17th century

Message from a Humble Far-East Citizen:

Greetings to the European people.

I first would like to apologise for any time that will be spent and many thanks for accepting me. I am just a humble citizen from the region you have known as "Far East", long way from Europe. I have always "enjoy war" but do not think of me as warmongering citizen or even barbarian, what I meant is that I like to see how nations compete each other for supremacy with the newest invention each has created and how they put it, and the strategy they used against the enemy. As Sun Tzui often said here about war strategy, but I shall leave that for you to search.

As an ordinary citizen, just like many others European outsiders, who's looking for way to travel across Europe, I would like to know whether in this troubling times, one among many states is able to provide person like me with a map with detail of current situation in Europe. I have heard the debate and arguing between European nations about their best "postal service", and I wonder if it is the same with your Explorers and Geographics service? I know some nations already have the so-called "overseas company" and heard that some even already came here to the coast of region where I came from to trade. It is not because my lack of geographical understanding of Europe that I personally request this map, but rather I, as well most other people from outside Europes in Far-East specifically, looking for safer passage between the dangerous area and warring states in Europe.

I personally would like a map with these descriptions:
- Current boundary between all nations in Europe
- List of current major cities, ports, and landmarks, therefore we can conduct trade and exploration of Europe with less confusion and lost of orientation, benefitting both your nation and Far-East
- Places and spots of trouble, places where battle and conflicts currently taken place, and each party involved

I am only a Humble citizen, therefore not, in any way, beg, or forcefully request anyone for this "detailed map", we, or I, only want to know whether any state can provide me with this.

OOC: I know Legio has been very busy and there is a lot of heavy burden on him, so I'm not asking him. Rather, I'm testing the nation with "most Geographical knowledge" ~;)

Back to Character:
I also would like to obvious that in return I can give you nothing, but I might take this as a gift and give it to my emperor and spread words about your knowledge of current situation in the whole continent, this is due to the fact that you're able to provide me with such gift about very current condition in this very troubling times. It's a testament for your nation ingenuity and intelligence, and I believe shall take place within the chapter of history itself.

I, Humble citizen of Far-East, again want to apologise for taking much of your time and want to thanks for that too.

Sincerely,

Humble Citizen
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=> there's a secret text on it (and report from your intelligence agency), stating that this Humble Citizen is actually representative from a kingdom in Far-East, but it's unclear, and whether to believe it or not is up to you...

Bloody Tourists!

What business do you have in Russia? Photoshop, we have not. What do you want with Europe? This is a truly disgusting place, in which rightful Tsars such as myself are outlawed and hunted like dogs.

CHAPTER 15 - it is now: March 1st, 1616 AD
...the decisions made will affect the events from March 1st, 1616 AD to August 1st, 1616 AD

As the Ottoman advance stops after the capture of Vienna, the Holy League forces are able to recover from their losses and secure the otherwise wide open path deeper into Austria from further Ottoman advance. The Ottomans leave a small garrison of only some 5,000 professional soldiers in the city, but also send in civilians to quickly gather a sizeable force capable of resisting siege for some time. Unfortunately, the entire ottoman army is running short of supplies and is unable to stockpile much for the Vienna garrison before beginning their retreat in order to secure their threatened supply routes. Although there's still a shortage of Holy League cavalry to harass their retreat, they are believed to be suffering heavy losses as their supply problems are finally starting to have an effect. The Holy League forces can't continue the pursuit much deeper south but instead prepare for the reconquest of Vienna, while cavalry scouts the roads to the southeast to make sure the full Ottoman army isn't returning.

The Ottoman army splits into two parts, with around 30,000 mostly cavalry are sent east to Bulgaria, and around 60,000 are sent to attack the isolated Spanish force in Greece. The Ottoman advance rapidly retakes some important positions and approach Athens. Due to the majority of the professional Ottoman cavalry being absent, the Spanish forces in Greece have an advantage in raiding and scouting, but they are vastly outnumbered, and demoralized by the sea escape route being nearly cut off by the Ottoman and Venetian fleets. The Spanish avoid open battle and try to slow down the Ottomans in sieges. The city of Athens against all odds manage to hold back a first Ottoman assault, but in a second assault falls after the surrender of the 3,000 Spanish troops and 4,000 Greek militia in the city. The Spanish main army suffers a disastrous defeat in a field battle near Corinth, losing nearly 3,000 men while however killing nearly three times as many opponents. As the garrison of Athens surrenders, the morale of the remaining Spanish troops sinks even lower and there are plenty of deserters. Many of the Spanish troops are sheltered by the Greek locals who have been sceptical about the possibility of defeating the Ottomans and were given too little time to muster any larger auxiliary forces to aid the Spanish forces, but are supportive of their actions. Around 1,000 Spanish troops are isolated on the Peloponesse while there are around 10,000 Spanish troops left near Corinth at the end of the winter.

