[Forum Game] World in Revolution: 1900 Mk. II

[Olligarchy]

The new government of the Kingdom of Spain would urge all powers involved in the War of Two Emperors to declare a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table. Any blood shed after recent events would stand only meaningless slaughter and serve no purpose whatsoever. The Russian Imperial Army stands supreme on land, and whilst the might of the Baltic fleet is no doubt enough to tilt the balance of power their way against the Imperial Japanese Navy, His Majesty does not believe that a full scale invasion of the Japanese Home islands stands viable or even useful to either party.

With the Qing Empire now also involved in a bloody civil war, the powers in the region should be doing their best to deescalate the situation in the Far east, rather than continuing the conflict. His most Catholic Majesty is certain that between themselves, Russia, Japan, Korea and China can come to an agreement satisfactory to all parties without further loss of life.​

 

[MastahCheef117]

The Chinese Revolutionary Alliance
同盟會
​

We believe that the imperialist powers of the West have infected the East with their hunger for power and wealth, and their wishes to dominate Eastern peoples to achieve these goals; the Japanese are as much at fault for their imperialist actions in Korea as the Russians are for infecting them with this mentality. The fatal disease of Western imperialism must, and will, come to an end.

The Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, seeking an end to tyranny, a reform of the land, and the establishment of a people's republic for the benefit of all, roundly condemns the actions of the Japanese and Russian governments in Korea and Manchuria. The people of East Asia must throw off the shackles put on them by the West; they must throw off the shackles put on them by the tyrants of Manchuria and of Tokyo; they must liberate themselves and establish governments for the betterment of the people, and no one else!

The Chinese Revolutionary Alliance thus states its goal: the total liberation of all the oppressed peoples of East Asia, to be achieved through cooperation with other revolutionary groups throughout the region; the total and irrevocable dissolution of the tyrannical institutions that hold power over the Han people and the peoples of Japan and Korea; the establishment of republics, with national characteristics, to benefit the people and strengthen the nation; and the total and final end to the West's intervention in the affairs of the peoples of the East.

The illegitimate government of the Manchu must come to an end; the power-hungry tyrant Yuan Shikai and his false government must come to an end; all must be liberated, all overthrown, all returned to national government for the people!

May Free China live for ten thousand generations!

 

[MastahCheef117]

The Burning East​

After almost a year of conflict in Korea and Manchuria, the Japanese government had finally deemed it necessary to take the next step in the conflict. After having suffered over forty-five thousand men killed and wounded so far in the Russo-Japanese War, Prime Minister Ito issued a proclamation the first week of January that announced a total mobilization of the Imperial military. Tens of thousands of men were called to serve for the glory of the Emperor and to defend his sovereignty; as the peacetime industries had struggled to produce enough ammunition to supply the armies on the frontline, many hundreds of factories now began to mass-produce as much equipment and arms as possible. With the Russian mobilization of the previous summer, the Russo-Japanese War had become something new entirely: a total war. [Japan fully mobilized]

The failure of the Japanese government to respond to the ultimatum issued by Secretary of State Hay caused more problems for the Japanese, however. Now four American battleships were in the Far East, with two in Manila and the other two in Chemulpo Bay off the shores of Inchon. Twelve thousand American Marines occupied the American district of the Korean city, leerily looking over their breastworks at the Japanese soldiers marching to and fro, violating the sovereignty of the Koreans. To the north, the Russians, similarly violating Chinese independence, moved hundreds of thousands of soldiers across Qing territory in an effort to dislodge Japanese forces in the region and lift the sieges of Port Arthur and Vladivostok. President Roosevelt notified Rear Admiral Robley Evans in Manila, Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet (and thus also the Korean Squadron), with orders to “uphold the honor of President McKinley and of the United States” and to coordinate with Vice Admiral Makarov in a mission to “eliminate the Japanese Combined Fleet”. Evans, swallowing his doubts, sailed for Inchon with the Asiatic Fleet. He joined forces with the Korean Squadron there, under the command of Captain Royal Ingersoll, and they made contact with Admiral Makarov in Port Arthur, which continued to squeak by under a heavy siege by Japanese troops. The two admirals began planning their next move against Admiral Togo. For all intents and purposes, the United States had joined the war against Japan.

On land, the devastation wrought by two modern armies only increased in severity. Royal Italian Army observers watched as Kuropatkin dumped all of his resources and efforts into simply crushing the Japanese line. With Vladivostok and Port Arthur coming closer to falling with each passing day, he was pressed for time. Generals Nozu and Nogi, reinforced with fresh recruits (if entirely green and untested), flung all that they could at Vladivostok, even as the Russians pressed in from the northwest with increasing intensity. On 28 March Nozu experienced a breakthrough, as, with the weight of his reinforcing divisions, he broke the Russian line, and Japanese troops began pouring through the gaps. Russian resistance to the besiegers rapidly began to crumble. General Stessel issued a call for all Russian troops to rally to defend the city itself, as wounded Russians that attempted to fight back were quickly shot or bayonetted. Even as the Japanese pressed inexorably toward the city center, hundreds were mowed down by desperate machinegunners who, using up their last ammunition, would have rathered killing more enemies than surrendering and saving their own lives. The following day, with just a few thousand men under his command, the dejected General Stessel surrendered the city of Vladivostok to the Japanese. Generals Nozu and Nogi, having fought through the bloodiest single battle of the whole war and come out on top, quickly became the two new heroes in the Japanese papers.

