A healthy baby boy...

G.Bone

Some short bits;

Lenin has become a rising star in The Party. Although he is pushing towards the Party's movement in Russia, there are a whole lot of people being disatisfied with the current Kaiser, and a lot of them vote. Thus, Lenin becomes elected to the Reichstag, not for his policy, but for his rhetoric. Thus it is that Lenin becomes involved in German politics, although not his cup of tea, but not entirely without advantages either. There are very bitter arguments in the Reichstag on Lenin being censored from his oft tendencies of arguing on if the Reichstag should be concerned for the average worker and if the Conservatives are even in touch with their German heritage.

The young Iosif Vissarionovich has heeded the call of the church in his native Georgia. It does not help that he is firmly patriotic and loathes being persecuted for being Georgian. He is currently attenting the Tiflis Theological Seminary and is quickly gaining fame for his collection of stories about native Georgia, although "modifed" to become Russian. There is potential here for satire, one of the fathers at the seminary says to the young boy, and he listens.

Józef Piłsudski has followed his brother's good friend (Lenin) into politics. He is a mover and shaker in the Polish chapter of The Party, mostly pushing for Polish sovereign rights, as well as the uniting of all of Poland under one flag. He has met up with the Crown Prince on several occasions and was even there when the Danzig Speech was made. The current legislation of having Poland a part of the Empire has left him in a sore spot. Still, The Party does promise that if a civil war does come about, he will be given leadership of Poland at large, depending on if Russia ever comes to it's senses, which it will.

Bronisław Piłsudski is busy studying the Nama Tribe in Nambia and is quite proficient in their tongue. There is a rumor that he will become their advocate if the Colonial Reichstag should ever come about.

von Moltke is taking a vacation in Ost Afrika and studying the effect of the panzerkampfwagons there.

Commodore Spree is overlooking the building of the unterwasserboots in Kamerun and pushing for the manufacturing of the supposed "stealth ships".

General W.T. Sherman is dead, buried in his native soil of the US, and given a state funeral by the Crown Prince for his services. His family will be allowed to migrate to the German Empire, specifically it's colonies, anytime they wish.

Loren and her family friend Germonio are being talked to by the German Ambassador, advocate of the Crown Prince, who may or may not be a Naval Officer of the Colonial Navy.

Paul Emil Lettow Vorbeck is looking for a bride in Dar-Es-Salaam and isn't finding the right lady..
 

G.Bone

Could you point them out?

What more do you want to see?

Do you think the TL should be increased to the major events?
 

DMA

Just a couple of comments:

1) The most important thing is, which I think needs to be addressed, what is Britain doing in reaction to Germany trying to build a colonial empire - especially one which involves several colonies in Africa. Somehow I don't think that the British are going to be overly pleased, especially with German relations with the Boers.

2) Sherman hated politicans & did all he could not to be in the same room as them, let alone work for them. So hence I'm a bit reluctant to accept the role you've placed him in ie being a military advisor the Crown Prince
 

G.Bone

Just a couple of comments:

1) The most important thing is, which I think needs to be addressed, what is Britain doing in reaction to Germany trying to build a colonial empire - especially one which involves several colonies in Africa. Somehow I don't think that the British are going to be overly pleased, especially with German relations with the Boers.

2) Sherman hated politicans & did all he could not to be in the same room as them, let alone work for them. So hence I'm a bit reluctant to accept the role you've placed him in ie being a military advisor the Crown Prince
Click to expand...

I will address the first question in a later installment, no doubt in a couple of minutes or so...

William T. Sherman is not regarded as a politician nor a military advisor. The Crown Prince simply used him as a resource and gave him a comfty position at a training academy, which just happens to have a lot of connected officers in the room. Although the position is political, the Crown Prince did avow and kept his promise that William T. Sherman will NOT have any political involvement in his plans, and "highly encouraged" Sherman's employment at the said academy.
 

G.Bone

Ah the Boers...

The trouble is that the Boers are Dutch. They have waged a war against the British Empire and won. They are a presence that the British find irriating to say the least, especially with the presence of gold in the Witwatersrand.

Then there are the Germans.

