Gran Colombia is represented by its ambassador to Orange, Sr. Pascual Serrano.

Yea, that's what I thought. Thanks for telling me.

Quote from: Guinness on May 26, 2010, 06:55:33 PM

Quote from: Logi on May 26, 2010, 06:44:51 PM
Oh... non-invited powers can watch?

The Republic of China will be sending Ambassador Fei Fung as observer.

No I think some just lack reading comprehension sadly. See: http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=4983.msg59598#msg59598

Doesn't mean someone can't come.

Actually it does. Invited guests only. Others will be escorted to the nearest hotel and secured tickets on the next steamer out. There are too many nations here who wish ill towards each other. The probability of someone trying something underhanded is MASSIVE. Having unneeded persons just places too many strains on security and increases the likelihood of something going wrong.

At least in the case of Rumania you didn't get the "Pound sand" response the Dutch got.  ;)

June 19, 1919
Master Dining Hall
Karimjee Hall
Dar-es-Salaam, Deutsche Ostafrika

Heinrich Albert Schnee, Governor of Deutsche Ostafrika: "Greetings honorable guests. Welcome to the Jewel of Deutsche Ostafrika, Dar-es-Salaam. We are gathered here to discuss the current situation relating to claims by the Kingdom of Italia in relation to the Kingdom of Zion and their interpretation of a treaty that was signed in this very hall not but just 4 years ago. May our discussions be meaningful and honest. Gentleman, you have the floor."

Roosevelt, tapped by the current President as something of an 'Ambassador at Large' due to his knowledge of the agreement, his keen interest in naval technology and his reputation as an honorable (if occasionally abrasive) man looks as anxious as if he had been told to skin a live boar with a knapped flint knife. The tension in the air is not just palpable, it seemingly generates a pressure of it's own beyond that of the atmosphere. Several of the most antagonistic groupings of nations in the world are represented here... a lot of ill will crammed into such a small place.

"This is the kind of place where disasters are far more likely than miracles" Teddy thinks.

Prince Marcus Aquila Camila wearing the Uniform of an Italian Army General looks at the other guests and slowly rises to speak.

Gentlemen, Honored Guests, The Empire came to this Conference in a spirit of cooperation  to attempt to find a peaceful solution to what is otherwise a situation fraught with peril.  The Empire seeks peace in this region because it is so very important to the  economy of the Empire!  New Zion has a history of hate and distrust towards the Empire.  And Since 1904 when a former Swiss Army officer became King of New Zion through the Assassination of that nations King the nation of New Zion has been a virtual puppet of the New Swiss Republic!!

Despite claims made by many here doubting the claims the Empire put forth concerning the Empire stated Casus for our war with New Zion all I can say is that the Evidence linking the attack in Rome against the gathered Heads of State of the Habsburg Empire, the Iberian Empire and the Italia Empire and the murder of the Pope exists.  We will not talk about evidence necessary to convict a person in a court of law.  The reason we do not talk of the rule of law is that relations between nations are not ruled by laws?  When a nation is threatened or attacked it has the right to defend itself.  And if the attacker is a cowardly Assassin sent to protect the identity of the attacker still the attacked nation has a right to defend itself!

Now, we return to what I said earlier the Empire came here in the Spirit of Cooperation, we activated no ships, only responded to any  increases in the state of readiness among the troops of New Zion?  But I have received reports of New Swiss ships taking up positions just 500 Nautical Miles from the Imperial Province of Somalia.  The New Swiss are prepositioning ships and they are using this conference to do so.  The Empire will not ideally standby and be attacked yet again by New Swiss or their Vassals!  The Empire is being forced to respond and as of a week ago all Imperial Forces in East Africa have been put on War Time Alert.

Perhaps we should not have excluded the Romania Representative because evidently the port the New Swiss are using was belongs to the Romanians, leased from the Sultan of Oman who is allied  with the Orange Republic ??  The Empire has dispatched Duke Augistino to Constanta to seek an explanation from Empress Flowranis for the Swiss use of one of their Leased Ports?

In Conclusion Gentlemen the Empire will eagerly await your responses!
 

Rousseau still seated speaks up:

"New Switzerland is very dismayed at the position Italy has presented. We have just started and you are trowing accusations around already? I thought you came here to find a peaceful solution. Maybe I thought wrong.

