Why the Chinese play cricket (an Imperial Federation timeline)

Jan-March 1903: Armies and navies
~Jan-March 1903: Armies and navies

January 1903: US Secretary of State James Hay and Colombian diplomat Tomás Herrán negotiate a treaty allowing the US to build and control a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Under the terms of the Hay-Herrán Treaty, Colombia would lease land required for the canal for 100 years, renewed at US discretion, for a one off payment of $10 million {£2,078,307} and an annual payment of $250,000 {£51,598}. While the treaty is easily ratified by the US Congress, the Colombian Senate reject the treaty, demanding a significant increase in the sums offered. Roosevelt refuses their demands, instead begins a policy of working with separatist rebels in Panama, believing they will be more amiable to the US offer.

January 1903: Lacking a domestic source of production, the Southern Qing have been forced to obtain massive quantities of weapons from overseas, costing approximately 30 million yuan {£6,150,000}. As the vast majority of small arms have been obtained from Britain, chambered in 0.303” British, the decision is made to adopt this along with the Lee-Enfield as standard for front line units. However these purchases and the ongoing cost of the war have left the Southern Qing treasury exhausted, with only British and US loans holding off financial collapse.

January 1903: The Anglo-American cable from Hawai'i to the Philippines is completed, establishing a direct communication link between the colony and US. The Anglo-American Telegraph Company is now seeing considerable financial success, even expanding into the domestic US communications market. In an effort to further their network, work begins on planning cables linking the Philippines to Hong Kong and another from the Philippines to Japan via Formosa.

January 1903: Continuing his efforts to improve relations with the British, hopefully to bring them into an alliance against Germany, French Prime Minister Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau reaches an agreement over China with British Foreign Secretary James Gascoigne-Cecil in the French resort town of Cannes. The Cannes Agreement will see the French agree to back the British supported Southern Qing in the Chinese Civil War, in return for the British providing up to date intelligence regarding the ongoing civil war. Additionally, while not willing to enter an alliance against Germany, even an informal one such as suggested by Waldeck-Rousseau, the British do agree to adopt a policy of friendly neutrality toward France in the event of war.

February 1903: Ronglu, the Commander in Chief of the Northern Qing forces and who has frequently clashed with the Dowager Empress Cixi over the conduct of the war dies in suspicious circumstances. He is replaced by Boxer supporter, Prince Zhuang. Zhuang immediately orders Dong Fuxiang's Gansu Army into Jiangsu Province where they, in coordination with Guixiang's Beijing Army launch a renewed assault on Nanjing. They are faced by the Southern Qing First Corps under General Chen Jiongming and the Third Corps under General Cao Kun, both directly controlled by Commander in Chief General Lu Yongxiang. The quality of the Southern Qing troops has now greatly improved, giving them a significant advantage over the Northern Qing forces allowing them to hold even though they are heavily out numbered.

February 1903: With tensions between Japan and Russia rowing, the Japanese order two Lake Champlain class armoured cruisers from the US as the Kasaga and Nisshin. Additional as the submarine is becoming an effective weapon, they place an order in the US for five 'Holland' type submarines similar to the US Plunger class. While the submarines will be built in US yards, it is intended they be shipped dismantled to Japan for final assembly.

February 1903: After a lengthy period of political instability and two national bankruptcies, King Carlos of Portugal appoints the reformer and republican José de Castro as Prime Minister. De Castro embarks on an extensive program of political reform intended to overhaul the Portuguese political system and economy. These reforms will immediately spark intense opposition from conservative elements within Portugal.

February 1903: The Esher Commission into Imperial defence delivers its final report. Perhaps its most radical recommendation is the formation of an Imperial General Staff to coordinate both the British and Dominion armies along with a common pool of general officers. It also advises cadet training should be undertaken in Imperial universities to provide a pool of potential officers in the event of a general mobilisation. Regarding reserves it finds the current militia and volunteer system inefficient and cumbersome, recommending they be combined into a single territorial army, with improved training and liable for both home and overseas service. The report also notes many units have difficult attracting sufficient recruits to maintain full strength. If an effort to address this issue it recommends improving the terms of service, in particular pay and increasing technical education for others ranks in order to make the military a more attractive career option. It also recommends establishing schools for training NCOs throughout the Empire, with schools in Australia, Canada, India and South Africa as well as Britain.

February 1903: The British, Japanese and US secretly agree to begin sharing intelligence regarding French, German and Russian activities in China and the Far East. The agreement will become known the Three Eyes Agreement and will play a major role in improving all three nations intelligence in the region. British access to signals intelligence due to their overwhelming dominance of the global telegraph network will be particularly important.

