Why the Chinese play cricket (an Imperial Federation timeline)
- Thread starter Miss Construction
- Start date
Thank you all. I am tough resilient and resourceful, I will get through this. Ultimately, little has changed for me. I have simply exchanged one form of daily life threatening danger for a new one. And anyway, this new form seems far safer than the old one lol
Again thank you. Once again in my life I find myself spending a lot of time in libraries. And again the cause of my troubles wouldn't know a library if you dropped one on her head lol
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I hope your situation improves, - best wishes to you
Also have you had a look at 'The Plans of War, The General Staff and British Military Strategy c.1900-1916' by John Gooch published by Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1974. Found a copy on my shelves and reading currently. A very interesting chapter on the development of the Imperial staff and negotiations with the dominions, especially the Canadians. Your timeline may have already swept past some of these discussions but still worth a look
Also have you had a look at 'The Plans of War, The General Staff and British Military Strategy c.1900-1916' by John Gooch published by Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1974. Found a copy on my shelves and reading currently. A very interesting chapter on the development of the Imperial staff and negotiations with the dominions, especially the Canadians. Your timeline may have already swept past some of these discussions but still worth a look
Oct-Dec 1909: They cost how much
~Oct-Dec 1909: They cost how much
October 1909: Since the Russo-Japanese War, Russia has been investing heavy in developing their infrastructure and industry, forcing Germany to increase its military budget to match. Attempting to reduce expenditure, German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg arranges secret talks in London to end the ruinously expensive Anglo-German Naval Arms Race. The talks initially go well, with the British equally as anxious to reduce spending. However talks founder over German insistence on tying reductions in naval building to a guarantee of British neutrality in any European war, something totally unacceptable for the British.
October 1909: Greek businessman Georgios Averof leaves 8 million drachma {£277,384} in his will to strengthen the Greek Navy. The money is used to purchase a Pisa class armoured cruiser being built on speculation in Italy. The Georgios Averof will be the most powerful warship in the region, sparking alarm in the Ottoman Empire.
October 1909: Since the Copenhagen Dano-Norwegian security meeting in April, the design of the new joint coastal defence ships has been finalised. Displacing 5,700 tons. Armed with four 11” guns, 10” belt armour and oil fired turbines giving them a speed of 18 knots, the ships would be the most powerful coastal battleships ever built. Despite their impressive nature, many are concerned regarding cost, feeling funding is politically impossible. While counter arguments are advanced regarding the discount of scale four ships will give and the significant economic benefits their construction will bring, a great deal of scepticism remains. Nevertheless it is decided to present the proposal to the Sorting and Folketing, hoping to capitalise on fears generated by the Bosnian Crisis.
October 1909: Continuing his reforms of the French Imperial Guard and unwilling to wait for the development of the proposed new self loading rifle, Emperor Napoleon IV orders the adoption of a modified version of Berthier Mle 1902 Indochinese rifle for service with the Imperial Guard and Troupes Coloniales. With a shorter 60cm barrel and improved five round en-bloc clip, though still firing the existing 8mm Lebel cartridge, the new Fusil de Garde Impériale Modèle 1909 dit “Fusil Berthier de Garde Impériale” will be a roughly compatible with British SMLE, with the rifle most frequently referred to simply as the Berthier guard rifle.
October 1909: Since reunification, Italian foreign policy has been highly expansionist. Driven by irredentist claims in Austria-Hungary, expanding interests in the Adriatic and the belief the acquisition of a colonial empire is vital to their status as a Great Power. In light of the recent political turmoil in the Ottoman Empire, the Italian government believe the time is ripe to expand into Libya. However the recent Bosnian Crisis has highlighted the extreme volatility of the situation in Europe. In order to secure Russian support for this expansion, King Victor Emanuel III and Tsar Nicholas II meet secretly in the Italian town of Racconigi. There they sign what will become known as the Racconigi Bargain agreeing to cooperate in the Balkans as well as recognising Russian interests in the Turkish straits in return for recognition of Italian interests in Libya.
November 1909: The scheduled combined Danish and Norwegian military manoeuvres are held on the Island of Zeeland, simulating defence against an armed landing at Købe Bay. The exercise highlights numerous problems with both nations militaries and efforts begin immediately on changes intended to rectify these issues. More seriously however, it alarms the German navy, increasing their belief Denmark should be occupied in the event of war.
