WWI Alt Hist Turn Thread

Brazil 1907 Diplomatic Statement:

Negotiations between the two Emperors of Spain and Brazil have proved fruitful for both nations. Philip V of Spain (Gaius Julius Caesar) has agreed to revoke the guarantee of independence granted to Colombia in exchange for Brazilian tariffs on Spanish goods to be dropped to a mere 20% tariff. The two Emperors and their people rejoice at the negotiations. While Spain isn't technically an Empire, the Brazilians still use the title to refer to Philip V.

"A great and joyous success for both of our great nations," Brazilian Secretary of State Joao de Ampudia stated.

Koninkrijk België/Royaume de Belgique/Königreich Belgien (Dutch, French, German respectively) Early 1907

Political

The Federal Parliament receives the ultimatum, after quite a while of mishaps along the way en route to delivery. As this ultimatum was extremely unsettling, the Parliament made this issue a massive priority to be discussed. This session of the Federal Parliament would take 3 weeks. After constant debate between the parties, the following conclusions would be formalized:

1. The Parliament agreed to end its occupation of Tientsin.

2. All units will be surrendered, though this will occur after the Chinese agree to what the Belgians concluded.

3. All citizens will be evacuated to Belgium. Any Chinese are allowed to, but not encouraged to leave Tientsin for Belgium. Following evacuation, the Chinese are encouraged to set up a Chinatown in Brussels. 

4. King Leopold will apologize on his behalf.

5. No one in the Belgian royal family will kowtow to the Qing Emperor, for this would be a sign of Qing superiority and that the Belgians regarded themselves as uncomparable to the Qing (due to cultural differences).

Having agreed that the 5th part of the ultimatum be rejected, the Federal Parliament prepared to send even more troops to defend Tientsin.

Economic

All is normal save for increasing productivity and thus economic output. Belgian chocolate companies begin to see a outstanding economic growth.

Military

The defense of Tientsin could not be bolstered, though reinforcement troops had been quite numerous, being 2,500 professional infantry, 2,000 conscripts, 500 Garde Civique, 1,000 Force Publique, and all 100 cavalry. In an attempt to also be able to evacuate civilians, barges desperately began to leave troops in unoccupied islands of the Spratly and Paracel Islands while empty barges tried to pass through the blockade to evacuate civilians. Some armed barges, though, remained occupied, but tried to pass through the blockade anyhow by trying to hide troops in shipping containers filled with rations. The military high command began to prepare a war plan for in case the Chinese began to try and take Tientsin, though this would be an impossibility. Other reinforcements would arrive by next year, containing additional reinforcements.

Current forces in Tientsin number a small 2,500 troops and a couple of artillery, not enough to stand against the Qing.

Foreign Affairs

All terms have been agreed to in the ultimatum, except for the 5th, which the Federal Parliament deemed unnecessary and overly harsh. (tagging Laurent de Gouvion St. Cyr )
As a result, the Federal Parliament began sending other governments pleas, requesting help from them so that they pressure the Qing to remove the 5th section of the ultimatum.
The Belgian government officially accepts the Italian offer as agreed upon privately (tagging liamcog ).

Research

Funding for new research has finally come through! Now two years worth of research can be placed in.

Tank

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One year of research was able to come through, though our scientists are tired. We will continue next year. 8 years of successful research are now needed.

Aeroplane




A year of success! Our scientists will continue with their research!




In their pride, they apparently failed miserably. They will try again next year. 8 years of successful research are now required.

Social

The Belgian people start to become concerned about their involvement in the diplomatic crisis in Tientsin. The Federal Parliament issues a notice that they are trying to resolve the situation as fast as possible and that the Belgian people should not be concerned.·········

Qing 1907

The Tianjin crisis has been resolved with a solution satisfactory to both sides. The plenipotentiary of Belgium kowtows to the Guangxu Emperor as negotiated, Tianjin returned to Chinese hands. A diplomatic victory, if anything. Nothing much to be celebrated, as the cadre and Beiyang armies return dour, untouched by combat.

