Whales Confrontation
The Whales Confrontation refers to a series and sequence of events taking place in Whales as a result of the Treaty of Sankt Rosa being signed on 13.XV.1743.
Origins
In the fifth month of 1719 AN, Daniyal ibn Daniyal made over Whales to Daniel Lors Simrani-Kalirion, enjoining him to rule directly and to remake the constitutional order. To this end Daniel appointed Augustin Engels-Kammersdorf, hitherto the obscure lord of Abnendinsel, to serve as his "Grand Pensionary", and oversee the remaking of the Constitution of Whales, which was withdrawn for revision. During this period of constitutional reordering, Daniel was to exercise direct rule. The lords were however assured that their titles and domains would be respected and the safir received a further guarantee that they would not be subjected to expulsion or any other form of punitive actions, contingent upon all subjects adopting a constructive attitude towards the process of reordering.
In 1743, Daniyal ibn Daniyal died.
Initial Actions
Tensions immediately arose both within and without the Principality of Whales once the news broke in The Natopian Bulletin. This took practically all Whales residents by surprise,
The intelligentsia within Whales immediately noted the territorial "trade" inherent in the treaty, immediately castigating Natopian officials at sellouts and having duped Empress Vadoma I. There were spontaneous rallies of loyalty to Empress Vadoma, and polite rejections of swearing fealty to the Confoederatio Aemilia and Princess Emilia Antoinette. One of the more potent statements that soon became a rallying watchword, was "The Empress is ours, the Princess is yours!" Flags of the Principality of Whales and of Natopia remained flying defiantly, and every attempt to fly the Flag of Aemilia within Whales resulted in the rope and cords holding it up with the flagpole cut, in seconds.
Prince Daniel Lors Simrani-Kalirion, broadcasting over radio and television promised his people that "no quarter shall be given, and no surrender to foreign invaders", and that "the Principality of Whales remains solemnly faithful to Empress Vadoma, while denouncing the actions of her ministers." All military forces were ordered mobilized, and borders to be secured from "agents, infiltrators and agitators".
Forces at the disposal of the Prince consisted primarily of the Whales Auxiliary Force and various contingents of the Honourable Company garrisoned in the region, particularly of the significant garrison at Chur.
Whilst many in Walstadt had expected Natopian divestment from the remote corner of the empire to occur eventually, the abruptness with which they had been ceded to their detested northern neighbour had stirred a measure of indignation amongst the hitherto apathetic and resigned populace.
