Greater Siam
- Thread starter ChaosNDiscord
- Start date
Siam to 1898 or The Arrival of the Railroads and Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills!
The events of the early 1890s had brought intense western interest in Siam and the influx of westerners brought to the nation by curiosity and thirst for profit helped speed up changes within Siam. By 1897 the first power generating plant had begun operating in Bangkok, and for the first time it’s major streets were illuminated by electric lighting. Within two years there would be a handful of plants churning out electricity that would power the factories that had begun to sprout around the capital.
Improvements with relations between the Siamese and French led to joint development of a Bangkok to Phnom Phen railway, mostly financed by the French who wanted to improve access to the growing capital of Siam. The discovery of new gold mines in 1895 would lead to a mini ‘Gold-Rush’ as western investors tried to gain access to the mines and strike it rich. For a period of two years western owned and built railroads would spread to the mineral rich mountainous regions, though in the end most would go under due to the high cost and difficulty in mining much of the gold. In 1897 Chulalongkorn finally, at the advice of his ministers, issued an edict banning total foreign control of mines or railways. Those already existing would be given a period of 10 years to divest themselves to no more than fifty percent control or face serious fines and possible seizure. The arrival of so many competing for the same gold deposits also led to an outbreak of violence by foreigner against foreigner with Siamese sometimes caught up in the bloodshed. The King in response demanded a crackdown on the escalating violence. Though limited by the treaties she had signed with some foreign powers, the Siamese were able to stem the violence, though her traditional methods of interrogation were labeled barbaric by western nations. The King in consultation with his council ordered the exclusion of the practice of judicial torture against all foreign prisoners, and within a year would end the practice all together in Siam.
Though this measure was unpopular with many investors, and received protests from foreign governments, Siamese officials were eventually able to placate foreign ministers, and the King’s ‘First Voyage’ would do much to heal any wounds, his charming personality winning over his fellow monarchs and his visits being greeted by a curious and enthusiastic public wherever he visited. Despite fears in France that someone might try to assassinate the foreign leader, no such incident occurred, and in an address to the French government, the Siamese King expressed his hopes for closer and long lasting ties of friendship with the French.
During his visit with the Queen of England Chulalongkorn was given honors and allowed to stay in Buckingham Palace during his visit*. His trip to Germany went well also, though there were some reports the German monarch had made disparaging remarks about the Siamese and what the war’s outcome would have been like had they battled German soldiers. The Siamese monarch laughed off questions about the remarks simply saying that he had “heard of the prowess of German soldiery.” The Kings manner endeared him to the German public, while Wilhelm’s impulsive tongue further embarrassed the German people.After a brief visit to New York and a tour of the Stock Exchange there the King and his entourage would sail home, bringing new ideas with them.
In early 1898 the Siamese would announce a new overhaul of the educational system and the establishment of mandatory schooling for all children. The first schools in some rural areas were crude single story buildings with classes two to three times a week, however literacy and math were heavily promoted. The same year he also passed the Workers Act which required all employers to pay workers for their labor, not forced. At the same time the first full census was being conducted, to gain insight into just how many men were available to the government.
Though military reforms continued, Chulalongkorn established some limits on advancement for those of the common classes. The highest levels of military rank were reserved for members of the Royal Family and the Siamese nobility, and the new military academy likewise reserved its officer’s training for the same.
The events of the early 1890s had brought intense western interest in Siam and the influx of westerners brought to the nation by curiosity and thirst for profit helped speed up changes within Siam. By 1897 the first power generating plant had begun operating in Bangkok, and for the first time it’s major streets were illuminated by electric lighting. Within two years there would be a handful of plants churning out electricity that would power the factories that had begun to sprout around the capital.
Improvements with relations between the Siamese and French led to joint development of a Bangkok to Phnom Phen railway, mostly financed by the French who wanted to improve access to the growing capital of Siam. The discovery of new gold mines in 1895 would lead to a mini ‘Gold-Rush’ as western investors tried to gain access to the mines and strike it rich. For a period of two years western owned and built railroads would spread to the mineral rich mountainous regions, though in the end most would go under due to the high cost and difficulty in mining much of the gold. In 1897 Chulalongkorn finally, at the advice of his ministers, issued an edict banning total foreign control of mines or railways. Those already existing would be given a period of 10 years to divest themselves to no more than fifty percent control or face serious fines and possible seizure. The arrival of so many competing for the same gold deposits also led to an outbreak of violence by foreigner against foreigner with Siamese sometimes caught up in the bloodshed. The King in response demanded a crackdown on the escalating violence. Though limited by the treaties she had signed with some foreign powers, the Siamese were able to stem the violence, though her traditional methods of interrogation were labeled barbaric by western nations. The King in consultation with his council ordered the exclusion of the practice of judicial torture against all foreign prisoners, and within a year would end the practice all together in Siam.
Though this measure was unpopular with many investors, and received protests from foreign governments, Siamese officials were eventually able to placate foreign ministers, and the King’s ‘First Voyage’ would do much to heal any wounds, his charming personality winning over his fellow monarchs and his visits being greeted by a curious and enthusiastic public wherever he visited. Despite fears in France that someone might try to assassinate the foreign leader, no such incident occurred, and in an address to the French government, the Siamese King expressed his hopes for closer and long lasting ties of friendship with the French.
During his visit with the Queen of England Chulalongkorn was given honors and allowed to stay in Buckingham Palace during his visit*. His trip to Germany went well also, though there were some reports the German monarch had made disparaging remarks about the Siamese and what the war’s outcome would have been like had they battled German soldiers. The Siamese monarch laughed off questions about the remarks simply saying that he had “heard of the prowess of German soldiery.” The Kings manner endeared him to the German public, while Wilhelm’s impulsive tongue further embarrassed the German people.After a brief visit to New York and a tour of the Stock Exchange there the King and his entourage would sail home, bringing new ideas with them.
In early 1898 the Siamese would announce a new overhaul of the educational system and the establishment of mandatory schooling for all children. The first schools in some rural areas were crude single story buildings with classes two to three times a week, however literacy and math were heavily promoted. The same year he also passed the Workers Act which required all employers to pay workers for their labor, not forced. At the same time the first full census was being conducted, to gain insight into just how many men were available to the government.
Though military reforms continued, Chulalongkorn established some limits on advancement for those of the common classes. The highest levels of military rank were reserved for members of the Royal Family and the Siamese nobility, and the new military academy likewise reserved its officer’s training for the same.
Very interesting. Siam grows stronger and retains more.
I wonder if you are planning on Fashoda escalating? That would throw off any ponderings of how this stronger Siam would del with the 20th century. As a Fashoda war will create quite a different stage.
I wonder if you are planning on Fashoda escalating? That would throw off any ponderings of how this stronger Siam would del with the 20th century. As a Fashoda war will create quite a different stage.
Well, I hate to spoil surprises. I should have the next update, which deals with Fashoda late tonight or tomorrow. I am also, trying to not let this drift into too much of Siamwank as with this late of a PoD it's not as if Siam is suddenly going to become a global superpower. I'm just having a few things go more their way and seeing how I think it plays out.
I may start doing a little less timeline update and bit of first person action interludes when we hit really interesting periods. I thought about it with the War Along the Mekong piece, but I didn't feel I could really capture the feel of that era.
I may start doing a little less timeline update and bit of first person action interludes when we hit really interesting periods. I thought about it with the War Along the Mekong piece, but I didn't feel I could really capture the feel of that era.
Fashoda and the Christmas Crisis
A French force under Marchand had been given orders to secure the small city of Fashoda in the Sudan. Setting out from Brazzaville, the party braved a 14 month expedition across central Africa and set up camp in the Fashoda fort. Less than a week later, a British force under Kitchener which had just defeated the Madhi arrived outside the town. The two were able to communicate well as Kitchener spoke French with some fluency and despite the tensions between their nations, and their competing claims to the territory the two agreed to await communication from their homelands. Interestingly this incident was somewhat of a reverse of the incident that opened the Mekong War in which the British occupied a town in French claimed territory.
