Realistic or Modern On The Backs of Broken Men III - Blood and Iron

[Zillamaster55]

The year is 1910

As the world enters the first decade of the 20th Century, many fear that the years of peace are rapidly approaching their end.

In Europe, tensions rise as the great empires of Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy and the Ottoman Turks begin cementing their influence on the continent. Powers wane, while others grow ever stronger.

In the East, the recently victorious nation of Japan sits dominant in the Pacific, eyeing the crumbing Qing Dynasty with ambition. The colonies of the European powers wait for whatever it is that will inevitably explode upon the Asian continent.

Finally, in the Americas, the enormously powerful United States continues to slumber, though many are more than certain that the Land of the Free is more than ready to wage a war to assert its position on the world stage.

As the barrels of gunpowder continue to pile up...it will take only a spark to ignite a conflict that will engulf the globe.

Turn List

(x)

Players
Euskalduna - United Kingdom
Emperor Scorpious II - Empire of Japan
Ruski - German Empire
Fighting Monk - Austro-Hungarian Empire
joshuadim - Russian Empire
Malos - United States
Amfleet - Republic of France

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn One
January - June, 1910

World Events

- The League of Emperors, the old alliance between Austria, Germany and Russia, is reformed to some extent. Focused on maintaining peace and stability in Europe, these three crowns are set to begin influencing the policies of their minor neighbors and spherelings. This outrages many more hawkishly-minded politicians in nations across the continent, who view the move as little more than “backroom scheming”

- Edward VII, the monarch of the United Kingdom, dies in his sleep after complications from chest pains. After a somber, nationwide period of morning, his son George is crowned as King, and the issues of the monarchy can continue uninterrupted. George V, sharing kinship with both the emperors of Germany and Russia, is set to take the nation on a new course through the 20th Century. What this course may be, however, is unknown at this time

- A treaty is signed between Japan and the Joseon Kingdom of Korea. Essentially made a puppet state of Japan, the Korean “Empire” is officially dismantled by this treaty, which sees the Korean government stripped of its titles and Emperor Sunjong deposed. Japan’s borders are expanded yet again as the island nation rapidly continues to take its place amongst the great powers of the world

- The Union of South Africa, a patchwork nation born out of necessity, thanks to the near-constant resistance put forth by the Boers. The Union is governed entirely by the white minority of English and Boer settlers, but their inclusion into the Commonwealth has negated numerous arguments regarding representation of colonial governments. Meanwhile, in other areas of the Empire, there are those that see South Africa as an example of “enlightened colonialism”

- American president William Howard Taft is found dead in his White House bedroom after a night of “intense pain”. A state funeral is held for Taft, who is credited with maintaining “American Decency” after the squabbles between the Republicans and the previous president Theodore Roosevelt. James Sherman, now President, is set to take the country through the next to years, hopefully completing Taft’s various plans for domestic and foreign policy

- Tensions in Mexico begin to rise as Porfirio Díaz’s regime begins to face outright hostile resistance from commoners throughout the provinces. Díaz, having held his position as president for three decades, finds himself on shaky grounds. As a result of this, Díaz begins to circle the proverbial wagons, which many believe will lead to an outright collapse of his government as a whole

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- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. With their eastern borders now relatively secure, the Austrians can rest easy knowing that, at least for now, the Russians will not attempt to break into the plains of Galicia

- At home, the Austrian government begins a huge series of reforms, hoping to combat the numerous problems that plague the country. Primarily, the famine in Galicia is seen as a prime example of a “solvable issue”. Across the country, a 5% levy is placed on all harvests across the country, with the government paying a flat price to take the extra goods, sending them to these famine stricken regions in hopes of alleviating the issues

- Alongside the redistribution of food into Galicia, the governance of the region is restructured and divided between the Polish West and Ruthenian East Galicias, both of which are made into semi-autonomous provinces represented by government appointees. Though still under the control of Germans, these regions will see some administrative reforms that will hopefully lead to some better economic and agricultural policies

- Railroads, one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, continue to undergo nationalization as the government hopes to use these new railways to expand “across the nation like a net”. The east and south of the country, especially in regions like Transylvania, Vojvodina and Bosnia, suffer from a lack of adequate rail transport, and as a result, are needed to be heavily expanded upon, a project which will take years to complete

- In Vienna, a meeting amongst the highest levels of the government is held to discuss the possibility of including Croatia as the “Third Crown” of Austria-Hungary, creating a “trialist” system of government, which would allow for the full representation of the Slavic peoples in the southwest. Only a handful of the Austrian delegation approves, and the Hungarians refuse such a deal outright, decrying it as “something to mitigate the voices of the Hungarian crown even further”

- A small portion of the nation’s budget is set aside to begin giving subsidies to farms that adopt mechanized equipment such as tractors, powered threshers and combine harvesters. These machines are the “future of food”, and have proven to be extremely effective in places like the United States and Great Britain. Outside of Austria proper, however, mechanization doesn’t catch on as most farmers are incapable of purchasing such equipment, no matter how great the subsidies are

- More overtures are made to Škoda Auto by the Austrian government to make the automobile company the sole provider of vehicles and mechanical equipment to the Austrian government and military. Škoda’s representatives agree to a minor deal in which the Austrian government takes a 30% share in the company’s stocks, while the company itself is given first dibs on any military contract presented to private companies

- As a result of these massive deals and reforms, the Austrian economy quickly begins to grind down to a much slower rate of growth. This is “unavoidable” say economists connected to the Austrian government. Nonetheless, bankers begin to give out fewer loans and companies prepare to tighten their belts for possible stagnation. Some believe, however, that the slowdown will be beneficial in the long run. What they base this on, exactly, is unclear

- The Austrian navy continues a program of expanding its docks in major port cities like Trieste, Pola, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, and Kotor in order to strengthen the nation's shipbuilding capabilities, with the goal of being able to contest the Adriatic, and secure Austria-Hungary's place in the Mediterranean. Unsurprisingly, the Italians take this as a sign of Austrian military posturing, and begin upgrading the military ports of their own in the east

- Bi-Weekly drills are held across the board for militiamen and reservists in order to keep them in top shape as the military undergoes modernization programs. One of these programs is to begin putting research into "Army Slavic", or a form of standardized Serbo-Croatian for the southern Slavs in the military. The Czechs and Slovaks in the army tend to be bilingual in German and Hungarian respectively, or at the very least are capable of learning them if need be. The southern Slavs, meanwhile, are more hesitant and stubborn

- The age of the cavalryman comes to a quiet end in the Austrian army. Most cavalry regiments are disbanded, and many others are converted into purely logistical or reconnaissance roles. Unsurprisingly, many nobles protest the move as an "unnecessary and uncivilized" change, while recent graduates of the numerous military academies view it as an important step forward for the army. Nonetheless, horsemen still remain in large quantities throughout the armed forces

- Conscription efforts are expanded as the Austrian government approves a bill that allows for the further drafting of soldiers from the Slavic provinces in the northeast and the south. Many resist this, as conscription for the Austrian army is seen as an insult, especially to the Serbs and Croats who have been chomping at the bit for further representation. The Poles, meanwhile, feel that the implementation of conscription in Galicia is an "entirely unneeded move" due to the ongoing famine

- Engineers at Škoda, tasked with providing better equipment for the Austrian military, present a new piece of artillery, similar to that being used by numerous nations around the globe. At a firing range in central Hungary, the engineers present a hulking 25cm “railway gun” nicknamed “Fetter Junge” (Fat Boy). Capable of launching a 450kg shell more than 15km, the “Fat Boy” is a monstrous weapon of war that is, unfortunately, restricted to only the strongest rail lines possible

- Competing with Škoda, the German Krupp Stahl company manages to weasel its way into negotiations, and present the Austrian military with an artillery piece of its own. Using a shell smaller by comparison, the 12.5cm FH M.10 is a “fast firing” howitzer able to launch its shells at a pace similar to the French 75mm M1897. With much bigger shells, however, the FH M.10 suffers from much longer periods of cooling and fatigue, and is only useful in rapid volleys with a long time in between

- France manages to strike a deal with the Catholic Church, hoping to return to a friendly relationship between the two. In exchange for France still being in charge of the vetting of bishops and priests within the country, churches and churchyards are able to be purchased by the Papacy. This move is contested by socialists and secularists, who fear that this could lead to a “return to the old establishment”, though the government ensures them that such an incident probably won’t take place

- The French government begins to heavily subsidies the creation of factories and general industry in colonial capitals like Dakar, Algiers and Saigon. Here, the government hopes to improve the production of these regions, utilizing local resources and labor rather than having to ship it all the way to the homeland. This has the dual purpose of relieving French factories from creating base consumer goods, allowing the largest factories to begin specializing in more expensive products

- After some consideration, the death penalty is officially restricted to the most egregious crimes such as treason or murder. This is a relief to many of the more pacifist lawyers, as well as a huge burden off of prisoners nationwide. Conservatives, of course, decry this move, and state that the death penalty is a “necessity for the deterrance of crime”. Nonetheless, this slight liberalization of the justice system is a sign of a new future for France

- In New Caledonia, the huge nickel reserves undergo exploitation by companies that are given massive subsidies to begin buying up land and creating mines. In return for subsidies and the turning of a blind eye to labor practices, the French government requires a whopping 20% share of all metals produced. This huge amount of nickel is sent directly to military industry for the plating of metals and creation of stronger ships and guns

- Companies crucial to national defense, such as automobile, rail and weapons manufacturers see upwards of a 15% share purchased by the French government. Though the companies themselves are still largely autonomous, this influence from the government allows them to “nudge” them in certain directions as the French military continues to expand. Socialists and labor unions are unable to decide whether or not this is a good thing

- The French military decides to resurrect the Levavasseur project, in which the original creator of the project is tasked with creating a new proposal regarding the creation of a dedicated artillery division. Though the costs are high, many in the army believe that such divisions would provide significant firepower both on the offense and defense, while also freeing up regular divisions to have larger pools of infantry to pull from

- Defensive drills are conducted along the border with Germany as a show of both force and readiness. Experimental artillery divisions test the latest in gun development, while infantry march in beautifully coordinated columns and undergo snappy rifle drills. This impresses the French population in Alsace Lorraine, while the German populace is concerned by such exercises. This is, of course, not out of the ordinary, and the French expect the Germans to respond with their own very soon

- With the Germans having a much larger army, and the memory of 1870 fresh in the mind of the French, the military undergoes experiments in changing doctrine. Rather than focusing on raw offensive capabilities, a doctrine of “Defensive Siege” is introduced, in which the army digs in deep and bombards the enemy before they can make any significant gains. The tradeoff for such a tactic is that exiting the defensive positions makes it difficult to regain them should they be lost, and exposes the troops to enemy fire

- The army, working in coordination with the navy, forms the Aéronautique Militaire. This new sub-branch of the military is made up of balloons, airships and aeroplanes, hoping to use these new inventions for reconnaissance, bombing and general military support. Though the branch is hungry for planes, it must deal with having lighter than air craft for the time being, as most planes can only hobble along at low altitudes for short distances

- A breakthrough is made as the Aéronautique Militaire begins testing new dirigibles. These lighter than air craft utilize their lifting capability to carry delicate camera equipment, or even light artillery shells. The navy begins testing this new tool, with the goal of using them for light coastal bombardment and spotting. Though slow moving and horribly obvious, those on the ground have essentially no ability to fight back against them

- A bizarre new invention is made, using a single track and small, horse-sized locomotive engines. These Rail Rapide are able of towing only small amounts of cargo, but can be set up in only a matter of days, quickly transporting goods to and from the front line, and then being quickly taken down to be moved elsewhere. Faster than horse-drawn transports, and more reliable than automobiles, these light rails will be a necessity should the military call them forward

- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. Germany sits in a comfortable position, with its powerful industrial and military base, and enjoys that the Austrians and Russians have come to them for ensuring peace in the region

- German companies attempt to break into the Japanese market by selling rubber and minerals from the African colonies to the various Japanese industrial giants, but a recent decision made by the Japanese government locks them out from making such a deal. As a result, the rubber continues to be sent back to Germany proper, where it can be better utilized by German companies and manufacturers

- Diplomats are sent to Portugal in the hopes of tying the small Iberian nation closer to Germany, perhaps to beat the British to the punch and forming an alliance. However, due to the political situation in Portugal as republicans begin to become more brazen in their desire to overthrow the old monarchy, causing many in the German diplomatic corps fear that a revolution may soon take place, essentially nullifying Germany’s efforts. Nonetheless, the Germans keep a close eye on the Portuguese

- Swedish iron and steel, a much-needed import for Germany’s industry in the east, leads to diplomatic discussions to help tie the economies of Sweden and Germany closer together. In exchange for Germany reducing tariffs on Swedish exports, Sweden will permit the purchasing of shares in Swedish companies by the German government. Having lost Norway a few years prior, and the Russians still occupying their claimed lands in Finland, Sweden is desperate for powerful friends

- With oil becoming a more and more precious commodity, the German government begins purchasing stocks in Persian, Ottoman and Egyptian oil fields. Though the British keep much of that region’s oil under their control, this slight guarantee of imports for the German government coincides with the new plan to begin creating an “oil reserve”. Many believe that coal will be phased out in only a few years to come, and oil is the future. Germany is unwilling to fall behind in that future

- The railways in western Germany are expanded by a significant degree as the government mobilizes the poor and jobless to begin a new web of rail lines, stretching from the Austro-German border, all the way to the Franco-German border. These railways are dual-purpose, with the intentions of both industrial and military transport. Over the course of the next two years, the German military will be able to move troops at a rapid pace up and down their western territories

- In the Ruhr valley, the German government subsidies the construction of dozens of military factories, with the intention of boosting the production of arms and munitions by a significant degree. Germany continues its program of militarization, despite the relative peace in Europe, and hopes to have a huge amount of backup equipment should the nation mobilize itself for any possible conflict in Europe

- Submarines, once a novelty in the American Civil War, are quickly becoming adopted by navies the world over, with Germany included amongst them. Hoping to expand the strength of the submarine corp, the German navy commissions the construction of more than a dozen U-2-class submarines, with their eponymous ship being used as the standard model for German submarines to come. Knowing that the navy cannot hope to compete on the open seas with nations like Britain or America, Germany instead focuses on having a powerful “undersea blockade”

- A shocking 50,000 more men are drafted into the German army for the express purpose of creating Spezialkräfte (Special Forces), mainly in the realms of quick signaling and “beach assaults”. Using small motor-driven boats, these newly formed Marinesoldaten move under the cover of naval guns to storm beaches and seize key areas such as ports or coastal towns. The Marinesoldaten are restricted to service in the German navy, and their application come a European war is unknown at the moment

- With the expansion of the German submarine corp, engineers are tasked with creating a longer-ranged, more efficient submarine than the U-2-class. Experimenting with a hull that was damaged during production, engineers stumble across a more efficient form of engine placement. These longer, larger submarines are designated as the U-3-class, and are able to stay submerged for far longer periods, though are more expensive than their predecessors

- Seeing the usefulness of the British Maxim Gun, and having adopted a copied model only years before, the German army continues to experiment with better, more easily maintained crew-served machineguns. Using a shorter travel time on the bolt, the newly designed Maschinengewehr M1910 has a firing rate of 700rpm, which is much, much faster than the MG-08. The MG-M1910 is quickly adopted by German infantry divisions, once military industry is able to produce them in large enough numbers

- The League of Emperors, the massive agreement between Germany, Russia and Austria, agrees to allow the Japanese to sign the pact as an outside observer. Despite hostile relations that remain between Russia and Japan, the presence of newly promoted Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi as a military observer and advisor pleases the Germans and Austrians. Japan hopes to use their addition in the League to help continue the modernization of the Japanese military and economy

- A treaty is signed between Japan and the Joseon Kingdom of Korea. Essentially made a puppet state of Japan, the Korean “Empire” is officially dismantled by this treaty, which sees the Korean government stripped of its titles and Emperor Sunjong deposed. Japanese troops immediately sweep into governmental buildings, tearing down Korean-language markers and flags. Humiliated, the Korean populace can do little other than watch as their national identity is stripped away by a piece of paper

- Korea, now renamed 朝鮮 (Chōsen) and under the control of Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, undergoes a full-scale restructuring of how the nation is administered. The old divisions made by the Joseon are ignored, and numerous low-level regional governors are assigned to the newly designed prefectures of Korea. These prefectures are specifically designed to maximize the efficiency of resource acquisition and exploitation, as well as making it more difficult for the Koreans to retain their old ways

- Northern Chōsen is quickly overrun by Japanese companies hoping to begin exploiting the massive coal and iron reserves. Huge mines are set up, stripping away at the mountains and hills, pulling enormous quantities of resources to quench the thirst of Japanese industry. Unsurprisingly, much of the labor is made up of local Koreans, who are placed in horrible conditions with next to little pay

- Throughout the heavily populated prefectures of Japan, namely Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, the state begins contract bids on coal-fired electrical plants. These plants will not only provide thousands of jobs, but will also help streamline industrial production throughout the country. Thanks to the addition of Korean coal, these plants are finally no longer worried about running out of their namesake power source

- A somewhat shocking, yet also unsurprising, decision is made by the Japanese government. No longer are governors or military leaders allowed to seek contracts with any foreign companies, and must instead deal solely with the growing Japanese industrial conglomerates known as 財閥 (Zaibatsu) [Financial Clique]. This essentially forces foreigners to remain in their place, and many simply sell off their factories rather than be stuck in a permanent second place

- The two policing wings of the army and navy, the 憲兵隊 (Kenpeitai) and 特警隊 (Tokkeitai) are forcefully combined by the Japanese government in order to streamline their use, much to the dismay of the two branches. Secondarily, the government takes the most efficient officers to help form the 特高 (Tokkō) [Special Higher Police], which will take over for the civilian duties

- Immediately, the Tokkō are sent across the country to begin mass arrests of socialists and anarchists after a plot to assassinate the emperor is discovered. Regardless of connection to the incident, these political dissidents are placed in prison, with their leaders given lengthy sentences, or even death. This “reign of terror” is enough to shock the populace into toeing the party line and avoiding association with “anti-Japanese groups”

- With approval from the central government, Zaibatsus are encouraged to grow as large and as strong as possible to streamline the nation’s industry. Korea, in only a few months, quickly becomes a “Zaibatsu Paradise” as companies buy up swathes of land from the local governments and begin exploiting the region as much as they can. Zaibatsus are considered the “future of the world” by foreign observers, which worries socialists everywhere

- In Busan, the mid-size port city is greatly expanded in order to meet demands from the Imperial Japanese Navy to produce more and more ships, primarily tenders and light vessels at first. Using local labor, the Busan port is quickly expanded, and its growth is attributed to the presence of the Zaibatsus, who gladly cut corners and worker's safety to get the port built as quickly as possible. By October of the following year, the Busan port will be one of the largest military ports for the Japanese

- As the Imperial Japanese Navy continues to search for more efficient and modernized inventions, some breakthroughs are made in the realm of fire control. On the Japanese battleship Kashima, an upgrade is made to her internal communications, with a small radio placed in her gun rooms to immediately transfer information from the conning tower, rather than having to rely information by word of mouth or signaling. These radios have horrendous quality, however, and the vibrations from the guns sometimes shatter the fragile equipment

- Studying experiments in Europe, the Imperial Japanese Army begins testing domestically produced airplanes, similar to the Italian Ca. 1. These small, single person biplanes are able to climb up to 400m, and with a range of roughly 15 kilometers. This new invention is a significant addition to the military’s capabilities, with the newly designated Year 42 Reconnaissance, with the hopes of using this biplane to observe the landscape and battlefield

- As the situation appears dire for the Qing Dynasty, the councils surrounding the young Xuontong emperor manage to wriggle out from under the influence of the more reactionary councilmen who have refused progress for more than a decade before Xuontong’s birth. Despite the fears that the dynasty has completely lost hold of the “Mandate of Heaven”, these reforms are believed to stave off the “tiger of republicanism” from swallowing China whole

- Thanks to the help of well-paid foreign envoys, the Qing government announces the beginning of the 新精神 (Xīn Jīngshén) [New Spirit] policies. These new policies turn their focus inwards, to better help the nation drag itself into the 20th Century and, if all goes well, return it to the status of a dominant power in the world. With China more or less being a joke in regards to industrialization and modernization, the Qing dynasty is no longer willing to take a backseat to the rest of the world. Let alone to Japan, of all nations

- Projects to improve the nation’s industrial capacity begin in the nation’s capital city of Beijing. Here, industrialization has already begun to some extent, as small textile and consumer goods factories dot the packed city streets. Entire sections of the city, largely made up of the poor and decrepit housing districts, are torn down in favor of building up foreign factories. Despite the embarrassing need for foreign industry, the “barbarians” may indeed have the right idea about some things when it comes to modernization

- A large railway project, stretching outwards from Beijing to reach cities like Shenyang, Harbin, and Shanghai. This project will take years to complete, and will require additional foreign capital in order to subsidize the domestic labor. Ironically, some engineers arrive from the United States, descendents of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese who emigrated in order to work on the transcontinental railway in the mid 19th Century

- Subsidies are generously handed out to farmers and landowners in and around cities that are willing to sell their land to the government in order for it to be turned into factories, railway stations, railway lines or other such purposes. Thousands jump at the opportunity to be able to get a smidgen of money and move into the city, and as a result, areas outside of Beijing essentially become abandoned as families pull up stakes and head into the capital, hoping for a better life

- With what money remains in the coffers of the Qing government, the nation’s pathetically tiny and underdeveloped navy sees the beginning of its latest addition. Hoping to one up the Japanese, Russians and British, who regularly flaunt their navies as they pass from station to station, the Qing begin working on a domestically produced, heavily armored cruiser similar to the German-built Hai Yung-class. The ICN 大槍 (Dà Qiāng) [Great Lance] will, if production goes well, boast three pairs of six inch guns, with a jaw-dropping 18cm belt. Production is incredibly slow, as shortages of just about everything seems to be getting in the way, and as a result, the Great Lance may not launch for nearly three years

- Rather than deal with the huge number of rifles from numerous countries, with numerous calibers and designs, the Qing military finally decides on adopting the German Gewehr 98, redesignating it as the Liang Type 1 Rifle. The Germans, having only taken minor advantage of China over the past few years, maintain a healthy relationship with the Qing, and the Mauser company is more than willing to open a factory in Nanjing to begin producing the nation’s arms

- 75 Oakland Model 40 cars are purchased by the Qing military in order to help transport officers, messengers and advisors to and from important locations. These cars are extremely expensive, and coveted more than gold by those that are able to keep them within their possession. The ultimate goal is to begin introducing motorized or rail transport for everything in the military, though not even the most advanced European nations have been able to achieve that as of yet

- A surprising breakthrough is made at a Bethlehem Steel plant in Nanjing. Using nickel during the smelting process, workers are able to create a type of “stainless steel”, resistant to corrosion and oxidation, while also being able to withstand slightly higher temperatures and pressures than contemporary steel. This steel is extremely expensive, and is still relatively low strength compared to the European types, but the “China Type Steel” is popular amongst foreign manufacturers, and the workers who came across the discovery are rewarded handsomely

- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. Russia’s return to the League is a sign of Russia’s willingness to keep its doors open to foreign alliances, and the end of Russian pseudo-isolation from European affairs

- The Tsar turns to the nobility in the hopes of improving the nation’s situation, as stagnation has wreaked havoc on both the government and economy. Nicholas presents his plans on introducing numerous political, judicial, legal and general administrative reforms. These moves face backlash and resistance from the more conservative minds, who fear their positions being weakened. Nonetheless, the Tsar manages to find some friends in the "Западники" (Zapadniki) [Westernizers], who have recently gained more influence after Russia’s inclusion in the League

- Russia’s first series of reforms comes in the form of industrial subsidies for the middle and upper class who plan on either opening or expanding factories in the major cities of the nation. Alongside these subsidies, a five year tax break is levied on the lower middle and working classes to encourage their consumption of more expensive goods. Steel, textile, chemical and munitions plants crop up in cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev and Warsaw, hoping to reap the benefits of these economic reforms

- A gigantic railway project begins, with the intention of linking many of the major western cities together in an enormous web of railways and stations. This project is plotted to be extremely expensive, and will take years to complete, with tens of thousands of workers being needed to get it done as efficiently as possible. Wealthy nobles already begin to carve out their influence along the rails, purchasing specific planned stations and lines for themselves

- Military advisors are “imported” from overseas, mainly in the form of retired officers and experienced veterans. Most ironically, the Japanese representative to the League, Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi, arrives in Moscow to oversee the nation’s hugely disorganized army. His experience in the Russo-Japanese war is nonetheless a necessity, as the Russian military suffered at the hands of the more ready and modernized Japanese

- Tsar Nicholas recognizes that the nation sits atop a bountiful number of resources, both agricultural and mineral. Hoping to exploit these as much as possible, the government begins selling swathes of land in the Urals and regions surrounding Kazan, with mines and mills being constructed in droves. This will help increase the industrial output of Russia by a huge amount, though the local populace will find itself at the mercy of ever growing companies

- In order to reduce arbitration and streamline the courts of the nation, numerous laws are enacted to prevent the delaying of trials, and ensuring that all decisions are more fairly made. Judges in urban centers are quick to adopt these reforms, knowing that their jobs are on the line. However, judges in the more rural areas go against or outright reject these reforms, preferring to stay with the old ways that are both more familiar and “more just than anything a reformer could make”

- In St. Petersburg, numerous tech colleges are conglomerated by the government to create the Императорский Институт Наук (Imperatorskiy Institut Nauk) [Imperial Institute of Sciences]. Here, the students of the sciences in both Russia and the rest of Europe are encouraged to gather together and begin working on making advancements throughout the fields, with the hopes of one day having Russia ahead of the curve

- Russia’s military begins undergoing sweeping reforms that manage to upset nearly everyone. Alongside the push that troops begin undergoing more western innovations, the Tsar now demands that all officers present in the Russian military below the rank of general be sent to military colleges for Контрольные Тесты (Kontrol'nyye Testy) [Retainment Tests]. These tests focus on the officers’ competence, as well as forcing those that simply purchased their positions to wash out. This leads to numerous enemies being formed amongst the military nobles, who decry these moves as “unnecessary and unwanted”

- Shipyards in Odessa and Sevastopol are expanded in the hopes of producing more numerous and more powerful ships for the Black Sea Fleet. Despite being trapped in by the Ottoman control of the Dardanelles, Russia hopes that the strengthening of the Black Sea Fleet will deter the Ottomans from making any advances into Russia’s sphere of influence, as well as having the ultimate goal of forcing the Ottomans to open the Dardanelles completely to the Russians

- With the pathetic performance of the Russian navy in the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian navy begins testing newer and better designs of heavy ships. Keeping a close eye on the Japanese themselves, the Russian navy essentially copies the Kashima-class battleship, upping the belt by 2cm and increasing the number of its secondary guns. This new Gavril-class battleship is slower, yet beefier than most Russian ships of its type, perfect for defending the bottlenecked Baltic and Black seas

- Mimicking the Austrian advances in artillery technology, the Russian military begins experimenting with howitzers of its own. Rather than using quick firing, volley-based howitzers, the Russian army tests the newly designed 18cm M1910 Field Howitzer. This hulking artillery piece is built for long periods of fire, laying down shells over the course of hours, trading volleys for more precise bombardments

- Britain continues to seek friendship with Greece, as the fledgling democratic government is not too dissimilar from the British. Knowing that the situation in the Balkans is beginning to heat up, and the position of the Ottomans on the world stage is weakening, Britain feels that a strong relationship with Greece is crucial to maintaining British influence in the Mediterranean, as well as keeping the Ottomans in check as much as they can

- Seeing that Germany has decided to tie itself to Britain’s second rival, British diplomats meet with Danish representatives in Copenhagen to begin improving trade relations, as well as making quiet references to ever increasing German militarism. Having lost much of their southern territories to the Germans, and having a paltry military, the Danish are happy to see the British taking notice of their tiny nation

- Edward VII, the monarch of the United Kingdom, dies in his sleep after complications from chest pains. After a somber, nationwide period of morning, his son George is crowned as King, and the issues of the monarchy can continue uninterrupted. George V, sharing kinship with both the emperors of Germany and Russia, is set to take the nation on a new course through the 20th Century. What this course may be, however, is unknown at this time

- Alongside the death of the King, Parliament suffers from an “unusable and untenable” situation after the political defeat in January’s elections, with the conservatives taking a huge number of seats away from the Liberals. Overtures are made to the Irish parliamentarians, with promises of further cooperation and possible increased representation, though the Liberals have nothing concrete to show for it

- Efforts are made to “bridge the gap” between the upper and lower classes in regards to democratic participation, as small meetings are held between the working class and representatives of the Liberal party. Hoping to secure a more stable voter base in the future, the Liberals try their best to make plans for a “better economic future” and “more fair labor representation”, though the Labour Party itself is growing increasingly popular amongst the workers

- The Union of South Africa, a patchwork nation born out of necessity, thanks to the near-constant resistance put forth by the Boers. The Union is governed entirely by the white minority of English and Boer settlers, but their inclusion into the Commonwealth has negated numerous arguments regarding representation of colonial governments. Meanwhile, in other areas of the Empire, there are those that see South Africa as an example of “enlightened colonialism”

- With South Africa having become its own independent nation, some in Parliament begin discussing a similar experiment in Sri Lanka. The mid-sized island territory, crucial to the presence of the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean, suffers from a lack of proper administration, and could easily be “brought up to par” with South Africa. Meetings are held between the Tamil and Sinhala community leaders in the hopes of hashing out a native government, though some of the meetings fall apart due to ethnic hostilities

- The Royal Aero Club, a novelty group experimenting with the latest aeronautical technologies, comes under the microscope of the British government. With small stipends planned each year, the RAC is slightly pressured to up its number of experiments and purchases of equipment, with the goal of finding efficient transport, reconnaissance or even combat aircraft. Most notably, a number of small airships prove to be a wonderful mode of transportation for the rich

- Military supplies are sent to Hong Kong in large amounts as the situation in China continues to deteriorate. Machine guns, artillery pieces, uniforms and rifles, alongside a handful of trained officers, are sent to the garrison in order to bolster its strength. However, as to not raise tensions with Japan, the British divisions in Singapore are simply placed on high alert, and not stationed in Britain’s Chinese possessions

- A new piece of equipment for the Royal Navy undergoes experimental trials in the English Channel. Dubbed the “Royal Airship Mark 1”, or RA Mk.1, this large-bodied, lighter-than-air vessel is capable of carrying a small crew with cameras, or even bombs. The RA Mk.1 is a slow moving, obvious vehicle, but is crucial for relaying information for coastal surveillance and ship support, as well as being able to drop small bombs on enemy ships or troops should the need arise

- Taking pages from the United States, the British Royal Marines begin testing an “automatic shotgun” similar to the Browning Model 5. These new shotguns, dubbed the “Birmingham Model One”, fire a 12-gauge shell from a five round tube, and are incredibly efficient at close quarters. This coincides with the possibility of having to capture enemy shipping vessels, providing troops with a more powerful weapon than a handgun or fighting knife

- As America continues to enjoy both its relative isolation and powerful economic influence, the United States sends numerous envoys to the Republic of Liberia to begin expanding trade even further. Stating the “Special Relationship” between the United States and Liberia, companies swoop in and begin taking over large swathes of the nation’s natural resources, much to the dismay of local businesses struggling to get by

- With Mexico’s political situation rapidly deteriorating, the United States announces that it will keep a close eye on the state of our friendly neighbor”. Some interpret this as a threat, while others view it as a guarantee of regional stability. Nonetheless, two divisions are sent to Texas and Arizona for “deployment exercises”, which fool essentially nobody. Should Mexico fall to revolution, it is unknown how the US will react

- The nation is thrown into a state of shock as president William Taft suddenly dies in his sleep in early February. The successor to Theodore Roosevelt, Taft’s relative popularity maintained stability in the nation. A massive state funeral is held for the late president, and Vice President James Sherman is quickly sworn in, and is immediately briefed on the domestic and diplomatic situation. With Joseph Gurney Cannon as Sherman’s Vice President, the relationship with the House of Representatives is strengthened, giving Sherman a strong backing to his administration

- As a result of this new unity between the executive and legislative branches, the Republican party manages to avoid dissent amongst its more progressive members, who hope to seek more influence in the future. America’s political situation, despite the death of Taft, remains relatively stable, thanks to the unity amongst the Republicans. The Democrats, meanwhile, steel themselves against a possible “Sympathy Defeat” by Republicans, whose voters will be more politically invigorated

- Despite Taft’s wishes to keep the American military at its current size, Sherman moves to expand the military by pushing for the raising of more divisions. These new troops, alongside standing units, are sent to Ohio and West Virginia to begin military exercises, focusing on both inter-unit cohesion and mountaineering. The latter training produces experienced soldiers, who are reorganized into the First Mountain Infantry Division, whose specialization is the first to be seen in the New World

- The Wright Model A, one of the most recent American aircraft, is officially adopted by the United States Army as a reconnaissance and messenger plane. Despite being slow, fragile and difficult to fly, the newly designated Wright Military Flyer is nonetheless a major step forward for military technologies. Several dozen are commissioned for the army, while two are specifically built as “Coastal Observation”, though one immediately crashes into Chesapeake Bay

- Utilizing the latest in lightbulb technologies, a small company in Chicago, Illinois is able to properly harness the power of neon gas. These neon bulbs, though not exactly new, are a surprisingly efficient form of lighting, and able to illuminate rooms or sidewalks much more than the traditional gas lamps. These neon bulbs are quickly adopted by the navy, hoping to better light the insides of ships

- An industrial fertilizer plant in Columbus, Ohio stumbles across an incredibly efficient form of nitrogen fixation, capable of producing strong fertilizers and ammonia. Using what is referred to as the “Nelly Process”, this new breakthrough is a boon to American agriculture, which allows farmers to produce huge amounts of crops in even the most arid conditions, while chemical companies use ammonia for a variety of applications

 

[Euskalduna]

This babby is ruling a country and basically you fucking suck

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Two
July - December, 1910

World Events
- Seeing the French military exercises, the German military conducts “exercises” of their own, dressing up soldiers in absurd costumes satirising the French uniforms. Enormous plays are put on, making a mockery of the French army, in which soldiers are made to do a variety of obnoxious and satirical acts. In the most insulting move, free tickets are sent to nearby French settlements. The German government finds these plays hilarious. The French don’t

- The situation in Mexico explodes as anti-government groups manage to storm the capital and force President Porfirio Díaz out of office. Revolutionary forces begin turning outwards to find Díaz’s allies and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, pro-government militias begin to form, and clash in the streets of major cities. At the moment, everything seems to be falling apart for the nation, as full-blown civil war seems more and more likely

- Almost immediately after the fall of Porfirio Díaz in Mexico, King Manuel II of Portugal is ousted by a huge group of Portuguese revolutionaries, who manage to peacefully disband the nation’s monarchy. Manuel flees to Spain in order to avoid any extrajudicial violence, though his presence in Spain is not appreciated, as republican movements have spread to this nation as well. Many who sit upon their respective thrones are becoming more and more worried as liberal democracy becomes more and more popular

- Things begin to heat up in the Balkans as border tensions rise between the Serbians and Ottomans. Unionist protests begin to grow in size in the Ottoman occupied territories of southern Serbia, and there are a handful of bombings at Ottoman train stations. The Ottoman Sultan declares that such acts are “immoral” and “help nothing to fix the situation in the Balkans”. In response, the Serbian government states that the “the Ottomans themselves are the situation in the Balkans”

----

- With Galicia having been divided between two, officially autonomous regions, the Austrian government allows the populace to begin holding local elections for their respective diets. Tensions rise in the region as Austrian governors make it clear that all adult men, regardless of religion, language or ethnicity, are allowed to participate in these elections. Poles in Ruthenia, and Ruthenians in Polish Galicia are quick to become the targets of regionalists, nationalists and religious zealots

- As Austria-Hungary’s domestic industry continues to grow, the government slowly begins to dangle subsidies and other such benefits to companies that switch their production to creating mechanized agricultural equipment. Though the famine in Galicia has finally begun to subside, the rest of the country still finds itself lagging behind in ensuring bountiful and reliable harvests. With a push from the government, perhaps more efficient and cost-effective forms of farming equipment can be produced in the future

- Such an invention is made as engineers at Ganz Vállalatok present their latest creation. Mimicking designs seen in the United States and Australia, this “combine harvester” uses a large coal-driven engine to power massive turbines that are able to do the work of fifty men in only a few hours. This hulking beast is incredibly expensive and difficult to maintain, but are immediately purchased in large quantities by the rich landowners in the Carpathian basis

- Once again, the two crowns meet in Vienna to discuss “Trialism”, and the formation of a triple-monarchy. This time, the Austrian delegation attempts to woo the Hungarians by giving them Galicia, in exchange for the release of their Slavic holdings to the south in order to form the Kingdom of Croatia. The Hungarians are infuriated by this, stating that their “Ancient lands can’t be tossed away in return for a bunch of Poles”. Storming out, the Hungarian delegation has made it clear that they will not meet a third time for a third crown

- The Austrian government announces the creation of the “Forum des Volkes” (Forum of the People). Here, minorities and religious groups can present arguments, complaints and legal cases to a series of handpicked judges. Unsurprisingly, the FdV is quickly overrun by Serbs, Romanians, Muslims and Jews who demand that their rights as citizens be expanded and properly represented. On two occasions, police violently remove Serbian protesters from shutting down one of the many FdV offices

- Exploration of the nation’s various mountainous regions reveal numerous, bountiful sources of iron, copper, coal and precious metals. Immediately, the Austrian government buys up this land and begins selling it off to the highest bidder. As Austria-Hungary seeks to industrialize itself, the government knows all too well what it would mean to be forced to import goods. There are rumors that there are oil deposits in the east of the country, but as of yet nothing significant has been found

- In Vienna, the Austrian government calls upon representatives of the numerous religious groups scattered across the country. Though Catholicism is the state religion, there is a common theme amongst the Abrahamic religions to give to the poor and the needy. Thus, after some negotiations, the “Nationale Wohltätigkeitsorganisation” (National Charity Organization) is formed, made up of local religious leaders and funded by the central government to help evenly distribute goods to the poor

- “Army Slavic” is expanded upon, both in its linguistics, but being dispersed throughout the military in small pamphlets. Sitting at roughly 60 words, the “Buch über Armeeslawisch” (Book of Army Slavic) is an incredibly crucial work in order to help bridge the language gap between the German/Hungarian and Slavic soldiers. Though there are many bitter soldiers and officers that refuse to learn it, the average trooper is largely unaffected by this new addition

- The Austrian Army orders the construction of roughly twenty new “Troop Transports”, with the purpose of carrying hundreds or even thousands of troops across small distances within the Adriatic or Meditteranean. These troop transports, due to the more land-focused nature of the Austrian military, are much smaller when compared to the British, French or even Japanese, and the armor and speed of these ships is paltry at best

