Concert of Europe

[Thermal]

Indeed, a shame & a miscarriage of justice.


Good luck SA

[Prince Cobra]

The Austrian Empire and Kingdom of France announce a defensive alliance.

[Franconicus]

I am still waiting for

England
France
The Netherlands
Russia

Guys, please tell me if you do not want to play any longer. Than I will reduce the number of players or finish the game!

[Csargo]

I really enjoy this IH so I hope it continues. Please send your orders in guys.

[King Kurt]

Computer problems/ real lfe nearly sorted - should get my orders in on Monday - sorry about the delay

[Franconicus]

Still waiting for

ENGLAND
FRANCE
RUSSIA


I am going to wait until end of this week!

Kurt, how is your PC doing?

[Thermal]

Still waiting for

ENGLAND
FRANCE
RUSSIA


I am going to wait until end of this week!

Kurt, how is your PC doing?

You shouldn't have to but try pestering for them. :balloon2:

[Lord Winter]

Sorry everyone, I've been swamped recently, I'll try to get my orders in soon.

[King Kurt]

Posted my orders yesterday.

It seems strange without Warman - he was always there like a little excited dog yapping at your heels chasing you for your orders, posting every five minutes so you had to keep checking the thread in case something had happened. It was slightly annoying when he was here, but in a strange way I miss him now he is gone.

[Prince Cobra]

Any news from Russia and France?

[Franconicus]

No.
I will start to do my part. Hope I hear from then soon! (sigh!)

[Franconicus]

Still no news from Russia or France.

Anyway, it will take a while to update.

[King Kurt]

Didn't the Russians arrive a week late at Austerliz because they were on a different calender???

France has exchanged PMs with me about this move - odd he has disappeared. I suggest that you carry out hteir moves according to their national sterotypes - so the French will shrug their shoulders a lot, have a nice meal and chase somebodies wife, while the Russian will spend a lot of time on the steppes contemplating a wheat field - see - you don't really need their orders!!:laugh4:

[Thermal]

I hope people don't have such foul attendance when me and Jolt finally run the reconquesta :mellow:

[Lord Winter]

Will get my orders in tommarow (friday us) if thats okay with you Franc. Otherwise feel free to put Russia into autopiolt for a turn.

[Franconicus]

Will get my orders in tommarow (friday us) if thats okay with you Franc. Otherwise feel free to put Russia into autopiolt for a turn.

Alright! I am curious!!

[Franconicus]

Will get my orders in tommarow (friday us) if thats okay with you Franc. Otherwise feel free to put Russia into autopiolt for a turn.

I am writing, but have only little time.

By the way, Russia is still missing!

[Franconicus]

Chapter 7 – June 1821 to May 1822


Hannover

This period, several things happen that are suited to attract interest of the public or even to lead to another eruption of the public emotions. There is the Greek fight for freedom; the English trouble on the islands as well as at the former colonies; there is also the discussion about the future of Italy and the question, who will be the leader of the German countries. However, no other issue attracts the attention and leads to controversial discussions in the media and parliaments as the conflict about the future of Hannover.

The starting situation did not seem to be able to give birth to a problem able to shake the European order. In the beginning there was the difference in the succession rules in the U.K. and Hannover. Unlike to the English, the rule over Hannover can only be passed to a male heir. Therefore, if George, King of the United Kingdom and Prince of Hannover, dies without a male heir, the English crown would go to a heiress, while the throne of Hannover would over to another branch of the Hannover family, or more concrete, to Ernst August, son of George III.

Trouble began, when King George IV tried to break these traditional rules and make his own arrangements to fix the bonds between his two realms even for the time after his death. Therefore he announced to make the people of Hannover vote on their future, especially on becoming part of the United Kingdom – and to pass by his brother Ernst August.

This, however, created some very drastic reactions and finally endangered the whole construction of Germany. Of course, the designated heir of Hannover was not pleased that he should be disclosed from the succession of the throne. He found supporters, though, esp. among the princes of the small German countries, which watch suspiciously everything that could tough their traditional rights – as the traditional rights are their only source of power. What upset them maybe even more then the planned violation of rights was the idea that subjects should decide about their future, a truly heretic idea, similar to the ideas of the unholy French revolution.
They found allies in the German intellectuals, being nationalistic, were not willing to accept that German provinces should become part of a foreign kingdom.

All this happened while the German countries were working on a new balance of power and Austria and Prussia were jealously watching each other.

The German Confederation decided to send agents to Hannover, but George refused to let them in. Furthermore, England made an alliance with the Netherlands and sent an army to Hannover. War seemed to be inevitable and a diplomatic competition began for the support of France and Russia.

Then, unforeseen things took place. Right into the preparation for a military competition, incredible news appeared and changed the situation fundamentally: England and Prussia made an agreement about the future of Hannover. England gave up all her claims on the country and Hannover was supposed to become a Prussian province. News was spread throughout the Germans countries and all princes as well as the public were taken by surprise. More details followed during the next days. Papers reported that London and Berlin had signed a military pact against Austria, they report of a bilateral agreement of free trade. Rumor was spread telling that the Prussian King Friedrich Willhelm would succeed George as King of the United Kingdom and rule both countries as a personal union.

As soon as the first shock calmed down, people tried to understand what had happened and what the consequences would be. German nationalists welcomed the agreement and the wise diplomacy of the Prussian ruler. They even called for further steps, for a German nation under the leadership of the Prussian King.
Of course, not everyone was pleased by this development. First of all the legitimate heir of the Hannover throne protested against the agreement, as neither England nor Prussia had the right for such a decision. Of course, Ernst August was supported by the princes of the small German countries, which saw this pact as a dangerous threat for their own claims. They called all German nations for a conference to Frankfurt. They accused Prussia for violating the treaty of Vienna. They argue, that it was agreed that all issues related with German countries should only be treated in agreement with the Confederation. Furthermore, they protest against the trade agreement between Prussia and England, as this is obviously against the customs agreement of the German Confederation. This last point gives them many supporters as trade, industry and simple workers fear the competition with the fabricated English goods.

It was obviously that the new friendship between London and Berlin was proposed to build compensation to the growing power of the Danube monarchy. As England and Prussia both had strong bonds to the Netherlands, these three formed a powerful military and economic alliance. Still there had not been any reaction from Austria, but it seems to be certain that the government of the Kaiser will not be pleased about the news in the papers. Also not about the latest reports that Berlin is widening the strength of the Prussian army and increasing the potential and importance of the Prussian General Staff.

Also, there had not been any reaction from Russia or France. Obviously, these two grand nation had not been consulted before – a clear violation of the agreements of Vienna, where the grand nations had agreed to solve all problems in accordance with each other.


Prussia

Besides these diplomatic actions and the efforts to increase the strength of the Prussian army, Berlin tried to accelerate the growth of the industrial production, especially with reduced taxes for investors. The trade with the Netherlands was getting stronger, also the production of steam engines and mining equipment. Share rates grew rapidly, especially the rates of the Prussian Dutch trade company, which grew over 120%. New shares were released.

Austria

The Austrian government extended the tax for the upkeep of the Austrian troops and protective tariffs to all of Italy (not only Tuscany and Rome but also Naples esp. the regions where the Austrian army is located). Metternich invited all princes of Italy to a conference at Venice to discuss the future of the Italy next summer. Austria announced her plans to pull out hr soldiers from the Italian peninsula but a solid foundation shall be built. The Austrian ideas were a free trade agreement between the countries in Italy, higher tariffs for the British industrious goods and once per year a Great Council of Italy shall be held. However, it is unclear how Austria will have a free trade zone between Italy and Austria and still wants to keep the tariffs on foreign imports into the German trade and customs union. The important issues on the economy and the political situation of Italy shall be discussed. Austria also suggested leaving the forces in Italy no longer than 1831. If the situation is calm, they could even leave sooner.

There were many rumors about Kaiser Franz. He left Vienna in autumn and did not show himself in public since. Some report that he suffered some mental disease.

Austria is also spending more money for her army and is going to increase the number of regiments.


The Netherlands

The Netherlands were fine, especially Amsterdam and the northern part of the kingdom. The Dutch believed that the Hannover conflict was solved and that the risk of another war passed by. The trade agreement with the British and the Prussian boosted economic development and trade with Russia was good, too. The industrial production raised and Dutch engines were almost as good as the English. The new Dutch-Prussian Far East Company, based at Amsterdam, invested a lot of money in ships, equipment and goods. These days, everybody could make money at the Dutch capitol.

The Dutch king, being very interested in geography, fostered private initiatives to explore new countries. He also invested money in the infrastructure of the Southeast Asian base Singapore. This port turned from a poor one-horse (or better said one-boat) town into a prospering market place, where traders from all over the world find good opportunities.

The drawback of the economical wealth is that the government can hardly find people willing to settle in the Dutch colonies. Only some hundreds from the poorer south are willing to leave their homes.


England

After the agreement with Prussia, England ordered the troops back home. Additionally, the cabinet ordered to draft new recruits.

However, the protests of workers near London were getting louder and King George was no longer able to defend his Prime minister. The Hannover deal was his last triumph, and then Lord Liverpool had to leave the job to Lord Canning. The new Prime had the reputation to b more liberal, especially to the catholic.

The change of the political leaderships calms down the situation at London. Most of the demonstrating workers returned home, promising to come back, if Canning should make the same false policy. In the end, only 3,000 stayed and continued to protest against the government of King George.

In winter, the first troop from the continent arrived and George watched them parade through London. On December 12th, forces of the Royal Army encircled the camp of the protesters. The workers found themselves surrounded by several thousand soldiers – infantry, cavalry and artillery. Their leaders try to negotiate, but the agents were arrested immediately. At 10 o’clock the guns started to fire shrapnel into the crowed of anxious workers. The workers, several thousands, men, women and even children, try to break through but their flight was stopped by the bayonets of the English infantry. When the slaughter was over, more than two thousand bloody bodies lay on the winter ground.

This was the end of the rebellion at England and Canning immediately used the soldiers to send reinforcements to other endangered places. 10,000 soldiers were shipped to Ireland to reinstall the English rule there.

Another 25,000 went on board of the main fleet, which set sail to America, where it arrived at April. The English regiments landed at the shores of Baltimore. Supported by the bombardment of the fleet, the English quickly managed to break the resistance of the U.S. defenders and seized the town. Then, they started marching towards the U.S. capitol, but the advance was slowed down. This had three reasons. First, the Americans quickly gathered troops and blocked the English approach in well prepared forts. Additionally, there the English had continuously fight small guerilla attacks in their rear, even at Baltimore itself. One day in May, a British frigate catches fire in the harbor of Baltimore. While the sailors were trying to fight the fire, the powder chamber explodes, the ship sinks and another one, anchored next to it, was lost too. The last reason was supply. Although the English rule the sea, Canada is not able to send enough food and ammo for such a big army.

At least the British expedition forces are spared from raids of the U.S. Navy. Although it had been enforced during the last years and sunk many English traders during the last months, there is no sight of an American frigate of ship-of-the-line. End of May the mystery is disguised when news about sunken ships from east of the Caribbean and west of Gibraltar reached London.

The war with the U.S. hindered the trade with English goods. Additionally now and then there was bad news from the Far East. Pirates took advantage of the absence of English man of wars and raided English merchants. Even worse was the fact that the new Chinese emperor forbade the trade with opium and confiscated all goods from English traders.

Only good news in these bad times was the agreement with Prussia and the hope, that English goods could be exported freely again.


France

The country was still fighting against lethargy. The defeat in the Napoleonic Wars broke the strength of this once proud country and the period of unrest only destroyed more lands. Reconstruction was slowly and people wished they had a more active ruler, just like the one they had before.

The French King is slowly modifying the election reform to give more weight to the rich ones. He also proclaimed a policy of strength and national pride, but his followers were waiting for his deeds in vain.

It seemed as if France was not included into the discussions about Hannover and so the king was obviously taken by surprise by the final agreement between his two neighbors.

At least, the government finally started to rebuild the harbor of Marseille, while La Rochelle is still a hill of debris.

To develop the economy France opened her markets to English goods.


Italy

The King of Sardinia and Duke of Savoy, Piedmont and Aosta opened the ports of his realms for English trader. He also invested 3 million talers to build new ships to increase the Royal Navy. Besides that, the King stayed passive, obviously glad to be left alone and being an Austrian puppet.
Although the police had strict orders to suppress nationalistic and democratic activities, the support of the citizens for the Italian patriots becomes more and more evident.


Russia

During the Great Wars and the Congress of Vienna, Czar Alexander demonstrated the Russian claims to be a leading European power. Now, in times of peace, he did not seem to pursue this goal any longer.
Some infrastructure project supported by Dutch engineers made good progress, but in most areas the orders were executed careless. Although the land workers were freed several years ago, most of them still did not know it. And those who knew, were forced to pay for the land, they used to work on by the landowners. After all, their situation was even worse than before.

The upper class was becoming more and more unsatisfied. While science and industry was booming at Western Europe, Russia still stuck in Medieval.

I will give you a report abaout the situation of Greece as well as the numbers and tasks asap!

[Csargo]

Good read. Glad to see an update.

[King Kurt]

Once again England shows that one should always expect the unexpected!!!

Rule Britannia!!!!!!!!

[Prince Cobra]

Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich officially invites the embassador of Prussia in Vienna to explain the violation of the Vienna Treaty. He is extremely worried by the practice to make such an important deal ignoring the interests of the other powers that also contributed immensely to the Peace of Europe. He is also amazed by the free trade agreement that severely violates the Confederation Treaty. Shall the Chancellor Metternich remind to the Prussians that the Confederation was designed to protect the German industry from British industrial goods. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, only protectionist tariffs can put on equal grounds the German and the British tariffs because whilst Europe was torn by war, Great Britain enjoyed peace.
------
The hour of the meeting between the Chancellor and the embassador of Britain is to be announced.

[Franconicus]

Austria: Income: 14 mio (without Italian tarrifs), debt: 103 mio, army size 145,000 & militia 30,000

Prussia: Income: 14 mio, debt: 154 mio, army size: 130,000 & Landwehr 30,000

Russia: Income: 15 mio, debt: 200 mio, army size: 215,000

England: Income: 11 mio, debt: 114 mio, army size: 45,000

France: Income: 8 mio, debt: 207 mio, army size: 32,000

Sardinia: Income: 4 mio, debt: 14 mio, army size: 30,000

Netherlands: Income: 11 mio, debt: 43 mio, army size: 20,000

[Lord Winter]

Sorry for my inactivity everyone, I've been really busy with school recently. I'm trying to catch up give me a day or two though to reply to any pms.

[Prince Cobra]

just to say that i can be slower in my activity bec. of the exam session. I hope i will survive until 16th when the hardest exam is. :sweatdrop:

[Franconicus]

Greece War of Independency

The mountains look on Marathon --
And Marathon looks on the sea;
And musing there an hour alone,
I dream'd that Greece might yet be free
For, standing on the Persians' grave,
I could not deem myself a slave.
...
Must we but weep o'er days more blest?
Must we but blush? – Our fathers bled.
Earth! render back from out thy breast
A remnant of our Spartan dead!
Of the three hundred grant but three,
To make a new Thermopylae.

Byron, The Isles of Greece
June 1821, Turkish columns coming from the north tried again to occupy Greece. Again, they In October, 20,000 Turks laid siege on the Greek city of Messolonghi, occupied with 2,000 defenders.
Winning a series of small battles, the Greek soldiers, always outnumbered by 1:2 to 1:4 managed to push the Ottoman forces back. The night before Christmas, the Turkish besieger tried to assault Messolonghi. However, they found the Greeks alert. The raid failed and caused high casualties among the Ottomans.
Then, the Turks retreated and the Greek army freed their home. While they occupied one city after the other, the Greek freedom fighters massacred all Turks they could capture and, most often, all Jews too, which they blamed for supporting the Ottoman oppressors.
One cause for the disaster or the Turkish campaign was the lack of support from the sea. From the early stages of the revolution, success at sea was vital for the Greeks. If they failed to counter the Ottoman Navy, it would be able to resupply the isolated Ottoman garrisons and land reinforcements from the Ottoman Empire's Asian provinces at will, crushing the rebellion. The Greek fleet was primarily outfitted by prosperous Aegean islanders, principally from three islands: Hydra, Spetses and Psara. Each island equipped, manned and maintained its own squadron, under its own admiral. Although they were manned by experienced crews, the Greek ships were not designed for warfare, equipped with only light guns and staffed by armed merchantmen. Against them stood the Ottoman fleet, which enjoyed several advantages: its ships and supporting craft were built for war; it was supported by the resources of the vast Ottoman Empire; command was centralized and disciplined under the Kaptan Pasha. The total Ottoman fleet size consisted of 23 masted ships of the line, each with about 80 guns and 7 or 8 frigates with 50 guns, 5 corvettes with about 30 guns and around 40 brigs with 20 or fewer guns.
In the fire ships, the Greeks found an effective weapon against the Ottoman vessels. In subsequent years, the successes of the Greek fire ships would increase their reputation, with acts such as the destruction of the Ottoman flagship by Constantine Kanaris at Chios, acquiring international fame. Overall, 59 fire ship attacks were carried out, of which 39 were successful. At the same time, conventional naval actions were also fought, at which naval commanders like Andreas Miaoulis, Nikolis Apostolis, Iakovos Tombazis and Antonios Kriezis distinguished themselves. The early successes of the Greek fleet in direct confrontations with the Ottomans at Patras and Spetses gave the crews confidence and contributed greatly to the survival and success of the uprising in the Peloponnese.
However, during spring 1822, the Ottoman Sultan sent new armies and ships. The Turks had learned the lessons and the Ottoman Navy was enforced by many ships from the Black Sea, including a couple of modern ships-o-the-line. Again, an army invaded Greek from the North, but this time, the Ottoman Navy successfully defeated the Greek Navy and captured the islands of Hydra, Spetses and Psara. They killed the entire Greek population there
Under the screen of the now dominating Turkish fleet, a well trained and equipped army crossed the sea and landed at the coasts of the Peloponnese. Reşid Mehmed Pasha led 30,000 against Messolonghi. Attacked from two directions, the Greek forces soon broke apart and the Turkish Northern Army managed to reach Messolonghi, too. Ottoman artillery began to bombard the Greek positions and soon it was obvious that the Turks would succeed this time. Therefore, the garrison together with the Greek citizens, decided to break through at night. However, the Turks found out and were prepared. Many Greek soldiers died in the fire of the Turkish guns and cannons. In the end, ten thousands surrendered and were either killed immediately or send into slavery.
Soon afterwards, the resistance on the peninsula broke down and the remaining rebels tried to escape.
In the meanwhile, another theatre of war was the island of Crete. Here, Greek nationalists had pushed the Ottoman into the fortresses along the coast. Then, an Egyptian army landed and now fate turned around. The Greeks were beaten in a bloody battle and had to escape into the mountains. The Turks started several expeditions, to find and kill the remaining forces, but these expeditions were very costly for both sides. Currently, the Turks hold the coastline with all ports while the Greeks control the mountains. More than half of the population is already dead, Turks as well as Greeks.
European newspaper report of the war. The headlines tell about the brave Greek fights and the brutal war crimes of the Ottomans. Therefore, most people of Europe are willing to support the Greek fight and there are thousands of volunteers from all European countries that joined the Greek forces.
At England, the papers blame the government for not stopping the Ottoman supply across the sea. Only the convoys from Asia had decided the fate of the freedom fighters.
At Austria, the papers urged the crown to intervene, to let the Imperial Army march across the Balkans to support the Christian fighters.
At Russia, the papers and the public opinion urged the Czar to intervene and to play his role as defender of the Orthodox Christians.

[Franconicus]

just to say that i can be slower in my activity bec. of the exam session. I hope i will survive until 16th when the hardest exam is. :sweatdrop:

You can send me message until June 10. Afterwards I will be on holiday for two weeks! So deadline will be end of June.

Before I will go, I will try to answer all questions and respond the messages to Toscany, The Two Sicilies, China and Persia.

[King Kurt]

Happy Birthday to Franc - the master of all our destinies!!

I trust you will have a happy day away from the worries of running 19th Century Europe and the evening celebrations involve a large cake!!

[Franconicus]

Than you Kurt and Stephen!

Tomorow I will go ojn vacation, a Med trip for two weeks.
I am curious about what will go on here in the 19th century!!

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich officially invites the embassador of Prussia in Vienna to explain the violation of the Vienna Treaty. He is extremely worried by the practice to make such an important deal ignoring the interests of the other powers that also contributed immensely to the Peace of Europe. He is also amazed by the free trade agreement that severely violates the Confederation Treaty. Shall the Chancellor Metternich remind to the Prussians that the Confederation was designed to protect the German industry from British industrial goods. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, only protectionist tariffs can put on equal grounds the German and the British tariffs because whilst Europe was torn by war, Great Britain enjoyed peace.
------
The hour of the meeting between the Chancellor and the embassador of Britain is to be announced.

The court of Louix XVIII also eagerly awaits resolution of this event.

[King Kurt]

The court of Louix XVIII also eagerly awaits resolution of this event.