The Grand Council, motivated by the end of international crises, begins the Great Census. With the infrastructure in China mostly built, the progress of the census should be quicker. In dice terms, I'd suppose a buff of 2. Rolling for the progress of the census:

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The census goes on quite well, with most of Inner China accurately covered by the census. The towns in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia have been documented by the census, but the rural areas have not been reached by infrastructure and thus the census proper. True to the distrust between the provincial governors and Beijing, the data is quickly scurried away to Beijing. Local reports are used to help the Grand Council with their policy prescriptions. The census shows many a great problem in China, including the lack of modern techniques in farming, low rates of literacy and education, as well as the undeniably divided attitude of society. Some parts of the census' conduct are quite worrying, however. Some census takers were killed or kidnapped, with some rural regions' census data obviously manipulated, either due to fear of taking a census or corruption. The census is to be done again in those parts in a few years, when corruption has been solved.

Within three years of state-sponsored industrialization funded by the surplus coming from the renegotiated Boxer Protocols, industry shows its place in Qing society. Already, 12% of the workforce have participated in industry, according to the recent census. Still, such industry are often those of low capacity and little necessity. The state-sponsored industrialization program's priorities are being revised to prioritize the steel and electricity industries, concentrating on building industrial centers. To this end, quarterly meetings are arranged between business leaders in the county level, bringing them together to merge into larger businesses and setting objectives for industrialization. An annual meeting would be done on the provincial level, generally for the same purpose.

Still, the rapid industrialization has brought forward several worries to the Chinese people in agriculture. Namely, the dependence on natural events and low efficiency in regards to yield. Regarding scientific issues, the Qing government formally invites agricultural experts to analyze and improve agriculture. One of the most enthusiastic experts responding to this invitation is Franklin Hiram King, an American agricultural professor. He is willing to lead and pioneer agricultural research in China, if local support for his research can be secured. 11 for success:

 

Several research stations have been set up, located in Harbin, Chengdu and Zhengzhou. Collection of data and education of farmers by relevant agricultural experts begin. Surveyors begin to observe the prefered locations for irrigation. Captains of industry suggests that chemical fertilizer be used, harnessing China's infant industry to supplement agriculture, as well as improvement and mechanization of several agricultural tools.

Monetary reform continues, with paper money pegged to silver now official legal tender in all areas of China. The census, other than taking data on the Chinese people and land, had educated them on the use of paper money. From this point, the Grand Council sets three targets for the next four years:
1. Full use of free-floating paper money by 1912,
2. Establishment of a central bank, supplanting the royal mint by 1910,
3. Establishment of a stock exchange by 1911.

Meanwhile, the cadre army continues its training after Tianjin. Valuable experience has been gained, especially in the fields of artillery and small unit command, as well as static trench warfare, considering that the Tianjin crisis did not have a major engagement bar small-unit missions and patrols. The quality of NCOs continue to increase and unit leaders are given more autonomy to accomplish objectives in this cadre army. Each soldier, including even privates, must be able to lead, not only follow.

In the naval aspect, the Ministry only tries to successfully conduct the programs last year:

Fuzhou and Jiangnan Naval Yards



The Fuzhou and Jiangnan Naval Yards' construction exceeds expectations. Now, it is able to mass-produce heavy/armored cruisers, numbering about six a year in each naval yard, but the ability to construct modern ironclad battleships still eludes these naval yards, dreadnought or pre-dreadnought. Further port construction initiatives are surveyed for, especially on the port of Shanghai and Shenzen.

Nang Hai Class Cruiser


The Nang Hai design is perfected. Considering the necessity of the Nang Hai being the only modern Chinese cruiser force, they are equipped with four two-turret ten-inch guns to be able to outfight any armored cruisers. For weight saving, secondaries are only a minimum, with  only six 6-inch guns acting as the secondary armament. Their speed is estimated at twenty-four knots, with critical areas such as the engine, superstructure, and pumps covered with 5-inch or more Krupp armor, less important parts using Harveyed armor. They have a displacement of 15,000 long tons. Six are to be finished in late 1908.

Port Guns


Port Guns are a success and are now installed all across Chinese ports to improve their defenses, preventing any illegal occupation. They are to be fully installed by 1910.

