Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 9 - June 2011]

[Germany (DoE)]

Alright, we didn't regain Nordica...

Peace is a consideration but diplomatic ties are broken. Veneta is considering the situation.

History is totally corrupted here but I have no time to argue...

V

[Russia (DoE)]

"Princess, we have received one more message from the Indians. They insist on answer."

"Ugh, Boris... you know how much paperwork, meetings and consultations I had to do these days and I all the time postponed answering those Indians, as it was not going to be any pleasant. Make me some tea in the samovar and in this time I will write the letter. I'll do it myself, as this one is personal." Catherine stood with closed eyes for concentration on the ancient sofa, made of Russian birch with the crude, but masterful hands of the husband of her beloved nanny, then took a paper and started unhesitatingly to write with her elegant handwriting.

"Dear Indians,

I do greatly admire your logical thinking, but I have to disagree with the conclusions you make about the nonexistence of such thing as honor. I firmly believe your wrong conclusions are because you never found a use of such concept, but I can assure you, honor does exist and having it is worth more than you can even imagine. Lacking honor costs even more.

But enough of semantics. Back to the hard facts. These facts are that you broke our signed NAP. Then I gave you a backdoor from which you to escape and consider this annoying mistake. But then you threaten Russia. Then you tried to blackmail us.
Russia does not make deals with proven treaty breakers. If you could for an purely imaginary gain break your word of honor, I cannot imagine what would you do if you see a real benefit to yourself. I can not make any deals with you until you prove yourself worthy of trust, so my answer to your offers is NO.

And the next time you decide to threaten me, stop for a while, think a bit and realize you are not threatening me - the fragile woman, it is a world power who you threaten. And it is not only loud slap in the face you will receive. You will face the wrath you deserve.

Catherine of Rus"

"Sigh, I've finished with the unpleasant obligations for today....Ooo.. it is ready? Mmmm..." Catherine took the warm cup of Chinese porcelain full or aromatic tea and closed her eyelids in delight.

[Vikings (DoE)]

PEACE!!!



Greetings to all. This is Mr. Wednesday of the nation of Valhalla and I would address the world once more.

I would like to commend Catherine of Russia for listening to my pleas to ax her adviser, the warmonger known as Low-Key Lyesmith. I am not certain if she followed that literally, but nonetheless Low-Key Lyesmith has been forced out of his position in Russian government. Following that event Catherine sent her top foreign minister Natasha as a special envoy to Asgard.

A lengthy session of bargaining ensued and Valhalla has agreed to stand down from war and sign peace with both Russia and England. As part of the deal, former English cities York and Glasgow will be returned to England.

Peace negotiations with other members of the Alliance of Central Europe are still ongoing, but the glass looks to be half full, as they say. Perhaps Ragnarok has been averted until another day, one far in the future.

When appropriate Catherine will present to the world the formal peace accords that I have signed. Hopefully all of those involved in this averted crisis will be signatories.


Signed,

Mr. Wednesday

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

In the Sultan's Palace...

"You have spoken with Veneta Highness?" Mahmud asked Sultan Ahmed

"Yes we Grunted together in the traditional Neandor tongue, which my father taught me. Peace is restored under the terms Princess Catherine set forth, and trading and Open Borders will resume shortly. We will not receive Venetti as I had hoped, but the way of peace is one of compromise Hopefully France will see this as well." The Sultan seemed relieved to finally be on the cusp of ending the World War at last.

"So what next for Turkey?" Mahmud inquired.

The Sultan smiled..."Well now that we may have true lasting peace in Europe and Africa at last, I can turn our attention back to my original goal of making scientific advancement a priority rather than War... it has been a long time coming..."

[India (DoE)]

In the Indian Civil Service

"Catherine wrote what? This is insanity, we present our opinions, discuss possibilities for peace and even explain our motivations. Yet she mocks us and scorns us? It must be the taste of victory that has gotten to her head. I suppose we must answer her."

