It has come to our attention that a consortium of merchants from the cities of the Baltic coastline has established an illegal monopoly in the Baltic Sea, greatly restricting the ability of lawful Imperial merchants not affiliated with this "Lübeck Compact" to conduct ordinary trade and commerce in the region.

This threat to Imperial peace and prosperity must be swiftly abolished, its unlawful monopoly disbanded, and its masterminds found and removed from power!

The Duchies of Lorraine and Bar hereby condemn and denounce these monopolists, their cronies, and their acts against this Empire!

We hereby call upon all legitimate and righteous states of the Empire to join in our condemnation and denunciation of these acts against the Empire!

All glory to God! Long live the Empire!