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Upon consultations with the French and Prussian counterparts the Lord John Russell, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, issues the following proclamation:
"Whereas the neutrality and sovereignty of Belgium is guaranteed by Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia as part of the Treaty of London of 1839;
And whereas the navigation of the river Rhine is of paramount importance to the economic wellbeing of all of Western Europe;
And whereas cooperation between the powers of Europe is crucial to maintaining peace on the continent;
The governments of the United Kingdom, France, and Prussia to hereby reaffirm their commitment to the neutrality, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Belgium;
And furthermore request that the government of the Netherlands enter immediately and forthrightly into negotiations with these governments regarding the establishment of freedom of navigation of the river Rhine.
...
Lord John Russell"
"Whereas the neutrality and sovereignty of Belgium is guaranteed by Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia as part of the Treaty of London of 1839;
And whereas the navigation of the river Rhine is of paramount importance to the economic wellbeing of all of Western Europe;
And whereas cooperation between the powers of Europe is crucial to maintaining peace on the continent;
The governments of the United Kingdom, France, and Prussia to hereby reaffirm their commitment to the neutrality, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Belgium;
And furthermore request that the government of the Netherlands enter immediately and forthrightly into negotiations with these governments regarding the establishment of freedom of navigation of the river Rhine.
...
Lord John Russell"
The Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands can not, and will not abide by the arrogance of others in determining the navigation of its waters. However, all nations at peace with it are free to navigate the river, assuming that they pay the appropriate toll.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands can not, and will not abide by the arrogance of others in determining the navigation of its waters. However, all nations at peace with it are free to navigate the river, assuming that they pay the appropriate toll.
The French Empire is eager and willing to enter into negotiations over such an important matter to Europe. Talks are of course always the better path in Europe over war or dirty ultimatums. There is no reason an agreement cannot be reached that does benefit all parties involved.
Napoleon III ~ Emperor of the French
Napoleon III ~ Emperor of the French
Buenos Aires has been reincorporated, and there are calls for the reformation of our government. As such a new constitution has been established for Argentina! No longer are we a Confederacy, but now a Federal Republic! We stand stronger, and more united, than ever before! God bless the Argentine Republic, and God bless the Argentine people!
~ President Santiago Derqui of the Argentine Republic
[X] Prince Charles Anthony of Hohenzollern, on behalf of William I, King of Prussia
It appears that the Dutch have somehow misinterpreted the proclamation of Her Majesty's Foreign Secretary. As has been agreed at the Congress of Vienna and the subsequent convention of Mainz of 1831 the Rhine must be open to free navigation by all countries and no tolls may be charged on the river. The threats by the Dutch to start charging tolls in an effort to close the river to Prussian navigation are destabilizing and detrimental to European peace and wellfare. The Dutch will enter into immediate and forthright negotiations that will ensure that the status quo of free navigation on the Rhine. No other outcome is acceptable to Her Majesty.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands
The right to access the Rhine was guaranteed outside of war in the treaty as were freedom from river tolls. However the treaty did not impact customs or port tolls (river barges won't work on the open ocean and visa versa) and to change the later item is a non-starter. However, the in regards to the former, except for the a transfer fee or warehousing fee where applicable, which fall under port fees and are necessary operating expense in any port. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is willing to reduce the customs regime in return for its guaranteed neutrality. Furthermore, tee are confused as to how a 2-4% increase in charges can be threatened by war, this is not the diplomacy of civilized countries but barbarism. Though as stated before the Kingdom of the Netherlands is willing to negotiate, but the terms will not be dictated.
~King William of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
The right to access the Rhine was guaranteed outside of war in the treaty as were freedom from river tolls. However the treaty did not impact customs or port tolls (river barges won't work on the open ocean and visa versa) and to change the later item is a non-starter. However, the in regards to the former, except for the a transfer fee or warehousing fee where applicable, which fall under port fees and are necessary operating expense in any port. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is willing to reduce the customs regime in return for its guaranteed neutrality. Furthermore, tee are confused as to how a 2-4% increase in charges can be threatened by war, this is not the diplomacy of civilized countries but barbarism. Though as stated before the Kingdom of the Netherlands is willing to negotiate, but the terms will not be dictated.