March 1903 : The Emperor's report into the state of the French military is accepted virtually unaltered, with only a few minor changes. The main of which are the Conseil de la Défense National is to be chaird by the Emperor rather than the Prime Minister, and a reduction of the Imperial Guard to 26,000 men. With his new role as chair, the Emperor begins pushing for major reforms to both the army and navy, including the development of further modern artillery, the complete overhaul of French shipbuilding, the long overdue adopton of adequate machine guns and the abandonment of the doctrine of the offensive in favour of the British fire and movement tactics. This immediately puts him at odds with the majority of the French military establishment.

March 1903: With the Southern Qing beginning to recieve Madsen light machine guns it is rapidly noted the cost of a Madsen is only Kr250 {£13.76}, against £200 {£200.66} for a Maxim. With the cost of the war continuing to climb this simple fact will result in the Southern Qing purchasing large numbers of Madsens in preference to Maxims.

March 1903: Since the 15th century Britain's primary naval threat has come from France and Spain. Consequently the Royal Navy's bases in Britain are almost entirely located in the Channel and Southeast of England. With the rise of Germany as a naval power, the Royal Navy faces the prospect of a naval war in the North Sea where they have no available bases. In order to rectify this work begins on a new Royal Dockyard at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth.

March 1903: Work on the Berlin to Baghdad railway has been stalled since it reached Konya in 1896 due to lack of funding, though several British proposals have been rejected due to the Anglo-Ottoman War. Finally the liberal controlled Ottoman government the concession to finish the line to a consortium of German interests. This new contract is indicative of the growing German influence in the Ottoman Empire, however it also raise a great deal of alarm in both Britain and Russia, with both concerned about that growing influence. Work on the new line will begin in late July.

March 1903: Aware of the French effort to court the British into an alliance and concerned the recent Cannes Agreement is the first step in the toward such an alliance, German Foreign Minister Oswald von Richthofen travels to London for talks with his British counterpart, James Gascoigne-Cecil. The talks open promisingly with Gascoigne-Cecil making it clear to his opposite number the British have no interest in an alliance with the French and are seeking to avoid European entanglements. Reassured, von Richthofen brings up the matter of the ongoing Chinese Civil War. Again the discussions go well, as while the two nations do have competing interests, there does appear to be a willingness to compromise on both sides. However the talks founder when they turn to the matter of German naval expansion. Here Gascoigne-Cecil makes it clear the British regard the fleet proposed in the 1900 Second Naval Law as far in excess of German needs and an obvious threat to British security. Unfortunately von Richthofen is completely unwilling to entertain any potential reduction in the German naval program, stating a world leading fleet is vital in light of Germany's position as a Great power. Discussions continue in this vein for some time, but it soon becomes apparent no compromise can be reached, and the talks are a complete failure, serving only to increase British concerns and further distance the two powers.
 
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Excellent chapter!
Thank you. I thought I'd finished 1907 and working on 1908 when I suddenly realised I'd missed something, and when I looked and developed it, something massive. In fact it's turned out to be a critical event in the development of the TL, quite possibly the critical event. A huge and unprecedented crisis in the Empire, one which will either doom or guarantee the development of the Commonwealth into a unitary state. Thrilling stuff, but yet again another massive rewrite. :)
 
Great chapter as always!
January 1903: Lacking a domestic source of production, the Nanjing have been forced to obtain massive quantities of weapons from overseas, costing approximately 30 million yuan {£6,150,000}. As the vast majority of small arms have been obtained from Britain, chambered in 0.303” British, the decision is made to adopt this along with the Lee-Enfield as standard for front line units. However these purchases and the ongoing cost of the war have left the Nanjing treasury exhausted, with only British and US loans holding off financial collapse.
That's going to bite them in the ass with the debts they are racking up. However on the flipside the more they standardise along British lines the more likely they are to buy British goods and working with Imperial forces is going to be much easier in the future as well as allowing penetrataion of Chinese markets.
January 1903: The Anglo-American cable from Hawai'i to the Philippines is completed, establishing a direct communication link between the colony and US. The Anglo-American Telegraph Company is now seeing considerable financial success, even expanding into the domestic US communications market. In an effort to further their network, work begins on planning cables linking the Philippines to Hong Kong and another from the Philippines to Japan via Formosa.
Looks like they are binding the world together so go speak with the telegraph it's truly a wonderful thing. The more of the world that gets bound together the easier it is to communicate on top of everything else when Room 40 is set up it makes it a great deal easier to listen in on both allies and enemies.
January 1903: Continuing his efforts to improve relations with the British, hopefully to bring them into an alliance against Germany, French Prime Minister Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau reaches an agreement over China with British Foreign Secretary James Gascoigne-Cecil in the French resort town of Cannes. The Cannes Agreement will see the French agree to back the British supported Nanjing in the Chinese Civil War, in return for the British providing up to date intelligence regarding the ongoing civil war. Additionally, while not willing to enter an alliance against Germany, even an informal one such as suggested by Waldeck-Rousseau, the British do agree to adopt a policy of friendly neutrality toward France in the event of war.
Looks like France is getting ready for war against Germany and trying to get Britian on side is smart but given the way Britian seems to be focused on reform right now they won't succeed.

