July-Sept 1905: Last of the Manchus
~July-Sept 1905: Last of the Manchus
July 1905: US Secretary of State John Hay's health has been deteriorating for some time. Despite his attempt to remaining working, he eventually succumbs. Roosevelt appoints Secretary of War Elihu Root as his replacement, with Colonial Secretary William Taft taking over as Secretary for War. While Root will continue to hold the US relationship with Britain as very important, Hay's death marks the beginning of a decline in Anglo-American cooperation.
July 1905: With the end of the Russo-Japanese War in sight and the reforms of the Elgin and Esher Committees well underway, the only remaining security issue facing the Empire are the growing tensions with Germany. With the return of Chamberlain's Liberals to power, the British focus has returned to increasing economic integration within the Empire. With the new Canadian government determined to end Imperial influence over the economic policy. The inevitable clash between the two will dominate the Quebec Imperial Conference. The first dispute will come over the Canadians desire to abandon the Imperial Common Market and return to the limited Imperial preference scheme of 1886. The British on the other hand propose the common market be extended by introducing common tariff scheme on non-Imperial goods. While the Canadians find some support for their desire to regain more control over trade, primarily from Newfoundland, there is no support for a return to the 1886 scheme, though there is limited support for considering some kind of common internal tariff. In contrast the British proposal to extend the common market is widely supported, though it will founder due to the Canadians refusal to compromise. The British then raise the matter of India. Despite the 1901 Melbourne agreement on introducing preferential tariffs on Indian goods, little has been done outside of Britain. Here Canadian opposition finds greater support, with agreement only on reviewing progress on the 1901 agreement at the next Imperial Conference. With little practical having been achieved, many are disappointed by the end of the conference, with the blame being placed largely on Canadian obstructionism. Nonetheless, the next conference is scheduled for 1907 in Johannesburg, with most hopeful of better results.
July 1905: Since the election of Tan Sitong as Xianfa Grand Chancellor, the Guangxu Emperor has been discussing the matter of his future position with the Grand Council, expressing his belief he should abdicate in favour of a Han Chinese candidate for Emperor to further increase stability in Xianfa China. However despite his argument regarding the supposed unpopularity of his supposed 'foreign' Manchu origins, the twelve members of the Grand Council almost unanimously utterly rejects the idea, stating clearly their horror at the idea of losing his proven abilities as a leader. Grand Chancellor Tan Sitong and Internal Affairs Minister Kang Youwei go as far as almost demanding he remains on the throne, claiming the stability of Xianfa China depends on retaining his steady hand as head of state. The only opposition to the Emperor remaining on the throne comes from the republican Minister of War Sun Yat-sen and Minister of Justice Huang Xing. Faced with this response, the Emperor abandons his plans to abdicate, though stressing he wishes the monarchy to take on a more modern and pan sinitic face.
July 1905: With their crushing defeats at Mukden and Tsushima, and growing domestic unrest, the Russians are finally willing to consider negotiations to end to Russo-Japanese War. However they reject the possibility of British or US mediation due their support for Japan. The Japanese likewise reject any suggestion of German or Austro-Hungarian mediation. Eventually it agreed to accept mediation by French Emperor Napoleon IV, with the peace conference to be held in Paris.
August 1905: With the Tangier Crisis growing worse and Anglo-French relations continuing to improve, German Chief of Staff, Alfred von Schlieffen develops a plan for war with the Franco-Russian Entente. Under this plan, a defensive posture would be adopted against Russia, while the bulk of the German Army advance through Belgium and the Netherlands outflanking the French frontier fortifications. The intention is to defeat the French and capture Paris before Russian can fully mobilise or British intervention could eventuate. With the French defeated and British involvement avoided, the full strength of the German Army can then be deployed against Russia to secure victory. The plan is criticised by Navy Chief Admiral Tirpitz, pushing for an occupation of Denmark to control access to the Baltic. Schlieffen counters violating Danish neutrality would greatly increase the risk of British intervention while the aim can be achieved just as well by pressuring the Danes to close the Danish Straits.
