We Didn't Start It. We Reported It.

LATEST
Emperor and Empress Consort Expecting a Daughter
New Micronational Archive Proposed to Preserve Community’s Digital History
Editorial: It’s a Small Community. Everybody ‘Knows’ Each Other, and Nobody Likes Each Other.
Austenasia Establishes Relations with the Republic of Venemaa
Plans for Full Release of ‘GUM Logs’ Abandoned
Emperor Delivers Address Marking Austenasia’s Eighteenth Anniversary
3 min read
Facebook
X / Twitter
Reddit
Print
Email
This article is more than 11 years old

Emperor’s Address Five Years Since the End of the Austenasian Civil War

3 min read

Today is five years since the Austenasian Civil War officially ended on 24 May 2010, when the final signature was affixed to the Treaty of Ruskin Road. This evening, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor gave the following address to Parliament, marking the occasion:

Noble and esteemed Representatives,

It is five years since the Austenasian Civil War came to an end, with our predecessor Esmond III affixing his signature to the Treaty of Ruskin Road. Since then, apart from the brief orchestrated war with Orly later that year, the Empire has seen no military conflict. This can only be a good thing, especially when one takes into account the attitudes prevalent among our diplomatic community at the current time.

On Wednesday last, His Imperial Highness the Prime Minister upgraded Austenasia’s DEFCON status from 3 to 4. Since June last year, it had been set at 3 in response to the tensions with Zealandia over New South Scotland. Despite Zealandia’s flagrant violations of international laws and customs during that time, we decided to respond not with the might of our armed forces but with diplomacy. Even when foreign troops briefly occupied our crown dependency, we were steadfast in our determination to act with mercy rather than vengeance. Our unwavering desire for a peaceful resolution resulted in a compromise being adopted, which was confirmed by the signing of a treaty at the start of the month. Diplomacy and negotiation triumphed over aggression and sabre-rattling, and an accomodation acceptable to all was reached without the need for conflict.

However, our desire to avoid war should not be interpreted as outright pacifism. While we shall turn the other cheek to aggression and attempt to obtain a pacific solution wherever possible, we shall never shirk from defending the Empire’s population and territory. Our Imperial Majesty is not only a descendant of many mighty warriors, but has not ever commanded the losing side in any of the many battles we have fought. With the recent re-establishment of the Imperial Navy, the Empire’s military is more numerous and well-organised than ever before, and we are confident in its ability to defend Austenasia with ease against any plausible threat to its territorial integrity or to the safety and well-being of its people.

Despite the great strength of the Empire’s armed forces, however, we sincerely hope that we never have to see them used. Warfare is the very crudest method of solving disputes, and while we shall always defend our Empire, we shall always seek to avoid the circumstances in which such would be necessary. We take this opportunity to implore you all in your interactions with foreign politicians and diplomats to always keep our words in mind. Austenasia has one of the largest and strongest militaries in the history of small nations, but respect for the Empire is a far greater and nobler defence than fear of its arms.

As stated on the famous Peace Pole in Molossia: “May Peace Prevail On Earth”.

ICJA
Wrythe, 24 May 2015

About this article

Additional context relevant to this article.

What is the Monarchy? The Austenasian Monarchy is the constitutional institution headed by the Emperor of Austenasia, who serves as Head of State. The Crown represents the continuity and constitutional authority of Austenasia and has formed part of the Empire’s constitutional structure since its foundation in 2008. The office of Monarch is distinct from that of the Prime Minister, who serves as Head of Government and leads the day-to-day administration of Austenasia. The powers and constitutional arrangements of the Crown have changed during Austenasia’s history.
What is the office of the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister of Austenasia is the Head of Government and leads the day-to-day administration of the Empire. The Prime Minister leads the Government and Cabinet and oversees the development and implementation of government policy and the work of the administration. The office is distinct from that of the Emperor, who serves as Head of State. The constitutional powers and arrangements of the premiership have changed during Austenasia’s history.
What was Parliament? Parliament was the legislative branch of Austenasia under the previous constitutional system. It was a unicameral legislature whose representative house was the House of Representatives. Under the Constitution of 2026, Parliament and the House of Representatives ceased to form the legislative structure, with legislative functions instead exercised by the present Senate.
About Wrythe Wrythe is the historic birthplace and symbolic capital of Austenasia. Austenasia was founded there in September 2008, when the Declaration of Independence was issued from what later became the Imperial Residence. Wrythe subsequently served as the Empire’s Imperial Capital and remains an important location in Austenasian history. Under the Constitution of 2026, Wrythe is retained as the symbolic capital of the Empire.
Who is Esmond III Augustus? Esmond III Augustus was the second Emperor of Austenasia, reigning from February 2010 until September 2011. He succeeded Terry I Augustus following Terry’s abdication and Jonathan Austen’s decision not to succeed to the throne at that time. His reign encompassed an important period in Austenasia’s early constitutional and territorial development, including the Austenasian Civil War. He was succeeded in September 2011 by Declan I Augustus.