November 1909: In one of the highest profile such cases to date, the Standard Oil Trust, which controls the vast majority of the US oil industry, is ruled to have been in violation of the Sherman Anti Trust Act. The federal court finds that despite its market share having fallen from 91% in 1904 to approximately 70%, Standard Oil has engaged in sustained anti competitive practices for many years which have allowed it to establish its dominant market position and consequently orders the company broken up. While Standard Oil will appeal, the Supreme Court upholds the verdict in 1911, finally forcing the trust to be dismantled, with 47 new independent companies created in its place.
November 1909: The program for the new joint Dano-Norwegian coastal battleships is put to the Norwegian Sorting and Danish Folketing. With new ships estimated to cost between Kr 10 and Kr 11 million {£495,872-£545,459} each, as opposed to the Kr 6 to Kr 7 million {£297,523-£347,110} for previous vessels, the proposed plan incites exactly the opposition predicted. Over the next three months fierce debate will rage in both countries regarding the ships. Matters are helped when a consortium of Danish and Norwegian industrialists raise Kr 12 million {£595,046} toward the ships through public subscription. Eventually, with fears over the threat of a European war still running high, both the Sorting and Folketing narrowly vote to approve all four ships.
November 1909: The Japanese Imperial Diet has become deeply divided by disagreements between the liberals lead by Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi and conservatives headed by his immediate predecessor Katsura Tarō. These arguments has become particularly intense regarding military spending, with the liberals determined to limit it in favour of economic development and the conservatives committed to increasing it regardless of economic disruption. Since become Prime Minister in 1906, Saionji has been heavily criticised for supposedly neglecting the navy, with only two dreadnoughts, two battlecruisers and six cruisers being ordered since 1905. Taking advantage of a sudden surge of public concern after the publications of an article in a leading Tokyo newspaper decrying the governments supposed failure to match the latest British super dreadnoughts, the conservatives are successful in forcing Saionji’s resignation, with Katsura selected to replace him.
December 1909: Hopes the formation of the Imperial Safety Police (PSI) in Brazil last year would lead to a speedy end to the Revolutionary Socialist Movement’s (MRS) terrorist campaign have proved false, with the violence appearing to continue unabated. Indeed the situation has deteriorated, as the conservative landowning elites, who still have significant power and influence have reacted forming vigilante groups to target labour leaders, liberal politicians, suspected MRS supporters and the like. The two most prominent such groups being Hermes de Fonseca’s Milícia Imperial de Salvação (MIS) or Imperial Salvation Militia and Delfin Moreira’s Frente de Proteção Nacional (FPN) or National Protection Front. In response Prime Minister Rodrigues Alves expands the PSI’s operations to include these groups.
December 1909: Emperor Shikai’s purge of the Zheng administration has resulted in tens of thousands of victims who have been variously imprisoned, executed, murdered or fled into exile. Though at first aimed at eliminating the conservative traditionalists, the Emperor also taken the opportunity to target other potential opposition. With the purge’s initial goal of removing traditionalist now largely having been completed, the Emperor begins reducing its intensity to allow some stability to return, with significantly fewer deaths as imprisonment becomes the main method of repression. Nevertheless, despite the lower level of outright violence, the purge will continue in order to protect and strengthen the Emperor’s control of the regime regime. However, with the traditionalists now gone and Emperor Shikai feeling secure due to the climate of fear generated by the purge, generated a climate of fear, he launches an series of far reaching radical reforms, many drawn from the former Guangxu Emperors program during his 200 day reforms. The goal of these reforms is to transform Zheng China into a modern state similar to Japan.
December 1909: After the revelations regarding the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State, Belgium King Leopold II’s popularity and support plunged, leaving him disgraced. Since being forced to hand control over to the Belgium government, Leopold’s health has been steadily deteriorating, leading to his eventual death. Leopold’s extreme unpopularity with his people at the time of his death results in his funeral procession being jeered and booed by the assembled crowds. With his only legitimate male heir having dies in 1869, he is succeeded by his nephew Albert. With Leopold having left the Belgium monarchy’s prestige at an unprecedented low, the new King Albert will immediately begin a campaign to restore the status of the monarchy, engaging in extensive charitable works and adopting a sober devout catholic lifestyle.
December 1909: While Canadian Vickers winning the contract for the new Russian battlecruisers well the well established shipbuilding industries of Britain, Europe and the US has become a matter of immense pride amongst Canadians, the government has taken it as a clear sign the yard no longer needs government support. Since the completion of the Trans-Canadian Railway the Province of British Colombia has been rapidly developing, with industry growing and economy booming As a consequence, the Conservative government of Premier Richard Borden a permanent naval squadron on the Pacific coast should be established, requiring the Royal Canadian Navy to further expanded and order two additional destroyers, with the orders going to smaller yards to encourage the further growth of the Canadian shipbuilding industry.
