Bavaria declares neutrality

In a move which was welcomed in the country, but caused some dismay among a few other nations of the UFS, HM King William declared that Bavaria's foreign policy would now be one of neutrality. Troops of other nations would no longer be permitted to use Bavarian territory for warlike purposes. Although no public alliances with other nations have been signed, nor has any formal declaration yet been made abrogating any of Bavaria's existing treaties or pacts, this move is believed to herald a new era during which Bavaria's neighbours can remain free of threat of invasion.

The King's move is believed to have been prompted by concerns that Bavaria's vital strategic position combined with the ambitions of certain powers will encourage invasions made for purposes which would not give any benefit to Bavaria, and conceivably lead to Bavaria being ravaged by hostile armies. In a note to other Foreign Ministers, the King expressed the opinion that, while the existence of the UFS had hitherto been good for Bavaria, there was always the concern that Bavaria's role would in future be little more than that of a pawn.

It will be remembered that, in the previous conflict with Austria, Bavaria was the last to declare war, although the use of Bavarian territory for the transit of the troops of other nations and their supplies made the hostilities almost inevitable.

An agreement of understanding is believed to have been signed between certain members of the UFS and Spain. Sardinia, Lombardy, and Wuerttemberg are the parties for the UFS.

It was originally believed that Bavaria was to have been part of the alliance but apparently a note from the Foreign Ministry to the effect that "Bavaria has no objection to this" was taken to be a request to participate. The misunderstanding has been cleared up, and the Treaty has been published and is in effect.

Pictured: Stuttgart, shown during a fete announced to celebrate the Bavarian-Swiss treaty signed there

Switzerland has preceded Bavaria in withdrawing from the existing ties and military command structure of the UFS. A note from Citizen Parman, the Lord Protector of its government, read simply:

"Due to a public plebiscite and a drained treasury the Swiss government announces a general demobilization. Having secured non aggression pacts with all our neighbors a period of extended peace looms even if a general war breaks out in Europe. The Swiss Army is non officially demobilized. (sic)

Another public announcement by the Swiss government read:

"The Swiss government happily announces the PEACE CRUSADE! To all the nations of the world-"Can't We All Just Get Along?". To lead the way, and as part of our disarmament the Swiss government has reduced its standing army active and inactive to just one corp with futher reductions planned. The savings from starving the 'War Marhine' will be put into a fund to purchase victory points and boost our civilian infrastructure.
We have non aggression pacts with all our neighbors and only the worst sort of villian would publically announce to the world that their word is worthless and that they are crimminals. (sic)

The non-aggresson pact between Bavaria and Switzerland has been officially published as the Treaty of Stuttgart. (See the NWOL Diplomatic Record for full details.

Diplomatic triumph for Austria ?

Ministers also pointed out that relations with France remain most cordial (and also that a substantial proportion of the glut of supplies in Bavaria's depots and warehouses are stamped, "Donné par Republique Francaise". They are also marked, "See underside for expiry date", but so far nobody has ventured to turn over the many hundreds of sacks and barrels to find out when the stuff goes off.)

Both Austria and Prussia appear eager for a period of peace during which they can rebuild their economies and armed forces, both heavily depleted during the fighting of the previous autumn and winter.

Russia down and out ?

It is probable that, however vengeful or aggrieved Russia might be, especially if the war was undertaken by the previous government, they will not be a major factor in European politics for at least two years.

In the aftermath, Britain, Austria and Prussia have signed mutual non-aggression pacts.

UFS Concerns

At present, the UFS seem to preoccupied with the large buildup of forces in the state of Hannover. Unconfirmed reports are that 100,000 British troops are deployed there, which together with Hannover's own forces total anything up to 150,000. There is also believed to be a Portuguese contingent.

The motives behind this reported concentration of strength remain unclear. While the canniest Heads of State in the UFS are of the opinion that Prussia, Austria and Britain have all had their treasuries drained and their forces depleted as a result of the late war with Russia and are therefore not inclined to invade anyone, it has been suggested that their aim is to overawe the government of Wuerttemberg into allowing an increase in Hannoverian territory, and perhaps ultimately menacing France from the north.

Although few details are available, the government of one UFS state has launched an internal enquiry into how a confidential memorandum copied to a Dutch minister without portfolio (Hugo Allen) was delivered to the Treasury Ministry in Muenchen. Apparently, Meneer Allen and the Bavarian Treasury Minister have postal addresses which are not dissimilar; and no doubt the courier took the opportunity to save himself a journey of several hundred miles rather than verify the addressee.

The contents of the packet are not believed to be particularly damaging to the originator, with which Bavaria is anyway on friendly terms. However, it does give the Government of Bavaria several useful intelligence details to which they would otherwise not have access.

Commentary: time to cut the apron strings

Pictured: the Raupenhelm, a distinctive piece of Bavarian military headgear. Worn by line infantry, artillery and Chevaulegers.

In addition to the publicly stated motives which the Bavarian government has given for its latest neutralist policy, it is believed that a view privately expressed within the corridors of power is that it is time that Bavaria learned to stand on its own two feet. Although several nations of the UFS, and France, the ally of the UFS, have veteran or even venerable military and diplomatic leaders on which Bavaria (and other countries) leaned heavily for advice for several seasons, there has been some restiveness at the court and in the ministries at the narrow focus of the overall policy of the UFS.

Reports that cries of "Mutti!" ("Mother!") were heard from the windows of the War Ministry on the announcement of the neutral policy, have been dismissed as frivolous invention.

From the gutter ...

Although this paper rarely descends to the level of salacious detail sometimes beloved of the popular press, a story has reached us concerning the Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Orange, Duke of Norfolk. It appears that his Grace, while waiting at Dover for a cross-Channel packet vessel, was forced by fog which caused all sailings to be cancelled, to spend the night at a hotel. Also staying there was a certain actress, notorious for her well-publicised affairs with prominent military and political leaders. Believing that a suitable gift would procure her an introduction to the Duke, she sent a bottle of claret and a box of Panama cigars to his room. A footman returned the presents, with a note which read:

Madam: While on state business, I neither drink nor smoke. Norfolk.