NationStates Jolt Archive

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Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 23 XI 1900
News at-a-Glance

Imperial Government Names Administrator With Extraordinary Powers for Troubled Baltic Region
Pyotr Stolypin, a protege of the former Interior Minister I. L. Goremykin, has been appointed Plenipotentiary-Intendant of the Vilna District [Lithuania and environs]. He has already taken measures to initiate massive land reforms, by privatizing formerly communal peasant plots, and by investing in land-reclamation and swamp drainage, the modernization of agriculture generally, and the development of local industry and hydro-electric power. His administration is vested with nearly limitless police powers to enforce these policy goals while simultaneously completing the assimilation of local peoples into Russian culture through education and public discipline. Great Russians are also being encouraged to immigrate to the area with numerous incentives.

Administrative Reorganization in Wake of Baltic Uprising
The development of the Russian railway system and other strategic public works in certain regions, notably the Baltic and Siberia, has been partially removed from the authority of the Ministry of Finance and placed under that of the Ministry of the Interior. The Finance Ministry will remain responsible for funding, but the Interior Ministry will control access to contracts for security reasons, due to the recently increased use of conscript labor. Both the Interior and War Ministries will handle issues pertaining to safety on strategic public projects. Interior Minister D. S. Sipyagin is reported to welcome his new responsibilities, while Finance Minister and Chancellor S. Yu. Witte stressed the importance of the new coordination between the Ministries for the sake of national security.

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 7 XII 1900
News at-a Glance

Anglo-Persian Military Operations to Take Place in Afghanistan
The Imperial Government has received notice from Great Britain that a joint campaign with the Persian Empire will shortly begin in Afghanistan, reportedly to put down Persian rebels operating in the region. It is not yet clear whether Russian forces will also assist, but there are rumors of high-level negotiations taking place between the three powers and others.

Russian Troops Pacify Manchuria
The 1st Siberian Army Corps under Lieutenant General N. P. Linevich has successfully quelled the so-called "Boxer" Uprising in Manchuria [OoC: "Mission Accomplished"?]. The rebellion is still flourishing in other parts of China, however, and the facilities of our naval base at Port Arthur have been made available for British and American use. Whether or not Russian forces will participate in further land-based operations against the insurgents remains to be seen.

France, Germany Put Aside Years of Enmity, Sign Historic Accord
In a move that will define European politics for the next generation, at least, the French Republic and the Prussian Empire have signed a Non-Aggression and Mutual Protection Pact. President Loubet is reportedly already feeling the heat for his unpopular decision domestically, but the move is a stunningly successful one for the Kaiser. With his western border fully secure, it is obvious that this move is an aggressive one directed towards Russia. Clearly these developments are worth watching.

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 11 XII 1900
News at-a-Glance

Russia Condemns Turkish Oppression of Slavs
As Constantinople has unilaterally suppressed the cause of Slavic and Christian autonomy in Macedonia and Bulgaria, The Sovereign Emperor's government today issued a strong condemnation of Turkish oppression. The Black Sea Fleet has been placed on alert, as have the 7th and 8th Army Corps at Odessa, and the 1st Caucasus Corps, 2nd Caucasus Corps, and 3rd Caucasus Corps at Tiflis. No movements have yet occurred, however, as diplomatic solutions are reportedly still being sought.

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 12 III 1901
News at-a-Glance

Black Sea Crisis Ends With Ceasefire Between Turks, Macedonian Patriots
An agreement was reached between the Sublime Porte and the PMN, resulting in the cessation of military activities in the area. Exact details of the arrangement are still being hammered out, but both sides have agreed in principle to Macedonian home-rule under Turkish suzerainty. While not an ideal solution to the Macedonian Question, the Foreign Ministry has hailed the armistice and autonomy protocols as a "significant step towards full nationhood," and Russian troops and naval units in the region have been stood down.

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 6 I 1902

Sublime Porte Courts German Investment, Military Aid
The Ottoman government is reportedly pursuing closer ties with the Prussian Empire for the development of the Turkish transportation system, navy, and military. Some in His Imperial Majesty's government have therefore questioned the wisdom of having supported a diplomatic solution to the recent Black Sea Crisis, arguing that it has only given the Turk breathing-room in which to strengthen himself. "We should have crushed those treacherous bastards when we had the chance," said one anonymous official in the War Ministry. The Foregn Ministry declined to comment, pending further investigation of the matter.

After the revolt and the beheading of the governor, Razoul decided that other matters needed tending to. The daughter of the merchant stepped into the room where Razoul was.

"I want to thank you for saving me, and avenging my family. I am Farima Hazad and I wish to offer my services to the cause."

Razoul had a sly smile on his face. He was nearing 50 and still hadn't gotten a wife. No, he thought, the cause is more important. But she was beautiful, and she was willing to help the cause. Besides, no one had said anything about women not helping. "I, er, we would love to welcome you to the cause! The Prophet's own wife lead an army, why can women not do such things now!"

"So, what are you doing now, Mr.?"

"Zahed. Razoul Zahed. I am sending messages to the nations of Europe asking for assistance for when we finish. Right now I am sending a message to the Russians, but I'm afraid I only know English and my Russian translator is in Heaven now."

"I know Russian," Farima smiled. "My father insisted that I learn the languages of our benefactors."

So Razoul began to dictate to Farima the words to the Russian Tzar:

From: Razoul Zahed, General of the Faithful
To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and of other lands

I am the leader of the Faithful, a new revolutionary group who plans to dismiss our cruel despot and destroy oppression in place of Islam. We have noticed current happenings in Europe, and your reaction. We have also noticed our neighbors, allies of our wicked despot, have allied themselves with your German adversaries. Have decided that our fledgling government and your powerful empire have common accord. We do not ask for aid or war. All we ask is that you will openly support us with your words and support our claims to the Persian people and promise to protect us from outside influence. We would also be interested in sending a delegate to these new Alliance talks that are happening between yourself and our other benefactor, the United Kingdom.

Peace to you,
Razoul Zahed

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 12 III 1902
News at-a-Glance

Graf S. Yu. Witte Promoted to Premier
With the peaceful resolution of the Far Eastern Crisis, the die-hard expansionists seem to have lost out to mellower politics of the Finance Minister, who today was named as Premier of the Empire of all the Russias. With growing Leftist agitation on the domestic front, as well as threats to the Motherland emerging in the West and South, it should be interesting to see whether the clever Liberal can steer Russia safely through the dangers we now face.

Kaluga Schoolteacher Commissioned to Design Aircraft
Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, author of Aeroplane, or Bird-like Flying Machine, and Dreams of the Earth and Sky, has received a joint grant from the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of War to found an Institute of Aeronautical Engineering in Moskva. Mr. Tsiolkovsky has something of a reputation as a dreamer, though he is an accomplished chemist and physicist. His extant aeronautic designs include both heaver- and lighter-than-air all-metal contraptions, as well as some unusual rocket-based propulsion systems. The newly-commissioned Institute will allow him to begin more practical experimentation, in the hope of producing machines that may contribute to the defense of the Motherland against her enemies.

Parthini']From: Razoul Zahed, General of the Faithful
To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and of other lands

I am the leader of the Faithful, a new revolutionary group who plans to dismiss our cruel despot and destroy oppression in place of Islam. We have noticed current happenings in Europe, and your reaction. We have also noticed our neighbors, allies of our wicked despot, have allied themselves with your German adversaries. Have decided that our fledgling government and your powerful empire have common accord. We do not ask for aid or war. All we ask is that you will openly support us with your words and support our claims to the Persian people and promise to protect us from outside influence. We would also be interested in sending a delegate to these new Alliance talks that are happening between yourself and our other benefactor, the United Kingdom.

Peace to you,
Razoul Zahed

To Razoul Zahed, Commander of the Faithful

Peace be with you.
His Majesty and I have read your letter with some interest. As you know, I am sure, Russia has had agreeable concessions from the government of the Shah for some time now, and as a matter of principle we have always been reluctant to support any rebellion of subjects against their lawful monarch.
However.
I find I must concede your cunning in bringing up the European situation. We are presently in the process of scheduling a Conference at Lublin, in Russia's Polish dominions, to discuss European Affairs, and I should be interested in meeting there with a representative from your movement. I will let you know, through these same channels, when the Conference is taking place.

Peace.
Graf Sergei Yulyevich Witte, Premier of the Empire of All the Russias

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 3 IV 1902
News-at-a-Glance

Interior Minister Slain by Socialist-Revolutionary
His Imperial Majesty's Minister of the Interior, His Excellency Dmitri Sergeevich Sipyagin, was fatally shot yesterday by Leftist zealot Stepan Valerianovich Balmashev while His Excellency was exiting the Committe of Ministers. The young assassin (twenty-three years old today, apparently) lay in wait for the Minister, and after the murder cried out, "That's what should be done with these people!" before being taken into custody. Although Minister Sipyagin was attended to by the best surgeons available, his gun-wounds proved fatal two hours later.
His Excellency Vyacheslav Konstantinovich fon Pleve, the Minister's Deputy and Director of the Police, has taken on the position of Acting Minister. Acting Minister Pleve has vowed to take prompt and decisive action against the growing Leftist threat.

To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and of other lands
From: Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and it's Empire

I wish to send my condolences and that of the British people at the death of His Excellency Dmitri Sergeevich Sipyagin, he has done a great job for the Russian people and it is a terrible time that we live in where terrorism grows so strong and erupts without warning. I hope that you track down the organisation behind this and bring it's members to justice. Once again I must express great sadness in this matter and the fact that such occurences are becoming more and more common in a modern world.

To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and of other lands
From: Razoul Zahed, Commander of the Faithful

All of the Persian Faithful and myself would wish to offer their condolences for the death of such a wonderful man. He had brought great things to your country, that even places like Persia have witnessed. Even though, we ourselves are revolutionaries, we have no respect for such a vile group as the terrorists in Russia. They only wish to cause havoc throughout the land, while we wish for peace and freedom. May your next minister be as fruitful as he was!

Peace unto you
Razoul Zahed

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 1 V 1902
News at-a-Glance

Lublin Conference on European Affairs Commences
Talks between Russia, Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, and several other nations began last night in response to the perceived threat of the Franco-German Accord. Premier Witte has joined Foreign Minister Lamzforf for a series of what are expected to be difficult negotiations with Wien regarding issue of Slavic independence in Habsburg lands. It is hoped, however, that Austrian Premier Koerber will see the benefits of the proposed Alliance as outweighing any possible negatives to ceding Home Rule to Slavic peoples.

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 30 VIII 1902
News at-a-Glance

Lublin Conference on European Affairs Collapses
After three months of tense negotiations, Austrian obstructionism has finally ended any possibility of a lasting agreement between Wien and Sankt-Peterburg. "It's the Jews," remarked an unnamed official from the Interior Ministry, "they're in charge of everything over there." Premier Witte himself scoffed at the notion that the Austrian government is somehow enslaved by a Zionist conspiracy, saying, "The very existence of Habsburg power is incompatible with Slavic freedom: for them to have conceded nationhood to the Slovenes, Czechs, and Slovaks--as well as for the millions of Serbs and Croats, Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim, living under their rule in the Balkans--would have sounded the death knell for the Austrian Empire.
"We had hoped that would be able to see that the destiny of the Slavs is irrepressible, and that it was better for them to accommodate it than to fight against it, but they are blinkered by their own prejudices, and cannot see the headsman coming for them even now."
Premier Witte had had a great deal of prestige riding on the successful outcome of the Conference. Now that it has failed, it is expected by many in the Government--by some, eagerly--that his resignation is imminent. Nevertheless, in light of the recent occurrences in the Balkans, some seem to think that the Premier still has a chance of maintaining his authority. As one Foreign Ministry official put it, "Of course Witte's been talking to the Turks and Germans--you don't think he's an idiot, do you?"
Time will surely tell.

Telegram
From: 8th President of the Third French Republic Jacques Capet
To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, and of other lands
Subject: Franco-German Accord

My friend and fellow ruler, my predecessor, Émile François Loubet, rushed into the alliance with our power hungry neighbour Germany, we were all too shocked to repeal such an act and so it was done, but with him safely done away with it was my time to review the damage done in Émile's term, one of which is that of the Franco-Germanic accord, which i swiftly dismissed, there is no longer such an alliance between the nations of France and Germany, we feel as though the nation of France has done uncountable damage to the relations between our nations and we wish to confirm that we mean Russia no harm, we would like to thank the Tzar and we wish him good luck and good health.

Signed

Jacques Capet

Sankt-Peterburg Vedmosti, 14 IX 1902
News at-a-Glance

Sankt-Peterburg, Sublime Porte Conclude Historic Peace Treaty
Premier Witte has just succeeded in obtaining an "indefinite" non-aggression pact with Constantinople, guaranteeing the present borders of the two empires, with slight modifications, in perpetuity. The treaty specifies at least six months' notice for either power to withdraw. The agreement is not an alliance, in the sense that it does not obligate either power to aid the other in the event of a war involving a third party, but it does provide for the "common and free" usage of the Black Sea, as well as unrestricted Russian naval movements through the Dardanelles with two weeks' notice. Although the Department of the Navy has grumbled about that last protocol, the Premier himself has countered his critics with the observation that two weeks is a fairly short span of time when contemplating major fleet operations beyond the Dardanelles, and that not having to worry about mines or harbor-chains or other obstacles at Constantinople is worth at least two weeks' notice.
More damning is the sacrifice of the Principality of Kars, for which good Russian blood was shed in the last century. Again, however, the Premier dismissed the importance of the "sliver of Kars" with reference to the Balkan gains: freedom for all Slavic peoples formerly under the Turkish yoke and the recognition, by Constantinople, of the Motherland's "abiding interest" in the Slavic Christians of the Balkans. Critics point out that the Turk's abiding interest in Balkan Muslims has also been formally and legally recognized by the terms of the treaty, but Graf Witte, again, thinks this to be only reasonable.
Already, however, the Holy Synod has called for increasing proselytization in the formerly Turkish lands, as the natural religion of the Slavs is self-evidently Christian. It remains to be seen whether the Turk will sit idly by while the soldiers of Christ redeem souls formerly enslaved by Islam, or if they will attempt to interfere as was their way of old.
In light of the breakdown of the Lublin Conference, and the uncertain situations presently obtaining in Vienna and Berlin, there are many advantages that this treaty provides to Russia. Even more, that the Turk has emancipated the Balkans from his tyranny is a veritable achievement for the ages. Nevertheless, a great deal remains unresolved, and the Premier's position with regard to his critics remains a precarious one.

From:Emilio marquis Visconti-Venosta, Foriegn Minister
To: His Excellency, Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs

With regard to your inquiries about tensions with Austra-Hungary, we Italians have never trusted the Austrians. We would not trust them with a single penny, and we assume they would not trust us with such a trivial sum. Despite our treaty of alliance, should Austria attempt to drag us into a war it is unlikely that we will ever come to their defense. Likewise, sources tell us that Vienna is unlikely to defend us. Many Italians still desire to liberate Austrian occupied cities near our border, and still others desire Dalmatia and Istria, former holdings of Venice.

But I must ask--what designs do you have? The direct inquiries of your ambassador strike me as odd, and arouses suspicion.

From: HRH King Ferdinand I and HRH Crown Princess Catherine of Bulgaria
To: His Imperial Majesty by the Grace of God, Tsar Nikolai II Aleksandrovich, Emperor of all of the Russias, etc.
Subject: Alliances and Modernization

All of the people of Bulgaria and other territories are willing to accept any help from any nation that could insure our survival in this moment in time as well as the future. It would not matter if it is any kind of agricultural, educational, social or even military help just as long as we eventually provide help to the Russian Empire and/or its allies...
We hope that any arraignment that is made will better everyone in the long run.

Signed,

HRH King Ferdinand I

HRH Princess Catherine of Bulgaria

To: Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Prince Gheorghe Cantacuzino, Forign Minister of Rumania

Greetings from the kingdom of Rumania to our Russian neighbors, we feel it is time to ease tensions between our two nations. As you may already know these tensions arise from when the region of southern bessarabia was annexed into your dominion and ,according to the 1878 Congress of Berlin, the region of northern Dobruja was given as compensation, however, Russia has denied the fortress of Silistra, the strategic key to Dobruja on the south bank of the Danube.

We are willing to attempt negotiations with your nation to resolve this matter.

OoC: In case you haven't already, please see http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=436163

To: Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Prince Gheorghe Cantacuzino, Forign Minister of Rumania

We are deeply troubled by recent trouble in the ukraine and even more concerned over the effect of this on Romanians in Besserabia. We hope that you are able to resolve this matter before the new year, otherwise we will be forced to intervene in order to protect our countrymen.