In Bulgaria, the Ottoman counter-offensive is moderately successful. The Cossacks and Polish have been able to plunder the wide open land heavily and even though they are forced into retreat by the slightly numerally superior Ottoman force, they have caused extreme damage to this part of the Ottoman empire. They were by a small margin unable to capture Varna, but able to plunder several important neighboring cities. The Ottoman force is unable to pursue the Cossacks into their homelands, and the war gradually turns into a series of raids from both sides, with minor skirmishes and limited losses on both sides.

By March, the Ottoman garrison at Vienna is put under siege by around 28,000 Holy League forces, after their cavalry recon missions have ensured that the Ottoman main army is out of reach. The delay in the counter-offensive has allowed the Ottomans to increase their stockpiles in the city somewhat, and repair most of the defenses. They also have formidable artillery for their defense.

In the Mediterranean, the conflict between Spain and Venice continues. The Venetian forces continue advancing north along the west coast, but are unable to capture any of the garrisoned Spanish cities further north. Meanwhile, the bulk of the Spanish forces in North Italy converge on the city of Venice itself, and another force of German troops joins them in their siege of the city. The Venetian merchant fleet supplies the city, while the Venetian warships sail east to engage the Spanish warships that are engaging the Ottomans. The Spanish fleet is outnumbered and outgunned but the Venetian operations are ineffective mainly because most of the Spanish ships have retreated west by a path much further south than the route expected by the Venetian fleet trying to intercept them. They are also reinforced by a sizeable Spanish fleet pulled back from the many Spanish colonies, and are able to sail up through the Adriatic Sea virtually unopposed, completing the blockade of the city of Venice by sinking, capturing and scattering many of the Venetian merchant ships that were supplying the city. Upon hearing the news of this and after their unsuccessful offensive along the west coast, the Venetian army along with a growing Florentine army joined by Genoese militia begin marching for Venice to try and pressure the rear of the besieging force and prevent as assault. In February, the Spanish commander engages the Italian force in battle, and wins a moderate victory which secures their rear to allow them to assault the city, but the rebel activity in many Spanish-held North Italian city states is increasing rapidly. On the seas, the Venetians manage to sink 2 Spanish warships near Crete, while the Spanish warships in total have sunk 1 Venetian warship and 5 merchants while heavily damaging at least 10. The Venetian main fleet doesn't receive the news of the siege of Venice until in March. Upon receiving these news, they turn west towards the southern part of the Adriatic sea. The Ottoman fleet stays out of action during the entire winter. It is believed that it has been severely damaged by the previous battles and is trying to recover from the losses and reestablish their damaged supply lines, which could possibly still be affecting the Ottoman operations in Greece and Bulgaria.

In Cyprus, the operations come to an end. The Spanish give control over the island to the Knights of St John who took part in the conquest. They are however too few to rule the island without local support from the Greek population. The Spanish command fears the island may be lost by overly zealous Catholic policies and keeps a sizeable Spanish garrison on the island to continue to survey the situation. While the retreat of the Spanish fleet has left them stranded, they are capable of supplying thanks to the support from the local population.

The war between Sweden and Poland ends, possibly as a result of the Danish mediation attempts. Riga remains Swedish while the other cities are handed back to Polish control. Poland pays a small sum of money to Sweden.

Meanwhile to the east, the civil war in Russia continues. Wladyslaw redirects his forces from the western offensive to the east. Vassili is able to keep control over Novgorod and conquer Pskov after receiving reinforcements of another 3,000 men while Wladyslaw is pulling back. To the east, Wladyslaw's and Vassili's forces meet near Jarovslavl, where almost 8,000 of Wladyslaw's men after a short siege manage to defeat a garrison of 2,000 men left in the city by Vassili. Wladyslaw simultaneously carries out new raids and reconnaissance missions east of Moscow, this time closer to Nizny Novgorod. Both sides are beginning to losing support from the population over the continuous resultless fighting with heavy casualties, and many boyars are discussing whether to consider a third option. Wladyslaw manages to gain support for extending the Russian forces in his army to 10,000 infantry in the coming year.