October 1909: Since the Russo-Japanese War, Russia has been investing heavy in developing their infrastructure and industry, forcing Germany to increase its military budget to match. Attempting to reduce expenditure, German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg arranges secret talks in London to end the ruinously expensive Anglo-German Naval Arms Race. The talks initially go well, with the British equally as anxious to reduce spending. However talks founder over German insistence on tying reductions in naval building to a guarantee of British neutrality in any European war, something totally unacceptable for the British.
October 1909: Greek businessman Georgios Averof leaves 8 million drachma {£277,384} in his will to strengthen the Greek Navy. The money is used to purchase a Pisa class armoured cruiser being built on speculation in Italy. The Georgios Averof will be the most powerful warship in the region, sparking alarm in the Ottoman Empire.
October 1909: Since the Copenhagen Dano-Norwegian security meeting in April, the design of the new joint coastal defence ships has been finalised. Displacing 5,700 tons. Armed with four 11” guns, 10” belt armour and oil fired turbines giving them a speed of 18 knots, the ships would be the most powerful coastal battleships ever built. Despite their impressive nature, many are concerned regarding cost, feeling funding is politically impossible. While counter arguments are advanced regarding the discount of scale four ships will give and the significant economic benefits their construction will bring, a great deal of scepticism remains. Nevertheless it is decided to present the proposal to the Sorting and Folketing, hoping to capitalise on fears generated by the Bosnian Crisis.
October 1909: Continuing his reforms of the French Imperial Guard and unwilling to wait for the development of the proposed new self loading rifle, Emperor Napoleon IV orders the adoption of a modified version of Berthier Mle 1902 Indochinese rifle for service with the Imperial Guard and Troupes Coloniales. With a shorter 60cm barrel and improved five round en-bloc clip, though still firing the existing 8mm Lebel cartridge, the new Fusil de Garde Impériale Modèle 1909 dit “Fusil Berthier de Garde Impériale” will be a roughly compatible with British SMLE, with the rifle most frequently referred to simply as the Berthier guard rifle.
October 1909: Since reunification, Italian foreign policy has been highly expansionist. Driven by irredentist claims in Austria-Hungary, expanding interests in the Adriatic and the belief the acquisition of a colonial empire is vital to their status as a Great Power. In light of the recent political turmoil in the Ottoman Empire, the Italian government believe the time is ripe to expand into Libya. However the recent Bosnian Crisis has highlighted the extreme volatility of the situation in Europe. In order to secure Russian support for this expansion, King Victor Emanuel III and Tsar Nicholas II meet secretly in the Italian town of Racconigi. There they sign what will become known as the Racconigi Bargain agreeing to cooperate in the Balkans as well as recognising Russian interests in the Turkish straits in return for recognition of Italian interests in Libya.
November 1909: The scheduled combined Danish and Norwegian military manoeuvres are held on the Island of Zeeland, simulating defence against an armed landing at Købe Bay. The exercise highlights numerous problems with both nations militaries and efforts begin immediately on changes intended to rectify these issues. More seriously however, it alarms the German navy, increasing their belief Denmark should be occupied in the event of war.
November 1909: In one of the highest profile such cases to date, the Standard Oil Trust, which controls the vast majority of the US oil industry, is ruled to have been in violation of the Sherman Anti Trust Act. The federal court finds that despite its market share having fallen from 91% in 1904 to approximately 70%, Standard Oil has engaged in sustained anti competitive practices for many years which have allowed it to establish its dominant market position and consequently orders the company broken up. While Standard Oil will appeal, the Supreme Court upholds the verdict in 1911, finally forcing the trust to be dismantled, with 47 new independent companies created in its place.
November 1909: The program for the new joint Dano-Norwegian coastal battleships is put to the Norwegian Sorting and Danish Folketing. With new ships estimated to cost between Kr 10 and Kr 11 million {£495,872-£545,459} each, as opposed to the Kr 6 to Kr 7 million {£297,523-£347,110} for previous vessels, the proposed plan incites exactly the opposition predicted. Over the next three months fierce debate will rage in both countries regarding the ships. Matters are helped when a consortium of Danish and Norwegian industrialists raise Kr 12 million {£595,046} toward the ships through public subscription. Eventually, with fears over the threat of a European war still running high, both the Sorting and Folketing narrowly vote to approve all four ships.
