A&E 090205 / DC240: I forgot the most important reason why this is an unusually busy retreat season: 2 sets of press!

Press #1 (Anonymous)
Corrected Press:


AP England: Hearing rumors from the board, I've put in orders to attemp to not lose BOTH Han and Mec Correction: orders to take HeW from Han. If I lost one, I sure I hope I lost it to Denmark Correction: no hoping involved. Britain intended to give Denmark Mec, which is why Ber wasn't attacked, and Denmark used Hol instead of Bal to take it. Of all the things I've heard, the only one that I can process is that David truly needs and deserves a build. Beyond that, it gets a little fuzzy.

England to France: Once again I have not attacked you, Mike. Correction: Britain attacked and took HeW. But if you attacked me in Hanover, my fleets are taking the gloves off Correction: the fleets were ordered to block a French retreat from HeW to UPr. I think you need to look as to where Jorge is going to look to get his 15 centers. HeW is one of them.

England to Prussia: We have just not hit it off this game. I blame myself and my lack of communication. But see my note to France. Helping Austria against Turkey is just mindboggling. The Turk, and the Spaniard working with the Turk in Italy, are the only things preventing your whole world from becoming Austrian. The BEST thing in the world for you is Turkey having the advantage over Austria in the south. Rumor has it you're attacking Mother England too. Correction: no rumor. Denmark passed along the intelligence - no one else knew. If I'm willing to disappear from Han and Mec, Correction: Britain already gave Mec to Denmark, and Prussia is in no position to take Han are you prepared to help against a 10 center Austria? Correction: if France retreats to Dre, Austria is at 7 - just like Britain.

England to Austria: At this point in the game, Jorge, you deserve the win. Your tireless diplomacy continues to affect those that could do you harm, and persuades them to turn a blind eye to the fact that you need their centers to meet the victory condition Correction: Austria only needs his enemies' centers. Hopefully the small group Correction: Spain and Turkey outnumber Austria 9-7, plus Poland that is working against you is able to build a southern wall, forcing you north for gains. And if so, maybe that will open an eye or two.

England to Denmark: Truly, David, if you attacked, I hope you attacked Mec and got it Correction: see above. If you did, I implore you to see the board and build an army to come south Correction: already agreed upon, which is why Denmark didn't cover Hol while "attacking" Britain - he can now convoy to Ber*. A fleet build in Chr will only force me to fight for the North Sea, which will allow France the ability to turtle, which will allow Jorge the free reign in the north that he needs. Please write.


* Russian moves may result in an army in Chr instead.

England to Spain: Isaac....I need the services of your army. Can we take out Mike now? Correction: already agreed upon. Additionally, conflicts with plea to Mike to see the light (see above).

PRESS #2 (Turkish)
Apparently Austria contends that Turkey has broken agreements and committed acts of aggression towards Austria that compel Austria to focus all attention on Turkey, which has caused Austria to suffer loses and has allowed others, particularly Britain, to become dangerously successful.

Turkey does not appreciate being portrayed as dishonest or as an aggressor.

In Winter 1763, Austria made a demand of Turkey that Turkey either commit to supporting Austria to Two Sicilies, or Austria would build a fleet and take it herself. At this time Austria controlled seven supply centers, was getting three builds, and with an army built in Vienna could easily have taken neutral centers Bavaria, Switzerland, Tuscany, and Papal States without any assistance from Turkey or any opposition from anyone else. Meanwhile Turkey had three supply centers, Spain refused to demiltarize the Western Med, and Spain and Austria had already allied to dispossess France of Marseilles. Turkey informed Austria that neither option offered was acceptable, as in either case Turkey must use valuable units to help a center already more than twice its size grow, ensuring that Turkey would not be able to gain a supply center for herself in 1764, as well as ensuring Spain would seize control of the western med. Turkey let Austria know in no uncertain terms that a fleet built in Vienna in winter 1763 would lead to hostilities between Austria and Turkey. The exact text sent to Austria read,

"Now I suppose that since I have failed to commit to supporting you to Two Sicilies that you will build a fleet. Let me be clear, if you do so, there will be no more goodwill from Turkey towards Austria. Such a build will condemn us to war. Is it a war that might well be my destruction, yes? But I would rather go down attempting to stand and fight for my survival than to willingly bend over while you shove yourself deep in my rear."

Austria built that fleet anyway. That was a choice Austria made, a choice to focus all attention on Turkey. Turkey merely responded in kind, in the exact manner Turkey informed Austria it would before Austria made that choice. If Austria would now like to choose to focus its attention elsewhere than on Turkey and the Adriatic, it is more than welcome to do so. But all should realize Turkey is in no way forcing Austria to focus all her attention on the Adriatic region. It is Austria who is doing both the choosing and the forcing.



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Nick Higgins
Congress of Vienna variant website:
http://1814congressofvienna.tripod.com