July-Sept 1910: Dollar diplomacy
July 1910: Danish General Ellis Wolff served as a military observer during the Russo-Japanese and Chinese Civil Wars. His observations there have led him to the conclusion defences based on traditional forts are obsolete in the face of modern artillery. Instead he suggests a flexible system of defence in depth based on prepared entrenchments and strong points arranged in three lines. The first to delay the enemy and provide warning for the second main defensive line, with reserves in the third line to counter attack and retake any enemy gains. Ellis proposed system finds considerable support, with it to be trailed in November's joint manoeuvres.
July 1910: In order to gain combat experience for the unit and support their Xianfa ally, The Empire offers to deploy the 1st Combined Imperial Brigade to assist in the suppression of the Tibetan Revolt. Though the Xianfa have adopted new tactics which are achieving results, the revolt is taxing their resources and the offer is gratefully accepted.
July 1910: While being transported to India, INA activist Veer Savarkar escapes while his ship is docked in Marseilles. He is quickly captured by French police and the Empire request his return. However the French courts intervene, to refuse the request on the grounds the crimes he is accused of are politically motivated, granting him asylum. Seeing an opportunity to divert the Empire from French colonial expansion, the Hantaux government, offers to support the INA with money, weapons and explosives. The Empire will quickly become aware of French involvement, causing Franco-Imperial relations to deteriorate further.
July 1910: The German Army's Schlieffen Plan for war with the Franco-Russian Entente is dependent on rapidly taking the Belgium forts at Liége and Namur to allow the army to advance through the country before the French can reinforce the Belgians. Since the end of the Russo-Japanese War the Germans have been working on the development of super heavy siege artillery to destroy these forts. In response to this requirement, Krupp has developed the 42cm kurze Marinekanone 10 L/12, commonly known as the gamma-Gerät. However tests of the first prototype weapon prove disappointing, with the gun taking 24 hours to emplace and only capable of deployment near a rail line. Nevertheless, production of the weapon is ordered, with work continuing on an improved version.
July 1910: Seeking to further modernise the French Imperial Guard and Troupes Coloniales, Emperor Napoleon IV orders 1,200 Madsen light machine guns. The intention is to issue two of these weapons to each infantry company and cavalry squadron, providing a flexible base of automatic fire to supplement the Hotchkiss machine guns at regimental level.
July 1910: Japanese Ambassador to the US Uchida Kōsai arranges a secret meeting with US Secretary of State Philander Knox to discuss Korea and Manchuria. With the Uchida wishing to secure US agreement to the annexation of Korea and Knox anxious to capitalise on Japanese influence to expand US commercial interests as part of the dollar diplomacy policy, the two men quickly find agreement. The meeting will result in the Uchida-Knox Agreement with the US agreeing to the Japanese annexation of Korea in return for the Japanese supporting US investment in Manchuria.
July 1910: The Peru-Ecuadorian War has seen both sides deploying additional troops to the region, though the Ecuadorians, being trained and supplied by Chile, are beginning to gain ground. However more serious is the deployment of Peruvian troops to the Chilean border in an effort to intimidate the Chileans into ending their support of Ecuador. Concerned the war may spread, Imperial Prime Minister Dilke suggest join mediation by the Empire and US. While initially reluctant, fearing increasing Imperial influence in Latin America, eventually President Taft agrees. This joint approach forces a ceasefire, with talks to settle the border to be held later in the year in Washington.
August 1910: The annual Imperial naval estimates show no sign in letting up the pace of construction, with four dreadnoughts, one battlecruiser, six light cruisers, two scout cruisers and twenty three destroyers. While the King George V dreadnoughts and the Queen Mary battlecruiser are just slight improvements on the previous Orion and Lion classes, the Bristol class light cruisers, a development of the previous Town classes introduce belt armour into Imperial light cruisers. Finally, the estimates include eight Osiris class couriers for Imperial communications, 6,000 ton ships built to mercantile standards, capable of making the 9,200nm journey from London to Sydney in eighteen days.