To Catherine
Why do you insist on such hostile words? You say that you respect India's logic, yet at the same time you scorn us for being dishonorable. Perhaps if we could see any of this "honor" you speak so highly of practiced in the real world, then we would understand its value, yet as long as India has met with the outside world there has never been any action done by any nation that does not ultimately serve itself. To claim otherwise is either lies or illusion from where we see it. I shall not bore you with the entire history of the world, but what we say is true, based on every thing that has happened since the dawn of time. Nations act out of self-interest, this must be an undisputed fact, and never have we seen a nation act graciously and honorably with risk to themselves without gain. To fight for an ally is a gain. To fight to weaken a rival is a gain. To take from the weak to make them weaker is a gain. All these things are seen repeatedly in the history of the world. With such a truth established, nations must and will act in their own self-interest, not doing so is poor governing. This is our belief, this is our practice. Should you condemn us for our philosophy? We have never sought harm against Russia, but it seems Russia is now threatening us.

Furthermore, you can not say that India has broken any pact of non-aggression. You attacked our declared defensive partner the Neandor. You are the aggressor in this particular vichy-soisse of diplomatic entanglement for the purposes of declarations of war. You declared war against India's official Defense Pact partner. Us declaring war on you is an automatic response to your aggression. It is not us who have broken the non-aggression pact, it is you, by attacking Neandor whom India by treaty has declared to protect and vice versa (which was the original intent of the charter), you have thereby indirectly declared war on India, breaking the non-aggression pact.

Now regarding your claims of blackmail and threats, it seems there must be an error in the translations of our letters, for the pacifist nation of India has never threatened anyone. We have simply made clear that we would like to discuss terms for peace. As this is a war that you started, which you knew would involve India despite our non-aggression treaty, you can hardly hold it against us for asking how it would benefit us to not follow the treaty we signed. We are in fact being foolishly honorable when we did not sign a peace agreement over the war you started, because we had an obligation to our ally. But unlike the simple-minded, honor is to us not a vague principle, it is a marketable commodity. We ask simply of you, what should be the price for our dishonor. We have no problem admitting that we are pragmatists, though you may mock us for it, because we act always in the best interests of our people. Is it not honorable to consider those who serve you first? Yet as we said, in foreign policy we do not believe in honor for we have never seen it practiced.

Allow me to sum up. Is Russia unwilling to sign a peace agreement because of your dislike of India's political manouverings? If so we must swiftly take measures to ensure our defences. I assure you, we do not wish a war against Russia, keep in mind that we are only at war because of your aggression against India's declared defensive pact partner. A result you knew would occur, for not even India is so dishonorable that we could refuse the call to arms by a declared ally. We are willing to discuss peace, are you?

Bayamagura Vishayanaa
Head Diplomat

[Mali (DoE)]

ras Imru received a report from the ministry of foreign look. It says literally: Neandor coalition was defeated, the Russian empress and sultan of Turkey adopted acclamation of his army and listen to the wails of his defeated opponents. ras Imru think the following should now proceed very carefully every misstep will bring the destruction of Mali.

[Russia (DoE)]

"Guards! Guards! Help! Help! The Princess! The Princess! Catherine! What have you done to her, ba$*****!?! The Princess is not moving! Our enemies have to be poisoned her! Catherine is dead! Doctor! Get a bloody doctor here! Bliat! Suka! Boje pomozi nam"

Boris fell on the floor in the middle of the chaos his cries have provoked, covering his face with his rude hands in utter despair.

"Catherine... Catherine...." was the only thing he was able to say.

[Russia (DoE)]

The sleeping beauty

For long, long minutes - feeling like an ages - a doctor could not be found, when aunt Marusia came from somewhere and as no one willing or could stop her, she entered the Catherine's chamber while leaving the paralyzed by deep afflection officers, diplomats, agents and officials waiting in the waiting room.



In just few minutes he came out and all eyes on her, she smiled and said: "She is sleeping"

"She what?" a dissonant choir of unbelieving voices.

