Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 10 - July 2011]

[America (DoE)]

-----------------TELEGRAM TO ALL NATIONS FROM DWIGHT EISENHOWER---------------------

MIAMI LIBERATED, BACK UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL. TURKS STATED THAT MIAMI WOULD RIOT, HOWEVER, MIAMI STILL COMPLETELY AMERICAN, SO NO RIOT. ALSO, TURKS WANTED OPEN BORDERS BEFORE HANDING OVER MIAMI. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, SUCH TRUST DOES NOT EXIST BETWEEN OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND AMERICA. THEREFORE, IN COOPERATION WITH AZTECS, MIAMI WAS LIBERATED, AS THERE WERE NO TURKISH FORCES ANYMORE. THE RETREAT OF TURKISH TROOPS FROM MIAMI IS THE FIRST STEP IN REBUILDING TRUST BETWEEN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND AMERICA. HOWEVER, THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LASTING PEACE HAVE NOT CHANGED: HAVANA MUST BE RETURNED TO AMERICA.

-------------------------------END TELEGRAM----------------------------------

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Camaxtli and Xochipilli meet at the end of the day.

"Son, you did good today. But still, the tide of the war was today in our favour, remember it can change quickly.."

"Therefore, we must once more offer peace to the Ottomans"

"But father, so many of my comrades have fallen at their hands.."

"Being a king means you must do what is best for our peoples.."



He starts writing..





OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

1) Miami has been liberated by Aztec forces. Control has been immediately transfered to the rightfull owners, our American allies.


2) Havana and Texcoco, both occupied by Ottoman forces, must still be liberated.
There are still Ottoman troops on Aztec soil, this is not acceptable. Especially since Ottoman diplomats have publicly announced that all troops have left the continent and Azteca.


3) Still the goals of the Aztec / American alliance remain the same:

all we want is the return of the territorial integrity of both America and Azteca.
We are always open for a peace treaty with these terms..

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Notice to Azteca and America:

All Turkish troops were ordered to leave Texcoco in Peace without any further bloodshed. If troops remain in Texcoco, it was an unfortunate oversight, possibly due to capacity of troop transport ships available, or the swift nature of the departure. We apologize for this and will rectify the situation immediately. Any stragglers that did not fit in the troops transports on the previous trip or who did not board for whatever reason will withdraw. As for the claiming of Miami by Azteca, and subsequent transfer of Miami from Azteca to America, we have no argument with this outcome if it was the wish of America. The purpose of our withdrawal from Miami and Texcoco afterall was the peaceful return of these cities.

It is clear that America and Azteca have rejected the NAPs offered by both Turkey and Russia, and we acknowlege their right to do so. We leave it to the world community to determine how to judge these decisions, but it is also clear that we are at an impasse on the issue of NAPs with Azteca, so we will offer to return Texcoco to them unconditionally.

Additionally, if the transfer of Miami to America was contrary to the rules of war, we hereby, under orders of the Sultan, relinquish any claim to the city under the rules of war, and re-affirm our wish to return this city to America as well to keep the 'dreamweavers' as Root-of-the-Earth might call them, from disrupting the flow of time. We promised to return Miami to America, and always intended that this would occur so this has been accomplished, albeit not in the way we had hoped.

In this way our pledge to return Miami to America and Texcoco to Azteca is done. We are saddened that this could not be accompanied by a pact of Non-Aggression, but we remain committed to this goal. Again, any remaining troops in Texcoco will be withdrawn, and we apologize for any unintended misrepresentation.

Finally, we firmly assert that we have committed no wrongs against Azteca. We have pre-empted invasion of Africa, and we are satisfied that our allies in Africa agree with this action. Mali has already said so publicly, and the Zulu have expressed as much to us, although they, like Arabia, currently have no formal diplomatic offices to do so publicly.

Orders to any remaining troops in continental North America to withdraw are being issued presently.

Taner, High Messenger of the Sultan

[Japan (DoE)]

Last offer to Japan

Consider the following: What exactly is Agra worth to you?

Here is what it is worth to us. India has 6 cities, with Lahore on Tasmania and Agra on Java we have 8. 8 cities is the required number to build national wonders such as Oxford university, Great Theatre and some others. India can not accept a situation where we have less than 8 cities. As such we are willing to spend anything it takes to regain our city.

