Man, Bohemia doesn't get a break with the football defeat in the wolrd cup finals even in alternative reality. It was the refs! It's a conspiracy! We would've won, I tells ya!
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Glad to hear it.
It's always the refs, except when it's the players and even then it's the refs.
Anyway, new post warning. Probably today, possibly early tomorrow. Depends on whether I get dragged away by the lure of shows.
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1963 - Tatemae
The fall of Mexico and the subsequent conduct of the American government sent shock waves throughout the world. Outside of the Americas however, the results of the war were most prominently felt in the Japanese Empire. Just as Kasumigaseki had been filled with sighs of relief after America had collapsed first into civil war and then seen intervention by the Mexicans, so too had the voices in ministries now taken a worried tone at the return of the behemoth. Some veteran bureaucrats even noted privately, that if one were to listen to the chatter in those halls that the winter of 1962-63 seemed almost as dark as that of 1936-37. Although the return of the American fleet, as antiquated and limited it may have been, to the Pacific raised a number of concerns it was at the moment a distant third-rate issue. More pressingly, the American conquest of Mexico as well as the continuation of the Caribbean blockade had begun to strain oil supplies, not just in the Empire but around the world. Dealing with the Mexican and Venezuelan Syndicalists had never truly thrilled the government of His Imperial Majesty, however the fact that they were willing to provide rather large quantities of oil at affordable prices had made for a cordial relationship. Oil from these two nations still continued to play an important role for the growing Japanese energy demands in the early-60s, even as the Empire continued oil exploration in Indonesia as well as the rest of the former Dutch East Indies. Even though the outbreak of war had caused some scrambling for new suppliers, it was not until the finality of the situation sunk in that the prices truly began to sore. The continued absence of these two prominent oil exporters left an undeniably large gap in the market and prices continued to double or even triple, as nations both big and small scrambled around for alternatives. Whilst the period also marks the appearance of Russia as a relatively major oil exporter, or mediator when it came to Azerbaijan, most discussion is instead focused towards the Middle-East. There the tense ceasefire between the Persians and the Arab bloc was seen by the locals as little more than an opportunity to gather strength for the final confrontation. The oil industry thus served a means to an end, as access to foreign currency from the sell of oil quickly found its way into the military.
German surveyors lead the charge in the Middle-East even prior to the Syndicalist War. However
it was only after it that the exploitation of local oil reserves started taking off.
Soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army helping to clear the streets in Hokuriku amidst the Freeze of 38.
The nearly three decades of unimpeded growth had also been rather kind to the
automotive industry as well as affording it significant influence in policy.
Although mostly abandoning violent pretences, the JCP did continue to remain a thorn in the side of the government.
Protesting and rallying some members of the public against public projects such as atomic power stations.
-----------------------------------------
January
January 1 - 'Mighty Atom', the first Japanese serialized animated series debuts on the Japanese television station Fuji Television.
January 2 – The National Liberation Front of North China win their first major victory in the Battle of Daowucun, as Qing forces prove incapable of overcoming the entrenched guerillas, who slip off under the cover of darkness.
January 17 - Fishermen on a Danish ship returning from the western coast of Greenland tell a story of a brilliant flash that pierced the night sky. The story is picked up by a local newspaper and spreads from there to other papers in Europe, leading some to believe that the flash is that of an atomic blast.
January 26 – The continued American blockade of the Caribbean sends oil prices skyrocketing, as the market is still reeling from the removal of Mexican oil from the market following their capitulation to the CSA. The shock sees the surge of Middle-Eastern market share on the oil export market.
Based on the popular manga with the same name, 'Mighty Atom' proved the possibility
of making a profit of animated media, setting the groundwork for what was to come.
February
February 10 – In Japan the five cities of Kokura, Moji, Tobata, Wakamatsu and Yahata, located on the northernmost part of Kyūshū, are merged to become the city of Kitakyūshū. The city boasts a population of more than 1 million residents.
February 18 - Eruptive activity on Mount Agung in Bali begins. The activity finally culminates on the 17th of March, killing approximately 1,500 and bringing about a global drop in temperature.
February 19 - Following a short ceremony at the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Combined Syndicates of America representatives of the Syndicalist Republics of Canada and Cuba present appeals for ascension into the CSA. Their appeals are summarily accepted and Browder declares the birth of the American Union of Syndicalist States.
February 27 - Despite growing opposition in the metropolitan as well as locally, following the reappearance of the Americans on the Pacific, the Federated States of Oceania receive their self-determination from the German Empire.
The German decision to leave the Pacific is now seen as the first steps towards the Germano-Japanese detente.