August 1905: The 1905/06 Royal Navy estimates presented by First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill show the very distinct influence of First Sea Lord Fisher's opinions, especially his quest for higher speeds. While no new battleships are ordered pending the completion of HMS Dreadnought's trials, three new fast armoured cruisers are included. The Invincible class are similar to the Japanese Tsukuba class, combining high speed and limited protection with battleship armament. The Invincible class are armed with eight 12” guns in twin turrets, a pair superfiring forward, with one amidships and one aft, combined with a speed of 26 knots. However their protection is limited to the same scale as the earlier Minotaur class. The same quest for speed is found in the order for destroyers. The five Tribal class almost twice the size of the previous River class and capable of 33 knots, achieved by the adoption of oil firing and turbine propulsion. These are accompanied by an even larger ship, HMS Swift, intended to replace cruisers as flotilla leaders and twelve smaller Cricket class coastal destroyers. The estimates also include six small light cruisers, two of which will be built at the Triconmalee Royal Dockyard in Ceylon to increase its experience.
August 1905: Negotiations in Paris to end the Russo-Japanese have dragged on for nearly a month, with the Russians refusing to contemplate any territorial concessions or the imposition of an indemnity. Faced with Russian intransigence, the British and US eventually threaten to extend further loans to the Japanese, allowing them to continue the war. With their country on the verge of revolution, the Russians can not afford a resumption of hostilities, forcing them to soften their stance. However, the negotiations now stall over the Japanese demand for a massive indemnity to offset the immense cost of the war. Eventually a compromise deal is proposed. The Russians will withdraw from Manchuria returning it to Zheng control, with their commercial concessions transferred to the Japanese. Dal'niy, Sakhalin Island and the Kuriles will be ceded to Japan, and the Russian will pay a indemnity of sixty million yen {£6,1073,552}. While the Japanese demanded a sum twenty times greater, the British and US make it clear they will not finance the continuation of the war if the terms are refused. Facing bankruptcy the Japanese are forced to accept. Public anger over the supposedly lenient terms of the Treaty of Paris will result in rioting in Tokyo and eventually lead to the fall of the Japanese government.
September 1905: Despite easily passing the Commons, the Representation of the People Bill establishing universal suffrage in Britain is defeated in the Lords. With Chamberlain having made it an issue of confidence, his government duly resigns, forcing new elections.
September 1905: In his first step to modernise and sinicise the institution of the Xianfa Emperor, the Guangxu Emperor formally changes his clan name from the Manchu Aisin-Gioro to Chinese Jin, in addition to ceasing the use of his regnal name for all but the most formal situations, instead taking the title Emperor Zaitian for almost all uses. In line with her Husband, the Empress Keshun adopts her personal name becoming Empress Ilha.
September 1905: Germany, seeking to expand their interests in China, offer the Zheng ten million marks {£481,925} along with arranging for German banks to advance another two hundred million marks {£9,638,497} in loans in return for extensive concessions in Anhui and Jiangsu. Despite these concessions coming at the expense of British interests, Emperor Shikai accepts the offer, keeping the agreement made to gain German support for his coup. With the deal finalised, German will switch its diplomatic recognition from the Xianfa to the Zheng as the legitimate government of China, the first nation to do so. While most of the money will go to developing the Zheng economy, a portion will be diverted to purchasing two small cruisers and four destroyers from German yards in an effort to create a navy to challenge the Xianfa.
September 1905: The Norwegian independence referendum votes overwhelmingly in favour of separation from Sweden. The British immediately declare their support for Norwegian independence, followed by France, Italy Russia and the US. Faced with such international support for Norway, the Swedish Riksdag agrees to dissolve the union. Two months later a second Norwegian plebiscite will offer the throne to Prince Karl of Denmark, who will become King Haakon VII of Norway.