November 1909: The Japanese Imperial Diet has become deeply divided by disagreements between the liberals lead by Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi and conservatives headed by his immediate predecessor Katsura Tarō. These arguments has become particularly intense regarding military spending, with the liberals determined to limit it in favour of economic development and the conservatives committed to increasing it regardless of economic disruption. Since become Prime Minister in 1906, Saionji has been heavily criticised for supposedly neglecting the navy, with only two dreadnoughts, two battlecruisers and six cruisers being ordered since 1905. Taking advantage of a sudden surge of public concern after the publications of an article in a leading Tokyo newspaper decrying the governments supposed failure to match the latest British super dreadnoughts, the conservatives are successful in forcing Saionji’s resignation, with Katsura selected to replace him.
December 1909: Hopes the formation of the Imperial Safety Police (PSI) in Brazil last year would lead to a speedy end to the Revolutionary Socialist Movement’s (MRS) terrorist campaign have proved false, with the violence appearing to continue unabated. Indeed the situation has deteriorated, as the conservative landowning elites, who still have significant power and influence have reacted forming vigilante groups to target labour leaders, liberal politicians, suspected MRS supporters and the like. The two most prominent such groups being Hermes de Fonseca’s Milícia Imperial de Salvação (MIS) or Imperial Salvation Militia and Delfin Moreira’s Frente de Proteção Nacional (FPN) or National Protection Front. In response Prime Minister Rodrigues Alves expands the PSI’s operations to include these groups.
December 1909: Emperor Shikai’s purge of the Zheng administration has resulted in tens of thousands of victims who have been variously imprisoned, executed, murdered or fled into exile. Though at first aimed at eliminating the conservative traditionalists, the Emperor also taken the opportunity to target other potential opposition. With the purge’s initial goal of removing traditionalist now largely having been completed, the Emperor begins reducing its intensity to allow some stability to return, with significantly fewer deaths as imprisonment becomes the main method of repression. Nevertheless, despite the lower level of outright violence, the purge will continue in order to protect and strengthen the Emperor’s control of the regime regime. However, with the traditionalists now gone and Emperor Shikai feeling secure due to the climate of fear generated by the purge, generated a climate of fear, he launches an series of far reaching radical reforms, many drawn from the former Guangxu Emperors program during his 200 day reforms. The goal of these reforms is to transform Zheng China into a modern state similar to Japan.
December 1909: After the revelations regarding the atrocities committed in the Congo Free State, Belgium King Leopold II’s popularity and support plunged, leaving him disgraced. Since being forced to hand control over to the Belgium government, Leopold’s health has been steadily deteriorating, leading to his eventual death. Leopold’s extreme unpopularity with his people at the time of his death results in his funeral procession being jeered and booed by the assembled crowds. With his only legitimate male heir having dies in 1869, he is succeeded by his nephew Albert. With Leopold having left the Belgium monarchy’s prestige at an unprecedented low, the new King Albert will immediately begin a campaign to restore the status of the monarchy, engaging in extensive charitable works and adopting a sober devout catholic lifestyle.
December 1909: While Canadian Vickers winning the contract for the new Russian battlecruisers well the well established shipbuilding industries of Britain, Europe and the US has become a matter of immense pride amongst Canadians, the government has taken it as a clear sign the yard no longer needs government support. Since the completion of the Trans-Canadian Railway the Province of British Colombia has been rapidly developing, with industry growing and economy booming As a consequence, the Conservative government of Premier Richard Borden a permanent naval squadron on the Pacific coast should be established, requiring the Royal Canadian Navy to further expanded and order two additional destroyers, with the orders going to smaller yards to encourage the further growth of the Canadian shipbuilding industry.
@Miss Construction , great time as always! i get the feeling that italy's drea of carving themselves a piece of the sick man of europe will still be a slug mash.
And albert of belgium really has his work cut out for him.
Really hoping the best for both napoleon and the habsburgs
And albert of belgium really has his work cut out for him.
Really hoping the best for both napoleon and the habsburgs
Great new update!
Unrelated, but this article has some info about imperial planning and discussions of unified RN against CW navies.
www.navygeneralboard.com
Unrelated, but this article has some info about imperial planning and discussions of unified RN against CW navies.