Although direct cession of the islands had been preferred, the lack of German interference in Japanese diplomatic
and economic incursions onto the islands was sufficient for Tokyo.
March
March 4 – Following reports of increasing American activity on the Pacific, the Japanese Diet green lights a massive expansion of the Imperial Navy. In addition to the expansion in number the budget also foresees replacement of numerous old and now outdated ships.
March 23 – Dansevise by Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann wins the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 for Denmark.
March 30 - The Class 1000 Shinkansen achieves a speed of 256 km/h on the Kamonomiya model line between Ayase and Kamonomiya, setting a world speed record for electric trains.
March 31 - The kidnapping of four year-old Murakushi Yoshinobu is the first real test of the newly formed 'press agreement' between media and police officials. The case is also the first case that sees widespread use of radio as well as television, including revealing the voice of the suspect after a transition to an open investigation on the 19th of April.
An artistic rendering of the Set B 1000 series Shinkansen, whilst the Set C would eventually become
the 0 series Shinkansen, the Sets A and B would continue their life as test trains.
April
April 2 - In Tokyo, a fire breaks out in Nippori after a worker at a bedding factory mistakenly throws a lit match into a paint thinner bucket instead of a water bucket. The fire rages for 7 hours across 0,51 square kilometres and injures 220. Miraculously nobody is killed.
April 7 - NHK General TV begins the broadcast of the Taiga dramas. The Taiga dramas are a year-long historical dramas with the first work "Hana no Shogai" being based on novels with the same name that chronicle the life of Ii Naosuke.
April 11 – Pope John XXIII issues his final encyclical, entitled 'On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity and Liberty'.
April 20 – In Quebec, members of the terrorist group Front de libération du Québec bomb an American army base, killing night watchman Wilfred V. O'Neill.
'Pacem in Terris' was the first papal encyclical addressed to 'all men of good will', rather than
to only Roman Catholics only. It was also seen as a bridging attempt for the reunification of Italy.
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That terror attack in Quebec will only be the beginning of widespread subversion and resistance throughout the new pan American syndicalist empire...
This ambition of the American Syndicalists to unite all of North America under the red flag, reminds me of the Qin unification of China. Like the CSA, the state of Qin was highly militarist, unbeatable by military means after a century of warfare, and stomped all rival states into the dust, annexing their territories and extending a harsh regime of imperial rule and cultural unification over them. But the very nature of its militarist character and its draconian laws, caused the conquered peoples to chafe under their rule and after the death of the founding emperor, rise in mass revolt which threw all of China into apocalyptic civil war. Generals seized power throughout the realm and fought for ultimate power, like the diadochi of antiquity. I think this looks like a likely future path for this syndicalist abomination... Although unlike in ancient China I think the successor will not be a new, more enlightened pan American empire but rather a fracture along the lines of the old national states with a core remnant of unredeemed hardcore Syndicalists
This ambition of the American Syndicalists to unite all of North America under the red flag, reminds me of the Qin unification of China. Like the CSA, the state of Qin was highly militarist, unbeatable by military means after a century of warfare, and stomped all rival states into the dust, annexing their territories and extending a harsh regime of imperial rule and cultural unification over them. But the very nature of its militarist character and its draconian laws, caused the conquered peoples to chafe under their rule and after the death of the founding emperor, rise in mass revolt which threw all of China into apocalyptic civil war. Generals seized power throughout the realm and fought for ultimate power, like the diadochi of antiquity. I think this looks like a likely future path for this syndicalist abomination... Although unlike in ancient China I think the successor will not be a new, more enlightened pan American empire but rather a fracture along the lines of the old national states with a core remnant of unredeemed hardcore Syndicalists
The Naval expansion makes sense given were still at a point where Browder relies on carriers and bombers to deliver his nukes. If these cant reach Japan then Japan can continue to act with a sense of safety.
Once the CSA gets a proper ICBM and SLBM arsenal in the coming years and decades i imagine paranoia will replace the current sense of nervous calm.
Once the CSA gets a proper ICBM and SLBM arsenal in the coming years and decades i imagine paranoia will replace the current sense of nervous calm.
I think that Japanese should be more interested in protecting Hawaii now. That would increase buffer between Home Islands and the Reds, and precent the CSA from gaining any foothold.
The Yankees are becoming a true threat to world peace. I wonder if the Empire would be ready for them.
Right, seeing as my thesis is done and I just have to wait, the time gap between posts is likely to shrink, at least until I get into a slump again.