We know that your arrogance has convinced you of certain victory in this war, but you underestimated India which cost you your blockade fleet, and you continue to underestimate both our resolve as well as our capacity. When you attacked us we had no fleet. We now have a considerable navy that grows larger by the day. India does not wish to exhaust both our nations in this war especially since we have tried for centuries to make our two nations work together for both our common good. Yet instead you chose foolishly to attack us thinking that we would fall easily. Yet your cruelty has galvanized India. We are now determinedly united to win this war, and we know well that we can. Yet we offer you once more an honorable and uncostly way out of this. Take the deal we offered you, or prepare to be surprised by India a second time.

Leaders of India,

Japan will never give up the city you want just so our other city to starve once more because of that city's culture. I said in the beginning that Japan is fighting for our very future and as such we are prepared to see this war to the end. If you wish peace surrender to Japan or offer a better deal.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

An Update to Azteca:

If the gifting of cities during war is to forgiven by the dreamweavers, then under orders of the Sultan, as a gesture of goodwill and peace, and presumably with the permission of Azteca, we have unconditionally returned the city of Texcoco to Azteca as we intended to do with Miami. Let our actions speak louder than our words to the truth of our intentions.

Many in the administration, including myself, felt it was preferable to offer the return of the city at a minimum under the rules of war as our lawyers understand them to be, with an obligatory and automatic 10 turn peace. However, the Sultan was concerned that Azteca would reject this gesture of peace and then use it as an excuse to continue accusing Turkey of stalling the peace.

Therefore, as promised, all remaining Turkish forces have withdrawn from North America to the Leftsea as Inca calls it, and Texcoco is back under Azteca control.

At present, this is the limit of the Sultan's generous spirit. Sultan Ahmed feels Turkey has done enough to show her commitment to cessation of hostilities without any response in kind. Let other nations feel free, in public or in private to share their thoughts with the Sultan on this matter.

Taner, on behalf of the Sultan

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Control of Texcoco has been returned towards the Aztec Government.
We thank the Sultan for this important step towards peace.


But once more we have to inform other nations that the goals of the Aztec / American alliance remain the same:

all we want is the return of the territorial integrity of both America and Azteca: so Havana is the only remaining obstacle towards peace.
Havana, is according to our last known information, occupied by a large number of Ottoman forces and still under Ottoman control

[Inca (DoE)]

The sun shone dully in the back room of the court. The solid stone walls resisted the sun's meager attempt at brightening up the mood of the place. The clouds as well were working diligently to obscure the rays, and collected and dispursed them in all odd directions they could manage. The air between was thick with the salt and humidity of the tropical sea breeze, and did its part as well to further dull and blur the incoming light. And the room itself, full of dust and parchment, was the final piece in the gloomy air that met the emperor and his advisors on this morning.

The door to the room finished off the little light that remaind, and none of it managed to reach the eyes of Pantolla, who listened intently in the room next door. A muffled voice came through the thick wood, "And the current situation in the Leftsea, what is new today?"

Another, fainter and deeper voice responded, "well, sir, the Ottomans seem to be paying little heed to our ultimatum..."

A third, shrill and loud voice cut in to the second, "the damn *******s don't seem to mind one bit if they trample on what relations we have left. What is their ********d problem here?"

A fourth voice, calm and level followed quickly after the third, "What force do we have to retake Havana? What forces do we have to do much beyond that? We shifted our focus to Eurasia, and now we're paying the price: defensive forces aren't good for projection into a region we have not prepared to defend, being as we considered it not our business until recently."

Something sounding like the third voice responded, "well, whose fault is that? Why would we leave such a vital border area in our plans and military strategies? What id-" and it cut off immediately. Silence followed for a moment.

The first voice spoke again, "that decision was made politically: we wanted the Northerners to keep control of their sea. It is of next to no strategic interest to us. We felt that they were keeping their heads out of Eurasian politics, and were not the aggressive sort, so there would be little need to concern ourselves with it, as the territory was fully Northerner in settlement, and we were on good or neutral terms with all of them. We claim only what is rightfully or legitimately ours, and that territory was clearly not ours even to consider strategically. That past friends of ours would attack it without warning to us was not expected, of course, nor were the incursions of any power really. And so, our plans were mostly coastal defense and Eurasian deterence. It was a sensible plan, and will continue to be once these issues pass us." and the moment of silence resumed.

