The Age of Imperialism

[Scott F]

June, 1885

News from the German Empire:
Colonial Funding Increased:
The Office of the Colonial Secretary announced today that the Reichstag has appropriated significant funds towards the expansion and improvement of German lands in Africa. Troops will be dispatched to civilize the native populations and will be used to protect and support the gradual expansion into Africa. Increased numbers of settlers are expected in the future, as are treaties with native tribes in the African interior. These treaties will make the tribal lands German protectorates and will greater assist in our noble effort to civilize these savages. (OOC: I am not talking about major African nations, just minor tribes not shown on the map.)

Army Mobilized for Exercises:
The German Army has been fully mobilized for military exercises and wargames around Strasbourg. These are expected to last several months. New equipment and personnel will be joining the effort as soon as they are produced or trained.

Dispatches from the Foreign Office:
To Britain and Russia:
We require an urgent conference at the ICQ hotel in either Berlin or London.
To France:
We will not tolerate your actions to fortify your border. Such actions are provocative and would create an invincible base from which you could attack the German Empire and every nation east of you. We strongly insist that to you stop construction on these fortifications and halt your military buildup to ensure future peace in Europe.

[Scott F]

[Spartan187]

To Japan
We gratefull accept your offer...

[gscott23x3]

Imperial Japanese News

Shipyards alive with activity as Imperial Navy ships begin to take form in the drydocks

National militias undergoing training to defend cities and be used in times of war

To USA: We would be interested in purchasing Ironclads and Monitors left over from your civil war fleets. We would be willing to pay top dollar for them as well as any other state of the art surplus equipment you would be willing to help.

To England: We wish to enter in an alliance with your great empire so that together we may prosper and grow strong!!

To Orania: We wish to enter in an alliance with your great nation so that together we may prosper and grow strong!! We support your efforts to gain coastline and we wish you success in all your efforts.

[gscott23x3]

OOC: My original post has been slightly edited so any who care on the state and goals of Japan can peruse through the last page!!
[This message has been edited by gscott23x3 (edited April 23, 2000).]

United States Declares War on Mexico!

Seeing the obvious choice for America's first new Imperial time, America began it's imperial quest with a declaration of war on Mexico. President James Dragon gave a speech before Congress and proclaimed that time for a new, strong, American Empire had come. The Republican Congress agreed, and Congreess formally declared war on the Republic of Mexico.

The Governors of the states Bordering Mexico has been alerterd do this as well, and had begun their own bildups of their militia. The Federal Army, Having reached it's Mobilized strength of 100,000 and being expanded to 500,000, was deployed along the Mexican Border and ready to strike. Though the United States did not yet outnumber the Mexicans, The United States had state of the art Rifles as well as Rapid Fire Artillery, the latter of which had been used to give the Germans are decisive victory against the French in ther Franco-Prussian War. Furthermore, the Mexicans lacked ships fit to go up against Any American ones.

The Mexican Campaign, part I.

The First Combat of the war occcured along the California/Baja California border, with the US invading with 10,000 Federal 10,000 California troops. The Border weas heavily populated- With San Diego being so near Tijuana and Calexico being Near Mexicali. That meant the US troops and Mexican troops started near each other, also meaning US/California artillery was well in position to begin to firing on the Mexicans. Artillery fire commenced on both sides, but the US' rapid fire aritleley gave them the Advantage the US launched a general attack into Mexican Territory. The advantage of the US advanced Rifles was evident, as American troops began to drive the Mexicans back. Seeing the disadvantage they had due to the United States starting artillery positions, Mexican forces decided to retreat to where they could fight at a more advantaged position. The Mexican troops have retreated to Sto. Tomas, allowing the US to reach as far South as Esmerelda, as well asa capturing the Sonora town of San Luis. To prevent any retreat across the Gulf of California, an American Armored Cruiser entered the Gulf of California accompanied by 3 frigates. In Sonora, a large array of towns south of Arizona were to greet the Americans, invading the province with 15,000 Federal and 5,000 Arizona troops. The Sonora Forces clashed with the US/Arizona soldiers at the town of Camanea, with the Mexicans choosing the town to be further away of the US Artillery's inital positions. The Mexicans planned to use their superior numbers here to trap the Americans. The Mexicans began a fighting withdrawal with a pinning force, and then hit the US rear guard with a strong flanking forces. US Cavalry has picked up the move and the US rear guard had dug in, but the sheer numbers of the Mexicans called for reinforcements along from the front line. The Mexicans used this oppurtunity to drive back the Americans from Cananea. Those reinforcements, however, were in a position to flank the Mexican Flanking Force and were able to destroy it. The loss of the Flanking force was too severe for the Mexican Sonora force. The US then attacked the Mexicans in full, and retook the town. The Mexicans retreated Southward to meet up with more reinforcements. In the province of Chihaua, the US invaded with 5,000 New Mexican, 5,000 Texan, and 10,000 Federal troops. The towns and Cities along the border fell like they did at Baja, including the major cities of Ciudadad and Juarez. With Suitable distance between towns, the fighting has been less intense, with The United States Steadily driving back the Mexican soldiers, with the US advancing to a Madera-Gomez Farias-Buena Ventura-Coyame-Manueal Buenavidas line. The Province of Coahiula was attacked by 5,000 Texas Soldier and 10,000 Federal Soldiers. The Mexican decided to fight it out here near the border, for altough they would face the artilery disadvantage, they would also be facing the most advantageous terrain. The US decided to get around this by means of a flanking manuever. The US Charged away from the Mexican PLateau, and Charge at it's weakest position. This broke the Mexican line, and allowed for the US pinning force to move in. A large part of Mexican Army here was destroyed, and the Mexicans were routed as a result of the flanking, and the Americans Reached the Rio de la Barbia. The Province of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipa were in such a formation that they could be treated as one province for the Purpose of the attack. It was attacked 10,000 Texas and 40,000 American troops. This "province" Felt the brunt of the US Attack- and it was here the US had both numbers and technology, as well as bombardment from ships along the coast. After the border towns here fell as they did across the entire Mexican, US troops were able to advance Rapidly. Because the US technology was so much better and the fact the US had numbers, the Mexicans had to continue to fall back to avoid destruction. US Forces there Currently hold a Monterrey-China(that's a name of a Mexican town)- Burgos- Cruillias- San Fernando line. At Sea- the US faces no serious challenge, as the American navy is using it's capital ships to assure dominance, with Frigates and Merchant Raiders used to help with the blockade. Across the US- the Militias are increasing in size along with the Federal Army to help prevent other nations.