"She is sleeping! Catherine is just fell in deep sleep. She was so busy to exhaustion these days and nights, that after the last good news about peace signed, she fell asleep and cant be awoken. And she is dreaming something nice, if I can judge by the expression on her face. Now leave the waiting room, all maters have to wait."

A sigh of relief mixed with a nervous uproar followed these amazing words. All those people were here to speak with the Princess about important things, which could not be postponed. But Aunt Marisua was standing on the doors inexorable and there was no one in this room, who to dare to challenge this woman and her will, knowing that once in a while she even used to slap the bottom of the now all-mighty Catherine as a child.

""Is anyone hungry?" - nanny Marusia was cunning to add to the strong will - "I'll make pancakes! Come with me in the kitchen and leave Catherine to rest!" Those words was the last blow that broke even the most resolute of the Catherine's visitors and they all with jolly hubbub followed her to the kitchen.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

In the Sultan's throne room...



Mahmud entered the throne room and knelt before the Sultan, "Majesty, there are conflicting rumors about Princess Catherine... Some reports are that she has been assasinated by France, other reports are that she has been poisoned by the Bolshevik rebels and is in a coma. Others still are saying that she is under some bizzare evil sleeping spell. Regardless, of which if any of these is true, we have confirmed that the Princess is currently incapacitated."

The Sultan stroked his beard thoughtfully... "This is disturbing news. Please convey my concern to the Russian government and people, along with my hopes that Catherine is alive and that she makes a swift recovery."

"Yes Highness" Mahmud replied quickly

The Sultan continued "Now what progress has there been with the peace process? We have made peace with Israel, and Neandor and solidified our peace with Vikings... what of France?

Mahmud frowned... "May I approach Highness?"

The Sultan nodded and Mahmud whispered something in his ear... The Sultan sighed and looked out the window calmly thinking for a moment... Then, without looking at Mahmud he simply said, "I need to speak with Suleiman..."

[France (DoE)]

Marc Renaud was exhausted. He had had little sleep for hours. And he felt as if he had let his nation down. This ... this .. surrender. It was the only word he could think of. Returning the English cities was reasonable, in his opinion. Afterall, France had offered their return earlier in an offer to the damnanglais.

But Guardaia. That was too much. But he had little choice in the matter. The Vikings had accepted peace, as had Neandor. The French military was still strong, but it would not be able to stand against the combined might of Russia, Turkey, and England. And the troops were exhausted. They had been at war for years, and actively so. Ending this war was the only option.

He sighed heavily and signed the papers. He handed them to his aide for transfer to the fast courier.

Sitting back in his chair, he thought of what came next. He knew that this 'surrender' would not sit well with the French people, nor the military. He would resign. Besides, he was old and tired, having served France for over 60 years. It was time for a change.

Grabbing a leaf of paper, he started on the orders that would return Prince Louis to Paris as quickly as possible. The war was over. His reign could start without being tainted by the 'surrender'.

Yes, Louis would start France on a new path. A path of peace.

[India (DoE)]

In the Indian Constitutional Congress


Head Diplomat Bughur read aloud from the Russian message:
"Catherine is not that rancour and will rethink her position about signing immediately peace with you if you make her a gift she would really really like. Such a gift is this mink coat for the Russian winter, worthy to be worn by a Princess and a beautiful woman as
Catherine, which price is 1999 gold lump sum."

Uproar erupted. When the shouting settled Congressmember Yavana Buthgrabi announced in a loud clear voice.
Russia has decided to blackmail our people into spending the next 150 years paying all its worth to the richest most powerful nation on the planet. They demand more money than India would produce in a century. It must be made clear to every member here of congress that such a cost would require the mothballing of our entire public sector for more than a century. The Indian state would for all intents and purposes cease to exist for no less than 100 years. As minister of the treasury, these are our calculations.