Also getting them to back the Nanjing govetment is a major bonus as well means more capital and and the frenchs truly excellent field guns can make there way to them as well.
February 1903: Ronglu, the Commander in Chief of the Xi'an forces and who has frequently clashed with the Dowager Empress Cixi over the conduct of the war dies in suspicious circumstances. He is replaced by Boxer supporter, Prince Zhuang. Zhuang immediately orders Dong Fuxiang's Gansu Army into Jiangsu Province where they, in coordination with Guixiang's Beijing Army launch a renewed assault on Nanjing. They are faced by the Nanjing First Corps under General Chen Jiongming and the Third Corps under General Cao Kun, both directly controlled by Commander in Chief General Lu Yongxiang. The quality of the Nanjing troops has now greatly improved, giving them a significant advantage over the Xi'an forces allowing them to hold even though they are heavily out numbered.
Ouch so they put a spiritualist who provably has zero combat experjnce incharge of army and he feeds his hand into a sausage machince by aending them against a dug in and trajned corps. Thats asking to burn through manpower and resources and since the Dowagers army doesn't have the same access yet to modern trainers and gear this will hurt them.
February 1903: After a lengthy period of political instability and two national bankruptcies, King Carlos of Portugal appoints the reformer and republican José de Castro as Prime Minister. De Castro embarks on an extensive program of political reform intended to overhaul the Portuguese political system and economy. These reforms will immediately spark intense opposition from conservative elements within Portugal.
Pretty much OTL have to wonder how things will go down with Britians oldest ally.
February 1903: The Esher Commission into Imperial defence delivers its final report. Perhaps its most radical recommendation is the formation of an Imperial General Staff to coordinate both the British and Dominion armies along with a common pool of general officers. It also advises cadet training should be undertaken in Imperial universities to provide a pool of potential officers in the event of a general mobilisation. Regarding reserves it finds the current militia and volunteer system inefficient and cumbersome, recommending they be combined into a single territorial army, with improved training and liable for both home and overseas service. The report also notes many units have difficult attracting sufficient recruits to maintain full strength. If an effort to address this issue it recommends improving the terms of service, in particular pay and increasing technical education for others ranks in order to make the military a more attractive career option. It also recommends establishing schools for training NCOs throughout the Empire, with schools in Australia, Canada, India and South Africa as well as Britain.
Ok taking this in order.

An imperial general staff will be a major bonus it means less disjointed war plans for the military as well as a more unified training, doctrinal and logstical frame work to go off for British and Dominion forces which when it comes to war will be a big plus. Heck getting a doctrine in place for British and Dominion armies will be a plus since the current lack of one is a blessing and a curse.

The cadet pool is a Good idea I'd also add in an expansion of Staff Colleges is a must as well since staff work is key to any armed service to keep it going especially larger formations.

An imperial wide territorial army scheme is something I did not expect hardest rhing will be getting the funding needed maybe have it set up with each Dominion and Britian funding there own but have it under universal imperial command with guidelines and standardisation. Also make it so that anyone leaving regular service has to be eligible for territorial call up. As well put Douglas Haig in charge of them since be formed them otl as well and did a very good job at it.

Better pay and condtions as well as more technical education will be a major draw as well as giving Britian and thr Dominions more engineers, medics, electrians ectra maybe attach an annex to what passes for technical colleges as well as where they are already trained to aid with expansion in this area.

