Retreats Succesful, Builds Recorded

Results for Fall, 1902 (Retreat)



Going into BUILD TURN:

Austria:

Supply centers were gained. Units that may be built: 1.

England:

England: A hol -> bel (Succesful Retreat to BEL)

France:

No Change

Germany:

Supply centers were gained. Units that may be built: 1.

Italy:

Supply centers were gained. Units that may be built: 1.

Russia:

No Change

Turkey:

Turkey: F bla -> ank (Succesful Retreat to ANK)

BUILDS:

Austria: A Bud
Germany: A Ber
Italy: A Ven

Builds on Map Graphic:

Map at End of Turn, Going Into Spring of 1903:

Switching to JDIP leads to more accurate resolution, better reports, uglier graphics

I have switched adjudication tools, from RealPolitik to the tool I should have started with, JDIP. I do this with some reluctance. I like the maps in RP better, however, JDIP just seems more accurate in general and has better turn results reports.

Results for Fall, 1902 (Movement)

Order Results:

Austria:
Austria: A boh Supports A tyr -> mun
Austria: A bul Holds
Austria: A gal -> vie
Austria: F gre -> aeg
Bounced with aeg (1 against 1).
Austria: A tri Holds

England:
England: A bel -> ruhEngland: F edi -> nth
Bounced with den (1 against 1).
England: A hol -> kie
Bounced with kie (1 against 1). Dislodged from ruh (2 against 1).
England: F nth -> hel
England: F nwy Supports F swe
Support failed. Move orders must be supported explicitly. (in other words, you have to be able to move INTO the area you are supporting on the same turn you support it.. Norway can't do that)

France:
France: A bur HoldsFrance: A mar Supports A bur
France: F mao Holds
France: A par Supports A bur
France: A spa -> gas

Germany:
The Army in Munich cannot retreat; unit destroyed.
Germany: F den -> nth
Bounced with edi (1 against 1).
Germany: A kie Supports A ruh -> holGermany: A mun -> ber
Bounced with sil (1 against 1). Dislodged from tyr (2 against 1).
Germany: A ruh -> hol

Italy:
Italy: F eas Convoys A tun -> syr
Italy: F ion Convoys A tun -> syr
Italy: A tun -> syr
Italy: A tyr -> mun

Russia:
Russia: F bot -> bal
Russia: F rum Supports F sev -> bla
Russia: F sev -> bla
Russia: A sil -> ber
Bounced with mun (1 against 1).
Russia: F swe -> den
Failed because Germany: F den -> nth failed.
Russia: A war -> pru

Turkey:
Turkey: F aeg -> gre
Bounced with gre (1 against 1).
Turkey: F bla Supports A con -> bul
Support cut by Move from Sevastopol. Dislodged from sev (2 against 1).
Turkey: A con -> bul
Bounced with bul (1 against 1).

There are two retreats to resolve in the upcoming RETREAT PHASE.

England, you are dislodged from Holland. Where do you wish to go? I will assume you want Belgium.

Turkey, you are dislodged from the Black Sea. Where do you wish to go? I will assume Ankara.

Please reply.

Nizz

MAP: End of game turn, slightly highlighting retreating units in yellow.

Fall 1902 Results

THE BALLOON GOES UP

The Following moves were recorded.

Austria:
A Bohemia Supports A Tyrolia - Munich
A Bulgaria Hold
A Galicia - Vienna
F Greece - Aegean Sea
A Trieste Hold

England:
A Belgium - Ruhr
F Edinburgh - North Sea
A Holland - Kiel
F North Sea - Helgoland Bight
F Norway Supports F Sweden - Denmark

France:
A Burgundy Hold
A Marseilles Supports A Burgundy Hold
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Hold
A Paris Supports A Burgundy Hold
A Spain - Gascony

Germany:
F Denmark - North Sea
A Kiel Supports A Holland - Ruhr
A Munich - Berlin
A Ruhr - Holland

Italy:
F Eastern Mediterranean Convoys A Tunis - Syria
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Tunis - Eastern Mediterranean
A Tunis - Syria
A Tyrolia - Munich

Russia:
F Gulf of Bothnia - Baltic Sea
F Rumania Supports F Black Sea - Rumania
F Sevastopol - Black Sea
A Silesia - Berlin
F Sweden - Denmark
A Warsaw - Prussia

Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Greece
F Black Sea Supports A Constantinople - Bulgaria
A Constantinople - Bulgaria

The resolution of the Orders Was like so:

Austria:
A Bohemia Supports A Tyrolia - Munich (Italy moves into Munich)
A Bulgaria Hold
A Galicia - Vienna
F Greece - Aegean Sea (*Fails*) (bounces against Turkish Fleet)
A Trieste Hold

England:
A Belgium - Ruhr (*Fails*)
F Edinburgh - North Sea (*Bounce*)
A Holland - Kiel (*Fails*)
F North Sea - Helgoland Bight
F Norway Supports F Sweden - Denmark (*Fails*)

France:
A Burgundy Hold
A Marseilles Supports A Burgundy
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Hold
A Paris Supports A Burgundy
A Spain - Gascony

Germany:
F Denmark - North Sea (*Bounce*)
A Kiel Supports A Holland - Ruhr (*Void*)
A Munich - Berlin (*Disbanded*) Munich now occupied by Italian player
A Ruhr - Holland (*Fails*)

Italy:
F Eastern Mediterranean Convoys A Tunis - Syria (*Void*) F Ionian Sea Convoys A Tunis - Eastern Mediterranean (*Void*) (see note, below)
A Tyrolia - Munich
A Syria, no move received

NOTE: this is a Realpolitik response. I have tried it a few times and there's some nuance I'm missing to getting a leapfrog convoy to work in RealPolitik. I've emailed the developer about it, but in the meantime, there's nothing that would cut this move, I *know* it is legal to do it, and have seen it a few dozen times. So I manually moved A Tunis - Syria.

Russia:
F Gulf of Bothnia - Baltic Sea
F Rumania Supports F Black Sea - Rumania (*Fails*)
F Sevastopol - Black Sea (*Fails*)
A Silesia - Berlin (*Bounce*)
F Sweden - Denmark (*Fails*)
A Warsaw - Prussia

Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Greece (*Fails*)
F Black Sea Supports A Constantinople - Bulgaria (*Cut*)
A Constantinople - Bulgaria (*Fails*)

NEWS, such as it is!

"In a stunning development, it is our sad duty to report that the Tsar has suffered a catastrophic stroke and is under the care of a team of doctors.The brain hemorrhage was brought on by reports out of Siberia. A team of cossacks were repulsed in their attempt to seize the capital of Iranistan. The reason for this disaster was the total failure of our supply services. The troops quickly ran out of food and had to forage.Cut off from their normal diet of prunes and bran, their ranks were swept by waves of constipation. Unable to maneuver, the army suffered an ignominious rout. Weare gratified to report that the leader of the force, Ivan Trowinchit, redeemedhimself in the traditional cossack fashion by throwing himself onto a large boulderas often as necessary. Oh, and by the way, we are now at war with Germany."

Tsar AlexievI

News from the Vatican -

The Pope has called for a new Crusade! At his recommendation, the Catholic armies of Italy have occupied the HolyLand, and are working on bringing the remains of the Holy Roman Empire back into the loving arms of the Church.

Lepanto (TM) - Giving the Italian something to do in 1902!

News from Berlin

No, I am not, and I repeat, it is NOT due to my position on the board...it is that I feel that some folks are forgetting that the name of the game is DIPLOMACY. That requires talking...to everyone...especially in this electronic media format. This game becomes a boring f*cking Euro without the talk...and rather pointless, an exercise in ludo-masturbation. I send out emails to everyone each time...would it hurt to at least respond, even if it is to say 'f*ck off'? At least then I'd figure it was received, and at least acknowledged. That's proper behavior for this game. Dead silence shows a lack of imagination, at the very least.

Sure, I know that some folks are more talkative than others...but I also know that, for damn near the whole game, only three people regularly correspond with me. I don't expect long diatribes, hell, just 'I hear you' would be enough...but in the electronic form of this game, you don't have anything to go on but silence. I can play this shit solitaire anytime I want...I would have thought that people got into this game for a bit of diplomatic banter & fun, but I guess I was wrong.

Mr. Nizz, I told you I was getting fed up with this, and I figure it's better to bring it out in the open rather than sit here seething. So, I'm sure this may make folks want to take me out, come & get it...I won't go down without a fight, even if it's a whimper...but to see the same pattern surfacing turn after turn...it's not why I play games...where's the 'fun' if there's no 'fun'? Note, I didn't say I had to WIN to have fun (heck, I had Italy last game, was doubly stabbed, and still had a blast! Why? Because people TALKED...) So, yes...I'm calling the silent ones on the carpet, Nizz. Consider it my 'News' for this round if you want.