I will not speak about Zionite history as that is a topic best left to my friend here from New Zion. But I do seem to recall that Eritrea was not just gifted to Italy. Am I right? And that was before there even was a New Zion.

As for the alleged attack, what evidence is there? How can we know that it was not just fabricated as an excuse for war?

Did we come here to discuss anything new or just old stuff recycled again, cause Italy feels like invading nations once again? Can we get on to the meat of why we are all here?

So we relocated some ships to a Swiss base in the Indian Ocean. Last I checked that was not a crime. What's next Eskimos complaining about a battleship in Alaska? With Italy making threatening noises we thought best to send a few ships to keep an eye out and make sure the Italians don't try anything funny against the Swiss. I am pretty sure that you have already received intel on exactly which and how many ships we redeployed. And unless the Italian Fleet is much weaker than we think, you should not be afraid of them one bit. A pre-Arcadia and some destroyers an invasion force does not make. Oh and don't bother asking the Romanians for clarification, the lease on the port was transferred to us by them."

*Administrative interlude*: Doesn't this thread belong in News? Moving it there...

* A second administrative interlude *:

Do we expect there is press coverage of the conference?

OOC. Press, not from France in this case. Admiral Geon and Monsieur Grange kept the pressies out .

On the other side, after the Italians and New Swiss had their say, Admiral Geon gives a hand signal and one of the aids standing by gets instructions.

A few hours later, an uncoded  message reaches Paris.

"Arabic Sea troubles confirmed by all parties. Stop
Urge activating military assets of North Africa-Suez Djibouti Island Ceylon. Stop
Geon, stop"

---

Paris, Premier Galpoux's office.

Merde, merde merde. I took office, and I got war. I'm finaly looking towards my last  year of office, and I get another war.
Denise,
Get Lebrun and Capet back Stat. Smooth out the diplomatic situation , claim urgency.
I don't care how, but I want both back yesterday.  And call Monsieur Grange.
Euhm, Premier, Monsieur Grange just arrived, he claimed that you will summon him...

Send him in. We have lots to discus.

*Prince Marcus Aquila Camila leans back in his chair and listens to the speach given by New Swiss representative.  He scribbles a note on his note pad and shows it to one of his Military aides.  He simply smiles as the New Swiss representative finishes and seems to be waiting on who will speak next?*

"Good morning.  On behalf of President Alizandro, I thank the government of the Deutsch Kaiserreich Brandenburg for hosting this conference.

"Not so long ago, my government worked with others to bring about a delicate peace in East Africa, following the eruption of war between Italia and New Zion and Orange.  Implementation of the peace treaty has not gone as smoothly as might have been desired, hence our presence here again today.

"Given Gran Colombia's heightened interest in East Africa, we are anxious to see the existing friction between Italy and New Zion and New Switzerland resolved through diplomatic means.  I have a broad mandate to work with these governments, and those of other powers, to accomplish this.  It is my hope that, through hard work and dedication to peace, that a renewed and lasting peace in East Africa will be the result of the conference.

"Conversely:  should this conference fail, Gran Colombia will wash its hands of the matter.  There will be no further diplomatic interventions on our part.  We will step aside and let you settle your issues with bullets and bombs until one of you begs the other for terms.  We will secure our waters, our borders, and our rights - with whatever level of force necessary - and watch you grind each other down.

"Thank you."

Ambassador Delalle rose his voice: "Gentleman^*, we are not here to discuss the the events from four years ago - they are history," and adding much quieter "though everyone in this room seem to know a different version of what happened." he continued aloud: "I therefore propose that we first decide exactly, what we have to or want to discuss here, to ensure the peace in the region we all want." - This sentence is accompanied by a doubtful look from minister Smuts towards the New Swiss delegation. - "Otherwise I fear, that we might not get to any conclusion at all."

---

^* assuming there are no women present at the table

Teddy is still taking notes, comparing them to some notes from his aides and generally waiting for one side or another to make a clear case based on current events.

He knows that New Zion has been receiving arms from the Swiss, and that they are legally obligated not to. He knows that they are receiving military training from the Swiss, and that they are legally obligated not to. He knows that they are deliberately antagonizing Italy by doing so, and that they are legally obligated not to. What he wants, however, is for someone to actually come out and say that.