Men of Stessel's force made POWs of the Japanese after the fall of Vladivostok. ​

General Zasulich continued to press the Japanese line, however; but after Stessel's resistance came to an end, the Japanese troops previously besieging the city were redeployed toward the frontline against Zasulich, halting his steady advance and preventing a recapture of the city – for the time being. The Japanese made a point of keeping Stessel and his men in good conditions, and often published photographs – for their people and the whole world to see – of Russian POWs being well-fled and clothed humanely. In the West General Kodama worked hard to lock down the city of Port Arthur, but it was no use. After the Battle of the Yellow Sea the previous November, the Japanese blockade had slightly slackened up, and some desperately-needed supplies and some reinforcements were brought into the city from Lazarev, prolonging the siege for a time. Even with the reinforcements (and distraction) he had been pleading for, Admiral Kodama was unable to take the city that was the object of Japan's desire.

Field Marshal Ōyama seized control of Japanese operations in Manchuria in early February. With continually increasing pressure on his troops from Kuropatkin's growing force, Ōyama dedicated himself toward planning his own counteroffensive as his own reinforcements from the general mobilization began to pour in. On 12 April, Operation T – for Tenghua, the site of the bloodiest battle of the war (until the end of the Siege of Vladivostok) – was launched. The objective was to pierce the Russian center at Tenghua and split the Russian frontline into two, relieving pressure on the besieging forces at Port Arthur and giving Japan its first significant land victory since Liaoyang the previous spring.

The opening days caught Kuropatkin and his staff completely by surprised, as the degree of readiness of the newly-mobilized Japanese divisions was startling after such a short period of time. General Kuroki, victor of Liaoyang, spearheaded the offensive, effecting the capture of several key towns and villages and several battalions of Russian troops. As the offensive wore on, Kuropatkin rallied his forces, ordering his generals to relay the decree that, “it is time to retreat no longer. Not one step back – such is now our slogan.” The “Russian rally”, as one Italian observer called it, stopped the bulk of the Japanese counter-offensive dead in its tracks. Operation T had been halted in less than two weeks. Tonghua had not been retaken – yet.

A Japanese print of soldiers storming Russian redoubts during Operation T.​

With numbers between both sides more equal now than they had been previously, Field Marshal Ōyama sought to renew his stalled offensive and take Tonghua before Kuropatkin regained his senses and again redoubled his efforts to dislodge the besiegers of Port Arthur – especially after the recent fall of Vladivostok. Over 200,000 Japanese soldiers were committed into a new attack to the northwest against the bulk of the Russian theater, and the fighting coalesced around the now-ruined city of Tonghua. From 6 May to the 17th, a series of back-and-forth attacks chewed up the landscape and created the stench of tens of thousands of dead and rotting bodies that could be smelled twenty miles away. Ōyama's desperate attacks were countered by an even more desperate defense from the troops of General Linevich, who was severely wounded amid his leading the defense of his part of the line. Battalions and regiments on both sides became so exhausted and devastated that they were simply absorbed into other units to bolster their ranks. With constant artillery fire through the nights and with no safe guarantee of establishing a camp, Japanese soldiers were forced to sleep among the bodies of their fallen comrades. Disease infected both armies and disabled and killed thousands more. At dawn on the 18th, Ōyama conceded defeat and withdrew from what had become the largest battle in history. Tonghua had held.

A Japanese assault on the Russian fortifications at the Second Battle of Tonghua. ​

At sea, days before the end of the Second Battle of Tonghua, the Pacific Squadron and Asiatic Fleet, in contact with one another, planned a new action against the Japanese Combined Fleet. Simultaneously, Admiral Tōgō orchestrated his own new naval offensive – but against the Russians only. Anticipating to be only slightly outnumbered in the field of capital ships, he was unaware of the American intervention until it was too late.

The US Asiatic Fleet and Russian Pacific Squadron sailing out to meet the Japanese. ​

The combined Russo-American fleet joined forces in the southern Yellow Sea and headed east, following notices from Russian intelligence that Tōgō, too, had set sail in search of the enemy. Tōgō knew that victory in the coming battle would very likely determine the outcome of the war, if it was decisive enough; the two fleets then went on a collision course toward Jeju Strait, between that island and the Korean peninsula. Battle was met on 21 May.