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Revolts and Rebellions, or how Sun Yat-Sen messes with my head

Huanggang Uprising - May 22

Xu Xueqiu, Chen Yongpo, and Yu Tongshi have risen against the Qing government, and is poised to take Huanggang city, in Chaozhu, Guangdong. Rolling for the severity of the uprising. >12 the rebels have Huanggang.

 

Huanggang has fallen, along with several surrounding areas. The revolutionaries' numbers swell to 8,000. Three divisions of the imperial cadre army are sent, as well as a contingent of Jinyiwei. Due to the lack of desire to commit in urban fighting, possibly incurring heavy casualties, not to mention civilian ones, the Jinyiwei plans to assassinate the leaders of the uprising. 8 for success.

Xu Xueqiu


Chen Yongpo


Yu Tongshi


A total success! Xu Xueqiu was shot while giving a speech to the rebels, Chen Yongpo strangled in the rebels' headquarters, and Yu Tongshi killed by explosion. All Jinyiwei agents were able to extract safely. Now, with the rebels demoralized, confused, and leaderless, preparations for the assault begin. Jinyiwei agents smuggle some soldiers to help open the gates; five to succeed.



The gates are open with minimal casualties. And now, for the melee inside Huanggang proper.



The rebels are crushed, surrendering to the cadre army. The success in urban warfare indicates the advantage of well-trained small units with initiative, as commands from headquarters cannot be issued in these situations. Huanggang recaptured relatively bloodlessly.

Two Japanese nationals are found among the dead rebels. A formal investigation is done by the reformed gendarmerie.

Huizhou Qinuhu Uprising - June 2

Deng Zhiyu and Chen Chuan has seized Qing arms and plans to engage local army units. Before the cadre army could arrive and bolster them, a battle occurs. Rolling for success.



The battle between local Qing forces and the Huizhou rebels have been won by the Qing forces. Still. the uprising have not been crushed totally, with half in hiding. A brigade of the cadre army as well as some Jinyiwei conduct a campaign to hunt down the rebels.



Most of the rebels are arrested or surrendered. After some interrogation, the Jinyiwei finds out that most of the uprising leaders were sent by Sun Yat-sen and are members of the Revive China society.

Anqing Uprising

Xu Xilin, a police comissioner in Anqing, has risen against the provincial governor. He tries to assassinate the governor in his palace. Rolling for his success.



The palace remains under siege. Six brigades of the cadre army are set against the rebels. They try to sneak into the city instead of assaulting, 7 for success.



Though nearly found, the assault starts with the element of surprise. Rolling for the melee:



The rebels have surrendered. Xu Xilin is arrested, interrogated, and is transfered to Beijing awaiting trial. Members of Xu Xilin's family are secured, in fear of retaliation from the governor.

Qinzhou Uprising

Landlords have protested against the land tax plan. They rise up, armed and planning to take Qinzhou county. They are met by the local Qing forces. Rolling for the battle.



The local forces defeat the landlords totally. Their lands are confiscated and redistributed. Wang Heshun, an associate of Sun Yat-sen is found among the rebels, further detailing Tongmenghui involvement in these uprisings.

Zhengguan Uprising

Huang Mintang tries to seize the fort guarding Zhengguan pass. With traitors inside the fort, he only needs a 5 to win.



The fort has been seized, though not without heavy casualties in the hands of the rebels. Ten brigades of the cadre army, led by Long Jiguang, plans a counterattack to retake the fort. Rolling for their organization and preparation in the mountain.



The preparations are satisfactory. Now, the ten brigades of the cadre army assaults, surrounding the fort's exits. Rolling for the melee.



The rebels are defeated, surrendered, and arrested. Yet interrogation reveals that several Tongmenghui leaders, including Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing, and Hu Hamnan seems to have led the battle and escaped into the mountains, somehow eluding the guards assigned at the exits.
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Italy declares war on ottoman empire!
( Der Kaiserreich ,)

Political- today, Elena of Montenegro gave a speech to the Italian people. Here is a portion. (Remember her and the people are strong Catholics). ' The muslims barbaric ways shall not come close to our true Christianness. With the otomans plans to take over the middle east what comes next? Spain like they did several century ago, then Italy and all are civilised well-being? We will not how down to there barbaric ways! I urge every healthy male to take arms and fight for our great country!!