NCOs are the oil that lunticates the gears of any modern army the bettet trained and organised they are the easier time the army will have especially if the enviroment they train in encourages loyalty to the Empire.
March 1903 : The Emperor's report into the state of the French military is accepted virtually unaltered, with only a few minor changes. The main of which are the Conseil de la Défense National is to be chaird by the Emperor rather than the Prime Minister, and a reduction of the Imperial Guard to 26,000 men. With his new role as chair, the Emperor begins pushing for major reforms to both the army and navy, including the development of further modern artillery, the complete overhaul of French shipbuilding, the long overdue adopton of adequate machine guns and the abandonment of the doctrine of the offensive in favour of the British fire and movement tactics. This immediately puts him at odds with the majority of the French military establishment.
On the one had the french armg had good ideas like theh had the best pre war field guns, on the other they were behind the times in a lot of areas not as bad or as mad as the Austrians but still.

This going to lead to a show down between the military cliques and the imperial Crown though in all honesty I think the military establishment will lose.
March 1903: Since the 15th century Britain's primary naval threat has come from France and Spain. Consequently the Royal Navy's bases in Britain are almost entirely located in the Channel and Southeast of England. With the rise of Germany as a naval power, the Royal Navy faces the prospect of a naval war in the North Sea where they have no available bases. In order to rectify this work begins on a new Royal Dockyard at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth.
That will be a job an a half still the RN can do it as always though I imagine they will be asking after a seat on the Imperial General Staff as well as expanding technical education to meet their needs.
March 1903: Aware of the French effort to court the British into an alliance and concerned the recent Cannes Agreement is the first step in the toward such an alliance, German Foreign Minister Oswald von Richthofen travels to London for talks with his British counterpart, James Gascoigne-Cecil. The talks open promisingly with Gascoigne-Cecil making it clear to his opposite number the British have no interest in an alliance with the French and are seeking to avoid European entanglements. Reassured, von Richthofen brings up the matter of the ongoing Chinese Civil War. Again the discussions go well, as while the two nations do have competing interests, there does appear to be a willingness to compromise on both sides. However the talks founder when they turn to the matter of German naval expansion. Here Gascoigne-Cecil makes it clear the British regard the fleet proposed in the 1900 Second Naval Law as far in excess of German needs and an obvious threat to British security. Unfortunately von Richthofen is completely unwilling to entertain any potential reduction in the German naval program, stating a world leading fleet is vital in light of Germany's position as a Great power. Discussions continue in this vein for some time, but it soon becomes apparent no compromise can be reached, and the talks are a complete failure, serving only to increase British concerns and further distance the two powers.
Well Germany as in OTL is isolating themselves form possible allies Bismark may have been an ass and terrible on domestic issues but when it can to foreign policy he could read Europe like a book. His successors are lacking in that department and making the Admiralty nervous is never a good idea.
 
Great chapter as always!
Thank you
That's going to bite them in the ass with the debts they are racking up. However on the flipside the more they standardise along British lines the more likely they are to buy British goods and working with Imperial forces is going to be much easier in the future as well as allowing penetrataion of Chinese markets.
Modern wars are sadly expensive, a fact which is going to be increasingly important as the timeline moves on. For the Southern Chinese the situation is better than it seems. Yes huge debts, but both the British and US look on them more as investment than anything else. In particular it's driving an expansion of the British arms industry. At this point the British are a minor player in the global arms market outside shipbuilding, this is about to change with them going head to head with the Germans, French and Austro-Hungarians.
Looks like they are binding the world together so go speak with the telegraph it's truly a wonderful thing. The more of the world that gets bound together the easier it is to communicate on top of everything else when Room 40 is set up it makes it a great deal easier to listen in on both allies and enemies.
There are a few other changes coming up which I haven't worked out yet. There are two big revolutions in global communication coming up (radio and a little later air travel). In the OTL the British fell behind in these fields. Not sure how it will go ITTL. They have a slight potential head start and ITTL the British education system is a little different, more emphasis on technology.
Looks like France is getting ready for war against Germany and trying to get Britian on side is smart but given the way Britian seems to be focused on reform right now they won't succeed.
Watch this space lol
Also getting them to back the Nanjing govetment is a major bonus as well means more capital and and the frenchs truly excellent field guns can make there way to them as well.
The artillery revolution has just started. The French were unwilling to sell the Mle 1897, which left the field open for the Krupp's 75mm M1903. But the British are about to introduce their QF guns. Could see the 13pdr be quite popular.
Ouch so they put a spiritualist who provably has zero combat experjnce incharge of army and he feeds his hand into a sausage machince by aending them against a dug in and trajned corps. Thats asking to burn through manpower and resources and since the Dowagers army doesn't have the same access yet to modern trainers and gear this will hurt them.
The Northern Chinese do keep shooting themselves in the foot. They actually managed to pick up the bulk of the pre civil war Qing modern armies, but have been wasting them.
Pretty much OTL have to wonder how things will go down with Britians oldest ally.
Portugal is different ITTL. The 1895 British ultimatum didn't happen, hence Portuguese Malawi. That was a significant factor in the 1910 revolution. Plus they have ties with Brazil.
Ok taking this in order.

