CSA 1914 News

[Guinness]

OOC: Ok, with Wilson now in Paris, you may feel free to ignore him, hurl insults at him, etc. at your leisure.

[P3D]

OOC: Ok, with Wilson now in Paris, you may feel free to ignore him, hurl insults at him, etc. at your leisure.

Strictly OOC: by hiding behind France? Honestly, one might have the totally wrong impression Wilson is nothing but an extension of French politics.

[Guinness]

Strictly OOC: by hiding behind France? Honestly, one might have the totally wrong impression Wilson is nothing but an extension of French politics.

Well, Paris was chosen for it's geographic convenience and the fact that Wilson knew the French would host him, but not much more.

I can see where one might get the impression that Wilson is representing the ego (using the psychological definition) of French foreign policy.

Still, if the CSA is going to cozy up to any foreign power, wouldn't the French make as much sense as any?

All that said, I imagine that there are editorials being written in the large number of anti-Democrat (and therefore anti-Wilson) newspapers in the CSA saying largely what you've noted.

[Tanthalas]

well since the swiss embasy is in Italia at the moment its a short trip to Paris, so without further adu (begins throwing greatings and benign insults)

[The Rock Doctor]

"The Deutcher Kaiserreich Brandenburg's ambassador to France will attend the conference on behalf of the Kaiser." 

[ctwaterman]

Consul Spurius Valerius Maximus with several military aids will arrive and sit at the table after consulting with the French Ambassador.   He will patiently await the arrivial of the New Zion representitive to France.

[Guinness]

OOC Administrivia:

The question has been asked if conference attendees will convene in real time. I'm not sure this is entirely necessary, as I expect NZ can deny their involvement in the attack on the Pope, and Italy can accuse them and make completely unrealistic demands to ward off war in non-real time, but I suppose something interesting might happen.

So, if Italy and NZ don't feel the need for a real-time meeting, just say so and exchange your insults constructive negotiations here.

If not and, if everyone else agrees that we ought to do this in real time, please post your availability (I guess in GMT to be fair) over the next couple of days.

For me, I'll be available (in GMT/UTC):

Monday: 0100-0330 or so, then 1500 - 2000
Tuesday: 0100-0330 or so, then 1500 - 2000
Wednesday: 0100-0330 or so, then 1500 - 2000

[Borys]

Ahoj!
I'm uncomfortable with chats, ICQs and such other. Also, I've already decided that the Habsburgs will not attend, nor send observers.
If a bunch of cut-throats guns down the Pope within spitting distance of a Major Power's Monarch, it is ridiculous to call a Conference of Powers to talk about an interested Major Power's actions against said bunch of emaciated-goat-bottom-fondling murderers.
Borys

[The Rock Doctor]

I'd prefer this be in the form of a thread, rather than a chat room exercise; it will be very difficult to keep track of what was said ten minutes earlier, and getting everybody who matters in there at the same time will be challenging.

[Guinness]

I'd prefer this be in the form of a thread, rather than a chat room exercise; it will be very difficult to keep track of what was said ten minutes earlier, and getting everybody who matters in there at the same time will be challenging.

Fair enough. Is there any opposition to just doing it in this thread, or shall we open a new one?

[The Rock Doctor]

A new one would be better, in case things get kooky and the Mods have to blow it up.

[Guinness]

Say so, and you receive...

[Guinness]

December 29, 1914

In the Cabinet Room at the Confederate White House, a hurried meeting has been convened. Joining President Roosevelt is the Attorney General, Secretary of War Wright, Secretary of the Navy Butler, The Deputy Secretary of State (filling in for Secretary Wilson), the Chief of Staff of the Army, and the First Sea Lord, or as his official title reads after a recent Navy Act, the Chief of Naval Operations.

"Gentlemen. Thank you for joining me so early on a dreary Tuesday morning. I trust that you all enjoyed the Christmas holiday. Let us waste no time. As you all know, our Italian friends are on the war path. I need to know what our options are. Could we begin with the diplomatic situation?" Roosevelt gestured toward the Deputy Secretary of State.

"Sir, as we all know Secretary Wilson is at this very hour sitting down with representatives of the Italians and the Zionites, as well as several other interested states. We have a pretty good idea of what the Italians demands will be, and they are well calculated to be refused. We expect that the Zionites will deny any culpability in the attack which resulted in the Pope's death, and plead that they are simply the target of Italian aggression."

"So are they? What do we know of the Italian's case?" Roosevelt asked.

The Attorney General answered: "It seems quite flimsy on the face of it, from what we know now. The Italians have shared with us only a summary of their evidence, but I'd call it highly circumstantial at best. When I was the District Attorney back in Atlanta, and this case crossed my desk, I'm not sure there would be enough evidence to prosecute it."

"But is it strong enough to go to war?" Roosevelt thought out loud.

"So Gentlemen, let's assume that Secretary Wilson's mission fails, and Italy and New Zion go to war. What of the other powers?" Roosevelt asked.

Secretary Wright answered this time: "It appears that the Habsbergers are very likely to join against New Zion. The Iberians have thus far have acted more mysteriously. They dispatched a significant cruiser force toward the region, but then issued a statement that they weren't going to war with New Zion, but rather were securing their interests in the region. On the other side, Orange seems certain to defend New Zion if attacked. Also, we have information that the Ottoman Navy has sent units south through the Suez canal toward the area as well. As you know, Sir, the Zionites were strong supporters of the Ottomans in the last war, including selling them two of our old battleships."

"So, if there is war, it seems that it will be the Italians and the Habsbergers against New Zion, Orange, and possibly the Ottomans? It seems likely then that if the Ottomans come to New Zion's defense, that the Iberians will certainly join their Austrian allies as well, yes?"

