Diplomacy & News

[lukasberger]

Great Britain mourns the death of Gordon.

We thank Prinz Heinrich and his brave men for their efforts to save the gallant general.

General Michel and his army are only a few turns from Khartoum but were also sadly unable to save General Gordon and his men.

They expect to be joined by several other British armies that will be landing in Egypt soon.

All the forces available to Great Britain will join Prinz Heinrich and his gallant Germans in exacting the most severe revenge from the Mahdi and the rabble following him.

[PhilThib]

Enraged by the fate of Gordon, Prinz Heinrich ordered an immediate assault on Khartum upon arrival, without artillery preparation. This proved ill-advised, and the valiant German troops, exhausted by weeks of marching in desertic climate, suffered heavy casulaties and were repulsed. There is no other choice than to retreat to the Red Sea now.



Fortunately, in the north, the II Korps under Friedriech Franz von Mecklenburg joined the Egyptian forces besieging Aswan and launched a surprise night attack which took the city.

The assistance of the fellow British troops will be more than welcome in this war that promises to take a lot of time to bring to terms.

At the same time, the German Imperial Navy ministry communicates that Marinen Truppen have finally liberated the Aegean islands from the local rebels and are now undertaking pacification duty.

[Leibst]

what a bloody battle! most of the casualties in assault combat!

[PhilThib]

[color="#DAA520"]TREATY OF HERAKLION[/color]
Signed on location, that day September 22nd 1882, between and by the official representatives of the German and Ottoman Empires.

The island of Krita, and more particularly the city port of Heraklion and the Bay of Suda (near Candia), has been leased by the Turkish authorities to the German Empire for a duration of 30 years (till September 1912). The island shall remain under nominal ownership of the Ottoman Sultan, but will be administered for all purposes by a German admiral appointed by the German Navy.
The treaty allows Germany to invest in, build and defend a naval base, depot and corresponding facilities, for usage of the Reichmarine and its allies. It is specifically planned that vessels of the Ottoman navy can call there and will receive training at the German base. Germany will also be entrusted with the economic development of the island.

In payment for the lease, the two governments have agreed that the Ottoman navy will be allowed to place an order for a squadron of modern battleships (SMS Brandenburg class) to German shipyards in the coming months.
Simultaneously, German investors of the Krupp family sponsored by the Imperial government will build a parts and tool factory complex at Izmit (Anatolia), for later transfer to Turkish owners.
The last part of the agreement financial terms concerns the setting up of a private railroad company, Balkan Bahn AG by German investors with a mandate to build a railroad line linking the cities of Tirana and Adrianople. Works are expected to start at the beginning of spring 1883.

[PhilThib]

Prinz Heinrich has ordered another night assault on Khartum, despite orders of the contrary. Almost 18,000 German casualties (including 2,400 prisonners) fell for a bare 9,000 Mahdists.

The lack of siege artillery and the terrible attrition conditions are not enough to explain rhe defeat. The prince's disdain of orders can't be tolerated and the Kaiser has demoted him and required his immediate recall to Germany. The troops have been ordered to move back to the Red Sea as soon as possible.

A valiant group of 2 Landwehr regiments and a battery will remain to cover the retreat...they are probably going to pay by their brave sacrifice the carelesness of the prince!

European generals seem to have failed to understand how hard warfare in the Sudan (more particularly in the summer) can be...

[bjfagan]

The Italian Government is please to announce the recent execution of a commercial treaty between Italy and Germany. The German Government has authorized Italian businessmen to construct a coal mine in the Saarland province and in return, the same Italian company has agreed to construct another coal mine in the Niederschlesien province. This mine will be handed over to a German company shortly after construction is completed.

[unclejoe]

It is true.....King Leopold is quite willing to expand his Congo Empire.

[Matto]

Korea crisis erupted on the Far East ... diplomats from China and Japan are trying find some peaceful solution ...

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[unclejoe]

The Daily Antwerpian Late Nov. 1882
The Opinion of This Reporter:
An agreement between King Leopold and Chancellor von Bismarck divying up some of the African lands, including Developing a Continental Railway all sounds very good......and yet. Seems like the Germans are wheeling and dealing with many Nations and it makes this Reporter wonder: is there a Hidden Motive, a Secret Agenda. We do not suggest anything in particular. The facts makes us wonder is all. Are they really So Good?
Is this the Age of Peace in Europe ......Forever? Too good to be true?

Belgians are relatively happy and prosperous. We are staking our claims in the African 'Scramble' as it is known in some quarters. Is this where the only troubles of the future lie? Of course, Africans themselves are getting a better life, we believe. Is the world simply a better place today than yesterday?
We note difficulties in Korea......these do not effect us.......China and Japan are masters of the region, let them take care of their part of the world. Yes, France and Russia and Great Britain have some interest in the area, the Dutch too. Could disturbances in that realm spill over ......yes, possibly. Still, it appears doubtful. We hope this will remain the case. We will continue to observe and report to you our Noble Reader.