In France, the revolting garrison in Marseille is defeated after a bloody assault in late autumn. There are also operations in the area near Orléans. Several columns are ambushed by rebels but the French army casualties are moderate. As the garrison of Marseille surrenders and rebel forces outside the city end their activities, much of the French army there reinforces the campaign at Orléans. The city surrenders without siege in December and doesn't need to be besieged, but there is rebel activity outside it, which eventually subsides. The revolt is thereby largely over, and many of the troops pull back to their original positions in February. The arrested Marseille garrison commander is brought to Paris. The prisoners from Vienna arrive in France and are offered positions within the French army, around 1,500 accept the offer, while the other troops are kept captured until the end of the Ottoman war. The last French troops left the HRE in September, after receiving the last portion of the tribute from the war. The tribute is being handed out to the loyal of the French nobles.

At Madagascar, French ships demand the Dutch colonists to leave the island. When they refuse, the French ships blockade the harbor. The Dutch naval batteries, which haven't been completed yet, are unable to cause any damage to the French ships or lift the blockade alone.

Meanwhile, Spanish vessels spot a huge fleet carrying English, Dutch and Danish flags off the coast of Portugal. The sightings are reported to the harbors in Portugal in December, and the local authorities immediately conclude that such a large force can only be intended for war, and they order the Spanish forces in the coastal cities of Portugal to increase their readiness and oversee their weapons, batteries and supplies in preparation for defense. However the Protestant Coalition fleet directs its strike towards Gibraltar, where the fleet lands nearly 15,000 men supported by a massive naval bombardment that covers the entire rock in gunpowder smoke. The Spanish fortifications manage to hold out for several days, and Spanish coastal batteries are able to severely damage 5 of the warships and several of the troop carriers with red-hot shots, but the fortress is eventually compelled to surrender before any Spanish land reinforcements could arrive, and even if they had, the massive naval bombardment would have been difficult to resist much longer. 27 English, 18 Dutch and 13 Danish warships - a total of 58 ships - take part in the operation, and about the same number of merchants carries troops and supplies. They lose around 600 men (both sailors and ground troops), and 1 Danish warship. The fleet seems to have arrived too late to prevent the majority of Spanish fleet reinforcements for the campaign against Venice from entering the Mediterranean, but they have effectively cut off the passage of Spanish ships through the narrows, at least for as long as the fleet remains in its blocking position at Gibraltar. Fire from the Spanish coastal batteries south of the narrows are unable to reach to the Protestant fleet.

Meanwhile, Danish and Dutch ships engage Spanish ships in the East Indies. The Dutch fleet begin an invasion of the Philippines from Dutch controlled colonies in the island group supported by warships, but their progress is slow due to a slight shortage of ground forces. Spanish naval batteries inflict damage on 2 of the 5 Dutch warships with red-hot shot. English and Dutch ships intercept several smaller Spanish forces in the western half of the Indian Ocean, and in a series of engagements the Protestant Coalition lose 2 warships and 2 merchants while the Spanish lose 4 galleons and 3 merchants. The Spanish have around 12 warships in the East Indies region, with another 18 controlled by the Spanish EIC. The Dutch are believed to have around 10, with around 20 controlled by the Dutch EIC. The Danish are believed to have 3 warships attached to the Dutch forces, and the English who have mostly stayed out of battle with Spanish forces could have up to 8 warships. In the Americas, the Spanish fleet loses 2 merchants to a raid, but no warships are lost. Both the Spanish and Protestant Coalition warships in the Americas stay on the defensive.

