[Forum Game] World in Revolution: 1900 Mk. II

[Haresus]

​

The Ottoman Empire
Devlet-i Aliyye-i Osmâniyye​

The Albanian situation is an unfortunate event, and it would appear that the Prince of Aosta does not see eye-to-eye with the population of his realm. There is indeed a degree of instability in the Albanian realm, and the Ottoman Empire shall take it as its duty to restore the rule of law and evict the false government immediately. Any traces of republicanism, anarchy, and ignorance will be rooted out, and peace will be fully restored to the realm.

Furthermore, Şehzade Mehmed Selaheddin has accepted the generous offer to become King of Albania.

Grand Vizier
Damat Ferid Pasha

---

Treaty of Bucharest

[X] Ottoman Representative.​

 

[Ab Ovo]

The Kingdom of Albania
Mbretëria e Shqiperise
​

His Majesty's Government wishes to impress upon the international community that recent events, while unfortunate, have also been necessary. The attempt by HRH Prince Vittorio Emanuele to unilaterally dismiss the Qemal Government was entirely illegitimate; and based in the crass idiosyncrasies of His Royal Highness rather than in Albanian law and precedent. As well, His Royal Highness completely disregarded Albania's fundamentally-established position vis-à-vis the authority of the Imperial government in Constantinople. Given these irresponsible and erratic decisions it was the painful duty of His Majesty's Government to find His Royal Highness unfit to rule. Lacking a clear successor in the Savoy line, it was only natural that the Crown be extended to our fraternal benefactors of the House of Osman; who have since most graciously accepted.

Furthermore, Albania firmly rejects the characterisation of His Majesty's Government by the Austro-Hungarian government as scandalous and uncivil. The actions undertaken by His Majesty's Government have been prompted not by nefarious republican ideals nor by a thirst for anarchy, but by a simple desire to see the rule of law prevail in Albania; as opposed to find factionalism and unjust unilateralism. Lastly His Majesty's Government condemns the crass and villainous uprising in the Macedonian vilayets and hopes that peace, order, and good governance will soon prevail in all particulars.

Sincerely,

Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora
Prime Minister of His Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Albania;
on behalf of His Majesty Mehmed, by the Grace of God, King of Albania

 

[Dadarian]

"The recent shift in foreign affairs is to the bemusement of His Imperial and Royal Majesty's governments. The recent act of vassalage by the Romanian government towards the Sublime Porte is most interesting. That a nation, having recently won a two front war, would be afraid of this merciful Empire and Kingdom is most entertaining. However, regardless of Romania's fealty to the Muslimmen's rock, we guarantee that there is no interest within His Imperial and Royal Majesty's government regarding anything in Romania. We perfect respect Germany's dominance in the region, recently won by strength of arms. However, we are also most interested in how our dutiful ally the Kaiser will react to his cousin supplicating himself before the Caliph.

Furthermore, the state of affairs within the newborn Kingdom of Albania is most disheartening. Although we refuse to recognise any other than Charles III as the rightful ruler of the Albanian crown, we do recognise that it is not within the bounds of His Imperial and Royal Majesty to interfere with the domestics of a foreign nation. We send our condolences to our friend Victor Emmanuel III regarding the unlawful dispossession of his cousin by an unruly mob of heathens. "

~ Agenor Graf Gołuchowski, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the K.u.K Franz Joseph

 

[SparkleSunflower]

Finansdepartementet
BUDGET OF 1908 PROPOSAL TO THE RIKSDAG
As prepared by the government of Statsminister Arvid Lindman
​

REVENUES 1907
130,052,602 kr
1) Consumption taxation
A duty levied on all purchases within Sweden on goods and services. Such a level for the year is determined to be held at 4.9% the value of the purchase.
2) Labor income taxation
The state-imposed taxation of labor income is set at several levels. Labor income is not taxed until 1,000kr is earned through labor income. This level is capped at one percent. The highest rate of five percent is for all income earned over 80,000kr. There is a state-imposed total tax cap of four percent of taxable income.
3) Tariff revenue
A tax placed on all items imported into Sweden. Broken down in the following order:
AVG OF TOTAL CUSTOM DUTIES: 19%
Manufacturing and Mining: 22%
Manufacturing, dutiable goods: 28%
Manufacturing, dutiable goods excluding food products: 21%
Agriculture: 17%
Agriculture, dutiable goods: 23%
4) State appropriation tax
The state appropriation tax is levied alongside the labor income tax. Two categories exist, appropriations on real estate income and appropriation of labor or capital income. This level is one percent. If insufficient tax revenue is received, it can be increased to two percent of income.

