The Mithlond Conference, July 1908

[Ithekro]

Rohan wants to be sure everyone attends the conference so that the war might end in a civilized matter.  That the waters of the Pacific (even the Eastern Pacific) have become dangerous, the Rohirrim escort is to be sure the Swiss arrive, as a one sided conference is a pointless one if the one not attenting has not yet surrendered.

[Desertfox]

Well. they'll most likely be running straight into the elements of Operation White Ice. Those ships might not be able to catch the cruiser, but with them being between the cruiser and its objective, I doubt the cruiser will be able to get past them.

Strange. I see no ships listed in the White Ice Task Force, be they Ghost Fleet? Japanese ships operating so far away from home wont be able to chase down a fast cruiser with a full load of fuel.

As for the Rohan escort, NS did not ask for it, I was prepared to run the whole journey unescorted.

[Walter]

the Rohirrim escort is to be sure the Swiss arrive, as a one sided conference is a pointless one if the one not attenting has not yet surrendered.

I would assume that the Swiss ambassador to Rohan would be dealing with the situation then...
... at least I assume that the Swiss have an ambassador there (unless he was kicked out).

Strange. I see no ships listed in the White Ice Task Force, be they Ghost Fleet? Japanese ships operating so far away from home wont be able to chase down a fast cruiser with a full load of fuel.

What can I say? Some operations are more secret than others. Remember that the couple of ships and the army unit for Operation Brown Viper aren't listed either in Japan's H2 Report.

[Ithekro]

The Swiss cruiser may do so if her captian feels like that is a wise option.  Neither of the two Rohirrim vessels can  keep up at speed for that distance as the ships that can were not sent to escort the Swiss.  Though a full out run at those speeds are probably not good for the cruiser's engines, nor crew (especially the black gangs shoveling coal).  Three days at top speed should get her from Swiss lands to Rohan.

[Carthaginian]

I hope the Swiss- for their sake- take the Mark up on it's offer.

Sounds like they are heading into some pretty warm waters; be nice to have a way from keeping them from getting hot.

[The Rock Doctor]

Save your energy for the conference, kiddies.

[Ithekro]

I would say start the conference without me, as I'm going on a trip for 12 days and may or may not have internet access over a mobile phone.

Rohan is pretty much here as nuetral ground and to moderate talks (basically to keep things civil, even if it means being a little heavy handed with security)

[The Rock Doctor]

6 July 1908:  Mithlond

Eduard Torres listened with patience as his Rohirrim equivalent opened the conference with an eloquent speech about the need to make peace in the Pacific and how the Twenty-One Points of Wynson were a means to accomplish this.  He then moved on to lengthy "housekeeping" comments, about decorum and protocol and so forth, concluding his speech with the observation that he was primarily there to moderate the discussion, rather than lead it.

In the ensuring silence, the many delegates eyeballed each other with various mixes of curiousity and wariness.  Torres was not surprised at this, and decided that he would attempt to set the tone for the day by speaking first.

"Thank you, Mister Chairman.  The current war in the Pacific has now been underway for approximately eight months, in which time we have witnessed, and for most of us, participated in, multiple failed attempts at brokering peace.  It is my sincere hope that this conference will end differently, with a negotiated peace that all can accept.

"I think that we can perhaps set aside the Points of Wynson, despite their utility as a starting point in conversation.  Many of the points contained within it are either moot or insignificant in the grand scheme of the world.  There is no point in arguing over reparations that amount to just a fraction of your annual budgets. There is no point in arguing over bills for damage suffered in the conflict; war is not peaceful, and you should expect that some of your equipment or facilities will be damaged.  There is no point in arguing over who is to blame for the war; you can not expect compromise if you also expect the other side to accept fault.

"Instead, I would submit that there are only two issues worth concerning ourselves with.

"First, the fate of Formosa and Hainan.  These were members of the Swiss Confederation, and are now held by the Allies, primarily in the form of the Middle Kingdom.  I believe that New Switzerland can not regain these islands except at crippling cost to itself, and therefore that the logical course of action is to instead focus on the relief, reconstruction, and political future of these islands.  We had seen some reasonable progress on this issue in previous discussions, so I am optimistic that we can engineer a satisfactory outcome.