July 1905: US Secretary of State John Hay's health has been deteriorating for some time. Despite his attempt to remaining working, he eventually succumbs. Roosevelt appoints Secretary of War Elihu Root as his replacement, with Colonial Secretary William Taft taking over as Secretary for War. While Root will continue to hold the US relationship with Britain as very important, Hay's death marks the beginning of a decline in Anglo-American cooperation.
July 1905: With the end of the Russo-Japanese War in sight and the reforms of the Elgin and Esher Committees well underway, the only remaining security issue facing the Empire are the growing tensions with Germany. With the return of Chamberlain's Liberals to power, the British focus has returned to increasing economic integration within the Empire. With the new Canadian government determined to end Imperial influence over the economic policy. The inevitable clash between the two will dominate the Quebec Imperial Conference. The first dispute will come over the Canadians desire to abandon the Imperial Common Market and return to the limited Imperial preference scheme of 1886. The British on the other hand propose the common market be extended by introducing common tariff scheme on non-Imperial goods. While the Canadians find some support for their desire to regain more control over trade, primarily from Newfoundland, there is no support for a return to the 1886 scheme, though there is limited support for considering some kind of common internal tariff. In contrast the British proposal to extend the common market is widely supported, though it will founder due to the Canadians refusal to compromise. The British then raise the matter of India. Despite the 1901 Melbourne agreement on introducing preferential tariffs on Indian goods, little has been done outside of Britain. Here Canadian opposition finds greater support, with agreement only on reviewing progress on the 1901 agreement at the next Imperial Conference. With little practical having been achieved, many are disappointed by the end of the conference, with the blame being placed largely on Canadian obstructionism. Nonetheless, the next conference is scheduled for 1907 in Johannesburg, with most hopeful of better results.
July 1905: Since the election of Tan Sitong as Xianfa Grand Chancellor, the Guangxu Emperor has been discussing the matter of his future position with the Grand Council, expressing his belief he should abdicate in favour of a Han Chinese candidate for Emperor to further increase stability in Xianfa China. However despite his argument regarding the supposed unpopularity of his supposed 'foreign' Manchu origins, the twelve members of the Grand Council almost unanimously utterly rejects the idea, stating clearly their horror at the idea of losing his proven abilities as a leader. Grand Chancellor Tan Sitong and Internal Affairs Minister Kang Youwei go as far as almost demanding he remains on the throne, claiming the stability of Xianfa China depends on retaining his steady hand as head of state. The only opposition to the Emperor remaining on the throne comes from the republican Minister of War Sun Yat-sen and Minister of Justice Huang Xing. Faced with this response, the Emperor abandons his plans to abdicate, though stressing he wishes the monarchy to take on a more modern and pan sinitic face.
July 1905: With their crushing defeats at Mukden and Tsushima, and growing domestic unrest, the Russians are finally willing to consider negotiations to end to Russo-Japanese War. However they reject the possibility of British or US mediation due their support for Japan. The Japanese likewise reject any suggestion of German or Austro-Hungarian mediation. Eventually it agreed to accept mediation by French Emperor Napoleon IV, with the peace conference to be held in Paris.
August 1905: With the Tangier Crisis growing worse and Anglo-French relations continuing to improve, German Chief of Staff, Alfred von Schlieffen develops a plan for war with the Franco-Russian Entente. Under this plan, a defensive posture would be adopted against Russia, while the bulk of the German Army advance through Belgium and the Netherlands outflanking the French frontier fortifications. The intention is to defeat the French and capture Paris before Russian can fully mobilise or British intervention could eventuate. With the French defeated and British involvement avoided, the full strength of the German Army can then be deployed against Russia to secure victory. The plan is criticised by Navy Chief Admiral Tirpitz, pushing for an occupation of Denmark to control access to the Baltic. Schlieffen counters violating Danish neutrality would greatly increase the risk of British intervention while the aim can be achieved just as well by pressuring the Danes to close the Danish Straits.