To Prince Gheorghe Cantacuzino, Foreign Minister of Rumania

Your Highness,
Almighty God Himself has obligated His servant the Tsar to protect all his loyal subjects, whether Slav or Wallachian. Your offer of military assistance, while appreciated, is certainly unnecessary. This is an internal matter, and will certainly blow over quickly. Little Russia [OoC: as Ukraine is still often referred to--Ukrainian ethnic consciousness remained pretty dim until Stalin's depredations in the 'thirties and 'forties] loves her Tsar, and will never be separated from the Empire of ALL the Russias.
With regard to Bessarabia specifically, the Imperial Government is offering the following proposals:
Recognition of the Romanian language for official use, with Russian, by the local government and in local schools.
A decree prohibiting discrimination against qualified Wallachians serving in government posts.
Recognition of the authority of the Romanian Patriarch jointly with the Russian Patriarch in Bessarabia.
A passport union for Bessarabian Wallachians, conditional upon signing a treaty containing provisions for the extradition of criminals.
Moreover, we believe it to be in the interests of both Bucuresti and Sankt-Peterburg if an indefinite non-aggression were to be concluded between our crowns, and provisions for the free use of the Black Sea and a lasting peace in the Balkans included.
I look forward to your reply.

With Respect,
Graf Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Empire of All the Russias

To: Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From:Ottoman Government
Topic:Persia and Afghanistan

Dear Count of the Honorable Russians
The Ottoman General Staff is plotting for the conquest of Persia and Afghanistan, yet we know that you nation has great interest in Persia. Just we offer you this full rights to the oil in Persia and the right to use the bases in the Persian Gulf for your navy. We will allow you nation have to have garrions in the regions that are close to your nation, in return you will not enter or support the Persians or Afghan during our war against them.

To the Foreign Ministry of the Sublime Porte

It is quite likely that the British will be troubled by your designs, but with all that, you've made yourself a fine advocate in Sankt-Peterburg. Do not hesitate to call upon us in the event you should desire our assistance. Such sweet gifts as these have sealed the friendship, at long last, of Christian and Muslim.

Peace be with you.
Graf V.N. Lamzdorf

To: Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Prince Gheorghe Cantacuzino, Forign Minister of Rumania

We are Glad to hear that the safety of our people are in good hands and have no doubt in your abillity in pacifying this minor insurgency that has touched this usually peaceful region. However we remain ready to assist in anyway possible at your request.

As for besserabia, the following proposals are acceptable:
-Recognition of the Romanian language for official use, with Russian, by the local government and in local schools.

-Recognition of the authority of the Romanian Patriarch jointly with the Russian Patriarch in Bessarabia.

-A passport union for Bessarabian Wallachians, conditional upon signing a treaty containing provisions for the extradition of criminals.

However we would prefer the revision of the following point:
A decree prohibiting discrimination against qualified Wallachians serving in government posts.
to include Besserabian Romanians who do not serve in govermental posts (i.e.:Fishermen, Farmers, Laborers ..etc).

The establishment of an indefinite non-aggression treaty and the provisions for the free use of the Black Sea with a lasting peace in the Balkans can't be more welcome by us and would perhaps signal a begining of a nice new friendship between our two nations.

On a final note, his majesty has appointed me to visit our people in Besserabia in the near future and to insure them that everything is fine. I trust you have no objections in the matter, and would like to know if the situation is stable enough to undertake this visit and if it is possible that a Russian official might join me in travelling the region to show Russian support.

Your Highness,
Your proposed terms are acceptable, insofar as they are enforceable (I'm not exactly sure how it would be possible to implement a non-discrimination decree pertaining to private individuals, but, in my capacity as His Imperial Majesty's representative I don't find the provision objectionable).
Events may be moving forward quite quickly now, however--we have received intelligence that Vienna may be attempting soon to annex Montenegro. The Austrian's greed in Bosnia and Herzegovina was repulsive enough, but if they advance even an inch further on Balkan soil they must inevitably meet a wall of Russian steel. We would be more than willing to help secure Romanian claims in Transylvania in exchange for allowing free passage for the Sovereign Emperor's Armies. We understand that this a heavy favor to ask of such a recent friend, but we feel that the union of Wallachia and Transylvania may be worth such a consideration to His Majesty King Carol.
I eagerly await your reply.
With Respect,
Graf V. N. Lamzdorff

Your exellency,
The current political situation is quite dire, the alliances formed between many of the great powers has unfortunately turned europe and much of the world into a keg of powder and when it ignites we do not want to be too close to it for the scorches caused by it might be serious or fatal to a country as young as ours, therfore -although in the future it might be possible- we can not allow the passege of your armies .. ahem.. officially.

I fear we may be imposing on you but we also have a favour to ask from you, and would understand if you do not agree.

Following recent troubles the chief of army has advised that we go on alert ,partially mobillise our army and begin massive training of the troops in scenarios in a number of periods.

This brings us to our dilemma, several regiments have been relocated for the first training period leaving a vast area (extending from the Russian border to the serbian) of the country with no proper security, especially since dissedents unhappy with the progress of current land reform (Marxists I believe they are called who want land reform to progress even faster and be more inclusiv,e almost like a trouble maker in your nation -Lanen I believe was his name or was it Lenen?).

We would like if you could help us in "Patrolling" these regions and protecting them during the the training period (which ,since your army is more experienced, we hoped that you would assist us in determining its leangth) after which your ..erm.. "military advisors" can return to Russia or help maintain the security of another troubled nation in need of a similar favor.

We recongnise that this is a most imposing favor and again we will understand if you do not agree.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On another note:

Our Finance minister wishes to broker a deal with your nation which goes as follows:

The kingdom of Romania will allow Russian trade with surrounding regions (Serbia, Bulgaria and Austro-Hungary) to pass free of charge through Romania if the Russian Empire allows Romanian trade free of charge access to baltic ports (specified by the Russian Empire).

If you choose to accept we will also include a map showing probable routes of russian smugglers take to smuggle several items (Arms, Supplies, trade goods and such) to Serbia through Romania. Which would help you to apprehend these shady charecters and end the shameful act of smuggling in the area and also ,may I add, can be used to deliver discreet "Humanitarian" aid to the Serbs.

We hope that you understand our motives in not accepting such a heavy favor and we hope that this hasn't harmed our diplomatic relationship.

We advise you to codify this letter and store it in the most safest location or otherwise destroy it. If the contents of this letter comes to light then we will deny accepting, asking, refusing or hearing of any "favours" from each other. Descretion is essential.

Signed,
Anonymous (but delivered by Prince Cantacuzino's closest Bodyguard)

(OoC:Bottom Line: Ok pass, just as so long I don't know anything about it...officially. I hope I can expect a few favours from Russia in Transelvania and Bukovina if all turns well ;) )

To: Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary

Dear sir,

It is my duty to report to you the entering (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9408939#post9408939) of Austro-Hungarian troops onto Montenegro soil. We know that Russia has long been angered over over Austro-Hungarian involvement in the Balkan region. However, there are events that you are not likely aware of. Mainly that roughly one day before the invasion, a Montenegro nationalist attempted to assasinate Emperor Franz Ferdinand as he took his morning walk. We shortly after uncoved evidence that the Montenegrin government had sponsored the attempt trying to distablize Austria-Hungary.

If you wish futher proof of the honesty of Austria-Hungary and our honorably intentions, I have an offer of good faith. As both of us know, Russia has long disiered to also expand its territory into the Balkan region. So, in exchange for your inaction in response to this conflict, we will support your efforts in freeing Bulgaria from the rule of the Ottoman Empire. If your nation then see's it neccessary to annex Bulgaria in order to protect the Slavic people within its borders, Austria-Hungary will not protest.

Austria-Hungary does not want a conflict with Russia.

to be fair who does? muhahahahahahaahahaha :p

on a serious note however.. Portugal would like to establish diplomatic relations with russia???

worthy of note however Vas.... Western Ukraine had a diffrent culture to russian and even a distinctive language. hence ukrainian.. and they were quite nationalistic in 1918 (as was other terriories under russian domination)

I dont know too much but I dont honestly think all of Ukraine was that harmionious with Russia...

to be fair who does? muhahahahahahaahahaha :p

on a serious note however.. Portugal would like to establish diplomatic relations with russia???

worthy of note however Vas.... Western Ukraine had a diffrent culture to russian and even a distinctive language. hence ukrainian.. and they were quite nationalistic in 1918 (as was other terriories under russian domination)

I dont know too much but I dont honestly think all of Ukraine was that harmionious with Russia...
OoC: I actually researched it, and really it depends on who you ask. There was a Ukrainian nationalist movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but Ukrainian and Russian are mutually intelligible languages/dialects and the official position of Tsarist Russia was always that the "Little Russians" were a "tribe" of the "Great Russian" people, rather than a separate nationality, and St. Petersburg doggedly pursued a policy of assimilation.
As for Portugal, I'm happy to establish diplomatic relations with you. Why not?
As for Austria, my regrets that I've not been able to reply as yet (still monstrously busy in the RW), but I will deliver my Ultimatum this evening, I promise. I appreciate the effort you made for a diplomatic resolution, however misguided--Bulgaria is already free and has given me everything I could possibly want from them, and I am an ally of the Ottoman Empire, as they've disinvested from the Balkans and given me the use of the Dardanelles.
The fact is, as Witte mentioned earlier, the very possibility of Slavic freedom is incompatible with the existence of Habsburg power (and, just for the record, I would have given even the Ukrainians--and eventually the Poles--their autonomy had they been more patient and not called St. Petersburg a bunch of "hypocrites"--that worked against them pretty seriously).
No, one of us must die.

To: Graf Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamzdorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Empire of All the Russias
From: Emperor Gojong

Greetings from Korea. Our nation, as you know, is entering the modern age. To this end, we wish to establish contacts with the outside world. If possible, we would like to enter into a trade pact with the Russian Empire that will benefit both sides.

OOC: I keep laughing at all these nationalists, because they don't read their alternate history. I had already happened twice before Poland and Ukraine even joined, hell, I got impatient and almost got RAPED as Persia. So as a warning to all those who want independance: Be Patient!!! :fluffle: not :sniper:

In accord to our treaty we propose the following terms for a criminal extradition treaty: (Drafted by our ever so burecratic minister of security)

(OoC: forgive me for I was bored)

-Any person who is considered fugitive of criminal nature who is present in either the Russian Empire or the Romanian kingdom and who has commited actions of criminal nature or is suspected of such concerning the Russian empire or the Romanian kingdom will be sought after by the elements of the justice system of the nation in which the person in question is present.
-Upon capture of the person in question this person will be transfered to the custody of the justice system of the nation which was directly affected by the action of the person in question to be processed.
-If the criminal actions of the person in question affected both nations then priority of custody goes to the nation in which the magnitude of the effects of these actions are superior -depending on the amount and degree of these actions- provided that before penalty -if any- is to be inflicted on the person in question the person in question will be transfered to the second nation to be processed by its justice system then the person will be returned to the first nation to face penelty for his actions and hen returned to second nation to continue facing penalty.
-If penalty is of capital nature (death or life imprisonmint) then the above clause is overridden.

To: Russian Government
From: Ottoman Government

With the theat of the growing Austrian and Italian forces in the Balkans,they theated our interest in the region.As protectors of the Muslims of the Balkans, we will come your nation aid in this against them. Just give us a notice and we'll send the Ottoman Fleet to aid your fleet in the coming sea battle.( what the Ottomans are saying, they don't want them in their backyard so to speak)

To: Russian Government
From: Ottoman Government

With the theat of the growing Austrian and Italian forces in the Balkans,they theated our interest in the region.As protectors of the Muslims of the Balkans, we will come your nation aid in this against them. Just give us a notice and we'll send the Ottoman Fleet to aid your fleet in the coming sea battle.( what the Ottomans are saying, they don't want them in their backyard so to speak)
Sankt-Peterburg is grateful for the assitance of the Sublime Porte. And will long remember this day as the dawn of new era for the Third and the Second Romes, as well as for friendship between Christian and Muslim. We will dispatch the Black Sea Squadron to Istambul at once, that our Admirals may confer on a Mediterranean and Adriatic strategy.

Mongolia requests aid in its potential independence fight with China. Any weapons, soldiers, and/or supplies that could be spared are greatly welcome. We have vast space and resources that we cannot tap and believe it would be profitable if you helped us.

From:Premier Prince Cantacuzino
To:Graf Vladimer Lamzdorf
The dual monarchy is begining to show an imperiallistic face, the annexation of Slavic Bosnia was bad enough but entering Montenegro aswell is nothing but pure desire to control the entire area, I shudder to think what they would do if one day they decide to "unite" all Romanians under their rule.

A time of action has come! we will allow your troops passege through our land in return for your assistance in liberating Romanian Transelvania. We also would like to offer you the assistance of 10,000 troops of the Romanian army and when the army is fully mobillised you will have our full support.

ooc
damn, I wish you people would tell me these things (chuckle)... I just wrote a bunch of stuff.

Ok, the Russian troops enter Rumania early in December in time for a combined Rumanian / Russian offensive into Transylvania in time for Christmas, which will catch the Austrians very flatfooted, as the earliest they would expect anything would be spring at this point. Of course progress isn't going to be very rapid....

To: Tsar Nicholas II
From: Emperor Mutsihito
RE: Manchuria

Japan has become increasingly concerned with the Russian presence in Chinese Manchuria and furthermore does not see the need for Russia to secure a Naval Installation at Port Arthur. Japan would like to see a scaling back of Russian Involvement in the Far east along with seeing our Kuril Island brothers joining the great emipre of Japan.

To: Tsar Nicholas II
From: King Carol I

Our armies have mobillised under the command of general Alexandru Averescu((http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=433693) (last post)) and are ready to begin securing the danube at your earliest convenience.

To: Tsar Nicholas II
From: Emperor Mutsihito
RE: Manchuria

Japan has become increasingly concerned with the Russian presence in Chinese Manchuria and furthermore does not see the need for Russia to secure a Naval Installation at Port Arthur. Japan would like to see a scaling back of Russian Involvement in the Far east along with seeing our Kuril Island brothers joining the great emipre of Japan.

OoC: I find it hard to belive that the Japanese Emperor would really come across as this blunt and disrespectful. It's just not culturally appropriate. When Japanese are going to be like that, they bother trying to provoke the other side into declaring war (as this telegram would), they just go to war without the declaration.
So, as a Moderator, I think this needs some work.

VP, if you can please get on MSN.

OoC: I find it hard to belive that the Japanese Emperor would really come across as this blunt and disrespectful. It's just not culturally appropriate. When Japanese are going to be like that, they bother trying to provoke the other side into declaring war (as this telegram would), they just go to war without the declaration.
So, as a Moderator, I think this needs some work.

well, it could be a bit more flowery, but it does pretty much sum up the Japanese position, and the Russians don't respect them much anyway. So does this mean I have a new war to moderate?

OOC: I don't think you have a new war to moderate, but with Russia heavily involved in the west, I would think they'd at least want to come to the negotiating table to try to placate me somewhat so I don't turn around and attack them. As an Rper I sometimes(well more than sometimes) lack diplomatic Tact. It just goes with how I am, The army did it to me, I swear. P.S. GB if you want any help on small infantry tactics at the Platoon Level and smaller, I'm your man, The US Army has taught me well.

OOC: I don't think you have a new war to moderate, but with Russia heavily involved in the west, I would think they'd at least want to come to the negotiating table to try to placate me somewhat so I don't turn around and attack them. As an Rper I sometimes(well more than sometimes) lack diplomatic Tact. It just goes with how I am, The army did it to me, I swear. P.S. GB if you want any help on small infantry tactics at the Platoon Level and smaller, I'm your man, The US Army has taught me well.
OoC: Heh. Well, that's more understandable.
Anyway, you got me to the table.
Like I've always said, though, all I really want in the Far East are the naval bases, trading posts, and investment opportunities. The Tsar's inner circle is always clamoring for more, and the Tsar himself has to be dissuaded constantly from the Imperialist course by more level-headed advisors like Witte. But those three things are, in my own estimation, Russia's only critical interests.
Which seem to be what you're demanding I give up . . .

OOC: Oooh! You could give him those islands!

I could sell him those islands . . . And, like, share the lease of Manchuria and Port Arthur.

Japan would be interested in purchasing the Kuril Islands and the Island of Sakhalin(I know i got a piece of this in the Russo-Jap war, but I wouldn't mind purchasing it outright) as well as fishing rights for Japanese whalers in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea.

