[Forum Game] A Question of Power

[jeeshadow]

Let the Russian Legation be a warning too all of the Barbaric West. Your evils will no longer be tolerated. You seek to poison, and exploit our people, but no more. As shown by the destruction of the Russian and Spanish Legations, we are able, and willing, to defeat you. We will seize the rest of your Legations, and destroy anything you send too us. Leave us be. ​

 

[Terraferma]

The United States condemns the brazen assault on the Legation quarter that has resulted in the needless bloodshed of innocent people and their guardsmen doing their job in protecting their respective sectors. It is clear now that the so called “Righteous and Harmonious Fists” are only interested in justifying any sort of grievance with acts of barbarism and blood lust. These actions of mindless aggression will not go unpunished for the hammer of retribution hangs high above their heads.

On behalf of a grateful nation I applaud the awe inspiring efforts of all those who have taken part in the defense of the legations especially our men who have heroically held the American quarter, take heart for reinforcements are on their way to aid you. Due to the highly acute situation I hereby order the formation of the Chinese Relief Expedition with the deployment of the 9th and 14th Infantry Divisions along with the 6th Cavalry and 5th Artillery Regiment for a grand total of 3,300 troops under the command of Brigadier General Adna Chaffee. This will be a part of broader effort to rescue and protect all foreign nationals under siege in the Legation Quarter.

Stand fast and hold the line courageous defenders of the Legations.

~ President William McKinley, United States of America

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

Currently need a French Right and Netherlands player, the positions are open.

 

[Fingon888]

I'll take the French Right if that is acceptable. They're in opposition yes?

 

[sealy300]

La Marseillaise​

The nation of France is under siege, both at home, in its Empire and abroad, but I tell you today, as President of the First true Republic in Europe, that I will not yield, that we as a nation will stand together, and fight the coming storm! The terrorist that committed a terrible act against this nation, will be brought to trail, and punished for their acts against this nation! I have had information that it was a conspiracy, a conspiracy so some people could bring back the tyranny of Monarchy to France! Bourbon Monarchy, and undermine what so many French people have fought and died for! I say NON, Non to monarchy, non to Tyranny, non to those who would see France brought to its knees! L'arc de Triomphe was a symbol of our nation, but now, it has been damaged, Well I will not let that be an Oman. The Rebuilding of this monument will be immediate, and fast, it will be larger and stronger than ever before! It will be at the centre of this nation, and it shall be as great as this Nation!

As for the Attacks on European, and especially French property in their Capital of Peking, It Shall Not Stand. I will not Barbarians and this “Society Righteous and Harmonious Fists” commit such horrendous crimes against a civilising force, their to promote liberty and freedom. A French Force of 9,000 men will embark from Indochina to deal with this uprising, and to protect French interests in the region. It is our duty as civilised peoples to not allow such acts of horrific barbarity. These events threaten France, but France will remain, France always Remains. Vive la France! Vive la Republique! Pour Liberté Égalité et Fraternité!

~Émile Loubet, President of the Third Republic

 

[Revan529]

Dai Nippon Teikoku
Hakkō ichiu

Kimigayo​

His Imperial Majesty’s government issues a condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the Chinese Government which has willingly and knowingly abetted and supported the Harmonious Fists in their brutal campaign against the West; the assault on ambassadors and envoys, who have heretofore enjoyed their rights to be unmolested, are now left in a desperate attempt to protect their lives, and Greater Japan fully intends to protect those now trapped. As f this moment, His Imperial Majesty’s government issues a blockade upon all ports of the Qing Empire, and will dispatch an army under the command of General Fukushima Yasumasa to protect the Legation and defend westerners, Christians, and Japanese interests; we further offer Kagoshima to serve as a coaling and resting station, as well as a meeting ground for our fellow Powers, to best ensure our combined forces are better rested and organised.

