The Mandarin Observer - A Chinese ATL

[A Piece of History]

(The following is a reprint of the Declaration of the Xin Shin Qi, announced by Prime Minister Zeng Qi, from atop the Tiananmen Gate. The declaration was followed by a rendition of Tune of Li Zhongtang, followed by a 21 gun salute)

People of China!

After a long period of negotiation and agreements, the many factions that have made up Chinese society have agreed to a constitutional settlement that will bring an end to the chaos that has wrought our country.

The Emperor shall remain in his position, though he has agreed all legislative powers shall be transferred to the Office of Prime Minister. The Emperor shall remain as a symbol of the state only and this shall be the example followed by his successors.

The Parliament, which has been ineffective in bringing reform to our country, will be dissolved. No elections shall be held for the foreseeable future. Instead, a cabinet made up of members from the National Enlightenment Party, the Imperial Chinese Army and other constituencies shall oversee the functions of state. The National Enlightenment Party shall be the only legal political party in the country.

The Imperial Banner shall be retained as a symbol of the Emperor. The flag of the National Enlightenment Party shall become the new national flag of China. Both symbols shall be displayed at any one time and on flagpoles, they shall occupy the same space.

Buddhism shall be the sole ideology guiding our state and it's laws. All religions, even those with origins in the West, shall have the right to be practiced, so as long as they do not run contrary to the principles of the National Enlightenment Party.

We seek full and equal relations with the peoples of the world. We will treat nations with the expected gratitude that they will treat us with. if they challenge our nation, then there will be consequences. We are open to negotiations with the imperialist powers about the returning of our territory. We will bring an end to the humiliation of our nation one way or another.

The many ethnic groups of China can rest knowing that we will protect them against exploitation and molestation. The times of landlords exploiting their tenants has passed.

This has been the Declaration of the Xin Shi Qi, the New Era, for our country. We will act on the mandate given to us by the Emperor with honour and dignity and we will break the chains asunder that have arrested China for the last century! Good day and may you always be well and happy, especially in our New Era!

 

[A Piece of History]

The Blessed and August Government has officially announced that the beginning of a initiative to bind the two halves of China together.

The announcement was made at the election of the new Dalai Lama, through the means of the Golden Urn. The new Lama, whose name is Choden Gyemsten, made the announcement himself after being given the sacred duty, to replace the disgraced traitor Thubten Gyatso. Though his placement in the position is provisional until he can sit inside the Potola Palace, the Lama has already convened a kashag (governing council) of Tibetan exiles which shall take over the governance of the region from the incompetent and ineffectual officials of the old regime.

The 'Road to Tibet' initiative will take the form of the construction of a vast railway network, beginning from Beijing and will tie together Taiyuan, Xian, Dujiangyan and Xiang. The railway line will extend for over one thousand kilometres across the country. It is estimated to be completed by 1925. The railway will not only finally reunite the two halves of the country, but it will also allow the Imperial Chinese Army greater mobility in responding to border incursions from India. Never again shall the Chinese nation fall victim to such an embarrassment as the Younghusband expedition by the British interlopers from 1903-1904.

In response to fears that peasants will attempt to steal the metal from the tracks, the Prime Minister signed a decree which shall make stealing from national infrastructure an act of treason, punishable by death.

The Prime Minister, in a speech following the Lama's inauguration, vowed to spread China's industrialization and modernization to Tibet, while leaving the region's spiritual heritage intact. The Prime Minister vowed, among other things, to create a hydro-powered dam in Tibet, based on the designs of Lester Allan Pelton. The Prime Minister also promised to support the steamship industry in areas where they might come under threat from the encroachhment of the railways.

 

[LeX]

Very good work so far. Well-written and humorous.

What is the status of Manchuria in this timeline? Is it still part of China?

 

[A Piece of History]

What is the status of Manchuria in this timeline? Is it still part of China?

For now, it is.

 

[A Piece of History]

At a airbase in Mongolia, before their maiden voyages, the four pilots, recruited from the most elite of the Imperial Chinese Army and dressed in field grey uniforms, strip their feet bear and face a image of Buddha. They chant the Dhamma Vandana, in honour of the teachings of Buddha. After this is done, they put their boots back on and approach their aircraft.

The aircraft consist of British aircraft loaned to China by the British during the Great War, Avro 504s, to be more specific. They were the most mass-produced aircraft during the war, so they were the cheapest. The symbols of the Royal Flying Corps have been replaced with the insignia of this new invention called the Imperial Chinese Air Force - the baihu, the white tiger, long honoured as a symbol of strength.

The pilots' aerial voyage consisted of tightly co-ordinated aerial manoeuvres designed to provide a spectacle to visiting delegates, including some from Germany. The pilots had decorations bestowed upon them by the Minister of War Feng Guozhang. The Minister, in a bold and booming voice, declared that the Imperial Air Force would be 'yet another sword in the arsenal of the Imperial State' and would defend China and it's people against hostile foreign forces.

