Uberstein Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 The following short telegram would be sent, in private, to the heads of state of both the Greater Translyvanian Kingdom and the Socialist Kingdom of Yugoslavia: His Majesty, Otto I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, invites you to send a representative to Schönbrunn Palace, to discuss the security of the European Carpathian and Balkan regions. Information on the time of the meeting would follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogar Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Petre Dan would be dispatched to Schönbrunn Palace, arriving by train for the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Gor Markovic Cižek would be dispatched to Schönbrunn Palace to act in the Kralj of Yugoslavia's stead and would arrive by train to the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberstein Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 [url=http://postimg.org/image/6ks3rnksb/][/url] The representatives would be be politely escorted to a conference room in the palace, where ambassador Gustaf Althaus would be waiting. He stood and greeted both of them with firm handshakes, before introducing himself, "Gentlemen, welcome to Vienna. I am Mr. Althaus, representative of the Austro-Hungarian government. Please, have a seat." When the formalities of introduction had been finished, he would speak again, "Gentlemen, the Carpathian and Balkan regions have a unique history, perhaps shared only with Iberia and Sicily, in that they have served as the gates of Europe. Hungary has historically been called the gate of Christendom, and I feel that this description remains accurate. It has been the Carpathians which held back the Mongol armies. It is in the Balkans where the Islamic invasions were stopped cold. We three represent this gate; we are the gatekeepers who must stand vigilant. Let me clarify, I have nothing against the individual Muslim. They are productive citizens just as any other, as long as their loyalty remains to the appropriate government. However, we cannot allow Europe to be weakened by infiltration from these non-European places. As such, I have been authorized by His Majesty to offer your governments a mutual pact of some sort, both economic and military." He cleared his throat, and turned slightly more towards Cižek, "For example, our Ministry of Finance has concocted a plan involving Yugoslavian ports. Austro-Hungary is landlocked, Transylvania is at the mercy of the Ottomans. Yugoslavia's ports could solve this issue in a matter of months, with the approrpiate funding of standardized freight lines and a reduction in tariffs for Austro-Hungarian and Transylvanian goods. This would ensure both that neither of our nations could be strangled, while also ensuring that Yugoslavian ports are rich with business." Then he would turn to Dan, "And we certainly can't forget the rich oil fields of Transylvania! With proper investment, I'm sure these fields could greatly aid in making our nations independent from middle eastern oil." Finally, he leaned back in his chair and smiled, "So, gentlemen, what do you think of this rough proposal?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Private Gor would lean back in his chair, his one and only aide swiftly approaching him. Whispered words were uttered into his ear as his aide gave him a piece of paper, the diplomat betrayed nothing as he read what was written. His task done, the aide stepped back and remained steadfast. Ready at the diplomat's orders as always. "I do appreciate the invitation and the welcome so far, Mr. Althaus," started Gor as he smiled politely at his counterpart, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. "And it is true that the Carpathians and the Balkans is where these assaults were stopped cold, the good people of the Kingdom will never deny that," he added before clearing his throat. "But that is where the narrative falls after. The Austro-Hungarian are effectively the same, just in a different coat to the eyes of most of the peoples in the Kingdom, a sentiment that won't go away by whim or honeyed words, Mr. Althaus. The South Slavic and Romanian peoples of the Balkans have been treated unfairly and cruelly under regional powers, regardless of their words, appearance or creed they follow." The Serb would put the piece of paper on the table, the contents of it easily seen. "And as this shows, the view that the people of the Kingdom hold is entirely with merit and good reason to be wary and cautious of other foreign powers." Gor was not smiling anymore, a blank facade now as he spoke to the diplomat. "That is not to say that we may not work on improving relations as they move but the Austro-Hungarian have a long way ahead of them should they sincerely wish to improve themselves in the eyes of the South Slavic peoples," he started once more, "With regards to the economic part, we are fully in agreement but like I said earlier, the Kingdom and its people are wary and with good reason to do so." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberstein Posted September 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Ambassador Althaus smiled thinly, "Surely a nation as diverse as Yugoslavia can understand the need for police and a firm hand to maintain the peace. Only only has to look at what happened to the territories from which Habsburg rule was forced out of to see that it was such firmness that prevented inhuman violence from occurring. Why, what would you say to the people of Nagyvarad, where, following the retreat of His Majesty's police, half of the town's Jewish temples were destroyed by members of that very community?" He continued after lighting a cigarette, "Not to mention, but last I checked, it was not us who put those of differing religions into specific ghettos, as one would see en masse in the Islamic city of Istanbul. I'd also argue that it would be wrong to dismiss the experience and material Austria provided to the Serbs when they revolted against Ottoman rule. Or even the money that our Serbian citizens sent to aid their brothers across the border, only possible given the prosperity of Habsburg rule. Not to mention, it would be very short sighted to forget those like Koča Anđelković, as well as the Great Serb Migrations, which chose Habsburg lands for solace." "As for what seems to have upset you, the Romanian protectorate is nothing to worry about, and is simply a move to prevent Russian or Ottoman expansion into the territory. If Yugoslavia wishes to assist in the protectorate, I'm sure the General Staff would love to hear that they can pull back soldiers for the protection of the actual nation." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) Private Gor shook his head, "The good peoples of the Kingdom do not deny the Austro-Hungarians their due, it is and shall be there. However, we do not also ignore the political implications as to why the Austro-Hungarians supported the Serb uprising when they did." "That said, with regards to Nagyvárad, the Kingdom would have to plead ignorance as to our knowledge, no such thing has occurred apart from the Jewish community finally being allowed permission to freely live in any part of that particular city," Gor said as he smiled once more, this time it did reach his eyes, "The Habsburg lands were the closest thing the Serbs of the time could call as religious brothers, so it would have not been that much of a stretch for the Serbs to look towards the Habsburg for protection considering how much the Austro-Hungarian fought against the Ottoman horde." "To the Romanian Protectorate, the Kingdom would be more than happy to send a proper contingent of troops to safeguard and secure the good Romanian people from interference or invasion from foreign powers," the Serb diplomat offered. Edited September 21, 2014 by Rudolph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberstein Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 "Perhaps then, in recognition of our common history, but also taking into account the work which still needs to be done, an Optional Defense and Aggression Pact, with provisions for a joint protectorate in Romania, and some lowering of economic barriers, could be written up between our nations? A first step towards a stronger friendship." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudolph Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Private Gor nodded, a more warmer smile on his face, "That would certainly be a step in the right direction on both our ends to improve the relations of our two great countries, Mr. Althaus." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberstein Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Article I - Optional Defense & Non-Aggression: The signatories of this treaty reserve the right to come to each others defense should they come under attack, and neither side will conduct military nor espionage actions against the other. Article II - Optional Aggression: The signatories of this treaty reserve the right to come to each others aid in aggressive conflicts. Article III - Protectorate of Romania: The region of Romania is to be administered as a mutual protectorate by both signatories until such time that a native government emerges. This government must be approved by both signatories. "How does this look?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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