The American battleships and armored cruisers followed in the light behind the Russian battleship squadrons, effectively out-gunning the Japanese capital ships two-to-one. Tōgō swung his heading to the southwest, hoping to deceive Makarov (and Evans) while still bringing his full broadside to bear. Coming under fire from almost eight miles away, Makarov, in his flagship Petropavlovsk at the front of the line, turned south to be parallel to the Japanese line. Tōgō, writing of the battle, said his “heart sank with the heaviest of revelations” when he realized that the Russian fleet was even larger than expected; an American intervention had been suspected, but it wasn't believed it had actually been carried out. Makarov ordered three of his own battleships to concentrate fire on the Japanese flagship Mikasa, while Evans, itching for a fight, broke his fleet off from the Russian rear and approached the Japanese line. USS Alabama, the American flagship, could only make 16 knots, compared to the Japanese fleet's 18. Over the course of the morning and midday, the Japanese fleet slowly outstripped the Americans, while they continued to deal with the Russian line on more equal terms. Just after 2 pm, the Russian battleship Sissoi Veliky, having suffered too many hits, began to veer out of line, and several minutes later her propulsion system rapidly lost power. (About two hours later, while rescue operations were ongoing, the battleship's stern magazine ignited, claiming about three hundred lives of the sailors remaining on the ship.) The Japanese fleet, now outstripping both the Russians and Americans, turned west, and then north, with Tōgō's enemies mirroring the movements. Tōgō disengaged just thirty minutes later to the west, and again re-engaged at 3:30 pm. Around this time, both side's light and armored cruisers, further ahead of the main fleets, engaged in their own battle which claimed a staggering four cruisers on all sides (helped along by torpedo attacks from destroyers). At 4 pm, Tōgō watched helplessly as the magazine of the battleship Shikishima ignited and sent the ship and every one of her crewmembers to the bottom. As the sun fell further in the sky and ammunition became exhausted, the two battered fleets drew off. Though losses were relatively equal, it was the Japanese that had hurt most. The Russians and Americans had come to Japanese-dominated waters and fought them to a standstill; and now the Japanese were even more outnumbered than before. It was reported by Japanese (and even American and Russian) papers after the battle that Makarov had gotten into a heated argument with Evans over his reluctance to attempt to cut off the Japanese fleet in the second half of the battle, though these rumors were mostly unsubstantiated.

Russian battleship Sissoi Veliky sinking at Jeju Strait; and a summary of the Battle of Jeju Strait.​

[Vladivostok fallen, -1 light cruiser, -1 destroyer to United States. -1 battleship, -1 armored cruiser, -1 light cruiser, -1 destroyer to Russia, -2 infantry divisions, -44,376 soldiers to Russia. -1 battleship, -2 light cruisers, -3 destroyers to Japan, -49,157 soldiers to Japan, -4% political support to Japan. +2 army levels in 2 turns to Italy]

 

[von_Rundstedt]

His Majesty's Government is most distraught by the recent escalation of conflict in east Asia. The involvement of a US naval squadron in a regional conflict between the Empires of Japan and Russia can only lead to more violence, rather than an end to it.

As such, it might be advisable to all those involved, but most of all the United States' government, to exercise restraint in the months to come.


Furthermore, in order to safeguard British interests in the region, the East India and Australia stations have been ordered to reinforce the China station, while newly constructed vessels and a part of the naval reserve will form new squadrons to replace those sent to Weihai.​

 

[Rolman99]

An Overview of the Domestic Situation of China

As Yuan Shikai and his army marched into Peking to declare a “True Empire,” Empress Dowager Cixi, at the gates of the White Horse Temple in the ancient city of Luoyang signed an edict that, amongst other ordnances, reaffirmed the wartime footing of the Empire and declared nationwide curfews, a request for the National Police and Imperial Gendarmerie to enter “a vigilant stance,” and the revocation of some civil liberties. While the measures taken were not particularly extreme, it would be the first time China ever experienced Western-style mobilization and repression. Just weeks after Cixi’s edict uniformed, heavily-armed policemen appeared on city streets throughout the Empire as young men from every province were drafted and shipped to Peking.

A group of men in civilian attire gathered outside of a magistrate's office, reporting for military service
The Imperial Government’s demand for modern-style conscription was difficult to carry out for the beleaguered Mandarins of the Empire. The nature of the Qing military, which segregated troops by ethnicity into color-coded “Banner Armies,” made drafting troops of various backgrounds, some of whom were of background that did not fit with any of the Banners, difficult. It was recorded that a controversy broke out amongst local officials in the city of Kaifeng regarding the status of some 200 able-bodied men of (supposedly) Jewish background, as similar debates broke out throughout the country regarding other ethnic groups. The debates were put to rest by a long-forgotten edict of the centuries-dead Hong Taiji that made bannermen of outlying ethnicities Manchus by default, which saw men who could not speak Manchu be put in their units. Meanwhile, the ranks of the prestigious Peking Guards Army swelled with drafted men who, while near-modern in their equipment, were woefully lacking in training and discipline when compared to the original, crack troops of the unit. Entirely separate units modelling themselves as “Guards Armies” began to appear, the two most notable being the Canton Guards Army and the Shanghai Guards Army, which were both made up of semi-modern troops armed and trained by Imperial armories and instructors, but headed by local magnates and administrators of occasionally questionable competence and uprightness. The rise of the Guards Armies as a signification of prestige, skill, and loyalty to the Empire was quite ironic, seeing that one of the major faces of the original Peking Guards was Yuan Shikai himself. Meanwhile on the frontlines, defections were common as thousands of conscripts, mainly drawn up from Shandong Province and the city of Tientsin, trekked to Peking in the middle of the night and entire battalions were recorded as having simply upped and left for Yuan.

Meanwhile, a system of repression never seen before in China since the days of Shi Huangdi was implemented across the country. Movement between cities was regulated, public meetings were prohibited, the press was censored, and the presence of law enforcement and military garrisons became more and more pronounced with each passing day. A relatively insignificant intellectual and Republican of the temporary capital of Luoyang, a man named Chao Biming, who was killed by National Policemen as they dispersed a protest, gained posthumous fame for his words said just a few hours before his death. “The matriarch rules Zhongguo no longer through cunning lies and well-placed bribes, but with a thousand nightsticks and a spy's gaze.”

