Public Annoucement to the denizens of Kusari [Comments Open]

[Shimamori]

PUBLIC ADDRESS OF KOUSHAKU SHIMAMORI MASAHITO TO THE PEOPLE OF KUSARI

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侯爵島森正仁

Kusari kokumin, gokigenyou! Shimamori Masahito de arimasu. Kyou taisetsuna wadai ni tsuite ensetsu shimasu. Watashitachi no daijina Kusari koku wa kiki ni hin shite imasu. Shitagatte, Taikoku no mirai ni tsuite kangaesaseritai desu.

People of Kusari! I am Koshaku (//Marquess) Shimamori Masahito. And today I would like to discuss with fellow-Kusarians an important matter. War.

As you all well know, recently the Empire entered into another war with now the Confederacy of Gallia. This decision raised many eyebrows among high-ranking officials I had opportunity to discuss the matter with. This war is a problem, and we have to deal with it.

It is not the first time we fight the Gauls. King Charles ordered his fleet to secure Taus eight years ago and we were the defenders, although at the same time we were the attackers regarding Bretonia. Our proud fleet was divided and obliterated. Luckily, Kusari Teikoku managed to secure a peace deal with the Kingdom which was not as bad as it could have been. We were pushed back from the Taus without suffering the burdens of full-scale invasion that Bretonia was yet to experience. Gauls showed us the the technology and tactics that humbled not only us, but all of Sirius. And although they were no match for our spirit, the war, unfortunately, cannot be won only by spirit. The Gallic juggernaut was stopped only by the combined forces of two Houses. Even then, Liberty and Bretonia only managed to bring the Gallic advances to a halt, while the real joker of the war was the Council that defeated the Kingdom from inside. Do not forget also about the Kempeitai and remnants of the Imperial fleet that aided Bretonians against the Gauls. All of this was needed to stop the onslaught of Charles and we are lucky to have shown the Gauls the unrivalled combat spirit that spared us from our planets glassed and billions lives lost. That was the price to tame the giant.

Now, however, our leaders are poking the giant to lure him out from his den into our rice paddy fields. Although bruised, the giant remains the giant. And poking him certainly will not evoke a good mood. The Parisian Assembly has already released a statement regarding their stance on the war. While I do not like agreeing with our adversaries, I am left with no other choice but to agree with the gaikokujin as the points they are making are valid.

They accuse Kusari leadership of incompetence and recklessness - and I agree with them. I do not believe that the political and military experts have not provided the war cabinet with the analysis of the upcoming war. The war against Gallia that successfully fought Liberty and Bretonia with the Royal fleet which in turn succumbed to the Council fleet and now having both of those fleets combined is a token of incompetence in the decision-making and recklessness indicating disdain for the lives of the kokumin (//citizens) of Kusari.

They accuse Kusari leadership of dishonesty and pride - and I agree with them. This war was declared without any valid casus belli. This in turn tells about no clear strategy of the current leadership regarding the course and even possible outcomes of war, be they in or against our favour. Would a bee sting a bear, knowing that it would die with the sting? War is the finest art, yet war without reason does not bring honour. And what are we without honour? The shogun must be forgetting the lessons of bushido. Pride drives him, and dishonour will he reap.

Having this said, I still believe in the wisdom of the Emperor. I believe that since the reformation of the Empire the military matters are in the primary responsibility of shogun Ikeda Motoyasu while the powers of the Emperor are restricted by the Diet and other institutions. Our leader was turned into a ceremonial puppet, and I presume the current war is the result of the ambitions of various individuals hungry for making money out of blood of the honourable soldiers of Kusari. For centuries we existed in peace and harmony under the wise stewardship of Tenno (//emperor). We went to war honourably, and we lived honourably in peace. With the Emperor curtailed in his powers and the balance shaken, we see the dishonourable declaration of war without valid grounds, the war that might this time not spare us and bring ruin to our homes.

Despite the initial success, the advances of the Naval forces have already been halted and it is just a matter of time until the Gauls will start pushing back. They are fighting at their home territory, they have battle-hardened veterans and advanced Gallic military technology on their side. I do not doubt that our soldiers will diligently perform their duty with honour, yet as I said their adamant spirit cannot win this war alone, for dishonourable wars are not destined to be won. Gallic advance on Sirius is an example. Rheinland attack on GMG is another example.

So what do we have to do? I represent Shimamori clan that originated 200 years ago from Emperor’s nephew, granted his own Clan Name for his service to the Empire. As my ancestors served selflessly the Empire, so I shall do today. I will contact the representatives of Gallia and try to negotiate peace on the basis of mutual respect and honour while it is not too late. To this end, I am ready to direct my clan vessel “Zuiryu” to Gallic territories to discuss the matters face-to-face. I might be deemed traitor for my views and actions, yet I fear not for I am ready to make this sacrifice for the Empire and spare its people of ruin. I call upon the denizens of Kusari to support me in this endeavour and stand tall against the ill decisions of the Shogun.

天皇。名誉。 調和。(//Emperor. Honour. Harmony)

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