Concert of Europe

[SoFarSoGood]

I shall have economic figures tomorrow (I hope), which will be Chapter 2 Part 2. Exact military numbers will not be given in public and economic figures are to be taken as true as of now. If you wish to give 'misleading' estimates of your future economic performances you can include that in your future orders. You will also be able to 'claim' false troop totals and advances (for example in Austrian cannon or French gun research) if you wish. In other words these economics will be true. What you publish as your figures after that is upto you and may or may not be embellished.

I would warn against greatly exaggerating or under accounting figures or claims though as if you are found out borrowing costs are likely to be effected.

With Chapter 2 Part 2 this weekend I will set next Saturday (22nd September) as a provisional deadline for orders.

[Franconicus]

[B]fine[B]

[Kagemusha]

To the honourable representative of France. Should we assume your statement is about the Austrian proposal concerning Balkans?

[SoFarSoGood]

Ok it's early! So I have used events so far, orders from pms and those I know about Austria. With Prussia I had to make some guesses and work on info given in Chapter 1 and the start.


Chapter 2 Part 2 Economics

General European Situation

All European Governments have benefitted from a period of peace and trade and production has grown apace to the benefit of all. All Governments have, to some extent, used this opportunity to invest in railroads, factories and research. Although all countries have debts the finances of Europe in general are exceedingly healthy. However with the Revolutions 'starting early' the general confidence is threatened. Some nations, most notably Austria and France and England and Austria have free trade treaties and Austrian Customs Union with Bavaria has increased central European trade greatly. The British homeland thrives and exports to continent are increasing around 8% year on year. Many European are becoming rich and aquiring a taste fine French wines. Many Europeans though are living in poverty... While the rebellions in Part 1 are largely 'nationalist' (except the French one) and the Capitals of Europe remain peaceful there is a growing underclass. The Balkan victories have added to general confidence but of course any reversals in the war there may reverse the confidence. There is also growing unease at the lack of a resolution from the Frankfurt conference.



England:

Income: 120m thalers due to increased investment rising rapidly. New investments in railways to Wales and Scotland are proving more expensive than previous railways as tunnels etc must be created and diversions made to bypass mountainous areas. Commercial shipping trade is a major growth area but nobody is willing to insure ships in Eastern Med due to the recent Anglo French exchange in Cyprus. Costs are 75 million talers as interest rates slightly rise on the National Debt of 320 million talers over growing European war fears which are fuelled by the lack of a Conference agreement on Shleiswig Holstein.

Troubles ahead:

A. The costs of the British fleet are expected to rise heavily as the increased merchant navy demands greater protection from the Royal Navy. The Admiralty also demand newer ships and Questions are raised in Parliament about the 'Cyprus affair'.
B. While the English mainland flourishes with new investment and innovation the Empire is not yielding as much as could be expected. The Hudson Bay company in Canada demands greater authority and the return of it's monopolies and it's shares are declining as are it's income and returns. The Government of India and it's Governor General (Sir Charles James Napier) wish to annex Sind. The Government does not sufficient funds for a proposed Bombay - Calcutta railroad.



France:

Income: 105m talers. Outlook good/very good. French industry is beginning to take off and is much helped by free trade with Austria, Belgium and Holland. The Paris-Toulon railway should be finished by 1845 - earlier than scheduled while Paris - Lille and Paris - Tours are just starting construction. The fortifaction of Lyon on a scale never before seen should be completed in 1844 and though this has cost more than intended a net financial profit is expected this year (1843) with costs of 77m talers. While free land has been given to the poor most, not having the means to or knowledge to run the land, have sold it, a few have pooled their land to form 'Communes'. The french military research has resulted in a modest (5%) improvement in the accuracy of light weapons. The General Staff recommend that production be liscenced. The National Debt stands at 270m talers and interest rates on this are low.

Problems:

A. Like all nations facing rebellions the rising in the South (around Marseilles) may decrease future income. A spread of the insurrection to Paris would be severe.
B. Initial estimates for a fortified naval base in Cyprus are not yet prepared but may require considerable investment.
C. The planned overhaul of the fleet would require at least half of the fleet to decommissioned and rebuilt from scratch and costs would exceed 200m talers.
D. There is some anxiety that France is now de facto at war with Ottoman Empire so future news from the war theatre may affect confidence.



Russia:

Income: 79 million talers, outlook stable/rising. The Russian income has increased slightly recently due to A. Liberation of the serfs, who now sell their produce more freely and B. Some nobles investing in munition factories to aid the war effort. The Russian Orthodox Patriarch has also contributed 2 million talers for the Czars Holy war. The first Russian railway is under construction which is planned to go from St Petersburg to Moscow. Expenses estimated next year 89 million talers most of which is army and fleet upkeep. The expenses of the campaign are weighing in also and this has cost some 5 million talers so far. The National Debt stands at 185 million talers and interest on this is falling due to recent victories.