The story behind the battlecruiser HMAS Australia - Navy General Board
A country gifting a dreadnought? Matthew Wright examines the origins that led to the construction of the battlecruiser HMAS Australia
www.navygeneralboard.com
Right well I'm no longer homeless and limited updating should return. Planning the next in a later today. Sadly I'm rather dysfunctional at the moment.
This how I am, how I've actually been this way since I reached safety,
My mind has collapsed. I'm unable to function without adult supervision. I can give you a detailed analysis of the events leading to the First World War from the Franco-Prussian War but I can't tell you where the supermarket is. I can't go further than the local shops on my own because I'll get lost, wander getting more and more lost till I collapse in tears screaming at my phone because I can't figure out how it works. I need everything written down for me or I'll forget what I'm doing. My brain is permanently locked in fight, flight or freeze mode and I identify everybody, and I really do mean everybody, as a threat ready to attack me at any moment. I have to ask strangers to take me to bus stops because I can't find them on my own. I quite simply have lost my ability to function in the world. It's rather hard to live like this.
This is the product of seven years of constant relentless emotional abuse by my former partner. She only laid hands on me 32 times in five years. But this is what the emotional abuse did to me. Please take domestic violence seriously lol.
Yes I'm getting professional help for this, rather a lot of it actually. But it might take some time to recover to the point where pay proper attention to this timeline. I can still write, I find it very therapeutic actually, though I had to leave my computer behind and writing on my phone is quite difficult, so things will still go slow haha.
This how I am, how I've actually been this way since I reached safety,
My mind has collapsed. I'm unable to function without adult supervision. I can give you a detailed analysis of the events leading to the First World War from the Franco-Prussian War but I can't tell you where the supermarket is. I can't go further than the local shops on my own because I'll get lost, wander getting more and more lost till I collapse in tears screaming at my phone because I can't figure out how it works. I need everything written down for me or I'll forget what I'm doing. My brain is permanently locked in fight, flight or freeze mode and I identify everybody, and I really do mean everybody, as a threat ready to attack me at any moment. I have to ask strangers to take me to bus stops because I can't find them on my own. I quite simply have lost my ability to function in the world. It's rather hard to live like this.
This is the product of seven years of constant relentless emotional abuse by my former partner. She only laid hands on me 32 times in five years. But this is what the emotional abuse did to me. Please take domestic violence seriously lol.
Yes I'm getting professional help for this, rather a lot of it actually. But it might take some time to recover to the point where pay proper attention to this timeline. I can still write, I find it very therapeutic actually, though I had to leave my computer behind and writing on my phone is quite difficult, so things will still go slow haha.
Jan-March 1910: Alaskan seal fisheries
~Jan-March 1910: Alaskan seal fisheries
January 1910: In the latest round of aviation patent cases in the US, a federal court bans aviation pioneer Glen Curtis's from flying pending the settlement of a patent violation case being brought against him by the Wright Brothers. With the US slipping further behind Europe in the development of aviation, there are increasing calls for some form of patent sharing to allow the industry to develop.
January 1910: The Greek purchase of the Georios Averof has highlighted the weakness of the Ottoman Navy, prompting the new Young Turk government to begin planning a naval building program. As an interim measure the Ottomans purchase two old German battleships. While obsolete, it is hoped they will match the Averof pending the acquisition of modern warships.
January 1910: Since its foundation in 1905 LNIB has quickly become Brazil’s premier shipping lines. In an effort to compete with the major European lines, two 45,000 GRT turbine powered liners are ordered from British yards.
January 1910: Despite his removal from French military policy making, Napoleon IV has continued his efforts to influence its course by working through friends and allies, though with only limited success. One area of particular concern to him is the lack of heavy and siege artillery. Aware of the time required to develop such pieces due to his long active service with the Royal Artillery, he bypasses normal channels and issues development contracts directly in his capacity as head of the Imperial Guard. Knowing the government would simply refuse to fund these contracts, they are to be financed from his own personal fortune and donations from wealthy allies.
January 1910: Upon taking office last year President Taft appointed Richard Ballinger as Secretary of the Interior. Since taking office Ballinger has appeared to favour business interest over conservation. This eventually leads head of the US Forestry Service Gilford Pinchot to accuse Ballinger of improper practices regarding the issue of coal mining permits on federal land. Pinchot will eventually be dismissed due to these claims. Pinchot's dismissal will alienate many progressives within the Republican Party, including former President Roosevelt, beginning a split in the party.
February 1910: Despite improvements in the efficiency of their shipbuilding industry, French submarines still require years to build. With this in part due to slow production of diesel engines, the French begin importing these from the Danish company Burmeister and Wain, eliminating this bottleneck.
