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1902
Europe
The Imperial Conference of 1902 was held in London following a declaration from King George V, to take place shortly after the King's coronation. Opened on 30 June, the Conference was headed by Joseph Chamberlain, leader of the Liberal Unionists, and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Here he submitted for a second time the proposals he previously put forward at the 1897 Conference: a federalization of the British Empire. In 1897, the colonies had outright rejected the plan, fearing that their wishes for self-government would be severely hampered. Prime Minister Primrose gave Chamberlain his full backing in proposing, once again, a scheme in which a federalization of the Empire would take place over a long period of time. A united defense and customs union would also be put in place, with the latter two being implemented in the period between 1902 and 1904. The Canadian government switched positions on the idea, supporting it almost wholeheartedly, though proposing the political federalization of the Empire to take place over a much longer period, potentially of several decades. Representatives from the other colonies received the proposals with a much more lukewarm attitude, though did not outright reject the plan. The millions of Britons that voted the Liberal coalition government into power were elated at Chamberlain's “Imperial Policy”, and several smaller periodicals began calling for continued negotiations of the federalization of the Empire outside of the conferences. These proposals and negotiations came alongside the King's travels to various parts of the Empire in the wake of his coronation. Hundreds of thousands clambered over one another to see him in Ottawa, Toronto, the small city of Vancouver, Wellington, Canberra, Melbourne, and Delhi, where he was crowned as Emperor of India. In a trip prior, he also visited South Africa, reviewing the troops and visiting several encampments to raise morale. [+4% political support to United Kingdom, progress made on federalization effort]
Joseph Chamberlain, the second most important person in the British government, and chief architect of the plan to federalize the Empire.
Startled that several foreign powers continued to expand their navies as the years went by, the Prime Minister instructed Admiral Lord Walter Kerr, First Naval Lord, to come up with a plan to further expand the Royal Navy's cruiser fleet. His report back to the Prime Minister was startling: a new program to lay down some twenty cruisers and thirty destroyers in the coming years. After having been assured that the plan would maintain the two-power standard while not exploding the government's budget, Primrose put the plan before the House of Commons. The initiation and expansion of the Russo-Japanese War won the bill wide support, and it received royal assent before becoming law. [+5 light cruisers in 3 turns, +5 light cruisers in 4 turns, +5 light cruisers in 5 turns, +5 light cruisers in 6 turns, +10 destroyers in 3 turns, +10 destroyers in 4 turns, +10 destroyers in 5 turns to United Kingdom]
Following the conclusion of the Boer War, the Prime Minister asked the King to dissolve Parliament and call for new elections, to establish a new mandate for the Liberals. Despite Arthur Balfour's calls for a continuance of splendid isolation – which one Times columnist said “Chamberlain had brutally shot dead” – the credit for the victory in South Africa had fallen squarely in the lap of Primrose's coalition government. The Liberals squeaked even closer to a majority of seats in the Commons, but still held only a plurality – though it was a large plurality, indeed. The Liberal Unionists also shared in the spoils, to the detriment of the Conservatives, who again lost many seats. The seat allocation of the major parties was thus: 301 Liberal, 78 Liberal Unionist, 178 Conservative, and 77 Irish Parliamentary. The Independent Labour Party lost their only seat to Labour, bringing their total number of seats up to three. Primrose now had control of almost 57% of the House of Commons, which was a great feat indeed, which gave him an even bigger mandate than before. [+2% political support to United Kingdom, Primrose re-elected]
Arthur Balfour, leader of the Conservatives following Lord Salisbury's resignation, was thoroughly beaten in his first election.
The events that filled the headlines in Germany throughout 1902 had to do primarily with the various huge social welfare laws passed through the Reichstag. The Child Education Act made it mandatory to not only send children to primary school, but middle school as well; an emphasis was put on ensuring the best possible physical and mental health of students to ensure proper, healthy, and moralistic growth. The Child Labor Law passed alongside the CEA cut the maximum number of hours a child could work in a single day to one-fourth the previous limit, along with banning children from working physically strenuous and dangerous conditions and occupations. The Child Protection Act, subdivided into the Childcare Act and Infant Welfare Act, were passed primarily to combat the startlingly high rates of infant mortality in Germany. Health clinics were mandated to be established throughout every major city and within a reasonable distance of most large and small towns, staffed by trained professionals well-versed in the health and development of children of all ages. These clinics would be affordable for all Germans – as the highest rates of child mortality naturally fell on the lowest rungs of society. [Infant mortality rate trending downward, literacy rate of children trending upward, +4% political support to Germany]
The other major legislation passed by the Reichstag enforced regulations on the construction of houses in the country's major urban centers, preventing dangerous or hazardous materials from being used. Construction works were forced to ensure cleanliness while handling building materials, and were made to wash their hands before working on the site. At the same time, sanitation laws went in place that specifically ordered all milk distribution centers throughout the country to be sterile. The government's obsession that year with passing legislation dealing with health and sanitation confused observers in foreign countries, but the Chancellor deemed it “our highest priority” – to provide a healthy and clean country for the children of Germany to grow up in. [Average German health increased]
In an effort to bring much-wanted news to the Russian people regarding the war in Manchuria, Sergei Witte established the Ministry of Finance's St. Petersburg Telegraph Agency. Owned and operated by the government, the Telegraph Agency's purpose was to sponsor journalism in Russia – while, secretly, heavily monitoring all journalists throughout the country, to ensure they were not spies, dissidents, or the like). The effort proved almost as successful as hoped. Despite several funding issues, telegraphs were quickly communicated west following the major battles of the second half of the year. A fair number of people had been won over – with relatively unbiased reporting, the news had been brought directly to the imperial capital. If they had been lying to the people, they would have figured it out by then. Surely, then, the government truly had their best interests at heart? [+3% political support to Russia, East-West communications improved]
With the increasingly demanding Russo-Japanese War continuing to tear the East apart in the bloodiest war in recent memory, Witte hoped to again pitch his idea of an imperially-appointed committee to analyze, in depth, the Empire's agricultural system, to determine if it needed an extensive period of reform and modernization in order to remain competitive with the other European powers. While the decision of the committee was unknown, it would be announced eventually... [Agricultural committee decision in 2 turns]
A gathering of peasants and local workers of an obshchina in Russia.
On advice from several of his ministers, the Tsar announced a change of policy for the Okhrana. Having repeatedly heard the rumors of their torture, murder, and other terrible acts, and wishing to fix the public face of the chief imperial security bureau, he began restricted, through several imperial orders, the actions and responsibilities of the department. He was careful, however, in not wanting to totally restrict their abilities to fight revolutionaries and dissidents, and their counter-intelligence operations in seeking out and stopping foreign spies and saboteurs. The liberals in the court praised the Tsar's actions, and the people were pleased when there were fewer and fewer rumors of the Okhrana committing inhumane acts of violence on suspected dissidents. [+3% political support to Russia, Okhrana less oppressive]
After having annexed Libya and Rhodes into his empire, Umberto of Italy now hoped to solidify these gains and ensure that they would remain Italian possessions for the rest of the century. A grand investment project in the small port city of Benghazi was launched. The city was made the capital of the Protectorate of Italy, and hundreds of construction workers and administrators arrived in the city at the start of the year to oversee a grand infrastructure project to modernize the settlement. A minor harbor underwent drastic expansion to be able to fuel, repair, and service a small fleet; several schools were built, the quality of roads and sewage systems improved, a modern hospital constructed (the Ottoman one was torn down and a Catholic church built on its spot), new housing constructed, and, perhaps most importantly, military fortifications erected. The Italian government, by the end of the year, was promoting Benghazi as the epicenter of a “new white empire in Africa”, and as paradise on Earth. The city gradually expanded, and with it Italy's influence in Africa. Simultaneously, the marine detachment in the city encountered resistance from the Senussi people, who occasionally would launch raids – usually unsuccessful – on the city in an attempt to drive the Italians out. [Benghazi modernizing and expanding, Italian influence in North Africa increased, -68 soldiers to Italy]
A more traditional market in the expanding, modernizing, and assimilating city of Benghazi.
This was not the extent of Italian imperial ambitions in 1902, however. The expansion of Italian shipyards over the previous years had come in anticipation of a greater naval expansion program, to increase Italy's blue water capabilities both in the Mediterranean and elsewhere around the world. The design of the Giuseppe Garibaldi-class cruiser was heavily improved upon and enlarged; the new Vittorio Emanuele-class armored cruisers, of which there were six, were easily the equals of the Pennsylvania-class which, while still under construction, was regarded as the best armored cruiser design in the world; some observers even thought the Vittorio Emanuele-class would be superior. On top of this, using knowledge gained both from observing foreign submarines and the construction of the Regia Marina's own prototype, a new submarine type, comparable to foreign designs in size and capabilities, was ordered and eventually laid down. A new class of eight destroyers, named the Nembo-class, would be strongly based on British designs while incorporating typical Italian destroyer characteristics – chiefly, a superior torpedo armament. [1901 naval tech to Italy, +2 armored cruisers in 2 turns, +4 armored cruisers in 3 turns, +8 destroyers in 2 turns, +6 submarines in 2 turns]
1902 was the year in which Alfonso XIII, King of Spain from the day of his birth, was officially made regnant monarch of the country. His coronation in May was resplendent, particularly for a country fresh off of the humiliating defeat of the Spanish-American War of 1898. The youthful and optimistic Alfonso, dedicated to the prosperity of his nation, was painted as a turning point in the history of modern Spain, ending the era of defeat and strife endured by its people, and beginning a new era which would witness the rebirth of Spanish prestige and power at home and abroad. A series of soccer games were held across the country by the nation's premier clubs, alongside large bullfighting events. The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona was watched by the King himself. A national tour of the country, culminating in a military parade in Madrid, ended the celebrations. People in Spain had hope that the country was on an upward incline, and would leave the tumultuous nineteenth century behind for good. [+11% political support to Spain, Alfonso enthroned]
The coronation of Alfonso XIII.