An imperial general staff will be a major bonus it means less disjointed war plans for the military as well as a more unified training, doctrinal and logstical frame work to go off for British and Dominion forces which when it comes to war will be a big plus. Heck getting a doctrine in place for British and Dominion armies will be a plus since the current lack of one is a blessing and a curse.
The British learnt a little more ITTL and the post Boer war reforms are little more far reaching.
The cadet pool is a Good idea I'd also add in an expansion of Staff Colleges is a must as well since staff work is key to any armed service to keep it going especially larger formations.
They haven't quite got the importance of staff work yet. One more shock should do it.
An imperial wide territorial army scheme is something I did not expect hardest rhing will be getting the funding needed maybe have it set up with each Dominion and Britian funding there own but have it under universal imperial command with guidelines and standardisation. Also make it so that anyone leaving regular service has to be eligible for territorial call up. As well put Douglas Haig in charge of them since be formed them otl as well and did a very good job at it.
There is essentially one unified imperial army now. Needs a few tweaks but pretty much there. You also have the common officer pool above Colonel now too.
Better pay and condtions as well as more technical education will be a major draw as well as giving Britian and thr Dominions more engineers, medics, electrians ectra maybe attach an annex to what passes for technical colleges as well as where they are already trained to aid with expansion in this area.
Yes and no. Yes it will make the army more attractive, but British industry is actually in the middle of a major period of modernisation, with a period of rationalisation about to start. So this more or less keeps the army competitive in the employment market. But it will lead to a more technically competent force.
NCOs are the oil that lunticates the gears of any modern army the bettet trained and organised they are the easier time the army will have especially if the enviroment they train in encourages loyalty to the Empire.
This is actually part of the previous change. The British army was historically highly socially stratified. The lifestyle expected of an officer could not be supported by the pay they received. So it effectively limited officers to those with an independent source of income, or in other words, the upper classes. This is the first step in breaking down that barrier.
On the one had the french armg had good ideas like theh had the best pre war field guns, on the other they were behind the times in a lot of areas not as bad or as mad as the Austrians but still.

This going to lead to a show down between the military cliques and the imperial Crown though in all honesty I think the military establishment will lose.
Nap IV has huge public support but he is going head to head with l'outrance.
That will be a job an a half still the RN can do it as always though I imagine they will be asking after a seat on the Imperial General Staff as well as expanding technical education to meet their needs.
Fisher hits next year. With Tryon having already started the reform of the RN, he'll finish it.
Well Germany as in OTL is isolating themselves form possible allies Bismark may have been an ass and terrible on domestic issues but when it can to foreign policy he could read Europe like a book. His successors are lacking in that department and making the Admiralty nervous is never a good idea.
Yeah, the Germans really were their own worst enemy at this point. They just kept getting it wrong. The first Morocco crisis is even worse
 
This may be a silly request but is it possible for airships to be more prevalent ITTL? I’m not so naive as to ask for a prevention of heavier than air travel, as it seems an inevitability. However, airships are amazing and I would love for them to at least survive as a relevant mode of travel. Perhaps some sort of commercial shipping or commonwealth airline? (Also if you do could it please be a REALLY big one)
 
This may be a silly request but is it possible for airships to be more prevalent ITTL? I’m not so naive as to ask for a prevention of heavier than air travel, as it seems an inevitability. However, airships are amazing and I would love for them to at least survive as a relevant mode of travel. Perhaps some sort of commercial shipping or commonwealth airline? (Also if you do could it please be a REALLY big one)
What kind of alt history would it be without airships? Of course there'll be airships lol
 
Out of curiosity with the Royal Flying Corps was established in 1912 will thar date be pushed up at all?

If so could we see companies like Bristol and Sopworth testing out new air frames earlier?

Like I could see an earlier Britsol Scout being useful. I'm not baised or anything but I ran into a man who rebuilt one.
 
April-June 1903: A golden bullet
~April-June 1903: A golden bullet

April 1903: With the first Madsen light machine guns now being delivered to the Southern Qing, eighteen are issued to each marine Tuji special forces group replacing their existing Maxims, One gun is issued to each of the groups twelve ten man sections, with the other six issued to replace the Maxim's previously with the group's support squad. The Madsen's light weight and portability will quickly prove its value as a direct support weapon.

