Dutch/Siamese War: The Takashima Conference

[The Rock Doctor]

"Everybody is here now, Senor", Victor Alejandro de Gruda y Balboa's aide murmured into his ear.

"Hmm", the Colombian ambassador muttered.  There were delegates from Siam, the DKB, the RRC, Indochina and Romania, and observers from Japan, Rohan, Iberia, Orange, and New Switzerland. 

The Japanese had helpfully provided him with a gavel, but he opted to commence the conference by tapping his spoon against his teacup several times.  The many ongoing muttered conversations trailed off, and he set the sppon down on the saucer.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning.  My name is Victor Alejandro de Gruda y Balboa, representing the Republic of Gran Colombia to the Empire of Japan.  Thank you for joining me here today as we look to create a diplomatic resolution to the current war in Asia.  I would also like to express my gratitude to the Japanese people for allowing us to meet on neutral ground in this most striking setting.

"Before we commence in earnest, let me address some housekeeping issues.  There is ongoing refreshment service, so please gesture to the nearest attendent if you are in need.  Lunch will be served at noon, and I'm told it represents a wide range of local cuisine.

"Lavatories are outside and to the left.  Side rooms have been set aside for each delegation to use for caucusing as required - these rooms are marked, and the attendents would be pleased to direct you there."

He glanced down at his notes, more to demonstrate an end to the housekeeping notes than anything else, and continued.  "The initial conflict between the Netherlands and Siam has escalated into a regional conflict that threatens to grow further.  Civilian populations are being killed or displaced, and the world's economies are being disrupted.  Our purpose for being here is, as representatives of our respective states, to explore options and chart a course for a new peace in Asia.

"You will have noticed by this time that a Dutch delegation is not currently present at the conference.  It is my hope that one may yet arrive; if not, it may not be possible to completely resolve the issues before us.  However, there remains an opportunity for us to address the issues between the Reformist Republic of China on one side and the Kingdom of Siam, Independent Indochina, and the Deutscher Kaiserreich Brandenburg on the other.

"That being said, I would ask that belligerents present their opening remarks in order of their entry into the conflict:  Siam, the DKB, the RRC, Indochina, and then Romania.  Neutral observers may then present statements.  After that, I will ask delegates in the same order to present any peace proposal they may have.  Following this, I will open the floor to general debate and discussion, so please hold your rebuttals and retorts until then.

"Thank you.  Would the honorable representative for Siam please introduce himself and address the conference, please?"



Out-of-character note:

I expect most of us will henceforth write in the first-person perspective in this thread.  In that case, everything you write is in-character, and will be heard by all in the room.  If you wish to have a whispered conversation, or pass a note, do so by sending the intended recipient a PM.  Only copy these PMs to those you want to hear or see the message.

If you post an out-of-character question or comment, please italicize it like this so we know it's not in-character.

In-character conversation can take whatever course it does, but the moderators expect polite out-of-character interaction as always.

Assume that we are still in the first day of the conference until I advise otherwise.

Game on!

[Guinness]

Kamol Niratpattanasai, the Siamese Ambassador to Japan, rose slowly from his seat at the table. Japan was second only to the Middle Kingdom in the order of precedence for Siamese consular posts, and accordingly Niratpattanasai appeared quite wise and distinguished, despite his diminutive stature.

He first turned to face the Japanese observer and said, in Japanese: "I'd first like to take a moment to thank the Empire of Japan for so graciously hosting all of us here in this magnificent and beautiful place." He bowed deeply.

Then he straightened up and turned toward Ambassador Balboa of Colombia. In Siamese this time: "And I'd like to thank Ambassador Balboa and the Colombian government for taking the initiative to gather us all here." Switching now to Spanish: "Muchas gracias, señor."

He took a moment to collect himself and take a sip of water.

"Gentlemen, let us now cut directly to the heart of the matter. Siam has been the object of wanton aggression on the part of the Netherlands. With no Dutch representative here, it seems little can be done to resolve that conflict. Let me assure you that Siam, with the assistance of it's German and Indochinese friends, is well prepared to push the Dutch into the sea if necessary."