Military- before the war training took place to further increase the effectiveness of assault capabilitys.
The strong Italian navy will start clearing coastal defences before the Italian army will land. 14000 troops will land near the small town of al bayda (a) 22000 near misrata near Tripoli (b) There is only 8000 otoman soldiers in the whole of Libya. We need a 5 for both to work.

A 6U3h3R8x.
b 
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Kosmat Of Hellas To War 

Joshua Declares war after years of waiting knowing the Ottomans would strike. He enacts the Coalition of Spain (@gaius Julius Caesar) Italy (liamcog ) Britain (Mao Ze Dong Ritter von Leeb) and Romainia (best75 ) Hellas uses planes to drop propaganda throughout the balkans. The first wave is to inspire the Young Turk Revolution (8 is needed) DRxlH3Va Almost, Another attempt on a 3rd wave requiring a 6 will be tried but for now we attempt to inspire the Greeks to revolt to become citizens of Hellas once more. (6 is required after all they are Greek)  The planes crash before they reach the target, We try again for the Revolution. If it is a success we will attempt again at getting the Greeks to Revolt  We besiege the city of Ionninia and attempt a demand surrendur. We will need an 8 in order for them to surrender.  A portion of the men decide to surrender via fleeing but the majority decide to stay in. we will need a 7 to win the siege.  Bare failure. They manage to repel us. we will try to attack from the air. The higher the roll the higher the casualities  Light casualities are sustained by the Ottomans. We beseige it again and this time we use a smaller force to distract the Defenders from a sneak attack from a flank. It needs a 6 to work to push them back.  The enemy are now pinned in a position they cannot win. We call for a surrender of the city, It needs a 5 to work.  The men in spite of death decide to make one last Hurrah and surprise charge u. It didn't work well and we open fire. With Enemy morale low we attempt to kill as many as possible. A rally speech was given to the troops. the effictiveness is rolled for  a moderate success. a final attack on the pinned down Ottomans is made requiring a 6 to defeat them.  after a heavy 2 seiges the Enemy lie at the feat of Varies. He calls in Reserves to fill the Casualities and uses Partisan and scout cavalry units to guard from Ionninia diagnolly down to the end of the Greek peninsula while the men rest, 


Following the Near double in size of the Military from the Italian allies (liamcog btw thanks so much for the men.) Morale raises and they begin marching east to Bitola and Inspire the Greek population to help in the campaign. We will use a roll to determine how many men join (I point= 1K if reasonable)  Varies begins trying to determine what way they will be attacked from. 7 thousand men join in the army (Not trained) A at least slight experience bonus on the army from the siege is gained. They also drop leaflits about Hellas backing The Democratics in the debate (If an  8 they decide to start a revolution like in IRL.)   Have to do this to not delete dice. They Arrive at Bitola and lay siege. a 7 should be needed to win the siege.  They repel us with 4K Casualities so we call in 7 K partisans to help with the assault and we still require a 7  A decisive victory on the siege. defences are made from Ionninias to Botila for this turn.

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Die Osterreichische-Ungarische Monarchie, 1907

After a quiet 1906 (no turn posted), 1907 explodes with a number of events.
Serbia is partitioned, due to the neglect of it’s leadership. Belgrade and Kosovo are annexed, and assigned to the Serbo-Croatians regional government.

The Slovaks have yet to approve of an assigned government. Rolling now for their opinion of this third attempt.
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Finally, the Slovaks are appeased, and with a positive outlook as well!

Rolling for the Slovenes.


The Slovenian regional government is approved, and the regionalization program complete. With tensions among the many ethnic groups calmed at last, Austria-Hungary can focus on other matters at hand. The most important matter?