The second voice resumed the conversation, "yes, that was a reasonable approach, and will continue to be so, sir. Also, remember men that we assumed the English would become involved if a truly inimical power asserted itself into the Leftsea; it is more their domain than ours, why bother ourselves with it? We had simply not counted on the Ottomans or Russians assaulting the area without discussing it with us first, which would give us a chance to dissuade them and mediate a non-military solution or build up a proper force to deal with the situation before it unfolded."

A general murmur of agreement filled his ears for a few seconds, then the fourth voice spoke up, "And what of this? What is to be the consequence to such betrayal of trust and transparency among friends and allies? What a position we have found ourselves in, the clock now bearing down upon us. What misery the Ottomans wish to bring upon our relations! And the Russians, now they ignore treaties we had already agreed upon, waiting the outcome of this before committing to a proper and full alliance... why should we not just restation our Eurasian forces in a less whimsical ally's lands"

The third voice blared, "indeed! Why should we be so hesitant to commit ourselves as we have been for friends like these?! They risk a teetering global peace balance on their actions, and barely a whisper of remorse for it! Even now they ignore our ultimatum, and insist on the Americans paying them reparations despite our insistence that it be the other way around!"

The fourth voice came back with, "and what about the Americans, not asking us for help here? They seem to ignore our last message and ultimatum, convinced that working solely with the Aztecs will bring them Havana. We all should like to see the Aztecs retake Havana now that the Turks have fortified it properly." A low bout of laughter reverberated through the room for a while.

The first voice, authoritatively, continued, "First, men, there is no reason to assault the Russians here. They are a great and long friend of ours, and we see no reason to get on their backs over their ignoring our defensive treaty. They tell us 'we'll explain soon', then avoid the explanation. So be it, we all have bigger fish to fry right now. They will sign in due course. Yes, indeed, the Americans wish to look to the Aztecs as their saviors, ignore Inca's help, and work bilateraly with the Ottomans for an unfair and uneven peace. What should we think of this, what should we think of the Aztecs ignoring us as well, save to insist we attack the Ottomans and commit ourselves to war, as they work behind our backs to craft their own alliance with the Americans?"

The third voice, shrillly, "attack them! There shall be no alliances in this hemisphere without Inca involvement! It is not acceptable that an Aztec-American military alliance should form on our borders! It will not end without their cities razed and farms plundered into oblivion! We have fought wars enough for our security in these lands!" the echoes of his rage rand in the man's ears for a moment, how deaf he would be on the other side of the door...

The fourth voice finally spoke, "such is not our way, no matter the consequences. Such a war would be unjustifiable, and as such we could never accomplish it. Besides, such an alliance may be a good thing for Inca. We should not insist on being the center of our hemisphere."

The second voice slipped in, "but we have put our necks out there for both parties, and yet what disrespect they treat us with here. Perhaps we go to war with a past friend for their sakes, to take territories they could not take without us, and they ignore us! We find ourselves in a bind, on the one hand publicly committed to war in a season if the Ottomans do not find a just peace, and other the other hand committed for the sake of 'friends' who have apparently decided our purpose in this world is to be their sword without any real commitment beyond that. Why should we go to bat for they who now see fit to not even include us in their public pronouncements? Where were the words 'Inca' in any of the many words spoken by either recently? Only the Turks give us the time of day, so inverted are our friends and foes in this!" another murmur filled the room.

Another voice, new to his ears, came to the response, "yet we are committed, so what to do if the Turks fall through? Forsake past friends for folly, or live up to our promises no matter the costs? We cannot keep waiting to reassess the situation, waiting for everyone to make themselves apparent to us. So, what do we do now? And what of the French, if indeed they were involved in using the Aztecs for an invasion of Africa?"

The first voice finally came back, and the rest, as they say, is history.

[Aztecs (DoE)]

"Sire we have reports of the Inca parliament in heated discussion..

"I sure hope they will remain on their course. Their efforts have strongly contributed to the endeavour we are on: the restoration of the territorial integrity of both America and Azteca."

"Did we thank them enough, sire?"

"Well we did so in quite a number of messages and letters we send them. But maybe we have not done that enough publicly.
Let my words be known to the Inca's and to the world."

"Let us hope they remain a force towards good in the region."

"True indeed, I am sure they see that our strive is just, and our goal is noble."

"Yes, they have said nothing else."

"We Aztecs have done nothing else as defend a fellow nation against clear agression from abroad.
Even though we had no alliance at that point.."