Post 900!! - and where else but in a thread from my old friend Franconicus.

As for Austria's pronouncement - what's the problem? - who rules Prussia - the Prussians or the Austrians? Prussia and myself have resolved the issue of Hannover - one that Austria freted about - and have made some mutually benefical trade arrangements. The Turks rampage and slaughter good Christian people on the Austrian's doorstep but he is more concerned about the private arrangements of 2 Allies - I suggest he attends to matters closer to home.

Lord Canning

[Franconicus]

Hi, I am back and filled with new strange ideas. Are you ready to continue?

[Csargo]

Yes! ~:cheers:

[King Kurt]

Hi, I am back and filled with new strange ideas. Are you ready to continue?

See - that's what happens when you go on holiday!! - I trust you and the rest of the Franc family had a good time in the Med.

[Franconicus]

Hi Kurt!
Yes, we had a wonderful time. Amazing, how many English there were - beside all the Germans:beam:

I guess you had enough time for your diplomatic games. Gentlemen, my letterbox is open. Please play your cards and make your game!!

[Csargo]

Hi Kurt!
Yes, we had a wonderful time. Amazing, how many English there were - beside all the Germans:beam:

I guess you had enough time for your diplomatic games. Gentlemen, my letterbox is open. Please play your cards and make your game!!

I'm glad you had a good time on your vacation Franconicus :2thumbsup:

I'm still waiting for a reply from SA, but I'm not sure when he's gonna log back on and respond. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer.

[Prince Cobra]

I'm glad you had a good time on your vacation Franconicus :2thumbsup:

I'm still waiting for a reply from SA, but I'm not sure when he's gonna log back on and respond. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer.

Franc, we have a problem with Piedmont. He had been inactive for some time and I would like to discuss certain issues with this country. I was back a little later than expected and this will mean I will need a day or two to do all the work I planned. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully until 2nd of July the orders will be sent.

[Csargo]

Welcome back Stephen!

[Franconicus]

Alright! So let's put deadline on Saturday!
Are France and Russia still on board?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Alright! So let's put deadline on Saturday!
Are France and Russia still on board?

Deadline on Saturday is fine; decision shall be in!

[Franconicus]

Austria, England and Prussia are in!

[Franconicus]

Unfortunatelly, I think that Sardinia is out of the game.
Yet, I still hope to hear from Russia!!

[Lord Winter]

I'm sorry for my delay in posting this but I am going to have to drop out of the IH. I thank Franc for the excellent job he has done so far.

[Prince Cobra]

I am going to make slight changes in my decision and also to add new features in them. I hope this operation will be done until Saturday.

It was pleasure to work with you, LW.

[Franconicus]

Sad news!

Anyway, Lord Winter is out of the game!
So there is a free place for a new player.

For the others, please send me any agreements you had made with Russia. Then I will try to set up the next chapter as soon as possible!

[Peasant Phill]

I like to take Lord Winters place if that's all right. I'll need some time though to catch up in this game but that shouldn't take more than a few days.

[Franconicus]

Hi guys,


I am not as passive as it seems. I try to set up some nw players and will start to write the new chapter today!

P.S. Excellent structured orders, Stephen!

[Franconicus]

Welcome the new players and rivals:

Peasant Phill alias Mohammed Ali from Egypt
MasterPhantom alias Csar Alexander of Russia and King of Poland
Cultured Drizzt fan as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

~:cheers:

[MasterPhantom]

Thank you for letting me play here! Russia will defend Christendom against the infidel Ottoman Empire! :clown::laugh4:

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Hey everyone! just back from camping and I sure am surprised! This should be awesome! :2thumbsup: I will try and read through the thread in a little while. :bow:

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I must step away from this IH for a while. I will submit orders through the next chapter (unless someone wants to take France before then), but then I shall depart. Thank you all for making this a great IH. It's been a pleasure.

[Peasant Phill]

I wish to use this tribune to address an international problem. To be more precise, the problem I’ve come to call, the ‘Greek situation’.

I’ve been given a mandate from my lord Sultan Mustafa IV to try and diffuse the current railroad towards a pan-Eurasian anarchy. Because don’t make a mistake, my fellow heads of state, what some see as a chance to wiggle out some territory from under milord’s sphere of influence; I see as the potential excuse for all minorities all over Europe, Asia and Africa to rebel against their rightful rulers.

For this reason I would like the Concert of Europe with me as mandated representative of the Ottoman empire, and only these, to find a solution concerning the Greek rebels. In doing this we shall set an example for all other would-be insurgents.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt
Servant of the Great Sultan Mustafa IV

[Prince Cobra]

I hope it's Ok with the orders update I sent you few days ago. Any news on the progress of the IH?

:bow:

[Franconicus]

I hope I can post the new chapter on Sunday!

[Franconicus]

Chapter 8 – June 1822 to May 1823

After all the activities on the diplomatic parquet during the last period, things slowed down a bit. However, differences were not solved and actually the trenches between the fractions were getting deeper. So maybe this period was just the silence before … .

PRUSSIA
Prussia tried to calm down the situation after the Hannover deal. She got in contact with the small countries trying to appease their angers and their fears. However, the King of Prussia made it very clear that there was way to soften the treaty with England.
Prussia also started the integration of the new province. One focus of the Prussian government was the enlargement of the Prussian Army.

AUSTRIA
Austria was still angered. Although Vienna hesitated to challenge the Prussian rival, Metternich also got in contact with the small countries as well as the neighbors in the east and west. The results of diplomacy were not published, but the Austrian efforts were probably not in vain.

Austria increased the tariffs on goods from England, but also signed a treaty with Amsterdam to lower the tariffs for raw materials like silk and cotton as well as a trade agreement with the Ottoman Sultan.

The most important meeting, however, was the Conference of Venice, where Metternich met the Lords of the Italian countries as well as observers from the German states (except Prussia) and France. Metternich used this meeting to demonstrate that the King of Sardinia was one of the most important allies of Vienna and that Austria intended to align her Italian policy with him.
The meeting lasted two weeks and in the end, all Italian countries agreed to cooperate and to align their Italy policy. The most important result was an agreement to lower tariffs of some goods between Italy and Austria and to increase tariffs on imports from England, which, however, was not signed by Sardinia. Austria made a similar agreement with Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Saxony. These four countries also agreed to improve the trade roads.

Although the meeting of Venice was running rather good for Metternich, it ended with a disaster, questioning all results of the meeting. After the official banquet the participants of the meeting made a parade in decorated gondolas in front of the population of Venice. The procession, lead by the Austrian Kaiser and his guest of honor, the King of Sardinia, was all over sudden stopped by the sound of shouting and shooting. The political police finally pushed back the frightened crowd and ended the confusion. What they then found was a really bloody scene! Four men of the guard of the Austria Kaiser were killed, Kaiser Franz, himself wounded by a graze. Beside him lay the King of Sardinia, the white uniform spangled with red blood. He was perforated by the bullets of a shotgun. He died before one could get him out of the boat.

Security forces shot one assassin. During the next hour about thirty suspects were arrested.

In an open letter Kaiser Franz and the princes condemned the cowardly crime. The corpse was sent to Savoy.
Austrian authorities declared that the murderers were Italian nationalists, possibly incited and supported by English agents.

FRANCE
France condemned the occupation of Hannover as a violation of the treaty of Vienna. The French King put an embargo on Prussian goods and increased tariffs on British goods. Furthermore King Louis offered to help the Spanish King against the Spanish usurpers.

According to an agreement with Bavaria, the French administration started to build an “express” road to Munich.

King Louis gave orders to increase the army.
Due to the bad economic situation of the country, many people left the country to start a new and better life.

ENGLAND
The English Prime Minister Lord Canning had other things to do than to care about the political confusion on the continent.
One more urgent issue was the Ireland revolt, where the rebellion was still going on. During summer, England sent new troops to the island and in autumn they started to push back the Irish rebels. The operations continued throughout winter and the British acted with outmost brutality. British troopers did not make prisoners and they cared little if they killed rebels or innocent citizens. During spring, the defense of the Irish patriots melted away like snow and when the lilies of the valley were in bloom, the last rebels were encircled and killed.
Right after the victory, the British governor started the punishment of the Irish people. Lands of all estates over 20 acres were seized and given to English loyalists. This new class of English landlords started to build militia to ensure suppression of the Irish wish of freedom. Although the government allowed practicing the Catholic faith, Catholics were effectively excluded from positions.

As for America, the British stopped their advance at Boston and introduced a “slash and burn” strategy. Using the strength of the Royal Navy, the British launched operations against New York and Savannah. The invaders managed to surprise and overwhelm the garrisons. Both towns were bombarded and plundered before reinforcements arrived.

The U.S. Navy tried to avoid a direct confrontation with the Royal Navy. Instead, the ships operated at the Caribbean Sea, sinking English merchants and raiding British ports.

The English send a squadron of seven ships-of-the-line and a dozen frigates to end this disturbance. Mid of November, a vanguard of four frigates sighted two ships, obviously two American frigates. After a wild race the U.S. ships were cornered and sunk, while one British ship was badly damaged and had to turn to Port Royal. The British ships also spotted more ships, but could not follow them due to the sunset. Due to the course of the American ships, the British commander assumed that the Americans were withdrawing into the harbor of New Orleans and decided to attack them there. When he reached the port, he actually found it filled with U.S. ships, many trading ships but warships, including several big pots. He decided to attack. He sent messages to the HQ and waited for the wind to turn.
The Americans saw the British armada and the American commander started to prepare the defense. Four battleships big battleships were tied in line to welcome the British ships. Three big merchant ships were set on bottom and used as artillery platforms. Others were sunk to narrow the fairway. More batteries were place along the coast, reinforced by all unnecessary guns and sailors from the ships. All day and all night thousands of men and women worked on barricades to protect the batteries and the facilities. Then, the English attacked. The first strike was against the batteries at both sides of the harbor entrance. The ships-of-the-line bombarded the American position, while frigates carried English marine soldiers to the shores. The fight went back and forth. At the right flank of the English, three frigates were sinking and the rest retreated. At the left side, however, the British soldiers reached the beach and assaulted the batteries. A counterstrike of American militia, however, drove them back to their ships.
When the British commander realized, that the first attempted had failed he set signs to regroup his forces. Now the battleships headed straight for the harbor, while the frigates kept on peppering the land borne batteries.
The British ships-of-the-line attacked, but they had to maneuver in a very narrow fairway and were welcomed by broadsides of the American battleships and peppered by numerous guns from the swimming platforms and the harbor. With a quarter of an hour, one ship-of-the-line was sunk and another one rammed the bottom. However, the British did what they could to reply the fire and the U.S. ships as well as the harbor were damaged badly. But still all U.S. ships were firing and the bombardment from the batteries did also not calm down.
The British commander had to call his ships back. Still he was decided to break the resistance of the American defense and to destroy the main part of the U.S. Navy. It was already getting dark, when the British started their third assault. This time, they had three fire ships ahead. Although the Americans managed to sink two of them, the remaining one reached the American battleships and set the middle one on fire. Now the line of American ships was broken and under the cover of smoke and darkness the British ships slipped into the battle. A wild and chaotic night battle began. Ships appeared out of the dark, immediately firing at everything and immediately being bombarded from all sides. In the flickering light of burning ships and the burning town the fighting continued and it was around midnight, when the English finally withdraw.

When the British admiral gathered the fleet, he saw the terrible result of the battle. Three ships-of-the-lines were lost together with numerous smaller ships. Thousands of sailors were missed in action. All remaining ships were badly damaged, some hardly able to stay at the surface. The admiral had no alternative but to lead the fleet back northwards. On the way, he lost another sol and two minor ships in a storm.

Although the Americans had repelled the British assault, they hardly felt like winners. The city of New Orleans was burning at different places, the French Quarter was heavily damaged, the harbor facilities useless. The fairways were blocked by sunken ships and a handful of badly damaged wrecks were the rest of the formerly proud U.S.S. Navy. The American commander sent the wounded to the local hospital and then he tried to afloat the remaining ships and set sail to reach Savanna, where he hoped that he could repair his ships. His convoy consisted of about a dozen warships and thirty merchant ships.
However, before he could enter the port of Savanna, he hit a British blockade squadron. Although the British were badly outnumbered, none of the American ships was able to fight with normal combat strength. When the Royal Navy ships attacked, the American formation broke apart and the English could get between the confused American ships. The American commander gave up the fight and ordered his ships to run into the harbor of Savanna. In the end, two battleships, three frigates and two merchant ships reached the shelter, while the rest was sunk in front of the American coast. After the battle, the English ships continued to block the entrance of the harbor.

While the English concentrated on sea borne operations, the Americans gathered their forces around Boston. The British garrison had to watch the increasing strength of the besiegers, while it was still fighting against sabotage acts inside the town.

In the Far East reports about acts of piracy became more frequent. The English started to establish patrols, but the Royal Navy was stretched too thin to give effective protection.

At China, authorities confiscated and destroyed the magazines of the English dealers. Three English citizens were wounded and ten were arrested.

RUSSIA
The Russian Empire is still suffering from the passivity of the Czar. The social and economic reforms died in the sump of corruption, moral and combat strength of the Imperial Army was rapidly eroding.
Due to the lack of political freedom and the oppressive poverty, many left the country.

OTTOMAN EMPIRE
The war on the Greek mainland came to an end. The Ottomans also regained control of almost all islands. The Turkish forces arrested all those, they blamed for rebellion. Men were shot and women and children sold into slavery.
Fighting went on at Crete. Here, the Turkish operations were commanded by the son of Muhammad Ali. The Ottomans control the ports, the rebels control the mountains. The Egyptian fleet supported the operations with supply.
The Royal Navy tried to support the Greek rebels. During February, it bombarded the port of Rethymnon, at May three frigates disembarked guns at the southern coast of Crete. After this operation, they met an Egyptian convoy, accompanied by five frigates and one cannon boat. The Egyptian warships immediately attacked the British vessels, while the transports kept on their course. During a short fight, the English sunk the cannon boat and one frigate, while they damaged two other frigates. They did not lose a ship, although all three were damaged slightly.

King Louis of France and Navarra died end of May.

[Prince Cobra]

The Austrian government is shocked by the news of the death of their loyal ally, the King of Peidmont and the bold attempt on the life of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Francis von Habsburg. How do these rebels dare to маke an attempt on the life of two of the most noble people of Europe? No man can judge their lord and their lord has no other thought but to secure the well-being of his people. This assassination will not come without consequences and measures against the terror of such band of brigands will be taken. Those loyal subjects in the Empire who are willing to aid us in our fair struggle against these harmful elements shall not be forgotten by their lord, H.I.M Emperor Francis. Austria will be extremely grateful if other countries jojn our cause and thus securing that no shelter shall be given to these sick people.

Austria is also disturbed by the news of the violance on the Balkan peninsula committed by the Ottoman and Egyptian forces but also by the British fleet that seems to have attacked the Ottoman garrisons by mistake. We can not see any reason for this doubtful step behind the British action. The way out of this crisis are reforms not more violance. Surely, the Greek rebels can put down their weapons if the new reforms increase their rights as subjects of the Ottoman sultan. Austria will keep contact with theri allies from Russia, France and the Netherlands in order to clarify the situation. We are also open for talks with Berlin and probably also London.

I also give a letter from my master to the French embassador with the condolences for the loss of his cousin Louis XVIII.


Prince Klemens von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[Peasant Phill]

My fellow heads of state,

We hereby want to express our condolences towards the families of Louis XVIII and the Sardinian royal family.

As the Chancellor of Austria already expressed so eloquently: “No man can judge their lord and their lord has no other thought but to secure the well-being of his people.”
For make no mistake, if the assassination of Piemont proved anything, it’s that the threat from anarchists has never been this severe. We cannot stress the need for a unified answer against these terrorists enough.

Therefore I renew my summoning of the Concert of Europe with a representative of the Ottoman Sultan to send a strong signal against anarchy and to devise a unified list of measures against anarchy.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt
Servant of the Great Sultan Mustafa IV

[Franconicus]

Numbers:

Austria debt 99 mio/army size 145,000 + 38,000/next period’s budget 16 mio
Prussia debt 152 mio/army size 130,000 + 30,000/next period’s budget 15 mio
Russia debt 196 mio /army size 215,000/next period’s budget 13 mio
Ottoman debt 78 mio/army size 200,000/next period’s budget 10 mio
England debt 115 mio/army size 45,000/next period’s budget 11 mio
France debt 191 mio/army size 32,000/next period’s budget 8,5
Netherlands debt 26 mio/army size 20,000/next period’s budget 11 mio
Egypt debt 39 mio/army size 50,000/next period’s budget 5 mio

[Peasant Phill]

OOC: I'll be away until monday.

[King Kurt]

First - an apology - I will not be quite so active from now on as I have changed organisations and work place - and the site is blocked at work!! - so I will have to rely on the time I can grab in the evening.

To business

I, like other nations, send my condolences to the Sardinian and French royal families. In particular I condemn the assasination of the King of Sardinia - nothing can be gained by such acts. I trust the Austrian leader is not too shaken by these events - a shotgun attack against the person next to him must be a terrible shock and what luck to have escaped with just a graze when surely the anarcists would have valued him as a far more valuable target - it is almost as if they missed him delibarately as if they were obeying orders.

As for Greece, unlike the other unholy European powers, I can not stand by and let good Christian people be slaughtered by the heathen forces of the Sultan. My action has brought the Sultan to the peace table and I would propose a Congress in Malta of all the Concert of Europe to discuss the Balkans issue with the Sultan as a honoured guest and equal. I propose Malta as a venue on grounds of security as it is obvious that areas such as the Austrian empire are unsafe due to the degree of political turmoil.

Signed this day
Lord Canning

[Prince Cobra]

First - an apology - I will not be quite so active from now on as I have changed organisations and work place - and the site is blocked at work!! - so I will have to rely on the time I can grab in the evening.

To business

I, like other nations, send my condolences to the Sardinian and French royal families. In particular I condemn the assasination of the King of Sardinia - nothing can be gained by such acts. I trust the Austrian leader is not too shaken by these events - a shotgun attack against the person next to him must be a terrible shock and what luck to have escaped with just a graze when surely the anarcists would have valued him as a far more valuable target - it is almost as if they missed him delibarately as if they were obeying orders.

If the British secret services know something their Austrian colleagues do not, then they are welcomed to share their knowledge so that the criminals are caught and hanged. I mean if they are really interested in such a good end for the justice.




As for Greece, unlike the other unholy European powers, I can not stand by and let good Christian people be slaughtered by the heathen forces of the Sultan. My action has brought the Sultan to the peace table and I would propose a Congress in Malta of all the Concert of Europe to discuss the Balkans issue with the Sultan as a honoured guest and equal. I propose Malta as a venue on grounds of security as it is obvious that areas such as the Austrian empire are unsafe due to the degree of political turmoil.

Signed this day
Lord Canning


I am against such an idea. Travelling by sea is uncomfortable and dangerous especially for people who have not used to travel by sea. It would surely put the diplomats on inequal ground since many of them would be recovering from sea sickness. The British Navy is also far away, which makes me think it is a real madness to make such a trip.

May we hear who are these unholy European powers?

Your idea is to bring the Sultan to his knees simply because he refuses to be your puppet. In addition, I do not hear that the British forces in Ireland and their deed in La Roshelle gives you power to judge the other sovereigns of Europe.

I would asssure you that the police is already working on the assassination and that in a month the organisation, which organised this bold deed will be hanged. In addition, I can not see any hint of instability of the Austrian Empire.
-------

Austria will discuss the future seat of the Congress with their allies and then it will make an official declaration. One-sided suggestions are not a good idea.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

OOC: Sorry, was gone for a while, catching up now, also, I am leaving on sunday for a week. MY trusted vassal will be filling in for me, as he has proven himself quite adept at it.

[Csargo]

The Prussian government mourns the loss of two great leaders during these few weeks. King Louis rebuilt France after the revolution and Napoleon's rule, and he will be missed greatly. The assassination of the King of Sardinia is a shock and we send our condolences to his family and his people. We also hope that the Emperor makes a speedy recovery and will aid in any way to help catch the perpetrators if the Austrian government so wishes.

If the Austrian government wishes to discuss anything with the King they are free to do so.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court

Charles X, King of France, wishes to thank all of his brother kings in offering their condolences after the loss of his brother, Louis XVIII.

[Peasant Phill]

The prime minister of England, like his predecessor, seems to enjoy aggravating his fellow heads of state to no extent. I just see it as a matter of poor and shows a distinctive lack of respect towards his equals. I foresee that this attitude, shared by most of his countrymen, may one day lay his Island to ruins.
The blood on my Sultans’ hands is the same as on the hands of all of us. Lord Canning would be good to remember all the Englishmen slaughtered by his police force before he demonises my Sultan.
He would also be good to remember that I already repeatedly called for actions from the CoE before his ships attacked some Egyptian merchants. Peace bringer says he, Ha warmonger says I.

