NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: I couldn't find any information out on the situation iun the Hebrides other than what postal stamps it used, so most of this is from guessing)

Telegram
From: 7th President of the Fourth Republic of France Émile François Loubet
To: The Right Honourable Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Subject: New Hebrides

The lands off the coast of Australia, that have been refered to as the new Hebrides, have been a hot topic of discussion between our nations, there has been calls for one or another of us to annex this tiny land, as you can plainly see French interest in this land nearly doubles your own, we would recamend that you pull out of the New Hebrides and allow it to become a part of the prosperous French Republic.

Signed

Émile François Loubet

(OOC: bump)

(OOC: Bump, c'mon LR don't make me get all norman on your ass)

OOC: You should send him a TG with the link.

OOC: Sorry, I must have missed this thread when I checked for new stuff.

IC:

To: 7th President of the Fourth Republic of France Émile François Loubet
From: The Right Honourable Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Subject: New Hebrides

In respect to the islands of the New Hebrides in the South Pacific, it is impossible for us to give any territory away. This would result in a public outcry as although small approximately 200 British citizens currently reside there and around 1/3rd of the land is under British administration. We will resist any attempts to make the islands French and are sure that our Australian friends will assist us in this matter. We are unwilling to cause a political incident but are adamant that the British sections of these islands remain under our control and administration.

Telegram
From: 7th President of the Fourth Republic of France Émile François Loubet
To: The Right Honourable Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Subject: New Hebrides

Then i suggest a proposed division of the islands, the French speaking area's and the English speaking area's, this will remove all political confussion surrounding the island and will hopefully lead to a rejuvinated friendship between our lands, I am proposing an Anglo-French Condominium I hope that you agree.

Signed

Émile François Loubet

To: 7th President of the Fourth Republic of France Émile François Loubet
From: The Right Honourable Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
Subject: New Hebrides

Indeed a division of the area would appear to be satisfactory, Great Britain will rule over the English speaking parts and the Republic of France over the French speaking side. I accept the offer and hope for continued friendship between our nations.


OOC: I couldn't find which sides spoke which languages when I researched but we can probably invent it so long as we get the islands split up.

SIC:

"Monsenior Ribout, send a Telegram to our governer in the New Hebrides area, have him stir up our population and generally make them hate the British!" Émile smiled at the foreign affairs minister "But monsenior President, if the British discover that we are behind whatever riots may follow it could mean war between our countries!" Alexandre was shocked at the plan "Alexandre, we can simply pin it on the governer, afterall it is he has stirred up the locals not us." Émile considered the plan foolproof, and Alexandre walked off to send the telegram.

OOC: will not be back on till tomorrow so you can start the riots without me if you want, there will also be very few military troops in the area and the civilians may have to defend themselves, but reinforcements may arrive from Australia as they owe something of an allegiance towards Great Britain.

(OOC: im not planning full scale riots yet, just like taunting and discrimination to start you know, pushing the English colonists into rioting against me, makes you seem like the bad guy :p )

OOC: Im going to be gone for a week but if it comes to it LR can use some Australian troops while I'm gone.

There are reports reaching the British Government of civil disturbances within the New Hebrides colony. It appears that unknown individuals have begun to cause trouble all over the colony. British civilian's houses have been damaged and some light injuries have been reported. The only military presence on the island is that of the small guard who are in place at the governer's house. It seems that the government has done little to aid the settlers there. In an official statement a government official said that:

"The governement considers this to be a small and isolated event possibly related to recent talks with the French over ownership of the islands, it is mainly the British areas at the centre of this and people are believed to be angry about some aspect of the recent talks. The governments official stance is that the residents will calm down with time and this problem will sort it's self out and military intervention will only enrage matters. Though a destroyer, HMS Brazen, has been diverted from the South Pacific fleet to monitor the situation and all British citizens ahve been advised to repor tto the governer's house for safety reasons."

Official Statement from Alexandre Ribot

Fearing for French safety in the region France has sent two protected cruisers into the New Hebrides region, the governer of New Hebrides has expressed his opinion that the French have also began to feel insecure and spiteful of the British, as previously mentioned the Descartes and the Pascal have been deployed, we will also send any assistance to the New Hebrides in quelling any possible riots.

(OOC: more French riots to come)

In response to the apparent escalation of the riots, a further 2 armoured cruisers, HMS Aboukir and HMS Hogue have been dispatched to the area so taht their marines may begin to help the local populace. The ships' attendant destroyers have been dispatched as well and are likely to arrive within a month.

The British government remains tightlipped about the issue and has issued no further statements.

Hate crimes in the French colonies have increased, cases of British parafinalia being desecrated have been reported, it is truly a terrible scene, the cruisers which where deployed have obviously not worked, there have been plans to declare a state of martial law, of course these are just rumors but considering Émile François Loubet, anything is possible.

Lord Salisbury is unwilling to attack foreign citizens (especially of the French Republic) but sees no other alternative but to begin landing troops to protect British Property and lives. They have begun landing from the cruisers at the Governor's House to protect the British sheltered there. Though no violence will be inflicted upon the French people, they should be warned that if they attack the British marines then retaliation will be necessary to protect British lives.

Official Statement from Alexandre Ribot

If any French colonist attacks any British marine they will no longer be considered a French citizen, we will be placing another Cruiser around the islands and 1,000 troops in order to keep our colonists under control, we hope that this does not come between our nations friendship.

We thankyou for your support in this matter and welcome any French troops to the area. Any British citizen attacking French forces may be considered a miliitant and can be dealt with under the customary ruels of war, though of course we hope that this is not the case as most of our citizens are now safely behind the walls of the Goveror's House. Our marines have begun to fan out around the house and have begun to move along other civilians and natives from the area.

Lundi Du Figaro Secret Message to New Hebrides

Felow French citizens, we denounce President Émile François Loubet's actions in our grand republic, he has continuoisly(sp?) offended the French populous, first he seperates the Church and State, then he signed a treaty with our long enemies the Germans, we should do whatever it takes to challenge Émile François Loubet and his rule, we will fund any French rioters.