February 1910: Since beginning their terrorist attacks in Egypt, former Khedive Abbas II's supporters have achieved little success, with the Empire regarding them as minor threat. However in a daring attack, they assassinate Imperial Governor Eldon Gorst. Gorst's murder, along with radical Indian terrorism, sends shock waves through the Imperial establishment, with fears terrorism could spread throughout the Empire. This will result in a series of anti terrorist legislation throughout the Empire.
February 1910: After an extremely drawn out bidding process and the Brazilian dreadnoughts just months away from completion, the Argentine Navy finally orders a pair of dreadnoughts to be built in the US. The Rivadavia class will be somewhat similar to the Brazilian ships, with the same armament of twelve 12” guns in the same layout, allowing ten to bear on the broadside, Displacing 28,000 tons and using turbine engines to reach the 21 knots, their protection is superior to the Brazilian ships. In addition to these dreadnoughts, twelve destroyers, four each from Britain, France and Germany are also ordered.
February 1910: In another attempt to extend the franchise, British Home Secretary David Lloyd George introduces the Representation of the People Bill introducing universal suffrage for both men and women. As with previous attempts, the bill provokes intense controversy.
February 1910: Since the 1891 Hague arbitration of the Bearing Sea Sealing Dispute, the Canadians and US have been monitoring seal stocks and imposing annual quotas to ensure the industry remains viable. Since the turn of the century the Canadian interpretation of the figures has been more conservative than the US, with them now seriously concerned about the number of seals being taken. However their calls to reduce quotas have been reject, with the US claiming the quotas are set at a sustainable level. In attempt to resolve the issue both sides have agreed to an independent international study into the long term trends in seal numbers. The study finds while the quotas set should have been sustainable, seal stocks are declining. leading to the conclusion quotas are being ignored resulting accusation from both sides. The Hague arbitration proved for both the Canadians and US to inspect the other nations sealing vessels to ensure compliance, though this has been avoided in a gentleman's agreement. However in light of the new study, both sides set the agreement aside in an effort to enforce the quotas.
March 1910: Having used the issue of naval expansion to bring about the resignation of former Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi, the government of Katsura Tarō orders Japan's first super dreadnought. Despite the navy calling for a 30,000 ton ship with twelve 14” guns and a speed of 23 knots, financial restraints limit the Fuso class to 26,500 tons with ten 14” guns in five twin turrets and only capable of 21 knots. Nevertheless the ships are a match for any being built by any other power and represent a major increase in the strength of the Japanese Navy. The program also calls for four additional battlecruisers. The Kongo class are based on the Royal Navy's Lion class with the amidships Q turret moved to the X position to giving the class a pair of superfiring turrets fore and aft, The Kongos will also utilise oil fired small water tube boilers, allowing them protection equivalent to a battleship. Due to the advanced nature of the design, the lead ship Kongo will be built in Britain to in order to maximise the transfer of technology to Japan.
March 1910: With political violence in Brazil continuing, there are fears terrorists may attempt to disrupt the national elections. In an effort to preserve order and prevent voter intimidation, over 40,000 police, army, naval and national guard personnel are deployed to provide security. While, other than a few isolated incidents, the heavy security ensures the elections proceed without interference, it is a reminder of the instability which is current gripping Brazil, indeed with it being a major election issue. The elections will see Gumercindo Saravia's left wing Liberal Party's share of the vote fall significantly, with many former supporters turning to the moderate Popular Party of Nilo Peçanha. Nevertheless, Rodrigues Alves Conservative Party is returned with an increased majority.
March 1910: In order to explore the potential of military aviation, the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers is formed as the Empire's first military air service. Its first aircraft are two Santos-Dumont No. 25 Gabriela two seat biplanes powered by a 30kw engine, with a speed of 120kph and endurance of four hours.
March 1910: Since 1905 there have been three major international crisis which have threatened to lead to a Great Power war and it is now generally believed such a war is inevitable in the near future. With the situation growing increasingly unpredictable, the Imperial Council begin developing a set of comprehensive plans for any eventuality. As it is considered there are two primary regions where the next crisis may rise, the Far East and Europe, with a lesser chance of a crisis in Africa or South America. There is particular concern over the Pacific, with it insufficient naval strength is being maintained in the region. However it is also clear the Imperial naval budget is now stretched to the limit. The New Zealand delegation suggests a solution. They suggest Australia, Canada and themselves should fund the construction of battlecruiser each, which in conjuration with the three Dominions navies could form the core of a Pacific fleet While both the Australians and Canadians agree, the Canadians add the ships should be designed by the three Dominions specifically for Pacific operations.