- With the expansion of European armies, and the relative security that Austria-Hungary enjoys with rivers and mountains, new doctrines are researched at military testing facilities. Instead of directly attacking enemy positions with overwhelming numbers, generals begin experimenting with “Superior Firepower”, or the use of intense artillery artillery bombardments over the course of hours, or even days, to soften the enemy up in order to be overrun

- As “Superior Firepower” is a much more flexible doctrine, mid-rank officers are given more autonomy in order to properly adapt to this new style of fighting. Colonels are able to direct their troops with much more independence, giving them the ability to attack, defend or maneuver without having to wait for orders from up top. This does, of course, lead to concerns about “rogue” officers that will needlessly throw lives away, or others that will be too hesitant to take advantage of opportunities presented to them

- Strengthening its relationship with the Catholic Church, as well as reminding the nation of its former position as the seat of power in the Holy Roman Empire, the Latin phrase ”Ultima Ratio Regum” (Final Argument of Kings) is inscribed on the barrels of the largest artillery guns within the military. Many consider this an unnecessary move, while the more religiously/culturally conservative minds view this as a sign of Austria-Hungary’s “faith and power”

- Taking notes from other countries, including their limited use in the American Civil War, the Austrian army begins experimenting with “Armored Trains”. These weapons of war are made up of a series of heavily reenforced train cars, with roughly one being filled with machine guns every seven or so cars. Obviously, Armored Trains are restricted to whatever railways they are moving on, but their heavy armor defends them from rifle fire, shrapnel and other such dangers that could injure or kill soldiers within

- French industrial leaders make their way to Russia to begin opening further trade between the two nations, primarily in the form of investments in the Russian mining industry. Several French companies manage to take significant shares in some of the Russian mines in the Urals, which benefits the French economy as it allows these companies to import goods at a much lower cost than previously

- Nearly two thousand Remington Model 8 rifles are purchased from the Remington Arms company. As France’s cavalry forces undergo reformation, these rifles are a far better option compared to the unwieldy bolt-action carbines. Redesignated as the “Carabine Automatique Modèle 1910” (Automatic Carbine Model 1910), or simply CA-1910, these Model 8s are chambered in the much thicker .35 Remington cartridge, allowing soldiers to deliver a much more powerful punch from afar

- A deal is struck with the Japanese government to allow the importation of raw rubber and agricultural products from French Indochina and eastern Africa. In exchange for allowing these companies to import such precious materials, the French government is able to directly purchase discounted industrial machinery and supplies that are shipped directly to Indochina to assist in the industrialization of cities like Saigon

- Investments are made in Greece’s shipbuilding and fishing industries, as well as Romania’s burgeoning oil industry. With the former, the French allow Greek ships to fish in French waters in exchange for a share of the profits made by the catch. In the latter, hundreds of French oil engineers rush to the recently developed fields to be able to stake a claim before the Germans or Austrians arrive to snatch the precious oil out from France’s hands

- With the growing tensions between France and Germany, and the sudden relaxation of Russo-German relations, Belgium and Luxembourg feel more and more threatened by the day. As a result of this, French diplomats are able to secure a guarantee of independence of Belgium and Luxembourg, essentially making them pseudo-members of the Entente, now that Russia has essentially all but formally exited the alliance

- Oil exploration begins across Algeria and Tunisia as the French hope to gather as much of the “black gold” as they can. If fields in North Africa prove to be viable, that means only a short trip from field to refinery, and thus greatly cuts down on the cost to import oil to the French homeland. A large oil field is discovered hiding beneath the sandy desert of southern Algeria, which is both a blessing and a curse. The huge amount of oil can only be exploited if the French are willing to put a hideous amount of work into extracting it from the Sahara

- In Algiers, the French government ramps up the industrialization project of the city and surrounding areas, hoping to turn it into the “Première ville de la Francafrique” (First City of the Francafrique). Companies are given free reign to begin building roads, railways, power stations and larger dockyards. French migrants to the region are given a three year tax cut of a whopping 75% for their migration, and specialized jobs such as teachers and administrators are given huge subsidies. Local Algerians find this move incredibly distressing

- Collective bargaining, one of the most important aspects of workplace socialism, is finally strengthened by the French government. Through legal finagling, workers are able to push for better working conditions, pay and treatment, while simultaneously not being able to “overwhelm” business heads. Some socialists consider this to be a worthwhile step forward, while the more hardline leftists view this as little more than a “paltry attempt at pacification”, and keep a close eye on future developments

- France’s cavalrymen, once some of the most well trained and most impressive soldiers on the continent, are now largely outdated with the advent of automatic firearms. Knowing this, the French military does away with the old ways, and introduces a new form of combat for these soldiers. No longer the well-dressed cuirassiers, these men are given regular uniforms, and instructed to shoot directly from horseback. These new “Fusils Montés” (Mounted Rifles) are dedicated for harassing supply lines and wreaking havoc on the flanks

- In response to Germany’s massive railway expansion, the French begin expanding their own railways. Utilizing the large, open spaces of eastern France, these railways are much wider and much longer, and allow for the rapid redeployment of troops at any needed moment. This is a clear escalation of tensions between the French and German empires, and many fear that such escalation could very quickly get out of hand

- France begins the expansion of the Fusiliers Marins to begin focusing on quick and efficient deployment to France’s numerous overseas colonies, as well as fighting in “any environment that it may need to fight”. Much of this training involves fighting within jungles, swamps and beaches in Africa and Indochina, coordinating assaults with colonial troops. The more dense the environment, the more capable the marines are fighting. Deserts, meanwhile, are the antithesis of marines, and are essentially ignored

- Experiments are launched by the French air corps using lighter-than-air airships. With a larger “carriage” beneath them, a large camera can be mounted and operated by two men. These cameras, though expensive and fragile, are able to reliably take photographs up to half a kilometer up. These photographs are extremely important, as they can be used to record information regarding enemy troop movements, emplacements and supplies. There are those that worry about the possibility of the enemy making dedicated “airship killing” weapons or vehicles

- As the industrialization of North Africa continues, so too must the expansion of regional agriculture. Experiments are conducted using coal-driven pumping stations to move huge amounts of water from reservoirs and lakes to parched areas of the desert, essentially turning barren land into somewhat arable areas for farming. Only the most hearty strains of wheat and barley can be produced in these regions, and only enough to feed the locals, but this takes away an otherwise massive strain on the North African economy

- As tensions continue to rise in Europe, the German government begins forming a nationwide drive for the construction of state-owned canning facilities. In these factories, huge amounts of excess grain, meat and other foodstuffs can be safely stored in metal cans, which are distributed to newly founded “Nationale Lebensmittelreserven” (National Food Reserve) stations, which can support communities and cities for up to six months in the event of full scale mobilization

- In the German Diet, a major change is made to the state system. The central government assumes direct control of taxation across the country, essentially wresting control from burghers, landowners and other elites. This new form of taxation implements a flat tax on the country, which destabilizes the middle class to an extent as people rush to secure as much money as possible in order to pay higher taxes in some regions, while others enjoy a lower tax than they were paying previously

- Seeing the French military exercises, the German military conducts “exercises” of their own, dressing up soldiers in absurd costumes satirising the French uniforms. Enormous plays are put on, making a mockery of the French army, in which soldiers are made to do a variety of obnoxious and satirical acts. In the most insulting move, free tickets are sent to nearby French settlements. The German government finds these plays hilarious. The French don’t

- With the new model of U-Boat proving itself to be effective in testing, the German navy begins producing dozens of these ships in place of the standard destroyers and armored cruisers. These U-Boats are sent to German colonies in Africa and Asia in order to provide support in those regions should war erupt. These submarines are a significant threat to shipping lanes, and could easily be used to sneak up on enemy naval vessels should the screens not spot them in time

- Alongside the U-Boats, roughly 20,000 soldiers are sent to Kameroon and Südwestafrika in order to defend these relatively exposed regions. The arrival of these troops spooks nearby colonial forces, and many observers fear that such a move may spark an arms race within the colonies. Germany’s colonies are less significant then compared to the French or British, but are a point of pride for Germany, and the German army will fight tooth and nail to keep them

- Mimicking the French and British advancements in military technology, the German government nationalizes the Zeppelin company, placing Ferdinand von Zeppelin as the general of the Deutsche Luftwaffe, with a focus on using Zeppelins airships as spotters and even light bombers, using mortar shells dropped by troops stationed within. These airships are far larger than their British and French counterparts, and are able to reach out further into enemy territory should things come to blows

- Sea mines, the greatest threat to coastal attackers, are brought to the design table once again by the German navy. Using a much more accurate triggering system, these newly designed Seeminen are able to deliver a devastating punch to enemy vessels, using a 500kg charge with a “shaped warhead”, essentially forcing the explosion directly into the keel of the ship, as opposed to sending the explosion in every direction

- An experimental weapon is added to the more recent U-Boat designs. Using a newly designed 20mm cannon that is able to be fully submerged up to 150m below the surface, some U-Boats are able to surface and directly fire upon enemy shipping. Though smaller than most naval guns, the cannon is able to tear apart the unarmored sides of cargo vessels, saving precious torpedoes for larger targets

- A deal is struck with the Japanese government to allow the importation of raw rubber and agricultural products from French Indochina and eastern Africa. With more rubber coming in huge amounts, Japanese factories are able to crank out large amounts of boots, tires and other such goods that are needed for the modernization of Japanese industry. Though factories must produce an equal amount of machines for French Indochina, the rubber imports are a fair deal in the eyes of the Zaibatsus

- Small amounts of industrial goods, such as machining equipment and railway cars, are sent to the Far East regions of Russia. Here, Japanese companies are able to cement their presence in cities like Vladivostok, utilizing local labor to produce a variety of goods to sell in both Russian and Japanese markets, symbolically bringing the nations closer together. Unsurprisingly, the local populace is greatly unhappy with these developments, still seeing Japan as a potential threat to their livelihoods

- Two new, massive warships begin construction in British ports. These ships, built on the Ibuki[/]-class are a formidable battlecruiser, able to go toe-to-toe with some of the most modern designs of western ships. The alliance between Britain and Japan is strengthened with this move, as once these two ships are delivered by the end of 1911, the British and Japanese will have a firm grip on the Pacific ocean

- A proposal is sent to the newly formed Republic of Portugal regarding their small, Chinese port colony of Macau. Hoping to secure a stronger base of operations in the South China Sea, as well as exploiting the economic strength of the city, Japan makes numerous overtures to the Portuguese. The Portuguese reject all deals from the Japanese, stating that the Japanese Empire is a “threat to western ideals”, and ignores the Japanese delegation’s offers

- In Hokkaido, the Japanese government begins implementing a series of reforms affecting the local environment. Arsenic-coated bullets, bows and “non-civilized” firearms are permanently banned in the region for hunting, as well as the hunting of bears. Deer, feral pigs and other game are restricted to two animals per person, for a maximum of six per household. These moves literally begin to starve the Ainu population out of their natural hunting grounds, forcing them to become even more subservient to the Japanese

- Hokkaido is opened up to Japanese migration, with the government handing out large subsidies to farming conglomerates to begin deforesting the region and setting up massive rice, soy and corn farms. Rivers are diverted to help irrigate these new farms, which are labored primarily by Japanese, with many companies refusing to hire the Ainu. With little else to do, the worst-off Ainu choose to begin “Japanifying”, ignoring their old traditions, language and adopting Japanese names

- The primary and secondary school system is heavily reformed after a series of bills pass through the Japanese diet. All schools begin to model themselves more closely after the West, such as giving more priority to large classrooms, literacy and basic mathematics and science. However, no foreign languages are allowed to be taught at these schools, and in Japan itself, no foreign-born students are allowed to participate without passing an intensely greuling “帰化試験” (Kika Shiken) [Naturalization Exam], judging their ability to be a “model citizen of Japan”

- Universities across the board are formally nationalized by the Japanese government, with professors replaced by those more “loyal”. Foreign professors are sacked, and foreign students are ruthlessly given more and more Naturalization Exams. Japanese students, meanwhile, are given only a small choice of career paths, such as economics, social administration, teaching and engineering. Those that begin to flunk classes or show a lack of dedication to the state are sent to military colleges. Student-run political groups that don’t adhere strictly to the government are banned, and their members kicked out of school without recourse or the capability to re-apply

- In the capital of every prefecture, the Japanese government orders the construction of numerous 国立大学 (Kunitachidaigaku) [National Universities], in which the brightest and most dedicated students are able to seek higher positions within the government, military or Zaibatsus. These universities are run by extremely loyal professors, and political advisors have offices, just like the rest of the staff. In Seoul, a university similar to the mainland is constructed, and the most educated and loyal Koreans are able to participate, though the language rules still apply

- A budget is calculated and set aside as the government begins planning an enormous railway system stretching across Honshu, linking major cities to one another, as well as reaching out into areas of resource allocation and farms. Unlike the Europeans, who seem eager to rush into such projects, the Japanese government is deciding to take its time and ensure that everything falls into place perfectly, and the trains run on time

- In Chōsen, a similar railway project begins, but with far less planning and far less regard for the local populace. This railway is much heavier and more robust than the one planned for the homeland, as it is focused on transporting raw materials and agricultural goods from their areas of production to be distributed throughout Chōsen, Formosa and Japan. Much of the labor is Korean locals, alongside some Ainu migrants, who suffer under horrendous conditions

- Migration to Chōsen and Formosa is both legalized and encouraged by the Japanese government, with industrial heads, teachers and other elites given subsidies to make such moves. This immediately leads to the stratification of colonial societies, with natives being tossed aside in favor of Japanese nationals. The Formosan and Koreans are given the opportunity to migrate out of their colonies, but only after taking a Naturalization Exam and being given a 移行証明書 (Ikō Shōmei-Sho) [Migration Certificate], of which only a few thousand will be printed every few months

- As the Japanese military continues to westernize, military theorists begin taking a look at the army’s performance during the Russo-Japanese war. Upon examination, the Japanese army suffered significant losses despite having a significant advantage over the Russians. Many believe that this is due to the poorly thought out offensive and siege tactics used by the army, which focus on sheer force rather than proper operational planning. As a result, the Japanese begin taking pages from studied maneuvers by the Germans and Austrians during their exercises

- Despite the navy preferring to use its massive surface vessels, submarines are still seen as a useful tool for denying the enemy of crucial shipping. Japan’s current submarines, however, suffer from an extremely limited range. A breakthrough is made to solve such an issue, in which the submarines are widened to store a much larger supply of fuel, nearly doubling their range. One of the drawbacks is the much more cramped space, and that a mechanical failure could easily detonate the fuel

- A massive series of reforms is undertaken by the Qing government as the nation rushes to industrialize. Using foreign industrialists, the southern regions of China undergo exploration and exploitation of minerals and other resources. American metal companies, such as Bethlehem Steel, rush to Guangxi and Yunnan to exploit the huge metal reserves, using local labor to begin pulling as much of it as possible. The Qing government manages to snatch up roughly half of the iron production in the region as part of the deal

- The railway project continues across northern China as the routes out of Beijing are expanded. Ensuring that elites don’t take too much control, a huge tax is levied on private railway owners, forcing the smaller ones to shy away. However, the railway begins to suffer as it stretches further south, as corrupt government officials turn a blind eye to the exploitation of locals and accidentally forget to ensure that the railways are up to code

- Tensions begin to rise as rumors of republicanism begin to spread across the country. Seeing the formation of Japanese democracy, and spreading the news of the Portuguese revolution, hundreds of 白星音箱 (Báixīng Yīnxiāng (White Star Speakers) begin to spread propaganda, denouncing the Qing government and pushing for “national resistance” to further “Manchu occupation”. These leaders are regularly hunted down and arrested

- Internally, the situation of the Qing doesn’t get much better. Xuantong is still a toddler, and is used as a pathetic, powerless puppet by corrupt officials. Prince Chun, the acting regent of Emperor Xuantong, is rumored to begin seeking power amongst friendly administrators. Though no evidence can be found, a “silent war” is fought behind the scenes, involving shoddy legal snipes and forced abdications

- A retraining program begins as the Qing military continues to adopt western-styled tactics and doctrines. Many generals are sent overseas to countries like Britain, America and Russia to begin studying “modern warfare”. Information that is learned from these studies is sent down to lower ranking officers, who are ordered to begin drilling their soldiers in more modern, less traditional ways of fighting. Unsurprisingly, the hardline conservatives in the military outright reject these reforms, and are summarily discharged

- Noticing that artillery is quickly becoming the standard weapon of choice amongst western militaries, the Qing army begins looking into ways to make smaller, more easily produced artillery guns. In trial runs, a recently developed mortar, similar to those used during the Crimean War, proves to be fairly effective. Firing a 30mm shell up to 700m away, the Type 2 Light Mortar is capable of being carried by two men, or pulled by a horse on a carriage

- An experimental “diesel-driven” train conducts its first journey. Using an oil-driven engine, similar to some western ship designs, this train is able to sluggishly and awkwardly tow five tons of coal from Beijing to Shanghai, taking roughly three days to complete it’s route. This train is horribly unreliable, and broke down numerous times due to issues caused by an inefficient, poorly designed engine. Nonetheless, this is a massive breakthrough, and westerners flock to watch it pull into the station in Shanghai

- French industrial leaders make their way to Russia to begin opening further trade between the two nations, primarily in the form of investments in the Russian mining industry. Though French companies have purchased huge shares in these industries, the Russian economy benefits greatly from these investments, using the new money to hire more workers and increase production through the implementation of new machines

- Small amounts of industrial goods, such as machining equipment and railway cars, are sent to the Far East regions of Russia. Here, Japanese companies are able to cement their presence in cities like Vladivostok, utilizing local labor to produce a variety of goods to sell in both Russian and Japanese markets, symbolically bringing the nations closer together. Unsurprisingly, the local populace is greatly unhappy with these developments, still seeing Japan as a potential threat to their livelihoods

- Russian diplomats meet with Serbian and Montenegrin delegations in Belgrade to discuss the possibility of a border change in the Balkans. Citing regional instability, and the military significance of a unified nation, Russia makes numerous overtures ensuring the protection of a unified Serb-Montenegrin state. Almost immediately, the Russian delegation is removed from the building and ordered to return home, as the Serbs and Montenegrins are outraged by such a proposition, and refuse to make such “blatant power mongering deals”

- A number of western industrial heads, from across Europe and North America, arrive in Russia after invitations from the Russian government. With these foreigners acting as oversight, the Russian infrastructure and industrialization projects can go forward with hopefully less issues. Unsurprisingly, however, these advisors also come from companies that demand a stake in the profits of these railways, and thus for now the Russians must deal with corporate finagling between east and west

- In the halls of St. Petersburg, the Russian government announces the guarantee of Finnish autonomy, and the increased autonomy of the Ukrainian regions to the southwest. In Ukraine, the newly created position of Верховный Губернатор (Verkhovnyy Gubernator) [High Governor] is a hand-picked Ukrainian official, usually from Kiev or Kharkov. This move both increases stability in Ukraine, while also leads to a cavalcade of protests in Poland and the Baltic states as these regions demand similar autonomy

- An ambitious project begins as the Russian government announces its hopes to change the industrialization of the country to “rival the greats of Britain and America”, by increasing the industrial output, raw material excavation and kilometers of rail tenfold by the end of 1915. This ambitious project will no doubt require massive reforms to the nation’s economy and politics, and much of the old nobility fears that their positions may become a relic of the past

- Across the major cities, funds are set aside for the creation of public schools after a decree is made by Nicholas II. These schools are strictly mandated to meet a series of standardizations, such as mathematics, literacy, writing and basic sciences. These schools are to include all children between the ages of 6 and 13, with the hopes of sending the best students to secondary schools, or on the pathway to university. These schools are incredibly expensive to maintain, and many religious conservatives believe the move to be a “moral disgrace” due to the lack of God in the classroom

- Child labor is banned across the country, restricting companies and farms to hiring those aged 13 or older. This immediately causes a crash in some of the manufacturing industries, as the textile and consumer goods factories relied on the cheap, reliable and easily replaceable labor of children. This move is protested by the rich capitalists, while socialists and reformists praise it. Some believe that this is Russia’s first step towards “true modernization”, while others see it as a “pacification of Russian masculinity”

- As the Russian military continues to undergo its many reformations, the upper crust moves to begin including reformist-minded leaders in order to replace the more conservative members of the military. Aleksei Brusilov, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War and known supporter of modernizing the Russian army, is made the head of the Russian military after a short ceremony in St. Petersburg. Almost immediately, drills take place to wean out inefficient soldiers and officers, while also doing away with the old style of fighting

- Regardless of the size of Russia’s military, the nation is barely able to arm, clothe and feed its standing army as is. In the event of full scale mobilization, high command knows too well that the army would collapse underneath its own weight. As a result, literal tons of boots, uniforms, rifles and munitions are purchased from overseas, primarily from the United Kingdom and the United States. These foreign imports will be used as a temporary reserve, to hopefully only be used as a stopgap as the nation continues to industrialize

- After importing a few hundred American-made Remington Model 8 rifles, a handful of engineers take the weapon to the drawing board. At Tula, these engineers begin testing a domestic knockoff design. Chambered in the nation’s 7.62x54r cartridge, this longer, proper-length rifle is essentially a semi-automatic M-91/30. This rifle, designated as the M-1910, is extremely expensive and difficult to produce, and for the time being is relegated to Nicholas II’s closest bodyguards and various honor guard units

- In the chill November morning, a group of adventurous aviation engineers test a wide-winged aeroplane with a bizarre addition. Sitting in the pilot’s seat is a modified semi-automatic handgun with an obnoxiously large extended magazine, placed in a mechanism allowing the pilot to fire the gun during flight. Unfortunately, the mechanism proves to be just heavy enough to tip the plane forward, destroying the aircraft and seriously wounding the pilot. This is, however, the first dedicated armed aircraft of its type, and could lead to major leaps in military aviation in the future

- Two new, massive warships begin construction in British ports. These ships, built on the Ibuki[/]-class are a formidable battlecruiser, able to go toe-to-toe with some of the most modern designs of western ships. The alliance between Britain and Japan is strengthened with this move, as once these two ships are delivered by the end of 1911, the British and Japanese will have a firm grip on the Pacific ocean

- With the sudden revolution in Portugal forcing out the old monarchy, the British crown announces its support for the “return of the rightful monarch”, and the possible formation of a constitutional monarchy. The interim government of Portugal refuses such an offer, and begins to freeze relations with the British. However, pro-royalist groups in Portugal celebrate the move, and demand that the republic “listen to its former defenders and friends”, citing the Napoleonic wars as proof of “British reliability”

- Seeing as the Germans have continued to strengthen their relations with the Swedes, the British respond by reducing tariffs and expanding the fishing areas of Norway, allowing Norwegian fishing vessels to operate deeper in British waters. This also comes alongside the British making quiet overtures regarding the “defense of Norwegian interests” in the event of “foreign interference”. What this means, exactly, is unknown

- In the eyes of the British, the Netherlands seems uncomfortably neutral considering the increasing tensions in Europe. As a result, the British send numerous diplomatic missions to the Dutch in the hopes of allowing a guarantee of Dutch independence. Resistance comes in the form of Wilhelmina, who’s family retains cold relations with the British, which makes things incredibly complicated. The Dutch quietly decline the guarantee, stating that “Foreigners should not dictate who the Dutch people decide to interact with”

- Knowing that tensions in the Balkans are on the verge of outright exploding, the British send a handful of naval officers to Greece to begin “whipping their seamen into shape”. Despite their tiny army, the Greeks boast a somewhat impressive navy, considering their size and economic standing. However, the men on these ships are horribly unprepared for any sort of conflict, and the British are unwilling to allow them to fall behind, and instead send some ships of their own to assist in training exercises

- As the Qing Dynasty appears to be on the brink of total collapse, the British move to open the newly founded University of Hong Kong to “Intellectual Refugees” from China and other regions within Asia. Considering that these intellectuals tend to fall in line with western liberalism, and could easily begin flipping regional governments in favor of the British, such a move is considered necessary. Some in the native populace of south Asia, meanwhile, view this move as “horribly exploitative”, and try to keep their best and brightest in their “rightful homes”

- Massive investments are made in Singapore, the so-called “Jewel of the Orient”. Focusing mainly on the shipbuilding industry, the British hope to turn the trade port into a dual purpose territory, allowing the creation of warships to be used to patrol the Pacific and the straits of Malacca. The Australians and New Zealanders are authorized to construct ships of their own once these dockyards are complete, essentially securing British dominance in the region

- The British possessions in India seem to be constantly on the edge of agricultural collapse and mass famine. Rather than leaving it up to the relatively ineffectual and poorly administered Raj, the British government directly begins to go after hoarders and corrupt farming officials, breaking up their rings and distributing food evenly amongst the populace. Coinciding with this intervention, British companies are authorized to begin selling large amounts of agricultural equipment and fertilizers at a very low cost, though the most expensive equipment is “on loan”, and many wonder exactly what that means for the farmers in the region

- The expansion of the German military in Africa is nothing less than a power play by the Germans, who clearly attempt to flex their muscles on the Dark Continent. In response, the British send thousands of troops to expand the ranks of the Kings African Rifles and the West African Frontier Force, while also deploying a handful of artillery regiments and warships to occupy British ports. Some advisors begin to look into the expansion of native regiments as well, even proposing that natives be allowed to take officer positions in order to “free up white manpower”

- As naval exercises in the meditteranean continue, British naval engineers come across a novel way to ensure more accurate fire control. Using a coordinated radio system, much like the Japanese, British spotters are able to rapidly communicate the location and ranges of targets. This reduces the waste of shells and greatly increases the accuracy of gunners, though the system is still extremely fragile, and can only be used on the largest ships in order to cut down on material costs

- With the continued expansion of farming in Britain and her colonies, agricultural scientists stumble on a “painfully obvious” way to feed the ever-growing number of cattle and pork being farmed for the meat industry. Excess or rotting grains are combined with the purchase of foreign corn, and processed into “AniMeal”, as dubbed by the Aveling and Porter company. This processed food is calorically dense, and much cheaper than trying to use raw hay or grains, allowing for the mass production of meat products

- As the situation in Mexico has reached a tipping point, the United States government orders the mobilization of the Texas, Arizona and New Mexico national guards to place troops along the border to act as policing units. Though many coming over the border are either refugees or simply looking for work, the government fears that various anarchists or escaped criminals may attempt to flee into the United States to avoid the revolutionaries and counterrevolutionaries

- Ties with Liberia deepen as Congress passes the “Monrovia Act”, which essentially drops any and all tariffs on Liberia, and makes Liberia a permanent military ally of the United States, alongside other economic and political agreements. Liberia, surrounded by the ever-expanding European powers, is now “snugly in the warm embrace of the United States”. Others, of course, see this as American imperialism in its true form, describing it as “an eagle closely watching the rabbit, dropping carrots to assuage its fears”

- President Sherman holds what is essentially a State of the Union address late into 1910, just prior to the midterm elections, discussing the issues that the nation faces. Some consider this an awkward involvement of the president in the elections, while others consider it a calming move. Regardless, Sherman’s concerns regarding economic and social policies are echoed by both the Democrats and Republicans, who take Sherman’s words and twist them for whatever political reasons they may have

- Theodore Roosevelt, meanwhile, holds numerous rallies to “Unite the Republican Party”, crisscrossing the United States and pressing for “Country over Party”. Roosevelt’s popularity begins to rise, and it is made abundantly clear that Roosevelt is seeking a third term in 1910. Due to these cross-country trips, it appears that Roosevelt’s health is improving greatly, as concerns over possible blood clots are quelled, at least for now

- Unsurprisingly, the Republicans sweep the floor with the Democrats in the 1910 midterm elections, due to a combination of Taft’s death, tensions in Mexico, and the unifying rallies by Roosevelt, which have managed to secure victories in many shaky areas. Sherman breathes easy, knowing that his “accidental presidency” will be unchallenged for the next two years, allowing him to work with both houses more calmly

- With New Mexico and Arizona having undergone decades of reorganization and industrialization, many believe that is time to bring the two unincorporated territories into the fold as full fledged states within the Union. President Sherman announces that, by the end of 1911, “Two more stars shall join our beautiful flag”. Celebrations are held across the territories, and many people are eager to begin flying a new flag of the United States

- A recruitment drive is launched in various southern states to bolster the national guards of states like Texas and Arizona. With Mexico on the verge of civil war, it is pertinent that the United States be ready to deal with the consequences of such an event in its neighbor, which could lead to full-scale intervention should things boil over. Unsurprisingly, many young men begin joining the military as a way to “better their lives”

- With fresh faces having joined the ranks of the national guard, a series of training exercises are launched in the Nevada desert in order to test their mettle. The outcomes of these exercises are much different to those done in the midwest and appalachia, with the standard uniforms proving to be incredibly uncomfortable, and things like machine guns suffering from the coarse sand that gets everywhere in the firing mechanisms. As a result, some propose the creation of “Southern Uniforms”, or a lighter, cotton-based outfit for such conditions

- As these exercises continue, valuable lessons are learned when it comes to the movement of troops, artillery operations, and general coordination between units. This results in the “modernization” of America’s fighting doctrine, which begins to move away from massive assaults of infantry, and instead more reliance on weapons like artillery and machine guns. The results of the charge at San Juan Hill and other battles in the Cuba campaign are more than fresh in the minds of high command

- Trials are conducted for the adoption of a new service pistol to replace the myriad of revolvers present in the United States military. John Moses Browning, a prolific creator of firearms, presents the “Colt Semi-Automatic Pistol”, a competitor to the Savage Arms pistols that are presented in the dozens. The Browning handgun wins out by a country mile, and the US Army is eager to get its hands on it. Designated as the “Colt Model 1911”, or simply M1911, the pistol is expected to see full scale adoption in the coming year and a half

- Seeing the results of the disastrous test in Russia, American aviation enthusiasts decide to try their hand at an armed aircraft. Unfortunately, similar results take place as the mechanism instead carries a bizarre “light air machine gun” chambered in 9x19mm. The gun proves to be far too heavy, and the aeroplane is barely able to fly above 100m before augering itself into the dirt. Luckily, the pilot survives relatively unharmed, and some valuable information is gained from this test

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Three
January - June, 1911

World Events
- In a surprising turn of events, forces of the Qing army storm the Forbidden Palace and forcibly remove Emperor Xuantong from the throne. Prince Chun, acting regent, father of Xuantong and descendant of Emperor Daoguang, Chun announces that the throne is “indeed his right”, claiming that Xuantong’s placement on the throne was a “false decision made by corrupt officials”. Xuantong flees to Japan with a number of his closest advisors, while Prince Chun ascends to the throne under the name Zaifeng

- In a surprising turn of events, the French government openly declares its support for the Balkan League, stating that the determination of the Greek and Serbian people is “paramount to upholding the virtues of Europe”, and that the Ottoman Empire “has no right to remain in Europe any longer”. This move is shocking, and the Ottomans are quick to protest it, demanding that the French walk back their support. However, it seems that the entirety of Europe has decided to turn against the Ottomans, as their friends are now few and far between

- Fearful of the spreading threat of republicanism, and viewing the Portuguese government as “entirely illegitimate”, several hundred Japanese soldiers land in Macau and the surrounding Portuguese territories in southern China, seizing the city and expelling the local government. This is considered an extremely rash move by just about everyone, and numerous condemnations are made against Japan. However, Portugal itself can do little but shout at the Japanese, as they lack any significant allies to help resist the Japanese expansion

- With the Ottomans refusing to make their way out of the Balkans, or to meet the regional powers on ways to ensure peace, the Balkan nations decide to take matters into their own hands. In Belgrade, Serbia, alongside Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Montenegro, announce the formation of the Balkan League. What this league means, exactly, is unknown, but its initial purpose is to “Ensure the safety and independence of the Balkan nations, and to secure their future interests”

- The worst fears regarding Mexico are made into a reality as hardline supporters of Porfirio Díaz, backed up by military units and local magistrates, take control of northeastern Mexico and launch a “liberation campaign” against the revolutionaries. The battles are ferocious and bloody, as modern weapons are introduced to a civil war. Onlookers fear that the war may spiral out of control as revolutionaries, counterrevolutionaries, regionalists and extremists could seize power across Mexico and drag the war out further

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- In exchange for low-priced grain, flour and agricultural equipment, the Imperial Japanese Navy begins sending numerous veterans of the Russo-Japanese War to Austria-Hungary to act as advisors for the nation’s paltry navy. These advisors are crucial when it comes to rapid response and interception, and in exercises regularly whip Austrian captains by using somewhat unconventional tactics. Regardless of this, much of the information that is learned is greatly beneficial, as Austria lacks a navy that can “reach out” beyond the southern Mediterranean, and as a result must be in tip-top shape at all times

- With the Germans continuing to step up their agricultural industry, the Austrian government moves to assist their nearby ally by directly selling combine harvesters, tractors and other materials at a significantly discounted price. This not only bolsters the reputation of Austrian agricultural companies, but also ensures that the Germans are able to continue their food stockpiling project, something that some of the more hawkish ministers in the Austrian diet propose that Austria-Hungary be doing as well

- A large oil deposit is found in western Transylvania after weeks of intense prospecting. Immediately, the state seizes the area and begins selling off the land to the highest bidder. With a decent supply of oil right at their fingertips, the Austrian economy will quickly be able to catch up with the likes of Britain and the United States. There are some that propose a reserve of oil be made in times of hardship, or worse, should the oil in the region “run dry”. The ability to sell the oil in domestic markets at a premium price usually causes these people to be ignored

- Bosnia-Herzegovina, a region seized from the Ottoman Turks only a few years prior, remains incredibly controversial within both the Austrian diet and the Balkan citizens of the empire. In order to ensure that the Austrian Balkans remain stable for the time being, the Austrian government moves to declare Bosnia-Herzegovina an autonomous region with its own, self-elected diet and representatives, similar to Galicia and Ruthenia. This unfortunately backfires, as radical Serbs rush to seize positions in the diet and demand independence, and are thus thrown out by the Austrian governor on the regular

- In the regions of the empire held by the Austrian crown, the government begins drafting a progressive “Rechnung von Freiheit” (Bill of Liberty), which moves to enshrine the basic rights of all citizens within the Austrian territories, regardless of creed, race or religion. This bill barely manages to make it past the vote, almost being struck down by the conservatives and Catholic reactionaries, and is forced to be gimped in regards to religious freedoms, ensuring that Catholicism be given first and foremost treatment across the empire

- As the situation in China has lead to a coup in their government, the Austrian military is ordered to move two brigades of infantry, alongside an artillery detachment, to the Tianjin legation quarter. Surprisingly enough, upon their arrival, numerous republicans, enemies of the Qing dynasty and without friends in Asia, clamor to enter the quarter, hoping to find “diplomatic immunity” or “protection”. Against the advisement of his peers, the legation officer allows them in

- Two enormous dreadnoughts are commissioned by the Austrian navy, boasting a gigantic 35cm belt and six 30cm guns in double turrets. These new Franz-Class dreadnoughts will not only act as pride sister ships in the Austrian navy, but will pose a significant threat to Austria’s enemies in the Adriatic and eastern Medditerreanean. However, these two ships are obnoxiously expensive, and will take at least another year and a half to finish construction. Regardless, Austria-Hungary hopes to be a proper competitor to Britain, France, Germany and America at some point in the future

- The reserves of Austria-Hungary are once again reformed as the military moves to have bi-weekly exercises for reservists, including rifle drills, marches and artillery exercises. Most of these drills are held in the shade of the Carpathian mountains, acting as a terrain similar to the Alps or Balkans, which the Austrian army will undoubtedly find itself fighting in. Unsurprisingly, these drills help keep the reservists on their toes, while also helping the Austrian army begin adapting to their new doctrine

- Knowing that the Adriatic is a bit of a weak point, and that Austria-Hungary’s few overseas territories are in danger of being quickly overrun, the Austrian military begins pushing for “double drills, double rations, double the men” of the Austrian “Marinesoldaten” (Marines), training them harder and harder in the realms of beach landings, rapid deployment and brutal ship boarding. These Marinesoldaten are a force to be reckoned with despite their relatively small numbers, and are key to defending the beaches of southern Austria-Hungary

- Military engineers, working with “Superior Firepower” in mind, begin working on ways to ensure the mobility of gun emplacements. One design becomes oddly popular amongst infantry regiments, either due to actual effectiveness or simply the novelty of how it looks. Mounted on a horse-drawn carriage, an operator is able to fire a MG-08 machine gun while “on the move”, though at the significant cost of accuracy. These “Schnellewaffen” (Fast Guns) are a novelty at best, but could be effective in suppressing partisans or strikers should the need arise

- Some engineers begin to look backwards, rather than forwards, and begin testing a design not seen on the battlefield for well over two centuries. Using a shaped piece of hardened steel, lined with thick leather, these “Rüstungsanzüge” (Armored Suits) are capable of withstanding pistol caliber bullets and some shrapnel, at the price of weighing nearly as much as a man. However, some believe this armor will be crucial in surviving against enemy assaults, and thus it is adopted by some infantry divisions, much to their dismay

- As agriculture simultaneously grows in Algeria, and shrinks somewhat in Indochina, the French government moves to purchase huge amounts of foodstuffs from Canada, America and Brazil. These purchases will not only sate the hunger of people in these regions, but will also help introduce a “westernized diet” to France’s colonial subjects. Algeria benefits the most from this, as the ever increasing amount of French settlers increase the demand for pork, shellfish and hard liquor, much to the dismay of conservative locals

- In a surprising turn of events, the French government openly declares its support for the Balkan League, stating that the determination of the Greek and Serbian people is “paramount to upholding the virtues of Europe”, and that the Ottoman Empire “has no right to remain in Europe any longer”. This move is shocking, and the Ottomans are quick to protest it, demanding that the French walk back their support. However, it seems that the entirety of Europe has decided to turn against the Ottomans, as their friends are now few and far between

- After short negotiations with the Balkan League, the French government begins selling rifles, artillery and munitions to the Serbs and Romanians, alongside a handful of military advisors. The official reason is to ensure the “military and political stability” of France’s new friends, but many see it as a dangerous attempt to prod the Ottomans into retaliating, and others fear that it may be an attempt to find the “underbelly of the Austrians”, and thus observers move to keep a close eye on any developments

- In Algeria, the French begin massive drilling projects in the desert, building railways into the inhospitable sands to begin delivering the materials needed to extract the “black gold”. No expense is spared, and huge amounts of local labor is used to begin the construction of these oil fields, which leads to the unfortunate deaths of numerous laborers. Regardless of this, the French hope to begin exploiting these enormous oil fields to the best of their ability by the end of the year, with the goal of weaning themselves off of the “Teat of Texas”