One of Alfonso's greatest concerns during his studies before reaching his majority was the turno system. Spain's government had, for many years, simply traded power between the two largest parties in the Cortes Generales, the Liberals and the Conservatives. In a speech from the throne in August, Alfonso denounced this corrupt and illiberal tradition, calling on the people to “claim their own destiny” and restore responsible government to the nation. Dissolving the legislature, he called for elections to take place in October. In a frenzy, the Liberals and Conservatives did all they could to remain in power. Bribery and vote-buying was rife, and opposition papers claimed that judges were being bribed en-masse to prevent convictions against those buying votes. The paper of PSOE, El Socialista, proclaimed a grand national conspiracy, and called on all “lovers of democracy and people's rights” to vote for PSOE or, at the very least, avoid voting at all for the Liberals or Conservatives. The new Reformist Party struggled to win anti-turno voters to their side and away from the Socialists. In the end, of the Congress of Deputies' 403 seats, 135 went to the Conservatives, 117 to the Liberals, 65 to the Reformists, 29 to the Republican Union, 21 to PSOE, and the remaining 36 to a smattering of new and old minor parties. For the first time in the modern Kingdom, no party had gained an absolute majority – though PSOE did win their first seats, and the Reformists, having just been created in the last several months, performed well above expectations. When the party leaders stalled on how to create a coalition, Alfonso called for another election the following week. The Conservatives dropped to 94 seats, and the Liberals to 78. The Reformists picked up many more seats, jumping to an astounding 117, making them the largest party in the country; PSOE also gained to have 39, while the Republican Union gained four for themselves. 21 seats went to the until-recently minor National Action party, which called for a populist revolution to oust established politicians and institute effective government (its leader, Eduardo Dato, gave a rousing speech several days before the second election, which was widely reprinted in opposition papers). These four parties, disparate in all but their hatred for turno and the Conservative-Liberal under-the-table alliance, all came together and agreed to form government; the Conservatives and Liberals, falling short of a majority of seats in the Congress, were unable to do so. Thus for the first time since the restoration, the Spanish government was led by a hodge-podge of parties that did not include Liberals nor Conservatives. Minister of State Melquíades Álvarez, leading the centrist Reformists and at the head of an extremely shaky coalition, would have to maneuver carefully in order to remain in power. Still, the opposition parties had been successful. [Turno dissolved, +4% political support to Spain, extremely unstable coalition government formed]
Despite the misgivings of the Portuguese aristocrats, Manuel de Arriaga tried again at instituting a reformed tax code that would ultimately tax the rich more as a percentage of their income than the poor. As a modification to his previous proposal, Arriaga exempted all nobles and those of inherited wealth entirely from the scheme. This “aristocratic preference” proved more popular with the nobles and the wealthy of the Cortes, and though it lost him the support of his radical republican allies, he secured enough support to pass the bill, which instituted a progressive scale. It was the first law mandating a direct government tax on income in modern Portuguese history. [Portugal now taxing most people's incomes, -4% political support to Portugal, receipts increased]
A romanticized image of Cortes members deliberating on Arriaga's tax reform proposal; interestingly, their garb dates to the early 19th century.
To curry more favor with the left following the exhaustion of his political capital, Arriaga pushed for another major bill, this time strictly regulating child employment, restricting maximum work hours (10 or less each day), and instituting a basic minimum wage to prevent absolute poverty among the unemployed. With this move he won back much of the support from the far left in the Cortes, though drew the ire of the conservatives and reactionaries. When it seemed that the bill would just barely fail to pass the Cortes, Arriaga pleaded with the King to publicly push for the law. Though he fell short of completely endorsing it, he gave a speech to the assembled Cortes the following day, urging all legislators to have “the better nature of mankind, and of the welfare of our subjects, close at heart.” The bill then quickly passed with a large majority in favor. [Minimum wage & workplace regulations established, +3% political support to Portugal, capitalists dislike Arriaga's government]
Transleithanian politics received a shock in March, when several smaller right-wing Croatian parties were absorbed into the People's Party, under the control of Ban Károly Khuen. Khuen, an ambitious Croat politician who aligned himself with prominent Hungarian anti-Austrian demagogues in Budapest, now found himself at the head of the only major Croatian party in imperial politics. With Khuen now alongside the Hungarian nationalists, Prime Minister Kálmán found himself wedged between the Germans and other Cisleithanians that demanded more of him, and the Hungarian nationalists, now supported by the only major Croatian political party. [Kálmán on thin ice]
The typically important Polenklub, Galician Poles that fought hard for their interests in a relatively hostile environment, lobbied Minister-President von Wittek strongly for funds and investment after he revealed his “rural package”, which sought to improve the general quality and quantity of agricultural production throughout Cisleithania. Despite staunch opposition from the actions of the Poles from the Bohemians, and though much of Wittek's political capital came from the relatively united support he received from the Bohemian parties, Wittek allocated the majority of farming investment funds into Galicia, spreading the remainder over the various regions of Cisleithania. The grateful Poles, realizing that Wittek was true to his word, thus strongly attached themselves to him and his other supporters; at the same time, the support from the Bohemians that he previously could rely on steadily began to grow weaker. [Quality of life in Galicia slightly increased, +5% political support to Austria-Hungary]
Serbia increased its investment into the Balkan Agricultural Company, hoping to get the farming and agricultural tools and implements it needed to boost agricultural production and bring prosperity to its farming folk. At the same time, with a little push from the Serbian government, the Austro-Hungarians finished the instalments needed to begin construction on the Serbian railway line, promised the previous year. [Agricultural production increased, +1 infrastructure in 3 turns, +1 infrastructure in 4 turns to Serbia]
The Romanian government's efforts to improve the quality and reach of public and private education involved significant reform on their part. A whole slew of teachers were recruited – some with better educational backgrounds than others – and a large portion of government funding, though fought hard against by the conservatives, was allocated toward building new schools and expanding ones that already existed. Pay raises were offered to teachers and professors whose students had the best marks, and performed the best in their various fields after graduation. After a handful of teachers and professors were fired for attempting to cheat the system, the groundwork had been laid for serious changes to the country's education system. [Literacy rates increasing among children in Romania]
A poorer Romanian peasant family that could now afford to put their young children through at least the most basic levels of education.
The signing of a secret treaty between the French and Bulgarian governments in early 1901 was revealed at the outset of 1902, mandating shipments of French arms and supplies to Bulgaria – everything knives, pistols, bandoliers, ammo boxes, machine guns, rifles, grenades, mortars, and light artillery, to horse saddles, boots, helmets, medical equipment, tents, gloves, shovels, and mines. The highest-ranking army generals and the Minister of the Army oversaw a grand restructuring of the Bulgarian conscription and mobilization system, based on the Serbian model. A two-tiered system based on age would be used, with younger men to be preferred, and the second echelon of reservists being brought in if manpower were low. [Bulgarian conscription system reformed]
Prime Minister Theotokis, in a speech to the Hellenic Parliament, announced that an inquiry by his administration had shown that extensive levels of corruption in the Greek government, until then unknown, were causing massive losses of government funds. Theotokis posited, in fact, that the primary reason for the huge national deficit was, in fact, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats siphoning money for their own fortune-building endeavors. The National Bureau of Corruption and Bribery was formed – with funds provided by a somewhat timid Parliament – with the objective of investigating “suspicious” or “likely” corrupt government employees and, if evidence of corruption or fraud was discovered, they were to be fired immediately. Various government offices went into a panic, as dozens of officials were charged and convicted of various crimes. It wasn't known how many of these officials were actually corrupt or simply became scapegoats for the Prime Minister's program, but the King approved, and Theotokis' supporters both in Parliament and the general populace praised his initiative to purify the nation of immoral politicians. One famous incident had the Minister for War, Admiral Konstantinos Koumoundouros, accused of embezzling funds for his family and veteran friends; he famously declared in the courtroom, “I have fought my whole life for Greece; and to be accused here of betraying that country I fought for, and which I love so, is the greatest insult!” [Bureaucracy semi-purged of corrupt officials; +5% political stability to Greece]
Prime Minister Theotokis, increasingly popular – if somewhat demagogic – leader of Greece.
After over a year of having led the Ottoman Empire through the most tumultuous period in its history, the Grand Vizier was removed from office by Sultan Mehmed, having done “all he could” to establish “stability and prosperity after the events of 1900”. Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha was made Inspector-General of Macedonia, to improve the plight of the people there and to restore the authority of the government in the more lawless regions. Meanwhile, his replacement as Grand Vizier was Sabâhaddin Bey. At just twenty-three years old, the young scion of the House of Osman had proved to be a committed liberal in his youth, strongly inspired by the individualistic ideals of the West. Having come back from exile after the fall of Abdul Hamid II, Prince Sabâhaddin took no time at all to become acquainted with the new constitutional government. He immediately set about heavily reforming Ottoman education, ensuring that all young boys would complete their primary education, as prescribed by law. Those that attended private schools would have to attend at least one year in a public school; and to that end, hundreds of new public schools were constructed around the country. Teachers were hired en-masse – some from abroad, and others with assistance from foreign teachers – and construction teams worked around the clock to erect these new schools. While some of the Grand Vizier's mandates proved to be quite inconvenient for families that had already had their children spend most of their primary education in private schools, it proved a boon for the families that, until then, had been unable to get their children even the most basic education. While the program was approved by most, PUP members in the House of Commons called for a “distinctly Turk” education system; Armenians, Serbs, and Arabs would often be taught in their own language as well as Turkish, which was highly disagreeable to them. [Literacy rate among children increasing, +4% political support to Ottomans]
The young and highly intelligent new Grand Vizier Sabâhaddin Bey.