While the standoff dragged on the press in both countries became more and more belligerent. Wisely for once, the Kaiser kept his mouth shut, as anything that furthered a rift between Britain and France was seen to push the British closer to the German camp. In Africa, the two armies, camped alongside one another got on surprisingly well in contrast to various reports being spread throughout the papers. Kitchener and Marchand had even dined together in one another's camps along with their top aides, and things had been going rather well between the two armies. Naturally there was a level of mistrust, they had been rivals for hundreds of years, but with the two small units stuck well off the track in the Sudan, it certainly was better than fighting one another in some remote spot on a map. Things changed in early December, when on the 3rd, two more units of French troops, backed by light artillery arrived. The British gunboats which controlled the river and had effectively outgunned the French regiment were now seriously threatened. Kitchener urgently sent messages back to London where, negotiators had just started meeting with the French. Decrying this French treachery the British vowed to send reinforcements of their own, not quite believing the French had dispatched these units months ago where they had been delayed in Ethiopia while negotiations had taken place with the Emperor to allow the passage of French troops. In an interesting oversight, the French colonial ministry had failed to inform the Foreign Ministry that not all French troops had arrived at Fashoda, so the negotiators never informed the British as they believed all the
French forces were all ready in Fashoda.
In Sudan, the tension had ratcheted up with the arrival of newer troops. Despite Marchand's insistence that the newly arrived troops remain on the East bank of the Nile, and Kitchener's refusal to allow the French to cross, the French on the 13th of December with a new moon darkening the skies decided to force a night crossing. Nearly half the troops had crossed when British sentries spotted the boats in the water. Shots rang out at the French, who responded in kind with their own. Soon cannon had been loaded and began firing. While Marchand was able to regain control of the troops on the Western bank and bring them to safety within the fort, on the Eastern side, the firing continued for some time. The unfortunate incident would see one gunship heavily damaged, another catch fire and be abandoned only to be re-boarded later the next day when the fires had
gone out; both sides suffered a few dozen casualties, mostly injured and only a handful dead.
When word of the incident had gotten out, the press in both nations went ballistic, both sides demanding blood. The French new that on land, they could match the British in Africa, but their navy was vastly outclassed by the British and it would be a small matter for them to sweep the French navy from the seas and cut her off from her colonies.
Back in Fashoda, with British control of the river, the French were starting to run out of supplies. The long overland supply route was treacherous and slow, and something had to happen soon or the French would have to withdrawal. Amazingly, once Kitchener had learned of the situation he began to share supplies with the French and authorized French ships to deliver food and medicine to the French garrison, as well as arrange for the evacuation of any wounded or sick. On Christmas, the two opposing forces gathered for a holiday feast and celebration and after much wine and discussion sent back messengers with their own suggestions for a solution to the crisis. On January 5th, a solution very similar to that suggested by the two commanders was implemented.
The border would be fixed between the sources of the Nile and Congo Rivers, and that the British would the French to use south Sudan as a transition point, provided no troops were garrisoned and no claim was made within British delineated territory. Both Kitchener and Marchand returned home heroes, though Marchand faced court-marshal for cowardice when his captains reported that the Major not only refused to fight the British, he even demanded the troops cease fighting after having been attacked. Though he received an official reprimand from the French military, he was also immediately promoted and awarded a commendation. Delclasse the French Foreign Minister knew that France could not compete in a colonial war with Britain and wanted to focus on their new and more dangerous rival, Germany. In Britain, Kitchener was given a heroes welcome and also given a series of commendations and awards.
In Siam, the whole incident had seriously raised tensions along the border. Garrisons were made ready and the army was partially mobilized in case of any outbreak of hostilities between France and Britain. Despite the tensions in Africa, the French in Vietnam did not take up positions or provoke the Siamese. Clearly they did not want the war to spread to their far eastern colonies, and neither did the Siamese, who were still deep in the throes of modernizing their country. Though things were progressing well, King Chulalongkorn knew his nation still could not compete with the west and would need a long period of peace and stability to develop the structure that would allow Siam to become a player on the world stage, which unfortunately she would not receive, as the world would soon begin lurching from one crisis to another until the spark was light that would engulf the world in the first great conflict that would see battles on five continents.
A French force under Marchand had been given orders to secure the small city of Fashoda in the Sudan. Setting out from Brazzaville, the party braved a 14 month expedition across central Africa and set up camp in the Fashoda fort. Less than a week later, a British force under Kitchener which had just defeated the Madhi arrived outside the town. The two were able to communicate well as Kitchener spoke French with some fluency and despite the tensions between their nations, and their competing claims to the territory the two agreed to await communication from their homelands. Interestingly this incident was somewhat of a reverse of the incident that opened the Mekong War in which the British occupied a town in French claimed territory.
While the standoff dragged on the press in both countries became more and more belligerent. Wisely for once, the Kaiser kept his mouth shut, as anything that furthered a rift between Britain and France was seen to push the British closer to the German camp. In Africa, the two armies, camped alongside one another got on surprisingly well in contrast to various reports being spread throughout the papers. Kitchener and Marchand had even dined together in one another's camps along with their top aides, and things had been going rather well between the two armies. Naturally there was a level of mistrust, they had been rivals for hundreds of years, but with the two small units stuck well off the track in the Sudan, it certainly was better than fighting one another in some remote spot on a map. Things changed in early December, when on the 3rd, two more units of French troops, backed by light artillery arrived. The British gunboats which controlled the river and had effectively outgunned the French regiment were now seriously threatened. Kitchener urgently sent messages back to London where, negotiators had just started meeting with the French. Decrying this French treachery the British vowed to send reinforcements of their own, not quite believing the French had dispatched these units months ago where they had been delayed in Ethiopia while negotiations had taken place with the Emperor to allow the passage of French troops. In an interesting oversight, the French colonial ministry had failed to inform the Foreign Ministry that not all French troops had arrived at Fashoda, so the negotiators never informed the British as they believed all the
French forces were all ready in Fashoda.
In Sudan, the tension had ratcheted up with the arrival of newer troops. Despite Marchand's insistence that the newly arrived troops remain on the East bank of the Nile, and Kitchener's refusal to allow the French to cross, the French on the 13th of December with a new moon darkening the skies decided to force a night crossing. Nearly half the troops had crossed when British sentries spotted the boats in the water. Shots rang out at the French, who responded in kind with their own. Soon cannon had been loaded and began firing. While Marchand was able to regain control of the troops on the Western bank and bring them to safety within the fort, on the Eastern side, the firing continued for some time. The unfortunate incident would see one gunship heavily damaged, another catch fire and be abandoned only to be re-boarded later the next day when the fires had
gone out; both sides suffered a few dozen casualties, mostly injured and only a handful dead.
When word of the incident had gotten out, the press in both nations went ballistic, both sides demanding blood. The French new that on land, they could match the British in Africa, but their navy was vastly outclassed by the British and it would be a small matter for them to sweep the French navy from the seas and cut her off from her colonies.
Back in Fashoda, with British control of the river, the French were starting to run out of supplies. The long overland supply route was treacherous and slow, and something had to happen soon or the French would have to withdrawal. Amazingly, once Kitchener had learned of the situation he began to share supplies with the French and authorized French ships to deliver food and medicine to the French garrison, as well as arrange for the evacuation of any wounded or sick. On Christmas, the two opposing forces gathered for a holiday feast and celebration and after much wine and discussion sent back messengers with their own suggestions for a solution to the crisis. On January 5th, a solution very similar to that suggested by the two commanders was implemented.
The border would be fixed between the sources of the Nile and Congo Rivers, and that the British would the French to use south Sudan as a transition point, provided no troops were garrisoned and no claim was made within British delineated territory. Both Kitchener and Marchand returned home heroes, though Marchand faced court-marshal for cowardice when his captains reported that the Major not only refused to fight the British, he even demanded the troops cease fighting after having been attacked. Though he received an official reprimand from the French military, he was also immediately promoted and awarded a commendation. Delclasse the French Foreign Minister knew that France could not compete in a colonial war with Britain and wanted to focus on their new and more dangerous rival, Germany. In Britain, Kitchener was given a heroes welcome and also given a series of commendations and awards.