In the Holy Roman Empire, the revolt continues. The Catholic League sends another 5,000 men while the Emperor sends another 10,000 to counter the increasing size of the Protestant Union force. In a battle near Anhalt, Tilly tries to separate the Protestant forces of the eastern wing from those of the western wing, but fails to do so and faces both in a battle near Anhalt. The Catholic 21,000 man large force however achieves a clear victory against the 14,000 Protestants before winter, and manage to take control over most of Anhalt, where they set up camp for the winter, but Magdeburg remains in Protestant hands. The Protestant force try to rally more reinforcements and mercenaries during the winter, especially from the Protestant north, which have so far not taken part in the revolt. In order to garrison the captured cities the Catholic force has been reduced to 19,000 men as it reaches Magdeburg in March after beginning operations again, while the Protestants have around 14,000 men. Meanwhile, Wallenstein continues the recruitment of an Imperial army, adding around 5,000 more troops to the strength of the Kaiser. However, these troops are controversial because they are payed salaries in the form of a right to pillage rather than normal wages. The Emperor announces that the land captured from the rebels should be made into a new Duchy called "the free land", controlled by the Emperor on the high level, and on the lower level be distributed between Tilly, Wallenstein, and retired soldiers who have served in the Imperial army. The suggestion is met by fierce protests not only from Protestants, but also from Catholic kurfürsts, who are against this form of centralization. The Catholic League kurfürsts are also disappointed that the Emperor would try to claim control over the land that they were expecting to receive in return for their assistance.



BRANDENBURG

1. the HRE revolt
a. ally yourself with the Protestants and send 5,000 men or more to Magdeburg to prevent it from being captured
b. do nothing
c. try to mediate between the Catholic League and the Protestant Union, and unite them against the Emperor's attempts of centralization
d. demand that the Catholic League and the Emperor beforehand announce what their plans are in the case that they would be successful in conquering the land of all the revolting kurfürsts


ENGLAND

1. the Spanish war. What to do next? How distribute the ships between the different regions, and what orders are they to be given?


FRANCE

1. reactions after the revolt. Is there anything you wish to do now to secure yourself against more revolts? What terms and ideologies of the rebels will be accepted, and what will be forbidden? What will be done with the captured commander?

2. how proceed at Madagascar?
a. conquer the colony
b. withdraw
c. continue the blockade as a provocation, hoping to make the Dutch attack. This could give you a weak casus belli that propaganda could make stronger, in case you wish to attack the Netherlands

3. the Protestant Coalition war against Spain?
a. intervene on the Spanish side, this could unite the French, and calm down the Catholics. Intervention now is necessary, since France is likely to become their next target
b. intervene on the Spanish side, by a carefully planned surprise operation without any prior declaration of war. You know that most of the Dutch and English ships are currently at Gibraltar, with probably less than 15 warships in the English Channel, and around 20 in the Baltic. Less than 10-15 are in the Americas. Around 30 are in the East Indies, with another 20 or so controlled by the Dutch EIC, in case they would get the idea to join the war.
c. stick to condemning the war
d. do nothing
e. join the war on the Protestant Coalition side. This could make the Catholic unrest grow even larger, though
f. try to mediate, because French trade in the East Indies and the Mediterranean is suffering from the unsafe conditions

4. French army reforms?
a. replace all losses etc. to meet the previous plan you made a table over (these losses could be replaced in less than a year) + the extra colonial troops (these are already trained) + all other regiments suggested. Also, how large will the suggested Legion Etrange be, and how will its training, standards and the wage of the soldiers be?
b. replace all losses but also increase the army to around 100,000 men + national guard, and the navy to 50 warships. Please provide a list of which different troops types there will be and which to put priority on getting ready quickly, and I can tell how long it will take. The economical burden of this army would be large, but your economy is very strong at the moment and would still allow a surplus corresponding to the cost of 5,000 mercenaries per year even with the current level of warfare and construction projects
c. aim for an army of 150,000 men + national guard and a navy of 70 warships. This would be the largest army and navy in Europe. It would mean no surplus in the annual income
d. aim for a navy of 70 warships or more, while keeping the army at a strength of around 80,000 men for now. This would mean taking a path towards more navally oriented military


HRE and AUSTRIA

1. the Catholic League is planning to continue the operations against the Protestant union revolt by a secondary offensive in which they will send 10,000 men to attack the weakened Württemberg garrisons. The other offensive will continue by attempting to capture Magdeburg before the Protestants can cut off the southern supply lines, then drive southwest into Hesse-Kassel. If the capture of Magdeburg fails, they will retreat south, and consolidate their gains while attacking Hesse from the east or southeast.
a. do nothing
b. send in 5,000 reinforcements to the southern attack
c. send in 5,000 reinforcements to the northern attack
d. send in 5,000 reinforcements to both attacks