- Paris undergoes a series of construction projects as the Paris Métro is expanded upon official orders from the government. Several new lines are planned, criss-crossing the entire city, including a station on the outskirts of the French capital to bring passengers directly into the city quickly and reliably. Unsurprisingly, the work will take well over two years to complete, as all underground projects do. Regardless of this, the Métro will be a point of pride for Parisians and will set the standard for European cities

- Similar Métro projects begin in cities like Toulouse and Marseilles, with the plans much more organized and prepared than the original Paris underground. These projects are smaller in scope, as the cities themselves are much smaller than Paris, but will nonetheless be a boon to the French economy as commerce is streamlined, and people are able to get in and out of the city with ease. One line in Marseilles will lead directly to the city’s port, though fears of flooding abound with such an ambitious design

- Across the major cities of France, local governments are ordered to begin expanding and funding public transport such as busses, taxis and trolleys. Nationwide, regulations are put in place for these methods of transportation, with specific lanes and rules for pedestrians and automobiles to avoid being struck. These projects are prohibitively expensive in some areas, and require entire roads to be torn up and replaced. Nonetheless, once these expansions are completed, the cities of France will “run like clockwork”, and the streets will be significantly less crowded

- Seeing the sudden expansion of Germany’s propaganda campaign to make fun of France, the French government chooses to up the ante and begin doing the same. Rather than simply make fun of the Germans themselves, the French begin producing pamphlets, posters and plays displaying the German army as little more than a paper tiger, stating that the German eagle is “little more than an uppity chicken”. This has the dual effect of entertaining the French populace, and calming fears of future conflict between the two nations

- Along the borders between France and Germany, the French troops stationed there begin loudly broadcasting horrendously bad renditions of German military marches, sometimes adorned with grotesque recordings of flatulence or animal sounds. Hilarious satirical plays are put on, with the most popular one depicting Kaiser Wilhelm falling into manure, and claiming it to be a “new colony for Germany”. This infuriates the Germans, who resort to continuing their plays and satires of their own. Onlookers find this incredibly childish

- Recognizing that the German navy has begun to change up its tactics, and seeing the effectiveness of German sea mines, the French navy begins commissioning dozens of “mine sweepers”, using forward mounted nets to be able to catch or safely detonate these mines. One of the biggest risks posed to these minesweepers is that, in order to remain light enough to not trigger the mines, they must be unarmored and only lightly armed, making them easy targets for interception by German patrol vessels

- Without a doubt, the expansion of the German and Japanese submarine fleets are an alarming development in the eyes of France’s naval command, and ways to combat these vessels are brought to the table one after the other. One of the most recent breakthroughs is something referred to as a “Grenade Sous-Marine” (Depth Charge), which in essence is a bundle of artillery shells given a pressure-sensitive fuse. Dumped off the rear end of a ship, these charges will detonate underwater, and are capable of tearing apart the relatively weak hulls of submarines with ease

- A terrifying new weapon is devised by engineers employed by the army. After numerous experiments with different artillery payloads, these designers stumble across a vicious combination of phosphorus and explosives, creating a deadly new device. These “Phosphore Blanc” (White Phosphorus) shells shower the enemy in a noxious gas, while simultaneously dumping toxic, flaming particles that don’t stop burning, even when doused with water. Many consider this weapon to be the next step in military technology, while others see it as horrendously cruel

- With the Germans continuing to step up their agricultural industry, the Austrian government moves to assist their nearby ally by directly selling combine harvesters, tractors and other materials at a significantly discounted price. This new equipment allows many ethnic Germans to produce nearly double the crops that they were previously, while also allowing non-Germans in the east to begin meeting industrial production standards, though only a handful can actually purchase them

- Along the borders between France and Germany, the French troops stationed there begin loudly broadcasting horrendously bad renditions of German military marches, sometimes adorned with grotesque recordings of flatulence or animal sounds. Hilarious satirical plays are put on, with the most popular one depicting Kaiser Wilhelm falling into manure, and claiming it to be a “new colony for Germany”. This infuriates the Germans, who resort to continuing their plays and satires of their own. Onlookers find this incredibly childish

- A massive propaganda campaign is launched to continue mocking the French, as the government commissions several moving pictures to capture the plays and mockeries made by the German army along the western borders. Pamphlets, songs and posters can be seen just about anywhere, and the German people enjoy being able to poke fun at the French even more than before. A popular children’s game is to try and collect all 25 different cards found in cigarette packages, or to collect as many joke songs as they can

- A reformation, of sorts, is attempted in Germany after the implementation of the tax system. Hoping to wrestle some more power away from the landed elites of Germany, the liberal faction within the German diet beings proposing numerous electoral and judicial reforms in the regions of the empire. These moves are shot down right away, and some ministers expelled from their positions on trumped-up corruption charges. The strength of the German nobility is unquestionable, at this point, and any further moves to weaken it could lead to a “revolt of the rich”

- With the help of German industrial magnates, a huge series of roadways are expanded across both the western and eastern parts of the empire. With automobiles becoming more and more popular, and their possible military applications being considered, the German government moves to begin creating a criss-crossing patchwork of asphalt roads, mainly around the industrial centers of the empire. Over the course of the next two years, these roads will be crucial to the transport of workers and their goods to and from businesses across Germany

- The German military, sensing a disturbance in the east, ferries two infantry regiments to the Far East, alongside several U-Boats to be stationed at various points in the Pacific. These regiments, if properly protected, can easily be redeployed to New Guinea or the various Pacific islands, but German high command believes that the area under greatest threat is the German port city of Tsingtao, a crucial possession in China and a center of commerce for Germany’s eastern territories

- German generals are regularly brought together to begin conducting a series of Kriegsspiele (War Games), using small figures to represent troops moving across a massive table, adorned with maps of possible areas of engagement. Unlike most of these exercises, German high command focuses on the theaters of war, rather than individual, set-piece battles. With the way warfare has changed so rapidly, there are some that believe a single battle can no longer “break the back” of the enemy as it was once capable of doing

- A handful of German zeppelins being used for coastal observation and scouting are “up-gunned”, with roughly three or four machine guns at various positions along the carriage. What these machine guns are intended for, exactly, is unknown. However, these guns could possibly be used for shooting down enemy airships, or delivering fire down on unarmored vessels. There are some that believe aircraft may soon be powerful enough to take down airships, but all current experiments show that armed planes are little more than a fantasy

- Two dozen U-Boats are commissioned by the Kaiserliche Marine, with the intention of being delivered to various colonial possessions of Germany. Utilizing the latest in engine and torpedo designs, these U-Boats will pose a significant threat to Germany’s enemies from beneath the waves, though will still remain vulnerable to surface vessels on the prowl. With their new deck guns, these submarines can also harass dockyards and coastal fortifications, making them a crucial part of Germany’s naval presence overseas

- Several armored cruisers are commissioned by the navy as well, this time for the express purpose of being “Oberflächenräuber” (Surface Raiders). Utilizing heavier guns on a smaller, faster body, these Dresden-class cruisers will be able to take on vessels comparable to themselves, but will also be able to quickly escape any battles that seem too dangerous. Sacrificing armor for speed, these will be a menace to enemy shipping when paired with the German U-Boat fleet, and are expected to hit the seas by early 1912

- Oddly enough, the German military decides to take a page from the Japanese, and begins experimenting with rapidly deployed, light artillery guns of their own. After some experiments in Silesia, the German army begins producing the latest in light artillery design. Dubbed the “Schnellekanone Modell 1” (Fast Cannon Model 1), this 55mm gun is placed upon a four-wheel chassis and is quickly towed by horseback or pushed by hand, and “locks” the wheels in place, giving it the ability to lob a handful of explosive shells before being put on the move once again

- Engineers working with fixed wing aircraft stumble across a breakthrough for military aircraft. Mimicking the Blériot XI made two years prior, these engineers widen its wings, beef up its engine and scale up the length of the fuselage, all while toning down the amount of structural support in order to save weight. This new Zeppelinkraft Flugzeug M1911 is able to climb to roughly 1700m into the air, and maintain a constant speed of 90km/h. The ZF-11 is a crucial step forward for reconnaissance, and could easily be used for civil applications in the future

- Fearful of the spreading threat of republicanism, and viewing the Portuguese government as “entirely illegitimate”, several hundred Japanese soldiers land in Macau and the surrounding Portuguese territories in southern China, seizing the city and expelling the local government. This is considered an extremely rash move by just about everyone, and numerous condemnations are made against Japan. However, Portugal itself can do little but shout at the Japanese, as they lack any significant allies to help resist the Japanese expansion

- With the situation in China becoming “concerning” to the Japanese government, a twenty mile “military exclusion zone” is formed between the Chinese and Chōsen border, with civilians in the region forcibly moved southward to prevent the possibility of an “eruption of China” spilling over into Chōsen. This move is matched with the deployment of a handful of Japanese divisions, largely to act as both security and a show of force. The Qing can do just about nothing about this, and choose to ignore the sabre rattling

- A deal is made between the Japanese and Russians in regards to the controversial claims on Sakhalin and the Kurils. After much negotiation in Moscow, the Japanese agree to cede half of the Kurils in return for the rest of Sakhalin. Alongside the territorial deal, a massive trade zone is formed in the waters between the two nations, as well as an agreement to not militarize the region for the next decade. This warming of relations between the Japanese and the Russians scares the everloving hell out of anyone caught in between them

- Ever hungry for more territory, the Empire of Japan strikes up a deal with the United States and makes a massive purchase of the Philippines. This comes at a significant cost to the Japanese economy as the Americans demand the highest of prices, as well as numerous other deals that essentially force the Japanese to buy American products at whatever price the companies decide to set. Nonetheless, this purchase nearly doubles Japan’s territorial ownership in the Pacific, and is a massive point of pride for Japan

- In exchange for low-priced grain, flour and agricultural equipment, the Imperial Japanese Navy begins sending numerous veterans of the Russo-Japanese War to Austria-Hungary to act as advisors for the nation’s paltry navy. These advisors occasionally ferry back important information regarding the development of ships in Europe, and that the IJN has “much to learn” when it comes to the tactics used by the more “advanced” nations, with many in high command coming to realize that their successes in 1905 were largely due to Russian incompetence than anything else

- A brutally complex system is implemented regarding the status of Japanese citizens in Japanese society. Known as the 市民権の順序 (Shimin-Ken no Junjo) [Order of Citizenship], three “ranks” are given to those that are Japanese citizens of the Home Islands (最初の市民 (Saisho no Shimin) [First Citizens]), Japanese and Koreans in Chōsen (二次市民 (Niji Shimin) [Secondary Citizens]) and finally, those living within the colonial holdings (植民地居住者 (Shokuminchi Kyojū-Sha) [Colonial Residents]). The rights of these citizens range from free passage and political participation at the top, to a complete lack of representation at the bottom

- Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, the governor of Chōsen, is given the authorization to form a regional diet composed of both Japanese and Koreans, all handpicked, in order to help administer the region. Unsurprisingly, only the most loyal of Koreans are able to sit upon the diet, and those that have economic connections to the Chōsen government are the ones sent to Tokyo to observe the Japanese diet’s various new decisions

- More restrictions are made to trade in Japan, forcing both foreigners and Zaibatsus to trade on the Home Islands, and only from the Home Islands. Resources and goods acquired overseas, such as Chōsen, Formosa or the Philippines, must be shipped to the Home Islands for state inspection, before they can be sold to foreigners. The same holds true for imports, as any goods that are purchased from foreign companies must arrive in the Home Islands before they are shipped anywhere else

- Emigration from Chōsen is finally authorized for Korean natives, though under extreme scrutiny. Those capable of learning basic Japanese, and able to find a job beforehand, are given the opportunity to migrate to the Home Islands. Most of these emigrants are employed by farming conglomerates in Hokkaido, or act as butlers, house servants or secretaries. In the event of unemployment, these migrants will only have three months to find a new job before they are sent back home for a five year “retainment period”

- In Tainan City, the Japanese government begins a massive expansion of the already large ports for the express purpose of submarine production. Hoping to nearly quadruple the size of the Japanese submarine fleet, the drydocks in Tainan are expected to finish production by the end of the year. Knowing that submarines are the “future of naval warfare”, the Japanese are unwilling to simply let the possibility of having such an advantage fall by the wayside, and make damned sure that their own submarines can rival those in Europe

- A number of airships are commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy, primarily for the purpose of coastal observation and scouting, alongside some smaller ones being towed behind specially made destroyers to do their jobs on the open sea. The Imperial Japanese Army quickly jumps at this opportunity to begin getting airships of their own, and a series of arguments break out in the Diet to decide on who should have more resources allocated to them when it comes to lighter than air vessels

- As if it were purpose-built to snub the navy, army engineers unveil their latest design of airship. Directly mimicking the German Zeppelins, these enormous airships sacrifice altitude for a much larger armament, capable of carrying dozens of large artillery shells for air-to-ground combat. The designs are given to the navy after much pressure from the Diet to ensure that the rivalry doesn’t get any worse, though the Army gets first dibs on all future designs of airships

- Another invention is made by the army as military technologies continue to rapidly advance, especially in the realms of artillery. As a land war in Asia is a distinct possibility, the Japanese are unable to utilize enormous, unwieldy railway guns like the Europeans. As a result, a “mobile field gun” is tested in the fields of southern Chōsen. This 軽量野砲 (Keiryō Yahō) [Light Field Artillery], designated as the Type 1 Light Gun, is able to quickly lay down fire on enemy positions, and then be redeployed either by horse or by hand if needed. Sacrificing range and firepower, the Type 1 is a must-have for any infantry division that wishes to remain mobile on the vast, open plains of Asia

- In a surprising turn of events, forces of the Qing army storm the Forbidden Palace and forcibly remove Emperor Xuantong from the throne. Prince Chun, acting regent, father of Xuantong and descendant of Emperor Daoguang, Chun announces that the throne is “indeed his right”, claiming that Xuantong’s placement on the throne was a “false decision made by corrupt officials”. Xuantong flees to Japan with a number of his closest advisors, while Prince Chun ascends to the throne under the name Zaifeng

- A ferocious purge is launched across the upper levels of the Qing government, with hundreds of advisors being caught up in sweeping corruption hunts. Dozens of men are executed on the spot, while dozens more are sent to lengthy prison sentences. Zaifeng understands that the Qing Dynasty sits on a dangerous knife’s edge, and any part of the government that does not pledge direct allegiance to him is a threat to his position

- In southern China, a series of raids are launched to arrest republican speakers, exiling them to the far out provinces of Xinjiang, Outer Mongolia or Tibet. Some of these speakers are able to escape the clutches of the Qing government, fleeing to Britain or France, but many are simply unable to escape the clutches and are punished brutally. Nationwide, even discussing republican ideals can be met with immense punishments

- The stability of the nation, alongside its economy, finds itself in freefall as the Zaifeng regime tries to secure its position on the throne. There are many that fear that it could lead to the ultimate disaster, with regions breaking away and the government being overthrown. Zaifeng, however, has made it abundantly clear that he will not go down without a fight, as he is “not a toddler being pulled by the strings of eunuchs and bean counters”

- A deal is made between the Japanese and Russians in regards to the controversial claims on Sakhalin and the Kurils. After much negotiation in Moscow, the Japanese agree to cede half of the Kurils in return for the rest of Sakhalin. Alongside the territorial deal, a massive trade zone is formed in the waters between the two nations, as well as an agreement to not militarize the region for the next decade. This warming of relations between the Japanese and the Russians scares the everloving hell out of anyone caught in between them

- Advisors from Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railway are encouraged to head to Russia in order to assist in the construction of Russia’s numerous railway projects. These advisors are largely barred from making any significant investments in the rails thanks to pushback from elites, but are nonetheless a welcome addition as the terrain of Russia is not too dissimilar to America’s Great Plains and Midwest

- In order to quell the demands for independence from the Baltic and Polish peoples, the Russian government formally reorganizes the two regions into the United Baltic Duchy and Grand Duchy of Poland, with their capitals in Riga and Warsaw respectively. These autonomous regions are given a small duma of their own, and the ability to send a representative to St. Petersburg. This move is beneficial to the Russian government, as it eases up on the administrative headache that is the Baltics and Poland. This does help soothe tensions, but the more radical minds have only slunk back into the shadows for the time being

- A new law is put in place in regards to the ability for foreign investors to begin purchasing huge amounts of shares in Russian companies. A flat cap is placed on all purchases, in which a Russian company cannot sell more than 15% of its shares to foreigners, but are simultaneously guaranteed to deliver the profits to said investors. This odd change is a stopgap measure to prevent the possibility of Russian companies becoming entirely leashed by foreign shareholders, without any real independence of their own

- Dozens of factories across St. Petersburg, Kiev and Moscow are constructed with the Imperial treasury as the main source of funding. These state-owned factories are much larger than the private ones, and dedicated to the production of crucial goods such as steel, processed grains, lumber and concrete. In order to set a standard for Russia’s industrialists, labor regulations are put in place in these factories to ensure that workers are treated somewhat fairly, and that production is not hampered by inefficient management

- More than a thousand tractors and combine harvesters are purchased from overseas from a variety of nations as the Russian government begins to charge headlong into mechanized agriculture. Russia is a vast, fertile nation, that has been unable to reach its full potential when it comes to food. Now, however, with a push from the top, some of the larger farming magnates are able to produce more and more food thanks to the new tools at their disposal. This does, of course, force out smaller farms and puts many farm laborers out of a job

- A major reformation is made to the Дума (Duma) regarding the representation of the electorate. Much to the dismay of the nobility, voting rights are expanded to men in Russia proper, regardless of their background or economic status, and these rights are permanently enshrined in the Russian courts. Though these rules are difficult to enforce in the outer regions of the empire, cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow rejoice at the new decision

- With this reform to the Дума, the Russian government is quick to ban numerous parties and ideologies from being represented. Socialists, anarchists, communists, nationalists and other such “Anti-Russian idealists” are barred from participating in the elections, nor are they able to seek support from representatives already present within the Дума. Most of the parties are various flavors of conservatism, with a handful of liberals able to provide a “western voice” to Russia’s politics. Come next year, the elections are sure to be contentious

- Nicholas II, hoping to strengthen trust in the government and pride in the nation, orders massive public works projects in the major cities of the empire. Everything ranging from sewer systems and telegraph lines to large public parks and trolleys are ordered to begin construction. The cost of these projects is enormous, as the Tsar demands that the state itself pay for these projects, rather than allow private companies to “take advantage of the Russian populace in need”

- As reforms to the Russian military continue, various younger officers are promoted to higher positions in order to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. The nobles that hold various positions of power within the military, including numerous generals, protest these moves, stating that they are “too inexperienced” or “have a weak background”. Nicholas and his advisors go against these nobles, pushing for a more modern and more prepared army for any future conflict

- The Black Sea Fleet continues its expansion as the Russian navy begins producing dozens of destroyers and a handful of light cruisers. Knowing that the Ottomans, the main threat in the region, have stationed much of their more powerful ships in the Meditteranean to protect themselves against the Greeks, these lighter ships will be able to quickly dominate the Black Sea and open up the possibility of attacking the Ottomans on the shores of northern Anatolia

- Russian naval engineers, tasked with designing better and more effective ships, return to the drawing board. Rather than relying on massive capital ships like dreadnoughts, these engineers instead begin testing designs similar to the British and Japanese “Battlecruisers”. Though not exactly a new concept, the Russians hope to perfect the design, allowing these smaller, more speedy ships to act as “dual-purpose” vessels, filling in the roles of armored cruisers in a large fleet, or becoming capital ships of their own right when in detachments. Tsushima is still all too fresh in the minds of Russia’s naval elites, and anything that can overtake Japanese designs is crucial for the nation’s pride

- Russian electrical engineers in St. Petersburg, essentially fooling about with the properties of various metals and liquids, stumble across a significant scientific breakthrough. Upon their observation, they discovered that the resistance of some materials, when under intense refrigeration, are able to become “superconductive”. The exact properties and usage of such materials is unknown, so for now the Russians simply hail this as another victory for their scientists and call it a day

- Representatives from the various dominions of the empire meet in London to discuss their further economic, industrial and political development. Britain itself understands that it cannot rely entirely on domestic production of goods, and as a result must work together with her subjects to make a “better, brighter and more unified future” for the empire as a whole. After some negotiations, the British government forms the Imperial Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), made up of private corporations and investors to help build up the industries in nations like Canada and Australia

- The first major projects of the IEDC focus primarily on Canada, as the massive dominion is full of unexploited lands and resources. To the west, the British begin exporting huge amounts of agricultural equipment as the lands in Alberta and Manitoba are woefully unproductive, and with hard work could easily be turned into a breadbasket not too dissimilar to the American Midwest and Great Plains. This expansion of agriculture comes alongside the creation of the Trans-Canada Railway, an ambitious plan to link numerous railway lines “From Sea to Sea”, stretching from Ontario and Toronto to Vancouver and beyond. This project will be extremely expensive and will take years to complete, but will be a boon to the economy of Canada upon its completion

- In Australia, prospectors and industrialists make their way to the territories of West and South Australia. Here, huge iron and coal veins remain untouched as local industry is incapable of properly exploiting it, and as a result little is gained out of their existence. With help from the IEDC, a handful of mines and railways are created to begin acquiring the raw materials, which are sent to private factories in cities like Brisbane and Sydney. The ultimate hope of this development is to build up Cockatoo Island to the point of making it a significant port for shipping, naval production and general commerce in the region

- In Egypt, the British administration sits on shaky ground as the local Muslim populace continues to resist the various reforms that the British attempt to enact. As a result, the British begin to encourage private businesses to interact with the Coptic minority in the region. Though their population is much smaller, these private interests hope to begin gathering support from the Copts, as well as building up an industrial elite. With enough time and enough care, there may indeed be a population loyal to the British in Egypt

- After meeting with representatives from the Tamil and Sinhala populations of Sri Lanka, the British are able to help codify a constitution for the planned Dominion of Ceylon, ensuring the rights of religious and ethnic minorities and their representation in government. Though some hardliners are a bit disappointed in not receiving enough special treatment, there are many that are excited to see the eventual independence of their nation by the end of the year

- An attempt to quell the rising tensions in Ireland is made as the British government meets with representatives of Home Rule advocates, mainly in regards to the issues of Ulster. The British propose that Ulster become a protected region more directly attached to the crown, or perhaps making it a “protected autonomous region”. The Irish outright refuse the deal, stating that northern Ireland is “crucial to ensuring an Irish nation”, and leave the negotiations with both parties frustratingly back at the starting point

- In Africa, the British continue to reduce the presence of various colonial garrisons, and instead foster the growth of local African divisions loyal to the British crown. A move is made that surprises military traditionalists, as the British allow for the training of low level officers at three new Royal Military Colleges, similar to the one in Kenya. These officers will be able to better communicate with divisions made up of colonial locals, but will still answer to white commanders. This is a contentious change in the eyes of conservatives, but little can be done to affect policies in Africa from London once the decision is made

- Soldiers of the empire undergo numerous redeployments and training exercises in the many diverse climates present in the domains held by the British. From the chilled highlands of Scotland, the deserts of Egypt and the jungles of Malaysia, these soldiers are drilled on fighting in numerous environments and simultaneously becoming familiar with the locals. Though not perfect, a handful of more elite troops benefit greatly from this move, especially the Royal Marines

- Mimicking developments made by the Austrians years prior, the Royal Navy begins to experiment with the implementation of three gun turrets. Rather than having two guns that work in tandem, these turrets will instead hold three guns that can move independently, allowing for more diverse fields of fire and more capabilities to “range in”. Of course, as a trade off, these guns take a significantly longer time to rotate and reload, and are reserved for the largest ships in the British home fleet, which have yet to actually adopt them

- With the advent of more advanced submarines, mainly from the Germans, the Royal Navy rushes to begin finding ways to counteract torpedoes, as even the enormous dreadnoughts and heavy cruisers are at risk of being totally destroyed by a just a couple hits from these “underwater menaces”. An experimental form of armor is produced, extending the belt down below the waterline and protecting the keel of the ship, while not affecting the displacement of weight along the ship. This does, of course, sacrifice speed and increase the overall weight of the ship itself, but on the largest ships it can prevent their outright destruction at the hands of well placed torpedoes

- Ever hungry for more territory, the Empire of Japan strikes up a deal with the United States and makes a massive purchase of the Philippines. In Calbayog City, the United States is able to lease the port for military purposes at the absurdly low price of $1 a year, for the next 99 years. This cash injection is much needed for the nation’s various internal projects, though the purchase itself is extremely unpopular amongst the conservatives in the United States, who claim that the “memories of those that perished in the wars have been ignored”, and protest the move, though there is little they can really do about it

- Advisors from Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railway are encouraged to head to Russia in order to assist in the construction of Russia’s numerous railway projects. These advisors are largely barred from making any significant investments in the rails thanks to pushback from elites, but are nonetheless a welcome addition as the terrain of Russia is not too dissimilar to America’s Great Plains and Midwest

- Trade with Liberia continues to grow as American companies essentially wrestle complete control from local businesses, preventing Liberians from being able to make any significant changes to their own economy. These companies then begin to exploit local labor, and one in three Liberians is employed by a company that is not from Liberia itself. Politicians begin to protest these moves, and there are rumors of a growing socialist labor movement in Liberia, though this may be unfounded

- With presidential elections just around the corner, President Sherman approves a bill from congress in which the Secret Service’s protections are expanded to candidates in order to prevent possible violence. Democrats find this move incredibly fair handed, and happily vote the bill through essentially unanimously, as the electoral process continues to be protected. Roosevelt, a possible candidate essentially running a primary campaign ahead of time, hopes to use this legislation as a means to work with various labor groups in the country and avoid any possible extremists that may have different ideas

- Using the Republican majority in congress, numerous antitrust laws are passed, each one harsher than the other in order to break up monopolies. Intense lobbying campaigns begin as a result of this, and the Democrats become more and more conservative, stating that “American industrial interests must not be faced with endless government interference”. These companies, of course, instead focus elsewhere, exploiting the weaker economies of Central and South America and starting monopolies there

- President Sherman keeps his promise to Arizona and New Mexico, and after some negotiations, officially admits the two territories as full states within the union. An impromptu Flag Day is held as the nation moves from 46 to 48 stars on the flag, and the two new states add the date to statewide holidays. Mapmakers rejoice, now finally being able to properly link up the continental United States as a contiguous nation

- A massive recruitment drive is started nationwide, pushing for the establishment of a larger and more prepared army and navy. Citing the situation in Mexico, a propaganda campaign is launched across the southwest to “ensure American safety” and “protect the people of these United States”. Unsurprisingly, thousands of men in the south and southwest flock to recruiting stations, and the army quickly begins to expand as a result

- As Mexico has entered a full blown civil war, the National Guards of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Nevada are mobilized to begin patrolling and fortifying the US-Mexico border. Though the move is not meant to be provocative, the revolutionary government begins sending troops of its own to the border to observe American movements, though most of their army is focused on defeating Díaz’s counterrevolutionaries

- American aeroplane engineers continue to test ways to improve the capabilities of military aircraft, and begin working on designs with a much heftier engine. Using a modified, powerful racing automobile engine, an experimental plane is launched. This “American Scout Flyer Model 11”, produced directly by the United States Army, is able to climb to roughly 1,200m off the ground and achieve a maximum speed of 70km/h. This plane will be crucial in observing the front lines and coast, though is much more expensive to produce and maintain, and is unwieldy to fly for inexperienced pilots

- John Moses Browning, inventor of the Model 1911, is tasked with creating a “lightweight, automatic firearm for use in aeroplanes”. After months of failed experiment after failed experiment, and several crashes, the prolific firearm maker finds a design that proves to be somewhat effective. Dubbed the “Browning Aeroplane Machine Pistol”, or BAMP for short, this twin barreled weapon is chambered in the .45 ACP cartridge, just like the 1911, and uses two 32 round magazines that can be reloaded by the pilot. Lightweight enough, this system is the first of its kind, and gives pilots on the Scout Flyer 11 the ability to shoot down enemy aircraft, though it is horribly inaccurate and dangerous to reload as the pilot must take his hands off the controls

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turkish soldiers marching to the front lines in the Caucasus

12th August, 1911

In the early morning of the 12th of August, along the border of the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia, a hail of artillery fire signalled the opening shots of the first war on the European continent in decades.

The Balkan League, a coalition made up of Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania, unilaterally declare war on the Ottoman Empire, hoping to regain lost territories and “boot the Turk from Europe altogether”. Either spurred on by support from foreign powers, or simply because of their own ego, these five nations manage to rally themselves together as a unified force and begin punching deep into the Ottoman-held Balkans.

Meanwhile, in the Ottoman dominated region of Albania, local Albanians rise up in open revolt, using arms smuggled from the Balkan League and sympathetic Ottoman officers. Unable to properly hold off the rebels, the Ottomans circle the wagons in Thrace, while also holding on for dear life along the front lines of the Balkan League.

On the 13th of August, less than a full day later, the two empires of Austria-Hungary and Russia simultaneously declare war upon the Ottoman Empire, sending tens of thousands of troops to storm over the borders into Ottoman territory, for what exact reason is unknown.

Only a few weeks having passed, as the sun sets on the 4th of September, Italian naval vessels open fire on Turkish warships near Libya. Declaring that the Ottomans “pose a significant threat to meditteranean stability, and are a force for destabilizing the peace in Europe”, the Kingdom of Italy officially declares war on the Ottoman Empire. Almost immediately, thousands of Italian troops pour over from Sicily into northern Libya, seizing a huge swathe of territory as the Ottomans scramble to keep control of their lines.

The fate of the Ottoman Empire lies in the balance, and with it, the future of both Europe and the Middle East as a whole.

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Four
July - December, 1911

World Events
- War erupts in the Balkans as the Balkan League openly invade the Ottoman Empire, alongside the joint declaration of war by the Austrians and Russians. As the fronts push in deep into the lands of the unprepared Ottomans, Kingdom of Italy seizes the opportunity to strike forth into northern Libya, grabbing nearly half of the territory in only a matter of weeks. As if the situation couldn’t look more dire for the Ottomans, there are rumors of an Arabic rebellion on the verge of breaking out in the Hedjaz

- The Ottomans quickly find themselves essentially surrounded, as the Balkan League pushes from the north, the Russians from the east, and the Austrians surprisingly managing to make some gains in the Levant. Unsurprisingly, this leads to rumors of infighting in the Ottoman government as administrators begin to panic. The Ottoman military is horribly unprepared for such a war, and there are words of a carving up of the Ottomans once the war inevitably comes to an end

- The Qing Dynasty begins to buckle under its own weight as Emperor Zaifeng continues to consolidate power. The outer regions of Mongolia and Xinjiang escape the clutches of the Qing as local strongmen overthrow the administrators placed in control of the region, while Tibet’s governor is recalled to Beijing for trial, and is never replaced. As the borders of the empire shrink, so too does Zaifeng’s legitimacy, as hundreds of republican prisoners escape during a riot in Chongqing

- As a result of the situation in China, nearly all of the legations and colonial possessions held by Europeans begin to bristle with beefed up with more troops, and in the case of the French and Germans, the deployment of numerous ships. This essentially pins the Qing in place, as well as flexing the muscles of European militaries in “far off Asia”. Japan, meanwhile, scoots some vessels from its various stations to keep an eye on things

- In Mexico, the situation takes a turn for the worse as Díaz’s troops punch through the defensive lines of the revolutionaries, and begin driving southward at a swift pace. Seeing this, American president Sherman openly declares that Díaz is no longer the legitimate president of Mexico, and instead chooses to back sitting president Francisco Madero. A mobilization of American troops to the Díaz-occupied regions of Sonora and Chihuahua raises tensions significantly

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- As the war erupts between the Balkan League, Russia and Italy against the Ottomans, Kaiser Joseph announces a declaration of war against the Ottoman Empire, stating that the “time has come to throw the Turk off of the backs of Christendom in the Balkans”. With this declaration of war, Austria-Hungary begins moving all of its standing forces into the Balkans, while also deploying its Marinesoldaten to the Meditteranean for operations against the Ottomans in the Levant

- In the Balkans, Austrian soldiers link up with Serbs and Montenegrins for an incredibly awkward coordinated advance against the Ottomans, with the combined armies punching through Ottoman lines in Kraljevo. The Austrians utilize their massive artillery regiments to mercilessly pound the Ottoman defenders, allowing the Serbs to send their infantry to take the field and push the Ottomans further towards the “Macedonian Pocket”. This joint fighting, much to the Austrian’s disappointment, does not do anything to warm relations between Serbia and Austria, and the Serbs are largely ungrateful for the assistance, perhaps out of sheer spite

- In the Mediterranean, the Austrian navy intercepts Ottoman vessels attempting to escape from Libya, sinking a number of ships, including the massive Barbaros Hayreddin, which is a crushing blow to Ottoman naval morale. With the presence of the Italian fleet, as well as promised protection of Italian shipping from the French, the Ottomans are forced to retreat to the Dardanelles, where they fight a desperate battle against the combined navies of Greece, Italy, Austria and Russia

- In a bold and unexpected move, the Austrian military lands thousands of Marinesoldaten on the beaches of the Ottoman held Levant, breaking past the paltry defenses and seizing the cities of Ascalon and Sidon before being halted by a rapidly deployed series of Turkish and Arabic militias. Despite their equipment, training and support, the Austrian troops quickly find themselves bogged down, unprepared for the heat of the desert and dogged resistance of the Muslim locals. Nonetheless, Jerusalem is within striking distance, and the title of “King of Jerusalem” may soon be truly claimed by Kaiser Joseph

- Austria sends a small number of fresh recruits not destined for the Balkan front to the legation quarter in Tianjin to help bolster the garrison’s defenses, as well as keep a close eye on developments in China. Unsurprisingly, the Qing do not appreciate this move, as the Austrians essentially march a handful of troops uncomfortably close to Beijing. With the nation about to erupt into civil unrest, the Austrians are unwilling to let the war distract them from maintaining control over this colonial possession

- In Zara, Split and Trieste, the Austrian military hastily constructs a handful of bootcamps for further expanding the Marinesoldaten, which will be a crucial element in continuing the fight in the Levant, as well as defending this region should the Austrians gain control of it at the end of the war. These training bases make the Italians incredibly uncomfortable, as they point directly towards the relatively undefended Italian coastline. Despite their friendship, Italy keeps a close eye on these bases

- At home, the Austrian government begins collecting massive amounts of surplus coal, oil and food to begin stockpiling in the event that the war against the Ottomans drags out further, or worse, a major power decides to intervene. Though many believe the war will end within a year, there are others that fear this possibility, and the Kaiser listens to these concerns and acts accordingly. These stockpiles are modeled exactly like those in Germany, and German advisors are brought over to oversee the construction of storage facilities

- In order to improve the industrial capacity of Hungary, but also to serve as a way to transport troops to the Balkan theater with more efficiency, the Austrian government diverts funds to begin constructing a series of railways to link up with those in the territories of the Austrian crown. These railroads will take a couple years to complete, and will be difficult to pass through the Carpathian mountains, and as a result the railways towards the Balkans take priority

- As a propaganda campaign is launched against the Ottomans, a second campaign is launched to encourage men from across the nation to join the military. Stating that the army is the “great equalizer of men”, these posters and pamphlets attempt to convince the people of Austria-Hungary that regardless of religion, ethnicity or language, that the military will ensure the “equality of all its men”. This falls on deaf ears amongst the more frustrated Slavic minority groups

- When fighting in close quarters against the Ottomans in the Levant, especially when attempting to engage the militiamen in Lebanon, the Marinesoldaten request a better weapon to replace the full length rifles that prove to be awkward in these conditions. Mimicking the British, the Austrians purchase hundreds of Browning Auto 5 shotguns, redesignating them as the

Selbstladende Schrotflinte Modell 1 (Self Loading Shotgun Model 1). Though considered ungentlemanly, the Marinesoldaten put these shotguns to the test, and fall in love with them

- Further experiments take place with the Rüstungsanzüge armor as the army hopes to find ways to reduce its weight while maintaining its protective capabilities. Cutting down on the thickness of the metal, while adding a thick layer of leather and cotton, these armored vests are still able to withstand shrapnel and some handgun bullets, while also being much more comfortable. However, they are still awkward and heavy, and are still only in the possession of a handful of soldiers, who are much more grateful for these new designs nonetheless

- Diplomats from Britain are sent to Berlin and Paris in hopes of quelling the “childish and unnecessary sabre rattling” between France and Germany. Unsurprisingly, delegations from France and Germany refuse to meet with one another, and only barely listen to the British who try their best to act as a neutral mediator. Frustrated, the British return home, and the French and Germans continue their propaganda campaign. As a result, the British government becomes increasingly concerned over tensions in Europe

- Seeing that Germany’s U-Boat fleet continues to expand, the French work with the British to find ways to counteract the Germans and prevent their submarines from becoming an even greater threat. In return for depth charges, minesweeping and anti-submarine tactics, the French purchase numerous copies of the newly created British fire control systems to help modernize the French dreadnought and battlecruiser fleets. These two nations, in the event of a war on the continent, must dominate the seas to stop the Germans from taking control of the atlantic

- With the Qing Dynasty deteriorating rapidly, the French government announces that Indochina is a “free and safe territory” for the Chinese republican movement, and numerous leaders that manage to escape the clutches of the Qing government take up residence in Hanoi, sending out pamphlets and manifestos using French printing companies. The Qing denounce this move, and officially halt all trade with France as a result, though some wonder if this embargo will outlast the dynasty

- In France, the government begins a massive funding of public arts and cinema, giving subsidies to the most prolific creators to begin sharing their works with the French people. Numerous art museums are opened in the major cities, and festivals are held in places like Grenoble and Nantes. There is a growing concern amongst the conservative elites as socialist groups take this opportunity to begin producing artwork of their own, and many jurisdictions attempt to ban “regressive, offensive works of propaganda”, though the central government does nothing in either direction

- Ramping up the propaganda campaign against the Germans, the French government announces “Opération Kaiser Cat II”, a massive, nationwide “costume contest” for people’s pet cats. These cats are dressed in a variety of mock German uniforms, and people are encouraged to make kittens look like Kaiser Wilhelm II himself. A cash prize of a whopping 750 Francs is given to the best dressed cat, which is given to an adorable young chartreux kitten nicknamed “Bébé Wilhelm”, whose photo is placed on posters and postcards around the country

- Several massive government-owned steel foundries are constructed in Brest and Caen with the explicit purpose of supplying much-needed steel to the French navy. With Europe still at peace, the French begin prioritizing the navy over the army in regards to steel production, and the foundries closer to the German border are encouraged to begin shifting towards consumer production instead

- With these new foundries under construction, the French navy begins a production of dozens of more modernized vessels, utilizing the most recent designs of fire control, armor, engines and guns. Most of these ships are lighter vessels such as destroyers and light cruisers, as they are easier to produce and are quickly sent to their various stations, though several new dreadnoughts are commissioned as well, hoping to hit the waters by the end of 1912. The French are well on their way to becoming a global player in the realm of naval supremacy