~King William of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
The French Empire is taking a step to improve its access to exotic goods for its manufacturers. This treaty will also help improve our relations with a nation that is located locally to a region where the French Empire currently has a lot of interests but few safe havens or friendly non-French ports. The flow of silk will also help make certain the craftsmen of France can expand their production and expand the markets for french industrial goods abroad.
Napoleon III ~ Emperor of the French
edit: OOC clarify, it is for existing army equipment not like a military reform or setting up arms factories or something. Just some guns and railroad equipment.
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Der Rhein, de Rijn, le Rhin, the Rhine
As the war in North America continued to boil between the United States and the Confederate States, tensions in Europe were becoming more and more tense by the day. After a meeting of the Great Powers, in which they reaffirmed their ability and meaning to keep the Kingdom of Belgium a free and independent nation.
In the Netherlands, many of the words spoken behind closed doors included a plan to, once again, incorporate Belgium as a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands once again. The revelations by the Great Powers brought many of these voices to stop talking about these things, and quickly change their tune.
The Rhine River was supposed to be free from any tolls, which had been confirmed some times in the past by the Great Powers of the world. But now, the Dutch Government was looking towards new methods of subverting that, and taxing Prussian ships that traveled through to the ocean.
The very ideas of these taxes were met with outrage in Prussia, and in London as well. The Dutch used the idea that the Rhine River split in three, inside the Netherlands, giving them a basis for taxing these ships. Needless to say, the response from the Prussians was fierce. They quickly took up the idea of a free and navigable Rhine, calling upon all Germans to support them.
Germania on the watch along the Rhine.
While the Prussians were able to make some inroads with some of the states, the Grand Duchy of Baden was the first to stand with Prussia against the proposals of taxing the Rhine, as they would also be harmed because of it. The Duchy of Nassau decided to stand with Prussia as well, issuing their support directly to Berlin, and informing them should any conflict happen because of it, that they would stand besides Prussia.
This tension, along with shaky talks that seemed on the verge of breaking down, caused the Prussian Army in the Rhineland to quickly move towards the border of the Netherlands. While no war, or even sense of hostilities, had yet to have broken out, both sides quickly began to aggravate the other, with Prussian soldiers displaying near the border, and Dutch river boats becoming more and more bold along the border, noticeably by dropping objects into the river, of which no one knew exactly what they were.
While there was talk of war between the two countries, both knew that such an action would be devastating for the Netherlands, unless they had significant backup. Politicians of both sides quickly urged a peaceful solution be found, as the alternative was even worse.
The French Empire of course recognizes that there is no need for our soldiers or citizens to be concerned over the moving of soldiers within our neighbors own lands. We continue to call for negotiations and understand our neighbors desires to see a conclusion that safeguards their navigational rights. The French Empire will of course make ourselves available if needed to deploy any ships or soldiers to help safeguard a peace agreement. We do deeply hope that combat is avoided that would cause hundreds of thousands of lives to be ruined without exhausting all possible avenues for a peaceful settlement. Given their proximity to our lands, if the economy of the Grand Duchy of Baden faces extreme disruption we will send food aid and if needed fuel aid to make sure their people do not suffer from cold or starvation. Neighboring nations should take steps to help each other out to insure no pointless suffering when it requires so little on our part to keep such at bay.
We of course also respect the rights of the Netherlands to diplomatically argue their own case without simply accepting an initial offer from any other nation. We will wait any further comment about their situation until their government has had a chance to speak again.
The Kingdom of Italy is disturbed by the frank hostility the Dutch to the freedom of river trade on the Rhine River. We wish that peaceful minds over hostile action, no matter how unlikely that may seem.
Considering the wealth and greatness of the Italian Kingdom, I hereby declare our intention to establish a colony.
Viva il Regno Italia
~ King Vittorio Emanuele Maria Alberto Eugenio Ferdinando Tommaso di Savoia II of Italy
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The Kingdom of Belgium
How dare the Kingdom of Netherlands even suggest re-annexation? The Kingdom of Belgium has been an independent nation for thirty years, and would like to remain that way. We demand an explanation and Official Apology from the Kingdom of Netherlands. The Belgian peoples are not Dutch, nor do we want to be ruled by them.