News Flash, Reuters, Vienna, Imperial Foreign Service Public Affairs branch

Having secured our Western and Northern borders, the Army of the West will now stand down from expanding the Hapsburg Empire. Through marathon negotiations, a pact has been reached with the Italians. A fragile truce with the Russians continues to hold. Per the Ministries of State and War, we have no plans to expand into Germany at this time.

As for the East, we are making a steady progress in our expansion. With the help of the Italians, we plan to join in the Crusade to free the Middle East of the Evil Turks. While we continue to keep an eye on the rapidly expanding Russian.

And what of the British??

Revision! Fixed Support Orders!

At Start, Coming in From Winter 01

Orders attempted and resolved

Situation, End Turn

Spring, 1902

Teutonic Terrors! Turkish Trembling!
Steamroller in the Balkans!
Italians on the March!
The French put down snails and unsheath swords!
Gentle Holland under the heel of Perfidious Albion!
And what about those dang Russkies??

Orders for Spring 1902, as submitted:

Austria:
A Budapest - Galicia
F Greece Supports A Serbia
A Serbia - Bulgaria
A Trieste Hold
A Vienna - Bohemia

England:
A Belgium Supports A London - Belgium
F Edinburgh Supports F North Sea
A London - Holland
F North Sea Convoys A London - Holland
F Norway Supports F Sweden - Norway

France:
A Burgundy - Ruhr
A Marseilles Supports A Paris
A Paris - Burgundy
A Portugal - Spain
F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean

Germany:
A Denmark - Kiel
A Kiel - Ruhr
A Munich Supports A Kiel - Ruhr
F Skagerrak - Denmark

Italy:
F Ionian Sea - Eastern Mediterranean
F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Tunis Hold
A Venice - Tyrolia

Russia:
F Rumania Supports A Serbia
F Sevastopol - Black Sea
F St Petersburg(sc) - Gulf of Bothnia
F Sweden Hold
A Ukraine - Warsaw
A Warsaw - Silesia

Turkey:
F Black Sea Hold
A Bulgaria - Greece
A Constantinople - Bulgaria
F Smyrna - Aegean Sea

Map of Moves Attempted:

Resolution of these orders:

Austria:
A Budapest - Galicia
F Greece Supports A Serbia (*Fails*)
A Serbia - Bulgaria (*Bounce*)
A Trieste Hold
A Vienna - Bohemia

England:
A Belgium Supports A London - Belgium (*Fails*)
F Edinburgh Supports F North Sea
A London - Holland
F North Sea Convoys A London - Holland
F Norway Supports F Sweden - Norway (*Fails*)

France:
A Burgundy - Ruhr (*Fails*)
A Marseilles Supports A Paris (*Fails*)
A Paris - Burgundy (*Fails*)
A Portugal - Spain
F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean

Germany:
A Denmark - Kiel
A Kiel - Ruhr
A Munich Supports A Kiel - Ruhr
F Skagerrak - Denmark

Italy:
F Ionian Sea - Eastern Mediterranean
F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Tunis Hold
A Venice - Tyrolia

Russia:
F Rumania Supports A Serbia (*Fails*)
F Sevastopol - Black Sea (*Fails*)
F St Petersburg(sc) - Gulf of Bothnia
F Sweden Hold
A Ukraine - Warsaw
A Warsaw - Silesia

Turkey:
F Black Sea Hold
A Bulgaria - Greece (*Fails*)
A Constantinople - Bulgaria (*Bounce*)
F Smyrna - Aegean Sea

Map of Resolution:

End Map, Going into Fall of 1902

PRESS:
Breaking news from England:

In foreign news today, British forces have occupied Belgium at the request of her government. France and Germany were both rumored to have had their sites on her, but she has joined under the crown for her continued protection, we welcome the Flemish and Walloons to our fold! Increased supplies of chocolate and stockings are already evident on the open market.

On other fronts, Norway has also asked to be brought under the protection of the crown. Apparently there were fears and rumors of occupation via Sweden and Denmark. The people of Norway are now safe, and greater supplies of fish & chips are expected to hit local markets in a matter of days, and yes children, cod liver oil as well.