Opinion is divided over what to do with the German colonies since they have a very large military presence in the Gulf of Guinea. While invasion is a good idea, it does not help that those colonies are the main source of technical advancement, as well as the 'home' of a German Prince. Outright military invasion of Ost Afrika is out of the question because they have those danged panzerkampfwagons that have been showing up in Italy and the Balkan states. Then there is this stupid technical deal, later cemented in law, that the German Empire is a firm ally of the Brits.

The British Naval Officers are not happy with this arrangement. Just as the French are doing in their colonies, a push is made on to develop counter-measures to a possible German dominance in Africa. The Boers, who are complaining of the sudden increase of miners in the Witwatersrand, soon find themselves facing a sudden increase of soldier along their border, as well as "native" British guns (based on German designs) countering their move.

Some of the British Foreign Ministry operatives have placed pressure upon the German Empire to regain control over their colonies. Spies from their various "port of call" have reported that all of the colonies are operating on their own agenda. Those that do not agree with the general philosophy of "New Socialism" are "re-educated". Then there is the fact that the settlers have given arms to the native African tribes, thereby countering the myth that the White Man is *needed* in Africa, and causing more mayhem in their own domain.

This the main reason why the Dar-Es-Salaam-Windhoek Bay railroad is not constructed. The British officials in South Africa do push for the completion of the Cape-to-Cairo route. They keep promising the Colonial Authorities in Ost Afrika that they will build the route themselves, but they never do.

There is also the main push overseas on a large source of manpower for this future war. Concessions are made with the Malays and the Australians for a large amount of men for an increased army; India is too troublesome to be "given into". There is some hint in Westminister on an "Imperial Army" that could be formed with this increased pool of men. The suggestion that women should be included in this army is quickly shot down.

Then there are the Boers. The Boers do not like the Brits and with the increase of the arms industry in Nambia, there is a ready source of their armament, as well as continued life as members of the Boer Republics. It is readily assumed by the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, a certain Cecil Rhodes, that a possible capitalization of "outlanders" (a loose translation) that are in the Transvaal Republic could be used as for outright conquest.

It should also be said at this point that PM Cecil Rhodes sends a telegram to his friend Leander Starr Jamerson on the "German matter". In the telegram he says:

It does not need an enlightened soul to realize what is going on here. We should be concerned about the colonies in Africa but for the Empire itself. After all, if the technical edge is here, then what is in Germany? Surely there must be a reason on this sudden exporting of immigrants and naval yards to Africa. Mark my words Leander - it is not for us that the Prince seeks to distract but of Germany herself. The only thing we should be concerned with is when will he strike?
 

Wendell

G.Bone said:
Could you point them out?

What more do you want to see?

Do you think the TL should be increased to the major events?
Click to expand...
For one thing, the Princess from Schleswig will become Elenia Olga, right? You had Elenia Ogla.

Also, where is "Windhoek Bay"?
 
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G.Bone

Muaaaaaaaaaa?

Elenia Ogla is Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein's *Russian* Name.

Where did I write the name before that?

Windhoek Bay is a typo. I mean Wilhelm's Town, which is busily overtaking Wlavis Bay. Windhoek, it appears, is far inland.
 

DMA

G.Bone said:
William T. Sherman is not regarded as a politician nor a military advisor. The Crown Prince simply used him as a resource and gave him a comfty position at a training academy, which just happens to have a lot of connected officers in the room. Although the position is political, the Crown Prince did avow and kept his promise that William T. Sherman will NOT have any political involvement in his plans, and "highly encouraged" Sherman's employment at the said academy.
Click to expand...


Well I'm not as confident as you that Sherman would accept such a post with a foreign power. Afterall Sheridan was US military attache to Prussia during the Franco- Prussian War of 1870-1 & was far from impressed from what he saw. So I'd dare say Sherman would have been even more sceptical of having anything to do with the same people...
 

G.Bone

Well - just retcon Sherman's time there as a "guest professor" for a month - if not shorter - and he goes back to the USA as well as the incident of the Prince chewing out some general for insulting Sherman, which now is urban legend rather than actual truth.

What do you think of the new addition of the TL? Is it veering off to Lala Land?
 

