In His Own Right, Part II

[Shadow Knight]

Well, it isn't a Republic. But I think that Cisalpine would work. Just one question, what does Cis- actually mean?

Thanks Shadow.

Well you could just call it the Cisalpine Kingdom. I think it means "this side of the Alps", but I don't really know for sure.

You are welcome.

 

[LacheyS]

Dominion of Ireland Act

11 April 1912

Prime Minister Asquith had just been through a bitter fight with the House of Lords and, with peace more likely than war at an international level, he now had the chance to work with them to avoid another clash. It had long been the dream of the Liberals to establish home rule in Ireland, ever since Gladstone in fact. Only, this time, it would have to occur as part of an open process. No closed-door discussions would be permitted. No secret handshakes and deals that had destroyed the last attempts.

In his discussions with the numerous party leaders, he had found some agreement. His Majesty would retain the right to appoint a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (similar to the Governors-General of Canada and Australia). There would be no role for the aristocracy in the new government and Britain would be expected to arrange compensation for landlords so that Irish property could return to Irish hands. In addition, the new Irish government must have the power to raise and spend its own money. Beyond that point, there were difficulties.

The man most likely to be Prime Minister of Ireland was John Redmond, head of the Irish Nationalist Party. He was prepared to allow "temporary special status" to some of the nine regions of Ulster, but no more. Others wanted no compromise with the unionists whatsoever, such as Joseph Devlin. William O'Brien wanted a higher degree of local autonomy and a less powerful central government. In the end, however, Asquith's main concern was to produce a bill that could make it through the House of Lords.

He proceeded with the Dominion of Ireland Act. Like other Dominions, Ireland would have no power to decide its own foreign affairs and defence, which would be handled from London. In the Act, Ireland was divided into four provinces, Connacht, Ulster, Leinster and Munster, and one capital territory, Meath. The seats in the Legislative Assembly were divided as follows:

Leinster Province - capital: Dublin - 36 seats
Ulster Province - capital: Belfast - 34 seats
Munster Province - capital: Cork - 20 seats
Connacht Province - capital: Galway - 9 seats
Meath Capital Territory - 1 seat

Each province would get an equal number of votes in the Senate, but in order for a law to be sent to the Lord Lieutenant, it had to achieve a majority of the Senate as a whole, as well as a majority of Senators from Ulster. In addition, it was entrenched that three of the nine judges of the Irish Supreme Court had to come from Ulster and all judges would be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant.

While this was still unlikely to satisfy the Unionists, it was the stand that Asquith was willing to take and he knew he could get it passed before the next election thanks to recent restrictions on the power of the Lords. He was reminded by Redmond that the latter had control of the Irish Volunteers, a paramilitary of nearly 190,000 which could be moved formally into the British Army and used to suppress any rebellion in Ulster. At best, any rebellion could field half that amount of soldiers.

Asquith knew it might come to war, but he was concerned about the outcome on the mainland as well. Only weeks before, there had been unrest among some British officers in the north when they were warned they might need to fight unionists. The local commander, Sir Arthur Paget, and 57 of the 70 officers were replaced. The new commander had been pleased to advise that he had quickly become aware of plans for a large arms shipment arriving for the Ulster rebels and hinted that, at least, this was conspiracy to commit treason by a number of pro-Union supporters. His investigation had turned up a number of names. He indicated that among those likely to face arrest would be a member of the Privy Council, Baron Carson, the Member for East Down, James Craig MP and possibly even the leader of the Conservative Party, Andrew Bonar Law.

 

[LacheyS]

Amendment

Wasn't really happy with Franz Ferdinand as monarch of Cisalpine Kingdom (felt too cliched and lazy on my part), so I have found another: Ludwig III, King of Bavaria and Queen Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria-Este. He is 67 and has thirteen children. She is 63, granddaughter of the Duke of Modena and was recognised by Jacobites as the true heir to the English throne. Their son, Crown Prince Rupert, is 43 and has one surviving child, Albert, aged 7. Crown Prince Rupert will transfer his considerable skill as a German army commander to become Field Marshal of the Cisalpine Army.

