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His Imperial Majesty, Francis Joseph III, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, President of the German Federation, Apostolic King of Hungary,King of Bohemia, of Dalmatia, of Croatia, of Slavonia, of Galicia, of Lodomeria, of Lombardy-Venetia and of Illyria, King of Jerusalem, and so forth, Archduke of Austria, Grand Duke of Tuscany and of Cracow, Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, of Styria, of Carinthia, of Carniola and of the Bukovina, Grand Prince of Transylvania, Margrave in Moravia, Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, of Auschwitz and Zator, of Teschen, Friuli, Ragusa and Zara, Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca, Prince of Trent and Brixen, Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria, Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg, and so forth, Lord of Trieste, of Cattaro and of the Windic March, Grand Voivode of the Voivodship of Serbia, and so forth, Sovereign of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
b. 18 August 1830, Vienna, Austrian Empire
r. 2 December 1848-present
-o-
State Correspondence, Declarations, Treaties, Conferences and Miscellaneous Documents
On the discussion of the German Confederation, Austria argues that while peace should be created, it should be just and lasting. Prussia clearly is an aggressor and even sent an ultimatum and a threat of accepting their demands or Europe will be torn by War. If Austria is to give up some demands, then is it not just that Prussia too gives up some demands. Austria does cede on some demands. We have added Clause 5 to show our willingness to have peace with Prussia if it also chooses peace and not war and ask Prussia to also surrender on some demands to show their willingness for peace. Austria calls upon Prussian allies to help persuade Prussia to choose a just peace over war
The Kingdom of Prussia, henceforth Prussia, is to be forbidden from setting foreign policy, alliances, or any other diplomatic deals with any member outside the Confederation, without permission from the President of the German Confederation, and a majority approval of a diet of member states.
Prussia recognizes Austrian hegemony over all member states of the Confederation and seizes attempts to bring them under its own sphere of influence (with the exclusion of Schleswig-Holstein).
The mobilization of any Prussian forces requires express permission from the President of the German Confederation, unless expressly in a defensive war with a foreign power.
In order to see peace kept inside the Confederation, troops of the Austrian Empire, henceforth Austria, shall be allowed to garrison themselves at key points of strategic interest in Prussian territory without Prussian interference.
In return for the acceptance of these terms, Austria cedes the duchy Schleswig-Holstein to be administered as a autonomous state of Prussia
Any violation of any of the above by either party shall be responded to with a declaration of war from all parties present
As for the terms regarding the recognition of all North German states being under Prussian hegemony, we must express a worry that this will tear the Confederation apart and that we worry Prussia will use it to change the balance of power in their favor. This is not a term we can agree to without much convincing.
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
While the new proposal by the Austrian ambassador is more fair and just, we still see a major problem with their proposal at point 4.
By Prussia allowing the Austrian army to garrison key areas of the Prussian nation, Prussia will be giving up some of its sovereignty. This could easily let Austria take out any government that Prussia has that may be in the slightest part negative to Austria. If this was Italy that was being discussed, we would see it as giving up our sovereignty and we almost certainty not accept it.
Austria if you were to be more lenient and more policies from either our Italian proposal or the French proposal, peace may still be attained. But both sides must be willing to give up on points, that is the way negotiations happen.
Statement from the Foreign Minister, Alfonso Ferroro La Marmora
Austria recognizes Italian concerns. However, Prussia allowing the Austrian army to garrison key areas of Prussia secures the stability of the confederation. Also indeed both sides must be willing to give up on points for negotiations. Austria urges Italy, as an ally of Prussia to help convince Prussia to negotiate as it's stubbornness has led it down sending an ultimatum, without surrendering on any key point (which can only lead to war). If Prussia agrees to negotiate, backs down on it's ultimatum and also surrenders on a key point, Austria will be willing to continue negotiating with Prussia on a fair and just offer, which both sides agree to.
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
The Kingdom of Sweden supports the more lenient proposal by Austria, but agrees with Italy that the presence of Austrian Garrisons within Prussia, will make the proposal impossible to agree with. Furthermore Sweden most make ardent objections to any agreement that leaves the question of over 200,000 native Danes of Schleswig-Holstein unanswered. To that end we propose that in any agreement reached at this convention must include an article addressing precarious position of these peoples.
To resolve this we would request that the following be added to any agreement:
- The Schleswig-Holstein to be administered as a autonomous state of Prussia & Denmark with a rotational governorship to take place every 5 years. The Governor position will transfer between an individual nominated by the new governors government.