In Macedonia, Inspector-General Hilmi Pasha did all within his power to rein in crime, establish a more sensible standard of justice, and reduce tensions between the local administration and the people. He worked hard to establish a new system of low-level courts, where justice and punishment could be meted out legally, rather than the previous standard where entire villages were collectively punished for the actions of a few. Local police forces, better-equipped than before, went out on regular patrols, and in some cases managed to capture or kill the bandits that plagued the region. While Hilmi Pasha's reforms and efforts were being enacted slower than he had initially hoped, progress was still being seen. [Crime in Ottoman Macedonia decreasing, +2% political support to Ottomans]
Dedicating himself to the principles of Western capitalism, the Grand Vizier nationalized Abdul Hamid's personal land in Palestine, and then proceeded to sell it off to subjects of the Sultan. While nearly all buyers of this land were already quite wealthy, it returned productivity to the market, rather than to the pockets of the Sultan. This had the added bonus of not only spurring the regional economy, but also providing new sources of revenue for the government via taxation. Some of the last vestiges of the corrupt and terrible reign of Abdul Hamid II were now finally gone. [+1% political support to Ottomans, economic growth slightly increased]
Asia
In a very clear effort to expand Italian influence worldwide and shore up the country's reputation as an imperial power, King Umberto dispatched a small but highly modern fleet to head east to Siam. With the flagship carrying Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele, the Prince of Naples, aboard, the fleet stopped at various ports in British India to celebrate Anglo-Italian friendship and cooperation. In May the squadron arrived in Bangkok and, after several audiences with King Rama V, gifted to the Siamese government a small armory of modern weapons, technological gadgets, and a handful of books (both in Italian and with Siamese translations) as a personal gift to the king. The trip was greatly praised in Siam and, while less so in Italy, showed that Italy was serious in its quest for international glory and imperial influence. [Closer Italo-Siamese ties, +2% political support to Italy]
Cixi, just days after fleeing Peking, immediately ordered all units of the Imperial Gendarmerie and the National Police on high alert. Curfews were established in the major cities and regular patrols down the streets and highways of the Empire ensured an ever-watchful presence from the Qing government. Anti-Qing dissidents in the less-secure provinces and towns declared that the Qing had dispatched a secret police on unsuspecting people who, in many instances, were not even anti-Qing; though these claims were unfounded, it would not be surprising with the amount of repression the Qing government was engaging in in order to maintain public order. [Likelihood of rebellions in non-occupied areas decreased, +1% political support to Qing]
The Qing effort against Yuan Shikai's pretender rebellion was as concerted as it was desperate. Even if the actual Qing government crushed Yuan's rebellion and restored peace and order to China, Cixi was unsure if the imperial dynasty would survive the decade. General Li was promoted, by imperial decree, to Field Marshal of the Empire, thereby making him the highest-ranking field commander in the country and giving him jurisdiction over every soldier in the employ of the Qing dynasty. Li, viewed as the only general that could realistically challenge Yuan's skill in the field, devised a strategy to strangle Yuan's rebellion in the crib before it gained strength across the country. With Cixi ordering a policy of repression in the major urban centers and in the countryside – at least, those areas of the countryside that government officials could effectively patrol – Li began a policy of systematic isolation of the city of Peking. Railroad and telegraph lines to the south of the city were cut, but not before Yuan could spread his message of a grand imperial restoration to everywhere he could. Shandong, of which Yuan was previously the governor, experienced a great upheaval. Having been one of the centers of the Boxer Rebellion, it was now the place of the greatest pro-Yuan sentiment – even moreso than Peking, which was still relatively split with regards to the people's loyalties. Li, at the head of over thirty full divisions, launched his campaign to encircle Peking and destroy Yuan's insurrection. Yuan launched a bitter offensive to capture Langfang, which fell on 26 September despite concerted efforts from loyalist forces. Tientsin – the city saved by Yuan during the Boxer Rebellion – was mere miles from the scenes of fighting. Elsewhere, Li made gains in the north and west, but met stiffer and stiffer resistance. Peasants and merchants in the city of Weifang rose up and, armed with weapons whose source was a mystery, won a quick but bloody battle for control of the city and became the first city to proclaim allegiance to the rebels. Deserters and new recruits slipped through the lines by the thousands and made their way to Peking, while the Qing government called in new reserves and conscripts to help defeat Yuan's army. [-2 infantry divisions to Qing, +3 infantry divisions, +1 cavalry division to Qing rebels, -49,166 soldiers to Qing, -35,769 soldiers to Qing rebels]
Loyalist soldiers of the Peking Guards Army at Luoyang, preparing to leave on campaign.
Army reforms in Japan continued into 1902; however, whereas the previous year had strictly dealt with reforms to the actual organization and doctrine of the Imperial Army, the reforms and investments of this year chronicled a long-term shift in the government's approach to war-making. As the Russo-Japanese War raged on in southern Manchuria, an imperial edict promulgated the creation of two staff colleges, one for the Army and one for the Navy, to help establish a more uniform curriculum of training and education for future officers of the Imperial military. With a huge portion of government funds dedicated to the war effort, however, construction of the two colleges was, thus, greatly delayed. It would be a while before these proper curricula could be put in place, and longer still until the fruit of these efforts could be enjoyed. Similarly, efforts to build on the successes and discoveries of Russian physicist Alexander Popov were stunted due to all government efforts being focused on the war; though small leaps and bounds were made in an effort to use radio waves to effectively determine where an object was – though the equipment used could only determine this with any reasonable accuracy at extremely short ranges. [+1 army level in 4 turns, +1 navy level in 4 turns to Japan, progress made on development of radar]
The second half of 1902 saw a rapid increase in the degree of death and destruction in southern Manchuria. As more and more troops from both sides were poured into the theater of operations, foreign observers slowly realized that this war would be prosecuted until its total conclusion – there almost assuredly would be no treaty establishing status quo ante bellum. As Field Marshal Kuropatkin rushed to bring as many troops East as he possibly could, the Japanese redoubled their efforts to push the Russians from southern Manchuria and complete the occupation of Port Arthur and Vladivostok. General Nozu's Fourth Army was reinforced by men of the Fifth Army, and, arrayed against half as many Russians, enacted a highly aggressive siege of the port city. General Stessel was ordered to hold the city at all costs; and Zasulich, to the northwest, was given command of over 120,000 men to push toward Vladivostok and lift the siege. Nozu, reinforced by General Nogi (the same man that strongly opposed the army reforms of the previous year), pushed hard to take the city before Zasulich could break through his forces to the northwest. Japanese artillery firing on the city caused moderate damage, sinking a destroyer, damaging several other warships, and killing and wounding several hundred Russian soldiers. Stessel was, for all intents and purposes, Nozu's equal in ferocity and determination. Attack and counter-attack left the battlefield a few miles from the city in a completely fluid state, and despite mounting casualties, the former's defense remained reasonably strong. Off the coast, Japanese soldiers landed on the southern tip of Sakhalin, intent on fully occupying the island before the year was over. Though they quickly secured the city of Vladimirovka, the largest settlement on the island, the Japanese troops encountered stiff resistance just to the north, and were unable to gain any more ground.
Further to the west, Smirnov, more outnumbered than Stessel in Vladivostok, relied strongly on naval fire support from the larger of the two flotillas that made up the Pacific Squadron. Generals Kuroki and Oku suffered setbacks in southern Manchuria, ceding territory despite inflicting extremely heavily casualties. Despite a bloody victory at Tonghua, Kuropatkin's relentless attacks – with his forces now outnumbering Japanese units in the region – forced the Japanese to choose between absolute annihilation and the loss of the war, and a “temporary setback”. The Japanese were unable to commit as many forces as they would have liked to the siege of Port Arthur as the Russians threatened to overwhelm their rear from the north. General Kodama, enacting a bitter siege of the city (which several times seemed on the verge of being won), pleaded with Admiral Togo Heihachiro, commander of the Combined Fleet, to effect the destruction of the Russian Pacific Squadron.
Russian troops fleeing after the Battle of Tonghua, one of the few Japanese victories – and a bloody one at that – in the second half of 1902.
Admiral Makarov, assuming total command over the entire Pacific Squadron in both Port Arthur and Vladivostok, ordered a large network of mines laid out outside both harbors to prevent further Japanese naval infiltration. Togo hoped to lure Makarov out to sea into a battle he could assuredly win, and thus greatly weakened his battle fleet by leaving three of his six battleships in port, along with most of his cruisers. Makarov, suspecting a trap, did not make a move until 20 August, sending out his whole Port Arthur flotilla to give battle to Togo. The Battle of the Yellow Sea, fought on 22 August, would have lasting consequences for the remainder of the war. Makarov, approaching from the north, was notified by a destroyer on reconnaissance that Togo was approaching, in line, from the southeast. Makarov turned to meet him head-on, and at 4 pm the Japanese battleship Mikasa, flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, opened fire from a range of just under 10,000 yards. Togo turned north as Makarov turned south, and though both battle lines only fired at each other for some twenty minutes, the results were brutal. Heavy artillery fire from the Japanese battleships Mikasa and Fuji heavily damaged the battleship Retvizan, second in line behind the flagship, Petropavlovsk. A Russian torpedo boat run on the Japanese line was ended in confusion by a counter-charge from three screening Japanese light cruisers. After the first pass, Makarov turned to port until he was heading due north, with Togo turning to head northeast on a collision course with the Russian battle line. As the range closed, the brutality of the slugging match only worsened. The Russian light cruiser Pallada detonated violently after a 305mm shell from Hatsuse struck her primary magazine; the armored cruiser Takasago was hit in her engine and shortly after lost control of her steering, and she subsequently drifted closer to the Russian line until she struck her colors (as the battle continued further to the north, the crew of the cruiser was forced to scuttle her and abandon ship; just 49 of her crew were later picked up by Japanese and Russian ships). By 6 pm, having redirected his fleet to gradually sail further away from the Russians, Togo wheeled around to port once again, putting a great distance between himself and Makarov, and subsequently sailed back to Japan. Both fleets were badly bruised; no one, not even observers, could determine who had won. Though the Japanese blockade had been successfully challenged, the Russian fleet had been too heavily damaged to act on it. Makarov spent the remainder of the year in port, nursing his wounds and repairing his vessels. Togo, content that he had brought Makarov to battle and assured that he had sufficiently weakened the encircled admiral, briefly returned to Japan and was treated as a hero.
Russian battleship Retvizan suffering heavy damage during the Battle of the Yellow Sea.