April 1903: The US navy pushes for four battleships, two armoured cruisers and six scout cruisers in the annual naval estimates. However this program runs into fierce opposition from Congress. Faced with a substantial cut in funding, the navy is only able to secure two battleships, essentially slightly enlarged repeats of last year's Connecticut class.

April 1903: With the Southern Qing forces in Jiangsu Province still offering fierce resistance and the Northern Qing no closer to taking Nanjing, Northern Qing Commander in Chief Prince Zhuang resorts to bribery to induce the Southern Qing commanders to defect. While he is unable to convince General Chen Jiongming to defect, 200,000 taels of silver {£26,985} results General Cao Kun switching sides. While only approximately one third of Cao's Third Corps defect alongside him and General Cai E is rapidly appointed as its new commander, his betrayal fatally weakens the Southern Qing position in Jiangsu. With the defence of their capital untenable, the Southern Qing orders a retreat to form a new defensive line in Jiangxi and Zhejiang Provinces, allowing the Northern Qing to take not only Nanjing but Shanghai as well. This greatly boosts the Northern Qing's prestige prompting the governors of the remaining undeclared Provinces Sichuan, Xinjiang and Qinghai Provinces to declare for the Northern Qing. With the loss of Nanjing, the Guangxu Emperor's government relocates to Southern China, establishing a temporary capital at Guangdong.

20th April 1903: Brazilian aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos-Dumont makes the first controlled heavier than air flight in his 14-bis machine 'Kailyn.' Taking off from a field in Kent, he completes a 48.5m flight before successfully landing. As Santos-Dumont has a strong commitment to furthering the progress of aviation, he refuses to restrict the use of the design elements of his aircraft, making them freely available to all by placing them in the public domain. This last action will provide a great spur for the development of aviation in Europe.

April 1903: Napoleon IV begins his campaign to reform the French military with an attempt to replace the army's highly visible uniforms with a more practical uniform in a muted pale blue colour. While ultimately successful, this measure provokes fierce opposition, becoming a major political debate in the National Assembly. Unfortunate he is not totally successful, with the cuirassier regiments retaining their breastplates.

April 1903: The Southern Qing Empress Keshun sponsors the creation of the Keshun Huanghou Hushi Tuan (克顺皇后护师团) or Empress Keshun's Nursing Corps as part of the Southern Qing forces. Patterned after the British Army's Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service created in 1902, the new corps is intended to improve the standard of medical treatment for the Southern Qing forces. Though unlike the British service, it will work with both the Army and Navy. The Empress herself will take an extremely active role in the new corps, aggressively soliciting donations from wealthy individuals and companies to help fund 'her' corps.

May 1903: Despite the terms of the Boxer Protocol requiring a Russian withdrawal from Manchuria by the end of April, the Russians have failed to do so, claiming the ongoing Chinese Civil War as a reason. Concerned the Russian presence may become permanent, the British, Japanese and US form a special joint committee to monitor the situation and coordinate their efforts to obtain a Russian withdrawal.

May 1903: The opening of the Jiangmen Arsenal finally ends the Southern Qing's dependence on imported arms. Using the up to date production techniques to minimise the number skilled workers required, the arsenal will expand rapidly, becoming a model of modern mass production.

May 1903: With the fall of the Southern Qing's capital and Shanghai and subsequent humiliating retreat , support for the Northern Qing has significantly increased throughout China. Believing the end of the Chinese Civil War is in sight, Northern Qing Grand Chancellor, Prince Duan holds secret negotiations with the Russians, hoping to obtain vital arms and equipment. In return the Northern Qing offer to allow a continued Russian presence in Manchuria once the Southern Qing are defeated. The proposal is well received, with the Russians agreeing to sell the Northern Qing with significant quantities of modern weapons.

May 1903: Attempting to regroup after their defeat in Jiangsu, the Southern Qing reorganise their forces into three field armies. The First Army under General Chen Jiongming in Jiangxi and Zhidong. General Liu Yongfu's Second Army in Hunan, with General Yin Chang commanding the Third Army in Guizhou and Yunnan. Each army will consist of two corps, with the remaining corps held back as a strategic reserve.

May 1903: Over the last decade reports of massive humanitarian abuses have been emerging from the Congo Free State ruled as the personal possession by King Leopold of Belgium. As these increasingly lurid reports have been coming to light, increasing pressure has been growing on the Great Powers to intervene. Finally the British Government agrees to commission a report by diplomat and Irish Rights advocate Roger Casement to investigate the situation.