In further news from Europe, Germany has announced that she intends to subjugate the peoples of Holland. While Britain does not wish to go to war with any of the major powers of Europe, especially Germany, she cannot stand by and see this free nation subjugated by the Huns. Therefore, an army has been sent as a peacekeeping force to the shores of Holland. While this is sure to anger the Germans, the Government wishes to state that this maneuver
is simply a matter of protecting a free and sovereign nation, and not one of aggression against the German people.

In related news, it appears that Holland may not be the only country in Germany’s sites. It would seem that Germany is building armies in the North, ostensibly to attack either Russian or British holdings in the area. As a preventative measure, England has ordered the fleet in Norway to make no aggressive maneuvers, but to offer assistance to the Russian fleet in
Sweden, should she need it. Unfortunately, there was no time to alert the Russian ministries to this measure, it is hoped that the Russian Government will take no offense to England’s offer of support in this instance.

From Rome

Press Release: The Italians would like to announce the liberation ofCypress, and our continued plan to make control of 1-space islandsimportant in the Diplomatic world once again!

From Prague

Negotiation, what's that? We don't need no stinkin' negotiation....

From Saint Petersburg

Press Release: Fuming once again about the Krauts (The Germans and Austrians), the Little Father of All the Russias has retired to his dacha for amuch needed rest.Overwhelmed by the perfidy and confusing diplomacy, he has turned over the issuing of orders to his boyhood friend. Jay Ward.Expecting this to bring more stability to foreign policy, and let himself spend more time with Lionel, his train conductor, the Czar confidently expects peace and stability to reign.

From Paris

No Press received

From the Sublime Porte

No press received

The Arms Race, Winter of 1901

Austria:
Build A Trieste
Build A Budapest

England:
Build F Edinburgh
Build A London

France:
Build A Paris
Build A Marseilles

Germany:
Build A Kiel

Italy:
Build F Naples

Russia:
Build F St Petersburg(sc)
Build F Sevastopol

Turkey:
Build F Smyrna

Map, afterward:

Press:

Paris 1901

A major blight has hit the wine fields of France, as well as its Iberian neighbours. Given the potential economic loss, as well as the blow to French National prestige should vines have to be destroyed and replaced with vines from (shudder) California the President of the Third Republic has commited the entire resources of the French military to assist the afflicted areas.
Troops from the Army have been sent to the wine growing regios of Burgundy, as well as the hills of Portugal. The French fleet has been sent to assist our Spanish Neighbours.

Fortunately, wines from the German and Italian regions are not affected and therefore no military assistance to those regions has been required to date.

The President notes with sadness that the military movements of other powers in this dangerous year have not been motivated by such altruistic motives.

Fall 1901 Moves and Results

England Juggernaut in Norway and Belgium, Can he Be Stopped?
France Occupies Iberia!
Land Grab in the Balkans as Four Great Powers circle the Prize
The Sultan's Armies Idle as Austrian Jackboots are heard in the Acropolis
Swedish Schoolchildren now being taught Russian

ORDERS RECEIVED Fall 1901

Moves as the were received (note the correction to Austria and Turkey's mistakes attacking Greece)

Austria:
F Albania - Greece
A Budapest - Vienna (NOTE: I entered the first version of Rich's orders, and have fixed this on the map)
A Serbia Supports F Albania (*Ordered to Move*)

England:
F North Sea Convoys A Yorkshire - Belgium
F Norwegian Sea - Norway
A Yorkshire - Belgium

France:
A Burgundy Hold
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Spain(sc)
A Spain - Portugal

Germany:
F Denmark - Skagerrak
A Kiel - Denmark
A Munich Hold

Italy:
A Apulia - Tunis
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Apulia - Tunis
A Venice Hold

Russia:
F Gulf of Bothnia - Sweden
F Sevastopol - Rumania
A Ukraine Supports F Sevastopol (*Ordered to Move*)
A Warsaw Hold

Turkey:
F Ankara - Black Sea
A Bulgaria Supports A Constantinople - Bulgaria (*Fails* SEE BELOW)
A Constantinople - Greece (*Fails* NOT CONNECTED, KLAUS, I TOLD YOU)

Map at End of Turn. This fixes the Austrian Move.