- Observing the first successful flight of a “seaplane” the previous year, the French navy commissions three new Foundre-class “Seaplane Tenders”, named after the recently redesigned torpedo tender Foundre. Though still only capable of carrying four cumbersome, unarmed planes, these ships will be crucial to scouting ahead for fleets, and will provide a massive strategic advantage for the French navy upon their completion

- In the meditteranean, the French begin sending a number of destroyers and light cruisers to begin tailing Italian cargo vessels, stating that “the trade of the meditteranean must be ensured”. Several Ottoman surface raiders are chased away by the more advanced French ships, and a handful of close calls take place, with the Ottomans nearly striking a French destroyer, mistaking it for an Italian trader

- A squadron of cruisers are sent to the Gulf of Tonkin to act as observers on the Chinese situation, as well as to keep an eye on the growing presence of German warships in the Asian theater. With the arrival of the Pommern in Qingdao, the French naval forces in the region are understandably spooked, and the recently deployed cruisers are a welcome sight. Many believe that a war in Europe will quickly explode into a “world conflict”, and the possibility of a clash in Asia is now a guarantee

- The garrisons in Indochina are expanded as French colonial troops are shipped in from Madagascar, coinciding with the construction of large earthworks along the Qing-Indochinese border, hoping to prevent any excursion by Qing or otherwise hostile forces into the region. Meanwhile, in Guangzhouwan and the various French legations, the garrisons are placed on high alert, and naval vessels in the port city are prepared for fire support if the need be

- With rivers across France and Europe as a whole being considerable obstacles for armies, the French army begins designing ships of its own to make them even more difficult to cross. Mimicking the various riverine craft of the United States, these new “Destructeurs de Rivière” (River Destroyers) are slim, lightly armored vessels bristling with machine guns and light field guns, purpose built for raiding enemy shipping and preventing river crossings. However, these ships are unsurprisingly restricted to rivers and calm coastlines, and are still easily destroyed by well placed artillery pieces

- Continuing their mockery of the Germans, French electrical engineers begin improving on the designs of a “moving coil loudspeaker” invented a few years before. These new loudspeakers are much more effective and more reliable, able to broadcast both live speeches or recorded music at a high volume. These are immediately put into place to increase the annoyance of German troops on the border, who resort to plugging their ears with waxed cotton as a result

- Diplomats from Britain are sent to Berlin and Paris in hopes of quelling the “childish and unnecessary sabre rattling” between France and Germany. Unsurprisingly, delegations from France and Germany refuse to meet with one another, and only barely listen to the British who try their best to act as a neutral mediator. Frustrated, the British return home, and the French and Germans continue their propaganda campaign. As a result, the British government becomes increasingly concerned over tensions in Europe

- Continuing their mockery of the Germans, French electrical engineers begin improving on the designs of a “moving coil loudspeaker” invented a few years before. These new loudspeakers are much more effective and more reliable, able to broadcast both live speeches or recorded music at a high volume. These are immediately put into place to increase the annoyance of German troops on the border, who resort to plugging their ears with waxed cotton as a result

- As Italy’s military begins to flex its muscles against the Ottoman Empire, the Germans seize this opportunity to further strengthen relations between the two countries by shipping thousands of weapons and munitions to the Italians. This move is greatly appreciated by the Italian government, and Italy pledges itself to remain part of the Triple Alliance. With Germany’s newfound friendship in Russia, and the impending doom of the Ottomans, Italy will be crucial in maintaining the League’s control in southern Europe and the eastern Medditteranean

- A massive railway project begins in Südwestafrika and Ostafrika, hoping to link the colonial capitals to the more rural regions. With mining and farming projects expanding across the territories, the transport of manpower and materials to and from the ports of Windhoek and Dar es Salaam is crucial. These railways will also allow for the rapid transportation of troops to the borders of the colonies, should anything come to blows between the Germans and the other colonial powers in Africa

- The German government, observing projects from the French and British, begin handing out generous subsidies to German citizens to begin migrating to the colonies in Africa. In Südwestafrika, the city of Windhoek expands its “German Quarter”, as hundreds of social elites from Germany begin staking their claim in the “untouched beauty of Africa”. Locals, of course, are concerned by these developments, as some are pushed out of their homes and public services heavily favor the German nationals

- As the German government continues the program of stockpiling food in the event of a full scale war, the German military raises concerns over the coal supplies of the navy and army, stating worries over the massive reserves of coal in Britain and France. Though Europe remains at peace, the German government begins requisitioning huge amounts of coal, with 10% of all coal excavated from mines to be brought to enormous reserves that are spread across the country. Even with Russian trade secured, the stockpiling program is still a necessary step forward for the continued militarization of Germany

- With the Balkans essentially having exploded, the German military begins sending observers to the Austrian and Italian lines, with the explicit purpose of seeing the use of “modern weapons on a modern battlefield”. These observers discover that the implementation of artillery and machine guns are brutally effective in holding down defensive positions, as German generals report on “thousands of dead Serbs” at the hands of Ottoman defenders. This concerns German high command, as the Ottoman military pales in comparison to that of the British or the French

- Troops stationed in Qingdao are placed on even higher alert as forces are drawn from Germany’s other pacific possessions. Police forces are ordered to begin searching for any agitators from the Qing or its republican rivals, and the borders of the city are henceforth closed to trade from the surrounding cities in China. In order to maintain the peace, as well as act as a show of force to everyone in the area, the battlecruiser SMS Pommern sets sail from her home port in Germany to station itself in Qingdao

- As aircraft technology rapidly advances, with the creation of airships capable of bombing, and newly designed armed aeroplanes, the German military rushes to find a way to counteract these airborne threats from the ground. Mimicking the British QF 1-pounder infantry gun, German weapons engineers design a 25mm Automatische Infanteriekanone Modell 1 (Automatic Infantry Cannon), with the explicit purpose of firing on aircraft. Tests show that the AI-1 is only somewhat reliable, as its accuracy suffers the higher up the target is

- Though expecting any war in Europe to be over swiftly, German military engineers begin working on weapons capable of “holding the line” against any attackers should the German army be on the defensive. Though not exactly a new concept, these engineers improve on the idea of a “land mine”, using a more sensitive mercury-based trigger system. This enormous Anti-Beleidigend Grundminen (Anti-Offensive Ground Mine) uses a whopping 30kg charge, which is capable of blowing entire squads of infantry to smithereens

- A trade deal is struck with Chile as Japan’s growing agricultural and munitions industry is hungry for saltpeter, something that Chila has enormous reserves of. In return for this precious industrial material, the Japanese government authorizes the sale of heavy machinery for Chile’s manufacturing industry. This trade deal helps tie the Chileans and Japanese closer together, as Chile still finds itself under the yoke of American business interests

- The recently acquired Philippines undergoes a massive administrative overhaul as the Japanese government splits the islands into two separate colonial possessions of ルソン(Ruson) [Luzon] and ミンダナオ (Mindanao), with the capitals in Manila and Davao respectively. In order to maintain the separation and stability of these territories, two military colonial governors are placed in control, with each of these governors bringing along an entire division of troops to be stationed in the capitals for “protective purposes”

- Agricultural elites are given huge subsidies to begin setting up plantations and food processing centers in the Philippines, with some of the most powerful Zaibatsus already flocking to the colonies to begin buying up local farms to create enormous farming estates, using cheap local labor to tend to the fields. These companies ignore the pleas of the small villages and family farms, using their status as Primary Citizens and friends of the government to boot them off of their land

- In Japan, rice is prioritized as the “national cereal”, with generous subsidies given to anyone able to produce an “acceptable harvest” year by year. Wheat, barley and corn are considered inadequate to feed the rapidly growing population of Japan, and as a result farms for these grains on the mainland are either neglected or outright change production to rice. Stockpiles of rice are made to ensure that all of the citizens on the home islands are able to be properly fed, though the same cannot be said for Japan’s colonies

- In the colonies, especially Formosa and Ruson, the government encourages the growing of non-rice cereals, to both “diversify the diets” of the colonial residents, while also reserving the production of rice for the exportation to the Japanese mainland. Unsurprisingly, this shift in grain production is detrimental to the everyday lives of those in the colonies, as rice is still the staple food in much of the rural regions

- The status of citizenship in Japan is clarified as the Japanese government declares that Primary and Secondary citizenship is passed down patrilineally, and ensures that ethnic Japanese are able to retain their higher statuses in society. This conversely leads to a number of elites marrying colonial locals to be able to bring their families to and from Japan for both business and education reasons, while Colonials are unable to benefit from this move

- Across the home islands and in Japan’s colonies, ethnic Japanese women are barred from marrying non-Japanese men, including colonials and foreigners. This is to make sure that the Japanese identity remains “pure and untainted”, while also securing Japanese children keep their Primary or Secondary citizenship. Illegal marriages are broken up, and the wives are sent to jail for a short period of time, heavily fined and banned from travelling outside of Japan for a period of five years

- The Japanese government begins heavily subsidizing job creation in Korea, mainly in the realm of economics, trade and industrial production. These jobs are focused on hiring single, unemployed Korean males that are looking for work. Those that prove themselves to be competent employees, as well as loyal to the Japanese state are encouraged to make their way to Japan to “bolster and enrich the workforce”. Of course, these men are unable to start up families in Japan, and must awkwardly try to marry before they begin their migration

- In Macau, the Japanese send a number of brigades to bolster the local garrisons, alongside heavy artillery pieces and engineering units to fortify the outskirts of the city. With the Qing Dynasty at risk of full blown civil war, the possibility of an attack on the city seems to be a distinct possibility, something that the Japanese are hoping to avoid. Unsurprisingly, the deployment of these troops spooks a handful of the nearby European possessions, who keep a close eye on the Japanese

- The Japanese navy sends out a handful of ships from Ryojun and Korea to begin patrolling up and down the Chinese coastline, keeping a close eye on the movements of the Qing, especially their recently commissioned dreadnought. Several newly produced naval zeppelins join these patrols, assisting in reconnaissance, and essentially locking the naval forces of the Qing to Yellow Sea

- Despite the presence of thousands of troops on the Asian mainland, the Japanese military still looks to find ways to utilize smaller forces on the battlefield, decentralizing command and making combat units more flexible. Exercises are launched to begin looking into “squad-based” tactics, in which fireteams of a dozen or so men are led by a sergeant, somewhat independent of their commanding officers. It remains to be seen how effective these tactics will be, as it has been nearly a decade since the last major conflict involving Japan

- Utilizing a series of weak pesticides and other chemical agents, Japanese military engineers begin testing an “irritant weapon” that can be loaded into artillery shells, or deployed from canisters placed by soldiers in the field. This 催涙気体 (Sairui Kitai) [Tear Gas] is effective in causing severe pain in the eyes and throat, and can easily be used for both military purposes, or suppressing riots at home

- With the declaration of war on the Ottomans by the Balkan League, the Russian Empire joins their “Slavic and Southern European brothers” by making a declaration of war of their own. With approval from the Дума and Russian high command, Russia begins sending hundreds of thousands of troops towards the Caucasus to catch the Ottomans by surprise

- A whopping 4 million men are rapidly mobilized, with the standing army being quickly shipped to the frontlines as soon as the declaration of war takes place. This massive mobilization puts a significant strain on Russia’s industry, and much of the mobilized troops are stuck using outdated equipment and uniforms, and many reservists have little ammunition to take with them to the battlefield. Despite reforms, Russia is still behind in regards to properly militarizing its industry, and as a result, its army suffers

- In the Caucasus front, the Ottomans are ill prepared for the Russian onslaught, and buckle at the sheer number of Russian troops that pour out of the Russian-held mountains. Still putting up the best effort they can, the Ottomans inflict significant casualties against the Russians, able to dig in to the rocky hillsides on the outskirts of Kars, halting the Russian advance there for the time being, though for how long is unknown

- A risky naval landing is launched in northern Anatolia as Russia sends thousands of troops to form a beachhead in Amasra and Sinope, opening up yet another front for the Ottomans to try and defend. In this new front, however, the Russians begin taking significant casualties as the Ottoman defenders are able to hold the beaches for days before finally being forced to retreat under a hail of Russian naval artillery support. Nonetheless, the newly opened Trebizond Front is a massive setback for the Ottoman war effort

- In the Black Sea, the Russian fleet catches the Ottoman ships by surprise, sinking dozens of cruisers and destroyers as the Ottomans retreat to the Dardanelles, hoping to protect the precious straits from the Russians at all costs. Surprisingly, the Russians are unable to break through this defensive line, as the Ottomans utilize both the home field advantage as well as coastal defenses to repel any Russian attacks. Regardless, the Black Sea is dominated by the Russians in a matter of weeks, making it easier to supply the Balkan League with much needed supplies

- Literal tons of food, weapons and munitions are sent to the Balkan League in order to bolster the fighting in that region, even though the presence of the Austrians manages to fill that gap just as effectively. Some in the Russian high command are frustrated by this move, as those weapons and munitions could be better utilized on the front lines, as total mobilization of the country’s industry has yet to actually take place, and the army still suffers from supply issues

- Many of the officers in the Trebizond and Caucasian front are made up of newly trained graduates from the military academies of Russia as the Tsar hopes to put his reforms to the test. Though still fresh, these green officers perform incredibly well, able to lead their men through tough terrain and harsh conditions, coordinating well with the old guard in high command. Promising officers are quickly promoted, and a number of new generals join the ranks of the military elite, much to their chagrin

- With Russian officers having seen the performance of regular army troops in the Trebizond Front, the Russian military moves to create a separate wing of the army focused entirely on naval landings and operations at sea. Coordinating training with the Russian navy, the Морская Корпорация (Morskaya Korporatsiya) [Marine Corp] is formed, and undergoes intense training in Crimea in the hopes of being deployed early next year to assist in the war effort

- Newly developed aircraft undergo more and more experimentation, improvements and redesigns as the Russian military rushes to take control of these new weapons of war. Though only a handful of scout planes are being used in total across all fronts, the Russians know that such equipment is vital to ensuring the “fluidity of combat”, and production of planes similar to the American Scout Flyer is ramped up to the best of Russia’s abilities

- On the homefront, the Russian government takes control of numerous key industries such as steel, coal, firearm and mechanical production in order to focus on the war effort. Though Nicholas’ reforms have had a great effect on the various industries of Russia, they are still being implemented, and as a result the economy of the country begins to stumble. Inflation rises as the Russian government begins printing more money to pay off industrial heads, and the production of consumer goods being halted upsets many living in the major cities

- A propaganda campaign is launched against the Ottomans, citing the numerous atrocities carried out against Christians in the past, and promising that the Russian people will “finally exercise their will as the protectors of Christendom”. Numerous posters depict St. George slaying a dragon with the head of the Turkish Sultan, and anti-Ottoman rallies are held in Moscow, Sevastopol and Tbilisi

- The oil fields in Azerbaijan continue expansion as the Russian government seeks to acquire more of the precious material, using local labor to assist in the construction. Utilizing inventions and methods of extraction used by American companies such as Standard Oil, the Russians are able to pull up thousands of barrels of oil a day, which are sent to stockpiles for both domestic usage and export, though coal remains the primary fuel source for much of Russia’s civilian industry and military

- With the fighting in Kars entering what is essentially a siege, Russian military engineers begin looking for ways to breach the Ottoman defenses using artillery pieces. Modifying already existing howitzer designs, the Russians begin testing a monstrous 18cm Великий Миномет (Velikiy Minomet) [Great Mortar], designated the VM-18, for the explicit purpose of showering enemy defenses with heavy fire. The first few VM-18s deployed at the front lines prove to be incredibly destructive when paired with the various other cannons in use by the Russians

- Russian firearms tinkerer and Lieutenant General Vladimir Grigoryevich Fyodorov unveils his latest pistol design for use by the Russian military. This new pistol uses a gas operated, open bolt with an absurdly long 25 round magazine, chambered in the 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge. Capable of firing at an astonishing 1000rpm, this Федоров Автоматический Пистолет Модель 1(Fedorov Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Model 1) [Federov Automatic Pistol] is an unwieldy and and obnoxiously complex weapon, and is reserved mainly for Nicholas II’s personal bodyguard. Nonetheless, this concept may have eventual military applications, and could possibly be a step forward in infantry weapons over the next decade or so

- Diplomats from Britain are sent to Berlin and Paris in hopes of quelling the “childish and unnecessary sabre rattling” between France and Germany. Unsurprisingly, delegations from France and Germany refuse to meet with one another, and only barely listen to the British who try their best to act as a neutral mediator. Frustrated, the British return home, and the French and Germans continue their propaganda campaign. As a result, the British government becomes increasingly concerned over tensions in Europe

- Seeing that Germany’s U-Boat fleet continues to expand, the French work with the British to find ways to counteract the Germans and prevent their submarines from becoming an even greater threat. In return for depth charges, minesweeping and anti-submarine tactics, the French purchase numerous copies of the newly created British fire control systems to help modernize the French dreadnought and battlecruiser fleets. These two nations, in the event of a war on the continent, must dominate the seas to stop the Germans from taking control of the atlantic

- At home, representatives from the Home Rule association once again meet with parliament, this time in Dublin, to discuss the situation in Ulster. The British once again suggest that Ulster and its surrounding areas remain a “protected British asset”, citing the primarily protestant and British population. However, before the Irish leave the negotiations once again, the British propose the possibility of creating a “Dominion of Ireland”, similar to South Africa and Sri Lanka. This keeps the Irish at the table, for now

- Peanut butter, an American novelty food, is found to be an incredibly energy dense and easily preserved food by British nutritionists. Feeling that peanut butter can be more than just a simple spread for morning toast, the British government gives subsidies for farmers in both Britain proper and her African colonies to begin setting up large fields of peanut plants. In tandem with these farmers, the IEDC begins sending huge amounts of peanut butter to her dominions, where it becomes a popular item amongst soldiers stationed around the globe

- Sri Lanka celebrates its status of dominion as British officials sign the Treaty of Sri Lankan Dominionship. In the capital city of Colombo, British troops march alongside the newly formed Army of Sri Lanka in a massive parade. British representatives join the first minister of Sri Lanka for numerous photos and portraits, and a nationwide week of holidays sees both the Tamil and Sinhala people celebrating alongside one another in the streets

- In Egypt, the British form a number of colonial divisions made up entirely of Coptic christians, such as the Royal Coptic Rifles and the Egyptian Camel Regiment. These troops are equipped with surplus gear, and act mainly as policing units in the more rural regions of Egypt and Sudan. However, with the war against the Ottomans in full swing, the Royal Coptic Rifles are moved to the Suez Canal to “observe and report” on the situation in the Levant

- The British government moves to give further representation and rights of the numerous self governing colonies in both Africa and Asia, with a focus on the creation of colonial regiments. The IEDC assists in the formation of these armies, helping build small arms and munitions factories in places like Rhodesia-Nyasaland and Cyprus, as these two colonies are under pressure from Britain’s rivals of Germany and the Ottomans. Yemen, meanwhile, sees its relative independence from the Raj as the Mahra Sultan is given increased powers over his lands, allowing for easier administration and more focus on the Arabian peninsula as a whole

- With the Qing Dynasty essentially on the verge of total collapse, the Royal Marines stationed in Singapore are placed on high alert. In Hong Kong, the small number of troops are ordered to the outskirts of the city to observe the Qing situation, and immediately begin to notice a large number of Chinese troops essentially abandoning their posts and deserting. Regardless, the British are ready to react to whatever happens in China, be it revolution or outright civil war

- Though created three years prior, the firearm inventors Moubray G. Farquhar and Arthur H. Hill return to the Small Arms Committee with a heavily modified design of the Farquhar-Hill Semi-Automatic Rifle. Rather than using the unwieldy magazine and unreliable bolt design, this new model of rifle performs much better in testing. Though still somewhat unwieldy, the newly designated Farquhar-Hill Pattern Automatic Rifle Mk. II undergoes minor production, focused on being used for the most elite troops in the British army

- Competition between the Royal Navy and the Kaiserlich Marine reaches a new level as the Germans continue to improve upon their minelaying capabilities. Though the British submarine fleet is somewhat lacking in numbers, engineers working in HMNB Portsmouth experiment with replacing the torpedo tubes on a British submarine with a “mine launcher”, capable of silently deploying floating sea mines from beneath the surface of the water. This poses a significant threat to enemy shipping, as this “underwater blockade” is essentially undetectable and unpredictable

- Despite the positive relations between the late president Taft and Mexican ex-president Porfirio Díaz, President Sherman openly declares the United States to be in support of the Mexican revolutionary president Francisco Madero, and demands the “immediate surrender and laying down of arms” from Díaz, citing that Díaz’s support mainly comes from his own strongmen in the military and governorships in the northwest. Unsurprisingly, Díaz ignores Sherman’s demands, and instead continues to march his army southward

- As a result of this brazen disregard for American authority, Sherman authorizes the mobilization of more national guard divisions to begin being placed along the border, this time specifically along the territories held by Díaz. These troops are a mix of men from both the border states as well as the midwest and appalachia as the US military hopes to utilize the freshly exercised troops in “any situation necessary”. Díaz responds by sending thousands of militiamen to patrol the border, and tense standoffs take place between American and Counterrevolutionaries

- The recruitment drive is expanded, with Sherman signing an executive order to implement “emergency funding” of the United States military, allowing for the allocation of funds to purchase arms and supplies for the army and navy. Citing the Monroe Doctrine, as well as Sherman’s support for Madero, the military is able to whip the more patriotic Americans into a frenzy. It appears that America’s “splendid isolation” has truly come to an end, much to the chagrin of the more conservative minded Americans

- Standard Oil heads to court as congress passes the 1911 Fair Ownership Act, an incredibly harsh anti-trust law that aims to break up monopolies. In Standard Oil vs United States, the supreme court hears both sides, as Standard Oil brings along representatives from Bethlehem Steel and Union Pacific. After intense deliberations, the supreme court rules in favor of the government, and a systematic “breakup” takes place of these massive companies, with huge portions of their assets being divided into smaller, regionally-operated companies

- As antitrust legislation continues to smash major companies, labor groups become more and more emboldened, and large strikes are held at some of the large factories in cities like Detroit and Chicago as workers demand an expansion of their rights. Despite thee squeeze from the US government, however, these strikes are still regularly broken up by hired muscle and sympathetic police. Some union leaders plead to the government for further protection for workers, but with an election just around the corner, it is unknown if they will listen

- President Sherman signs yet another bill that aims to target the upper crust of American society. A new tax is levied on the richest Americans, with a 1% tax placed on all incomes over $3,000, as well as a whopping 6% on anyone making over $500k. This income tax is federally implemented, and the bill leaves further taxes open to the states. States like Illinois and New York don’t stray too far from the federal levels, while New Jersey and Massachusetts tack on an extra 3% in some areas

- The Pacific Fleet splits in two, with the newly reorganized Philippine Station being a piecemeal series of cruisers and destroyers, docked in the leased port of Calbayog City. The rest of the navy is sent to the relatively protected and supervised Pearl Harbor, with the heaviest ships remaining in port for the time being. A small coaling station undergoes construction in Guam to help connect the American supply lines in the pacific, though if war is to come, the United States could possibly rely on the British or even the Japanese for refueling

- Yet another breakthrough is made in American aeronautics research as a Scout Flyer undergoes significant modifications. Adding two more pairs of wings, alongside a stretched out airframe and enlarged engine, the “American Army Support Flyer”, or ASu-11 ‘Goose’, is capable of holding two operators. In the rear, the pilot is able to control the aircraft on his own, while the front mounted passenger is able to operate a camera or other such device to observe ground movements. The AS-11 is horribly cumbersome, only able to achieve a service ceiling of 700m, and crawls along at 60km/h. Nonetheless, the ASu-11 is the big brother to the ASc-11, and a major step forward in aeroplane technology

- An eccentric engineer, working with a privately purchased model of the ASu-11, decides to reverse the seating of the aircraft, and mount a Browning Aeroplane Machine Pistol in the rear cockpit. These experiments prove to be somewhat effective, and this armed aircraft is able to defend itself from either ground or aerial attack, though its accuracy still suffers from the bouncing of the plane. This adds significantly to the weight and awkwardness of the plane, and as a result, reduces its range

 

[Zillamaster55]

The government of the Republic of China

4th of January, 1912

As the government of the Qing Dynasty continues to buckle, the growing Republican movement in China begins to rally its supporters, including mayors, provincial leaders, generals and thousands of soldiers, to its banners.

On the eve of the 4th of January, 1912, the famous Republican theorist Sun Yat-Sen announces his return from exile, and declaring the city of Kunming to be the capital of the new “Republic of China”, declaring Emperor Zaifeng’s rule “illegitimate”, and the Qing dynasty as a whole a “corrupt remnant of the century of humiliation”.

Across southern China, territories flip to the control of the Republic, and generals amass their armies under the orders of Sun Yat-Sen. However, to the north, Zaifeng’s purge of corrupt elements has sharpened the wit of the Qing military, who mobilizes in superior numbers to confront Sun’s revolutionaries.

In the north, cities and towns declare open revolt in the name of the Republic, but are distanced from their supporters to the south, and are violently crushed. Zaifeng’s rule is strengthened as an anti-Republican propaganda campaign is launched.

Zaifeng makes a clear statement to the European powers and Japan, in which any incursion into China to either expand their territory or support the Republicans will be “met with the combined arms of the Qing dynasty.”

Garrisons in the numerous legations begin to erect their barricades, and the Qing navy sets sail to attack the Republicans in the south.

The future of China is at stake.

 

[Zillamaster55]

Japanese marines storming the beaches of the Shandong Peninsula

9th of January, 1912

After tense deliberation in the Diet, the Japanese government moves to recognize the ousted Puyi as the emperor Xuantong, and thus the rightful claimant to the throne of the Qing dynasty. A formal demand is sent to the Qing government for Zaifeng to relinquish his control of the throne and abdicate to his son. Zaifeng refuses, and moves his troops to the border of Chōsen. Seeing this, Prime Minister Katsura Tarō formally announces a declaration of war against the Qing dynasty.

Almost immediately, soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army surge forth to seize numerous key ports along the eastern coasts of China, as well as bursting forth from Chōsen and driving the disorganized Qing army backwards into Manchuria. Casualties mount for the Qing as their troops are ill prepared to fight against the rigidly organized Japanese, who drive them as far as Shenyang in only a matter of weeks.

To the south, the Japanese manage to crack through Qing defenses in the Haizhou area, forming a beachhead that allows the bulk of the Japanese army in the region to head forwards all the way to the outskirts of Lianyungang before the Qing put up a ferocious defense.

With the arrival of the Japanese in China, the Republicans in the south press as hard as they can to seize as much territory from the Qing as possible, before losing out on whatever plans Japan has for the nation.

Regardless, the Japanese 雷戦争 (Kaminari Sensō) [Lightning War] is a sight to behold, and sets the standard for modern warfare. The Russo-Japanese War was just a “squabble in a pit of dirt” in comparison to the sheer number of men dedicated to the war against the Qing Dynasty.

The situation is dire for the Qing, and the powers of the world look on nervously as the Japanese prepare to take yet another slice out of the dying Dragon.

 

[Euskalduna]

Meanwhile, in Europe

 

[Zillamaster55]

American soldiers disembark from their ships in Mazatlán

14th of March, 1912

Profiro Díaz, the ex-president of Mexico, continues to refuse the demands of the United States to end his war against the revolutionary regime of Francisco Madero, and rebukes America by expelling all American businessmen from the region.

Furious and without further options, President Sherman approaches Congress with the express purpose of finding a solution to the “Mexican Issue”. With support from both parties, President Sherman is authorized to formally intervene against the Díaz territories.

Upon the declaration of “pseudo-war”, tens of thousands of American soldiers stationed at the borders of the Díaz territories pour forth, overwhelming the counter revolutionaries and driving them south with a ferocious combination of artillery and massed infantry assaults.

With their northern regions secured, the armies of Mexico link up with American soldiers that are sent from Texas to join the frontlines in the southeastern lines. The noose begins to close around Díaz’s army as it scrambles to defend against the fresh and more efficiently trained American military.

The Eagle has shown its talons, and the whole world watches with bated breath.

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Five
January - June, 1912

World Events
- After debate in the Japanese diet, the Empire of Japan officially declares war upon the Qing Dynasty, and launches a number of offensive attacks against the Qing, seizing key areas in Manchuria and Shandong before slowing down to regroup. In only a matter of weeks, the Qing find themselves driven back in both the north and the south, with the Republicans beginning to strike out from their holdings in the south

- The United States, viewing Díaz’s claim to the presidency of Mexico, demands that Díaz end his war against the Madero regime. Díaz refuses, ignoring all American demands, and continuing his war against Madero and his supporters. Frustrated and with no more options, President Sherman announces a formal declaration of war against Díaz’s territories, and send tens of thousands of soldiers to join up with the Mexican army to crush Díaz once and for all

- Across the various fronts, the Ottoman Empire’s war efforts begin to collapse. In the Balkans, the Macedonian Pocket is closed, the Austrians punch deep into the Levant, and the Russians grow dangerously close to seizing the city of Constantinople. Factions within the Ottoman government begin to turn against the Sultan, and the Sultan has begun looking into ways to prevent the total destruction of his state

- A rebellion takes place in the Ottoman-held Hedjaz region as Arab tribesmen loyal to the Hashemites overthrow the Ottoman garrisons, seizing the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. These troops drive northward, pushing the Ottomans out of western Arabia and into the northern deserts, causing the Ottomans to choose between sacrificing Islam’s birthplace, or sacrificing the holy city of Jerusalem, which is surrounded by Austrian forces

- The Qing Dynasty’s war against the Republicans takes a turn for the worse as the efforts to crush the rebellion in the northwest distracts them from the advances made by the Republicans to the south. Nanjing is within striking distance of the Republicans, and a brutal series of massed infantry attacks are launched to try and prevent the Republicans from taking the great city from the Qing, which would be a crushing blow to the Qing’s morale

- A coup removes the sitting King Vajiravudh from the throne of Thailand, placing his young son Prajadhipok on the throne. Supporters of Vajiravudh are purged from the Thai government, and replaced with officials loyal to the Thai military. British and French advisors to the government remain, as the new “Monarch-Military” regime of Thailand grows closer to the west, fearing the collapse of China and the expansion of the Japanese

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- Any non-essential troops present in the Balkan Front are immediately rerouted to begin shipping out to the Levant, where the Austrian military has made great gains against the Ottomans after pushing both the Palestinian and Lebanese lines together. With the arrival of these fresh troops, the Ottomans are forced to pull farther back, reorganizing themselves with Arab militias to put up a desperate defense of Jerusalem

- An attempt is made to negotiate with the defenders of the holy city, using Bosniak Muslims as mediators between the Ottomans and the Austrians. These mediators are sent back immediately, as the defenders refuse to give up the city to the “infidel Austrians”. Frustrated and with little else to do, the Austrians dig in to prepare a delicate siege of Jerusalem, doing as little in the realm of artillery to prevent damage to the city as much as possible

- Elsewhere in the Levant, several artillery divisions are sent to help aid in the attacks out of Lebanon, which forces the exhausted Ottomans to retreat into their Syrian territories. The Austrian troops are greeted as liberators by the Christian population in Lebanon, while the Muslims observe the Austrians with great suspicion. These artillery divisions suffer from the lack of railways in the region, and are forced to be towed by horses, slowing down their advances and halting any major operations

- In the Balkan front, the Austrians celebrate with Bulgarian, Serbian and Greek divisions after the Macedonian pocket collapses and tens of thousands of Ottoman soldiers surrender to the Balkan League. The Serbs, though still frustrated with the Austrians and reassuring their claims to the various regions in the Balkans, congratulate the Austrian troops, and thank them for their assistance against the Ottomans

- What little remains of the Ottoman navy is forcibly “corralled” into their western ports by a combined effort of the Greeks, Bulgarians and Austrians. The Ottoman defenses of Constantinople begin to buckle as Austrian and Russian ships slip through the blockade and begin firing on Ottoman positions in and around the city, and the Bulgarians exploit this by driving deeper into Thrace

- In order to strengthen relations between Austria-Hungary and Japan, the Austrian government begins shipping large amounts of grain, body armor and shotguns to the Japanese to help bolster their war efforts against the Qing. These shipments are given at a low price, as the Japanese economy is straining under the pressure of the war, and the Austrians are only able to provide so much to the Japanese anyways

- The Russian possessions in Tianjin are purchased by Austria-Hungary for a whopping 2 Million Krone, with the dual intention of securing Austria’s assets overseas, as well as providing a small bump to Russia’s ailing economy. With the arrival of more Austrian troops in the region, this bolstered legation allows Austria to keep a close eye on both the Qing and the Republicans, and prevent any incursions by either side

- A delegation is sent to the Vatican to meet with Pope Pius X regarding the Austrian efforts in the Holy Land. Surprisingly, Pius X greets the delegation with a grand ceremony, and makes an official announcement sanctioning the Austrian armies in the Holy Land, guaranteeing their entrance into heaven come the liberation of Jerusalem. The Catholic population of Austria is whipped into a frenzy, and huge celebrations are held in Budapest and Vienna

- A “whistlestop tour” is conducted by Kaiser Franz Joseph, going across the major cities of the empire to conduct photo ops, hold speeches and generally raise the morale of the Austrian populace. On each of his stops, Franz Joseph is met by massive crowds cheering his name, especially on his arrival to Sarajevo, where he is greeted as a “savior of the Catholic people”. There are rumors of an assassination attempt on Franz Joseph that was thwarted by the Kaiser’s security, though these rumors are unfounded

- Upon the completion of the Kaiser’s tour, Franz Joseph announces that huge swathes of “unattended” government land will be “fairly parceled out” to the poorer veterans upon their return from the war. This move is incredibly popular amongst the lower classes, and reminiscent of the Roman Empire, a state the Austrians still claim to be the heirs of. The more conservative minded feel this move is “wholly unnecessary”, however

- More experiments regarding body armor take place, this time focusing on protecting only the most vital regions. This new model of Rüstungsanzüge covers the upper chest and parts of the neck, and is once again made lighter than previous designs. More flexible and more comfortable, this Rüstungsanzüge is unfortunately incapable of stopping high pressure pistol cartridges, and larger pieces of shrapnel can pierce the armor. However, it proves to be much more popular amongst soldiers like the Marinesoldaten, who utilize it in the Levant front to some effect

- A monstrous artillery piece is tested in the plains of Hungary, with the intention of finding a powerful gun that is big enough to outrange any possible counter-battery. This Großartiger Mörser (Grand Mortar) fires a whopping 350mm shell, capable of hitting targets up to 15km away. This gun, nicknamed “Fetter Tiger” (Fat Tiger) is horrendously expensive, delicate and only able to fire one shell every couple hours. Regardless, the GM is different from the railway guns, as it is instead towed by a huge team of horses, allowing it to be more rapidly deployed to support infantry movements

- French and British troops move to “bolster the regional defense and European influence” in and around the treaty port of Shanghai. Before the Qing can respond with force, the Japanese declaration of war forces their interests elsewhere. Either by design or by sheer luck, the Chinese administration of Shanghai declares itself an “Independently Protected Region”, and pledges its allegiance to all of the colonial holdings of Shanghai and its surrounding areas. As a result, the Shanghai International Cooperation Zone is formed as a pseudo-state, under the protection of the British and the French

- Feeling that the Qing threat is overblown, and hoping to “toss another crown into the dustbin of history”, the French government authorizes the freedom of movement of republican leaders in Hanoi, sending them to Guangzhouwan and Hong Kong to link up with their brethren in southern China. Though no military support is granted to the Republic, Sun Yat-Sen openly thanks the French for “protecting the men of the revolution” and pledges to support France’s regional interests in South Asia should he be successful

- Much to Sun’s chagrin, the French government sends a delegation to the 13th Dalai Lama to announce its “support” of an independent Tibet “free from the rule of China”. A paltry amount of cash is given to Tibet in order to ensure that they “negotiate their position with the Republic”, either as an autonomous region or full independence. The Dalai Lama refuses to allow for further Chinese administration of Tibet, and accepts France’s offer

- Belgium and Luxembourg, both small nations that share an uncomfortable border with the German Empire, are invited to a non-binding military research and cooperation program. Here, the three nations can perform joint exercises and research new methods of warfare without having to be in a formal alliance. Luxembourg skips the “non-binding” aspect and officially moves to join the Entente as a full member, though the Belgians remain hesitant of “dragging themselves into anything too severe”, and send only a handful of officers to French military schools

- In Guangzhouwan, the French move to bolster the city’s strength by separating it from the administration of Indochina, making it an entirely independent colonial government. With this newfound reorganization, Guangzhouwan undergoes a massive amount of construction, with numerous new military and civilian dockyards being constructed, as well as dozens of French secondary schools and universities for the goal of providing a “Republican and French education” to the locals of Guangzhouwan

- The French government moves to encourage public investment in the automobile industry, providing numerous subsidies and tax breaks for companies that produce automobiles for use in industrial or agricultural purposes. As France begins to draw oil from numerous colonies, the French economy would benefit greatly in moving away from horse-drawn plows and threshers, instead going for oil-fired machines to get the job done faster and more efficiently

- A number of new technical schools begin construction in cities like Paris, Marseilles and Toulouse, with the intention of providing a stronger backbone of educated engineers for the French economy. With the German government pouring huge amounts of money into the education sector of the nation, the French fear falling behind their continental rivals, and push to be able to outpace the Germans in military, industrial and agricultural technology

- France’s economy begins to recover from the massive amount of government spending as the various industrial and infrastructure projects come to a close. The private and public sectors of France grow rapidly, and the factories buzz with activity as more and more jobs are provided for French citizens. In Indochina, similar results are seen as Saigon continues to industrialize, and is predicted to soon become the “New Pearl of the Orient”, much to the chagrin of the economic elites in Singapore and Hong Kong

- In a shocking turn of events, a number of disgruntled Tuareg nomads attack the French pipeline in southern Algeria, claiming that the construction is “destructive to their way of life”, and tens of thousands of barrels of oil are lost over the course of a day as the raiders manage to get away untouched. As a result, the French colonial government moves two brigades to defend the pipeline, and orders the Tuareg populace to present the “pirates of the desert”

- Having spotted a number of German U-Boats in the south Pacific, the French naval forces in Indochina are placed on high alert, with destroyers tailing French shipping in the region. German submarines pose a massive threat to the French economy in the region, and should the Germans manage to sneak enough vessels through, the French may have to fight an awkward multi-ocean battle against the Germans if the two nations come to blows

- With the construction of new Foundre-class tenders, French military engineers are tasked with creating a dedicated military floatplane for the express purpose of providing reconnaissance. Using a modified ASu-11 aeroplane from the United States, this large triplane sacrifices its armament for two large “floats” on its underbelly, and a much larger fuel tank. Able to keep an eye on the enemy from 1,200m in the air, at a speed of 65km/h, the new Morane-Saulnier Model 12, or MS-12 for short, is a massive step forward for joint Naval-Aircraft technology

