England- I agree, a demilitarized Channel is the best option for us to move forward in peace. Shall we proclaim it to be open waters, to be left empty for our mutual safety? For clearly, Englands future is in the Northern Lands.
Germany- Ah, the Germans. So often a deadly foe to the French, taking just enough time to crush my people before getting ransacked from behind by the Austro-Russian alliance. As Holland is a Germanic speaking place, and Belgium is clearly Francophone, shall we not devide the Low Countries such? After that, we may live in peace and prosperity.
Italy- Bonjour, my Romance languaged friend! For us to fight is folly of the highest level, and I look forward to leaving you in peace while I myself move to the wilds of the Iberian peninsula. Come the future, we may work together, for the betterment of us both.
** All others**- Rest assured I have not forgotten you, my noble fellows. But for the nonce, there is not much I can offer you, save a good glass of vin, and my well wishes. But if there is something I can do for you, you have but to ask.
[Deutschland]
Welcome to all great and respected leaders of the European continent.
**
To my dear Russian compatriot: **
It is with much joy and optimism that I make your acquaintance. My hopes for a bountiful Russian-German friendship rest in your cautious hands. First and foremost I propose that we create a DMZ which spans Silesia and Prussia. I have yet to see a situation in which conflict between Russia and Germany is fruitful for either side, neither of us have the leverage to plunge through the middle and a stalemate is crippling for us both.
To the great English command:
I pleases me to speak with you about our mutual growth and success. I note your early overtures to our French neighbor with much concern. I’m sure none of us invite conflict at an early stage of our relationships however it is troubling to hear of your intentions to move east towards our Russian neighbor. Space and supply centers are sparse between the British Isles and St. Petersburg which will inevitably lead to your being cornered at the edge of the board without a foothold on the mainland.
To my French neighbor:
I note you have not yet responded to the bold English overtures and I hope this is a sign of your prudence and consideration. If you have committed yourself to a southern tactic in the Mediterranean you will have my unabashed support, however your early expansion into the Low Countries would have an obviously negative impact on our relationship. I eagerly await your contributions and I fully hope that the French and German people can set aside our generations old history of conflict and find a new, more fruitful path. Trench warfare in Burgundy and Belgium will lead to nothing but misery and frustration for us both and there are other areas of the board which demand our attention more immediately.
**
The the Austrian Archduke: **
I reach out to you in this time in hopes that we may guard ourselves against the possibility of a Russian and Turkish plan to crush you. While I have nothing but good will for the Russian leadership your silence whilst they divvy up the Balkan lands proves disconcerting. The Austrian claim to those lands is traditional and your entry into the Med is crucial for the survival of your people and the security of mine. I wish to do my part in assuring you of your safety from your northern flanks and offering my support in your negotiations with our Mutual friend in the Russians.
[Turkey]Ah, I see the **Kaiser **is employing the old “Let’s You And Him Fight” gambit. And why not? But I think we in the East should be suitably suspicious of a Triple Entente. True, I will be slow to suffer should such arise, but by the same token there would be little I could do in time.[/Turkey]
To Austria: It is Our wish that Italy and Austria work together to contain what is clearly aggressive posturing on the part of Germany. It would do neither of our nations good to be manipulated into a quarrel which benefits only the Kaiser. The words of our English cousin are wise on this matter.
To France: We look forward to a future of cooperation and peace between our nations. To ensure this, it is proposed by us that the region of Piedmont remain demilitarized. This will permit our two nations to look to other regions where defense matters are more immediate.
To England: Our thanks for your wise advice on the tense situation in which We find Ourselves with Austria. We believe the Austrian government to be wise and honorable, and that our two nations will come to an amicable arrangement without resorting to arms.
To Germany: Let us not devolve into hostility, but instead look forward to a Europe of peace and trust wherein Italy and Germany can work together for mutual security against those who would oppose us! What say you?
To Russia: All of Italy is anxious to meet in friendship and brotherhood with the peoples of Russia. Let us maintain a cordial dialogue to foster understanding and cooperation between our nations!
To Turkey: We must sort out between us who shall control in Mare Nostrum. In order that both our countries may prosper, it is Our sincere hope it can be done without resorting to force of arms.
</ITALY>
CatInASuit: Would you prefer us to email orders or send them via PM? Or will either method be acceptable?