On the issue of the Rhine. We urge our Dutch and Prussian neighbors to find a peaceful solution. The Kingdom of Netherlands, stop this tolling of Prussian ships in the Rhine, it is a river that should remain free from any taxation.
As, for the Kingdom of Belgium, we declare our neutrality in the conflict of interest over the Rhine.
The King is pleased with the results of the development of railroads in our nation, and the improvement of our navy.
The Luxembourg Crisis
As tensions over the traversing of the Rhine River continued to boil over, and talks between the Great Powers in the world seemed to have come to a standstill in the talks over the navigation of the Rhine. Looking to try and ensure they had a better standing position, the Dutch ordered that the Prussian Garrison at the fort in Luxembourg surrender immediately and vacate the premises. They had stated refusal to do so would result in military action against Prussia, as Luxembourg was rightfully the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and did not belong to the Prussians.
The Prussians, on the other hand, wholeheartedly refused such an offer. They began to stock up and prepare their forces, while asking for reinforcements from the Rhineland Garrison. The soldiers were quickly dispatched, and hearing movements of this, the Dutch forces struck. Quickly overwhelming the garrison, the Dutch were able to force their surrender. In doing so, however, the Dutch were unusually cruel to the Prussians, killing many, and forcing the rest in chains, and held prisoners at their own whim.
[-637 Regulars to Prussia. -24 Regulars to the Netherlands.]
When news of this reached Prussia proper, the Rhineland Garrison, and the border Army quickly made its way into Luxembourg. Assaulting this fortress, however, would not be easy task for the Prussian Army, as it was one of the most well-defended forts in the entire world, and oft called the "Gibraltar of the North" due to its impressive defensive capabilities. Prussian Artillery, however, began to fire away at the walls, chipping them down, as a regiment was taken around to try and attack the flank. This resulted in a Prussian charge against a regiment of Dutch infantry, one that the Prussians were able to win, and able to declare victory over the Dutch.
[-635 Regulars to Prussia. -846 Regulars to the Netherlands.]
Prussian Infantry charging to avenge their fallen comrades.
This crisis, which had one been over the Rhine River, now escalated to include Luxembourg as well. In London, the news was met in the House of Commons with extreme shock. In Paris, Emperor Napoleon III was said to have gazed at a recent telegram about diplomatic talks which warned "War seemed to be on the horizon", and have said, "It has been done." The British Prime Minister had not yet been contacted when the news broke, and a statement from him, or Her Majesty the Queen, was to be expected soon.
The Dutch offered no apologies nor any explanation for their actions. Prussia, however, did completely control Luxembourg through sheer might and force, while the Dutch said they were illegally occupying their own land, and that the Prussians, not the Dutch, had instigated the incident by not leaving the garrison. As this began to unfold, tensions rose even higher, and a war seemed ever more likely to break out. Support for war was low in both Britain and France, and many viewed this as a simple localised conflict. Only one complaint came from London, and that was from the House of Commons, a resolution saying that they shall, under no circumstances, see the Rhine River become a toll river, to be used at the mercy of the Dutch.
The Kingdom of Prussia
Time and again, the Kingdom of Prussia has acted as a responsible Great Power, heeding the calls of both British and French emissaries to negotiate over the repeated and unprovoked acts of belligerence committed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We have listened at length to their counsel, we have discussed compromise, and we have invited the return of peace and stability to Europe in every way possible.
However, in attacking the fortress of Luxemburg City and murdering the Prussian garrison stationed therein, the garrison directly empowered to defend Luxemburg by the Congress of Vienna, the Dutch have committed a vile and irrevocable act of war against this Kingdom and against the German Confederation. Luxemburg is part of the German Confederation and so it will remain, regardless of the Dutch king's intentions to the contrary. The Royal Prussian Army has been dispatched into that territory to safeguard it from further Dutch aggression; this is within our rights, as Luxemburg's treaty-bound guarantor.
