NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Read the comments on this conference (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=469461&page=4) (bottom of the linked page) in the OOC thread before jumping in, and also be sure to read the OOC comments below so that you understand the environment in which these events are taking place. I’ll have no breaches of etiquette at my embassy, thank you!

For those who missed it, an announcement of this conference and its purpose (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10508078&postcount=4) appeared in the AoR IC diplomatic thread (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10508078#post10508078).

The Austrian Embassy, Rome
February 28th, 1860The delegates of the various Italian principalities – or, in the case of those territories in revolt, the rival claimants to their government – had all arrived in Rome a day or two in advance of the conference to establish an Italian Confederation. Because some of the prospective participants were legally in a state of rebellion against the authority of the Church, it was agreed for the sake of their participation that they would come under diplomatic cover of the Kingdom of Sardinia, as “emissaries” of the House of Savoy, and that they could use both the facilities of the Sardinian and Austrian embassies, since – even though some of these same people were also in rebellion against Austrian authority (or the authority of cousin princes of the Habsburg line) – the Austrian Empire had formally agreed to a general amnesty throughout the rebellious territories, as agreed to at Villafranca and put into formal terms with the Treaty of Zurich, and was making every visible effort to follow through on these promises.

Thus - strange as it seemed, given the general animosity Italians harboured toward the Austrians – the Austrian Embassy had become something of a social magnet for the delegates; there would be luncheons, dinners, balls, and other formal functions here (as there would be at the other participants embassies, where they had embassies) that just about anyone could safely attend without danger of arrest (or worse).

And so, the night before the conference, against the backdrop of violins and the clink of glasses, the real work of deciding the future of Italy began in earnest…OOC: Don’t waste a lot of time making a grand entrance (though, if you must [<sigh>], you must). Some casual conversation among members of your diplomatic team or with some of the non-player states (like the revolutionaries of Central Italy or the princes they deposed [and who seek reinstatement]) can be used to foreshadow your position. Remember, this is a formal diplomatic function, so don’t start any fights, draw pistols, or do anything that would be out of place in the stratospheric world of 19th Century diplomacy).

The actual conference will begin in a day or two…

Amidst the Assembled Delegates“It is absolutely untrue,” said a minor Austrian envoy, parroting the official diplomatic line, “That Austria seeks to deny the people of Italy their independence of action; indeed, the entire idea of an Italian Confederation is to allow Italy to stand tall in the community of nations and have its interests recognised like everybody elses’s.”

“But at the same time,” the man added, “We don’t believe that it serves anybody’s interests – except those, perhaps, of hotheads like Garibaldi – to stir up nationalist passions. After all,” he cooed, “Nationalism is merely a ‘polite’ excuse to make war upon ones neighbours and take everything they have. That was how it worked out in France during the Revolution, and that is how it will work out anywhere else that the unbridled flames are nationalist passion are allowed to spread. Europe is too small and too diverse for such passions to be allowed to flourish; there would be endless war of the most horrible sort if they did.”

“No,” he said, sipping his champagne, “The real future of Europe is in inter-nationalism, in getting peoples of different nationalities and religions to live together and strive for the common good. Inter-nationalism will make war a thing of the past, while nationalism will make it everybody’s future.”

“You say that,” murmured a member of a delegation from one of the rebellious Italian principalities, “Only because your worthless Empire has no nationality. In a world where national aspirations were recognised and embraced, your country would no longer exist.”

The diplomat smiled and responded with his prepared riposte: “Of course not. Instead, in its place, there would be a dozen separate nations, all constantly warring on each other – and on all of Austria’s neighbours, including Italy. Would that be an improvement, good sir? No prosperity, no commerce, no collaboration amongst the nationalities - only rape, pillage, plunder, and bloody death everywhere? If that is what we speak of when we talk of ‘progress’ and ‘modernisation’, well, sir, I for one want nothing of it,” he concluded, to soft expressions of assent among many - but not all - of his listeners.

King Francis II of Sardinia walked into the room with a flourish, exemplifying the proud ignorance of his family and many monarchies throughout time. He held his strong face high in the air, his nose dancing wildly with the chandaliers as he strode in. Turning to hand his long coat and staff to the nearest convenient man, he sat down with a soft thud of his many years and many pounds.

Turning finally to the head of the hall he rose his hand in salute to the Austrian representatives and a low nod in the direction of the Sardinians. Quickly recognizing a papal representative he strode over to that area and the kissed the finger of the the man, some cardinal or another, eloquently, and sat. Looking around a second time, his voice boomed unnaturally through the halls,"So, when do we get this started? I am ready to condemn those nationalist thieves who invade my country and to see what you have to say, gentlemen.

OOC: Sorry Voxio, no can do - but trust me, if what you say is true, you don't have too much to worry about