Imperial Gendarmes outside of their village headquarters. The Imperial Gendarmerie was instrumental in policing rural, undeveloped areas.
This "spy's gaze" Chao spoke of likely alluded to a pseudo-secret police force that had been rumored to be operating within the urban centers of China. Disappearances and arrests of dissidents were on the rise, and other anti-Qing figures began to report stalkers, threatening anonymous letters, and unprovoked visits by officials in the wee hours of the morning. Many speculated that the Empress Dowager had created an Okhrana-like organization via a secret edict. Regardless of whether or not a true secret police force had been established, it was apparent that clandestine anti-opposition actions of some sort were indeed taking place throughout the country, as many liberal intellectuals conveniently wound up dead, in possession of opium and therefore arrested, or conscripted into army units with high mortality rates with a regularity betraying such events as more than coincidences. The upper class and intellectual elites lived in fear as shadowy agents appeared at their doorsteps, while the lower class and international community were largely unaware of the more secretive policing methods being used to maintain order. However, law enforcement amongst the lower and middle classes, especially in pro-Yuan areas, was much more heavy-handed and open. Searches and raids for contraband were intense, arrests were common, and remarkably many officers became less and less able to be bribed, though the numbers of those who still could be were quite high.

The measures taken by a Qing Dynasty on the brink of collapse were interesting, to say the least. Old methods of maintaining public order were thrown out for a proto-police state that was growing increasingly common in Western nations where autocrats held tightly to power. It suggested a shift in the general style of Qing thinking for approaching militaristic and domestic issues, and culminated in a philosophy many were calling (with some amount of aversion) “New Legalism,” hearkening back to the repressive doctrines proposed by various philosophers of the Warring States Period and put into practice by Shi Huangdi of the Qin Dynasty.​

 

[AzagalTheGreat]

Reino de Portugal

An official message of the Kingdom of Portugal regarding the coronation of Alfonso XIII of Spain

The King of Portugal congratulates King Alfonso XIII of Spain with his coming of age. Long may our Iberian brother reign and may God bless his reign and people. May he be such a peacemaker as his departed father was during his reign.
​

Bernardino Machado, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Portugal​

 

[sealy300]

​

To the department For Customs and Immigration of the Ottoman Empire.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to as to ascertain if our university could acquire visas for entry into the Ottoman Empire for the purposes of an anthropological study into the cultural history of the Bulgar peoples. In this scientific study, we intend to include the whole Bulgar people wherever they may live: and thus we wish to conduct studies in the Ottoman Balkan Vilayets of Thrace, Macedonia and Kosovo. We only seek a purely academic course and wish only to perform the duties in accordance with the law. That is why we hope the Sublime Porte does grant us access to this great nation to allow us to continue with our academic work.

~ With the Greatest of Regards,
Rector Boncho Boev of the University of Sofia, Bulgaria; Professor of Finance and Statistics.
​

With the letter there was an inner envelope containing 50 lev.

 

[Rolman99]

The following document was said to have been written personally by Field Marshal Li Yuanhong, and was distributed among the troops of the Imperial Military, as well as being read aloud by officers
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Regarding Deserters, Battlefield Merit, and the traitorous Yuan

LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL,

The grand struggle against the traitorous jackal Yuan, for the sake of protecting the order of our Golden Empire as our Ancestors and the venerable Confucius envisioned, require the following laws to be laid:

Soldiers of the Empire of the Great Qing: If your thoughts lead you to join Yuan and his devilish clique, who are no better than the corpse-defiling, virgin-killing Yihequan, are not worthy of new recruits, let alone one being yourself! The treacherous “Chancellor" and his talk of a "new China" will those under him to their deaths. To join those traitors will see you killed, and your family and ancestors will only be disappointed for your betrayal to the Son of Heaven. Many have turned away from the light of the great sages of old and the true Empire of the Great Qing, some of them may have been your friends, brothers. Sadly, they cannot be saved.

From this point forward the official penalty for desertion shall be death by beheading for officers and death by hanging for enlisted men. Troops caught in the act of deserting to enemy forces will be killed on sight.

A rebellion founded upon lies that goes against the filial order and will therefore certainly fail is not worth your life. Bring glory to yourself, your family, the Empire, and your ancestors by standing tall and resolute against the rebel dogs, for nothing is more virtuous than courage and loyalty in the face of adversity.

Let it also be known now that soldiers and units that show great merit and strength on the field of battle shall gain rewards! For each li gained by a unit, their soldiers shall see an extra half-yuan added to their wages. For a location deemed strategically important, the unit responsible for its capture shall each see two yuan added to each man’s pay. In addition, the capture of rebel weaponry will result in rewards for the man who has turned it in, ranging from five wen to two yuan for the weapon captured. Fight with a dragon in your heart and you will find that your pockets shall grow heavier!

A soldier who is kind to the innocent, merciless to the evil and treacherous, loyal to their commander, is surely chun tzu and brings much respect and wealth to themselves and all around them.

Long live the Empire under Heaven!

Approved by the Honorable Li Yuanhong, Field Marshal of the Empire, and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Son of Heaven, Lord of Ten Thousand Years of the Guangxu Era​

 

[Haresus]

To Rector Boncho Boev of the University of Sofia, Bulgaria; Professor of Finance and Statistics.