But aside from putting hypocrites in there place, I want to start the negotiations.
The Ottoman empire doesn’t look kindly on anarchists and insurgents. As such, we can’t show clemency on the Greek rebels. As I said before those who stand against the Sultans’ representative stands against the Sultan himself.
We do however see the need to avoid these wastes of resources and are therefore willing to give non-muslim minorities some more rights.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt
Representative of the Great Sultan Mustafa IV

[Prince Cobra]

The Austrian government welcomes the wise words of the Wali of Egypt and will encourage the process of reforms and giving more rights to the Christian minorities within the Ottoman Empire.

[Franconicus]

Friends!

I am stuck in RL-issues and PC trouble. Therefore, I will answer your questions with delay!
Some remarks:
- There will be no tasks this turn. I guess all of you know what to do. I may send some of you some hinds.
- Russia is available again. - sigh -
- If you recruit soldiers, they will only be able to fight one turn afterwards. There skills increase with training and equipment.
- If you are absent for some time, please post it here in advance.
Thank you!

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

My good friend the Wali of Egypt has said all I believe needs to be said on this subject. He has proven himself a hundred times over, and I have nothing to add to his truthful words.





OOC:
I have returned.

[Caius]

Someone told me Russia was available.

[Prince Cobra]

Someone told me Russia was available.

I hope this finally ends the leaderless period in the Russian Empire! :beam: Waiting for confirmation from Franc to start working.

[Franconicus]

Someone told me Russia was available.

Your welcome, Caius. Enjoy this hard and honorable fraction! :2thumbsup:


Here are some articles, that might interest you:
La Gazette (Paris)

Our correspondent sent a report about the English campaign against La Rochelle. This disclosure, based on interviews of veterans of a Scottish regiments, brings to light the shocking truth about what George called “helping the French people”.

The former soldiers report about the hard fights. They tell that even Waterloo was a cakewalk compared to the assault of the hill, later known as “Little Gibraltar”. On May 1st, the British had taken this position, from which they controlled the whole town. They began to bombard the town with shrapnel.
“The rebels soon realized that their fight was lost and tried to surrender. They came to us in big numbers, but we kept on firing and drove them back into the burning city.”
One must keep in mind that at this time the town was filled with thousands of innocent women and children, too.
“We kept on firing, even though our barrels were red hot. The French were
So pressed, that no bullet went astray. And – as our sergeant said – each bullet that killed a rebel also killed a cursed Frenchman.”
Finally, when the British seized the town, they killed all French that were still alive. Then they burned down the whole town.
“I heard that the sergeant asked our commander, if we should spare the harbor, because we would need them for supply. But the commander replied that we won’t stay for long. Our objective was to destroy the port, so that it would not serve as a base for French ships for a long time. Well, what can I say, we did our job!”

TIMES:
CLOTH MARKET UPSIDE DOWN
During the last decade, we saw a revolution on the cloth market, as the English started the industrial fabrication of cloth from cotton. These products were so cheap, that they swamped the European market. While the English factory owners became rich, weavers all over Europe were ruined. But now, the tables turn again.
The war between the English against their former American colonies stopped the imports of cotton from the new world. The only other source of cotton is Egypt, part of the Ottoman Empire and therefore surely no friend of the English. Therefore, most of the cotton trade is done by the Dutch, shipping the Egyptian raw material to Amsterdam, where it is bought from English traders. Nevertheless, English cotton factories run dry and the first owners were bankrupt, so the English were forced to negotiate with Egypt.
Muhammad Ali, the governor of Egypt, finally agreed to trade directly with England, again, but simultaneously he raised the tariffs on cotton exports. Adventurers saw a chance to participate on this business and drove the price even higher. Today, the price for raw cotton is 20 times as high as it used to be 5 years ago.
On the other side, this gives the traditional weavers some air to breath: the price for their products also increased, but only about 200 percent.
Another effect of the high cotton price is the growing activity of blockade runners, which try to bypass the British blockade around the U.S. and ship the cotton to Mexico, from where it is shipped to Europe by Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch or French ships. There are reports, that even English merchants buy American cotton at Vera Cruz, because this is still cheaper than to buy from Egypt.



Gazeta (Lisbon)

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM ENDS IN SLAVERY

We all followed the fighting of the Greek patriots with sympathy. Now it came to a bitter end; the Ottoman suppressors triumphed and so many Greek are dead or had to leave their country. But that does not mean, that the tragedy hit rock bottom. The Sultan enjoyed to send thousands of Greek into slavery, not only captured warriors, but also their wives and children as well as other innocent people. Especially the habitants of the Greek islands were deported and sent on the slave markets of Africa and Arabia. Our sources report of 100,000 to 250,000.


Maybe you can send your orders until next Friday! Is that alright?

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Wait when did that happen? I sure did not say to send the Greeks into slavery......

[Prince Cobra]

I will be absent this weekend and probably the next one (only the weekends). This can slow me down a bit. Yet, I hope I will get some answers until I go back. ~;)

[Peasant Phill]

So orders are due tomorrow?

Franc, I haven't got a reply yet on my PM I send you.

[Prince Cobra]

So orders are due tomorrow?

Franc, I haven't got a reply yet on my PM I send you.


The same here, in Austria. This probably means I will be ready on Monday/Tuesday/ Wednesday with the orders.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I've sent in my last orders. Farewell, all. It's been a pleasure! :egypt::book::beam:

[Prince Cobra]

Declaration From The Kaiser:



We, Kaiser Franz, condemn the assassination of our dear friend, the King of Sardinia and the villains who tried to kill us also. We will make sure any other criminals will get captured and punished.

We would like to see peace restored in the east. The fighting not so long ago with the Polish against our Russian allies and now the Greeks against our Ottoman friends, is troublesome. While the questionable means that our Ottoman friends used to put down the rebellion still trouble us, but we understand fully that rebellion is not acceptable, in Russian territory from the Polish Rebels, or anywhere for that matter.

The Kaiser, ourselves, are watching the issue on Hannover and still watching the Ottoman issues along with the other problems in Europe. We hope we can come to a better conclusion regarding the Hannover issue and we believe the Ottoman Sultan can give security to his subjects. While we may have a lot of problems, we think we can settle them.



Kaiser Franz I

OOC: Made in collaboration with Warman. He has not created any alternative account in the Org. for the purpose.

[Franconicus]

I have received orders from France, Egypt and Ottoman;
still waiting for England, Prussia, Austria and Russia!

[FearofNC]

Hmmm....sounds interesting... Can I sign up as the Netherlands?

[King Kurt]

I have received orders from France, Egypt and Ottoman;
still waiting for England, Prussia, Austria and Russia!

Ftanc - I thought I sent some time ago?

[Prince Cobra]

Hmmm....sounds interesting... Can I sign up as the Netherlands?

Warluster is playing as them. But Piedmont and France are available...

[Franconicus]

Prussia and Austra are still missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Russia, is that all? (the bigger the countires ... :inquisitive:)


France is taken ffrom the next turn on!

[FearofNC]

Long live France........ :)

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

My orders were a bit crazy and rambling, sorry about that Franconicus.... Still trying to get used to this.

[Csargo]

I'll have my orders in before Sunday hopefully. Still negotiating with Austria..

[Franconicus]

I wish it was night or the (orders from the ) Prussians were coming! :furious3:

[Csargo]

I'll have them in by the end of the day. Was still waiting for Austria to send me something, but I guess that's not going to happen.

[FearofNC]

I wish it was night or the (orders from the ) Prussians were coming! :furious3:



The French are here! I believe the Austrians have arrived also! :laugh4:

[FearofNC]

Any info on the chapter.......

[Franconicus]

Speech of President John Quincy Adams to the American Nation:

Dear fellow Americans!
I speak to you, because our nation is in big danger and once again this threat comes from the King of England, a bloodthirsty tyrant, who is sending his overwhelming forces to break our persuade for freedom. Lately, 'His Majesty' liked to offer us peace, if we accept his terms and become his subjects again.
In the name of all brave Americans, I rejected this offer. We may fall in this war, but we will never bow our knees.
We fight all along our coasts against the undefeated Royal Navy, we fight at our borders against the English mercenaries, we fight on our fields, we fight in our streets, we protect our farms and our family. Yes, we are fighting for our lives, our freedom, our families - our country.
And yet I have to tell you that this is not all we are fighting for. We, the free American citizens, are the last hope for all freedom loving men and women all over the world, for our brothers at Morocco, at Ireland and everywhere else, were freedom is suppressed by tyranny, all those are looking at America and pray to their God that he may send us victory, so we can free them from slavery. Therefore, my fellow Americans, even if we would like to, we have no other choice but to take our guns - again - and to chase the English invaders from our country - again!



:unitedstates:

[Prince Cobra]

I hope I will see an update soon. :beam:

Yet maybe due to RL issues I can be less regular in the Org. (2-4 times a week) but I hope this won't seriously hamper my IH activity. Be free to PM. ~:)

[Peasant Phill]

I'll be away for the weekend, so I won't be able to reply from friday to sunday.

[Warluster]

I am going to be away for three weeks (Travelling through Europe visitting battlefields) so I will not be able to put in my orders.

[FearofNC]

Any update......All orders in..... ;P?

[Franconicus]

Hopefully I'll have the next chapter on Sunday!

[Franconicus]

Chapter 9 – June 1823 to May 1824

England
War goes on at America and no side gains upper hand. The English rely on their navy, which blocks the American coast and cuts off the oversea trade the U.S.. The Americans have little left to fight it; the remaining big ships are trapped inside fortified harbors. Yet, small but fast vessels under brave commanders keep on trying braking through the British lines, shipping goods from and to the Mexican ports. President Adams signs an agreement with the Mexican government, which strongly limits the claims of the U.S. in Northern America. In return, the Mexicans offer full economic cooperation. So, the Mexican province of Texas becomes the central axis for trade and the ports are filled with ships from Europe. Furthermore, damaged American ships find shelter in Mexican ports.
The U.S. Navy can do nothing to protect this trade and little to strike back. The raids against the Caribbean Sea come to an end. However, in October 1823, a convoy of American frigates and fast traders unloads its fright at Spanish ports. Before they return, they cruise east of Gibraltar, chasing and sinking English ships on their way from the Mediterranean or Indian Sea back home. The British transfer warships from Malta to Gibraltar, from where they begin to chase away the Americans.
On the continent, the strength of the U.S. army is growing constantly, in numbers and skills. In the beginning of the war, President Adams had difficulties to draft new soldiers, as many of citizens from the northern states did not see any reason to fight their Canadian neighbors. As a result of the occupation of Boston and the blockade of the American coast, many Americans begin to change their point of view an volunteer brigades are formed all over the States.
Boston, still suffering from the occupation by regular British troops, is encircled by superior American forces. End of October, the Americans start to bombard the British lines, while the British return the fire with land based batteries and ship artillery. Although the British defenses are strong, the commander of the garrison is worried to see the growing strength of the besiegers. Another cause of trouble is the supply, which is strongly depending on the weather and the transport capacity of the ships, running from Canada to Boston and back. A big share of the supply has to be shipped from the UK
It is quiet along the long frontier between the Republican south and Royal north, at least until November, when a company of Vermont Volunteers under Captain J. Cooper entered British territory. They march hundreds of miles through the wilderness, unseen and unnoticed by British patrols. They finally reach their target, Montreal. Again, they manage to pass the guards unseen and enter the town after midnight. Soon, several depots start to burn and there are loud explosions at the harbor. English soldiers as well as Canadian militias get alert and patrol through the streets of the town. However, in the darkness of the night, lighted only by the shine of the spreading fire, the English cannot recognize enemy and friend and there is shooting all over the town, even after all Americans left the town.
The English suffer 38 killed and 78 wounded soldiers. Montreal, the Canadian headquarter of the British Empire, is badly damaged and the destroyed goods are missing during the next months.
On the way back, Cooper and his men are hunted by Canadian militias and English soldiers. They have to fight all the way home and in the end, Cooper arrives with only 43 men, while he started the mission with 148.
At December, an extraordinary big number of ships arrive at Boston. The Americans fear fighting will soon get tougher. Actually, the British begin with strong bombardment, which continues for several days, accompanied with local infantry assaults. The U.S. staff sees this as a sign, that the British will soon try to break out and the American batteries begin to pepper the town. Soon, there are several fires.
At December 18th, the British artillery bombardment stops. Wide areas of the city are burning now, especially the facilities of the harbor. On December 21st, three U.S. line regiments assault the British positions north of Boston, only to find them deserted. They penetrate Boston and report that the British left the burning town.

These victories encourage the Americans to start another invasion of Canada, this time with a force of 4,500 soldiers under the General Butcher. Starting point is Lake Champlain. Soon he hits the first English post, which he overruns. However, part of the garrison escapes. Butcher marches slowly through the wilderness, which he and his inexperienced men find hard to pass. A snow storm hits them hard, they lose almost their complete equipment. January 10th, they meet Canadian militia. The Canadian commander, Captain McKenna, has prepared a nice ambush. The Americans are exhausted and their marching columns are stretched, and they begin to panic as Canadians open fire out of the wood. Butcher himself dies when he falls from his horse. About 200 Americans die from the bullets, another 600 are picked up by the Canadians and taken prisoners. The remaining patriots try to gather and make their way home again. End of February, 243 soldiers arrive at Lake Champlain, the rest Butchers invasion forces.
This campaign is a bad defeat and the Americans have to reorganize. Winfield Scott is nominated as Commander of the new Northern Army. He begins immediately to reorganize, train and equip his forces. On the other side, the English governor sends regular forces from the former Boston expedition corps to enforce the frontier to America.
During winter, the U.S. Navy builds a fleet of transport ships and cannon boats on the Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain. Already during April, it begins to patrol on the lakes to find out the strength and the deployment of the English. The first week of May, General Scott starts a new invasion.
On the Ontario, the Americans have three cannon boats powered by steam engines. Each of the steam boats pulls two other boats and so the Americans are able to pass the Lake quickly, even though there is almost no wind. The English boats from Oswego are not able to follow them. The U.S. forces reach the northeastern gate of the lake. They attack Kingston and sink several English boats. Then American infantry lands and occupies Kingston and Cape Vincent. During the following days, the U.S. Navy ships more men and material to the northeastern gate of the lake. The remaining English cannon boats attack these convoys and there is the battle of Oswego, where a convoy of 16 boats is attacked by 21 English vessels. The Americans try to escape northwards. Near Oswego, they meet another group of U.S. 21 ships, including the steam boats USS President, USS Liberty and USS Constitution. The English commander decides to fight this new enemy first and orders his ships to welcome the Americans with a ‘Crossing-T’. The Americans stay on course, only the steam boats leave the line and turn to the left. While the English concentrate their fire on the approaching main line, the steam boats cross the tip of the English formation, concentrating the fire to the leading ship. Soon, three of the American ships are unable to continue the fighting and the ship of the English commander sinks. Then the formations break apart and the ships begin to fight one by one. The English sailors are better trained and able to send volley more frequently, but the American ships carry more guns and shoot more pounds per round. For a moment, the battle is undecided, but then the convoy returns, attacks the left side of the English and decides the battles. The English ships keep on fighting until 16 of their boats turn into wrecks. The rest tries to break out, chosen by the three steam boats. This race ends as the steam vessel on one of the boats explodes and another stops with engine failure. The remaining boat stops two and the English escape.
The American victory secures their control on the lake and the supply keeps on running. General Scott keeps on building his forces at the northern shore and the British governor prepares the defense of Montreal. He also receives the news that another invasion force left Lake Champlain and is marching northwards.

The Admiralty of the Royal Navy does the best to support the fighting against the U.S.. The blockade of the American harbors, the shipping of supply and men and the hunting of American raiders near Gibraltar really stretches the RN. New ships are ordered and urgently needed to replace the casualties from the fighting against the U.S. and the sea. The new ships have some modifications compared to the old ones which hopefully will increase the combat strength.
The British forces on the other oceans have been reduced to a minimum. British traders suffer from permanent pirate raids. The Mediterranean Sea is rather quiet now that the English ended their support for the Greek patriots. The calm ends on December 14th, when the British posts spot a squadron of ships-of-the-line, which approaches the port of Algiers. The British suppose that this has to be a squad of the Royal Navy. Yet, they realize that they wrong when the ships turn, show their broadsides and send volleys to the harbor fortifications. On their tops they carry the Ottoman flag. Behind the big pot an armada of small warships appears and attacks the few English ships that anchor in the harbor. The British cannons are quickly silenced. After three hours, the Ottoman ships turn and leave the harbor.
The commander of Malta send three frigates to follow the aggressors, but these ships are much too weak to risk a combat and so they just shadow the Ottomans on their way to Crete.

While war goes on and does not seem to bring Britain closer to victory, the English economy is running deeper into trouble. Imports from Egypt replace the American cotton, but the prices are high and many manufacturers give up their business. British ship yards and factories for military equipment make good business, but the government has to increase taxes to pay for the war.
A new, seven mile long railroad runs with a steam engine and transports goods and passengers.
Engine factories suffer, as they lost the American market. On the continent, the demand for new steam engine is still unbroken, but the English compete with cheap copies from Prussian or Dutch companies
The trade companies suffer from the war and the raids on the trade routes in the east. Trade with China is declining, as the Chinese government stops the trade with
Opium. The trade with spices is controlled by the Dutch and Dutch-Prussian trade companies, now. One reason is that the most important customer for English tea used to be America, which cannot be delivered any more. In June, the East India Company is broke. Thousands lose their money. The government has to intervene to keep control and order in the British oversea possessions.
The English proposal of a conference at Malta fails, which not only shows that the concept of coordinating the efforts of the Big Five does not work at all, it also shows that the English policy in the Mediterranean Sea is widely isolated.
Austria is trying to build up a trade network from the Danube to the coasts of Africa. While Vienna is already controlling the trade of Italy and has good trade lines to France and Southern Germany she is going to work closer with the Ottoman Empire. For this purpose, Metternich sends an agent to Crete to investigate the actions of the Ottoman army against the Greek patriots. Papers are told not to report about massacres anymore and a delegation of Egyptian officers visits the capitol of the Danube monarchy.
Economy is doing fine at Austria. Free of competitors from England and Prussia, industry and trade is growing. Austria begins to improve the roads across the Alps and fosters infrastructures at Italy.
The Austrian government passes a law to reorganize and modernize the Imperial Army. Core of this act is the formation of the Imperial Guard, formed by about 10,000 volunteers from the noble class. Furthermore, the total strength of the active forces and the reserve is increased significantly. New companies pop up, supported by low taxes and a good finance system. Stock rates are increasing and many citizens make their fortune with speculations.
The Austrian public is still angered about the Prussian occupation of Hannover. Several patriotic clubs are found and demand a sharp response against Berlin. Some of these are even collecting money for a war against Prussia.

Prussian economy is growing too due to the trade with England, the Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire. Stock market reaches new tops. Berlin continues to improve the infrastructure of Hannover in order to integrate this province into the realm.
The Prussian King is quite popular. Most of the people support the hard line against Prussia and a new political club is found which supports the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership. Prussia also decides to increase her forces significantly and proposes a conference of the German states – without Austria.

At spring, things begin to escalate. Rumors spread that Austria concentrates forces at southern Bohemia while Prussia does the same at the border to Saxony. Warned by this news the King of Saxony mobilizes the military reserves of his country and alerts his army. Everyone expects the outbreak of war within the next couple of weeks.

The Egyptian economy is still running high due the cotton exports to Europe. The government sends diplomats to tie the western tribes closer to Cairo and proposes a free trade zone across Northern Africa. Although some of the chiefs accept this offer – and the gifts – the Egyptian wish to integrate the warriors of the tribes into the Egyptian army causes some unrest.
Egypt continues to support the military mission to appease Crete. The son of Mohammad declares himself as ‘Wali of Crete’. He nominates some loyal Greeks as officers of the administration and promises clemency to all Greeks, willing to lay down their guns. Yet, only the coastline is under control of the Egyptians and the fighting in the mountains goes on.

The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire tries to solve the tension with France and England. While he signs a treaty with Paris which cancels the French depth, he is trying to raise the pressure on London by bombarding Algiers.
At the Greek mainland, the Ottomans have gained control and life begins to run the usual way again.

France:
The French King finally solves the troubles with the Ottoman Empire. This gives the French merchants completely new opportunities on the Mediterranean market.
French economy is slowly recovering from the Great Wars and the King seems to think that it is time to show the tricolor on the international diplomacy, again. He supports the claims of the Spanish Kings, threatens the Spanish republicans and begins to hire new recruits from all over Europe.

Netherlands:
The Dutch economy is flying high and the courses at the stock of Amsterdam break records. Naval expeditions return from their missions and bring detailed information of the coasts of Africa and Asia. Dutch traders dominate Middle and Far East trade as well as the Mediterranean market. At home, industrialization is going on and fabricated goods from the southern part of the Netherlands are sold all over the continent. Especially the business with Prussia is running good, not only due to the joined trade company. Another joined enterprise is a steam boat company, which wants to transport mail and passengers on the river Rhine from Amsterdam to Cologne.

At Savoy, the new King is passing new laws to suppress any critical voice. On the other side, he is supporting the idea of a united Italian nation under the leadership of Savoy.