Japan would be interested in purchasing the Kuril Islands and the Island of Sakhalin(I know i got a piece of this in the Russo-Jap war, but I wouldn't mind purchasing it outright) as well as fishing rights for Japanese whalers in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea.
Okay, so here's my proposal:
1. I sell you the islands (probably for a reasonable price, too, since you're in a position of strength).
2. I'll share the lease of Manchuria and Port Arthur with Japan (both the rights and the rent).
3. I'll recognize your rights in Korea (this is a big concession).
4. We sign a Non-Aggression Pact of indefinite duration.
5. We sign a Trade Agreement (I may want to buy Japanese ships, and hire Japanese economic advisers, and I'm sure Russia's got stuff Japan can use).

These are all Witte's ides, by the way, not the Tsar's

The whaling thing will take some thought. I mean, I don't mind sharing, but fishermen of different nationalities working the same territory are a recipe for trouble. Maybe we could pool the catch at the end of the season, and split it equitably. Or something.

I think this would be a good deal for both us. I know that you're in a stronger position, and can try to push a deal that's good for Japan and bad for Russia, knowing that if you provoke me into declaring war I'll almost certainly lose. But I'm thinking of the long term, here--and of the fact that few people really just want to be dicks to each other.

So let me know what you think.

Okay, so here's my proposal:
1. I sell you the islands (probably for a reasonable price, too, since you're in a position of strength).
2. I'll share the lease of Manchuria and Port Arthur with Japan (both the rights and the rent).
3. I'll recognize your rights in Korea (this is a big concession).
4. We sign a Non-Aggression Pact of indefinite duration.
5. We sign a Trade Agreement (I may want to buy Japanese ships, and hire Japanese economic advisers, and I'm sure Russia's got stuff Japan can use).

These are all Witte's ides, by the way, not the Tsar's

The whaling thing will take some thought. I mean, I don't mind sharing, but fishermen of different nationalities working the same territory are a recipe for trouble. Maybe we could pool the catch at the end of the season, and split it equitably. Or something.

I think this would be a good deal for both us. I know that you're in a stronger position, and can try to push a deal that's good for Japan and bad for Russia, knowing that if you provoke me into declaring war I'll almost certainly lose. But I'm thinking of the long term, here--and of the fact that few people really just want to be dicks to each other.

So let me know what you think.

1.) yes
2.) why not, though china is an Allie so thats complicated
3.)see above
4.)sure why not
5.) Non-Military only.

1.) yes
2.) why not, though china is an Allie so thats complicated
3.)see above
4.)sure why not
5.) Non-Military only.
Deal.
If presented correctly, the Chinese shouldn't object to us building up industry in Manchuria--after all, they benefit from that, too. Same with Port Arthur. It's not like we're at war with China, or likely to be, and we pay the rent.
As for Korea, at the very least you can tell them you've scared the Big Bad Russkies off forever. They'll owe you for that.

the US urges both Japan and Russia not to move against Austrian troops in Korea. "Let East Asia remain neutral in this horrible war" remarks Roosevelt.

the US urges both Japan and Russia not to move against Austrian troops in Korea. "Let East Asia remain neutral in this horrible war" remarks Roosevelt.
The Russian ambassador will kindly inform Washington that arrangements (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9433621&postcount=32) with Korea to that effect (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9433621&postcount=33) had already been made at the commencement of hostilities, "Though his concern reflects well upon Mr. Roosevelt's humanity."

Mongolia awaits a response from its northern neighbor, the Russian Empire, in its quest for independence.

Mongolia awaits a response from its northern neighbor, the Russian Empire, in its quest for independence.

Sankt-Peterburg sympathizes fully with a proud horseman's desire to be free, but we regret that we cannot at this time offer any support to your cause. If this changes, we will contact you.

To: Tsar Nicholas ,Champion of Freedom
From: Your eternal Friend King Karl.

The effort you have put into this fight for freedom is the stuf of legends, for many generations the youth shall here the tales of Nicholas the Liberator, the Champion of Liberty. My friend many owe so much to you and your government.

May Romania and Russia live in mutual prosperity and friendship. God Bless you.

Your Friend,
Karl of Romania

To: Russian Govt
From: Herbert Henry Asquith - Chancellor of the Exchequer, Great Britain

My dear Russian colleagues, I must first offer you congratulations for your glorious triumph against the forces of the League. It truely is a greta stroke for freedom in Europe.

Now to business, I am unfortunately forced to request that the loans paid to Russia during the war are now repaid with all due interest. It is unfortunate thatthis must happen so soon but due to this damned recession my government feels the need for any extra capitak that we can lay our hands on.

These debts must be repaid in full but I can offer you the following repayment strategy; repayment of debts over a 15 year period, with 6.67% of the total amount repaid each year (plus applicable interest) until the end of the scheme in 15 years time. This should allow you ample time to set aside such money that is required and does not impact too heavily upon your country's budget.

I again apologise for the need for repayment so soon but am sure that you understand the reasons why this is necessary. I wish you good luck and prosperity for the future.

To: Russian Govt
From: Herbert Henry Asquith - Chancellor of the Exchequer, Great Britain

My dear Russian colleagues, I must first offer you congratulations for your glorious triumph against the forces of the League. It truely is a greta stroke for freedom in Europe.

Now to business, I am unfortunately forced to request that the loans paid to Russia during the war are now repaid with all due interest. It is unfortunate thatthis must happen so soon but due to this damned recession my government feels the need for any extra capitak that we can lay our hands on.

These debts must be repaid in full but I can offer you the following repayment strategy; repayment of debts over a 15 year period, with 6.67% of the total amount repaid each year (plus applicable interest) until the end of the scheme in 15 years time. This should allow you ample time to set aside such money that is required and does not impact too heavily upon your country's budget.

I again apologise for the need for repayment so soon but am sure that you understand the reasons why this is necessary. I wish you good luck and prosperity for the future.
Please, sir, it goes without saying that Russia will repay her debts. The plan you have proposed seems acceptable, though as you can imagine things remain unsettled here and I'll have to look into our finances [OoC: Russia's first elections just occurred, and a lot is going on right now--give me a few days to sort it out; so far as I can tell, though, the Empire's still not hurting for gold--just everything else].
Incidentally, the warships that the Sublime Porte ordered from you (and that we intended to divert to the North Sea) were not delivered prior to the intervention of the peace. If you would be so kind as to send them along to Istambul we should appreciate it, and handle payment as arranged [OoC: I think it was all gold up front; anyway, he wants the ships to restore his navy]. And our arrangements for the construction of some of your wonderful submarines at our Odessa yards still stand, of course.

Your Servant,
Vladimir Kokovtsov, Minister of Finance for the All-Russian Empire and Commonwealth

We were never in any doubt that Russia would repay her debts and we were not pressing for money immediately, this is just a last resort post in case the economy worsens anymore. Of course you can have a few months of time to organise things. I understand an election ahs just occured and you'll want to begin putting into order all of your internal affairs before beginning on foreign matters, I understand entirely.

The ships are on their way to the Ottomans at this moment and will arrive there under skeleton crews within the month. The crews will then transfer to Egypt and join the navy there. Our arrangements in reference to submarines will still stand and our engineers have arrived in Odessa and begun construction of the first of 24 (I think this was what we said, if you need more just say) submarines. They were initially to be of the C class type, but we have recently developed a new Diesel electric submarine known as a D class and would ask if you prefer to upgrade to this vessel?

The D class is superior to older submarines in almost every way, with a surface speed of 14knots and a submerged speed of 9 knots as well as being the first submarine able to transmit and receive radio messages. They are armed with 2 bow and 1 stern 18" torpedo tubes and one 12 pounder deck gun for surface action. Though of course material demands, costs and build times will be higher than the C Class, we are only able to supply diesel-electric generators to make 8 of these vessels (OOC: we are unwilling to make more for you than we have in our own navy!) so please ask if you wish for some of the production to be converted to D class subs.

as per agreement, the US passes along plans for the USS South Carolina (dreadnought) however Congress prevents Roosevelt from forgiving the Russian war debt although the US government does buy up the Russian war debt held by US private bankers. (to prevent potential problems to the US economy should Russia default for some reason)

Roosevelt is able to get that debt refinanced, so the massive debt payable in 10 years is stretched out to a massive debt payable over 30 years at a lower interest rate (effectively reducing it by a third).

Similar measures are taken with the French and Spanish debts (refinancing) but although the US government acquires all of the debt held by private banks, refinancing does not occur for German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish or Rumanian debts. The US does forgive the debt held by the Yugoslavs however (reducing their overall debt owed by a quarter, the rest is a British problem) as it was relatively small compared to other debts owed.

In June 1908, Nikolai II recovers enough from his wounds to resume power in Russia. Over witte's objections, he promptly vetoes most of the liberal legislation passed by the Duma, which simply passes it again. A rhythm begins.
By November, Nikolai's patience with Witte and the liberal left-wing legislature runs out. He dismisses Witte, and dissolves the Duma, calling for new elections. Although he appoints Stolypin as Prime Minister, even Stolypin continues with land and constitutional reforms. The Second Duma is even more disappointing, since the Bolsheviks (now called the "Communists," as their break with Mensheviks becomes complete) don't boycott the election. Vladimir dissolves the Second Duma almost immediately, and governs for nearly a year before dismissing Stolypin as Prime Minister and appointing Durnovo in his stead. It is pointed out to him that this is illegal without ratification by the legislature, and Nikolai reluctantly agrees to hold elections. This time, the Communists boycott again, and the composition of the Third Duma is essentially the same as the First. Prime Minister Durnovo is assassinated by the Communists before the Third Duma has even closed debate on his confirmation, and Nikolai reaches the end of his rope.
Dissolving the Third Duma, he declares the "constitutional experiment [to be] over," and henceforth governs directly without a Prime Minister.
The leftists and hard-core democrats of the Third Duma, however, reconvene in Moscow "in the name of the Sovereign People," ostensibly simply to issue a statement denouncing the Regent's actions. This outrage pushes Nikolai over the edge, and he declares war on the Legislature's "traitors and Christ-killers" - an explicit reference to the many Jews among the Socialists.
The Duma, in turn and after considerable debate, denounces the Emperor as a "traitor to his country," and calls for him to be deposed.
For the first few months the two sides, referred to from the beginning as the Reds (the Duma) and the Whites (the Tsar), jockey for position, while both sides engage in terrorism and guerrilla actions. The majority (though by no means all) of the Imperial officer corps go over to the Whites, but surprisingly few of their units accompany them. The Whites therefore start with the experienced and qualified officers, while the Reds keep most of the experienced and professional soldiers. The Reds simply promote their officers out of the ranks, with predictably uneven results, while the Whites are compelled to resort to conscription in the countryside, where peasant conservatism aids their cause, and the outcome is a large but decidedly second-rate fighting force.
In March 1910, the Duma is forced to put down an attempted internal coup by the Communists, led by Vladimir Lenin and Yosif Stalin. The Duma's Minister of War, a Social Democrat named Lev Trotsky, has both men, and many of their followers, summarily executed.
The Tsar strikes immediately thereafter.
The Whites open their offensive not with a military advance but with an unprecedented pogrom in the Baltic provinces, immediately alienating most potential allies (especially Germany, where Jews have come to occupy many positions of responsibility). The slaughters go on, in fact, everywhere the White Army raises its banner - it has become the Tsar's belief that his near-death experience at Budapest, so close to the moment of Russia's triumph, was a vengeance from God for promoting religious tolerance and liberalism in "Holy Russia." Witte, still in Tsarist hands, is duly tried for apostasy and hanged, while the old Turkish alliance is repudiated and Muslims are declared to be infidels. The Transcaucasian and Turkic principalities of the South and East, which had hitherto quietly hoped for neutrality, suddenly find themselves forced into the camp of the Duma, which duly promises them autonomy under a Russian-led confederation.
The Red Army, meanwhile, quickly captures virtually all the major cities except St. Petersburg itself. Nor do the Whites make that much headway even in the countryside. The Emperor's most competent strategist, Field Marshal Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich (the Tsar's own cousin and a hero of the Great War), refuses to fight for either side, and ends up shooting himself to avoid capture by the Okhrana.
While unit commanders for the Whites tend to be better in the field, the Tsar's military incompetence is finally revealed as he makes some disastrous errors of judgment. Seriously overextending his lines in the expectation that his troops will be fighting on "home territory," the Emperor orders an all-out assault on Moscow itself in June. The Whites' supply lines are cut by partisan activity, which is only intensified (at first, anyway) by Tsarist reprisals. The Red Army, under the command of Trotsky, inflicts a crushing defeat on the Whites outside of Moscow, effectively destroying the White Army as a fighting force. Nikolai attempts to escape to Germany, but is murdered on the road when a group of Lithuanian partisans recognizes him. They send his severed head to Moscow.
A mutiny in Kronstadt in July results in the Baltic Fleet (what's left of it after the Great War) blockading St. Petersburg, and the Duma's forces capture the city in August. With it, they capture the Tsar's family.
A motion to execute them is narrowly defeated in the Duma (Miliukov at one point threatening to slash his own throat at the Speaker's Podium if it passed), and the Tsar's wife and children are released to German custody after formally repudiating all claim to succession.
The Duma passes a resolution declaring the "imperial experiment [to be] over," and announcing the formation of the All-Russian Social-Democratic Republic, and dissolves itself, immediately reconvening, again "in the name of the Sovereign People," as the Constituent Assembly.
Right-wing mutinies, attempted coups, and large-scale uprisings continue throughout the next year, but all are put down with little difficulty.
By 1912, the ARSDR is at peace.

Leo Trotsky leader of more Socalist Russia, interesting turn of events.. as long as the Ottomans are still your ally, we are good..

Thanks. Trotsky is actually going to be the hardest Left of the leadership--Kerensky and Bukharin will likely be more prominent. And the Turks are still considered our most loyal friends.

Since most of the Ottoman Government is now run by the Young Turks, they will be looking at Russia with interest.Because there is large number of Turkic people in the Russia and with them being more Pan Turkish then Pan Islamic, they will look after the welfare of the Turkic people. Much like in rl. But they are trying to rebuilding the Ottoman State, they will be look toward Russia for aid in rebuilding.

OOC: A Russia without Stalin and Lenin but with a more powerful Trotsky at the helm, interesting. Should be fun!

IC: Britain will remain out of any events in Russia and leave the decision over a new leader in Russian hands. However we will covertly accept any remaining members of the Royal Family into exile in Britain, though Germany has probably already made the same offer.

OOC: Good God... I have no idea what I wouldv'e done, until the Whites start massacreing Jews. With the rise of Laissez-Faire in Germany, lots of the Jews in Germany started buying up everything, and now they run a lot of the country. I'm even going to have one of Kaiser's sons marry the daughter of the CEO of ECR (a Jew). Of course, if the Tzar had gotten to Berlin, Willi wouldv'e been pissed off.

Now Willi has no friends :(

IC: Germany decides to leave Russia to itself, while condemning the slaughters. The Reichstag also agrees to recognize this new government and retain alliances, as long as this new Trotsky fellow agrees to continue Russia's position in the EC.

The US is not amused by the pogroms and seizes all Russian government assets in the United States when invariably neither Russian government is able to pay its war debts. These are liquidated to pay in part what is owed. However, the US does recognize the new Russian government and opens diplomatic relations, and also seizes all property and assets belonging to the Imperial family and returns them to the Russian people.

Roosevelt still held a grudge for the Russian role in the dismemberment of Austria Hungary.

ooc
what about the various other ethnic groups? Do they spin off and require force to bring back in? The Finns especially would seem prone to do that, and so would the various Turkics and potentially even the Ukrainians.

what about the various other ethnic groups? Do they spin off and require force to bring back in? The Finns especially would seem prone to do that, and so would the various Turkics and potentially even the Ukrainians.
I'm working on that. I think the major set-piece part of the war was over too quickly for the minorities to take advantage of it, and the Constituent Assembly, being appallingly liberal (have you ever read Kerensky? man was way out of his time), is likely to accommodate autonomy in the new constitution (which I'm working on even now--in fact I'd just written the world's first affirmative-action law).

And thanks everyone for taking a look and commenting. I'll be posting the aftermath here shortly. Oh, and the new government (while decidedly Leftist) will honor the debts of the old, and hope to re-establish decent relations with the Germany, Britain, and the US, especially.