May 1903: Seeking to match the efficiency of the Southern Qing Army, the Northern Qing reorganise their forces into three larger Armies, each subdivided into a Zou and You Division. The Beifang Army under Yuan Shikai, centred around his Guards Army, with Long Jiguang and Zhang Xun as subordinate commanders. The Nanfang Army under Dong Fuxiang raised from new recruits mixed with many troops from the Gansu Army. With Ma Fuxing and Ma Anling commanding it's two divisions. And finally the Yousheng Army formed primarily from the Beijing and Shanxi Armies, combined with the best troops from the Gansu Army under Guixiang. The Yousheng Army also has a third or Zhong Division, with Yuxian. Li Chun and Cao Kun commanding the three divisions.

June 1903: While Serbian King Alexander's introduction of a new liberal constitution in 1901 has successfully reconciled the Serbian political establishment to his rule, he has still failed to end opposition from the army, particularly over concerns regarding an heir. With rumours one of the highly unpopular Queen Draga's brothers is going to be appointed heir apparent, a group of junior army officers begin planning a coup to remove the king. After several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate the king, the plotter storm the royal palace and brutally murder the king and queen. The brutal nature of the coup brings international outrage, with all the Great Powers breaking off diplomatic relations until the plotters are punished, while the Serbian population is split over the affair. With King Alexander dead and having no heir, the Serbian National Assembly elects Petar Кarađorđević as the new king of Serbia. King Pater will largely stay out of politics, allowing the NRS to take control and firmly move Serbia into the Russian camp.

June 1903: With the negotiations between Russian and Japan regarding Manchuria ongoing, German Kaiser Wilhelm II begins encouraging the Russian Tsar Nicholas II to resist the Japanese demands to withdraw, using racist 'yellow peril' rhetoric to play up Russian fears regarding the growing power of Japan. With the French having made it clear they will not support Russia in any war with Japan after French Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau's agreement with the British regarding China, Wilhelm's statements significantly increases the Tsar's belligerence. As a result, Admiral Yevgeni Alekseyev, a member of the Bezobrazov Circle advocating conflict with Japan, is dispatched to take command of the Russian forces in the far east.

June 1903: With the Russians still refusing to remove their forces from Manchuria, and in fact moving in additional troops to reinforce their position, the Japanese, with support from the British and US, begin negotiations in an attempt to bring about a withdrawal.

June 1903: The Northern Qing advanced has in a position to attack the strategic communication hub at Changsha. With the reorganisation of the Southern Qing forces into field armies complete, General Liu Yongfu's Second Army is to launch a limited offensive to drive the Northern Qing away from the city toward more defensible ground near the border with Jiangxi. The offensive is a stunning success, with the Second Army rapidly forcing the depleted Beifang Army to retreat back into Jiangxi Jiangxi. However, despite this success Southern Qing Commander in Chief, General Lu Yongxiang, concerned regarding supplies and inadequate intelligence, refuses to allow the offensive be extended. Nevertheless, the victory, though limited, provides a much needed morale boost for the Southern Qing Army.
 
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Out of curiosity with the Royal Flying Corps was established in 1912 will thar date be pushed up at all?

If so could we see companies like Bristol and Sopworth testing out new air frames earlier?

Like I could see an earlier Britsol Scout being useful. I'm not baised or anything but I ran into a man who rebuilt one.
Well first powered flight has just happened, Santos-Dumont has beaten the Wright brothers. And the flight occurred in Kent.
 
Hm, Nanjing is severely on back foot, this seems like a massive setback. Very nice news about first flight though.
 
Hm, Nanjing is severely on back foot, this seems like a massive setback. Very nice news about first flight though.
On the plus side, Nanjing seems to have finally gotten it's shit together and is on a highly effective counter-offensive. It feels like this last battle was the Chinese civil war's Midway.
 