[PhilThib]

Germany hopes China and Japan will find a peaceful solution to the Korean crisis and will be glad to assist them if they request it.

Germany's agenda is very simple (and ambitious): we want to become the richest and most prestigious nation on earth (Deutschland über Alles!). But Chancelor Bismarck considers this can't be made through Blood & Iron.. Germany's recent setbacks in the Sudan shows how much warfare is costly, dangerous and uncertain. Understanding with partners is much better and more beneficial, especially when parties involved get a goal satisfied through parlor rather than brutality. We want to show the world that our people are not 'Huns' but a civilized and advanced nation that can be admired by other feats that military vainglory and that you can rely on. We shall always scrupulously respect our treaties and won't be looking for war...that does not mean we won't be ready for one if we become victim of agression. As everyone knows, 'Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum'....

In the spirit of preserving world order and not accumulating unbalanced military power, we'll grant assistance and cooperation to whoever is ready to discuss it.

We therefore take this opportunity to anounce that we are about to sign a deal with the Italian government who's willing to purchase German-made ships. A similar deal was made with already 5 different nations, and is under discussions with 2 others, so we are not favoring one over the other...we just "favor" our current partner (whoever he is) and, obviously, ourselves too.

[glennbob]

You guys should post a map of the world every so often, so lurkers can see what the state of your fictional world is :P I hope this game makes it to 1920

[Lindi]

Great new for France

The Ethiopia is now a protectorate of French, long live to France!

[Lindi]

War in Coree

The France are always said to china and Japan, France have a neutral position about Coree, so France are open to help the two nation for no war between china and Japan, also if the war arrive the France are very open to help for good peace between the two nations, with the real situation about war.

In the same Idea the France are sent a observation fleet near Coree for only observe this war and maybe the second war.

For finish France have force in this area of globe for only protect the France interest and only for that, but If he need use for protect the interest of France, the troop and fleet are ready with renfort in Europe.

[Matto]

China is calling for help from other nations ... China offered to Japan good agreement moving Korea to Japan as vassal included, but Japan wants Taiwan too, what is unacceptable for China (give Korea and Taiwan to Japan for economic help). So Japan invaded Korea, which is China vassal.

China is looking for help from other nations and is ready to invite friendly forces to China and lend them some port around Yellow Sea for it ...

[PhilThib]

[color="#FF8C00"]TREATY OF KIAOCHAU[/color]
Signed on location at the harbour city of Tsingtao (or Kiaochau), Shantung peninsula, that day February 3rd 1883, between and by the official representatives of the German and Chinese Empires.

The southern part of the Shantung peninsula, known as the Qingdao region, and more particularly the city port of Tsingtao, has been leased by the Chinese authorities to the German Empire for a duration of 30 years (till September 1913). The region shall remain under nominal ownership of the Emperor of China, who will appoint a First-grade Mandarin as co-Governor, but will be administered for all purposes by a German Governor appointed by the German Navy.
The treaty allows Germany to invest in, build and defend a naval base, depot and corresponding facilities, for usage of the Reichmarine and its allies.

It is specifically planned that vessels of the Chinese navy can call there and will receive training at the German base. The lease also allows the Chinese government to buy warships from the Reichmarine or German shipyards at the same rate as offered to Holland, the Ottoman Empire and Italy.

Germany will also be entrusted with the economic development of the region.

In payment for the lease, the two governments have agreed that German investors sponsored by the Imperial government will build a large network of railroads to link various parts of the Chinese Empire. This last part of the agreement financial terms concerns the setting up of a private railroad company, Deutsch-Chinesisch Bahn Gesellschaft by German investors with a mandate to build a railroad lines as directed by Chinese authorities, at the rate of one region annually for the duration of the lease.

Works are expected to start at the beginning of spring 1883 with the Qingdao region.

[PhilThib]

Germany anounces that inventor Karl Benz has founded his first company, Benz Patent Motorwagen AG, and that it started to build a factory in the vicity of Manheim. Works are expected to last at least 2 years and the first vehicles might be delivered to the market about that time.

[Leibst]

Germany begins to seem the master of the world...

[PhilThib]

In a surprise assault, Prinz Heinrich troops redeemed their past failures: Khartum has fallen, Gordon is avenged....

But a lot remains to be done to punish the murderers and eliminate the savages. After which all territory can safely be return to the Khedive of Egypt.

[Leibst]

91k men, 448 cannons.... vs a thousands of foes without artillery, what a hard victory mr Von Preusen....