In 1913, the Constituent Assembly of the All-Russian Social-Democratic Republic finalizes its Basic Law. The name is formally changed from All-Russian Social-Democratic Republic to All-Russian Social-Democratic Union (ARSDU, or, in Russian, Vsye-rossiskiy Sotsial-demokraticheskiy Soyuz, or VSS, which looks like "BCC"), to reflect the new government's loose federal structure with regard to the five constituent "People's Republics" (singular Naroda Respublika) of Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belorussia, Finland, and the fourteen "Autonomous Nationalities" (singular Avtonomnaya Natsional'nost') of Bessarabia (Moldova), Armenia, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (!), Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Kirghizstan, Dagestan, Kalmykistan, Buryatiya, and Yakutsk. The People's Republics have more independence of the Union government (based on the British Commonwealth Charter), while the Autonomous Nationalities have less (based on the German Federal Constitution), but provisions are made within the Basic Law for legal and peaceful transfer from one status to another, as well as for the formation of new governments of either classification.
Socialist Democracy, rather vaguely defined, is declared the official ideology of the Union.
The Orthodox Church is disestablished and the complete separation of Church and State is enshrined in the constitution. Religious freedom is guaranteed, however (though the profession of religion is certainly not encouraged), and all forms of discrimination are banned, whether on the basis of ethnicity, religion, social class, or gender. Homosexuality and abortion are decriminalized [OoC: This actually happened after the Revolution of 1918, though it was subsequently reversed by Stalin].
Universal adult suffrage is declared throughout the Union, and women are accepted into the military even as combat soldiers, at first in their own units, but later in integrated units (providing they can pass the same standard physical tests as men). An affirmative action law is passed for the Union, set to expire in 1928.
The Union's Basic Law otherwise remains very similar to the Empire's. Indeed, where in most places the latter uses the phrase "Sovereign Emperor" is used, the word "Emperor" is simply replaced by "People" (Russian Verkhovniy Narod), while "Empire" is replaced by "Union." The name of the lower chamber of the legislature is changed to "the Assembly of People's Deputies (Russian Naroda Predstaviteley Sobraniye), while the upper house becomes the Supreme Council (Russian Vysshiy Sovyet), and the Committee of Ministers the Commissariat (Russian Komissariat). The chief executive remains the Premier, who is both head of government and of state, though his powers are limited by the collective authority of the Commissariat, and the electoral system for the Assembly (which confirms members of the Commissariat) is basically parliamentarian, while the Supreme Council is chosen by a weird system of proportional representation and other methods, so written as to guarantee at least a minimum of minority and workers' representation. An independent judiciary, headed by the Court of Final Appeal, is also formed.

The principal leaders of the new state are:

Aleksandr Fyodorovich Kerensky, Premier of the All-Russian Social-Democratic Union (Socialist Revolutionary Party)
Pavel Nikolayevich Miliukov, Commissar of Foreign Affairs (Constitutional Democratic Party)
Lev Davidovich Trotsky, Commissar of War (Social Democratic Party)
Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin, Commissar of Economic Affairs (Social Democratic Party

Spain officialy recognizes the new government in Russia. We too are trying to enact laws and reforms to further the freedom of our people. We are doing this slowly as to not shock the people or any right-wing agitation. I believe our two nations may soon have much in common.

OOC: what year is it?! and hwen did it get bumped to 1912-13?

Spain officialy recognizes the new government in Russia. We too are trying to enact laws and reforms to further the freedom of our people. We are doing this slowly as to not shock the people or any right-wing agitation. I believe our two nations may soon have much in common.

OOC: what year is it?! and hwen did it get bumped to 1912-13?
OoC: This is preparation for an upcoming Jump to 1920. And New Russia will welcome rapprochement with any members of the League (not that we're planning on ditching our old friends, of course).

OOC: In that case, Gojong will have to die, and Gang will emerge as heir.

IC:

Korea will recognize the new Russian Government. We hope too that the new Government will be receptive to trade deals and possibly an embassy exchange.

-Prince Gang

The New Russia looks forward to a new era of peace and prosperity in Asia, and welcomes Korean recognition.

Argentina recognizes Russia's new government.

OOC: Yay Trotsky!

The Ottoman Empire recognizes Russia's new government.

The Romanian Government -concerned over its citizens in Besserabia- moves its troops into Besserabia to protect its citizens and offering refuge to any russian refugees who do not want to be governed by the communists (this includes the Tsar and any of his relatives should they make it here)...

Britain presumes that this new Russian government will continue to honour the agreement in relation to British debts made by the previous administration. The Russians have always been a kind race and have often cooperated with the British and we hope for this trend to continue in the future.

The Romanian Government -concerned over its citizens in Besserabia- moves its troops into Besserabia to protect its citizens and offering refuge to any russian refugees who do not want to be governed by the communists (this includes the Tsar and any of his relatives should they make it here)...
It sickens me – sickens me, sir – that after all the good Russian blood spilt on behalf of Wallachian freedom in Transylvania you should repay us with this disgusting treachery. I cannot credit it – the mind reels.
Get your damn troops out of Bessarabia now, or I assure you sir there will soon be no more Hohenzollern Romania.
And I may as well take this opportunity to offer refuge in the Union to any Wallachians who don't want to live under feudalism.
We are not amused.

A.F Kerensky - Premier, ARSDU

To the Ottoman Empire

The Turks have become great friends to the Russian peoples, and we shall endeavour to do all we can to earn that friendship in the future. You have our enduring respect, affection, and allegiance.

P. N. Miliukov - Foreign Affairs Commissar, ARSDU

To Great Britain

We thank our British friends for their diplomatic recognition, and may assure you we have every intention of honoring the debts the Empire incurred during the Great War of Liberation.

P. N. Miliukov - Foreign Affairs Commissar, ARSDU

To Argentina

We thank Argentina for their diplomatic recognition, and extend our hopes for a future warm relationship with our friends across the sea.

P. N. Miliukov - Foreign Affairs Commissar, ARSDU

To Brazil

We thank our Brazilian comrades for their diplomatic recognition, and extend our hopes for a future warm relationship with our friends across the sea.

P. N. Miliukov - Foreign Affairs Commissar, ARSDU
[OoC: Yours came in while I was editing this very post, but expect a positive response to your telegram soon.]

Brazil formally recognises the new Government. (also check your telegrams Vas)

Directed towards the Russian Foreign Trade Offices.

Dear Sirs,
I am writing to you to bring to your attention the state of affairs in relation to British engineers working in Odessa. It was your predecessing government's will that a team of British led engineers would work on the construction of 24 submarines at the Russian base there (8 of these submarines were to be of the D-class and the remaining 16 of the C-class). Currently 4 D-class and 10 C-class vessels have been completed and armed here, however in light of the recent change of government I was checkingg that you stillr equired and wished to bear the expense of these vessels. If so the remaining vessels will be completed and transferred to Russian control, otherwise the project will be abandoen and the submarines retained for Royal Navy service. The British government will abide by either decision.

I wish you good luck for the future of your nation.

Yours faithfully,
David Lloyd George - President of the Board of Trade, Great Britain

We are still interested in these terrible machines. Though we would it were otherwise, it appears to the more far-sighted among us that war, as such, will be with us for some time, and so the People must prepare for their own defense, whenever it should prove necessary.
The Union will therefore honor the contracts of the Empire in full.

L.D. Trotsky - Commissar of War, ARSDU

Dear sir, we humbly apologise for a severe misunderstanding, the troops are there to stablise the region which have come under gross political instabillity due to the unfortunate trouble your country is having at the moment, once the region is stable enough these troops will leave.

We would like however to discuss the fate of Besserabia on the diplomatic table, for you must realise that we have a duty towards Romanians wherever they may be, I hope you understand this.

We will never forget those who fought with us for our freedom. That is why we choose to accept any Russian who would like to enter our kingdom, but we are still bound by our criminal extradition treaty to refuse any criminal and return that person into your custody.

Again we humbly apologise,
Premier Cantacuzino

Japan recognizes the New russian government and hopes the permanent non-agression pact is still in effect.

World Zionist Organisation Diplomatic Message to Russia

We formally recognise Russia's new goverment, we hope that this goverment is not as Anti-Semitic as the previous Tsar of Russia.

Signed

(OOC: oki, Theodor Herzl is dead, i don't know who took over for him in RL but i'm sure i'll come up with a name soon enough)

Dear sir, we humbly apologise for a severe misunderstanding, the troops are there to stablise the region which have come under gross political instabillity due to the unfortunate trouble your country is having at the moment, once the region is stable enough these troops will leave.

We would like however to discuss the fate of Besserabia on the diplomatic table, for you must realise that we have a duty towards Romanians wherever they may be, I hope you understand this.

We will never forget those who fought with us for our freedom. That is why we choose to accept any Russian who would like to enter our kingdom, but we are still bound by our criminal extradition treaty to refuse any criminal and return that person into your custody.

Again we humbly apologise,
Premier Cantacuzino

Bessarabia has been constituted as an Autonomous Nationality of the Union - and you must recall yourself that there are many Russians and persons of other ethnicities present in the region. The government there retains all the same privileges it had under the Empire, and its citizens in fact enjoy rather more rights now under the current law.
We are willing to accept that Romanian troops may have acted precipitously, but we still must insist upon their immediate departure. Any "instability" in the area is a matter internal to the Union - except where it is caused by the presence of foreign soldiers. Then it is a matter for the War Commissar.
As for further negotiations on the matter, we believed that the former arrangements were satisfactory to both parties, or at least as satisfactory as was possible to achieve under circumstances which have not changed in substance. We view with serious suspicion any effort to "renegotiate" at this time - it has the scent of rank expansionism on the part of Bucharest, and such expansionism remains in our opinion an egregiously dishonorable way to treat a strong ally found suddenly in weakness. We will not remain weak long, you know, but Russia and the other republics of the Union will long remember the next actions of the Romanian government.

In both hope and doubt,
P.N. Miliukov - Commissar for Foreign Affairs, ARSDU

To the Empire of Japan

You need have no doubt of Russian intentions in Asia, sir - the new Government are not imperialists. We are glad of the Empire's old treaties with Japan, both the Non-Aggression and Trade Agreements, and the Union will continue to honor them in full. Indeed, anytime that the Japanese Government may be interested in expanding either to our mutual profit, you will find Moscow most receptive.

With great respect,
P.N. Miliukov - Commissar of Foreign affairs, ARSDU

World Zionist Organisation Diplomatic Message to Russia

We formally recognise Russia's new goverment, we hope that this goverment is not as Anti-Semitic as the previous Tsar of Russia.

Signed

(OOC: oki, Theodor Herzl is dead, i don't know who took over for him in RL but i'm sure i'll come up with a name soon enough)
OoC: Only the Nazis could be more anti-Semitic than the Tsar - you saw how the Whites opened their offensive by massacring Jews. Man, the Tsar sucked. I'm so glad I was able to kill him off.

IC:
Although the Jewish people have at the present time no duly constituted government we may recognize, and while furthermore the Government of the Union is constitutionally atheist, nevertheless we are pleased with this message from your organization.
Understand, sir, that there are no words for our own grief at the treatment received by your people at the hands of the Empire. While as Socialists we are committed to the ultimate erasure of all national borders and the godless enlightenment of all mankind, nevertheless in the time prior to dawn of communism we will endeavor to assist your people however we may, for as Russians we feel a great debt.
And Russia always pays her debts.

With honor,
P.N. Miliukov - Commissar for Foreign Affairs, ARSDU

(OOC: dude, I was given a goverment in Argentina, Vatican city stylee, what that means i'm not quite sure, I did some research but as far as i can gather Vatican is just another country, but yeah, the Zionists have a nation)

Secretary General of the Arab League (Ahmed Hafez):

Greetings.
The 22 members of the Arab League al anounce we Formely recognize the new Russian Government.
and we will be sending our embassadore to Moscow, and we will be waiting for your embassador to come to our Political Capital Damascus, and your consul to our Official Capital Cairo...

we hope for furthure economic, military and political Exchanges, and also hope for more prosperity for the two nations.

peace be upon you.

(OOC: dude, in the nicest way possible, are you an E20 nation? If not then this thread is closed dude, if you are then sorry for the mix up)

again we humbly apologise to recent actions made by some of us, we will withdraw our forces from the region, we hope this hasn't proved too fatal to our relationship. Rest asure that this nation has no desire for war or expansionisim, my request to negotiate Besserabia was to renew our agreement with the previous government, as you have shown that you will respect it we won't pursue the matter any further.

Premier Cantacuzino

We thank you for your compliance. Your moderation has shown our worst fears to be unjustified, and we regret any insult to your honor.
We find that it is true that the previous Government contracted to future negotiations over the area, and we will honor that. However, you must understand that we have much to settle at the moment. We may suggest scheduling these negotiations for 1920.
We thank you for your patience, and again, for your commitment to peace. I trust our friendship will recover.

With respect,
P.N. Milyukov - Commissar of Foreign Affairs, ARSDU

ooc: Whats this governments stance on the occupation of hungary? I have the Hungarian government signing the treaty later this year, and I was wondering when you were planing to pull out. We can discuss this on chatzy or AIM if you wish.

Even the Tsarists wouldn't hang around in Hungary any longer than they have to once the situation is stabilized--and that's not even considering the Civil War. But really, the Russians are probably already gone by the end of 1908.
By the way, it's too bad you didn't go with Bela Kun as your next great leader--we could've fought on the same side in the Next War. Oh, well.

To: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Kerensky, Premier of the ARSDU
From: Louis Botha, Prime Minister of the UoSA

Mr. Kerensky,

The Union of South Africa hereby formally recognizes the new government of Russia, and it is my personal hope that the situation in the Democratic Union stabilizes shortly, and peace and prosperity return to your country.

Sincerely,
Louis Botha

OOC: Any anti-communist refugees will be welcome in South Africa.

To: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Kerensky, Premier of the ARSDU
From: The Ottoman Government

As for the debt my nation owes your for giving us loans during the Great War. As good friends, we have beening repaiding your nation for very gold pound we use in the war, but we ask of you to reduce our debt by one half....The Ottoman people want to be build themselves up, yet with all these debts to repaid, and we are limted in what we can do for our people, please dear sir , cut down our debt...we fought for you in the great war and help you free the slavic peoples of Europe.

OoC: My Turkish friend, as I recall it (which may not be correctly), you don't actually owe Russia any money. I think our arrangements were that we would float your expenses in exchange for concessions in the Ottoman transportaion and energy sectors, since it was recognized that you wouldn't have any money after the war, either, and that way we could recover our own expenses while simultaneously accumulating capital for the Ottoman Empire. I don't think we went into much detail, though.
Either way, even the New Russia is committed to restoring Turkish greatness (preferably under Socialism, but . . .), and you have whatever easements we can offer. If it's debt-forgiveness, consider it forgiven. If it's more investment, consider it invested. If it's a transfer of concessions from Russian hands to Turkish, so be it.

To His Excellency Louis Botha, Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa

Sir, we thank you whole-heartedly for your recognition and your kind concerns. We know that you, too, are familiar with how terrible these intramural conflicts can be, and we can but hope that all of us, including ourselves, remain open to the suasion of reason when it calls upon us to shift our course.
It is our hope and indeed expectation that one day all men will be so wise as to live with one another in peace and equality, but that day is not yet come, and until its dawn we must yet toil for it.
Once again, thank you.

A.F. Kerensky - Premier, ARSDU

By the way, I'll be gone for most of the day, and perhaps much of the night as well. Just to confirm, the Time-Warp going through on Monday. I think most people know more-or-less what Russia's doing, but I'll write a skeletal outline for it anyway, and post it sometime over the weekend.
Oh, and in 1917 we change our name again (hopefully this one will stick, at least for a while) to the Union of Social-Democratic Republics, or USDR ("SSR" in Russian, which looks like "CCP").
The flag, also adopted in 1917 (and which will probably change), is the three bands of color you see today (top to bottom: white, blue, red), with a circular section in the middle, bounded by wheat-sheaves, containing a crossed hammer and scythe (not sickle) under a red star. If I manage to produce the art before the flag changes, I'll try to post around somewhere.

The Republic of Albania wishes to know what aid Russia could provide...

-Ilir Meta, Prime Minister of Albania, Socialist Party

Krasnaya Zvezda, Moskva - 1 V 1920

The First of May! Today our great and heroic People celebrate the Dignity of Labor! And more, while war-mongering militarists from the capitalist states make an anti-Socialist mockery of the so-called "Washington Naval Treaty," our returning ambassador brings home a quickly-negotiated, quickly-signed Mutual Defense Pact with the People's government of Brazil. Truly, it is quite amazing how efficiently agreements may be reached when the exploiting classes are not involved!

Hail to the People of Brazil! Long live the Workers!

Krasnaya Zvezda, Moskva - 1 V 1920

The First of May! Today our great and heroic People celebrate the Dignity of Labor! And more, while war-mongering militarists from the capitalist states make an anti-Socialist mockery of the so-called "Washington Naval Treaty," our returning ambassador brings home a quickly-negotiated, quickly-signed Mutual Defense Pact with the People's government of Brazil. Truly, it is quite amazing how efficiently agreements may be reached when the exploiting classes are not involved!

