ENGLAND (Lloyd Mitchell)
A(Bel) - Hol (FAILED); A(Edi) Stands; A(Par) - Pic; A(StP) Stands; F(Bre) - Gas; F(Kie) s A(Bel) - Hol (CUT); F(Lon) - ENG; F(Lpl) - IRI; F(NTH) s A(Bel) - Hol; F(Nwy) s A(StP); F(Tun) Stands

FRANCE (David Queenan)
F(Spa) sc - Por; A(Bur) s A(Hol) - Bel; A(Hol) - Bel (FAILED); A(Mar) - Spa; A(Mun) - Kie (FAILED)

RUSSIA (Tim Sweeney)
A(Ber) s ENGLISH F(Kie); A(Lvn) s ENGLISH A(StP); A(Mos) s ENGLISH A(StP); A(Pie) Stands; A(Pru) s A(Ber); A(Rum) - Bud; A(Sil) s A(Tyr) - Boh; A(Tus) - Ven; A(Tyr) - Boh; A(Ukr) - War; A(Ven) - Tyr; F(AEG) - ION; F(BLA) - Con; F(ION) - TYS; F(Nap) s F(ION) - TYS; F(TYS) - GoL

TURKEY (Geerten Ejilkenboom)
F(Apu) Stands

PRESS

The Marquis of Salisbury (British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary) writing to Sir Nicholas O'Conor (British Ambassador to Constantinople, 1898-1906), Telegram No 22 Secret, Foreign Office 65/1557, 25 January 1898)'Our idea was this. The two Empires of China and Turkey are so weak that in all important matters they are constantly guided by the advice of Foreign Powers. In giving this advice Russia and England are constantly opposed, neutralizing each other's efforts much more frequently than the real antagonism of their interests would justify; and this condition of things is not likely to diminish, but to increase. It is to remove or lessen this evil that we have thought that an understanding with Russia might benefit both nations.

We contemplate no infraction of existing rights. We would not admit the violation of any treaties,or impair the integrity of the present empires of either China or Turkey. These two conditions are vital. We aim at no partition of territory, but only a partition of preponderance. It is evident that both in respect to Turkey and China there are large portions which interest Russia much more than England and vice versa.

...

Would it be possible to arrange that where, in regard to those territories our counsels differ, the Power least interested should give way to and assist the other? I do not disguise from myself that the difficulty would be great. Is it insuperable?'

Russian [gov't] - All: I will not be voting for either a 3-way or 4-way draw, so don't expect one to slip past by "accident" and I would hope that they will stop being proposed, however in order to insure both Turkey and France a survival out of respect for such a great game I both propose and vote for an E/R draw...yes I know I can win, "NO" I won't be going for the win as I would be forced to accept a large 4-way draw had Lloyd not been willing to work for the 2-way draw...some agreements...even in diplomacy need to be kept! No hard feeling guys it has been a fantastic game, every step of the way!

GAME END PROPOSALS.

Last season's proposals were defeated.

We have the following for next time...

1st = E/R.

No vote counts in favour. (If I get four votes in favour of this proposal I will accept it without waiting for the deadline).

DEADLINE.

The deadline for Autumn 1917 will be on Friday 24th January at 18.00 hours GMT.