By attempting to solicit the support of the Great Powers to annex the Kingdom of Belgium, by threatening the imposition of unlawful tolls upon the Rhine, and by launching an unprovoked surprise attack against the Luxemburg garrison, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has proven itself to be an enemy of European peace. Therefore, Prussia will act decisively against this threat, in order to prevent further damage to a tolerable status quo and to bring about a return to peace and stability in Europe.
On behalf of His Royal Majesty, William I, King of Prussia,
His Royal Highness, Charles Anthony, Prince of Hohenzollern
Minister-President of Prussia
People of Portugal, my faithful subjects. This past year has been a great one for our Kingdom! The tax system has been overhauled and rejuvenated, allowing the government to increase its income while lowering the amount each and everyone one of you must pay. Never before has this been witnessed within our nation! A small leap in the growth of industry within our nation has been witnessed, and this shall surely bring continued growth with it and wealth to our nation. A standard has been set for rail lines across the nation, and the two most populated areas of our nation shall soon be linked by rail. The loss, however, of two of our navy's frigates shows the vulnerability of our nation still and is a tragedy for all noble Portuguese. A nation-wide moment of silence shall be held to grieve the deaths of these ships' crews, as well as the loss of missionaries sent to bring Christ to the African Kingdoms. We shall learn from these losses, and continue to expand our presence in Africa. Trade is the way forward for our future, and where better to seek this trade than with the rich Kingdoms and people of Africa.
Outside of our nation and its interests, lie a growing tension and air of hostility between the nations of Europe. The actions of the Dutch in attacking the Prussian garrison can be considered as nothing more than a declaration of war. We hope this is not the case, and that cooler heads may triumph and another war kept from plaguing Europe. Portugal declares its neutrality if any true hostilities break out, and hopes that the Dutch, German, and Luxembourg people may be spared the horrors of war.
Viva Portugal! Vis Unita Maior Nunc et Semper!
~His Most Faithful Majesty, The King of Portugal and the Algarves, Duke of Porto, Duke of Viseu, Dom Luís I
The Kingdom of the Netherlands
We are most pleased by the successes of the schooling program instituted this past year. *We believe it will lead to a far stronger nation in the future. *
We are similarly proud of those brave Dutchmen who have sailed to and established an outpost in darkest Africa. *We believe that the location of this new trading post will allow trade with more of the continent than previously possible.
To Leopold, King of the Belgians, the Flemish do not speak French no matter what you believe and force upon them, they speak Flemish, Dutch language. *However, it should be noted that we only want peaceful reunification with our people, not war. *We will also highlight our willingness to swap territory such that our respective kingdoms may be better defended. *Hence the diplomatic letter sent to you previously. *Furthermore, the current situation only further highlights the need for a common defense of the lowlands. *((it should be noted that nothing of that nature was iced other than the desire for a United Lowlands, at least in defensive view))
To King Victorio of Italy, it is the right of a nation and her people to protect her own industry. *Should Austrian ships be able to dock and use the Italian portion of the Po without compensation? *Should a nation not protect its lifeblood? *The abrogation of these principles sets a precedent in which will see the rights of the nations of the world trampled under the heels of barbarians who would rather use force than diplomacy!
Additionally, in light of the current circumstances, all soldiers of Prussia and her allies will be expelled from the realms of which I am sovereign for the duration of talks, there place may be taken by other members of the Confederation, whilst a peaceful resolution is sought.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains its right to assert its customs borders, as stated earlier, we are more than willing to enter into talks where discussion, not dictation occurs. *Our primary desire in such negotiation is the recognition and guarantee of our neutrality on the continent. *Alongside a guarantee of the inviolability of our borders outside of bilateral treaties with our neighbors.*
However, we believe that desire for peace must be tempered by readiness and preparation for war. *As seen by the horrifically bellicose actions of the Kingdom of Prussia, there is wisdom in such measures. *Similarly, We hereby decree that in the event of war between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Prussia, we, William, King of the Netherlands, and Grand Duke of Luxembourg transfer the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the the co-trusteeship of the Second French Empire and the United Kingdom until the resolution of the war. *We hope that such actions need not be taken.