Hail to the People of Brazil! Long live the Workers!

Brazil's people rejoice at this triumph of socialist unity and announces a national workers day in the nation! Hail to Russia! Long may she prosper! The Brazilian people can now sleep in their beds safe in the knowledge that any anti-communist movement against the socialist and communist nations of the world will not be met by isolated country's but by a world brotherhood.

The United States government quietly informs the Russian and Brazilian government that the permanent stationing of Russian troops, or Russian naval vessels in Brazil would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States and the nations of the Pan American Treaty.

The United States government quietly informs the Russian and Brazilian government that the permanent stationing of Russian troops, or Russian naval vessels in Brazil would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States and the nations of the Pan American Treaty.
The Union government quietly replies that Moscow has no imperialistic designs upon the Western Hemisphere - the treaty is solely defensive. The Union has no intentions of stationing any military units in the Americas at this time, though we should be obligated to defend our allies to the best of our capacity if they are attacked.
Even if we should at some future date emplace security forces in Brazil, however, there is no need for Washington to view this as any sort of hostile move. We are willing to live in peace. Are the American people so different?

The United States government quietly informs the Russian and Brazilian government that the permanent stationing of Russian troops, or Russian naval vessels in Brazil would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States and the nations of the Pan American Treaty.

There are no Russian troops stationed in Brazil. Nor are there plans to. Stop looking for excuses to interfere in Brazil. We only want peace and safety and you are looking to change our government. We do however realise your political predicament and secretly suggest you put yourself forward as a mediator who defuses a potentially explosive situation?

Regards.

The Union looks with some dismay upon Bucuresti's courting of Italian favors. Roma has ever shown itself an implacable enemy of both the Slavic peoples and Socialism, and indeed in the Great War, Russians and other peoples of the Union fought alongside the Vlachs against the Italian foeman, for the sake of a fuller self-determination for the Romanian people. Both the Union and the Workers' Republic maintain assets in Romania [OoC: i.e., the German naval base and arms factory at Constanta, also used by Russia], and should be more than willing, if approached, to expand our investments in Romanian industry. Moreover, the question of Bessarabia was due, finally, to be permanently resolved between our two powers soon. This would have been much easier, and more preferable to the Vlachs, if Moskva and Bucuresti were on good terms.
Yet Bucuresti has sought the aid of Roma. An enemy.
Know that the Union does not look kindly upon any expansion of Italian influence in the Balkans, so near to Socialist borders. The greedy and treacherous Italian monarcho-capitalists would only be too happy to place such a dagger near our hearts--and as guardians of the Revolution, that we cannot permit.
We hope that this matter can be resolved to our mutual benefit.

Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs

We hope that you understand that the economic affairs of Romania are the affairs of Romania, rest assured that any influence in Romania will be only Romanian and that we will not allow any forign powers to affect our decisions.
Economic investment from Italy and our millitary purchase from them will continue as we have no business in Italy's opinion of sociallisim and we do not see a trace of their aggressive behaviour against Yugoslavia.
As for the matter of Besserabia we will negotiate with you as equals and try to achieve every state of justice and fairness to all of those affected in the matter.
In response to your offer in industrial investment we would only ask of you, and your fellow German Republic, is to return nationalised businesses of hardworking Romanians to their rightful owners and promise not to nationalise them again otherwise give compensation to those affected.
We too hope that this matter can be resolved to our mutual benefit.

Mr. V. Drakel, The United Kingdom of Romania's Minister For Forign Affairs

OoC: Only critical infrastructure (which, it's true, includes oil extraction) was actually nationalized with Bukharin as economics minister (not a big change from the Empire, either). Land was largely privatized (with restrictions, and as a "temporary" measure), and the rest of the economy was collectivized - i.e., passed to the ownership of the workers on site as a profit-sharing co-operative.

OoC;Oh didn't realise that. well, I'll ask Germany if he nationalised anything Romanian... so tell me are you a one-party state or are there multiparty elections in the politburo? and whatever happened to De Witte??

OoC;Oh didn't realise that. well, I'll ask Germany if he nationalised anything Romanian... so tell me are you a one-party state or are there multiparty elections in the politburo? and whatever happened to De Witte??
No problem.
There are multiparty elections. Lenin--now deceased--was the guy who came up with "democratic centralism," and though Trotsky doesn't like the political pluralism, he's been kept at arm's length by the rest of the Kerensky Government, just as in real life he was shut out by the Bolsheviks.
There are two centrist parties, one of which actually leans right (Constitutional Union), the other being more classically liberal (Constitutional Democrat), but so far they haven't made much headway in the government itself--between them I figure they probably control maybe a third of the seats in the Assembly (lower house), and much fewer in the Council (upper house), and have virtually no representation in the Commissariat (the cabinet). There may be some increasing tension over the years with them, but I haven't done anything along those lines yet.
Witte was executed by the Tsar for irreligion during the Civil War. I posted that somewhere around here.

Moscow has begun covertly supplying Yugoslavia with armoreed cars, aircraft, and military advisers.

To:Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs
From: The Ottoman General Staff

Dear Sir

We ask of your government to help us build a arms plant to build amoured cars and aircraft for our own nation to used. Also we ask that you please us some amoured cars and more aircraft, we will be pay top pound for whatever you can send and help us.

To:Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs
From: The Ottoman General Staff

Dear Sir

We ask of your government to help us build a arms plant to build amoured cars and aircraft for our own nation to used. Also we ask that you please us some amoured cars and more aircraft, we will be pay top pound for whatever you can send and help us.
This will be done. Well do we remember the friendship of our Turkish brothers who fought and died beside us in the Great War of Liberation. We will endeavor to build as many armored cars and aircraft as you can afford [OoC: The armored cars (called broneviki, singular bronevik) are tracked, and armed with a couple machine-guns and a flame-thrower, and have large crews, while the aircraft are based on the German models developed during their Revolution, with light machine-guns]. Furthermore, we will dispatch workers and experts immediately to the Empire to establish a modern, cooperative armaments factory at Eregli-Karabuk.
We are glad of the opportunity to help our friends.

- L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs

To:Comrade L.B. Kamenev, People's Commissar for International Affairs
From: The Ottoman General Staff
We thank your nation for the support and aid in building the Ottoman Army.

Secret Comminque to Union of Social-Democratic Republics of Russia
From: Greater China

Greetings, friend.

China is quite interested in furthering relations between your proud people and China, as we are seeking to increase trade with the Eastern Coalition. We are already on excellent terms with the Germans, as they have been invaluable in providing support to China. It is our hope that Russia may also be considered as a honorable brother, in the same light that we consider Germany to be.

I am willing to discuss future developments, more trade, deals, exchanges, co-operative projects, and the like. The Trans-Siberian railroad link to China is an excellent start.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

-----------------------------------------------
OOC:

Consider this TG sent before the request for the secret "Triad" conference between Russia, Germany, and China.

Notice From the Albanian Embassy

Victor Ali Mohhamid, the only communist member of the Albanian Parliament, will be visiting the Russian Union. He wishes to have a tour of the recent human advancements possible under communism and to improve relations.

To: Russian Government
From: Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea, President of Bolivia

We will accept this trade deal you proposed for modern agricultrual equipment, which is something we sorely need.

The Albanian Embassy

To prevent further conflict and prove that Albania's alliance with Italy is purly defensive, Albania's Parliament passed a law stating that "Italian and Russian troops may never be invited nor set foot upon Albanian soil"! The law was signed by President Turkhan Pasha. Will Russia cancel it's mobilization and tell Yugoslavia to do the same?

The Albanian Embassy

To prevent further conflict and prove that Albania's alliance with Italy is purly defensive, Albania's Parliament passed a law stating that "Italian and Russian troops may never be invited nor set foot upon Albanian soil"! The law was signed by President Turkhan Pasha. Will Russia cancel it's mobilization and tell Yugoslavia to do the same?
The troops and fleets will stand down.

Okay, here's the offer:

Russia will transfer Bessarabian sovereignty to Romania on the following conditions:

1) That the current government retains the same autonomy from Bucharest as it has from Moscow. Any changes made within Bessarabia's government should come democratically from within.

2) That workers' rights and properties presently existing under the Bessarabian Socialist government not be interfered with by Bucharest.

3) That Bucharest solemnly pledge not to interfere in any Romanian territory with the lawful political activities of any socialist party. Obviously, terrorism is not a lawful political activity, but peaceful demonstrations and participating in free and fair elections are.

4) That the Union, Romania, Germany, and Yugoslavia enter into a permanent Collective Security Agreement that will take precedence over any other military treaties that the signatory states may contract individually.

5) In return, both Russia and Germany will continue to provide assistance in Romania's modernization and industrialization. Russia particularly can help with agricultural modernization and the development of the transportation and enegy sectors.

This doesn't sound bad to me. Granted, I suppose Point (3) interferes with your internal political affairs, but not badly, and it's not like you're not getting anything in exchange. Anyway, I hope you'll consider it.

Well, maybe point (4) is a bit vague, what do you mean "Collective Security Agreement"?? and don't you think that "take precedence over any other military treaties that the signatory states may contract individually." is a bit interfering with our forign policy??

And about point 3, yes it intereferes with our internal affairs in the way that it implies that we are not already doing this and that Russia is dictating to us what to do...

I'm worried agreeing to this will make us closer to a Russian protectorate than a soverign nation...

Well, maybe point (4) is a bit vague, what do you mean "Collective Security Agreement"?? and don't you think that "take precedence over any other military treaties that the signatory states may contract individually." is a bit interfering with our forign policy??

And about point 3, yes it intereferes with our internal affairs in the way that it implies that we are not already doing this and that Russia is dictating to us what to do...

I'm worried agreeing to this will make us closer to a Russian protectorate than a soverign nation...
Point (4) is basically inserted to prevent a crisis emerging like what happened in Albania. I don't want any power on my borders (or, really, anywhere near a potential war front) making Mutual Defense Pacts with my enemies, and thus the language about precedence. If you wanted to look at it that way, I guess it is an interference with your foreign policy (as well as mine), but it's done for our mutual protection, so that we don't have to worry about militarizing our common border.
As for Point (3), I have to put that in for domestic political reasons. It's not particularly enforceable.
If you can think of alternative clauses that provide the same reassurances that won't make you feel like a protectorate, I'm certainly willing to listen.

OOC: Just so you are aware...

IC: Japan is increasing the garrison in Port Arthur and Manchuria by 75,000 men.

Ok, how about I promise you not to let ANY forign troops into Romania's soil with the exception of Besserabia where a Russian millitary base I think I can allow to be present, however, suppose an invasion of Romania occurs (mind you, not from Russia, heavens forbid) then we might ask the assistance of our neighbors (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary or even Russia) surely the we might allow the prescence of these troops in such circumstances??

As for topic 3, how about "maintain fair treatment of the sociallist parties in Romania without any discrimination. Aswell as respecting their rights, as citizens of the United Kingdom of Romania, to orginise and protest aswell as the participation in free and fair elections among other rights guranteed by the constitution, which are forfeited and nullified should the parties in question participate in major unlawful acts against the Kingdom and its people this includes terrorisim, treason and espionage."

Ok, how about I promise you not to let ANY forign troops into Romania's soil with the exception of Besserabia where a Russian millitary base I think I can allow to be present, however, suppose an invasion of Romania occurs (mind you, not from Russia, heavens forbid) then we might ask the assistance of our neighbors (Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary or even Russia) surely the we might allow the prescence of these troops in such circumstances??

As for topic 3, how about "maintain fair treatment of the sociallist parties in Romania without any discrimination. Aswell as respecting their rights, as citizens of the United Kingdom of Romania, to orginise and protest aswell as the participation in free and fair elections among other rights guranteed by the constitution, which are forfeited and nullified should the parties in question participate in major unlawful acts against the Kingdom and its people this includes terrorisim, treason and espionage."
Yeah, that sounds good. In both cases. I think we have a deal.
There are just two things. One is the disposition of the Constanta naval base. I'd give up any permanent troops in Bessarabia for that.
The other is I'd like to at least be able to ask Romania's permission to move troops to support Yugoslavia in the event of war there. I could go the long way around through Russian Poland, Germany, and German Austria, but it'd sure be a big help to me if, with Bucharest's permission, I was able to assist my ally in defending his borders.
I'm not thinking of requiring Romania to alllow Russian troops across Romanian territory. That really would be undermining your independence, and not respecting your neutrality. I can't in good conscience demand that you take sides in a war you don't agree with. But if you could leave to option to allow Russian troop movements with specific permission by the Romanian government, I'd sure appreciate it, and so would Yugoslavia. I'd be happy to provide economic or military aid or help develop your infrastructure or modernize your agriculture in exchange for such a clause.

OoC: I'm announcing the negotiations commencing in the Spring of 1921 between Moscow and Berlin pertaining to establishing mechanisms for the closer co-ordination of policy. These negotiations result in the following agreement for 1921:

In order to prevent future breaches of diplomatic policy from occurring among Europe's great communist powers, the Union of Social-Democratic Republics and the Workers' Republic of Germany are establishing a General Consultative Council on International and Common Policy at Warsaw, in combination with a joint military Revolutionary High Command located at Hamburg.

[OoC: Shamelessly plagiarized from the Turk-Arab Confederation. Thanks, guys.]

I. The Workers' Republic and the Union of Social-Democratic Republics will protect each other from all attacks.
II. There will be no restriction on trade and travel between the two states.
III. Criminals from one nation apprehended in another will be returned to their home state for trial.
IV. A right of passage will be granted, so that all states within the treaty may use each other's railroads and roads to transport goods and arms to the front in war and peacetime.
V. No foreign Power may base its troops within the signatory states' regions, without premission of the signatory states. For purposes of this Article, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and Georgia shall not be construed as foreign to one another, nor to any sovereign republic as may be lawfully incorporated into the Union of Social-Democratic Republics under Article XLIV of the Union Basic Law, nor to Germany.
VI. The signatory states will consult one another, through the General Council and Revolutionary High Command, on all decisions pertinent to international affairs and state security.
VII. During times of war, the signatory states will be obliged to assist each other. No signatory state, however, shall issue a Declaration of War without first obtaining the advice and consent of the General Council at Warsaw. This shall not be construed as affecting the signatory states' right to defend their citizens and territories from foreign attacks.
VIII. The signatory states commit themselves to fully integrating their military command-and-control structures, as well as state security and intelligence services, by the end of 1926. Thereafter, if not before, the Revolutionary High Command will be the sole and supreme military authority for the signatory states, subject to the legitimate civil power of the signatory states as expressed through the General Council.


OoC: This is to be construed as the beginning of the process of eventual unification. In practice, until and unless modified, this means:

Parthini is the authority in all military development, and troop movements (including negotiations through territories), though Vas Pokhoronim controls actual declarations of war. Parthini is also in control of intelligence and exploration (North Pole, Space, etc.) and the development of WMDs and other military technologies. He is effectively acting as the "Left Hand" of Revolution, following the formulation of German Chancellor Karl Liebknecht.

Other than that, Vas Pokhoronim retains control over political and economic decisions and strategies. Among other things, he is acting as the "Right Hand" of Co-operation.

Both of us consult with one another and advise on any decision.

For the moment, both countries may still be considered sovereign, and Vas Pokhoronim's use of the term "Union" will be deliberately ambiguous but generally taken as referring to the USDR.

Yeah, that sounds good. In both cases. I think we have a deal.
There are just two things. One is the disposition of the Constanta naval base. I'd give up any permanent troops in Bessarabia for that.
The other is I'd like to at least be able to ask Romania's permission to move troops to support Yugoslavia in the event of war there. I could go the long way around through Russian Poland, Germany, and German Austria, but it'd sure be a big help to me if, with Bucharest's permission, I was able to assist my ally in defending his borders.
I'm not thinking of requiring Romania to alllow Russian troops across Romanian territory. That really would be undermining your independence, and not respecting your neutrality. I can't in good conscience demand that you take sides in a war you don't agree with. But if you could leave to option to allow Russian troop movements with specific permission by the Romanian government, I'd sure appreciate it, and so would Yugoslavia. I'd be happy to provide economic or military aid or help develop your infrastructure or modernize your agriculture in exchange for such a clause.

I have given this some thought, and decided that having a Russian naval base in Romania would seriously hamper our neutral stance in international affairs, and I plan to negotiate with you the transfer of the shipyard and arms factories to Romanian control...

As for allowing passage of troops through Romania to aid Yugoslavia, then I think that can be arranged; I will allow your troops to move through Romania if: 1)A suitable cause is present which we are informed of0. 2)Yugoslavia has asked for these troops. 3)No millitary operations are launched from Romanian territory. 4)If a millitary operation is launched against Russian forces while on Romanian territory then compensation is required.

