Really enjoying this, with one very very minor comment. I don't think the Imperial Russian government would use the term GULAG. That stood for Glavnoe Upravlenie Lagerei, or Chief Camp Administration. The Bolsheviks were acronym crazy in a way that the Tsarist regime was not.
Fenians, Brits, Mexicans, Canucks and Frenchies....OH, MY! An alternate American Civil War
- Thread starter Alt History Buff
- Start date
Chapter 331
February, 1907
Paris
As the Emperor prepared for the spring offensive, a series of radicals would meet in secret. The army was in a state of unrest Napoleon IV seemed almost incapable of accepting reality. Even some of the Arch-Royalists saw little point to continuing the war. Two years of bloodshed had gained perhaps 100 square miles of territory in the salient.
The Royal Navy had blockaded much of France's coastline. Trade had collapsed.
And nothing whatsoever had been done to crush Germany or expand French power in Africa.
The war had, thus far, accomplished nothing beyond killing hundreds of thousands of French. The Russian Czarina had been an abject failure as an ally....as had Spain. Italy had proven disinclined to launch their own soldiers against trenches in southern Germany.
Was there really a point in going on?
Yet, the Emperor insisted that the spring offensive must continue.
Moscow
The Czarina would be travelling through the streets when several Marxist sympathizers threw a series of bombs at her carriage. Fortunately for her, the bombs would bounce off the covered transport and explode in the street behind. Frustrated, they Marxists would then turn to firing at the carriage only to find it was bulletproof (somewhat ironically, a gift from the late Edward VII). The horses would run until their wounds bled out and the carriage ground to a halt. By that time, the Czarina's guards would arrive and seize upon the half dozen would-be assassins. Two were killed outright and the rest captured.
Under torture by the Czarina's servants, the Marxist's confessed all, named their allies and generally put the entire Leftist alliance under dire threat.
Not sure who to trust, the Czarina called her Nationalist Party advisors and they would act without hesitation. The entirety of the Socialist Party in the Duma would be placed under arrest. The Czarina intended them for questioning. However, her Nationalist "Servants" would effectively execute most of the Socialists in the Duma as well as other high-ranking members of the Party, both Marxists and more moderate Socialists would be rounded up by the thousands and executed.
Paris
As the Emperor prepared for the spring offensive, a series of radicals would meet in secret. The army was in a state of unrest Napoleon IV seemed almost incapable of accepting reality. Even some of the Arch-Royalists saw little point to continuing the war. Two years of bloodshed had gained perhaps 100 square miles of territory in the salient.
The Royal Navy had blockaded much of France's coastline. Trade had collapsed.
And nothing whatsoever had been done to crush Germany or expand French power in Africa.
The war had, thus far, accomplished nothing beyond killing hundreds of thousands of French. The Russian Czarina had been an abject failure as an ally....as had Spain. Italy had proven disinclined to launch their own soldiers against trenches in southern Germany.
Was there really a point in going on?
Yet, the Emperor insisted that the spring offensive must continue.
Moscow
The Czarina would be travelling through the streets when several Marxist sympathizers threw a series of bombs at her carriage. Fortunately for her, the bombs would bounce off the covered transport and explode in the street behind. Frustrated, they Marxists would then turn to firing at the carriage only to find it was bulletproof (somewhat ironically, a gift from the late Edward VII). The horses would run until their wounds bled out and the carriage ground to a halt. By that time, the Czarina's guards would arrive and seize upon the half dozen would-be assassins. Two were killed outright and the rest captured.
Under torture by the Czarina's servants, the Marxist's confessed all, named their allies and generally put the entire Leftist alliance under dire threat.
Not sure who to trust, the Czarina called her Nationalist Party advisors and they would act without hesitation. The entirety of the Socialist Party in the Duma would be placed under arrest. The Czarina intended them for questioning. However, her Nationalist "Servants" would effectively execute most of the Socialists in the Duma as well as other high-ranking members of the Party, both Marxists and more moderate Socialists would be rounded up by the thousands and executed.
Chapter 332
March, 1907
Western Front
A massive artillery bombardment would pummel the German positions on the east of the Rhine, in Luxembourg and Southern Belgium. When the French Generals ordered their men from the trenches to attack......very few of them actually moved. Threats of court martials and summary executions would fail to entice many French soldiers to act. Indeed, the execution of several soldiers would spark a rebellion across several Corps which resulted in the slaughter of dozens of officers.
Paris
Encouraged by the revolt of the French soldiers, the Leftist Parties in Paris would dispatch their agents into the streets to formulate riots. Once again, the French Monarchy had led the French people into a failed campaign. The time of the Commune was to begin. The City National Guard was called out...only to join the protests.
By the end of March, the Emperor was forced to flee the city itself and seek refuge with loyal officers in Lyon.
Kiev
The Russian Army effectively disintegrated in the Ukraine as the local units rebelled. The Czarina's Generals had made the mistake of leaving the Ukrainians mainly to defend their own territories on the theory that this would motivate them. However, this only allowed for the rebellion to extend.
In Kiev, the "Kingdom of the Ukrainians" was declared and a government set up (oddly, without an actual King).
Romania
The King of Romania would immediately announced his support for Ukrainian Independence....and annex several districts of the Russian Ukraine which was majority Romanian. This was the price of support.
Though Romanian alliance had been cultivated by both Russia and Germany, the Romanian Crown held no interest in partaking of the slaughter of the past two years. But with Russia in convulsions, the King was inclined to risk Russian wrath by signing an alliance with Germany.
The King would also slyly offer his second son as a candidate for the vacant Ukrainian throne.
Transcaucasus
While there was unrest in the Russian Transcaucasus (Georgia, Armenia, etc), there would be no widespread rebellion for the Christian states of the region were more afraid of the Ottoman, Kurdistan and Persia than the Czarina....which said a lot.
Borneo
Having suffered a trouncing by the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Straights of Malacca and Oahu, the allied Australian, British and American forces would consolidate in Darwin before sailing forth once more against the Japanese.
After taking a beating by the Satsuma-class heavy ships, the allies decided upon a different strategy as they sailed once again against the Japanese. Instead of attempting to match blow for blow, the Americans suggested utilizing a different weapon other than heavy cannon and armor.
The newer American cruisers and destroyers which had made it to Darwin possessed another weapon: torpedoes.
These weapons were rarely used in large-scale combat as the long-distance artillery of the day (often 3-5 miles of effective fire) would make reaching ideal torpedo range (preferably within 1000 yards) hazardous to achieve.
The Americans would suggest instead of the typical "line" formation at dawn that the allies actively pursue a night attack. This would hamper targeting (on both sides) and allow the smaller, faster ships to get closer to the enemy vessels.
With Japanese forces already on Bornean soil, the Australians were eager to try anything.
Thus, the allies would send forth fast destroyers to scout out the Japanese forces.....and intentionally alert them to the allied fleet's presence. When the powerful Japanese formation of 12 ships (including the two Satsuma-class vessels) emerged, the allies would momentarily retreat out of range and wait for nightfall). At dusk, the allies would charge forward, taking the Japanese by surprise. Dimly lit by the fading sunlight to the west, the Japanese sailed in standard line formation thus allowing them to fire all turrets against the onrushing allies.
Several vessels were hit including the HMS Commonwealth which spectacularly blew up. However, the allied strategy was not apparent until the last minute, when the fading twilight completely obscured the launch of torpedoes from 13 surviving light and fast American and Australian cruisers. Most managed to fire 2 to 4 torpedoes each at the range of only 1200 yards.
The result was spectacular as five Japanese ships were struck, most several times. The Satsuma itself would suffer three blows and immediately began to list as it took on water. The Aki would take one and fall out of line. Two of the three smaller ships hit by torpedoes would promptly sink.
While the Japanese would plainly win the artillery duel, the allies landed several hits as well, damaging two more ships.
Having succeeded in breaking the Japanese line, the large capital ships would engage the remaining lighter Japanese vessel as the Prince of Wales and Albemarle inflicted severe damage on multiple Japanese light cruisers.
Seeking to regain the initiative, the Aki returned to the line in hopes to salvaging the battle against the heavy allied ships. However, the American and Australian Destroyers would, once again, enter the fray and loose a number of torpedoes. This came at a cost as two where struck and crippled. However, two more Japanese ships were hit as well.
In the meantime, the Satsuma capsized and the crew was left to their fates.
Finally, the Commander of the Aki would signal a retreat, leaving four ships below the waves and six others having sustained considerable damage.