 

[Neroon]

Been gone for a week and therefore now had the pleasure of reading several updates at once. Can´t find much to comment on, though.
About the Habsburg Empire: I think it was certainly better than it´s portrayed in OTL´s present day popular history. Beyond that i don´t know. In the long run it´s in a "Federalize or Die" situation IMHO.

7. The official languages of the Commission would be English and French.

No chance in hell the Germans would accept that. 2 reasons:
1. They are a superpower (and probably have the ego that comes with that ).
2. They cannot be guilted into taking a backseat in your TL.

So i´d definetly say the Commission will have 3 official languages.

 

[Wendell]

Wasn't really happy with Franz Ferdinand as monarch of Cisalpine Kingdom (felt too cliched and lazy on my part), so I have found another: Ludwig III, King of Bavaria and Queen Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria-Este. He is 67 and has thirteen children. She is 63, granddaughter of the Duke of Modena and was recognised by Jacobites as the true heir to the English throne. Their son, Crown Prince Rupert, is 43 and has one surviving child, Albert, aged 7. Crown Prince Rupert will transfer his considerable skill as a German army commander to become Field Marshal of the Cisalpine Army.

Can we get an updated map?

 

[LacheyS]

Been gone for a week and therefore now had the pleasure of reading several updates at once. Can´t find much to comment on, though.
About the Habsburg Empire: I think it was certainly better than it´s portrayed in OTL´s present day popular history. Beyond that i don´t know. In the long run it´s in a "Federalize or Die" situation IMHO.


No chance in hell the Germans would accept that. 2 reasons:
1. They are a superpower (and probably have the ego that comes with that ).
2. They cannot be guilted into taking a backseat in your TL.

So i´d definetly say the Commission will have 3 official languages.

The Habsburgs definitely need at least two more kingdoms: I am thinking Bohemia and Illyria (I think the Serbians would have found something like Yugoslavia offensive, wouldn't they?). Problem is that the Magyar would have resisted another nationality from having equal pegging and I suspect that if Franz Joseph or any of his successors had done so, there would have been a civil war. That is why I am fairly confident that there would be a problem in keeping A-H together.

At this stage, I am thinking of that A-H will have a civil war that the Habsburgs will win (they will be supported by their German, Slav, Bohemian and Moravian citizens). If things get too desperate, there are any number of nations who might be willing to fight for them to achieve land concessions (thinking Russia, Poland, Rumania).

I think the Commission will end up with four official languages (Russian will be included if they join), but I can see your point about German.

 

[LacheyS]

Can we get an updated map?

I am working on a new one. My original one of Europe was such a mess that I almost needed to start from scratch. I spent a few hours on one the other day and was on the verge of completing when my system froze up. Of course, as is always the case, I hadn't saved.

So, the new map is coming, but I just haven't had time to redo it. I estimate that there are about two-three hours of work left in it.

 

[LacheyS]

For Wendell

Here is the map requested by Wendell. Hope it is OK.

 

[LacheyS]

The Revival of the Ottoman Empire

18 April, 1912

Nafi al-Jabiri Pasha was the first Arab to become Grand Vizier in over three decades. As he reflected upon his new responsibilities, he viewed the changes to the Empire in just the last three years.

Law and order was greatly advanced, with French specialists training his officers and members of the Parliament. One-fifth of eligible citizens were now receiving free primary and secondary education, and the numbers continued to expand. Improvements to communications and infrastructure had helped to boost the empire's manufacturing base by 22%. By the end of the Seven Year Plan, it was hoped that the Ottoman Empire would approach the economic size of the Austrians and that incomes would match those of the citizens of the Iberian Peninsula and Eastern Europe. All this had been driven by the French and British payments for the Empire's African colonies, allowing the Porte to increase its spending by 25% and significantly reduce duties without incurring any debt.

And now it was time to build a new city, a modern Ottoman capital, to represent this revitalised Empire. The "Queen of Cities" would always be important to the future of the Empire, but in June, the government would move to its new capital of Beirut. A majority Christian city, it had close links with Europe and with the United States. A lot of infrastructure work had already been done. The city had two new universities, a top-rate water network, electric power, a railway system, a modern harbour and a commercial centre. All that remained now was the final release of the new residential sectors, making room for an additional 35,000 residents.