All over Europe population is continuing to grow. This causes problems at some places, as despite the booming economy the number of poor is growing drastically. Food prices is going up again, as almost all available land is in use now and there is an increasing lack of fertilizer.
The war in America stops the emigration into the new world. This increases the pressure on the European governments to solve their social problems.

[Csargo]

Good chapter Franc

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Perhaps the English will now understand just how strenuous their position in the Mediterranean is. I am going to be perfectly blunt, Get out of Algiers now, and we can both avoid an unprofitable feud.

Ottoman trade could perhaps help the English economy. But..... Well, if you choose another option that is fine with me.

[Prince Cobra]

Somebody is playing with the fire, I see. It is strange how much Prussia resembles Napoleon now.

Austria is also ready to defend any country from expansionist intentions of Prussia, if needed.

Metternich

[Csargo]

I was acting in a defensive manner only, considering Austria's movements towards my borders. I have no desire to fight with Austria. Austria has expanded much more that Prussia has.

[Prince Cobra]

I was acting in a defensive manner only, considering Austria's movements towards my borders. I have no desire to fight with Austria. Austria has expanded much more that Prussia has.

Somehow Prussia is not very convincing in its intentions.

[FearofNC]

The King of France wishes that the Spanish rebels back down...... I also wish that the Prussians watch their intentions.... No one likes war.....

[CBR]

FYI FearofNC is no longer an active account.


CBR

[Peasant Phill]

Rogue Lybian tribal chiefs have spread rumors as would Egypt be seeking independence from the Ottoman Empire, this in order to avoid the renewal of their oaths to the Ottoman Sultan. This led the Ottoman Sultan to demand I, too, renewed my oath to him in public. I know no place more public than this.

Ambition, my biggest flaw. This led to my appointment as a general of one of the Ottoman armies.
Cunning to act on that ambition, the Sultan's greatest tool. This led to the annexation of Egypt to the Ottoman Empire.
Unwavering loyalty, my best trait and the peace of mind for my Lord.

My ambition urged me towards the west, my cunning resulted in the acquisition of big parts of Libya BUT my loyalty towards the Ottoman Sultan caused me to not even consider using this against him.

But my Sultan demands it. So it shall be
I, Mohammed Ali Pasha, Wãli of Egypt as granted by Selim III and reinforced by the current Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II renew my oath of loyalty and obedience to Mahmud II Sultan of the great Ottoman Empire.
And I hereby revoke my rights to the Lybian tribes. They should only bow to Allah and Sultan Mahmud II of the Ottoman Empire.

Let this fall to the knees be a rarity. Insecurity doesn't make a good Sultan.

Mohamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt

[Franconicus]

FYI FearofNC is no longer an active account.


CBR

Sigh!

What has he done?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Sigh!

What has he done?



:furious3::furious3:


It never ends with my brother :laugh4: :wall:.



I'll return as France then to replace this void then for the time being. :yes:

[Franconicus]

:furious3::furious3:


It never ends with my brother :laugh4: :wall:.



I'll return as France then to replace this void then for the time being. :yes:


He's your brother? You mean in a biological way?:inquisitive:

I may be simple thinking, but as far as I see, being banned means being banned! :no:
I hope this punishment will only be temporarily and he will return soon;
I think he just started to become familiar with the options he has in this game.:wall:

I would be very glad, if King Jan could play France, at least until his sentence is over! :skull::whip:

[King Jan III Sobieski]

He is Fran :laugh::dizzy2:.




I can play as France starting today. Just PM my any info I might need.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Rogue Lybian tribal chiefs have spread rumors as would Egypt be seeking independence from the Ottoman Empire, this in order to avoid the renewal of their oaths to the Ottoman Sultan. This led the Ottoman Sultan to demand I, too, renewed my oath to him in public. I know no place more public than this.

Ambition, my biggest flaw. This led to my appointment as a general of one of the Ottoman armies.
Cunning to act on that ambition, the Sultan's greatest tool. This led to the annexation of Egypt to the Ottoman Empire.
Unwavering loyalty, my best trait and the peace of mind for my Lord.

My ambition urged me towards the west, my cunning resulted in the acquisition of big parts of Libya BUT my loyalty towards the Ottoman Sultan caused me to not even consider using this against him.

But my Sultan demands it. So it shall be
I, Mohammed Ali Pasha, Wãli of Egypt as granted by Selim III and reinforced by the current Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II renew my oath of loyalty and obedience to Mahmud II Sultan of the great Ottoman Empire.
And I hereby revoke my rights to the Lybian tribes. They should only bow to Allah and Sultan Mahmud II of the Ottoman Empire.

Let this fall to the knees be a rarity. Insecurity doesn't make a good Sultan.

Mohamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt



Tempered Ambition my vassal. Ambition tempered in the fires of Loyalty, that is what I ask of you.

Insecurity may not make a good ruler, and yet neither does blind trust.

You have earned my trust, but do not expect me to not react when words reach my ears.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court

Charles X, King of France,, condemns the Spanish rebels for further disrespect to the Spanish Monarchy. We demand you restore the Spanish royal family or France will take other actions to ensure that it happens.


I also am a shame of the war with the Americans and the English. I propose that France meditates between the two nations.


We are also displease with the near war between Austria and Prussia. Perhaps an conference can be held in Paris to help talk about the Hannover issue?



Charles X, King of France.

[Franconicus]

FACTS AND NUMBERS

AUSTRIA: debt 96 mio, army 177,000, income next year: 16 mio
PRUSSIA: 153mio - 150,000 - 15 mio
RUSSIA: 195.5 mio - 215,000 - 13 mio
OTTO: 81 mio - 200,000 - 11 mio
ENGLAND: 179 mio - 45,000 - 12 mio
FRANCE: 187 mio - 33,000 - 9 mio
DUTCH: 21.5 mio - 20,000 - 11 mio
EGYPT: 38 mio - 50,000 - 5 mio

Tell me if something is wrong or missing!

[Peasant Phill]

I, Ibrahim Pasha, newly appointed Wãli of Crete hereby give my oath of fealty to Mahmud II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. I'll also pay a tribute befitting my new position at the first possible opportunity. As conflict still ravage this smal island, this tribute will have to wait until more quieter times.

[King Kurt]

A statement from the English court

We call upon the central powers of Europe to step back from war. The expansionist policies of Austria will only result in a catistrophic war across all of Europe - something none of us wants.

To make England's position crystal clear - we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Northern European allies Prussia and the Netherlands - any attack or aggression against them on land or sea we view as an attack on us and will constitute an unprovoked act of war against England. Our forces are currently striving to bring an end to slavery and stopping the hotbed of revolution that is the USA spreading their cancerious rebellion to the soverign states of all Europe, but we will not hesitate to support our Allies if they are attacked.

As to the Americans I say this - we have made a more than fair peace offer to you and you choose to ignore it. That offer still stands but if you choose to continue your resistance then your lands will burn from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian borders. Your economy will be in tatters, your forces are powerless to stop our forces striking whereever they wish. This is the last chance for you and your government - are their no wise heads there to realise the dire situation you are in. To the enslaved peoples of the USA your day of freedom is at hand - soon our forces will liberate you and you will be able to repay the persecution of the last 200 years - take up arms against your oppressors now.

As for the infedel Turks - perhaps the Sultan should keep to the affairs of the harem as opposed to affairs of state. Your attack on Morroco will not be forgotten and the reach of our fleet is long. Other so called Christian rulers of Europe see fit to deal with the slaughters of good Christian folk, but we will not tolerate such actions. Our Christian brothers in Greece and Crete need our help - will the Christian rulers of Europe heed their call??

Lord Canning

[Prince Cobra]

A statement from the English court

We call upon the central powers of Europe to step back from war. The expansionist policies of Austria will only result in a catistrophic war across all of Europe - something none of us wants.

To make England's position crystal clear - we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Northern European allies Prussia and the Netherlands - any attack or aggression against them on land or sea we view as an attack on us and will constitute an unprovoked act of war against England. Our forces are currently striving to bring an end to slavery and stopping the hotbed of revolution that is the USA spreading their cancerious rebellion to the soverign states of all Europe, but we will not hesitate to support our Allies if they are attacked.

As to the Americans I say this - we have made a more than fair peace offer to you and you choose to ignore it. That offer still stands but if you choose to continue your resistance then your lands will burn from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian borders. Your economy will be in tatters, your forces are powerless to stop our forces striking whereever they wish. This is the last chance for you and your government - are their no wise heads there to realise the dire situation you are in. To the enslaved peoples of the USA your day of freedom is at hand - soon our forces will liberate you and you will be able to repay the persecution of the last 200 years - take up arms against your oppressors now.

As for the infedel Turks - perhaps the Sultan should keep to the affairs of the harem as opposed to affairs of state. Your attack on Morroco will not be forgotten and the reach of our fleet is long. Other so called Christian rulers of Europe see fit to deal with the slaughters of good Christian folk, but we will not tolerate such actions. Our Christian brothers in Greece and Crete need our help - will the Christian rulers of Europe heed their call??

Lord Canning

I thought the downfall of Lord Liverpool gave lessons to the British politicians. Unfortuantely, I am disappointed to see that the new Lord Canning continues with the offensive course of his predecessor. Instead of healing the wounds of the Hannover deal, he continues to point at Austria as an agressor and wages wars on almost all the possible frontiers ignoring the viable interests of Great Britain. Perhaps it is the time, Lord Canning, to reconsider your policy. The Hanover deal handled unlawfully an entire Kingdom to Prussia, disregarding the rights of the true heir of the Kingdom, and was done without any agreement from the German Confederation and our allies from Russia and France who are directly affected by the illegal growth of Prussia.

As far as the Eastern question is concerned, your opinion is a very weird one. You smashed the rebellions in La Roshelle and Ireland with extreme cruelty but now, during the crisis in the Ottoman Empire you diligently defend the rebels. Is it because you are attempting to destabilise Eastern Europe with rebellions like the Greek one? In a previous conversation between my Kaiser and Tzar Alexander the First of Russia it has been confirmed that neither Austria, nor Russia will support the Greek rebels. Therefore, the Ottoman Empire can safely restore the peace in its provinces avoiding extreme cruelty and continuing the viable reforms.

Chancellor von Metternich

[King Kurt]

My Dear Metternich

How can you compare the brave Christian freedom fighters of Greece who struggle against the very enemy who a few scant years ago threatened your very capital with the revolutionary rabble who our forces dealt with in La Rochelle and Ireland?

And if yout anti- rebellion zeal is so strong, why do you not stand shoulder to shoulder with my forces against the motherland of all rebellion - the USA?

Our forces may appear aggressive, but they have a job to do and we will not flinch from our Christian duty of crushing rebellion, abolishing slavery and defending fellow Christians.

Lord Canning

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

And so the foolish Englishman speaks.

HAH! to say your are in a better position than I is a mockery! You can not even afford to protect the land you stole from me!

Perhaps you should stay in the harem, for your luck in affairs of state could not be worse.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Pardon me, but if I may ask, when is the deadline? Thank ye!



From the French Court;


I am very disturbed by the actions of the English,Americans and the Austrians,among others. I wish to have no war around my lands and will defend France if we are invaded. Perhaps we can have an Congress of Paris to discuss the problems of Spain, Hannover and the US-GB war?



King Charles X of France

[Caius]

I'm in duty again, people- Russia shall speak soon on this matter, but rest assured that we must do homework at home first!

[Franconicus]

Le Monde, Paris:

MORE AND MORE AND MORE
Our King is forming a big army. Despite the fact that we are broke new regiments are build almost every month.
That is not new. The old regime did it, the revolutionists did it, the Emperor did it.
Yet, something is different - the King's new regiments draft mercenaries from all over Europe. We see Irish, Spanish, Swiss and Poles.
Now, why does the King rely on soldiers from abroad? The French soldiers were good enough for Napoleon, so why not for him.
The answer is plain to see. Unlike his presuccessors he is not looking to cool his ambitions by invading other countries, he does not need the soldiers to defend the republic. This time he needs the army against his own subjects - against us!


Deadline on Friday!!

[Peasant Phill]

I have computer problems. I hope they'll be resolved before tomorrow.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court;

The rumors are false. The French King has no reason to fight his own citizens. He is simply having an simply influx of foreign troops to assist with native French troops who hold the majority in the French military, in guarding our southern borders. He is simply creating an small French Foreign Legion regiment.No reason to fear this.


King Charles X of France

[Peasant Phill]

My computer problems are ongoing. I hope I can fix them before friday but otherwise my orders will be late.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I'll get my orders in today.

[Prince Cobra]

My decisions arrive tomorrow. RL issues.

[Franconicus]

There are orders from:

Egypt
England
France
Ottoman Empire.

Still missimg:

Netherlands
Prussia
Russia

[Csargo]

Franc I sent you my orders yesterday or the day before.

[Prince Cobra]

Orders are sent. I am sorry for the delay but I've been more busy than I expected. Now, I am in anticipation of the next Chapter. :beam: :smash:

[Franconicus]

So now only the Dutch and the Russians are missing!:furious3:

[Franconicus]

Although the Dutch and Russians are still missing, let's start.

Some of you decided to chose a more military way to solve their problems; therefore we are entering a phase of wars.

As I mentioned in the begining, this will be handled in a special way - the WARMODE!


June 15, 1825

Ottoman authorities arrest Prussian engineers and confiscate the equipment of the Prussian-Ottoman companies.
Ottoman policemen try to seize Prussian goods, which are transported on a Dutch sailor. However, the Dutch commander refuses to let them on board. He sets sails and leaves the Ottoman harbor.
The Ottoman fleet leaves the ports and patrols to find Prussian ships. They close the straight of Istanbul for Prussian ships.

More soon! :2thumbsup:

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:

We will await developments before making an formal comment


King Charles X of France

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

As can perhaps be guessed Prussian trade is no longer appreciated or acceptable in the Mediterranean. To that end we have closed Prussian trade to our land.

If the Prussians wish to blame someone for this tragedy, then I ask they look only to their ally England.

[Csargo]

Prussia is disturbed at the arrest of the Prussian engineers sent to help the Ottomans, they should be released and allowed to return home since they have done nothing wrong.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Prussia is disturbed at the arrest of the Prussian engineers sent to help the Ottomans, they should be released and allowed to return home since they have done nothing wrong.

They have done nothing wrong YET. Actions my nation plans on taking in the very near future would have put them in a very difficult situation, one we hope to make much simpler for them. They will be released, eventually.

We sincerely hope that hostilities beyond this do not break out with Prussia, however, we are covering all of our bases. As such Prussia will continue to be blockaded until a time comes where I no longer think it necessary. All of Prussia's mining operations in my land will be captured and put back under my direct administration.

After what I hope to be a short time of conflict, I assure the Prussians we can renegotiate the mines and the other problems we have put their people through.

[Csargo]

They have done nothing wrong YET. Actions my nation plans on taking in the very near future would have put them in a very difficult situation, one we hope to make much simpler for them. They will be released, eventually.

We sincerely hope that hostilities beyond this do not break out with Prussia, however, we are covering all of our bases. As such Prussia will continue to be blockaded until a time comes where I no longer think it necessary. All of Prussia's mining operations in my land will be captured and put back under my direct administration.

After what I hope to be a short time of conflict, I assure the Prussians we can renegotiate the mines and the other problems we have put their people through.

As long as they remain unharmed and are treated well, the rest is not important to me.

[Prince Cobra]

Austria will keep the border with the Ottoman Empire calm and will attempt to mediate in the conflict. Certain steps have already been made and I hope compromise is to be achieved. However, Vienna can not understand how some rebels can create such an embarrassment between the powers in Europe.

Chancellor von Metternich

[SwordsMaster]

From the French Court:

We will await developments before making an formal comment


King Charles X of France

Ok, sorry about hijacking, but this caught my eye. The french court comments to say it has nothing to say and it will comment later? That conveys a boredom beyond reason.









As does my commenting on that.... :beam::shame:

[Peasant Phill]

OOC: Perhaps the silence says a thousand words?

IC:

This is no time to anger heads of state as long as war can be adverted. I'm willing to harbour the arrested Prussian engineers in my country until this misunderstanding is solved. They'll be given everything they need or wish.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt

[Franconicus]

June 17th,

Berlin: The price for shares of the Prussian Mining Company lost 90 %. Bankers speculate that the company is going to be insolvent, soon. This drove other rates into negative too.
About 30,000 protestors fill the streets of the Prussian capitol. They demand sharp protests against the Ottoman government.

Russia introduces high tariffs on goods from Prussia.

At London, the price for cotton goes up once again. Reasons for this are statements of the Ottoman government which caused speculations of new hostilities in this area.

The British Navy lands troops in the southern states of the U.S.. At the same time the Americans continue their campaign against Canada.

Newspapers report that the Turks gather their army and navy for a new massive military operation. Rumors tell that the target may be Crete.

On 20th June Kinjg Charles announces that "a hundred thousand Frenchmen are ready to march, invoking the name of Saint Louis, to safeguard the throne of Spain for a grandson of Henry IV of France". France's Chambres vote an extraordinary grant for the expedition. Châteaubriand and the ultra-royalists rejoice - the royal army is going to prove its bravery and devotion in the face of Spanish liberals, fighting for the glory of the Bourbon monarchy.
The new prime-minister, Joseph de Villèle, intends to oppose the war. The operation's cost was excessive, the army's organisation was defective and the troops' loyalty was uncertain.

As a consequence of the French deployment, Portugal closes the borders to Spain and declares that she is not going to support the Spanish Republic.

[Prince Cobra]

OOC: Did Louis XVIII die a chapter or two ago, Franc?

[Franconicus]

Yes! :shame:

Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis

June 18th - July 2nd

On the banks of the Bidassoa, 500 liberal French and Piedmontese men face off against the forward-positions of the French 3rd light infantry regiment. Brandishing a tricolour flag and singing La Marseillaise, they incite the soldiers not to cross the frontier. The king's infantrymen hesitate until Colonel Bugeaud rushes to them and orders them to open fire. Several of the demonstrators are killed and the others disperse. Many of them join Englishmen under Colonel Robert Wilson, Belgians under Janssens and other French or Italian volunteers to form a liberal legion and a squadron of "liberty lancers" to fight beside the Spanish constitutional forces. The following day, on 21 June, the 100,000 Sons of Saint Louis under General Guilleminot enter Spain without opposition from the constitutional government's forces.
Guileminot’s regiments force General Morillo to retreat. The French gain control of Navarre, the Asturias and Galicia, but lack siege equipment and are thus unable to blockade the towns of Santander and Burgos, where the liberals continue to offer resistance.
This gives the constitutional forces the chance to organize the defense. General Morillo commands Spanish troops and the international ‘liberal legion’ at Valladolid, General Ballesteros leads a corps at Zaragoza, while Rafael Riego prepares the defense of Madrid.
At Barcelona General Mina is setting up a troop of Spanish guerillas.
The main body of the Spanish army, however, still stands at Andalucía, since this is the site of Cadiz, transformed into the Constitutionalists' provisional capitol. It contains the Cortes and the imprisoned king.

The echo of the French papers is mixed. Although most are glad that France finally ends an era of indifference and that the troops are adding glory to the country once again, many recall the past campaigns at Spain.

The English press condemns the French invasion and blames France for breaking the treaty of Vienna. Although the government expresses its concerns about the development, the prime minister points at the fact that currently the British interests are focused in the new world and that the British government will do everything to gain victory against the Americans.
This seams to be reasonable, for the British seem to make progress with their invasion of the southern USA, but the American spring offensive seems to make good progress and causes a crisis among the defenders of Canada.
Prussian and Austrian papers welcome the invasion as they think it is necessary to end liberal unrest and guarantee peace in Europe. The opinion of the Prussians changes a bit, when France and Russia introduce high tariffs on Prussian goods. Newspapers blame Austria to organize a trade war against Prussia and call for a sharp response.
Stock rates at Berlin are again declining. Also the rates at London are under pressure again, but the news of cotton ships from India saves the day.
A speaker of the financier Rothschild announces that the company is going to transfer the centre of their enterprise from London to the continent. Although it is not decided yet where the new center will be, Austria is currently the preferred option.
This news causes more trouble at the London stock market.
At July 2nd at Algiers, a big crowd gathers and protests against the British occupation. The mob attacks the British guard, kills two soldiers and wounds five more. The British troops have to retreat to the fortress. About 3,000 Arabs try to assault the British positions, but some shrapnel keeps them at distance. During night, warriors from the desert tribes join the rebels. The situation for the defenders – 137 soldiers plus 38 sailors – is getting uncomfortable.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:

The King is pleased with the results so far with our forces. We thank the foriegn newspapers for their support, however, we don't think our English friends should complain after their massarces at La Rochelle and Ireland.


King of France, Charles X

[Peasant Phill]

I hereby volunteer to negotiate between the British government and the Algerian protesters.

I'm sure, Lord Canning, you're not fooled that I would do this out of goodness or friendly sentiment towards you or your countrymen. Nontheless I'm offering you a way to save your doomed soldiers and sailors out of there hopeless situation. I'm confident I can garantee their safety if you agree quickly.