Or
- The northern region of Schleswig-Holstein that hosts the majority of the native Danish peoples be subjected to a local vote on whether to remain under the rule of Prussia or rejoin the Kingdom of Denmark.
We have joined here, in this conference, to peacefully come up with a solution to the German question,
and yet the Prussian Kingdom dares to deliver an ultimatum.
The Ottoman Empire will not tolerate such an act and thus will join Sweden and France in the rejection of the Prussian demands.
On the other hand, the Austrian proposal is most fair.
But to address the Italian request I, as the Ottoman representative, suggest that we add the following point from an earlier French suggestion to the Austrian proposal. The King of Prussia shall assume the position of Deputy-President of the German Confederation.
- Mustafa Ali Pasha, Ottoman Ambassador to France
Austria recognizes Swedish concerns and Ottoman suggestions. As earlier said, Prussia allowing the Austrian army to garrison key areas of Prussia secures the stability of the confederation. Austria however is also prepared to further negotiate the offer with Prussia and perhaps surrender the point if Prussia is willing to further negotiate and backs down on it's ultimatum as Austria although ready to negotiate won't allow itself to be threatened by Prussia and forced to surrender to Prussia's ultimatum. If Prussia truly seeks peace and a peaceful negotiation to the German Question, Austria asks them to back down from the ultimatum and threat and be ready to further negotiate for a peace which both parties agree to
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
Following the Austrian response, we strongly recommend Prussia to withdraw their ultimatum. There are still a lot that can be negotiated on and leaving the conference at this point will gain you little international love. Instead as your ally I recommend that you stay and negotiate further for the good of all Europe, more can be achieved through peace in this conference than through war.
Though for Prussia withdrawing their ultimatum we ask that the Austrian ambassador as a act of good faith, withdraw point four from their demands, both Sweden and the Ottomans have agreed with me on the point and I am certain that Prussia will agree. I believe that Point four is acting as one of the major steeping stones for this conference to achieve peace and getting rid of it now will more likely guarantee a more successful conference.
Statement from the Foreign Minister, Alfonso Ferroro La Marmora
Austria is pleased to see Italy recommending Prussia to withdraw their ultimatum and try to convince Prussia to negotiate further for the peace of Europe. Austria although inflexible on the keeping and the stability of the German Confederation and sees it's priority to secure the stability of the German Confederation and the power balance is prepared to debate and change the highly controversial 4th Clause (if Prussia stays in the Conference and backs down on it's demand). Austria also proposes the addition of Clause 7 and amend of Clause 5 to satisfy the Kingdom of Sweden and Norway and the local danish population.
The Kingdom of Prussia, henceforth Prussia, is to be forbidden from setting foreign policy, alliances, or any other diplomatic deals with any member outside the Confederation, without permission from the President of the German Confederation, and a majority approval of a diet of member states.
Prussia recognizes Austrian hegemony over all member states of the Confederation and seizes attempts to bring them under its own sphere of influence (with the exclusion of Schleswig-Holstein).
The mobilization of any Prussian forces requires express permission from the President of the German Confederation, unless expressly in a defensive war with a foreign power.
In order to see peace kept inside the Confederation, troops of the Austrian Empire, henceforth Austria, shall be allowed to garrison themselves at key points of strategic interest in Prussian territory without Prussian interference.
In return for the acceptance of these terms, Austria cedes the duchy Schleswig-Holstein to be administered as a autonomous state of Prussia until the date of the Referendum
Any violation of any of the above by either party shall be responded to with a declaration of war from all parties present
Schleswig-Holstein will be subjected to a local referendum on whether to be under the rule of Prussia or the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark (This election will be monitored by an international committee of Austria, Ottomans, France and Italy to keep any voting fraud to the minimum). The Local vote's date is to be determined at a later date and it will take place separately in the 3 main regions (Holstein, Southern Schleswig and Northern Schleswig).
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
In light of the recent Austrian proposal, which we find most moderate, the French government shall generally back such a solution should our own compromise prove to be unreasonable. His Imperial Majesty, however, echoes the concerns of the other parties regarding the fourth clause, and instead proposes a more moderate version.
The Austrian Empire shall have the right to transport soldiers through Prussian territory to help protect the interests of the Confederation; however, Austria must remove these soldiers at the earliest possible moment permissible, and shall compensate the Prussian Kingdom for the use of her railways.
This would ensure both the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Prussia, but would ensure the continued stability and security of the Confederation.
~ Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the French Empire
The Kingdom of Sweden & Norway supports the more lenient proposal by Austria and finds no issue against it. At all times we much aim for peace and leave war, as a last and final option. We would like to call all members of the convention to stand united in agreement of the resolution and united in the consequences should this agreement be rejected.
Austria is pleased to see the Kingdom of Sweden and Norway seeing the justice in the resolution and asks other delegates to also see the justice in the treaty and that the security of the German Confederation should be a key European concern. Also to help satisfy the ottomans, Italians and French request of the use of the French proposed peace treaty, Austria proposes the addition of a Deputy-President role from the French peace treaty to show that although the security of the German confederation is key, times have changed and the German confederation and the Austrian empire must recognize Prussia as the second strongest country in Germany and the first among equals
The Kingdom of Prussia, henceforth Prussia, is to be forbidden from setting foreign policy, alliances, or any other diplomatic deals with any member outside the Confederation, without permission from the President of the German Confederation, and a majority approval of a diet of member states.
Prussia recognizes Austrian hegemony over all member states of the Confederation and seizes attempts to bring them under its own sphere of influence (with the exclusion of Schleswig-Holstein).
The mobilization of any Prussian forces requires express permission from the President of the German Confederation, unless expressly in a defensive war with a foreign power.
In order to see peace kept inside the Confederation, troops of the Austrian Empire, henceforth Austria, shall be allowed to garrison themselves at key points of strategic interest in Prussian territory without Prussian interference.
In return for the acceptance of these terms, Austria cedes the duchy Schleswig-Holstein to be administered as a autonomous state of Prussia until the date of the Referendum
Any violation of any of the above by either party shall be responded to with a declaration of war from all parties present
Schleswig-Holstein will be subjected to a local referendum on whether to be under the rule of Prussia or the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark (This election will be monitored by an international committee of Austria, Ottomans, France and Italy to keep any voting fraud to the minimum). The Local vote's date is to be determined at a later date and it will take place separately in the 3 main regions (Holstein, Southern Schleswig and Northern Schleswig).
The King of Prussia shall assume the position of Deputy-President of the German Confederation.
The Deputy-President would be a role in the confederation, second only to to the President to show that Austria sees Prussia as the first among the other equals. It will be a hereditary role tied to the kingdom of Prussia, unless Prussia leaves the German confederation or violates one of these treaties terms in which case, it will be absorbed into the role of the President. The Deputy-President will also have some influence over the German Confederation's foreign policies.
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
The recent revisions made by the Austrians to the proposal are wholly acceptable to His Imperial Majesty, and we believe this version can and should be the general model going forward in discussing the German Question.
~ Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the French Empire
Austria is pleased to see another country (France) see the justice in the resolution and continues to convince other delegates to also see the justice in the treaty and that the security of the German Confederation should be a key European concern.
For reference the below is the treaty, Austria, France and Sweden+Denmark have all agreed to
The Kingdom of Prussia, henceforth Prussia, is to be forbidden from setting foreign policy, alliances, or any other diplomatic deals with any member outside the Confederation, without permission from the President of the German Confederation, and a majority approval of a diet of member states.
Prussia recognizes Austrian hegemony over all member states of the Confederation and seizes attempts to bring them under its own sphere of influence (with the exclusion of Schleswig-Holstein).
The mobilization of any Prussian forces requires express permission from the President of the German Confederation, unless expressly in a defensive war with a foreign power.
In order to see peace kept inside the Confederation, troops of the Austrian Empire, henceforth Austria, shall be allowed to garrison themselves at key points of strategic interest in Prussian territory without Prussian interference.
In return for the acceptance of these terms, Austria cedes the duchy Schleswig-Holstein to be administered as a autonomous state of Prussia until the date of the Referendum
Any violation of any of the above by either party shall be responded to with a declaration of war from all parties present
Schleswig-Holstein will be subjected to a local referendum on whether to be under the rule of Prussia or the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark (This election will be monitored by an international committee of Austria, Ottomans, France and Italy to keep any voting fraud to the minimum). The Local vote's date is to be determined at a later date and it will take place separately in the 3 main regions (Holstein, Southern Schleswig and Northern Schleswig).
The King of Prussia shall assume the position of Deputy-President of the German Confederation.
The Deputy-President would be a role in the confederation, second only to to the President to show that Austria sees Prussia as the first among the other equals. It will be a hereditary role tied to the kingdom of Prussia, unless Prussia leaves the German confederation or violates one of these treaties terms in which case, it will be absorbed into the role of the President. The Deputy-President will also have some influence over the German Confederation's foreign policies.
-Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire, Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly
