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The Declaration at Potsdam
Topic Started: Nov 16 2013, 07:41 PM (1,188 Views)
Margrave
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Margrave Adrian knew that he stood at the precipice of a new era for the German people everywhere, but he wished he had more time. He had spent months gently plucking strings, testing waters, probing weakness, but others had caught wind of his plans. Organizations such as the CEDO and the new ICON council stood as obstacles, but they're not insurmountable, given that he was swift. The Lacedaemonian League was a step in the right direction, but its talks went nowhere and its activity fizzled out.

He carefully wrote out seven invitations and sent to their destinations in Dusseldorf, Vienna, Prague, Marienburg, Cologne, and Riga. The last was sent to Atratinus, the Porcuian. Perhaps a challenge from the Margrave, but also perhaps an olive branch. Another letter was tentatively sent to the Kasynians.

The Margrave's Letter
 
Fortune has always smiled upon the German people, and this modern era is not different.
The strong, industrious, creative, and radiant people of Germany must be united or they will fall to their enemies and detractors. A conference is being held in Potsdam that will determine the future of Germans everywhere.

Grossdeutschland must be united and she must be free.

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OOC: Since the Lacedaemonian League died out, I'm doing this to get the ball rolling again.
Edited by Margrave, Nov 16 2013, 07:44 PM.
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Kasnyia
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In Kasnyia, the newly minted Prime Minister was intrigued by the proposal. Ludo felt much the same sentiment as in the letter and so immediately had sent an envoy, Lord Zubasch Dahl to accompany the Colognian delegation.
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

Who could have possibly imagined that the envelope that found its way to Atratinus immediately after the announcement that Canae Ardea Gularis had won the presidential election in a landslide would so engross the now former President that he dropped all thoughts about parliamentary politics entirely for the next hour?

The letter from the Margrave truly surprised the seasoned Porcuian politician. Firstly, the Margraviate had rested in a sleep-like state for enough of a period of time for their memory to slowly slip from the consciousness of most European statesmen. Secondly, what was this regarding a unified German state?

"Another attempt at the Lacedaemonian League.."

Atratinus chuckled as he wrote out his acceptance. He was now a privatus, but to conclude that his word carried no further weight in Ariminae was absurd; to assume that his presence was a waste of time would be laughable.

He wondered how much the Margrave had grown compared to their first encounter. Atratinus was eager to see if he would still easily chill.
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Whal
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The Margrave's letter had reached Schlesinger's own personal desk in Vienna. All at once, the Chancellor's fears about a resurgent Lacedaemonian League had resurfaced after several months of relative safety following the waning of the league's importance to the major European heads-of-state.

Schlesinger would have attended himself had he not been needed so frequently in the capital - one could blame the Hungarian situation for that. Alas, he would send Foreign Minister von Franke in his stead to act "responsibly" on the behalf of the Federation. Schlesinger did not mix words, the Margrave's proposal would not become reality should it lead to militarized nationalism. Instead, von Franke would be tasked with attempting to draw young Adrian von Lebus into the C.E.D.O coalition if possible.

Sending a quick statement to Prague to confirm the Federation's intentions, Schlesinger cared little for the Marslavan opinion, but rather wished to inform his ally that the Federation was still willing to oppose any forms of unification under a pretense of militarism.

Nonetheless, Schlesinger would have to wait to see how the meeting turned out. Hopefully, the Federation's first actual war wouldn't arise against another German nation.

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Rhadamanthus
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The Baltic Germans responded positively to the Margrave's invitation. Recent events had made it clear that nations around the world were preparing to wage extermination warfare against the German nation, and the War Council's priority was defending against that threat. The Declaration of Potsdam made it clear that the Margravate was aware of the threat as well. Apart, the German peoples would be destroyed by their enemies. Together, they would naturally dominate all those around them.
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Alberto
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Lady Daria Slavnikova, Marslavan Ambassador in Vienna

The Grand Duchy of Marslava sees with concern the rise of German nationalism under the patronage of the Baltic Germans and the Margrave of Brandeburg. The Grand Duke and Marslava's democratic government see with inquietude the prospect of cooperation of irresponsible states that want to destabilize the precarious European peace. Truly, since the Grand Duchy of Marslava is the only major non-German power in the Central Europe, this is an anti-Marslavan alliance directed at aggressing all the Czechs, Slovakian and Hungarians who have never threatened the Germans. My Sovereign would like to be proved wrong and requests that this assembly abandons any ambition of German racial domination, to craft a peaceful organization which may bring stability to this continent.
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Margrave
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The Margraviate would like to point out that nowhere has it been said that this coalition is one bred of militarism and warfare. The Amish of Dusseldorf are just as German as the Teutons.

Marslava, as well as the Federation, has been invited to this conference as a counter to the more militaristic states. It is the decision of states such as Marslava as to the whether or not the peace of Europe will continue. The nations invited seek no quarrel unless quarrel seeks us.

If the people of Germany wish for union, let there be a Union for Germans.
Edited by Margrave, Nov 20 2013, 12:57 AM.
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Margrave
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The Margrave von Lebus and the members of his delegation sat the center of the long, C-shaped table. The ornate New Palace in Potsdam was the symbol of the Prussian victory in the Third Silesian War, a fact compounded by the peaceful annexation of much of the same land when the Moffs had defected. Inside the arch of dark wood a map of central Europe was projected from multiple angles, giving the illusion of an almost 3 dimensional chart.

Adrian didn't understand the science of it, as this technique was of Moffist nature, but he hoped the other delegations would be as impressed as he. Little flags dotted the various positions on the table, one for each country present. Two young page boys opened the doors to the state room, allowing the delegates to spill in.
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Kasnyia
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Cardinal Hubert Welles, Pope Bartholomew III's hand-picked emissary, was the first to arrive, followed by the Kasnyian envoy, Lord Dahl.
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New Harumf
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Roland Kleppe, Elder of the Amish Children, entered the chamber and looked for a seat. He was instructed to monitor the meeting, particularly for any aggressive behavior on the part of the other Germanic Nations in attendance. He was also instructed to agree to nothing without a full vote of the elders. He found a seat off to the side, and tried to make himself comfortable and inconspicuous. This would be difficult considering his plain clothes and diminutive stature.
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

Vopiscus Tarquinius Atratinus strolled into the proceedings with that aura about him that caught many an eye and sent chills through those who knew the former President. Having no set deadline or formal orders, Atratinus was eager to simply observe the discussion.
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Whal
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Foreign Minister von Franke, his military attache, and two Abwehr bodyguards composed of the Federation's delegation to the Potsdam conference. Minister von Franke casually walked to the large c-shaped table and looked for his seat. Nodding towards the only familiar face in the room, von Franke smiled as he sat between President Atratinus and the empty seat marked with the Marslavan flag. Von Franke politely struck up a conversation with the Porcuain as he waited for the other delegates.



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Margrave
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With most of the delegates seated, the Margrave began.

"Honorable delegates of the German people: allow me to welcome you to Potsdam, and to thank you for attending this conference."

"Here, in this room, at this table, we are about to make history. This is a turning point in the saga of Germans everywhere. The industrious and glorious people of Germany seek unity, and unity we shall have."

"A unified Germany under a pretext of War is not our goal." He glanced to the Marslavan and East German delegates. "The last time our nations were unified it led to grave consequences, plunging Europe and the world into two great wars, and still effecting relations today. This Germany is one for order and stability, not one of conquest and warmongering."

"However," Adrian continued, "we are not a weak people, and a threat to Germans anywhere is a threat to Germans everywhere."

Adrian gestured to the projected map.

Map
 


"These are the maximum borders of the Federation of Grossdeutschland. The white circles are the current national capitals, and the singular black circle is Potsdam, here, the proposed capital of the Federation."

"The dark grey countries are what I have deemed 'Schedule 1' nations. They are the nations at this conference, who have heeded the Declaration and the call for unity. The areas in Red are unorganized territories deemed 'Schedule 2.' They are regions that either have a German-speaking majority, like German Switzerland, or have historically been considered German, such as Alsace or Silesia. These territories will be incorporated over time into the Federation, and will be given referenda for membership."

Adrian would allow time for some discussion regarding these aspects before moving onto the administration of the Federation.
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Rhadamanthus
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The Baltic German delegation had arrived just before the Margrave began to speak. This was a matter of immense importance to the Baltic Germans, so they listened intently.
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Alberto
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The Marslavan delegation was wary of the proposals of the Margrave. This was not because of any dislike toward him, or the state he represented. Simply, an aggressive German unity was a threat and there were some proposals that confirmed it to the Marslavans. This said, a closer regional cooperation could be beneficial for all.

"The orange areas in the map" said Lord Anton von Mittrowsky "are not entirely populated by Germans, Grossdeutschland would annex territories inhabited by Poles and French Swiss. Like them, we too are not German. German is one of Marslava's languages, we have many ethnic Germans, but we are not German and cannot accept to delegate our sovereignty to a project of German unification (or even expansion)."

"However" said the Marslavan delegate "not everything is bad in this proposal. For instance, a Central European Free Trade Area could be created through these negotiations and an alliance similar to C.E.D.O could be formed. This said, even if we know the intentions of the Margrave are not bad, we cannot consent to become part of a wide Ethnic German Confederation, particularly because we are not German."
Edited by Alberto, Nov 30 2013, 05:26 PM.
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Kasnyia
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Cologne will not be party to anything that includes the Teutonic territory.
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Whal
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Foreign Minister von Franke remained quiet at first in response to the Margrave's first invitation for open discussion. Unfortunately, he could find little to disagree with on the limited information he had been given so far. If the proposal was to be offered on a basis of pan-assistance rather than nationalistic expansion, then the Federation might be more willing to entertain a partnership with the Grossdeutschland member states.

Moreover, no matter how much he sympathized with the Marslavan delegate's opinion, von Franke had issue in supporting his claim as Margrave Adrian had promised to initiate referendum in order to dispel such fears. However, the East German Federation would agree with the proposal to draft some type of agreement between the C.E.D.O coalition and the Grossdeutschlanders on the basis of trade and economic advancement of the region. After all, despite being used as a deterrent to the Lacedaemonian League, C.E.D.O had been formed to help the peoples of Central Europe live in prosperity.

"The Federation would be supportive of this organization if it remains resolute in its promise to uphold referendum, but will politely refuse to be a part", von Franke commented briefly. "We shall remain beholden to the mission set forth by C.E.D.O, and do eagerly promote a cooperation between that organization and this one as long as the people of Central Europe are treated fairly."

"Likewise, gentlemen, the rights of Germans match the rights of other Europeans and it is under that pretense that the Federation offers a proposal to join C.E.D.O in the hopes of united regional cooperation."

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Margrave
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"While this course of action is regrettable, I understand and I sympathize with Cologne. The Teutonic Order is removed from all further proceedings, and is no longer represented in the Federation." Adrian said.

Next he addressed the Marslavans; "While the Marslava's removal of themselves from Grossdeutschland is also regrettable, we can in no way force them into any commitments. However, the claim to Schedule 2 areas are valid, and doubly so if the referenda are approved. The areas of Switzerland are linguistically and ethnically German, and the French West and Italian south are excluded from the Federation. Silesia only became Polish after the Second Great War, when the Germans were forced from their homes by the Communist Poles. Nonetheless, the Poles in the region will be given referendum."

Finally, he turned to von Franke. "I respectfully ask the Austrians to reconsider their decision. A unified Germany needs a diplomatic power, and if both the East German Federation and the Grand Duchy of Marslava are extant more militaristic or autocratic minds could come to dominate central Europe. Again, we can force no decision upon any state, and only ask for reconsideration."
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Margrave
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"But, for now, I will move on to the administration of the Federation."

"Firstly, the members of the Federation will administrate their respective States, and the Schedule 2 Territories that they expand to cover." Margrave Adrian flicked the screen on a tablet, making changes to the map. "Assuming that the Schedule 2 Territories are successfully integrated and that the Austrians join the Federation, this is planned map of the States of Grossdeutschland.

Map
 
"In the West and South, I believe the Cologinans and East Germans are most capable of defending our borders from Gallic and Occitan warlords in the French Frontier. Knowing that the Mennonites would like to remove themselves from conflict, they are insulated from any means of outside attack, while still gaining many of the important cultural sites and healthy economic areas in Bavaria. I hope that the my guests from Livonia will excuse the lack of Expansion in the North. Also, the islands of Rugen and Usedom are not under Kasynian administration, that was my mistake."

"The Administration of the Federation on the federal level will comparatively weak to the state governments. A single official will be elected to the office of "Kaiserprasident," who will commander of the Federal Armed Forces, which will be made of volunteers from the states, and independent from the joining nation's militaries, which will remain under the control of that state. The Kaiserprasident will be elected by the Verwaltungsrat, a council made up the most senior of the State's citizens, usually a head of State. For example, the Margrave of Brandenburg would the Verwaltungsrat representative of the Margraviate. The machinations of choosing a representative are left up to the state, preserving the rights of the states to choose their government. A democratically elected Prime Minister could be another example."

"On the matter of international relations, all member states may conduct outside diplomacy and trade as they see fit. War by a state with an outside power must be approved by the Verwaltungsrat, with the Kaiserprasident choosing whether or not to deploy the Federal Army, or Bundeswehr, to that state. The full force of the Federation can only be brought down by a supermajority of 4/5ths vote in the Verwaltungsrat."

"The Verwaltungsrat will meet in Potsdam every 4 months; on January 1st, April 1st, and August 1st. A member of the Verwaltungsrat can call for an emergency session at any time. The Verwaltungsrat will create laws over the whole of the Federation, but they must be ratified by a 4/5ths supermajority. No NEW laws in the States can contradict any law of the Federation. Standing laws created before the formation of the Federation may stay."

