NationStates Jolt Archive

After realising the military and political position of Denmark as well as the other Scandinavian countries King Christian X of Denmark had been engaged in secret negotiations with King Haakon VII of Norway and King Gustaf V of Sweden. It was not long that the Scandinavian Regional Council (or SRC) was agreed to not only in principle but a charter was being drafted. After going through revision after revision the Charter for the Scandinavian Regional Council was ready.

With the focus of the SRC four-fold:

1. Strengthen ties between the Scandinavian nations
2. Encourage trade between us
3. As a forum to discuss regional issues
4. And as a way to bring a united front to the international stage.

While not enthroned in the charter, an agreement has been made between the parties to rotate the location of the regional council between Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In Denmark it will be based in Frederickhaven, In Norway; Kristianland and in Sweden, Gothenburg. The location is to rotate between these 3 locations every 2 years starting with Frederickshaven.

Below is a copy of the Charter of the SRC:


Scandinavian Regional Council Charter

Preamble
Recognizing that Scandinavia, united in brotherhood and united by a common history, is lacking in consensus among its nations, let it be ordained and established that a Scandinavian Regional Council shall be formed. The Scandinavian Regional Council seeks to bring the voices of Scandinavia together to encourage the strengthening and building of diplomatic ties, the encouragement and fostering of international trade, and the establishment of regional cooperation for defense of shipping routes and sovereignty against hostiles. The Scandinavian Regional Council shall act to present the interests of the entire region to the international community as well as providing a forum to discuss issues of regional importance.

Membership
To gain membership to the Scandinavian Regional Council, hitherto referred to as the Council, a nation recognized by all members must make a written submission to the Council. Should said nation be deemed to be part of the Scandinavian region, a vote is to be held wherein, with a supermajority vote for inclusion, measures will be undertaken to include the nation into the Council forthwith. A supermajority shall be fixed at 2/3 of all delegates. Member nations are able to withdraw from the Council at any time, provided at least six month's notice is given to the Council.

Council Representation
Every member nation within the Council is to have equal representation, with the number of delegates one per nation. This number may at any time be changed so long as the motion receives a majority vote. Delegates may be chosen in any manner proscribed by their respective nations.

Bounds of the Council
The Council is to only make a view public that has been discussed and approved by a vote by the representatives on the Council. The Council is to respect the sovereignty of its member nations and is not to interfere with domestic issues, unless there is an invitation by or specific approval of that member nation. Members of the Council are expected to adhere with the decisions made by the council on both intra-regional and extra-regional foreign affair issues. The Council is to discuss only issues that are affecting or may affect member nations. The Council may expel nation from membership if continued contempt is shown towards the decisions of the Council, but the motion requires a unanimous vote by all other representatives in the Council from the other member nations. All representatives have the right to speak openly about the issues being raised in the Council and the right to defend their point of view on any issue before a vote is to be made on that issue.

Ratification
We, the undersigned nations, pledge to abide by and enforce all measures of the Charter of the Scandinavian Regional Council. The Council shall come into full effect upon ratification by two of the charter members (Norway, Denmark, and Sweden).

As news of atrocities reaches the nations of Scandinavia, the Scandinavian Regional Council is convened to express Scandinavia's collective dismay at recent events in the world:

"We have heard of terrible atrocities being afflicted upon areas under the control of occupying forces on both sides in this Great War, specifically verified atrocities in Finland, Serbia and Armenia. Adding to this, the Kingdom of Russia has recently undertaken the purposeful targeting of unarmed merchant shipping in contravention of the Rules of Prize Warfare, striking without warning or verification. We find all such actions abhorrent to the greatest degree and strongly condemn these actions, whether by Coalition or Allied forces. We call upon all nations to immediately cease and desist any and all such atrocities in the name of humanity itself. All such actions are inherently unbecoming of civilized nations and so we implore all civilized nations to reject such barbaric and unnecessary actions and cease pursuing them in an attempt to gain what amounts to an immoral advantage over other belligerents.

Furthermore, in relation to the recent actions against German merchant shipping by Russian naval elements, actions that were thought inconceivable for a civilized power, the Scandinavian Regional Council makes this warning to both Russia and Germany, should the Germans choose to also pursue this immoral course of action: We shall hold the aggressor nation strictly accountable for any loss of Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish life or destruction of shipping. Our neutrality in this conflict is to be respected by both sides."

Tag. Since I'm in this. :)

The Meeting House when Sweden is running the SRC would be in Gothenburg for the moment... until a new building can be complete around the start of 1915.

The Scandinavian Regional Council, in opposition to privation and hardship suffered by civilians across Europe (especially as winter approaches) urge the cooperation of all nations, belligerent or neutral, in the International Red Cross' mission. Civilians in any nation should not be held to account for the policies of their governments and the Red Cross understands that. Food, medical aid, and shelter is provided by (and often only by) the Red cross, saving millions from terrible hardship. The SRC urges all nations to assist the IRC in their mission and hopes that merely because of war civilized behavior will not be thrown out the window.