By 9 November, after a great many delays, the unthinkable happened: the entirety of the Russian Baltic Fleet, including four modern battleships, sailed into the Yellow Sea. Makarov, having been notified of his redeployment, sent what ships he could to escort the fleet into Port Arthur. Togo sent a cruiser squadron to try to intercept Makarov's fleet, while preparing his own Combined Fleet to sortie against Vice Admiral Rozhestvensky's newly-arrived Baltic Fleet; but the cruisers never found the Russians in time, and Togo, with only four operable battleships (the other two would not finish repairs until mid-December), called off the operation. Aware of the mined condition of Port Arthur's waters, Togo could do nothing but watch as the number of Russian battleships in the Pacific Squadron doubled to eight. [-1 light cruiser, -2 destroyers to Russia, -26,719 soldiers to Russia. -1 armored cruiser to Japan, -23,006 soldiers to Japan]
As Philippine resistance to the American occupation wound down, a sort of normalcy returned to the islands. The passage in September of the Cooper Act – setting down terms to restore a degree of autonomy and self-government to the Philippine Islands – warmed the hearts of some Filipinos to the American government, but hardened many more against it – many simply wanted total independence. The last guerrilla holdouts against the US Army put up little effectual resistance, and the war was more or less over by mid-April. [Philippine-American War ended, semi-self-government to the Philippines in 1 turn]
After the declaration of intent by President Roosevelt, the Korean Squadron was formed and the Asiatic Fleet reinforced. Two battleships, attendant escorts, and enough transports to carry an entire division of US Marines were dispatched to Korea in the largest American fleet to travel East Asia since Commodore Perry's expeditions to Japan in the 1850s. The Asiatic Fleet, based out of Manila, patrolled the waters to the North and West of the islands, to prevent any sort of intervention by the Russian or Japanese navies. With the American delegation at Inchon firmly locked down, and with an entire division of American soldiers defending the national interest in the region, the Russo-Japanese War rapidly became a war of interest to foreign powers.
Americas
As the naval arms race abroad continued to heat up, Congress continued to expand its vision with regard to the various paths of naval development the country could take in the coming years. After the heated debate over the design of the Virginia-class battleships was brought to a close, funding was provided and a timetable created for the construction, launching, and commissioning of the five vessels. Their primary armament of four double-barreled 10-inch guns in a superfiring centerline arrangement made them the first of their kind in the world, and foreign observers noted the slight similarity with the Austro-Hungarian three-turret battleship design of 1900. These battleships would also be able, on paper, to reach speeds of 20 knots, making them the fastest battleships in the world (in contrast, builders intimate with the design believed the ships could reach 19 knots in optimal conditions). The ships would be perfect for focusing fire on and sinking armored cruisers and older battleships, though, like their Austro-Hungarian counterpart, their effectiveness against the most modern battleships would be less than perfect. [+2 battleships in 3 turns, +3 battleships in 4 turns to United States]
An early line drawing of the Virginia-class, before a 12-inch main armament was deemed unfeasible.
Representative Francis Newlands of Nevada brought to Congress a bill that would assist irrigation efforts in the American West, were many lands were startlingly arid and uninhabitable. Money made from the sale of land would be set aside to help in the development of less-habitable land, bringing water through the earth and introducing the ability to farm in areas that previously would bring no crop to farmers. Despite the bill's passing, very little progress was made throughout the year; but over time, it would prove to have enormous consequences for the American economy. [Irrigation efforts in the American West begin]
In November, Americans once again went to the polls to determine the makeup of Congress for the second half of President Roosevelt's term in office. Democrats that had previously been staunchly opposed to the “imperialist policies” of President McKinley were surprised to find that Roosevelt had not attempted to outright annex Cuba, and that the Philippines would not be admitted as a state. As tensions mounted in East Asia, where American businesses held great interests, many people abandoned William Jennings Bryan's anti-imperialist beliefs in favor of President Roosevelt's “big stick” ideology, which was first introduced that year. This shift in beliefs were reflected in the outcome of the midterm election; at the same time, the House had been expanded to include 386 members. The Republican share of the House jumped to 239, while the Democrats gained just to 146. All Silver Republicans were absorbed into the Republican Party proper, with the single remaining seat going to the last Populist member of the House. The Senate saw a similar outcome. Populist voters that fled their party split almost evenly between the Democratic and Republican candidates, giving the Republicans 58 Senate seats to the Democrats' 23 (one state was lost to the Republican challenger, while another Democrat beat out the Populist incumbent there). The Silver Republicans were reduced to just one seat, and the Populists four. Thus, with popularity for Roosevelt's administration higher than the previous year, it would remain to be seen if it would persist until the next presidential election.
The elderly William Allison, older than pictured, served as the veteran leader of the Republicans in the Senate.
The Mexican government, keen on improving the quantity and quality of agriculture in the country, decided on lowering import tariffs for farming equipment, fertilizer, and related machinery and tools. Farmers and companies were now able to buy the equipment they needed at much lower prices. The result of the initiative would only be known by the following year, but it was expected to create a trend of increasing crop production in the country for the foreseeable future. Simultaneously, other attempts at funding certain portions of domestic industry, particularly with non-existent advisers from the US government, fell flat on their face, chiefly due to the loss in revenue from lowering tariffs earlier in the year. [Farming equipment tariffs lowered]
With the Thousand Days War starting to trend toward a conservative government victory over the rebellious liberals, President Roosevelt openly questioned the continued need for warfare. He dispatched USS Kearsarge to Colombia to help mediate an end to the war between the two parties. The Panamanians, who for most of the war had been under the occupation of liberal-aligned forces, desperately wanted an end to the war – and the disastrous policies of the Colombian government, which had brought about the war and so much misery to the people of Panama. When the Colombian government refused any financial or economic concessions to the Panamanians, they threatened open revolt, and began demanding significant autonomy within the country. The fractious nature of the Colombian government, exhausted after years of civil war, was momentarily struck with panic, unable to decide on what to do. It was only after the intervention of President Roosevelt – in the person of Secretary of State John Hay – that Colombia finally ceded total control of Panama to the United States, with the trust that the United States would grant self-government to the Panamanians after establishing an agreement over the construction of a canal over the Panamanian Isthmus. [Panama ceded to United States, Thousand Days' War ended]
The signing of the Treaty of Kearsarge, ending the Thousand Days' War.
Attempts to alleviate government funding issues, while simultaneously improving the quality of life of everyday Chileans, led the National Congress to pass various funding acts for a new railroad system that was to be built and expanded upon throughout the country. Despite the protests of liberal President Riesco, he ultimately approved the measure, ensuring that the executive carried out the will of the legislature. As the GDP continued to grow at an enormous rate, new industries sprung up to supply the construction teams with the materials they needed – though much of it was simply imported from abroad. Though it would be many years before the railroad system was complete, it would surely be highly lucrative to the government, who owned 51% of the new company's shares. [+4% political support to Chile, +1 infrastructure in 3 turns, +1 infrastructure in 4 turns, +1 infrastructure in 5 turns, +1 infrastructure in 6 turns]
The new imperial administration of Brazil – that is, Acting Prime Minister Sales, as the Empress held virtually no power – issued a proclamation, with imperial assent, declaring all rebels and men under the oligarchs as traitors to the Empire. The property and assets of the oligarchs and all their supporters would be seized by the government and subsequently sold at auction. Hundreds of wealthy backers of the rebelling oligarchs withdrew their support, timidly declaring the rebels traitors to the nation, thus saving their property and, potentially, their own lives. The poorer supporters of the oligarchs, however, figured they had nothing to lose, and many of them continued to dedicate their energies toward toppling the Empire. [Weakened financial support for the oligarchs]
Imperial Army soldiers, bolstered by tens of thousands of mobilized federal police, immediately began offensive operations to root out rebel soldiers, bring the oligarchs to justice, and restore total government authority over the entire country. After major battles at the smaller towns of Campo Grande and Barreiras, both of which were bloodily won by government forces, the rebelling oligarchs abandoned their previous strategy and adopted a policy of guerrilla warfare. With the frontlines rapidly becoming blurred, government forces struggled to root out rebel control of large swathes of the country. [Federal police mobilized, -1,638 soldiers to Brazil]
Brazilian federal police, mobilized to work alongside the army, marching through Barreiras.
As mandated by the new Imperial Constitution, the Brazilian public would get to engage in a popular election. The new constitution was decidedly more liberal and populist than both its predecessors. The National Liberal Union, the newly-formed centrist/liberal party headed by Prime Minister Sales, won a plurality of the 350 seats at 137. Sales formed a governing coalition with the 28-seat People's Party (moderate conservatives) and the Democratic People's Party (center-left social liberals), with 24 seats. The lead opposition parties, the Conservative Party and the Social Democratic Worker's Party, won 58 and 85 of the seats, respectively. The more minor parties received the remaining 18 seats; notably, the Brazilian Communist Party received a surprising 5 seats. [+2% political support to Brazil]
With the country experiencing enormous economic growth, Argentine President Roca turned to shaping up the country's military, which was in “horrendous” shape. Old arms were sold off to mercenaries, smaller foreign nations, arms companies, and elsewhere; some new weapons, including batches of modern machine guns and light horse artillery, were purchased. A team of observers was sent to Manchuria to observe the course of the Russo-Japanese War and learn from the successes and mistakes of both sides. These operations helped to shore up support for the government, especially in the wake of the Brazilian restoration and subsequent rebellions gripping the country. The reforms to Army doctrine and organization, however, would be slightly longer in coming, as the results of the Russo-Japanese War's various battles would have to be thoroughly analyzed before any meaning of value could be gleaned. [1895 army tech to Argentina, +1 army level in 1 turn, +1 army level in 2 turns to Argentina, +3% political support to Argentina]
Africa
The first half of 1902 witnessed the last months of the Second Boer War. Kitchener and Baden-Powell, riding on their enormous wave of success from the previous year, pooled all of their energies into crushing Boer resistance and bringing the bloody conflict to a close. With Boer resistance in the SAR on the brink of collapse, all that was needed was a gentle push.
Kitchener continued prosecuting his bloody and merciless campaign of civilian containment, carting off thousands of Boer civilians to concentration camps to the south while working hard to destroy every unit of Boer soldiers he could. He swept aside what little resistance remained, and after a two-week battle of maneuver, effected the occupation of Pretoria despite heavy resistance. With other troops on the North and West, the Boer Republics had finally been brought to heel.
A company of Boer militia making their last stand outside Pretoria.