August 1910: Since the disastrous failure of the Royal Navy's R1 Mayfly rigid airship, Vickers, expecting an order for a replacement, has restructured its airship design team, recruiting additional engineers and replacing the lead designer. One of the more promising recruits is the young engineer Barnes Wallis. As anticipated, the annual Imperial naval estimates include funding for a new rigid airship, as well as a non rigid airship for comparison.
August 1910: Following up from the order for the four Gangut class dreadnoughts for service in the Baltic, Russia orders three dreadnoughts for their Black Sea Fleet. The Imperatritsa Mariya class are a slightly reduced version of the Gangut class, with slightly improved protection but a speed of only 21 knots.
August 1910: Imperial colonial authorities enact regulations bringing the British Suppression of Political Violence Act into effect in Egypt. These regulations will be immediately used to contact a massive anti terrorist operation, arrested suspected members of former Khedive Abbas nationalist movement. While this operation will inflict considerable damage on the former Khedive's movement in Egypt, it will not destroy it and in fact lead to a surge in popular support.
August 1910: Since having established a protectorate over Korea in the wake of the Russo-Japanese War, Japan has been steadily undermining Korean autonomy, having effectively taken control of the country's internal affairs. With US support secured in the Uchida-Knox Agreement, Japan formally annexes Korea as a colony.
September 1910: After narrowly escaping death in an aircraft accident earlier in the year due to the improved designs introduced by Alberto Santos-Dumont, Charles Rolls is able convince his business partner Henry Royce there jointly owned company should expand from manufacturing luxury car to also produce aircraft. The company's first aircraft will be a licensed produced version of the Santos-Dumont No. 25 Gabriela, but the company will soon begin working on its own designs, quickly becoming known for their high quality and efficient engines,
September 1910: The contract with Armstrong in Britain for the two Brazilian dreadnoughts included the option for a third ship. With the Argentines now having ordered a pair of dreadnoughts and the Brazilian economy still being strong despite the ongoing political violence, the decision is made to exercise this option. The 27,500 ton ship will be named Príncipe Imperial Pedro in honour of Prince Imperial Pedro, assassinated in 1906, and feature fourteen 12” guns in seven twin centreline turrets. Protection will be provided by a 9” belt, with her capable of 23 knots.
September 1910: With the need to increase their naval presence on the Pacific coast Canada orders another five F750T sloops and two further destroyers for service with the Canadian Pacific Squadron. While the F750Ts will be built in a variety of private yards, the two destroyers will be the first warships built in the Halifax Royal Dockyard.
September 1910: Since the turn of the century, the old anarchist leadership of the US labour movement has been giving way to a younger more militant generation, inspired by European revolutionary communism. This has resulted in an increase in groups using bombings and other violence to advance their cause. One such group, lead by brothers John and James McNamara, launch a campaign of attacks, beginning with an attack on the Los Angeles Times building which leaves 21 dead. This campaign, targeting the homes of anti unionists, is a major escalation. Despite a massive police manhunt, the group is able to go underground and continue their attacks.
September 1910: The design of the new Dominion battlecruisers is finalised. An enlarged version of Eustace d'Eyncourt's Moskva class, the Canada class are developed for operations in the Pacific. Displacing 25,000 tons, armed with eight 12” guns and capable of 26 knots, they will be the first Imperial capital ships to use oil fired small water tube boilers, giving them protection comparable to a battleship while reducing crew and improving endurance. Named for the Dominions which funded them, the Australia and Canada will both become the flagships of their respective navies, while the New Zealand will be operated and maintained by the Royal Navy though deployed to New Zealand waters. The Canada is to be constructed by Canadian Vickers, while the other pair built in Britain.
September 1910: In response to Emperor Napoleon IV's invitation at King Edward VII's funeral King George V makes a state to France. While lacking the charm of his father, King George nevertheless proves popular with the French public and the visit generally improves pro Imperial feeling in France.
