Jan-March 1902: Joining the wider world
~Jan-March 1902: Joining the wider world
January 1902: At the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War, the Guangxu Emperor had strongly argued for the need for a non-political professional military but was unable to convince the Southern Qing Grand Council of the necessity. After the defection of Xu Yingkai and loss of Beijing, the Grand Council revises its position and institutes a series of fundamental reforms. The provincial governors are removed from the military command structure and serving officers prohibited from holding political office in an effort to create a professional officer corp. General Lu Yongxiang is appointed Commander in Chief of the army and Admiral Liu Gungxiong Commander in Chief of the navy, with a separate Minister of War and the Navy sitting in the Grand Council. The reorganisation will also see the radical republicans Sun Yat-sen and Hang Xing brought into the Grand Council with ministerial posts.
January 1902: For many years the US has been interested in obtaining sovereignty over the strategically located Danish Virgin Island in the Caribbean. As the islands have become both a strategic and financial liability, the Danish government is willing to cede the Islands to the US and a treaty has been negotiated whereby the US will purchase the Island in return for ten million dollars {£2,064,594} and guarantees of Danish residents rights. While the treaty will be ratified by the US Congress and the conservative dominated Danish Landstinget, the popularly elected Folketing will reject the treaty, leading to its failure.
January 1902: Governor Wang Zhichun of the Anhui Province in China declares for the Northern Qing, though Liu Guangdi in Jiangsu Province remains loyal, However Wang's defection hands the northern half of both provinces to the Northern Qing, putting the Southern Qing's capital under threat, though the Guangxu Emperor refuses to abandon the city, recognising any withdrawal would further undermine his already tenuous support in northern China.
February 1902: During the Greater Power occupation of Beijing, the Guangxu Emperor was diagnosed with a serious liver illness by European doctors which meant he was unable to father children. He has been undergoing treatment since and shown considerable improvement, with a son Yixuan being born to the Empress Keshun. Despite fears for her and her infant son's safety, the Empress refuses to leave Nanjing, believing it would weaken the morale of the troops loyal to the Emperor.
February 1902: Observing how the expansion of worker's rights in Britain has in greatly improved the efficiency of British industry, Brazilian Prime Minister Joaquim Nabuco attempts to introduce the Lei dos Direitos dos Trabalhadores or law of workers rights. The new law would provide certain minimum conditions of employment, as well as legalising trade unions and the right to strike. Since becoming Prime Minister in 1897, Nabuco has retained the backing of Empress Isabel who has discreetly encouraged the more conservative Catholic elements of Brazilian society to support his government. This has been a vital factor in preventing his conservative opponents in the National Assembly from being able to successfully introduce a motion of no confidence. However she is unwilling to continue her backing regarding this new law, allowing Nabuco's opponents to successfully move a motion of no confidence, bring his government down. Nabuco's term of nearly five years rivals that of Afonso Celso and is indicative of the increasing stability in Brazilian politics. In recognition for his service Nabuco is created Duke of Recife by the Empress. Nabuco is replaced as Prime Minister by centrist Afonso Pena. While Pena will abandon Nabuco's controversial labour reforms, he will continue his policy of encouraging the industrialisation of Brazil.
February 1902: Despite having regained control of Hebei Province, the Dowager Empress Cixi's government has remained in Xi'an due to fear of the remaining Great Power troops in China. However the last units are now finally withdrawn, allowing the her administration to return to Beijing.
February 1902: Since the end of the Franco-Prussian War German population growth has considerably outstripped that of France, leading to the military balance between the two nations to tip considerably in the German favour. This combined with widespread concerns over the involvement of the military in the 1889 coup which led to the fall of the Third Republic results in the appointment of a special committee to investigate reform. The new Emperor, being one of the most vocal advocates of reform, is appointed to head the investigation.