China as at April1903
China Civil War 0304.png

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Unfortunate he is not totally successful, with the cuirassier regiments retaining their breastplates.
Yeah go figure they only learn that breastplates don't work when a great deal of them are shot in WW1. They don't do much against modern rifles, explosives or machine guns and makes them a very shiny target.
Empress Keshun's Nursing Corps as part of the Nanjing forces. Patterned after the British Army's Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service created in 1902, the new corps is intended to improve the standard of medical treatment for the Nanjing forces.
That will make her highly popular amongst Southern troops as well as this less people will he dying ro easily preventable illness and wounds as well as probably giving them mu h better facilities to boot.
The proposal is well received, with the Russians agreeing to sell the Xi'an with significant quantities of modern weapons.
Debatable Russian Machine Gun corps OTL is one of the best at the time some of the best educated soliders were put there and they had some effective doctrine worked out for them. Mosins are OK not the best TBH and the earlier ones run into issues though they may toss them some of their older rifles that or buy German and tranship them.
Finally the British Government agrees to commission a report by diplomat and Irish Rights advocate Roger Casement to investigate the situation.
I think this is a major change from OTL since as long as the Rubber and other raw resources kept flowing they didn't really care what went on in the Congo.
May 1903: Seeking to match the efficiency of the Nanjing Army, the Xi'an reorganise their forces into three larger Armies, each subdivided into a Zou and You Division. The Beifang Army under Yuan Shikai, centred around his Guards Army, with Long Jiguang and Zhang Xun commanding its divisions. The Nanfang Army under Dong Fuxiang raised from new recruits mixed with many troops from the Gansu Army. With Ma Fuxing and Ma Anling as subordinate commanders. And Finally the Yousheng Army formed primarily from the Beijing and Shanxi Armies, combined with the best troops from the Gansu Army under Guixiang. Unlike the Northern and Central Armies, the Nanfang Army also has a third or Zhong Division, with Yuxian. Li Chun and Cao Kun commanding its divisions. The spiting of the Gansu Army will result in many problems in both the Yousheng and Nanfang Armies
Organisation without training to carry it out is begging foe a fist to the face ad has been pointed out. You've got so many large formations being jury rigged together is ask for a world of pain.
June 1903: With the negotiations between Russian and Japan regarding Manchuria ongoing, German Kaiser Wilhelm II begins encouraging the Russian Tsar Nicholas II to resist the Japanese demands to withdraw, using racist 'yellow peril' rhetoric to play up Russian fears regarding the growing power of Japan. With the French having made it clear they will not support Russia in any war with Japan after French Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau's agreement with the British regarding China, Wilhelm's statements significantly increases the Tsar's belligerence. As a result, Admiral Yevgeni Alekseyev, a member of the Bezobrazov Circle advocating conflict with Japan, is dispatched to take command of the Russian forces in the far east.
I guess Russia will have the same 'short victorious war' they had OTL were they get their heads handed to the by the Imperial Japanese.
 
Debatable Russian Machine Gun corps OTL is one of the best at the time some of the best educated soliders were put there and they had some effective doctrine worked out for them. Mosins are OK not the best TBH and the earlier ones run into issues though they may toss them some of their older rifles that or buy German and tranship them.
I imagine that 'Modern' here means Charger/Stripper-Clip Loading Magazine Rifles. The Mosin-Nagant is... Eeehhh... When compared to a Lee-Enfield or Mauser, sure. But it utterly blows say, a Remington Rolling Block out of the water.
 
Hm, Nanjing is severely on back foot, this seems like a massive setback. Very nice news about first flight though.

On the plus side, Nanjing seems to have finally gotten it's shit together and is on a highly effective counter-offensive. It feels like this last battle was the Chinese civil war's Midway.

The key is way back in late 1901 when the Chinese Civil War started and both sides adopted their strategies for raising armies. The Xi'an have been basically press ganging and throwing in troops as fast as they can, equipped with whatever they could get hold of. The Nanjing have taken time to train and focused on trying to issue common equipment as best they can, plus relying on volunteers, mostly from Southern China. This has meant they've had to fight at a disadvantage and have just been hanging on.

But now, they're getting well trained, motivated troops into the line, with a much simpler logistic burden. They've held on and now the balance is swinging in their favour. Plus their command is cautious, their offensive achieved it goals and they stopped. They still are at a numerical disadvantage and their domestic arms industry has only just come online, so don't over extend. Yep the tide is turning. There are dramatic events ahead.
 
I imagine that 'Modern' here means Charger/Stripper-Clip Loading Magazine Rifles. The Mosin-Nagant is... Eeehhh... When compared to a Lee-Enfield or Mauser, sure. But it utterly blows say, a Remington Rolling Block out of the water.
Yes modern here means Mosins. But they're replacing Gew 88s, so not that bad. Problem is the additional logistical burden they impose. But there's also artillery, not to mention the Xi'an aren't so stupid as to ignore the Madsens the Nanjing are deploying. And the Danes will very happy to sell to both sides.
 
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