The Austrians announcement seems more a reaction to the intervention our French allies than anything else. How can the German Reich believe you when you openly declared war upon us, raped Munich, and had to call upon our time honored allies to help defend us against the Austrian and Russian armies? Perhaps you did not believe that The German army could successfully ward off all of your attacks (With the help of our allies, without which we would be out numbered). We in Germany wonder if it was not the intention of the Emperor and not his ministers to attack our nation.

I would ask that France do what it wishes, whether it be to continue retribution against the Austrians, or if it wishes to seek peace. The Russians have made no such "declaration of peace" and as such I would invite Her Majesty the Queen to continue our front against the Tsardom of Russia. We must reclaim Norway in any case.

I do not know if the German people will accept this peace, as it comes about rather unilaterally, with no discussion to the German Kaiser. We shall mull it over for the time being, and seek the council of our allies. However, we do not consider the Austrians to be friends of Germany. We shall report later with our conclusions.

To those interested parties:


France did not wish to air her intnetions on public channels lest they be interpreted and foiled by her foes.

We rejoice that the Austrian leadership sees the folly of its warmongering and expansionist tendencies but suspicion remains.

French troops will take and hold Venice, but will not move any urther against Austrian troops with one stipulation: any more agressive acts will be met with more repercussions.
We take our pacts seriously.

We hope the Czar and the Sultan can take note of the Austrians folly and act accordingly.

Russia particularly seems unable to grasp the folly of irritating the western powers.


And to Germany, we wish you well in your deliberations and will support and respect any decision you come to.
The French Government does desire, however, for the German army units stationed in the Province of Burgundy be evacuated as soon as humanely possible.

The citizens there are understandably suspicious of the German people and especially thier soldiers.

Thank you all,

Théophile Delcassé
French Minister of Foreign Affairs

We understand your desire to have us leave France, and we are working on an evacuation route as we speak. It may not be this turn, but we hope that It shall be. We also welcome your acquisition of Venice. We hope that Russia and Turkey shall follow Austria's example in asking for peace.

To England:
We understand you have already finalized your orders, but if they could be amended to support Burgundy into Munich we would greatly appreciate it. Also, we are prepared to support your army in yorkshire to norway.

We once again thank our allies.

To the French Foreign Minister,

We apologize for a lack of response to your earlier invitation to attack Austria, but we were unavailable when it was delivered.

We also note the unwarranted assault on our territory, and troops massing on our borders, and would like to know how you define 'open hands'.

The odds of our government choosing to forsake our alliance were... slim. Your simultaneous attack on our territory under your false offer of peace, however, amply demonstrates the wisdom in not betraying our alliance.

Therefore, with the greatest respect possible, your suggestion that we withdraw from the Eastern Alliance is rejected.

The Sultan would like to suggest to the governments of Austria and Russia that the troops garrisoning the Balkans could better be used elsewhere.

Imperial Foreign Ministry speaking:

We warn the French government for exceeding opportunism. Like we said earlier, we admire the fact France cares about her allies. Regrettably our warning hasn't stopped French forces to enter the city of Venice. However, by attacking the Turkish garrison of Naples France has gone too far. The Austrian Empire promises the Sultan all the support they need in fending off the French.

Your suggestion will also be taken in consideration.

To the Germans: it is better we hold peace for now. The Kaiser wants to repair our broken relations and considers they need time to heal. Perhaps we could offer a stay in Tyrolia?

France,

We have offered nothing but friendship to you, and have passed on previous opportunities to do you mischief when distracted. Your actions now prove the folly of that decision, and we hope - for your sake - that you are never placed in a position where you require our aid again.

Let the consequences of your actions be on your own head.

Russia - please move Fleet SEV to the Black Sea, for transit through Constantinople

bump until i can think of what to ask

ask for candy?

To Germany:

We aided you in your time of need. Both Turkey and Austria have now declared they will pursue agressie actions against la Belle Republic; and you are now courting peace negotiations with those Austrians that so recently grossly invaded one of your home centres?!

We also hope Her Majesty of the British Isles takes note if Germany is no longer holding to their side of our alliance.