Problems:
A. The cost of an ongoing campaign will increase the further away the army marches from home territory and bases until a major city is taken and can be made into a supply base. Iasi is in need of alot of rebuilding and restocking before it can operate as a supply depot or anything else.
B. Taxes from Poland (5 million talers) will NOT be payed in full next turn as long as Krakow and Warsaw remain partialy liberated by rebels.
C. While the Russian debts are not severe at present and interest rates are falling any unexpected reversal in the war could radicaly increase the costs.




Austria:

Income: 63 million talers, outlook stable to good. The Austro-Hungarian has benefited large Government funded projects in railway construction, fort construction and new cannon research which required new metal foundries to be built (currently being built). The Bavarian Customs Union has also increased trade as has a fast paced administrative take over in Belgrade and Sarajevo. Taxes from Belgrade/Sarajevo regions can be expected to start coming in from 1844-5. Costs 95 million talers due to the costs of supply of the field army and the loss, at present, of Budapest as a major supply base. The supplies are in Budapest but they can't get south to supply the army so supply is via Zagreb - Belgrade. National debt is 240 million talers but interest on this remains stable.

Problems:
A. Hungarian taxes (9 million talers) cannot be expected at all next year unless the Hungarian rebels are placated or defeated. Neither can the railway from Vienna to Budapest be completed until a resolution is accomplished regarding the rebels. The Polish provinces and Lvov are also cut off and this will decrease income further.
B. The Italian provinces will also pay less next year unless action is taken to restore order.
C. As with Russia confidence is high after recent victories but any reversal or delay in dealing with the rebels may radicaly increase losses.




Prussia:

Income: 39m talers. Outlook steady/good. Some 80 business have availed themselves of the Governments investment programme. A Berlin - Danzig - Konigsburg railway has begun construction and other companies are starting to build steam engines for factories and steam locomotives. The general draft was scaled down as manpower was needed for these projects but some extra. Costs 26m talers. National Debt stands at 105m talers and interests rates are low.

Problems:
A. The general draft, while scaled back, hindered economic development at first and is still doing so somewhat.
B. The Polish rebellion, while centred on Krakow and Warsaw causes some unease in the Eastern Provinces.
C. Lack of trade agreements hinders exports.

[SoFarSoGood]

Unless you are giving advice or stipulate in future orders that wish to spy on other 'neutral' countries you will only have guesses at their incomes which I can give upon request, but do not expect your 'guess' to be totally accurate.

[Franconicus]

Great news, although I haven't known that I had debts at all.

Could you please publish the strengths of the armies and navies? Could you also tell me the reasons for the unrest in southern France?

Statement:

The France government assures that it is not at war with the Ottoman Empire. his status will not change unless the Turks hinder French merchants or the Concert asks France for military support.

[SoFarSoGood]

I can notify privately of army and navy strength. I do not believe that France (for example) would know exact Russian numbers or vice versa. If you have an aide de camp with an allied army you may have some idea of the numbers of that army but precise numbers throughout even an allied nation is for them to tell you if they chose. I shall not give them publicly and true unless a player asks me to do so.

The insurrection around Marseilles is 'revolutionary' in nature but that will be made clearer in Chapter 3 unless it is crushed.

If others wish Orders deadline can be brought forward as I have my plans and numbers for 'neutral' countries ready.

For orders please give:

1. Details of investments. For example "5m to railways" is fine but which railway do you want built first? "Recruit 10,000 troops"... again fine but specify cavalry, line infantry, specialist infantry and numbers of each - this helps you!
2. Campaigns and Battles. If you wish to march from A to B fine but you may be safer if you give a marching order of columns. Upto you - just mentioning that not all battles may occur when you want them. With specific battles you wish to take place it may not be that your enemy wishes to give battle so in general the more detail the better for you.
3. Diplomatic messages. Between players obviously these can be sent any time and the same with non played countries. I will give you a general diplomatic summation in future Chapters and private information evidently in private.

[Arjos]

OoC: Are we going to get detailed military infos and expenditures?
Also how is manpower going to work? Do we have limits for the amount available per year and maybe after a certain number, a new generation will be needed or the conscription of peasants, with economic consequences?

His Imperial Majesty, Czar Nikolai wishes to inform all governments that Russia and Austria have signed a defensive entente.

May God bless the Empires!

State Chancellor, Aleksandr Gorchakov

[Kagemusha]

Austria confirms the words of our Russian allies. Emperor Franz Joseph I and Csar Nikolai have signed a defensive entente.

God bless the Empires!