DMA

G.Bone said:
Well - just retcon Sherman's time there as a "guest professor" for a month - if not shorter - and he goes back to the USA as well as the incident of the Prince chewing out some general for insulting Sherman, which now is urban legend rather than actual truth.
Click to expand...


Well alternatively you could just have it that the Germans grab whatever books they can about Sherman & study him, his tactics & strategy, as a major part of the Academy's officer program. In fact such things are the norm...


G.Bone said:
What do you think of the new addition of the TL? Is it veering off to Lala Land?
Click to expand...


I wouldn't say it's Lala Land at all. You do have to be careful, though, about the British reaction. The British are not going to look too kindly, regardless of treaties, if their position in Africa is going to be challlenged by anyone, let alone Germany. So the Capetown-Cairo railway is going to be on & with it all the international politics etc...

And speaking of the British in Africa, the British lost the first Boer War (1880/1) because they were arrogant & used outdated tactics as well as being outnumbered (ironically they should have studied the ACW especially Sherman ;) ). It was a different story come the second war when the UK more or less used "modern" tactics plus they ensured that they enjoyed superior numbers.

Other than that I'm a bit worried about the panzerkampfwagon. I think you're about 10-15 years too early, technology wise, with what you're saying about their role/equipment levels etc. Now if you had them as an armoured train, that'd be a different story, but as a wheeled or tracked vehicle, they'd be very large, immensely slow, & thus pretty much useless. Remember the first British tanks of WWI. Yet you've got you're version running around, in the early 1890s, some 20 years before the OTL ones. The biggest problem is their engine. By 1915 petrol engines were well developed by the standards of the day, ensuring their size was kept to a minimum whilst offering reasonable power output. But it's a different story in the early 1890s in regards to pretty much every engine around, whether it be steam, petrol or even diesel.
 

Wendell

G.Bone said:
Muaaaaaaaaaa?

Elenia Ogla is Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein's *Russian* Name.

Where did I write the name before that?

Windhoek Bay is a typo. I mean Wilhelm's Town, which is busily overtaking Wlavis Bay. Windhoek, it appears, is far inland.
Click to expand...
My point is that her Russian name is Ogla, or Olga?
 

Midgard

Wendell said:
My point is that her Russian name is Ogla, or Olga?
Click to expand...

Technically, it should be Olga, or Yelena (Elena) - the Russians did not generally use twin names like this. Probably Yelena Fedorovna (the Russians tended to ascribe a Russian patronymic to non-Russian members of Imperial family, even if it had little to do with the actual father's first name). Other than that, great TL - I am continuously interested in what happens next.
 

G.Bone

Ah the joys of retconning

1. Okay the panzerkampwagons in Ost Afrika are an armored train carriage that allows for the usual damage to be inflicted. Those models that are on cars are still in development. Please disregard this paragraph:

On to the panzerkampfwagons then.

The panzerkampfwagons are little more than what the title says. The best analogy would be having an armored car with a cannon in the fore and engine in the back. To counter any attempts on going in the back, there that motif of a Maxim on a turntable. There's not much armor on the "auto"*, mainly because of the heat, and that the device is mostly used for fear.
Click to expand...

2.
Well alternatively you could just have it that the Germans grab whatever books they can about Sherman & study him, his tactics & strategy, as a major part of the Academy's officer program. In fact such things are the norm...
Click to expand...

This has been adopted as fact with Sherman leaving Germany for a spell, retiring, and dead as OTL. (I'm lazy :( )

3. Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein's new Russian name is Yelena Fedorovna.
 

G.Bone

It is 1893/94.

The Conservative factions within the Reichstag have been constantly pushing for their opponents across from the aisle to let go of the colonies. There are concessions that can be done with the Brits on declining the military build-up. There are also some concerns that The Party has become too big, too centralized, and certainly "non-German".

On paper, the colonies are actually run by Imperial officials. In reality, it is run by a vast collection of military leaders and private citizens who are making those lands their own, with the native tribes included in that picture. There is even the noted presence of an African navy-man serving as a 'night' manager of some small port on the Nambian coastline.