Agree and those men will see there wifes and children again. Ignore this and every Brit will know what there life is worth to there government.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Wãli of Egypt

[Franconicus]

July 2nd – 15th A Thousand Moslem Ships

During night, an Ottoman armada consisting of hundreds of big and small ships accompanied by a powerful escort approaches the island of Malta. Several warships sheer and head for the harbor of Valletta. Here they block the entrance. The rest of the ships sail to the low northern coast.
At the first light of day, the warships begin to bombard Valetta, while the first Ottoman soldiers enter the northern area of the island.
Only few cannons from the fortress of Valletta reply the fire. Nevertheless, the landing of the infantry is chaotic. Soon the beach is overcrowded and units are spreads all over.
Two hours after the first landing, the commander of the Ottoman fleet Admiral Vermoelen, receives the message that the Royal Navy comes from the south. Immediately, he stops the bombardment of the Maltese coast and hurries to intercept the British ships. Along with him there are six ships-of-the-line and eight frigates. After half an hour he spots the mast tops of the British squadron, four ships-of-the-line and two frigates. The commanders of both sides order their ships to turn westwards and form a line. Twenty minutes later, the sol exchange volleys, but the distance is still too big for accuracy. Admiral Vermoelen orders his frigates to attack the last ship of the British line, while the British admiral sets every piece of cloth to be faster than his opponents. The backmost British sol concentrates her volleys on the approaching frigates and cripples two of them before they are close enough to respond. The British sol leaves the line of combat, fighting against six frigates.
The British commander realizes the threat and sends his two frigates, the HMS Unicorn and the HMS Tricomalee to assist the embattled ship. The remaining sols turn north and the leading British ship crosses the course of the first Ottoman ship, which turns north, too. Now the combat goes on at short distance. Here, three British ships of the line fight six Turkish sol and there, six Ottoman frigates fight against one sol and two frigates.
The British compensate the Turkish advantage in numbers with higher fire frequency. Both sides give and take and when the English finally break up, the Ottoman fleet is not chasing them.
The English loose two sol and one frigate, the other ships are severely damaged. One Turkish sol and three frigates are sunk or burned out, while two sol and two frigates are so badly damaged, that they are hardly able to keep on swimming.
During this combat, the Ottoman army keeps on landing. While most of the Ottoman escort is engaged southwards, another British groups approaches. Four frigates, led by the HMS Shannon appear from the east. They head straight to the place where the Turkish transports crowd and, firing on both sides, make their way through the Ottoman ships. The Turkish escorts, two sol and two dozen smaller ships unter the command of Admiral Koca Mehmed Hüsrev Pasa try in vain to stop the raid. The sol fire at the British intruders, only to cause more confusion and damage. Soon several transport ships are sinking or burning. The soldiers try to reach the shore while their ships escape. The ships of the Royal Navy make their way all through the crowded Ottoman armada, firing almost all of their ammunition, and then they turn westwards and disappear.
When the Turkish admiral returns, he finds the see covered with wrecks.
He decides to send the damaged ships along with an escort back to Crete. Now he has only four sol left to protect the invasion.
The Ottomans continue their landing. It takes seven days until the infantry is unloaded. In the meantime, a French convoy arrives, bringing French soldiers to increase the invasion force.
The Ottoman-French deployment happens without disturbance from the British garrison, which retreated into the fortress. Soon, most of the island is under control of the invaders. The Turkish soldiers find that the British made the sources of water unusable. Soon the invasion begins to suffer from thirst and hunger.
July 10th, the Ottoman sea patrols meet a frigate which sails under Spanish flag. The frigate, obviously on the way from Spain to the Eastern Med does not go round the patrol and when they are close enough, the Turks open fire and sink the frigate. The commander does not care about the sailors from the sunken ships, but his men claim that the castaways were crying for help in English.
July 12th, the Turkish artillery finally landed and is now ready for action. It begins to bombard the fortress and the Ottoman and French assault troops prepare for the final battle. After 20 hour of intensive bombardment the commander of the British garrison strikes the flag and 900 British soldiers surrender.

In the meantime the operations at northern Spain go on. While the besieged Santander and Burgos are still holding fort, the French forces are slowly advancing.

The same day, Lord Canning receives the news about the loss of Malta; he also gets a message from the American theatre of war. In the meantime, his expedition forces, which had landed at Mobile Bay, assaulted Mobile City and burned the town to the ground. Then they marched on in direction to Jackson. On their way, they take everything they can and burn the rest. They destroy farms and plantings and even instigate the slaves to fight against their masters.
The Americans were completely taken by surprise by the English invasion. Now they were trying to form local militias and to send regulars down the Mississippi.

After securing the Great Lakes and organizing the supply, General Winfield Scott renews his efforts to invade Canada with two armies targeting Montreal. The first army comes from Lake Ontario and marches at the banks of the river. On the way, it assaults several strongholds and defeats a Canadian militia. The second army, volunteers from Vermont, occupy Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu and lay siege on Saint-Hyacinthe, from where they threaten the connection between Montreal and Quebec City. The British commander decides to give up Montreal and concentrates his troops at Quebec.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


May the Lord be praise for our success. 2,000 brave French grenadiers marched into Malta victorious with their Ottoman allies against the British. I am pleased that they and the infamous General Oudinot was able to be victorious. I believe the British underestimated the will of the French people. Massacring our citizens will never be forgotten, just remember that, Lord Canning.




Charles X, King of France.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Malta has fallen. And 900 British soldiers held prisoner. Lord Canning should not underestimate the Ottomans, for we are quite capable of seizing the initiative. The Soldiers, shall be held captive until the war is over, treated fairly, I am not a uncivilized animal. But we do not plan on backing down. This is only the beginning.

[Warluster]

This is a despicable act which breaches every treaty which European sons died to have signed. Only decades ago did we fight one of humankind's most vicious war, and two nations dare to bring war to Europe again on the basis of underestimating?

You are breaching the Vienna treaty. You are openly mocking the dead who lie in front of Saratoga, on the fields of Austerlitz and the hills of Waterloo. You, the French Empire which started that conflict as well, and the Turkish invader, are laughing in the face of Europe's nations.

If these two nations had a issue, they should have taken it up with Britain diplomaticlly.

Along with these acts, the Ottoman Empire fire upon a neutral Spanish ship. How could you hear the screams, their words, over the merciless fire of you firearms and cannons?!

We ask the two sides to sit down and renegotiate, consider the terms of the Vienna Treaty, or we invite you to draft a new one in Amsterdamn, be whatever the cost, because Europe can't afford another war, this is for your sake, as well.

King William,
King of the United Netherlands, King of the Belgians, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Limburg, King of the Dutch Empire

[Franconicus]

From the King of the two Sicilies:

I call the forces of our navy and army to pick up immediatelly their arms and get alert.
The trade with France and the Turks is forbitten from now on. Every captain that is going to ship supply to Malta will be sentenced to death.


From Rome:
We are shocked that once again disorder is spread by France. We are disgusted, that the French monarch is working hand in hand with the heathens to fight a Christian brother.
We call all other Christian nations to boykott France and the Ottoman EMpire, until the intruders retreat!

The Pope.

From the Kimgdoms of Sardinia, Piemont and Savoy:
All our forces are mobilized!

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


We do not regret this. We did not cause this war, the British did. Besides, When my people were massacred at La Rochelle, was the outcry there? Where was it? I heard none of the English citizens, or maybe an little bit. I heard none from the Dutch, or the Swedes or the Italians. The only outcry I heard somewhat is from Austria, our allies.


And in Spain, where is everyone? I don't see England helping us, yet they can kill innocent US and Irish citizens like it was nothing. Where is the Dutch, the Austrians or the Russians, no offense to my allies, but where are they? No where to be found.


We will put terms on the table soon.


We are warning Sardinia and the Italians to stay out of it. Do not intervene, especially land wise.



Charles X, King of France.

[Prince Cobra]

The Austrian Empire is against the actions of France in Malta and strongly advises the Sublime Porte to stop the aggression in the Western Mediterranean. However, Austria warns any other country to think twice before invading France. Austria will also not start any economical sanctions against the two countries. The patience of Vienna is not eternal, though.

On the Spanish campaign, the Austrian Chancellor sees a reason for the support of the captive King of Spain and thinks it will be the wisest move for France to concentrate on this noble deed.

In the name of the peace and stability in Europe, I appeal for immediate cease fire. I expect the comment of Lord Canning, the government of Charles X and the Sublime Porte. Perhaps, if the Bavarian King is willing to take such a responsiblity , he can be a host of conference in Munich.

Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[Csargo]

I am in agreement with the Dutch King and Austrian Chancellor. Peace talks should begin immediately.

[King Kurt]

England will not attend any peace conference until Malta has been returned to the care of the British Government and France has withdrawn all its forces from Spain. Unless this happens, we assume that the Congress of Vienna is dead and the words of Herr Metternich are totally hollow and without any credence.

English troops spilled blood to rescue the French King from civil war and he repays that sacrifice with a stab in the back in concert with the Heathern Turks. It appears that you can take Bonaparte out of France but another power crazed despot will take his place. Their honourless King already has delusions of European conquest - the rest of Europe will have to deal with this egotistic upstart in the same way as we dealt with the last one.

Lord Canning

[Pranas]

Greetings people, I am the new player for the Russia. Never played the IG before, so don't judge harshly.
I'll do my best. And for clarifying, can you post the curent date in game? mm/yyyy
Cheers.

[Csargo]

Welcome Pranas. It is July of 1825 iirc.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

England will not attend any peace conference until Malta has been returned to the care of the British Government and France has withdrawn all its forces from Spain. Unless this happens, we assume that the Congress of Vienna is dead and the words of Herr Metternich are totally hollow and without any credence.

English troops spilled blood to rescue the French King from civil war and he repays that sacrifice with a stab in the back in concert with the Heathern Turks. It appears that you can take Bonaparte out of France but another power crazed despot will take his place. Their honourless King already has delusions of European conquest - the rest of Europe will have to deal with this egotistic upstart in the same way as we dealt with the last one.

Lord Canning




Lord Canning,


I am very disappointed with the English support. But that can be expected, after all, Malta is in my hands.

You expect me to return Malta and withdraw my troops from Spain? For what? So you can impose harsh penalties on us afterward? And besides, Why are you so afraid of French troops in Spain? Why was the English newspapers complaining about my invasion before we took Malta? Are the poor English citizens afraid of having the Spanish King return to his throne, or does the English Prime Minister want to have an more liberal government to cause trouble in Europe and blame Austria.... and France for it?


I am not an egotistic upstart unlike yourself and your predecessor. We do not go massacring French, Irish or American civilians do we? I believe our armies treated the Spanish citizens quite respectful, and they have no problems with us, according to my reports.


We will gladly hold an peace confederacy, but not like this. If you want Malta though your demands, then you can come and get it then. Marshal Oudinot is waiting.




Charles X, King of France.

[Peasant Phill]

Greetings Pranas, I hope you'll enjoy playing.

I advise you to read thread through at least once to get a hold of what has been going on until now.

[Pranas]

Currently reading all the posts...it will take some time...

And how about adding nice cute-lil map, sticked as ... with main towns, provinces, Armies and fleets locations... think it would be great, + I can give a hand on making that.

[Pranas]

Zdravstvujte.

I'm Nicholas I - Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russians ; King of Poland; Grand Duke of Finland.
As the new Leader of my People, I will do my best in order to bring peace and prosperity to my Empire.
There will also be some major and minor changes in the inner and outer politics.

First of all, though I don't totally support the US as an independent country, I see that people of that region have deсided to strugle for as long as they can, in order to obtain their freedom. For that act, I respect US nation, and
call England to accept the USA as an independent country and abandon their desire to fight in the New World. It's better to make new friends, than keep trying to support the ideas that are dead long long ago.

Secondly, I support France and their Spanish Campaign to restore the Bourbon monarchy.

Also - Metropolit and archbishops of Moscow - St. Filaret, visits the Rome in order to seek the audience with the Pope.
------
P.S.
Franc - should I send you my actions or whatever?

[Prince Cobra]

Welcome, Pranas.

Austria greets their Russian allies and hopes the Russian Tzar will be more active than before.

(Emp. Alexander I is still not dead; this should historically happen the next year in the game, I think)

[Centurion1]

love reading this thread you guys. great fun

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I for one am glad to hear from my friend the Tsar. I hope he finds success in all of his endeavors

[Pranas]

Well, they said it's 1825, and Alex. died on the 1st December 1825, soooo.... if we are using a year as a time scale, so there can be some approx. concerning dates like this... hard to explain... and, whatever...

[Franconicus]

I know you are all waiting! You know, I am busy and things are getting more complex. Anyway, hope to get something out soon.
:dizzy2:
Welcome Pranas!

[Franconicus]

July 16th to August 15th
At Eastern Prussia, the governor arrests the bishop of the catholic church. The arch bishop of Cologne protests in a sharp form against this action and appeals to the King to release of the prisoner and to punish the governor.
Emperor Alexander is dead. Rumours had long been spread that he was suffering from a strange disease and during the last years he showed little interest in his country. After his wife fell ill, he accompanied her to a sanatoria at the Crimea. Here, far away from the capitol, a strange disease took away the life of the monarch.
It took some time until the news about the death of the Russian leader reached the capitol. First, the citizens of Petersburg refused to believe it and other rumours said that he retired or was kept as prisoner. Finally, his younger brother Nicholas proclaimed himself as new Emperor of Russia and King of Poland. Confusion was high, as there was still Constantine, another older brother of Nicholas, which was seen as the true heir.
Nevertheless, Nicholas and his wife, Charlotte of Prussia, begin to rule. His first speech is related to the English-American war. Nicholas announces that the new Russian government would support the freedom loving Americans. The Russian aristocrats become furious and the guard at Petersburg rebels. Nicholas and his wife have to leave the capitol hastily.
News from Spain: The French forces slowly advance. They take Bilbao move further towards Leon, the capitol of the former Kingdom of Leon. On the way, the supply troops are attacked by republican cavalry. Colonel Bugeaud orders the Polish cavalry to protect the rear of the advancing corps. His troops move on, accompanied by constant raids of Spanish guerrillas. 20 miles east of Leon, Bugeaud reaches the Spanish line of defence. About 3,000 Spanish soldiers and volunteers from England, Ireland, France and Italy are determined to stop the advance of the French corps. Bugeaud has about 5,000 men and he begins to attack the Spanish positions. The Spaniards repel three attacks and Bugeaud decides to use his cavalry to bypass the Spanish positions at the right flank and a line regiment to attack the centre. The Poles drive their hoses to the flank of the Spaniards, where they are intercepted by hussars of the International Brigade. The fighting becomes tougher; the Internationalists almost wipe out the Polish lancers. The Spanish centre is shook and the Spanish general concentrates all guns to support his troops there. The republican cavalry now tries to bypass the French lines and a reserve regiment of French grenadiers just comes in time to absorb the power of the cavalry charge. In a melee, the French drive the Spaniards back and now Bugeaud concentrates all his forces against the Spanish centre. The Spaniards give up their positions and the whole army begins to retreat to the south. The French want to chase them, but the remaining Spanish cavalry screens the retreating Spaniards. Two days later, French troops occupy Leon.
Valencia: Ottoman ships follow the retreating English fleet along the coast of Spain. The Spanish man-o-war Queen Isabella and some smaller ships join the English fleet, which retreats towards Gibraltar. The Ottoman ships only stop for some hours to bombard Valencia, then they move on.
The Dutch army is set alert and occupies positions along the border to France.
The Bavarian King offers to host a peace conference to mediate between France and England.
The army of Savoy deploys along the border to France.
4,000 French soldiers land at the shores of Valencia. In a coup de grace they assault the Castellon de la Plana.
Dutch ships report, that the Ottoman withdraw troops from Malta.
Algiers: The British army still hold the old fort against the mob. However, food and ammo is getting tight.
America:
The English troops seize Jackson and burn it to the ground. The American hastily ship reinforcements, using many river boats. Among them are two dozen steam boats. Soon, the British expedition forces are confronted by a superior American army. In their back they are threatened by republican cavalry.
At Canada, the British governor prepares the defence of Quebec. He lacks of professional soldiers and artillery, though. The troops of General Scott approach Quebec from the south along the Saint Lawrence River. Another detachment marches east of the river and cuts off the connection between Quebec and the east. Mid of August, Quebec is cut off.

[Pranas]

Nice one :3

[Prince Cobra]

Franc, isn't it better to sum all of the chapter. It will be less intriguing but we should move on the next year.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

We in France are pleased ith our troops' bravery. We are warning the Dutch and the Italians to stay out. The Spanish campgain is none of their concern and wasn't from the beginning until Malta fell. Only then it all of an sudden became your "concern".



Charles X, King of France.

[Warluster]

King Charles,

We have not mentioned the campaign within Spain. we do find it a disturbing one, but we also have a slight faith in the reason as to why you are attacking Spanish cities.

We have a problem with your invasion of Malta because it was unprovoked, and had no declaration of war. It also means you are now waging TWO wars against two Imperial powers of Europe; Spain and Great Britain. You are aiming to take land, and are now dragging the rest of Europe into troubles which should have stayed within peaceful diplomacy. This war is disturbing the balance of power within Europe, which keeps this continent peaceful. This is exactly what happened three decades ago.

For the final time, as King of the Netherlands, I ask that the three nations involved within this attack assemble within Amsterdam, and settle this peacefully. This is a lesson I thought we'd learnt several decades ago.

King William,
King of the Netherlands, Belgium and West Indies, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Limburg,

[Franconicus]

Who rules the sea?
August 20th

France mobilizes her reserves and begins to build trenches along the borders. The French government announces to build new fortresses at the border to Spain and Prussia.

Austria opens the first section of the new telegraph line from Vienna to Prague.

At Russia, the upraise spreads. Although the brother of the Emperor renounces the claim on the thrown, the garrisons of several cities join the mutineers. The Emperor Nicholas left Petersburg with his family. his whereabouts are unknown.


Admiral Vermoelen, commander of the Ottoman combat force, is carefully watching the horizon. In the dim light of the Mediterranean night he looks at Gibraltar, the place where he will fight the battle against the British Mediterranean Fleet. No sign of the Britons, the rock lies peacefully in the moonlight.

He thinks about the past weeks, the painful slow mobilization of the Ottoman force, the convoy through the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where they had first contact with British frigates and finally the invasion of Malta. Here the Royal Navy tried to stop the Ottoman armada, but Vermoelen and his ships repelled the British. Casualties and confusion was high, but the army could land and take the island.

The admiral wonders if he could have done better. His forces had superior numbers, but skills of the British sailors had been better. Furthermore he had been forced to guard the transport and fight the British sol; but anyway, he had made the British pay their price and in the end they had to flee. A victory of the Turkish navy against the strongest naval force in the world, the Royal Navy.
Without support from the fleet, Malta fell within a couple of days. But the triumph had a bitter taste, as the Turkish supply collapsed. The Turks may have learned a lot, but the planning of a campaign of this size with all its logistical issues was simply too much.

The commander sent most of the troops back to Turkey. Along with them sailed the damaged ships and left a weakened squadron. Does not matter, he thought, the British certainly have the same troubles. Another Turkish invasion force is on the way, must be close to Malta. His job now is to defeat the Royal Navy and eliminate this threat for the invasion force.

He looks at the left and sees the silhouettes of the three other ships-of-the -line. Even though his force is smaller now, it is still impressive. He knows that he had done a good job reorganizing and increasing the Ottoman fleet. It had been hard to equip the ships and to train the sailors and he knows that his ships will not perform as good as their British counterparts, but if they win this battle, the Ottoman will control the complete sea. And they will!

He knows that his man-of-wars are surrounded by a screen of six frigates. These ships had shadowed the English all the way from Malta to Valencia and further to Gibraltar. They also reported the strength of the British squadron, two sol, obviously damaged, and maybe half a dozen frigates. There are also one Spanish battleship and several smaller Spanish vessels. The frigates also reported that the British ships entered the harbour of Gibraltar. They did not leave, they are still inside.
Vermoelen wonders about the British behaviour. The English commander knows that they are closeg and yet he ordered his ships right inside this trap. Well, maybe his ships are so badly damaged, that he had no choice. Anyway! Soon the Turkish ships will attack. Vermoelen wished he had some fire ships. They would work well in the harbour of Gibraltar. He has none and he does not want to sacrifice any of his frigates.