The allies had also lost four ships and six sustaining damage but these tended to be lighter vessels (with the exception of the Commonwealth) and, more importantly, the Japanese Imperial Navy was forced to retreat from the coast of Borneo, abandoning their army.
Panama Canal
The United States Admiralty, horrified by the loss of four more capital ships (they were down a full third of the pre-war fleet), would be forced to dispatch the USS South Carolina and USS Wisconsin to the Pacific. It was an enormous risk as the war in Europe continued to rage (though there were indications that France had had enough).
Passing through the Panama Canal, the two Capital Ships and three light escorts would sail on to Oahu. then on to Guam.
Atacama Desert
Utterly disgusted by the fact that the Peruvians weren't even protecting their own borders, the American fleet and newly arrived army of 8000 Marines, Infantry and artillery would sail from Callao to invade Antofagasta and other coastal regions of Peru, Bolivia and even northern Chile.
The much-feared battle with the Chilean Navy proved something of a letdown as one of the two modern Chilean vessels had blown an engine days after delivery from France and had yet to sail beyond its harbor. The other was tasked with defending Antofagasta only to be blown out of the water with most of her support ships in less than 20 minutes by the US Navy.
The land campaign would take less than a week in Antofagasta before the Americans spread out along the coast, regaining by the end of April all of the coastal regions of Peru and Bolivia seized by the Chileans as well as the Chilean seaside towns of Taltal and Caldera up to the Copiapo River.
Manaus
Having ensured dominance of the Amazon river mouth via the naval victory months prior, the American forces would travel under protection of various models of (largely obsolete) river monitors. The aging nature of the vessels was not relevant as the Brazilians had nothing with which to contest the river.
Despite their numerical advantage, the Brazilians would be forced to abandon most of the land areas north of the river lest they be cut off.
Only in Manaus did the Brazilians put up a stiff fight. For several weeks, the Brazilians held out against an America force with only modest artillery. However, the vice around the city would tighten to the point that the Brazilians knew complete encirclement was inevitable. The Brazilians broke out of the city westwards along the Amazon. The Americans determined not to pursue or hinder the Brazilians from cross south across the mighty river in whatever vessels could be found (mainly rafts and canoes.
Western Front
A massive artillery bombardment would pummel the German positions on the east of the Rhine, in Luxembourg and Southern Belgium. When the French Generals ordered their men from the trenches to attack......very few of them actually moved. Threats of court martials and summary executions would fail to entice many French soldiers to act. Indeed, the execution of several soldiers would spark a rebellion across several Corps which resulted in the slaughter of dozens of officers.
Paris
Encouraged by the revolt of the French soldiers, the Leftist Parties in Paris would dispatch their agents into the streets to formulate riots. Once again, the French Monarchy had led the French people into a failed campaign. The time of the Commune was to begin. The City National Guard was called out...only to join the protests.
By the end of March, the Emperor was forced to flee the city itself and seek refuge with loyal officers in Lyon.
Kiev
The Russian Army effectively disintegrated in the Ukraine as the local units rebelled. The Czarina's Generals had made the mistake of leaving the Ukrainians mainly to defend their own territories on the theory that this would motivate them. However, this only allowed for the rebellion to extend.
In Kiev, the "Kingdom of the Ukrainians" was declared and a government set up (oddly, without an actual King).
Romania
The King of Romania would immediately announced his support for Ukrainian Independence....and annex several districts of the Russian Ukraine which was majority Romanian. This was the price of support.
Though Romanian alliance had been cultivated by both Russia and Germany, the Romanian Crown held no interest in partaking of the slaughter of the past two years. But with Russia in convulsions, the King was inclined to risk Russian wrath by signing an alliance with Germany.
The King would also slyly offer his second son as a candidate for the vacant Ukrainian throne.
Transcaucasus
While there was unrest in the Russian Transcaucasus (Georgia, Armenia, etc), there would be no widespread rebellion for the Christian states of the region were more afraid of the Ottoman, Kurdistan and Persia than the Czarina....which said a lot.
Borneo
Having suffered a trouncing by the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Straights of Malacca and Oahu, the allied Australian, British and American forces would consolidate in Darwin before sailing forth once more against the Japanese.
After taking a beating by the Satsuma-class heavy ships, the allies decided upon a different strategy as they sailed once again against the Japanese. Instead of attempting to match blow for blow, the Americans suggested utilizing a different weapon other than heavy cannon and armor.
The newer American cruisers and destroyers which had made it to Darwin possessed another weapon: torpedoes.
These weapons were rarely used in large-scale combat as the long-distance artillery of the day (often 3-5 miles of effective fire) would make reaching ideal torpedo range (preferably within 1000 yards) hazardous to achieve.
The Americans would suggest instead of the typical "line" formation at dawn that the allies actively pursue a night attack. This would hamper targeting (on both sides) and allow the smaller, faster ships to get closer to the enemy vessels.
With Japanese forces already on Bornean soil, the Australians were eager to try anything.
Thus, the allies would send forth fast destroyers to scout out the Japanese forces.....and intentionally alert them to the allied fleet's presence. When the powerful Japanese formation of 12 ships (including the two Satsuma-class vessels) emerged, the allies would momentarily retreat out of range and wait for nightfall). At dusk, the allies would charge forward, taking the Japanese by surprise. Dimly lit by the fading sunlight to the west, the Japanese sailed in standard line formation thus allowing them to fire all turrets against the onrushing allies.
Several vessels were hit including the HMS Commonwealth which spectacularly blew up. However, the allied strategy was not apparent until the last minute, when the fading twilight completely obscured the launch of torpedoes from 13 surviving light and fast American and Australian cruisers. Most managed to fire 2 to 4 torpedoes each at the range of only 1200 yards.
The result was spectacular as five Japanese ships were struck, most several times. The Satsuma itself would suffer three blows and immediately began to list as it took on water. The Aki would take one and fall out of line. Two of the three smaller ships hit by torpedoes would promptly sink.
While the Japanese would plainly win the artillery duel, the allies landed several hits as well, damaging two more ships.
Having succeeded in breaking the Japanese line, the large capital ships would engage the remaining lighter Japanese vessel as the Prince of Wales and Albemarle inflicted severe damage on multiple Japanese light cruisers.
Seeking to regain the initiative, the Aki returned to the line in hopes to salvaging the battle against the heavy allied ships. However, the American and Australian Destroyers would, once again, enter the fray and loose a number of torpedoes. This came at a cost as two where struck and crippled. However, two more Japanese ships were hit as well.
In the meantime, the Satsuma capsized and the crew was left to their fates.
Finally, the Commander of the Aki would signal a retreat, leaving four ships below the waves and six others having sustained considerable damage.
The allies had also lost four ships and six sustaining damage but these tended to be lighter vessels (with the exception of the Commonwealth) and, more importantly, the Japanese Imperial Navy was forced to retreat from the coast of Borneo, abandoning their army.
Panama Canal
The United States Admiralty, horrified by the loss of four more capital ships (they were down a full third of the pre-war fleet), would be forced to dispatch the USS South Carolina and USS Wisconsin to the Pacific. It was an enormous risk as the war in Europe continued to rage (though there were indications that France had had enough).
Passing through the Panama Canal, the two Capital Ships and three light escorts would sail on to Oahu. then on to Guam.
Atacama Desert
Utterly disgusted by the fact that the Peruvians weren't even protecting their own borders, the American fleet and newly arrived army of 8000 Marines, Infantry and artillery would sail from Callao to invade Antofagasta and other coastal regions of Peru, Bolivia and even northern Chile.
The much-feared battle with the Chilean Navy proved something of a letdown as one of the two modern Chilean vessels had blown an engine days after delivery from France and had yet to sail beyond its harbor. The other was tasked with defending Antofagasta only to be blown out of the water with most of her support ships in less than 20 minutes by the US Navy.
The land campaign would take less than a week in Antofagasta before the Americans spread out along the coast, regaining by the end of April all of the coastal regions of Peru and Bolivia seized by the Chileans as well as the Chilean seaside towns of Taltal and Caldera up to the Copiapo River.
Manaus
Having ensured dominance of the Amazon river mouth via the naval victory months prior, the American forces would travel under protection of various models of (largely obsolete) river monitors. The aging nature of the vessels was not relevant as the Brazilians had nothing with which to contest the river.
Despite their numerical advantage, the Brazilians would be forced to abandon most of the land areas north of the river lest they be cut off.
Only in Manaus did the Brazilians put up a stiff fight. For several weeks, the Brazilians held out against an America force with only modest artillery. However, the vice around the city would tighten to the point that the Brazilians knew complete encirclement was inevitable. The Brazilians broke out of the city westwards along the Amazon. The Americans determined not to pursue or hinder the Brazilians from cross south across the mighty river in whatever vessels could be found (mainly rafts and canoes.