In Siam, the whole incident had seriously raised tensions along the border. Garrisons were made ready and the army was partially mobilized in case of any outbreak of hostilities between France and Britain. Despite the tensions in Africa, the French in Vietnam did not take up positions or provoke the Siamese. Clearly they did not want the war to spread to their far eastern colonies, and neither did the Siamese, who were still deep in the throes of modernizing their country. Though things were progressing well, King Chulalongkorn knew his nation still could not compete with the west and would need a long period of peace and stability to develop the structure that would allow Siam to become a player on the world stage, which unfortunately she would not receive, as the world would soon begin lurching from one crisis to another until the spark was light that would engulf the world in the first great conflict that would see battles on five continents.
Well no Fashoda War. But if Britain and France are on the same side when things go off I don't see Siam doing much more than OTL in the Great War.
I seriously considered a Fashoda war, but I realized that militarily there was no war the French could take on Great Britain at that point in time. They simply had no where near enough naval strength to put up much of a fight. Unless France had an ally she couldn't do much. And at this point the only other navy that could really help would be the USA and well that's just... no.
While the year 1899 closed out a very dangerous century for Siam, the age of Imperialism still hadn't ended as new actors came onto the stage. The United States would use the victories in the Spanish-American War to seize control of the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. A short occupation of Cuba installed a democratically elected, but soon to become US backed strongman who would hold sway over the island nation. Puerto Rico was made a protectorate, and a bloody war was begun in the Philippines as the United States sought to 'protect' the territory from domination by another world power. While all this happened, the Russian Tsar had called for a conference regarding the creation of rules for waging a civilized war and settle arguments between states without resort to warfare. Siam, was one of the nations asked to send a delegate and a strong supporter of the court of arbitration. Siam would be one of only a handful of non-European states invited to participate and sign the original agreement which would enter into force in September of 1900. In the meantime, Africa was still engulfed in colonial strife that even spread to Afghanistan and clashes between the Chinese and various colonial powers would continue; in less than a year, Chinese rage at colonial domination would burst in the Boxer Rebellions.
While events in China came to a head, the French would march into and formally annex Chad, the British would be knee deep in the Boer Wars that stubbornly continued. In Europe Germany announced its second naval law aiming to expand it's power. In America, Carrie Nation would begin her anti-saloon crusade, and Max Plank would give birth to Quantum Physics and the first Michelin Guide would be published.
1900 started auspiciously enough with the United States government promoting the Open Door Policy in China, trying to ensure that all nations had equal access and that China would not be carved up by the imperial powers. At the same time however, drought and anger at foreign missionaries continued to spread in the Chinese countryside until it exploded in a wave of violence that left many foreigners dead or seriously wounded. Within a month, the foreign delegations were besieged in Beijing, and after an assault on a German diplomat, they refused the Chinese Empresses assurances of safe passage out of the city. The first relief attempt ended in disaster after occupying a Qing arms cache that had all ready been emptied. The force attempted to hold out while a new rescue mission was launched, but, without supplies to hold out, the rescue arrived several days too late. Admiral Seymour's position was found to have been overrun, and aside from a few troops who had hidden and a few seriously wounded who had somehow survived, the rest were either killed or captured. The Chinese Government itself joined with the Boxers and its own troops added to the effort to expel the foreigners. While civilians were evacuated many to well defended territorial concessions such as Hong Kong or Macao, some were taken to Japan, Korea, or Indochina temporarily. In Beijing the Siege of the International Legation was the thing of legend. The military troops of the legation fought desperately to hold out, arming their own civilians and Chinese Christians who had joined them. Despite hopes for an armistice, on the 10th of July a major explosion rocked the French legation as the Chinese detonated a mine, destroying much of the defense. As Chinese troops poured in, the Foreign troops retreated to their final defensive positions, a series of bunkers that had been hastily constructed. After four more days of intense fighting interspersed with hopeful negotiations and the death of two more foreign diplomats and several officers, the Chinese offered a truce. With little option, the allied forces accepted and were marched into captivity. They were spared from the brutality of the Boxers only because a large force had landed in China, some 20,000 strong and begun to march on the capital.
Regional leaders in China, especially those nearest the foreign concessions generally refused to participate in the rebellion though some sent a small number of troops; meanwhile others further west, particularly amongst Muslim regions found many willing volunteers. These troops joined with the Chinese forces to attempt to fight back the invading armies. The going was difficult for the allied powers and they only reached Beijing after much loss to find their objective having already fallen to besieging forces. When the allies demanded the return of the hostages, Chinese officials refused unless the allied nations agreed to withdraw from China and end the unequal treaties that had ben forced upon it. The allies categorically refused and continued their advance, intending to pursue and capture the Chinese Empress and end the rebellion. In response, the Chinese massacred the hostages, though through the efforts of some Chinese commanders many of the western civilians were spared and spirited away to be returned to the foreign armies. As opposition stiffened and losses mounted, the allied powers dispatched another force of 10,000 troops, this proved to be the breaking point for the Chinese. With their own horrendous losses continuing with every battle, the Chinese armies simply started to disintegrate. Finally, in late September, the Empress Dowager was captured where under guard, she was shockingly executed by a member of the German force. While this caused a temporary resurgence of violence it was swiftly put down while China began to fragment. Its central authority now gone, the regional warlords began to assert their powers while the Guangxu Emperor was restored to the throne with a council of western regents. After the war, foreign troops began a short reign of terror in the Chinese countryside, hunting down suspected Boxers, occupying and ravaging the countryside. In several noted cases the behavior of occupying troops was labelled as barbaric and would result in a terrible backlash from the progressive papers against Imperialism. Photos and reports of massive killings, lootings, and rape found their way into the western presses. Though some would be suppressed, not all such stories could be buried, not with luminaries such as Mark Twain in America decrying the behavior of American troops. The Daily Telegraph journalist E. J. Dillon stated he had been told of thousands of Chinese women committing suicide to avoid rape by Alliance forces, and had personally witnessed the mutilated corpses of Chinese women killed by the Alliance troops. The French commander dismissed the rapes, attributing them to "gallantry of the French soldier", which went over like a sack of lead in the papers and the commander was immediately recalled to France and cashiered. It was one thing to turn a blind eye to the practice, but to condone it publicly was too much for public sentiment. Though the German troops behaved no worse than the other nations' the public statements of the Kaiser as he sent his troops to China declaring they would act there as Atilla had in Europe would later be used to give the Germans their unfortunate nickname of 'huns'.
While events in China came to a head, the French would march into and formally annex Chad, the British would be knee deep in the Boer Wars that stubbornly continued. In Europe Germany announced its second naval law aiming to expand it's power. In America, Carrie Nation would begin her anti-saloon crusade, and Max Plank would give birth to Quantum Physics and the first Michelin Guide would be published.
1900 started auspiciously enough with the United States government promoting the Open Door Policy in China, trying to ensure that all nations had equal access and that China would not be carved up by the imperial powers. At the same time however, drought and anger at foreign missionaries continued to spread in the Chinese countryside until it exploded in a wave of violence that left many foreigners dead or seriously wounded. Within a month, the foreign delegations were besieged in Beijing, and after an assault on a German diplomat, they refused the Chinese Empresses assurances of safe passage out of the city. The first relief attempt ended in disaster after occupying a Qing arms cache that had all ready been emptied. The force attempted to hold out while a new rescue mission was launched, but, without supplies to hold out, the rescue arrived several days too late. Admiral Seymour's position was found to have been overrun, and aside from a few troops who had hidden and a few seriously wounded who had somehow survived, the rest were either killed or captured. The Chinese Government itself joined with the Boxers and its own troops added to the effort to expel the foreigners. While civilians were evacuated many to well defended territorial concessions such as Hong Kong or Macao, some were taken to Japan, Korea, or Indochina temporarily. In Beijing the Siege of the International Legation was the thing of legend. The military troops of the legation fought desperately to hold out, arming their own civilians and Chinese Christians who had joined them. Despite hopes for an armistice, on the 10th of July a major explosion rocked the French legation as the Chinese detonated a mine, destroying much of the defense. As Chinese troops poured in, the Foreign troops retreated to their final defensive positions, a series of bunkers that had been hastily constructed. After four more days of intense fighting interspersed with hopeful negotiations and the death of two more foreign diplomats and several officers, the Chinese offered a truce. With little option, the allied forces accepted and were marched into captivity. They were spared from the brutality of the Boxers only because a large force had landed in China, some 20,000 strong and begun to march on the capital.