The briefings that would now become part of al-Jabiri's daily life also made clear one thing. Despite improved relations with Greece and a trade agreement with the Russian Empire, the Ottomans still had no firm ally. For al-Jabiri, who had watched the collapse of Italy with some satisfaction, he had nonetheless learned the lesson. Upon his ascension to the post, he would seek to discuss with London the potential for his nation to join this nascent Strausborg Commission.

 

[Shadow Knight]

Hmm...giving up Constantinople as the capital...that was unexpected.

 

[M.Passit]

Will conservative get caught in the Ireland matter? A big scandal is looming ahead. If that happen, what the impact concerning British politic?

ps. Wow, not only they've relocated the capital from Istanbul, but move it to Christian majority city!

 

[Readman]

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night



very interesting couplr of chapters, especially with the move of the Capital. A stronger Ottoman Empire. Definiatly different.

 

[LacheyS]

Hmm...giving up Constantinople as the capital...that was unexpected.

Been toying with the move for a while. I figured that they are cash-rich and developing at a rate far greater than they did in OTL, thanks to British and French monies. Beirut has always been, IMO, a beautiful city when the Israelis and Syrians weren't busy reducing it to rubble. I might even have it bid for the Olympics in the 1920's.

 

[LacheyS]

Will conservative get caught in the Ireland matter? A big scandal is looming ahead. If that happen, what the impact concerning British politic?

The scandal will break shortly. In OTL, Asquith was not prepared to compromise with the Lords and thus the legislation was held up for two years. As the British Government are no longer concerned about outside interference, i.e. Germany, they have chosen to try to negotiate. Nonetheless, there would always be those in the Conservative Party who will oppose it resolutely, irregardless of what form it takes.

In OTL, the Conservatives got away with their treasonous behaviour because it occurred on the eve of World War I (April-May 1914). As to the impact, let's just say that neither the party leader nor the Conservative Party itself will survive undamaged.

 

[LacheyS]

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night



very interesting couplr of chapters, especially with the move of the Capital. A stronger Ottoman Empire. Definiatly different.

Thanks.

 

[LacheyS]

The Second Gunpowder Plot

5 May 1912

A SPECIAL REPORT BY "THE TIMES"

It is the worst threat to the nation in centuries. The political crisis that has engulfed the United Kingdom began a little over a week ago with the arrest of Major Francis Crawford, a former officer in Her Majesty's royal artillery. Major Crawford stands accused of attempting to illegally import nearly twenty thousand Mannlicher and Mauser pistols, plus nearly four million rounds of ammunition. He and fourteen co-conspirators, arrested on the docks at Bangor and Donaghadee (County Down), are further accused of treason for plotting an armed rebellion against Her Majesty's Government. It is generally understood that the weapons were to be used for armed resistance against the Government.

During early interrogation, Major Crawford confessed to being hired by a member of the British Parliament, the Conservative Party's James Craig. He also told military police that Craig had advised him that the finances for the purchase, called Operation Lion, had been provided by Sir Edward Carson, former Solicitor General and a member of the Privy Council. He allegedly claimed to have had no idea of the purpose of the weapons and ammunition, stating that he believed that they were being used as part of a legitimate government-authorised intelligence organisation. Mr Craig immediately locked himself inside his Parliament House office, where under parliamentary privilege, he had immunity from arrest.

On 1 May, Prime Minister Asquith asked the House of Commons to revoke Mr Craig's immunity to allow him to be interrogated by Scotland Yard. The vote was split along party lines, with the Liberals, Labour and the Irish National Party all voting for Mr Craig to be removed from the House. Mr Craig, a former soldier during the Boer War, had been a member of Parliament for six years. Mr Craig and his lawyer left Westminster in the presence of police officers later that evening. His solicitor stated that Mr Craig is the victim of political muckracking. However, forty-eight hours later, it was revealed that Viscount Haldane had authorised immunity from the death penalty for Mr Craig in return for evidence against other parties.