1) 60,773,580 kr [46.73%]
2) 37,858,312 kr [29.11%]
3) 15,957,456 kr [12.27%]
4) 15,463,254 kr [11.89%]

A NOTE ON TARIFFS
Official report of importation by percentage

CONSUMER GOODS: 20%
CAPITAL & INPUT GOODS: 39% [52% of total duty free]
PROCESSED FOOD: 8%
COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL GOODS: 11%
NON-COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL GOODS: 11%
RAW MATERIALS FOR CONSUMER GOODS: 11%
SUM OF DUTY FREE IMPORTS: 31%

EXPENDITURES 1907
134,602,633 kr
-Defense & Military
54,182,905 kr
-Government Investments & Upkeep
38,620,104 kr
-Transfers to Government Companies (incl. salaries of Gov't employees)
21,093,881 kr
-Materials cost & consumption for Government projects
9,783,123 kr
-Debt Service
5,846,086 kr
-Uncategorized
4,976,014 kr
-Issuance of Currency
100,520 kr

DEBT 1907
177,692,601 kr

RECOMMENDATIONS ON BUDGET OF 1908 OVER BUDGET OF 1907​

REVENUES 1908
140,000,000 kr (est.)
1) 60,000,000 kr [42.86%]
2) 38,000,000 kr [27.14%]
3) 15,000,000 kr [10.71%]
4) 27,000,000 kr [19.29%]

For this enacted budget, the Government shall exercise the right of increasing the revenue garnered through appropriations from its current one percent level levied over the past year to a level of 1.75% to make up for the shortfall in revenues. Such a measure would ensure greater taxation from this category, taking a larger part of the budget. We project tariff revenues to decline again during the year and for tax receipts levied on income to remain stable. We have ensured the implementation of a larger increase in taxation than would be needed to balance the budget expenditure of last year in order to finance several new projects as requested and adopted by the Riksdag in years prior for commencement in this year.

EXPENDITURES 1908
138,502,027 kr
-Defense & Military
53,881,251 kr
All reductions in this department pertain to the coming completion of a submarine for the Svenska marinen.
-Government Investments & Upkeep
43,489,619 kr
The Government expects an increase over the previous year for construction of railway track in northern Sweden, as well as investments into public works projects in the city of Gotenburg, Stockholm, and Uppsala.
-Transfers to Government Companies (incl. salaries of Gov't employees)
23,103,791 kr
-Materials cost & consumption for Government projects
7,207,028 kr
The government does not expect an increase in materials cost, rather a decrease, given the purchase of bulk materials for projects having been earmarked for the budget year of both 1907 and 1909.
-Debt Service
5,944,786 kr
-Uncategorized
4,793,818 kr
-Issuance of Currency
81,734 kr

DEBT 1908
176,200,000 kr (est.)

TOTAL EXPECTED SURPLUS: 1,497,973 kr

Should this budget be adopted, the Finansdepartementet shall update and inform the Riksdag of all deviations, or lack there of, on a regular basis as the receipts come in and financing is secured and authorized by the Statsminister and the Government of Sweden.

Carl Swartz
FINANSMINISTER, SVERIGE

 

[LatinKaiser]

The Regent's Address to the National Assembly
​

Esteemed members of this Chamber, and my fellow Bulgarian patriots,

I stand before you today a grave man. Though I am grateful for the trust and responsibility you have placed in me in your confirmation of my selection as Regent of our noble Principality, my humble gratitude cannot conceal the somber mood within my heart. I accept this tremendous burden -- that of guiding our proud Nation and our Prince through these tumultuous times until His Serene Highness shall take up the mantle of rule when He is of appropriate age -- with solemnity. All my life, I have ever been a loyal servant of Bulgaria, and so it is that I greet the challenges before me with a quiet dignity.

Of these challenges you are all indeed aware: of our defeat at the hands of the treacherous Romanian and the ruthless Turk, of the abdication of our former ruling Prince, and of the dreadful state of our land and people, so shaken by a war so terrible it brings every true Bulgarian to tears. However, while I weep, I also look beyond the current calamities, to the future. Some may say that the dream of a "Bulgarian Century" is dead, but they are wrong. Weakened though our Nation is now, its rise set back, we shall not succumb to defeatist thinking or complacent cowardice. Indeed, even as we demobilize our armed forces, workers will return to their factories and farmers to their fields to begin the process of national renewal.

Now is not a time to dwell on the failures of the past but to seek out opportunities in the future, for only those without ambition are blind to possibility. Now is our time to show the peoples of the world what it means to be Bulgarian -- now is our time to prove to the Romanian and Turk that we may suffer intermittent defeats but that the flame of Bulgarian national freedom will never -- and can never -- be extinguished and banished from the Earth. Even in these dark hours, their is a new dawn coming, and it is only left for us to claim it for ourselves.