The Treaty of Vereeniging replaced the republics with the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, accepting King George as their head of state. After almost three years, the Boer War had come to an end, with British domination of South Africa all but guaranteed. [-6,157 soldiers to United Kingdom, Boer Republics annexed]
Other events
Dan Keating, Prince Saud, Eric Liddell, Langston Hughes, Charles Lindbergh, John Steinbeck, Robert Jones Jr., Thomas Dewey, Andrew Irvine, Richard Daley, Barbara McClintock, Richard Rodgers, Leni Riefenstahl, and James Strom Thurmond are born.
Queen Mary gives birth to a son, George.
The first Rose Bowl game, held between Stanford University and the University of Michigan, is held in Pasadena.
The Madrid Football Club is founded.
A new speed record for automobiles is set in France by Léon Serpollet; the speed is 74 mph.
The London School of Economics is opened as a subsidiary college of the University of London.
A pit explosion in Wollongong, Australia claims the lives of 100 miners.
A stampede at a speech given by Booker T. Washington in Birmingham kills 115 people.
Breaker Morant, an officer charged with committing war crimes in South Africa; Cecil Rhodes, famous British entrepreneur and politician; Levi Strauss, founder of the first company to mass-produce jeans; Émile Zola, famous French author and journalist; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, leading American suffragist and social activist; Walter Reed, influential arrmy surgeon; Charles Dow, co-founder of the Dow Jones; and Thomas Nast, famous American political cartoonist; die.
1903
Argentine Republic
Government: Federal constitutional republic
Leader(s): Presidente Julio Argentino Roca
Capital: Buenos Aires
Political stability: 69%
Population: 6.485 m. (3.9% growth)
GDP: $ 16,676 m. (8.8% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 589 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,285 m.
Balance: $ - 696 m.
Treasury: $ - 11,055 m.
Manpower: 100,356
Army: (1/5) Average, 1895 technology [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns]
5 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Average, 1898 technology
2 battleships, 4 armored cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 7 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Arrowfiend
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Kaiser und König Franz Josef
Capital: Wien
Political stability: 72%
Population: 54.179 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 106,141 m. (2.4% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average [+1 in 1 turn, +2 in 2 turns]
Receipts: $ 3,803 m.
Expenditures: $ 5,246 m.
Balance: $ - 1,443 m.
Treasury: $ - 45,603 m.
Manpower: 255,349
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1895 technology
38 infantry divisions, 9 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 4 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1900 technology
8 battleships, 2 armored cruisers, 8 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 0 submarines [+1 battleship in 2 turns]
Player: Dadarian
Empire of Brazil
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Imperatriz Isabel/Presidente Campos Sales
Capital: Rio de Janeiro
Political stability: 81%
Population: 19.367 m. (2.6% growth)
GDP: $ 14,649 m. (2.8% growth) [federal police mobilized]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 440 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,444 m.
Balance: $ - 1,004 m.
Treasury: $ - 5,516 m.
Manpower: 225,084
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1894 technology
12 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [3 infantry police]
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1897 technology
4 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 5 light cruisers, 11 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: bakerydog
Principality of Bulgaria
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Tsar Ferdinand/Ministar-predsedatel Todor Ivanchov
Capital: Sofiya
Political stability: 79%
Population: 3.307 m. (1.6% growth)
GDP: $ 5,100 m. (2.2% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn]
Receipts: $ 153 m.
Expenditures: $ 264 m.
Balance: $ - 111 m.
Treasury: $ - 2,269 m.
Manpower: 41,183
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1894 technology [1897 tech in 1 turn]
4 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1893 technology
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 1 destroyer, 0 submarines
Player: sealy300
Chilean Republic
Government: Unitary constitutional republic
Leader(s): Presidente Germán Riesco
Capital: Santiago
Political stability: 60%
Population: 3.037 m. (1.4% growth)
GDP: $ 7,253 m. (4.5% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor [+1 in 3 turns, +1 in 4 turns, +1 in 5 turns, +1 in 6 turns]
Receipts: $ 280 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,009 m.
Balance: $ - 729 m.
Treasury: $ - 2,516 m.
Manpower: 65,702
Army: (1/5) Average, 1896 technology
3 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1897 technology
0 battleships, 4 armored cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 6 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Julius Maximus
French Republic
Government: Unitary constitutional republic
Leader(s): Président Émile Loubet
Capital: Paris
Political stability: 66%
Population: 42.579 m. (1.6% growth) (52.275 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 122,200 m. (1.7% growth) ($ 37,183 m. colonial)
Economic status: Industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Good
Receipts: $ 6,117 m.
Expenditures: $ 9,297 m.
Balance: $ - 3,180 m.
Treasury: $ - 58,984 m.
Manpower: 277,858 (403,408 colonial)
Army: (2/5) Good, 1897 technology
31 infantry divisions, 8 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 3 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1898 technology
10 battleships, 12 armored cruisers, 29 light cruisers, 54 destroyers, 1 submarine [+2 battleships in 1 turn]
Player: tyriet
German Empire
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Kaiser und König Wilhelm II/Reichskanzler Friedrich von Holstein
Capital: Berlin
Political stability: 74%
Population: 56.603 m. (1.3% growth) (11.886 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 184,166 m. (4.2% growth) ($ 6,709 m. colonial)
Economic status: Industrial, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Good
Receipts: $ 5,826 m.
Expenditures: $ 7,993 m.
Balance: $ - 2,167 m.
Treasury: $ - 85,001 m.
Manpower: 417,145 (98,814 colonial)
Army: (4/5) Good, 1898 technology
42 infantry divisions, 10 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 3 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Average, 1897 technology
9 battleships, 1 armored cruisers, 8 light cruisers, 35 destroyers, 7 submarines [+3 battleships in 2 turns, +3 armored cruisers in 1 turn, +1 armored cruiser in 2 turns, +5 light cruisers in 2 turns, +4 submarines in 1 turn]
Player: Sneakyflaps
Kingdom of Greece
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leaders(s): Basiliás Geórgios/Prothypourgós Georgios Theotokis
Capital: Athína
Political stability: 64%
Population: 5.270 m. (2.0% growth)
GDP: $ 7,099 m. (2.1% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 234 m.
Expenditures: $ 460 m.
Balance: $ - 226 m.
Treasury: $ - 2,510 m.
Manpower: 78,384
Army: (2/5) Average, 1897
3 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Average, 1898
0 battleships, 3 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Mikkel Glahder
Kingdom of Italy
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Re Umberto/Presidente Luigi Pelloux
Capital: Roma
Political stability: 65%
Population: 35.103 m. (2.1% growth) (1.618 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 66,419 m. (4.0% growth) ($ 2,822 m. colonial)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Good
Receipts: $ 2,546 m.
Expenditures: $ 4,290 m.
Balance: $ - 1,744 m.
Treasury: $ - 29,246 m.
Manpower: 298,079 (67,504 colonial)
Army: (2/5) Average, 1894 technology
25 infantry divisions, 4 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 4 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Average, 1901 technology
5 battleships, 3 armored cruisers, 10 light cruisers, 18 destroyers, 1 submarines [+2 armored cruisers in 2 turns, +4 armored cruisers in 3 turns, +8 destroyers in 2 turns, +6 submarines in 2 turns]
Player: jacob-Lundgren
Greater Japanese Empire
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Meiji-tennō/Naikaku-sōri-daijin Itō Hirobumi
Capital: Tōkyō
Political stability: 75%
Population: 45.256 m. (1.1% growth) (3.065 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 57,331 m. (2.9% growth) ($ 1,697 m. colonial)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average
Receipts: $ 2,340 m.
Expenditures: $ 6,156 m.
Balance: $ - 3,816 m.
Treasury: $ - 51,234 m.
Manpower: 358,514 (110,287 colonial)
Army: (3/5) Average, 1900 technology [+1 in 1 turn]
19 infantry divisions, 4 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1899 technology
6 battleships, 5 armored cruisers, 9 light cruisers, 23 destroyers, 0 submarines [+3 light cruisers in 2 turns, +3 destroyers in 1 turns]
Player: Riccardo93
Korean Empire
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Gwangmuje
Capital: Seoul
Political stability: 59%
Population: 12.754 m. (1.5% growth)
GDP: $ 10,578 m. (1.5% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 132 m.
Expenditures: $ 115 m.
Balance: $ 17 m.
Treasury: $ - 215 m.
Manpower: 286,016
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1891 technology
13 infantry divisions, 2 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [10 infantry, 2 cavalry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Duke Dan “the Man”
United States of Mexico
Government: Presidential dictatorship
Leader(s): Presidente Porfirio Díaz
Capital: Ciudad de México
Political stability: 58%
Population: 14.283 m. (1.1% growth)
GDP: $ 20,407 m. (3.1% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 503 m.
Expenditures: $ 217 m.
Balance: $ 286 m.
Treasury: $ - 2,649 m.
Manpower: 206,310
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1896 technology
1 infantry division, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Poor, 1895 technology
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Luftwafer
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Koningin Wilhelmina/Minister-President Nicolaas Pierson
Capital: Amsterdam
Political stability: 76%
Population: 5.349 m. (2.0% growth) (44.890 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 18,755 m. (2.2% growth) ($ 33,600 m. colonial) [colonial infrastructure project in 4 turns]
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Good [+1 in 1 turn]
Receipts: $ 2,602 m.
Expenditures: $ 2,349 m.
Balance: $ 253 m.
Treasury: $ 486 m.
Manpower: 123,226 (586,566 colonial)
Army: (3/5) Average, 1895 technology
11 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1897 technology
0 battleships, 6 armored cruisers, 6 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: TJDS
Ottoman Empire
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Padişahları Mehmed V/Grand Vizier Sabâhaddin Bey
Capital: Qustantiniyye
Political stability: 70%
Population: 32.558 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 40,592 m. (2.4% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor
Receipts: $ 1,183 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,412 m.
Balance: $ - 229 m.
Treasury: $ - 29,484 m.