In exchange for this, we would like to increase Romanian share in the shipyard and the Arms factories to control between 55-60%.

This deal is negotiable of course...

I have given this some thought, and decided that having a Russian naval base in Romania would seriously hamper our neutral stance in international affairs, and I plan to negotiate with you the transfer of the shipyard and arms factories to Romanian control...

As for allowing passage of troops through Romania to aid Yugoslavia, then I think that can be arranged; I will allow your troops to move through Romania if: 1)A suitable cause is present which we are informed of0. 2)Yugoslavia has asked for these troops. 3)No millitary operations are launched from Romanian territory. 4)If a millitary operation is launched against Russian forces while on Romanian territory then compensation is required.

In exchange for this, we would like to increase Romanian share in the shipyard and the Arms factories to control between 55-60%.

This deal is negotiable of course...
I think those are totally reasonable conditions regarding the troops. I'll have to think about the Naval Base, and consult with Germany regarding the shipyard and factories, but for the latter at least I think it's probably reasonable. I think with our new oil-burning ships we probably don't need a base so close to Odessa, especially if we keep on good terms with the Turks, and hopefully we won't be fighting any wars in the Black Sea that might justify some clause about being allowed to seek repairs in Romanian ports.
So once I've done a little checking, I'll get back to you. All told, though, I think it looks good.

Krasnaya Zvezda, Moskva - 15 VI 1921

Autumn Elections Scheduled

In accordance with the Basic Law, Premier Kerensky has called for All-Union elections to be held on 12 October 1921. The Premier will not be seeking a third term, and is expected to be attending the Metz Conference in any case.

"I have had the honor of serving my Comrades for eight years, through great suffering and great triumph," the Premier said in his speech at the Kronshtadt Shipyards today, where he made his announcement. "And I shall continue to serve the cause of Socialism and liberty to the best of my abilities until I shall draw my last breath. But it is necessary now, after the dust has settled, to establish the principle of a peaceful transfer of authority. There will be no Committee of Public Safety in Russia, nor any new Thermidor [OoC: These are of course both references to the French Revolution, which Russian communists were obsessed with.], but only the steady continuation of government under the will of the Sovereign People until such time as true Communism is fully established and the state may be abolished entirely.

"My Comrades, I thank you, from the depths of my soul, for having given me the opportunity to participate so centrally in the work of making Revolution. I hope that I have served you as well as you have deserved. Thank you."

With Comrade Kerensky's retirement as Premier, speculation about his successor commenced immediately, focussing chiefly on Comrades V.M. Chernov, L.D. Trotsky, or N.I. Bukharin. None of these men have yet commented on their candidacies.

Russia has agreed to provide debt relief to war-stricken Albania in the hopes of cementing a stable Balkan peace.

Russia has agreed to provide debt relief to war-stricken Albania in the hopes of cementing a stable Balkan peace.

ooc
the US would help, but I don't believe the Albanians actually owe the US any money. However, any debts belonging to US banks will be assumed by the US government to ensure stability in the banking system.

Ahem (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9650099&postcount=176).
Lemme get this straight. There's a Russo-German shipyard already in Romania, and you go to the Americans for help in building up your Navy.
Now I know you're just trying to piss me off.
I'm going to lay it on the line. You have two choices for patronage: Russia or Nobody. I was being pretty damn reasonable allowing you to go with the latter. Much more reasonable than the Soviets were in Real Life. But guess what? Cultivating closer ties with Moscow's sworn enemies is not neutral.
You can forget Moldova (I'm not calling it "Bessarabia" anymore). In fact, you can probably forget your independence as a country at this point. I'm sick of your backstabbing. Consider my troops mobilized and alerted. If you twitch, I'm levelling Constanta with whatever forces I've got there, and waltzing across the Prut.
I gave you Transylvania. How did you show your gratitude? By being the only country on Earth to violate Russian sovereignty during the Civil War. We haven't forgotten. You can toe the freakin' line now, buddy, or be prepared to go down.

OOC:Woaw!! wait just a cotton picking minute!

IC:We asked to purchase (not aid or donate) blueprints for the construction of submarines from both US and Germany in Romania's shipyards, we find it shocking to see that the "workers sociallist paradise" believes that it has a monopoly (capitalist action for your information) on Romania's industry, millitary, navy and airforce! backstabbing indeed, we have not violated any international law or agreements between us, we are attempting to be neutral in this seemingly crazy world but the constant disrespect and seemingly failure to recognise our existance as a nation has made this very hard to do...

OOC:Knock it of already about Transylvania, Tsar Nikoli and Premier De Witte gave us that as reward for alowing the troops to pass through, I mean we practically gave Austria-Hungary to Czarist Russia. Even the US acknowledges that. I'm begining to regret not supporting the Czar when he needed us....

As of 12 III 1922, Full and Total Sovereignty of the Former Union Autonomous Nationality of Bessarabia shall be transferred to the United Kingdom of Romania, under the following Charter:

I) That the current government retains the same autonomy from Bucharest as it has from Moscow. Any changes made within Bessarabia's government shall come democratically from within.

II) That workers' rights and properties presently existing under the Bessarabian Socialist Government not be interfered with by Bucharest.

III) That Bucharest solemnly pledge to maintain fair treatment of the socialist parties in Romania without any discrimination. As well as respecting their rights, as citizens of the United Kingdom of Romania, to organize and protest as well as the participation in free and fair elections among other rights guaranteed by the Romanian constitution, which are forfeited and nullified should the parties in question participate in major unlawful acts against the Kingdom and its people this includes terrorism, treason and espionage.
The Union, in turn, pledges to forswear any interference or attempt to influence Romania's internal affairs, nor shall the Union object in principle to any Romanian foreign policy initiative that does not self-evidently violate the principle of non-aggression between the signatory Powers outlined in Articles (IV) and (V).
[OoC: This means you can have your submarines, and your military alliance with Hungary, and whatever economic deals with the West you feel like making. Really, it's fair, I might just want to occasionally be reassured that you're not going to be a threat]

IV) That the Union, Romania, and Germany enter into a permanent Non-Aggression Pact that will take precedence over any other military treaties that the signatory states may contract individually.

V) The presence of foreign troops on Romanian soil is herewith declared illegal, excepting:
V.i) In the event of an invasion, Romania's allies may come to assist in the defense of Romanian territory.
V.ii) Union forces may be allowed to move through Romanian territory in support of Yugoslavia, if:
V.ii.1) A suitable cause is present which the Romanians are informed of. The Romanian legislature alone shall decide for itself what satisfies this requirement.
V.ii.2) Yugoslavia has formally requested the assistance of Union forces.
V.ii.3) No millitary operations are launched from Romanian territory.
V.ii.4) If a millitary operation is launched against Union forces while on Romanian territory then compensation is required.
V.iii) [Under negotiation] The Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet may retain repair and refueling rights at the Constanta Naval Base (at least in extremis). However, this base, and all other state property of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics presently within Romania's borders, shall be transferred to the ownership of the Romanian Government.

VI) The signatory Powers agree to cultivate further peaceful commercial and diplomatic links with one another, to the common good and prosperity of all.

The Hungarian Government is interested in Russian help involving the current industrial/manufacturing base in Hungary. It is also interested in working on a military and educational exchange system between our two nations.


ooc: the current Hungarian Government is Socialist/Leftist leaning currently.

The Hungarian Government is interested in Russian help involving the current industrial/manufacturing base in Hungary. It is also interested in working on a military and educational exchange system between our two nations.


ooc: the current Hungarian Government is Socialist/Leftist leaning currently.
Moscow will be overjoyed to commence the work of repairing the damage done to your country and people by our Imperialist predecessors in St. Petersburg. We cannot return the dead, but we will aid the living with all our might.

- the Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

Stuff
Just as a gift, have a thousand tractors. Further exchanges can be negotiated.

To:Premier of USDR
From:Sultan Mehmed VI
Topic:Aid
Dear Sir, I have heard about your nation dought and famine in your southern regions. I offer you grain shipments to help feed your people. My nation owes your nation alot for all you have done for us, has not been forgotten. We send you this food as sign of everlasting friendship.

Sign
Sultan Mehmed VI

The people of Brazil are deeply saddened to hear of our Russian brothers starving. A merchant fleet of volunteers is being readied in our main ports while grain and (yes) coffee will be sent free of charge to the Russian people. We will not allow our brethren to starve, after all, it was your aid that helped our agricultural practices in the first place. This is the truest example of reaping what you sow.

Deepes Regards,
Brazil's Politburo, Parliament and the ordinary people.

To:Premier of USDR
From:Sultan Mehmed VI
Topic:Aid
Dear Sir, I have heard about your nation dought and famine in your southern regions. I offer you grain shipments to help feed your people. My nation owes your nation alot for all you have done for us, has not been forgotten. We send you this food as sign of everlasting friendship.

Sign
Sultan Mehmed VI

The people of Brazil are deeply saddened to hear of our Russian brothers starving. A merchant fleet of volunteers is being readied in our main ports while grain and (yes) coffee will be sent free of charge to the Russian people. We will not allow our brethren to starve, after all, it was your aid that helped our agricultural practices in the first place. This is the truest example of reaping what you sow.

Deepes Regards,
Brazil's Politburo, Parliament and the ordinary people.

OoC: Good grief. You guys are making me choke up for real. Thanks. Thanks.

IC
The Russian and Ukrainian People cannot sufficiently express their gratitude for the generosity and humanity of our friends and comrades. Your kindness will not be forgotten to the end of the world's age, and shall forever serve as a shining example of the very best in mankind.
For the depths of hearts, we thank you.

- Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

OOC: I dunno what drought we're talking about, but...

IC: Germany, of course, sends all available food to their comrades.

Although Colombia and Russia have never gotten along, it is no excuse for Colombia to allow the Russian people to starve to death. Colombia is willing to ship several hundred tons of wheat and livestock to Russia, along with trucks and development crews to assist in reaching anyone in danger.

Several dozen Doctors have volunteered to goto Russia to help the poor people in dealing with this horrible occurance. And do not worry, there will be no debt, no payment, nothing like that. Colombia is offering all of this as good will and strickly aide. Colombia also realizes that money will do quite nicely as well, and will be donating $2,000,000 to the Russian Government in order to help its people and pay off other debts incured by this horrible horrible disaster.

Although Colombia and Russia have never gotten along, it is no excuse for Colombia to allow the Russian people to starve to death. Colombia is willing to ship several hundred tons of wheat and livestock to Russia, along with trucks and development crews to assist in reaching anyone in danger.

Several dozen Doctors have volunteered to goto Russia to help the poor people in dealing with this horrible occurance. And do not worry, there will be no debt, no payment, nothing like that. Colombia is offering all of this as good will and strickly aide. Colombia also realizes that money will do quite nicely as well, and will be donating $2,000,000 to the Russian Government in order to help its people and pay off other debts incured by this horrible horrible disaster.
The People of the Union are truly touched by this display of a longtime foe's compassion and honor. We thank you humbly, and sincerely.

- Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

OoC: Actual Colombian personnel aren't entirely trusted, and will be watched, and the shipments of supplies will be thoroughly searched, but we are grateful for the humanitarian assistance. If we do find anything like bombs or spies, they'll be quietly returned without comment, because at least you had the decency to hide them in much-appreciated charity. Not that I'm accusing you beforehand, of course.

Krasnaya Zvezda, Moskva - 12 V 1922

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER OPENLY MOCKS THE HUNGER OF THE POOR

While the drought in Ukraine has as yet claimed few lives, nevertheless it has ruined many poor families and brought crushing poverty into the lives of tens of thousands more who had earlier prospered.

The rest of world has responded to the government's declaration of a state of emergency and decisive action by contributing aid or at least offering to sell grain for distribution to the poor. Even Colombia, putting aside a longtime hostility, has donated perhaps the largest contribution to the relief effort so far, while the United States has opened its markets to Union relief agencies.

Yesterday the British Prime Minister delivered the United Kingdom's gift to the Ukrainian people directly to the Union Embassy. What was it? A crate of caviar, a sack of potatoes, and a note suggesting that "perhaps [they] should be sent back to the Russian Empire [sic] to help feed the people of Ukraine."

Can there yet remain any question as to the moral distinction between the Socialist and capitalist modes of thought?

ooc: Its actually all clean, and genuine aid.

ooc: Its actually all clean, and genuine aid.
Awesome. Thanks. I'll remember this.

Comminque to the Union
From: Greater China

Greetings, friend.

We have heard of the unfortunate famine in the Ukraine that your people are unjustly suffering from. China would like to pledge aid, despite the fact that most of our resources are tied up in massive public works projects and our still ongoing modernization efforts.

Do your people require food? We shall be more than happy to provide some Chinese rice. We can also instruct your people in growing of rice as it has proven capable of feeding our massive populace in excess of 500 million.

If you are in need of anything else, please inform China what you need, and we shall make the best attempt to send what aid we can.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

OoC: Rice - especially Chinese rice - won't grow anywhere in Union territory. It's a subtropical crop requiring inundation. Some varieties of Indian rice might grow in some of the Turkestans, but in marginal quantities on land better used for stockraising. Most Ukrainians probably have no idea how to eat rice, of course, but probably what we'll do is divert the rice to the military - since soldiers and sailors can be instructed what to do with it, which will probably be to use it soups in place of barley. Then the grain that would ordinarily go to the military will be diverted to famine relief.

We thank the Son of Heaven humbly for his generous offer of assistance. Any foodstuffs that can be supplied will be greatly appreciated.

- Supreme Council of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

Colombia is offering other agricultural items for the Russian populous and even its military. We realize that by supply your military as well, it will free up food for the public.

Agriculture: coffee, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp.

We suggest Banana's, Shrimp, Corn, and Vegetables. We will be using a newly invented cold-storage unit in our merchant vessels that will keep the food from spoiling before it reaches Russia.

The people of South Africa are moved by the famine in the Ukraine, and Prime Minister Smuts' government has offered to donate upwards of three million pounds to the relief effort. If so desired, we are also prepared to send workers to assist in the distribution of food supplies.

Our ideologies may be radically opposed, but we must not let politics override simple human compassion.

With All Regards,
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

Telegram From Chaim Weizmann to Russia

Although our two nations have never really met eye to eye and we disagree with several of your policies, there is human life involved, we will send whatever little supplies we can spare to end the drought in Russia.

The Republic of Haiti wishes to open up relations with Russia. For trade we have coffee, sugar, and bauxite. We are in need of lumber, cement, and steel. We also need doctors, soldiers, engineers, teachers, etc to train our citizens.

July 6, 1922 - Union Embassy, Sofia

From: Catherine I of Bulgaria To: USDR's Government

We are willing to send over agricultural equipment and food over to you in these days of horror...

France has proposed to the Russo-German Union that a joint attempt be made to climb Mount Everest in China.

France has proposed to the Russo-German Union that a joint attempt be made to climb Mount Everest in China.
What a splendid idea! The Germans will love it, and we love anything that gives us a chance to put up a Red Flag somewhere nobody else has been. Let's go!

What a splendid idea! The Germans will love it, and we love anything that gives us a chance to put up a Red Flag somewhere nobody else has been. Let's go!

Superb. Provided, of course, we can get the Chinese Government to agree. They probably won't have any arguements though. We will propose the idea to them.

By the way, we're glad to have you put up a red flag...as long as the flag of the Third Republic is up there with it.

Not willing to be left out of the general outpouring of goodwill, Argentina sends, via ship, large quantities of ice. Mined from Argentina's Antartic claim, it should serve as a potable source of water for the Ukranian people.

ooc
I was listening to NPR today, and coincidently, it was talking about expeditions to climb Mt. Everest in the 1920s and 1930s.... all failed. Several deaths as well. The techniques just aren't there yet, so attempts are going to fail here too. It took bitter experience to learn how to climb that mountain.

Grain Shipments arrive from Romania to help in the relief of the Ukraainian people and the government sends some funds to help the farmers in the Ukraine recover.

In order to aid our fellow socialist breathren in this time of need, the Hungarian government has arranged large amounts of grain to be shipped to the famine areas free of charge, and has arraged for grain to be provided at discount to the affected areas at discount.

I want to thank Colombia (again), Argentina, South Africa, Zion (?!), Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. The latter three, especially, along with Yugoslavia, will probably see their economies improve as a result of the Union's becoming a net grain importer for the next couple of years, but the crisis point is basically past, as follows in the Section below.
And to Bulgaria, while I thank you for the offer, I actually have if anything a temporary surplus of modern farm equipment (the Union is an exporter, after all). It was a drought, after all, so the land is at fault, not the method.
But as I say, I am moved. And impressed by everyone's compassion and assistance. Thank you. Thank you all. I won't forget.