March 1902: To encourage integration into the world economy, the Southern Qing moves from the silver to gold standard, A new currency, the gold yuan is to replace the silver tael. The gold yuan is defined as equal to four shillings and two pence sterling {£0.208} and divided into 100 fen, making one British pence equal to two Southern Qing fen. The Northern Qing however retains the silver tael, set at 37.5 grams of silver {£0.13}.
March 1902: Lord Kitchener's scorched earth strategy is finally beginning to show serious results, with the Boer guerillas operations being severely hampered, with many having already surrendered. Realising continued resistance will mean not only the loss of their independence, but possibly the destruction of the Boer people, many of the more moderate Boer leader are now willing to discuss a peace involving the loss of their independence. For their part, the British are anxious to bring the exceptionally expensive war to an end, and are willing to offer extremely generous terms. In this new environment, pace talks begin between the two sides.
March 1902: Since the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War the Southern Qing's support has been seriously eroded by their signing of the Boxer Protocol, which has led to many troops defecting to the Northern Qing. Seeking to further damage his prestige and hopefully strike a decisive blow, Ronglu, Commander in Chief of the Northern Qing armies orders Xu Yingkai's Beijing Army to launch an offensive in Jiangsu Province with the aim of taking the Southern Qing capital Nanjing. However General Lu Yongxiang, Commander in Chief of the Southern Qing Army, has reinforced the defences of the city with elite troops from Guangzhou Province and placed the defence of the city under General Yin Chang, one of the ablest generals in the Southern Qing Army. Though outnumbered, General Yin conducts a brilliant defensive campaign, holding off the Northern Qing forces with only minimal loss of territory. As part of his strategy, Yin uses the Qing Navy, three quarters of which have remained loyal to the Emperor, for fire support and to land strike forces behind the Northern Qing lines to disrupt their supplies and communications.
March 1902: For many years Venezuela has been wracked by political instability, with one military strongman after another seizing power. Much of the Venezuelan economy is dominated German interests, to whom the Venezuelans have incurred massive debts, though they substantial debts with many other European powers, including Britain, France and Italy. Over the past few years repayments on these debts have become sporadic and occasionally stopping outright. With the situation deteriorating, German investors have been pressuring their government to action to enforce their debts and eventually German Chancellor Bernhard von Bulow agrees to intervene, contacting the other other creditor nations regarding a common front. Responding to the German initiative and hoping to resolve the situation peacefully, the creditor nations propose Venezuela submit these claims to the newly formed International Court of Permanent Arbitration in the Hague.
March 1902: The North Island Main Trunk Line is finally completed in New Zealand. The new railway will greatly improve transport in the North Island of New Zealand, acting as a further spur to economic growth. As part of the plan of railway development, a number of large government rail yards have been built capable of domestic production of locomotives. This is the first significant heavy industry established in New Zealand. These rail yards will soon acquire an international reputation for excellence, even attracting overseas orders not only from within the Empire, but also from nations such as Russia and the Ottoman Empire, as well as smaller states in the Balkans and South America.
March 1902: With most European nations unwilling to supply weapons to China, both the Northern and Southern Qing are having great difficulty equipping their armies. The issue is particularly acute for the Southern Qing as the Northern Qing control both the Hanyang Arsenal while the Chengdu Arsenal is under the control of Viceroy of Sichuan, Deshou who, while remaining undeclared is diverting its production to the Northern Qing. Fortunately Lord Salisbury's government agree to allow the Southern Qing to purchase weapons from British companies. The Southern Qing immediately place a massive order for 60 15-pdr field guns, 20 5” field howitzers, 90,000 0.303” Lee-Enfield rifles, 10,000 0.303” Lee-Enfield carbines, 150 0.303” Maxim guns, 200,000 surplus 0.303” Martini-Enfield rifles plus large quantities of ammunition for £1,000,000 {£996,868}. They also issue a contract with Armstrong-Whitworth for half a million pounds {£499,343} to construct and manage a modern arsenal at Jiangmen in Guangdong Province.