On the evening of 3 May, Sir Edward Carson and the Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Bonar Law, were both called in for questioning and yesterday, it was advised that both would be indicted to stand before a grand jury. It is uncertain whether the charge will be high treason or misprision of treason, but nonetheless, Mr Bonar Law immediately announced his resignation from Parliament and as leader of the Conservative Party. It is likely that Sir Edward will retain his knighthood unless convicted, but has nonetheless agreed to step aside from the Privy Council. People named as "persons of interest" in the ongoing investigation include former Chief Secretary of Ireland, Walter Long, his Parliamentary Secretary, William Bull, as well as twenty-seven other Members of Parliament and undisclosed officers in the Imperial Defence Committee.

Prime Minister Asquith has immediately opened talks towards with the likely successor to the Conservative leadership, Austen Chamberlain. There are a number of Conservatives who are highly unlikely to continue serving in the Conservative Party if Chamberlain is elected leader (some insiders have suggested up to 40 members of the Commons are discussing defection to form a new party). However, the crisis in the Conservative Party may not play to the advantage of the Liberal Party, with some opponents suggesting that the Prime Minister has inappropriately managed the crisis.

 

[LacheyS]

18 June 1912

In the first days of June in the streets of Monrovia, the financial crisis that was apparent to the Government had not yet become clear to the public. While the employees of the State may have noticed the gaps in their paychecks, the Americo-Liberians were still surviving reasonably well. Their children were being educated abroad as they oppressed native Liberians, took their lands, taxed them and controlled their trade. Unfortunately, they hadn't done a great job at it.

President Daniel Howard was particularly concerned with the increasing self-determination that the European colonisers were granting their African subjects. If the natives got any ideas that they could expect the same here, then the economy really would implode. As it was, the Government was borrowing against assets that it didn't legally own to keep the economy afloat and was in dire need of assistance. Where else to turn but to the United States and their expansive President Roosevelt?

The addition of Liberia as an American territory, followed days later by Cuba's demands to be recognised as a state and the break out of civil war in Central America in early July, was regarded by many as the death knell for America's age of imperialism. The Democrats stated that Roosevelt had dragged the United States into more conflict during his years as President than any of his predecessors and had burdened the Union with responsibilities that weren't hers to bear. The fact that many Americans were inclined to agree, combined with the division of the Grand Old Party, meant that the death knell was also sounding for sixteen uninterrupted years of Republican Party rule.

America's 26th President was already facing cartoons in the popular press of "rats deserting the Titanic", referring to the tragedy just two months before that had claimed the lives of so many citizens. Treasury Secretary Courtelyou had already lined himself up a job as President of the Union Bank. Labor Secretary Stimson had already been nominated to take over the Governorship of Central America. Gifford Pinchot (Interior) and Truman Newberry (Navy) were barely at their offices anymore, campaigning for the Senate in Pennsylvania and Michigan respectively.

Since 1865, the Republican Party had dominated the White House, controlling it for three-quarters of that era. The only Democrat in all that time had been Grover Cleveland. It was to Cleveland that many were now comparing Roosevelt, stating that he had lost control of his party and then lost direction in his governance. It was with this sense of foreboding that the Republican Party gathered in Chicago to endorse a candidate to succeed the longest-serving President in American history.

Secretary of State and Nobel Prize winner, Elihu Root, opened up an early lead, taking the delegates from eight of the first nine states. Only California voted for Senator Albert Beveridge. However, the votes from Indiana and Illinois put Beveridge narrowly in the lead for the first time. Iowa and Kansas joined the flow, but by the time Louisiana's delegates had declared their hand, Secretary Root was back in front. When Michigan and Massachusetts voted for the Senator, he again took the lead. And there he stayed until New York cast its vote for its favourite son. Elihu Root took the lead and stayed there, ultimately winning 630 of the 1024 votes.

At age 67, Root pledged to continue trade liberalisation, revamp the bureaucracy, re-open immigration by working on deals with China and Japan, seek closer relations with Britain and Canada and work towards cooperation of all countries under international law. He stated that the radicalism of the Constitutionals and Democrats made them untrustworthy and dangerous. As his Vice President, he nominated Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, the President of Columbia University.

 

[SteveW]

Interesting British political stuff. Strikes me that in this era, with the Tories taking at least a brief battering, the Liberals won't be as reduced as they were in OTL (but still they will mostly lose seats to Labour). Similarly, they might not abandon the free market- which makes Britain's economic development interesting.

