NationStates Jolt Archive

Upon his arrival in the Netherlands, President Kruger sent the following letter to the leaders of Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Austria-Hungary:

To Whom It May Concern,

As your esteemed self is undoubtedly aware, right now in Africa the republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State are embroiled in a fight for their very lives against the shameless imperialism of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

As president of the Transvaal, I tried my utmost to maintain peace in the Cape last century, but due to their greed and arrogance, the British insisted on a course of action that ultimately lead to the current state of war between our three nations. I trust that you all know the justice of the Boer cause, for we are defending our homes and our property from foreign imperialists.

I beg of you now to allow me to come to your nation, and plead my cause. Only with the help of Europe can we cleanse our land of the British scourge. Only with the help of Europe can we free our women and children from the horrid camps the English have herded them into like so many animals. Only with the help of Europe.

Do not let the cries of our suffering fall on deaf ears.

Sincerely,
Paul Kruger
President, Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek

Enclosed were several photos (http://www.boer.co.za/boerwar/fotos/kind2.gif), mostly of Afrikaner women and children recently freed from the camps.

To: Paul Kruger
President, Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek

We have received your request to request an audience with us, and we wish to grant you some time for us to discuss exactly what is happening and the course of actions that would have in mind. The Dutch are always open to new options; however, do not expect us to go against our allies in England. If you can prove to us that the actions taking place in your nation are unwarranted and appalling, we may discuss the possibility of the pressuring the English to withdraw.

Sincerely,
Queen Wilhelmina

To: Paul Kruger
President, Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek

We have received your request to request an audience with us, and we wish to grant you some time for us to discuss exactly what is happening and the course of actions that would have in mind. The Dutch are always open to new options; however, do not expect us to go against our allies in England. If you can prove to us that the actions taking place in your nation are unwarranted and appalling, we may discuss the possibility of the pressuring the English to withdraw.

Sincerely,
Queen Wilhelmina

Queen Wilhelmina,

I would never ask you to turn on your allies. However, the Dutch and the Afrikaners share the same blood, and is my sincere hope that you will be able to help us. Thank you for granting my request.

Sincerely,
Paul Kruger.

OOC: Should we have the meeting here, or another thread? It doesn't seem like there's much interest, but perhaps I'm just being impatient.

To Paul Kruger:

You will be most welcome to tour as much of Russia as you desire and you will be welcome by the Czar and he will provide everything for you on your tour. This meeting he hopes will strengthen relations between our two great nations. I know that you have not sent you us a letter, but please accept our invation.

Herr Kruger,

We would be honored with a visit here in Berlin to have some words regarding the butchery caused by The British Empire. I must apologize myself for not sending a longer message, but I have some Family Business I must see fixed right away. Please send us a date, we will be awaiting you kindly.

Kaiser M. Martens

Herr Kaiser,

I am very grateful of your invitation. I will come to Berlin as soon I have spoken with Queen Wilhemina here in Amsterdam. Again, thank you.

Sincerely,
Paul Kruger

Russian Foreign Ministry,

I am honored to receive your kind invitation, though I fear that my first duty is to South Africa, and I must try to bring European opinion into the Boer camp. Perhaps I will have a chance to visit your great country some day in the future.

OOC: Kaiser Martens, are you part of the Alternate History Earth? According to the front page of that thread, Aequatio is playing as Germany, though I haven't seen him post anything. Have you taken over for him?

OOC: This thread would be fine with me.

(OOC: how could you miss Luxembourg :P)

Telegram from Grand Duke William IV to South Africa
We are aware that you are attempting to plead your case to the superpowers of europe so that they may assist you in the Boer War, we too would be willing to help you financially with your permission that is

To: Paul Kruger
President, Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek

From: His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Francis Joseph

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/Kordo/ahcoatofarms.bmp

His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Francis Joseph, leader of Austria-Hungary is deeply disturbed by the reports of violence you bring. We were not aware of the gravity of the situation, and this unique glimpse into the horrors that have been caused by the brutal rule of the Boars has caused us to reevaluate the situation. The government of Austria-Hungary officially invites you to meet with myself and my advisors to discuss Austria-Hungary’s role in dealing with Southern Africa and especially your Republic.

OOC: I'd appreciate it, sorry for the confusion.

IC:

To: His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Francis Joseph
From: President Paul Kruger

I would sincerely appreciate any diplomatic and political efforts on the part of Austria-Hungary to help bring about an end to the conflict in my homeland. Upon the conclusion of my discussions with Queen Wilhelmina, I will make all haste to Vienna to speak with you. Again, my sincerest thanks, Your Majesty.

[Signed] Paul Kruger

***

President Kruger's car, adorned with the two flags of the Transvaal (http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/classroom/pages/projects/grade5/lesson2/graphics/transvaal-flag.gif) and the Orange Free State (http://www.labandiera.com/images/za-of.gif) fluttering from the hood, rolled to a stop outside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The driver hopped out and opened Kruger's door. The President stepped out, and walked to the front entrance of the Palace.

When the guards approached, the driver spoke up. "Mr. Kruger, to see Her Majesty." Kruger waited in silence. The Netherlands were an ally of Britain, but they were also the mother country of the Boers. He had to get Wilhelmina to help. A refusal from her would crush what little spirit the Boers had left.