Although the Quebecois are kicking this off, I would posit that the subversion and resistance won't be that widespread, at least not outside of Mexico. Both Canada and Cuba were remoulded by the Browderites, after they kicked the Entente out of North America, in their own image and the states faced their internal struggles in the post-war era. Although of course there is a contingent that will be mad about being absorbed into the pan-North America empire and mad about the loss of their flag, most will likely carry on without issue since little will have changed as far as they're concerned. Some might even believe that life has gotten better.
The Quebecois, as well as potentially some Cubans, are an exception in this regard rather than a rule and their anger is primarily derived from linguistic differences and fears of growing domination by English. The former more than the latter due to their... Long standing previous issues with the former Canadian Anglos.
As to the collapse of the AUSS, well you'll just have to wait and see.
The naval expansion is a multifaceted point, on one hand it helps the Japanese grow their current rather large lead over the Americans and keep them off Japanese shores, even though officials likely fear the Americans could bridge the gap rather quickly, in a relative sense. It thus allows the government to show that it is doing something to protect the country in a way that is very visible and very good for propaganda, that is in addition to 'civil defence' initiatives. The massive shipbuilding tenders also obviously function to stimulate the economy, as well as allow some officials to get their hands 'greasy'.
Nervous calm, is indeed probably one of the bet ways to describe the situation in Japan for a while now. However paranoia over subversion and whatnot has been increasing for a while now, not among theconsumers general population that is, but definitely in government not only due to the American rumblings but due to the increasing number of 'incidents' in China.
Invasion wise indeed, holding the islands, at least enough to keep interdicting the Americans, is key to keep them out of the Home Islands. Which is why Hawaii and the Pacific islands in general have sort of been a sort of "first island chain" for a while now, at least following the American conquest of the Canadian Pacific coastline. Provided that the Americans don't start to turn Attu and such into a major outpost and staging ground they'll succeed in holding the Americans back. Which is why the Americans would probably focus on it, if their intention was to pressure Japan.
The issue here of course is whether the Americans would even care for an invasion or whether they'd be more interested in turning the the Home Islands into a pile of radioactive ash.
It's complicated. Game wise, yes I'm fairly confident I could take the Americans on without real worries. Story wise... Probably not. The Americans are on a warpath and thus have their economy tuned for war. The Empire on the other hand hasn't really fought a war, barring a few excursions across Asia and the South Pacific, much less a long one. There is also the threat posed by the bomb. That is however not to say that the Yanks don't have their own problems, but the Empire is profoundly unprepared for a nuclear conflict stretching across the breadth Pacific, whilst also dealing with the situation erupting in China.
Although the Quebecois are kicking this off, I would posit that the subversion and resistance won't be that widespread, at least not outside of Mexico. Both Canada and Cuba were remoulded by the Browderites, after they kicked the Entente out of North America, in their own image and the states faced their internal struggles in the post-war era. Although of course there is a contingent that will be mad about being absorbed into the pan-North America empire and mad about the loss of their flag, most will likely carry on without issue since little will have changed as far as they're concerned. Some might even believe that life has gotten better.
The Quebecois, as well as potentially some Cubans, are an exception in this regard rather than a rule and their anger is primarily derived from linguistic differences and fears of growing domination by English. The former more than the latter due to their... Long standing previous issues with the former Canadian Anglos.
As to the collapse of the AUSS, well you'll just have to wait and see.
The naval expansion is a multifaceted point, on one hand it helps the Japanese grow their current rather large lead over the Americans and keep them off Japanese shores, even though officials likely fear the Americans could bridge the gap rather quickly, in a relative sense. It thus allows the government to show that it is doing something to protect the country in a way that is very visible and very good for propaganda, that is in addition to 'civil defence' initiatives. The massive shipbuilding tenders also obviously function to stimulate the economy, as well as allow some officials to get their hands 'greasy'.
Nervous calm, is indeed probably one of the bet ways to describe the situation in Japan for a while now. However paranoia over subversion and whatnot has been increasing for a while now, not among the
Invasion wise indeed, holding the islands, at least enough to keep interdicting the Americans, is key to keep them out of the Home Islands. Which is why Hawaii and the Pacific islands in general have sort of been a sort of "first island chain" for a while now, at least following the American conquest of the Canadian Pacific coastline. Provided that the Americans don't start to turn Attu and such into a major outpost and staging ground they'll succeed in holding the Americans back. Which is why the Americans would probably focus on it, if their intention was to pressure Japan.
The issue here of course is whether the Americans would even care for an invasion or whether they'd be more interested in turning the the Home Islands into a pile of radioactive ash.