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Chapter 333
April, 1907
Java, Sumatra, Malaya
The word of Japanese defeat off of Borneo would allow the Japanese East Indies to erupt in rebellion. Within weeks, millions of Javanese, Sumatrans and Malays had joined the revolt against the Japanese overlords which numbered perhaps 80,000 in total plus local "loyalist" militia. Already spread thin in Borneo and the Philippines, the Japanese would soon find their "loyalists" joining the rebellion with near unanimity when it became clear that the occupation forces were completely cut off from Japan.
The Filipinos would also revolt, though this would be easily enough put down, near Manila. Rural rebellion under Aguinaldo would flourish as the Japanese would face increased resistance.
Beijing
The Dowager Empress' minions had also been keeping a keen eye on matters in the South China Sea. With the apparent crushing defeat to the British, Americans and Australians, the Japanese Imperial Navy was looking considerably less impressive.
Thus, the Chinese government was now willing to join the alliance formally. While the Chinese Navy had clearly fallen behind the Japanese, the massive local manpower and ideally situated coastal cities would provide a bounty for the allies.
What was more, the Mandarin Emperor would even agree to provide soldiers to "liberate" the Japanese East Indies and the Philippines. This was a cunning ploy to ensure that none of these western nations would assume control over the region in Japan's place. The last thing the Chinese needed was the Anglo-Australians or Americans seizing islands 500 miles from China's coasts.
The Australians were willing to accept this as merely regaining Borneo would likely stretch their resources. America had no intention of aiding Britain or Australia gain colonies nor, it seemed, was Britain inclined to dispatch armies across the globe. The fighting in Europe had not completely ended as of yet and the nation's resources remained stretched. Further, the naval battle for control over the Mediterranean still raged and Great Britain would have to dispatch soldiers and freight south of Africa.
This was plainly unacceptable.
Thus, the allies happily agreed to Chinese support and military base access in exchange for agreeing that the East Indies and Philippines were made independent.
Kyoto
The government in Kyoto was in something in a panic, though not for reasons many of her enemies would expect. Yes, the nation had lost a major naval battle. Yes, they were cut off from the East Indies. Yes, the Philippines were also under rebellion.
But more importantly, the supply of vital military and industrial materials (iron, rubber, coal, oil) had been lost. Already, the nation was feeling the pinch as factories and shipyards shut down after the reduction in trade for two years had evolved into a virtual omni-directional embargo.
Japan had bit of iron and bit of coal....but not much else. The construction of the next Satsuma-class warship had already been halted. This was but the tip of the iceberg.
Manila
Augmented by three other capital ships, the USS South Carolina would sail into Manila Harbor and obliterate the small Japanese flotilla present as well as dozens of trading and supply ships. Lacking any ground forces to invade, the South Carolina would sail west, then south before happening into a British/Australian/American fleet bound for the port of Shanghai where the Chinese had formally invited the allies to drop anchor. The South Carolina's fleet would join them.
By the end of April, over 20 allied ships would dock alongside the dozen most modern Chinese vessels.
The Chinese even assured the allies that they would soon gain access to a port even closer to Japan when the Mandarin's ambassadors informed the Joseon King that the Korean southern ports of Busan and Chinhae were to be opened up the allies as well.
Washington
The American press would condemn McKinley's war effort over the repeated losses at sea.
Yes, Cuba was now in American hands (though only with agreement of the Cubans until an election may be held) and Puerto Rico had largely fallen to rebels before American ships entered San Juan Harbor and aided the Puerto Ricans in besieging the Morro Fortification (oddly, Hispaniola did not face much revolutionary fervor and the pox-infested island was perhaps wisely ignored by the Americans once it was clear the Spanish navy in the West Indies was finished).
Yes, Manaus had been regain in the Amazon and the dispirited Brazilians pushed back south of the river.
Yes, the Atacama Desert region was no longer in Chilean control....though this time the Americans were uncertain if they would give it back.
Yes, bits of utterly unlivable Siberia had been conquered.
Yes, both France and Russia appeared to be self-destructing.
But the US Navy continued to be decimated even in "victory". The shocking loss of four capital ships in Pearl Harbor would be viewed by Americans as more important than the victories at Borneo and Manila (though the latter had vastly more important strategic consequences).
McKinley needed a victory that people understood. Thus he agreed to dispatch 30,000 men across the Pacific to aid in the "liberation" of the Philippines and whatever else was to be had. THIS American voters understood.
The previous mid-term elections had seen the Democrats take modest increases in the House and Senate. Another year like this and 1908 may go far, far worse.
Java, Sumatra, Malaya
The word of Japanese defeat off of Borneo would allow the Japanese East Indies to erupt in rebellion. Within weeks, millions of Javanese, Sumatrans and Malays had joined the revolt against the Japanese overlords which numbered perhaps 80,000 in total plus local "loyalist" militia. Already spread thin in Borneo and the Philippines, the Japanese would soon find their "loyalists" joining the rebellion with near unanimity when it became clear that the occupation forces were completely cut off from Japan.
The Filipinos would also revolt, though this would be easily enough put down, near Manila. Rural rebellion under Aguinaldo would flourish as the Japanese would face increased resistance.
Beijing
The Dowager Empress' minions had also been keeping a keen eye on matters in the South China Sea. With the apparent crushing defeat to the British, Americans and Australians, the Japanese Imperial Navy was looking considerably less impressive.
Thus, the Chinese government was now willing to join the alliance formally. While the Chinese Navy had clearly fallen behind the Japanese, the massive local manpower and ideally situated coastal cities would provide a bounty for the allies.
What was more, the Mandarin Emperor would even agree to provide soldiers to "liberate" the Japanese East Indies and the Philippines. This was a cunning ploy to ensure that none of these western nations would assume control over the region in Japan's place. The last thing the Chinese needed was the Anglo-Australians or Americans seizing islands 500 miles from China's coasts.
The Australians were willing to accept this as merely regaining Borneo would likely stretch their resources. America had no intention of aiding Britain or Australia gain colonies nor, it seemed, was Britain inclined to dispatch armies across the globe. The fighting in Europe had not completely ended as of yet and the nation's resources remained stretched. Further, the naval battle for control over the Mediterranean still raged and Great Britain would have to dispatch soldiers and freight south of Africa.
This was plainly unacceptable.
Thus, the allies happily agreed to Chinese support and military base access in exchange for agreeing that the East Indies and Philippines were made independent.
Kyoto
The government in Kyoto was in something in a panic, though not for reasons many of her enemies would expect. Yes, the nation had lost a major naval battle. Yes, they were cut off from the East Indies. Yes, the Philippines were also under rebellion.
But more importantly, the supply of vital military and industrial materials (iron, rubber, coal, oil) had been lost. Already, the nation was feeling the pinch as factories and shipyards shut down after the reduction in trade for two years had evolved into a virtual omni-directional embargo.
Japan had bit of iron and bit of coal....but not much else. The construction of the next Satsuma-class warship had already been halted. This was but the tip of the iceberg.
Manila
Augmented by three other capital ships, the USS South Carolina would sail into Manila Harbor and obliterate the small Japanese flotilla present as well as dozens of trading and supply ships. Lacking any ground forces to invade, the South Carolina would sail west, then south before happening into a British/Australian/American fleet bound for the port of Shanghai where the Chinese had formally invited the allies to drop anchor. The South Carolina's fleet would join them.
By the end of April, over 20 allied ships would dock alongside the dozen most modern Chinese vessels.
The Chinese even assured the allies that they would soon gain access to a port even closer to Japan when the Mandarin's ambassadors informed the Joseon King that the Korean southern ports of Busan and Chinhae were to be opened up the allies as well.
Washington
The American press would condemn McKinley's war effort over the repeated losses at sea.
Yes, Cuba was now in American hands (though only with agreement of the Cubans until an election may be held) and Puerto Rico had largely fallen to rebels before American ships entered San Juan Harbor and aided the Puerto Ricans in besieging the Morro Fortification (oddly, Hispaniola did not face much revolutionary fervor and the pox-infested island was perhaps wisely ignored by the Americans once it was clear the Spanish navy in the West Indies was finished).
Yes, Manaus had been regain in the Amazon and the dispirited Brazilians pushed back south of the river.
Yes, the Atacama Desert region was no longer in Chilean control....though this time the Americans were uncertain if they would give it back.
Yes, bits of utterly unlivable Siberia had been conquered.