Congressmember Eymir Musslum spoke next
As Minister of the United Indian Garrisons I can announce that our defences are in no shape to take on the Russian armies. We have counted their armies to the number of no less than 30 Rifleman divisions, possibly more than 40 and numerous Cossacks. Even with a smaller invasion force our best scenarios would allow us to slow down the Russians for at most 2 years. Our military is outdated and inexperienced. We can not even hope to win a war. We can not even hope to hinder their invasion.

Rayaman Vutrabugali was the third Congressmember to speak
The Russians claim that we broke the Non-Aggression Pact, yet it was them that declared war on Neandor. The treaty specifically said that any nation attacking Neandor would also be attacking India and vice-versa. As a result, the declaration of war was automatically made by the Neandorian foreign ministry on our behalf. Due to the political chaos we suffered at the time, this Congress was not even informed until 4 years after the declaration. We suggested peace, but they have rejected it. As foreign minister I must declare that there is little hope of outside help. The Chinese detest us as much as we detest them. Though they may dislike the Russians expanding their influence to south Asia, it is highly doubtful that they would do anything to stop them. The European nations are broken and there are no others who could challenge the Russian military. The only hope is the Arabs who could refuse the Russians access to our lands, but undoubtedly they have more interest in carrying favour with the Russians than their brothers in faith through the last thousand years. Even if they did, the Russians could still march through their lands and they would be powerless to stop it.


Finally, Grand Prophet Fermeyi spoke
It seems gentlemen that we are at the end of our rope. Our ideals of pacifism have failed and we are now about to die. The tyranny of evil doth swarm upon us and we will surely perish, there can be no other logical outcome. The Russians outnumber us at least 5 to 1 and our weapons are as aged as our soldiers are young. We must make a choice. Either we destroy India as a state, or Russia does it for us. Yet if India must fall, then it shall be due to the evil of the world, not the cowardlyness of its people. It seems India must prepare for a war we have no chance to win.

There is however a third option. Our pacifist policies have always been at our core. To break with our principles now will result in not only a defeat in war, but a loss of our souls. Instead we must respond to their brutal ways with a policy of non-violence. Let the Russian armies destroy our farms and cities and villages. We will make no resistance against them. Let them take our cities, burn our monuments and libraries and temples. Let their path of destruction roll over the innocent. Some are considered courageous if they by violence risk their own lives. We will be courageous by showing no fear in the face of death, the fates decided our path long ago and we shall not relent from it. If we shall die, let us die as Indians, with no weapon in our hand, a prayer in our heart and the words of peace on our lips: Hold, why do you do this? What you are doing is wrong.

And so we will die as we have lived, in peace.


One after another the members of the Indian Constitutional Congress rose, until all were standing. And in one unison voice, for the first time since its inception every member declared: So say we all!

[Russia (DoE)]

"Aaaahhhh... yawn... yawn...." Catherine stretched her arms with vacant look of her eyes.


"Boris.... BORIS!... Where all have gone?... They cant wait for me to have a snooze for five minutes and they all disappear somewhere... BORIIIIIS!!!"

The doors opened with a force and guards in full arms dashed in the room and Boris was right behind them

"Princess! PRINCESS!!! You are alright!"

"Of course I am alright! How it is supposed I to be? I just had small nap and now I feel refreshed and full of energy!"

"But princess... you have been sleeping 2 days and 2 nights sound asleep." Boris was amazed.

"You must be kidding me... But when I see it is late afternoon and the last thing I remember was at night... Well, it must been what I have needed... I feel superb now. Is there anything I missed? But before all, I need some tea and pancakes. I am hungry as a tigress."

"Yes, My Lady - there is a lot you missed. Very, very exciting and disappointing news... Listen..." Boris bend to her while she was laying comfortable at her bed and started reporting to her.

[Russia (DoE)]

"So, Boris, we have all the Europeans Powers signed the peace?"

"Yes, My Lady, Europe is pacified."

"But we are still in active state of war with the Indians?"

"Yes, My Lady and they are pretending to be the victims. They trumpet again the old well - known story - the evil Russians are coming to make their evil deeds to the innocent!"