The Drought, Part III

Galveston Bay and I have been in consultation, and agree more or less on the following things:

1) The generous outpouring of foreign aid (as occurred in Real Life), in combination with a strong and swift government response (as did not occur in Real Life), have succeeded in preventing a serious famine. "Excess deaths" (the official though disturbingly euphemistic term) in the Union due to hunger and ill-health will probably remain in the low thousands, at most, and consist almost entirely of the aged, the very young, and the infirm. Basically it was more like the Dust Bowl than the Big Hunger. Other countries can probably stop offering assistance at this point. Crops will fail next year, too, but we'll probably just import grain to cover the shortfall, and after that the situation will normalize (see below).

2) Economic disruption is severe, but basically temporary. A lot of small, marginal, or inefficient farms will go under and their owners will be financially ruined; the government itself will go into debt financing huge irrigation projects and importing foreign food; and the Union as a whole will become a net grain importer for the next couple of years. Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Romania will probably benefit economically. Ukrainian wheat production will resume as normal by 1924, however, and by the next drought, in 1929 I think, the irrigation projects will be far enough along so that barring any further disasters, such as a Second Civil War or a Great Plague (see below) the Union should be safe from famine for the rest of the twentieth century.

3) The successful avoidance of the Famine of 1921-23 will have a couple of ironic consequences. Internal migration and agricultural restructuring will actually boost the Union's economy in the long term, by freeing up a lot of marginal farm labor for use in industrialization and infrastructure development. This will allow for things like the industrialization of the Urals and Siberia without recourse to monstrous programs like Collectivation once the initial shocks to the Union's economy are absorbed. Probably by the late twenties, early thirties, such projects may begin to bear their first fruits - as in RL, but without all that tedious Great Terror.

4) The other ironic consequence is more grim. The Famine in RL was followed by a serious epidemic, which actually claimed most of the lives lost. A benefit that came out of it, however, was that it was the first time that doctors and scientists really studied a pandemic systematically. We haven't had a Spanish Influenza, yet, either. This means that the science of epidemiology is basically unchanged since the turn of the century, and the first Pandemic that does occur will probably be correspondingly . . . unthinkable. I'm not looking forward to it.

And just so it's officially posted somewhere, Premier Bukharin has spent most of the year in Ukraine personally overseeing the relief efforts. This is one of the reasons why most of my IC Posts have been signed "Supreme Council," rather than N.I. Bukharin, etc. (the other reason is that Bukharin had a very "collegial" style of leadership, in contrast to a lot of his rivals).
Although Bukharin himself lacks the eloquence of Kerensky, the charisma of Trotsky, or the terrible cunning of Stalin, his competence and tireless work in dealing with the drought will make him a highly respected leader among his people, and will probably lead his party (the Socialist Revolutionaries - he left the Social-Democrats in this timeline is 1916) to a second victory in the next elections, unless something else happens that he manages to bungle.

Message to the Russo-Germans

We have recieved permission from the Chinese government to attmept Mount Everest. The only condition beingthat a CHinese expedition will also be accompanying us. France sees this as an excellent chance to promote international bortherhood, etc, etc.

OOC: Yes, GB, I know they failed with deaths, etc...but we can still try. After all...It's there. ;)

To:Russo-German Government
From: Ottoman Government
As with the latest reforms for the arm forces, set fore by our Prime Minister, we request your help in building three more amour car plants in our nation and also we need help in building our tractor plants to help our farms grow more food. We await your word on this matter.

To:Russo-German Government
From: Ottoman Government
As with the latest reforms for the arm forces, set fore by our Prime Minister, we request your help in building three more amour car plants in our nation and also we need help in building our tractor plants to help our farms grow more food. We await your word on this matter.
This will be done. In fact, if the drought in Ukraine continues, we may need to start importing grain from the Levant as well the Balkans, so the more your production increases, the better it is for us as well.
Such is the very essence of Socialism, after all.
Where do you wish the factories to be sited?

- N.I. Bukharin, Premier of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

To:Union of Social-Democratic Republics
From: Ottoman Government
We request that two of the amour car factories to be builded in Ankara and the third one to be builded in Aleppo. As for the tractor plants, we need about eight for now, to build in Tehran,Mosul, Damascus, Konya, Bursa, Baghdad, Mashhad, and Yazd.

OOC: Ah izvinite, mojnole uznati shto ieto za RP u vas takoi? Mojite dati link k glavnomu threadu?

Vot:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=424002&page=1&pp=15

Takzhe, nye sovsyem nye khorosho nye govoryu po-russkiy. Ya nye ochen' umniy. Ya nekul'turniy, eto vyerno. No ladno, ya tebye skazhu - idi ty na "Link."

OOC:
Po slovam tovarisha Natsista "Bivaiet". Oh da spasibo za link. Ti iz Ukraini ilil Rossii?

OOC:
Po slovam tovarisha Natsista "Bivaiet". Oh da spasibo za link. Ti iz Ukraini ilil Rossii?
Kha kha! Ya nye ukraini, nye russkiy. Ya amerikanets! Ya nye znayu nichevo! Seryozhno. Deystvitel'no, ya tol'ko malo govoryu po-russkiy.

Akh, nye pomniu. Chto znachit "Bivaiet"?

Da ti chie, odnako. Ia i neznal shto americantsi umeli po ruski govoriti a ya v Amerike projil dva goda do togo kak v Rosiu vernulsia. Wow its crazy.

Akh, nye pomniu. Chto znachit "Bivaiet"?

In that context it means "Shit Happens". Its from a Russian movie Brat 2 or Brother 2

Yeah, I saw the first one. Didn't realize there was a sequel.

The sequel was a while ago. In it he goes to Chicago, USA, its pretty good, i like the soundtrack more than that of the first one. Actually the actor who played Gavrila the main hero is now dead, he died while directing a movie, there was a rock slide and he got smashed. That was a couple years ago.

Oi. Uzhasno.

Aga, but the movie is still good its one of the better ones actually, the only 3 other modern Russian movies i like are Brother I, War, and Night Watch.

Not Burnt By the Sun?

The Albanian ambassador comes before the Supreme Council and falls to his knees, begging them to end the violence in Kosovo.

Not Burnt By the Sun?

Well i can't say i am into the old movies, but Burnt by the Sun is good i can't say its my favorite, i like the song:

Vashe blagorodie
Gospaja Udacha...

The Albanian ambassador comes before the Supreme Council and falls to his knees, begging them to end the violence in Kosovo.
The ambassador's actions - and his obvious sincerity - provoke a serious argument among the council, and many hard, even cruel questions are asked of him. "Why are they complaining?" a highly decorated Red Army veteran asks. "If they don't want to live under Yugoslav rule they can leave! They didn't fight for their own country when Zog was threatening them, but they are willing to fight Slavs! Explain that to me, please!"

Others on the council show a similar lack of sympathy, but they are in the end out-argued by their opponents, who point out that the situation truly is, as the ambassador says, untenable, and a humanitarian nightmare. Finally the Council agrees to authorize the Commissariat of International Affairs to issue a statement on the situation, and pursue a diplomatic solution directly with Sarajevo.

Councilor Rosa Luxemburg, a Social-Democratic Representative of Poland, informs the ambassador, "The Union has no love of death. We will seek to end it. We cannot support any solution that involves the alienation of Yugoslavian sovereign territory. As far as we can determine, minority rights have not been infringed prior to the outbreaks of violence, though further investigation may reveal matters in need of redress. The Union will try to end the violence, and bring a peace with justice."

Colombia applauds the Unions stance, and appreciates its steps to secure peace in the Balkans once more. The Russians are showing their true colours... and their true colours shine with humanity.

The Valencia Gazette

Partido Conservativo Popular, that is the name that the sad men revolting in Zaragoza have called themselves. Already the government has sent 50,000 troops to the city to take control. Many known conservatives have defected to the PCP includeing the once popular Colonel Fransisco Franco. His brother has declared his allegiance to the Partido de Monarcho-Syndicalism and Partido Socialista Obrero Espana. Both popular partys have declared allegiance to the King and Government and the Basque and Catalan seperatists have declared their opposition to the PCP as the current government has given them an equal representation in Parliament and allows limited autonomy. Colonel Franco has declared himself Caudillo de la gente Espana and many of his troops have defected to the PCP with Franco.

The Francist forces led a revolt in Cadiz which effectively took control of the province of Cadiz. The Francist forces are said to number 17,750 and are being bolstered by citizens pledgeing their support. Zaragoza is controlled by the PCP who have officially formed a coalition with the Francists in Cadiz. The total number of their forces is 43,750 and they are marching on Madrid. The 50,000 Government forces will arrive in Zaragoza within two days and 3 cruisers, a destroyer, and 23 torpedo boats have been sent to Cadiz to blockade the port.

The Albanian ambassador has a private word with Councilor Rosa Luxemburg.

"This is no longer just about Kosovo. This is about the stability of Albania. Unless we get some special political deal to present to the people, the reactionary Progressives and Greater Albania Party, all of them criminal thugs, may win the next elections. They will openly support violence throughout the Balkans to bring about their dream of a Greater Albania. They would also oppress the Greek minority. We don't want that... There is also the chance of a return to civil war. Currently two of our northern districts are under the control of the KLA.

(brief pause)

Kosovo must be given some form of self-rule, even if it's only window dressing."

Comrade Councilor Luxemburg shakes her head slightly, and says, "You must understand, sir, first, that I am not a Slav. I am a Jew. While I suppose I could make a home for myself in Zion, as a general rule, for the last two millennia the principle of uniting ethnic identity to state power has not been kind to my people at all, and so perhaps you can understand, on that basis, my own reluctance to endorse the nationalist principle.

"It is not that I am unsympathetic. Many of my colleagues are, but I am not. I joined the Revolution because I detested oppression in all its forms. And I understand the human costs of violence. I was stabbed, beaten, gassed, and once even nearly drowned in Germany during the War, and I was a political organizer, not a soldier. My body is a network of scars, a testament to the power of armed hatred.

"But there are many reasons why the Union cannot special rights for Albanians in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia contains a dozen ethnicities or more - there are Roma, Jews, Magyars, Vlachs, Bulgarians, even Germans, as well as others I can’t possibly remember off the top of my head. They all deserve, as Albanians do, protection as human beings. But, as a Communist, I cannot believe that anyone deserves protection on the basis of their racial origin. If Kosovo were even to be accorded full federal status within the Yugoslav government, as opposed to remaining part of Serbia, the case would not be closed. It would simply at best postpone the time when Kosovar separatists would again seek union with a Greater Albania.

"That would not be stabilization. And it would open the floodgates of the nationalist principle in the Balkans, which, given the ethnic commingling that has taken place there over the past thousand years, could only end in terrible bloodshed.

"I have the authority to support the presence of French peacekeepers on Albanian soil, if necessary, to maintain the stability of your Government. But I advise you, as one who herself had to fight in the frontlines against oppression, that there is no future in appeasing those whose misguided patriotism brooks no compromises.

"I am sorry I cannot tell you what you want to hear."

The Kingdom of Romania wishes to inform the Russian government that they is pleased that Russia is sending a peacekeeping mission to the troubled region of Kosovo and informs them that free passege for the mission through Romania is offered aswell as a good amount of Romanian supplies and volunteers to the Russian mission. The Romanian Governmnt extend their best wishes and hopes for the future.

"Why is Serbia a federal Republic and not Kosovo. Kosovo part of Serbia?! The two are completely different not just in ethnic groups, but in religion, culture and economic status. They are pretty much seperate countries.

Serbia has long ignored Kosovo's conditions of poverty and they allowed the smuggaling networks to form during Albania's period of civil disorder. Were do you think the Zog rebels got their supplies? Through the Yugoslavian Ethnic Albanian communities. Those criminal networks, established by the negligence of their State and the weakness of ours, are one of the main reasons for the violence. Serbia has proved incompetent when it comes to managing Kosovo.

Separatists will all-ways exist, you can't get rid of them. To say you can build the perfect society where there are not separatists is arrogant Humanism. However, the current status of Kosovo only helps them. When something goes wrong who do they blame? The Serbian Federal government in Belgrade. And who do they blame for being part of the Serbian Federal government, the Yugoslavian Federation government in Sarajevo. If Kosovo was it's own Federal Republic they would be responsible for their own affairs. The separatists would lose popular support and the Kosovo's population would have no one to blame but them-selves."

The ambassador pulls out a map and procedes to show that the province of Kosovo is as large as a third of Albania and almost as large Slovenia and Monte-Negro. Kosovo is in fact equal in size to the existing Federal Republics of Backa and Banat and larger then the Federal Republics of Preekomurje and Medjumurje.

OOC: This of course would be directed towards the House of Romanov, not the Russian government.

IC:

From: His Majesty King Umberto II of Italy
To: His Majesty Tsar Aleksei

Dear sir,

As you may know, I, head of the House of Savoy, am unmarried. I can produce no heir to the Italian throne in this state, and I beseech you, Emperor of all Russias, to provide me with a wife to produce an heir. Let us put asside our past differences, and let a new House of Savoy-Romanov rise in the future.

OOC: This of course would be directed towards the House of Romanov, not the Russian government.

IC:

From: His Majesty King Umberto II of Italy
To: His Majesty Tsar Aleksei

Dear sir,

As you may know, I, head of the House of Savoy, am unmarried. I can produce no heir to the Italian throne in this state, and I beseech you, Emperor of all Russias, to provide me with a wife to produce an heir. Let us put asside our past differences, and let a new House of Savoy-Romanov rise in the future.

To His Majesty, King Umberto II of Italy

My dear sir, I should overjoyed to call you brother, for I know full well your principled stands and wise policies. Though our blessed Fathers fought mightily against one another, nevertheless I can think of no greater gift to their memories than the gift of peace between our great and ancient Houses.

I should be pleased to offer the hand of Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolayevna in marriage to Your Majesty.

Za Mir! [OoC: Russian for, "To Peace!" But could also be interpreted as meaning, "For the World!" in an imperialistic sense.]

His Majesty by the grace of God Aleksei II Nikolayevich, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias

[OoC: Postmarked from London, where the Romanovs went after Paris, but they might relocate to Rome after this.]

Of course, anyone in this kind of situation would help another if it was humanly possible to do so... It was clear that we were a little misguided at times and in different ways over the past few years. It is clear that we both need to be very careful with the way that everyone in a society operates as well as being capable of surviving in the modern world and also thriving in this kind of stage...

-Princess Maria-Louisa of Bulgaria.

Brazil would like to utilise Russian (well, Union) help in creating a functioning air corps and tank corps. Air especally however. The nature of the terrain of Brazil increasingly requires air support, the likes of which was provided by Germany during our ongoing civil war and which proved to be most successful and still is. We require an easily produced scout/fighter aircraft as well as a reliable long range bomber aircraft. Also, we would like a design for a light tank that can traverse some of the more rugged terrain in our country. We will of course pay for this and also we enquire as to how advanced paratroops are at this stage? If they are available then I would gladly submit many of my men for training in this mode of warfare.

Deepest Regards,
War Department of Brazil


(ooc: I've posted this in the German thread as well)

Secret Communication to Moscow:
Comrades, we are desperate for assisstance. Every day South Africa grows more oppressive, and life worsens for the Africans, that it to say, the proletariat. We send this message to beg your help in bringing the revolution to South Africa.

Thabo Mphakanyiswa
African National Congress

OOC: Hey, Brazil what about France? We've got aircraft too. ;)

IC:

Encoded Communique to the Council

France has, after considering your request, agreed to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia. We feel it would benefit both of our nations.

OOC: Hey, Brazil what about France? We've got aircraft too. ;)

Hey! Berlin will get there first.

IC:

Encoded Communique to the Council

France has, after considering your request, agreed to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia. We feel it would benefit both of our nations.

This would be very pleasing to the Union Government and People. Despite the vicissitudes our nations have recently faced together, we feel that the outcome was ultimately successful, and shows the way forward to lasting peace.

Za Mir!

- N.I. Bukharin, Premier of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

Secret Communication to Moscow:
Comrades, we are desperate for assisstance. Every day South Africa grows more oppressive, and life worsens for the Africans, that it to say, the proletariat. We send this message to beg your help in bringing the revolution to South Africa.

Thabo Mphakanyiswa
African National Congress
The African People have been made the Proletariat of the World by Imperialism, it is true. The Union will aid our Revolutionary Brothers in South Africa to throw off their chains of oppression. We will dispatch organizers and allow ANC members to come and study Revolution in Moscow.

- Commissariat of International Affairs, Directorate of Progressive Action

OOC: Ooh, a communist uprising in South Africa. Interesting, Churchill will not be amused!