Yes, both France and Russia appeared to be self-destructing.
But the US Navy continued to be decimated even in "victory". The shocking loss of four capital ships in Pearl Harbor would be viewed by Americans as more important than the victories at Borneo and Manila (though the latter had vastly more important strategic consequences).
McKinley needed a victory that people understood. Thus he agreed to dispatch 30,000 men across the Pacific to aid in the "liberation" of the Philippines and whatever else was to be had. THIS American voters understood.
The previous mid-term elections had seen the Democrats take modest increases in the House and Senate. Another year like this and 1908 may go far, far worse.
Just to ask... arn't the risk the Japanese are taking after repeated failures a bit to big to be reasonable? Like I get how real life went but several of the factors that caused Japanese attitudes OTL haven't happened here. I'm wondering what the reason is for their seemingly overwhelming confidence in their ability to fight everyone around them.
Chapter 334
May, 1907
Paris
Napoleon IV would order the army into Paris only to to see several regiments mutiny. Parliament would assemble in the face of the Emperor's restrictions. Even his ardent supporters would hold the Emperor responsible for the fiasco on the Western Front.
The Parliament would formally demand a peace and removal of all current Minister officials. Should the Emperor refuse....
Moscow
The Nationalists would gain the Czarina's loyalty by reestablishing order and removing from all influential positions in Government, Unions, etc, the Marxists and Radical Socialists.
However, the chaos would result in the rebel governments of the west and their German allies to have time to adequately prepare for the summer offensive. With the French government in chaos, the Germans and their allies were able to dispatch greater forces east.
Eastern Mediterranean
The HMS Bellerophon, the newest super-battleship in the Royal Navy and first of her class, had been launched in December and would now sail the Mediterranean with graphic reminders of what happened to the HMS Dreadnought.
Leading a flotilla of six ships to reinforce the Suez, the vessels happened upon a Russian squadron of equal numbers. In one of the most one-sided battles of the war (with the possible exception of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba), the British fleet would sink or force to strike four of the Russian vessels and force the others to flee for the Black Sea. Russia's fleet had failed to launch a single ship in the past two years.
New Jersey
Once again employed by the Teamsters Union, this time the eastern branch, the Union Lawyer Mohandas Gandhi would be investigating corruption in the New Jersey Union when he learned of a new directive from the Hindu Socialist Republic (the name had changed multiple times) had once again cracked down upon non-Hindu citizens. Thugs would organize attacks on Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities as well as landowners (those whose land had not yet been confiscated) and business owners looking too prosperous.
Not only did Gandhi's heart break for the individuals being oppressed, forced from their homes or openly murdered but he wept for the state of his homeland. Where once, the Raj had been a growing industrial power with a functional railway and lush agricultural production. Now millions had starved to death and the economy of the Northern India was in freefall as manufacturing had virtually ceased to exist.
In an effort to rebuild their economy, the Hindu Socialist Army would organize "HSA Farms" to replace the old landowner/sharecropper arrangements. The idle were ordered to serve in factories.
The entire episode made Gandhi sick. While a devout Hindu, Gandhi had long opposed the old Varna class privileges and generally supported most reforms prior to the Rebellion. Now, he simply grieved.
In the end, there was nothing Gandhi could do about it. He could only seek justice for the workers in America.
The investigation of the corruption in the Union local was turning up some alarming irregularities, particularly on the part of an immigrant Teamster leader named Ioseb Jughashvili, who seemed very agitated by the investigation.
Paris
Napoleon IV would order the army into Paris only to to see several regiments mutiny. Parliament would assemble in the face of the Emperor's restrictions. Even his ardent supporters would hold the Emperor responsible for the fiasco on the Western Front.
The Parliament would formally demand a peace and removal of all current Minister officials. Should the Emperor refuse....
Moscow
The Nationalists would gain the Czarina's loyalty by reestablishing order and removing from all influential positions in Government, Unions, etc, the Marxists and Radical Socialists.
However, the chaos would result in the rebel governments of the west and their German allies to have time to adequately prepare for the summer offensive. With the French government in chaos, the Germans and their allies were able to dispatch greater forces east.
Eastern Mediterranean
The HMS Bellerophon, the newest super-battleship in the Royal Navy and first of her class, had been launched in December and would now sail the Mediterranean with graphic reminders of what happened to the HMS Dreadnought.
Leading a flotilla of six ships to reinforce the Suez, the vessels happened upon a Russian squadron of equal numbers. In one of the most one-sided battles of the war (with the possible exception of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba), the British fleet would sink or force to strike four of the Russian vessels and force the others to flee for the Black Sea. Russia's fleet had failed to launch a single ship in the past two years.
New Jersey
Once again employed by the Teamsters Union, this time the eastern branch, the Union Lawyer Mohandas Gandhi would be investigating corruption in the New Jersey Union when he learned of a new directive from the Hindu Socialist Republic (the name had changed multiple times) had once again cracked down upon non-Hindu citizens. Thugs would organize attacks on Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities as well as landowners (those whose land had not yet been confiscated) and business owners looking too prosperous.
Not only did Gandhi's heart break for the individuals being oppressed, forced from their homes or openly murdered but he wept for the state of his homeland. Where once, the Raj had been a growing industrial power with a functional railway and lush agricultural production. Now millions had starved to death and the economy of the Northern India was in freefall as manufacturing had virtually ceased to exist.
In an effort to rebuild their economy, the Hindu Socialist Army would organize "HSA Farms" to replace the old landowner/sharecropper arrangements. The idle were ordered to serve in factories.
The entire episode made Gandhi sick. While a devout Hindu, Gandhi had long opposed the old Varna class privileges and generally supported most reforms prior to the Rebellion. Now, he simply grieved.
In the end, there was nothing Gandhi could do about it. He could only seek justice for the workers in America.
The investigation of the corruption in the Union local was turning up some alarming irregularities, particularly on the part of an immigrant Teamster leader named Ioseb Jughashvili, who seemed very agitated by the investigation.
Chapter 335
June, 1907
Borneo
The first of 12,000 Australian troops would land on Borneo where 40,000 Japanese troops had been dispatched over a year prior. Many of these had sickened and died while thousands had been killed by the increasingly violent insurgency. Cut off from supply for months, the Japanese Army would gradually see their munitions dwindle as they turned to face a new threat.
Luzon
Supported by the USS South Carolina and elements of the American and Chinese fleets, 2000 American and 15,000 Chinese troops would land on Luzon. Like their counterparts on Borneo, the Japanese soldiers had largely been cut off from supply and were already facing a lingering insurgency under Emilio Aguinaldo.
Spread out among the Philippines, the Japanese Army would struggle to concentrate forces in great depth.
Mindanao
The predominantly Muslim Mindanao would also rise up in rebellion, effecting revenge after years of oppression.
Malaya, Java and Sumatra
While only Malaya would see the arrival of Chinese and British troops (including some Sri Lankan and African volunteers), the insurrection of the Javan and Sumatran Muslims would make for a terrible time for the occupying Japanese. After years of pseudo-slavery on the plantations and in the mines, the East Indies was ripe with discontent and eagerly accepted arms from covert British sources.
In Malaya, the Chinese would largely partake in the expedition in order to ensure that Great Britain did not attempt to reinstall their own government in the former colony. China was more than happy to see the local peoples independent....and divided.
Lyon
The garrison commander would enter the Emperor's office and solemnly state, "The army will not move, sir. Ordering them to do so would only encourage more revolt. For the moment, the army is under control. Commanding them to attack Paris would be suicide."
Napoleon IV sputtered with rage. This officer's three predecessors had all been relieved after saying the same thing. "If they will not obey, how are they under control?!"
"Because, sir," the officer replied calmly, "they haven't put you under the guillotine."
The new "Commune" in Paris had previously pronounced the Emperor overthrown. Even long-standing Imperial supporters had had quite enough of Napoleon IV.
Smolensk
Instead of invading White Russia and Poland, the Russian Army was forced to put down several Marxist rebellions in the west (Jews, Protestants and Catholics were often blamed and associated with Marxism
) and Muslim rebellions in Central Asia.
While the Czarina's new Nationalist allies were loath to admit it, the nation's economy had collapsed and victory did not seem possible at this time. France was falling apart and neither Spain nor Italy were inclined to do much further in this war.
Instead, they recommended peace.
For now.
Shanghai, Busan, etc.
For the port of Shanghai and a half dozen other Chinese ports, the Chinese, British, Australian and American fleets were gathering. Once the bulk of the vessels landing troops throughout southeastern Asia returned to port, the allies would depart for the home Japanese waters themselves.