Regional leaders in China, especially those nearest the foreign concessions generally refused to participate in the rebellion though some sent a small number of troops; meanwhile others further west, particularly amongst Muslim regions found many willing volunteers. These troops joined with the Chinese forces to attempt to fight back the invading armies. The going was difficult for the allied powers and they only reached Beijing after much loss to find their objective having already fallen to besieging forces. When the allies demanded the return of the hostages, Chinese officials refused unless the allied nations agreed to withdraw from China and end the unequal treaties that had ben forced upon it. The allies categorically refused and continued their advance, intending to pursue and capture the Chinese Empress and end the rebellion. In response, the Chinese massacred the hostages, though through the efforts of some Chinese commanders many of the western civilians were spared and spirited away to be returned to the foreign armies. As opposition stiffened and losses mounted, the allied powers dispatched another force of 10,000 troops, this proved to be the breaking point for the Chinese. With their own horrendous losses continuing with every battle, the Chinese armies simply started to disintegrate. Finally, in late September, the Empress Dowager was captured where under guard, she was shockingly executed by a member of the German force. While this caused a temporary resurgence of violence it was swiftly put down while China began to fragment. Its central authority now gone, the regional warlords began to assert their powers while the Guangxu Emperor was restored to the throne with a council of western regents. After the war, foreign troops began a short reign of terror in the Chinese countryside, hunting down suspected Boxers, occupying and ravaging the countryside. In several noted cases the behavior of occupying troops was labelled as barbaric and would result in a terrible backlash from the progressive papers against Imperialism. Photos and reports of massive killings, lootings, and rape found their way into the western presses. Though some would be suppressed, not all such stories could be buried, not with luminaries such as Mark Twain in America decrying the behavior of American troops. The Daily Telegraph journalist E. J. Dillon stated he had been told of thousands of Chinese women committing suicide to avoid rape by Alliance forces, and had personally witnessed the mutilated corpses of Chinese women killed by the Alliance troops. The French commander dismissed the rapes, attributing them to "gallantry of the French soldier", which went over like a sack of lead in the papers and the commander was immediately recalled to France and cashiered. It was one thing to turn a blind eye to the practice, but to condone it publicly was too much for public sentiment. Though the German troops behaved no worse than the other nations' the public statements of the Kaiser as he sent his troops to China declaring they would act there as Atilla had in Europe would later be used to give the Germans their unfortunate nickname of 'huns'.
Siam in the New Century
By 1900 Siam had a fully functional drydock and was building its own small vessels, mainly torpedo and patrol boats for coastal defense. With Japanese aid, based on the Declaration of Amity and Friendship the Japanese and Siamese had exchanged advisers and were busily aiding one another to progress technologically. Both states felt that a strong Asian partner would be an excellent counterweight to aggressive Western nations. In that respect the Japanese had helped Siam build a second, larger shipyard. This time, using the lessons learned from the first and with Japanese guidance Siam was finally able to build a new class of ships, invented by the Japanese: the torpedo boat destroyer. With Japanese assistance, Siam was able to, by 1902, build three of her own slightly modified ships of the Kotaka class. At 210 tons, she was the largest warship in Siam's arsenal, and a warship that was not limited to the role of coastal defense.
Kotaka Class Torpedo Boat
Though the Siamese were progressing rapidly, Japanese industry had been outstripping that of Siam for some time. Many of the most useful resources for modernization were not easy to reach, having to clear path through miles of jungle for railroads to be able to connect to some of the more important areas. Importantly for Siam, with the Mekong still in her hands or shared with the French, barges and other small craft were able to ply the waterways of the river, transporting goods to riverside rail depots for transport elsewhere in the country. The Siamese nation was finally starting to come into its own.
In the early 1900s, the last slaves in Siam were declared free, and with basic education mandatory, more of Siam's young were becoming literate. Though in many of the more rural areas, literacy lagged, and for girls the rate of literacy was less than half that of men. Many of the more traditional families preferred not to send their girls to the schools and some of the most poor simply needed their children to work. Problems such as these would continue to confront the government of Siam for some time.
As the King continued to reform the administration of his realm the changes began to affect areas in which they had not previously reached. The largely Malay areas had been left alone for some time while the King consolidated his power; now he felt secure enough to act. The traditional rules were by decree stripped of their power and western style system of administration was established, dividing the land up into provinces, counties, etc. Alarmed at this loss of their power and privilege, the Malay elites sponsored and guided uprisings, appealing to Malay nationalism and the religion of Islam. Rebellious forces targeted not only Siamese, but foreigners and other non-Malay settlers, Christian and Buddhist places of worship were also targets, with one brutal attack on a temple killing 48 monks and civilians and seriously injuring almost a hundred more.
Siamese troops had been prepared in advance, but the nobody had been prepared for the viciousness of the uprising. As the troops fanned out across the provinces, first securing the cities, and in more than one instance inflaming the uprising through reprisals and burning many Muslim holy places to the ground, the rebellion was, after several months largely stamped out. A few of the more determined fighters took to the hills and jungles of the Malay peninsula where they battled not only Siamese, but also British forces for some time.
During this period, the King of Siam received a series of Foreign dignitaries in Bangkok, including several foreign princes, such as Prince Valdemar of Denmark.
Prince Valdemar and the King
Also, Chulalongkorn would make a second foreign trip, visiting Indonesia, Japan, and San Francisco before traveling by train across the United States. During his trip he was strongly impressed with the vastness of the United States and the rapidity at which development and progress seemed to take place. In Washington the King and his advisers successfully negotiated with President McKinley to reduce tariffs on Siamese agricultural goods, though the final treaty would be signed by Theodore Roosevelt who would step into office after McKinley's assassination that December. Roosevelt would later declare that he was thoroughly impressed with the Siamese monarch whom he viewed as a shrewd negotiator and a patriot of his people.
His trip would then see him embark for another trip to Britain where he would spend several weeks with his sons, many of whom were attending schools in the nation, before visiting the continent. Among the nations visited were Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Ottoman Empire. A trip to Vienna had also been planned, but the King fell ill and those plans had to be canceled. After an 8 month trip during which time the governance of his nation was left in the hands of one of his wives acting as regent along with his most trusted cabinet members, the monarch returned to Siam.
King Chulalongkorn with Tsar Nicholas II
By 1900 Siam had a fully functional drydock and was building its own small vessels, mainly torpedo and patrol boats for coastal defense. With Japanese aid, based on the Declaration of Amity and Friendship the Japanese and Siamese had exchanged advisers and were busily aiding one another to progress technologically. Both states felt that a strong Asian partner would be an excellent counterweight to aggressive Western nations. In that respect the Japanese had helped Siam build a second, larger shipyard. This time, using the lessons learned from the first and with Japanese guidance Siam was finally able to build a new class of ships, invented by the Japanese: the torpedo boat destroyer. With Japanese assistance, Siam was able to, by 1902, build three of her own slightly modified ships of the Kotaka class. At 210 tons, she was the largest warship in Siam's arsenal, and a warship that was not limited to the role of coastal defense.