2. the Catholic League aren't intending to accept your proposal for the land. On the contrary, they are planning to claim half of Bayreuth and Württemberg for the Catholic League, and divide it by its kurfürsts, while leaving the remainder in the hands of their current kurfürsts. They intend to defeat the rebels in the remaining cities by eliminating their field armies until they withdraw their claims for independence, and if that doesn't work they will occupy these remaining duchies until they can find loyal kurfürsts with strong enough legal claims to the regions to be able to replace the previous kurfürsts. What the Catholic League will do if their demands aren't accepted is unclear, and if they feel threatened by the growing Imperial army they may even attempt to dissolve it
a. accept their suggestion
b. try to make a compromise, in order that some land will be available to reward Tilly, Wallenstein and soldiers with. However these rewards were intended to give them low-level control over estates, so it isn't necessarily in conflict with the Catholic League demands. However, they are against the idea of taking land under the Emperor's control indefinitely
c. do something else, suggest what

3. Vienna
a. let Spinola decide again
b. assault the city before the Ottomans come back. This can't be combined with 1b, 1c or 1d
c. siege the city. This can't be combined with 1d

4. Venice
a. assault the city. Decide what to do after it is captured. Will the HRE troops go home or will they continue fighting the Venetian and Florentine troops in the region etc?
b. continue siege, and hope to force the Venetian forces outside the cities to battle. They have inferior numbers and would most likely suffer defeat, unless the time they are given by a slow siege would allow them to recruit more men
c. withdraw HRE support
d. send more HRE support

5. coronation. The Pope has reluctantly agreed to coronate you as "Holy Roman Emperor" in Rome in return for an apology for the previous denouncing of the Pope and trying to remove church taxes in the Empire. He will however not coronate you as any of the other titles you suggested because "it lies outside the sphere of influence of the Papacy to assign these earthenly titles"
a. accept the proposal
b. decline it
c. suggest something else


NETHERLANDS

1. the Spanish war. What to do next? How distribute the ships between regions, and what orders are they to be given?

2. the French blockade at Madagascar
a. dispatch some 6-7 warships to lift the blockade and defeat the French blockading fleet. Proceed and declare war, specify what plans to follow afterwards
b. dispatch some 6-7 warships to lift the blockade and sink the French blockading fleet. Warn the French that if they repeat these provocations there will be war
c. abandon Madagascar for now. The French have said they will escort your colonists (hopefully with their equipment etc.) to the Dutch colony in South Africa


OTTOMAN EMPIRE

1. Greece, Balkans, Vienna, Bulgaria
a. push forward to Corinth to complete the campaign. Try to capture the Spanish remaining forces, but don't pursue them for more than two months. Then redirect the slightly below 60,000 men towards Vienna again to prevent it from being lost again
b. keep 30,000 men in Greece to defeat the last Spanish forces, while sending 30,000 more to Bulgaria
c. retreat the forces from Bulgaria to join up with the forces from Greece and have them march for Vienna again to secure the city by fighting the besieging force, possibly pursuing it deeper into Europe as well if it retreats

2. fleet
a. send Ottoman support to Venice, even if you mostly have galleys
b. order the fleet to prioritize supplying the forces in Greece, Bulgaria and at Vienna


POLAND

1. Russia
a. send troops to assist Wladyslaw for an operation to conquer Nizny Novgorod. Around 10,000-15,000 high-quality troops would be able to capture it in between 6 months and 2 years of siege with Vassili's current strength
b. send troops to assist him by trying to destroy Vassili's forces at Pskov, Novgorod and Tver. Around 6,000-12,000 high-quality troops could manage to do this with Vassili's current strength in that area
c. don't do anything

2. Bulgaria
a. send 10,000 more troops to be able to hopefully defeat a large Ottoman cavalry force, losses which could be critical to them if they want to be able to keep control over Vienna and hold back the Holy League force there
b. withdraw the less than 5,000 Polish troops in the area. The Cossacks will be able to defend themselves against any Ottoman counter-offensive. Then use these troops for something else

3. Vienna
a. suggest an assault before the Ottoman main army comes back
b. suggest siege until the Ottomans are provoked into another field battle. Use extensive recon to make sure battle can be avoided if against superior Ottoman forces, otherwise engage them. Try to get all participants in the Holy League to send in more troops to be able to gather maybe 60,000 men.
c. suggest continued siege, but don't consider it important to take the city, but rather withdraw and defend the rest of Austria if the Ottomans arrive with superior force again
d. withdraw Polish support from Vienna to use the troops somewhere else
e. let Spinola decide

4. what should Wladyslaw do next?
a. coordinate with Polish assistance, specify how
b. let him decide (probably means smaller raids to the east, while defending Yaroslavl and the cities captured to the west)
c. something else, specify


RUSSIA

1. what to do next, military plans?