The Greco-Italian Crusade

Italy, Romania, and Greece have declared war on The Ottoman Empire! The Ottoman Empire, being a large contributor of oil to Austria alongside the Polish Province of Galicia, is an ally to Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Germany. Whether or not the other alliance members join the war remains to be seen, but Austria-Hungary will not sit idly by. Austria-Hungary henceforth embargoes Italy (liamcog ), Greece (@joshuameme ) and Romania (best75 ) entirely, and conscription laws are activated. 300,000 men of the Heer (common army), and 200,000 men of the Imperial-Royal Austrian Guard are stationed on the Italian Border, and 200,000 men of the Heer to the Romanian Border. The Austrian Navy is ordered to patrol the Adriatic. Naval Order of Battle here:

4 Dreadnoughts
9 Pre-Dreadnoughts
4 Coastal Defense Ships
3 Armored Cruisers
6 Light Cruisers
30 Destroyers
36 Torpedo Boats
6 Submarines

A Declaration of War upon the aggressors is pending the reaction of Germany (Leonid Govorov ) and Russia (Desophaeus ).
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日本の帝国1907 (Empire of Japan 1907):

This year is special for Japan, as it is the 40th year of the rule of Emperor Meiji. Celebrations are held throughout late October and early November, culminating on the third day of November, Meiji's birthday, celebrating 40 good years of rule, and wishing Meiji good health and 40 years more. As befitting such a year, it proves peaceful for the Empire, with the war in Southeast Asia paused for the time being and plans being floated to buy the remainder of Annam to avoid infuriating the Great Powers in Europe more than necessary. Regardless, the Vietnamese and French in Japanese Annam are introduced into the Diet, with the Vietnamese having very slightly more power than the French, because they are native Asians. Elsewhere in the empire, the superiority of Asians is promoted; it is illegal to discriminate against Europeans or other races, but Asians are viewed in a slightly more favorable light and slightly favored in positions, as the belief is pushed that the Japanese, along with other Asians, are the master races on the continent. 

Military

As befitting an empire of Japan's size, the army size is increased to 800,000 standing men. The old bushido ideals are starting to be introduced into military standards and training at the request of Emperor Meiji, encouraging soldiers to consider war as a purifying act, and death as a necessary duty for the betterment of the nation-only when the nation must, of course. Some of bushido's older pacifism is retained in deciding when to go to war.
300,000 troops in Japan 
225,000 troops in Japanese Annam
175,000 troops in Korea
50,000 troops in Taiwan
50,000 troops in Macau 

The admirals in the navy decide that it is time to start building bigger and better ships, so a program is started to build a pre-dreadnought, with dreadnoughts to come later. Given Japan's previous naval experience and ships, I'll say an 8 is necessary for a successful prototype to be developed:
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The prototype exceeds expectations, and is finished weeks ahead of schedule. A full-fledged ship follows, with 2 more ordered for next year. 5 submarines and 10 more patrol craft are built on the side. 

1 pre-dreadnought
18 battleships
20 destroyers
31 submarines
25 patrol craft

Work is started on building a light armored car. This isn't our area of expertise, but we have made great strides in other areas, so I'll say a 9 will yield a working armored car:


The model built had engine issues and exploded. But the Japanese engineers were on the right path, so hopefully only a little work will be needed, and they'll have it by next year. 

Economy

Like with Korea, Japanese citizens are being paid to move down to Japanese Annam and help modernize the area more. Less work is needed, since it was formerly a French colony, but there is still a lot of work to be done there. An offer from the French to buy Nagasaki is rejected, but counteroffers in other areas have been made, and it remains to be seen what may come of those. Nothing much is happening elsewhere with the economy, but it is starting to strongly resemble many of the Great Powers' economies, and will soon be on their level.

World 

The Hirobumi Declaration is issued. It essentially proclaims Japan as the "greatest power in Asia", as many people had been saying for years since the Sino-Japanese War, but it also declares Japan as the sixth Great Power. It remains to be seen how the five existing Great Powers will react. Japan declares neutrality in the war between the Ottoman Empire and other European nations, but stands ready to intervene economically if necessary. Meanwhile, with conquests over in French Indochina, leaders propose all sorts of ideas for other conquests. Japanese African colonies are dismissed for being too far away, Japanese Chile/Peru/Central America is rejected for the same reason, plus the United States (and Brazil, to far less of an extent) may turn the Monroe and Ampudia Doctrines against Japan. After deliberations, the seemingly obvious choice is made: Siam. Small, fairly undefended, and within  easy reach of Japanese Annam, conquest plans are drawn up. The Japanese Empire will soon be on the rise again.


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