In a rebuke of the Western powers, Minister Feng formally announced that the Great Qing was repudiating the 1914 declaration of war against Germany and declared 'Germany was never our enemy. We were merely forced into the bearing of arms against the German nation by outside forces', announcing that China would sign a separate peace with Germany and not sign the 'biased treaty' which was signed in Versailles several days ago. The treaty signing is expected to take place within the next month.

A Avro 504 before it was modified with Chinese insignia

 

[snassni2]

It will be interesting if the germans develop their secret tank projects with the chinese instead of the russians?

 

[A Piece of History]

It will be interesting if the germans develop their secret tank projects with the chinese instead of the russians?

Wouldn't it be easier to develop the tanks in Soviet Russia then go half way around the world to China?

 

[Monitor]

Wouldn't it be easier to develop the tanks in Soviet Russia then go half way around the world to China?

Well, but they are evil communists... The chinese might actually help in a war at some point... Maybe... if it is against the Japanese perhaps?

 

[snassni2]

I hope the Weimar Republic survives in this TL or will everything outside China run as OTL?

 

[Monitor]

I hope the Weimar Republic survives in this TL or will everything outside China run as OTL?

China can have some effect on a global level. They could stop japan, which helps nipping racist theories in the bud (a bit, because nobody cares about those), and China is rich in resources. A stable and effective government could do wonders with those...

 

[A Piece of History]

China can have some effect on a global level. They could stop japan, which helps nipping racist theories in the bud (a bit, because nobody cares about those), and China is rich in resources. A stable and effective government could do wonders with those...

What kind of wonders, exactly?

 

[Monitor]

What kind of wonders, exactly?

Influence. If they manage to keep independent, they might actually have a shot at reducing the effects of the Great Depression for example -> Selling resources brings them money which they can use to buy industry starter kits, etc. It will not do that much, but if they have already a history of cooperating with Germany at that point, they could conceivably save Germany from the worst days of the Great Depression and thus, with a bit of luck, from Nazi rule.

But take that with a grain of salt. China is important in that time. Not nearly as important as today, but they are still important. Diplomats to Asia go either to Japan or china. With china being not the mess it was in OTL, Japan will use influence. Which will help with a lot of regional, but also international things.

 

[A Piece of History]

It will not do that much, but if they have already a history of cooperating with Germany at that point, they could conceivably save Germany from the worst days of the Great Depression and thus, with a bit of luck, from Nazi rule.

Interesting. Well, I'll be honest, I have no experience with economics, but I will certainly take it under advisement.

China is important in that time. Not nearly as important as today, but they are still important. Diplomats to Asia go either to Japan or china. With china being not the mess it was in OTL, Japan will use influence.

Oh, trust me. You'll see Japan exerting influence later on in this timeline.

 

[A Piece of History]

Treaty for the Cessation of Hostilities Between the German Republic and the Great Qing


Declaration of the German Reich

With the authority invested in Ambassador von Boch by President Fredrich Ebert, the German Reich declares that

1. It wishes to re-establish cooperative relations between the German Reich and the Great Qing

2. Under Article 128 of the Treaty of Versailles signed before this date, the German Republic gives up all rights, titles and privileges acquired by treaty on March 6th 1898.

3. Under Article 156 of the Treaty of Versailles signed before this date, the German Republic gives up all rights, titles, privileges and territory, which was acquired by treaty on March 6th 1898.


Declaration of the Great Qing

With the authority invested in Foreign Minister Yan by His Majesty the Emperor of China, the Great Qing declares that

1. It wishes to re-establish cooperative relations between the German Republic and the Great Qing

2. The German Republic is under no obligation to respect Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles in regards to China.

3. A beneficial and equal relationship with the German Republic is one of the foreign policy goals of the Great Qing state.

Article 1

All offensive operations between the German Republic and the Great Qing shall end immediately

Article 2

Neither side shall be held responsible for the outbreak of war

Article 3

The Great Qing shall put into action a process which will result I n the returning of all German war dead on Chinese soil

Article 4

The Great Qing shall put into action a process which will result in the returning of all prisoners of war, except for those who wish to stay in China.

Article 5

The German Republic agrees that all German citizens living within Chinese territory shall not enjoy the protections enjoyed by consular personnel

Article 6

The German Republic understands that the Great Qing is under no obligation to participate in wars which are not in the Chinese national interest, nor is the Great Qing under any obligation to prioritize Germany in matters such as trade or diplomacy

Article 7

The German Republic shall not engage any third party in any agreement or accord which affects the territorial sovereignty of the Great Qing.

Article 8

German and Chinese citizens shall have the right to travel and conduct business in all places hwere they are entitled to do so in the other nation. In respect to property, the property shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the local courts. No taxes, duties or contributions in excess of those paid by other nationals shall be demanded.