SPAIN

1. plans for the war with Netherlands, England, Denmark?

2. plans at Vienna?

3. plans in Greece?
a. try to escape along the Adriatic Sea coast. The voyage would be difficult and dangerous, but could prevent a disastrous capture of the majority of the Spanish forces in Greece. This allows your fleet in the Adriatic sea to immediately try to escape being trapped by the Venetian fleet
b. try to navally extract them somewhere on the west coast near Corinth. Land them in southern Italy or at Venice. Landing them at Venice means a risk of trapping your fleet in the Adriatic sea as the Venetian ships come. Landing them in southern Italy puts them further away from any place where they are useful immediately, but may still allow your fleet to escape being trapped in the Adriatic sea by the Venetian fleet
c. try to hold Corinth with the entire Spanish force. This will make Ottoman assault difficult, but if you can't come back with naval supplies and possibly reinforcements too, the entire force would be lost by capture or death

4. Venice
a. assault right away, it could be costly but now the Venetian fleet isn't present to support the city and the HRE allied troops are present. The downside is the Venetian-Florentine force at your rear, but it's too small to be able to stop the assault. If the first assault fails, make another attempt later. The city must fall
b. continue the siege. Try to escape the Adriatic Sea with your fleet there, then have it meet the naval reinforcements that are on their way towards the southern tip of Italy. Once the forces have joined, sail into the Adriatic Sea again with a force that is slightly superior to the Venetian, and engage them in battle. Hopefully the battle will give Spanish naval superiority and allow a renewed blockade of the city of Venice. Then, in about 1-3 years from now, the city will have been brought to starvation and fall without assault
c. attempt to engage the Florentine and Venetian forces outside while maintaining siege with minimum force. Make sure they are defeated, then capture Venice by assault, hopefully before May.
d. withdraw from Venice, and try to secure Florence again first
e. try to make peace with Venice


SWEDEN

1. military plans?

2. any construction plans and/or military reforms following the peace?


VENICE

1. how will your campaign in Northern Italy continue?

2. naval campaign
a. initially try to trap the Spanish fleet that is currently in the Adriatic Sea. Engage it in battle and make sure it is defeated before the reinforcements arrive. After this, assess their strength while avoiding battle, staying in the eastern Mediterranean if needed, then if possible to engage them go west to do so
b. as a, but regardless of what happens after the initial attempt at defeating their force in the Adriatic sea, try to lift the blockade of Venice at all costs
c. ignore the Spanish force in the Adriatic Sea, and try to engage their reinforcements instead. Sail up the west coast and bombard Genoa and other Spanish-held cities to attempt to support your land army in taking them from the quite strong garrisons. Taking the west coast cities could make the Spanish supply situation more difficult, and make them withdraw from Venice

3. hiring more mercenaries? There are around 1,000 more infantry mercenaries available for hire in Italy at the moment, while mercenaries from elsewhere would be difficult to move to the region since the Spanish blockade most approaches. You could still hire some though, and hope to be able to transport them to Italy if an opening is somehow created

New chapter is up... I hope I didn't forget anything!

Deadline: all decisions should be sent in by next Friday

Thanks Legio!I guess a storm has risen.:2thumbsup:

It has gone long enough. The rebels in Russia have defied the laws of christ and russia for to long. It must be put to a stop. Thus Sweden issues an Ultimine to the false tsar Wladyslaw. Surrender now or face war.

From Denmark:

Denmark are curious about the Swedish statement of intervention in Russia. It would be against the peace treaty with Poland, since an attack on an ally of Poland would inevitably result in Polish intervention, and thereby a renewed conflict between Sweden and Poland. Denmark declares her neutrality in the conflict in Russia, but will not be able to remain inactive in a renewed war between Sweden and Poland, if Sweden goes to war with Poland again, or otherwise violates the peace treaty.