- Engineers working with automobiles stumble across a new design of tire, using a thicker rubber outside and a series of thin metal “ribs”, which allows the wheel to sustain impacts such as sharp rocks or odd angles without losing tire pressure. These tires are perfect for “off road” usage by tractors and other agricultural equipment, and are immensely popular amongst farmers in the more rural areas of France. The French military buys a handful of these tires for use in officer’s transport vehicles

- As the French continue their propaganda campaign against the Germans, Wilhelm II decides to take it a step further by adopting an adorable young German Shepherd by the name of “Otto”, using him for numerous photo opportunities. There is a short silent film made, which involves Otto tearing apart a number of large rats that are dressed in French uniforms. Some find the film disgusting, while others find it endearing, and many German citizens begin dressing their dogs in similar uniforms

- With the Qing continuing to fall apart, and the arrival of the Japanese in the Shandong peninsula, three infantry brigades are shipped to the German treaty port of Tsingtao to bolster Germany’s presence. This allows for the slight expansion of Tsingtao’s borders, and the Japanese pay it little heed as their efforts are more focused on the Qing. With this security, the German military believes that it could defend Tsingtao for some time, even if a total blockade prevents the arrival of more troops

- Airstrips are constructed along the Franco-German border as Germany ramps up its production of airships and aeroplanes. This is a direct response to the latest in French airship technology, and the use of aircraft is crucial to allowing the German army to find and exploit any weaknesses in the French lines should war come to the continent. This, unsurprisingly, raises tensions between the two nations, and the French watch with intense scrutiny

- Wargames are launched for the Kaiserliche Marine, in conjunction with exercises of the German army. These exercises focus on training the crews of light cruisers and submarines, hoping to get them up to speed with the ever changing field of naval technology. Submarines prove to be incredibly effective, sinking targets from long distances, and sneaking up on observers. Some U-Boats are even able to close the range on the observing vessels, getting close enough to easily fire a shell directly into the conning tower

- The Kaiserliche Marine, fresh off its exercises, begins patrolling up and down the Norwegian coast. With Norway’s friendly relations with Germany’s rival, the United Kingdom, the Germans begin paying close attention to Norway’s tiny navy. Another interest for the Germans is Norway’s massive amount of iron resources to the north, which provide metal for industries around the world. The Norwegians are frightened by these moves, and begin tailing the Germans as close as possible

- Production of U-Boats for the navy is kicked into overdrive as dockyards across the country switch production of naval vessels to exclusively create U-Boats for the rest of the year, with the hopes of being able to station U-Boats across Germany’s possessions in Africa and the Pacific, providing tiny navies for each colony. This disturbs the British and French, who have recently bolstered their anti-submarine weapons, something that poses a threat to the U-Boat fleets of Germany

- Engineers at Opel begin testing automobile designs for usage in the German army. The latest model of automobile proves to be quite the curiosity. Using several pieces of shaped steel, and a port-mounted machine gun, the new Opel Gepanzert Unterstützungsfahrzeug (Armored Support Vehicle) is capable of withstanding shrapnel and rifle fire, while also providing a mobile machine gun platform. The OGU is incredibly expensive, and suffers from fragility in the overly stressed suspension, but is nonetheless a tool that could easily provide a battlefield advantage for the German army

- A total oddity is tested by engineers working with airships in order to increase their combat capabilities. Using a modified carriage, a 40mm mortar is placed in the belly of the airship, allowing it to directly fire on enemy positions with some accuracy. This stresses the airframe, and the added weight forces the airship to lumber at 400m above the ground, and barely able to reach speeds beyond 20km/h. Regardless, these mortar-armed airships could prove useful in attacking both ground targets and enemy shipping

- Intense debate takes place within the Japanese diet after the sitting Qing emperor Zaifeng refuses to acknowledge Japan’s recognition of the exiled Puyi. The conservatives feel that Zaifeng only barely poses a threat, while the reactionaries closely aligned with Prime Minister Katsura Tarō see Zaifeng’s armies as a “severe danger for Japan’s colonial possessions”. Thanks to his majority, Tarō essentially steps over any conservative or liberal protest, and officially declares war upon the Qing Dynasty with the intention of “securing Japanese interests” and “placing the rightful emperor upon the throne”

- With the Second Sino-Japanese War having begun, the colonial governments of Formosa and Ruson are ordered to place themselves on high alert, immediately mobilizing reserves in their respective regions to keep an eye on the waters surrounding them. With the Qing navy having become much more robust over just a few years, the threat of a raiding squadron is all too much of a possibility. Nonetheless, the bulk of Japan’s armed forces remain on the Home Islands or in Chōsen, so only a paltry number of troops can be called up

- Katsura Tarō moves to put two of Japan’s finest veterans in place of the war efforts, former war minister Army Marshal Count Terauchi Masatake and the famous Marshal-Admiral The Marquis Tōgō Heihachirō. With these two men at the head of the army and navy respectively, the two branches are able to work out their differences on how to handle the war against the Qing. Of course, Katsura Tarō’s allegiance with the IJA essentially guarantees that more resources are dedicated to Masatake’s troops

- At sea, the Qing Navy is intercepted as it attempts to leave port in the Bohai Bay. Despite being outnumbered nearly 2:1, the Qing ships put up a valiant effort to try and break through the Japanese lines, leading to a number of Japanese destroyers and cruisers either sunk or heavily damaged. However, the situation turned on the Qing in the early evening, as a lucky shell pierced the magazine of the flagship ICN Dà Qiāng, detonating it and destroying the ship in its entirety. As a result, many of the Qing ships either fled for port, or flew the flag of surrender

- The first land based actions against the Qing Dynasty begin as the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army launch a joint attack on the Haizhou Bay and Shandong Peninsula, punching through Qing lines with ease in the north, driving the Qing armies backwards beyond the European possessions. However, on the outskirts of Lianyungang, the land forces grind themselves up against a vicious defensive line, and casualties begin to mount as the Qing refuse to give up their positions

- With the Shandong peninsula secured, a huge number of troops are landed in the region, allowing the front lines to advance further west, all the way to the city of Jinan. There, the Japanese front lines brush up against those of the Republicans, who have been falling back over the course of weeks due to a failure to defend their rear. Japan assures the Republicans that no threat of force will be used against them, and the Republicans watch the Japanese with great suspicion

- In Chōsen, the Japanese army bursts forth, crushing the Qing defenders with overwhelming numbers and superior technology, driving them back further and further into the Qing homeland. Ironically, the greatest threat that the Qing military faces is the mutiny of native Manchu soldiers, who move to link up with the Japanese. As the Japanese back Puyi’s claim, the Manchu citizens view the Japanese as “liberators”, and supply Japanese soldiers with candies, flowers and other such gifts

- Airship reconnaissance proves to be vital for the land efforts as a number of weaknesses in the Qing lines are identified from the air, and relayed to troops on the ground. As a result, the territories to the north and south of Lianyungang are seized, and the Army moves to try and try to find a way to securely “pocket” the city. Regardless, the Qing soldiers fight with every ounce of courage they can muster, and the Japanese pay a price as a result

- “Tear Gas”, the irritating substance created by the Japanese, is used en-masse against Qing defenders across the front lines. The defenders are unable to handle the gasses, and either retreat from their positions or fail to put up a proper resistance. Once again, Lianyungang is the only place where this gas doesn’t seem to have a serious effect, but elsewhere, the Qing barely hold on to their fortifications. Japanese troops exposed to the gas find themselves in a dangerous position, as being temporarily blinded when in an open field isn’t exactly the safest option

- In order to strengthen relations between Austria-Hungary and Japan, the Austrian government begins shipping large amounts of grain, body armor and shotguns to the Japanese to help bolster their war efforts against the Qing. These shipments are given at a low price, as the Japanese economy is straining under the pressure of the war, and the Austrians are only able to provide so much to the Japanese anyways

- At home, the Japanese government moves to implement strict rations on coal, steel and food in the Home Islands amongst the civilian population. All industrial production of “non-essentials” are slowed down or outright halted, and factories dedicated to the production of military equipment are kicked into high gear with a massive tax slash. The civilians bear the brunt of this move, but the propaganda efforts from the government manage to quell their fears for the time being

- Regardless of the propaganda, however, the Japanese economy grinds to a screeching halt. Much like the Russo-Japanese war, the Japanese economy is in no way prepared to carry out a protracted war against the Qing, and as a result begins to stumble. This pressures the Japanese military to execute a “swift and decisive defeat” of the Qing before the Japanese economy “devours itself out of necessity”. This worries Tarō, whose position as Prime Minister is held only by his friends in the army, who could boot him out at any time

- Engineers with the Japanese military begin testing new ways to carry out a “war from the air”, looking at European airship designs and attempting to modify them for more aggressive uses. Three experimental airships are launched, far larger than any currently in service in the Japanese army. This new Type 4 重飛行船 (Jū Hikōsen) [Heavy Airship] design is capable of carrying up to six 100kg bombs specifically built for being deployed from an airship. At full load, the Type 4 can lumber along at an altitude of 800m, with a maximum speed of 40km/h. Though sluggish, the Type 4 is a threat to the Qing defenders, who can do little more than watch as this hulking monstrosity destroy their positions from above

- After “studying” American and Russian aircraft designs, engineers at Mitsubishi unveil the latest in aeroplane technology. Using a biplane-style aircraft not too dissimilar to the American ASc-11, the Mitsubishi JT-1, or Experimental Type 1, is able to climb up to 1,000m into the air, and zips along at 80km/h at its maximum speed. Placed in front of the pilot is a copy of the Browning Aeroplane Machine Pistol, only this time chambered in 8mm Nambu, and with two 48 round magazines. The JT-1 is an extremely expensive aircraft, and its exact uses are not quite decided upon yet

- With General Brusilov given more autonomy over his troops in eastern Anatolia, a gigantic offensive is launched across the board as Brusilov pulls in all reserves in the region. The Ottoman defenses buckle from the onslaught of Russian soldiers, who grind through the Ottoman positions at a high cost. A combined effort of artillery and infantry manage to pierce numerous weak points, which drive the Ottomans further west

- Along the Trebizond front, a huge number of troops are landed to try and “break out” from the beachhead created months prior. With the “Brusilov Offensive” proving to be effective in the east, the Ottomans decide to regroup themselves and pull back south, allowing the Russians to push outward from Sinop and begin linking up with the armies to the east. The Ottoman soldiers caught in the middle either retreat, or simply surrender to the Russians, rather than try and fight a battle in which they are horribly outnumbered

- To the western lines of the Trebizond front, the Russians drive deep into Nicea, breaking the back of the Ottoman’s largest army, which is forced to regroup on the western peninsula in order to halt the Russians from taking Constantinople. The Russians slam up against hardened Ottoman soldiers who have been on a fighting retreat for months, and manage to dig in to prevent the Russian advance. The losses begin to pile up for both sides as the Russians are forced to take time to recuperate as their armies are spread thin with the expanded front lines

- A pitched battle takes place between the Russian and Ottoman fleets in the Black Sea, which destroys the last major vessels of the Ottoman navy. What few vessels remain retreat to the ports of Constantinople, and purposefully beach themselves in the dockyards to act as makeshift coastal emplacements. Wishing to avoid shelling the city, the Russian fleet simply peppers these ships as best as they can before pulling back. These emplacements will not halt a full scale attack by the combined land forces of Bulgaria and Russia, who are within striking distance of the city

- Tsar Nicholas II pushes for further industrialization of the Russian economy, hoping to reach “western standards” by the end of 1918. With the war in full swing, the Russian industrial machine strains under the weight of the ever increasing demands from the Russian military. Nonetheless, thousands more are employed each month as factories expand rapidly in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev thanks to government investment in private companies

- The Russian government moves to delay the payment of loans to both Russian banks and foreign investors, stating that the country’s economy is “under too much pressure”, and as a result an extension must be made with a decrease in interest rates. Russia also moves to purchase shares in numerous domestic companies to bolster the strength of the economy. Though this doesn’t grow the economy, it does help stave off the possibility of defaulting, at least for the time being

- Military factories are the top priority for the Russian government as numerous older factories are nationalized and converted as best as possible to create guns, boots, uniforms, munitions and whatever else it is that the Russian military requires. The unemployed are mobilized en-masse to begin working in these factories, and are guaranteed a light tax break for their service to the motherland. These factories essentially run on good will, and the economic impact of demobilizing these factories come the end of the war will be interesting to say the least

- The Russian possessions in Tianjin are purchased by Austria-Hungary for a whopping 2 Million Krone, with the dual intention of securing Austria’s assets overseas, as well as providing a small bump to Russia’s ailing economy. With the arrival of more Austrian troops in the region, this bolstered legation allows Austria to keep a close eye on both the Qing and the Republicans, and prevent any incursions by either side

- Electronics engineers are given an important task for the Russian military. Seeing the way that modern warfare is changing, Brusilov himself has requested that the top minds at Russian universities find ways to make lighter, more effective radios. The first breakthrough is surprisingly simple, and wonderfully effective. Using a modified receiver, an operator can quickly “tune” to another frequency to receive signals from different transmitters. These “tuners” are expensive and extremely fragile, but provide a crucial advantage to the Russian high command

- The other breakthrough is slightly more awkward. Using a horse drawn carriage with a separate oil-fired engine, Russian commanders are able to deploy a “mobile radio” that is able to transmit frequencies over short distances. These radios are horrendously cumbersome and only mildly effective, while also suffering from numerous failures in the field. Regardless, these radios could provide a more unique way for communication between officers both in and outside of combat

- An agreement is made with the Japanese government to begin creating airstrips in British holdings in China and Oceania for the transportation of civilian aircraft. With the situation in China having exploded out of control, however, the British move to begin stationing military airships and aircraft at these airstrips to observe the movements of Qing armies, as well as provide cover for crucial port cities in the event of Qing intervention

- French and British troops move to “bolster the regional defense and European influence” in and around the treaty port of Shanghai. Before the Qing can respond with force, the Japanese declaration of war forces their interests elsewhere. Either by design or by sheer luck, the Chinese administration of Shanghai declares itself an “Independently Protected Region”, and pledges its allegiance to all of the colonial holdings of Shanghai and its surrounding areas. As a result, the Shanghai International Cooperation Zone is formed as a pseudo-state, under the protection of the British and French troops present in their respective legations

- British diplomats meet with the revolutionary leader Sun Yat-Sen to begin discussing support for his regime, as well as finding ways to benefit the British presence in the nation. After some intense negotiations, Sun Yat-Sen agrees to give contracts to British companies to begin constructing railroads, factories and dockyards, which will be split between British and Chinese control. These deals essentially secure British influence in southern China, and Sun Yat-Sen’s position is shaken somewhat as a result

- Lands within British legations outside of Shanghai are seized and placed under direct control of the British military. The Qing are unable to respond to these moves as the Japanese invasion takes their attention elsewhere. As a result, the British expand the influence of the legations, advancing into areas of cities controlled by the Qing. These are still tiny possessions in comparison to Weihaiwei and Hong Kong, but are nonetheless incredibly crucial for the control of British assets in China

- The IEDC arrives in South Africa to begin writing up plans to prospect for the huge amount of natural resources in the region. Chromium, gold, diamonds and other precious materials are abundant in South Africa, but the incredibly centralized industry of the country is unable to properly exploit them, and as a result the IEDC begins importing the latest in mining equipment and advisors. South Africa is pressured to use local labor for these mines, with whites taking up managerial positions. The economy of South Africa benefits greatly from these reforms, and begins shipping massive amounts of these newly acquired goods to Britain at a fair price

- As the Ottoman Empire collapses under the massive weight of the combined efforts of the Balkan League, League of Emperors and now the Hashemite Rebellion, the British government quickly moves to seize all assets held by the Ottomans in Egypt. This infuriates the Sultan, but with his position becoming untenable, absolutely nothing can be done. The Union Jack flies high in Egypt as the last vestiges of Ottoman rule are consigned to the dustbin of history

- With the South African economy beginning to pull itself upwards, the IEDC works with local ship manufacturers and those in South Africa to begin creating a “merchant marine” of sorts, which allows the South African government to directly control the exports and imports of the country. With the formation of the South African Merchant Marine, or SAMM, the far-off dominion is able to properly conduct trade around the world

- British and Irish delegations meet in Dublin once again to begin discussing the issue regarding Ulster and the possibility of a Dominion of Ireland. The Irish present a plan that gives the British control over a small portion of northern Ireland in return for the creation of an Irish state that is “essentially separate” from the British, capable of having its own government and army, alongside the minimum level of membership in the Commonwealth. The British take this plan back to London to discuss it in parliament

- With the French and Germans rapidly building up their navies, the British government fears that domestic production is falling behind, and that the Royal Navy may soon have a legitimate rival. Negotiations are launched between the dockyard unions, who have conducted numerous strikes over the past few months due to poor conditions and treatment. Agreeing to some of their demands, the British government reduces the quotas and implements an “oversight committee” for the dockyards. The workers return to work, and the Royal Navy is eager to welcome the quicker arrival of more ships

- A number of military attaches are sent to the Greek front of the war against the Ottomans to both observe and assist the Greek military in their efforts. These attaches also begin recording crucial information regarding the implementation of the latest in weapons technology, and even exploit the use of aeroplane reconnaissance to put it to use in a “real war”. The Ottomans are sent into a rage, but can do nothing other than shout at the British planes, lest they invite yet another enemy

- Security is tightened across the board in Oceania as the British divert the Indian Fleet to the South Pacific, calling upon the Australians to assist in patrolling the routes in and out of Singapore and Brunei. These two regions are crucial to the presence of the British in the region, and merchants breathe a sigh of relief as the joint efforts launched by the British and French to protect trade in the region essentially prevent any would-be attack by the Qing

- Numerous close calls are made in the Mediterranean as British naval vessels tail Austrian and Russian ships as reports of false-flag Ottoman ships are confirmed by the British. Both sides observe one another with suspicion. Regardless of the suspicion, the Austrians simply divert their convoys to take a longer route to supply the efforts in the Levant, and the Russians have essentially no presence in the Meditteranean, and instead dock their convoys in Greece for the time being

- After identifying issues within the fire control systems present on British warships, engineers manage to create a more robust “internal communications” for British dreadnoughts, preventing it from being damaged by firing the massive guns on ships like dreadnoughts. These new fire control systems are also disseminated to lighter ships, such as cruisers, to aid in directing fire onto a target, significantly increasing accuracy

- Military engineers, experimenting with new designs for the Maxim machine gun, take notes from the latest German design, and manage to make a working mimic. Designated as the Model 2 Machine Gun, capable of firing at 800rpm. This design has a unique feature, allowing for “select fire”, in which operators can switch between 800 or 400rpm, which increases the accuracy of the weapon in small bursts, preventing wasteful usage of ammo

- No longer recognizing ex-president Díaz’s claim to the leadership of Mexico, the United States announces an embargo on all trade to and from Díaz’s controlled territories, and blocking the movement over the border until Díaz “ends the war immediately” and relinquishes all claims to governance. Díaz, of course, refuses these demands, and instead announces that the United States to be a “backstabbing malaise” and a “threat to Mexican sovereignty”

- President Sherman, frustrated with Díaz’s refusal to cease his war against Madero, officially calls a hearing of congress to discuss ways to “secure American interests” and “bring peace to the region”. Near total support is given to Sherman from both the Republicans and Democrats, and President Sherman officially announces a declaration of war against the “illegitimate Díaz regime”, with the goal of deposing Díaz from his territory and securing the rule of acting president Madero

- Tens of thousands of American troops spill over the border into Díaz’s territory, completely overwhelming the counterrevolutionary positions and driving them south with ease. American troops make their way over the Rio Grande to link up with the soldiers of Madero’s army, providing pressure from the east, hoping to put the squeeze on Díaz. In Baja, a number of locals rise up in support of the Madero regime, locking thousands of Díaz’s troops in the sandy hills of the region

- American soldiers make quick work of Díaz’s troops, as the latter are mainly made up of poorly equipped soldiers or unprepared militiamen. The fighting against the Madero regime has taken its toll on Díaz’s army, and the United States uses this to full effect. In some areas, thousands of Díaz’s soldiers simply surrender to the Americans, hoping to avoid the grisly fate at the hand of American artillery bombardments

- The United States Army puts the ASc-11 and ASu-11 to the test in the aptly named “American Intervention”, flying deep into enemy territory to begin monitoring the movements of Díaz’s troops and identifying weak areas that could be exploited. This addition of aerial reconnaissance allows for faster and more accurate attacks against the enemy, punching through defenses with ease. American casualties remain low as the army takes its time with each attack, delivering the maximum amount of force possible

- Anti-Díaz propaganda is disseminated across the country, hoping to bolster the recruiting offices, with numerous articles being made about supposed atrocities committed by Díaz’s troops in their occupied territories. The American populace looks to the government for support, causing Sherman to make a number of speeches promising that the war will be “over by Christmas”, and that the sons and husbands of America will be “victorious in their efforts against Mexico’s enemies”

- At home, former president Theodore Roosevelt manages to win the Republican primaries after a ferocious battle against former Illinois governor Charles Deneen. With Roosevelt once again a candidate for election, the Republican Party is ready for a “knock down, dragout fight” against the more conservative Woodrow Wilson, who has unanimously cleared the ticket for the Democratic Party. Wilson’s isolationism and anti-progressivism is a direct counter to Roosevelt, and the two prepare to clash come November

- An odd breakthrough is made in military technology by the United States Army exercising in the Midwest. An invention from decades prior, known as “barbed wire”, proves to be incredibly effective in slowing down the advance of enemy troops, much like how it keeps cows and intruding pest animals from certain areas of farms. A spool is specifically designed for front line troops to be able to rapidly deploy barbed wire in the event of having to defend against oncoming attackers

- An engineer in Hollywood begins experimenting with a number of “entertainment tools” to try and make American film more enticing to the general public. Using a speaker purchased from France, connected to a large gramophone, this engineer is able to synchronise recorded sound with a film, removing the need for a present orchestra entirely. These “talkies” are incredibly popular, though the limitations of the gramophone cause the length of the films to be significantly shortened

 

[Zillamaster55]

Ottoman soldiers captured by the Russian military

1st of July, 1912

In a shocking turn of events, soldiers of the Ottoman army, with Mehmed Vahideddin at the head, storm the palace in Constantinople and forcibly remove Sultan Mehmed V from power, imprisoning him on charges of “incompetence, ineffeciency, and mistreatment of the Sublime Porte”.

Mehmed Vahideddin styles himself as the new Sultan, making him Mehmed VI. Immediately, this new sultan secures power by imprisoning the previous administration’s advisors, and stuns the nation by ordering the halt of all military movements from this point forward.

Envoys are sent to St. Petersburg and Vienna, with the hopes of securing peace.

The Ottoman Empire has surrendered.

 

[Zillamaster55]

 

[Zillamaster55]

Electoral map of the 1912 Presidential Election

Americans across the nation flock to the polls to decide the future of the country, as returning candidate Theodore Roosevelt takes on conservative newcomer Woodrow Wilson. After a series of heated debates, advertisement campaigns and numerous speeches in cities from New York to Los Angeles, Seattle to New Orleans, the night has finally come where the votes will be tallied.

In Utah, it appears that Wilson had won the state, giving him the necessary votes to overtake Roosevelt, with both men being neck and neck in terms of votes. But, upon closer inspection, two whole blocks of Salt Lake City had yet to go through their results. In a nailbiting recount, it is announced at 11:48 pm that Roosevelt had beaten Wilson by a sliver of 900 votes, causing the state to "flip red", and give him but a single electoral vote ahead of Wilson.

The "Bull Moose" prepares to take the White House yet again.

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Six
July - December, 1912

World Events
- The Balkan War comes to an end after the surrender of the newly crowned Mehmed VI surrenders the nation to avoid further, unnecessary bloodshed. The Ottomans find themselves booted out of the Balkans entirely, while also losing huge portions of their territory to the west, north and east. The formation of two new states, the Kingdom of Trebizond and Principality of Armenia, both carve huge swathes of territory out of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed VI’s position is shaky at best, and unrest erupts across the Arab and Kurdish majority regions to the south

- In Monrovia, hundreds of armed men storm the capitol building and force out the sitting government of Liberia. These men are revealed to be hired muscle contracted out to numerous American companies present in Liberia. After ensuring their control over the capital, these company heads act as a newly formed government, and unanimously vote to join the United States as an overseas territory

- The Republicans in China break out past the Qing lines and drive northward at a stunning pace, seizing the city of Nanjing and forcing the Qing troops back further over the border. The situation for the “reformed” Zaifeng collapses as both of his armies begin to fold inwards. Thanks to the invasion by the Japanese, however, the Qing put up a ferocious fighting retreat back towards Beijing, surrendering much of the northeast as a result

----

- Peace finally comes between the two Leagues and the Ottoman Empire as the Treaty of Vienna officially ends all hostilities. The Austrians seize a huge portion of territory in the Levant, while also demanding massive indemnities from the Ottomans. Having single handedly forced the Ottomans out of the Holy Land in less than a year, the Austrians are able to seize the holy city of Jerusalem, as well as setting up a gigantic overseas possession, stretching from the Red Sea to Lebanon

- With these indemnities, the Austrian government is able to float debts and repair the budget, immediately stockpiling any excess cash. This causes an economic boom as the industries of Austria-Hungary rejoice at both the victory, as well as the opportunity to focus on consumer goods once again. Unlike her allies, Austria-Hungary is able to slide out of the war with relative ease on her economy

- As the Republicans continue to battle over the outskirts of Tianjin, Austria sends a cable to Italy to propose that Austrian troops be able to move in and out of Italy’s legation quarters in Tianjin, providing “protection of both nation’s assets”. With the Italian government now focused on administering the newly acquired territories in north Africa and the Aegean, the Italians agree to a temporary treaty of movement in Tianjin. Largely, this just allows the Austrians to spread their troops a bit more evenly, giving them breathing room. The Republicans largely ignore this move, while the Qing can do little to nothing other than stare angrily at a wider front line of Austrian colonials

- In Jerusalem, a massive ceremony is held to congratulate Kaiser Franz Joseph on achieving the “ultimate victory” against the Ottoman Empire, with a procession of soldiers leading a gilded automobile carrying the Kaiser himself. On the steps of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Franz Joseph is officiated as the “King of Jerusalem”, a title that was originally held only by name. Much to Franz Joseph’s disappointment, the Holy Father does not accept the invitation, fearing the possibility of “exacerbating issues”

- A temporary military administration is put in place throughout the conquered territories in the Levant, with government agents sweeping to find Ottoman or Arabic dissenters. This administration is largely even handed, and is focused on maintaining peace before the region can be properly integrated as an overseas colony. For the time being, roughly one in five soldiers sent to fight in the Levant remain there, scheduled for upwards of a year

- Though the region remains under military control, the Austrian government rushes to begin finding ways to implement “Austrian Law” in the region, including regulations on policing, taxation, public speech and political affiliation. Unsurprisingly, this will take years to implement, and the general instability in the region makes it incredibly difficult to do so. For the time being, government officials in the region will be subservient to the numerous military commanders acting as administrators

- Alongside “Austrian Law”, the current military government authorizes the continued usage of religious courts amongst Jews and Muslims for any non-capital crime. This move eases some tensions between the Austrians and the locals, though many are still hesitant of the arrival of an openly Catholic nation taking control of regions predominantly populated by Sunni Muslims or Jews, while the few Christians in the area remain loyal to churches outside of Rome

- A reconstruction effort begins in the Levant as the government pours funds into maintaining both the infrastructure and buildings damaged during the war, as well as creating railways and roadways between the major cities. The everyday life of the people in the Levant have not been affected much, as the region had been under De Facto military control for decades prior. Regardless, these projects will no doubt benefit the citizens of the Levant, providing them with access to more job opportunities and more ease of travel

- After a short debate in the Imperial Diet, the Austrian government authorizes the free and open migration of all citizens to the Levant, regardless of “creed, religion, or social status” in the hopes of propping up the region with industrial magnates and agricultural elites. Unsurprisingly, a huge rush of Jews leaves Austria-Hungary to return to what they see as their rightful homeland, alongside thousands of Bosniak Muslims hoping to avoid further tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina

- Still trying to foster warmer relations with Serbia, as well as cut down on tensions in the region, the Austrian government wrestles administration of Vojvodina from the Hungarian crown, and makes it a Serb-majority autonomous region with “dual administration”. This frustrates the Hungarians to an absurd degree, who feel that the Serbs owe Austria-Hungary for freeing their countrymen. Regardless of their complaints, however, the move is made and the Hungarians can do little more than shout in the halls of the Diet

- Enormous victory parades are held in Vienna, Budapest and Sarajevo to congratulate the returning troops from across the empire. These soldiers are met with cheering crowds, banners and huge parties. Numerous photo opportunities are made, and Franz Joseph surprises the troops in Sarajevo by personally congratulating every single Colonel, and promoting half a dozen to generalship due to their gallant efforts. Regardless of any internal issues, the people of Austria-Hungary rejoice in their victory

- Following in the footsteps of their northern ally, the Austrian navy begins commissioning dozens of U-Boats of a similar caliber to the Germans, though with far less range. These ships are purpose built for attacking enemy shipping in the Medditerranean and protecting the exposed coastline of the Levant from hostile armies attempting to attack by sea. Smaller than their German counterparts, these Austrian U-Boats are produced much faster and for far less material cost

- The Austrian army becomes increasingly concerned at the rapid pace of which countries like the United States, Japan and France have begun producing armed aircraft. Politely “copying” a model of the American ASu-11, the Austrian army begins producing dozens of these aeroplanes for the usage in the newly formed "Luftverteidigungkorp" (Air Defense Corp). Here, aeroplanes and rigid airships will work in tandem with ground units to provide reconnaissance and defend them from possible enemy air attacks

- After making a short deal with the Opel company, the Austrian military begins testing domestic designs of the German Gepanzert Unterstützungsfahrzeug. Rather than having it based on a regular automobile chassis, however, the Austrian model uses a six-wheel suspension and a much heavier engine, allowing the newly designated "Gepanzertes Kampffahrzeug" (Armored Fighting Vehicle) to carry two machine guns in a “swivel” turret, and a third machine gun for the driver to operate. The Austrian GKz.12 is even more expensive, and for the time being, is little more than an oddity

- Engineers working with the Luftverteidigungkorp begin to tinker with the heavy ASu-11 design, trying to find ways to improve its usefulness in the field. After inviting a handful of designers from Albatros Flugzeugwerke, the Austrian army unveils the latest in aircraft engineering. The new AA.II, as it is designated, sacrifices the BAMP and second cockpit for a “belly” of light mortar shells. These shells can be dropped from the air by activating a lever, essentially turning this “Support Plane” into a “bomber”. Its exact implementation is not yet known

- A shocking development takes place as millions of Rubles are dumped out of the coffers of numerous industrial giants and straight back to French shareholders. These companies were given a short leash by their investors, and with little government control on the foreign debt of private interests, key industries see their largest members drop to their knees as shareholders demand the payment of stocks. This causes the Russian economy to shudder, and many to question the strength of Russian capitalism as the nation continues to industrialize

- A number of operators of privately-owned hot air balloons and light dirigibles skirt over the Franco-German border to begin dropping a number of magazines, pamphlets and cards displaying the “barbarity” of the French colonial elites, and the “unnecessary cruelty” towards the French working class. Other materials include very rude depictions of the French president, among other such things. The German government denies all connection to these leaflet campaigns, and promises to prevent them from happening in the future

- Despite the Greeks having taken large swathes of territory from the Ottomans in the Treaty of Vienna, the French government openly presses the further claims made by Greece, including that Constantinople be given to its “rightful claimant”. Though these demands may fall on deaf ears in regards to the Austrians and Russians, the Greeks appreciate this move, and the relationship between Greece and France warms significantly

- With the coup in Thailand conveniently placing a pro-Western government in power, the French move in alongside the British to begin constructing a series of railways linking Indochina to Burma and western Malaysia. The French railways are built primarily using local labor, but with government-picked officials to ensure that the railways are efficiently constructed, evenly laid out and that the treatment of workers is at acceptable standards

- Though the Kingdom of Romania remains a part of the Balkan League, rising world tensions causes the Romanians to begin seeking larger, more reliable allies. The French, already having secured numerous business interests in southern Romania, primarily in the realms of oil production, begin sending both economic advisors and military equipment, including two pre-Dreadnought battleships, to foster stronger relations with the Balkan nation. Romania responds by immediately seeking a full on membership within the Entente, stating that the growth of Austria’s military and the warm relations amongst the League of Emperors is a threat to Romanian sovereignty. France now has an ally next to the soft underbelly of the Austrian Carpathians

- With the success of the Arab rebellion in the Hedjaz region, and the formation of the Hashemite Kingdom, the French move in to begin seeking allies within the Middle East. The Persians remain sandwiched between the Russians and the British, while the Ottomans have begun to collapse inwards upon themselves. The Hashemites, meanwhile, happily accept French industrial heads laying out a series of railways to link the cities of Mecca and Medina to Jeddah. Of course, the industrial heads speak primarily through Algerian and Tunisian natives well versed in both economics and industry, as white Catholic Frenchmen would cause some friction amongst the local populace

- As France’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the government moves to implement a socially popular reform regarding the nation’s healthcare. Known as the Service de Santé National (National Health Service), the everyday Frenchman can seek medical treatment absolutely free. Though deeply unpopular amongst the conservatives and upper class, this new reform serves to both improve the government’s popularity, as well as placate the numerous socialists, as the SSN is paid for mainly through a fairly levied tax across all social and economic brackets

- The French government officially announces the first national Championnat Aérien (Aerial Championship), in which aircraft designers from across the country bring their best pilots and their latest designs to compete for government contracts. The first competition is a 10km “sprint” on the outskirts of Paris, while the second competition is a much more grueling endurance run from Cannes to Paris, measuring a total of 685km. Two fantastic designs manage to win the Presidential Cup, both of which are immediately sent to the French military to begin working on their contracts

- A crackdown takes place across French Algeria as a group of rebellious Tuaregs once again attempt to sabotage the French pipeline. Martial law is put into place in the rural regions, and those caught either committing the acts of sabotage, or aiding and abetting criminals, are sentenced to public floggings and one year of forced labor in the harshest conditions. This heavy handed approach is a double edged sword, presenting the French with the saboteurs, as well as increasing resentment amongst the Tuareg population

- The French military continues to decentralize its newest branches as it forms the Corps de Ballons (Balloon Corps) to begin working with both the French army and navy as a separate aspect of the Aeronautica Militaire. As the AM focuses mainly on aeroplanes, the BC can focus on both light balloons and heavy zeppelins for observation and ground support. The two main branches of the French military have separate needs, and a more decentralized AM and BC allow for flexible deployment of troops and equipment as opposed to the more rigid “top down” structure

- With a number of developments in both civilian automobiles and tires, the French military utilizes these advancements to form a “motorized” policing force known as the Brigade d'Intervention Rapide (Fast Response Brigades). These motorized troops are able to be rapidly deployed to areas in which suppression is required, and are primarily put to use patrolling the pipeline in Algeria, as well as keeping a close eye on any disgruntled locals in Tunisia and Morocco

- The winner of the 10km “Sprint” is built by Raymond Saulnier and his associates, the Morane brothers, the three of which remain prolific in the field of aeronautics. Their latest design, dubbed the “Morane-Saulnier H” is a speedy aircraft that utilizes a much larger engine with a three-bladed propeller. This plane can dash forward at a stunning 125km/h, with a service ceiling of roughly 1200m. The MS-H, though unarmed, is a fantastically useful aircraft in the realms of reconnaissance, and is immediately commissioned by the French army in droves

- Observing German exercises closely, and going over designs made by the British over the past few decades, firearms engineers at Verney-Carron begin testing a modification of the British QF-1 Pounder “Pom Pom” gun. Instead of having a 37mm cartridge, the VC-40 uses a beefier 40mm shell packed to the brim with high explosives, or even white phosphorus if need be. The VC-40 is capable of taking out low flying aircraft, and can easily burn down the exposed balloon of a zeppelin with a well placed shot. The French, much like the Germans, have the ability to fight whatever aircraft the enemy wants to throw at them

- Germany approaches Norway with a number of deals. Primarily, the Germans hope to create a fair trade deal between the two countries, with the Germans dropping almost every tarriff on Norwegian goods, while simultaneously requesting that German troops and ships be allowed to station themselves in Norwegian ports. Norway refuses these offers, and nearly throws the German diplomats out on their rear ends for suggesting such “warlike, jingoistic and barbaric demands”

- As the Germans continue to try to bully the Norwegians into accepting a number of treaties, the Royal Navy leaves port to begin tailing the German ships, coordinating closely with the paltry Norwegian navy. A cable is sent to the Norwegian government, forming a “joint naval agreement” between the United Kingdom and Norway, allowing both navies to work together to prevent “German exploitation and jingoism”. This raises tensions in the North Sea significantly, and many watch with bated breath at what this might lead to

- A number of operators of privately-owned hot air balloons and light dirigibles skirt over the Franco-German border to begin dropping a number of magazines, pamphlets and cards displaying the “barbarity” of the French colonial elites, and the “unnecessary cruelty” towards the French working class. Other materials include very rude depictions of the French president, among other such things. The German government denies all connection to these leaflet campaigns, and promises to prevent them from happening in the future

- Railway lines near the French border are expanded massively in order to allow for the rapid deployment of numerous railway cannons in possession of the German army. These guns, much like their counterparts in other countries, can lob enormous shells up to 23km away, and can strike targets that are closer with some degree of accuracy. These railways will give Germany the ability to attack French troops well behind their lines, as well as cause terror in nearby cities and villages

- The Kaiserliche Marine continues to beef up its size by producing dozens of new light cruisers with the intention of widening the surface capabilities of the navy, as well as defending crucial shipping routes in the Pacific and Africa. These cruisers, like their predecessors and contemporaries, sacrifice armor and firepower for speed, allowing them to rapidly engage and disengage “at will”. These cruisers are not as effective in a “knockdown, drag out” fight at sea, but if implemented properly, could prevent such a battle from happening at all

- As is the trend with the rest of the world it seems, the German navy begins producing an absurd amount of U-Boats, with entire dockyards being refit to exclusively build them for the Kaiserliche Marine. These U-Boats have a variety of differences, with some using larger engines to spend more time at sea, while others are more squat and carry more torpedoes to act as coastal defense. Regardless, the Germans have quickly earned the nickname the “Kings of the Undersea”, though many rivals of Germany use inappropriate phrases to describe the shape of her submarines