Referee's Note: I received multiple orders from some players... notably Germany and Austria and Turkey. "Provisional" orders are certainly kosher as long as they come in before deadline. In Austria's case, I processed his FIRST version of the turn, and will have to go back and reenter the turn to generate the result you see on the map above. In Turkey's case, he attempted a move that was not physically possible, then tried to support it. I did attempt to notify the Sublime Port that this would be impossible but his response was: "I let it stand like it is...lets see what happens" Very well, these are the results.

STATUS GOING INTO WINTER 01 BUILD TURN

Status of the Adjustment orders for Winter of 1901. (MinistryOfSillyWalks-DIPLO)

Austria: Build.
Austria: Build.

England: Build.
England: Build.

France: Build.
France: Build.

Germany: Build.

Italy: Build.

Russia: Build.
Russia: Build.

Turkey: Build.

Unit locations:

Austria: F Greece, A Serbia, A Vienna.
England: A Belgium, F North Sea, F Norway.
France: A Burgundy, A Portugal, F Spain(sc).
Germany: A Denmark, A Munich, F Skagerrak.
Italy: F Ionian Sea, A Tunis, A Venice.
Russia: F Rumania, F Sweden, A Ukraine, A Warsaw.
Turkey: F Black Sea, A Bulgaria, A Constantinople.

Ownership of supply centers:

Austria: Budapest, Greece, Serbia, Trieste, Vienna.
England: Belgium, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Norway.
France: Brest, Marseilles, Paris, Portugal, Spain.
Germany: Berlin, Denmark, Kiel, Munich.
Italy: Naples, Rome, Tunis, Venice.
Russia: Moscow, Rumania, Sevastopol, St Petersburg, Sweden, Warsaw.
Turkey: Ankara, Bulgaria, Constantinople, Smyrna.
Unowned: Holland.

Austria: 5 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 2 units.
England: 5 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 2 units.
France: 5 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 2 units.
Germany: 4 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 1 unit.
Italy: 4 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 1 unit.
Russia: 6 Supply centers, 4 Units: Builds 2 units.
Turkey: 4 Supply centers, 3 Units: Builds 1 unit.

PRESS:

Breaking news from England:

In foreign news today, British forces have occupied Belgium at the requestof her government. France and Germany were both rumored to have had their sites on her, but she has joined under the crown for her continued protection, we welcome the Flemish and Walloons to our fold! Increased supplies of chocolate and stockings are already evident on the open market.On other fronts, Norway has also asked to be brought under the protection of the crown. Apparently there were fears and rumors of occupation via Sweden and Denmark. The people of Norway are now safe, and greater supplies of fish & chips are expected to hit local markets in a matter of days, and yes children, cod liver oil as well.

A passing comment from Italian Charge D'Affairs, Guido D'ello

Where's the Trust, Man? I've never seen so many armies, well, hoveringaround central Europe. All of us except Turkey have an army at or nearthe German border. Waiting. Watching. You would think the Kaiser was EVIL or something...

From Reuters, MOSCOW DESK:

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!
This message has just been received by our Reuters correspondent in Moscow:

Today, the Czar of all the Russias went into secret meeting with his Ministers of Foreign Affairs, The Army, the Navy, and of Truth. A crowd formed at the Main Gate of the Kremlin, waiting to see what would be revealed.

It turns out that Serbia has been seized by the double-headed Germans, and their government has fled to exile within Russia. The Slavic brothers are crying for their Little Father to free them from the Habsburg heel. The Czar made no comment but his visage was stern as he left the meeting. Rumor has it that an ultimatum has been sent to Vienna. Its seriousness cannot be doubted as the extra expense of using the telegraph was incurred as opposed to the more economical carrier pigeon.

News Flash

from the Österreich Journal, Vienna, Fall 1901
This correspondent has learned that in an act of blatant aggression, theRussians have seized control of our neighbors to the east, Rumania. Ourallies to the east have requested immediate assistance in dealing with theRussian invasion.There is a rumor circulating around Vienna, that an ultimatum has beenreceived from the Czar, and will be rejected. A state of war may soon existbetween Russia and Austria.

Karl von Faber
Special Correspondent,Österreich Journal

Dateline: Berlin

"The German ministry office was closed over the past weekend whilst the Chancellor decided to take a trip back to his origins, and convalesce. Needless to say, he was quite upset upon his return to find that the French have not concluded their maneuvers in Burgundy...for if they weren't there to move towards Belgium, one must conclude that they were there to watch
Munich...a place where beer only flows, not danger...the Germans are a peace-loving people.