He took another sip.

"Siam has no idea what has motivated our Chinese neighbors to the north to attack us and our German and Indochinese friends of late, but we hope that they will soon recognize the benefit of peace and cooperative prosperity, as they did last summer at the end of the brief unpleasantness on the Burmese frontier.

"My King has asked that I convey this message to our Chinese neighbors: turn back and go home now, return to your side of the border, and our two nations may have peace immediately, and with no further malace."

[Logi]

OOC: Huh!? I swear I already responded to this! ???

The Republic Ambassador, Mr. Gun Weijun, nodded his head towards the Siamese Ambassador before slowly rising from his seat.

"First of all, the Republic would like to thank the Colombians and Japanese in their hospitality in offering a neutral area to talk for peace. We were already looked for such a arrangement.

The Republic restates its position on this conflict: we were tricked in this war. My Prseident has asked me to convey this message to our Siamese neighbors, we will withdraw immediately if Siam declares peace with us. We will take nothing, we will leave the land as if was when we walked upon it. Our only concern is the need to sort out many things with the Germans and Indochinese, the Indochinese in particular.

We are not pleased with the lies that Indochina has spat out against us in their attempts to stir nationalist fever in their country. We do not care how you justify your actions as long as you do not involve us in your warped reality. Your actions have stirred hatred from the people and it will be hard to die down.

As for the Germans, they have indicated a different idea to a peace solution and thus more will need to be talked out between us."

His fresh suit made Gun look very Western, but that was not on his mind. It was how to follow through on his President's orders while minimizing harm done to relations with other nations.

[Sachmle]

Standing slowly, Karl Fritz Mueller, a fiery red head in his youth, now the regal silver-maned elder statesmen of the Kaiserreich at 74 years young. The fire still burned in his eyes as they made narrow towards Mr Gun before turning towards the rest of the personage present.

Honored hosts, illustrious guest, and renown visitors,

I, like the previous speakers, feel the need to express both my nations, and my personal gratitude for allowing us to have these meetings in such a glorious place. While many opinions have no doubt formed as to why the Deutscher Kaiserreich Brandenburg entered into what was a limited regional war, the true reasoning was complex. To allow peace to reign again, certain realities must be satisfied to some degree. But first, allow me to explain them.

While our intentions in the Second Pacific War against the Swiss were right and just in our eyes at the time, the repercussions have only now began to be felt. The Swiss, through Lord Henry, had managed to convince us that they have seen the light of peace and we can begin to trust them. Settling into their own endeavors and interests the sudden power vacuum in the Pacific left us staring at a situation that we could not deny, outside interests aside, we needed to step up and take charge of the region, for the benefit of all. Of course there are rumors of revolt and counter-revolt now, casting doubt on that work.

The Middle Kingdom suffered revolt and rebellion. The lasting effect is the nation of the Reformist Republic of China. An erstwhile offspring of the Great Middle Kingdom, they are much more extroverted than their former leaders, and attempt to effect their policy on those around them. With recent incidents in Burma and a close border with our colony in Nord Indokina, wary eyes were cast upon them. For many years a 'homeland first' opinion amongst the leaders of DKB, combined with good relation with the Middle Kingdom,  had left Nord Indokina nearly indefensible if faced with an onslaught of RRC troops. After witnessing the compassion, but lack of action, on behalf of Burma in their incident with the RRC it was decided that the best way to counter any possible unwanted intentions on behalf of them towards Nord Indokina was a strong South East Asia of independent nations. We provided material and technology to Burma, and chose to support Siam in this war because of that. We've made good relations with Independent Indochina for these reasons as well.

The Dutch, meanwhile, happened into an unexpected hornets nest when they attempted to convince the Siamese that THEY knew best for Siam. While we do not profess to know what's best for Siam either, we are fairly well certain that being a vassal of the Dutch is NOT in their best interests, and therefore, in ours. Who better to defend the nations of SE Asia from outside intervention then those nations themselves. None are strong enough alone, all together stand a chance, if WE are to protect OUR interests, their interests must be protected as well.

