NationStates Jolt Archive

Ever since the collapsed of the Empire of Wolfestein, the numerous provinces of the former state have been driven into a state of constant chaos. At first without a ruling body, anarchy took its toll. Then, the regional leaders of the military took power and became Warlords. But without infrastructures or resources, numerous calamities struck the land; famine, poverty; all of these was now a common thing. The sheer affliction of a particular province, just above the Confederacy of Warsaw, made the ruling Warlord desirous to relinquish power.

Fully aware of the situation, the Grand Duke of Warsaw sought to take advantage of it, and expand the boundaries of the Confederacy, which had always remain in a state of stagnation since its foundation. This would not be an easy task however. The Confederacy was prosperous indeed, but annexing another province could be costly. It had to build infrastructures for the new province, feed the population, provide jobs and all the necessary need for living. The Duke turned himself to the country's Arms Manufacturing. It usher the Confederacy into economic prosperity, he would use it to finance the annexion. Profits made from it would be directly assigned to Province's new budget. The military of course, would be deployed. But it was only to oversee the entire operation.

The Duke wrote the following the following to the Warlord of the province of Aleksanderland.

To our neighbor.

No doubt have you assume sovereignty over your nation in perfect legitimately, but you must come to realize that your land is broken. Not only by poverty but by the lack of all the necessary infrastructure and needs. We therefore lend our hand to you. We would like of you to take part to our most noble Confederacy. As neighbors we are alike in many ways, it only seems natural for us to extend our bounds and work together for the betterment of our people. Financial aids will of course be given, we might indebt ourselves to restore peace and order, but the profits that will be generated from our partnership will be far greater than any of that.

Sincerely.
His Majesty the Arch Duke of Warsaw.

OOC: So what form is this going to take? Some kind of federation of Warsaw and t'other one with Warsaw as senior partner?
Anyways, on to business.

IC:
"Got a little report in from Warsaw that might interest you."
"Oh, really? Don't tell me, the Duke's been assassinated by a German?"
"No sir, as it happens."
"Go on then, it seems I pay you for a reason."
A grin in reply.
"Well it seems Warsaw wants to expand. Probably want coastal access as well. Anyway, they've begun intimidating, brow-beating, buying, coercing and otherwise gaining control over the lands to their north. Their influence is a bit shaky in some places, but they're a lot more organised and determined than the opposition, so it's considered highly likely that they'll succeed in due course."
"A Baltic coast. Access to that could be quite useful for us, in due course."
"That thought didn't occur to me, I admit."
"In any case, I see no reason why this is to our disadvantage, and it could be quite advantageous, if played right. So, I think a communique congratulating them on restoring order to a troubled land, all that sort of thing; then see if we can help them out. I'd expect this would stretch their bank-balance somewhat, I think a loan might be...welcomed. We'll give them a better rate than the global market, I think. Additionally we could offer more practical assistance. Trainers to share some of our experience with these style of operations, like the ones we've been running for years on the southern border."
OOC note: That doesn't mean I'm planning to take over those two provinces between me and Bautzen. Merely that Incognitia plays the Great Game there.

IC: "What, if anything, will we be asking in return?"
"On the quiet, for now, we want a rail-line to the coast and permission to build a harbour there, with naval protection if such becomes necessary. The enclave is to be Incognitian sovereign territory, with access to it through Warsaw guaranteed. In return for which we write-off the loans in due course."
"Will they bite?"
"One way to find out for sure."

To: The Archduke
From: The Tyrant, John McGrath
We wish to show our support for your efforts in expanding order and stability to the troubled lands to your north. We are a little concerned that you may over-stretch your own resources in so doing, but as your friends will of course assist you should that occur.
In fact we wish to make it clear that the Bank of Incognitia has been instructed to prepare a bond issue, the proceeds of which would be available to you as a loan. Further such arrangements can be conducted if necessary.

The loan becomes a gift, and we send some of our operatives with experience on our southern border to offer their expertise to your commanders, IF:
You agree to cede one port and it's immediate environs, irrevocably and permanently, to be sovereign Incognitian territory.
You agree to permit Incognitia totally free access to the said port, by land and air.
Just to emphasise, it will be a civilian port with military forces only to protect the port itself and the trade through it; and Warsaw's own trade will of course be permitted to pass through it as they can through our Adriatic ports now.
We surmise that this may indeed be better from your point of view than holding that particlar port yourselves, given the fact that you presently have no merchant marine or navy, and no expertise in such things, and our investment will be higher in something we hold ourselves than if you held it. We were thinking perhaps of Ustka as a suitable candidate.
OOC: Ustka is, according to wiki, the largest port between Szczecin and Gdansk, so if things are as IRL, the second largest port you'll be taking (Szczecin is sadly too close to Germany for me to be comfortable with it, and Gdansk is outside the area you'll take.)

To The Tyrant, John McGrath

We thank you for your kind offer, as well as all that your nation has done for ours in the past. But, we cannot accept the current proposal. We feel that any foreign power having such a foothold within our territory could threaten the Confederacy's indepence.

However, we are more than happen to accept financing from Incognitia. Incognitia will benefit from:

1) Incognitia will have free access to our soon-to-be-constructed ports.
2) Incognitia will be free to trade with the Northern nations through those ports without special taxes. The goods will be delivered to Incognitia through railroads.
3) Incognitia will be able to dock its ships on the said ports.

Sincerely.
The Arch Duke of Warsaw.

Very well. This is regrettable, but we will stilll render you what assistance we can, so that the process goes as smoothly and painlessly as possible for all concerned.
After all, the new enlarged nation of Warsaw will be a better friend and trading partner for Incognitia.

It was not long before the Warlord of the said province wrote back to the Duke. He had accepted the offer of course, refusing would have been utter folly. It was now time to act. Tomorrow the Confederacy would double its size.

The plan had been already drawn. At the behest of the Duke, 12 000 Troops were deployed along the border and slowly moved inside the province. This was only the oversee the entire process and help out of construction of various infrastructure , the Duke did not expect any resistance. Workers of various fields were also sent out, and because of financing from Incognitia and the large budget granted by the Duke, supplies were abundant.

After settling itself throughout numerous cities, the work began. Structures were repaired, governmental buildings were erected, and factories built. The province's population served as workers. They were paid, and fed. The ex-Warlord was deemed capable enough of becoming a Governor for the province. It was now part of the Confederacy.

A Manifesto was written for the new citizen.

My dear friends.

First and foremost, I welcome you to the Confederacy. Our nation is now stronger, and larger than it has ever been, and because of our combined effort, I am sure, it will continue to grow and prosper. We now face the sea, new horizons are now open before us. New friends to be made, new alliances to be formed, lands to conquer; we can safely say that the Confederacy has attained attained its Golden Age. Which, I am sure, shall last for generations to come. I thank you for accepting us as your fellow countrymens.

To the Future.
The Grand Duke of Warsaw.