~ Racho Petrov, Regent of the Principality of Bulgaria​

 

[aedan777]

The Austro-Hungarian description of the Treaty of Bucharest as an instrument of vassalage is factually mistaken. The Kingdom of Romania has great interest in maintaining the stability of the Balkans and protecting the many Christian peoples of the Ottoman Empire. Unlike certain nations, Romania does not believe that the latter goal requires warfare and border adjustments, not when the Freedom and Accord Party of the Ottoman Empire has for several years protected the Christian minorities and guaranteed their rights and privileges. The Treaty of Bucharest not only has the Ottoman Empire once more reaffirm their desire to protect and respect the Christian peoples of the Balkans, but the chances of further warfare in the Balkans is reduced, as nations who just last year declared war on the Ottoman Empire will be resisted to prevent further damaging the stability of the Balkans.

The Ottoman Empire, with its current tolerant policies in the Balkans, defends the many minority groups in the region, who are not easily divided into groups that could be carved into nations. The same stretch of territory might have Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, Serbs, and Aromanians in close proximity, and the question of irredentism, long sought by the Balkan powers, would see the groups competing with each other and being oppressed by nationalists of one stripe or another. Only in the multinational polity of the Ottoman Empire can these groups exist in peace and harmony. This is the Institution Romania believes it should join hands with, a friend and ally against potential enemies. If the Ottoman Empire was truly oppressing its Christian minorities, then an alliance with them would be most impossible and unwelcome, but years of pro-minority policy leaves Romania convinced of the mutual interests between Constantinople and Bucharest, which are best served in the Treaty of Bucharest, an agreement between equals.

-Ion I. C. Brătianu, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Romania

 

[Dadarian]

The Austro-Hungarian Empire does not lower itself into a spat with a Muslim fief.

 

[etranger01]

The Lexington-class Battlecruiser​

While the advent of the dreadnought and the intense commitment of the Royal Navy to augmenting and replacing its existing battleship fleet with this new, superior class caught many European naval establishments off-guard, the US Navy had already been pursuing parallel developments with equal vigor. The Bureau of Construction and Repair laid down the new South Carolinas roughly around the same time that Dreadnought left her moorings, though the United States' commitment to naval parity was naturally less than a nation with a global maritime empire.

While dreadnought production continued apace in the following years, an unplanned space in capital ship development gave the Bureau of Construction and Repair time to explore additional concepts. BuConRep saw an opportunity in addressing the preponderance of pre-dreadnought battleships, which still made up most major navies' line of battle, as well as the threat of lighter combatants against a rather top-heavy US Navy. There was significant conceptual space for a lighter, faster, heavily-armed capital ship to complement the traditionally rather slow American battleships.

Into this space emerged the Lexington class, originally classified as a light battleship but later reclassified as an entirely new type of ship: the battlecruiser. As envisioned, the battlecruiser would mount a limited number of high-caliber main guns capable of engaging with capital-class targets and annihilating lesser foes, but sport less armor and a smaller profile to enable more substantial propulsion. Under this concept, the Lexingtons would mount eight twelve-inch guns and be capable of moving at roughly 25 knots, outpacing even the fastest modern battleships and keeping pace with lighter combatants. However, a Lexington would only carry 4-6 inches of belt armor, in comparison with the more substantial 9-11 inches carried by a Delaware-class dreadnought.

Though some in Congress were skeptical of the untested ship design, they were presented with an initial class of three ships: Lexington, Saratoga, and Ticonderoga, with an option for an additional three ships if the class tested well. President Roosevelt was a firm advocate of the battlecruiser program, seeing it as an opportunity to achieve greater parity with more developed European navies and push the boundaries of naval technology.

 

[SparkleSunflower]

Konungariket Sverige
"Med folket för fosterlandet"
​

The recent occurrences which have taken place within the Balkans have registered within this government. The Kingdom of Sweden maintains the strict policy of neutrality regarding any potential engagements that are taking place between combatants. The Kingdom does view this as troubling, given the very recent history of the region and the trouble it had caused. Both the King and the Statsminister have expressed their concern over the continued unrest in the area, and hope that peace can be achieved above all.

We would like to announce to all interested parties that the Kingdom will maintain an open offer of a neutral ground for mediation.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Arvfurstens Palats, Stockholm
Eric Trolle, Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[SparkleSunflower]

Political Speech by Karl Staaff, leader of the Frisinnade Landsföreningen
​

"The details of the budget released today are simply nothing more but a continuation of the policies we have come to expect from the conservatives within this country. It does nothing to address the inflated spending on military matters, and still maintains funding for a navy we do not need to engage in expanding. The recent spat we have experienced in Europe should be our call to reject the militaristic ways of late. How long will it be before something else sparks an even bigger engagement? We are standing today playing with the fire of the ages. It should be our Sweden that takes the stand in rejecting these horrid policies and politics of death.

