Hydropolitics [ATTN: WERL]

Sent Per Will of President Antony Lassale of the Republic of Capua;
To Be Received by His Majesty the King Samual III of Alba;
To Be Received by the Royal Court of Alba.
Dated 13 May 1571.
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Greetings, Your Majesty.

As I am sure you have no doubt heard, the Republic that we Capuans have recently founded currently finds itself in an era of prosperity, a sort of condition we here have not seen in a very long time. However, despite what appears to be going on, the population pressures caused by these recent economic booms do not bode well for my country's future, especially in terms of its food supply.

Malthus, one of my advisers, has made it adamantly clear to me that without serious reform, the Republic will face major famine within ten years, with a potential for thousands of casualties due to starvation. You would understand, then, that as Head of State it is my moral duty to prevent such tragedies. Ordinarily, of course, this would not concern you. However, in the interest of maintaining positive dialogue with our neighbours, we have decided to contact you with relation to one particular portion of the National Farming Strategy we are currently using to combat this problem.

As you are doubtless aware, three Capuan rivers flow from the mountains my people call home, across the plains and directly into southern Alba. Ambitious farming projects in the coastal province of Tanengard, however, require this water to be re-routed to those locations for agricultural use. The most obvious way to do this would be to reroute a number of rivers into Tanengard for exactly that purpose. Given that the sources of the rivers are within the Republic's borders, it would seem to be within the rights of the National Assembly to simply order these projects commenced and be done with it. I, however, have put a stop to this course of action because of the extremely negative effects it would have on your subjects north of the border.

What I hear of you describes you as an indefatigably fair and reasonable ruler, and so I believe it's within reason to come to a compromise here, that both nations may enjoy secure and stable environments. What I propose, then, is that we divert a moderate amount of water instead. Attached is an example of the plan. As you see, Alban farms do not suffer, and the Republic solves its food supply problem.

Though any construction on the Alban side of the border will have to be handled by the Alban Crown, the Republic pledges to conduct operations on its side of the border independently and asks for no financial support, unless you should see fit to support us in this endeavour.

I urge you to consider our proposal. In the event that Tanengard does not receive its water supply, Republican attempts at securing its food supply will be that much less effective. I am sure that your wise and noble administration sees the unconsciable state of affairs that would result from such a failure on our part.

SIGNED,
Antony Lassale
PRESIDENT

OOC: no problems at all.

OOC: Thanks. XD Register soon so we can conduct all this officially.

Also, I deleted the rebels post. Nobody was responding and it wasn't going to go anywhere obvious, so I got Bleach's permission to retcon it.
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13 June 1571 -- The Capua Gazzete
RUTHENIA AND TANENBERG -- Celebrations among farmers and businesspersons today as the Resource Scouting Consortium announces that excavation of the Rousseau Canal has begun in earnest. Thousands of labourers from across the Republic are employed digging, blasting, surveying, supervising and planning the Canal and its completion, and Government employment offices in every major settlement report an incredible turnout for this massive project.

The canal, a Government-subsidized project, is intended to run along the Alban border and bring much-needed water to the province of Tanenberg in an effort to bolster National Farming Strategy efforts underway there. Massive irrigation systems are to form the centrepiece of the "Farms of the Future", which planners and scientists estimate will be massive industrial operations with a character not unlike the great Foundries of the eastern cities.

Construction is intended to be complete within two years' time. In the meantime, "civilization measures" are being undertaken by the newly reorganized provincial governments of Ruthenia and Tanenberg; settlement promotion initiatives are being extended to entrepreneurs and enterprising individuals, including Canal Project workers. Planning for new cities and towns is underway.

Under a banner declaring "Tame The Wild West!", in a speech from the Great Forum this morning, President Antony Lassale declared the westward expansion of the Republic into territories it formally claims, but does not occupy, a "national priority of the highest order", citing the "great potential for economic gains" but also the "inherent necessity of securing the Republican food supply for generations to come".

--The Capua Gazette

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Sent Per Will of Gen. Leon Ribault, Capuan Armed Forces;
To Be Received by Army Enginnering Branch.
Dated 13 June 1571.
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Dear Marcel,

I've just received Antony's go-ahead for the construction of fortifications along what will be the Rousseau Canal. Diplomacy with the Albans must have went through better than expected. Chap was even more cheery than usual.

Regardless, you have the blueprints and locations. We're going to treat this just like we did the Lowlands. Troops are scheduled to be stationed there within six months. If you or your teams have questions, don't hesitate to write back.

SIGNED,
General Leon Ribault
CAPUAN ARMED FORCES