“Reports from Zhanjiang, Your Majesty, indicate massive numbers of refugees fleeing the fighting in China.” Colonial Secretary Zschau Paachow was a midsize, elderly man with a few wisps of salt-and-pepper hair combed over an otherwise bald, yellowish scalp. His eyeglasses flashed in the light as he spoke in a clipped, high-pitched manner. His Chinese accent no longer caused any trouble in decipherment for most of the assembled cabinet members. “We are providing humanitarian support, as best we can, but the authorities tell me that it is only a matter of time before they must close the border and refuse entry.”
Paachow stopped, but Kaiser Waldemar was not satisfied. “And what happens, then?” His tone contained a frustrated incredulity, indicating he considered his question an obvious one, and was shocked it had not seemed so to his Colonial Secretary.
Indeed, the question did catch the oriental man off guard, and he searched for an appropriate answer. “Ahh… Well, they will surely settle in tents outside the border. But there will be no support or food…”
“Then we shall ensure there is food brought to them,” Waldemar insisted, firmly. “Geigitz,” he addressed his Interior Minister. “Please see to it that we collect what surplus foodstocks we have, and ship them to Zhanjiang as soon as possible.”
“At once, Your Majesty.”
Relieved to see that matter settled, Paachow continued. “Since the deaths of the Chinese Emperor and Dowager Empress, the Emperor’s inept son has assumed the Regency in place of the heir – a young boy of about two.” Paaachow took note of the Kaiser’s raised eyebrow, but he went on. “Their position – that of the Prince and the new Emperor – is entirely untenable, I’m afraid. Besides the several warlords who have taken to arms, many democratic revolutionaries have declared the disbandment of the Imperial structure. A leader named Sun Yat-Sen, who was traveling in America, has proclaimed the Chinese Republic.”
The Brown Palace Hotel, in Denver, Colorado**
“Well,” Waldemar said. “This may yet be a very positive thing. Reuben,” he turned his attention to War Minister Reuben von Riedesel. “What is the situation with the Russian invasion threat?”
“…and is there any possibility the mass revolts in Persia could be related?” Due concern was evident in his expression, but there was no sign of excitement or anxiety.
Rather than answering, Riedesel looked to the Foreign Minister, Anders Asche.
“Actually, Your Majesty,” Asche said. “Ambassador Leptev came to see me just this morning. He assures me that the buildup of troops is not directed against Germany. He said that they will soon begin moving to the east, in order to maintain security in the interior of Russia. Further, he asked permission for Foreign Minister Krivalkev to visit Berlin to open negotiations for a non-aggression pact between us. He even indicated that Tsar Nicholas would like to make a state visit at some point this winter.”
Waldemar looked truly startled, as did most of the assembled men around the table. “Indeed,” he finally said. “Well, I think we can count on the fact that Nicholas’ plans are something other than what they say they are, whether his designs are to the east or the west.” He pursed his lips, skeptically.
“I believe, to some degree, you must be correct, Your Majesty,” Asche confirmed. “The Russians can rarely be trusted to tell the truth about anything. But it is my conviction that Leptev’s assurances are at least partly sincere. This would be uncharacteristically underhanded, even for them to make an offer of a peace treaty whilst holding a sword behind their back.”
“What could they be up to, then?”
“Well, I suspect that they may be mounting a final move against the few remnants of independent central Asia. This whole matter of tensions in central asia is pushing those countries toward us. The Shah of Afghanistan sent an emissary last week, and we are speaking with him.”
Kaiser Waldemar seemed impressed. “We would be well to become friendly with them so that they can support us if we need them. But we must be careful not to over-commit ourselves.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Now, our worry -- more concerning -- is that the Russians may intend to play their hand in China, and influence the course of the revolution there.”
“Well, we must remain vigilant against any such intervention of that sort. If it’s central Asia, I’m not so concerned, so long as we hold Persia,” Wally indicated.
Riedesel spoke up. “Your Majesty, until the threat is past for certain, I will maintain a good-sized military force in the east. However…” He looked again at Asche. “We would like to raise an issue for consideration. A matter of long-term planning.”
Kaiser Waldemar appeared to be intrigued. “Go on.”
It was Asche who led off. “Your Majesty, I… You, like us, sense that there is a Great War coming.”
Wally fixed him with a wary look, but at length nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Yes. I know that it must come. As much as I would wish to avoid it.” The twenty-six year old Kaiser acquired a resigned cast, looking suddenly much older.
“The British, in particular, have remained cold and resentful toward us. They have never allowed relations to improve, even since your accession to power. Now that George the Fifth has taken the throne, I fear we have an even greater likelihood that they will take aggressive action to end our preeminence.”
Waldemar nodded agreement once more. “They see every move we make as a threat, whether it’s meant as one or not! And, while I’m sure Persia must have set them on edge, we all know that we had good reasons to take action. And that is the only military operation we have undertaken over the past decade! How can they so convince themselves that we are the warmongers?”
The ministers all shook their heads. Asche continued to build his argument. “You also know that France will likely combine against us, should Britain go to war. And, despite the overtures made by Russia today, who knows where they might be in the not-too-distant future. Presuming, of course, they do not mean to war with us this year.”
“Fair enough,” Waldemar said. “Even with our current allies, we would be hard pressed to hold our own on three fronts against three great powers.” He raised his hand in a gesture of frustration. “But the Americans even now will not ally with us. Perhaps because they see what’s coming.”
“The alternative…” Asche said, “is to pre-empt the war. We can take on France now, defeat them, and perhaps even turn them to our side in preparation for the coming conflict!” His eyes burned with determination. Asche was certain this was the plan that would save them.
Now Waldemar openly displayed consternation. “You’re mad!” That stung Asche, but he had anticipated this, and recovered quickly. “If we attack France, Britain will recognize it as the first move against them. They will join against us. Besides, it would prove all their worst fears of us. And, frankly, we would –
become – the monster we’ve been saying we aren’t!”
“But, Your Majesty,” Asche countered with confidence. “We are seriously threatened by a coalition which is determined to see us as the enemy no matter what overtures we make. This is a pre-emptive war, no less than our move against Persia was a necessary check against Russia.”
“I cannot countenance this,” insisted Waldemar.
“This is the only way,” Asche persisted. “We cannot win a war against the Royal Navy… Not yet. And any move against France would be risky and far more costly if our options to invade by sea are denied to us. The French have no navy with which to contend, but the British would be there if we were to allow them to ally against us.”
“But they
will ally against us the moment we take aggressive action against France!” Waldemar was getting angry. This was folly!
“Yes, Your Majesty, if we were the aggressor…” Asche confirmed. A clever smile spread across his face. “But we have devised a plan that will turn the French alliance system to our advantage…”
Kaiser Waldemar glowered at Asche and pinched up his face, knowing he would not like what he was about to hear… But knowing also that he must hear.
** Long ago, I promised you a photo from my new office window. As I can't find my camera right now (more hands than mine live in my house!) I haven't been able to do anything. But this hotel -- the Brown Palace -- is right outside my office window. It's made of red sandstone, and is quite impressive as Victorian architecture goes. Still one of the central and most prestigious sites in Denver! It was from the lobby of this hotel that Sun Yat-Sen proclaimed from exile the establishment of the Chinese Republic!