Senators,
First, We wish to welcome the new Senators, and to appoint Senators Favero and Doukas into their fathers' positions. They have both proven worthy of the positions.
Second, We will update you on the royal family. Princess Louiza married John Tudor, Duke of Kent in 1871. Prince Alfrédos married Grand Duchess Maria of Ukraine in 1874. Prince Artoúros married Princess Louise Margaret of Germany in 1879. To my great sorrow, though, Princess Alíki's family was struck was diphtheria in 1878, killing two of her children and then killing her. Of my nine children, only eight now survive. I have twenty-four living grandchildren, with an additional seven already dead.
Third, in response to your concerns:
It is true that much work in exploration and archaeology is done by non-citizens of the Empire. Our efforts have been in the military sciences, in industry, and in commerce. Matters of the humanities have been much neglected, apart from those areas of philosophy useful to the government.
As you observed, Africa has mostly come under the control of the Empire. Like Italy, Spain, Gaul, Britannia, South America, and many others, the locals are finding it to their benefit to be a part of the Imperial system and joining with glee. More on that later.
Finally, We would remind you that Senators are appointed because they are useful to the Empire. Be that as a representative of wealthy families, of aristocrats, of the bureaucracy, or as representatives of the working class. Kindly have respect for those in other social classes than your own. After all, all are equally made in the image of God, reliant on the cross, and citizens of the Empire. If need be, We can ask the Patriarch of Constantinople to give a homily on the topic.
Finally, news of the Empire.
After the last session, IV. Legio made a landing on Deccan's west coast and marched towards the capital in Hyderabad. Before they arrived, Deccan had agreed to a peace. Nearly all of the subcontinent was in Our sphere of influence.
At the turn of the year, the philosophers again came to request a new chair. They pointed to the success of Empiricism, and claimed that they could free logic from any but self-evident axioms. So We funded a new chair, expecting that again there would be useful benefits for the rest of the Empire. They finished their initial work with such speed that we suspect they had prepared much of it in advance, though many other advances came with time.
When they were completed, We noted that the Legions claimed there were new guns that could provide support from fixed positions. Instead of artillery, these would be rapid firing 'machine guns'. We ordered several arms companies to develop designs and begin equipping the Legions.
As We added more Indian nations to Our sphere of influence, it become clear that it would a constant fight to keep them in Our sphere. So We moved to have them unite as a single nation under Our influence. That they would soon be regarded as a Great Power and be beyond Our economic influence was unexpected.
Apart from a minor reactionary revolt, time passed peacefully.
When the machine guns had been completed, We ordered that the existing railroad designs be undated again, using the Empire's greater iron resources unlocked by improving technology.
And when We saw that yet another German-Bavarian war was in a stalemate, We decided to intervene. Technically Our casus belli was to humiliate Our foe, but the real reason was to soften them against their other enemies. The Legions prepared as the diplomats prepared the justifications.
And when Centurion Doukas had demonstrated that the Cult was using Africa for bases of operation, We decided that the Empire's influence must be extended at any cost.
Fortunately, the use of force was not necessary, and the locals were easily brought into under Imperial governance, organizing themselves under local colonial governments. Although in the west, England and Scotland competed to expand their influences, winning the coast and competing for years over the inland areas. And in the east, Ethiopia expanded along the coasts and inland up until the African Great Lakes.
When We were ready to attack Bavaria, it was almost too late.
The legions moved in mass across the border, while X. Legio in the north attempted to assist Germany.
When the railway designs were complete, the businessmen of the Empire took no time in upgrading the railways nearly everywhere. During a meeting with Ourselves, they pointed out that there was a great need to know how to manage a workforce scientifically. So We created a task force to learn how to do so.
With Our help, Germany was able to annex Thuringia. But this was not the end, as their former war with Weimar had shown. They needed to escape with at least a white peace with Bavaria.
When the scientific management task force released its first findings, We created a new task force to better understand the flaws with the capitalist system of production.
The war with Bavaria was devastating…for them. We did not agree to a peace until they had no men under arms, no land under their control. They were able to resume control of their own lands once the peace was signed, but surely Germany and their Commonwealth allies would end that.
When the collectivist research was done, We saw the need to better support the workers of the Empire. They had jobs in increasing numbers, but these jobs did little to address the quality of their lives. Sadly, it would take time to develop the political will to make changes.
In the meanwhile We tasked a group with better improving the methods of mining iron.
With the success of the censored press, We decided it was not worth Our while to continue the work of censoring the papers, and thus We allowed for a free press. We hope that the recent drop in quality of the newspapers is just a temporary aberration as they adjust to the new system.
With the improved iron extraction techniques, We tasked engineers with tailoring steam engines to various jobs.
When those had completed, We began drafting laws that would regulate the printing of money. Specific private banks would do so, not whomever pleased.
And of course, a great many inventions developed from advances before the last address to the Senate.
During the few years of peace and technological advancement, We upgraded factories throughout the Empire, attempting to provide jobs for the thousands of peoples moving into the cities.
As We have now covered events until 1875, there shall now be a short recess to discuss them and to refresh ourselves.
