To the envoy of Great Britain and Germany:
Both I and the French nation are appalled at the amount of hypocrisy oozing from these nations, particularly that of Germany.
At the outset of the game, when we expressed concerns about deployment in both the English Channel and Belgium, we were nabbed as paranoid warmongers and attacked for 'interfering' with sovereignty of the British within thier own territory (I once again question what maps show Belgium as an inalieable part of Britain).
But we decided to be trusting, and allowed Britain free reign in both the channel (bordering our main Atlantic port), as well as the half-French nation so very to our country and capital. We then asked if Germany would be willing to sign a treaty with us. In response, they quibbled with stipulations and oohs and aahs- very similar to what they censured us for doing.
Later, they then decided to 'outlaw' the building of a fleet to protect our Atlantic coast.
The British are right on our doorstep! What right, we ask, has Germany, who so very wish to be friends with but seem to be rebuffed, to dictate what the French can and can't do in thier own territory!?
To be fair again to us, I had not even read that message, but it changes nothing. Britain is allowed to station of our coast, but if we respond to portect ourself, it agression.
May I note that Britain built a fleet in London simultaneously, and that London is the same distance from France as Brest is to Britain? What then is someone to make of this double standard?
Finally, to top it off, the British refer to us as Normans. May I remind you dear sir, that the real inheritors of the Norman tradition are in fact the British royal family? In fact, we fought a fairly long war with you to drive out the last vestiges of Norman holdings from our nation. I believe it was about a hundred years of English atrocities if I remember correctly.
It is us then who should be worried about 'Normans', not you.
So, to summarize:
It is becoming clear to us that neither England or Germany wishes to be friends with the nation of France.
Very well we say, all intentions will become true in the upcoming turn.
We shall not (I repeat) shall not commit any agressive act towards any of our neighbours, but should any nation attempt to trangress on our territory, know that our response will be swift and terrible.
Perhaps reason shall indeed prevail, in either Germany or France, but these are dark times indeed for Frenchmen of all stripes.
We now call upon our friends in the Italian peninsula to work with us through these rough times. We do require naval aid, but should the unthinkable occur in the form of German invasion of Burgundy, we hope we can count on your aid. Perhaps by putting pressure on German holdings in the Bavarian countryside a successful invasion by Germany might be foiled.
To Russia:
We assure you again that our intentions towards Britain have always been conciliatory. We are worried however about your unconditional support of Britain, and think that perhaps the Kaiser should take note.
To the Dual King of Austria:
We hope that you can work out a way to successfully deal with your eastern neighbours and prevent untoutward expansion from any party
To Turkey:
We wish much of the same, and hope that you would join Italy and I in creating a peaceful Mediterranean accord. It would be well that we are never met, but I pray we can have mutually beneficial diplomacy. As a sign of peace we have created a large metal statue dedicated to the ideals of your nation. We hope you will prominently display in the harbour of Istanbul.
Thank you all, and good day,
The glove of friendship is yet extended,
Théophile Delcassé
French Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Game, Low Buy-In
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