- Despite being seen as an oddity, the German army commissions the building of more than a dozen mortar-armed zeppelins with the intention of providing fire support for Germany’s ground troops. These zeppelins remain large targets, and with the growing developments in regards to “anti-aircraft” technologies, are reliant on either support aircraft or foot soldiers to do away with ground-based weaponry that could pose a threat to these airborne artillery platforms

- A huge number of soldiers are deployed to Germany’s possessions in New Guinea and China, including dozens of heavy ships and submarines. Nearly a thousand men are stationed in Tsingtao, with more than five thousand arriving in Lae to keep a close eye on “regional developments”. These soldiers are composed of a number of branches, and in New Guinea, include a handful of Askaris, or African colonial troops, who are used to being in hotter conditions

- German marines begin moving out of their bases and are instead placed in new positions along the coastline of the North Sea, with their greatest focus near the dockyards of Emden and Norden. These troops can, if the need arises, be rapidly deployed to locations within the North Sea and English Channel, as well as provide a strong defense against any land-based attacks on the coastline of northwestern Germany. The Dutch, meanwhile, find this move to be somewhat concerning, and keep a close eye on the Germans as a result

- Carefully observing the effectiveness of “tear gas” in the conflict between the Qing Dynasty and Japan, German military engineers begin working on a gas-based weapon of their own. Utilizing similar chemical compounds, the German "Ganzkörper-Reizschale" (Full Body Irritant Shell) focuses on causing pain on the skin as well as in the lungs, throat and eyes. These shells are more expensive, but can be fired out of light artillery pieces, and prove to be incredibly painful to deal with, allowing soldiers to easily overwhelm enemy defenses

- As Germany’s rivals continue to look for ways to counter the massive U-Boat fleet possessed by the Kaiserliche Marine, naval engineers devise a simplistic yet fascinating design in order to fool anti-submarine patrol craft. Using a canister filled with air, U-Boat crews can detach these small devices that, when activated by a series of tubes and chains, will release bubbles on a mechanical timer to act as a “decoy” for submarines, allowing them to escape before being caught by depth charges. Though expensive and largely one use, these decoys could prove to be extremely effective against submarine chasing ships

- The Japanese army begins to break through the Qing lines in the Shandong peninsula, surrounding Lianyungang and crushing the defenders over the course of a few days. The “North China Plains” campaign moves swiftly westward, seizing massive amounts of territory in the north and northwest of China, blowing past the Republicans and halting their advance by taking key cities like Xuzhou and Zhumadian. These regions are placed firmly under the control of either collaborative police units, or by small numbers of Japanese troops left behind to prevent Qing resistance behind the lines

- One of the major aspects of the latter half of the 1912 campaign is to seize the enormous grain processing and coal mining city of Jining, which crumbles after days of siege. As Autumn begins to set in across northern China, the Japanese army hopes to capture as much of the Qing’s farmlands with the intention of driving the supplies of the Qing armies into the dirt, while also encouraging the civilian population to turn against the Qing government. With much of northern China relying on annual harvests of barley and wheat, the Japanese goal seems closer than ever

- Meanwhile, in Manchuria, the army slams past the Qing defenses as the growing chill of early Autumn forces the Qing armies back towards the major cities of Manchuria. Unlike in the warmer south, these troops are far less prepared, and surrender after withering artillery barrages by the Japanese, causing the massive cities of Changchun and Harbin to fall into Japanese hands. Once inside the city, the civilian populace welcomes the Japanese soldiers as liberators, and numerous old Qing buildings are repurposed as areas for rest and relaxation for officers

- As the seasons change, the Japanese military slows its advance in the more chilly regions, and begins to rest and recoup its losses. The campaign against the Qing, despite successful, has still inflicted significant casualties against the Japanese attackers, and the rapid advance into China has caused the supply lines to stretch themselves thin. To avoid being completely overwhelmed by their own success, the army decides to essentially halt and begin digging in along the front lines

- Airships and light aeroplanes are used to their fullest effect by the army, with deep reconnaissance missions to identify weak points in the Qing lines that could be exploited come spring. Airships, meanwhile, are used to deliver hell on Qing fortifications by dropping bombs and improvised incendiary weapons from above, in which the Qing have little to no defenses against, and are forced to scatter as a result

- The numerous Qing ships that surrendered to the Japanese navy over the past few months are brought to port in Busan’s harbors to undergo intense inspection. Though many of these ships are outdated, even by Chinese standards, some of them could prove useful in defending convoys, or being refurbished as coastal patrol craft. An unfinished hull of a Qing dreadnought is seized in its drydocks in Rizhao, and undergoes mild construction efforts by the IJN to be turned into what is essentially a “free” dreadnought

- In Manchuria, the Japanese military begins working with collaborators to form a number of ethnically Manchu auxiliary divisions to act as both garrisons and front line troops if need be. Rather than rely entirely on their own forces to occupy Manchuria, the Japanese hope to foster a friendly relationship with the Manchu populace. Thanks to both propaganda efforts by the Japanese army, and the general distaste for the current Qing government, the Manchurian people are far more welcoming to Japan than initially expected

- Hundreds of regional officials in Manchuria are rounded up by the Japanese and sent to Seoul to meet with Japanese military commanders and foreign officials to begin discussing the formation of an independent Manchurian state, separate from the Qing dynasty, and more self-governing than the regions like Chōsen or Ruson. These Manchu administrators would also act as the sitting government in the interim period for the young Xuantong to reach an appropriate age. These officials, no longer under the boot of Zaifeng, and knowing that they have anywhere between six to ten years before Xuantong is able to rule, jump at the chance to make a truly independent Manchurian state

- Before these officials can return to the temporary capital of Harbin, the Japanese make it clear that Manchuria must be able to raise and supply its own army rather than relying entirely on the Japanese. Because of this, thousands of Manchu farmers and factory workers are gathered together to begin forming the 満州解放軍 (Manshū Kaihō-Gun) [Manchu Liberation Army] with the explicit goal of assisting in the push against the Qing armies, and relieving some of the pressure on the Japanese offensive as a whole

- Meanwhile, at home, the Japanese government enforces a new rule across the various overseas territories. In any region where Japanese is not the primary language, newspapers are legally obligated to begin printing all articles in both Japanese and the native tongue, with all major news articles being Japanese first and foremost, and native languages in the latter pages of the newspapers. This upsets many more traditionally minded populations, especially in Ruson and Mindanao, but these people can do little but either shake their fists at the Japanese government, or just give up on reading the news entirely. Numerous underground publications are rooted out by Japanese officials, and their operators either fined or outright imprisoned

- Despite the relative usefulness of “tear gas” against the Qing, Japanese soldiers eventually begin to complain about the deployment of the irritant which is just as easily wafted into Japanese attackers’ faces as it is against the Qing defenders. In the field, numerous attempts are made to prevent “tear gas” from harming Japanese soldiers, and one breakthrough is significant enough to get the attention of none other than Army Marshal Count Terauchi Masatake. This device is a leather mask with a “filter” made of layers of perforated cotton, with two small eyeholes covered with glass. These 気体仮面 (Kitai Kamen) [Gas Mask] are able to largely overcome the irritant, and allows soldiers to pass through clouds of the gas somewhat unfazed

- Hoping not to fall behind the Europeans in the realms of submarine technology, engineers of the Imperial Japanese Navy begin experimenting with ways to be able to better track down enemy vessels. Following ships at periscope depth is extremely dangerous, and with the advent of depth charges and other such anti-submarine technologies, these engineers begin working on a new device that allows them to “hear” enemy vessels from long distances. Using a complex series of pipes and stretched, flexible cords, the operators of submarines are able to detect even the most minute noises from enemy ships upwards of two kilometers away, safely out of sight of the ship’s watchmen

- Peace finally comes between the two Leagues and the Ottoman Empire as the Treaty of Vienna officially ends all hostilities. The Russians, having done the lion’s share of the fighting and the dying, take this opportunity to seize the City of Cities as Constantinople is now firmly in the grasp of the Russian Empire. Across the straits, the north of Anatolia is under the control of the newly formed Kingdom of Trebizond, a state helmed by the Tsar’s brother, the now King Michael Alexandrovich Romanov. In the east, the Principality of Armenia is formed as yet another client state, this nation under the control of the hand-picked Armenian commander Andranik Ozanian

- Russian troops on the border of Mongolia mobilize, nearly stepping into Mongolia’s territory, demanding that the recently independent state become a “economically and diplomatically dependent client” of the Russian Empire. Outnumbered horribly, and still bordering a revanchist Republic and Qing, the Mongolians are essentially forced to accept. To “thank” the Mongolians, the Russians station a single cavalry division in Ulaanbaatar to permanently cement Russia’s presence in the region

- With the war now over, the Russian government immediately clamps down on the printing of currency, implementing harsh inflation controls. Bonds that were purchased by private interests are extended, and the debt ceiling is raised by a significant degree. Interest rates are frozen, and the Russian government begins stockpiling money of all forms. Thanks to the peace deal with the Ottomans, a huge amount of cash is injected into the economy, allowing the Russian economy to avoid outright collapse

- Spending on state-owned industries is ramped up in order to ensure that joblessness does not strike Russia come demobilization. Privately held companies, meanwhile, lick their lips at the opportunity of being able to purchase these state-held factories, and for the time being, the Russian government fights to retain control over its possessions. With the economy still on the brink, the government is unwilling to part with what little it actually controls of Russia’s industry

- A shocking development takes place as millions of Rubles are dumped out of the coffers of numerous industrial giants and straight back to French shareholders. These companies were given a short leash by their investors, and with little government control on the foreign debt of private interests, key industries see their largest members drop to their knees as shareholders demand the payment of stocks. This causes the Russian economy to shudder, and many to question the strength of Russian capitalism as the nation continues to industrialize

- With this “up and down motion” of Russia’s economy, the government begins a nationwide audit of public spending and taxation to begin “trimming the fat”. Numerous areas of government spending, such as the maintenance of parks, rural roadways and rural sewers see their budgets slashed, and privately held construction companies being allowed to fill in the gaps. Hoping to avoid full scale austerity measures, the government spends as little as possible, hoarding money and adjusting the budget where need be

- A huge number of foreign industrial machines such as combine harvesters, tractors and grain processors, are purchased by the Russian government at a low price. These tools are then sold by the government to buyers in places like Ukraine and the Don region, where Russia’s massive agricultural sector benefits greatly. Regardless of the current economic crisis, the harvests seem to be getting larger and larger by the year, and the threat of a food shortage may soon be a thing of the past

- Numerous engineers are sent around the empire’s major cities to begin drawing up designs for a series of coal-fired power plants in the hopes of creating a large electrical grid, focusing on cities like Kiev, Minsk, Warsaw, Sevastopol and Tsarigrad. This will be an expensive project and will take years to complete, and at the moment, the Russian government puts a halt on it, deciding whether to use public funds or private companies for its construction. Nonetheless, this electrification project will rapidly increase the pace of Russia’s industrialization, and will benefit the empire as a whole

- After bated breath at the polls, the newly reorganized Russian Дума (Duma) announces the winners and losers of the 1912 elections. Unsurprisingly, the conservative coalition of the Октябристы (Oktyabristi) [Octobrists] and Конституционно-демократическая партия (Konstitutsionno-Demokraticheskaya Partiya) [Constitutional Democrats] takes the Duma by storm, allocating more than 266 seats between them out of the 434 up for grabs. Trailing behind them are the Прогрессивная Партия (Progressivnaya Partiya) [Progressive Party] and Партия Национальной Реформы (Partiya Natsional'noy Reformy) [National Reform Party], the latter of which is blamed for the PP’s loss by “splitting the vote”

- With this new conservative administration, Tsar Nicholas II is not only able to leave much of the economic situation to the Duma, but is also able to reassure the people of Russia that he is, indeed, helping represent the nation’s interests. These elections proved to be incredibly popular, even amongst the relatively small portion of the population able to vote. The next election, come the end of 1916, will be much more intense

- As the Russian army begins to return home, enormous parades are held in St. Petersburg in celebration of their victory over the Ottomans. Thousands of soldiers march in unison, flanked by their families and loved ones. Tsar Nicholas II presides over these parades, and makes a long, heartfelt speech about not only the victory that Russia has achieved, but also honoring those that Russia lost. Portraits of Nicholas II are held up alongside banners of the Russian flag as the nation rallies together in triumph

- The huge number of soldiers that were mobilized are immediately sent home after the celebrations come to an end, their uniforms and weapons stockpiled and their names put down in the exceedingly large lists for the quartermasters to deal with. The nation’s economy breathes a slight sigh of relief as the strain of mobilization is lifted, and men are able to return home to the fields, the factory and the classroom after months of being at war

- Similar to the audit on government spending, the Russian military checks its own books to look over what sectors need more spending, and what aspects should be slashed. Unsurprisingly, thanks to the advent of modern weapons and technology, the huge amount of Russian cavalry is cut down to only a handful of divisions, and Russia’s turn of the century ships are scrapped or retired to make way for more modern, cost efficient vessels. Entire infantry units are disbanded as either their performance, location or general usefulness is deemed inadequate

- With the importation of foreign agricultural equipment, eccentric Russian engineers at the Kirov Plant begin tinkering with designs on making a combine harvester that is “bigger, better, and all the more Russian”. After some tests, these engineers present investors with a gigantic “Kirov Model” combine harvester. This hulking monstrosity bears a 6m long harvesting system, and a carrying capacity of up to 3 metric tons. Expensive, complex and somewhat fragile, the Kirov Model Harvester is nonetheless a fantastic addition to any Russian landowner’s farm

- After studying the effects of infantry against entrenched positions, as well as having conducted exercises on the wide open plains of Russia, the Russian military tasks a number of engineers to design a piece of fighting equipment capable of “supporting a spearhead”. Taking a page or two from the Austrians and Russians, engineers of the Russian army begin testing the newly designed Автомобиль Быстрой Атаки (Avtomobil Bystroy Ataki) [Fast Attack Car], redesignated as the ABA-1. Using a heavily modified Ford Model T, these engineers place two swivel-mounted Maxim machine guns in a turret, allowing the car to drive alongside infantry and provide mobile fire support. Somewhat rickety, and very expensive, the ABA-1 will nonetheless be a useful tool should yet another war come to Russia

- As the Germans continue to try to bully the Norwegians into accepting their demands, the Royal Navy leaves port to begin tailing the German ships, coordinating closely with the paltry Norwegian navy. A cable is sent to the Norwegian government, forming a “joint naval agreement” between the United Kingdom and Norway, allowing both navies to work together to prevent “German exploitation and jingoism”. This raises tensions in the North Sea significantly, and many watch with bated breath at what this might lead to

- Thanks to the coup in Thailand, the British approach the new, friendlier government to begin hashing out a “Cross-Siamese” railway, linking the British possessions of western Malaysia to Burma, and allowing for a secondary rail line for commercial usage to Saigon. In order to save money, the British and Thai government both come to an agreement that allows these rails to be sold off to private interests for their construction, and a minimal tariff is placed on British goods passing along these railways

- A number of old British ships that were once destined for the scrapyard are instead “leased” to the Republicans in China to help defend their coast against the ever dwindling Qing. Until the war’s end, these ships and their advisors are sent to the Republicans absolutely free, and a deal is struck with Sun Yat-Sen that allows the Republicans to hold onto the ships after the war and pay then, or return the ships at no cost should they be unharmed

- After seeing the smooth transition into dominionship for Sri Lanka, as well as the continuing success with the Irish, the British government turns its attention to the Raj. Famine, civil unrest, poverty and inefficiency plague the enormous colony, and the British feel that the best way to continue administering the region is to begin dividing it into numerous smaller, more centralized dominions overseen by local administrators. The first areas of interest are Burma and Bengal, two regions that have seen the brunt of mismanagement by the Raj, and plans are brought to the table to mimic the agreements made in Sri Lanka

- Recognizing the various strengths and weaknesses of both rigid dirigibles and aeroplanes, the Royal Navy begins coordinating exercises with both airships and planes to test out “aerial escorts”. With the rise in numbers of German U-Boats, shipping lanes around Britain are exposed, and the navy can only work so quickly to intercept enemy submarines. However, with the use of aircraft, the British are able to identify and relay information regarding U-Boats, or even drop light explosives on them via dirigibles

- Higher ups within the British military begin recognizing the faults of existing battle plans, mainly in the fact that they are battle plans as opposed to actual preparations. After an intense debate amongst the old guard, numerous plans are scrapped in favor of redeploying troops to ensure “elastic defensive and offensive capabilities”. The war against the Ottomans showed that things have changed rapidly in the realm of technology, tactics and sheer number of men dedicated to a single theater of war, and thus the British move to prepare themselves for whatever the future may hold

- Oil engineers in Egypt begin looking into ways to better draw out the precious “black gold” from Britain’s possessions, and wean the country off of both coal for industry and shipping, and reducing the nation’s reliance on American oil imports in the future. Using a more complex pumping system that, ironically, utilizes a heavier coal driven engine to operate, is able to pull nearly 50% more oil out of a deposit when running at full efficiency

- The British military begins sending out contracts to numerous automobile manufacturers across Britain to find a “new tool of military usage”. Watching the developments made by the Germans, Austrians and Russians, the British hope to be able to compete with the growing number of mobile weapons platforms. At Vickers, a massive 4x4 beast is constructed, with a huge engine and a “swivel” mounted machine gun. Able to withstand shrapnel and rifle fire, the new “Vickers Heavy Carriage” is purpose built to survive the worst that a European battlefield can throw, as well as begin phasing out the old cavalry of the British army

- The United States army presses down hard on the territories held by Díaz and his soldiers, squeezing them out of Baja California and placing the city of Hermosillo under siege. Díaz’s army slowly begins to crumble, but the most diehard supporters fight on despite the odds. Coordinating with Madero’s army, the Americans are able to prevent a breakout, though the Mexican army seems to have slowed down its offensive to the southeast

- Naval action takes place as American vessels prevent the retreat of Díaz’s troops from Baja California, intercepting light ships attempting to cross from Santa Rosalia to Guayamas. On one occasion, a boat seemingly filled with surrendering troops is in fact filled with explosives on a direct course towards the American ships. Luckily, before the improvised torpedo can strike, the seamen on board are able to detonate it with a well-placed shell from a secondary gun. This raises concerns over the more unconventional tactics being used by the counterrevolutionaries in Mexico

- Numerous advisors are sent to Madero’s army, primarily those in the reserves, to begin bringing Mexico’s troops up to speed in regards to modern infantry tactics and the proper implementation of artillery. Surprisingly, the Mexican soldiers take to these training regiments quite well, and a bond is formed between the American advisors and the Mexican troops, and as a result Madero thanks president Sherman for “guaranteeing the future of Mexico to be bright”

- In Monrovia, hundreds of armed men storm the capital building and force out the sitting government of Liberia. These men are revealed to be hired muscle contracted out to numerous American companies present in Liberia. After ensuring their control over the capital, these company heads act as a newly formed government, and unanimously vote to join the United States as an overseas territory. Immediately, two divisions of the United States Marines are sent to the region to help secure peace

- Now having a real presence in western Africa, the US Navy moves to station a handful of ships in Monrovia and Harper, focusing on submarines and destroyers. Though the United States remains fairly neutral in regards to the squabbles of the Europeans, America recognizes that protecting its trade overseas is necessary should she come to blows with anyone overseas, and making sure that a small escort fleet can be called up at any time is crucial to doing so

- After a ferociously contentious election, the Republican candidate Theodore Roosevelt wins in an upset after a recount takes place in Utah, giving Roosevelt the edge to gain but a single electoral vote over Wilson. Despite Roosevelt’s popularity during his first term, Wilson’s isolationism appealed to many of the more conservatively minded Americans, and it stuns the nation to see Utah flip red in Roosevelt’s favor

- This election trickles down to the House of Representatives, with the Democrats taking a wide number of seats, and nearly tipping the scales in their favor, though they fall a few seats behind from being able to gather a majority. The Senate, meanwhile, remains relatively unchanged, though the Democrats are more hardlined against Roosevelt’s progressive policies, and will make “damn sure” that legislation has to fight its way through congress

- Regardless of the stresses at home, the United States Government continues printing a series of anti-Díaz propaganda pamphlets and producing a small number of anti-Díaz short films. Though victory seems inevitable, President Sherman hopes to keep the populace frenzied enough to allow the passing of numerous tax and property reforms, focusing mainly on the upper crust of American society. Much to the Democrat’s chagrin, the average American is more focused on the conflict south of the border than they are what’s going on in D.C.

- Stunned by the development of the AA.II “bomber” created by the Austrians, American engineers rush to the drawing board to be able to create another aircraft design, this time one that is purpose built for intercepting enemy “bombers”. Using, once again, a modified ASu-11, these engineers remove the second pilot in order to save weight for a triple-barreled BAMP located directly in the nose of the aircraft. This new BAMP is modified to use a long, belt-like feeding mechanism, allowing the pilot to fire over 250 rounds before having to return to reload. Aiming this weapon is difficult, but the new “Army Combat Flyer”, or ACF-12, is a major step forward in aircraft design yet again

- With the war in Mexico being a guaranteed victory, higher ups in the military notice one major flaw in America’s war efforts. Despite being only a hundred miles or so from the border, America’s soldiers begin to suffer from a lack of supplies in areas where the fighting is far away from railroads. This could easily lead to a breakdown in the front lines should America face a similar issue against a bigger, peer enemy like the British or the Germans. A surprisingly simple new way to help maintain supply lines is experimented with, in which trains carry a number of light trucks alongside the cars full of supplies, which can be quickly offloaded and sent to the troops in need

 

[Zillamaster55]

Troops of the “National Reclamation Army” fire warning shots at the Republicans

11 May, 1913


Yuan Shikai, the field marshal and leader of the bulk of the Republican force’s soldiers, has spent months facing off against the acting president Sun Yat-Sen. Furious with Sun’s repeated dealings with foreign powers and “general inattentiveness” to the war effort, Yuan approaches Sun with an ultimatum: Relinquish all military control and ensure a position for Yuan and his associates in the government.


Unsurprisingly, Sun refuses these demands, and declares Yuan Shikai a “traitor to the revolution”, and attempts to wrest control of the army from Yuan. Yuan Shikai responds by alerting his troops to the attempted removal of his command, and instead marches them southward to face against the other Republican forces.


A tense standoff has begun in China, as the Republican revolution enters a new stage, with the newly formed 國家開墾軍 (Guójiā Kāikěn Jūn) [National Reclamation Army] signing a ceasefire with the Qing and the Republic now without its largest army and most skilled general

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Seven
January - June, 1913

World Events
- Emperor Mutsuhito, the 122nd Emperor of Japan, spiritual and social leader of the eastern nation, dies at the age of 59. An enormous funeral is held for the late Emperor, as his rule oversaw the transition from the isolated, feudalistic nation that Japan once was, to the outwardly focused, industrialized state that it is today. Prime Minister Katsura Tarō presides over the burial, with the Emperor’s son Yoshihito close by. After all is said and done, Emperor Mutsuhito is renamed as Emperor Meiji, and the nation now turns to Yoshihito for guidance

- The resistance to the Mexican revolution, led by former president Díaz, falls apart as American and Mexican government troops storm the last portions of his territory. Díaz himself has fled Mexico, but many of his closest advisors are dragged before military tribunals and either imprisoned or exiled from the nation. Newly inaugurated President Roosevelt meets with Madero at a lavish ceremony in Mexico City, one congratulating the other on their achievements

- As the revolution in China seems to be drawing towards its end, there are many who believe the war with the Qing is only part of it. Tensions rise within the Republicans themselves as the charismatic Sun Yat-Sen bashes heads with the serving field marshal Yuan Shikai. Both men have begun distancing themselves from one another over various disagreements on the Republic’s eventual foreign dealings, but unlike Sun, Yuan has a huge number of men backing him up

- The rivalry between Yuan Shikai and Sun Yat-Sen reaches a head in mid May as Sun, accusing Yuan Shikai of treason, attempts to remove him from his position as field marshal. In response, Yuan Shikai diverts his forces from the front line, and turns his guns on the armies aligned with Sun. A ceasefire is called between the Qing and Yuan Shikai’s troops, who proceed to dig in along the lines with Sun’s forces. The Qing, bloodied, beaten and exhausted, are essentially unable to take advantage of this

- Tensions rise in the Balkans as the Greeks, Serbs, Bulgarians and Romanians begin to bicker with one another over the acquisition of the Ottoman territories. Greece, though having taken much of western Anatolia, still seeks to expand its borders up to Thrace, while Bulgaria points to the Serb occupation of North Macedonia as reasons for Bulgaria to spread itself westward. Meanwhile, the Romanians see the Bulgarian ownership of Dobruja as an illegal occupation, and demand that the Bulgarians pull back from it. Many fear that the Balkan League is close to collapse

- The Ottoman government begins to buckle as revanchist generals and politicians quite literally duke it out in the parliament with those loyal to the Sultan, demanding that the Sultan step down and that his father reclaim the throne. This comes alongside rising dissent in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, Syria and even parts of Anatolia itself, as religious, ethnic and political divides deepen and the populace becomes more and more unwilling to work with the government

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- Hoping to put their latest designs to the test, Austria-Hungary sells roughly three dozen GKz.12 armored cars to the Japanese for use in the war against the Qing. The Japanese are grateful for the exchange, and with Austrian observers in toe, begin using the vehicles to patrol the front lines and conduct assaults on Qing fortifications in Manchuria. The biggest drawbacks to the GKz.12 are made apparent as it repeatedly gets stuck in the mud, or suffers from stresses to the engine from overuse, all of which can be fixed on the drawing board

- An offer is made to Belgium to purchase their possessions in Tianjin, citing the situation in China as a “dangerous and unnecessary predicament” for Belgium to find itself in overseas. However, seeing the movement of German forces across the west, and keeping a close eye on Austria-Hungary’s belligerence in the Near East and alliance to Germany, the Belgians simply refuse. Unlike any deals with the Germans, however, the Belgians are much nicer when telling the Austrian diplomats to go home

- The Austrian possessions in the Levant undergo a massive restructuring as the central government moves to officially begin integrating the region as the Kingdom of Jerusalem, under the control of the Austrian crown, at least for now. The Kingdom of Jerusalem is divided into four different administrative regions, those being the Jordan Valley, Lebanon, Palestine and Jerusalem. Jerusalem itself, unlike the other regions, is almost entirely autonomous and has a unique system of government. To avoid religious tensions, Jerusalem is a self-administered city made up of equally represented Jews, Christians and Muslims, all of whom are elected by popular vote

- As the integration of the Levant continues, people from across the empire flock to the region to begin settling in what is considered by many to be the Holy Land. Jews emigrate from Austria-Hungary in droves, now under the protection of a more friendly government, which causes friction with the Arab locals who find the once open pasture land being bought up by immigrant Jews or Christians

- The many small ports in the Levant undergo numerous expansion projects, with even the smallest fishing port being torn up to begin implementing more modern dockyards. Haifa and Beirut especially see these construction projects as the Austrian government hopes to turn the former into a military port capable of housing warships, and the latter into a massive trade zone, with the intention of drawing ships to Beirut on their way to and from the Suez canal

- In order to placate the Hungarians, as well as strengthen the backbone of Austria-Hungary’s agriculture, the government moves to give benefits to Hungarian landowners that seek to expand their farms, encouraging even the smallest farm to begin buying up more land and planting more crops. Austria-Hungary is quickly becoming more and more independent in regards to food production, no longer having to rely on huge imports of grain from places like France or Russia

- Nearly two thousand Marinesoldaten are deployed to Tianjin, stuffing the legations to the gills with Austrian soldiers as the situation deteriorates further. With Tianjin now essentially under the control of an Anti-Western leader, the Austrian government is totally unwilling to lose out on its only Asian possession. Following close behind the new troops is the gigantic SMS Erzherzog Karl, an Austrian dreadnought, who links up with Japanese patrols to keep a close eye moves made by either the Qing or Yuan Shikai

- Seeing as navies around the world, be they allied, rival or neutral, are beginning to rapidly expand, the Austrians refuse to be left behind. Across the board, dockyards are ordered to begin producing ships en-masse for the Austro-Hungarian navy, including dozens of cruisers, destroyers and submarines. The biggest part of this buildup is the inclusion of a whopping five dreadnoughts of the Radetzky class with the intention of having these ships seaworthy by the summer of 1916

- Across the Levant, the Austrian military begins sending thousands of engineers to start fortifying “crucial areas” of the territory, with forts and defensive emplacements dotting the borders in the north and south. The largest focus of these fortifications is the Sinai Peninsula, where concentric rings of forts undergo construction, able to house more than 15 thousand men during wartime, and providing a massive roadblock for enemy troops. These fortifications are expected to be finished by the end of 1914 if all goes well

- Firearms engineers at Steyr, tinkering with the Selbstladende Schrotflinte Modell 1 try to find a way to keep the shotgun reliably loaded with more than just six shells. A new design is brought forth, using a detachable magazine that holds nine shells, plus the shell already in the firearm, increasing its capacity to ten. The Selbstladende Schrotflinte Modell 2 “Schwer” (heavy), or simply the SSM2, is an extremely heavy and somewhat unwieldy shotgun, causing it to be used exclusively by the Marinesoldaten in extreme close quarters combat

- Artillery designers at Škoda, hoping to keep up with the Germans and Japanese in the realm of mobile artillery, begin testing a modified GKz.12. Instead of the swiveled machine gun turret, this GKz.12 carries a newly designed 50mm light howitzer, which is braced by a series of deployed struts and hooks. This Gepanzert Artillerie-Traktor (Armored Artillery Tractor) is capable of firing its howitzer from a static position, packing up, and then moving. The greatest drawback to the GpAT.13 is the fact that the more rounds fired, the more stress is placed on the frame of the vehicle, causing the already expensive and difficult to maintain GKz.12 to become a monstrous pain in the hindquarters when in the field

- Having had quite enough with all the German meddling and propaganda campaigns from the air, the French government officially places a “restricted airspace” with a depth of 10km next to the border with Germany, forcing all airships to divert. Trespassers will be peppered with warning shots from French troops stationed on the border and if the aircraft decides to returns fire itself, these warning shots will quickly become kill shots

- The French government begins funding the construction of numerous aerodromes around Calais with the express purpose of housing both public and private airships. These aerodromes also, for the time being, act as holding areas for experimental flights into southern England and Amsterdam, with the ultimate goal of trying out oceanic travel via airship. The farthest distance that these vessels are able to fly to is all the way to Scotland and back with little issue, making transnational passenger journeys a possibility

- With the French economy continuing to grow at a rapid pace, huge subsidies are given to private industries to continue expanding their factories, alongside the massive expansion of the nation’s infrastructure and state-owned industrial backbone. Germany remains more industrially powerful than France, and should it come to war, the French may struggle to keep pace with their opponents. The French government refuses to stay with that possibility, and instead hopes to match German military production by the end of 1916, come hell or high water

- After observing the German propaganda campaigns, and the increasing political awareness of France’s colonial populations, the government moves to form the Service National d'Information (National Information Service/SNI). The SNI serves a dual purpose of countering German propaganda by rooting out spies, preventing its spread, and producing pro-French propaganda itself. Meanwhile, in the colonies, the SNI uses their funding to begin disseminating anti-German propaganda amongst the populations on the borders of German colonial holdings

- As radio becomes increasingly popular amongst the common man, as well as crucial in the ever changing world of military technology, money is set aside to form the Radio Publique Nationale (National Public Radio/RPN) service. Using hand picked broadcasters, the RPN acts as the mouthpiece of the French government, spreading all kinds of information, such as weather predictions and economic news to propaganda. An experiment is also launched with the RPN to test for the possibility and feasibility of a nation-wide radio backbone, which could easily be created with enough time and enough funding

- Across North Africa, the French colonial government moves to force all Tuareg children to attend French-styled schooling with a focus on secularism and western ideals. Families that comply are given compensation, mainly in the form of tax cuts, access to public services, or just generally being left alone. Tribal leaders that attempt to resist this move are rounded up and either sanctioned heavily, or if they resist violently, sent to prison in Indochina, as far away from their compatriots as possible

- In Indochina, the French industrialization projects reach a new stage as French companies begin to expand outward from Saigon, opening up large factories in cities like Phnom Penh, Vientiane and Hanoi. These factories utilize locally acquired materials to produce consumer goods for export around the world, as well as for local usage. A new class of citizen is born out of this industrial growth, generally referred to as the Barons Asiatiques (Asian Barons), who are locals that have worked their way up the corporate ladder and began opening up factories and plantations of their own

- Aerial surveys of France are launched to begin mapping out “strategically crucial” areas, including major cities and towns along the border with Germany. These surveys are used to create incredibly accurate maps, benefitting from the usage of both airships and aerial photography. These maps are kept in secret, for usage exclusively by the French and their allies, but a small number of other areas have their maps released to the public after being either deemed inconsequential to the war effort, or important to the industrialization of France as a whole

- Rising tensions in Asia and the repeated deployment of German troops to New Guinea and China forces the French to take notice. Focusing on their pacific possessions, the French send an entire infantry division to be split amongst New Caledonia and French Polynesia. In New Caledonia, two battleships are sent with their squadrons in toe, alongside one of the newly built French seaplane tenders. These ships will be able to compete with German vessels in the area, and will hopefully protect French, Australian, British and Dutch assets should it come to war

- An eccentric jeweler in Paris, experimenting with new magnifying glasses to observe his work, stumbles across a breakthrough design in optics. After some modifications, this new Lunette de Visée Avancée Modèle 1913 (Advanced Rifle Scope Model 1913) is able to magnify targets up to 4x, and is much more resistant to dirt, grime and shock than existing scope designs. The greatest advantage of the LVA-13 is that, unlike other scopes, it can be easily produced within a factory rather than having to be carefully handcrafted, greatly reducing its cost and allowing for further distribution, though its purpose has yet to be set in stone

- Electronic, acoustic and aviation engineers work together to begin creating an “early warning” system, capable of detecting incoming aircraft. Bizarrely enough, both stumble upon a design similar to the Japanese listening device. Using a large brass funnel, connected to a series of thin wires, that are themselves attached to a modified radio, “listeners” are able to detect the vibration of aircraft up to 20km away. These devices are expensive and due to their weight are unable to be easily transported, and also are unable to identify the exact location of aircraft, but are nonetheless an important defense, allowing for the deployment of anti-aircraft weapons or interceptors at a moment’s notice

- Having had enough with German meddling and propaganda campaigns from the air, the French government officially places a “restricted airspace” with a depth of 10km next to the border with Germany, forcing all airships to divert. Trespassers will be peppered with warning shots from French troops stationed on the border and if the aircraft decides to returns fire itself, these warning shots will quickly become kill shots

- Despite the rising tensions with Norway, the British and the French, Germany chooses to continue seeking out more friends in Europe. Germany once again approaches Sweden regarding a trade deal, and this time manages to organize one that benefits both nations. In exchange for access to the large Swedish metal resources in the north of the country, Germany will export thousands of tons of grain, meat and agricultural equipment at a low price. This influx of iron, zinc, copper and other such metals is crucial to the growing German military-industrial complex

- As Germany is put under the magnifying glass by her rivals, the German government expands the quota on reserved food, coal and oil, now expanding said reserve to include metals, tires, wool and leather. Essentially, the German government hopes to gather up a huge reserve of nearly all basic industrial goods, allowing the nation’s economy and war machine to survive “total mobilization” for at least a couple months if it is forced to go on its reserves. Of course, any war with Germany’s rivals would be over before the leaves fall off the trees

- Dockyards across western Germany are expanded in the hopes of increasing the production of both military and civilian vessels. With the colonies in Africa and Asia proving to be golden opportunities for the continued projection of German military might, as well as large economic possibilities therein, the Germans hope not to fall behind their competitors and simply ferry a dozen ships to and fro. These enormous dockyard projects in places like Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven and Hamburg are a sight to behold, and are expected to be completed by the end of 1914

- In the eastern territories like Posen and Silesia, the German government notices a concerning lack of proper industrialization, with much of this region remaining largely agricultural and rural, save for the few large cities. Immediately, a project is launched to begin expanding railways in the area, creating numerous stations in cities like Stettin, Köslin, Stolp and Danzig, with smaller lines stretching into the rural areas to encourage locals to ship their goods directly into the cities

- Industrialization of the east continues as advisors from the German government and industrial elites meet with locals, both German and Polish, to discuss the creation of small factories for the processing of grains, meat and lumber, as well as the expansion of the small mines dotting the region. Many of the more conservative Poles are upset to see the continued “domination” by the Germans, but the German settlers in the region cheer on such a move and are eager to begin making workshops of their own if given the opportunity

- Germany continues the process of settling German nationals in the colony of Südwestafrika, with the government now raising the subsidies given to settlers who migrate to the colony in order to create farms, factories and workshops. Already, the colony’s white population has nearly tripled as the capital city of Windhoek expands to push out more of the locals into the more rural areas of the colony. Having mercilessly suppressed any attempts at uprising years prior, the Africans in the region are forced to sit and watch as the Germans do away with much of their way of life

- Military exercises are launched in eastern Germany, this time focusing on the combined movement of troops over an open plain with zeppelin aerial reconnaissance. Should the German army come across fields with little in the way of cover, or a lack of places for soldiers to conceal themselves, enormous infantry charges are discovered to be necessary to take the ground as quickly and as violently as possible. Combined with artillery fire directly before the charge, these waves could easily overwhelm an enemy position if given enough numerical advantage

- Windhoek, the capital of Südwestafrika, undergoes a militarization project as a large fort begins construction on the outskirts of the city, as well as the rebuilding of the city’s dockyards to begin housing larger ships like cruisers, or repair large numbers of smaller ships that are needed. Roughly five thousand men are shipped from Germany to Südwestafrika, as well as ten thousand more conscripted from Germany’s various colonies

- The military exercises in eastern Germany did expose a serious issue that armies have yet to conquer in the thousands of years of their existence. Fighting at night is a hassle and horribly difficult to do properly, and makes it impossible for anything of note to be achieved other than near-blind raids on enemy encampments. This is, until, an invention made by German military engineers experimenting with new shell compounds. Using a modified copy of the French white phosphorus, this shell “airbursts” hundreds of meters in the air, illuminating a huge area for a few seconds, allowing soldiers to see their enemy on both the offense and defense

- Mimicking the advancements made by the Japanese, the German military begins looking into finding ways to make firepower “mobile and reliable”. Engineers at Krupp begin testing a new design of mortar during the military exercises, and a final design is decided upon. Firing a 35mm shell, this Leichter Infanteriemörser Langes Modell 35mm (Light Infantry Mortar, Long Model, 35mm/Leichmörser M35) is able to lob shells a short distance, and is easily carried by two men. The Leichmörser M35 is crucial for soldiers being able to provide their own supportive firepower when on the move, but it suffers from combined issues regarding weight and the fact that the operators must fumble about with deployment if forced to use it on the move