Though of course, I know nothing of this...

OOC: Hey, Brazil what about France? We've got aircraft too. ;)

IC:

Encoded Communique to the Council

France has, after considering your request, agreed to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia. We feel it would benefit both of our nations.


Same applies to you Jensai, Hell, you are our main military supply/training compadres. Could you help us with regard to this?

Same applies to you Jensai, Hell, you are our main military supply/training compadres. Could you help us with regard to this?
I assumed that Germany would take care of this, but, yes, the Union will provide - perhaps a joint Russo-French project for Brazilian aviation can be undertaken . . .

We would be glad to receive this generous offer. If one of you can supply a fighter model and another a bomber model then this would be fantastic. Also it might be best for the French to train our paratroops as they already have a very close working relationship with our military with their advisors accompanying our troops since around 1908 and even through our civil war.

ahter unfortuntely France has little experience with paratroops, as we do not as of yet have a plane capable of transpoting the numbr of men require for the operation. You would probably be better off talking to the Germans.

OOC: Yes, I am better at paratroopers. However, my planes aren't as up to date as France's. Paratroopers and tanks for planes.

IC: The Left Hand is willing to let Brazil purchase a dozen Carrier Zeppelins. Currently they are occupied by German Fokker-I's. However, should you desire, we can help you fit French Fighters, should the need occur.

Also, our newest Panzer-IIs, especially flamethrower equipped would suit Brazil's rainforests well.

We are also willing to train several battalions in the art of Paratrooping. However, while our Stosstruppen Paratroopers have done great things in three conflicts, we must warn you that the risk is especially emminent in a jungle situation such as Brazil's. Until we have perfected it, we must warn against such things. Until then, feel free to call on us.

The cost would be minimal for an ally such as yours.

OOC: Right. I'll pull up your diplomatic thread and I'll see what we can work out. I"ll trade you better planes for improved tank doctrines and designs which I can incoraprate into my FT series.

And thus Eurasia will bring about the final defeat of the Right-deviationist Oceania! Hail Eurasia! Hail the Workers!

OOC: Huzzah! Long live the Workers!

Actually, I can't find your diplomatic thread Parthini. Mind posting in mine?

EDIT: Found it!

And thus Eurasia will bring about the final defeat of the Right-deviationist Oceania! Hail Eurasia! Hail the Workers!

yes, being a land power worked out very well for Napoleon didn't it?

yes, being a land power worked out very well for Napoleon didn't it?
Now that's just needlessly inflammatory - I would expect nothing better, though, from one of Goldstein's stooges.

being a land power worked pretty good for the mongols :P

being a land power worked pretty good for the mongols :P

read up on the two Mongol invasions of Japan, and how those ended up

read up on the two Mongol invasions of Japan, and how those ended up

and after that read on how they conquered China with nothing more than bad breath and small bow and arrows. as well as making Europe collectively shit its pants.

Yeah, I immediately thought of the Mongols, too, but I knew he'd just bring up Japan. There's just no debating with the minions of Goldstein. We'll just have to invent rockets and shoot them from thousands of miles away.

Yeah, I immediately thought of the Mongols, too, but I knew he'd just bring up Japan. There's just no debating with the minions of Goldstein. We'll just have to invent rockets and shoot them from thousands of miles away.

hmm, when are rockets invented?

Parthini']OOC: Yes, I am better at paratroopers. However, my planes aren't as up to date as France's. Paratroopers and tanks for planes.

IC: The Left Hand is willing to let Brazil purchase a dozen Carrier Zeppelins. Currently they are occupied by German Fokker-I's. However, should you desire, we can help you fit French Fighters, should the need occur.

Also, our newest Panzer-IIs, especially flamethrower equipped would suit Brazil's rainforests well.

We are also willing to train several battalions in the art of Paratrooping. However, while our Stosstruppen Paratroopers have done great things in three conflicts, we must warn you that the risk is especially emminent in a jungle situation such as Brazil's. Until we have perfected it, we must warn against such things. Until then, feel free to call on us.

The cost would be minimal for an ally such as yours.

We would greatly like to send 3 battalions of the State Guard and 2 battalions of the International Brigade for parachute training with the ultimate objective to send many more troops. And the carrier zeppelins, they carry other planes? Also has either France, Germany of Russia got a medium/long range bomber that I could purchase?

The V-2 was invented in, like, '44, and had a range of a couple hundred miles. Decent battlefield rockets were designed and created back in the 'Thirties, though, and used in WWII.

The V-2 was invented in, like, '44, and had a range of a couple hundred miles. Decent battlefield rockets were designed and created back in the 'Thirties, though, and used in WWII.

Yeah I knew about the V2 but those battlefield rockets could be interesting soon. We could develop them for our aircraft soon then?

I think so. We've got some of the best rocket scientists - Tsiolkovsky and Oberth (von Braun is, like, twelve years old). The mathematics are already largely completed by the early 'Twenties, it's just a matter of engineering, which really was the hardest part back then.

But I think rockets mounted on Zeppelins would be way cool. The problem there would be the guidance systems. But even Tesla, by this time, was experimenting (somewhat successfully, though with Tesla it's always hard to tell how much was genius and how much was fraud) with radio-control. Unfortunately, the big names there (Tesla, Marconi, Edison) are on the other side.

(von Braun is, like, twelve years old).

(OOC: and what of Korolev? I know you'll be getting him but he's 18 and in RL already designing gliders)

Is there ever going to be a way to defend the Zeppelins, say with armouring them or something? Because they are fairly vulnerable even to casual fire at the moment aren't they?

We do get Korolev, you're right. And a bunch of other dudes who in RL got purged by Stalin (Man, I am so glad I killed that jerk off).

As for the Zeppelins, probably not, most armor would make them too heavy. Kevlar wasn't invented til 1971, by which time the weapons sytems on fighters would still penetrate it. There are sound reasons, actually, why Zeppelins went the way of the dodo. I'd expect we'll probably just mount more guns on them and have them fly with fighter escorts, until we're forced to give them up as indefensible.

We do get Korolev, you're right. And a bunch of other dudes who in RL got purged by Stalin (Man, I am so glad I killed that jerk off).

As for the Zeppelins, probably not, most armor would make them too heavy. Kevlar wasn't invented til 1971, by which time the weapons sytems on fighters would still penetrate it. There are sound reasons, actually, why Zeppelins went the way of the dodo. I'd expect we'll probably just mount more guns on them and have them fly with fighter escorts, until we're forced to give them up as indefensible.


shame, I had an amazing image of Red Alert 2 style Kirov airships devastating whole cities heh.

I think so. We've got some of the best rocket scientists - Tsiolkovsky and Oberth (von Braun is, like, twelve years old). The mathematics are already largely completed by the early 'Twenties, it's just a matter of engineering, which really was the hardest part back then.

But I think rockets mounted on Zeppelins would be way cool. The problem there would be the guidance systems. But even Tesla, by this time, was experimenting (somewhat successfully, though with Tesla it's always hard to tell how much was genius and how much was fraud) with radio-control. Unfortunately, the big names there (Tesla, Marconi, Edison) are on the other side.

OOC: There's a solution to this- I will have to TG you it.

----------------------------------------------
Secret Comminque to the Union
From: Greater China

Greetings, honorable friends.

It has come to China's attention that the United States is withdrawing from the Washington Naval Treaty. Why would the United States withdraw from a treaty that it had created? There must be some motive behind this, either preparing for a war with an yet un-named or un-marked nation, or an arms race.

We must not allow ourselves to be caught flat-footed. China has sent a strong international comminque strongly encouraging the United States to return back to the Washington Naval Treaty. If it continues to refuse to do so, then China will have no choice but to withdraw from the treaty. We will not be bound by the treaty if others are adamant about breaking it, as there would be no point in the treaty if it was meant to be broken.

China would like to know what opinions the Union may have on this new development. We value the opinions of our long-time allies in Moscow and Berlin.

Thank you and go in peace.
~Emperor Guozu

It is clear that the United States is attempting to precipitate an international arms race that its exploitive industrial capacity will allow it to win. That is Washington's goal in this case. Moscow is attempting to determine right now if a restructuring of the Treaty is feasible, but should the Americans remain adamant regarding withdrawal, we cannot hope to compete with Allied naval power, and must concentrate our efforts instead upon coastal defenses and air superiority. The Revolutionary High Command believes that torpedo-carrying planes, in large numbers and escorted by the new fighter-planes we are seeing in the skies of the Mediterranean, may offset the Anglo-American naval advantages in terms of coastal defense.

We will be in further communication regarding these events as they become clearer.

-N.I. Bukharin, Premier of the Union of Social-Democratic Republics

OOC:

I was wondering if we could do a secret conference between China and the Union? We could discuss strategies or plans- that way, it will be legal, and not "Oh, we pulled it out of our asses". What do you think?

We do get Korolev, you're right. And a bunch of other dudes who in RL got purged by Stalin (Man, I am so glad I killed that jerk off).

As for the Zeppelins, probably not, most armor would make them too heavy. Kevlar wasn't invented til 1971, by which time the weapons sytems on fighters would still penetrate it. There are sound reasons, actually, why Zeppelins went the way of the dodo. I'd expect we'll probably just mount more guns on them and have them fly with fighter escorts, until we're forced to give them up as indefensible.

You could always just put a Phalanx Air Defence system on them to shoot down planes and missles, though multiple targets would be a problem, so they will fall out of favor eventually if Air Superiorty is not complete.

Vas Pokhoronim, acting on behalf of both the Union Supreme Council abd the Revolutionary High Command.

Every mine available has been laid off the beaches and in the roadstead, and the last Nationalist motorboats are finally sunk after driving off repeated attempts by the enemy to check for mines.

Several transports and several dozen small craft are offshore as well, as dawn breaks, the small craft head toward the shore, crowded with French and Russian marines (6,000 in all, in 12 assault battalions).

It was a textbook perfect assault, and something new in the annals of warfare, for even as the paratroopers and marines came in, the infantry ringing the city stormed toward their objectives.

A picture perfect scene, until the Nationalists opened fire and the first landing craft hit the first mine.

Then it became chaos.

No one had ever conducted an amphibious assault against a defended beach in modern history, and the reason became clear why it was risky when nearly 30 landing craft were blown apart by mines or hit by shell fire before they even reached the shore. Nearly 100 more were damaged, and in all only 50 boats managed to reach shore undamaged. Their Marines stumbled out, and in some cases found that they had only reached a sand bar and water chest deep or higher was between them and the actual beach. Not a single boat actually made it into the harbor, and the warships offshore fired as best they could, but without communications, they couldn't reach hidden batteries.

Of the 6,000 Russian and French marines who started, only 1,000 were still on their feet after the first hour. With their leaders mostly dead, without communications, and most of them scattered and disorganized, they could only cling to the beach and hope someone else won the battle and rescued them.

At the end of the battle, only 600 Marines and 1,000 Paratroopers would walk out, and most of them were wounded. The rest were dead or missing.


OoC: Well that sucked.

IC
The entire Red Army Marine Corps, dead and living, is declared "Vanguard of the Revolution" by the Union Supreme Council, a decoration is minted for them, and the survivors and their families (and the families of the fallen) are extended a number of special privileges by legislation. [OoC: I guess the Communists just invented a knighthood . . . how interesting.] Those who performed particularly well, of course, are granted the order of "Hero of the Revolution."

All survivors are interviewed as to their perspectives and positions in the battle, and their input is taken into account for future operations. Those who remain in the military after this (after taking such losses, any who wish are allowed to retire) are promoted to noncoms and officers, and made into a cadre for the new Workers' Red Army Assault Corps, which will include both Marines and Paratroopers, both Russians and Germans, and will be open to recruitment only to troops which have seen active duty, and voluntarily at that (recruitment will be incentive-driven, at least at first - if shortfalls are too large, we'll experiment with other methods).

To: USDR Government
From: Cho Hyang-Dan, Korean Workingman's Party

The election that has recently installed the capitalist Coalition Government in my homeland is troubling, for it spells possible disaster for our efforts to bring true democracy to Korea. Indeed, one of our men, an agitator by the name of Kim Il-Sung, has been arrested already for speaking out. I fear also that our seats in Congress will become meaningless, for the Progressive-Capitalist Bloc in power will undoubtedly ignore us and pursue policies that will prove threatening to the people.

To this end, I humbly ask our Comrades in Moscow for support in organizing the Party in Korea and in building ourselves up, so we may have a voice in the future of an independent Korea free from oppression by the capitalist, lest the capitalists, especially those in Japan and America, will conquer us, and bring the plague to you.

Secret message:
Greetings,
As you know Romania has decided to remain neutral in the conflict. However we notice that war can be very costly to your country. Therefore we offer you the following:

We will help support a part of your scientists research and provide facillities for them in exchange for sharing the fruits of their labours. (If millitary research is agreed and conducted it will be under the guise of civil).

We would like also to assure you that all millitary access treaties will be honored.

To: Union Military High Command

I humbly request your help in my nations time of need. As you know, Hungary has been rocked by a civil war, one that still existis, if only in the occasional raid. However, this conflict has left the Hungarian military heavily dammaged, already forcing ust to reduce our army by one Infantry Corps. The point of this telegram however is this; if Hungary is going to be able to aid the Pact in its fight against the LTA, it will be neccessary to expand the Hungarian armed forces. What I suggest is this:
Increasing the size of the army by 2 Infantry corps (doubling its current size), one Mechanized corps (doubling the current amount) and adding a Headquarters unit and if at all possible the expansion of the Airfoce by adding a Fighter Corps.
This would not only allow Hungary to aid your forces in its conflict, but allow my own nation to finish putting down the rebellion in its own lands as well. Thank you for considering my offer.

Sincerly,
General Aurél Stromfeld

ooc: basically I'm hiting you up for points.

To: Union Military High Command

I humbly request your help in my nations time of need. As you know, Hungary has been rocked by a civil war, one that still existis, if only in the occasional raid. However, this conflict has left the Hungarian military heavily dammaged, already forcing ust to reduce our army by one Infantry Corps. The point of this telegram however is this; if Hungary is going to be able to aid the Pact in its fight against the LTA, it will be neccessary to expand the Hungarian armed forces. What I suggest is this:
Increasing the size of the army by 2 Infantry corps (doubling its current size), one Mechanized corps (doubling the current amount) and adding a Headquarters unit and if at all possible the expansion of the Airfoce by adding a Fighter Corps.
This would not only allow Hungary to aid your forces in its conflict, but allow my own nation to finish putting down the rebellion in its own lands as well. Thank you for considering my offer.

Sincerly,
General Aurél Stromfeld

ooc: basically I'm hiting you up for points.
How many points would this take, and how many do you have? I might be able to edit my builds for Jan/Feb and give you some points from Czechoslovakia and a few from Russia, if necessary.

ooc: It would take twelve points (I should have said motorized corps not mech, my mistake). I'm not sure how many I can contribute myself till GB tells me how many I have, but however many you can spare would be appreciated.

Just saw it after I wrote this. Tell you what, I'll send the 3 Czech points to you. You probably have 1 or 2 of your own (more likely 1 - Hungary's been in pretty bad shape for a long time). Your plan will take 5/turn, but I'll be picking up a couple extra next turn, and I'll send you 1. You can start building planes with it or something. Deal?

(Just in case you didn't see it in the other thread)

ooc: Sounds good my friend, thank you very much. Expect a Corps or two to be joining you in the fight.

back again from weekend...

I will read through everyones planned builds tonight and tomorrow and will acting on them when January starts. Remember, you can only start 2 corps a city, so if you decide to build 30 corps for example, and only have 10 cities, they won't all start the same turn. Its to your advantage to spread builds out, but its up to you. Any changes need to be edited by midnight tomorrow Pacific Standard Time. Don't expect any posting from me tomorrow night, its Halloween and I have kids to take Trick or Treating, and if you don't have kids, for gods sake get out of the house and go to a party damn it. Its fun.

Romania wishes to inquire about becoming a signatory to the Warsaw Pact. It is hoped that such an act will bring Russia and Romania closer together.

This would please the Union greatly, and point the way to a lasting peace and future prosperity for both our peoples.

Excellent/ A delgation is dispatched to Warsaw in order to hammer out the specifics.

I have the pleasure of informing you of Hungary's interest in joining the Warsaw Pact. While Hungary's relations with Russia have not always been the best, your invaluable help during my nation's civil unrest has proven that you have only the best intentions. While the issue goes to my nations legislative, I request more information on what bennifits Hungary would recieve from this so that I may better present my, rather our case to those who doubt the wisdom of my decision.

Thank you ????????!

Acting-Kaiser Maximilian