"Ughhhhh... We better answer them in open, so to clear the things and everyone can make conclusions for himself who is wrong and who is right. Better to cut the Indian propaganda once and for all about this case."

Is there more pancakes? I can have few more in the meantime.

[Russia (DoE)]

"Clerk, prepare to write! Let us comment on each and every their claim." Catherine said, ensconcing herself on the pile of pillows in her bed with a dish of pancakes and a cup of tea.

India had no way to influence the war either way as we practically have no army. We did not send a single soldier against you, did not make a single demand of territory, did not make any threats. There has been no aggression from our side.

We cant be sure if you sent or not any soldier towards Russia. But you did threaten us.

This is quote from your initial letter:

... to not act against your bid of world domination would be foolish of us. So unless you can make us an offer that is of value to us, we fear India must act and for the first time in history bring soldiers outside our borders.
.....
....we could be convinced to stay at home and fight other wars if we could be promised valuable compensation

To me this sounds like a real threat. Acting against our bid of world domination as you call it, you must act and bring soldiers outside your borders... If this isnt threat, I dont know what it is. And to avoid such actions from you, we must promise you valuable compensation. If this isnt blackmailing from East while we are busy fighting a World War in the west, then I dont know what is it.

We had a Non-Aggression pact which you caused to be invalid first.

Really? I beg your pardon? You first sign a deal that you will make no aggression against Russia and then sign something else, which must influence on your fist deal? And it is our fault that you dont care with whom what you sign? How can you promise non-aggression to someone, if you then promise help with war to someone else? Didnt you though these two your promises may come in conflict? And which fault it is that you dont care about possible conflicts? When I give my word to someone that I will not do something, I am not giving my word anymore to ANYONE who may want me to do exactly this thing.

once a state of war exists, referring to a NAP is equal to wanting to turn back time

Yes, but maybe it is you, who would like to turn back the time and not give promises, which he cannot keep.

We had to deal with the situation we were in, which was that you had declared war on Neandor and by extension us.

Exactly - I declared war Neandor and in response INDIA DECLARED war to Russia. Not the other way around. And dont explain how this is automated reaction. It may be automated reaction, but you signing defensive pact, thus AGREEING to do so is not automatic. If I have a NAP with someone, I expect this to be NAP - clear as that. Just to imagine - if you were signed defensive pacts with the whole remaining world centuries after our NAP was signed - is this means that I am bind to not declaring war to anyone in this world, because this will make me treaty breaker? It was clearly a NAP between Russia and India. Your other obligations does not concern me.

We were willing to overlook this breach of our Non-Aggression treaty in return for some compensation or promise.

You were those who have to OVERLOOK something? Not Russia? Because to Russia's understanding, we did nothing wrong. It was you who made promise to two parties, which you obviously cant keep both at the same time. It was Russia who proposed you to consider this declaration of war a small mistake:

Greetings Indians!

I am writing this from the center of the whirlpool of military action, revolutions and diplomacy that Russia have become lately.

I want to propose our two nations to sign peace and look at this declaration of war from India to Russia as just a misunderstanding along the way.

If you think about it the same way, please, propose official Peace Treaty via the diplomatic channel to be signed.

Catherine of Rus

But it was you, who decided you to keep the war and your allegiance to Neandor... and not because something else, but because you saw possible gain from threatening us and siding with our foes.

Ironically, you now blackmail us, and while our "threat" as you perceived it could amount to at worst an Indian shrug of the shoulder should it not be fulfilled, your threat is a full-scale invasion of our homeland.

Ironically, you've got what you were looking for. Those are the stones you throw at us, thrown back at you. If you seed wind, you will harvest hurricanewe, the Slavs say. And dont you pretend to be so harmless. I know you have absolutely the same weapons as Russia, if not more modern ones. You have war fleet - something Russia dont possess at all. You have rifles - both Russian equipped and Neandor recently equipped. And where I threaten you with full scale invasion of your homeland? Maybe it is your dark desires to invade Russia from the unprotected East borders which make you see this in the others intentions?

