At the junction of Northern Europe and Western Europe, the Kattegat Strait.
In the captain's cabin of the Royal Navy First-rate Ship of the Line Britannia, a Captain stood at attention and saluted Brigadier General Pike before handing over the documents tucked under his arm.
"General, the latest news—they signed the treaty at noon today."
Pike's expression hardened. The treaty the officer meant was the so-called International Maritime Convention.
"So soon?" He took the documents and frowned. "Didn't they say they were still arguing over the 'Territorial Sea Limit' yesterday?"
"Yes, General. But the French quickly won the support of Russia and Austria, suppressing all other opinions."
Spain certainly would not oppose France over the Maritime Convention. After all, the Portuguese front still depended on the French Army for help.
Pike opened the report in his hands. It was a copy of the International Maritime Law signed only hours ago. The article concerning territorial waters read: the Territorial Sea Limit extended six nautical miles outward from the coastline...
The following provisions included: an Exclusive Economic Zone extending one hundred nautical miles outward from the coastline. Within this range, each nation possessed fishing management rights, mineral extraction rights...
Mechanisms for resolving disputes. Nations could appeal violations of maritime law to the International Maritime Tribunal, where arbitrating judges would mediate or render judgment... rules for passage through international straits...
The special nature of territorial waters for island nations...
The rights of landlocked nations to access the sea...
With a dark face, Pike tossed the report onto the table and waved the officer away.
This time, he had been ordered to lead more than twenty warships to blockade the waters near Denmark and intimidate the nations participating in the Maritime Convention. But clearly, it had achieved no effect. In truth, the British Government