My life in politics has focused on the opposition to the militaristic policies and reluctance of the conservatives to engage in meaningful reforms. What we have seen from the current government in their expansion of the franchise simply builds upon the deluge we have opened up previously. Only now the Statsminister makes waves with his announcements of reforms and peaceful policies abroad. Where was the Statsminister during the dissolution of our Union with Norway? Was he not one of those in the never-ending chorus that sought the forceful imposition of the Union? Has this been forgotten by the good people of Sweden?

For those are allowed to vote, they have given us overwhelming support within the first chamber of the Riksdag. The conservative fist that maintains itself around our country is focused on the second chamber. It is this reasoning why I shall never stop until the full, universal, franchise is given to all of those over the age of twenty-three, regardless of their gender! The Statsminister has chosen a mixed system, fitting! They shall continue to hold their unshakable grasp of the second chamber, rendering any attempt to vote them out of power useless.

It is my hope, even with the restricted franchise we will endure this year, that the election of 1908 delivers a rebuke to the Statsminister and his budget. We can only hope for a new government to be brought to power. It is my solemn hope and desire that the will of the people, whatever it may be, be rested by the monarch reigning over this country. The winds of a new era have arrived in Europe, those who cling to the past are destined to fade and perish with it, just as the leaves abandon their branches in the autumn. We shall see a new spring of Democracy! Let it be Sweden and none else that leads the way in this new Era!"

 

[oxfordroyale]

A speech by Provisional President Sun Yat-Sen in Shanghai on the declaration of the Republic of China and the Tragedy on Taiwan

[15-10-1907]​

“The Revolution is upon us, brothers and sisters!

"Through the might of your arms and the strength of your will we have, at long last, begun the struggle against tyranny and oppression in our homeland. Guangzhou, Chenzhou, Nanking – all have joined the revolutionary cause, and more will follow as the forces of autocracy wither before our ranks!

"We fight this battle, wage this war, for a dream that we all share and strive for – the dream of a free and democratic China! There are those who would seek to keep this dream from us, those who would see us prostrate beneath an imperialist boot – we know in our hearts that they shall be defeated. We shall pry our freedom from the clutches of these so-called emperors, and for once our nation shall be ruled by those who truly inhabit it: the people. With each victory we grow in strength and number. With each success the subjugated masses of the world look to our banner as a symbol of hope, a light in the darkness. They wait with bated breath to see if our glorious dream can be made a reality, to discover if democracy can truly thrive in Asia. They shall not be disappointed!

"Nevertheless, our triumphs are insufficient cause to forget the horrors we have endured. Our fellow countrymen on Taiwan, that first and furious vanguard of our revolutionary struggle, were most cruelly massacred by the British and their puppet, the hated Japanese, after years of brave and righteous conflict. They were surrounded, poisoned with foul and unnatural chemicals, and butchered like animals at the slaughter. My fellow countrymen, I ask you this: is there anything more despicable than a nation which, clothed in the trappings of democracy, seeks to brutally oppress those who yearn for freedom in their own lands? With their actions on Taiwan the British have marked themselves as an enemy we shall not soon forget, lest we disrespect the sacrifice our brave compatriots and mock them in our mourning.

"But it is not the British, nor even the Japanese, with whom we are now locked in mortal combat - as long as there is tyranny we shall not ... no, we cannot rest! All else becomes secondary until China is liberated, until the people may live without the yoke of monarchy around their necks! This is our goal, our sacred mission, and it shall be attained at any cost!

"Long live the Revolution! Long live the Republic! Long live free and glorious China!”

 

[Nax24]

Minutes of the Cortes Gerais; Chamber of Deputies
​

President of the Chamber, José Capelo Franco Frazão (R): "Now speaking, Minister Venceslau de Lima, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Peer of the Realm."

Minister Venceslau de Lima (R): "Honorable members of the Chamber, it is with great anticipation that I report on the status of negotiations with the Spanish state over the controversial Treaty of Lisbon."

Groans emerge from the Progressives

President of the Chamber, José Capelo Franco Frazão (R): "Order! Order! Minister you may continue"

Minister Venceslau de Lima (R): "The negotiations were at first going rather poorly; the Spanish refusing to agree to any deal as long as our tax system remains what it is. It seems that our taxation policy has done more political damage than economic damage based on their rhetoric."