Needless to say, he was also quite perturbed to discover that the Admiral of the High Seas Fleet could not read a compass, and instead of sailing into the Heligoland Bight to protect German Territorial Waters, he instead sailed north. Said Admiral has now been cashiered...

We have received telegraphs from the low countries, concerning the oppressive nature of the government in Holland, and it is becoming quite clear that we may need to send peacekeeping troops there next Spring in order to protect the lives and livelihood of the many German merchants and other foreign nationals that are bearing the heel of Dutch tyranny and their
onerous and xenophobic domestic policy there. We are much more tolerant of other people's cultures here in the Fatherland...

That being said, we agree with our esteemed Italian colleague...Germany's a wonderful place to visit, however please leave your weapons at home. We have plenty of our own here...but to be used in self-defense only, for our beloved Kaiser would never wish to be the first to fire..."

Spring 01 Results

Ominious Moves in the Balkans.

Armies on the March

Spring Maneuvers for the British Fleet

Clash in the Tyrol!

Armed Standoff in the Black Sea!

Here are the the moves BEFORE RESOLUTION:

Austria:
A Budapest - Serbia
F Trieste - Albania
A Vienna - Budapest

England:
F Edinburgh - Norwegian Sea
A Liverpool - Yorkshire
F London - North Sea

France:
F Brest - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Marseilles - Spain
A Paris - Burgundy

Germany:
A Berlin - Kiel
F Kiel - Denmark
A Munich - Tyrolia

Italy:
F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Rome - Apulia
A Venice - Tyrolia

Russia:
A Moscow - Ukraine
F Sevastopol - Black Sea
F St Petersburg(sc) - Gulf of Bothnia
A Warsaw Hold

Turkey:
F Ankara - Black Sea
A Constantinople - Bulgaria
A Smyrna - Constantinople

MAP:

RESOLUTION:

Austria:
A Budapest - Serbia
F Trieste - Albania
A Vienna - Budapest

England:
F Edinburgh - Norwegian Sea
A Liverpool - Yorkshire
F London - North Sea

France:
F Brest - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Marseilles - Spain
A Paris - Burgundy

Germany:
A Berlin - Kiel
F Kiel - Denmark
A Munich - Tyrolia (*Bounce*)

Italy:
F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Rome - Apulia
A Venice - Tyrolia (*Bounce*)

Russia:
A Moscow - Ukraine
F Sevastopol - Black Sea (*Bounce*)
F St Petersburg(sc) - Gulf of Bothnia
A Warsaw Hold

Turkey:
F Ankara - Black Sea (*Bounce*)
A Constantinople - Bulgaria
A Smyrna - Constantinople

RESOLUTION GRAPHIC:


SITUATION AT END OF TURN:

BREAKING NEWS:

From His Holiness the Tsar of All the Russias:

To my dear cousins.

It is the start of a new and glorious age. Out with the nineteenth century and in with the twentieth! We welcome a new, golden age of brotherhood and peace. It is by
thoughtful Diplomacy that nations advance in stature and maturity. Let us show
the world how Europeans settle their differences, and grow the human race on and on.

The future holds nothing but promise as science and reason blaze new
paths for mankind. In Russia, we welcome all of these great changes as benefits to
mankind, and add our pious hope that we can aid all of our great countries toward one, unified path to the future.

From the Sublime Porte:

My honest friends.

I have been busy in my harem the last couple of days to find divine joy and to ensure that the heirs of the great Ottoman empire are innumerable.

I will address your diplomatic dispatches separately in the next couple of hours but furthermost let me ensure you that despite the fact that vast parts of Europe are following the wrong faith we bear no animosities against our dear friends the rulers of Europe.


Mehmed V, Defender of the Faith

From Otto Von Bismarck, Foreign Minister, German Empire:

I must apologize for the uncharacteristic tardiness of my missives. however I have been having a devil of a time dealing with a problem in the Duchy of Strachenz. Seems some cheeky English fellow has been impersonating the Crown Prince of Denmark for the past few months, and now the sordid details are becoming known. Fortunately, I have instructed our armed forces to take matters into our own hands, and settle this pesky Schleswig-Holstein question once and for all. You know how annoying these upstart nations are.
Time to visit Copenhagen.