Article 9

Chinese students studying in Germany shall have every possible assistance to complete practical training or enter universities by the German government

Article 10

The Great Qing shall, except for instances of violation of Chinese law, respect the property of German citizens living within the Great Qing,

Article 11

All legal cases which involves German citizens living within China shall be settled by the Supreme Court of the Great Qing, established in 1905. German citizens shall have the right to legal counsel and they shall expect to be treated fairly without any discrimination based on national origin.


Joint Declaration

The German Republic and the Great Qing formally declare a cessation to hostilities and also formally declare, with respect to Articles 128 and 156 of the Treaty of Versailles, an end to undue German colonial influence within the territory of the Great Qing. German and Chinese citizens are declared to have equal rights as citizens of two sovereign countries in respect to transit between the two countries. The German Republic and the Great Qing shall, in the future, establish a trade agreement which will be beneficial to both sides and will enrich both nations./CENTER]​

 

[A Piece of History]

Feng Guozhang, a man who has been called 'The Violin General' due ot his love of music, has died.

The Blessed and August Government has announced Minister Feng's death of a unknown illness yesterday. The Prime Minister conveyed the Emperor's deepest condolences to Feng's family and honoured him for his tireless dedication to the betterment of the Chinese nation.

Born in 1859, Minister Feng's long life began in poverty as his family was forced to sell their properties to support their sons. Being the fourth son, Feng was unable to complete his education. As a result, he would join the Army where he would eventually come to the attention of a battalion commander who sent him to the Baodong Military Academy. Feng came to the attention of Yuan Shiikai after becoming a military attaché to Tokyo in 1895.

Under Yuan's guidance, Feng spent the next several years expanding the modernization of the Chinese military, including abolishing the Eight Banners and folding them into the larger Imperial Chinese Army. The Green Standards Army was rendered effectively non-existent, with just 10% of functional units being reserved for duties such as guarding important residences and individuals, with the rest being drafted into the ICA. Discipline was strictly enforced across both services and corruption was severely cracked down upon. In 1916, Yuan died and Feng became his successor. Feng was the mastermind behind the Chinese-Japanese operation into Siberia, which ended when the Japanese devils betrayed the Chinese in Versailles. After that debacle, Feng focused on the modernization on the Imperial Chinese Army, resulting in the creation of the Imperial Air Force, which he unveiled several months ago. Chinese troops have reported that when he comes to visit them at their bases or in the case of the Siberian adventure, on the front lines, Minister Feng always made sure to bring his violin with him and play a tune for the troops.

His successor is expected to be Zhang Xun, another subordinate of Minister Yuan, Minister Feng is expected to be buried in Hejan County of Hebei Province, though his body will be kept in state in Beijing for two days following his funeral.

 

[Whiteshore]

Foreign Minister Yan

Is he Yan Xishan?

 

[A Piece of History]

Is he Yan Xishan?

No. The same guy who handled the OTL 1921 Sino-German Peace Treaty.

Yan Huiqing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Whiteshore]

No. The same guy who handled the OTL 1921 Sino-German Peace Treaty.

Yan Huiqing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

What is Yan Xishan doing, anyways?

 

[A Piece of History]

What is Yan Xishan doing, anyways?

For now, he is still military governor of Shaanxi.

The next post will address Shaanxi and Yan will receive a mention.

 

[A Piece of History]

The August and Blessed Government has announced that a massive industrial program would be undertaken in Shaanxi and Mongolia in the near future.

Prime Minister Zen Qi met with Governor Yan Xishan in the provincial capital and announced that several underground coal mines will be set up in both regions to expand the coal mining sector.

Shaanxi, home to 10 million people, has long been regarded as one of the poorest province in the country and the August and Blessed Government, from immediately after the 1919 Tiananmen Revolution, has been investing money into constructing hospitals and vocational schools in the province as a testing bed for the rest of the country.

The industrial program is part of a wide-ranging government program that also includes building mines in Liaoning Province and Hebei Province. In response to claims that a lack of trained workers would harm the program, the Prime Minister also announced that vocational schools would be expanded to include lectures about steel-working to educate peasants before they went into the steel industry. Yan Xishan praised the innovation as a 'practical invention to deal with unemployment', Yan Xishan holds the distinction of being the first sole Governor of Shaanxi, after the Viceroy system was abolished in 1898.

The Prime Minister also announced China would be open to outside investment. He particularly mentioned the Ford Motor Company and personally invited Henry Ford to China to scope out possible places for construction of a automobile factory. In terms of agriculture, The Prime Minister announced that there would be a program to encourage peasants to grow surplus grain, with the incentive of having a lower tax burden, with that surplus grain being sold overseas to buy industrial equipment. Meanwhile, the government would encourage the creation of individual businesses within the larger cities. The Prime Minister also declared that cash wages would be introduced.

In response to a question in regards to expanding the coal program into Manchuria, the Prime Minister declared "I will expand it into that region after the rats have left", referring to the Japanese occupiers.