Myself and the President of France are wondering where the steely resolve of the German people has gone to, and we hope it returns.

To Austria and Turkey:

Let us be clear- No peace negotiations will ever include French withdrawl. We took a stab at Austrian under circumstances of gross assault on our ally. The presence of French armies on the Italian peninsula will not end voluntarily.

If, however, you are willing to accept the situation as it stands (with the possible exception of the Ionian Sea fleet), I may be able to accept the peace gestures of the Eastern alliance.

That is of course if Britain and Germany agree with my sentiments.

And one more caveat: if the Czar continues his foolish attacks, and if you two leaders continue to condone him, there also cannot be peace between us.

Europe has divided itself into two alliance systems, and I am afraid my actions are constrained by this system. It is not because of particularly personal animosity to either of you.

Thank you all and bon nuit,

Théophile Delcassé
French Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear France,

I dont remember ever responding to Austria's peace invitation. I do remember bumping the thread, which had nothing to do with Austria. We have praised your assistance to us in the face of unwarranted hostilities. We find Austria's peace gesture to be weak, and we think action against Austria may be necessary. He asked half of Europe to attack the German Reich and it's allies, engaged 4 armies on and in our borders, and now asks that the war be done.

He asks this now because he has seen the might of the Western Alliance, and has lost his city of Venice. He should have expected it. We have courted no Peace.

We consider the war with Austria and Russia to be continuing (As Russia is still in German Territory). Neither of them have felt the pang of invasion by two countries simultaneously. If Austria shall continue war with France we will come to France's rescue, as is our duty. A stay in tyrolia is nothing for attacking and almost conquering munich. Russia has not even offered peace.

Peace with Germany shall not come as easily as war did.

Let me be clear, as I understand the German alliance with her Allies, War with one means war with all. Likewise Peace with one must be acknowledged as peace with all.

We Germans are not one for war, but we will do what is necessary for the Protection of our Empire and for the nations of England and France.

The Germans will not tolerate the possibility of Further attacks on their nation by any power. Our borders must be secured.

So let me understand the French Foreign Policy:

What I win, I keep. And if you're nice to me, I might not take more.

Reasonable - but my ire was not toward your attack per-se, but your false offer of parley that preceeded it. How is one to trust the word of France if they offer peace while sending attack orders simultaneously? Should I agree to *this* cease fire, simply hoping you won't attack again when the whim strikes you? Your word has been demonstrated to be worth less than perhaps you would like, but that is only your own fault.

The irony, of course, is that you will never know what might have happened had you not been so deceitful.

As for Germany, I doubt they have much to say - in fact, I predict they won't say anything from Wednesday until Sunday! *snerk*

haha, dont do too much negotiating without me...but be sure to keep the thread bumped! Thanks everybody!

The Czar apolgies for not checking his messages and would wish to inform the sultan that the fleet will be on the way as suggested, and he would also like to say to austria continue the battle the east will rise victorious

To all who may be concerned,

As the Sutlan has thus far exhibited a gross lack of imagination, I shall explicitly illustrate the diplomatic situation prior to my advance from the French perspective.

You are part of a three person alliance. Two of your allies have been violently attacked by cocky and agressive foes. They appear to belong to a three person allince.
You declare that you will attack the agressor who seems to winning against your ally.
You ask the third member of the opposed alliance if he supports the agression of his allies and whether he would withdraw his support for them.
This individual exclaims his full support for the tyrannical regimes with which he is affiliated.
You then suggest that at least will he not move against you?

Silence.


Any rational actor would, in that situation move against the perfidious agressor and preemptively position himself to defend against and possibly attack (if it came to him) the agressors ally.

So, 'the east' as Russia calls you, continue your aborted attacks against the majesty of the west. I dare you. You've certinly gained alot so far, haven't you?

We do not fear your pitiful attempts at armed forces. You will find the united might of England, Germany and France are unsurmountable obstacles.

Do as you wish; sue for peace or fight on, but do it with the knowledge that your foe is far mightier than you.