Hense, we find ourselves at war with prior allies and allied with prior enemies. While there is no 'personal' issues with the Dutch, we cannot allow them to dictate policy in our sphere of influence, especially if it is not in our best interest. Had they attempted to mediate, or even discuss issues prior to launching a war of obvious aggression and inherent conquest, things may have very well worked out quite differently. However, they felt they did not need to. Whether it was because they though us uninterested, uninvolved, or simply to weak after watching us bleed dry at sea for them in the war with the Swiss is unknown to us. At the time it may have mattered, now it does not. We will see the Dutch removed from the sovereign nation of Siam, no matter the cost. Once that is achieved, then we can discuss where things go from there.

Now we find ourselves facing that onslaught we always feared, the RRC has come calling, and it's bill is in blood. They claim they were tricked into war. One either desires war, or one does not. If one does not desire war they can only be bullied into it in self defense. Who attacked RRC? I don't remember any communique stating that RRC had been invaded. Yet they invade our colony. They attack our cantonment, graciously allowed to us by the Middle Kingdom. They make claims of ill will and subterfuge. Yet these same people, just a short while ago stated that they desired to "Wipe all non-Asians out of Asia". This strikes us as an open threat towards our interests in Nord Indokina. Now they're attacking us, without provocation on our part. Independent Indochina's actions our not our own, and while secretiveness was necessary to operations, there 'misleading' RRC into attacking us is laughable at best. No there are reports of horrendous actions on the parts of the RRC troops in Nord Indokina, and more to follow I'm sure. Are these reports true? I don't have that information at this time, nor do I wish to discuss them without that information.

Now I find there is no Dutch representative here to discuss peace options with. How am I, and my nation by proxy to take that? Is peace not worth their time, are WE not worth their time?!? This is an outrage, and a horrendous slap in the face. We do not take kindly to either. For the time being, I only have the following points to offer, and they are directed at the absent Dutch. One will note they are the very same requests we issued at the beginning of hostilities:

All Dutch army forces are to vacate the sovereign nation of Siam with utmost haste.

All Dutch naval vessels are to vacate the waters of the sovereign nation of Siam utmost haste, with the following exception.

All efforts to remove Dutch sea mines will be made with most haste.

Reparations will be paid by the Dutch to any nation who's ships were sunk by said mines.

Reparations will be paid by the Dutch to Siam for any infrastructure damaged during the invasion.

The Dutch shall no longer, nor at any time in the future, interfere with Siamese intentions to build a canal across the Kra Isthmus.

Dutch military personnel on the Kra Isthmus will be limited to no more than 1 corps.

The Dutch shall openly except the current borders of the sovereign nation of Siam as true and will respect these borders at all times.

As to the RRC, issues with them will be discussed by those in power and decisions will be forwarded to me with utmost haste.

I am truly sorry this is all I can offer at this time gentleman.

[TexanCowboy]

Ambassador Ion Mitzler walked to the podium, aided by a walking stick. His wife had to assist him as he stepped onto the podium, as he was still recovering from for a case of penumonia.

First of all, I would like to thank the nation of Gran Columbia, for hav ing proposed this conference, and the nation of Japan, for having hosted it. I would also like to thank the delgations from the various nations for having come, to try and create a noble, lasting peace.

Although we are not directly invovled in this conflict, we are allies of the Reform Republic of China, and united with the DKB againist the Dutch menace. I would like to take this time to answer the question of why we were invovled in this conflict to begin with, as I have been asked by several people over the course of these peace talks. We joined in defense of our Hohenzollern brothers in the DKB againist the evil influence of the Dutch.

However, even if we are not directly invovled in this conflict, I have been authorized to share a proposed peace treaty from Romania. A copy is being passed out to each of you. It reads

The RRC will immediantly cease hostilities toward Indochina, Siam, and the DKB.