Dear Sir,

Please re-submit your application with further details on the studies that you are planning. Before approval can be considered we need to be aware of your exact methodology. For example, if interviews with local citizens of the Ottoman Empire are to be performed we need to be aware of what questions will be asked. Any potential study of this kind will also be escorted and monitored closely, for your own safety and convenience. Until then, entry denied.

Signed,
Ahmed Bey of the Appropriate Ottoman Authorities.

Ahmed Bey later buys himself a new house in Constantinople.

 

[aedan777]

The Romanian Political System​

The Kingdom of Romania is a constitutional monarchy, having a legislative Parliament, with two composing sub-bodies, the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, and the upper house, the Senate. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 183 deputies and the Senate is made up of 112 Senators. As stipulated in the Constitution of 1866 the acts of the King of Romania are only valid if they are countersigned by a minister, though he is also responsible for naming ministers and any minister who countersigned an act of the King is considered answerable for the act in question.The Constitution of 1866 also enshrined many rights, such as the freedom of conscience, of the press, of assembly, of religion, equality before the law (regardless of class), individual liberty, and inviolability of the home. Capital punishment is abolished in peacetime, while property is considered sacred and inviolable.

Yet despite the liberal nature of the Romanian Constitution, it is thoroughly undemocratic, even though it technically has universal male suffrage. The Chamber of Deputies is elected in three separate colleges. The first college is directly elected by 1.5% of the voters, property owners with an annual income of at least 1,200 lei, and consists of 75 of the deputies. The second college is directly elected by 3.5% of the voters, city dwellers and professionals paying an annual tax of at least 50 lei, and consists of 70 of the deputies. The third college is directly elected by 4% of the voters, literate rural property owners who have incomes between 300 and 1200 lei, as well as teachers and priests, and indirectly elected by the other 91% of the voters, through delegates who each represent 50 voters. The third college comprises 38 of the delegates.

Elections for the Senate are simpler, for there are only two colleges and 98% of the voters simply have no say in these elections. The first college consists of 1% of the voters, who have incomes of at least 2000 lei or are high-level functionaries or hold advanced degrees and have a certain number of professional employment. This college consists of 55% of the senators, that is to say 62 of them. The second college consists of 1% of the voters, who have incomes of between 800 and 2000 lei or hold advanced degrees or are professionals. This college consists of 45% of the senators, that is to say 50 of them. It is thus unsurprising that both major parties of Romania, the National Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, are primarily concerned with the interests of the elite.

Prime Minister Sturdza​

The parties contain major differences despite this however. The National Liberal Party, currently led by Prime Minister Dimitrie Sturdza, has an interest in social reform, with some members proponents of more evenly distributing electoral power. A sizeable number of National Liberals also have interest in Land Reform, as the current distribution of land is seen as a great inhibitor to economic modernization. The National Liberal party is generally the party of the Urban elite, and thus has fewer reservations about weakening the power of rural boyars, who make up most of their opposition in the Conservative party. The recent reforms to Romania's economy are considered a long term investment by the National Liberal Party, where a more urbanized and developed Romania will bring a larger share of the voters to the National Liberal party, by increasing the number of industrialists, academics, and urban professionals. The National Liberal Party has also been historically Francophiliac, however the recent attempted secret arms deal between France and Bulgaria has greatly soured relations with France, even more so with the lack of French response on the matter. More and more, National Liberals are coming into line with their Conservative colleagues with a Pro-German view, seeing Germany as their best ally against their historical enemy Russia, and the rising threat of Bulgaria. The apparent ties between Bulgaria, Russia, and France, only deepen this view in the Romanian elite. Prime Minister Sturdza is an exception to the recent trend, in that he had long been a Russophobe and supportive of ties with Germany.

Petre P. Carp, leader and founder of Juminea
​

The Conservative Party, currently led by Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, on the other hand is a party that is slowly having its influence drain away. Cantacuzino is an immensely rich man with xenophobic tendencies, the picture of rural conservatism, and holds great sway over his party. Yet increasingly he is seen as out of date, and behind the times. His most prominent opponent within his party is Petre P. Carp, leader of the Junimists, a literary club turned political group. Carpe and his supporters have long been in opposition to the larger Conservative establishment, only joining the Conservatives officially in the mid 1880s, and often cooperate more with the National Liberals than their supposed party comrades. Carp's daughter is even married to the son of Prime Minister Sturdza. Carp was Prime Minister of Romania from 1900 to 1901, before losing a vote of no confidence due to an economic slump. Carp's policies have been greatly continued under Sturza's subsequent government, and Carp remains an important bipartisan supporter of many National Liberal reforms. As a whole the Old Conservatives are neutral in regards to international affairs, and they chafe against the influx of foreign investment in recent years. In comparison Carp and his Junimists are ardent Germanophiles and have been gaining greater public support for these feelings in recent years. Carp is also noted for his unpopular opposition to the anti-semitic policies common to both parties (Romania is one of the few remaining European nations to have not emancipated its jews). The Conservative Party as a whole is supportive of economic modernization, though some feel that current efforts are progressing too fast.

King Carol himself primarily remains distant from political issues, though he has personal preference for the Old Conservatives in his social and economic views, though he is in greater agreement with the foreign policy of a Pro-German and Russophobic stance possessed by Carp and Sturdza.

 

[Ab Ovo]

Statement from His Imperial Majesty
Hóngxiàn
Emperor of All China;
And his Chancellor
​

People of China!