In the previous war, the Chinese Navy had surprised the Japanese at their home ports after years of conflict had degraded the Japanese Imperial Navy in a long series of attritional battles. It was a humiliating defeat which effectively ended the war for Japan.
Though the Chinese Navy had fallen behind in recent years, the arrival of much of the allied navies would tip the scales once again against Japan.
Sakhalin
Though Sakhalin had never developed as a naval base (American governments over the past 10 years just assumed it would be handed back to Russia eventually), the 8000 US Army and Marines present had long prepared for an invasion they could not possibly repel.....only for it not to have come.
Still, the US forces would start to organize. Sooner or later, they would be called upon to fight....someone....presumably either Japanese or Russians.
They had to, didn't they?
Borneo
The first of 12,000 Australian troops would land on Borneo where 40,000 Japanese troops had been dispatched over a year prior. Many of these had sickened and died while thousands had been killed by the increasingly violent insurgency. Cut off from supply for months, the Japanese Army would gradually see their munitions dwindle as they turned to face a new threat.
Luzon
Supported by the USS South Carolina and elements of the American and Chinese fleets, 2000 American and 15,000 Chinese troops would land on Luzon. Like their counterparts on Borneo, the Japanese soldiers had largely been cut off from supply and were already facing a lingering insurgency under Emilio Aguinaldo.
Spread out among the Philippines, the Japanese Army would struggle to concentrate forces in great depth.
Mindanao
The predominantly Muslim Mindanao would also rise up in rebellion, effecting revenge after years of oppression.
Malaya, Java and Sumatra
While only Malaya would see the arrival of Chinese and British troops (including some Sri Lankan and African volunteers), the insurrection of the Javan and Sumatran Muslims would make for a terrible time for the occupying Japanese. After years of pseudo-slavery on the plantations and in the mines, the East Indies was ripe with discontent and eagerly accepted arms from covert British sources.
In Malaya, the Chinese would largely partake in the expedition in order to ensure that Great Britain did not attempt to reinstall their own government in the former colony. China was more than happy to see the local peoples independent....and divided.
Lyon
The garrison commander would enter the Emperor's office and solemnly state, "The army will not move, sir. Ordering them to do so would only encourage more revolt. For the moment, the army is under control. Commanding them to attack Paris would be suicide."
Napoleon IV sputtered with rage. This officer's three predecessors had all been relieved after saying the same thing. "If they will not obey, how are they under control?!"
"Because, sir," the officer replied calmly, "they haven't put you under the guillotine."
The new "Commune" in Paris had previously pronounced the Emperor overthrown. Even long-standing Imperial supporters had had quite enough of Napoleon IV.
Smolensk
Instead of invading White Russia and Poland, the Russian Army was forced to put down several Marxist rebellions in the west (Jews, Protestants and Catholics were often blamed and associated with Marxism
) and Muslim rebellions in Central Asia.
While the Czarina's new Nationalist allies were loath to admit it, the nation's economy had collapsed and victory did not seem possible at this time. France was falling apart and neither Spain nor Italy were inclined to do much further in this war.
Instead, they recommended peace.
For now.
Shanghai, Busan, etc.
For the port of Shanghai and a half dozen other Chinese ports, the Chinese, British, Australian and American fleets were gathering. Once the bulk of the vessels landing troops throughout southeastern Asia returned to port, the allies would depart for the home Japanese waters themselves.
In the previous war, the Chinese Navy had surprised the Japanese at their home ports after years of conflict had degraded the Japanese Imperial Navy in a long series of attritional battles. It was a humiliating defeat which effectively ended the war for Japan.
Though the Chinese Navy had fallen behind in recent years, the arrival of much of the allied navies would tip the scales once again against Japan.
Sakhalin
Though Sakhalin had never developed as a naval base (American governments over the past 10 years just assumed it would be handed back to Russia eventually), the 8000 US Army and Marines present had long prepared for an invasion they could not possibly repel.....only for it not to have come.
Still, the US forces would start to organize. Sooner or later, they would be called upon to fight....someone....presumably either Japanese or Russians.
They had to, didn't they?
Chapter 336
July, 1907
San Juan Puerto Rico
Having landed in Puerto Rico, Brigadier Theodore Roosevelt and his 1st New York Brigade would surround the El Morro Castle with local rebels and....sat there for several weeks until heavy American artillery was landed and brought to the capital of Puerto Rico.
Roosevelt already had reason to regret forming the 1st Brigade as his nephew Tadd and cousin Franklin had expired in Cuba, not in glorious battle, but of disease. His friend Jack Churchill at least had the dignity of getting his head blown off by a Spanish shell.
But Roosevelt had his duty and, retaining his friend Winston as his adjutant, the Brigadier of Volunteers would press forward until the Spanish had been forced into the Morro, trapped between land and sea. A few Royalists continued to fight in the countryside but Roosevelt was largely happy to leave that to the Puerto Rican rebels. Having suffered the loss of a fifth of the 1st New York....mostly to disease....in Cuba, Roosevelt was happy to billet his army in San Juan's Old Town where the cobbled streets held fewer malaria-ridden mosquitos than Santiago de Cuba.
Yokosuka
Now badly outnumbered by the American, British, Australian and Chinese fleets, the Imperial Navy would begrudgingly consolidate her forces in the naval base located in the eastern city of Yokosuka. Over half Japan's heavy ships had been lost in the past year and effectively nothing had replaced them.
Now, an armada was massing along China and the Joseon Empire and the Imperial Navy dare not find itself spread out among several naval bases.
Presently, small frigates posted along Western Honshu would race back to their local bases and telegraph the fact that the much-anticipated enemy fleet of 30 allied vessels was on route past southern Honshu to (presumably) Yokosuka.
A fierce debate would rage among the Admirals. Some pointed out an invasion of Japan was unlikely and, if the remaining Imperial Navy was ordered to sea and defeated, then the war was over. Thus, wouldn't it be better to retreat to another port and live to fight another day?
Others were horrified. Was there no place for honor? What would the Army say if the Navy ran from a fight?
Even if utterly defeated, the Navy's honor would remain. If they ran......then power would shift permanently to the Army thugs. Imagine what the Generals would say to the Emperor if the Navy ran away and left the coastal cities to the mercy of the Chinese and other Gaijin?
And what was the probability that they allies would not give chase and eventually corner the Imperial Navy anyway?
At least with direct battle, the Japanese would be taking their destiny in their own hands.
Eventually, the Emperor himself would end the debate with an unprecedented visit to their Headquarters. He demanded to know what the Navy was doing to halt the Gaijin.
The commander of the Fleet assured him that the Navy was sailing out to defend the Empire within hours. To their credit, the Admirals present each requested and was granted permission to board one of the warships. If the Imperial Navy was to die under their watch, they would go down with it.
New Jersey
Mohandas Gandhi would watch until dusk turned to night the Teamsters transmitting thousands of tons of material towards the Meadowlands Baseball Stadium construction site, the future home of the Jersey Stars, a professional baseball team owned by local movie executives. For the past several months, Gandhi had helped organized the Teamsters Local to ensure that no non-Union workers would labor a moment on this stadium. Though such high-profile projects were incidental to the transportation industry, it served as a beacon to the Union Teamsters to rally behind the flag. By 9:00, the last of the trucks and wagons had been withdrawn and the day was over.
Of course, this was not the only reason for Gandhi's presence. For the most months, he'd also been reviewing the accounts of the New Jersey Local and found great irregularities. The Union boss of the region was the Georgian peasant, Iosef Jughashvilli, who Gandhi was now completely satisfied had been robbing the Union strike and pension funds and improperly using his influence to funnel business to his friends. The man's corruption knew no bounds.
With a sigh, Gandhi returned to the odious motor car and driver assigned to him. The vehicle sat forlornly a hundred yards from the stadium behind a pile of timber and steel. Honestly, Gandhi would be happy to take the train about but this was insisted upon. Apparently, it would not do to see a high-ranking Union figure taking the train.. Still, he was not required to sit in front of the 1905 Packard Touring Sedan. Instead, he would sit in the front seat, allowing the second Union man assigned to escort him around to sit in the back.
Jughashvili is going to have to face charges, Gandhi thought. There was no way around this. A shame, as a trial will reflect poorly upon the Teamsters. But, in the end, the Union will grow stronger from the.....