[America (DoE)]

*In the mail room of the American government, where two mailmen sit on a bag of mail, smoking something*

Mailman 1: "Dude, what is this?"
Mailman 2: "Obviously dude, that is a letter."
Mailman 1: "Dude, duh, I know, but why is it still here?"
Mailman 2: "Obviously, because it didn't leave."
Mailman 1: "Bogus dude. Those poor...*squints at the envelope. Squints harder. Gets slapped on the back of the head by Mailman two, who grabs the envelope, turns it around and gives it back* ...Incas."
Mailman 2: "Totally bogus dude. Well, you know, it'll get there eventually. Rejoin the thousands of its brothers in the constant stream of envelopes, as they travel the globe, looking for their destiny."
*They sit in silence for about two minutes*
Mailman 1: "Whoa dude. That's like, totally deep."
Mailman 2: "Yeah dude,..." *coughs violently after taking a deep drag and continues with choked off voice:* "Totally."

[Aztecs (DoE)]

"Havana must be liberated"


Catzli the Elder (the additive 'the Elder' is used to distinguish him from his grandson who also rose to prominence in Aztec history and is known as 'the Younger') was born at Texcoco in 1671 AD.

He grew up on his fathers country estate and entered military service at the tender age of 17.
By 1704 he had climbed the traditional ladder of magistrative offices to its very pinnacle by achieving the post of supreme commander of the Aztec forces.
In this position he played a major role in modernizing the Aztec military. Then in 1727 AD he retired from the army and concentrated instead on participating in debates in the senate.

In the last years of his life, after serving on an embassy to Havana in 1729, senator Catzli the Elder, strived for the freedom of the people he loved so much, the people of Havana.

After the conquest of Havana by the Ottomans he spoke at every occasion at length about the importance of helping one’s fellow man, and the Americans in particular.
Furthermore he famously incorporated the words “Havana must be liberated !” into every speech he held in the senate, no matter what the subject of the matter debated was.

There is even a tale that he once purposely dropped a American cigar onto the floor of the senate. As a senator picked it up and began to admire its smell and fine quality,
he used the situation to ask “What is this?”. At the answer “An American cigar” he said “You fool, don’t you realize this cannot be called an American cigar anymore?
My fellow senators, you must all remember that Havana must be liberated!”

Read more: Catzli the Elder (Maral Pora Catzli) Biography

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Cigar lovers from across the globe are worried.
From our reporter

Since the Ottoman conquest of Havana cigar lovers are increasingly desperate to acquire high quality American cigars.

The following brands have notified consumers across the world that their stocks will run out later this year,
as American Havanan workers refuse to work for the Ottoman plantage owners.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/6/imagescah6usq6.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/imagescahzqdtt.jpg

This was a clear signal for all cigar smokers to start 'stocking up'. Prices for all quality cigars have increased ten fold.



For instance the going market prices for the above mentioned Hand Rolled Cuban American Cigars is now 53c instead of the normal 5c.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/imagescamobjvc.jpg

Especially Incan consumers are getting increasingly aggitated as cigars play such a major role in the Incan society.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/imagesca3el8px.jpg

Incan Cigar smoker


The only type of cigar which is currently readily available is the Ottoman type, also known as the 'Ottoman death wish': it tastes like ashes and starts to fall apart when lit.
Thus it is not in great demand.

[China (DoE)]

Warning To India

We are poised to strike your lands and warn you that if any of your terrorist operated Privateers enter Chinese lands, India will burn for many years.

Japan has informed me that they wish to deal death to you so you have luckily avoided our wrath for the time being, but make no mistake, the troops are ready to be given the order.

Any nation discovered to be aiding India will be declared a terrorist supporter and will be considered an enemy of China.

Our patience is wearing thin and inform you that we are now capable of striking by land, sea, and air.

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Terrible destruction in Texcoco

The Ottoman forces have set back the city of Texcoco for many years.
They destroyed each and every of the city’s cultural buildings.
Temple, library, customs house, university alike all are destroyed.

Furthermore they deliberately caused a famine which killed thousands of citizens.





When prince Xochipilli arrived, the scene of devastation shocked him terribly.
He said to his aides: ”Capture these images, the world must know what has happened here.

This is what the Ottomans call a peaceful transfer of a city.”




He let his anger subside and added then, with a calm voice: “Still we Aztecs want peace.
My father must decide what is best for our peoples.
But I sure hope reparations are paid.”