Manpower: 411,149
Army: (1/5) Average, 1896 technology [+1 in 1 turn]
18 infantry divisions, 4 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1897 technology [Imperial Arsenal modernization in 3 turns]
0 battleships, 1 armored cruiser, 0 light cruisers, 13 destroyers, 0 submarines [+3 light cruisers in 1 turn, +4 destroyers in 1 turn]
Player: Haresus
Kingdom of Portugal
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Rei Carlos/Presidente Manuel de Arriaga
Capital: Lisboa
Political stability: 62%
Population: 5.718 m. (1.8% growth) (10.646 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 7,380 m. (2.1% growth) ($ 10,899 m. colonial)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average [+1 in 1 turn]
Receipts: $ 304 m.
Expenditures: $ 364 m.
Balance: $ - 60 m.
Treasury: $ - 1,763 m.
Manpower: 133,538 (166,621 m colonial)
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1896 technology
4 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 2 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Poor, 1898 technology
0 battleships, 1 armored cruiser, 4 light cruisers, 5 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: DutchGuy
Empire of the Great Qing
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Guāngxù Huángdì/Cíxǐ Tàihòu
Capital: Luoyang
Political stability: 44%
Population: 418.747 m. (0.2% growth)
GDP: $ 226,102 m. (1.1% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, mixed economy
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns, +1 in 3 turns, +1 in 5 turns, +2 in 6 turns, +2 in 8 turns]
Receipts: $ 4,776 m.
Expenditures: $ 6,903 m.
Balance: $ - 2,127 m.
Treasury: $ - 8,336 m.
Manpower: 7,485,573
Army: (4/5) Failing, 1898 technology
43 infantry divisions, 13 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [2 infantry modern; 7 infantry, 1 cavalry semi-modern]
Navy: (4/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 battleships, 7 armored cruisers, 5 light cruisers, 9 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Rolman99
Kingdom of Romania
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Regele Carol/Prim-ministrul Dimitrie Sturdza
Capital: București
Political stability: 62%
Population: 6.967 m. (1.6% growth)
GDP: $ 16,340 m. (1.3% growth) [Agriculture reformed in 3 turns]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn, +2 in 2 turns]
Receipts: $ 490 m.
Expenditures: $ 348 m.
Balance: $ 142 m.
Treasury: $ 564 m.
Manpower: 93,933
Army: (1/5) Average, 1895 technology
7 infantry divisions, 2 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 1 mountain division
Navy: (4/5) Failing, 1890 technology [shipyards modernized in 2 turns]
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: aedan777
Russian Empire
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Tsar Nikolay II
Capital: Sankt-Peterburg
Political stability: 65%
Population: 132.010 m. (2.2% growth)
GDP: $ 166,541 m. (2.4% growth) [fully mobilized] [committee decision in 2 turns]
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average [+1 in 1 turn]
Receipts: $ 13,582 m. [new bureaucrats in 3 turns]
Expenditures: $ 14,906 m.
Balance: $ - 1,324 m.
Treasury: $ - 97,804 m.
Manpower: 1,662,057
Army: (2/5) Average, 1898 technology
84 infantry divisions, 20 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 2 mountain divisions [28 infantry, 8 cavalry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1899 technology
13 battleships, 5 armored cruisers, 7 light cruiser, 23 destroyers, 0 submarines [+4 battleships in 1 turn]
Player: Noco19
Kingdom of Serbia
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Kralj Aleksandar/Predsednik Vladan Đorđević
Capital: Beograd
Political stability: 64%
Population: 2.839 m. (1.9% growth)
GDP: $ 3,303 m. (2.6% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor [+1 in 3 turns, +1 in 4 turns]
Receipts: $ 117 m.
Expenditures: $ 109 m.
Balance: $ 8 m.
Treasury: $ - 190 m.
Manpower: 57,844
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1896 technology
2 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Harpsichord
Kingdom of Spain
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Rey Alfonso XIII/Ministro de Estado Melquíades Álvarez
Capital: Madrid
Political stability: 64%
Population: 21.998 m. (2.0% growth) (0.466 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 35,921 m. (3.1% growth) ($ 190 m. colonial)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (1/5) Average
Receipts: $ 1,016 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,536 m.
Balance: $ - 520 m.
Treasury: $ - 26,473 m.
Manpower: 245,653 (18,148 colonial)
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1896 technology
13 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1897 technology
1 battleship, 1 armored cruiser, 5 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Olligarchy
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King George V/Prime Minister Archibald Primrose
Capital: London
Political stability: 83%
Population: 43.719 m. (2.1% growth) (400.417 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 194,256 m. (1.2% growth) ($ 276,163 m. colonial)
Economic status: Industrial, expansion, market economy
Infrastructure: (1/5) Excellent
Receipts: $ 13,725 m.
Expenditures: $ 16,301 m.
Balance: $ - 2,576 m.
Treasury: $ - 69,796 m.
Manpower: 527,068 (1,044,165 colonial)
Army: (2/5) Good, 1898 technology
42 infantry divisions, 10 cavalry divisions, 3 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Excellent, 1900 technology
36 battleships, 13 armored cruisers, 18 light cruisers, 73 destroyers, 6 submarines [+2 battleships in 1 turn, +3 battleships in 2 turns, +4 armored cruisers in 1 turn, +6 armored cruisers in 2 turns, +5 light cruisers in 3 turns, +5 light cruisers in 4 turns, +5 light cruisers in 5 turns, +5 light cruisers in 6 turns, +10 destroyers in 3 turns, +10 destroyers in 4 turns, +10 destroyers in 5 turns]
Player: Mr_Roundstedt
United States of America
Government: Federal constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Theodore Roosevelt
Capital: Washington, DC
Political stability: 83%
Population: 81.247 m. (2.4% growth) (9.355 m. colonial)
GDP: $ 397,927 m. (7.1% growth) ($ 9,191 m. colonial)
Economic status: Industrial, boom, market economy
Infrastructure: (1/5) Excellent [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns]
Receipts: $ 11,494 m.
Expenditures: $ 10,496 m.
Balance: $ 998 m.
Treasury: $ - 20,300 m.
Manpower: 438,260 (102,896 colonial)
Army: (4/5) Average, 1898 technology
14 infantry divisions, 3 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Good, 1900 technology
13 battleships, 2 armored cruisers, 8 light cruisers, 24 destroyers, 1 submarine [+1 battleship in 1 turn, +2 battleships in 3 turns, +3 battleships in 4 turns, +2 armored cruisers in 2 turns, +2 armored cruisers in 3 turns, +2 armored cruisers in 4 turns, +7 submarines in 1 turn]
Player: etranger01
Empire of the Great Qing (rebels)
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Xiàohùi Huángdì/Dàilǐ xiàozhǎng Yuan Shikai
Capital: Peking
Manpower: 259,067 [full mobilization]
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1898 technology
16 infantry divisions, 3 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [3 infantry, 1 cavalry modern; 2 infantry semi-modern]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Maxwell500
French Colonies:
French Africa
Population: 28.854 m.
GDP: $ 19,105 m.
French CaribbeanGDP: $ 19,105 m.
Population: 0.291 m.
GDP: $ 1,729 m.
French IndochinaGDP: $ 1,729 m.
Population: 23.130 m.
GDP: $ 16,349 m.
GDP: $ 16,349 m.
German Colonies:
German Asia
Population: 0.534 m.
GDP: $ 299 m.
German AfricaGDP: $ 299 m.
Population: 11.352 m.
GDP: $ 6,410 m.
GDP: $ 6,410 m.
Japanese Colonies:
Japanese Taiwan
Population: 3.065 m.
GDP: $ 1,697 m.
GDP: $ 1,697 m.
Italian Colonies:
Italian Africa
Population: 1.618 m.
GDP: $ 2,822 m.
GDP: $ 2,822 m.
Dutch Colonies:
Dutch East Indies
Population: 44.890 m.
GDP: $ 33,600 m.
GDP: $ 33,600 m.
Portuguese Colonies:
Portuguese Africa
Population: 10.004 m.
GDP: $ 9,661 m.
Portuguese India and AsiaGDP: $ 9,661 m.
Population: 0.642 m.
GDP: $ 1,238 m.
GDP: $ 1,238 m.
Spanish Colonies:
Spanish Africa
Population: 0.466 m.
GDP: $ 190 m.
GDP: $ 190 m.
British Colonies:
British India and Asia
Population: 325.093 m.
GDP: $ 207,764 m.
British AfricaGDP: $ 207,764 m.
Population: 65.728 m.
GDP: $ 39,978 m.
British ArabiaGDP: $ 39,978 m.
Population: 3.701 m.
GDP: $ 6,329 m.
British OceaniaGDP: $ 6,329 m.
Population: 4.812 m.
GDP: $ 19,147 m.
British North AmericaGDP: $ 19,147 m.
Population: 1.083 m.
GDP: $ 2,945 m.
GDP: $ 2,945 m.
American Colonies:
American Cuba
Population: 1.767 m
GDP: $ 4,479 m
American PhilippinesGDP: $ 4,479 m
Population: 7.588 m
GDP: $ 4,712 m
GDP: $ 4,712 m
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GM Note: tyriet joins us as France, and Roundy joins us as the UK. Maxwell has switched to play as Yuan's rebels.
I will announce an orders deadline at some point in the near future. Cheers.
I will announce an orders deadline at some point in the near future. Cheers.
GM Note: @von_Rundstedt and @tyriet are now in the game. This is to remind them that they must now be active on IRC and in IC.
The Kingdom of Romania is most concerned that France, a nation we have long held close ties to, would implicitly support the potentially expansionist aims of one of our neighbors in this manner. We can only hope that France takes no more steps to destabilize the Balkans though such suspect arms deals. The Kingdom of Romania will be considering options to maintain its safety and security in light of this event.