At that point, the second Union escort sitting in the back of the car wrapped a wire around the Indian's throat as the driver sat staring blankly forward, trying to ignore the small man's kicks. Soon enough, the kicks stopped and Gandhi's body was dragged to the back seat. The 2nd Union man took Gandhi's place in the front seat. With a nod, the driver hit the gas pedal and proceeded through the growing town's streets for five minutes before reaching the Local's Headquarters.
Iosif Jughashvili was waiting in the alley behind. He took a quick look in the back of the car and nodded.
"Good," the Georgian said in his thick accent. "Return him to the Meadowlands and have him buried in the concrete under home plate. The ass had worked hard to get that stadium built with Union labor. Let's make sure he always has a good view of the action."
With that, Jughashvili patted the door and turned his back on his men, fully confident they knew better than to disobey. He reentered the shadows of the Local's back door. A man was already in Gandhi's hotel cleaning out the man's luggage. A story had already been planted that Gandhi intended to return to Chicago that night by rail. Naturally, the fellow wouldn't make it. Probably mugged and murdered in some Chicago side-street. Or maybe he had just decided to return to the subcontinent.
Jughashvili didn't care much either way which story was told.
Believed to be the 1905 Packard Model N Touring Sedan in which Gandhi was last seen alive.
San Juan Puerto Rico
Having landed in Puerto Rico, Brigadier Theodore Roosevelt and his 1st New York Brigade would surround the El Morro Castle with local rebels and....sat there for several weeks until heavy American artillery was landed and brought to the capital of Puerto Rico.
Roosevelt already had reason to regret forming the 1st Brigade as his nephew Tadd and cousin Franklin had expired in Cuba, not in glorious battle, but of disease. His friend Jack Churchill at least had the dignity of getting his head blown off by a Spanish shell.
But Roosevelt had his duty and, retaining his friend Winston as his adjutant, the Brigadier of Volunteers would press forward until the Spanish had been forced into the Morro, trapped between land and sea. A few Royalists continued to fight in the countryside but Roosevelt was largely happy to leave that to the Puerto Rican rebels. Having suffered the loss of a fifth of the 1st New York....mostly to disease....in Cuba, Roosevelt was happy to billet his army in San Juan's Old Town where the cobbled streets held fewer malaria-ridden mosquitos than Santiago de Cuba.
Yokosuka
Now badly outnumbered by the American, British, Australian and Chinese fleets, the Imperial Navy would begrudgingly consolidate her forces in the naval base located in the eastern city of Yokosuka. Over half Japan's heavy ships had been lost in the past year and effectively nothing had replaced them.
Now, an armada was massing along China and the Joseon Empire and the Imperial Navy dare not find itself spread out among several naval bases.
Presently, small frigates posted along Western Honshu would race back to their local bases and telegraph the fact that the much-anticipated enemy fleet of 30 allied vessels was on route past southern Honshu to (presumably) Yokosuka.
A fierce debate would rage among the Admirals. Some pointed out an invasion of Japan was unlikely and, if the remaining Imperial Navy was ordered to sea and defeated, then the war was over. Thus, wouldn't it be better to retreat to another port and live to fight another day?
Others were horrified. Was there no place for honor? What would the Army say if the Navy ran from a fight?
Even if utterly defeated, the Navy's honor would remain. If they ran......then power would shift permanently to the Army thugs. Imagine what the Generals would say to the Emperor if the Navy ran away and left the coastal cities to the mercy of the Chinese and other Gaijin?
And what was the probability that they allies would not give chase and eventually corner the Imperial Navy anyway?
At least with direct battle, the Japanese would be taking their destiny in their own hands.
Eventually, the Emperor himself would end the debate with an unprecedented visit to their Headquarters. He demanded to know what the Navy was doing to halt the Gaijin.
The commander of the Fleet assured him that the Navy was sailing out to defend the Empire within hours. To their credit, the Admirals present each requested and was granted permission to board one of the warships. If the Imperial Navy was to die under their watch, they would go down with it.
New Jersey
Mohandas Gandhi would watch until dusk turned to night the Teamsters transmitting thousands of tons of material towards the Meadowlands Baseball Stadium construction site, the future home of the Jersey Stars, a professional baseball team owned by local movie executives. For the past several months, Gandhi had helped organized the Teamsters Local to ensure that no non-Union workers would labor a moment on this stadium. Though such high-profile projects were incidental to the transportation industry, it served as a beacon to the Union Teamsters to rally behind the flag. By 9:00, the last of the trucks and wagons had been withdrawn and the day was over.
Of course, this was not the only reason for Gandhi's presence. For the most months, he'd also been reviewing the accounts of the New Jersey Local and found great irregularities. The Union boss of the region was the Georgian peasant, Iosef Jughashvilli, who Gandhi was now completely satisfied had been robbing the Union strike and pension funds and improperly using his influence to funnel business to his friends. The man's corruption knew no bounds.
With a sigh, Gandhi returned to the odious motor car and driver assigned to him. The vehicle sat forlornly a hundred yards from the stadium behind a pile of timber and steel. Honestly, Gandhi would be happy to take the train about but this was insisted upon. Apparently, it would not do to see a high-ranking Union figure taking the train.. Still, he was not required to sit in front of the 1905 Packard Touring Sedan. Instead, he would sit in the front seat, allowing the second Union man assigned to escort him around to sit in the back.
Jughashvili is going to have to face charges, Gandhi thought. There was no way around this. A shame, as a trial will reflect poorly upon the Teamsters. But, in the end, the Union will grow stronger from the.....
At that point, the second Union escort sitting in the back of the car wrapped a wire around the Indian's throat as the driver sat staring blankly forward, trying to ignore the small man's kicks. Soon enough, the kicks stopped and Gandhi's body was dragged to the back seat. The 2nd Union man took Gandhi's place in the front seat. With a nod, the driver hit the gas pedal and proceeded through the growing town's streets for five minutes before reaching the Local's Headquarters.
Iosif Jughashvili was waiting in the alley behind. He took a quick look in the back of the car and nodded.
"Good," the Georgian said in his thick accent. "Return him to the Meadowlands and have him buried in the concrete under home plate. The ass had worked hard to get that stadium built with Union labor. Let's make sure he always has a good view of the action."
With that, Jughashvili patted the door and turned his back on his men, fully confident they knew better than to disobey. He reentered the shadows of the Local's back door. A man was already in Gandhi's hotel cleaning out the man's luggage. A story had already been planted that Gandhi intended to return to Chicago that night by rail. Naturally, the fellow wouldn't make it. Probably mugged and murdered in some Chicago side-street. Or maybe he had just decided to return to the subcontinent.
Jughashvili didn't care much either way which story was told.
Believed to be the 1905 Packard Model N Touring Sedan in which Gandhi was last seen alive.
Chapter 337
August, 1907
Sakhalin and Hokkaido
General Nelson Miles would assume command of the US garrison on Sakhalin in May. Seeing no particular reason to sit back and wait for a Japanese attack, the General would prepare for an assault on the only conceivable target, Hokkaido, an island of some 80,000 people, mostly Ainu or half-breed residents.
With only a pair of old cruisers on hand, Miles would follow through on a pre-approved plan to invade Hokkaido. The Japanese had once planned to heavily colonize Hokkaido with their own people but those plans were cancelled in the past 50 years due to the reverses suffered on land with Russia. This may have turned out to be a mistake as the Ainu remained the majority on the island.
Learning of the repeated defeats of the Japanese Navy over the past months, Miles would proceed with his invasion. Over 8000 of his soldiers would embark upon the transports, most happy to to the attacking rather than waiting for the Japanese to arrive. Besides, winter was coming and none wanted to spend another season on that hellhole.
Miles would be shocked as to how easy it was. It appeared that the Japanese had withdrawn most of their ships from the north (he would not learn of the upcoming Battle of Yokosuka until a month later) and there was very little resistance from the small Japanese garrison of 2500 men after the first firefight. Having extended their Empire for thousands of miles south, Hokkaido did not merit much in the way of defenses.
The primary port towns would quickly fall and the remaining Japanese soldiers were forced into the countryside.
Yokosuka
Eight capital ships and twelve smaller vessels would sail out to meet the thirty allied ships. The USS South Carolina would lead the "line" of 20 heavier ships (the Americans first, then the British, then the lighter Australians and then, finally, the Chinese).
However, the allies would have an unpleasant surprise waiting for the Japanese. A second line of smaller cruisers and destroyers would sail only a few hundred yards beyond the "heavy" line and, once the Japanese were engaged, would turn towards the enemy and race forward through the allied capital ships and discharge their torpedoes. Most of these would be fired from at least two or three miles away from the Japanese (certainly the limit of their accuracy) but the strategy would work.