Speach of the Stadtholder in Netherlands Parliament.

Gentlemen,

The moment of truth has come upon us. A mighty struggle between the Spanish Empire and the coalition of Netherlands,England and Denmark has started. No longer will we look from the side,while the Spanish take control of all resources from the known world. No longer we will stand by their attacks on others on a whim. In this moment of truth,i urge all my Countrymen to stand united,behind our flags. As the chairman of East and West India companies,i will give permission for them to join their forces on the war.Which will no doubt determine the destiny of Europe. I will also release war obligations for the population of Netherlands to buy. With these obligations you can support our great struggle and also gain a share of the profits from this war.
In this historical moment,no man can stand idle.We need ships and soldiers to fight this war and Cannons and hand wepons to supply our troops. All production should be forced out,but still with the quality that we people of Netherlands can only match. Mark my words.Victory or Death! Becouse we can not expect any mercy from the Spanish as we know from the past. Now arms and with the blessing of God we will prevail and be victorius!

Maurice of Nassau,Stadtholder of the Republic of Netherlands

The Tsar supports the Protestant Coalition and seeks to know why the Spanish fired upon the Protestant ships.

King Sigismund III
We in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth are also curious as to Sweden's need to intervene in Russia. If there was a threat to our ally the Rus, then we are compelled to intervene.
As such we ask that the Swedes reconsider their actions to prevent a northern war that would range in terrible magnitude.

The German Kaiser.

We ask the Catholic league leaders to reconsider their position on such grievences which they percieve done upon them, which may lead to such actions contrary to the Empires will.

The lands conquered, a third of which shall be now graced upn to them until such time they are declared otherwise through due legal process and judgement through a legitimate source of government. The Two thirds otherwise being now given to Wallenstien and Tilly, and the most part to all men whom now sign up for the Imperial Army.

We also call for the convening of the new Parliament, exclusive to the upper house, we ask it to be called in some place deemed fit by the League.

We also announce our intention to a proclomation against the title of Holy Roman Emperor.

The Emperor, as is his right shall now be known only as in Imperial rights as the Kaiser of Germany. This does affect only positions in which are in some form associated with the Imperial title, not any other.

Signed.

Ferdinand von Hapsburg
Kaiser of Germany.

:france:
Announcement:

We, the King of France, Navarre and the French possessions all over the world are concerned about the latest increase of violence and disorder.

We ask the English, Dutch and Danish coalition to explain their reasons for starting another war. We had been thinking that there is already enough war!

We ask all nations to respect the free sea trade!

:france:
We declare, that giving maps or other information about geography to a foreign person is high treason!

:france:
To all those in abroad which want to benefit of the French wealth and superiority in culture and economy:

Please contact the local agent of one of our trade companies. He can give you information about our portfolio and the wishes of our King. He is authorized to make trade agreements. The French fleet will transport the goods!

To France from Netherlands:

" We didnt start this war. We joined the ongoing war.As you know Venice is our ally and since Spain is at war with her,we cant just stand by while our allies are butchered. I think Denmark and England can speak from their selves,but our opinion is that as allies of ours they share the same casus belli."

Embassador of Netherlands in Paris

The German Government.

We are also at war with Venice, are you implying that we to are at war with you? We have troops in the area quite willing to fight Protestants, we are informed they are the most zealous of Catholics.

Is that a threat Emperor? This war is not about Religion.Some of us can war becouse of rational reasons also.

Messenger of Netherlands

Legio - can I confirm something - is it all replies to you by 23 of March or 30 of March?

Thanks

To the king of poland, The Swedish do not reconignize the current government in Russia, how can the russians, a people who are almost obsessive about obey the god appointed Csar elect this polish puppet. Sweden will not invade but feels she must express her deep concern. Vassi is an ally and any polish aid to russia will be treated as an violation of the treaty.

On the Spanish conflict:
For now the Kingdom of Sweden declares itself nutruel in this conflict and will treat any attack on her merchents as an act of war. Furthermore if the germen kasier feels obligated to attack the other collotion members sweden will interveen.

King Gustav Adolf II

German Government.

We declare neutrality in light of Hollands recent message to us. As long as the Empire is not interfered with we shall not fight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kagemusha

Is that a threat Emperor? This war is not about Religion.Some of us can war becouse of rational reasons also.