- Hoping to put their latest designs to the test, Austria-Hungary sells roughly three dozen GKz.12 armored cars to the Japanese for use in the war against the Qing. The Japanese are grateful for the exchange, and with Austrian observers in toe, begin using the vehicles to patrol the front lines and conduct assaults on Qing fortifications in Manchuria. Though repeatedly stuck in the mud and suffering from engine failures, Japanese military engineers believe that the GKz.12 can be easily made into a powerful weapon of war in the right hands and with the right reworks

- As the first thaw hits, the Japanese army pushes hard up against the Qing lines in Manchuria, forcing them directly up against the borders of Russia and Mongolia. The Qing army, exhausted and out of supply, either put up a fighting retreat or simply surrender to the oncoming Japanese and Manchurian forces. Hundreds of Qing troops choose to flee over the border, many escaping into Russia. Though none of these escapees are of any real value, Japanese officers have to tighten the leash on their men to prevent them from chasing after them

- In the Northern Plains, the Japanese choose to consolidate their gains by digging in deep, working with collaborators and hunting down Qing loyalists. Small skirmishes take place with the Qing, and the front lines shift back and forth somewhat near the outskirts of Zhengzhou, with the Japanese pushing outwards to seize the entirety of the city. Though the spring and summer campaign seasons come to pass, little takes place other than small battles or raids on one another’s defensive emplacements

- Near the Philippines and across the East Indies, the Japanese navy begins ramping up its patrols, checking for any leftover Qing vessels that may have escaped the clutches of the Japanese in the prior months. These ships also keep a close eye on the movements of European powers in the region, monitoring the British, German, Dutch and French navies that scoot about the area. Japan has decided to make it very clear, even to its allies and close friends, that the Pacific is to be “forever under the light of the rising sun”

- The port areas in the city of Davao, the capital of the Mindanao territory, comes under the direct control of the Imperial Japanese Navy, with all civilian vessels being redirected elsewhere. Now under new ownership, the drydocks are expanded and the old areas for smaller boats are done away with. Davao’s ports are now redesignated as a naval base for the IJN, for the use of constructing, repairing and housing Japan’s fleet in the South Pacific. This move unsurprisingly causes the Dutch and Australians in the region to become nervous

- In Shenyang, Japanese military officials meet with administrators of the ersatz Manchurian government, announcing the independence and formation of the “Empire of Manchuria”, a Japanese client state in northeastern China. The young Xuantong Emperor, now simply referred to as his given name of Puyi, is placed upon the throne. Surrounding the child monarch is a group of highly skilled and loyal Manchu ministers, hand picked by the Japanese for just such a position

- As the Japanese have almost total control over Manchuria’s government, the Japanese make numerous suggestions to the Manchurian constitution that guarantee the free movement of Japanese businesses, naval vessels and armies through Manchurian territory. Manchuria’s army is also essentially under the command of the Japanese, with Japan being given the authority to replace Manchu generals with Japanese ones “should the need arise”, and the authority to take near total control of the Manchurian military in times of war

- Puyi, almost immediately after being crowned Emperor, is shipped back to Kyoto for a lavish wedding ceremony. The 10 year old daughter of Prince Kuniyoshi, Princess Nagako, is wed to the 7 year old Puyi. The wedding is officiated by Emperor Yoshihito, and tens of thousands gather to celebrate the marriage. This wedding is not only symbolic, but also ties the Japanese royal family and the Aisin Gioro Clan together officially, cementing the alliance “by blood”

- Seeing the “inappropriate demands” made by French companies in Russia, the Japanese government authorizes the many Zaibatsus to begin “replacing” the French industrial elites in areas like eastern Russia and Siberia. These Zaibatsus cut numerous deals with local Russian administrators, focusing on industries like mining, railway building and logging. In exchange for a small portion of the profits and resources gained, the Zaibatsus promise to never demand debts without the approval of both the Japanese and Russian governments

- Emperor Mutsuhito, the 122nd Emperor of Japan, spiritual and social leader of the eastern nation, dies at the age of 59. An enormous funeral is held for the late Emperor, as his rule oversaw the transition from the isolated, feudalistic nation that Japan once was, to the outwardly focused, industrialized state that it is today. Prime Minister Katsura Tarō presides over the burial, with the Emperor’s son Yoshihito close by. After all is said and done, Emperor Mutsuhito is renamed as Emperor Meiji, and the nation now turns to Yoshihito for guidance

- Despite the relatively strong industries present in Japan, and the success of the Japanese armies in China, the Japanese economy goes from stumbling and into freefall. Numerous issues begin plaguing the state, including overdue loan payments, a shortage of coal and oil for civilian industries, and an increasing demand for military goods that the state simply cannot hope to meet with such short notice. The Yen’s value begins to slip, and the Japanese treasury rushes to float it for the time being to avoid disaster

- With the Japanese economy beginning to falter, the government moves to push what money it can into the formation of the 帝国証券取引所 (Teikoku Shōkentorihikisho) [Imperial Stock Exchange] in Tokyo, with the express purpose of making it easier for private investment in Zaibatsus, as well as investments in approved foreign companies. The stock exchange will also serve a dual purpose, allowing the Japanese government to keep a close eye on the strength of the world economy, and “encourage” Zaibatsus to adjust their interests if need be

- Subsidies are given to artists and filmmakers in Osaka, encouraging the “artistic elites” of Japan to begin creating works for domestic and foreign theaters. With the creation of “talkies” overseas, and the general popularity of animation, the Japanese government hopes to create animated motion pictures that express a distinctively “Japanese” flair, and are popular with people of all ages. There are some in the more conservative wings of Japanese society that view this as a “degenerate” move

- After looking at Qing and American steel processing styles, Japanese industrialists begin experimenting with more efficient ways to plate steel with non-corrosive compounds such as chromium or nickel. At Kobe Steel, engineers are able to create a “pure” form of steel, resistant to most forms of oxidation and capable of withstanding much higher pressures and temperatures. Generally referred to as “stainless steel”, this invention is crucial to creating everything from kitchen knives to automobiles to artillery pieces

- Not willing to fall behind, the Japanese military begins observing developments made by the Europeans and Americans in regards to motor-driven support weaponry. At Mitsubishi, engineers begin working with a purpose-built automobile, equipped with a swivel-mounted machine gun and a set of stainless steel plates surrounding the driver. This newly designated Mitsubishi Type 1 戦闘支援車両 (Sentō Shien Sharyō) [Combat Support Vehicle] is capable of providing machine gun fire, while also being able to tow cargo if the need arise. The greatest strength of the Type 1, its complexity and survivability, is its major drawback, as it is severely expensive to produce and even more so to maintain in the field

- Seeing the “inappropriate demands” made by French companies in Russia, the Japanese government authorizes the many Zaibatsus to begin “replacing” the French industrial elites in areas like eastern Russia and Siberia. These Zaibatsus cut numerous deals with local Russian administrators, focusing on industries like mining, railway building and logging. In exchange for a small portion of the profits and resources gained, the Zaibatsus promise to never demand debts without the approval of both the Japanese and Russian governments

- Tsar Nicholas II, in a speech broadcast across the country via radio, addresses the Russian nation. The Tsar points to both Russia’s victory over the Ottomans, and the recession as reasons to enact a number of new policies to strengthen the nation’s industry, economy and society. Dubbed the Имперский Мир (Imperskiy Mir) [Imperial Peace], the Russian government will spend the next decade focused on making Russia a global power, with an economy comparable to that of America, Britain and Germany

- Soup kitchens and homeless shelters are set up across the country, the Russian government working closely with the Orthodox church to help those affected by the recession. Labor groups, though still having some friction with the government, participate in these efforts alongside both the state and church. Even though the recession is deeply damaging to the Russian economy, the quick response made by the government has quelled many of the fears regarding Nicholas’ administration, and a glimmer of hope can be seen in many Russians

- In Tsarigrad, the new name for Constantinople, Tsar Nicholas II meets with numerous leaders of the Orthodox church, both Russian and Eastern. In the Hagia Sophia, Nicholas II observes the last pieces of Ottoman rule being stripped from the old church’s walls, and is brought before the pulpit in front of a gigantic crowd. With the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Constantine V, Tsar Nicholas II is dubbed the “Protector and Savior of All Christendom”, a new title to be added to the already obnoxiously long list held by Nicholas II

- With the focus on the economy, Russia begins turning towards its client states of Trebizond, Armenia and Mongolia to begin a stronger backbone of imports and exports. Though sitting atop a massive reserve of resources themselves, Russia hopes that it can begin exporting these resources to the client states at a low cost, bolstering their economies and allowing for the creation of industries outside of Russia, which will strengthen trade significantly

- Tsarigrad and the Dardanelles, crucial holdings in the Medditerranean comparable to the Gates of Atlas and the Suez Canal are now firmly in the grip of Russia. Immediately, Russian industrial heads begin making contracts with shipping companies across the region, as Russia can now export goods directly out from the Black Sea without needing to pay exorbitant tolls, while simultaneously implementing more fair tolls on those going through to Sevastopol

- An enormous merchant fleet begins construction in the ports of Sevastopol and Tsarigrad, using both domestic and foreign companies to build up the ships. A number of these vessels are purpose built for travelling through the Medditerranean sea, while others are built for global travel. This new merchant fleet, directly under the control of the Russian government but leased to Russian companies for usage, is a major step forward for bolstering the economy and increasing the range of Russia’s influence

- The ports of Tsarigrad, Bosphorus and Dardanelles are expanded massively in order to support a stronger shipping industry, with huge contracts being handed out to companies to tear up outdated dockyards and begin replacing them with far more modern designs. These ports, once finished, will allow for much more fluid movement of trade in and out of Russia, as well as being able to house Russian naval vessels that are now capable of entering the Medditerranean with little issue

- Factories in the western territories of the empire, mainly in the largest cities, continue being constructed, funded by the Russian government primarily. These factories are focused on producing crucial consumer goods such as clothes, footwear, tools and various household implements. Higher labor standards, similar to those in Germany and Austria-Hungary, are put in place, ensuring the safety of workers and that employees are paid fairly. Privately held companies are encouraged to create more “specialized” factories, though these factories receive no government funding as a result of the recession

- Oil fields and coal mines across the nation are expanded as Russia uses money from the treasury and private investments to begin exploiting the huge deposits found in places like Azerbaijan and the Urals. With the purchase of foreign mining and oil extraction equipment, Russia’s coal and oil production skyrockets. Much of the coal is sent to the cities to power both factories and heat homes, while the oil is either stored for domestic usage or exported at a cheaper price to Europe than it is from America

- In the Dardanelles, a ring of coastal fortifications begin construction as the Russian navy recognizes the importance of these new possessions. Should even the smallest number of enemy vessels be able to pass through, Tsarigrad could easily come under threat, and with it the Russian dominance of the Black Sea could be called into question. In these fortifications, enormous 40cm guns are set in more than a dozen strategic spots, while large observation towers are built to rapidly alert Russian naval forces to the presence of any enemies in the region

- Reforms to the Russian military continue, this time using lessons from the war against the Ottomans, applying them to the Russian army and navy as a whole. The newly promoted officers and generals are at the head of these reforms as their knowledge of modern warfare is crucial. The old guard has little to say to counter this, as their performance in the war left much to be desired compared to those like Brusilov, who spearheaded the success in eastern Anatolia

- Weapons engineers, following in the footsteps of the European powers, begin looking into more modern forms of artillery. Modifying some of the newer howitzer designs from the previous years, these engineers begin testing the latest in field artillery. Firing an 80mm shell, this redesigned howitzer is capable of laying down significant fire up to 8km away, firing roughly 10 shells a minute when doing rapid fire attacks, allowing Russian artillery brigades to rain hell on a target from a safe distance

- Engineers also begin to look into larger, more powerful artillery guns, similar to the siege mortar used in Anatolia. A new, domestic design of railway gun is tested, and is the most monstrous to date. Firing a gigantic 275mm shell, this artillery gun can lob its payload onto a target up to a whopping 150km away, with the explosive force of 125kg of TNT. This terrifying artillery piece, designated as the Большая Батареи Модель 1 (Bol'shaya Batarei Model 1) [Grand Battery Model 1], is one of five railway guns built by the Russian army with the express purpose of dropping shells on enemy industrial centers from a long distance

- The United States begins to warm its relations with the United Kingdom by striking up a small deal militarily. Recent advancements made in the realm of aeronautics in America have caught the interest of the various global powers, many of whom have either cold relations with the United States, or on the verge of becoming outright rivals. The United States moves to sell models of American military aircraft to British engineering firms and, in exchange for their advancements, the United States will produce a small number of these newer planes for use in the British military

- Working alongside the French, the British government begins contracting private companies to build numerous aerodromes in Dover to house airships for both public and private usage. A number of trial runs are launched to test the feasibility of oceanic or transnational flights, with a handful of airships being sent as far as Brussels to collect aeronautics engineers and transport them back to Britain proper. Thanks to the cooperation between the two countries, airships begin hobbling over the channel on a somewhat regular basis

- As the Germans have refused to fully back down from keeping their eyes on the Norwegians, the British send diplomats to both Norway and Denmark to reassure the two nations that the British will cooperate with them “come any issue that they find themselves in”. With the Germans becoming more friendly with the Swedes, the British point to the many wars between Norway and Denmark against Sweden, and guarantees that the British will provide support should they ask for it

- No longer remaining silent on the issue, the British view the deployment of German troops near the border of the Netherlands and Indonesia as a direct threat to the Dutch, who at the moment have no major allies or protectors. Prime Minister Asquith addresses the Dutch parliament in a formal meeting, announcing that the United Kingdom will guarantee the independence of the Netherlands, and will intervene on the side of the Dutch should they come under threat. The Low Countries are essentially under the shield of the French and British, hopefully putting a stop to German ambitions

- Across the British Empire, the IEDC is sent to begin expanding the steel industries of places like Canada, Australia and South Africa, alongside the creation of numerous massive dockyards. These dockyards serve a dual purpose of creating colonial merchant marine fleets, much like the one in use by South Africa, as well as being able to create colonial naval forces. The Dominions lack any real naval power of their own, and the British fear that in the event of an all out war that the Royal Navy can only reach out so far, and as a result, the Canadians and Australians are pressured to begin growing their own naval industries with the help of the IEDC

- The British openly welcome the arrival of the Hashemites on the world stage, and after some negotiations, open up a small British outpost in Jazan in which diplomacy and trade can be conducted. In exchange for access to the small oil fields held by the Hashemites, the British sell large amounts of firearms and other military goods to their new Arabian friends, ensuring that the new state can protect itself from rivals and secure its control over the region, which remains contentious as dissent rises amongst the Arab populations in the Ottoman Empire

- Following in the footsteps of the French, and using the recent exercises with airships and rigid dirigibles, the British military begins conducting surveys of “conflict zones”, or regions that border potential threats. Unlike the French, however, these surveys are spread across the globe, looking at places from Hong Kong to the Sinai, and from Capetown to Karachi. The maps collected by these surveys are closely guarded, and shared only with the military commands of Britain’s numerous dominions

- Germany’s presence in New Guinea and their various pacific possessions leads to changes in the deployment of British troops. A huge number of soldiers are redeployed from India to gather in southern New Guinea. However, the British can only deploy so many of their own troops, and as a result, the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand are called up to begin sending soldiers of their own to New Guinea. Using both promises of further IEDC support, as well as some slight exaggeration of the German threat, the “Boys from Down Under” join up with Indian and British soldiers across the pacific

- Mimicking the flagrant display of power by the German marines, the British decide to place units of the much larger, much more rugged Royal Marines in East Anglia, stationing them in Lowestoft and Clacton-on-Sea, clearly showing their preparation for rapid deployment. Though not able to see each other, both the British and German marines stare out at the sea with intense scrutiny, knowing all too well that if things come to blows, they will be sent across those frigid waters to do battle with one another

- With Canada’s massive aluminum resources, as well as the wide open plains similar to that of the American Midwest, the IEDC works closely with the Canadian armed forces to construct an aeronautics research base deep in the heart of Alberta. This base is closely guarded, and is focused entirely on developing faster, stronger, superior aircraft for usage in the British military. Any developments made in this base are also to be disseminated amongst the dominions and Britain’s allies, though the British themselves still have dibs

- At the newly created Peace River Aircraft Research Center, British and Canadian aircraft engineers begin testing American-styled biplanes for use in the military. Modifying the designs to have more “swept” wings, alongside a tougher engine, the British begin testing the Royal Aircraft Factory Scout and Combat Flyer Mark I, or simply the RAC Mk.I for short. Using a BAMP-like mechanism, this time mounted in the top wings, the RAC Mk.I can engage enemy aircraft up to 1,300m in the air, and with a top speed of 125km/h, the RAC Mk.I is an incredibly fast aircraft, and the most advanced armed plane of its type

- Alongside the RAC Mk.I, aircraft engineers from Avro begin testing a much larger, much more intimidating aircraft similar to the “bomber” made by the Austrians. Wider than the AA.II, the Avro 900 can clamber to a service ceiling of 1,200m and can carry upwards of 115kg of explosives that can be dropped onto a target. The Avro 900 suffers from a sluggish speed of only 80km/h when fully loaded, and is exposed to anti-aircraft fire or enemy fighters if not escorted

- American troops, working closely alongside the Mexican government’s soldiers, punch through the last defensive lines of Díaz’s armies, who fold over a period of days as the American bombardments and infantry waves simply overwhelm them. Hundreds of officers loyal to Díaz immediately offer up their surrender, while thousands of militiamen simply drop their weapons and flee into the outback of Mexico. With the capture of Navojoa, the last stronghold of Díaz’s resistance, the Mexican Revolution is over

- With the victory in hand, the United States begins demobilizing its military and sending its troops home with enormous parades on their arrival. Recently inaugurated President Roosevelt meets many of the officers who have returned home, but also makes an effort to follow the train carrying the bodies of fallen soldiers on horseback, keeping in toe for hundreds of miles as caskets are offloaded to the numerous military cemeteries in the southern United States, before issues in Washington call him back

- The United States begins to warm its relations with the United Kingdom by striking up a small deal militarily. Recent advancements made in the realm of aeronautics in America have caught the interest of the various global powers, many of whom have either cold relations with the United States, or on the verge of becoming outright rivals. The United States moves to sell models of American military aircraft to British engineering firms and, in exchange for their advancements, the United States will produce a small number of these newer planes for use in the British military

- The Panama Canal, an enormous project launched by the United States nearly a decade ago, has entered the final stages of its construction. Engineers are currently hard at work on expanding the locks and strengthening the banks of the canal. This work, once completed, will negate the need to go around the dangerous Cape Horn, or divert one’s journey through the Medditerranean in order to access the Suez. The greatest benefit of it all, of course, will be the enormous tariffs and tolls that the United States can levy off of those passing through

- With the defeat of Díaz and the end of the Mexican Revolution, the United States agrees to a formal deal with Mexico, leasing the territory of Baja California for a total of $150m, allowing the United States to treat it as an overseas territory for the next 50 years. This deal also comes with a permanent guarantee of Mexico’s independence, as well as reduced restrictions on border crossings between America and Mexico

- In Liberia, the United States government begins giving subsidies to all businesses in the region that begin exploiting the natural resources present there, such as rubber, gold, precious gems and zinc. Massive projects are launched to strip down forests and replace them with rubber farms, as well as huge swathes of local farms being taken over by private companies to begin pulling out metals for use in foreign factories. Of course, local labor does the bulk of the work, much to their misery

- Theodore Roosevelt, having served as President for two terms prior, returns to the White House after being granted his third term in last year’s elections. During his inauguration, Roosevelt puts great effort into letting the nation know of his new plans as president, including the creation of numerous new agencies in the government, the implementation of fair taxation, a stronger national economy, and a stronger presence on the world stage. Roosevelt’s plans are met with enormous applause by the gigantic inauguration crowd

- Immediately, Roosevelt meets with congress to begin drafting what is referred to as the “Fair and Square Deal”, a two-pronged effort to begin reforming the nation’s tax and welfare system, while also expanding the protection of America’s natural resources and beauty. The deal squeezes its way through both houses as some more conservatively minded Republicans are tough to budge on the deal, as they are unhappy with Roosevelt’s progressive mindset

- The “Fair Deal” implements a much more progressive tax rate on the richest within the United States, while simultaneously reducing it on the lowest rungs. Many state governors, especially in the south, lash out at the deal, calling it “unnecessary” and “against the interests of America’s businesses”, while labor groups across the country rejoice. The most controversial part of the Fair Deal is the introduction of an inheritance tax, in which inheritances over certain increments are to have portions of it paid to the US government, which infuriates the financial elites across the country

- With the war in Mexico over, Roosevelt works with the military leaders that participated in the war effort to begin implementing the new logistics system across the borders of the United States. Though peace prevails in regards to the British and Mexicans, some in the brass fear that foreign invaders or revolutionaries may quickly turn the situation from peaceful to warlike, and the rapid deployment of troops is necessary to counter such a threat

- Firearms engineers at Browning continue to tinker with foreign weapons designs to try and make an “American Improvement” on whatever it is that they can find. Using a modified version of the Maxim gun, these engineers begin testing the latest in American machine gun design. Firing at a rate of 600rpm, and using a specially designed water cooling jacket, the Browning Machine Gun Model 1913, or simply Browning M1913, is fast-tracked to becoming the new machine gun in use by the American military

- Much to Roosevelt’s chagrin, and to the disgust of military traditionalists, American soldiers working in the service of the Madero government have devised a nefarious new weapon design. Using four sharp steel prongs attached to a 10kg charge, soldiers are able to sneak up to an enemy barricade, “stick” the explosive to it, and direct the energy into the fortification, destroying it much faster than the traditional means of repeated bombardment. What makes it nefarious is that the Americans took to covering the explosives in colored wool, and using buttons for eyes, turn the American Infantry Explosive Model 1912 into “Teddy Bombs”, named after “Teddy Bears”, the toy beloved by children but hated by Roosevelt

 

[Zillamaster55]

Forces loyal to the Sultan stand in formation

19 July, 1913

After weeks of infighting within the Turkish government, Sultan Mehmed VI makes the drastic choice to shut down all further discussions, and removes a number of heads of the military in the hopes of quelling tensions and bringing about order to the Ottoman Empire. A massive mistake.

Immediately in response to this, General Mustafa Kemal Pasha, a veteran of the Balkan Wars and fighter on the Eastern Anatolian Front, rallies “Republican” forces to his banner, citing the “inefficiency” of the monarchy, and the Turkish people’s drive for a “modern, westernized state”. Mustafa Kemal’s forces seize much of the northwest of the country, while the Sultan and his loyalists struggle to hold on to the east.

Meanwhile, in the southern territories, the son of Hussein bin Ali, the King of Hedjaz, raises thousands of troops in revolt across Syria, declaring himself King of Syria, waging a war of liberation against the Ottomans. In northern Iraq, Kurdish militias rise up against the Ottomans, throwing out numerous Turkish brigades and imprisoning local commanders. Finally, around Baghdad, ferocious infighting takes place between Sunni and Shia Arabs, with the entire region being claimed by the Rashidis, the Sauds and the Hashemites.

The end of the Sublime Porte is near, and a whole new world will soon be brought to the Middle East…

 

[Zillamaster55]

Turn Eight
July - December, 1913

World Events
- The German military is placed on its highest readiness in decades, with divisions across the country being moved to “strategic positions” in order to “strike at any moment”. Kaiser Wilhelm II announces that these moves are in direct response to “belligerent posturing” by Germany’s rivals, and that the armed forces of Germany will only stand down once “order is restored to the world stage”. This is an incredibly distressing step made by Germany, and the world looks on in concern

- A ceasefire is finally settled between the Empire of Japan and the Qing Dynasty, with the Japanese getting a huge swathe of occupied territory, as well as expanding the borders of its Manchurian puppet state. Despite having lasted only little more than a year, the Second Sino-Japanese War has consumed the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and nearly a million civilians from either the conflict itself, or the resulting starvation from the unattended fields. Regardless, the Qing Dynasty is little more than a pathetic rump state

- The Ottoman Empire collapses as a number of anti-Sultan generals and politicians join the ranks of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who seek to overthrow Mehmed VI and turn the now rump state Ottoman Empire into a Republic. Meanwhile, as Kemal gets his armies together, the son of the Hashemite King rallies rebels across Syria in revolt against the Turks, Kurdish militias seek their independence, and the entirety of Mesopotamia falls to sectarian violence between Turkish loyalists, Turkish republicans, Sunni Arabs, Shia Arabs and Christians, all of whom vie for power in the region

- Thousands of Pro-Monarchists, made up of soldiers, officers and everyday citizens, storm the capitol building in Lisbon. After a relatively bloodless change of power, Portugal’s republican government is forced to the table and made to rewrite the constitution, allowing for the return of Manuel II. In the streets, riots take place between Monarchist and Republican civilians, and the state police are forced to put down these rioters with impunity

- A string of bombings take place in Catania, killing dozens of Italian policemen. These bombings come alongside numerous bank robberies, railway sabotage and kidnappings as a growing Sicilian nationalist movement moves from propaganda and words to direct action. Much of Sicily is put under the watchful eye of the Italian army, and the Italian government is concerned that further separatism and revolutionary idealism could grow thanks to an economic slump

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- An Austrian delegation is sent to the peace talks in St. Petersburg to observe the discussions of the Balkan League. The Austrian delegation makes numerous overtures to all nations present in the Balkans to try and form a free customs union between the states and Austria in the hopes of reducing tensions and improving relations between the nations involved. Every single delegation refuses the Austrian deals, with the Serbs being the most vehement about it, with one of their representatives needing to be physically restrained from violently assaulting the Austrian delegates

- Even with the harsh response to the Austrians, a deal is struck up to conduct a large census of the Balkans, focusing on the ethnic, religious and numerical makeup of the population in the area to better help divvy up the borders should discussions start again. Unsurprisingly, the census reveals that the Balkans are a nightmare, and places that are a majority of one ethnicity are possessed by a nation that doesn’t share their language or ethnic background. The delegates from many nations shout that it is “proof” of foreign interference, and that these regions rightfully belong to them. The talks essentially go nowhere in that regard

- Regardless of the failure to create a customs union, Austria is still able to approach a couple members of the Balkan League to discuss smaller deals. Meeting with the Montenegrins in both St. Petersburg and Podgorica, the Austrians propose the sale of the coastal city of Cattaro in exchange for 1 million Krone. Though the Montenegrin state is unable to pay up front, the Austrians agree to give a low interest loan to the Montenegrins, as well as permanent military access to the ports. With the Montenegrin claim secured, and Austria being able to warm relations with one of its southern neighbors for once, the region can rest easy. For now

- Greece, despite being closely tied to the British, welcomes a number of Austrian economic and industrial advisors. These advisors work closely with administrators in the newly acquired territories to the northeast and parts of western Anatolia, helping expand dockyards and factories, as well as laying out plans for regional railway systems. Austrian companies, of course, tag along and try to beat the British to the punch in regards to constructing large industrial centers. The Greeks are extremely appreciative of this move, and the Bulgarians view it as some sort of “act of favorability” towards the Greeks and protest it in the Bulgarian parliament

- Despite the issues in Sicily, the Italian government agrees to conduct joint naval exercises with Austria in the Adriatic, focusing on rapid response deployment and smaller detachments. The Austrians discover quickly that a giant fleet, similar to that employed by the British, French and Germans, is best for the open ocean. With the much tighter theater of the Medditerranean Sea, it is easier for large navies to be broken up into smaller “strike forces”, which can hunt down and surround enemies much more efficiently. A handful of patrols meet up with Italian ships in Rhodes, and make sure to scoot along the coastline of members of the Balkan League to remind them who the big kids on the block are

- The Austrian government openly declares that the coastal cities of Beirut, Ragusa, Zadar and Trieste are to be “open ports” to international trade, with minimal tariffs and dirt cheap docking fees. With the Suez Canal still being the dominant “port” in the region, these “open ports” prove to be an incredibly popular place for ships to stop on their way in and out of the Suez, with crews spending much of their money on food, drink, women and gambling. Beirut quickly gains the moniker of the “Golden City” thanks to the large number of taverns, gambling dens and other sleazy businesses that attract sailors like a moth to the flame

- A portion of the budget is moved to further the construction of schools around the Empire, focusing on rural areas like Galicia, Transylvania and Bosnia, as well as far off territories like the Levant and Tianjin. These schools are focused on general education, but also for the encouragement of locals to learn either Austrian or Hungarian, and provide very “westernized” lessons in the Levant, and especially in Tianjin, where many Republicans escaping the tensions between Yuan and Sun arrive to continue their education

- Taxes across the board are slashed for both large and small banks in Austria-Hungary on the promise that these banks keep their interest rates as low as possible. This tax cut allows for banks to expand rapidly, as well as allowing for further private investment from Austrian citizens. A close eye is kept on banks that are growing quicker than others, and the instant that a bank shows it is undercutting its customers or ignoring demands by the government, it is to be broken up immediately

- Austrian military engineers working with the GKz.12 struggle to find a way to make the vehicle more fuel efficient, and capable of carrying heavier loads. Looking at older designs of diesel engines, these engineers attempt to implement engines into the armored automobile, but fail to come across a design that is both small and powerful enough. However, these engines do prove to be extremely effective in powering small oceangoing vessels such as destroyers when made to the right scale, allowing for coastal patrol and submarine hunting ships to move farther, faster and with less smoke than their counterparts

- Aircraft designers begin experimenting with new ways to construct an aeroplane, attempting to use a full metal design rather than purely stretched canvas over wood or aluminum. The first design, nicknamed the “Silberne Gans” (Silver Goose) makes its maiden voyage at an airfield in Hungary on a crisp November morning. After two minutes of flight, the small, all-metal monoplane augers itself into the dirt, destroying itself and killing the pilot on impact. Though a failed experiment at first, the Silberne Gans is an important step forward for heavier-than-air flight, and can easily be expanded upon with more effort put into its design

- After some short discussion with the British, the French officially form the Service Aérien Transcanal (Trans-Channel Air Service). The SAT, using more than a dozen large airships, is a state-owned air courier service that launches out of airfields in Paris to land in London, delivering both parcels and people to Britain. With the SAT, should a severe emergency take place, both governments can rapidly deploy advisors and military officials to one another

- Joint military exercises are held between Britain and France in the dense jungles of Madagascar. Both nations use primarily colonial troops with white officers, focusing on fighting in the harsh conditions of the jungle, as well as fighting in the dead of night. For the first few weeks, both armies face off against one another, before moving the exercise to look towards “interoperability”, and coordinating across numerous languages, something which proves to be both crucial and difficult to utilize

- A deal is struck between the French government and the Vickers company, allowing for the purchase of the Vickers Heavy Carriage for use in the French military. These new armored cars are then sent to Renault S.A. for minor adjustments to be made, mainly in regards to using new French tires and French machine guns. The Renault Wagon Blindé (Armored Wagon) is nearly identical to the Heavy Carriage, save for a couple modifications, and a humorous incident takes place where a shipment of five Renault WBs are sent to Britain by accident

- Terrified by the German’s sudden readiness, the Belgians approach the French for protection, officially joining the Entente and requesting the presence of French troops overseas. In the Belgian Congo, thousands of French colonial troops are moved from more secure areas in western Africa to patrol the borders of Rwanda and Burundi. French ships also move themselves to be stationed in Pointe-Noire to keep a close eye on the waterways of the southern Atlantic and protect the supply routes to the Congo

- Recognizing the rising tensions across the world, and recognizing that the Balkan League is not long for this world, Romania approaches the French with an offer of friendship in exchange for the protection of Romanian shipping lanes. Though surrounded by the Austrians and Bulgarians, Romania grows increasingly close towards France, fearing that the Russians are less than reliable in regards to guaranteeing their independence, which France is somewhat inclined to do so, though not formally

- With the situation in China growing worse and worse by the day, the French pressure Yuan Shikai and Sun Yat-Sen to put aside their differences and focus on the Japanese, whose recent peace deal with the Qing has essentially secured their control over a huge swathe of the Pacific. Much to France’s disappointment, Sun Yat-Sen refuses France’s deal, and Yuan Shikai simply doesn’t send a delegation, and both forces continue pointing their guns at one another, waiting to see who blinks first

- Information regarding the growth of German belligerency, and the propaganda campaigns of both France and Germany, are heavily controlled by the SNI. Though tensions are skyrocketing between the two countries, the French government fears that whipping its people into too much of a frenzy may push these tensions to the breaking point, and instead moves to tamp down on their own anti-German propaganda. However, the SNI also works to counter all German propaganda efforts, including confiscating radios that may pick up on German propaganda broadcasts

- A major change in doctrine for the French army is made, scrapping dozens of meticulously organized plans that have taken years to put together. Recognizing the wide fronts that France may face against its enemies, and the possibility of facing either similar or greater numbers in the field, the French army moves to focus on the defense rather than the attack. With the benefit of the lay of the land, numerous natural defenses such as dense forests and wide rivers, and the ease of being able to dig in rather than attack, the French feel that a war of attrition is better than trying to use brute force to overcome their enemy

- The French military begins to mobilize, calling up an enormous 2 million men between five field armies that are moved eastward to keep an eye on the Germans, with more than 500 thousand being sent to the Franco-Belgian border to act as a “stop-gap”. Thousands more are sent to the Pacific to guard the numerous French possessions, especially in places like French Indochina and French Polynesia

- Exercises are conducted throughout France, testing the new defensive doctrine, and putting the men through rigorous training and readiness drills. These exercises are kept away from the borders to avoid being spotted, but close enough that should anything come to threaten France, the men can be quickly sent to the front lines. With hundreds of thousands of men becoming more and more ready, the French public fears that war is on the horizon

- Fortifications and defensive emplacements along the Franco-German border are expanded massively and modernized, with forts being given thick concrete roofs, large deffilades and winding fields of barbed wire and deep, awkward trenches. Much of this is focused on the Verdun sector, with large guns being cemented into wide bunkers, and huge encampments being constructed with concrete and barbed wire to station thousands of troops for rapid deployment to the front line. Whatever enemy attacks these positions will be forced to grind through rifles, machine guns, artillery, barbed wire and more

- French uniform designers, working closely with the reorganized French cavalry, begin experimenting with a new piece of equipment. Using a shaped steel shell with a leather liner, these cavalrymen begin sporting new helmets, referred to as the "Adrian Casque" (Adrian Helmet), in regards to its inventor, Louis Adrian. These helmets are not able to withstand gunshots, but protect the rider from falls, and can prevent shrapnel from causing serious wounds. Some feel that these helmets could be deployed to infantry, but the material cost and “ugliness” is deemed unnecessary for the time being

- Firearms engineers working for the French military continue to experiment with the recently designed Chauchat automatic rifle. Extremely temperamental and difficult to load, the Chauchat is brought back to the drawing board again and again before a new version of the weapon proves to be successful. Using a large “banana”-shaped magazine, fitted snugly into a well on the bottom of the gun, these engineers test the Fusil Mitrailleur Modele 1913 (Machine Rifle Model 1913). The FMM13, simply referred to as the Chauchat, is proposed for usage in the French military, but is relegated to colonial and naval forces for the time being, as its mobility is seen as unneeded for the new defensive tactics

- A small contingent of German troops are sent to Anatolia to guard the Sultan’s palace and assist Mehmet VI in securing control over his nation. However, the rebellion of Mustafa Kemal triggers the Sultan to eject the German troops, fearing that any casualties on the side of the Germans could lead to another intervention into the Ottoman Empire, which would spell the end of the Sublime Porte once and for all. The Germans leave Anatolia unmolested, and watch as the region bursts into flames

- Seeing the continued rebuttal of Germany’s efforts to influence the North Sea by the British, the Germans continue to turn towards Sweden. Citing the British “power plays” in Norway and Denmark, and using Sweden’s historical claims on Norway, the Germans manage to secure a non-aggression agreement and continued trade deal with the Swedes. Though Sweden will remain uninvolved in Europe militarily, Sweden’s closer ties to Germany essentially secure the eastern Baltic from being a warzone

- Due to the creation of “restricted airspace” by the French, and still unwilling to fall behind in the propaganda game, the German government forms the Büro für Unterhaltung (Bureau of Entertainment), a direct counter to the French SNI. The BfU, unable to fly over the border, instead begins broadcasting German propaganda songs and radio plays on every frequency possible, hoping to disrupt whatever they can along the French border

- Posen and Silesia receive further investment from industrial elites after the German government announces the Östliches Industrieprojekt (Eastern Industrial Project). Railways leading all the way to the Ruhr Valley are planned, and state-owned manufacturers for military equipment begin setting up factories in the east to bolster the reserve of supplies. The oil, coal and food stockpiling rules are enforced to their fullest extent in these regions, preventing the growth of too many predominantly Polish industries, and instead supplanting them with German ones

- A number of industrial deals are struck with Russian companies, largely in the realm of steel and coal shipments come either an economic crisis, or an all out war involving Germany and a “peer enemy”. These materials are purchased directly by the German government at a low price, and are sent to large stockpiles to be used in the future. This relieves the stress on German manufacturers to a minor extent, and ensures the flow of precious goods should Germany find itself cut off from trade overseas

- Dozens of hospitals are set up across western Germany, in cities like Koblenz, Bonn, Mainz and Karlsruhe. These hospitals are built from the ground up to house as many people as possible, but are focused on quickly treating minor cases such as industrial accidents, as opposed to disease or long-term healthcare. Another aspect of these hospitals is that thousands of medical students from Germany are given grants by the German government to begin working here, and training themselves to handle the “worst conditions possible”. What this implies, exactly, is unknown, but the medical field of Germany benefits greatly

- The German military is placed on its highest readiness in decades, with divisions across the country being moved to “strategic positions” in order to “strike at any moment”. Kaiser Wilhelm II announces that these moves are in direct response to “belligerent posturing” by Germany’s rivals, and that the armed forces of Germany will only stand down once “order is restored to the world stage”. This is an incredibly distressing step made by Germany, and the world looks on in concern

- Reservists and recently discharged soldiers are brought back into the military to undergo hasty training exercises, and are outfitted with uniforms and weapons. Though not set to the same readiness as their compatriots, these reserves are nonetheless placed on alert, and are set up to be rapidly deployed to any battlefield that may erupt. This begins to put a minor stress on the German economy, as workers are pulled out of factories across the country to fill the ranks

- The Kaiserliche Marine begins setting up its ships for long distance patrols, and coalers are either commissioned or commandeered by the German government. Troops across Germany’s colonies are given the same orders and are ordered to be placed on the highest possible readiness. Ships in Qingdao and New Guinea begin patrolling the coastline, keeping a close eye out for any hostile vessels

- Radio engineers working closely with the Kaiserliche Marine begin experimenting with a more powerful, more efficient long-range ways of communicating between ships. Having taken a page from private electronics engineers across Europe, a number of new designs are put to the test in German naval exercises. The most successful model is a modified wireless telegraphy machine using spark-gap transmitters, and it allows for long distance communication between ships up to 200km away. The biggest drawback is that these radios suffer from being easily intercepted if tuned into the right frequency, and thus intensely complex codes are drawn up as a result