It is my great pleasure to have accepted the Mandate of Heaven, on the behalf of the Chinese people. The actions of the puppet pretender-emperor, and of his puppet-master, Madame Cixi, have proven them greatly unfit to rule over the noble lands of the Middle Kingdom. Far from governing through order and the rule of law, they govern through fear and repression. Rather than assuring the Heaven-sent liberties of all people, they coerce and deceive through secrecy and confusion. They are not the holders of the Mandate of Heaven, but rather a clique of jackals; delegating to corrupt and oafish commanders. Do not be deceived, people of China! Fight for an empire of strength, of constitutional abundance, and of freedom! Rise, and flock to my banner; and be richly rewarded by Heaven.

Given by my hand on Wu-Wu, in the 5th Month of the year 4601;

The Imperial Seal of the Great Qing

His Excellency Yuan Shikai, Acting Chancellor of the Empire of the Great Qing, Minister of War, General of the Armies

 

[Sneakyflaps]

Treaty of Lonato​

With the continual growth of the German and Italian economy, it is time that we tie our economies closer together. Our people have a long and happy friendship with one another, and as our economies move forward it is to further tie our trade closer together.

I) A dual rail-line shall be constructed between the Ruhr going south through Switzerland ending at Turin in Italy.
II) The rail-line will be funded and constructed by Germany, using German resources and engineers.
III) Germany will control and manage the rail-line on the day to day basis.
IV) The cost of maintenance will be divided between Germany and Italy at a ratio of 75-25% respectively.
V) The newly constructed rail-line will not be used to transport military equipment or personal without prior approval of the Swiss government.
VI) The Swiss government will not halt, hinter or impose anything on the trains passing through on the rail-line, without reasonable cause of suspicious activities.

[X] Bernhard von Bülow, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the German Empire
[] Minister of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland
[] Minister of Foreign Affairs for Italy

 

[von_Rundstedt]

Treaty of Salamis

​

In order to safeguard Greek independence, facilitate Anglo-Greek friendship, and improve the wellbeing of the Greek people, the governments of the Kingdom of Greece (henceforth Greece) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (henceforth Great Britain) agree to the following:​

​

I. The government of Greece will grant British companies licenses to expand the nation's infrastructure, including railroads, ports and naval yards. Further licenses and contracts for British companies will be left to the discretion of the Greek government.

II. The government of Great Britain will subsidise the rapid expansion of Salamis naval base with modern dry-docks and other facilities neccessary to maintain and supply a modern navy.

III. The government of Greece will purchase two (2) light cruisers and eight (8) destroyers from the British reserve fleet for a total price of 20£ million.

IV. The government of Great Britain will send military advisors to Greece, in order to help with the reform and modernisation of the Greek armed forces.

V. The government of Greece will grant the government of Great Britain basing and coaling rights for its mediterranean fleet at Salamis naval base.


[x] Representative of the government of Great Britain and Ireland​

[X] Georgios Theotokis, Prime Minister of Greece and Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Mikkel Glahder]

Treaty of Salamis

​

In order to safeguard Greek independence, facilitate Anglo-Greek friendship, and improve the wellbeing of the Greek people, the governments of the Kingdom of Greece (henceforth Greece) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (henceforth Great Britain) agree to the following:​

​

I. The government of Greece will grant British companies licenses to expand the nation's infrastructure, including railroads, ports and naval yards. Further licenses and contracts for British companies will be left to the discretion of the Greek government.

II. The government of Great Britain will subsidise the rapid expansion of Salamis naval base with modern dry-docks and other facilities neccessary to maintain and supply a modern navy.

III. The government of Greece will purchase two (2) light cruisers and eight (8) destroyers from the British reserve fleet for a total price of 20£ million.

IV. The government of Great Britain will send military advisors to Greece, in order to help with the reform and modernisation of the Greek armed forces.

V. The government of Greece will grant the government of Great Britain basing and coaling rights for its mediterranean fleet at Salamis naval base.


[x] Representative of the government of Great Britain and Ireland
[] Representative of the government of the Kingdom of Greece​

The Kingdom of Greece
​

The Greek government gladly signs the Treaty of Salamis and hope for continued Anglo-Greek friendship.

[X] Georgios Theotokis, Prime Minister of Greece and Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[jacob-Lundgren]

Treaty of Lonato​

With the continual growth of the German and Italian economy, it is time that we tie our economies closer together. Our people have a long and happy friendship with one another, and as our economies move forward it is to further tie our trade closer together.

I) A dual rail-line shall be constructed between the Ruhr going south through Switzerland ending at Turin in Italy.
II) The rail-line will be funded and constructed by Germany, using German resources and engineers.
III) Germany will control and manage the rail-line on the day to day basis.
IV) The cost of maintenance will be divided between Germany and Italy at a ratio of 75-25% respectively.
V) The newly constructed rail-line will not be used to transport military equipment or personal without prior approval of the Swiss government.
VI) The Swiss government will not halt, hinter or impose anything on the trains passing through on the rail-line, without reasonable cause of suspicious activities.

[X] Bernhard von Bülow, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the German Empire
[] Minister of Foreign Affairs for Switzerland
[X] Minister of Foreign Affairs for Italy

Kingdom of Italy
​

This treaty helps to continue the path of development alongside that of Germany. Development of friendship as well as economic development. This treaty shows that as well the aim is not done with an eye towards military affairs.