It's complicated. Game wise, yes I'm fairly confident I could take the Americans on without real worries. Story wise... Probably not. The Americans are on a warpath and thus have their economy tuned for war. The Empire on the other hand hasn't really fought a war, barring a few excursions across Asia and the South Pacific, much less a long one. There is also the threat posed by the bomb. That is however not to say that the Yanks don't have their own problems, but the Empire is profoundly unprepared for a nuclear conflict stretching across the breadth Pacific, whilst also dealing with the situation erupting in China.
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1963 - Out of the Frying Pan...
1963 would prove to be something of an annus horriblis for the reputation of Japanese police forces. Less than a month after police officers proved incapable of detaining the suspected kidnapper of Murakushi Yoshinobu in a sting operation, another high profile kidnapping took place. Unlike many of the previous highly public cases, the victim at the heart of the Sayama case was not a young child, but a 16 year old girl on her way home from high school. Police failure to detain the suspect at a sting operation, just like in the Yoshinobu case, made it the target of national critique as well as ridicule due its seeming incapability of tens of police officers to catch just one suspected felon. In an effort to combat this, special police units with the intent purpose of dealing with kidnapping cases was ordered. Considering the successive failures in a short timespan, it comes as no surprise that after the bound corpse of the kidnapped girl was found buried on the 4th of May that the at the time Chief of Police, Kashiwamura Nobuo, thought it necessary to take responsibility and resign for the failures of his subordinates. Having become a matter of honour hundreds of investigators were assigned to solve the case and catch the perpetrator. Ironically perhaps, the most promising clue would not be found by the detectives, but due to a report of a theft at a local pig farm.
More specifically a shovel was reported stolen by the owner of the farm, staffed and indeed owned by burakumin. The workers were not unknown to the police with even other burakumin regarding them as dangerous due to their long and sordid criminal past and present. The intense scrutiny that police found itself under and the fact that the suspect was found among this group would later prove to be the basis for claims that investigators had decided to find an easy way out rather than pursue the truth. Attempting to push the blame for this heinous act on a member of a group standing at the bottom of Japanese traditional social hierarchy. The fact that the suspect had been brought in for separate crimes not tied to the case only to be released on bail on the 17th of June, before being arrested once again before he could leave the precinct proved especially resounding to some. In contrast the police and prosecution maintained that the subjects knowledge of certain facts not available to the public as well as sharing a blood type with the supposed killer had aroused their suspicions and that the arrest after posting bail was just a coincidence. Following his second arrest, the suspect would eventually confess to having done the deed, although he did initially claim to be a part of a three man team and would subsequently rescind his confession claiming to only have confessed to protect his brother. The highly publicised factors of the case proved to be a veritable media circus and captured the minds of the Japanese press and public, meaning that the worsening situation in China would continue to be largely ignored as 1963 ground on.
The site of the failed police operation aimed at catching the suspect in the Sayama case
with ◎ marking the position of the older sister of the kidnapped girland × the position of the suspect.
An older Zhang Xuelian standing in a garden with his companion. It is argued that
his adoption of Christianity was the true root behind his conflict with the Millennialists.
In addition to violence, public demonstrations were also organised denouncing the
Millennialists in an attempt to weaken their support among the public.
Despite the ongoing media circus over the kidnapping case as well as other events, reports about the situation in China began to increasingly break into Japanese media. Although coverage remained sparse, the attacks on Japanese journalists covering Millennialist protests by Fengtien secret police in August really stirred up the hornets' nest. This all would however pale, when the results of the Fengtien raid on the Summer Palace became public. Although newsworthy itself for the sheer brazenness of the entire affair, the discovery of Puyi, the Xuantong Emperor, lying dead in his bed proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. Photographs of the dead Emperor were all across China faster than government censors could crack down on them and continued circulating even after they succeeded. Not soon after Qing forces on the Manchurian border began defecting to Fengtien en masse beginning the Southern March. The Millennialists too fell upon the crumbling Qing like vultures, although with less defectors. Unlike the other two, the Republicans however did not take any direct measures. Although they cheerfully greeted the death of the hated Emperor, the threat of Japanese intervention seemed to deter plans for a Northern Expedition, for now.
The death of the Emperor marked the end for any semblance of peace in China
as the powers in the North turned their guns on one another.
May
May 1 - A 16-year-old girl disappears in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture, after which a ransom note is found at her home starting an investigation into her kidnapping.
May 8 - The Army of the Fengtien Republic opens fire on Millennialists, who defy a ban on the flying of their flag in Mukden at a celebration of Vesak, honouring both the Gautama and Maitreya Buddha, killing 20. Sporadic strikes erupt across all of Northern China, as the Millennialists begin agitating.