August 1905: The 1905/06 Royal Navy estimates presented by First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill show the very distinct influence of First Sea Lord Fisher's opinions, especially his quest for higher speeds. While no new battleships are ordered pending the completion of HMS Dreadnought's trials, three new fast armoured cruisers are included. The Invincible class are similar to the Japanese Tsukuba class, combining high speed and limited protection with battleship armament. The Invincible class are armed with eight 12” guns in twin turrets, a pair superfiring forward, with one amidships and one aft, combined with a speed of 26 knots. However their protection is limited to the same scale as the earlier Minotaur class. The same quest for speed is found in the order for destroyers. The five Tribal class almost twice the size of the previous River class and capable of 33 knots, achieved by the adoption of oil firing and turbine propulsion. These are accompanied by an even larger ship, HMS Swift, intended to replace cruisers as flotilla leaders and twelve smaller Cricket class coastal destroyers. The estimates also include six small light cruisers, two of which will be built at the Triconmalee Royal Dockyard in Ceylon to increase its experience.
August 1905: Negotiations in Paris to end the Russo-Japanese have dragged on for nearly a month, with the Russians refusing to contemplate any territorial concessions or the imposition of an indemnity. Faced with Russian intransigence, the British and US eventually threaten to extend further loans to the Japanese, allowing them to continue the war. With their country on the verge of revolution, the Russians can not afford a resumption of hostilities, forcing them to soften their stance. However, the negotiations now stall over the Japanese demand for a massive indemnity to offset the immense cost of the war. Eventually a compromise deal is proposed. The Russians will withdraw from Manchuria returning it to Zheng control, with their commercial concessions transferred to the Japanese. Dal'niy, Sakhalin Island and the Kuriles will be ceded to Japan, and the Russian will pay a indemnity of sixty million yen {£6,1073,552}. While the Japanese demanded a sum twenty times greater, the British and US make it clear they will not finance the continuation of the war if the terms are refused. Facing bankruptcy the Japanese are forced to accept. Public anger over the supposedly lenient terms of the Treaty of Paris will result in rioting in Tokyo and eventually lead to the fall of the Japanese government.
September 1905: Despite easily passing the Commons, the Representation of the People Bill establishing universal suffrage in Britain is defeated in the Lords. With Chamberlain having made it an issue of confidence, his government duly resigns, forcing new elections.
September 1905: In his first step to modernise and sinicise the institution of the Xianfa Emperor, the Guangxu Emperor formally changes his clan name from the Manchu Aisin-Gioro to Chinese Jin, in addition to ceasing the use of his regnal name for all but the most formal situations, instead taking the title Emperor Zaitian for almost all uses. In line with her Husband, the Empress Keshun adopts her personal name becoming Empress Ilha.
September 1905: Germany, seeking to expand their interests in China, offer the Zheng ten million marks {£481,925} along with arranging for German banks to advance another two hundred million marks {£9,638,497} in loans in return for extensive concessions in Anhui and Jiangsu. Despite these concessions coming at the expense of British interests, Emperor Shikai accepts the offer, keeping the agreement made to gain German support for his coup. With the deal finalised, German will switch its diplomatic recognition from the Xianfa to the Zheng as the legitimate government of China, the first nation to do so. While most of the money will go to developing the Zheng economy, a portion will be diverted to purchasing two small cruisers and four destroyers from German yards in an effort to create a navy to challenge the Xianfa.
September 1905: The Norwegian independence referendum votes overwhelmingly in favour of separation from Sweden. The British immediately declare their support for Norwegian independence, followed by France, Italy Russia and the US. Faced with such international support for Norway, the Swedish Riksdag agrees to dissolve the union. Two months later a second Norwegian plebiscite will offer the throne to Prince Karl of Denmark, who will become King Haakon VII of Norway.
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