-Ion I. C. Brătianu, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Romania
To the Most Esteemed Governor of Macedonia, Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha,
I have received reports from the many esteemed figures of the Bulgar community in Macedonia that your recent action as governor has been received with support from the Bulgar peoples you govern. Priests serving god in the most holy Bulgarian Exarchate have written to me commending your action to solve banditry and deal with other forms of pure criminality, for which I am grateful that such action is finally being taken to protect the Bulgars within the Ottoman Empire from felons. Your other most recent scheme, however, has been met with some apprehension and worry from the community leaders of the Bulgar peoples. The new extent of education, to reach all young males, is a policy that the Bulgar communities support. As Aristotle once said; "Education is the Best Provision for Old Age", however the nature of this education is one of major importance. The education of Bulgar persons solely in the Turkish language; as some persons who have written to me indicate is the practise in many areas, is an extreme worry to myself and the entirety of the Bulgar community. This form of cultural erosion is extremely displeasing, and I would implore that all Bulgars; and the other peoples of the Balkans, be allowed to receive education in the language of their birth. I would like to remind your esteemedness that in the Odessa Accords, the Bulgarian state has made assurances that the Turkish peoples that reside here are allowed to continue unimpeded in their lives, with their faith and language respected. It would be a wise move, from a learned man such as yourself would hopefully see, to reciprocate such action. I wish you luck in the continuation with your actions as governor.
~With the Greatest of Regards,
Tsaruvane Knyaz Ferdinand I of The Bulgarian State.
Segments of a missive from Ministro de Estado Melquíades Álvarez concerning the Ley de Reforma Militar de 1903
Ferrol Shipyards
"...as thus, given the rapid rate of naval expansion begun by the Great Powers of Europe, the Armada is to be brought to the latest standards. In addition to the construction of two additional cruisers and 4 destroyers, all fleet ships are to be upgraded as well as the yards of Spain are able..."
Buenavista Palace, HQ of Ejército de Tierra
"...and though you no doubt take the dismissal of 3 divisions with some worry, their budget will be used to secure more and better equipment for the remaining units of the Army, so that they might better serve the interests of the Realm, and act as a bulwark upon which we can build upon once the current financial crisis has been dealt with."
Ferrol Shipyards
"...as thus, given the rapid rate of naval expansion begun by the Great Powers of Europe, the Armada is to be brought to the latest standards. In addition to the construction of two additional cruisers and 4 destroyers, all fleet ships are to be upgraded as well as the yards of Spain are able..."
Buenavista Palace, HQ of Ejército de Tierra
"...and though you no doubt take the dismissal of 3 divisions with some worry, their budget will be used to secure more and better equipment for the remaining units of the Army, so that they might better serve the interests of the Realm, and act as a bulwark upon which we can build upon once the current financial crisis has been dealt with."
Minutes of the Imperial Council; House of Deputies
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "Now speaking, Deputy Josef Hannich from the Curiae of General Voters for Bohemia."
Deputy Joseph Hannich, Curiae of General Voters (SDPA): "Mr. Speaker, the actions of the Minister-President have shown that truly the Czech Question has not been solved! Abandoning us in favour of his rural elites and Polacks bro..."
Immense booing from the various Polish and Rural parties, Speaker enforces silence.
Deputy Joseph Hannich, Curiae of General Voters (SDPA): "Thank you Mr. Speaker, as I was saying. The Minister-President cares only for the German and Polish vote. The abandonment of the Czechs shows how much we are not supported. Therefore, in the spirit of the negotiations with Badeni, the Czech parties and deputies will unite in demanding that the Czech language be properly recognised in Bohemia and Moravia."
Chaos breaks out in the House of Deputies. Speaker is unable to regain control. House dismissed for the day.
A private communique to Knyaz Ferdinand I of the Principality of Bulgaria.
To His Serene Highness The Prince of Bulgaria,
Allow me to start this exchange by extending my utmost satisfaction at seeing the beloved Prince take such a personal interest in the well-being of Ottoman subjects. Safety against the bandits who have been roaming Macedonia, stealing and plundering while espousing their false values and lies, is one of our top priorities. It is a shame that some of these men seem to believe that they have support from Bulgarian officials in these criminal deeds, but we are certain that your private condemnation of such men will do much good to further stability and prosperity in Macedonia. Our other scheme, as His Serene Highness most eloquently puts it, is the matter of universal education. Education and learning are the pillars of a modern nation, and we believe that neither religion nor language should be a barrier to acquiring either. Unfortunately, were we to only educate these young men in the language of their birth, whereby we assume that His Serene Highness does not imply that we teach them in the gibberish which newborn babies speak in, it is the personal opinion of this loyal and humble Inspector-General that we might doom some to illiteracy. A fate which we are most disinclined to acquiesce to. As for the Odessa Accords, we are pleased to hear that the Principality of Bulgaria intends to honour its agreements.
It must be noted to His Serene Highness that only the Imperial Parliament has the power to change the laws of the Empire, and that this query which Your Serene Highness is so invested in would have to be aimed at the Imperial Parliament first and foremost. They would be most well-equipped to debate and consider this matter in more detail, as well as to provide a definitive answer to Your Serene Highness and all Ottoman subjects.
Respectfully,
Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha, Inspector-General of Macedonia
We find the nature of French diplomacy deplorable, and we can do nothing but to condemn their behavior and their secret treaty with Bulgaria. Following the Bulgarian break with the Ottoman Empire a chance of peace had finally been found. The fact that the French Republic then immediately began arming the Principality of Bulgaria is disturbing, and putting the peace and stability of the whole region at risk. That this is done so in secret only further adds to the harm and insult carried out by the French. To keep such a real potential danger to the stability of the Balkans, which so often has proven problematic, shows the shortsighted vision and aim of the French, with lack of grace and wisdom, and while it may be forgiven then their following actions cannot.
The behavior of the French diplomats and foreign office to enter into negotiations in the conference of Vienna, for them to lie to not only our officials, but those of Britain, Austria, Italy and Russia. That while smiling and giving pleasantries, that they lie to us as for France’s actions and wishes in the Balkans, and to continue supplying arms of various kind, in secret, after having agreed to the treaty. To make it even worse the French reject to sign the treaty which they approved and supported, that they pledged to sign. An action so deplorable that the French cannot keep their prestige, reputation and honor intact or even the trust of their guarantees after such actions. We demand that the French cease any such actions now, and begin to act as a nation in their position demands of them, instead of the savage Asian race which they seem so fond of imitating as of late.
The German Empire and the Ottoman Empire have long been good and loyal friends, and this treaty is just another proof of that relationship being maintained in these times. Thousands of faithful Muslims travel to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina on their Hajj, and the railway is a true wonder of transportation that would ease the journey significantly. As we are able to travel faster and easier, we become closer to each other and can truly fulfill our individual needs and desires.
It is also most generous of the German Empire to continue the military cooperation wherein Mushir Goltz Pasha was a key person, and we pray that he might return again. The German army is known as one of the most organised and disciplined forces in the world, and their prowess is always appreciated. To reject their knowledge would be most foolish, and we look forward to seeing our own brave soldiers and cunning officers improve and adapt their ways with the expertise and experience that the Germans bring us. This treaty also proves that the western countries care about the stability and integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and that peace is in the interest of all of us. Should our Empire be attacked, we would not stand alone. Were it not so, this treaty would never have been agreed to.
May the House of Commons, the Sultan and God approve of this treaty, as I now put my signature to it.
Grand Vizier,
Sabâhaddin Pasha
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Ottoman-German Treaty, 1903
We sign this treaty most willingly, it is true that the stability in the Balkans has been in much question, certainly as of late. As such it brings us much happiness to sign this treaty to help bring back stability in a region which the French have recently upset to such a disturbing degree. It is our deepest hope that this treaty will bring our two empires closer in prosperity and friendship, and that the aid which we will provide with help the Ottoman Empire in their path to advancement and wealth.
-Bernhard von Bülow, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Minutes of the Imperial Council; House of Deputies
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "Now speaking, Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer."
Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer (N/A): "Mr. Speaker, a come before this chamber to present a bill tabled at the desire of the Kaiser. With the French arms sale to Bulgaria, we suddenly find ourselves in a weaker position than a near-Turk, backwards warlord. This cannot be allowed to stand. As such, the Kaiser has instructed me to ask this government and that of the government in the Other Place to engage in a systematic expansion and modernisation of our military. The recruitment of some three divisions of reservists into permanent service alongside the update of our current long arms, side arms, field and mountain guns as well as the development of a new machine gun is absolutely required to maintain the capabilities of the various armed forces within this nation."
Immense booing from the various Bohemian parties, Speaker enforces silence.
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises Deputy Karl Grabmayr-Angerheim, Curiae of the Landlords."
Deputy Karl Grabmayr-Angerheim, Curiae of the Landlords (LL): "Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wish to present a question to the Minister of Defense. What will be the division of the recruitment between the three armies?"
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises the Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer."
Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer (N/A): "We expect each branch to recruit a division."
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises the Deputy Karel Kramář, Curiae of the Cities."
Deputy Karel Kramář, Curiae of the Cities (YC): "This is utterly unacceptable to the Czech people! No recruitment until our language is recognised!"
Chaos breaks out in the House of Deputies, calls of 'traitor' echo the House. Speaker is unable to regain control. House dismissed for the day.
Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer (N/A): "Mr. Speaker, a come before this chamber to present a bill tabled at the desire of the Kaiser. With the French arms sale to Bulgaria, we suddenly find ourselves in a weaker position than a near-Turk, backwards warlord. This cannot be allowed to stand. As such, the Kaiser has instructed me to ask this government and that of the government in the Other Place to engage in a systematic expansion and modernisation of our military. The recruitment of some three divisions of reservists into permanent service alongside the update of our current long arms, side arms, field and mountain guns as well as the development of a new machine gun is absolutely required to maintain the capabilities of the various armed forces within this nation."
Immense booing from the various Bohemian parties, Speaker enforces silence.
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises Deputy Karl Grabmayr-Angerheim, Curiae of the Landlords."
Deputy Karl Grabmayr-Angerheim, Curiae of the Landlords (LL): "Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wish to present a question to the Minister of Defense. What will be the division of the recruitment between the three armies?"
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises the Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer."
Minister of Defense, Edmund Freiherr von Kreighammer (N/A): "We expect each branch to recruit a division."
Speaker of the House, Viktor Freiherr von Fuchs (CSP): "The Speaker recognises the Deputy Karel Kramář, Curiae of the Cities."
Deputy Karel Kramář, Curiae of the Cities (YC): "This is utterly unacceptable to the Czech people! No recruitment until our language is recognised!"
Chaos breaks out in the House of Deputies, calls of 'traitor' echo the House. Speaker is unable to regain control. House dismissed for the day.