January 1902: At the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War, the Guangxu Emperor had strongly argued for the need for a non-political professional military but was unable to convince the Southern Qing Grand Council of the necessity. After the defection of Xu Yingkai and loss of Beijing, the Grand Council revises its position and institutes a series of fundamental reforms. The provincial governors are removed from the military command structure and serving officers prohibited from holding political office in an effort to create a professional officer corp. General Lu Yongxiang is appointed Commander in Chief of the army and Admiral Liu Gungxiong Commander in Chief of the navy, with a separate Minister of War and the Navy sitting in the Grand Council. The reorganisation will also see the radical republicans Sun Yat-sen and Hang Xing brought into the Grand Council with ministerial posts.
January 1902: For many years the US has been interested in obtaining sovereignty over the strategically located Danish Virgin Island in the Caribbean. As the islands have become both a strategic and financial liability, the Danish government is willing to cede the Islands to the US and a treaty has been negotiated whereby the US will purchase the Island in return for ten million dollars {£2,064,594} and guarantees of Danish residents rights. While the treaty will be ratified by the US Congress and the conservative dominated Danish Landstinget, the popularly elected Folketing will reject the treaty, leading to its failure.
January 1902: Governor Wang Zhichun of the Anhui Province in China declares for the Northern Qing, though Liu Guangdi in Jiangsu Province remains loyal, However Wang's defection hands the northern half of both provinces to the Northern Qing, putting the Southern Qing's capital under threat, though the Guangxu Emperor refuses to abandon the city, recognising any withdrawal would further undermine his already tenuous support in northern China.
February 1902: During the Greater Power occupation of Beijing, the Guangxu Emperor was diagnosed with a serious liver illness by European doctors which meant he was unable to father children. He has been undergoing treatment since and shown considerable improvement, with a son Yixuan being born to the Empress Keshun. Despite fears for her and her infant son's safety, the Empress refuses to leave Nanjing, believing it would weaken the morale of the troops loyal to the Emperor.
February 1902: Observing how the expansion of worker's rights in Britain has in greatly improved the efficiency of British industry, Brazilian Prime Minister Joaquim Nabuco attempts to introduce the Lei dos Direitos dos Trabalhadores or law of workers rights. The new law would provide certain minimum conditions of employment, as well as legalising trade unions and the right to strike. Since becoming Prime Minister in 1897, Nabuco has retained the backing of Empress Isabel who has discreetly encouraged the more conservative Catholic elements of Brazilian society to support his government. This has been a vital factor in preventing his conservative opponents in the National Assembly from being able to successfully introduce a motion of no confidence. However she is unwilling to continue her backing regarding this new law, allowing Nabuco's opponents to successfully move a motion of no confidence, bring his government down. Nabuco's term of nearly five years rivals that of Afonso Celso and is indicative of the increasing stability in Brazilian politics. In recognition for his service Nabuco is created Duke of Recife by the Empress. Nabuco is replaced as Prime Minister by centrist Afonso Pena. While Pena will abandon Nabuco's controversial labour reforms, he will continue his policy of encouraging the industrialisation of Brazil.
February 1902: Despite having regained control of Hebei Province, the Dowager Empress Cixi's government has remained in Xi'an due to fear of the remaining Great Power troops in China. However the last units are now finally withdrawn, allowing the her administration to return to Beijing.
February 1902: Since the end of the Franco-Prussian War German population growth has considerably outstripped that of France, leading to the military balance between the two nations to tip considerably in the German favour. This combined with widespread concerns over the involvement of the military in the 1889 coup which led to the fall of the Third Republic results in the appointment of a special committee to investigate reform. The new Emperor, being one of the most vocal advocates of reform, is appointed to head the investigation.
