisonous seeds of dissent will be meet with fire and fury.

The Sublime Porte considers transfer of so-called "Austrian Netherlands" as a very unfortunate precedent. Switching realms back and forth, based on purely temporary need, does not bode well for a longterm stability and peace in Europe. Therefore an official recognition of that act is at the moment being withheld.

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The Sublime Porte considers transfer of so-called "Austrian Netherlands" as a very unfortunate precedent. Switching realms back and forth, based on purely temporary need, does not bode well for a longterm stability and peace in Europe. Therefore an official recognition of that act is at the moment being withheld.

Sultan,
The transfer of Belgium to France isn't about temporary need. Half of the current Belgium population are speaking French and the vast majority of Belgians are catholic.

The circumstances over which this hasty transfer happened, we believe, send a bad signal.

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Given the silence from both Paris and Vienna, the Ambassadors of France and Austria are hereby summoned to the Seraglio to provide official explanation.

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The Sublime Porte received deeply disturbing proof of two outside powers conspiring to attack His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's land, while publicly professing peace.

The message, intercepted by us, had been shared with various capitals.

Martial law is imposed across the Empire and Vassal states, and the full mobilization ordered.

Copies of the intercepted messages are to be shown to high ranking officials, military leaders and local governors across the realm.

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The Ottoman Empire recognized lands formerly known as the "Austrian Netherlands" as lawful and integral part of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Mustafa III, Padishah, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful, etc. etc.

Declares that as of this moment, the state of war exists between the Ottoman State and France/Austria.

Let our enemies feel the fire of fury of the Ottoman might.

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The entire "rule" of usurper Elizabeth Petrovna was illegitimate. Her head is more deserving to be severed from her body by the executioner's axe, a just punishment for treason, than to wear a stolen crown. The Sublime Porte, having no hidden territorial designs against the Russian Empire, and confirming its intentions to work with Russia once the crisis is over, is happy to recognize Ivan IV as the rightful Emperor.

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While we're yet to complete diplomatic talks with Great Britain, Prussia, Denmark-Norway and the Netherlands regarding joining in a formal alliance, the Ottoman Empire is proud to already consider itself a co-belligerent of these great nations.

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It appears Austria might have been manipulated into this conflict by the French intrigues. Since no blood had been sheed between us yet, we suggest to Vienna they'll abandon their  "ally", the real threat to the peace and stability in Europe.

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The Roman Pope's statement is troubling. Let's dispel with the notion the Sublime Porte is waging a war against the Catholic Church, as most evident with our alliance with Catholic powers of Portugal and Poland-Lithuania. Furthermore Catholics had been living in the Ottoman Realm for centuries and been treated with respect, as opposed to non-Catholics in the Papal States and Papal's zone of influence.

We find his cheering of the dastardly murder of Sultan Osman particularly disgusting. The Rome had long been supporting policies discriminating people of the Orthodox faith, but now he wants to use them as a cannon meat in his proxy war against Islam. This provocation will not fly.

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Unable to face the consequences of his failed intrigues, the King of France had clearly lost his mind and, as mentally unstable, cannot be treated as a serious partner in any negotiations.