- Realizing the weaknesses of zeppelins, especially when threatened by both ground and aircraft fire, engineers begin working on ways to better defend Germany’s airship from assault, focusing mainly on the balloon itself. The largest issue with changing the design of an airship is its weight, something that these engineers struggle to find a way around. The final design that proves somewhat effective is a thin layer of aluminum placed over stretched canvas, with a “space” in between, causing bullets to lose their velocity before piercing the balloon itself. However, these Panzerzeppelin (Armored Zeppelins) are much slower and can only carry small bomb loads, or a handful of machine guns

- After a year and a half of fighting, a cable is sent to Beijing, calling for a ceasefire between the Empire of Japan and the Qing Dynasty. The Qing immediately agree to negotiations, and the Japanese delegation meets in Beijing to discuss the details. The Japanese place harsh demands on the table for the Qing, such as the permanent recognition of the Empire of Manchuria’s borders, as well as the continued occupation of the North China Plain “until further notice”. In exchange for this, the Japanese will allow the passage of grain to and from the North China Plain, with little to no tariffs. The Qing are essentially forced by gunpoint to accept this

- In the Empire of Manchuria, the Japanese make a deal with the fledgling Manchurian government. With the war having come to an end, the Manchurian state now seeks way to secure its control over their territories. With Ryojun, the largest port in the region, under the control of the Japanese, Manchuria has little in the way of being able to create a naval force of its own. Using trained and loyal officers from Manchuria, Japan helps the Manchurian state formalize its “own” navy, which flies its own flag, but is under the direct control of the Japanese during “any time of conflict and for the time afterwards”

- With the economy teetering on the verge of outright freefall, the Japanese manage to strike up a deal with Peru to access the country’s enormous precious metal resources, in exchange for heavy industrial and agricultural equipment. These metals are immediately gobbled up by Zaibatsus, who quickly rush to return to a “civilian economy” and begin producing consumer goods. This alleviates some of the stress, but many worry that even with peace, the economy may not survive

- After intense negotiations, Zaibatsus are allowed to begin moving into the areas occupied by Japan in the North China Plain. Here, these massive corporations begin setting up mines, farms and lumber yards, under the close watch of the stationed Japanese troops. Most of this work is to revitalize the local economy of China to ensure future stability in the region, as well as to exploit the vast natural resources that have remained untouched by the Chinese for decades despite industrialization

- Now that the war is over, the restrictions on the usage of coal by civilians are lessened, and consumer goods factories begin to open up once again. The influx of coal harvested from China, as well as the end to naval maneuvers, has allowed for a small but steady stream of coal to enter the Japanese civilian market, something that is desperately needed by basic industries across the country

- Regardless of the protections put in place, the end of the war, and the economic opportunities found overseas, the Japanese economy hits the proverbial brick wall. Though no longer plummeting downwards, the economy simply limps along. Some economists in Japan believe that this will eventually even out, and a full-scale recession can be avoided, while others fear this is only the beginning, and that it will nosedive without drastic actions being taken

- Emperor Yoshihito is invited to address the Japanese Diet on the victory over the Qing Dynasty. During his speech, Yoshihito regularly stumbles through his sentences, repeating himself numerous times, fumbling with his paper and just generally looking like an “unprepared and childish mess”. Seriously embarrassed, Yoshihito ends his speech early, salutes the men of the Diet, and returns home to Kyoto

- Japanese troops in Manchuria are ordered to begin a slow, methodical withdrawal, with individual divisions being peeled off one by one and being shipped home. High ranking officers, cavalry units and soldiers stationed in “strategically important” positions remain behind, keeping a close eye on the situation across China, as well as ensuring that the Manchurian populace is put in its place, reminding them who it was that allowed their nation to be born

- Officers still present in Manchuria begin working closely with the Manchurian army to set up a number of training camps outside of the major cities. These camps are built for the training and housing of the eventually formalized army for Manchuria, as well as for cooperative exercises between Manchuria and Japan. A handful of presentations of new uniforms are made to the Manchurian government, with the final design being one quite similar to that of the Japanese, but with a much darker green and less lapels

- Large, winding trenches and massive fortifications are built alongside the front lines facing the Qing. Despite the ceasefire, the Japanese hope to make it clear that they are here to stay, and that they will not give up their gains so easily. These forts are purpose built to funnel any oncoming armies directly into the open areas of the North China Plain, allowing them to be quickly intercepted by Japanese forces present in the region

- Multiple high altitude flights are conducted by both airships and aeroplanes for reconnaissance and observation of China as a whole. These aircraft remain unarmed, and the Japanese make it clear to ground observers of that fact, painting their craft a gaudy mix of bright red and yellow so they are not mistaken for military vehicles. Regardless, these missions return in order to relay information regarding the standoff between Yuan Shikai and Sun Yat-Sen, as well as the situation in the remnants of the Qing

- Seeing the effectiveness of “barbed wire” in the Mexican Revolution and resulting American intervention, Japanese military engineers begin tinkering with the design to make it not only more effective in stopping an enemy, but also to act as an outright deterrent for prison escapes, break ins to government buildings and so on. Modifying the “barbs”, these engineers shape them using a stamping press to have a thin, extremely sharp edge that can rip up a person’s skin with ease. This new 剃刀線 (Kamisori Sen) [Razor Wire] is slightly more expensive to use than barbed wire, but is far more brutal, with those unfortunate enough to get caught in it being sliced up and down before being able to escape

- Film students working in Osaka stumble across a better way to begin capturing images using cameras. Modifying the usual 24x18 film cell size, these students create a cell size of 36x24, allowing for far clearer pictures and more detail. This film is also a wonderful way to capture motion, as the “flicker” effect of 24x18 is mediated somewhat. Immediately snatched up by corporate interests, this new “Seiko Type” film is available for purchase at a steep price, but artists from around the world flock to get their hands on it

- The Russian royal family makes a state visit to the United Kingdom, with Tsar Nicholas II pulling George V aside to propose deepening the ties between Russia and Britain. The young Princess Olga Nikolaevna, daughter of Nicholas II, is offered to be wed to Prince George, son of the King and heir to the British Throne. As the eldest daughter of Nicholas II, and now an adult, it is crucial that Nicholas find a fitting spouse for Olga. Though nothing concrete is set, the British royal family keeps the idea in mind

- Elsewhere in the realms of marriage, Nicholas II successfully organizes the betrothal of the 16 year old Princess Tatiana to Serbia’s Prince Alexander. Though at the appropriate age for marriage amongst royals, Nicholas II stresses that Tatiania undergo more “formal training” as a stateswoman. Regardless, with the betrothal secured, Russian and Serbian relations are stronger than ever. Serbia now looks to Russia as its sole protector, a burden that Nicholas II must take to the table in St. Petersburg

- After managing to gather delegations from the Balkan League, Tsar Nicholas II is barely able to keep control of the peace talks, as the Bulgarian delegates storm out after numerous attempts by the Greeks to force the issue of East Macedonia. The Romanians, meanwhile, listen to the Russians and back down on their demands over Dobruja. The Serbs drop their support for the Greeks, and the Albanians side with Bulgaria in order to secure their borders to the south. Essentially, “peace” is secured in the region as Russia inadvertently turns the entire area into a gigantic Mexican standoff

- At home, the Russian government works with more friendly labor groups to form a number of state-operated organizations known as Рабочие Бригады (Rabochiye Brigady) [Work Brigades]. These Work Brigades are made up of the unemployed or those unable to work more demanding jobs, and are given a flat pay from the Russian government. Work Brigades are used to overtake private construction of roads, railways and water infrastructure, giving tens of thousands of men work, and letting companies focus their money elsewhere

- Alongside the formation of the Work Brigades, Russia’s government turns to the massive coal and oil supplies, forming the - Министерство Энергетики (Ministerstvo Energetiki) [Ministry of Energy]. Russia is in desperate need of electrification, and the ME is made up of the brightest minds in electrical engineering. Alongside the construction of coal plants in cities like Moscow and Kiev, the ME also begins drawing up plans for enormous hydroelectric projects for cities on rivers like Tsarigrad, though these dams will take years to construct and will be extremely expensive. Despite that, the benefits will greatly outweigh the costs

- Across Russia, the government begins giving subsidies to private companies to further their exploitation of the nation’s natural resources, and in areas where companies are either struggling or not present, the state purchases the land and begins sending Work Brigades to act as the bulk of the labor force. These mines are under the close watch of the Russian government, to ensure maximum efficiency as well as safe conditions for workers. Though producing less goods than the private mines, the state mines also have far less injuries and are far more efficient

- The Tsar’s reforms continue to become more and more popular amongst the working and middle classes of Russia, and with the success of the Octobrists in the recent election, much of the traditionalist old-guard members of the Russian government find themselves more and more isolated. A number of nobles simply drop out of state affairs, while others are forced out of their position by litigation and finagling by more reform-minded opponents

- A bill passes through the lower houses and is approved by Tsar Nicholas II, focusing on the further industrialization of Russia and her economy. A more impressive goal is laid out, pushing for the pure industrial output of manufactured goods to be increased by up to a whopping 100% every two years. This goal is extremely ambitious, and the economy of the nation must be strictly observed for, at the moment, it remains incredibly fragile, and still nowhere near the industrial giant that Russia wants to be

- Tsar Nicholas II passes a royal decree, one uniquely focused on companies across Russia. Thanks to the vicious undercutting of Russian companies and “foreign puppeteering”, the Russian government has moved to make it illegal for companies to sell more than 40% of their equity to foreign buyers. Companies that have already sold off more than that are ordered to sever their deals, which causes a number of companies to go bankrupt, which are either gobbled up by other corporations or purchased by the state and liquidated

- The St. Petersburg Zoo sees a massive expansion by the Russian government, with millions of rubles being put into the creation of the Дикая Россия (Dikaya Rossiya) [Wild Russia] exhibits. Skilled woodsmen are sent out across Russia to capture exotic animals like Siberian Tigers, Kamchatka Bears and Amur Leopards to be put on display. These exhibits are also carefully constructed by biology and zoology students of Russia’s most prestigious colleges, allowing the Russian people to view these beasts in their natural habitats, appreciating the beauty of nature

- Military reforms continue as Brusilov is given the newly created position of Главнокомандующий России (Glavnokomanduyushchiy Rossii) [Grand Marshal of Russia], and is ordered to observe training exercises, technological advancements and the general organization of the Russian military as a whole. Several purchases are made of foreign equipment, mainly in the realm of aircraft and self loading rifles for usage in Russia’s cavalry divisions. Brusilov also oversees the creation of a stockpile of weapons and uniforms which, for the first time, is nearly fully ready to handle the mobilization of Russia’s enormous population. Very soon, Russia will be able to mimic the empire it supposedly succeeds, fielding a gigantic, well trained, uniformed army that can take on any foe it desires

- After observing advancements made by foreign powers in regards to automobile design, Russian military engineers begin toying with purchased American cars, hoping to follow in the footsteps of vehicles like the Vickers Heavy Carriage and GKz.12. The Russian military begins testing the objectively hideous Putilov Бронированный Вагон Поддержки (Bronirovannyy Vagon Podderzhki) [Armored Support Wagon], generally referred to as the Боров (Borov) [Boar]. The Putilov BVP-13 uses a six-wheeled suspension and two engines, one in the front and one in the back, to carry its huge cuboid “carriage”, which carries four machine guns in different positions. Lurching along at a stunning 10km/h, the BVP-13 is able to withstand rifle fire and shrapnel, and deliver an absurd amount of firepower, so long as it has enough fuel and doesn’t break down, which it does quite often

- A breakthrough is made as Russian industrial heads begin to model themselves closely to their counterparts in America and Britain. Though considered an “obvious” idea, factories owned by these industrialists begin implementing assembly line manufacturing, drastically cutting down on the manpower and time needed to produce industrial goods, including everything from clocks to automobiles. Assembly line production also allows for the rapid growth of Russian factories, which pleases Nicholas II greatly

- The Russian royal family makes a state visit to the United Kingdom, with Tsar Nicholas II pulling George V aside to propose deepening the ties between Russia and Britain. The young Princess Olga Nikolaevna, daughter of Nicholas II, is offered to be wed to Prince George, son of the King and heir to the British Throne. As the eldest daughter of Nicholas II, and now an adult, it is crucial that Nicholas find a fitting spouse for Olga. Though nothing concrete is set, the British royal family keeps the idea in mind

- After some short discussion with the British, the French officially form the Service Aérien Transcanal (Trans-Channel Air Service). The SAT, using more than a dozen large airships, is a state-owned air courier service that launches out of airfields in Paris to land in London, delivering both parcels and people to Britain. With the SAT, should a severe emergency take place, both governments can rapidly deploy advisors and military officials to one another

- Joint military exercises are held between Britain and France in the dense jungles of Madagascar. Both nations use primarily colonial troops with white officers, focusing on fighting in the harsh conditions of the jungle, as well as fighting in the dead of night. For the first few weeks, both armies face off against one another, before moving the exercise to look towards “interoperability”, and coordinating across numerous languages, something which proves to be both crucial and difficult to utilize

- Several dozen fighters and bombers are sent to southern China to airfields constructed by Sun Yat-Sen. Despite violence having yet to break out between Yuan Shikai and the Republicans, the British make it clear that the British Empire will put its full support behind Sun’s Republicans. A railway is quickly constructed through Burma into southern Yunnan for the transfer of crucial supplies, and an ersatz military academy is formed in Hong Kong to bring Republican officers up to speed. Yuan doesn’t blink, which concerns British observers greatly

- Across the Commonwealth, the British begin calling upon her dominions to take stock of their strengths and weaknesses in regards to natural resources, and begin turning to one another to be able to bolster their economies. These “sinews of industry” are crucial for the continued development of the dominions’ economies, and the IEDC will provide not only the capital, but its connections with elites to begin bringing the dominions up to speed and up to the standards of the British Isles

- A propaganda campaign is launched to begin bolstering the ranks of the British army. Citing the rising tensions in Asia, the changing of power in southern Europe, and the belligerence of Germany, this propaganda is greatly effective, and tens of thousands of young men join up to “protect the homeland” and do their duty for “God, Crown and Country”. Most of these recruits are placed in the army, as many of them come from uneducated or poor working class backgrounds, with the Royal Navy looking for more industrially minded individuals

- Negotiations continue with labor unions in Britain to better address their demands. Though not giving in completely, the British government agrees to improve the working conditions for those in dockyards and military factories, allowing for injured workers to be protected from losing their jobs so long as they can recover quickly enough to return to work. Not perfect by any means, the unions are willing to hold off on striking or further resistance to British industrialists for the time being

- Recognizing that the Germans are more than ready to contest the North Sea, the British move to rapidly expand the port of Bristol, with enormous dockyards being purpose built for the potential influx of trade goods coming from the west. Large railway lines are constructed with haste, stretching from Bristol to Swindon, and then expanding outwards from there, connecting to existing lines that crisscross the nation. Many fear that Britain is preparing itself for war that could come “at any moment”

- Units across the globe are placed on high alert, especially in the far off colonies that border possessions of the Germans and their acquaintances. Commanders and officials from the Dominions quickly gather in London to discuss the various military plans and go over the possibilities of how to handle themselves should war come to the British Empire. The Home Army begins moving its men to strategic locations, ready to be sent to the front at a moment’s notice

- Railways, dockyards and supply posts are constructed in numerous locations across the empire with the sole purpose of being as redundant as possible. Though the British Empire has a massive backbone of industry and access to plentiful resources, the ability to supply the armies of the colonies and dominions is limited by the sheer demand of industries at home, and as a result, these large redundancies are set up to act as a way to prevent the possibility of running out of crucial supplies come wartime

- Thousands of troops in Africa are mobilized to the border with Germany’s various overseas possessions. Now faced with German regulars, as well as naval forces and colonials of their own, the British are unwilling to lose a single inch of their territory in Africa, and these newly deployed troops are headed by the most well trained and experienced frontiersmen. Fortifications are constructed along the border in Kenya with the explicit purpose of holding off against potential German attacks

- Knowing that bombers are expensive to produce and difficult to train men to use, the British military moves to change their doctrines to direct battlefield support, using single craft attack tactics. Either escorted by fighters, or simply attacking with surprise, these bomber pilots are trained to be rapidly deployed towards their target, fly low, drop their payload and flee before being able to be damaged by ground fire or by enemy fighters

- Aircraft engineers working in Canada begin designing a purpose built “attacker” plane to work with the new bomber doctrine of the British Army. Using a slightly modified Avro 900, engineers from the newly founded Sopwith Aviation Company unveil their latest design. Lighter than the Avro 900, but still stocked with the heavy engine, the Sopwith Attacker Mk.I uses a specialized “bomb projector”, or small system that “launches” a bomb using a spring, allowing the Sopwith Attacker to “aim” its bomb on a target rather than just dropping it and hoping for the best. Of course, these bombs are no larger than 65kg, but are extremely effective at destroying light fortifications or damaging railways

- Noticing the effectiveness of a mobile mortar being used in German military exercises, and the unique “artillery tractor” in use by the Austrians, the British decide to get the best of both worlds. At a testing range in southern Scotland, the new Vickers Heavy Mortar Carriage Mk.I is put through the wringer. Using a wide body that houses a 40mm mortar in the center, the VHMC Mk.I is able to move up to a battlefield, drop struts and provide fire support before moving elsewhere. Slow, cumbersome and expensive, the “Badger” as it is named by its designers is nonetheless a step forward for “mechanical warfare”

- With the developments made in Canada, and thanks to the deal between the British and the Americans, the United States Army purchases three newly designed Sopwith Attackers for usage in testing. Redesignated as the Thomas-Morse Light Bomber, this new plane is prepped to see service in the US military, and undergoes a handful of modifications, such as a belly-mounted BAMP for use against enemy aircraft, though aiming this system is absurdly difficult

- Mexican President Madero agrees to a deal with Roosevelt to station two brigades of American infantry in Mexico City, and the temporary stationing of a cruiser detachment in Veracruz in order to secure Madero’s control over Mexico. Despite his revolutionary popularity, there are some in the Madero government and many out in the rural regions of Mexico that view his friendship with America with suspicion, and Madero fears that his position could soon be challenged yet again

- The Panama Canal, the project started by Roosevelt during his last term as president, grows ever closer towards completion. The western locks are finished being constructed, and the banks of the canal have been fully smoothed over with reinforced concrete. Current estimates believe that, by January of 1914, the Panama Canal will be open to the public, and the United States will have finished one of the greatest industrial projects since the Suez Canal

- Subsidies are handed out in large numbers to companies and individuals willing to move to Liberia to begin hiring local labor. Liberia’s domestic industries and companies have been violently choked out over the course of a year, and many educated Liberians begin protesting the “recolonization” of Liberia, forming the Liberian Labor Movement (LLM). American companies try their best to stamp out the LLM, and the units stationed in Liberia keep a close eye on their more radical members

- The Republican Party continues to reorganize itself as more progressive individuals plan to take seats from conservatives come next year’s midterm elections. A number of Republican congressmen turn their backs on the party, siding with the Democrats. This puts a thorn in the side of Roosevelt, as the gap between Republican and Democrat in congress begins to close, with less than a dozen seats securing his party’s majority. However, this could change come 1914, and Roosevelt whips the more progressive wing of the Republicans into a frenzy

- Despite the contentious change in the Republican party’s membership, Roosevelt pushes forward with expanding the protection of America’s natural beauty. Dozens of national parks see their borders widened by a huge degree, while hundreds more are opened up. This coincides with the creation of a new wing of the US government, known as the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is created to help ensure the natural stability of America’s national parks, and keeps track of animal populations to prevent extinction. A dozen passenger pigeons, a species whose numbers have dwindled from billions to less than a thousand, are brought to a secluded preserve in northern Illinois to help create a “breeding program”

- The newly designed Browning M1913 is deployed en-masse to the American military, as is expected. However, a change is made in the composition of the American army. The number of machine gun detachments in infantry brigades are tripled, with a couple divisions of United States Marines having entire brigades dedicated just to machine guns. This new “Cult of the Machine Gun” is perfect for America’s new doctrines of rapid mobilization and defense, making any attack against American soldiers a dangerous proposition

- Observing the developments made by the German navy in regards to long distance telegraph communication, the US military begins testing similar models in the form of huge “National Telegraph Stations” for usage by the army and navy. These stations are built in key points across the country in order to rapidly mobilize divisions and ships should the need arise, allowing for the entirety of the US military to be called up “within hours”

- Enthusiastic aircraft engineers at Thomas-Morse conduct a number of experiments with ways to deliver either packages or supplies onto a target. Using a large piece of stretched canvas or cloth, tied to an object, pilots are able to drop these goods directly out of the plane or using a system rigged beneath the plane. These “parachutes” allow for the slow descent of the object, making it safer for whatever it is that’s being dropped to survive the fall. Some hypothesize that such parachutes could be used to support the weight of a pilot, but an unfortunate end to an experiment shows otherwise, at least for now

 

[Zillamaster55]

The Flink explodes, caught on camera by the crew of the Lebhafter Wind

23 December, 1913

Stated in local time.

0915
Near the port city of Manado in Dutch Indonesia, spotters observe the approach of two large German cargo vessels making their way towards the land. Not on any of the lists for arrivals, the Dutch attempt to contact the vessels, but to no avail. Some coastal patrol ships are sent out to try and flag down the Germans, but aren’t able to make it there fast enough.


0930
Several German cruisers are spotted behind the cargo vessels, clearly acting as escorts. The Dutch observers begin to panic, and call up the nearby coastal defense ship HNLMS Hertog Hendrik and her destroyers to investigate. Several tense minutes pass, and the calls for the German cargo vessels to stop is still either not received, or ignored.


1040
The cargo vessels are in visual range of the shoreline. Spotters identify them as the Flink and Lebhafter Wind, with the German cruisers still a few kilometers behind. The Hertog Hendrik arrives a few minutes later, and begins tailing the two ships. Flashing warnings numerous times, the Hertog Hendrik approaches close to the cargo vessels.


1045
Unable to take it any longer, the Hertog Hendrik goes to flank speed and gets within firing range of the Flink and Lebhafter Wind. A final warning is given to the cargo vessels to halt and turn back. The men on the Flink ask for the Dutch to repeat their message. Frustrated, the captain of the Hertog Hendrik orders the guns to follow the cargo vessels path. The Flink approaches the Hertog Hendrik at high speeds for an unknown reason.


1047
An enormous explosion is heard. The Flink is reduced to a burning hulk, quickly sinking beneath the surface.


1058
The Hertog Hendrik, unharmed, alerts the Dutch that it will be leading its detachment to follow the Lebhafter Wind, sending a destroyer to pick up survivors of the Flink. Cables are quickly sent to the Dutch government in Amsterdam.


1106
The German cruisers SMS Emden, Nürnberg and Leipzig are spotted moving at full speed to investigate the explosion. The Dutch warn the Germans to stay back, and that survivors will be collected by the Dutch vessels in the region. The Germans demand to be able to see the wreckage of the Flink.


1110
The Dutch continue to refuse German demands. The Hertog Hendrik turns to stop the advance of the German ships, its men at the ready. Nearby Dutch ships are quickly mobilized.


1126
The Hertog Hendrik and her detachment enter firing range of the German cruisers. A final warning is given to the Germans. A distress signal is picked up by the Lebhafter Wind, reporting having struck either a mine or suffered mechanical failure, and is now on fire. The Germans refuse the Dutch’s warning.


1127
The Hertog Hendrik is given the orders to fire by the Dutch government. Her guns open up. One 240mm strikes the side of the Leipzig, causing some damage to her deck.


1129
The German vessels return fire.


1147

The Dutch ships begin to retreat. The Lebhafter Wind is reported sunk from an unknown source.


1149
The Hertog Hendrik is struck by a 10.5cm shell amidships. Her magazine detonates. The Hertog Hendrik is destroyed.


1200
The Dutch government demands answers. The German government demands them too. It is reported that the Flik had suffered mechanical issues with her telegraph system, and the men aboard were unable to see the Dutch vessels’ demands. The Dutch deny these accusations, stating that it was the Germans who simply refused to listen. The Flik and Lebhafter Wind were en route to Saipan, but had navigation errors. The Dutch do not believe this, and believe the Germans were launching an invasion.


1230
Talks break down. Neither side is willing to budge. Both sides turn to their allies for diplomatic support.


1300
Europe stands on the brink

 

[Euskalduna]

When an international incident involving Germany is completely opaque and is abused to justify a war of expansion

 

[Zillamaster55]

Forces of the Republic of Qinghai on parade

3 January, 1914

After months of intense standoff between the forces of Sun Yat-Sen’s Republic of China and Yuan Shikai’s National Reclamation Army, the situation within China deteriorates even further. Ambitious generals, ethnic leaders and charismatic politicians seek to find their own seats of power, and break away from the two rival states.

Several “cliques” are formed of politicians or generals once loyal to both parties, while in the far north, the region of Qinghai rebels as an independent, pseudo-republic under the former NRA officer Ma Hongbin, now styling himself as “President”

Sun Yat-Sen and Yuan Shikai both are powerless to prevent the shattering of their territory, and look on with dread as their influence is broken apart seemingly day by day. What this holds for China in the future, exactly, is unknown. There are rumors that within the National Reclamation Army, there are groups seeking to divide Yuan's territory further, while within the Republic of China, there are far more radical elements that are growing ever stronger...

(a map of the situation in China)

 

[Zillamaster55]

German marines rest after taking the beaches of Manokwari

8 January, 1914

After intense negotiation within the German government, and with some odd back and forths with her rivals, Germany openly declares its “right to intervene” in the Dutch East Indies. Instantly, as the order is given, German troops spill over from German New Guinea into the farther eastern reaches of the Dutch East Indies. Essentially declaring the situation to be a “security arrangement”, the Germans subvert international law across the board, and prepare to seize what appears to be the entirety of the Dutch East Indies.

The best moves made by the Germans, are also the first. Across New Guinea, the Germans break through Dutch defenses, pushing them back onto the western coastline. In Manokwari, German marines make a large beachhead, supported by regular troops to the rear, and press forward onto the rest of the island. On the eastern coast of Maluku, the Germans land a second contingent of marines to seize the small island and those surrounding it. The Dutch, meanwhile, retreat back towards Borneo and Sumatra, more heavily defensible and far more crucial due to their enormous oil reserves.

As the Germans prepare to make further moves...telegraphs sound in London and Paris...

 

[Zillamaster55]

9 January, 1914
Early in the morning in London, a conference is hastily organized between the United Kingdom and France, with both nations having delegates meet in private. Only an hour passes before the French delegation rushes out of the room to a telegraph. British officials exit the board room, replaced with generals and admiralty.

In an official statement to the entire world, both Britain and France, members of the Entente, declare Germany’s invasion of the Dutch East Indies to be an act of war, and choose to “act accordingly”.

The armies of Europe mobilize. The swords of the Entente and the Central Powers are drawn.

Millions of men march to the front line.

The war has come.

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ON THE LAND
Western Front
The opening salvos of the war are a ferocious back and forth bombardment across the Franco-German border through the use of enormous railway cannons. Gigantic shells scar deep holes in the French countryside as German gunners attempt to disrupt railway lines and damage fortifications, killing hundreds in the process. The French respond by firing guns of their own, mainly through massive salvos of howitzers and field guns to hit German defenders.

Much to the surprise of many, neither side is willing to make any significant advances into one another’s territory, save for the immediate seizure of the western bank of the Emse river by German marines, forcing the Dutch to retreat to the area near Groningen. Large skirmishes take place Winschoten and Uithuizen between German and Dutch soldiers, though neither side gains much of an upper hand, and the Germans use this as an opportunity to begin securing their position and shelling the defenders within Groningen, making sure to force the enemy to keep their heads down and unable to advance forwards for as long as possible.

Desiring to remain on the defensive as much as possible, the French send an entire field army to the borders between France and Belgium in order to hold the line and prevent any possible flanking maneuver that may take place. This army, under near constant bombardment by German railway guns, criss crosses between different lines before finally being forced to march on foot by the time they reach the Ardennes.

Despite the rapid response made by the French to begin mobilization, they are unable to reach their small ally of Luxembourg, who surrenders the instant German boots step foot inside the borders of the tiny nation. What stands as the Luxembourger army is evacuated to Belgium, and is made a part of the Belgian military for the time being. The Germans, happy with having shed not a drop of blood for this advancement, begin fortifying along the marshy and sandy banks of the Meuse, shelling any would be attacker.

In the air, German airship support is used to drop munitions along the northeastern border with the Netherlands, hitting enemy defensive positions and forcing many to either scatter or fall back. Escorted by some fixed wing aircraft, these airships are quickly under attack by French interceptors, followed by intense ground-based anti-aircraft fire, forcing the airships to make their raids much more infrequent. Fantastic aerial battles take place over Nijmegen, with more than a dozen planes duking it out in intense duels.

Rather than try and charge over one another’s borders, both Entente and League forces seem keen on maintaining a defensive position and lobbing shells or bombs for hours. Much of these shells miss, or simply cause minor damage, and the incredibly complex fortifications in France shrug these attacks off for the most part. Regardless, thousands have been killed over the course of weeks, and paltry amounts of ground have been taken, and border towns made empty as civilians are evacuated. Months pass, and little changes about the front lines, other than the number of men being packed like sardines in their defensive positions, ready to strike out at the instant the generals give the call.




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Eastern Front
To the chagrin of Germany, the Russian Empire retains its allegiance to the Entente as the French and British enter the war as defensive allies of the Netherlands. The League’s forces rush quickly to the borders of Russian Poland and Galicia, and engage in a series of intense skirmishes to break up one another’s defensive lines, with the Germans making a handful of gains in areas near southwestern Silesia. Austrian soldiers move forward to seize key mountain passes in the southeast to try and stem any attempt by the Russians to break through.

Like in the west, railway cannons thunder to life. This time, however, it is the Germans coming under fire from the gigantic Russian Grand Battery guns, several of which drop shells directly onto German defensive positions in Memel, hampering the transfer of reinforcements and supplies to the area. The Austrians respond by shelling Russian railways in southern Poland and parts of Bessarabia, forcing the Russians to move slower and more methodically.

Advancements are made in Poland as the League decides to take the initiative and begin setting up a stable front line facing the Russians, rather than try and make any significant attacks deep into Russian territory. The wide open plains of Poland and the Baltics are far different from the dense forests and hillsides of western Europe, and as a result, the majority of cavalry and fast moving units of both the League and the Russians are prioritized to this area.

Raids and probing attacks are common, as the Germans and Austrians seek to test Russia’s strength, while the Russians themselves see how long they can prevent a full scale invasion being launched by the League. Regardless, the Eastern Front is alive and well, with millions of men already at the front lines, poised to launch an enormous wave of attacks at a moment’s notice.




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Northern Front
Knowing that the British will regardless attempt to seize control of the North Sea and prevent the movement of trade to and from Germany, the Germans choose to launch an all out assault on Norway, striking directly into the ports of Sandefjord and Fredrikstad with marines, driving inwards and bowling over the stunned Norwegian defenders. From across the southeastern borders of Norway, the Germans cross over from Sweden into the densely populated areas outside of Oslo, where the Norwegians put up a desperate defense.

Either bullied or convinced, the Kingdom of Sweden turns a blind eye to the transportation of German troops through into southern Norway, allowing them to make massive gains before finally being brought to a halt to regroup and prepare for further offensives. A number of marine units manage to sneak past the British and French blockades, and strike at the coastal settlements of Kristiansand and Stavanger, before being faced with Norwegians on the land, and the Entente at their backs, fighting a desperate retreat towards German lines in the southeast.

Regardless, the massive steel reserves possessed by these larger cities are now under the control of the German Empire, while the coal and metal rich areas of the north are well within striking distance. The Northern Front, a frigid, forested, mountainous hellscape, will soon involve more than just paltry marine divisions and reservists, but will drag tens of thousands of men into a knock down, drag out fight over resources precious to the German war machine.




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Near East
Though many other fronts across the globe see fierce back and forth fighting, tense fortifying, or outright massive invasions, the borders between British Egypt and Austrian Jerusalem are largely quiet. The multi-year fortification project by the Austrians has produced a pickle that the British have yet to fully dedicate breaking through. Instead, a handful of Egyptian divisions are sent across the Red Sea to capture the southern coastline near Eilat. A second group is moved eastward to seize territory past the Sinai Peninsula, but largely takes control of sand and little more.

The fighting in this region is minimal, as the desert heat and lack of easy transportation forces many of the troops to rely on small nighttime raids, or just general harassment. The British have a firm grip on the Sinai Peninsula, and the Holy Land has become a fortress to its north and south, with small detachments of the Austrian navy scooting back and forth. Some predict that this front will remain untouched for some time.




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West Africa
As expected, with tensions having flared up in Europe, the war in the colonial possessions of Africa has begun. In the northwest, the French and British swiftly move their troops to seize a huge swathe of territory in Togoland, forcing many of the small numbers of German defenders to fight backwards towards the coast, where the German troops can be hauled to Kamerun, while the colonials can be left to finish the battle on their own.

Meanwhile, in the northeast of Kamerun, the Germans put up a ferocious defense against immense odds. After massive assaults from the French and British, the Germans are forced to surrender their hilltop defenses near Maroua, and instead regroup at Garoua, where a series of hastily dug entrenchments make it difficult for the Entente to advance at a quick pace. In the frontlines near the southern border, the Entente faces far stiffer resistance as the German troops in the region have been digging in and preparing for the past two years, and the French and British are forced to besiege their defensive positions.

As the naval battles continue along the coastline of Africa, supplies to both armies will slowly but surely begin to grow more and more infrequent, and whatever side loses the war at sea will quickly lose all hope of being able to fight anything beyond a guerilla war. What was once considered a beautiful region of exotic animals, foods, cultures and trades is now a battlefield, and thousands of both colonials and natives flee from the front lines.



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South Africa
After the signal is given, German troops spill forth from Südwestafrika into South Africa, striking out towards Springbok and Hondeklip Bay, driving the South African forces back due to the sheer surprise. Their advance is halted as the South Africans put up a defense to prevent any further gains being made, and both sides begin to fight viciously. In the Caprivi Strip, British colonial forces rapidly move to seize the small piece of land, which is largely for nought as the Germans pull their garrisons back towards Taratara.

In the East, near Ostafrika, the British take the initiative and make a drive straight into Mbeya, seizing the southern half of Lake Rukwa and driving the German troops back towards the center of the colony. In the north, the British and Belgians work in tandem to take over Rwanda and Burundi, with the German defense of Bujumbura crumbling over the course of a few days. Though convoy raiding continues along the eastern coast of Africa, the British fight with dignity and strength, and push to do their best to drive the Germans out of the continent entirely.




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East Indies Front
Unlike in Europe, the battles in the East Indies are a ferocious series of back and forth battles between German and Entente colonial troops. Across New Guinea, as the Germans begin celebrating their victories over the Dutch, they are forced to turn back and prevent the rapid advance of British, Australian and New Zealander troops pushing across the border, seizing the port settlement of Lae after an intense fight through the heavily forested hillsides.

A joint attack is launched by British and French marines, forcing out the German defenders in Bougainville, and taking the entirety of the island over the course of days as the Germans move to regroup. However, an attempt to seize the islands of Neupommern and Neumecklenburg is launched by the Australians and New Zealanders, believing that the islands are undefended. Instead, thousands of ANZAC troops are killed or wounded on the beaches after attempting to make an unsupported landing, and are forced backwards by German defenders.

Even though much of the larger, more strategically important battles take place at sea, the battles on the land prove to the world that war has indeed changed. Reports come in of brutal hand to hand combat within the forests, massive waves of infantry assaults and “ungentlemanly” actions taken by both sides out of sheer desperation. Officers and enlisted alike are thrown into the fray of the battle, and losses on both sides begin to stack up.

OUT AT SEA
North Sea
Numerous pitched battles take place between the Royal Navy and Kaiserliche Marine, with both sides sending their biggest and best directly against one another. An enormous fight takes place just west of the Skagerrak, in which the bulk of the surface vessels of the Germans go head to head with the best and brawniest of the Royal Navy. Several large ships are sunk, including the German battleships SMS Markgraf and Nassau, and the British HMS St Vincent, alongside dozens of cruisers and destroyers. German U-Boats manage to prevent the arrival of a second strike force, but the Germans are forced to retreat nonetheless, and are driven back towards their home ports.

U-Boats begin wreaking havoc in the North Sea, and massive anti-submarine efforts are launched to try and root them out as best as possible. Shipping to Britain and Norway suffers as a result, and a number of British patrol vessels hunting down German submarines are caught by the fast-moving German surface raiders, leading to small skirmishes that quickly snowball into huge naval engagements. Despite the best efforts of the Hochseeflotte, the Germans are still unable to go toe to toe with the British, and are forced to reassess their efforts.


Atlantic
Out in the Atlantic, it is a different story. German U-Boats, using the latest in engine technology, sneak deep into the Atlantic after slipping through the Entente blockades in the North Sea and English Channel. Here, U-Boats terrorize shipments of supplies and equipment to and from Britain, and merchant ships carrying foodstuffs are the prime target of these “Wolf Packs”. Small contingents of the Royal Navy and Canadian Navy are sent out to hunt these submarines, and though finding some successes here and there, the Germans cause nothing but headaches for the British supply lines, and continue to sink precious supply ships.


Medittereanean
With Italy uninvolved in the war, the situation in the Meditteranean quickly turns from “contested” to “in the favor of the Entente” as British and French vessels make a beeline towards the coastline of Austria-Hungary. The Austrians, having been preparing for such an attack for some time, put up a valiant defense, chasing after oncoming enemies and pushing back the French and British on numerous occasions, while simultaneously retreating the instant battles seem to be turning against them. This frustrating back and forth is only exacerbated by the occasional sinking of ships by the few German submarines in the area, that are hunted down with impunity by the Entente.


South Atlantic and West Indian
German surface vessels in the area cling desperately to the coastlines of her various colonies, unable to fully contest the strength of the British and French fleets, who chase them down at every opportunity. However, the swarms of German submarines tell a different story, and shipments of food and supplies to and from South America, or to Madagascar, are regularly under attack by U-Boats supplied from the colonies. This frustrates the Entente war effort in the East Indies significantly, and forces the Entente to turn their attention to this region that was once thought to be a guaranteed victory


Pacific
Similar to the South Atlantic and West Indian theaters, the Pacific theater sees the few German vessels in the area acting as solo surface raiders, or as defenses for coastal operations. Meanwhile, the German submarines make supplying the war effort in the East Indies an absolute nightmare, and efforts are made to sweep the area for U-Boats, picking up a few but letting far too many slip away. For as long as the Germans are able to keep these submarines supplied, how long that will be is unknown, they will be a menace to the Entente’s continued fighting in the East Indies.