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