May 22 – A.C. Milan beats Benfica 2–1 at De Kuip, Rotterdam and wins the 1962–63 European Cup.
May 23 – Violence erupts in Transylvania leading to the deaths of numerous Romanian students as well as a number of Hungarian police officers. The Romanian government threatens violent reprisal.
Following the conclusion of the 1962-63 European Cup Denis Follows, head of the British Football Federation,
presented the formal request of the British government to be re-included in international football competitions.
June 3 - Following requests by the Qing governor of Shandong, due to distrust of local military officials, the Army of the Fengtien Republic intervenes against Millennialist protestors raining liquid chemicals on their heads. The even triggers an official protest from the Qing government as well as the execution of the local governor.
June 5 - Romanian forces invade Transylvania triggering the start of the Danubian Wars. Local Romanians support the invading forces as well as succeed in disarming some Hungarian formations. German attention remains turned inside as well as towards Africa.
June 21 – Pope Paul VI becomes the 262nd pope after John XXIII passed away on the 3rd of June.
June 27 - In Japan, construction of the final pieces of the Semi-Automatic Air Defence Control System in the Home Islands are completed. The system is a itself massive computer that collates radar data for the defence of the Empire from air raids with the network being made up of dozens such computers dotted across the Empire.
Although the project had been initially started due to fears stemming from developments in rocketry, the American return to the Pacific, proved useful in gaining additional funding and expanding the program out closer to American shores.
July 7 – Qing special forces, believed to be loyal to the Zhang family, as well as Fengtien regulars attack Millennialist places of worship across Northern China. The raids result in the disappearance of thousands and leave at least hundreds dead.
July 11 - The Act on Social Welfare for the Elderly comes into effect in Japan, the law sets in stone the provision of welfare for all elderly people.
July 21 - The first lung transplant on a human was performed at the University of Mississippi by Dr. James Hardy. Following the death of the patient eighteen days later of unrelated kidney disease, he is identified as John Richard Russell, a convict serving a life sentence for a 1957 killing
July 24 - The Tōyoko department store becomes the next victim in the Sōka Jirō incident. Over the next three weeks the store sees three different bomb explosions.
Forced disapperances became the norm during the summer raids on Millennialist housses of worship.
August
August 15 – Oomura Hiroshi, the first Japanese astronaut, is launched into space aboard aboard the Hakuchō.
August 21 – Fengtien secret police loyal attack Japanese journalists covering a demonstration by Millennialists in the Qing Empire. The attack breaks into Japanese media and provokes outrage in the Home Islands.
August 28 - Arab militias seize control of the Suez Canal from the small German garrison after a staunch resistance. German units are deployed to retake control of the canal by air.
August 31 - Fengtien special forces invade the Summer Palace, allegedly with the intention of rescuing the Emperor, and clash with Qing special forces loyal to the government. They discover the Xuantong Emperor dead in his own bed.
Oomura Hiroshi's experience as a test pilot was deemed of
invaluable quality in sealing his role as the first Japanese astronaut.
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There are some big items snuck in there.
War in Europe, a Suez crisis prompting the German Falschirmjaegers to go in, and precious little from feared America.
War in Europe, a Suez crisis prompting the German Falschirmjaegers to go in, and precious little from feared America.
So Japanese will try to deal with Zhang? If they succeed, it will be only temporary. If they fail, then China will be lost forever. Also: I agree with comment above. Important stuff was mentioned in this update.
Wow, war in Transylvania, Suez crisis on steroids, China continues to tear itself apart in an attempt to stitch itself together. Interesting times indeed.
The Emperor dead, the government covering it and no heir? Suspicious to say the least.
Mirror, Mirror
Ahlers looked at the setting sun over the piers nervously tapping his foot. He pulled out the note again to confirm what it said once more.
"No doubt about it, sun down at this pier," the journalist muttered to himself. The note had been slipped into his mail box a few days prior by a local boy at the request of a certain officer, a friend back from the his own military days. Of course Ahlers didn't know who this mystery benefactor was and although he would develop his suspicions, the untimely death of the officer in question at the Suez would mean that he would never know. Just as the light from the fading sun receded, the Elbe and its shores were quickly bathed with hundreds and thousands of smaller artificial light. The city waking from its working slumber was springing to life with thousands street lights flickering on and people of all backgrounds popping in for a visit to the shops or for a drink on their way home from work. Mesmerized by the light show, Ahlers failed to notice as a shadowy figure appeared behind to him.
"Beautiful, is it not Herr Ahlers," the figure said. "One can hardly believe how fragile yet beautiful the world at peace looks like."