In the east, he sees the first beams of the new day climbing out of the sea. They may be a sign, a signal from Istanbul, from his master, the first light of a new glory of the Ottoman Empire. Or do they come from Mecca? He knows that he is not a very good follower of Allah, but maybe Allah will forget his sins, if he defeats the British and makes the Islam to the dominant force in the Mediterranean Sea.
He winks to his first officer and soon a signal passes from ship to ship: ready for combat! The admiral does not care about what is going on around him; he carefully watches the entrance of the British harbour. There must be some costal batteries and behind them, inside the harbour, the battleships. The Turkish ships form the line of combat. A light breeze comes from the west, but the sea is calm. If the Turks had soldiers on board, they could have combined the sea battle with an amphibious invasion and Gibraltar would have been theirs today. But one step at a time! The first step is to finish the British squadron, then the soldiers of the Sultan can occupy he rock.
The frigates give up their positions and come closer to the battleships to participate at the battle. One of them sails aside of the Admiral’s ship. The frigate has placed the signal: Hostile Ships!
The admiral is angry about the commander of the frigate. Everyone on board of his ships knows that the enemy is in front of them. The last thing he needs are silly signals during the battle.
He takes his glass and looks at the gate of Gibraltar. Something is going on then. He adjusts the glass and sees a ship-of the line laving the port with full sails. Soon afterwards he sees a second ship, then a third. The Royal Navy accept the battle, he thinks. Once more he checks the positions of his ships. The British are coming to fight and to die. To get out of the harbour, they have to sail straight into the line of the Turkish battleships. The combined volley of four ships-of-the-line will sink one after the other. The fight will be easy, maybe too easy.

The frigate is crossing the course of the Admiral’s ship. She passes so close, that they almost collide. Has the commander lost his nerves? Another signal appears on the frigate: enemy from the south! Gibraltar is in the north, should there be any British in the south? Well, maybe the frigates.
The Admiral takes the glass and searches the southern skies. Yes, there they are, maybe six frigates or seven, right in the south with course east-northeast. Do they want to attack the Turks from the east or do they simply try to escape a hopeless situation?

The Admiral looks to Gibraltar again, the British battleships are still on the way to the Turkish. They are the most important target. Maybe he could send some frigates between his battleships and the English frigates. He looks at the small frigate right at the side of his ship. The ship is so close that he can see the young commander. He is winking at him and shouting. First the Admiral does not understand what he is saying, then he understands a word: “battleships”.
What is wrong with the battleships? They are perfectly in line, like they trained it many times before.
“The English! ..... Battleships .... many ....”

New signals are rising at the frigates: “ENEMY FROM THE SOUTH! BATTLESHIPS! MANY!”
The Admiral turns around and looks south again. English battleships? Impossible! He see the frigate, they are already southeast. Then he looks straight south, where he sees the coast of Africa glimmering through some foggy clouds. There, behind one of the clouds! The Admiral thinks that he might have seen the top of a ship. He watches the place and after some minutes he can see it clearly, a full size British battleship. Hell, where does that come from. Ten minutes later the ships is bigger and behind it there are three others. This must be the British Home Fleet. How many ships did the British Admiral send to Gibraltar? Four? Then it would be a hard fight. But still the Turks are in a better position. They are in the middle and they can pepper the British approaching from the south and from the north simultaneously. Maybe they can still win, even though there are seven British ships against four Turkish.
A quarter of an hour later Admiral Vermoelen has to bury his plan and his hope. Beside the four British battleships he notices another group of sol.

Now, here is nothing to win. He gives orders and soon the signals fly from ship to ship: course east, maximum speed!

He has to get his sol from the battlefield before they get caught by the British. The ship of the Admiral is the first of the line, the other three following, the frigates forming the rearguard. Soon he reaches the English frigates. Now it is theirs to form a line and the Turkish ships have to cross it.
Seven frigates open fire and the English volleys come with high frequency and accuracy. Several balls hit the ship of the Admiral, but the damage is small. Then the frigates change their ammo and send balls and chains into the sails of the Turkish ship. The Turkish ships are not able to reply the fire. They wait for the moment when the cross the English line. Only several hundred yards before they reach it, a volley hits the main mast, which breaks. The Turkish sailors have to cut it and through it into the sea. Now the ship of the Admiral can only move slowly.

The other ships leave the line and bypass the ship of their leader. They pass the British line and now the frigates are covered with balls. Immediately two of them sink while a third one begins to burn. Then they are through, they made it, but the British sol are getting closer.

The ships in front of him are getting slower and turn left. He wonders why, but then he sees another line of British frigates. They are firing a volley and then they are getting into close melee with the Turkish ships.

The Turkish Admiral turns round. The British battleships are getting closer, he counts fourteen. His frigates are trying desperately to stop them. Only three are left. Three frigates against fourteen ships-of-the-line! The British overrun the weak defence and soon they reach the Turkish battleships. Admiral Vermoelen looks around. All of his ships are fighting, one is already burning, another one lost his sails.

A group of four British ships approaches the ship of the Admiral. Vermoelen decides to fight until his ship goes down. The three British ships turn now, to get their cannons into position. "Fire!" The Ottoman cannonries do their best to welcome the English and the leading ship receives several hits. Then the English reply. The first volley hits the command bridge, where Admiral Vermoelen stands ...

Allah has not forgotten his sins!

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Well done Lord Canning, well done :bow: I have to admit, I thought I would have had at least enough time to eliminate the remnants of the ships from Malta before the full might of your navy crashed down on me. I was wrong obviously.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


We are disturbed by the decisive victory by the Royal Navy. I must congratulate our enemies however. This, however, will not bring us to the peace table, quite the opposite. We will not give us Malta without a fight, and intend to defend it to the last man.



You complain now about my Spanish campaign, King of the Dutch. Why not complain when I first went into Spain? It was not right for you to do so at that time. You are an loyal ally of England. Without them, your nation won't be profiting trade wise as much as it should. If your nation was so concerned about helping the Spanish Monarchy, where were your diplomats years ago when I was just thinking of intervening in Spain?


On an side note, We condemn the Russian military uprising against their leader.

On the final note,We will not meet in your capital. It would be highly bias. We will meet in Bavaria when the time is right. Now, if you may pardon me, I must go to Spain personally to inspect my troops.



Charles X, King of France.





OOC: This is not good! I must consult my brother now for further advice :laugh4::laugh4::wall::wall::wall::wall:!

[Prince Cobra]

The Austrian Chancellor is concerned about the current instability within the Russian Empire. He is amused by the futile attempts of some people to question the divine right of their ruler to govern the country.

On a different matter, the Austrian government is not surprised by the recent events in the Mediterranean and therefore, the position of Vienna is unchanged. The three parties should negotiate peace and the power of the King in Spain must be restored.

Prince Klemens von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

What the French said of course. I have had a minor set back, and one that has no doubt aided the English cause greatly. But I am not yet out of the fight.

[King Kurt]

My revenge has only just begun

Lord Canning

[King Jan III Sobieski]

My revenge has only just begun

Lord Canning



We see about that! :yes:

[Franconicus]

The Pendulum Swings Back
September and October
After the victory in the Battle of Leon the French army is reinforced by new regiments from France. The isolated Northern Spanish cities capitulate. The French army continues its advance and marches towards Madrid. Here is comes to a battle with the Spaniards. The French defeat the Spaniards and march into Madrid. The rest of the Spanish force moves southwards to Cadiz. During the battle of Madrid, the French soldiers wear new uniforms, or better said new ones with old colours – the Blue-Red-White of the Napoleonic Era. It is unlikely, that King Charles chose these because of memorial of the revolution or sympathy for the great emperor. More likely is that he wants to recall the times, when the Grand Armee used to force her will upon the other nations of Europe.
While the French army rests at Madrid to reinforce and recon the roads to Cadiz and Gibraltar, the French troops deployed near Valencia assault this town and secure the harbour. Only a couple of days later, the Spanish ship-of-the-line “CONSTITUTION”, formerly named as Royal ship “Empress Isabella” appears with two frigates at the port and bombards the French positions.
In the meantime, the British Med Fleet rests at Gibraltar, to repair the ships, resupply and wait for orders from London. From Dutch merchants, the Admiral in command learns that there is another convoy of Ottoman ships between Malta and the Spanish coast. Immediately he gives the order to set sail and to intercept the Ottoman fleet.
However, a few hours after he left the port, a messenger from the British Admiralty reaches his ship and brings him new order, which makes him change his plans and course. He commands his ships northwards; only one battleship and four frigates are sent towards Malta.
The frigates miss the Ottoman convoy and while the small English formation sails to Malta and the English main force passes the coasts of Corse, the Ottoman ships reach unmolested Valencia. Here, they meet the Spanish formation. Although the Turkish escort includes almost three dozens of smaller ships, the Spaniards would have been able to tear the convoy to pieces – if they had not shot almost all of their balls bombarding the French. After two hours of butchers, with a heavy heart, the Spanish admiral has to give the command to break up the battle and to return to Cadiz.
One third of the Ottoman soldiers drown with their ships. The rest of the Ottoman landing forces are now able to disembark and to join the French forces.
The French King Charles is still with his army at Madrid when he gets news from home. Target of the British main force was Marseille. On the way, the Royal Navy ships caught a convoy for Malta by surprise and sunk the transports together with their escort ships. When the Admiral was asked what to do with the shipwrecked French grenadiers, he said: “They want to get to Malta, well, let them swim!”
When the British fleet reaches Marseille, she finds the port and the town undefended. Most of the coastal battery were dismantled and sent to Spain. For the English it is a child’s play to penetrate the harbour, to capture the anchoring ships and to land. The small French garrison is overpowered. Soon the whole town is under control of the intruders. The British commander gives orders to attack the forts north of Marseille. The garrisons already left their positions and so the British occupy the fortresses.
Four days the English destroy everything that could be used in a military sense and also as much of the infrastructure as possible. No French soldier hinders them, but at night there is shooting with citizens.
After about a week, the British leave Marseille again and set sail for Toulon. Ahead sail seven captured French vessels. These pass the gate to Toulon port, when the crews set fire and the ships drift to the anchoring French ships. A frigate and several small ships catch fire. The French are still fire fighting, when the British main forces appear. The British sink every ship in the port and destroy docks and magazines.
At Malta, the British ships begin to cut off the island. An Ottoman supply convoy is cornered. Although most of the Ottoman ships escape, they fail to supply the garrison of Malta. Two of the Turkish ships are driven to the coast of Sicily, where they exchange balls with a Sicilian patrol.
After this, the Ottomans stop their activities in the sea that is now controlled by the Royal Navy. The Sultan orders the rest of his navy to the port of Athens.

[King Kurt]

My revenge continues to plan.

Lord Canning

[Peasant Phill]

OOC

Lord Canning, the inventor of soundbite diplomacy. :laugh:

[King Kurt]

OOC

Lord Canning, the inventor of soundbite diplomacy. :laugh:

What else do you expect from the home of the BBC:yes:

[Samofrome]

I would like to play, but, is there any availbe spaces?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Piedmont is open. If you don't like them, you can ask to play as Sweden or Spain.

[Samofrome]

I'll go with Piedmont, now i just need info

[Peasant Phill]

Well, you still have to be appointed a country by Franconicus ( and it's unsure you'll be getting Piemont).

And about info: You can ask Franconicus for info but a lot comes from your own research to.

[Franconicus]

I'll go with Piedmont, now i just need info

Thanx for your interest. I do not want to increase the number of players, though!

[Samofrome]

ok fine engouh.

[Prince Cobra]

I am glad to inform the European nations that the negotiations for cease fire in the Mediterranean are unfolding well and I have high hopes the first cease-fires will be soon announced.

Prince von Metternich

[King Jan III Sobieski]

France is pleased to annouce an ceasefire with England.


Charles X, King of France.

[Franconicus]

I am writing the next chapter, which will end the warmode!

Please stop sending new orders!!

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I am writing the next chapter, which will end the warmode!

Please stop sending new orders!!

Gah, sorry. :sweatdrop::sweatdrop:

[Peasant Phill]

OOC: I'm sorry franc. I didn't read your post before I PMed you. I guess everything in the PM will happen after the new update then.

IC (again sorry but this was planned some time before and possibly can't wait):

I, Muhamed Ali Pasha, hereby proclaim the proud nation of Egypt independant. No longer will the fate of the brave Egyptians be bound to the whims of the Ottoman Sultan.

To the Ottoman Sultan:
Egypt under my rule has always been independant in all but name. The recent conflict illustrated all to well how your decisions still affected an unwilling Egypt. I will have nothing more of that. If you won't listen to your wãlis, than you should command them either.
This, however, will not change the diplomatic relations towards you, I hope it won't change yours.

To the other nations in Europe, Africa and Asia:
You've known me a long time. I've always been accepted as the rightful ruler of Egypt and a trustworthy head of state. I'm still that man, I'm still trustworthy. And I hereby declare that all agreements declaredbeforethe Independance of Egypt are still in effect and will be respected.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Sultan of Egypt

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

OOC: I'm sorry franc. I didn't read your post before I PMed you. I guess everything in the PM will happen after the new update then.

IC (again sorry but this was planned some time before and possibly can't wait):

I, Muhamed Ali Pasha, hereby proclaim the proud nation of Egypt independant. No longer will the fate of the brave Egyptians be bound to the whims of the Ottoman Sultan.

To the Ottoman Sultan:
Egypt under my rule has always been independant in all but name. The recent conflict illustrated all to well how your decisions still affected an unwilling Egypt. I will have nothing more of that. If you won't listen to your wãlis, than you should command them either.
This, however, will not change the diplomatic relations towards you, I hope it won't change yours.

To the other nations in Europe, Africa and Asia:
You've known me a long time. I've always been accepted as the rightful ruler of Egypt and a trustworthy head of state. I'm still that man, I'm still trustworthy. And I hereby declare that all agreements declaredbeforethe Independance of Egypt are still in effect and will be respected.

Muhamed Ali Pasha
Sultan of Egypt


(Don't worry about it, I have been expecting it ever since you became Wali of Egypt :wink: :laugh4:, its my own fault really. I have been playing a stubborn pig head all game, now I need to live with it :wink:)


I can not say this news come as a surprise to me as well. And as long as your territorial interests do not go beyond your own sovereign land I have no real objections.

[Warluster]

Sultan of Egypt,

I am very pleased at your newly declared independance and welcome you to the community of nations. We hope we may resume pleasent trading as beforehand.

King William,
King of the Netherlands, Belgium and East Indies, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Limburg,

[King Kurt]

Announcement from Lord Canning

"First I welcome that our nation is once again at peace with France. I also acknowledge the useful contribution of Prince Metternich in reaching this agreement.

Secondly may I be the first European power to formally recognise the new government of Egypt. We have already formed a strong relationship and I state this to the world - any military attempt to interfere with the affairs of Egypt will have the forces of Great Britian, in particular her Majesty's Navy, to answer to. We will tolerate no foreign interference with Egypt's affairs.

God save the King!"

[Prince Cobra]

Announcement from Austria

The Habsburg Empire congratulates Egypt on its new status and its diplomatic success.

The Austrian Empire is amongst the guardians of the order in Europe and follows the decisions of the Concert as agreed ten years ago. Vienna is more tolerant towards some changes in the Middle East but the stability of this neighbouring region shall be protected. Therefore, Austria is to continue its active relationship with both Egypt and the Ottoman Empire with the intention to smooth any future misunderstanding between the two parties.

I use this occasion to appeal to the Ottoman Empire for making a cease-fire with Great Britain. The chaos in the Eastern Mediterranean shall be ended swiftly. I offer my good services in the process.

Prince Klemens von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[Peasant Phill]

As much as I appreciate the British intention of keeping my people safe from any foreign conqueror, I must stress the point that I have no stronger relationship with the Brits than I have with any other nation that ackowledges me as the rightful ruler of Egypt. That being said, nothing prevents the Brits to defend their economic and diplomatic interests in my country.

To make it absolutly clear, I have absolutly no intention of becoming part of some nations' sphere of influence. Be it British, French, Austrian, Russian or Ottoman.
Egypt aims to stay neutral in what seems to be petty squabbles for a few crumbles of someone elses influence and power.

Muhamed Ali
Sultan of Egypt
Regent of Crete

[Franconicus]

November to May 1826

The French King returns home to organize the defence of the country against further British raids. The main coastal cities are hastily fortified and thousands of new recruits drafted.

The French army at Spain continues the campaign, attacking Toledo, Badajoux and Sevilla. The autumn rain period slows the advance. Additionally, the army begins to suffer from tight supply, as the supply road from France is getting long and the sea routes are cut off. The French soldiers reach Valencia and meet with the Ottoman army, which is badly undersupplied and undisciplined. When the French army reaches the Valencia, the Turks have already pillaged the whole province. The French have to share their food with the Turks, which are more burden than enforcement.

During the winter season both armies suffer from diseases and the combat strength is melting like snow. The Spaniards are passive. They improve their positions around Cadiz and wait for the English to come and help them like they did it in the old times. Only from the northeast, Spanish troops organize raids against the French supply and force the invaders into guerrilla warfare. The French commander has to send a complete corps to reinstall order, but as soon as these troops return to the main army, the raids begin once again.

The Royal Navy does not attack the French coast again, but the English ship control the sea and cut off any connection to Corsica and Malta as well as the French trade in the Mediterranean Sea.
Back in Paris, King Charles decides to start a mission against the coast of England to punish the English for the destruction of Marseille and Toulouse. In a night manoeuvre French ships land several hundred men, which do as much damage as possible and return to France before dawn.
After this mission, the Royal Navy increases the patrols in the Chanel and blocks the French ports like Bordeaux, Caen, Brest and Caen.

The English Med Fleet continues to block the islands of Malta. From time to time British ships bombard the French and Turkish positions, but there is no attack with ground forces. The garrison uses the time to improve her positions, but soon it begins to suffer from hunger.
The Royal Navy also launches a strike against Algiers. A strong forces consisting of several sol and supporting ships approaches the port of the North African city. After a short but intense bombardment British soldiers land. They find the town almost completely deserted from defenders. After a while, they catch some warriors and now they finally hear the story of Lieutenant Swan’s last stand: The British garrison had held the fort for several months against a huge number of Muslim rebels. Shrapnel and gun volleys had kept the attackers on distance. However, there was no sign of the awaited British relief force and ammo was running short. The commanding officer, Lieutenant Swan, decided to sally. Two weeks before Christmas, he and his men attacked the surprised besiegers. They shot their way through the ring of the Algerians and through the town. Many English fell in the streets and never stood up. Swan reached the open plain with a dozen comrades. He decided to turn to the sea, hoping to find a boat they could size and use to return home. Five miles from the next fishing harbour, however, the small force was cornered by several hundred Bedouin warriors. In the ruins of an ancient temple Swan ordered his men to prepare their last stand. The Bedouin waited three days and three nights, then they attacked. Swan and his men were killed after they had shot heir last bullets.

Beside the forces at Spain and Malta, the Ottomans were inactive. The navy of the Sultan did not even try supply the troops at Malta or Valencia. British frigates could patrol around Crete and between the Greek islands without meeting any Ottoman ship.

The Kingdom of the two Sicilies executes patrols between the Italian coast and Malta. In November, a strange ship is stopped. It has been on course into the Western Mediterranean Sea and sailing along the coast of Italy. Two Italian frigates stop the vessel and frisk it. The captain of the ship is Armenian and the crew consists of Russians, Egyptians and Persians sailors. While the Italians are questioning the sailors, they hear screaming from the stomach of the ship. When they assault the freight room, they find armed guards butchering dozens of chained prisoners. The Italians soon overwhelm the guards and free the prisoners. Soon they find out, that the freed ones are soldiers of the former British garrison of Malta, which had been sent to an Ottoman town and now shipped back westwards. The now imprisoned guards are obviously Ottoman soldiers.
The Italians keep the ship to themselves and send the English soldiers as well as their former guards and the members of the crew to the English.

News from America reaches London and none is good. The British raiding force in the southern states has been worn down completely. Surrounded by superior American forces and cut off from any supply or reinforcement, the British force tried to hide itself behind field fortifications. After strong bombardment the Americans finally overran the British positions.

In the north the Americans lay siege on the Canadian capitol. End of November, Canadian militia tries to break the siege ring from the east, but the Canadian soldiers die under the US volleys. In the beginning of December, a British convoy reaches the town and unloads food and ammo. Shortly after this, the Americans block the river and place batteries upstream of the city. End of December, the American troops try to assault the town, but the American commander has to stop the attack after huge casualties. The Americans do not try to attack again, but dig more trenches around the town. Winter is hard and many men die on both sides. Spring comes and the positions are still the same. New supply and fresh troops reach the American besiegers and the situation of the defenders becomes more and more desperate.

At Russia, it is still uncertain if the new monarch can put through. Currently he tries to bait troops with promises while his opponents try to gain supporters among the Russian aristocracy. The quarrel paralyses the Russian administration. In spring, news comes from the south as Persia gathers 35,000 men under Shah Fath Ali along the border to Russia. The provinces of Baku, Quba and Talysh change to the side of the Persians. The military governor of the Caucasus District, Alexei Jermolov, has to evacuate the city of Gence and tries to prepare the defence of Susa. Without reinforcements he will not be able to stop the Persian advance.