As a thought- maybe if this new group splits off, it will be a free market party along the lines of the Empire Free Trade Party, Chamberlain being pro-tariff. This might then eventually merge with the Liberals, as the Liberal Unionists had with the Tories.

 

[LacheyS]

Interesting British political stuff. Strikes me that in this era, with the Tories taking at least a brief battering, the Liberals won't be as reduced as they were in OTL (but still they will mostly lose seats to Labour). Similarly, they might not abandon the free market- which makes Britain's economic development interesting.

As a thought- maybe if this new group splits off, it will be a free market party along the lines of the Empire Free Trade Party, Chamberlain being pro-tariff. This might then eventually merge with the Liberals, as the Liberal Unionists had with the Tories.

As you would probably know, in OTL, there was no election from now until the end of World War I. However, in future episodes, there will be an election in 1914. I can probably reveal my current thinking because, as it is two years away, there is every likelihood that it will change.

For the 1914 election, I had a Liberal Party gaining about a third of the vote, while the Conservative Party would gain about 40%. Labour would climb to just above 20% and the rest would go to the new Imperial Party. Thus Asquith could survive as Prime Minister if he strikes a coalition with Labour, or the Conservatives under Chamberlain would be an unstable minority government. Either way, another election in 1915 or 1916 would be likely and Asquith might lose sufficient support within the party to make way for Lloyd George.

BTW, for DMA and my other fellow Aussies on the board, it may interest you to know that Joseph Cook will lose the 1913 election to Andrew Fisher, who will serve uninterrupted as Prime Minister until 27 October 1915. At which time he will make room for a man who will occupy the Lodge for just thirteen months before he is dumped - Billy Hughes.

 

[LacheyS]

The Election of the Duma

25 June 1912

The Russians were quickly becoming old hands at the idea of democratic elections. The oldest hand was former Prime Minister Viktor Chernov, who was facing a strong challenge within his own party from the highly populist Alexander Kerensky. The Socialist Revolutionary Party had been in opposition now for too many successive terms and Kerensky stated quite clearly that the time was ripe for a change in leadership to restore the party, which had lost seats in every election under Chernov. He warned that a continuation of the status quo would see the reunited Communist Party take even more SRP seats.

In a July caucus showdown, Kerensky seized control of Russia's largest political party on the eve of elections and offered a hand towards unity with Deputy Prime Minister Trotsky. While it was certain that the party could recover its numbers somewhat before the polling day, Kerensky knew that the two socialist parties could not continue to battle without one eventually dying (and it was his party that seemed to be falling behind). Trotsky, surveying the political landscape, declined his offer and remained steadfast to the coalition agreement. However, he stated that, following the election, all options remained open.

When the seats for the new Duma were allocated, they were divided as follows:

Socialist Revolutionary Party (Kerensky): 32.1%
Communist Party (Trotsky): 29.9%
Constitutional Democrat Party (Neksarov): 26.4%
Octobrist Party (Rodzyanko): 11.6%

It was clear that another coalition government would form and Trotsky, long desirous of the Prime Ministership, stuck with a weaker partner. The coalition Government, which had lasted since 1908, would survive. However, the leadership role would now pass from Neksarov to Trotsky, who was installed as the fifth Prime Minister of the Russian Empire. Kerensky, having managed to stem the bleed and retain the SRP's largest party status against all expectations, stayed on as Opposition Leader.

One of the first Cabinet decisions of the new Government was to increase exponentially its support of Persian warlord, Mirza Kouchek Khan. Of course, they wouldn't be Russian weapons; Britain, Germany and Austria were all in the arms selling business and selected anonymous purchases transported through the Ottoman Empire would leave no trace as to their source or organisation. Britain's "loyal" ally, Russia, should never be suspect. In fact, it was inevitable that the loyal Russian navy, operating in the Caspian, might even "capture" ammunition supplies on their way to Persia to demonstrate their loyalty.

Kouchek would rise up with a call to be the saviour of the downtrodden peasants and a protector of the constitutional revolution from Britain. With a few victories, the nationalist bourgeoisie would come on side. The only hope then for Britain would be a full military commitment in Persia, and it was Trotsky's bet that, with its government in crisis and rebellions in India and Ireland, it was a commitment that London could not afford.