[Lindi]

91k men, 448 cannons.... vs a thousands of foes without artillery, what a hard victory mr Von Preusen....

Same Idea

[unclejoe]

So, when are you guys going to start a Real War, so's I (Belgium) can join up with the Winning Side, tip the balance so to speak, and gain a bit of territory..... as in become a tad closer to being a Major Powah? This Neutrality is killing me.

Oops! Did I say that out loud? .... Open mouth, stick foot in.

[Leibst]

It has been reported to our dirigents that an austrian factory in Spain have been seized. We want an explanation of this kind of facts and to refund austrian inversors money in that factory.

[PhilThib]

Please specifiy which factory it was and where, so we can investigate what happens (usually a seizure through engine rules). It can be fixed by script when I get the details.

[bjfagan]

TURKS ATTACK ITALIAN MISSIONARIES

Rome - The Palace has reported Ottoman Turk soldiers in the Fort of Massawa recently fired on Italian missionaries. The number of deaths or injuries were unknown at this time, but His Majesty King Umberto I stated he was shocked by this aggressive and unprovoked action of the Ottoman Empire. The King further warned the Ottomans that Italy will not be pushed around like Egypt or Greece.

Prime Minister Agostino Depretis called an emergency meeting of his cabinet to discuss the matter. He decried, "this could turn into a major international incident, if not handled properly."

[Soulstrider]

Porte response to claims of attacks on Missionaires

Any attack against Italian missionaries was conducted by rogue individuals and were not certainly sanctioned by Porte or part of any any official state policy, the Porte offers to conduct an investigation to find and judge the culprits and administer the proper punishment.

[Lindi]

New from French indochina

Pirates in French Indochina Forced Charles Duperré to charge the pirate ship for destroy the blocus in this area. The French Naval renfort is always go in this regions for destroy the pirate near the French Indochina.

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[Matto]

News from Sino-Japanese War - 1883, early June
China forces leaded by general Wang Debang invaded undefended Japanese islands Okinawa.
Near all Korea is occupied by Japanese forces.
Huge forces of both sides are concentrated on both banks Jalu river.

[PhilThib]

May be both Japan and China could work out a compromise before a bloodbath occurs, detrimental for both nations. In case of need, Germany is ready and willing to act as a middlemen and arbitrators between parties, and would welcome also any great power willing to do as well. Of course, if both China and Japan still want to talk...

[Soulstrider]

ITALY ATTACKS THE EMPIRE
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In this sad day the Kingdom of Italy declared an unprovoked war against the Ottoman Empire with no warning at all we can only assume they aim to annex Tripolitania. We beg for the international community to denounce this invasion and pressure Italy to stop, meanwhile the Porte will resist this invasion with all it's might.

This conflict started with a violent surprise attack against an unsuspecting Turkish fleet which was returning to harbour after performing some peacekeeping operations in southern Anatolia and didn't even had realized a war had started. Having used all it's ammo they couldn't mount a proper defense and were slaughtered to a single man by the unmerciful and cruel Italians who prefer to commit such atrocities to fighting nobly in the battlefield as honourable warriors. May Alah have mercy on the poor souls of the sailors victims of such attack, truly a day that will live in Infamy.

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[bjfagan]

ITALY DECLARES WAR

Rome - The Kingdom of Italy declared war on the Ottoman Empire at the start of June. His Majesty King Umberto I addressed his people from the balcony of the Quirinal Palace, "It is most unfortunate that events have come to war with the Ottomans, but their actions cannot go unpunished. Italy will protect its citizens and the rights of Europeans to freely move about the world. Our army will clear out the Ottoman overlords from our colony of Eritrea and those parts of Africa where they oppress the local people. Italy wishes only to civilize those parts of the world that are backwards and bring modern government to those parts of the world where the people are oppressed. Long Live Italy!"


NAVAL BATTLE OFF CRETE

Rome - Two weeks after the King's rousing speech to cheering crowds of Romans, the Italian fleet was transiting the open seas of the Mediterranean and stumbled upon an Ottoman fleet moving off the coast of Crete. Dispatches received at the Ministry of War indicate the Ottomans were entirely routed. In one such dispatch from Admiral Duca Simone Pacoret de Saint Bon, the commanding officer of the Regia Marina, he indicated he was surprised to find Ottoman ships sailing in open sea, but engaged them immediately. Part of his dispatch read, "This was Day 15 after the declaration of war, we expected the Ottomans to be hiding in port and not out looking for a fight. We used the long range and superior firepower of our modern steel battleships to engage their ironclads before they could get close enough to return fire. Our new German ships handled very well and were splendid in combat, but of course, they were not as good as our Italian ships. Long Live Italy!"

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