[Forum Game] - World in Revolution: 1900

[reis91]

OOC: For the record, I had a full combat fleet at the Bosphorus due to the events in the last update, while the update seems to assume I do not, so I will assume that, for some strange reason, the ships decided to abandon their positions and allow the Germans through, then moving back to chase them.

The French Government regrets this unfortunate incident, which has dire consequences for French oversea holdings, and has decided to:

1) Order an immediate inquiry as to who disobeyed official orders resulting in German naval movement being allowed through the Bosphorus following the German attack on the French Merchant Fleet, and to find out responsibilities for the engagement of the German Fleet in the Suez Canal.

2) Make financial help available to the United Kingdom, for the removal of the obstructions in the canal.

3) Issue an apology to all those affected by the severance of the Suez canal, with the exclusion of the German Empire, who we deem to be the main responsible for the severance of the naval passage through the Suez, and other nations currently at war with France.

[Muskeato]

OOC: Fry you're such a troll.

Not content with warmongering in the Far East, France, by its own volition, now brings war to its own borders. Why the French people support such a government we can not understand.

[Spectre17]

I, Ferdinand I, Tsar of Bulgaria hereby announce that due to French aggression against our German allies a state of war hereby exists between the Tsardom of Bulgaria, the Republic of France and the Russian Empire. I also order a Full Mobilization of the Bulgarian Army.

[Mr. Santiago]

Even though we are saddened by the alarming expansion of war across the globe, the Argentine Repubic hereby states it's neutrality in the conflict. Howhever, actions will be taken, along with our friends and allies, to reasure the integrity and well beeing of our citizens and interests abroad.

[Morrell8]

Proclamation from Carol I of Romania

"Romanians! The war which for the last three years has been encircling our frontiers more and more closely has shaken the ancient foundations of Europe to their depths. It has brought the day which has been awaited for centuries by the national conscience, by the founders of the Romanian State, by those who united the principalities in the war of independence, by those responsible for the national renaissance.

It is the day of the union of another part of our nation, namely, the area of Bessarabia, once held by Stephan the Great, who lies in slumber for the return of the Romanian nation and peoples! We will free our brothers from the Russian yoke! We declare ourselves to be at WAR with the Russian state and I hereby order the FULL MOBILISATION of the Romanian army, for the pursuit of the freedom of the Romanian peoples in Bessarabia.

Romanians! Animated by the holy duty imposed upon us, and determined to bear manfully all the sacrifices inseparable from an arduous war, we will march into battle with the irresistible élan of a people firmly confident in its destiny. The glorious fruits of victory shall be our reward.
Forward, with the help of God!
Carol"

Proclamation by King Carol, 4 January 1904

[Spitfire5793]

Ottoman Empire

Recent events have been most disturbing. Not only have we witnesses Europe plunge into war, but we have also witnessed war off our coast. We are not angry at anyone over the Bosphorus incident and we are not concerned over whose fault it is. We simply ask that both Germany and France provide us with help so that we may clear up this mess and once again open the Bosphorus. Lastly, we declare our complete Neutrality during this conflict. We hope that peace will soon once again return to Europe.

OOC: More IC coming later

[reis91]

The French Republic is willing to forget that Ottoman batteries fired upon our ships, as our reports state with a reasonable level of confidence that the Ottomans tried to defend their coastal batteries, although we cannot disregard the possibility that such resistance was staged or that this was somehow done with German cooperation, as the batteries themselves were commissioned by Germany, according to our sources.

Nevertheless, to ask us to cooperate after shooting our own ships, and under gun range of German ships inside the Bosphorus, to assist in the clearing operations is asking too much of France. Our terms are the surrender of all German ships inside the Bosphorus, with a guarantee for safety for all the sailors and personnel in those ships, which will be allowed to return to Germany, should they so which. Only then will conditions be safe enough for France to consider aiding the cleaning operations.

[Muskeato]

The French Republic is willing to forget that Ottoman batteries fired upon our ships, as our reports state with a reasonable level of confidence that the Ottomans tried to defend their coastal batteries, although we cannot disregard the possibility that such resistance was staged or that this was somehow done with German cooperation, as the batteries themselves were commissioned by Germany, according to our sources.