The Meiji Emperor, and His Imperial Government send their commendations to those brave soldiers defending the Legation, in particular those Japanese guards who have performed admirably in the name of Greater Japan and Civilisation; we ask them to stand fast in their defence, and to never yield or bring dishonour to their Army, the Empire, or their Families; should they do their duty, and fight with the ferocity of a tiger and the cunning of a wolf, they will surely be triumphant. This treachery against the West and Japan will be met with righteous fury, and these Harmonious Fists will be left broken.

His Imperial Majesty's government will not permit the subjects of the Emperor to be defiled and slaughtered by this rabble.


~ Prince Yamagata Aritomo, Marshal and Prime Minister of Greater Japan

 

[Watercress]

The Foreign Office​

Statement on China

Her Majesty's Government is appalled by the escalating crisis brewing within China. The siege of the International Legations is of supreme concern to Her Majesty's Government. We condemn the flagrant violation of international protocols by China and the Boxers in this assault on diplomatic embassies, and we commend those British servicemen and civilians who are doing their utmost to protect the Legations from the Chinese assault. The barbarity of the Boxer rebels is in defiance of every precept of civilisation, humanity, and common decency, in their murder of Europeans and Christians, and now, in this assault on British diplomatic property. These crimes are even more heinous in the light of the open support and sanction of the Chinese government, support which Her Majesty's Government whole-heartedly condemns and abhors. The Chinese government's rejection of international proposals and assistance to restore order, and manipulation of nativist rebels for ulterior gain, is viewed with the utmost hostility and concern of Her Majesty's Government.

In response to this belligerence and aggression, Her Majesty's Government shall be dispatching a relief force under General Sir Alfred Gaselee, consisting of the following units, totalling 10,000 men:

• 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
• 1st Bengal Lancers
• 7th Rajput Infantry
• 24th Punjab Infantry
• 1st Sikh Infantry
• Royal Hong Kong Regiment
• 1st Chinese (Weihaiwei) Regiment
• 12th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery
• Hong Kong & Singapore Artillery

Alongside forces from the Royal Navy's Naval Brigade, the Royal Engineers, and other support personnel. Furthermore, Her Majesty's Government expresses its gratitude to Her Majesty's Canadian Government for their contributions to this relief effort, and would welcome assistance from any other British Dominion or Colony that is willing and able to spare such efforts and aid. Her Majesty's Government will work with all concerned Powers in order to co-ordinate international relief forces, so that the siege of the International Legations may be brought to a swift conclusion, and that the Boxer rebels, and their allies in the Chinese government, may be swiftly revenged upon, for their crimes against British civilians.

The maintenance and protection of civilisation across the globe is the utmost responsibility of Her Majesty's Government and all Western powers, and we shall spare no effort to come to the relief of British subjects, Christians, and other innocent civilians, subjected to unprecedented tyranny and oppression in China.

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs​

 

[Groogy]

Kongeriget Danmark
Message from His Majesty The King of Denmark​

The recent events in Asia has been a step back for the future development of the continent and hurts not only the European nations with interests in Qing but also the citizens in all of the region. Denmark has been having interest of expanding our influence into Asia, however when such manor of barbarism is displayed where innocent people are cut down for the sake of selfish protectionism, the Danish government is forced to put any such ideas on hold until civilization reaches the court of Qing.

- Christian IX, By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, of the Wends and of the Goths; Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, the Ditmarsh, Lauenburg and Oldenburg

 

[Groogy]

Kongeriget Danmark
Message from His Majesty The King of Denmark​

The explorer Knud Johannes Vogelius Steenstrup returned back from Greenland recently to the mainland after one of his many tours to the colony. He has proven that the so called iron-rich "meteorites" blocks found by A.E. Nordenskiöld is in fact naturally occurring and in plenty amount. However it is not only iron that hides beneath the glaciers but many rare and valuable minerals waiting to be grabbed. As reward for his findings he is given the position of State Geologist.

With this new information at hand, me and the cabinet has agreed to place a big budget in exploiting this new found resource in the cold lands of Greenland, giving job opportunity and prosperity to not only the region but also for the craftsman on the mainland.