In the meantime, your foreign offices all should have received communiques from mine this evening. If you have not seen them, please let me know. I am a bit concerned about my cultural brothers-in-law to my southeast, but perhaps those damned vampires cut the telegraph cables again...they really
must improve on the infrastructure in the Balkans, you know...

In the meantime, my offices are now open. Look forward to hearing from you all.

OvB

News Flash from the Österreich Journal, Vienna, Spring 1901

In a brilliantly successful move, our Armed Forces have begun the occupation
of the Balkan States in order to create a buffer between us and the Turks.
Our Fleet has successfully occupied Albania and our Armies now control
Serbia.

We are highly concerned the movement of Turkish forces northward in to
Bulgaria. We are concerned that this may signal the start of an aggressive
movement north into areas that we consider to be within our sphere of
influence.

Of even more concern is the obviously belligerent tact taken by our
friends(?) from the North. In a move that is obviously designed to provoke
us, they have moved their Army into the Ukraine. This is definitely a move
that could have far reaching consequences on Russo-Austrian relations. Our
diplomats will be burning the midnight oil to defuse this situation. More
to follow.

Finally, the people in our western provinces are wondering what is happening
with our German neighbors, the attempted occupation of the Tyrol would have
threatened both of our provinces of Vienna and Trieste and could provoke the
Italians. This could lead to all out conflict in central Europe.

Karl von Faber
Special Correspondent,
Österreich Journal

Game 2: Ministry Commences

DIPLO: Ministry Sets Up

Setting up our Second Diplomacy Game here, I am naming this game "The Ministry of Silly Walks" or "Ministry" for short.

Rather than try a cobbled together PBM dice server approach to selecting countries, or that "Diplo Country Chooser" thing I did in Cyberboard, I decided to take the absurdly simple approach.

Here are the players, all of whom have confirmed there interest in playing. Emails obscured.

JAMES SPURNY US/TX jspurny@xxx

KLAUS KNECHTSKERN GE klaus@xxx

MIKE REED US/IL reedmt5@xxx

ANDY TURLINGTON US/MD andrewturlington@xxx

RICH LOW US/VA rjlow11@xxx

IAN SCHOFIELD CA/SK exrex@xxx

DENNIS LARGESSE US/MD besilarius@xxx

Filling Classic Diplomacy positions:

ENGLAND
RUSSIA
FRANCE
GERMANY
ITALY
AUSTRIA/HUNGARY
TURKEY

Method:
I simply wrote down E,R,F,G,I,A/H, and T on a piece of paper, and chits with player's initials, and randomly drew them out of a cup in the order presented above. This process yielded THIS

RESULT:
ENGLAND - Andy Turlington
RUSSIA - Dennis Largesse
FRANCE - Ian Schofield
GERMANY - Mike Reed (not a repeat position)
ITALY - James Spurny (not a repeat position)
AUSTRIA/HUNGARY - Rich Low
TURKEY - Klaus Knechtskern

Now, if everyone trusts that this was done in a relatively random and honest manner, THESE ARE OUR COUNTRY ASSIGNMENTS.

You may attempt to broker a swap if you like, before the first turn. But only if both parties agree via email and I am CC'd to the transaction at hotspur@xxx. (you know how to reach me, players)

If you don't like my random method, please say so now, and I'll try to cobble something together using a PBM dice server or cyberboard. Thanks!

We will aim for a turn a week. I will be flexible on Real Life issues, including my own, up to a point. Diplomacy will transpire during that week. Diplomacy must transpire over email. I will promulgate an address for Diplomacy emails to be CC'd to-- I don't want the hotspur mailbox to fill up. Once the moves have been made and ajudicated, I will post results and news on this blog, so that the map image can be viewed by all. I will copy to Consimworld as well, as many players have accounts there, in the "So a guy walks into a bar, see" blog.

Thanks for your interest, and let's have a good game.

Future Graphics will be generated by RealPolitik

Two More Players Needed

We seem to have more interest in a standard game than the Chinese Treaty Ports game I posted on a while back. That's fine!

I have the following players lined up for DIPLOMACY:

Mike Reed (US)
Klaus Knechstern (GE)
James Spurny (US)
Rich Low (US)
Andy Turlington (US)

We are two players short, unless we play with a deactivated TURKEY and ITALY variant.

We need to fill

ENGLAND
GERMANY
FRANCE
ITALY
AUSTRIA
RUSSIA
TURKEY

Interested in playing DIPLOMACY?