Nevertheless, to ask us to cooperate after shooting our own ships, and under gun range of German ships inside the Bosphorus, to assist in the clearing operations is asking too much of France. Our terms are the surrender of all German ships inside the Bosphorus, with a guarantee for safety for all the sailors and personnel in those ships, which will be allowed to return to Germany, should they so which. Only then will conditions be safe enough for France to consider aiding the cleaning operations.

OOC: AFAIK they're in the Black Sea, not the Boshporus itself.

[Spitfire5793]

The French Republic is willing to forget that Ottoman batteries fired upon our ships, as our reports state with a reasonable level of confidence that the Ottomans tried to defend their coastal batteries, although we cannot disregard the possibility that such resistance was staged or that this was somehow done with German cooperation, as the batteries themselves were commissioned by Germany, according to our sources.

Nevertheless, to ask us to cooperate after shooting our own ships, and under gun range of German ships inside the Bosphorus, to assist in the clearing operations is asking too much of France. Our terms are the surrender of all German ships inside the Bosphorus, with a guarantee for safety for all the sailors and personnel in those ships, which will be allowed to return to Germany, should they so which. Only then will conditions be safe enough for France to consider aiding the cleaning operations.

Ottoman Empire

Ottoman batteries may have fired upon French ships; however it was not our troops firing the guns or our decision for them to be fired. If you are not willing to help us clean up, will you at least give us some money so that we can clean it up? We and running low on cash as it is and cannot afford to clean up a mess caused by others.

[reis91]

We do not enjoy the undertone and implication placed in this others. We did not approve of the Ottoman decision to allow German warships passage through the Bosphorus, but, given we recognize the Ottomans as a sovereign nation, we did not contest their decision to do so. The Ottomans could easily have foreseen that allowing warships through the Bosphorus could lead to such incidents.

[Spitfire5793]

We do not enjoy the undertone and implication placed in this others. We did not approve of the Ottoman decision to allow German warships passage through the Bosphorus, but, given we recognize the Ottomans as a sovereign nation, we did not contest their decision to do so. The Ottomans could easily have foreseen that allowing warships through the Bosphorus could lead to such incidents.

Ottoman Empire

Fine. Dont help us. We will remember your nation next time you try to enter the Black Sea.

[reis91]

If not being remembered entails having ships fired upon and sunk by the Ottoman guns, we have no clue what could happen if the Ottomans remember us. We do ask, however, who was there in the Crimean war, spilling blood to protect the Ottoman Empire. Was it Germany?

[MastahCheef117]

President Loubet brings up a fine point. Though Ottoman neutrality must be respected at all costs, they must not forget that the French have spilled a large amount of blood during the Crimean War in their fight against the Russian Empire. Not only this, but the United Kingdom must be respected in this regard as well.

Should the war remain contained as is - which, sadly, I highly doubt - Spain shall, as always, remain neutral. However, should Spain be threatened in any way - whether on the subject of the possession of our African colonies, our influence within the Mediterranean, or our relations with the nations of Europe - we will be forced to take sides in this affair. Spilling blood is, naturally, one of the most repulsive things I can force upon my people, but if those very people are threatened with their lives by a foreign power, then I shall be left no other alternative.

I only hope the leaders of Europe can come to their senses and end this useless, unending bloodshed.

Alfonso XIII
King of Spain

[Spitfire5793]

If not being remembered entails having ships fired upon and sunk by the Ottoman guns, we have no clue what could happen if the Ottomans remember us. We do ask, however, who was there in the Crimean war, spilling blood to protect the Ottoman Empire. Was it Germany?

Ottoman Empire

We are of course thankful of Frances support and sacrifice during the Crimean war. We have never forgotten the blood you gave to help our people. However, today you stand allied with the former enemy and one of our largest threats.

Additionally, several French ships currently sit in the Bosphorus, blocking a major strait and trade route. All we are asking is that you help us remove your ships so that we may reopen the Bosphorus. Is that too much to ask?

OOC: The German nation did not exist during the Crimean war

[reis91]

OOC: Germany is considered to be the successor state of Prussia, so the use of the term Germany, while not the best choice, is still permissible, imho, under the idea that it already existed as a political entity. Plus, I don't fancy having my ships shot while clearing the straits, as I said.