Deeper groans emerge from the Progressives

President of the Chamber, José Capelo Franco Frazão (R): "Order! Order! Deputy Arriaga control your fellow party members or I will start expelling them from the Chamber! Continue Minister"

Minister Venceslau de Lima (R): "However, both nations came to a conclusion that the current economic trends leading to extremely low prices in the Iberian market have put the entire market on a knife's edge. Prices can only go so low after all. As such, a compromise is being put into the works to ensure that the Iberian markets can expand and grow into distant countries, the hope being that nations willing accept our goods via trade agreements. The Spanish have been very willing to aide us in this matter, for it seems they would do anything to get our taxes changed."

A Progressive Deputy is thrown out of the Chamber for booing the speaker.

Minister Venceslau de Lima (R): "The Treaty of Lisbon is indeed controversial in this country, but if it can be molded in a way that it would provide more benefits than problems to the Portuguese people, it should be molded as such. However, this does not mean that it should still be acceptable for Spanish industry to trample over ours. If we are to mold the Treaty to what we want, we must ensure that Portuguese industry is allowed to flourish under Portuguese control, and not be crushed by Spanish boots and machines."

The Regenerators applaud the speech of the Minister as two more Progressives are thrown out for interrupting the Minister with boos.

 

[MastahCheef117]

Unprecedented​

Six straight years of conflict in East Asia and one long year of brutal warfare in Europe could not be more easily contrasted with the peace that reigned over the American continents. President Theodore Roosevelt led at the forefront of the worldwide social liberal movement – challenged, perhaps, for that spot by Prime Minister Primrose – and his Square Deal program proved immensely popular among the urban working-class poor of the country. American military might in the wake of the Spanish-American War had never been more prominent than since the Civil War, and the United States Navy was one of the major world navies thanks to President Roosevelt's efforts. Foreign intervention in Latin American affairs – famous for the Brazilian crisis in 1906 – had been all but ended thanks to the President's “speak softly and carry a big stick” policy. He had supported the creation of the Federal Reserve System, which was supposed to regulate currency and prevent severe economic crashes in the future. Roosevelt proved to be an immensely popular man.

A button from the election of 1904, featuring Roosevelt and La Follette. ​

As the elections of 1908 drew closer and closer it was believed by many that Roosevelt would pass the torch of the progressive Republicans on to his Vice President, Robert La Follette, and endorse him in his run for the Republican nomination that year. However, Roosevelt did the unexpected and unprecedented: he announced he was going to run for a third term.

The two-term tradition had been in place since the earliest days of the United States, when George Washington voluntarily left office at the end of his second term and returned to Mount Vernon, despite very loud pleas from both common people and government officials to run for a third term (which he would have secured quite handily). Instead, Roosevelt chose to break that mold. The times were changing. The Square Deal had to be completed, and he was the only man that could do it. Roosevelt had kept himself out of the great wars of Asia and Europe – he could maintain the peace and prosperity that Americans so desperately craved. “It was an era of good feelings and fantastical prosperity”, wrote noted historian Dr. Nikolay Arzamastsev.

Naturally, this announcement was met with sharp criticism by Americans across the political spectrum – especially the Democrats. William Bryan proclaimed the beginning of the “imperial house of Roosevelt” and derided the President as a student of King George III. Even conservative Republicans loudly criticized the President for his decision, but his cabinet and Vice President stuck by his side the whole time. The Republican convention in late June was a controversial affair, and when Roosevelt took to the stage, “the place almost came down amid a raucous cheer and exuberance I have never before nor since seen”, said one Michigan delegate. Backroom politics united his party behind him, and him and his Vice President were nominated unanimously on the first ballots without any opposition.

The Democratic National Convention was wholly another story. George Gray, the Vice Presidential nominee in 1904, was virtually the presumptive nominee, standing less than one-hundred votes shy of a required two-thirds majority of the delegations. Standing almost two-hundred and fifty votes behind him was the conservative Joseph Bailey, a veteran member of the House and sitting Senator from Texas. The first ballots saw, indeed, that Gray was just short of the nomination; General Nelson Miles of Civil War and Spanish-American War fame received 17 votes, and the late Grover Cleveland made it onto the second ballot before his final supporter switched preference. Patrick Joseph Kennedy, known as “PJ” by friends and colleagues, a former Massachusetts state legislator and Governor from 1905 to 1907 (winning re-election once) stood below the moderate Governor John Johnson of Minnesota. Kennedy's share of the delegates did not change on the second ballot, but afterwards he gave two speeches, each just twenty minutes long, which galvanized moderate and progressive support behind him. George Gray, the moderate-conservative favorite, saw his support drop on the third and fourth ballots, and by the sixth ballot his support had all but evaporated. Joseph Bailey absorbed many of Gray's votes; however, the more progressive supporters of Gray switched to Johnson or, in a larger amount, to Kennedy. On the ninth ballot the Roman Catholic Kennedy was just some forty votes shy of snagging the nomination. An increasing number of delegates from the Deep South loudly protested this trend, refusing to see their party “handed over to a Papist and a drunkard.” Kennedy's momentum was unstoppable, however, and on the last open ballot he won the nomination. On the final symbolic ballot, twenty-four delegates stormed out of the Convention in disgust, only to return later to vote for the Vice Presidential nominee. James Campbell, the former Governor of Ohio (who had lost re-election to the rising William McKinley in 1892), was Kennedy's favorite, and proved in the end a strong choice: he was in all things a moderate, and was known for his anti-corruption efforts while heading the government of Ohio, particularly in Cincinnati. His track record evoked, to an extent, the trust-busting talents and tendencies of President Roosevelt.