Indochina, Siam, and the DKB will immediantly cease hostilties toward the RRC.

Indochina and the DKB will pay compensation for the 3 RRC costal battleships destroyed in the form of one new 12,000 ton light battlecruiser each.

The RRC will immediantly withdraw all forces from Indochina, and pay for the IC that it damaged.

All mines by both sides in the South China speed will be made with upmost haste. 

My goverment will not propos any peace treaty toward the Dutch, as by showing they do not care for peace, they show that they do not care for their future. Thank you for allowing me to submit these proposals on the behalf of the Romanian goverment.

[Walter]

"None are strong enough alone, all together stand a chance," Dr. Fu Manchu mused. "Very interesting, Herr Mueller. Of course, all would have to be willing to stand together, tollerate each other and work together. Can they do it? Who knows? Japan is a good example that it can be done. Neo Swiss, Japanese, Manchurians, Koreans, Taiwanese, Hainanese, Ryukyuans, Sakhalinians, Russians, Aleutians. Alone we are weak, together we are strong. We are all individual groups, yet all those groups are part of a larger whole called the Greater Japanese Empire." He grinned slightly. "Perhaps the nations of Southeast Asia you speak of want to join us so they would know what makes the Greater Empire of Japan work.

"Anyway... I am Fu Manchu. As representative to the Greater Empire of Japan and as host nation of these peace talks, I all welcome you here at this beautiful location. No doubt you may have made arrangements, but if you want, our Host has informed me that you are welcome to stay here at the palace for the duration of the conference.

"I believe that the Chinese statement to 'wipe all non-Asians out of Asia' is a bit of a poor choice of words, perhaps something that escaped from this young nation due to emotional reasons and fustration which could be the reason they cannot control their desire for war as well as other nations and because of that, it would be easier to trick them into a war.

"And what do we do about the Dutch absence? For the conference to be a complete success, their presence is needed as they play a major part in this conflict. I know that our Host is patient, but everyone has a limit when it comes to patience and I fear that if nothing changes here, we need to take steps on an international level to make the Dutch understand that none of the nations will tollerate it when the Dutch deliberately let this conflict drag on."

[Tanthalas]

Arwen of Edoras stood and walked slowly to the Podium as befit a Lady of her Station, it simply would not do to appear Hurried for any reason.  Arriving she made a small curtsy to all Present Glancing at the large man still standing by her seat.

"Gentlemen it is my pleasure to attend this Conference for The Kingdom of Rohan, I have my fathers full trust in these matters, and he sends his regrets that his health would not allow his attendance." She said with a small grin.  "Furthermore I would personally like to express my gratitude to our Nippon Hosts and the Nation of Gran Columbia for making it possible, However I am disheartened to see that the Dutch refuse to attend and I will have more to say on that later in my remarks"

"Mr. Weijun are you not here on behalf of a people in Rebellion against your rightful Lady? Did your nation not invade another Sovereign Nation? No Mr. Weijun I find your position that you were pulled into this war through Trickery a total farce, not even worthy of Discussion in these august quarters so kindly provided by our Nippon hosts" she said glaring at Mr. Wiejun and offering a small bow to Mr. Manchu.

"Heir Mueller it is truly a Pleasure to see you well my Father will be most pleased to hear of you recovery from your Recent Illness, and he wishes me to Convey to you that The Mark never forgets their friends"

"As for the absent Dutch" she shook her head and tried to hide a small grimace "it is apparent they care not for Peace, and as my brother is so fond of Saying War is Waste gentlemen.  All War is Waste.  This war is no less a waste than any other"

Pausing to glance around the room she considered her next statement very carefully, she hadn't been briefed on the Romanian delegation but to her it was obvious they came to support the Chinese Rebels.

"Mr. Mitzler why please tell should Siam and the DKB pay for the Losses by the Rebel Chinese faction, did not their supposed government order the ships in question to attack these Sovereign Nations? Was that not an act of Open aggression? No sir let them bear their own costs and pay the price for attacking another member of the world Community as well."