To: Nations of Europe
From: Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Graet Britain and Ireland

News has reached us to the effect that the Boer President, Paul Kruger, has arrived in Europe to drum up support for his cause. We urge all countries of Europe to not consider supporting this man or his "ideals" as they are fundamentally flawed and he is a strong secessionist and a threat to empires the world over. Any nation that gives aid will certainly lose reputation with my nation and any of our allies who commit such an act against my fair nation will lose all diplomatic privilages with us and our alliance will be null and void.

(SIGNED)

Lord Salisbury
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Graet Britain and Ireland

Two Royal Guards outside of the Palace walked towards the man that just recently pulled up to the entrance. They looked at each other and nodded.

When the guards approached, the driver spoke up. "Mr. Kruger, to see Her Majesty."

"Please follow me, Mr. Kruger. We will take you to the Throne Room, where the Queen awaits you. We must advise you to not take any sort of harsh or dominating stances towards the Queen. She is one of the most intelligent citizens of the Netherlands, and can see through any sort of veil."

They took the gentleman into the Palace, and up the spiral stairs towards the Queen's Throne Room. She awaited the gentlemans' arrival and had thought about what to say...

"The Boers are our people. We cannot ignore their cries for help, but at the same time, the English are our allies, and we cannot ignore their requests for aid. This is a trivial time... I suppose."

As President Kruger entered the throne room, he was led to Wilhelmina. He bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, please allow me to offer my utmost thanks at your hearing my cause. I understand that the English are your allies, and I would never ask you to act against them in any arena outside that of diplomacy. However, you must understand that the Dutch people share the same blood with the Boers. You must, please, help us. This war is not our doing. True, it was we who declared war on Britain, I will not deny it. But it was after nearly a year of warning them to pull away from our borders. Let me ask you something, if I may. Do you respect the sovereignty of nations, Your Highness? Two years ago, when this war started, Transvaal and the Orange Free State had been internationally recognized independent countries for over almost twenty years! France, Germany, Belgium, Britain, America, and of course your own Netherlands recognized us as free nations. But the British, in their imperialistic greed, desired for themselves our resources, namely our gold and our diamonds."

"I am asking you, Your Highness, to help us defend our homes and our way of live. We did not want this war. Tens of thousands are dead on both sides, but we cannot stomach these losses. It is not just the soldiers dying. Your received in my letter the photographs of the children that the British had herded into camps like so many animals, yes? Would you allow that to continue? You are an ally of Britain. If you speak out, they will listen. Do not abandon us to tyranny, Highness." He took a deep breath, and sighed. Not the most eloquent speech ever given, but eloquence was not his forte. The blunt truth, told with fiery passion, was his strength, and he had delivered. Now all he had to do was wait for her reply.

bump for Euroslavia

The Queen was shocked at the depth of his request. She certainly felt moved by it, and felt his pain, as these people are practically Dutch men and women themselves.

"You have stated many valid points," she added. "The only reservations that we have are the fact that the Dutch military couldn't exactly resist the power of the English. Going against the English without enough support would be political and military suicide. If other nations can be brought to our side, then the Netherlands will seriously consider directly aiding your cause; however, at this time, we cannot commit ourselves to such a war, which could become potentially long term and disastrous for the Netherlands itself. I hope that you do not think that we are unsympathetic towards your cause, because if anything, our nation understands your plight the most. If it were any other nation involved in Africa, rather than the English, we would guarantee that we would directly aid your cause towards independence."

She felt bad for the decision that she had to make, but the people of the Netherlands would certainly be against practically declaring war on the English, their allies.

Kruger sighed. "Of course, Your Highness, I understand. If you will excuse me, I must go. There are others I must speak to. Thank you for your time." He bowed again, slighty. Her looked at her for a moment, and then turned and left.

Getting into his car, he told the driver to take him to his hotel. "Tomorrow, we go to Vienna."

Telegram
From: 7th President of the Third Republic of France, Émile François Loubet
To: President Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, Paul Kruger
Subject: Diplomatic Tour

Monsenior Kruger we would be honoured to recieve you, the idea of turning on our neighbours does not appeal to us but we are aware that most of the South African Colonists come from France, and so we would like to you come to Paris were we will meet with you to discuss such arrangements.

Signed: Émile François Loubet

Telegram
From: 7th President of the Third Republic of France, Émile François Loubet
To: President Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, Paul Kruger
Subject: Diplomatic Tour

Monsenior Kruger we would be honoured to recieve you, the idea of turning on our neighbours does not appeal to us but we are aware that most of the South African Colonists come from France, and so we would like to you come to Paris were we will meet with you to discuss such arrangements.

Signed: Émile François Loubet

To: 7th President of the Third Republic of France, Émile François Loubet
From: President of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger

I would be most honored to accept your invitation, Monsenior Loubet. I apologize that I will not be able to meet with you immediately, as I am currently in Vienna discussing the situation with the Austrians, and from here I will travel to Berlin to speak with the Kaiser. However, I assure you that I am looking forward to meeting with you, and thank you for hearing my pleas.

[Signed] Paul Kruger

After sending the telegram to France, Paul's driver returned to the car, and proceeded to drive Kruger to the palace of Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The car pulled around to the front, and the driver hopped out to open Paul's door. Kruger and his driver walked up the steps, where they were stopped by the guards. The driver spoke up, saying, "President Paul Kruger, to speak with His Majesty."