Messenger of Netherlands

---

The Kaiser
This new war of you'res sems highy irrational, unjust and cowardly.

We hope that you may consider peace?

I do not agree, Emperor. They were fired upon by the Spanish. Unless the Spanish were acting without orders, in which case the Spanish should hand over those responsible for punishment by the offended nations, this is a declaration of war by Spain upon the Protestant Coalition.

Swedish King how would the aid of the rightful Czar be a violation of any treaty I have signed with you?

I have seen fit to recognize a man who was elected by his people, not some rebel who hopes to take the throne.

I am also deeply concerned, and ask that the Swedes also not involve themselves from henceforth in the conflict in Russia.

From The king of Brandenburg/ Duke of Prussia

In the current ar between the protestants and Spain, I have my own mind made up.

Through the days of time, I see Spain has not treated Brandenburg with a good quality effort, and they ahve prevented many things. While my fellow protestant Allies have helped me during wars, treated me with respect.

So I support the Netherlands,England and Denmark.

And I shall help in any way, if that is sending troops. SO be it.

:france:
We doom the act of England and its allies. This is not the way Christian noblemen should act. If you have differences with Spain, that you think cannot be settled the diplomatic way, then you should frankly declare war to settle the differences. And of course it is shocking to attack a Christian realm while it is fighting against heathens. This makes you an ally of the nonbelievers, doesn't it?

No, as we are Protestant for one, and we are not allied wiht the Turkish for second, and we are fighting elsewhere, with diffrent reasons, and it has nothing at all to do with the war between the Papal States and its allies and the Turkish and its allies.

Nevertheless, you will have to explain your subjects why you cannot wait with your war until the Spaniards ended the war with the Ottomanians.

To me it does not seem to be very respectable behavior for a Christian souvereign.

Message from Netherlands to France.

"Do you deny that we had casus belli against Spain? Did Spain declare war to Northern Italians,when they started conquering the lands in Italy? We dont recall you condemning that. As Brandenburg stated,this war is separate from the war that Kaiser and Spain are waging against Ottomans. Kaiser aknowledges that,why doesnt France?"

Messenger of Netherlands

The Kaiser is an independant souvereign, and so is the King of France.

Spain invaded Genoa, not Venice. Venice attacked Spain.

Every souvereign has the right to settle differences by war, let's say as an ordeal. I do not mind that. However, a nobleman informs the opponent, before he attacks. Well, not all are nobleman.

What is new is the idea to attack another country while it is fighting unbelievers. You should have waited until that war is over.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kagemusha

Message from Netherlands to France.

"Do you deny that we had casus belli against Spain? Did Spain declare war to Northern Italians,when they started conquering the lands in Italy? We dont recall you condemning that. As Brandenburg stated,this war is separate from the war that Kaiser and Spain are waging against Ottomans. Kaiser aknowledges that,why doesnt France?"

Messenger of Netherlands

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Is this how the benevolence of HMCIM is repayed? His willingness to end the conflict with the Netherlands by giving up His claims on the Southern Provinces is repayed with treachery. The men that have forsaken God and the Catholic cause have also, it seems, forsaken honour!

Have you considered what you have doomed Europe to? With 30000 men now recalled from Vienna, the Ottoman will roll over Europe. Who will you go for defence to? England? This nation of pirates and backstabbers will not shed a drop of blood for the True Faith and any other cause except for their own greed.

And Denmark, why did you get involved in this? What have you to gain? Spain never threatened your position, and even an advantageous trading agreement was reached. You have much to lose though.

England! King James apparently has forgotten the lessons of the previous war. Cork will be a bloodbath. For each Catholic that is killed, King James will have to pay with ten Protestants. Your force will be destroyed in the streets.

France, Germany, and Poland! As usual, we are the only true defenders of out Holy Religion. We must resist together now more than ever! God will smile to those who defend the Holy Church!

HMCIM thanks His allies and brothers for the help in this struggle.

Maybe his Catholic Majesty,Emperor of Spain, should have thought twice before first taking the colony of the Denmark and then going to war against our allies. Maybe he should think, why it is he who is at war with every second country in Europe? Or maybe all these countries are just malice and wrong doers, while his Imperial Majesty is always right and benevolent.

Emabassador of Netherlands