The French overture was simply to avoid a colossal waste of time and effort clashing needlessly over a key border (ocean) space-likewise you probably wouldn’t like Russia to move Army Poland to Silesia or Prussia. Right now I want to avoid a hassle with the only power who could conceivably invade me in the first year; come the Autumn winds and you and I may very well come to a similar agreement about the status of say the Helgoland Bight and the Skaggerak.
Jolly good then-only herring and whales may ply their trade in the Channel. Agreed.
To the Tsar of all that is Russian:
I wish to avoid silly clashes over Scandinavian lands when our attention is best spent elsewhere. Ensure I get Norway in the fall and we may both profit.
Your comparison of the English Channel with Prussia is not apt. You are a nation bounded on 2 sides by the game board. Surrendering the English Channel limits you to one direction of expansion. You have 2 fleets with essentially 3 possible directions of movement. Ceding one indicates a likely pact of future aggression (or profound deception). The region between Russia and Germany lacks such clear tactical significance at this stage.
And yet you would have him commit to aggression with a neighbor so soon? This, combined with the Kaisers… ignoring, of my generous offer makes me think he wishes us to fight each other, while he sits and reaps the rewards.
Paranoid, are we? Again, you can assume anything you want. Fact is nobody else is in a position to threaten my home centers during the first year, except for France. I am just being pragmatic; the other option is to perform a mutual bounce, which is safer but also limits my options in Scandinavia (and his in Iberia). Or I could be lying through my teeth to him, or he to me; the Spring moves will reveal all.
** [Russia] ** My dear Kaiser -
If I think about marching my troops with their pretty (and expensive) uniforms through the flat, grey farmlands of Prussia or the coal mines of Silesia and it makes me want to vomit. No offense to your country, you understand, but I can’t imagine why I would want to go there. Incidentally, we seem to have spent a little too much on uniforms and not enough on guns. You wouldn’t have any to spare, would you?
Great Britain:
I’m interested in your suggestion about Scandinavia, what sort of arrangement would you propose? I won’t contest any British move to Norway, so you can rest assured on that front, however, I will have to keep a wary eye out for the destination of any British fleets reaching far into the north.
History Geek:
I’m pleased to meet you, and look forward to an excellent relationship. I’m sure as the situation develops it will be important to keep on good terms. Would you accept some complimentary tickets to the Bolshoi? Sorry, even I can’t swing parking, but at least you can get it validated at the ticket booth.
I’ve asked for no commitments. Nor am I willing to make any at this point. I have no fundamental issue with you and I splitting the Low Countries as you propose however an open English-French alliance does no dispose me to being particularly cooperative without any reassurances. The implication that my hesitation on the matter is a sign of aggression is patently slanderous and absurd, I’m sure the other Leaders are wise enough to see it as such.
Paranoid? In Diplomacy? Never!
Still that your opening salvo in communication, even before the game had officially opened, was courting France for agreement rings very loudly. I’m sure everyone can deduce what this might portend. I think maybe everyone should take a moment and realize that things which might be considered de rigueur in a PBEM setting take on an entirely different tenor with Open Press.
I get impatient with vague generalities and warm and fuzzy platitudes (plus it makes for boring reading, for players or spectators). After Spring '01 you and I could very well be in a position to come to some mutually agreeable arrangements of our own.
Like I said to Germany, more specifics to come after the Spring moves, which could include some buffer zone deals regarding the Barents Sea or even the Skaggerak.
Quick question to CatInASuit: will you tell us if orders are illegal or whatnot, like the Dip Judges do? Or will we sink or swim on our knowledge (or lack of same) of the movement rules and/or the proper names of the provinces?
I am going to assume you are all intelligent and know how the moves work. If you submit an illegal or incorrect order, the first you will know about it will be when all moves are resolved. However, as everyone can submit multiple sets of orders, if you do make a mistake it can be corrected, if you spot it in time. If you have any questions, then ask. Just don’t expect a fleet to move inland or an army to move into the seas. If I do have a question to respond to, and it is close to the deadline, I will probably extend the deadline to allow the question to be answered and the player to respond appropriately.
All the provinces on the map are marked. You can use either the acronym or the full title in your moves. As long as I can understand it, I will process it.