The Presidential and Vice Presidential ballots at the 1908 Democratic National Convention. ​

Thus the two major tickets were decided, both unprecedented in American history: the winner would either be the first President to serve three terms (though Roosevelt was technically only elected to one full term, in 1904), or the first Roman Catholic to make the Oval Office his home. The two men of Northeastern extraction – mustachioed, monocled, progressive, and sharing the same age – participated in the most unusual presidential election in recent memory.

Kennedy's vision of moderating government authority while continuing progressive reforms seemed contradictory, and it was one of the most important parts of Roosevelt's campaign. Kennedy's Catholic beliefs brought out huge amounts of support throughout the north, but endangered his chances of holding the “Solid South”. He held several famous rallies in Boston that drew enormous crowds and galvanized his support throughout the north, particularly in Chicago and New York. Roosevelt continued to campaign on the victories won for the working classes, the increasingly modern and diversified American economy, and increased military strength to defend American property and interests at home and abroad. In the end, Kennedy's challenge was perhaps more harmed by his own religion than anything else.

The results and electoral map of the 1908 presidential election.​

The first election to see more than seven million votes for both major party candidates saw Kennedy overperforming nationally in the popular vote while still getting slammed in the Electoral College. His losses in the South served as a humiliating reminder of the tendencies of some Southerners toward Catholics – or non-Protestants more broadly – but also helped to secure a victory in Massachusetts, as well as bring into doubt Roosevelt's ability to carry Illinois and New York, which both harbored sizeable Irish and Catholic populations. The challenge, however, was not enough. Roosevelt's unprecedented campaign had won, and the Age of Roosevelt continued. The Congressional elections saw another decline in Republican-held House seats, down to just 218 seats. The Senate similarly saw a similar dip in Republican support, with the Democrats picking up three seats, bringing them to 27. [-3% political support to US, Roosevelt/La Follette re-elected]

 

[Ranger900]

The Greek Manifesto of the Macedonian Revolution

A picture less pamphlet written in both Macedonian and Greek that circulated throughout Ottoman Greek territory alongside revolutionary posters. Plastered to the sides of buildings in alleyways. It is the first notable poster that seemed to expand the Macedonian Revolutions goals. Adopting the title of the United Balkan Revolution.

Greeks!
Give this poster a second glance!
The revolution has come. To the North the Macedonians battle against the Turkish oppressor. They take the fight to those who keep you and the rest of the Balkans poor, who dominate your lands and extract their tolls. They do what the government that rules your brothers to the south refuse to do. To stand up and fight! Instead the Southerners elite struck a deal. They abandoned you to the Turks. They believed you are not worth blood and sweat to reunite with you. But we, we who may not be your direct kin except by ancient ties long forgot, but we who are your cousins in this region. We stand. We fight to free all of us from the Ottoman Oppressor. Rise with us Greeks. Stand shoulder to shoulder with your Macedonian cousins, and together, united, we shall form a wall of will that the Turks will shatter against. We will be like the mountains of our home, endless and unbreakable. So join. Head North to Macedon. We have guns and ammunition to spare for any man who will stand against the oppressing Turk. Or take your gun, find your friends and stand your ground. Kill the Turk, burn his supplies and drive him from our borders.

For Freedom, For Your Families.
For the United Balkan Revolution.​

 

[Ranger900]

A Message to the Turkish Soldier

Another picture free pamphlet that circulated by the Macedonian Revolution. This one targeted specifically at the soldiers of the Ottoman Army that were in the region to suppress the rebellion. Calling for defection of Balkan soldiers that were in service under the Ottoman Banner and for Arab and Turkish soldiers to return home and start their own revolution.

