Den Telegraaf 1916

[Blooded]

My general 'issues' with the Dutch-Siam conflict.

Try as I might, I still see little reason for the conflict in the first place. The canal would be an economic failure, its value could never exceed its cost, because of the extremely short length of the detour it provides.

As a strategic 'backdoor' to undercut the netherlands militarily, it would also be a failure. Dirigibles could observe any comings and goings, if desired a naval force could then intercept an enemy force easily at either end. In fact, in that regard it could benefit the Netherlands by funneling enemy vessels to predicted courses. If it was ever deemed necessary, it could be closed by army action easily, either by destroying locks or even invasion.

Why guiness and maddox thought it would be fun to provoke the netherlands paranioa and put us through another Asian conflict is beyond me.

Personally, I find the 'sneak' attack offensive. It is the tool of a weak nation. Using Gas, is another tool of a weak nation. You have more 'Elite' units in the area than they have an entire Army, yet that was not deemed enough. One gets the impression that the Netherlands considers the Siamese to be a MAJOR threat. I don't see it.

As France I would be offended that the sole reason you did not resolve this politically, was due to the minor french involvement(ie. pre-preliminary talks). You are lucky that your population is so positive on this conflict, I would not have expected it.

The stated reason for the conflict is that the netherlands does not view Siam to be a soveriegn nation able to chose their own path (Ie, going to war because one diplomat/businessman TALKED to another). The 'terms' offered seem no less than to create a puppet-state of Siam. Completely unreasonable.

Russia's official attitudes and actions will be forthcoming soon.

[Korpen]

My general 'issues' with the Dutch-Siam conflict.

Try as I might, I still see little reason for the conflict in the first place. The canal would be an economic failure, its value could never exceed its cost, because of the extremely short length of the detour it provides.

As a strategic 'backdoor' to undercut the netherlands militarily, it would also be a failure. Dirigibles could observe any comings and goings, if desired a naval force could then intercept an enemy force easily at either end. In fact, in that regard it could benefit the Netherlands by funneling enemy vessels to predicted courses. If it was ever deemed necessary, it could be closed by army action easily, either by destroying locks or even invasion.

Why guiness and maddox thought it would be fun to provoke the netherlands paranioa and put us through another Asian conflict is beyond me.

Personally, I find the 'sneak' attack offensive. It is the tool of a weak nation. Using Gas, is another tool of a weak nation. You have more 'Elite' units in the area than they have an entire Army, yet that was not deemed enough. One gets the impression that the Netherlands considers the Siamese to be a MAJOR threat. I don't see it.

As France I would be offended that the sole reason you did not resolve this politically, was due to the minor french involvement(ie. pre-preliminary talks). You are lucky that your population is so positive on this conflict, I would not have expected it.

The stated reason for the conflict is that the netherlands does not view Siam to be a soveriegn nation able to chose their own path (Ie, going to war because one diplomat/businessman TALKED to another). The 'terms' offered seem no less than to create a puppet-state of Siam. Completely unreasonable.

Russia's official attitudes and actions will be forthcoming soon.

For the reason for war the way it was done was just as important as the issue itself, if not more so.
Both Siam and France was perfectly well aware of the Dutch view on the canal building, and neither approached the Kingdom to try and reduce fears. This is a clear indication that their intentions were hostile to the Kingdom. There were clear indications that a guarantee of independence (GOI from now on) was forthcoming from France to Siam as well, and everything at my end pointed to that to approach Siam with talks would trigger that publication removing any leverage the Kingdom could have. And finally one should add in that the plans as my Intel got them indicated that major naval bases would be build by France and other states in the canal region, which in context is an incredibly provocative gesture.

The largest military problem is not to knock out the canal itself, as such, but to do it is Siam and France is not direct parties to the conflict, but behaves like Siam did the last time. That is; offering bases, Intel, provisions and other forms of support with the added ability to move ships across the peninsula. Such behaviour would match both French and Siamese previous actions, and that would be absolutely nothing that I could do about it without giving France the casus belli they seek.

Siam IS a major threat, their deployable forces exceeds mine by almost 2-1, and total force in Asia is 5 vs. 5,5 corps., not a major difference in numbers, as for gas, it is a specialised weapon used by special artillery in special circumstances, not really a mass weapon.

Siam could do whatever they want, and as what they wanted was a war they got it, perhaps they should have been more careful with their wishes?

[Sachmle]

It's ok Korpen. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course it's the breech opening on my 35cm guns as they reload, but nevertheless it is still a light.  ;)

[Korpen]

It's ok Korpen. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course it's the breech opening on my 35cm guns as they reload, but nevertheless it is still a light.  ;)

And the point with this comment is what?

[Logi]

He's asking for you to slug him... that's the point.

[Sachmle]

It's ok Korpen. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course it's the breech opening on my 35cm guns as they reload, but nevertheless it is still a light.  ;)

And the point with this comment is what?

The point is that this is still a game. Play it. Enjoy it. Don't get so worked up about it. You've been very uptight about SE Asia for a while, I can solve that problem for you.  :) Never forget rule number 1: Play the game, not the rules. If you don't like 'surprises' go play WesWorld, everything there is scripted and boring. (Sorry Rocky, Walter, Kirk...just IMHO)

[Desertfox]

If you don't like 'surprises' go play WesWorld, everything there is scripted and boring. (Sorry Rocky, Walter, Kirk...just IMHO)

...despite my best efforts to the contrary...

Gotta say, low level talks between a pair of diplomats is a VERY tenuous excuse to go to war.

[Korpen]

Gotta say, low level talks between a pair of diplomats is a VERY tenuous excuse to go to war.

A drop do not have to be the largest to be the one to make the cup overflow, it is not like I do not have old grievances in regards to Siam.
Also, I act on the IC info I have received from a variety of sources, rather then the news post, low level is not what I would call it.

[ctwaterman]

Just Because Im Paranoid Doesnt mean people are not out to get me !!!!!
Ok keeping the above quote in mind there are justifications for what everyone is doing here and it will be all very much more ammusing if I can manage to sit on the side line and watch.   It probably wont keep me from bitching and winning about freedom of navigation issues but if I stopped winning about that I think some of you might get nervous ;)

I also expect many of the large powers to go on ignoring the Empire's views on territorial waters and such until my Navy gets much larger. :o

So please have fun and enjoy the war I find them interesting and as soon as we get through October 1st the Empire can look forward to having a foreign policy directed by individuals and not by Committee. ;)