[Boris ze Spider]

The Japanese Empire of the East is saddened by the expansion of the war in Europe. Is it necessary to send more men to their deaths, depriving mothers of sons, wives of husbands, and children of fathers, all over the seizure of a few abandoned merchant vessels. The Japanese Empire of the East has seen the errors and injustices caused by warfare firsthand, and we understand the horrors it can cause. It is for this reason that the Japanese Empire of the East calls for peace between the two belligerent parties in Europe. This war has already seen the closing of two major trade routes as the result of unforseen destruction of warships, harming the ideals of free trade and all of its proponents. I think that many will agree with me, that it is time to bring the boys back home.

On the domestic front, the Japanese Empire is pleased at the new developements in our glorious nation. After our intervention in Korea, new goods have been flowing into japanese before, ushering an uprecedented era in trade and commerce. We call upon investors, both domestic and foreign, to invest in Japanese industry and infrastructure. Many have already done this, and needless to say, the growth and success these buisness ventures met was astounding. We are also impressed at the already visible results of the education reform currently being put in place. We will soo n be going down a new path, one that is blazed by the progress of math and science.

[DoomBunny]

His Majesty's Government should like to question the wisdom of both nations. Firstly, we find it perplexing that any nation would try to force the Bosphorous, especially when its owner was neutral. Secondly, we find it outright unbelievable that anyone in their right mind would order his ships to engage those of a hostile nation, whilst traversing the Suez canal. Such a move is not only a complete violation of the rules that Govern the Canal, but also a compete and total disregard for the safety of the local people, of the British Empire and of international trade, which will be severely disrupted by this shocking and completely inadvisable turn of events. We find it extremely hard to believe that any commander, let alone any nation, would be so foolish as to contemplate such action, which is truly unbelievable.

[Congo]

People of Russia! Finally our French friends have come to our aid. After Germany's action at the Black Sea, capturing French ships was the drop that filled the glass. After a formal declaration of war, both navies engaged, and again Germany, in their typical violation of everything they wish for, manned Ottomans coastal artillery and began firing at French ships. It was a miracle that the French commander saw something was strange and avoided firing back. Not only Germany violated Ottoman neutrality, sized their guns, but also put Ottomans lives in danger in their frenzy to sink French ships. Again, Germany violations of laws and treaties are each day surprising less the general public. It a shame now the Bosporus is blocked by Germany's action.

Hard times approaches, the war is not over, but as I speak, our army is getting better and better each day surpassing many of the Great Powers, in few years we have done what for other took decades of hard work.

On the Eastern Front China as always taking advantage of our situation with Germany stealing everything they can. Soon the hammer shall fall upon them.

Romania, also taking by force what they can't by right declared war on the Russian Empire. General opinion thinks Romania just shot itself in the foot with this action. We offered to sell them Bessarabia last year via diplomatic cables to avoid needless bloodshed. Yet their king Carol I prefer to pay in blood rather than gold. At the end, his people will suffer.

[jacob-Lundgren]

While we send our sympathies to the Ottomans in their naval passage time of trouble, the British Empire demands that both the French and German governments admit fault regarding the Suez. Their ships have blocked the canal by their combined actions. Though we are open to the possibility of greater guilt for one, if France or Germany refuses to admit guilt, pay what we deem necessary and if required send engineers or technicians we will be holding that single nation as the greater party responsible.

Should such come to pass, the Royal Navy will sweep the seas clean of your vile fleets, blockade your ports and colonies and exact the needed money to fix the canal out of your shipping. We will not be footing the bill to fix the mistakes of others. If we decide to take no military action and accept support and your admitted guilt, consider that a blessing. We are putting the Empires standing military forces on a war footing at this time. No additional steps to raise temporary wartime forces will be taken yet.


OOC: Basically not mobilizing but my forces are now on shoot on sight if anyone tries that again.

[jacob-Lundgren]

Though we accept that the French have made efforts towards an apology and support, great financial resources will be needed and perhaps even engineer and technician support. It would also be greatly appreciated to have a direct apology as the temporary loss causes a greater deal of trouble for the British Empire than any other. The French also opened fire first and we will want a copy of any investigation and all reports from it as well as not accepting the situation if no one is found guilty. Clearly there is a guilty commander somewhere in this disgrace.