"Indeed, Herr..."
"Schram," the figure replied. "At least that is the name you will have to know me by."
"As you wish Herr Schram. Despite the times being what they might be, I trust that you did not invite me out here just to discuss the world at peace. Your note mentioned that you might have something of interest to me and my employer."
"Straight to the point as always, Leutnant. Let me cut to the chase then. Do you remember the Tribunal of the Twenty?"
"Of course, the infamous tribunal that saw the great 'heroes' of the German people acquitted for their insubordinate 'good will' mission to the Ukrainian people on behalf of their own Hetmanate and the German government," Ahlers responded drolly.
"The very same one," 'Schram' replied. "Although the military and government have been maintaining the cock and bull story of insubordination rather strongly, I wager that the research that you have been doing on behalf your employer have revealed a few inconsistencies there."
"Some inconsistencies indeed. However thus far we have very little beyond conjecture. Orders referring to missing documents and other small inconsistencies like that."
"You are in luck then.," the figure replied.
"Are we," Ahlers asked. "Because I feel like we're just on a wild goose chase."
"Indeed you are, due to my position I have managed to come into a few boxes of documents that you might find rather interesting. I believe that they contain the missing files you mentioned as well as a few other small pieces of interest. Recordings from few meetings with certain individuals of interest, both from the Frahm era and the current government, that were used to make minutes."
"That sounds a bit too good to be true Herr Schram. If what you are saying is true then why are you sharing this information with me?"
"I believe that you will do the right thing, Herr Ahlers. I have left the boxes behind the corner of that building," the figure replied pointing towards a warehouse with his head. "After I leave you are free to do what you please with the documents, I do hope that you will not mistrust the documents due to the covert way I have chosen to deliver them."
"Herr Schram, I do not know how to respond..."
"Then do not say anything, I look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour," the figure said and left into the night almost as quickly as he had arrived.
Ahlers dallied for a moment counting the seconds as he waited for the figure to disappear. During their discussion the Elbe had truly become a sea of incandescence and it managed to almost drag him back in. Waiting a few more moments just to be sure he turned around and headed towards the boxes.
-----------------------------------------
A slight segue into another topic before returning to the regularly scheduled discussion of China tearing itself apart. Now to the questions.
Snuck is such an ugly term, I prefer conspicuous by its lack of mention in the chapter narrative.
Deal in one way or another, there are more ways to take hold of China than established players after all. The question is what are the Japanese willing to pay for it.
All I can say is, stay tuned.
Suspicious is one way of putting it. Side note, there is no confirmed heir due to a lack of off spring on the behalf of Puyi, the House of Aisin-Gioro is wide and suitable replacements can be found, if necessary.
1963 - Into the Fire
The immediate aftermath following reports about the death of the Xuantong Emperor can best be described as utter pandemonium. Internal struggles between officials and warlords totally paralysed the state apparatus of the Qing, indefinitely delaying any real response to the open as well as covert invasion of its territory. The Japanese military mission was reduced to spectators as Republican guerillas declared rulership over vast swathes of the country even as Guangzhou denied taking any action. Defections by warlords to the cause of the Millennialists or Fengtien with entire divisions or even corps of Qing troops, only hastened the collapse of the state. Attempts by a few Army officers to assume direct control of the Qing government apparatus by force were rebuffed by what loyal troops remained in Beijing and resulted in a rapid decline in relations between Qing officials and the Japanese mission. Locked out of government and incapable of assuming control orders to abandon the the capital were received from Tokyo. Despite being more or less stripped of any real power, a number of military and diplomatic staff still found it hard to abandon the city. In their memoirs Japanese officials that had been there during the evacuation cited that although relations had declined the Empire was at that point not at war with any of the powers in China. They also brought out the the symbolic value of Beijing, both as the seat of power for the Qing and as the site of the Siege of the Legations during the Boxer rebellion.
Army officers especially put an emphasis on the relative weakness of the forces converging on Beijing, claiming that they were little more than rabble significantly weaker than the Boxers. Although true, that the forces were sparsely armed with heavy weapons and corrupt to a laughable degree, their expectations relied on relief from the Home Islands being available at nigh a moments notice, a difficult ask given the split attention of the Cabinet. Waters were muddled even more by the presence of a number of members of the Aisin-Gioro clan. They as well as some other members of the Qing court had fled to the Legations seeking shelter and imploring the Japanese not to abandon the city. Yet, neither the overly optimistic evaluations of the generals nor the begging of royalty could over come orders. Nor the reality that the food supplies as well as the number of troops required to effectively defend the Legation Quarter against the invaders, corrupt as they might be, were deemed seriously lacking. Given that the Japanese at that point had the largest amount of troops in the city, their decision to evacuate resulted in a similar decision by a number of other delegations.