[X] Italian Representative Antonio Ferrucio representative of the Italian government On behalf of King Umberto]]]

 

[aedan777]

The Kingdom of Romania is concerned by the signing of the Treaty of Salamis by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Greece. It is the opinion of the Kingdom of Romania that continuous military build-up in the Balkans is unlikely to see the preservation of peace in the region. The Treaty of Vienna, despite its faults in including Romania in the category of peace threatening Balkan nations, was quite correct to conclude that the expansion of military capabilities of the Balkan nations is a grave threat to the region's stability. While we recognize that the United Kingdom did not sign the Treaty of Vienna, and is thus not bound by its terms, we believe the spirit of the treaty should be understood to further the best interests of the Balkan peoples. War, and the acquisition of war material, is not to the benefit of any people, except in the case of national defense. And even then, national defense is much better served through mutual diplomacy between nations, which is easier to accomplish if the nations in question are not armed to the teeth.

Combined with the recently attempted secret arms deal between the Principality of Bulgaria and the French Republic, the Kingdom of Romania cannot help but fear the outbreak of another irredentist war in the Balkans, as the Kingdom of Greece has previously attempted less than a decade ago in 1897. We would view such a war as the utmost folly, and urge all nations involved to put away the sword, and instead seek peaceful accommodation and coexistence. The Kingdom of Romania will also consider potential responses in the event that the military build-up to our south becomes a possible threat to the territorial integrity of Romania.

-Ion I. C. Brătianu, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Romania

 

[MastahCheef117]

The Conquest of the Skies​

17 December started as any other day. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, buffeted by the heavy breeze and cloudy weather typical for that region in that time of year, would bear witness to one of the greatest events of modern civilization – though it would go virtually unknown for several years.

The brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, both Americans in their 30s that had not graduated high school, had been experimenting for years with the concept of powered and controlled flight. Taken with the idea of the ease of movement over the most difficult to traverse terrain that birds so enjoyed, they toyed with several glider designs in 1901 and 1902 before turning to the ultimate challenge: fitting an engine to one of their gliders and turning it into a flying machine.

Creating two opposite-turning propellers from laminated spruce along with a custom engine designed by a friend, generating a whopping twelve horsepower, the brothers traveled to Kitty Hawk, where they had previously experimented with their glider designs, to test their new machine. After weeks of enduring subpar weather and continual issues stemming from broken propellers during preliminary engine tests, the brothers set the date for their tests to be on 14 December. Despite adequate weather conditions, Wilbur botched his flight attempt and damaged the aircraft three seconds into takeoff. Repairing the flyer and waiting for good weather again, the brothers attempted a second flight on 17 December.

At 10:35 Orville, getting his chance to fly after his brother's failed attempt, swung the propellers with help from his brother and Adam Etheridge. Also present was John Daniels, a photographer; and Will Dough, both members of the local federal coastal lifesaving crew; a businessman by the name of Brinkley; and a young boy named Johnny Moore. Wilbur, standing at the wing of the flyer, urged his brother on, and after several seconds of sliding across the ground, Orville and his craft miraculously lifted off from the ground. Stunned as the craft continued to putter forward at a mere seven miles per hour, Wilbur chased after it, screaming in joy, “We've done it, by God!” Daniels snapped a photograph of the moment as Brinkley, Dough, Etheridge, and Moore, enraptured, watched from behind. Having traveled about 120 feet in twelve seconds, Orville had done the impossible. A second successful flight, covering almost 175 feet, was taken by Wilbur. A third and final flight by Orville topped 200 feet; the brothers had managed to get almost ten feet above ground.

The brothers immediately sent a telegram to their father; the local press in Ohio, believing the story to be a hoax, refused to run it in the papers. Despite all the attention they would attempt to get, they received ridicule from many aeronautical enthusiast groups across the country and around the world, particularly from prospective pilots in Paris. It would not be several more years, and after several public expositions of their flight capabilities, that they would be taken seriously. Not many people yet knew it, but the world had just entered a new era of human achievement – and it would never be the same. [Military aviation available in 7 turns]

Wilbur running alongside his brother Orville while piloting the world's first powered aircraft.​

 

[AzagalTheGreat]

A Portuguesa

Spoiler: Big picture

At the advent of the 19th century, The Kingdom of Portugal, like many nations, lacked a national anthem. The demand for one would grow after the Napoleonic wars, in which the Royal Family and much of the Portuguese court were exiled to Brazil. The onset of the Liberal Revolutions drew King John VI back home and Pedro, later Emperor of Brazil and briefly King of Portugal as well, would remain as his regent in Brazil under the United Kingdom of Portugal and Brazil. Pedro would become Emperor of Brazil, for his father had said : "Pedro, if Brazil breaks away, let it rather do so for you, who will respect me, than for one of those adventurers '' (Meant here is the various republican movements present in Brazil even at that time)

However, during the extremely short period Pedro I was also Pedro IV of Portugal, he did leave some lasting changes, most notably, the anthem of the monarchy, A Hino da Carta, composed by himself entirely. A similar anthem used in Brazil would be abolished after his abdication, but in his other former realm, Portugal, it would remain and serve as the anthem untill now.

After the Kingdom of Portugal was forced to accept an extremely unpopular ultimatum by the British in 1890, which ended all prospects for the realization of the so called Pink Map project, massive unrest broke out, and in protest, a composer named Alfredo Keil and a poet known as Henrique Lopes de Mendonça, together with a group of friends, would come together and in protest wrote A Portuguesa, modeled after La Marseillaise, and would serve as a protest song for the increasingly strong republican movement. The failed uprising of 1891 in Porto would see the song banned from use.