Thank you and good day,

Stéphen Pichon,
The NEW French Minister of Foreign Affairs

To the French Foreign Minister,

We would like to introduce you to the concept of "work". It is a state of existence in which it is much more challenging to access diplomatic correspondences. Perhaps the silence you heard was due to the relatively late nature of your message compared to the end-time for the phase, and was not a deliberate attempt to ignore your message.

The Sultan notes that - irrespective of the actions of his allies, or yours for that matter - the French have demonstrated no desire for peace with the Empire; hence he finds it... challenging to believe any offers received from Gaul.

To repeat our earlier statement - your move in support of your ally was expected, and understandable. Your move against us was reasonable in light of your other moves.

Your move against us in conjunction with a false offer of peace is, in our opinion, an example of something else entirely.

Had you simply made your rational moves and *then* made an offer, we would have perhaps considered it. You did not.

(and starting the first in an ongoing series of ridiculously amusing absentee character assassination, in order to keep the thread bumped)

England! Beware, for we have heard that Germany has been spreading word that your sovereign is both grossly overweight and insane! These 'Mad Cow Disease' statements disturb all the peace loving nations of the world.

France! The Americans are slandering your national food, French Fries, by renaming them Freedom Fries!

You know who helped the Americans? That Hessian, Baron von Steuben.

(and a French fleet, but let's ignore the irrelevancy)

Anyone seen my glasses? I must have put them somewhere...

Turkey, you delicious nation you, watch out!

The Austro-Hungry-arian Empire is feeling a rumble in its belly that can be heard as far away as Paris...

*groans* Are you trying to restart the Pun-ic wars?

Aaaand we're back in business.

To the noble Kaiser,

Her Majesty appreciates your recent aid in the landing of our troops in Norway. She wonders if our forces are needed in Ruhr any longer because they long to return to Belgium in time for breakfast. They do get addicted to their waffles.

He Majesty also wishes to acquire permission for the fleet at Ska to dock briefly at Denmark for supplies. We should be resupplied well before the autumn begins.

It's good to be back,

To Her Majesty,

We no longer believe that your presence in Ruhr is necessary as we have built a german army capable of defending us for the time being. We thank you for your help and will be glad to send you compensation so that you may afford your waffles.

We would ask that your fleet, if it need to dock in Denmark, that it consider moving into the Baltic (We germans had wished to do this at some point, but such manuervering has become impossible in light of current events.)

To the new French Foreign Minister,

The Kaiser Welcomes your appointment and looks forward to working with you against the Aggressive nations to the East. We ask if there is anything we can do to help you, or the both of us in this time of war. We are open to many options.

To Turkey,
We laugh at your character assination attempts, for we ate you this holiday (bad joke). We understand your anger at France, but it seems he would have had to no choice but to defend himself against what was surely to be an Austrian-Turkish assault, as he could only expect you to aid your ally. We hope that you may be the voice of reason among the east. While retribution must be met, it surely would be kinder than retribution found through war.

To the Kaiser,

I would certainly *hope* you laughed at my character assassination attempts! I only wish the 'looking for glasses' comment had been yours, for I had *quite* the zinger lined up for that.

While the Empire is always interested in peaceful coexistence on an international level, the Sultan notes that such existence requires peacefulness by *all* parties. He fails to see how that is likely to happen, as his initial assumption (six way draw) does not appear to be in the cards...

Until we all settle into our stalemate positions and hammer away at each other inconclusively for a few years.

So the Sultan will wait. Impatiently, but what is one to do?

I also had assumed we we're heading towards the 6 way draw, but the Austrians and Russians were bored, so here we are.

Once again, if you would like to make battle plans, France, Im more than interested, especially since Austria has not commented on current diplomatic events.

Her Majesty apologizes to the Kaiser for the apparent double booking of hotel rooms in Finland. It seems that the Finns didn't know how to accommodate us both so they canceled both our reservations. Most annoying to be sure. Her Majesty had even outfitted her terriers with little reindeer antlers for her upcoming trip to Lapland.

We will not be trying to reschedule our stay in Finland as Her Majesty has a sudden desire to see polar bears.