1902
Colonisation now sprang to mind as a way to benefit from my slightly increased income. I wasn’t aiming for more industrialisation, since I though the my POPs were being employed effectively. Also, the chance of being able to grant statehood to any colonies were minimal, since I had massively expanded the RGOs in the homeland.
Another new trading post, this time in Ain Hamed, and some shoring up of alliances in South America see the old century out, that and a whole slew of rebel stomping. My trade post program expands, with Shekka, Taufikia, Talodi & Fashoda all completing later in 1900. This allows me to claim another African colony. Crime quickly spreads into the colony.
Due to my sad naval showing against Prussia (that mighty seafaring nation!) I commission the height of technology, four frigate fleets. Ok, I am very behind in naval technology, but this is not a problem because I am not aware of where I should be.
The new century also brings the next declaration of war from the Ottomans. I really should have avoided eating Egypt like that a few years ago. Due to our various alliances, Venezuela, Cyprus, Crete, Egypt, Nejd, Hedjaz, Oman, Hamburg, Lübeck, Mecklenburg and Holstein join me in war against Ottoman Empire, Prussia, Sardinia and Hannover. Frankly my allies are going to be no use in this war.
Prussia quickly annexes Lubeck, and Mecklenburg cashes out in a peace deal with the Ottomans, saving themselves from pretty certain destruction. I start taking some Ottoman territories, they march into a few of mine. Some of my gains come from landings north of Jerusalem, using Cyprus as a staging point. The landing is with about four divisions, so enough to beat off the single division dribs and drabs marching to the front from Constantinople (or is that Istanbul?)
April 1901, Ottomans annex Nejd, cutting out one of my satellites. May 1901, and the Prussian nacy catches me near Sierra Leone, and beats my fleet back into port. May 1901, and my fleet of four commerce raiders is ready to deploy, perhaps they will help. June 1901, Ottomans take the Hedjaz too. So much for my Arabian possessions.
Warfare moves to Tripoli as I manage to engage the Ottomans near Sirt. A lot of my Arab cavalry divisions have their base there so it is important not to loose it. August 1901 and my new navy trashes the Prussian fleet in the ‘East Canary Basin’. Battles against the Ottomans won in Nefusa, Al Arish and Al Aqaba. Sometime twice, since I fought, moved off to claim a province, and then had to come back to fight the same army again.
January 1902, and the Ottomans annex Oman, I appear to be running low on satellites. Peace offers keep flying out, I buy off Hanover separately, and finally manage a no-tribute peace with the Ottomans in March 1902.
In other news, France declared war on Prussia and their ally Russia. Scandinavia chipped in the help the French. The aggressors were successful after a year of war, with France taking a lot of West Prussia.