March 1910: The outbreak of terrorist violence in Egypt and India has resulted in fears of it spreading. In order to provide a comprehensive Empire wide framework for dealing with terrorism, the Suppression of Political Violence Act is passed in Westminster with almost unanimous support across the political spectrum. The act provides for a range of additional penalties to be applied to political motivated crimes, allows for groups to be declared a Criminal Political Organisation by Order in Council, with membership of such a group a criminal offence. One of the act's key principles is political crimes should be tried where they occurred and the act provides for suspected political criminals arrested elsewhere to be automatically extradited to facilitate this. While this act only initially applies to Britain, all Dominions, India, protectorates and crown colonies will have near identical legislation in place by the end of the year, India's following in less than a week.
January 1910: In the latest round of aviation patent cases in the US, a federal court bans aviation pioneer Glen Curtis's from flying pending the settlement of a patent violation case being brought against him by the Wright Brothers. With the US slipping further behind Europe in the development of aviation, there are increasing calls for some form of patent sharing to allow the industry to develop.
January 1910: The Greek purchase of the Georios Averof has highlighted the weakness of the Ottoman Navy, prompting the new Young Turk government to begin planning a naval building program. As an interim measure the Ottomans purchase two old German battleships. While obsolete, it is hoped they will match the Averof pending the acquisition of modern warships.
January 1910: Since its foundation in 1905 LNIB has quickly become Brazil’s premier shipping lines. In an effort to compete with the major European lines, two 45,000 GRT turbine powered liners are ordered from British yards.
January 1910: Despite his removal from French military policy making, Napoleon IV has continued his efforts to influence its course by working through friends and allies, though with only limited success. One area of particular concern to him is the lack of heavy and siege artillery. Aware of the time required to develop such pieces due to his long active service with the Royal Artillery, he bypasses normal channels and issues development contracts directly in his capacity as head of the Imperial Guard. Knowing the government would simply refuse to fund these contracts, they are to be financed from his own personal fortune and donations from wealthy allies.
January 1910: Upon taking office last year President Taft appointed Richard Ballinger as Secretary of the Interior. Since taking office Ballinger has appeared to favour business interest over conservation. This eventually leads head of the US Forestry Service Gilford Pinchot to accuse Ballinger of improper practices regarding the issue of coal mining permits on federal land. Pinchot will eventually be dismissed due to these claims. Pinchot's dismissal will alienate many progressives within the Republican Party, including former President Roosevelt, beginning a split in the party.
February 1910: Despite improvements in the efficiency of their shipbuilding industry, French submarines still require years to build. With this in part due to slow production of diesel engines, the French begin importing these from the Danish company Burmeister and Wain, eliminating this bottleneck.
February 1910: Since beginning their terrorist attacks in Egypt, former Khedive Abbas II's supporters have achieved little success, with the Empire regarding them as minor threat. However in a daring attack, they assassinate Imperial Governor Eldon Gorst. Gorst's murder, along with radical Indian terrorism, sends shock waves through the Imperial establishment, with fears terrorism could spread throughout the Empire. This will result in a series of anti terrorist legislation throughout the Empire.
February 1910: After an extremely drawn out bidding process and the Brazilian dreadnoughts just months away from completion, the Argentine Navy finally orders a pair of dreadnoughts to be built in the US. The Rivadavia class will be somewhat similar to the Brazilian ships, with the same armament of twelve 12” guns in the same layout, allowing ten to bear on the broadside, Displacing 28,000 tons and using turbine engines to reach the 21 knots, their protection is superior to the Brazilian ships. In addition to these dreadnoughts, twelve destroyers, four each from Britain, France and Germany are also ordered.
February 1910: In another attempt to extend the franchise, British Home Secretary David Lloyd George introduces the Representation of the People Bill introducing universal suffrage for both men and women. As with previous attempts, the bill provokes intense controversy.