Reports from those present at the Evacuation of the Legations say that the sky over the
Quarter was black from the huge amount of documents begin burned.
Fengtien control however meant no reprieve for the civilian population, as the forces of the Zhang bathed the city in blood seeking to rip out the Millennialists root and stem within the city. The city was well and truly purged of any and all indications of resistance, including Republican supporters much to the ire of Guangzhou, and by late October, the city was deemed pacified enough for the arrival of the Young Marshal. Accompanied by members of his family as well as high-ranking officials of the Fengtien administration, overlapping more often than not, the entourage set towards Beijing by train to Mukden. Unfortunately for them, as well as debatably all of China, the Young Marshall would would not make it to his destination. Even before the train could even really leave the confines of Mukden, it was destroyed in an explosion. The loss of much of their leadership robbed the Fengtien of their initiative and sent them into a power struggle almost as violent as that of the Qing. The assassination has provoked a number of theories, although no clear responsibility has yet been established.
Most theories about the explosion have focused on the intersection with the Japanese controlled South Manchurian Railway,
the only place where it could not be guarded. Claiming it as proof of meddling, if not responsibility by the Japanese.
Largely isolated from grand politics and having spent much of his time on matters of education,
Puren was seen as the perfect ruler that would allow the Japanese a greater measure of say into administration.
Although not armed as well as regulars, the border guards were still thought to be
capable of blunting any invasion by Chinese forces.
September
September 5 - The Sōka Jirō incident sees its most violent attack injuring 10 people as a time bomb explodes at Kyobashi Station on the Ginza Line.
September 15 - Following the evacuation of the Japanese embassy, as well as what remains of the Imperial Qing court, to Shanghai. Fengtien forces arrive in Beijing and come into direct conflict with Republican, Millennialist and rebellious Qing forces in the city and its outskirts.
September 19 - German paratroopers and marines, operating out of Malta and Djibouti, land at the Suez Canal Area in an attempt to gain control of the canal, but find themselves facing stiff resistance against 'unexpectedly' well armed militants.
September 21 - The German magazine Der Spiegel publishes an article proving links between the FVP leadership and the 'rogue' Heer officers that were prosecuted but acquitted for ordering the suppression of protests in Ukraine in 1956. Police occupation of the offices of the magazine adds fuel to existing anti-Suez protests as it is interpreted as quashing the story.
In addition to fuelling protests, both at home and across Mitteleuropa, the Spiegel report sparked rumours
about the involvement of other parties in the event. Many protestors even suggested that sabotaging the SDP
was seen as a toll for its inclusion into the coalition.
October 3 – Militants stage a violent coup in Honduras. The coup ends the decades long rule of Tiburcio Carías Andino and the leaders of the coup declare unification with Centroamerica. The military resists the calls for disarmament with elements calling for unification with the UPCA, triggering the brutal Honduran civil war
October 6 - Chairman Mosley attacks the AUSS in a speech at a secret meeting of the Congress of the Trade Unions condemning them of revisionism. He sets out a path for a new British foreign policy, setting him at odds with many, among them Americanophiles in his inner circle, who are subsequently purged.
October 23 - Adenauer announces his resignation as Chancellor, officially to provide a clean slate for an inquiry into the Spiegel affair, unofficially however due to being unable to fulfil the demand of the Kaiser to withdraw from the Suez following threats by the Arab Federation for an oil embargo.
October 28 – The already nervous Japanese stock market enters free fall as reports about the death of Zhang Xuelian as well as much of the Fengtien leadership confirm existing fears about the longevity of the Chinese Civil War.
Parading Centroamerican troops marching into Tegucigalpa shortly prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.
November 8 – Following a cabinet meeting, the Japanese government officially announces that it is officially intervening in China to support the restoration of Puren, the younger half-brother of Puyi.
November 9 – A coal mine explosion in Miike as well as a triple train crash in Yokohama kill a total of more than 619 people, earning the day the nickname Bloody Sunday.
November 24 - Following protests by the recently unemployed residents of Tokyo, workers that have seen wage cuts as well as violent action by student radicals. The Japanese cabinet announces the creation of the Tsukuba Science City, the massive construction project has gone in and out of cabinet in past years as a way of solving the overcrowding issue gripping Tokyo as well as curbing radicalism in universities, but has always been pushed back due to cost issues.
November 30 – Robert Menzies' Liberal Party is re-elected with an increased majority to an unprecedented eight term in office, defeating the Labor Party led by Arthur Calwell.