- - - - -
Minutes of the Hungarian Diet; House of Representatives
Speaker of the House, Dr. Dezső Perczel (L): "Now speaking, Prime Minister Kálmán Széll."
Prime Minister Kálmán Szél (L): "Mr. Speaker, we see here a bill tabled by the King regarding the recruitment of another division into our branch of the army. It is the opinion of the government that we will seek to enforce this desired recruitment, as to protect the Crown of St. Stephen from enemies abroad."
Immense booing from the Independence and People's Party, Speaker enforces silence.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Dezső Perczel (L): "Now recognising Representative Kossuth Ferenc."
Representative Kossuth Ferenc (I): "Mr. Speaker. This government is an utter sham. Yet again we see our nation being sold to the Germans by our fat pig of a Pr...."
Immense outcry from the Liberals. Representative Ferenc thrown out. Shouts of 'No more soldiers until the introduction of Hungarian' echo the halls. Speaker regains order.
Speaker of the House, Dr. Dezső Perczel (L): "Now recognising Representative Ban Károly Khuen-Héderváry de Hédervár."
Representative Ban Károly Khuen-Héderváry de Hédervár (PP): "We stand with our brothers in the Independence Party! No soldiers until our demands are met!"
Immense outcry from the Liberals and support from Independence. House devolves into chaos. Shouts of 'No more soldiers until the introduction of Hungarian' echo the halls again. Speaker unable to regain control. House dismissed for the day.
O Caos Político de 1903
As the year 1903 dawned on the Kingdom of Portugal, the Arriaga government, after a rough but successful year, began to saw cracks in its foundation. Both the left and the right wing elements of the shaky but very popular Coligação de Salvação Nacional (Coalition of national salvation) had begun drifting away towards the extreme. Certainly the right, as many conservatives that had once been more moderate and cautionally supportive of this experimental government had increasingly been drawn to the reactionary (Miguelist) movement. What should have been a triumph year for the coalition (This would have been the first government in several decades to serve out the constitutional term)instead would become its demise.
It would all fall apart in early 1903, when the budget of the year was to be passed. Several conservative representatives of the coalition threatened to block the budget if it was not most swiftly adapted to include more military spending and a tax break for the rich business-owners in Portugal. Even though the government caved in on those demands, it would be for naught. The socialists withdrew from the coalition and thus the government fell. The political fallout created by the fall of the coalition would prove chaotic and disastrous to several established parties. The Partido Regenerador would be ripped in two, as the right wing of the party reformatted themselves as the Partido Conservador and attracted much of the old party leadership and members unhappy with the coalition. The remains of the Partido Regenerador would then consolidate under a new leader. At the same time the Partido Progressista would see a split off into a hard-line socialist faction known as the União socialista, while the rest of the party, still supportive of the coalition, would become more in line with modern social-democracy.
It was noted by several prominent newspapers that Rei Carlos was extremely displeased with the fall of ''his'' government and awaited the elections with anxious anticipation.
Portuguese Political Parties as of 1903, from left-wing to right-wing :
União socialista
(Right man)
Leader : Azedo Gneco
As the year 1903 dawned on the Kingdom of Portugal, the Arriaga government, after a rough but successful year, began to saw cracks in its foundation. Both the left and the right wing elements of the shaky but very popular Coligação de Salvação Nacional (Coalition of national salvation) had begun drifting away towards the extreme. Certainly the right, as many conservatives that had once been more moderate and cautionally supportive of this experimental government had increasingly been drawn to the reactionary (Miguelist) movement. What should have been a triumph year for the coalition (This would have been the first government in several decades to serve out the constitutional term)instead would become its demise.
It would all fall apart in early 1903, when the budget of the year was to be passed. Several conservative representatives of the coalition threatened to block the budget if it was not most swiftly adapted to include more military spending and a tax break for the rich business-owners in Portugal. Even though the government caved in on those demands, it would be for naught. The socialists withdrew from the coalition and thus the government fell. The political fallout created by the fall of the coalition would prove chaotic and disastrous to several established parties. The Partido Regenerador would be ripped in two, as the right wing of the party reformatted themselves as the Partido Conservador and attracted much of the old party leadership and members unhappy with the coalition. The remains of the Partido Regenerador would then consolidate under a new leader. At the same time the Partido Progressista would see a split off into a hard-line socialist faction known as the União socialista, while the rest of the party, still supportive of the coalition, would become more in line with modern social-democracy.
It was noted by several prominent newspapers that Rei Carlos was extremely displeased with the fall of ''his'' government and awaited the elections with anxious anticipation.
Portuguese Political Parties as of 1903, from left-wing to right-wing :
União socialista
(Right man)
Affiliations : Socialism, Marxism, republicanism, anti-colonialism
Description : The União socialista descends from the recently disbanded Partido Socialista and the split from the Partido Regenerador. Revitalized and under relatively new leadership, the Socialist Union hopes to use the steps of democracy to peacefully overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a dictatorship of the people as Karl Marx himself envisioned it. It has also embraced a relatively new development, anti-colonialism, and would grant the Portuguese colonies a status of independence were they come to power.
Partido Progressista
Leader : Manuel de Arriaga
Affiliations : Social-Democracy, Progressivism, economically quasi-liberal
Description : The largest remainder and former leading party of the Arriaga government, the Partido Progressista hopes to use this election to show popular support for a second Coalition of National Salvation and vanquish opposition from the left and right. Lauded by a large segment of the population, certainly in the cities, many suspect Arriaga to be the coalition maker and prime minister of the next government, or at the very least, be hugely influential on its formation.
Partido Regenerador
Leader : António Teixeira de Sousa
Affiliations : Centre Right, Moderate Conservatism,
Description : Battered and bruised, Antonio Teixera de Sousa, a nobleman, would come to lead the remains of the Partido Regenerador after the fallout of the fall of the Arriaga government. Under the Arriaga government, he had served as the Minister of Financial Affairs and oversaw the control of the then still increasingly spiraling out of control that was the national debt. When the leadership of the Partido Regenerador left to form the Partido Conservador he would be the first to step up and take reigns of the then failing party. Restructuring and reforming, the new Partido Regenerador has not gone unnoticed by the Portuguese public, and the latest polls are quite favourable, with the Partido Regenerador coming in second after the very popular former Prime Minister.
Partido Conservador
Leader : Ernesto Hintze Ribeiro
Affiliations : Right-Wing Conservatism, Reactionary, Miguelist
Description : Splitting from the Partido Regenerador, the Partido Conservador has shifted towards the hard right and absorbed many of the smaller reactionary parties along the way. It has increasingly become hostile to democracy and would very much prefer a restoration of the Absolute Monarchy under Miguel Januário, eldest son and heir to former King Miguel of Portugal. A thing of note is the increasing support from the rich, influential and aristocratic elite, who view the other parties as a threat to their businesses .
GM Note: Russia, Japan, and anyone else involved, please send military orders only for the Russo-Japanese War. These will be due by midday (EST) on Sunday, 9 October.
Despite the best efforts of the United States, chaos reigns in East Asia. Though the Treaty of Inchon was agreed to by representatives of all three nations as a mechanism for the peaceful resolution of future conflicts, that mechanism has failed. This is not due to the weakness of the mechanism, but rather the unilateral abrogation of its use by one of the signatory powers, which only a short time earlier had pledged its national honor in support of peace and stability.
However, the unilateral abrogation of a treaty by one party, no matter how abrupt or ill-considered, does not end the obligations of that treaty. The United States remains as committed to the peace, stability, and neutrality of the Korean Empire as it did when it negotiated the Treaty of Inchon, and no act of belligerence can end that commitment.
As such, on behalf of the United States, I hereby serve notice. The Empire of Japan is in violation of Article I, Section B of the Treaty of Inchon, signed by the Japanese Foreign Minister in the name of the Japanese Emperor. By continuing to utilize railways located within the Korean Empire to carry out acts of foreign aggression against another Inchon signatory, the Japanese Empire has extended the conflict with the Russian Empire beyond Manchuria and into the Korean Empire, which is protected under treaty.
The Empire of Japan has 48 hours to begin its military withdrawal from the Korean Empire and 48 hours after the end of that deadline to complete its withdrawal. The Empire of Japan must further agree to permit the inspection of all cargo being sent through its Korean railways by United States Marines to ensure its compliance in Korean neutrality.
Should the Japanese Empire not extend full recognition and acceptance of these terms within the initial timeframe, the United States of America will be forced to contemplate additional measures to ensure compliance and to guarantee Korean neutrality.
John Hay
Secretary of State
Russian Empire
Россійская Имперія
While the dishonorable Japan seek discord in the Far East, the Russian Empire proudly stands beside the United States of America, who continually proves itself committed to the ideals of peace and stability. The Inchon Peace was forged firstly by the Americans, and it is no surprise that they remain devoted to its implementation for the sake of the Korean Empire and regional safety.
Japan has sought to exploit the Korean realm, using it as a conduit from which to originate their campaign against civilization itself within Manchuria, threatening collapse in times of great uncertainty in the lands of China. It is only by the valiant resistance of Russian forces, now backed by this new American push for Inchon adherence, that order remains in the Far-East. To the Japanese Government, we strongly advise they change their course, abandon their savage behavior, and accept the reasonable request from the American Government.
Furthermore, for the sake of the many things at risk due to Japanese hostility, we further advise the Japanese Government to cease their war efforts and surrender. It is readily apparent that the superiority of Russian soldiers has been proven in blood while the naval schemes of the Japanese Navy have failed, their atrocious sneak-attacks having failed to contain the Russian fleets that now stand mighty in the Far East.
To those outside Powers, we ask you to look upon this situation for what it is: a shameless attempt by the Japanese Government to inspire chaos within the region, thus allowing their ascent in the ensuing bloodshed. They speak of securing Korean friendship, but work to exploit the borders and peoples of Korea; they speak of securing peace in Manchuria, but it is by their hands that its lands are reduced to battlefields; they speak of fighting a just war, but their uncivilized tactics and advances on the island of Sakhalin show that they are motivated purely by their own undue ambitions. No sane state would subsidize the terrors of anarchism abroad in order to advance the cause of peace, and so it must be that Japan seeks instead only terror and influence, forced upon the Far East in defiance of all others.