February 1910: Since the 1891 Hague arbitration of the Bearing Sea Sealing Dispute, the Canadians and US have been monitoring seal stocks and imposing annual quotas to ensure the industry remains viable. Since the turn of the century the Canadian interpretation of the figures has been more conservative than the US, with them now seriously concerned about the number of seals being taken. However their calls to reduce quotas have been reject, with the US claiming the quotas are set at a sustainable level. In attempt to resolve the issue both sides have agreed to an independent international study into the long term trends in seal numbers. The study finds while the quotas set should have been sustainable, seal stocks are declining. leading to the conclusion quotas are being ignored resulting accusation from both sides. The Hague arbitration proved for both the Canadians and US to inspect the other nations sealing vessels to ensure compliance, though this has been avoided in a gentleman's agreement. However in light of the new study, both sides set the agreement aside in an effort to enforce the quotas.
March 1910: Having used the issue of naval expansion to bring about the resignation of former Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi, the government of Katsura Tarō orders Japan's first super dreadnought. Despite the navy calling for a 30,000 ton ship with twelve 14” guns and a speed of 23 knots, financial restraints limit the Fuso class to 26,500 tons with ten 14” guns in five twin turrets and only capable of 21 knots. Nevertheless the ships are a match for any being built by any other power and represent a major increase in the strength of the Japanese Navy. The program also calls for four additional battlecruisers. The Kongo class are based on the Royal Navy's Lion class with the amidships Q turret moved to the X position to giving the class a pair of superfiring turrets fore and aft, The Kongos will also utilise oil fired small water tube boilers, allowing them protection equivalent to a battleship. Due to the advanced nature of the design, the lead ship Kongo will be built in Britain to in order to maximise the transfer of technology to Japan.
March 1910: With political violence in Brazil continuing, there are fears terrorists may attempt to disrupt the national elections. In an effort to preserve order and prevent voter intimidation, over 40,000 police, army, naval and national guard personnel are deployed to provide security. While, other than a few isolated incidents, the heavy security ensures the elections proceed without interference, it is a reminder of the instability which is current gripping Brazil, indeed with it being a major election issue. The elections will see Gumercindo Saravia's left wing Liberal Party's share of the vote fall significantly, with many former supporters turning to the moderate Popular Party of Nilo Peçanha. Nevertheless, Rodrigues Alves Conservative Party is returned with an increased majority.
March 1910: In order to explore the potential of military aviation, the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers is formed as the Empire's first military air service. Its first aircraft are two Santos-Dumont No. 25 Gabriela two seat biplanes powered by a 30kw engine, with a speed of 120kph and endurance of four hours.
March 1910: Since 1905 there have been three major international crisis which have threatened to lead to a Great Power war and it is now generally believed such a war is inevitable in the near future. With the situation growing increasingly unpredictable, the Imperial Council begin developing a set of comprehensive plans for any eventuality. As it is considered there are two primary regions where the next crisis may rise, the Far East and Europe, with a lesser chance of a crisis in Africa or South America. There is particular concern over the Pacific, with it insufficient naval strength is being maintained in the region. However it is also clear the Imperial naval budget is now stretched to the limit. The New Zealand delegation suggests a solution. They suggest Australia, Canada and themselves should fund the construction of battlecruiser each, which in conjuration with the three Dominions navies could form the core of a Pacific fleet While both the Australians and Canadians agree, the Canadians add the ships should be designed by the three Dominions specifically for Pacific operations.
March 1910: The outbreak of terrorist violence in Egypt and India has resulted in fears of it spreading. In order to provide a comprehensive Empire wide framework for dealing with terrorism, the Suppression of Political Violence Act is passed in Westminster with almost unanimous support across the political spectrum. The act provides for a range of additional penalties to be applied to political motivated crimes, allows for groups to be declared a Criminal Political Organisation by Order in Council, with membership of such a group a criminal offence. One of the act's key principles is political crimes should be tried where they occurred and the act provides for suspected political criminals arrested elsewhere to be automatically extradited to facilitate this. While this act only initially applies to Britain, all Dominions, India, protectorates and crown colonies will have near identical legislation in place by the end of the year, India's following in less than a week.
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Huge hug and support. May God bless you and guide you in this difficult time
Thank you, several weeks living under a bridge and nearly dying three times indicate I'm somewhat resilient and adaptable. I'll get there, I mean what I've suffered is nothing several years of therapy won't fix. I just need to improve my taste in women lol.
Thank you but I've always found it better to focus on the writing not the writer. I'm tough and surrounded by supportive friends, one of whom has threatened to shoot her if she turns up. Pretty sure he was joking. I mean he also threatened to throw me through a window if I focused too much on the past rather than the future lol.
Thank you, I cope with black humour and understatement. As I said, focus on the writing not the writer. I've got help and am surrounded by supportive friends, I'll get there.