Though we have made no attempts of aggression towards Russia, you now make clear that you intend exactly aggression against India.

I dont know if this is the case, but I suppose only the short time between your threat and the turn of the war which currently put end to the World War was what have not allowed you to actually attack our undefended East provinces.

We are greedy and untrustworthy, we have made no other claim. Yet it was not us who broke the peace, you did.

I already addressed all this "who actually declared war and who broke his word, by deciding which of his deals to honor" thing and I leave this to the other leaders to judge.

Once a state of war existed, the pact was broken. Let me repeat again, India did not break the peace, you did.

How's that?

Once that was a matter of fact, we straddled the fence to see how the situation could benefit us. Yet we did not break the peace, you did.

You straddled the fence, but you should know it may turns out to be slippery and not to annoy the dogs before this.

We have no ambitions in Russian lands, therefore a non-aggression pact suited us nicely.

Yes, it was you, who INSISTED on this clause for an old deal to be made. It suits you well until you feel weaker, but once you feel confident with the Neandor's support and seeing my unprotectd back while I am busy fighting in the West, it is not any longer suiting you and you make a threats. What's that? Double cross?

The pact did not in any way discuss the situation that arose. We are aware that you did not intend for a war against India, but a state of war must mean that the policy of no aggression is broken, by the nation who initiated the conflict.

Yes, it is simple as that - Non-Aggression Pact. I will not declare war at you. You will not declare war at me. It is not Russia, who makes other deals, forcing a war between the two of us in no matter what case.

The treaty did not in any way state how the treaty could be ended prematurely, or the consequences or the circumstances of such a situation.

Yes! Hallelujah! There is nothing said about ending premature. We sign NAP for 75 turns and thats it. 75 turns we are not making agression agains each- other. Your other obligations (by the way signed much later than our NAP) does not interest me. It is you who signs them and it is you who must have been think more when making politics. Remember when I advised and warned you long ago that the Neandors will maim and tempt you with their unrealizable promises and will put you in troubles?

You then suggested to re-apply the treaty, but at the time we were also discussing the meaning of the Defensive pact with the Neandor. As such, we see no wrongdoing on our part.

Finally you made it clear you were nor going to keep your word, but you were looking who will offer you the best offer for your friendship. Well, Russia's friendship is not for sale as it is priceless. But when your friendship is for sale and have a price, we then prefer the money equivalent of it, as we dont value your friendship anymore. 1999 gold.


P.S.
And dont make those pathetic false claims again how poor you are and how rich Russia is. Your income is well comparable with ours if not bigger and you have no 10000+ gold debts because of the war, which I was forced to wage.


"So much for those Indians." Catherine was looking really deeply upset.

[India (DoE)]

Reply to the Russian Empire

You make many valid points, taking all of ours out of context. We feel we have had valid reasons for our actions.

We were concerned that your war on Neandor would result in Russian dominance of the world. This is now the case. We wished to limit this by redistributing some of your gains to us. We choose to be pragmatic and view the potential results of our involvement. This is called prudence.

You feel betrayed, but only your feelings have been hurt.

You dislike us, we do not care, we serve our people and only them.

Regardless, we will not pay you any money. We will not pay for your wars.


So in summary, if you wish our destruction, then you must send your soldiers to yet another war. But you will not get any money from us.

And dont make those pathetic false claims again how poor you are and how rich Russia is. Your income is well comparable with ours if not bigger and you have no 10000+ gold debts because of the war, which I was forced to wage.

-P.S. Russia has Riflemen, is researching Biology, has the largest land mass of any empire, the largest army, the currently highest espionage rate, the support of several minor nations (we have seen Arab and Inca soldiers in your armies) and a considerably higher GDP than India. Do not be making outrageous lies claiming Russia is not rich and that India is. That is simply false. You were in no way forced to fight any of your wars. Not one. You choose to get involved in each of them for meddling purposes. We will not pay for your wars.