Four Japanese vessels were holed by torpedoes even as the allied heavy ships took a toll with their superior guns. The South Carolina's guns alone would sent three Japanese vessels to the bottom.
After three "passes", the Japanese had long figured out the allied strategy but were at a loss how to defend against it without losing their own "line". Within two hours, half the Japanese fleet had been lost and the "line" became moot. Having lost all coordination, individual Japanese Captains would charge forward, attempting to cause as much destruction on the allied fleet as possible.
By the evening, fourteen of the twenty Japanese ships had been lost and the others six, mostly damaged, would limp away in the night.
That the allies had been bloodied as well having lost six ships was a price worth paying.
Among the Japanese losses was the Satsuma-class vessel Aki which had suffered a humiliating torpedo to the propeller and was left stranded as the battle concluded around her. The Captain would order off his crew and personally scuttle the vessel.
Sakhalin and Hokkaido
General Nelson Miles would assume command of the US garrison on Sakhalin in May. Seeing no particular reason to sit back and wait for a Japanese attack, the General would prepare for an assault on the only conceivable target, Hokkaido, an island of some 80,000 people, mostly Ainu or half-breed residents.
With only a pair of old cruisers on hand, Miles would follow through on a pre-approved plan to invade Hokkaido. The Japanese had once planned to heavily colonize Hokkaido with their own people but those plans were cancelled in the past 50 years due to the reverses suffered on land with Russia. This may have turned out to be a mistake as the Ainu remained the majority on the island.
Learning of the repeated defeats of the Japanese Navy over the past months, Miles would proceed with his invasion. Over 8000 of his soldiers would embark upon the transports, most happy to to the attacking rather than waiting for the Japanese to arrive. Besides, winter was coming and none wanted to spend another season on that hellhole.
Miles would be shocked as to how easy it was. It appeared that the Japanese had withdrawn most of their ships from the north (he would not learn of the upcoming Battle of Yokosuka until a month later) and there was very little resistance from the small Japanese garrison of 2500 men after the first firefight. Having extended their Empire for thousands of miles south, Hokkaido did not merit much in the way of defenses.
The primary port towns would quickly fall and the remaining Japanese soldiers were forced into the countryside.
Yokosuka
Eight capital ships and twelve smaller vessels would sail out to meet the thirty allied ships. The USS South Carolina would lead the "line" of 20 heavier ships (the Americans first, then the British, then the lighter Australians and then, finally, the Chinese).
However, the allies would have an unpleasant surprise waiting for the Japanese. A second line of smaller cruisers and destroyers would sail only a few hundred yards beyond the "heavy" line and, once the Japanese were engaged, would turn towards the enemy and race forward through the allied capital ships and discharge their torpedoes. Most of these would be fired from at least two or three miles away from the Japanese (certainly the limit of their accuracy) but the strategy would work.
Four Japanese vessels were holed by torpedoes even as the allied heavy ships took a toll with their superior guns. The South Carolina's guns alone would sent three Japanese vessels to the bottom.
After three "passes", the Japanese had long figured out the allied strategy but were at a loss how to defend against it without losing their own "line". Within two hours, half the Japanese fleet had been lost and the "line" became moot. Having lost all coordination, individual Japanese Captains would charge forward, attempting to cause as much destruction on the allied fleet as possible.
By the evening, fourteen of the twenty Japanese ships had been lost and the others six, mostly damaged, would limp away in the night.
That the allies had been bloodied as well having lost six ships was a price worth paying.
Among the Japanese losses was the Satsuma-class vessel Aki which had suffered a humiliating torpedo to the propeller and was left stranded as the battle concluded around her. The Captain would order off his crew and personally scuttle the vessel.
Chapter 337
September, 1907
Lima
President Pierola would lose the 1907 election. Having already eliminated his competition in earlier elections, the President assumed he would be easily able deal with President-elect Leguia. However, the people of Lima, having grown tired of military dictatorship, would throw their support behind Leguia. Peirola would flee north to Trujillo where he set up a new government under the title of "Northern Peru" only to change it later to Republic of Trujillo.
Leguia would have the support of the "business" community in Lima and represented anti-military groups and the aristocracy.
However, being anti-military meant that the nation was ill-prepare when Jose Pardo, the proposed finance Minister under Leguia, would be so offended by the business interests supporting Leguia that he would seize control over southern Peru based out of Arequipa. He would rename his new country the "Andean Republic".
All three would eventually come to terms with the Republic of Laredo on the interior, which had declared independence years earlier only to be utterly ignored over the past decade.
Rome
King Umberto would consent to his government seeking peace....WITHOUT French or Russian consensus. Apparently, neither of those nations cared about Italy, so why would he care about them.
The King's intention of seizing the Tirol and Malta had succeeded....though his chances of gaining empire in Africa was receding by the year. Maybe the whole effort wasn't worth it.
Only Spain even registered a protest. The Latin Alliance had promised to protect the Spanish colonial Empire (or what was left of it). Now Cuba and Puerto Rico had, with American help, overthrown the Royal Governors and seized control over their islands. Only Hispaniola had refrained from major rebellious activity.
Umberto would quietly write the King of Spain and tell him to shut the hell up. There was no one left to protect his Empire. Instead, Umberto proposed that Spain and Italy seek peace together with Britain and Germany....on the condition of keeping Gibraltar, the Tirol and Malta, of course.
Given the exhaustion of Britain and Germany, the chances were good that the enemy would happily accept the offer.
Kyoto
The handful of surviving senior officers of the Imperial Navy would bow deeply to the Emperor and apologize. There was no chance whatsoever that they might regain the initiative and relief the beleaguered and surrounded Japanese garrisons on Hokkaido, the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies. Various Generals would look on, barely keeping their tongues as the Navy men pronounced the Japanese Empire at an end.
But the allied fleets now outgunned Japan 10 to 1 and could easily bombard every coastal city on the Home Islands. The economy had collapsed fully from lack of raw materials and military construction had halted.
The revered but unhealthy (largely as a result of incest) Emperor Meiji would treat the Admirals with graciousness and wanted to know the demands of the enemy.
Naturally, all conquest of the past fifty years would be lost. Japan would formally renounce any further ambitions abroad. Even Hokkaido would be "evacuated" of its Japanese residents and return to the Ainu.
The Imperial Navy would give up her modern ships and agree not to build another over 10,000 tons for the next two decades.
In return, the enemy would return the Japanese soldiers abroad and allow Japan to trade the seas without hindrance. In their own way, the Army was pleased at the deal as it utterly humiliated their Navy Rivals. The Japanese budget for the foreseeable future would be dominated by the Army. However, it would not be realized until later that a powerful Army was useless to an island nation without a Navy. Instead, the Army would spend even more time interfering with politics at home.
The Pyranees
Emperor Napoleon IV would quietly cross the border of France into Spain, leaving his country for the last time.
The Paris Commune had declared him a criminal.....and it was obvious they intended him to be the next Louis XVI. The Royal Family and key retainers would flee with them. High ranking politicians and soldiers at odds with the Commune, which was looking increasingly despotic already, would follow wherever they could.
In agreement with the Germans, the French Army retreated from southern Belgium, Luxembourg and what they held of Alsace and Upper Lorraine. The borders returned to the ante-bellum.......again.
Moscow
Learning that their allies had universally abandoned them to make their own craven peace, the Czarina saw reason. However, she was comforted by her new advisors who promised that, once the Musselmen, Jews, Catholics and Protestants who "stabbed Russia in the back" were dealt with, all that Russia lost would be regained.
The Czarina agreed "not to contest" the independence of so many of her former subjects....but refused to formally recognize them. That was the furthest Anna was willing to go.
Yes, Poland, Finland, White Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and the Ukraine were forming their own governments.
Yes, China had marched north into Siberia until they reached the Trans-Siberian Railroad....and destroyed it by the track, mile by mile. The distant Pacific villages like Annagrad were nearly impossible to reach, much less supply. The Chinese were even ordering the Russians from the southern Siberian reaches. They had two years to evacuate....or face Mandarin justice. A surprising amount would decide to move to America rather than western Russia.
In return, northern Siberia would see a terrible pogram against the natives who were deemed "disloyal" to the Czarina. Many of these would be killed or fled to China or.....America. It would be a devastating generation for Siberians after centuries of determined Russian colonization.
But the Czarina was content.
She would never forgot the betrayals of the past years....and vowed to repay them a hundred fold.
The Black Hundreds, Russians who supported "Orthodoxy, Autocracy (at least symbolically) and Nationality" would enthusiastically support the Czarina and happily serve the government in hunting down Jews, Muslims, Protestants, Catholics and non-Orthodox as well as Ukrainians and, most of all, Marxists, and slaughter them wherever found.