Latest news: With mediation from Austria, France and England sign a peace agreement. France will withdraw her troops from Malta, uninstall the military facilities at Toulouse and pay for a certain amount of money. Furthermore, France stops all trade with America.
This agreement leaves the Ottoman Empire alone in the fight against the British Empire. The Turkish garrison on Malta is cut off, the Ottoman fleet destroyed. There are speculations, that other nations may take the change and join the war against the Porte.
The Sultan lost not only France as an ally, the Egyptians declared themselves independent and do not show any interest in supporting the Sultan’s fight against England. So the Sultan looses the help from the last remaining fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Internals:

England: Until the battle of Gibraltar, the English population was suffering from the war and was furious about the useless efforts in America. The victory of Gibraltar changed this and now the people are hoping to win against the Turks and the French. They are also sure that a victory in the Mediterranean Sea will increase trade and the stock rates grew again. However, people are still unhappy about the war in the west and think that their government should try to come to an agreement with the US before all British colonies in America are lost. They also think that all forces should use all forces to defeat the Turks. There are already bankers thinking about exploiting British colonies at Egypt, Levant and Istanbul. People are glad that war against France is over, though they think that it was unnecessary to leave Spain to the enemy. Many fear that this will lead to another campaign against ambitions. But still economy is suffering from the wars and the financial situation is critical. The colonies in the Middle East and Far East call for more financial and military support, as they struggle against natives, pirates and European competitors.
Netherlands: Although the conflict in the Med also hinders the Dutch traders, they found new opportunities as Ottoman and French merchants are gone completely. Colonies in the Far East are growing and making profit. The population is frightened by the aggressive policy of the French neighbour.

Prussia: Prussia’s economy is suffering from the consequences of the Ottoman actions against the Prussian mining company. This ruined many investors; unemployment increases. There is some unrest among the catholic population after the sentence of a bishop, especially in the Rhine province. Also it seems as if the Prussian King does not play a major role in the concert of Europe any longer.

Austria: The Danube monarchy is still doing fine. The economy is strong, although there are also problems with the trade in themed and with the Turks. Custom fees will be smaller and the Kingdom of the Two Sicily already declared that it will not pay the war tax or any share of the custom fees.

France: In the beginning, most of the population was supporting the Spanish campaign; however, since the war expanded on England and especially after the battle of Gibraltar and the destruction of the French Mediterranean coast, atmosphere turned around. Newspaper show drawings of the King wearing the dress of Napoleon like a child that is trying the much too large dress of its father. The new recruitments are very unpopular; many young men leave the country to escape forced recruitment. People are glad that war against England is over. However, the conditions are humiliating and the whole war against the U.K. was a foolish idea. The financial situation is extremely difficult.

Russia: Russia used to be in trouble, but the quarrel about the throne and the invasion of the Persians could bring the land into a disaster.
Ottoman Empire: The mighty fleet is gone, the Turkish ships cannot ship on the Med any longer. Most merchant ships were used as transports and are either sunk or stranded at the Spanish coast. Sea trade collapsed completely, even in the Black Sea. This will also affect the income, and the financial situation is already difficult. Many subjects think that the Sultan was a fool to challenge the mighty Royal Navy and some think that Allah may be pleased if the Sultan comes into paradise and is replaced by a better man. Local princes see their change to become a bit more independent.

Egypt: Although Egypt is not actively involved into war, it also suffers from the declining trade. On the other side, the defeat of the Ottoman fleet increases the influence of the Egyptians, as they have now the only significant navy in the eastern Med. Although Egypt is independent, it is surrounded by hostile countries and could be a good prey for any other country.

[Prince Cobra]

Open Letter from Austria to Persia

Persia shall immediately cease any activities against the Russian Empire and to return to its legal borders. Otherwise, the Great Powers from the Concert of Europe will consider this as an agression with all the consequences.

Chancellor von Metternich

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


We will aid our Russian allies with all means if the Persians refuse to back down.
We are sadden by the massacre of the British Prisoners, we can not imagine where they were headed.


While we are pleased by the raid on the English soil, as it shows our troops's bravery, we are pleased with the ceasefire agreement.



Charles X,King of France.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I wish to release an official statement that the Ottoman empire has accepted a ceasefire with the English.

Although, Lord canning should Know I will have a EXTREMELY difficult time scraping together 3.5 Talers.

[Prince Cobra]

I wish to release an official statement that the Ottoman empire has accepted a ceasefire with the English.

Although, Lord canning should Know I will have a EXTREMELY difficult time scraping together 3.5 Talers.



The Austrian government is pleased that the Ottomans and the British reached to an agreement. Peace in the Mediterranean is finally restored.

I assure the Ottoman Sultan that the money will be properly used for compensating Great Britain for the losses during the war. I thank Lord Canning and the Ottoman Sultan for their readiness to resolve the conflict and restore the peace!

Prince Klemens von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[King Kurt]

Sorry guys - will be offline until early Jan - real life rears its head!!

Seasons greetings to all the heads of Europe and a special one for Franc - the master of all our destinies!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pranas]

Well I guess I'm not able to do anykind of stuff, cause I don't have anything at this point.
Have no country, no support from people, no army of loyal troops, only some support from other major factions, however giving support with words, won't put me on the throne and will not improve current situation in Russia. So when you read news, about what is happening in Russia, thats not my credit.

Nicholas I the Exiled.

[Franconicus]

Merry Christmas to all of you! I wish you a peaceful time!

I know that there are many mails unanswered, I will reply as soon as possible.
To the Czar: Do not give up hope. I guess there will be a new leader in Russia and it might be you :2thumbsup:

Let's set up deadline to January 10th. Is this alright?

Franconicus

[Pranas]

Merry X-mas.
My hope is imortal. ;)

(I just need lil more info, if not, just say the magic words - "Give me your orders", and I'll send you a pack of my actions for taking the throne and improving the situation in Russia. Untill then, I'll patiently wait :E)

[Csargo]

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Franconicus]

The Sejm announces the nomination of Nicholas as King of Poland, Defender of the Polish Rights and Protector of the Polish Provinces.
He will be crowned as soon as he swears on the constitution and signs the bill of rights.

[Peasant Phill]

I've called upon the Concert of Europe before, as have others, and no answer came. It is clear that the Concert as a tribunal and an international tribune is dead and buried.
The idea behind it, however, is very much alive. I therefore once again emplore you, my fellow heads of states, to spare the world from needles bloodshed and misguided thinking.

As one might remember Egyptian forces under the command of my son put down a revolt on Crete which was then part of the Ottoman empire. Later my son was appointed as governor of Crete. Now when Egypt declared itself independent, so too changed Crete from Ottoman territory to Egyptian territory.
I'm, however, not interested in oppressing a populace so clearly desiring freedom. I therefor proposed a very benificial deal. Crete can have it's freedom as long as it allies itself with Egypt. It can have souvereinity over itself ànd support from a regional power inexchange for what amounts to a little more than a trade agreement.
Still these shortsighted excuses for resistance leaders plainly refuse to even consider it. They choose to defy me and prolong unnecessary aggression.

I know some of you had stakes in the Greek revolts against the ottomans. Some may even have aided the rebels. The cards lay totally different know and the goals some of you set in the Peleponesos have already come to fruitation or will come to fruitation with my proposal to the Cretans.
I therefore urge you, my fellow heads of state, to openly order the Cretan resistance to agree to my deal or at least refrain from supporting the cretan resistance in any way.
If there is a time for the powers to once again shape the world, let it start now. Letting this opportunity slip by may result in permanently losing the authority the Concert of Europe once might had.

Muhamed Ali
Ruler of Egypt
protector of Crete

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:

The Ruler of Egypt is correct. I believe we should start supporting nations like his, or Crete, and not making excuses. France will proundly be the first one to give her public support of this action to both Egypt and Crete. I will also trade with the Creteans if they wish to.



Charles X, King of France.

[Prince Cobra]

Merry Christmas to all of you! I wish you a peaceful time!

I know that there are many mails unanswered, I will reply as soon as possible.
To the Czar: Do not give up hope. I guess there will be a new leader in Russia and it might be you :2thumbsup:

Let's set up deadline to January 10th. Is this alright?

Franconicus


I can't promise I will be ready with my decisions until 19th... RL :sigh: :shame:

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I send in my orders today, then I'll update my orders as needed (IF needed) until Stephen gets his orders in on the 14th.

[Franconicus]

Waiting for your moves, gentlemen!

[Pranas]

Should I send my moves too? xD

[Warluster]

Muhamed Ali,
Ruler of Egypt,

We appreciate that you are taking steps to soothe any tension within the Near East. We are sure your intentions are nothing but good will.

After the devastating Napoleonic Wars, we were under the impression that the Concert of Europe, this powerful 'tribunal', was set up to insure that peace reigned within Europe. We are of the opinion that the concert of Europe did not hold its power within the laws it made, but instead within the military and economic powers its members held. Obviously, that power is still very real today.

As a member of the Concert of Europe, I am of no obligation to follow the lead of other members, and we will have to refuse your 'crusade' to give independance to Crete. They are a part of your country, and if not, then they are to be of a Greek Republic or Ottoman Empire. We see they have no right to independance.

I must clearly state, we mean this as respectfully as internationally possible.

Sincrely,
King William,
King of the Netherlands and Belgium, Duke of Luxembourg and Limburg, King of the Dutch Colonial Empire,

OOC: Orders have been sent in.

[Prince Cobra]

Waiting for your moves, gentlemen!

Waiting for answers, sir! ~:)

[Peasant Phill]

King William,


You made the correct analysis of the power of the Concert. Don't, however, think that you can lecture me on this subject. I'm no fool when it comes to politics. You may have a point that the power of the Concert was always that of its members but without the need or the will for unilateral diplomacy, the situation is no different than when Napoleon ravaged Europe. Sure the power, originating from the different members, is still very real, it's effectiveness is not. The little skirmish between the Brits and the Franco-Ottoman forces only proves the uselessness and danger of unilateral thinking.

I imagine you must have been facing quite the dilema when contemplating whether or not to support a free Crete. You're populace would've welcomed the end of the Islamic oppression on christian people. The Brits, your close allies, were campaigning to free all the Greeks. On the other hand, you too have a religious and regional minority. Condoning the independence of of crete might have put ideas in peoples heads. Was it that idea that won? Did you fear that if the Belgians rose up against you violently, your army might not last a week?
I wonder if you would wish for an effective Concert of Europe then?

I must also clearly state, we mean this as respectfully as internationally possible.

Muhamed Ali,
Ruler of Egypt,

[Prince Cobra]

Das Konzert Europas ist nicht tod. Man kann der Frieden im Mittelmeer analysieren und das sehen.

(The Concert is not dead. This can be easily noticed when the peace in Mediterranean is analyzed.)

Fuerst von Metternich

[Warluster]

Muhamed Ali,

I am not underestimating your skill as a political leader, I, and Europe, have seen how you have peacefully withdrawn Egypt from the Empire and made it independant. As Heer von Metternich pointed out, with the latest problem to arise within Europe, it was put down before any significent violence could have erupted. This was achieved by the alliance of powerful Concert members.

There is no threat of uprising within Belgium. It is now the second state within the Dutch Empire. Even if certain people make trouble within Belgium, this can be supressed within a week of the event. It is not within the Netherlands which trouble would arise, even if such a small thing came about.

For now, the Netherlands will not be recognizing the international claims of the country of Crete.

Sincerely,
King William,

[Peasant Phill]

If a sizable amount of European nations oppose the independence of Crete than I'll concede. This unanimity doesn't seem to be the case and I doubt there will be many times that unanimity will be achieved. This reason in itself is proof that the Concert of Europe has stopped functioning.

Fuerst von Metternich, you claim that the ending of the hostilities between Britain and the Franco-Ottoman alliance ended by the power of the Concert. There may have been some negotiations but I higly doubt you are as naïve as to think that the Concert had any influence what so ever. France and the Ottoman empire couldn't continue after the loss of their navies and Great Britain had enough troubles elsewhere to push any further. Where do you see any deviation from 18th century diplomacy? When did a large group of national representatives come together to decide the fate of all involved in the hostilities?

King William, I'm, as you might have concluded, a passionate man. I realise now that my outburst may have offended you. I gather from your reply that, despite my behaviour, you don't pose any ill will between us in the future. I thank you for that.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Agreed. Do you think the fellow nations of the Concert had any pressure over me? Yes they did, to a point. But I was forced into peace treaty due to lack of funds and such. Not the Concert.




I see no reason why my friends in Egpyt can not give Crete their Independence.



Charles X, King of France.

[King Kurt]

Sirs,
While England has had issues within the Concert, I feel we must speak up in its favour. With the recent war within the Mediterrean while the sucesses of my navy greatly assisted in the resolution of the dispute, it was the good offices of Austria as a broker which brought the war to a swift end - and behind that treaty was the inherent wish for peace and the status quo that is at the heart of the Concert. Individual nations within the Concert have differing views about a range of subjects, but the purpose of the Concert is to ensure peace across Europe - something which, on the whole, has occured since its inception. We may bicker and fight occasional as all families do, but in the end it is the greater good that prevails.

Lord Canning

[Peasant Phill]

Sirs,
While England has had issues within the Concert, I feel we must speak up in its favour. With the recent war within the Mediterrean while the sucesses of my navy greatly assisted in the resolution of the dispute, it was the good offices of Austria as a broker which brought the war to a swift end - and behind that treaty was the inherent wish for peace and the status quo that is at the heart of the Concert. Individual nations within the Concert have differing views about a range of subjects, but the purpose of the Concert is to ensure peace across Europe - something which, on the whole, has occured since its inception. We may bicker and fight occasional as all families do, but in the end it is the greater good that prevails.

Lord Canning

My dear sirs,
Allow me to state my counterarguments.

Firstly, don't be falsly modest. It was your decisive victory at Gibraltar that forced a truce on your aggressors not the verbal disaprovement of other European nations. We all know how far apart words and actions can be.

Secondly, as you say Austria brokered the truce not Austria as the representative of the Concert. Austria may have taken that task upon itself but it was, as far as I know, not mandated to do so by any other member of the Concert. As such I don't see how the Concert had anything to do with it.

Thirdly, 'the inherent wish for peace and the status quo', as you call it, is not the product of the Concert. It's the goal that birthed the Concert. A goal that most, if not all, European Nations fostered after the tyrant was defeated. I have seen the Concert do little to facilitate this goal these last years as an institution. You may argue that members, on their own, have facilitated peace and the status quo but I'm than left to wonder the difference to a situation without the Concert of Europe.

Lastly, the Concert hasn't once come to a conclusion, only a few rare opinions from one or two members. Our 'family' is a run-down tavern where once in a while a patron speaks up while the rest keep their heads down.
The devastation of Europe lies freshly in our memories. Those memories of themselves ensure peace for now. The concert in its current form will be powerless when those memories start to fade.

[Franconicus]

PRUSSIA IS STILL MISSING!

[Prince Cobra]

OOC: Well, for your information... I decided to change my username with a more artistic pseudonym... :beam: With it Prince von Metternich sends a warning to all those who dare to foment unrest in Austria or in its allies... The medicine for our allies will be a poison for our enemies!

Well, I hope this will prevent any confusion!

OOC2: I hope we can expect an update soon (though it is possible I may be not very present during the next week)

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I am curious why we can not draft these big 500,000 man armies like Napolean did?

[King Kurt]

I am curious why we can not draft these big 500,000 man armies like Napolean did?

First of all, Napoleon never commanded an army of 500,000 in the field. Quite possibly the Grand Armee reached those sorts of numbers in all theatres but never on say one campaign. More typical would be say Waterloo with an army of about 100,000 - and that would be big. Logistically, especially with an army based on horse transport, wagons etc, you can't have it too big as you can not get the fodder to feed the horses which you neeed to supply the men.

Also the armies of the Empire were not just Frenchmen - they were recruited from Poland to Spain - the army that went into Russia was from right across Europe - there was even a regiment made up from Spanish prisoners of war.

Finally it was not the tax revenue of France that supported the Empire's armies, it was that of the Empire itself - Spain, Italy, the low countries, most of Germany, Poland etc - so more cash - bigger army. European armies of this period - 1815 - 1850 were relatively small - certainly under 100,000 unless you had a lot of area such as Austria or Russia - the shattered economy of Europe could bear no more.

[Franconicus]

I am curious why we can not draft these big 500,000 man armies like Napolean did?

And you do not have general conscription!

Maybe you should train first with your small army, before you try to command the Grande Armee :laugh4:

[King Jan III Sobieski]

And you do not have general conscription!

Maybe you should train first with your small army, before you try to command the Grande Armee :laugh4:



:laugh4::laugh4: Funny!


When will the chapter be up anyhow?

[Franconicus]

When will the chapter be up anyhow?

Here it is:


Chapter 11 – June 1826 to May 1827

June

Fürst von Metternich mediates between England and France. France, obviously helpless against the British rule of the seas, accepts to give back Malta, to demilitarize Toulon and to pay 3.5 million. France also agrees to sever trade with the US and stop help for the Sultan. In return, Britain waives any claim on French territory and agrees not to support the Spanish army.

July

Left alone without ally and fleet, the Ottoman Sultan has to ask for peace, too. Lord Canning dictates the terms of the peace treaty:
The Ottoman troops at Malta surrender immediately, the trade between the Turks and America is stopped and the Turks have to pay 3.5 million talers to London. Furthermore, the Sultan has to swallow another bitter bill. He has to give extraordinary rights to the Greek population, like involvement of the Greek in the government and equal treatment of Christianity and Islam on the peninsula. A problem still unsolved is the situation of the ten thousands of Ottoman soldiers on the Iberian Peninsula.
The peace between the three Empires changes the situation of the remaining war, the war between Spain and France. The Spanish Republicans are badly disappointed by being left alone by the English. At least they are no longer threatened by the Ottoman troops.
Although there is peace now in almost the whole Mediterranean Sea and hopefully trade in this region will soon recover, many English are a bit disappointed that England was not able to gain more influence in the Eastern Med. Nevertheless, people are glad that war is over and hope that the war in America will come to an end, too.

August

The Ottoman expedition corps gathers west of Valencia and waits there to for an opportunity to sail home. The French general persuades the Turks to give their artillery and heavy siege equipment to the French. In return he promises to supply them with food and a passage to Turkey.
Although the Turkish commander receives warnings from the Spaniards, the Turks decamp and march to a bay south of Valencia, where they are supposed to meet a French fleet, which should pick them up.
Waiting two weeks for the French ships without provisions, the Turks find themselves surrounded by the French 10th Light Regiment and the 5th Hussars and the 2nd Dragoons. Three French frigates appear in the morning and begin to shoot at the Turkish camps. French infantry and artillery joins in and thousands of Turks lie dead or wounded on the ground before the rest is able to get into battle formation. Although superior in numbers, the Turks do not stand a chance, as they lay on open ground without cover or cannons, while the French keep on firing from the surrounding hills.
The Ottoman commander realizes that it is impossible to stand the ground. He drives his soldiers against the hills. Although they suffer high casualties, the Turks manage to take the hills and to assault two French batteries. The Turkish commander is shot in the head and when the French cavalry execute a counter-charge, the Turkish breakthrough turns into a headless flight. The French infantry clears the beach. In this massacre, the French kill more than 20,000 of the former allies. About 4,000 Turks escape and join the Spaniards.

At Vienna, the Rothschilds open the biggest private bank house of Europe.
The telegraph line is opened between Vienna and Prague.

Crete: The situation for the Egyptian is continuously getting worse. After the withdraw of the Ottoman soldiers and officers from the administration, Egyptian troops are not able to control the land. Instead, they try to defend themselves in the coastal cities. The Greek rebels control the mountains and the road along the coast. The Egyptians have to use ships to connect their garrisons.

September

The French commander at Spain waits for fresh troops from the north. Finally the 8th Regiment, consisting of Swiss mercenaries, arrives. Now the French army marches against Cadiz and surround the town in November. The three French frigates try to attack the harbor of Cadiz, but they are intercepted by the Spanish fleet and rapidly sunk.

Unlike at Spain, the Ottoman troops from Malta hand their positions to the English and are shipped home without any accident. The last French and Turkish troops leave the island. The English begin immediately to repair the harbor and the fortifications.

At Northern America, the capitol of Canada surrenders. Thousand of Canadians become prisoners of war, along with them the British Military Governor. The remaining troops of the Empire capitulate three days later and American soldiers occupy the eastern coast.

Crete rebels assault Rethymnon and occupy it for four days. They kill the garrison and all Muslim citizens.

October

The city of Athens is currently the refugee of the Ottoman fleet. Even after the defeat at the Battle of Gibraltar, there are still several ships-of-the-line and many small vessels. Inside the town there is only a small garrison of about 100 soldiers plus some supply units and a military hospital. During the war, the Ottoman fortified the harbors, but now the fortifications are only poorly manned.
In the beginning of October, a convoy of French transport ships appears in front of Athens. The Ottoman Admiral prepares his ships to welcome the French, which he thinks are still friends. The French ships enter the military harbor Zea and head straight to the sol. While the Ottomans fire salutes, French soldiers of the 57th “The Terrible” Line Regiment leave the French ships and assault the Ottoman ships. Soon there is tough close combat on the ships. It takes a moment until the Turks realize what is going on. The French soldiers get control over the flagship. Smaller Turkish ships fire at the French transport ships and sink them. Ottoman sailors from other ships try to assault the flagship, while a battery fires from the shore and hits French and Ottoman ships. The harbor sinks into a chaos of fire, smoke and noise. The French seize some more ships, but the Ottoman receive constantly reinforcements from the town. Outside of the harbor, a British squad appears, but the British sailors are only watching the scene without interfering.