- Christian IX, By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, of the Wends and of the Goths; Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, the Ditmarsh, Lauenburg and Oldenburg



OOC: Funny thing, I am part of the Vogelius Steenstrup family.

 

[aedan777]

Tsardom of Romania​

Glorious Romanians, a new age stands before us. A new century will soon begin, and we remain unindustrialized. We have vast reserves of oil, the greatest of industrial resources, but we remain an agrarian state. Great nations such as Germany and the United Kingdom have great factories and railroads that connect their nation and bring great wealth to their citizens. We must follow their example and bring ourselves forward as a country that not only possesses great resources, but also great power and capacity for production. With greater prosperity we can unit our unfortunate brethren, Romanians outside of Romania. It is my greatest wish to see Romania united and proud, among the greatest of nations. The dawn of the twentieth century will be the dawn of a glorious new age for Romania, as we embrace industry and the wealth and prosperity it brings.

On the foreign affairs front, it saddens me deeply to see a monument as grand as the Arc de Triomphe scarred by such barbarity. It comes as little surprise that such horror was inflicted by a left-wing radical. That is why monarchism must be held to, to prevent the horrors of radicalism from coming to Romania. The Qing Empire has also been the source of much disturbance recently. The foolishness of the empress and violence against Europeans disturbs me greatly. China has become destabilized and a threat to European interests in East Asia. I whole-heartedly support the efforts by my cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and other European leaders, as well as America and Japan, to bring order to the region and end the threat to their interests. My thoughts and prayers go out to those caught within Legation Quarter. God bless you, and may help find you quickly.

-Carol I, Tsar of Romania

 

[jcucc]

​

The Government of the Netherlands joins its European Brethren in their condemnation of the brutal and unwarranted Chinese attacks on our legations in Peking. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, included Dutchmen who bravely fought alongside the German Legations. We commit ourselves fully to any joint effort against these barbarous heathens and pledge military and economic support from other Civilized Nations to be used against this tide of slaughter.

To set an example of what must be done, a portion of the Dutch Navy will join the Japanese in their Blockade of China (with the permission of the Meiji Emperor of Course) and 6.000 of our East Indian forces will be sent to liberate the legations in China.

- H.M. Wilhemia, Queen of the Netherlands

 

[Ab Ovo]

People of Venezuela!

Venezuela has seen much hardship in the past years. Fighting and instability has nearly brought our beautiful nation to her knees but I promise you, my fellow citizens, that such things come to an end under my rule. No more rebellions or ruinous infighting, rather we will stand strong and united under the Venezuelan banner. In the coming years I will do my best to ensure the prosperity of the nation is balanced with the well-being of the state and the elimination of opposition and dissent; for the greater good of Venezuela.

I am also proud to announce the Venezuelan intervention in China. In order to assist the cause of Catholicism and Civilisation against the barbarian, Venezuela will be dispatching the IXth Cavalry Brigade to do battle against the perfidious Chinamen. We all, European and American, must stand up for the great and noble ideals which Western civilisation has bequeathed to us and not allow ourselves to fall prey to the arrogant ways of the heathen.

José Cipriano Castro Ruiz,
His Excellency, President of the United States of Venezuela

 

[Fingon888]

The French people are soon to participate in an election, an event which will show to the world that the French people have seen the errors of the past and will vote with the opposition, in order to expunge this incompetent regime. They have allowed the far-left to grow and seethe, threatening the very foundations of France, and have bungled the building of the Panama Canal. The Jewish and Far-Left agendas are trying to force themselves on France and the current regime sits aside and allows them. The Right proposes a strong response to these terrorist action, an ending to corruption and incompetence in foreign ventures, and tough action to maintain imperial integrity in the colonies. We also seek to further expand our relations with Russia and the Japanese Empire.