Kotaka Class Torpedo Boat
Though the Siamese were progressing rapidly, Japanese industry had been outstripping that of Siam for some time. Many of the most useful resources for modernization were not easy to reach, having to clear path through miles of jungle for railroads to be able to connect to some of the more important areas. Importantly for Siam, with the Mekong still in her hands or shared with the French, barges and other small craft were able to ply the waterways of the river, transporting goods to riverside rail depots for transport elsewhere in the country. The Siamese nation was finally starting to come into its own.
In the early 1900s, the last slaves in Siam were declared free, and with basic education mandatory, more of Siam's young were becoming literate. Though in many of the more rural areas, literacy lagged, and for girls the rate of literacy was less than half that of men. Many of the more traditional families preferred not to send their girls to the schools and some of the most poor simply needed their children to work. Problems such as these would continue to confront the government of Siam for some time.
As the King continued to reform the administration of his realm the changes began to affect areas in which they had not previously reached. The largely Malay areas had been left alone for some time while the King consolidated his power; now he felt secure enough to act. The traditional rules were by decree stripped of their power and western style system of administration was established, dividing the land up into provinces, counties, etc. Alarmed at this loss of their power and privilege, the Malay elites sponsored and guided uprisings, appealing to Malay nationalism and the religion of Islam. Rebellious forces targeted not only Siamese, but foreigners and other non-Malay settlers, Christian and Buddhist places of worship were also targets, with one brutal attack on a temple killing 48 monks and civilians and seriously injuring almost a hundred more.
Siamese troops had been prepared in advance, but the nobody had been prepared for the viciousness of the uprising. As the troops fanned out across the provinces, first securing the cities, and in more than one instance inflaming the uprising through reprisals and burning many Muslim holy places to the ground, the rebellion was, after several months largely stamped out. A few of the more determined fighters took to the hills and jungles of the Malay peninsula where they battled not only Siamese, but also British forces for some time.
During this period, the King of Siam received a series of Foreign dignitaries in Bangkok, including several foreign princes, such as Prince Valdemar of Denmark.
Prince Valdemar and the King
Also, Chulalongkorn would make a second foreign trip, visiting Indonesia, Japan, and San Francisco before traveling by train across the United States. During his trip he was strongly impressed with the vastness of the United States and the rapidity at which development and progress seemed to take place. In Washington the King and his advisers successfully negotiated with President McKinley to reduce tariffs on Siamese agricultural goods, though the final treaty would be signed by Theodore Roosevelt who would step into office after McKinley's assassination that December. Roosevelt would later declare that he was thoroughly impressed with the Siamese monarch whom he viewed as a shrewd negotiator and a patriot of his people.
His trip would then see him embark for another trip to Britain where he would spend several weeks with his sons, many of whom were attending schools in the nation, before visiting the continent. Among the nations visited were Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Ottoman Empire. A trip to Vienna had also been planned, but the King fell ill and those plans had to be canceled. After an 8 month trip during which time the governance of his nation was left in the hands of one of his wives acting as regent along with his most trusted cabinet members, the monarch returned to Siam.
King Chulalongkorn with Tsar Nicholas II
Siam in the Age of the Air
In the 1890s, with the influx of German investors and advisers also came stories of the Flying Man of Germany, Otto Lilienthal. In the German language, and simply named Deutsche Zeitung von Siam, stories of his exploits often flashed on the front cover, extolling the greatness of their fatherland. The stories captivated the interest of many in Siam, and in this age of gentlemen inventors, the Siamese set about building their own versions. Soon the Siamese press too was talking of the the latest attempts (some more successful than others) at taking to the skies.
With easy access to ample supplies of bamboo which was strong yet light, and a growing yet still unprofitable sericulture industry being aided by experts from Japan, the Siamese daredevils felt rather proud of their inventions, even demonstrating some in Paris at a gathering of aviation enthusiasts. Present at this exhibition were two younger princes of Siam, both of whom were intrigued by the aircraft and the technology and who had led teams of their own designers to build man carrying glider craft. For several years, the Siamese felt that they were the equals of the west in at least one technology, that of the air.
That is until reports and pictures came from America showing a pair of men who had taken to the sky in a powered flying machine. No longer was gliding enough, now the race was on to build a machine that could cleave the sky powered by an engine. Sponsored by the palace itself at the behest of its two inventor princes, the Siamese government was determined to build a true mechanized aircraft that could take off and land on its own without the use of a catapult. To this end a royal commission was given for the formation of a Royal Aeronautical Society for the furtherance of Siamese indigenous aircraft development.
The Reaction to the Boxer Rebellion
With the horrible war over, and the allied nations exacting a terrible toll on the Chinese population in their effort to stamp out the Boxers for good, Siamese opinion took an immediate negative view, especially of the Germans once the Kaiser's words were reported. A backlash against the Germans began, resulting in boycotts of German run businesses and at least one mob marching on a German church in the Pattani region (this mob would be dispersed by Siamese soldiers with only a few broken windows and some scared parishioners).
Still though, the reaction was enough for the King to send a formal letter of protest through the German ambassador condemning the violence in China. When his letter did not receive a response he threatened to cancel his trip to the Reich, though the threat amounted to noting. The German government eventually would respond diplomatically and without acknowledging any wrongdoing by their own troops but relations were soon smoothed over.
It was however in Bangkok where many German owned businesses found it best to stop their outward displays of national pride. And the largest brewery which had formed to serve the drinking needs of the German expat community (and had become very popular in Siam) Kaiserbrau would change their name and labeling, becoming Bangkok Brewery (and their major beer Bangkok Lager) and the images were changed from the Imperial Eagle and Latin script to a seal depicting a pair of Siamese elephants and Siamese script.
In the 1890s, with the influx of German investors and advisers also came stories of the Flying Man of Germany, Otto Lilienthal. In the German language, and simply named Deutsche Zeitung von Siam, stories of his exploits often flashed on the front cover, extolling the greatness of their fatherland. The stories captivated the interest of many in Siam, and in this age of gentlemen inventors, the Siamese set about building their own versions. Soon the Siamese press too was talking of the the latest attempts (some more successful than others) at taking to the skies.
With easy access to ample supplies of bamboo which was strong yet light, and a growing yet still unprofitable sericulture industry being aided by experts from Japan, the Siamese daredevils felt rather proud of their inventions, even demonstrating some in Paris at a gathering of aviation enthusiasts. Present at this exhibition were two younger princes of Siam, both of whom were intrigued by the aircraft and the technology and who had led teams of their own designers to build man carrying glider craft. For several years, the Siamese felt that they were the equals of the west in at least one technology, that of the air.
That is until reports and pictures came from America showing a pair of men who had taken to the sky in a powered flying machine. No longer was gliding enough, now the race was on to build a machine that could cleave the sky powered by an engine. Sponsored by the palace itself at the behest of its two inventor princes, the Siamese government was determined to build a true mechanized aircraft that could take off and land on its own without the use of a catapult. To this end a royal commission was given for the formation of a Royal Aeronautical Society for the furtherance of Siamese indigenous aircraft development.
The Reaction to the Boxer Rebellion
With the horrible war over, and the allied nations exacting a terrible toll on the Chinese population in their effort to stamp out the Boxers for good, Siamese opinion took an immediate negative view, especially of the Germans once the Kaiser's words were reported. A backlash against the Germans began, resulting in boycotts of German run businesses and at least one mob marching on a German church in the Pattani region (this mob would be dispersed by Siamese soldiers with only a few broken windows and some scared parishioners).
Still though, the reaction was enough for the King to send a formal letter of protest through the German ambassador condemning the violence in China. When his letter did not receive a response he threatened to cancel his trip to the Reich, though the threat amounted to noting. The German government eventually would respond diplomatically and without acknowledging any wrongdoing by their own troops but relations were soon smoothed over.
It was however in Bangkok where many German owned businesses found it best to stop their outward displays of national pride. And the largest brewery which had formed to serve the drinking needs of the German expat community (and had become very popular in Siam) Kaiserbrau would change their name and labeling, becoming Bangkok Brewery (and their major beer Bangkok Lager) and the images were changed from the Imperial Eagle and Latin script to a seal depicting a pair of Siamese elephants and Siamese script.
