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Post by Sublime Porte on Oct 3, 2016 14:25:13 GMT
Russian agents have been discovered in Galata. In brazen disregard for the integrity of the Ottoman Empire and its laws, a band of hired killers carrying a letter of mark from the Russian Tsar rushed King Charles of Sweden and made an attempt of his life, in the presence of the then-Reis-Efendi Rami Mehmed Pasha and the Dutch Ambassador! Only the presence of Janissaries on the streets and an alert Swedish guard managed to save the life of the Swedish King, and possibly even of the Ambassador and Reis Efendi!
The Sublime Porte is outraged by this intrusion into the very heart of its empire, and demands an explanation and apology from Russia. Unless Russia reaffirms its position, confirming its intention to remain at peace with the Ottoman Empire until 1730 and to cease all interference without approval either within the Ottoman Empire or the lands of one of its vassals, then all Russian dignitaries shall be expelled from the empire, and the Russian embassy closed down.
This is no idle threat, as the Ottoman Empire cannot function if it cannot trust its neighbours. If the Russians refuse to reaffirm peace, and halt all hostile actions, then the Treaty of Constantinople will be considered void.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Oct 3, 2016 15:51:31 GMT
This insult is a pure fiction designed to provide the Ottomans with a casus belli. The Russian embassy and its occupants have behaved with the highest degree of decorum and dignity.
Russia is concerned at this apparent Ottoman desire for further war. Especially given the Ottomans deliberate alignment with and support of a nation at war with Russia.
If war comes it will be one of Ottoman desire and Ottoman design.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Oct 3, 2016 21:08:38 GMT
"A letter of mark, supposedly signed by the Tsar himself, was discovered on the bodies of the assailants. If it is beneath the dignity of a Tsar to apologise, we will accept an apology from his Ambassador. At the very least we require a statement along the lines of 'Russia will not go to war with the Ottomans, nor will it foment rebellion amongst its vassals.' All we require are assurances. The Ottomans desire nothing but peace with Russia, I can assure you. Even if you deny the implications of the evidence we have found, and imply that it is part of some plot, we would appreciate some reassurance. It is not by our design that mistrust has been sown between us. We have given you ample opportunity to explain the situation, and either make amends or supply reassurances. You must surely see that war is the furthest thing from our true desires - friendship, peace, trust, and stability. We do not want to live in a world where we must look twice at every shadow, and where Ottoman dignitaries may not enjoy a coffee in the European quarter.
Signed,
Naili Abdullah Pasha
Reis ül-Küttab"
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Post by Sublime Porte on Oct 3, 2016 21:21:50 GMT
Following the denial of the Russians, the Sublime Porte is willing to entertain the prospect of an elaborate attempt at framing the Russians, or the possibility that the Russian agents had gone rogue, and had not been granted permission to operate in Ottoman territory. The Janissaries at the scene of the crime were asked to investigate the identities of the men. A bounty of 300 ducats is offered to an investigator who might shine some light on the matter.
In the meantime, the Reis Efendi will come and visit the Russian Ambassador at his Embassy, so that the pair can make amends.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Oct 3, 2016 21:35:44 GMT
A janissary officer, who was present as the janissaries occupied the coffee-house in which the Reis Effendi was sitting, claims he saw the Russian ambassador lurking nearby. He seemed to be watching the goings on, but left before the assassination attempt was made. This is certainly not proof of wrongdoing, neither is the allegation that the ambassador had been spotted signalling to a nearby fishing boat via semaphore shortly afterwards.
A detective from the Spanish Netherlands, with a well-trimmed mustache and who always seemed to wear formal attire, offers his services.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Oct 3, 2016 21:46:19 GMT
The respectable gentlemen is hired, and offered the 300 ducat bounty together with any out-of-pocket expenses. The detective is asked to send his report directly to the Grand Vezir Rami Mehmed Pasha, due to the significance of the incident.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Oct 4, 2016 7:01:50 GMT
As a result of his seemingly unbecoming behaviour, the current ambassafor is recalled for questioning by the Tsar. In his place comes a somewhat younger man, a Russian traveller who has far greater experience of the world than his predecessor. Whereas the incumbent spoke only Russian and relied on translators the new gent speaks English, French and German as well as his mother tounge and some quite passable Ottoman.
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Post by August II "Mocny Sas" on Oct 4, 2016 19:44:12 GMT
"... quite passable Ottoman" - topkek.
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