Lacking any real previous urbanization, the plans for Tsukuba ranged from futuristic to science fictional.
December 8 - Japanese forces operating out of Shanghai have managed to restore order to a significant chunk of the Qing Empire and begin to hand over control to newly formed/reformed Qing troops.
December 13 – Under pressure from the Japanese, looking to better exploit the abundant natural resources in Australia, the Australian government announces an effort to resettle willing Chinese refugees to Australia. The plan proves bitterly controversial and threatens to tear the Menzies cabinet apart.
December 22 – The British, Norwegian, Tunisian, Breton, Icelandic and Irish governments announce their withdrawal from the Atlantic Treaty Organization at a joint conference in Oslo. The conference also sees the declaration of the Oslo Pact, made up of the states at the meeting with the exception of Ireland, which returns to its position of neutrality.
December 26 – 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' by the The Beatles' are released in Mitteleuropa marking the beginning of Beatlemania on an international level.
For MITI Australia represented a magnificent treasure trove, already providing much of the
uranium for the Empire, the loss of China prompted a call to dig exploit the rest of the hoard.
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So the ATO has split in two. That's very good for Germany and probably for the whole word.
About China: I think that Republicans will win. Quing lacks popular support and exist only thanks to Japanese help, while other warlords are too weak to stop the Republic.
About China: I think that Republicans will win. Quing lacks popular support and exist only thanks to Japanese help, while other warlords are too weak to stop the Republic.
Yeah, nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. The Chinese people have decided that they want a modern and sovereign nation, and modern media communications have enabled the Republican government to broadcast its messages into every hamlet across China via radio and television broadcast. The time has come for the Chinese people to demand, and seize, unification and popular sovereignty from those who for so long withheld it from them.
My wife visited Tsukuba as a student once! I didn't know it e an actually planned science city!
Japan can intervene and sweep away the Republicans I'm sure, but holding the Qing together in a real way or fighting a protracted war? Do Japanese want another WW2 level callup? I would say things are uncertain.
Also, if Menzies isn't dreaming up ways to slowly reduce Japanese control I'll eat my hat.
Australia has resources (in mindboggling quantities well beyond what has been discovered by this point TTL), with immigration it might also have population and it's got technical capabilities that might surprise, especially in this universe.
Historically there was a debate over whether Australia should be an atomic weapon state or continue relying on the UK. I can see Aus doing a South Africa/Israel this timeline to avoid ever being so brutalized again
Sydney will be stamped into the Aussie psyche for some time to come. Japan might forget about them, but they won't forget Japan.
Also, if Menzies isn't dreaming up ways to slowly reduce Japanese control I'll eat my hat.
Australia has resources (in mindboggling quantities well beyond what has been discovered by this point TTL), with immigration it might also have population and it's got technical capabilities that might surprise, especially in this universe.
Historically there was a debate over whether Australia should be an atomic weapon state or continue relying on the UK. I can see Aus doing a South Africa/Israel this timeline to avoid ever being so brutalized again
Sydney will be stamped into the Aussie psyche for some time to come. Japan might forget about them, but they won't forget Japan.
From my reading of the story, the Chinese civil war is now a struggle between a few military-aristocracies which rule their lands at gun point with no overarching legitimacy, a religious cult that absorbed a lot of the fanaticism that IOTL went into the Chinese communist movement, and a Chinese republican state in which popular sovereignty is expressed through free elections and legitimacy is derived via the continuous empowerment of the elected government by an elected legislature, no? How can the military-aristocracies even stand a chance, even with Japanese military support? What's their claim to power, how to they motivate villages and towns to obey their laws, pay their taxes, and send their sons for military service? China is a nation of close to a billion people, and the only other halfway legitimate state just imploded. What's stopping the Chinese republic to go all French revolution on the remaining foreign, religious and aristocratic armies on its soil, now? Aux armes, citoyens ! Formez vos bataillons !
With a popular cause, and a legitimate banner flying in the wind, what are a hundred thousand casualties...Australia likely has a rather large and growing Japanese population. It's no longer the Australia we know from our postwar history, is was under Japanese domination for close to twenty years now, right? It's a hybrid European-Asian nation now, as dependant on Japan for everything from trade over communications to security, as west Germany or Japan were dependant on the United States IOTL, plus on top of that, with a sizable population working in the mining and logistics industries, that are Japanese born and definitely don't identify with a separate Australian identity? Also, completely transparent to the Japanese intelligence services. If Australia builds nuclear weapons then that would be because Japan actively allows and encourages them to do that, no?