Prince Felix zu Schwarzenberg

[SoFarSoGood]

OoC: Are we going to get detailed military infos and expenditures?
Also how is manpower going to work? Do we have limits for the amount available per year and maybe after a certain number, a new generation will be needed or the conscription of peasants, with economic consequences?

Details of specific costs of unit types differ so for example French Zouaves cost less than Guard Elites. French costs also differ to Russian etc... The numbers and costs given at the start (page 35) should be used an average cost for any single unit type in your country. If you wish more Cavalry or something the average cost will rise while if France wishes to decrease Guard numbers compared to Zouaves average cost would fall. I do not wish to go into further detail than that.

As for manpower there is a small surplus in most countries but again this depends on which country. England or anyone else, could in theory raise a 1m man army but they would come largely from the factories and agricultural sectors so the economy may suffer. Raising a general draft of all able bodied without exemptions is therefore very unwise as people will starve and production cease. Raising 10-20,000 new troops is not a problem for the Great Powers.

[Greyblades]

England:

Income: 120m thalers due to increased investment rising rapidly. New investments in railways to Wales and Scotland are proving more expensive than previous railways as tunnels etc must be created and diversions made to bypass mountainous areas. Commercial shipping trade is a major growth area but nobody is willing to insure ships in Eastern Med due to the recent Anglo French exchange in Cyprus. Costs are 75 million talers as interest rates slightly rise on the National Debt of 320 million talers over growing European war fears which are fuelled by the lack of a Conference agreement on Shleiswig Holstein.

Why am I the only one getting increases to interest? Shouldnt "growing European war fears which are fuelled by the lack of a Conference agreement on Shleiswig Holstein" be affecting everyone?

[SoFarSoGood]

You are not the only one (Danish and Swedish rates have risen sharply) but because the Schleiswig - Holstein situation may result in a pan German conflict (it is feared) this may lead to the cutting off of the Austro Hungarian market temporarily. Bearing in mind the Anglo Austrian free trade agreement and recent Austro - Bavarian customs union gives England export opportunities from Munich to Lvov and Prague to Belgrade and the growing export trade to the Continent and you see why the loss of such a market is feared primarily in England. Basically because because you export the most your trade would suffer most.

The Concert has had ample time to resolve the Schleiswig - Holstein situation but nobody has even thought of inviting Denmark to the current Conference. This bodes ill with British investors.

[Arjos]

The Concert has had ample time to resolve the Schleiswig - Holstein situation but nobody has even thought of inviting Denmark to the current Conference.

Kingdom of Denmark:

We agree to have a Congress to discuss the issue between our two nations.


Christian VIII

Whaaa? :D

[Greyblades]

...Seriously?.. Ok then.

Britain proposes that we suspend the current conference and relocate to Copenhagen, with Denmark's permission of course, if only to ensure that there is a danish diplomat in proximity.
Also Britain on behalf of the concert extends invitations to King Christian VIII of Denmark and Duke Christian August II of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg to attend the conference. We also apologise on behalf of the concert for their exclusion.

[Arjos]

Guys, Denmark is there and probably even the Duke. Jan simply didn't get around posting, should be up to SFSG now...

[Franconicus]

...Seriously?.. Ok then.

Britain proposes that we suspend the current conference and relocate to Copenhagen, with Denmark's permission of course, if only to ensure that there is a danish diplomat in proximity.
Also Britain on behalf of the concert extends invitations to King Christian VIII of Denmark and Duke Christian August II of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg to attend the conference. We also apologise on behalf of the concert for their exclusion.

Wait a moment! It is not England alone who determines who attends and where the meeting should be.
It might be helpful to invite Denmark, though. Therefore, I support this idea. However, we should not have the conference at Kopenhagen. Let's go to a neutral place. If England does not mind, I suggest London.
The other point on the agenda is the Balkans. Is there a chance that we will get an agreement between England, Russia and Austria? If we think so, we may discus this at London. And I suggest to invite the sultan, too. If not, then we should forget the topic and see what will ahppen.

And if England does not want to host the confeence, we all can meet at Paris, of course.

[Greyblades]

Wait a moment! It is not England alone who determines who attends and where the meeting should be.

That's why I said Britain Proposes

It might be helpful to invite Denmark, though. Therefore, I support this idea. However, we should not have the conference at Kopenhagen. Let's go to a neutral place. If England does not mind, I suggest London.
The other point on the agenda is the Balkans. Is there a chance that we will get an agreement between England, Russia and Austria? If we think so, we may discus this at London. And I suggest to invite the sultan, too. If not, then we should forget the topic and see what will ahppen.

And if England does not want to host the confeence, we all can meet at Paris, of course.

Britain would be agreeable to host the conference, should it be necissary, and britain is open to suggestions on the balkan situation.