"Trade between the states is to be free and unregulated by the Federal government, and the states can trade freely with outside powers."

Again Margrave Adrian paused to allow for discussion.
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New Harumf
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At the mere mention of the word of "Kaiserprasident" the Amish representative physically recoiled. He knew of Kaisers from the Bible, most notably Augustus Kaiser and Tiberius Kaiser. The very word raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Then, of course, there was the Beast himself, Kaiser Nero, who's reign of terror on early Christians knew no bounds. So, this is their plan, to re-establish a Caesar of the North, a German Uberfuhrer! If this proceeds he will have grave news to report to the Elders.
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Kasnyia
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Lord Dahl, the Kasnyian delegate, cleared his throat. His nation had been invited here, but for the particulars of certain matters regarding Cologne, his presence here seemed wasted thus far and decided to see if there was any reason for the Prime Minister to pay heed to this idea.
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Whal
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Von Franke, noticing the grimace made by the Amish delegation, also had some serious issues with the office of a "Kaiserprasident", albeit not for religious reasons. Additionally, the claim the Margrave had made regarding the Federation turning to more militaristic or autocratic minds without Austrian or Marslava's admittance definitely put the East German delegate slightly on edge. However, von Franke was still not convinced the Grossdeutschland Federation presented the peoples of central Europe with a better alternative to C.E.D.O. If anything, the meeting proved how fractured and disjointed the various central European states were at present, and he had serious doubts a German led alliance was the best course of action.

"Your Grace", von Franke began, addressing Adrian, "I would firstly like to congratulate you on your ambition and good-natured intentions in proposing such an alliance. In a time of serious stress and disillusion within our region, it is important for the various German nations to remain determined towards greater cooperation and the prosperity of central Europe. However, I fear this Grossdeutschland Federation to be only addressing the problem partially. Surely, greater German cohesion and cooperation can be achieved through expanded trade and equal relations with our other non-German neighbors?"

"It is for this reason, your Grace, that the East German Federation cordially invites and insists that all nations here consider joining the C.E.D.O coalition. C.E.D.O promotes a safe, stabile, and trans-equal opportunity for all nations inside our region to unrestricted trade, communication, research, protection, and assistance devoid of nationality or ethnicity. No doubt, an alliance based on those two former restrictions is surely more susceptible to conflict and the further disillusionment of our people? C.E.D.O offers the same stability of which the Grossdeutschland Federation proclaims, but with the added benefit of additional non-German powers."

"The East German Federation wholeheartedly urges the various nations here to consider merging this proposed organization into C.E.D.O. However, my nation will not appose any state from joining the Grossdeutschland Federation, but will continue to remain politely separated from its composition."
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Margrave
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Adrian was not oblivious to the recoil of the Amish representative at the mention of "Kaiser," nor was he blind to Dahl's very apparent boredom. After asking the plainly dressed dressed man to voice his concerns, Adrian listened while he meekly spelled out the theological reasonings behind his worries with the position. Adrian listened carefully, as he was ignorant of the Mennonites and their customs, and wished to avoid anymore metaphorical mines. "Perhaps," he began, "the office would be better named 'Konigprasident,' 'Grossprasident,' or simply 'Prasident?' I would hate for the Amish Children to be absent for a linguistic issue."

He addressed the Kasynian next. "I know I have yet to mention the great Empire thus far, and I apologize for that fact. Kasynia is as German as any here, and would have the same rights and advantages as any member if they were to join. We have focused on Cologne simply because it is closer to home."

He was unsurprised to the banter for the CEDO, but he had expected the Marslavans to advertising it, not the Austrians. "von Franke, Grossdeutschland is not the opposite of the CEDO, and indeed both have much to offer. If the Federation was successful, one of the first motions I would suggest would be to join the CEDO. But realize that there is a difference between a confederated nation and a simple alliance."

"Before continuing, I would like to clarify that this is an open for-" He would try to stay away from Roman terms "...the floor is open for discussion, anyone is allowed to voice opinions or alternate ideas."
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Kasnyia
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As Protector of Cologne, Kasnyia also reserves the right to have Cologne leave this federation along with itself should it be detrimental to our interests. We do not believe this will ever be the case of course, but it must be stated nonetheless.
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New Harumf
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Roland Kleppe's mind was not eased by the flippant response and change of words by the leader of the conference. Words said cannot be unsaid; they hang in the ethos like a swarm of locust waiting to return and devour the fruits of your labor. He would listen, and report faithfully to the Elders.
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