Soldiers of the Sultan's Army!
Those above care not for you!
The revolution against the Oppressors from Constantinople has come and you may play your part. They would just as quickly see you dead as they would us. For they care for not but the Turks and even then for only their own elites. They care not if you march to your death against our will and guns, and will leave your families to suffer in the aftermath. Abandoned, without Fathers, Brothers or Sons. But you have not yet come to meet with us yet. There is still time. For those of you with family in the Balkans. Join us. Defect, bring your guns and experience to those who would see your family freed from the yoke of the oppressor. To those of you from the lands of the Arab, the lands of the Caucasus, the lands of the Levant. Return home. Take your arms with you. Break the chains of the Sultan's oppression from your homes. Men of Turkey, even you may do your part. For the Sultan oppresses you as well. He keeps you poor, and he has sent you to die for his ambitions. Ambitions that will not see you personally gain a single benefit, but only serve to bring more people under his oppression. Individually we are weak, but united we will break the Empire and shatter the chains of bondage. We will break the elites of the empire and in its place forge lands where our peoples can determine for themselves the future they will set.

For Freedom, For your Families, For the Revolution.
Death to the Sultan and his Oppressive Elites.

---

A Message to the Bulgarian.

This pamphlet was a regular site in the streets of the newly Ottoman occupied Eastern Rumelia and some filtered into the rest of Bulgaria. Though seemingly entirely targeted toward the former group.

Men of Bulgaria!
Your fight need not be done!
Your country's government has been forced at gunpoint to cede it's lands, to place you under the yoke of Ottoman Oppression once more. Anger may be what you feel toward that government, but it is not well directed. Do not direct your anger to those who were forced by duress to leave you, turn it on the Turkish overlords that wish to crush you beneath their boot. The Sultan and his elite ilk who believes himself above you. Those of you who served in the Bulgarian army, do not turn in your weapons. Take your guns, your ammunition, your training, your friends in the service, and return home. Use it to rally your kinsmen, your peers, any who would listen to you and fill them with the spirit of revolution. Stand tall, like your Slavic kin in Macedonia do now. Those of you who are but a farmer, but a worker in the factory, with not but an ounce of training. You too can still fight. Supply those with training. Assist them in finding the best targets. Run messages and ammunition for your kinsmen that man the guns. All Bulgars, and all the Balkans must stand unified. Harass the Sultan's armies. Remove his governmental figures from your cities. Drive his oppression from your borders. Together we can stand and defeat his armies, scatter them across the Balkans and tear them into pieces. Drive them from our lands and across the straits.

For Freedom, For your Families and your Homes.
For Independence and the Revolution.​

 

[jacob-Lundgren]

Kingdom of Italy​

The Italian government is shocked, confused and angry over several recent events in Europe. We will not be directly commenting until we have finished consultations with other nations about these matters. The Kingdom of Italy, and its monarch, will never allow itself to be treated in terrible manner like it is some broken and beaten wretch of a people. As well some recent treaties and changes in the area of the balkans are troubling and seem likely to breed conflict. We do applaud the actions of the negotiators and the willingness of the French in particular to consider and ultimately take the steps they did recently to help end the major conflict. We do worry that some nations are viewing this as merely a brief pause to catch their breath return to conflict shortly.

On a final note, considering all of this the Kingdom of Italy is stepping its mobilization levels down but not completely. To a state of partial mobilization. This is hopefully only the final step before returning to normality in the summer months. We will take measures to allow the soldiers to be deployed near their home regions, as much as possible. The navy will also be able to return to a near-peace time condition.



~ Tommaso Tittonim ~ Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Italy

 

[SparkleSunflower]

Rosenbad
Stockholm
​

His Excellency Theodore Roosevelt,

On the behalf of His Majesty and the people of Sweden, I congratulate you on your unprecedented electoral victory. The United States stands firm and respected across the Atlantic Ocean, a solid and stoic pillar which should be observed with caution. America's power in her own domain of influence has not gone unnoticed. Indeed, even here in the government houses of Sweden have we followed your Presidency with astute intimacy. We wish you and Vice-President La Follette good health and warm wishes. I have held many constructive conversations with Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Charles Graves. I look forward to continued work with him during your upcoming administration.

I trust that in your steady leadership, Sweden and the United States shall continue our long history of economic trade and cooperation. The government takes pride in knowing the relations between our two countries are solid and unshakable.

My best,

Arvid Lindman
Statsminister, Kingdom of Sweden

 

[aedan777]

Open letter to the Aromanian people of the Balkans,

My distant brothers, the strife of the Balkans is once more the source of bloodshed and suffering for the undeserving. The Aromanian people are close to the thoughts of all Romanians in these trying times, and bitter tears are wept at the loss you must be going through. But you must remember who it is that brings your suffering, and stirs up conflict and death in the Balkans. Despite much propaganda that has been disseminated, it is not the Ottoman Turks who are at fault. Since the ascension of the Freedom and Accord Party following the 1900 coup, the Ottomans have been nothing if not tolerant and respectful to their Christian subjects. Starting in 1904, Romania has been allowed to send priests and ethnologist to meet with and support you, our Aromanian kinsmen. These are not the actions of a harsh regime that seeks to crush the Christian peoples of the Balkans, but a respectful and worthy rulership.