Both the Deputy Secretary of State and Secretary of War nodded affirmatively.

"So where does this leave us? If what the Italians claim is true, then the attack two years ago surely was an attack on their sovereignty. Don't we have a responsibility to help them?" Roosevelt asked.

"Sir, the Treaty of Nassau specifies 'Should one of the High Contracting Parties become the object of belligerent action by any third Power, the other High Contracting Party shall offer whatever support or forces necessary to overcome any threat or force.' So, in this case, we are required to offer support. The Italians though are not required to take us up on that offer." answered the Deputy Secretary of State.

The President, again thinking aloud: "Still, if I'm to avoid criticism that we aren't upholding our part of the deal, we must make such an offer publicly. There are already papers, after all, calling me a coward for not already have declared our military support for Italy. The gambit of allowing Wilson's peace mission will only hold off the Democrats for so long."

"Yes sir, and to do the converse, and declare that we will not participate would be a repudiation of our Italian allies," commented the Attorney General.

"Certainly any statement before the conclusion of Secretary Wilson's mission one way or the other would be unwise," noted the Deputy Secretary of State.

"Militarily, assuming we have to make at least a token effort of support for the Italians, what can we do?" the President asked.

Secretary Butler answered: "Sir, we've drawn up a number of naval contingencies, which I expect you'll want to study in detail." He handed the President a think folder. The minimal contingency would be moving part of all of the Overseas Squadron into the theater to help the Italians with a blockade. However, if we expect Orange to reply with force, this would force our people to operate as part of the Italian fleet. As you know, other than recent short exercises by the Overseas Squadron, we have not closely coordinated with the Italians on the battlefleet level. Orange has a strong and well trained battlefleet. The outcome of a battle between theirs and the Italians, even with the contribution of our ships already in Europe, would be far from a forgone conclusion."

"Additionally, we can expect Orange to engage in trade warfare, and even such a small involvement would mean that our merchantmen would become targets for them. We will be forced to mobilize all of our cruiser force, I'm afraid, to protect the sea lanes."

"If we are to mobilize so much of our forces already, we should consider mobilizing the entire battlefleet and scouting force. This, combined with the overseas squadron, would give us 10 battleships, 7 second class cruisers, 11 third class cruisers, and 11 torpedo rams. Orange would be at a great disadvantage in Battleships, having only three, though those three are qualitatively superior to our own ships. Orange will have more cruisers and torpedo craft available in the region, but we don't believe those would offer a decisive advantage. We might though choose to augment the battlefleet's torpedo ram allocation with ships from the Pacific. There are also, of course, contingencies where we dedicate less of a force, but Navy Department policy is strongly against dividing our forces in that way, as you know."

"What if we mobilized these forces. Do we think then that Orange might think twice about defending New Zion?" The President asked.

"They might, we don't know. They might sail out to meet us. They might try to maintain a fleet in being, and keep us busy containing them in port, while helping the Zionites on the ground. Truthfully, I believe this war will be decided on the ground, not at sea, but I don't think there's any option of us committing troops here." Secretary Daniels looked down the table at the Army's Chief of Staff, who nodded his head "no."

"What about the Colombians? If we mobilize our main body, should we fear a surprise attack?"

"We don't believe so," answered the Secretary of War. "With their fellow Catholic countries engaged in what amounts to a holy war with our help, it would seem politically impossible for them to attack us at our moment of weakness. Also, with the battlefleet gone, what would they attack? They could raid the coast and do significant damage, I suppose, but that's about it, unless they are willing to invade. They could make mischief in Central America, but that would risk the wrath of the Mark. The Departments of State and War agree that in this scenario Columbian action against us is highly unlikely." The Deputy Secretary of State grunted in agreement.

The President decided to wrap up the meeting. "Thank you gentlemen. I think the consensus then for now is that we wait and see. If asked, we are awaiting the results of Secretary Wilson's mission, indeed have every hope that it will succeed. If asked of our military intentions, I believe the best answer for now is to note that the Italians haven't asked for any help, yet."

[Desertfox]

Hmm... gotta get in touch with Jewish lobbists in the CSA and all those in the Bible Belt.

[Guinness]

Wilson wrote a short note and handed it to one of the men from the Paris Embassy. "Wire this to Richmond for me, will you?" The aid looked at it, it read simply:

"To: The President.
Peace mission a failure. War appears inevitable. I'm returning to Richmond.
-W"

Wilson had to wait for two hours before his train to Le Havre departed Paris. The train ride from Paris to Le Havre was a somber one for Wilson. He'd not had much hope that war could be averted, but there were positives to take home from France. There seemed to be growing consensus that there could be international mechanisms to control piracy, which was a start. And the Colombians seemed unusually supportive of his efforts. He made a mental note to make sure to discuss the Colombian involvement in the process with the Assistant Secretary for South America when he got home.

Wilson's train, the last train of the day to Le Havre, arrived well after dark. A young CSN Lieutenant was waiting for him with a cadre of sailors at the train station there. "Please Mr. Secretary, let us not delay," the young officer implored.

The steam launch took Wilson to Oklahoma, where a member of the Admiral's staff showed him again to the guest cabin, and then to the Flag Bridge, where Admiral Wainwright had just finished a meeting with the Captains of the Overseas Squadron.

"Mr. Secretary. Welcome aboard again. I'm sorry that I didn't meet you personally." The Admiral held up a typed sheet of paper. "Our orders from Richmond arrived just before your train did, so we had some work to do. We're to leave immediately."