HOLF Players' Guild Forum

Den Stockholm Post: Sweden, Scandinavia, and all of Europe brought directly to you!

SWEDEN FORMS 'NORTHERN SHIELD' ALLIANCE WITH CLOSEST NEIGHBORS
KOBENHAVN – After 12 hours of continual negotiation, King Gustav Bjorn emerged from Christianborg Palace last month with his diplomatic counterparts from Denmark and Mecklenberg to announce the completion of a treaty of active alliance between Sweden, Pomerania and those nations. The official announcement of the “Northern Shield” alliance ends days of speculation that an agreement was close. “May our words and resolve echo from the fjords of Norway to the shores of Finland, down to our most remote German border-town, and everywhere inbetween,” said Danish King Markus Kram to a cheering crowd in the capital. "Peace for all of Northern Europe, and Protection via a Northern Shield.” The alliance marks the first major diplomatic agreement between Denmark and Sweden following a Christianborg Palace: Located on the islet of Slotsholmen in Kobenhavn, Christianborg was the site where the recent Northern Shield Treaty was ratified. lengthy period of hostility dating back to the mid-16th century. “It is my hope that the rest of Europe will take a page from Scandinavia and learn to put old differences aside,” added Mecklenberg's Duke Frederick Francis. Officials also confirmed that elements of the Danish and Swedish navies will link up in waters of the Skaggerrak to begin joint patrol operations as early as tomorrow.

SWEDEN REAFFIRMS PEACEFUL INTENTS WITH TRIO OF PACTS
STOCKHOLM – Citing King Gustav Bjorn's commitment to a peaceful and stable Scandinavia, the Foreign Ministry announced that Sweden had reached non-aggression agreements with Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia in the preceding weeks. “With the Northern Shield in place, the King has reaffirmed his sincere desire for calm restraint in these uncertain times,” the official remarked. The signings cap off a two week long diplomatic mission that saw the King sail to Bremen to meet with the British, Stralsund to finalize the Prussian deal, and back to Stockholm to entertain Russian Foreign Minister Vladimir Zhukov. The historic agreements are expected to conclude major Swedish diplomatic efforts while officials continue to monitor heightened rhetoric and troop buildups across Europe.

SPANNING THE CONTINENT...Our staff members fill you in on all the latest from their regions of the world.

Our Italian bureau chief files his second report from a bustling Venezia where the newly formed Italian Union appears to be facing it's first significant challenges. Italian officials are downplaying the significance of reported rifts and heated rhetoric between their newly formed Union and the Hapsburg Empire – after a political insider reported the Austrians had threatened to teach the Venetian Doge “a lesson” in humility last week. While still saying all the right things, the Italians reached out to not one, but two other continental powers; quickly striking diplomatic deals with Prussia and England in the wake of the flap. The signing of the agreements were also at least partly attributable to a second dust-up, this one involving France and Sardinian diplomats, that prompted some Italians to reanalyze their preferences to go it alone. In addition, one former Italian Treasury official characterized the troop build ups in the region as “high, possibly in some cases unsustainable.

A report from our newly formed German bureau in Hannover. Several South and Central German states came together earlier this month at Nuernberg, Bavaria to agree on a treaty of alliance that promises to play a significant role in regional affairs. Switzerland, Saxony, Hesse, and the host nation agreed to the alliance, which was just as telling for whom it did not include as much as it did. The Palatinate and Wuerttemberg, both neighbors of Nuernberg nations and also France, were conspicuously absent from the alliance, as were all North German states. While there is some belief that the alliance would prefer a course independent from the major European powers, multiple sources have reported that Nuernberg and the Hapsburg Empire are already affiliated or possibly moving in that direction. "I'm not sure the diplomatic record tells the whole story," said one official who requested anonymity.

Checking in with our Western European office in Lisbon. All eyes continue to be transfixed on the Low Countries as the war of words between France and Britain heats up over Holland. Following numerous hostile remarks lobbed from both sides, English King Jim took the unusual step of personally and publicly guaranteeing the sovereignty of Holland from attack, and he called upon other nations to do the same. Thus far only Prussia has joined British pledge. The Dutch for their part appear to be playing things close to the vest, after initial reports circulated that Holland's diplomats were vacillating back and forth between support for France and England. One observer predicted with “80% certainty” that war was imminent, and our sources in Paris report that “paranoia runs rampant” as tensions continue to mount.

THE RUMOR MILL
Some European states have so badly overspent on military buildups that they could not cover the costs of basics – like supplies for their troops – without support from friends. Build-ups across the continent have been higher than expected...

The French and Russians are reportedly interested in obtaining secret agreements when circumstances dictate, making one wonder what those nations have to hide from one another or the rest of Europe.

POLLING THE POLS

Each edition, we poll a handful of Monarchs and Ministers and ask for their anonymous answers to our questions. We take extra effort to obtain opinions from a wide variety of leaders from throughout the various regions of Europe. This edition, three monarchs and two Ministers, representing a major, two minor, and two fragmented states, provide their responses. Post editors reserve the right to paraphrase and/or alter responses to protect the identity of the respondent.

Post Question #1: How quickly will war break out in Europe?
Answers: Immediately, Immediately, Immediately, Within the first two seasons, within the first two seasons

Post Question #2: The region where this war will most likely break out is?
Answers: Germany, the Low Countries, the Low Countries, the Caribbean, Not sure

Post Question #3: The factor or factors that will most likely determine success for my country is?
Answers: our leadership, financial management, achieving our own goals without upsetting the local balance of power, timing, and staying below the radar early on and identifying/joining the correct side at the right time.

AND FINALLY, GETTING TO KNOW...DANISH KING MARKUS KRAM
Markus Kram: King of Denmark and Norway
Following an unfortunately tragic series of influenza outbreaks in the late 1780s that ravaged the Danish Royal Family – and in particular, most of the closest heirs to the throne - Markus Kram accepted the title of King of Denmark in 1790. Considered an outsider to Danish politics prior to his ascent to the throne, the King has quietly gone about reshaping Danish governmental and military policy with a fiscally responsible reform campaign. Now, three years later, and in his first official interview, the King sits down with Post editors to reflect on the “new Denmark”, the state of Scandinavian relations, and of Europe in general.

My Thanks, your majesty on this unprecedented access. Much has been made of your “putting your own personal stamp” on the Danish government during your early reign, including taking over as Naval Minister yourself and appointing well-regarded General Chafield to WM. How does the signing of the Northern Alliance fit in with your “new” military policy?

I like a hand's on approach. Past Danish Monarch's grew complacent. I won't have that. As for Minister Chafield...I will rely heavily on his input and experience when making just about every decision of importance. I also expect the quality of Danish forces to surge during his term as WM. The Northern Alliance secures peace with our nearest neighbors. When you trust your borders are safe you can move forward with larger issues. Second, it allows for all members to feel the security in knowing three other armies will come to your aid if attacked.

It has been reported by some that you are a tenacious negotiator when it comes to representing Danish diplomatic interests. One anonymous FM described you as “a mercenary” who was “ willing to sell his own mother if the price was right.” What would be your responses to those types of characterizations?

Here's the thing. If Denmark or another Northern Shield member gets invaded, we will gladly fight. As for being a mercenary. Premium service comes at a premium price.

Word association...our editors supply a word or phrase and the King provides his immediate response to our prompt.

England & France - Spark & Powder keg
Other minor nations - depends
Russia - quiet but friendly giant
Republicanism - a fad
Caribbean - intriguing