Chapter 25
December 23, 1882 - January 3, 1886
December 23, 1882:
Everyone in Sweden was surprised by the quick duration of the Second Baltic War. After declaring war on September 27, the Swedish troops were in complete control of the small Baltic kingdom by December 23. Under the command of Colonel Björnstjerna, 17,500 Swedish troops steamrolled over the technologically and numerically inferior Lithuanians. In typical Emperor Joshua style, rather than accept a partial partition of the Lithuanian countryside, he gave the order to annex every square inch of territory possible. The only difference this time was that Gustavus was allowed to take part in the diplomatic and military concerns of the war. Joshua was influencing Sweden's next emperor very heavily.
Though, like the rest of the territories annexed from Russia, Lithuania would need work on its infrastructure, the Swedes were amazed at the beauty of the Lithuanian architecture. It was amazing what 12 years away from the Russians, who had long ignored the "lesser" citizens of their empire, could do for the Baltic peoples. Imagine what the wealth and freedom of the Swedish empire could do for them!
Examples of Lithuanian architecture:
In order to further his son's training, Joshua appointed Gustavus as king of Lithuania. Though he would report to Joshua and was under the rule of the Swedish emperor, Joshua would come to give Gustavus complete freedom in his tiny kingdom. Besides, Joshua reasoned, he'll have the finest advisors in the world. And if he does anything to muck things up too horribly, I can always bring him home. Swedish sailors are some of the best in the world. He could be home in two days. And if he
is going to make some mistakes, I'd rather it be when I'm around to fix the situation, not when he's in charge of my beloved Swedes.
After an elaborate coronation ceremony, simultaneous parades were held in Vilna and Stockholm, though the Lithuanians weren't quite as exhuberant as the Swedes. The Swedish women were especially happy. After all, young Gus was not yet married and every young woman's head swum with fantasies of the day she would marry into the Swedish empire.
Gustavus' coronation as King of Lithuania:
Soldiers prepare for the parade in Stockholm:
Some less than happy Lithuanian troops prepare to receive their new king:
By October of 1885 Gus was desparate to prove his worth to the emperor. The provinces that he had obtained were heavily industrialized by this time, in fact, they would become so much so that Sweden would be nothing without them in the future, and the rails were completely modernized, but Gus still felt as if his father was somewhat disappointed in him. Little did he know, nothing could be farther from the truth. Joshua watched with pride as King Gustavus, under the watchful eye of Charles, handled his kingdom like an expert. In fact, though he would never admit this out loud, Joshua wished that he had handled things as well as Gustavus did when he first became king of Sweden.
Gustavus, though, wished that he could offer his father some new territories to exploit. That seemed impossible, though, because he was surrounded by Russia and Prussia, two nations with which his father would not want to quarrel. As such, he began to look overseas for his first real conquests, something Charles begged him not to do.
"Gus, listen to me." Gustavus allowed Charles to address him as Gus when no one else was arround. "Your father is proud of you! Everything you've done here has been exemplary. He did not appoint you as a king for you to expand his empire, he appointed you as king to gain experience for when the times comes for you to take over Sweden."
"I know Charles, but I also know that my father wants more territory! Social Darwinism is a very natural thing. That's been a fact since the 1850's. If these people are not fit to survive, the Swedish empire with swallow them. If they
are meant to survive, we will be repulsed."
"That is nonsense! Evolution may indeed be a very solid scientific theory, and one which I believe, but it is nothing more than that! And it is certainly not a justification to go off starting wars! And this business of Sweden being repulsed, what do you think your father would say about that? He has
never put a Swede in harm's way when he didn't have to. And even when he did, he took every precaution to make sure that noone died that didn't absolutely have to."
"BAH! Evolution is natural. Wars are natural. The ships have been sent already, Charles, and the order has been given. The islands will be liberated and presented to my father as a Christmas present."
January 3, 1886:
Though Joshua was very upset upon finding about Gustavus' war, he had to admit that he was happy when the reports of annexation finally arrived. Gus personally reported the news, along with the formal treaty of annexation to his father. Charles, who had left after being completely ignored by Gustavus, was on vacation in Rome. Besides, the warmer weather was good for his arthritis and he'd always wanted to see Italy anyway.
He would never admonish his son in front of anyone or publicly rebuke him, but in private Joshua demanded that Gustavus make amends with Charles. "He has been a loyal servant and a voice of reason for many years," Joshua explained, "and you would do well to listen to him, as well as me, before our time on this earth expires. You may not agree with what he has to say, but it is always important to consider every possibility before settling on any one course of action. This is something you must learn before you become the emperor of the Swedish people. They deserve the best so you must be the best. That being said, I LOVE my Christmas present."
Swedish troops attacking the meager Hawaiian defensive troops:
Next:
Camer-who?