I think Guam will be automatically under US rule because the island was part of Spanish East Indies.
The only parts of the Spanish East Indies that came under US control OTL were Guam and the Philippines. The rest was sold by Spain to Germany in 1899.
The US took Guam as well, I simply considered it lumped in under the Spanish Philippines concessions. Sorry if that wasn't very clear.
The Rise of Japan
By the year 1904 it was clear that Japan had become the dominant regional power in east Asia. Though her industrial development still lagged behind many western nations, she was a rising power. The British, not wanting another naval rival, and to secure her eastern ports, formed an alliance with the Japanese nation by which both nations guaranteed to defend one another if either should face a war against more than one other nation. The Siamese too had signed a treaty of benevolent neutrality with the Japanese. The Siamese benefitted from Japan’s earlier industrial development and naval expertise, while the Japanese gained ready access to Siamese markets and their work on aviation.
Things were not all roses and candles in Asia though. Russian and Japanese rivalry had grown as both sought influence in the same regions. Japan wanted hegemony over Korea, and was willing to recognize Russian rights to Manchuria, but Russia had refused to agree to any such treaty. The Russians wanted northern Korea as a buffer between the two nations and so both rapidly headed towards a clash.
The war began with a surprise attack by the Japanese on Port Arthur, badly damaging several Russian vessels and causing much havoc. The Russians would later protest that a formal declaration of war did not come until several hours after the attack, however there was no formal international treaty mandating such until 1906. The Japanese Army using overwhelming infantry and artillery attacks steadily pushed back the Russians who, finally attempted to escape the Port Arthur blockade to avoid having their ships captured in port. In a bloody several hour long battle, Admiral Makarov managed to cross the Japanese T inflicting heavy damage on two battleships and sinking one. The Russians to had been badly mauled and just when it seemed the Russians would move in for the kill on the Japanese navy, a lucky shot destroyed the bridge of Makarov’s flagship sending the entire Russian line into confusion. Rallying the remaining functional Japanese ships pressed the attack, exploding the Tsareavich and Palladea, the Retvizian would sink striking a mine as it tried to return to port. Petropavlosk an older pre-dreadnought was struck by no less than three Japanese torpedoes and sank quickly, while Pobeda, heavily damaged was able to return to the safety of Port Arthur where she and the remaining Russian fleet would either be sunk by Japanese land artillery in the coming months, or scuttled to avoid their capture.
The heavy damage to the Japanese fleet was alarming for the Empire of Japan, especially with reports that the Baltic Fleet was soon to be making steam for the pacific, though mechanical troubles had slowed the deployment. The Fleet left port and shadowed by British ships sailed through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal. Slightly off the coast of Socotra one of the Russian ships reported herself to be under night attack. While the ships began firing at anything that moved the Russian commander tried to regain control of his shaky sailors. Finally they realized the vessels had been firing at wave tops and one of the islands in the Socotra archipelago.
The ships sailed through the Strait of Malacca and skirted the boundary between the Gulf of Siam and the China Sea. It was here that Siamese ships, attracted by the illumination of the Russian hospital ships began to shadow the fleet as it steamed near Siamese territory. Unfortunately in the low light of the evening, the Russian ships could not identify the Siamese vessels, as their Kotaka class ships looked identical to the Japanese vessels of the same class. Soon Russian cruisers and Battleships opened up on the small Siamese fleet who scattered when the Russians began to fire. It was then that what was either the luckiest or the most expertly aimed shot landed square in the center of the lead Siamese vessel, blowing the ship clear in half. With the Russians still shooting, the Siamese were unable to conduct rescue operations for over an hour, and only managed to recover seven of the crew.
The Siamese continued to shadow the Russian fleet, signaling the position to the Japanese and awaiting orders. The next day orders came from the Siamese King, Siam would be going to war once again.
Tushima Strait
The Japanese, using the Siamese signal reports laid out a near perfect ambush. With well positioned ships and mines the Russian fleet was lured into a deadly trap and several of her ships were decimated. As the fleet engaged the Japanese to her front, the Siamese torpedo vessels approached from behind; steaming into close range and launching a deadly barrage of torpedoes and small caliber gunfire before turning to escape. The Russian losses were completely devastating, while the Siamese lost two more vessels and the Japanese another battleship, a few smaller vessels and much damage to their capital ships.
Vladiviostok
While the Japanes pushed further inland and with the main threat to the Japanese supply lines gone with the majority of the Russian navy now at the bottom of the ocean the Japanese needed to force Russia from the war. She had all ready been forced to borrow upwards of 200 million from the United States to pay for the conflict and needed to end the war soon to end the economic disruption.
As for Siam, in the aftermath of her Declaration of War, Russia insisted France declare war by the terms of her treaty of Alliance, however the French pointed out correctly that in starting the conflict, the Siamese declared war in reaction to an unprovoked attack; this pragmatic approach by the French soured relations with Russia who felt betrayed by their ally. Though in truth, an entry by France into the conflict would have drawn in Britain whom neither France nor Russia could challenge thanks to the supremacy of the Royal Navy.
Free to join the fight, Siam dispatched a division to Korea where, when finding the Russians, even after the events of Bloody Sunday unwilling to discuss a truce. While the main Japanese forces pushed north to try and cut the trans-siberian railroad, the Japanese and Siamese forces launced a daring attack on Vladivostok. Forcing the harbor and supported by the heavy guns of Japanese capital ships, smaller vessels disembarked troops who quickly moved in and captured the city from stunned defenders. As Russian units pulled back to try and confront this new enemy in their rear, they encountered fierce resistance from both the Japanese and Siamese forces. The Russian commander would later commend both of his Asiatic foes on their courage and ferociousness in combat. The Japanese would report favorably to their commanders on the fighting spirit of their Siamese kin. With continuing reports of the losses in Asia and widespread discontent and rioting spreading amongst Russian cities, Nicholas II was forced to see reason and sued for peace. Though many realized the Tsar had wanted to continue fighting, the reality was that he could not pull troops from the west or strikes and revolt might lead to a full scale rebellion.
Treaty of New York
Japanese, Russian, and Siamese envoys met with President Roosevelt who had offered himself as a neutral mediator in an effort to end the conflict. Russia would evacuate Manchuria, cede her rights in Port Arthur, surrender Sakhalin island and leave Vladivostok as a non-military port, basing no military class of ship heavier than a coastal patrol vessel there for a period of 15 years. In addition, Russia would pay Siam an indemnity for the loss of ships and sailors and costs of the war. Japanese opinion was incensed that she would gain no financial indemnity from Russia as well, realizing the Americans were trying to play a balancing game of Japan and Russia.
By the year 1904 it was clear that Japan had become the dominant regional power in east Asia. Though her industrial development still lagged behind many western nations, she was a rising power. The British, not wanting another naval rival, and to secure her eastern ports, formed an alliance with the Japanese nation by which both nations guaranteed to defend one another if either should face a war against more than one other nation. The Siamese too had signed a treaty of benevolent neutrality with the Japanese. The Siamese benefitted from Japan’s earlier industrial development and naval expertise, while the Japanese gained ready access to Siamese markets and their work on aviation.
Things were not all roses and candles in Asia though. Russian and Japanese rivalry had grown as both sought influence in the same regions. Japan wanted hegemony over Korea, and was willing to recognize Russian rights to Manchuria, but Russia had refused to agree to any such treaty. The Russians wanted northern Korea as a buffer between the two nations and so both rapidly headed towards a clash.