March 1902: To encourage integration into the world economy, the Southern Qing moves from the silver to gold standard, A new currency, the gold yuan is to replace the silver tael. The gold yuan is defined as equal to four shillings and two pence sterling {£0.208} and divided into 100 fen, making one British pence equal to two Southern Qing fen. The Northern Qing however retains the silver tael, set at 37.5 grams of silver {£0.13}.
March 1902: Lord Kitchener's scorched earth strategy is finally beginning to show serious results, with the Boer guerillas operations being severely hampered, with many having already surrendered. Realising continued resistance will mean not only the loss of their independence, but possibly the destruction of the Boer people, many of the more moderate Boer leader are now willing to discuss a peace involving the loss of their independence. For their part, the British are anxious to bring the exceptionally expensive war to an end, and are willing to offer extremely generous terms. In this new environment, pace talks begin between the two sides.
March 1902: Since the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War the Southern Qing's support has been seriously eroded by their signing of the Boxer Protocol, which has led to many troops defecting to the Northern Qing. Seeking to further damage his prestige and hopefully strike a decisive blow, Ronglu, Commander in Chief of the Northern Qing armies orders Xu Yingkai's Beijing Army to launch an offensive in Jiangsu Province with the aim of taking the Southern Qing capital Nanjing. However General Lu Yongxiang, Commander in Chief of the Southern Qing Army, has reinforced the defences of the city with elite troops from Guangzhou Province and placed the defence of the city under General Yin Chang, one of the ablest generals in the Southern Qing Army. Though outnumbered, General Yin conducts a brilliant defensive campaign, holding off the Northern Qing forces with only minimal loss of territory. As part of his strategy, Yin uses the Qing Navy, three quarters of which have remained loyal to the Emperor, for fire support and to land strike forces behind the Northern Qing lines to disrupt their supplies and communications.
March 1902: For many years Venezuela has been wracked by political instability, with one military strongman after another seizing power. Much of the Venezuelan economy is dominated German interests, to whom the Venezuelans have incurred massive debts, though they substantial debts with many other European powers, including Britain, France and Italy. Over the past few years repayments on these debts have become sporadic and occasionally stopping outright. With the situation deteriorating, German investors have been pressuring their government to action to enforce their debts and eventually German Chancellor Bernhard von Bulow agrees to intervene, contacting the other other creditor nations regarding a common front. Responding to the German initiative and hoping to resolve the situation peacefully, the creditor nations propose Venezuela submit these claims to the newly formed International Court of Permanent Arbitration in the Hague.
March 1902: The North Island Main Trunk Line is finally completed in New Zealand. The new railway will greatly improve transport in the North Island of New Zealand, acting as a further spur to economic growth. As part of the plan of railway development, a number of large government rail yards have been built capable of domestic production of locomotives. This is the first significant heavy industry established in New Zealand. These rail yards will soon acquire an international reputation for excellence, even attracting overseas orders not only from within the Empire, but also from nations such as Russia and the Ottoman Empire, as well as smaller states in the Balkans and South America.
March 1902: With most European nations unwilling to supply weapons to China, both the Northern and Southern Qing are having great difficulty equipping their armies. The issue is particularly acute for the Southern Qing as the Northern Qing control both the Hanyang Arsenal while the Chengdu Arsenal is under the control of Viceroy of Sichuan, Deshou who, while remaining undeclared is diverting its production to the Northern Qing. Fortunately Lord Salisbury's government agree to allow the Southern Qing to purchase weapons from British companies. The Southern Qing immediately place a massive order for 60 15-pdr field guns, 20 5” field howitzers, 90,000 0.303” Lee-Enfield rifles, 10,000 0.303” Lee-Enfield carbines, 150 0.303” Maxim guns, 200,000 surplus 0.303” Martini-Enfield rifles plus large quantities of ammunition for £1,000,000 {£996,868}. They also issue a contract with Armstrong-Whitworth for half a million pounds {£499,343} to construct and manage a modern arsenal at Jiangmen in Guangdong Province.
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