The true threat to the Aromanian people, and the true source of Balkans instability, is in fact the nationalist warmongers of Greek and Slavic origin. Rather than seek peace and stability, and support the moderated policies of the Ottoman Empire, they start war, and incite rebellion, sowing discord and death throughout the land. And despite their propaganda, make no mistake, they do not care about Christians as a whole, purely interested in their own narrowly defined cultural kin. Serbs against Bulgars, Bulgars against Greeks, and all against you, the Aromanians. They desire only the betterment of their nation, and will commit any atrocity against potential rivals to ensure theirs is the nation that holds the most land when the dust settles. They do not see you as kin, they see you as enemies, cultural aliens to be exterminated or driven out.

Do not despair and accept this as what must be allowed to happen, or worse fall for their lies and propaganda to join them. Take heart in knowing that Romania, and our newfound allies in the Ottoman Empire, will support and protect you. Remain loyal to the Ottoman Empire, and resist the savagery of the nationalist rebels who would destroy your way of life.

-Nicolae Mișu, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Constantinople, Chief of Aromanian Affairs

 

[Ranger900]

A poster that tended to show up around the following message. The poster was targetted to all populations groups, though the follow up message was a direct response to the Romanian Open Letter.

A Message to the Aromanian People
Listen not to the lies of the Puppet!
Recently you may have witnessed a message from those that proclaim themselves the rulers of the Romanian people. Who say they know what is best for you, and that you should turn on your neighbor. Your friends and companions. That you should side with the Sultan and his honeyed words and measured reform that they try to feed us to make us weak. The government of Romania is not your friend. They might well once have been, but now they are nothing more then a puppet of the Sultan. Another tool to he can use to try to keep us of the Balkans in line. To keep us oppressed while the Sultan and his elite profits from us. Under the Sultan and his Empire you will never know true freedom. Only empty words and promises designed to placate you. They tell you that we wish to turn the Balkans against eachother but this is nothing but a falsehood. The United Balkan Revolution stands for everyone under the Sultan's oppression. Together we can forge our own destiny. We can create a nation for all the peoples of the Balkans where we can share in our similarities, and peacefully work out our differences, one that can stand against the Ottomans and protect all under its banner.

So do not listen Aromanian men. Do not listen to the Sultan's lapdog. Instead take your gun, your spirit, your will for freedom, and stand! Stand shoulder to shoulder with the Greek, the Bulgar, the Macedonian, and the Serb. Together we can break an Empire!

For Freedom, For your Families, For the rights of all Men of the Balkans to stand equal.
For the United Balkan Revolution
​

 

[Haresus]

The Ottoman Empire
Devlet-i Aliyye-i Osmâniyye​

​

The Albanian situation has unfortunately escalated to some degree, and it is clear that there are issues that require clear remedies. First and foremost, Şehzade Mehmed Selaheddin has been advised by His Imperial Majesty and HIM's government to recant his previous acceptance of the throne of Albania. Wisely, Şehzade Mehmed Selaheddin has followed this advise and will take a trip to Baghdad until further notice. He will be very busy surveying the surrounding land and documenting land ownership in the desert region, under the supervision of local administrators.

Furthermore, we extend our deepest and most sincere apologies to the Count of Turin for the mistreatment that he was forced to experience in Albania. We find this unacceptable, and these are not the circumstances that a man of his status and dignity should be forced to endure. Therefore, with this in mind, we wish to offer Vittorio Emanuele the position of Duke of Libya instead: Libya far surpasses Albania in size, and is significantly less prone to rebellious outbursts nowadays. This is mainly thanks to the brave efforts of the Italian government, which has successfully pacified those who foolishly considered it "wise" to oppose them. One another note, it is common courtesy in the Ottoman Empire to call respected individuals of high status "Pasha". We would consider it a great honour if Vittorio Emanuele accepted such a title. Vittorio Emanuele Pasha would always be welcome to visit Constantinople, and would of course be welcomed by the Caliph himself.

However, in order to furthermore make amends and strengthen Italian-Ottoman relations in a time when Europe must allow the wounds of war time to heal, the Caliph's own oldest son, Şehzade Mehmed Ziyaeddin, would like to request permission to go on a state visit to Rome, Turin, Libya, and further places in order to better understand Italian culture and society, as well as to truly express our sadness over the Albanian situation.

Finally, the issue of Albania will be reconsidered. The Kingdom of Albania will be abolished and reintegrated to the Ottoman Empire to ensure that this does not happen again. Furthermore, administrative reforms will be put in place to provide new leadership to the region.

Grand Vizier,
Damat Ferid Pasha​