Furthermore the Ottoman destroyed the national treasure of the Moai Statues.
Great art of our forefathers is destroyed, art which each and every Aztec had to see at least once in his lifetime.





After this interview our reporter gathered some more distressing information about the status in Havana: citizens are dying in the streets.
What before could be classified as a type 6 city, can now only be classified as a type 4 city.

[Russia (DoE)]

After much deliberation, Catherine has decided what course of action she must take about the revolutionary domestic turmoil in Rus. With all that unrest and desire for change amongst the poorest of the Russians, after seeing their suffer from the Great War hardship, Catherine could not just return the country to its former way and pretends nothing happened. Emissaries were sent to Moscow to negotiate with the proclaimed leader of the Bolshevicks - her former Second Minister Yosif. He proved smart once again and after seeing how concerned Princess Catherine is for the well-being of our Matushka Rus and how willing to compromise in the name of the Russian unity and prosperity she is, he agreed to hand over the formal ruling of Russia without unnecessary fights and futile resistance as after the decisive win in the Great War and the peace, which Catherine had secured, the approval of the masses for her was skyrocketing.

The revolutionary mobs were still demanding change in the way Russia is governed and Catherine proved once again formidable and wise. According to her liberal way of thinking and to fulfill the demands of her own vast countrymen, she agreed to denounce her divine right to rule as absolute monarch and the first elections in the world have been hold. As there were no other person in the whole Rus who can even try to compete the unsurpassed glory and wisdom of princess Catherine, nor her statesmanship, she won expected with absolutely majority 99.9% of the votes. Her first decree as elected leader of Rus was to give the land to the people to work with it and legitimize the foundation of kolhozi communes, where a lot of villagers combine their efforts and produce much more production than if they worked each for himself. Everything in the country is no longer personal belonging, not even to Catherine anymore, but it is a state property. This way all the goods can be distributed fair to those who need them.


To commemorate all these huge historical impact changes, and to reflect the fact that Russia is no longer a monarchy led by a monarch in monocracy, the flag of Russia was changed, to no longer show the Catherine's ancient two-headed eagle coat of arms. The new flag have the symbol of crossed sickle and a hammer painted on red flag, representing the union in communes of villagers and workers, while the red color represent the blood that the Russians have shed for their beloved country Matushka Rus.

With the new economical changes came and the social ones. No longer there was aristocracy - all the people in Rus are equal for the law. This led to decreased corruption and decreased social tension. There were no more earls and counts, no kings and queens in Rus. All people are equal and all people are comrades working towards the brighter future for Matushka Rus. Hence Princess Catherine became just Comrade Catherine Romanova. However, she kept her tiara, the tiara her mother Catherine the Great had worn, as a precious reminiscence of her past life.

A new center of the new Communist Government had to be found and at appointment of Catherine the building of a new magnificent building begin. Once finished, the architects promised it to be a real Wonder of the World, from where the Communist Russian Government and its Chairman Comrade Catherine to work for the prosperity and the glory of Rus.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Public Notice:

First, The Sultan congratulates his sister, Comrade Catherine on the successful transition of her nation's Government. Indeed long live Catherine and Matushka Rus. Second, the Sultan has authorized the immediate withdrawl from Havana and the unconditional transfer of the island back to American control. Although Havana lawyers, desperate for Turkey to stay, have warned us such action is illegal under the rules of war, the Sultan felt confident that no nation would dispute this action.

The Sultan allowed the peaceful transfer of Texcoco back to Azteca and showed a gracious willingness to forgive war-rules violations in order to allow the transfer of Miami, to America. However, following this American and Azteca governments immediately began asserting territorial rights over virtually all Havanas' plantations and fisheries. This is an obvious retaliation tactic against the Havanan people, as punishment for being so accommodating to Turkey. Indeed, the jubilant parties had died down, and Havana was a healthy and productive Turkish city, until after Texcoco was transfered. Then Azteca began trying to starve Havana by denying all access to food.

The Sultan was sensitive to the plight of Havana, and thought it best to transfer the island back to America to avoid further loss of life. Ironically, the Havanan local government had managed to negotiate back some territory that made the island sustainable, but the Sultan still felt the price was too high to the Havanas.

The Sultan still considers Azteca a threat to Africa as they still recieve French weapons, but having partially neutralized the threat, the Sultan is ready to return to his scientific initiatives.

Aysecan, Public Relations