She looked around the room sharing Kind looks with some and Baleful looks with others "that is all I have to say for now, but you can be sure I will have further remarks as these discussions Progress" she then turned and walked in her measured pace back to her chair which was held out for her by the Large man who was escorting her.

[The Rock Doctor]

"Thank you, Senora", says Victor Alejandro de Gruda y Balboa.  "I have two questions for the various belligerents.  Your answers would aid us in determining how we are to proceed.

"First, are Siam and partners negotiating potential ceasefires as a bloc, or as individual parties?

"Second, are DKB and RRC engaged in a parallel negotiation process - and if so, may we be enlightened?"

[Desertfox]

The Swiss observer is overheard remarking... "...had they let us finish the Dutch of a few years back, we wouldn't be having this problem now. And the Chinese are exacly who we said they are..."

[Sachmle]

Standing quickly before Herr Mueller could respond
"If I may answer that for you, Senor Gruda."

There was a great whisper as those in the know recognized the speaker as the former Kronprinz Wilhelm, exiled to Japan after his failed coup in 1905.

"Undoubtedly this is the most stupid, senseless and unnecessary war of modern times. It is a war not wanted by Siam, I can assure you, but it was forced on them, and the fact that we were so effectually prepared to defend them is now being used as an argument to convince the world that we desired this conflict to begin with. I can assure you, we did not. However, we will not rest until this has seen it's course, be it here at this table, or there on the field."

"We respectfully state that our intentions here are to benefit Siam, and we will only sign any agreements they sign. There will be no separate peace. As to any ongoing negotiations with the RRC, those discussions are closed at this time. Here is where all problems will be met and any agreements will be made."

[Walter]

Dr. Fu Manchu leaned over to Lady General Aragaki Yukie, who had been assigned to him as aide.

"<Who is that wench?>" he whispered to her in Ryukyuan.

"<Arwen of Edoras. Youngest daughter of King Theocro the Third of Rohan,>" Yukie whispered back as she continued to write things down.

"<I dislike her already.>"

"<Why?>"

"<Running her mouth like that. Not very subtle when trying to solve volatile matters with an unstable nation like the Reformist Republic of China.>

"<I think it is actually quite a bold attempt to solve the situation.. flawed but bold...>"

"<Don't like that Mitzler either. They joined the Brandenburgers against the Dutch, but at the same time Romania is allied with the Chinese, who attacked the Brandenburgers... and then they have the guts to dare and call Indochina and Brandenburg to build a ship as replacement of the three ships the Chinese have lost. It does not matter whether the Chinese were tricked or not, the fact remains that they were the ones who attacked and they themselves are the only ones to blame for the loss of those three ships.>"

"<So you agree with Lady Arwen then?>"

"<Yes, but I would not have thrown it forward as bluntly as she did. Well... We'll see where this will lead us.>"

[TexanCowboy]

Consel General Ion Axlexru leaned over to Ambassador Mitzler.

"No offense, sir, but you really messed up your presentation.Was that item about building a ship even on the proposed treaty?"

"No, it was not. But I was paid to do this by a pro-RRC group. I would rather the Middle Kingdom exist in whole than negtionate for them."

"Very well, sir."

[The Rock Doctor]

de Gruda y Balboa said, "Ladies and gentlemen.  If I understand correctly, Siam has suggested that a simple Chinese withdrawal and ceasefire will satisfy it.  Meanwhile the Chinese state that they were tricked into the conflict.

"Let me ask, then:  could the RRC on one hand, and Siam, Indochina, DKB, and allies on the other, agree to a simple ceasefire and withdrawal to pre-war borders?  No conditions, no reparations?"

[Guinness]

Niratpattanasai: "Yes."

[Sachmle]

Herr Mueller: "We are in agreement on this issue. IF the RRC withdraws to pre-war borders we will not follow them. IF they do not ask for reparations, we will not ask for reparations. IF they respect the RRC/MK border, and therefore release Hankow back to us we will have no issue with the RRC."