Which ones?

Well... isn't this interesting.

As we have a new situation 'on the ground', as it were, Italy wonders if Germany's belligerent tone will now change.

As Germany has been fairly belligerent but offered little but veiled threats, and as the German Foreign Office has done a poor job of keeping the Chancellor informed, the Pontiff calls upon Germany to take the initiative, diplomatically, and lay out what *he* considers to be a reasonable agreement that will enhance German, English, and Italian security.

If we receive nothing but the bluster we have become accustomed to, we call upon the English Monarch to reach his own agreement with Italy.

Italy also calls upon Austria to forbid German incursions into Tyrolia, and points out that a German nation to your north and west will be a dangerous neighbor indeed, especially when a lack of fleets will give him one direction to go once the Russians have been vanquished.

Italy makes the following offer to the English monarch:

Italy desires an agreement of nonaggression between our people, and is willing to pledge to never allow our fleets to leave the Mediterranean basin, nor to support any foe in assaults upon you. We ask only the same in return, and a pledge on your part not to enter the Med. We would ask you to refrain from moving into Gascony as well, but as we expect Germany to move there shortly, that point is moot.

We are willing to support your ownership of Portugal, and ask only that you agree to refrain from movements into North Africa, as well as the aforementioned nonaggression pact.

To offer further security to the English people, we are willing to move an armored unit into Spain instead of a fleet. This will allow us to defend our territory, but would be worthless in any attempt to force the Atlantic.

Italy notes that this offer will protect your entire flank with only two fleets, and allow you flexibility to use them elsewhere.

Although the above is open to negotiation, Italy will be... disinclined to proceed with any of the components of this offer without the nonaggression agreement

In retrospect, Italy would welcome an English fleet in Gascony. It will allow England to further support their rightful ownership of the Atlantic while preventing Germany from forcing us out of Marseilles.

There is a defacto Anschluss here and I would call upon the 4 corners of the world to combine forces to remove the Central Powers. None of our nations will be safe until we have a Final Solution to the German/Austrian dilemma.

I like the perverseness of this fear of Austria that has happened.

The dual monarchy has decided to offer Italy support into the Ionian sea from Greece, and also to offer the Prussians troops his help into Warsaw.

Will Austria deny German troops access to Tyrolia is the question at hand, Duke. Allowing Italy access to the Ionian has never been an issue at hand. You offer the Ionian as if you would leave your Rathole in Greece to thwart his movement. The question is....Are you a sovereign nation that will deny Germany entry into Tyrolia?

Thank you for the offer of support Austria. I will be taking it. I find it funny that everyone switches between saying Austria and myself are one and the same and then urging Austria to fight me. How strange. But to facilitate discussion, I'm sure Austria knows who has best served his interests, Italy or Germany.

Sigh, if you want it like this then thats fine Italy. I'll be happy to support you into Spain England. Also, if I take warsaw this turn I will support you into moscow.

"The way I wanted it"??

I have made multiple reasonable offers to meet our mutual security needs. You have seen fit to ignore or misinterpret *every single one*. Do not insult my intelligence - or the intelligence of anyone else - by pretending otherwise. Your enmity was plain from the moment I moved into unoccupied territory you had your greedy little mind set upon

As for the Austrian offer of support into the Ionian, while I appreciate it, I cannot accept it. I will need to move that fleet to Venice to fend off the pending German assault. I can only take your refusal to bar a German incursion to be assent.

As for your offer to support England into Spain, I would urge England to consider the long term consequences of this action. I have raised the fist of war to no nation - your neighbor to the south has done no such thing. I offer you stability, and a pledge of peace - something I might note that the Germans have *not* offered you. At the very least, if you intend to attack me, I suggest you force them into an alliance first - for it is apparent their greed will not be sated until the whole world lies under their feet.

But if you're interested in promises that cannot be backed up (as a simple glance at the map should make plain), I offer you support into Paris and Munich, once you've taken some sea side real estate.

I would also ask Austria if it is in his long term interest to allow incursions from the West. If I go down, you're next on the list. While I have not offered to invade others for you, nor have I attempted to blackmail you, trading my allegiance and troops as a cheap thug, to the highest bidder.

I shall not be permitting any movement into my boarders whatsoever, as I think should be the standard unless otherwise stated.

Awww. come on.... I'll support you into Venice!

No.

I know what's best for me, and I don't fancy encirclement by anyone.

I'll be moving there to bounce the Italian then. As you long as you don't support him against me then I'll be happy.

PS I love encircling people. Its like a big diplomacy hug.

What kind of retarded idiot would have have to be to move north? The army will be moving west to support Marseilles. The fleet will move to protect Venice. You won't 'bounce', you'll *invade*

Although I will admit the 'diplomacy hug' comment got a snort out of me ;)

And if I were Austria, I'd wonder just what that army is going to do in the fall. It could attempt to disrupt the support from Peidmont, it could make a stab for Venice - or it could walk into Trieste

I am bouncing you anyway, Germany, take your army elsewhere.

As for Italy, I hope you can be assured by my actions that your safety is already ensured.

I am, Austria, and will move accordingly.

The Pontiff is gratified with Austria's opposition to German aggression against Tyrolia. As you have offered support to us, we will offer it to you. Let us know what support we can offer you in the Mediterranean, as we will strive to give it.

If you could make the move to the Ionian, to apply pressure on Turkey, it would be greatly appreciated.

It has already been ordered.


(I like how these two games are evolving in vastly different directions. I'll have to yank all the text when we're done and figure out a place to stick it up)

The English foreign minister today expressed shock at the latest movements of the Italian forces. Relations between the two great nations had always been cordial in recent years, but the Italians now seem to be attempting to provoke the English into a war they did not want. Seems foolish.

The English foreign minister has ignored all attempts to communicate with them and come to a reasonable agreement to manage our mutual security. Your lack of willingness to negotiate can only be taken as a lack of interest in peaceful coexistence.

If the English wish to reach an agreement with Italy, the door is still open - but an agreement requires an exchange of views, and you have exhibited no interest in doing so.

The failure, therefore, lies with you

(c'mon guys, seriously, did you expect me just to sit there and twiddle my thumbs, hoping you'd decide to be *nice* to me once you were in a superior position? If you aren't gonna make a deal, kvetching because I'm not passive just just *silly*)

Can the Pontiff clarify his intentions as he moves his fleets eastwards?