The war began with a surprise attack by the Japanese on Port Arthur, badly damaging several Russian vessels and causing much havoc. The Russians would later protest that a formal declaration of war did not come until several hours after the attack, however there was no formal international treaty mandating such until 1906. The Japanese Army using overwhelming infantry and artillery attacks steadily pushed back the Russians who, finally attempted to escape the Port Arthur blockade to avoid having their ships captured in port. In a bloody several hour long battle, Admiral Makarov managed to cross the Japanese T inflicting heavy damage on two battleships and sinking one. The Russians to had been badly mauled and just when it seemed the Russians would move in for the kill on the Japanese navy, a lucky shot destroyed the bridge of Makarov’s flagship sending the entire Russian line into confusion. Rallying the remaining functional Japanese ships pressed the attack, exploding the Tsareavich and Palladea, the Retvizian would sink striking a mine as it tried to return to port. Petropavlosk an older pre-dreadnought was struck by no less than three Japanese torpedoes and sank quickly, while Pobeda, heavily damaged was able to return to the safety of Port Arthur where she and the remaining Russian fleet would either be sunk by Japanese land artillery in the coming months, or scuttled to avoid their capture.
The heavy damage to the Japanese fleet was alarming for the Empire of Japan, especially with reports that the Baltic Fleet was soon to be making steam for the pacific, though mechanical troubles had slowed the deployment. The Fleet left port and shadowed by British ships sailed through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal. Slightly off the coast of Socotra one of the Russian ships reported herself to be under night attack. While the ships began firing at anything that moved the Russian commander tried to regain control of his shaky sailors. Finally they realized the vessels had been firing at wave tops and one of the islands in the Socotra archipelago.
The ships sailed through the Strait of Malacca and skirted the boundary between the Gulf of Siam and the China Sea. It was here that Siamese ships, attracted by the illumination of the Russian hospital ships began to shadow the fleet as it steamed near Siamese territory. Unfortunately in the low light of the evening, the Russian ships could not identify the Siamese vessels, as their Kotaka class ships looked identical to the Japanese vessels of the same class. Soon Russian cruisers and Battleships opened up on the small Siamese fleet who scattered when the Russians began to fire. It was then that what was either the luckiest or the most expertly aimed shot landed square in the center of the lead Siamese vessel, blowing the ship clear in half. With the Russians still shooting, the Siamese were unable to conduct rescue operations for over an hour, and only managed to recover seven of the crew.
The Siamese continued to shadow the Russian fleet, signaling the position to the Japanese and awaiting orders. The next day orders came from the Siamese King, Siam would be going to war once again.
Tushima Strait
The Japanese, using the Siamese signal reports laid out a near perfect ambush. With well positioned ships and mines the Russian fleet was lured into a deadly trap and several of her ships were decimated. As the fleet engaged the Japanese to her front, the Siamese torpedo vessels approached from behind; steaming into close range and launching a deadly barrage of torpedoes and small caliber gunfire before turning to escape. The Russian losses were completely devastating, while the Siamese lost two more vessels and the Japanese another battleship, a few smaller vessels and much damage to their capital ships.
Vladiviostok
While the Japanes pushed further inland and with the main threat to the Japanese supply lines gone with the majority of the Russian navy now at the bottom of the ocean the Japanese needed to force Russia from the war. She had all ready been forced to borrow upwards of 200 million from the United States to pay for the conflict and needed to end the war soon to end the economic disruption.
As for Siam, in the aftermath of her Declaration of War, Russia insisted France declare war by the terms of her treaty of Alliance, however the French pointed out correctly that in starting the conflict, the Siamese declared war in reaction to an unprovoked attack; this pragmatic approach by the French soured relations with Russia who felt betrayed by their ally. Though in truth, an entry by France into the conflict would have drawn in Britain whom neither France nor Russia could challenge thanks to the supremacy of the Royal Navy.
Free to join the fight, Siam dispatched a division to Korea where, when finding the Russians, even after the events of Bloody Sunday unwilling to discuss a truce. While the main Japanese forces pushed north to try and cut the trans-siberian railroad, the Japanese and Siamese forces launced a daring attack on Vladivostok. Forcing the harbor and supported by the heavy guns of Japanese capital ships, smaller vessels disembarked troops who quickly moved in and captured the city from stunned defenders. As Russian units pulled back to try and confront this new enemy in their rear, they encountered fierce resistance from both the Japanese and Siamese forces. The Russian commander would later commend both of his Asiatic foes on their courage and ferociousness in combat. The Japanese would report favorably to their commanders on the fighting spirit of their Siamese kin. With continuing reports of the losses in Asia and widespread discontent and rioting spreading amongst Russian cities, Nicholas II was forced to see reason and sued for peace. Though many realized the Tsar had wanted to continue fighting, the reality was that he could not pull troops from the west or strikes and revolt might lead to a full scale rebellion.
Treaty of New York
Japanese, Russian, and Siamese envoys met with President Roosevelt who had offered himself as a neutral mediator in an effort to end the conflict. Russia would evacuate Manchuria, cede her rights in Port Arthur, surrender Sakhalin island and leave Vladivostok as a non-military port, basing no military class of ship heavier than a coastal patrol vessel there for a period of 15 years. In addition, Russia would pay Siam an indemnity for the loss of ships and sailors and costs of the war. Japanese opinion was incensed that she would gain no financial indemnity from Russia as well, realizing the Americans were trying to play a balancing game of Japan and Russia.
Once again Germany gets a PR F.
I notice Japan gets all of Sakhalin here. OTL I thought they only got the southern half. Certainly makes it more defensible.
I wonder if the French failure to honor the alliance will deter the Entente? Or see Siamese masses go from AntiGerman to AntiRussian. Because it occurs to me the Great War could see Siam going to war with France for its old territories. They might be able to play it for the British to not get involved, And Japan would support them under the table I expect.
And while Siam gained no territory and was Japan's junior partner, this war certainly swells national pride and validates much of the King's reforms.
I notice Japan gets all of Sakhalin here. OTL I thought they only got the southern half. Certainly makes it more defensible.
I wonder if the French failure to honor the alliance will deter the Entente? Or see Siamese masses go from AntiGerman to AntiRussian. Because it occurs to me the Great War could see Siam going to war with France for its old territories. They might be able to play it for the British to not get involved, And Japan would support them under the table I expect.
And while Siam gained no territory and was Japan's junior partner, this war certainly swells national pride and validates much of the King's reforms.
With the Russo-Japanese War closed and the final treaty being negotiated in the United States, the rest of 1905 was pretty uneventful, except for a few small items... Russia was threatening to tear itself apart as mass strikes turned into revolts which soon planted the seeds of outright rebellion against the Romanovs, a dispute in Cyprus threatened to plunge the island into a bloody civil war while the great powers (minus German and Russia) dispatched troops and ships to enforce the status quo, Germany and France seemed closer than ever to war over Morocco, a tunnel beneath the alps was opened connecting Switzerland and Italy, Norway declared itself fully independent of Sweden, the United States and Japan would sign a treaty delimiting spheres of influence in East Asia (none of the non-japanese americans in these areas would be consulted of course), Albert Einstein would submit papers that would help revolutionize scientific thought, the HMS Dreadnought would be layed down sparking a new era in ship design, and shortly before the peace tray would be signed between Japan and Russia, and a shipment of Japanese arms would find their way into the hands of a group of Finnish nationalists who yearned for a free nation of their own.
1906 would hardly prove to be a much better year, starting with a violent earthquake in South America, then Vesuvious erupted, devastating Naples. Soon after the San Francisco quake would kill thousands and leave tens of thousands more houseless. In Russia the Duma would meet and try to calm the uprisings against the Tsar's increasingly ineffectual rule while the Second Geneva Convention was held. In Cuba, the president Palma would call in American troops to put down an uprising which would lead to a decade of American occupation. The Grand Duchy of Finland would adopt universal suffrage, becoming the first country to grant women the vote, while an armed uprising against Russian officials would begin in earnest. The United States and Japan would find themselves embroiled in a bitter diplomatic row when the San Francisco school district banned all Asian students from 'white schools'. In Germany, the incident of the Captain of Koepenick would occur, which the British would gleefully mock. In December of 1906, Britain would launch the Dreadnought, and Germany would launch her first ever submarine.