Much in that same vein, Norway announces the formation of the Baltic Search and Rescue Patrol Group, a naval mission to be formed from SRC vessels as well as any other vessels donated by nations, neutral or belligerent, or provided by neutral nations. As a shipwreck in the Baltic often spells assured death for sailors, Norway feels it in the best interests of humanity to provide an organization whose goal is to rescue these sailors and either repatriate them or hold them in Norway until the war is over, as per rules of Neutrality. Norway urges the aid of all nations in Europe, as well as overseas, and expresses a wish for other neutrals to become involved in the group should they wish to as well. It is stressed that the BSRPG will be a strictly neutral affair and not differentiate between the nationalities of sailors who are saved- this group stands to benefit both belligerent sides in the conflict, as well as saving the lives of many.

The Russian government approaches the SRC with a deal: it would be willing to grant Finland it's independence and essentially hand administration over to the SRC.

The conditions of the agreement are:

The SRC will pay Russia in installments for five years (or the war ends, which ever comes first) the following:

14 points the first year and 15 points every year thereafter.

The SRC will provide Russia with food for the duration of the war.

Finland becomes a free and independent state, with a membership in the SRC and a permanent Non-Aggression Pact with the Empire of Russia.

Finland's military is limited to 100,000 men for fifteen years after the conclusion of the war. After that time period Finland will be allowed to build a military.

The SRC will assume the administration of Finland immediately, on signing of this treaty.

None of the members of the rebel governemnt will be allowed to participate in any way, shape or form in the new nation's government. If they return to Finland they will be extradited to Russia for trial as traitors.

Any Finnish troops still in arms against Russia will be allowed to return home if they lay down their arms and swear to never take up arms against Russia again. After the war they may join the military of their country.

The Finnish resources will be given to the Russian war effort for the duration of the war.

Russian troops will withdraw within one month after SRC troops arrive in enough strength to protect Finland's nuetrality and to take control of the country.

The Scandinavian Regional Council is convened to review the Russian offer. The Russians are informed that their offer has been received and is being debated.

Mannerheim and the Finnish government in exile, if consulted, will agree to the terms.

They are patriots, and willing to accept the price to gain freedom for Finland.

Mannerheim and his Finnish government are invited to join the SRC in discussion, so the SRC can get the views of the government-in-exile of Finland.

After deliberation within the SRC and with the Russians, the following treaty has been agreed upon:



The conditions of the agreement are:

The SRC will pay Russia in installments for five years (or the war ends, which ever comes first) the following:

The SRC will pay Russia for 5 years or until the end of the war (whichever comes first) 9 production points and 4 food points.

Finland becomes a free and independent state, with a membership in the SRC and a permanent Non-Aggression Pact with the Empire of Russia.

Finland's military is limited to 100,000 men for fifteen years after the conclusion of the war. After that time period Finland will be allowed to build a military.

The SRC will assume the administration of Finland immediately, on signing of this treaty.

None of the members of the rebel governemnt will be allowed to participate in any way, shape or form in the new nation's government. If they return to Finland they will be extradited to Russia for trial as traitors.

Any Finnish troops still in arms against Russia will be allowed to return home if they lay down their arms and swear to never take up arms against Russia again. After the war they may join the military of their country.

The Finnish resources will be given to the Russian war effort for the duration of the war.

Russian troops will withdraw within one month after SRC troops arrive in enough strength to protect Finland's nuetrality and to take control of the country.

Territorial boundaries as submitted by Russia are to be the international boundaries between Finland and Russia.


The Treaty of Fredrickshaven, named after the sity it was signed in, is to go into effect immediately as per the terms negotiated between the various parties.

(When does Russia's allies hear of this?)

The Russian government signs the Treaty of Fredricksheaven and announces that Russian troops will be withdrawing from Finland as soon as possible.

tag

None of the members of the rebel governemnt will be allowed to participate in any way, shape or form in the new nation's government. If they return to Finland they will be extradited to Russia for trial as traitors.

OOC: Doesn't this term mean Mannerheim (or other mambers of the revolutionary government) and his forces are exiled from Finland? If so wouldn't he join German Forces in Murmansk? or would they simply live in exile?

The Finnish unit in Petsamo disbands and essentially forms a national police force, along with returning POWs etc. It will eventually form the nucleus of the post war Finnish Army. Mannerheim goes into retirement, having survived and helped to win independence for Finland. The provisional Finnish government makes him ambassador to Denmark.

Greece asks Sweden whether it can construct Zepplin airliner units for Greece. Payment will be upfront. (Sweden has the tech, right?)

The Russian government asks the SRC about an increase in trade, specifically the ore coming out of Sweden in exchange for either oil, coal or some other commodity.

Japan wishes to increase trade with the SRC members, and offers the sale of coal to SRC members. Increased shipping will also be sent to the SRC

Japan wishes to increase trade with the SRC members, and offers the sale of coal to SRC members. Increased shipping will also be sent to the SRC

Realistically, the SRC would probably import coal from someone more local than Japan/Manchuria, considering that they're on the opposite sides of the world. So unless Japan is willing to let the SRC have coal on the cheap, this would be somewhat unrealistic.

Realistically, the SRC would probably import coal from someone more local than Japan/Manchuria, considering that they're on the opposite sides of the world. So unless Japan is willing to let the SRC have coal on the cheap, this would be somewhat unrealistic.

It's more of an offer than anything else. I'm sure the SRC already has coal matters handled, but offering seems like I have more to offer