Of course the very concept of "German" has become poison within Politics. There are two sides; one pushing for the definition of "German" as it was before 'New Socialism' and the other based on a 'New Socialist' model. Lately it has become of the latter that has become more popular. But these are trite details that only intelligence officers would pay attention to.

With that set aside, the matter of the Poles is a tricky situation. While they have been given defacto independence by the Kaiser in order to get their support, much of their economy lies in what The Party has brought to them, as well as the chance to triumph in these said oppertunities. Then there is Russia - what to do about Russia - a reluctant giant of an ally recruited by the Crown Prince - and now getting sour from Germany's treaty with the Brits.

The Party in Poland is different when compared to The Party in Germany. A major difference is it's movement for complete autonomy over it's own affairs, whether or not it leads to outright independence or some slowing of the course to that said goal. This issue goes hand in hand with elements of 'Old' Socialism intregated with ample representation for the common man, protection for the farmers, and other related concepts of liberalism. Why it is united with The Party lies in the industry that it has brought as well as the history that the Crown Prince has left in that area.

A young man by the name of Ignacy Mościcki takes a walk around Warsaw. He stops at the particular square that the famous speech was given. It seems almost ten years ago. With the new agenda passed in the Reichstag, it almost seems futile to push for independence, when they already have it, although three steps away from total freedom. It was one of the crowning achievements of the current Kaiser - to steal the crown from The Party. The Sejim can be ratified, the Regency Council erected as the executive branch, and representatives sent towards the Reichstag. The details of this new government have yet to be ironed out.

Ignacy Mościcki is studying chemistry but is slowly going into political science. In accepting what the current Kaiser has given to them, all of the industries along the coast will be turned over to the authorities, and no doubt closed, as shown in Germany. There is a chance to go to the colonies, but the whole thing with the Brits seems to hamstring the idea before it can run. It a strange thing, to have this cautious mood decorating every window on the street, and no confidence that was born in the Crown Prince's wake.

The coast is literally bustling with immigrants from Occupied Poland, as many newspapers point out. There is hope in soon to be free Hungary. Ignacy Mościcki deliberately chose to migrate to the coast because it offered direct oppertunity to get involved a massive socialist movement to get Poland free. The hope was everywhere in the factories, the newly built adjuant towns in the cities, and this promise that "New Socialism" held. In no time at all, Ignacy Mościcki found himself a member of the Danzig City Council. Danzig was the hope of all.

The English Princes don't matter at all.

Well - they do matter in that they are trying to help Poland - the one that bears one of the Golden King's name. Ignacy Mościcki says hello to one of his electorates. She's a 40 year old vendor of cider, offering it to her Councilmember, and engaging in some commentary that she'll vote for him nex turn. What Ignacy Mościcki has done is great, platitudes upon platitudes, but that same flash of despair residing in the corners of her eyes.

It is said that the Crown Prince has silently met up with leaders of The Party. There is a distinct offer for those to approach him, those that are Polish, Jews, and military. Ignacy Mościcki thinks about this as he steps out of the city square.
 

G.Bone

It is 1894.

Ignacy Mościcki is amazed at what Berlin has become. He had heard it through the newspapers that it had become a political city. He never thought it would come to this. Take this one incident he had while walking to The Party's Headquarters...

There was a massive protest against the supposed French communique that had been found out by a reporter covering the "Dutch beat". Then there was this expose of the Kaiser taking orders from the British on toning down the colonial expansion in Nambia. The protest was just an average one - similiar to what had been done in Danzig - but rabid.

They were protesting - if Ignacy Mościcki got his German right - that the Kaiser was bowing down to British interests and German. Then there was this other protest, namely the people on the street, stating that at least the Kaiser was the Kaiser and not some uppity prince that didn't know his place. It was all very amusing, until the police came by, and one of them noticed him near the newspaper stand.

There was a reason why the Poles had been allowed to prosper, Ignacy Mościcki thought to himself, when the German police man asked him for his papers; they would not infest German soil. The police man asked him on his purpose and Ignacy Mościcki told him that he was a Danzig Councilmember traveling on Reichstag business. There were other police wading into the crowds, breaking it up before it got started, and the people on the street simply went on by, not exactly saying anything, but covertly supporting the protesters.