General Oudinot breaks up the fight and tries to leave the harbor with the sized ships, but they have to find out that the exit is blocked by chains. The French infantries are trapped and drop like flies. They cannot break through the gate and Oudinot decides to leave the ships and to fight the way through the town. Oudinot is killed by a bullet. About 400 reach the commercial harbor and seize some small ships. Still under constant musket fire, they leave the harbor. In the meanwhile, several smaller Ottoman warships left Zea and are now hunting the fleeing French. Only 136 French infantries make it to the English fleet, the rest of the regiment formerly known as the “Terrible” one.

France disbands more than 20,000 troops. The government gives the men medals and promises them to find new jobs, but reality is different. When the men return home, they find it impossible to get a job. Especially in the south, the economic situation is disastrous. Many emigrate to Switzerland, Northern Italy or Southern Germany where they hope to find a living. The rest is just travelling around, hoping to make some talers to get through the day.
The King of France raises the taxes to cover the expenses for war and the peace treaty with England.
France also starts building a series of small fortress on the border with the Dutch.

At Prussia, the conflict about the imprisoned Catholic bishop escalates. All Catholic priests preach against the Prussian King. They blame him for being King only for the Protestant and tell the people that he is not the chosen one.
They call all Catholics not to support his reign any longer.

November

The Ottoman is bankrupt. The government stops the payment to the English and also postpones the pay of soldiers and officers.
Thousands of Greek civilians, among them hundred of priests of the Orthodox Church, are imprisoned by the Turkish government. They are blamed for high treason.
The Porte increases the strength of her Palestine Army.

The government of the Netherland decides to fortify the cities of Luxembourg, Mons, Brussels and Hainaut. Construction work begins immediately, with a priority for the fortresses along the border to France.

Nicholas appeals to the common people of Russia to support him. They do not care much about his promises, but most of the peasant seem to accept him as the God send monarch. However, most of the Russian aristocrats are against him.

Egyptian soldiers surround a monastery and kill 43 Orthodox monchs.

December

The military governor of the Jerusalem proclaims the foundation of the Islamic Caliphate of the Levant. As justification he argues that the Sultan left the path of the true believers by allying with the French. Some very important Christian churches are burned down!

France is bankrupt! The bankers of France tell the French minister of finance, that they are no longer able to give more money.
The government stops the building of the fortresses and the payment for the administration and raises the taxes once more. One of the most influent bankers of France, Simon de Montagne, is murdered in the streets of Paris. The government blames English spies for the murder of the Jewish banker.
The Parisian artisans go on strike to protest against the high taxes on food. Thousand of unemployed former soldiers come into the capitol and join the protests.
The bankruptcy of France and the Ottoman Empire as well as chaotic situation at Russia makes the stock markets all over Europe fall. The markets at Berlin and Vienna have to be closed for two weeks. At Berlin there are furious demonstrations of people that lost all of their fortune. The new middle class sees itself threatened by the financial and economic crisis and blames the King for not protecting Prussian interests. Especially the ruin of the Prussian enterprises at Turkey lowers the trust in the government.

At Spain, the French troops keep on besieging the Republicans. They try to silence the guns of the work by a powerful artillery-fire and start to build fascines and short ladders to enable the soldiers to pass the ditch and
mount the parapet. However, food is getting tight. French frigates try to block the harbor, but the Spanish navy, led by the admiral’s ship ‘Constitution’ sallies and sinks the French ships. Cadiz is still supplied by the sea by ships mainly from Italy.

End of the year, the 8th Swiss Regiment, 2,008 men under the command of General Conrad Rudolph, leaves her positions and marches eastwards to raid the cost. They send a message to the French commander telling him that they will not serve France if they do not get paid and will now make their own war. The French general sends three other regiments and his cavalry to catch them and in a wild combat, the Swiss regiment is erased.
The French General is concerned for he wonders how long he will be able to besiege Cadiz

The American President Adams announces the building of a one hundred new military ships. The U.S. Navy, he says, will then force the British to peace.

January:

At New Year’s Day, Nicolas is crowned as new King of the Poles. He accepted a constitution that gave the Polish aristocracy the rights to pass laws and he promised to replace Russian officers from the army and administration. He also swears that he will defend and protect all Polish lands, which may bring him into conflict with Prussia and Austria.

A Dutch squadron bombards and destroys the city on Zanzibar, the island that became the centre of slave trade in the Indian Ocean.

Another Dutch squad appears in front of Cadiz and blocks the harbor. Dutch ships supply the French troops.
The commander of the Spanish defenders deserts and changes sides. Although the Spaniards continue to fight, the French have now all plans of the defenses.

At South Africa, citizens with Dutch origin protest against the British government.

Egyptian forces march south along the river Nil. They defeat a Sudanese army and occupy several towns.
Egyptian diplomats form a military and trade alliance with Libyan and Algerian tribes.

February

The new Egyptian government tries to reform the country. Advisors from France and England drill the navy and army. There will no longer be forced recruitment, but the recruits will be attracted by fair payment. This, of course, makes the expenses rise.
The country also tries to build up a strong textile industry with power looms imported from France. The government also wants to build a railroad, but cannot find expert in her country.

More and more people from all over the country come to Paris. They want to express their anger about the King. The garrison of the capital remains passive and the protestors now control the city. The King spends his days at Versailles together with his advisors, protected by his guard of foreign mercenaries.

All over Europe, food production cannot keep up with the growth of population. Therefore the price for food is going up.

The Netherlands are less affected from the financial collapse of France than expected. Stock rate fall less than at Prussia, but the trade with France and Prussia is reduced. Especially machines and machined good are hard to sell.
At Vienna, the stock rates fall, too. Papers loose more than 50 % within only few days. The Rothschild Bank buys and stabilizes the market of Vienna.

March

There are protests against the Ottoman government at Istanbul.

The Russian troops leave Poland and march towards Kiev. Here, the garrison joins them. Nicholas signs a treaty with the Shah of Persia, giving away the Caucasian provinces to Persia. Then he turns northwards with his troops. At Smolensk he finally meets the army of the rebels. Although outnumbered. he decides to attack. "Today, I will become Czar or die!" he tells his soldiers. He leads the charge of the cavalry. Against the will of their officers, the soldiers of the rebels turn around and follow his banner. Soon the rebels have to surrender and the way to Petersburg is open for the Czar.

The bishops of the Catholic south blame the Dutch government for making policy only for the Protestant north. They advice Catholic people neither to work for the government nor to serve in the armed forces.

The French King signs a law that forbids the work of children.

April

A combined expedition of French and Egyptian forces reaches the western coast of South Africa. Although they see English ships along the coast, the French immediately land and found a camp. The Egyptians hesitate, but finally they follow. The expedition begins to build a base and to fortify it. Soon, the forces have contact with a British patrol, which, however, disappears immediately. The French forces are about 5,000 men under the command of General Francois Nicoms and General Benoit Haxo along with 500 engineers, 800 civilians and 150 merchants. The Egyptian forces are about the same size.

After several months, the defenders of Cadiz give up. They set the imprisoned King free . this is the end of the Spanish republic. The French army loots Cadiz and leaves back for France. Only the regiment of Spanish royalists stays.

The Spanish King begins to build up his rule again by arresting and punishing all rebels. Thousands are arrested, hundreds are sent to death.

Austria passes a law to introduce compulsory military service. All men have to serve for three years. Volunteers, who are able to study or pass a test, may serve only for one year. They have to pay for their equipment, get special military education and leave as officers of the reserve.
The Landwehr, all those that passed their three years, form now a military reserve until the age of 45. They will have training every third year.

May

Nicolas reaches Petersburg and crowns himself as Emperor of Russia, again.
Metternich visits Naples to discuss the terms of an Austria withdraw.
 
England
Although the trade in the Med is open again and the Ottoman/French ambitions are ruined, there is still enough to do: America, South Africa, France, Economy?

Netherlands
You receive a message from the Indian Ocean, reporting that Zanzibar’s fortifications are destroyed, its ships sunk. Some hundred infantries would be able to take the island.


Prussia
You are losing the love and support of your people. Your economy is weakened and your political influence seems to be fading away.
Maybe you should also watch closely the situation at Poland, The new “King of Poland” made a lot of concessions to the nationalists. This may cause more trouble in your provinces!

Austria
France is at the dawn of a new revolution. The Ottoman Empire struggles to survive. New threats, but also opportunities.
You also should watch the economy. Although Austria is rather strong, other countries may fall into chaos and pull you into trouble.
Bavaria proposes a meeting to discuss the situation at France, the Balkans and Palestine.

France
You are broke and your country is at the edge of a new revolution. The army from Spain returns and waits for reward. Trade is low, tax income tiny and the Provence suffers from the damage from the last war.

Russia
Congratulation! You are now King of Poland and Czar of Russia.
How do you want to rule the countries? How strong to you want to have your army / navy? What to do with the supporters of the rebels?
The Poles urge you to give those provinces of Poland that used to be Polish, back to Poland.
The Turks are extremely week. This may lead to trouble on the Balkans. What do you intend to do?
As Czar, you are the defender of the church. The Orthodox Church urges you to protect the Christians at Levant!


Ottoman Empire
Your situation is dangerous. Your run out of cash, the church begins to turn against you, your army is unreliable and Egypt, Crete and Levant split off.
How do you want to keep control in your countries? How do you want to pay the Brits? What do you do with rebellion of Levant? Right now, your country is extremely weak. Other countries may take advantage of this.

Egypt
How do you deal with your new neighbor of Levant?
The frigate from America never reached one of your ports, although the American pretend that they sent it!
Your engineers do not seem to be able to build a railroad or locomotive or something like that!

[Peasant Phill]

Wow, wall of text.

Franc. thanks for your ongoing effort to keep this IH alive.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


I am very sicken by the loss of life of my people. I am at a loss of words.



Charles X, King of France.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

From the French Court:


I am very sicken by the loss of life of my people. I am at a loss of words.



Charles X, King of France.



As am I byt the lose of mine.

As Lord Canning can no doubt see, I am not going to be able to pay him back. Perhaps we can work out some other deal? One involving land perhaps?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

As am I byt the lose of mine.

As Lord Canning can no doubt see, I am not going to be able to pay him back. Perhaps we can work out some other deal? One involving land perhaps?

From the French Court:
Then France wants in on the deal to. After all, you bankrupt my nations by telling me lies saying I would get ahead by fighting England. I just killed 20,000 of your troops, and I still can kill more if I wanted to.


Perhaps you could give up Greece to England and France? England gets the land and I get a military/trade port there or vice versa?


Charles X, King of France.

[Csargo]

Great chapter Franc!

Are the French and OE at war now?

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

From the French Court:
Then France wants in on the deal to. After all, you bankrupt my nations by telling me lies saying I would get ahead by fighting England. I just killed 20,000 of your troops, and I still can kill more if I wanted to.


Perhaps you could give up Greece to England and France? England gets the land and I get a military/trade port there or vice versa?


Charles X, King of France.


Quite the laugh. No, I am not giving you anything. If you plan on continuing this atrtack then I swear I will make you bleed for it, something I might add, you can not afford.

[Peasant Phill]

Let me be the first to acknowledge the newly formed Islamic Caliphate of the Levant. I hereby invite the leader(s) of this new nation to accept a closer economical and diplomatic relationship with Egypt.

[Prince Cobra]

I am glad that the crisis in Russia is finally over and Czar Nicholas showed to all the rebellious elements who is the rightful ruler of his Empire. Let this be a lesson to all who dare to rise against their ruler. It also seems that the Spanish rebels has been taught a good lesson and the peace on Iberia has been restored. Whilst the news from St. Petersburg and Cadiz are good, the same can not be said for the news coming from France, Egypt and the Ottoman Empire. I think the idea of the Bavarian King could be extremely helpful in such a delicate moment.

What do you, gentlemen, think about a meeting in Munich, Bavaria?

Prince von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[Warluster]

The Netherlands also wishes to recognise the new nation within the Levant, and wish to recognize that all trade routes and trade cities are, and hopefully will be, open both ways.

We are unsettled by the brutal murder in Spain by the French army. I think that the actions of the French King, murdering so many people, is disgraceful. At the same time the bankruptcy of the Ottoman Empire and France is a cause for a Congress, and I would commend a Congress In Munich. The Dutch Empire is rich in resources, and we are willing to financially help any baknrupt nations with loans, or if need be we will happily fund any expedtions. If the Ottoman Empire or France have any negotating regarding loans I will be happy to hear them out.

I also wish to announce that the city of Zanzibar is now under Dutch colonial rule. We hope that other nations will recognize and support this claim.

King William,
King of the Netherlands and Belgium,

The news of the fall of Cadiz is comforting and I hope this contributes to a even more peaceful future.

[Prince Cobra]

The Danube Monarchy can not approve the terror over the peaceful Christian subjects and the destruction of holy churches. This state seriously destabilises the Near East and therefore, Austria will not recognise the so called "Caliphate".

Prince von Metternich, Chancellor of Austria

[King Jan III Sobieski]

We accept to a meeting in Bavaria. We are also deciding on the Levant issue. We like to support them because of how good Egypt been to us, but I do not like to offend my Austrian allies though.


Charles X, King of France.

[Prince Cobra]

I will be a bit slow in replying. Hopefully, this will happen during the following days. :bow:

[Peasant Phill]

Herr von Metternich,

Mind emptying your inbox. It's hard to do bilateral diplomacy when I can't send any PM's.

[Prince Cobra]

Die Österreiche Regierung wollen in dem Münichen Konferenz teilnehmen. Ich höffe, dass ich sich mit dem Represänten von anderem Staaten da treffen.

Kanzler Klemens Wenzel,
Fürst von Metternich

The Austrian government wishes to participate in the Munich Conference. I hope that I will meet the representatives of the other states there.

Chancellor Klemens Wenzel,
Prince von Metternich

[Franconicus]

The King of Bavaria invites all European nations to join to a meeting at Munich.
It will start in September, we could have a party end ogf Sept., maybe we call it OKTOBERFEST.
Observers from Egypt and the Ottoman Empire are welcome!

Here is the agenda:
1) Financial Problems and how to solve them
2) How to construct a system to prevent military conflicts
3) How to fight repuublican ideas.
4) the dangerous situation at France
5) the future of Greece

Rules:
There shall be open discussions (at the thread) as well as private ones (pm).
At the end there shall be a formal treaty. No one shall release any info to the press before the end.

Please confirm and tell me which persons you are going to send.

Looing forward!

[Peasant Phill]

We, the Sultan Of Egypt and Protector of Crete, are honoured to receive an invitation for the meeting at Munich. I'm confident that my status as observer will still elnd me the power to debate with the other state representatives.
As such I will go myself as prove for my investment in the European peace and prosperity.

Sultan Muhamed Ali

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French Court:


I will attend the meeting at Munich along with Marshal Beguared, hero of the Spanish campaign. He will only attend to speak about what he faced in Spain with the Republicans and their ideas.


I am also honored to attend this meeting in Munich. I hope all nations send people to attend!



Charles X, King of France.

[Csargo]

The Prussian monarch will be attending the meeting in Munich.

[Franconicus]

Here are the financial numbers you need for the meeting:

Austria: debt 98 mio, income next year 15 mio
Prussia: debt 153 mio, income ny 13 mio
Russia: debt 195 mio, income 7 mio
Otto: debt 87 mio, income 7
England: debt 173 mio, 12 mio
Netherlands: debt 12 mio, income 10 mio
Egypt: debt 38 mio, income 3.5 mio
France: debt 192 mio, income 6 mio


In his opening speach, Ludwig I, King of Bayern, blames France, England and Russia for ruining the economy with their uncontrolled expenses and silly desire of fruitless wars. Esp. France remains a permanet threat for peace, order and wealth.
He suggests, that these three countries should have to cut their expenses and increase taxes so that they will be able to pay half of their debts within 5 years.

He also suggests to sign a treaty, that all campaign against foreign countries have to be approoved by the concert of five and that the big five should be able to punish any agressor.
The concert should also watch rebels all over Europe and do what is necessary to guarantee order.

Regarding Greece, Ludwig thinks that it is time that it leaves the Ottoman Empire and becomes a Christian Kingdom.

[King Kurt]

Lord Canning is pleased to announce that he will attend the Congress and also tables that he wishes to discuss the issue of that hot bed of republicianism and slavery the USA as well as the other issues already tabled.

[Warluster]

The Dutch - Belgian Kingdom will also be attending the conference in a hope to stop Europe from falling into a serious crisis.

I agree with King Ludwig's analysis of the situation we have fallen into. The pointless, destructive mainland wars of larger powers has increased financial problems for the entirety of Europe. I also disagree with the idea of a collection of larger nations being bound by law to restrict wars. While this may sound like a contradiction to my previous statement; it is that the flaws of human nature can easily courrpt such a assembly. The advantages of a concert, such as the one which exsists, is that if nations war the same restrictions are in place but the course of action is not decided by *possibly* courrpt nations.

A more sound idea would be to have the entire Concert of Europe, major and minor nations, to have the powers to certify and refuse wars and other such violent acts or events. This will mean that courrption is less of a problem, favourtism is less of a problem, and the true colours of a war would be brought out.

King William,
King of the Netherlands, King of Belgium, Grand Duke of Luxembourg,

[King Jan III Sobieski]

From the French King:



It is a honor to be invited to this meeting .to solve our problems. I will agree with King Ludwig’s analysis, but there is one thing I think my fellow Kings,Emperors and Sultans do not understand. War is a expensive luxury. When I first intervene in Spain to help fight the rebels, I already short on supplies and was warned my debt was rising…. Just for my Spanish intervention. And my debt went though the roof of Versailles when I was foolishly led into the war with England. And now I am left with debt, with most nations not offering me any aid expect for the Dutch, and that is only for loans. I demanded compensation from the Spanish King and he denied. I am offended. So I saved him from potently being executed, and I spend millions of talers along with 20% losses of my Spanish Army, and this is what I get? Criticism? I think half of the debt should be erased so we can focus on paying off the other half and for helping our people get jobs and improving advancements in certain industry’s.


I made my point on that. Onwards my friends!


I think it be a bad idea to have a collection of nations, I must agree with my Dutch friend with this. I think this is a real good idea for rebellions and uprisings, like in Spain, or my nation a few years ago, but not for anything else. What do you think would happen if we Criticize the English for fighting the Americans, especially burning down their towns? War will break out between all of us. I am no fool. I know the tensions between Austria and England for example, or France and the Ottomans.



For the Republican ideas, I think we should allow people to express themselves, but punish any uprisings harshly.




And for Greece, I firmly believe Greece should be independent.




Charles X, King of France.






From the Marshal:




I personally was in Spain fighting the rebels. I see how they fought. They were enthusiastic, but not very well trained expect for the professional troops in their service. They were fighting for a cause. I believe that people should not be treated to harshly, like my King said. I am not saying you grant independent status, God no. Just make sure you don’t press certain people the wrong way. That is how Napoleon came to power. That is how the Spanish King was almost executed.




Marshal Beuguard

[Prince Cobra]

Chancellor von Metternich personally arrives to Munich straight from Naples. He politely greets the other representatives and joins the discussion with a short speech.


The Greek question is indeed a very intriguing one. We admire the art of the Ancient Greeks but such a sympathy should not weaken our judgement on the issue. We should grant the Greeks religious freedom and participation in the government, we should envourage the Sultan to abolish the discriminational laws towards the Christians in his Empire. I am afraid such a precent may create the illusion that rebellions can make the greatest powers in Europe to change their policy and in this way for the sake of ignorant mobs to ignore the real interests of their country and people. Shall I remind you, gentlemen, that the French Revolution, that madness that put the end of the life of a monarch and his family, began in this way. The result we had was 20 years of war that ravaged Europe. Indeed, I can not approve cruelty over the Greeks but I will not support such an independence. For what will the next step? Revolution in Paris? Uprising of the Polish that are never satisfied by the status quo? or perhaps another rebellions in Italy... No, gentlemen, I do not think this is a good idea. Reforms, yes but a whole new state puts too many question on the table. There are too many questions but no answers. Therefore, Vienna does not approve the idea of a Greek independence, for the sole reason this does not seem to serve our purpose of European stability.

I would like to defend the Tzar of Russia whose representative has not arrived in Munich yet (though the Tzar assured me he will send a representative), perhaps due to to the enormrous distances between St.Petersburg and Munich. I do not think Russia can be blamed for the instability and the recent war with Persia. I think we should be glad that the Russian government managed to cope swiftly with the rebellion. Austria also declares that it will cooperate with Russia on the Polish question and the Austrian police will prevent any potential revolutionary activitites amongst the Polish subejcts of the Danube Empire that can threaten the status quo in the East. Perhaps Prussia may also join our efforts in that matter?

[Prince Cobra]

On another aspect, I would like to express my hope that France is not a threat for the European peace. It brought down the rebellion in Spain for the sake of the stability in Europe and reconsidered its past mistakes that I am sure will not be repeated. I have high hopes that France will become one of the pilars of European peace.