-Adrien Albert Marie de Mun

 

[Ab Ovo]

Treaty of Barcelona​

The United States of Venezuela and the Kingdom of the Netherlands agree to the following terms:

• I. the United States of Venezula shall cede the Isla de Toas, off the coat of Zulia, to the Kingdom of the Netherlands; granting to them that island and all her rights and mineral resources in perpetuity
• II. the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall forgive all debt repayments and all other payments yet to be paid by the United States of Venezuela
• III. the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States of Venezuela agree to uphold the principles of peace and amity, and to abstain from acts of war upon each other for a period of ten years

[X]

Juan Vicente Gómez,
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the United States of Venezula

[X] Peiter Vanderhoof, Dutch delegate to Venezuela

 

[jcucc]

[x] Peiter Vanderhoof, Dutch delegate to Venuzuela

 

[Watercress]

Extracts and Excerpts from the British Reaction to Kruger's Ultimatum

i. Punch, or the London Charivari

"The War Planet."
Secretary Joe "Like to 'ave a look at Mars, yer 'onour? You see him quite close through my telescope!"
​

ii. Rudyard Kipling

The Absent Minded Beggar​

When you've shouted 'Rule Britannia', when you've sung 'God Save the Queen',
When you've finished killing Kruger with your mouth,
Will you kindly drop a shilling in my tambourine
For a gentleman in khaki ordered South?

He's an absent-minded beggar, and his weaknesses are great-
But we and Paul must take him as we find him-
He is out on active service, wiping something off a slate-
And he's left a lot of things behind him!

Duke's son - cook's son - son of a hundred kings-
(Fifty thousand horse and foot going to Table Bay!)
Each of 'em doing his country's work
(And who's to look after his things?)
Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay!
​

iii. The Times

Kruger Issues Ultimatum!​

'News has reached us in London that President Kruger, of the South African Republic, has issued a ultimatum to the Right Honourable Colonial Secretary, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain...'

'Within this document, Kruger details a list of preposterous and extravagant demands, including the reduction of troop numbers in South Africa, the withdrawal of British troops from the Transvaal border, and other unrealistic demands...it would be treasonable and illogical for Her Majesty's Government to even consider, let alone agree, to a single one of these articles...'

'No doubt Mr. Kruger will be disappointed, for this ultimatum, an extravagant farce at best, has not received a response from Mr. Chamberlain or from the colonial authorities in South Africa. Indeed, the ultimatum's expiration date had already passed by its arrival in London...'

'War, it seems, between Britain and the Boers is now inevitable. We here at The Times wish the very best of luck to all of you - to the British people, to Her Majesty's Government, and to all those men who will soon be serving in South Africa, fighting a grave and barbarous menace to the Empire in Africa...'

'The Boers shower their diplomacy with baseless vitrol, but faced against the ranked bayonets of the British Army, they shall swiftly be defeated. As Caesar crossed the Rubicon, so shall our soldiers cross the Oranje river, and deliver Britain and the Empire from a perennial foe to her well-being and stability...'


iv. Punch, or the London Charivari

"Plain English."
John Bull (to Boer) "As you will fight, you shall have it. This time it's a fight to the finish."
​

v. Algernon Charles Swinburne

Transvaal​

Patience, long sick to death, is dead. Too long
Have sloth and doubt and treason bidden us be
What Cromwell’s England was not, when the sea
To him bore witness given of Blake how strong
She stood, a commonweal that brooked no wrong
From foes less vile than men like wolves set free
Whose war is waged where none may fight or flee-
With women and with weanlings. Speech and song
Lack utterance now for loathing. Scarce we hear
Foul tongues that blacken God’s dishonest name
With prayers turned curses and with praise found shame
Defy the truth whose witness now draws near
To scourge these dogs agape with jaws afoam,
Down out of life. Strike, England, and strike home.
​

 

[Bonecracker(NL)]

The Ministry of War of the Russian Empire​

The Russian High Command is shocked by recent events in China. The disregard for human dignity at the hands of the Boxers in appalling: Destroying the property of foreign states, murdering their staff and residents, and then proclaiming to be just in their murderous actions. As not only a Christian power; A civilised nation, but the only Christian power that borders China, Russia is morally compelled to intervene. To aid our European friends, Russia shall deploy a number of regiments from both the Cisamur Military District and beyond, totaling some 13,000 of the bravest men of Russia, to Tianjin to join the fight and to liberate those poor souls now besieged by the hordes of darkness. We will fight with God on our side, for Tsar, Fatherland, and Civilisation.