The Party Headquarters is located on Oranienburger Strasse. It's very strange just to see it next to a Jewish Temple. With just one step, Ignacy Mościcki has made it into a different land. Here, the sign of an empty crown is omniscent throughout the strasse. The people here are not as silent as the other square he passed through. It's very much akin to going into Danzig on Party Day - bustling crowds, people of various origin, and arguments on the Empire's course of action.

They say that the Crown Prince has welcome the Jews as his own brethern.

So what about the Poles, now?
 

Midgard

So I take it there are troubles brewing in Poland? Poland could be the kind of a place to ignite the next Great War - providing Russia drifts further away from Germany, or one of the other powers gets its hands mixed up in Poland. The Russian and the German sectors are the likely spark points of the conflict to.
 

Wendell

midgardmetal said:
So I take it there are troubles brewing in Poland? Poland could be the kind of a place to ignite the next Great War - providing Russia drifts further away from Germany, or one of the other powers gets its hands mixed up in Poland. The Russian and the German sectors are the likely spark points of the conflict to.
Click to expand...
One wonders if the Russians would alk to one of the Crown Prince's brothers...
 

G.Bone

From Ignacy Mościcki's notes to the Chairman of the Polish Socialist Party (affiliate of The Party), dated March 28th, 1894;

...

Our dear leader has most certainly has changed. Gone is this visage known to us in the square; what sits in his place is this man that I can only describe as personified rage, controlled, and shooting daggers out of his eyes. He is clean shaven - making the pictures all obsolete - with just his face - cold and hard.

I might as well be describing the Russian Professor* instead of our Prince.

He has imparted some assurances by agreeing to switch places with the English Prince. The one thing that I should enclose is from his mouth. He does say Fort Sumpter.

I think with those words this message comes to an end...

---
(All of the following dispatches are in Polish)
---
His majesty, Tsar Alexander III of Russia, Ruler of All the Russias, Head of the Orthodox Church, Leader of all Free Men;

I hope you are doing well. It is upon this that I shall enclose my hopes upon the morrow. I do believe you when you say that a hand should never be shown when enemies are about.

I was stupid.

This is what I propose;

I know that you openly detest anything that is not Russian. I know that you are doing well without any covert rebellions and related materials. It is my hope that my panzerkampfwagons are doing well in your nation.

Long ago you helped our southern ally hold his throne. You long to hold Europe in your hand. Even though I was mourning my greatest loss, I am glad that your son has stabilized for the moment.

That was Austria-Hungary. What I propose is this; an even firmer alliance with us, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. Aide the Hungarians in their troubles, I will aide Italy, and the possibility of the Porte lies upon your doorstep. I will firmly support you in all your adventures. In exchange, I will take the rest of Poland off of you. While I do note the troubles that it will entail, you have always sought the wonders of Constantinople for your own glory. I shall raise you a border kingdom, co-dominance over your fellow sovereign peoples, and the Porte, in the same particular motion you did for Austria-Hungary.

Support me and I will give you that city.

The Prince.
--
My fellow king;

To do that would be blatant. Would we have the power allowed? What about Her?*

Tsar Alexander III
---
His majesty, Tsar Alexander III of Russia, Ruler of All the Russias, Head of the Orthodox Church, Leader of all Free Men;

I shall deal with my father in due time. My father may have the support of the British but to recognize the futility that is the French and all their dastardly ways will be political suicide. I have enclosed within this telegram some ideas that you could apply to. It is said that the main reason why the West failed for the South was that everything was concentrated on the East.

The Prince
----
My fellow king;

Are you not worried that this will take away your only remaining son?

Tsar Alexander III
-=---
His majesty, Tsar Alexander III of Russia, Ruler of All the Russias, Head of the Orthodox Church, Leader of all Free Men;

They say that in Poland there was a man named Stańczyk who said: "It is a greater folly to let out a bear that was locked in a cage."

I for one, hate iron.

Grandmothers are so easily swayed when they do not have their eldest daughter around.

The Prince
----
My fellow prince,

Watch what you say.

Tsar Alexander III
-------
*Queen Victoria
 
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