The Formation of the Entente and the Cracking of an Empire
In the aftermath of the Fashoda Crisis and the passing of German Naval Law's which sought to greatly expand the German Navy, Britain found actively began to court France as a potential ally. The early attempts were derailed thanks to mistrust between the two parties. Finally after the Moroccan Crisis, the French and British realized that the German threat was more direct than any old enmity these two nations harbored for each other. With zone in Africa delineated after Fashoda, securing an understanding should have been rather simple, but when it came to spheres in Asia, the French wanted to divide Siam, which was firmly in the British camp. The Prime Minister at the time Campbell-Bannerman could not agree to such a division. The British Foreign Secretary Grey told the French that should such an agreement become public that she would be, "Damned all to hell and deemed, rightfully, as an untrustworthy partner in future endeavors." At his insistence they rejected the French demands for rights to Siam, and the French Minister Delcasse, more concerned with Germany than minor territories in Asia, acquiesced.
In 1907 the Second Hague Conference would begin, while British Foreign Secretary Grey would meet with the French secretly to discuss military plans in the event of war. The British Prime Minister would remain unaware of these events for some time. The British and Russians agreed in principle to a division of influence in Persia, which the French hoped might allow the agreements to turn into a triple alliance aimed at Germany. The Japanese and United States formed the Gentleman's Agreement, limiting Japanese emigration to America. At the same time, Siam allowed additional Japanese immigrants, especially those skilled in industry to help bolster their growing industries. The 1908 Olympics would be held in London, Siam again, would not medal. In June, the Tunguska Event flattened hundreds of miles of forest in Russia. Later that year, the Young Turk Rebellion would begin in the Ottoman Empire, followed quickly by the Bulgarian Revolt, while Austro-Hungary gobbled up Bosnia and more revolts broke out in Ottoman Europe. Within a month the region was in flames as the Young Turks seized power then crushed an attempted counter coup. The Sultan was accidentally killed while trying to flee which enraged many of the old elites, and soon the Empire was in a full civil war. Within the months, Armenian separatists would declare an independent state as would the Ottoman Kurds.
1906 would hardly prove to be a much better year, starting with a violent earthquake in South America, then Vesuvious erupted, devastating Naples. Soon after the San Francisco quake would kill thousands and leave tens of thousands more houseless. In Russia the Duma would meet and try to calm the uprisings against the Tsar's increasingly ineffectual rule while the Second Geneva Convention was held. In Cuba, the president Palma would call in American troops to put down an uprising which would lead to a decade of American occupation. The Grand Duchy of Finland would adopt universal suffrage, becoming the first country to grant women the vote, while an armed uprising against Russian officials would begin in earnest. The United States and Japan would find themselves embroiled in a bitter diplomatic row when the San Francisco school district banned all Asian students from 'white schools'. In Germany, the incident of the Captain of Koepenick would occur, which the British would gleefully mock. In December of 1906, Britain would launch the Dreadnought, and Germany would launch her first ever submarine.
The Formation of the Entente and the Cracking of an Empire
In the aftermath of the Fashoda Crisis and the passing of German Naval Law's which sought to greatly expand the German Navy, Britain found actively began to court France as a potential ally. The early attempts were derailed thanks to mistrust between the two parties. Finally after the Moroccan Crisis, the French and British realized that the German threat was more direct than any old enmity these two nations harbored for each other. With zone in Africa delineated after Fashoda, securing an understanding should have been rather simple, but when it came to spheres in Asia, the French wanted to divide Siam, which was firmly in the British camp. The Prime Minister at the time Campbell-Bannerman could not agree to such a division. The British Foreign Secretary Grey told the French that should such an agreement become public that she would be, "Damned all to hell and deemed, rightfully, as an untrustworthy partner in future endeavors." At his insistence they rejected the French demands for rights to Siam, and the French Minister Delcasse, more concerned with Germany than minor territories in Asia, acquiesced.
In 1907 the Second Hague Conference would begin, while British Foreign Secretary Grey would meet with the French secretly to discuss military plans in the event of war. The British Prime Minister would remain unaware of these events for some time. The British and Russians agreed in principle to a division of influence in Persia, which the French hoped might allow the agreements to turn into a triple alliance aimed at Germany. The Japanese and United States formed the Gentleman's Agreement, limiting Japanese emigration to America. At the same time, Siam allowed additional Japanese immigrants, especially those skilled in industry to help bolster their growing industries. The 1908 Olympics would be held in London, Siam again, would not medal. In June, the Tunguska Event flattened hundreds of miles of forest in Russia. Later that year, the Young Turk Rebellion would begin in the Ottoman Empire, followed quickly by the Bulgarian Revolt, while Austro-Hungary gobbled up Bosnia and more revolts broke out in Ottoman Europe. Within a month the region was in flames as the Young Turks seized power then crushed an attempted counter coup. The Sultan was accidentally killed while trying to flee which enraged many of the old elites, and soon the Empire was in a full civil war. Within the months, Armenian separatists would declare an independent state as would the Ottoman Kurds.
The Great War of 1908
"The lamps are going out all over Europe, and we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."-attributed to Edward Grey
Bulgarian Declaration of Independence
"The lamps are going out all over Europe, and we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."-attributed to Edward Grey
Bulgarian Declaration of Independence
In 1908 in the midst of the Young Turk Revolt, Bulgaria declared independence, and the other Great Powers began to look upon the teetering Ottoman Empire like a pack of hungry wolves. Austria-Hungary moved first, annexing Bosnia while the Russians though to gain control of the Bosphorous and so declared war on the Ottomans, though couched in terms of support for Bulgaria. The British too had designs on Ottoman territory in the Middle East and demanded the Ottomans cede territory to them. When refused, the British landed troops and began to forcibly take the territory. The French laid claims on the Levant area, while Italy declared war on the Ottomans with the goal of claiming Libya. While the Ottoman’s vainly tried to fend off the British the Italians seized the land they wanted in Africa, with the Ottoman army in retreat as the Russian hordes began to swarm across the Caucuses. The invading Russians promised support to the separatist groups which threatened British interests in the newly acquired Iraq.
While friction between the British and Russians grew, the Greeks and Serbians declared war on the Empire, seeking to expand their holdings. Having now seized Bosnia, the Austrians demanded Russia leave the Ottoman Empire, having no wish to see Russian warships freely flowing through the Mediterranean. Furious, the Russians refused this Austrian betrayal. The German and Austrian governments consulted quickly. Both governments knew that Russia was weak, she was wracked with internal dissent and her armies and navy had been pummeled by Japan. If there was ever a time to humble the bear, now would be it. Both nations knew the British too did not want Russia in the Bosphorous, so it was unlikely she would intervene, and a victory would crush France’s ally, removing the threat of a two front war. It was decided. Austria delivered to Russia a diplomatic note: Russia would remove its troops from the Ottoman Empire or Austria would declare war.
Russia was shocked and outraged and bluntly refused. French diplomats assured Russia that in the event of war, France would surely support her ally. Receiving the news of the Russian refusal, both Austria and Germany declared war. Germany, beholden to her Schlieffen plan also declared war on Russia’s ally France. Italy, noting that her treaty was defensive in nature declared herself a neutral, as did the United Kingdom. The French government was shocked and outraged by this ‘betrayal’, yet the British pointed out that there were no defensive treaties signed between their nations. The Entente was an agreement repairing relations, not a promise of military aid. In the British Government, Foreign Minister Grey, having been involved in high level discussions with the French about military intervention in any war threatened to resign, several other ministers also followed suit. Faced with the options of seeing the government fall, and a more than likely even more jingoistic group step up to challenge for leadership, or declare war, Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman reluctantly brought his nation into the conflict. In Asia, Japan would sense a chance to gain more territory at the expense of another European nation and soon too would join the allied cause. While Siam, seeing an opportunity to have her voice heard as an equal, followed the British lead and declared war on Germany and Austria.
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Sorry, but I am puzzled that Germany would still invade Belgium risking British wrath in this scenario. it seems mire likely they would take a Russia first strategy with Russia being weaker here than in 1914.