---

The life of the Russian soldiers is not one to envy. He marches, exercises, does heavy physical labour for more than ten hours a day. He sleeps in squalorous barracks that would be declared uninhabitable if it was a German house. He eats food that one would not give to a stray dog. He is paid next to nothing. This is what he gets in return for serving Tsar and Fatherland without consideration for their personal well-being. Furthermore, 900,000 men at any one time have been forced into this service where their lives depend on their officers. Let us be frank: The Russian Army is not a disciplined force. Most of the time, its officers are tyrants in their regiments and its soldiers demoralised. In order for our army to be able to defend out country and its interests abroad, it must be an absolute priority for our country to in the coming years improve the living conditions of our soldiers, not just their weapons and training. Immediate work shall begin on renovating our military bases, encampment protocols, and food supplies to the army to ensure that our soldiers will sleep in buildings that are at least habitable, and eat food that one would feel comfortable feeding to his dog. These reforms, while relatively small and not projected to be very expensive, will go a long way to raise morale in the ranks.

-Alexei Kuropatkin, Minister of War.

 

[sealy300]

Le Marseillaise​

The President of the Third Republic offers a Treaty of Peace to his neighbours and overseas, regarding the French peoples:

The Treaty of the Francophone​

-The Nation of France has the right of Protection over all French peoples in said nation that Sign this treaty, and all said French peoples have the immediate right to French citizenship of the Third Republic. The sinature
-In exchange, the Third Republic will not engage in any hostile actions towards the signature nations and will not claim the lands in which these French people reside. They will obey the laws of their Resident countries.

(X) The Third Republic of France
(-) The German Reich
(-) The Kingdom of Belgium
(-) The Principality of Luxembourg
(-) The Swiss Federation
(-) The Dominion Of Canada
(-) The Republic of Monaco
(-) The Nation of Haiti
(-) The United States of America

 

[Groogy]

Kongeriget Danmark
Message from His Majesty The King of Denmark​

The Kingdoms of Denmark and Sweden-Norway has for several years now been members of the Scandinavian Monetary Union which have given economical stability to all the three kingdoms since enacted and supported us as we've just begun our economical growth. I believe we can do better, I believe that the Scandinavian is worth more than what we are currently valued at, and want to propose to the Swedish Riksdag and King an offer to enter discussions of deepening this Union.

One of the biggest advantages of our Union has been of the free trade flourishing between our nations giving us a common market to work with. However right now as we are minting separate coins for each nation the commoners use an expression of "så godt som" when exchanging between the currencies without any legal backing behind it. We should mint a common gold coin to actually make this common practice that has become important for our now shared market.

This is only what I consider the first step to strengthen both nations economies.

- Christian IX, By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, of the Wends and of the Goths; Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, the Ditmarsh, Lauenburg and Oldenburg

 

[Groogy]

The Treaty of Scandinavian Economical-Monetary Union

- The signing members of this treaty agree to abolish their old currency and replace it with the new unified Scandinavian Crown.
- The Scandinavian Crown shall start with the same gold standard as the previous Swedish, Danish and Norwegians crowns. 403g gold per coin
- The Scandinavian Crown will be regulated and minted by a new instituted "Union Bank" situated in Malmö.
- The signing members of this treaty agree to have open borders for the citizens of each signing member.
- The signing members of this treaty agree to a common free market with no tariffs between signing members.
- The signing members of this treaty agree to form the Scandinavian Economical council to establish a common economical policy.
- The signing members of this treaty agree to a unified external tariff policy.

[X] Christian IX, By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, of the Wends and of the Goths; Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, the Ditmarsh, Lauenburg and Oldenburg
[X] Representative of the Swedish Government
[X] Representative of the Norwegian Government