The next few years would see a massive exodus from Russia as minorities from the corners of Russia fled across various borders.
Washington
For perhaps the first time in two years, the American people had come to see the war as having been "won".
The Co-Protectorate was safe.
Their "allies" in Europe were victorious (or their enemies vanquished, if that was the same thing).
Brazil had been taught yet another lesson and the Amazon border was reestablished.
The long-disputed Atacama Desert Region was being organized into a protectorate of America. Whether this meant this was "American Territory" was a bit of an open question.
The Japanese Empire, having been defeated at sea, had been utterly destroyed.
America seized Hokkaido (which was being reorganized into the "Ainu Islands" as an American Protectorate with Sakhalin and the Kurils). The Japanese residents were being expelled by winter.
America even occupied parts of Russia, though no one really knew why and most assumed the lands would be given back. Only the Russian pride had prevented an actual negotiation to take place and, in 1908, the US Government would simply announce the Kolyma River in Northeast Siberia as the new boundary. America was now an Asian nation apparently.
Exhausted, President McKinley would announce in late 1907 that he would NOT run for office again. He assumed that Republican Stalwart William Howard Taft would be the candidate in 1908. Vice President Matthew Quay had died in 1905 so there were few candidates within the Administration. Maybe Senator Fairbanks or Lodge.
Of course, a New Yorker returning from Puerto Rico would have something to say about that as well.
Lima
President Pierola would lose the 1907 election. Having already eliminated his competition in earlier elections, the President assumed he would be easily able deal with President-elect Leguia. However, the people of Lima, having grown tired of military dictatorship, would throw their support behind Leguia. Peirola would flee north to Trujillo where he set up a new government under the title of "Northern Peru" only to change it later to Republic of Trujillo.
Leguia would have the support of the "business" community in Lima and represented anti-military groups and the aristocracy.
However, being anti-military meant that the nation was ill-prepare when Jose Pardo, the proposed finance Minister under Leguia, would be so offended by the business interests supporting Leguia that he would seize control over southern Peru based out of Arequipa. He would rename his new country the "Andean Republic".
All three would eventually come to terms with the Republic of Laredo on the interior, which had declared independence years earlier only to be utterly ignored over the past decade.
Rome
King Umberto would consent to his government seeking peace....WITHOUT French or Russian consensus. Apparently, neither of those nations cared about Italy, so why would he care about them.
The King's intention of seizing the Tirol and Malta had succeeded....though his chances of gaining empire in Africa was receding by the year. Maybe the whole effort wasn't worth it.
Only Spain even registered a protest. The Latin Alliance had promised to protect the Spanish colonial Empire (or what was left of it). Now Cuba and Puerto Rico had, with American help, overthrown the Royal Governors and seized control over their islands. Only Hispaniola had refrained from major rebellious activity.
Umberto would quietly write the King of Spain and tell him to shut the hell up. There was no one left to protect his Empire. Instead, Umberto proposed that Spain and Italy seek peace together with Britain and Germany....on the condition of keeping Gibraltar, the Tirol and Malta, of course.
Given the exhaustion of Britain and Germany, the chances were good that the enemy would happily accept the offer.
Kyoto
The handful of surviving senior officers of the Imperial Navy would bow deeply to the Emperor and apologize. There was no chance whatsoever that they might regain the initiative and relief the beleaguered and surrounded Japanese garrisons on Hokkaido, the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies. Various Generals would look on, barely keeping their tongues as the Navy men pronounced the Japanese Empire at an end.
But the allied fleets now outgunned Japan 10 to 1 and could easily bombard every coastal city on the Home Islands. The economy had collapsed fully from lack of raw materials and military construction had halted.
The revered but unhealthy (largely as a result of incest) Emperor Meiji would treat the Admirals with graciousness and wanted to know the demands of the enemy.
Naturally, all conquest of the past fifty years would be lost. Japan would formally renounce any further ambitions abroad. Even Hokkaido would be "evacuated" of its Japanese residents and return to the Ainu.
The Imperial Navy would give up her modern ships and agree not to build another over 10,000 tons for the next two decades.
In return, the enemy would return the Japanese soldiers abroad and allow Japan to trade the seas without hindrance. In their own way, the Army was pleased at the deal as it utterly humiliated their Navy Rivals. The Japanese budget for the foreseeable future would be dominated by the Army. However, it would not be realized until later that a powerful Army was useless to an island nation without a Navy. Instead, the Army would spend even more time interfering with politics at home.
The Pyranees
Emperor Napoleon IV would quietly cross the border of France into Spain, leaving his country for the last time.
The Paris Commune had declared him a criminal.....and it was obvious they intended him to be the next Louis XVI. The Royal Family and key retainers would flee with them. High ranking politicians and soldiers at odds with the Commune, which was looking increasingly despotic already, would follow wherever they could.
In agreement with the Germans, the French Army retreated from southern Belgium, Luxembourg and what they held of Alsace and Upper Lorraine. The borders returned to the ante-bellum.......again.
Moscow
Learning that their allies had universally abandoned them to make their own craven peace, the Czarina saw reason. However, she was comforted by her new advisors who promised that, once the Musselmen, Jews, Catholics and Protestants who "stabbed Russia in the back" were dealt with, all that Russia lost would be regained.
The Czarina agreed "not to contest" the independence of so many of her former subjects....but refused to formally recognize them. That was the furthest Anna was willing to go.
Yes, Poland, Finland, White Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and the Ukraine were forming their own governments.
Yes, China had marched north into Siberia until they reached the Trans-Siberian Railroad....and destroyed it by the track, mile by mile. The distant Pacific villages like Annagrad were nearly impossible to reach, much less supply. The Chinese were even ordering the Russians from the southern Siberian reaches. They had two years to evacuate....or face Mandarin justice. A surprising amount would decide to move to America rather than western Russia.
In return, northern Siberia would see a terrible pogram against the natives who were deemed "disloyal" to the Czarina. Many of these would be killed or fled to China or.....America. It would be a devastating generation for Siberians after centuries of determined Russian colonization.
But the Czarina was content.
She would never forgot the betrayals of the past years....and vowed to repay them a hundred fold.
The Black Hundreds, Russians who supported "Orthodoxy, Autocracy (at least symbolically) and Nationality" would enthusiastically support the Czarina and happily serve the government in hunting down Jews, Muslims, Protestants, Catholics and non-Orthodox as well as Ukrainians and, most of all, Marxists, and slaughter them wherever found.
The next few years would see a massive exodus from Russia as minorities from the corners of Russia fled across various borders.
Washington
For perhaps the first time in two years, the American people had come to see the war as having been "won".
The Co-Protectorate was safe.
Their "allies" in Europe were victorious (or their enemies vanquished, if that was the same thing).
Brazil had been taught yet another lesson and the Amazon border was reestablished.
The long-disputed Atacama Desert Region was being organized into a protectorate of America. Whether this meant this was "American Territory" was a bit of an open question.
The Japanese Empire, having been defeated at sea, had been utterly destroyed.
America seized Hokkaido (which was being reorganized into the "Ainu Islands" as an American Protectorate with Sakhalin and the Kurils). The Japanese residents were being expelled by winter.
America even occupied parts of Russia, though no one really knew why and most assumed the lands would be given back. Only the Russian pride had prevented an actual negotiation to take place and, in 1908, the US Government would simply announce the Kolyma River in Northeast Siberia as the new boundary. America was now an Asian nation apparently.
Exhausted, President McKinley would announce in late 1907 that he would NOT run for office again. He assumed that Republican Stalwart William Howard Taft would be the candidate in 1908. Vice President Matthew Quay had died in 1905 so there were few candidates within the Administration. Maybe Senator Fairbanks or Lodge.
Of course, a New Yorker returning from Puerto Rico would have something to say about that as well.
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OTL population of Hokkaido in 1860 was something like 60K, still mostly Ainu. My interpretation was that this was not considered one of the Home Islands until the turn of the century after 40 years of immigration. Only a deliberate policy of the central government would encourage immigration to Hokkaido.
Due to the repeated clashes in this TL w/ Russia, China, America and the Josean Kingdom which resulted in the loss of Sakhalin and the Kurils (and other reason for populating Hokkaido would be to govern these regions) as well as the perceived superior importance of gaining the Philippines and East Indies early in this TL, I felt that neglect was the most likely result.
Japan would much more likely choose to use resources southwards instead of northwards after some brutal battles with Russia in Vladivostok.