[img=http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i374/bensundeitestutho/scandinaviancommonwealth_zps46f38374.png] [center][b]Scandinavian Commonwealth[/b][/center] Dear Emperor Pedro II, King of Brazil, Our hearts are gladdened that you have changed your mind about embargoing Europe and breaching the terms of agreement in our trade pact. We praise God that you have gone down the rational path. In addition, we have some good news. We have received word that our merchants are on their way and might even be in Brazilian ports as we speak. Please welcome our kinsmen and treat them with the uttermost respect. May this trade be blessed and prosperous! [i]-Sigvard Pilkvist, Swedish Ambassador to Brazil[/i] --- On the matter of the recent declarations of war on the European Continent, our hearts are heavily burdened for several reasons. The first cause of burden in our hearts is in fact the war that has just been announced in Europe. For how much talk of "peace" that had been floating around the courts and embassies of our nations, it is quite unfortunate that we have to turn to violence as a means to "solve" our issues. We, as Europeans, consider ourselves as the most civilized and sophisticated race on this planet, but are we really fooling ourselves? We, as Christians, consider ourselves as the beacon of truth and justice, but is this really true? If we are so "civilized" and "sophisticated" and “righteous”, why do we keep resorting to wars in order to resolve conflicts? Are we more civilized than the rest of the world? We understand that the true terms of the Treaty of Constantinople have vexed the non-signatory nations of Europe and even the whole world. The signatories of the Treaty of Constantinople has shown that they have no integrity because they withheld crucial information from the rest of Europe and the whole world. All of them have sinned by agreeing that this Treaty was a good idea. That it was right to allow the signatories virtually full control over other sovereign nations. To the non-signatory nations who have sided with Prussia and Russia. We hope you are content with your decision. Even though Prussia revealed to the world the true articles of the Treaty of Constantinople, they too still retain the stain of that treaty. While they might not have technically violated the clauses of the ToC, the Prussians still abused it toward their own advantage and once it had no more use for them, they tossed it away. How certain are you that they will not do the same to you? We hope that the belligerents in this conflict feel that their cause justifies the imminent destruction of countless lives. Obviously killing is the only way Europeans will listen to one another. Unfortunately, we do not seeing this war solving anything and in fact it will only make things worse. The losing side of this war, whichever side it shall be, will only kindle their anger and hatred for the other side as that side triumphs over the first. Too harsh reparations will only foster further animosity. We only wished that some peaceful solution could have been found. What else grieves us is a death. A death of a dear friend of mine. Frederick VII, King of Denmark and Duke of Schleswig, passed away this past week, on November 15th in 1863rd year of the Lord. While there were those who supported to place either my brother Oscar or me on the thrown of Denmark, I have decided to refuse these succession claims. The late King Frederick asked of me to keep Denmark a sovereign nation when that nation agreed to form the Scandinavian Commonwealth and I shall keep this promise by supporting Christian IX as the next King of Denmark. While we have not seen eye-to-eye on several issues, I feel that honoring the late king’s request was the right thing to do. Now onto the war. Since we do not see an obvious side to support, as both sides have already been stained by the Treaty of Constantinople, after due diligence, the Scandinavian Commonwealth, composing of both the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway and the Kingdom of Denmark, including her dependents, shall remain [b]neutral[/b]. There is nothing for us to gain from entering this war except death and destruction. Both Sweden and Denmark still have vivid memories of territories and provinces that have been stripped away from us because of our participation in wars in the past. Furthermore, we shall respect our Non-Aggression Pacts that we so happen to have with almost all the combatants. If we should have entered into this war, either we or those who have signed these treaties would have to break the terms of agreement detailed in each individual document, unless somehow we all agreed to uphold despite our open hostilities toward other nations. Therefore, we would like to remind Russia, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire that our Non-Aggression Pacts are still in effect and we hope that no open hostilities will arise between our states. We only wish to be left alone. Finally, we would like to announce that we will be using the Empire of Brazil’s idea of declaring the Scandinavian Commonwealth as a sanctuary to all those who wish to escape the coming death that shall occur in Europe. Since the recent passing of a bill that declared that all religions, not only the Church of Sweden, are permissible, we ask no one to fear coming because of religious persecution. All creeds are welcome in the Scandinavian Commonwealth. We will welcome all our Christian Brothers with open arms. God bless Scandinavia! [i]-King Charles XV, King of Sweden and Norway[/i]