It seems that the mad king of Prussia has sought war, a war that will sow the seeds of destruction. * We sought a peaceful resolution, and when we asked the Prussian to withdraw from our sovereign territory they attacked us. *This is an unjustified attack, an attack that should serve as a warning to all our fellow members the Prussians are not to be trusted, they seek only to rape and steal your territory to aggrandize their own power. *We must as a confederation stand against the attacks of such a bellicose nation that has no respect for law or propriety. * If you stand by and allow this to happen, your sovereignty will be under attack next, your nation subjugated and law and order cast aside to the barbarian.
It is this barbaric militarism that pressed us in the first place. *Now it is visible to all the world! *Our only desire was for our neutrality to be respected. *Indeed we had agreed to free navigation on the condition of having our continental neutrality respected. *To prevent this barbarity!
~King William of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg *
OOC: love it when the gm jumps the gun, still no orders have been sent
We are most pleased by the successes of the schooling program instituted this past year. *We believe it will lead to a far stronger nation in the future. *
We are similarly proud of those brave Dutchmen who have sailed to and established an outpost in darkest Africa. *We believe that the location of this new trading post will allow trade with more of the continent than previously possible.
To Leopold, King of the Belgians, the Flemish do not speak French no matter what you believe and force upon them, they speak Flemish, Dutch language. *However, it should be noted that we only want peaceful reunification with our people, not war. *We will also highlight our willingness to swap territory such that our respective kingdoms may be better defended. *Hence the diplomatic letter sent to you previously. *Furthermore, the current situation only further highlights the need for a common defense of the lowlands. *((it should be noted that nothing of that nature was iced other than the desire for a United Lowlands, at least in defensive view))
To King Victorio of Italy, it is the right of a nation and her people to protect her own industry. *Should Austrian ships be able to dock and use the Italian portion of the Po without compensation? *Should a nation not protect its lifeblood? *The abrogation of these principles sets a precedent in which will see the rights of the nations of the world trampled under the heels of barbarians who would rather use force than diplomacy!
Additionally, in light of the current circumstances, all soldiers of Prussia and her allies will be expelled from the realms of which I am sovereign for the duration of talks, there place may be taken by other members of the Confederation, whilst a peaceful resolution is sought.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains its right to assert its customs borders, as stated earlier, we are more than willing to enter into talks where discussion, not dictation occurs. *Our primary desire in such negotiation is the recognition and guarantee of our neutrality on the continent. *Alongside a guarantee of the inviolability of our borders outside of bilateral treaties with our neighbors.*
However, we believe that desire for peace must be tempered by readiness and preparation for war. *As seen by the horrifically bellicose actions of the Kingdom of Prussia, there is wisdom in such measures. *Similarly, We hereby decree that in the event of war between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Prussia, we, William, King of the Netherlands, and Grand Duke of Luxembourg transfer the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the the co-trusteeship of the Second French Empire and the United Kingdom until the resolution of the war. *We hope that such actions need not be taken.
It seems that the mad king of Prussia has sought war, a war that will sow the seeds of destruction. * We sought a peaceful resolution, and when we asked the Prussian to withdraw from our sovereign territory they attacked us. *This is an unjustified attack, an attack that should serve as a warning to all our fellow members the Prussians are not to be trusted, they seek only to rape and steal your territory to aggrandize their own power. *We must as a confederation stand against the attacks of such a bellicose nation that has no respect for law or propriety. * If you stand by and allow this to happen, your sovereignty will be under attack next, your nation subjugated and law and order cast aside to the barbarian.
It is this barbaric militarism that pressed us in the first place. *Now it is visible to all the world! *Our only desire was for our neutrality to be respected. *Indeed we had agreed to free navigation on the condition of having our continental neutrality respected. *To prevent this barbarity!
~King William of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg *
OOC: love it when the gm jumps the gun, still no orders have been sent
The Kingdom of Italy declares its neutrality in this local conflict between the Netherlands and Prussia. We ask the other nations to retain their minds and not disrupt trade and international relations more than needed, and exacerbate the situation to a point where war not seen since Napoleon returns to the European Continent. The comments of Dutch Ambassador are insulting in the utmost, and we see not why, when they are obviously in the wrong, they seek to attack us.
Viva il Regno Italia
~ King Vittorio Emanuele Maria Alberto Eugenio Ferdinando Tommaso di Savoia II of Italy