Even if banned, the song has not been forgotten, and at the smallest sign of instability or weakness from the monarchy and parliament, the banners of the republicans wave high in the air and A Portuguesa can be heard all over Portugal...

 

[Revan529]

大日本帝国
Dai Nippon Teikoku
富国強兵 - Fukoku kyōhei
君が代– Kimigayo​

His Imperial Majesty's Government must fully and wholly express a condemnation of the remarks and actions by the Russian Empire and, unfortunately, of the United States - His Imperial Majesty's Navy was deliberately attacked in a most provocative manner by the Asiatic Fleet, and in tandem with enemies of the Greater Japanese Empire. Were it not for His Majesty's Government immense desire to see peace reign across the entirety of the Pacific, and indeed the world, such senseless provocations would serve to expand the war to precipitously new and dangerous heights - thankfully, His Majesty's Government believes that cooler heads might prevail despite this incident and the egregious actions taken against the Greater Japanese Empire.

For the Russian Empire, however, no such quarter can be given, as they have willingly sought to expand this conflict, and have now insinuated - falsely - that the Greater Japanese Empire has sought to deprive peace in Manchuria - such an allegation is absurdity of the highest order, as it was His Majesty's Government that worked alongside the Chinese Empire to establish parameters and legal limits to this conflict, terms that the Russians rejected out of hand. Furthermore, their allegations of "exploitation" of the Empire of Korea, both in terms "borders and peoples" is ludicrous and entirely unfounded. And they yet again preach more of the conspiratorial nonsense that seems to be the daily conversation of the elites in St Petersburg - perhaps had they cleared the air of such lunacy, they would perhaps see the foolishness of their accusations with unclouded eyes. Sadly, His Majesty's Government believes that such hopes are baseless.

In response to the American demands, the "evacuation of the Korean Empire" in terms of a military presence would turn against the Treaty of Inchon and the Treaty of 1900, which seems to be the fount from which these complaints have been arisen - thus, it seems to be a heedless demand that lacks much in the way of merit. In regards to the latter, His Majesty's Government places the security of the Imperial Army and the prosecution of the war in its totality ahead of all considerations. Furthermore, it must be stated that the means by which the American government has chosen to pursue this - first by spurious interpretation of the Treaty of Inchon and the second by outright attacks upon the Greater Japanese Empire, undertaken despite full support on the part of His Majesty's Government to accommodate and support the American army and navy in Korea (one need only look at the Japanese offer to provide temporary coaling ports to the American fleet, as well as the mobilisation of forces to ensure the protection of American citizens on Korea as evidence of this). In regards to the former, the Greater Japanese Empire is the sole owner of these railways and thus has every right to use them as it deems fit; that is the key point of western "property rights," is it not? Any insinuation that these are "Korean" is simply false, and any attempt to utilise them as an excuse to attack the Korean Empire would be upon the aggressor, surely the Russian Empire. Furthermore, His Majesty's Government cites the usage of the Trans-Manchurian Railway by the Russian Empire - the Greater Japanese Empire and the Empire of the Great Qing having previously negotiated a fair and favourable deal by which this war would be limited was wholly rejected by the Russian Empire, as previously stated.

His Majesty's Government also believes it would be a wise, though ultimately futile, gesture to, at the minimum, point out the varying times the Russian Empire was in gross violation of the Treaty of Inchon.

That said, His Majesty's Government shall, in accordance with its desire for moderation, peace, and good conduct, attempt to broker an acceptable deal between the Greater Japanese Empire and the United States, despite these attacks upon our persons, our navy, and our honour.

Were the Americans to act in such a manner with the Russian Empire, which has shown itself to be brutish, vile, and wholly unwilling to compromise on virtually any matter - save those of no import - no doubt such a moderate and measured response would be the last thing to spew forth from the bowels of Russian "diplomacy."

~ Komura Jutarō, Gaimu Daijin

​

 

[tyriet]

Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
La Republique francaise
​

In regards to the War in the far-east:

The French Republic is deeply worried by the expansion of the War of the Two Emperors, as well as the entry of the United States of America to the conflict, a conflict which has not only brought war in the far east, but also conflict within China. With the entry of the U.S. Asiatic fleet, and thus the potential of escalation into the South-China Sea, we remind the conflicting parties that any entry into sea-zones under French guardianship, especially near the port of Canton, as well as along the coast of Indochina will be dealt with accordingly.

To the Romanian Embassy in Paris, and the Romanian Government:

The French Government wishes to assure His Majesty's Government of Romania, that the negotiations regarding the sale of arms to the Bulgarian Principality were not done with the intent of supporting offensive action, or instability on the balkan peninsula. As the Ottoman Empire, a state undergoing rapid modernization, societally, economically and militarily, continues these reforms, its strength and stability have increased, something explicitly supported by the French Government, however it can also be worrying to those countries neighbouring the Ottoman Empire, and as such the Bulgarian Principality approached the French Republic in the interest of improving its self-defence capabilities.
As his Majesty's Government has stated, negotiations are superior to arms and armament, and we assure the Romanian Government, that no unilateral action regarding the Balkans will have the support of the French Republic.

​