"Second, the fate of other territories currently occupied by invading forces, and the residents of those territories.  You will forgive me if my list is not quite up to date, but I currently read the following to fall at least partially into this category:  some islands in the East Indies, New Guinea, New Amsterdam, Tasmania, the Spratlies, some of the North Marianas, the Aleutians, and Easter Island, the status of which seems to fluctuate monthly.  Where the territories are firmly controlled, they are of minor economic or human significance; where they are significant, their control is far from assured."

Torres paused to allow the various aides and stenographers around the room to catch up with him.  When the scribbling and typing had stopped, he continued.

"Now, let me present the views of Gran Colombia on the current conflict. 

"It is the view of Gran Colombia that neither side in this conflict is currently capable of winning this war either decisively or quickly.  By all accounts, both sides have sustained massive losses at sea and on land.  The other major territorial fronts - Tasmania and New Amsterdam - are in stalemate.  At sea, massive attritional battles have left both sides capable only of limited operations at the expense of weakening or removing defences in other theatres. 

"It is the view of Gran Colombia that continuing this conflict will result in several of the involved powers being reduced to shadows of their past selves, vulnerable to predation and shunned by those of us neutral powers who have tried to convince you to make peace. 

"It is the view of Gran Colombia that the conflict continues to have considerable scope for expansion.  All it takes is one mis-identified ship, one poorly executed operation, to bring in other powers against you.  Ask yourselves how your war effort would fare if a nation such as France, Gran Colombia, or the Confederated States of America were to join your enemy as a result of a mistake you made. 

"It is the view of Gran Colombia that both sides must have a realistic mandate for these negotiations.  The Allies can not expect to enjoy significant territorial gains or for New Switzerland to accept its own dismemberment.  New Switzerland can not ignore its lack of international support or the consequences of its ill-advised foreign policy implementation, nor expect to exit this conflict completely unscathed.

"Finally, it is the view of Gran Colombia that this war is beginning to negatively affect our interests.  Certain import commodities are becoming scarce and expensive, with expectations that our economy will be negatively impacted.  Insecure shipping routes in the Pacific are threatening our export markets, driving up insurance rates, and, in at least one instance, causing our shipping lines to lose vessels.  The existence of states we consider friends and trading partners is becoming threatened.  Therefore, it is the expectation of Gran Colombia that both sides in this current conflict will negotiate in good faith, and will come to terms for peace at this conference.  Should the conference terminate without peace, Gran Colombia will re-evaluate its existing status of benevolent neutrality to both side, and may take actions deemed necessary to preserve peace and order in its sphere of influence, much as we have in the recent past.

"With those harsh but necessary words spoken, I assure you I am committed to seeking a reasonable peace, and wish you all luck over the coming days.  Thank you."

[Borys]

Count Przewalski nodded while listening to the Colombian diplomat. You can't make an omlette without breaking an egg - so loss of ships, men, equipment was part of the situation. And nothing to get exited about.
Interesting that there was steel behind the seemingly balanced words - later he'll accost the Colombian for some definition of sphere of influence. Although at present Habsburg-Colombian relations were excellent - with their hereditary president attending the wedding in Prague - it was prudent to know who-considered-what to be their spheres of influence.

[Borys]

- These old eyes aren't what they used to - is the New Swiss Confederacy represented?

[Walter]

I would think so. Either that representative (if he survived the trip across the Pacific) or the Swiss Ambassador to Rohan (if that representative did not survive the trip across the Pacific).

[The Rock Doctor]

This conference is off to a rousing start.  What, have you people got better things to do with your Saturdays?

[Tanthalas]

im waiting for the Swiss to post...

[Ithekro]

I'm in Louisville typing on a mini-keyboard attached to a 2" screen.  I won't be typing long stories much for now.

[Borys]

OOC
Rock, the slow start is partly due to the interesting parties waiting for war reports. It is tough for me to talk about Niu Amsterdam not knowing if my troops had been driven into the sea, or had made Australian units scatter like chaff in the wind ...

Borys