[Kagemusha]

So with what kind of time table can we gather at London? Concerning Balkans. Austria and Russia both support the Austrian solution and how we understand.Britain does not reject the Austrian plan, but only will not take active part in executing the plan. Have we understood the British stand correctly? If so.All we need is for France to clearly express their thoughts concerning the issue and maybe we can then reach an agreement.

Austria proposes that the Balkan issue to be concluded in this conference and that the Schlesvig -Holstein issue will be moved into the conference of London.

[Franconicus]

The Austrian plan is alright to me. Russia agreed to, and so did Austria, of course.
So is it right that England accepts it too?
And what about Prussia?

Let's try to end this annoying topic and begin with the dinner!

[SoFarSoGood]

Deadline for orders 1 week today: Friday 21st September. I want to move forward as fast as we can and this allows you 1 week for private questions etc... If your orders are late expect them to take effect late!

[Greyblades]

So with what kind of time table can we gather at London? Concerning Balkans. Austria and Russia both support the Austrian solution and how we understand.Britain does not reject the Austrian plan, but only will not take active part in executing the plan. Have we understood the British stand correctly? If so.All we need is for France to clearly express their thoughts concerning the issue and maybe we can then reach an agreement.

Keep to the austrian solution and Britain wont do anything for or against it, do the byzantium solution and britain will help the russian-austrian alliance, Go with Russia's original plan and Britain will join the Ottoman's side. Unless someone has any other solutions to propose, I think that is all.

Now if you dont mind those shrimp pasties have been calling to me all day.

[Arjos]

Seems like an agreement was finally reached!

So please, can all the gentlemen sign this mandate?

Greece will get control of the Duchies of Thessaly, Macedon, Epirus, Adrianopol, Thrace, Konstantinopol, Nikae, Samos, Cibyrrhaeot, Ionian Islands, Crete, Dodecanese Islands and Cyprus.
In Western and Eastern Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be included to Croatian crown, which is already under Austrian rule. Kingdom of Serbia will also become part of Austrian Empire.
In Eastern Balkans. Russian Bessarabia will be joined with other principalities of Wallachia under Russian rule. South from it a Bulgarian Kingdom will be formed under Russian Empires rule.

Admiral Putyatin reaches for his pen, ready to sign aswell.

We also have no issue in postponing the Schleswig-Holstein matter for the London Conference.

[Franconicus]

Prussia hasn't agreed, has she?

[Greyblades]

It's a bit late but I'm going to change tack, If I may ask what is so bad about byzantium?

[Kagemusha]

Did we not discuss this all ready? We feel that our Southern neighbor should have a stable power base. Without Greeks, such Empire would not have one.

[Greyblades]

Couldn't it use austria and russia as an initial powerbase until it developes it's own? The way I see it the alliance was already planning on devoting a smililar amount of resources on annexing the area and greece will still need some resources to hold the land, indeed the rebelliousness could even cause enough damage to offset the manpower saved.

Also as a king Othan could be persuaded to swear fealty to a Byzantium emperor without having to give up his status and authority, with that a byzantium empire could be built with greece as a power base.

[SoFarSoGood]

Athens 'Southern Banner' reports:

"For the last few days Athens has been a hotbed of rumor. Two months ago due to the ongoing conflict in Ottoman Europe a new army recruitment drive was launched which unnamed sources suggest have resulted in some 40,000 volunteers. The recent rumors though that a deal has been agreed in Frankfurt that would involve a great enlargement of His Majesties Kingdom caused a great stir since they surfaced last week. Conflicting rumors suggest that an Egyptian army is sighted off Crete and the Sultan has surrendered Thessaloniki. Many report frequent visits by French, though some say Austrian, diplomats to the newly finished Palace in Athens. Some claim to have seen the Sultans Grand Vizier himself in the town. Others report the Sarakatsani are being armed in Thrace.

Certainly Athens seems to be centre of world rumor. While 2 weeks ago unrest was growing today all the talk is of war though against who nobody can say for certain. A new patriosm and confidence is in the air as the Greek capital awaits an official announcement."

[Greyblades]

...On the other hand, maybe it is a bad idea after all.


OOC:Grumble grumble....Stupid greeks and thier stupid patriotism.... no way they agree to it now... Grumble grumble....

[Franconicus]

france is irritateted by the English diplomacy.

[SoFarSoGood]

OOC: As a matter of interest by the by so to speak while I was researching last night I found out that what is today the Greek Parliament Building, which no doubt most have seen on news footage about 'austerity riots' in Athens, was finished in 1843 and was the Royal Palace of the then King. So when you imagine diplomats scrambling around Athens in this game it there that your envoys are fighting to get into. Just thought it was interesting...