********

Foreign Office:

To any nations wishing vengenance agaisnt the Argentine State:

Do Not allow our war with Mexico trick you into thinking we will not be able to help you. Our army will soon be reaching the size of 500,000. Providing you are willing to go along with our agreement, our armies will be ready to aid you.

To Spain: Precisely what deal are you talking about in terms of Cuba?


The US formally announced today that it had signed an alliance with Germany, with the Terms agreed to at the ICQ Hotel in Washington.

[Bearcat]

PRIME MINISTER PERSSON SHOT

Today in Stockholm while at a PR rally Premier Persson was gunned down by a suspected Argentine national. While many are suspicious that it was someone attempting to further incriminate Argentina after the beef incident in which King Oscar II was killed many people are demanding immediate retribution.

KING SENDS MESSAGE TO RUSSIA

King Gustaf V Adolf sent a message today to Russian president Bolo. The messages contents aren't avaliable yet.

NEW DRAFT BILL ISSUED

The Riksdag had issued a new draft bill today requiring 20,000 Swedes to join the armed services. All 20,000 men must be between the ages of 19 and 45 and must meet the mandatory physical given by the military.

INVESTIGATION COMPLETED

After weeks of exhausting investigation by Swedish Intelligence it has bene concluded that the beef ingested by King Oscar II came from Argentina. Furhtermore two more shipments of beef were found to have harmful chemicals in them that when ingested were fatal. One shipment was even scheduled to be sent to Britain.

To Britain - Our investigation is complete. We have proof that the Argentines are poisoning Europe's monarchs. Please back us in our war of retribution.

To Germany - Would you consider signing a strategic alliance. With both our Christian powers united we could dominate the world.

To Russia - We realize that while you are attempting to correct this problem you economy is suffering from cenuries of Tsarist corruption. We are willing to give you some more spending or saving power by purchasing Finland from you. With a good number of ethnic Swedes living in Finland and a culture closer to ours we believe that this would be mutually beneficial.
[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited April 22, 2000).]

[PolarisGL]

Well, no, you are fine. But if someone posted saying that De Gaulle was the leader of France in 1885, I'd be angry. I am thrilled you are educated enough to know that.

Yes, I speak a good bit of Italian and I also know a good chunk of history having to do with Italy post-WW1/2.

[Napoleon Bonaparte]

OOC: Polaris, are you saying we have to qualify now? I have to pass some written test? LOL. How are you with Italian? And I do take it offensively, this is supposed to be fun and also a learning experience, not a job interview.

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Almighty ruler and Resident God!!

[Napoleon Bonaparte]

OOC: I hate delivering newspapers...

Operation Iron Arms Enacted

Operation Iron Arms has been signed into bill today. The Operation calls for a portion of the military budget to go to modern defenses along the borders of France. The First Army will work on the Spainish border while the Third and Fourth Armies will be working on the Germany/Italy Border. This project will insure that France will have an iron defense to hide behind should a surprise attack occur, giving the defenders time to regroup. This Operation was deemed necessary after recent reports from Germany and Italy were recieved. The contents of the messages were not disclosed but the Government insists that all relations be normalized.

To All European Nations

We offer diplomatic contact after we have been denied much in the past months. We also offer that a Trade Union be established in Eurasia. We hope that a region-wide trade pact will encourage growth, peace, and prosperity. We know that many of you may be disturbed by our recent fortification of our borders but our foreign agents have hinted at a coalition against us.

Training going well

The German and Russian Mercenaries(for those of you that are uneasy) have been teaching our men well, already they have a Regiment picked out from each army to be used as an OpFor. After the regiments are trained the instructors will leave for their next employer, leaving only several to supervise for one year.

Navy News

The hulls have been laid for the new naval units. They are expected to be skeletons in several months, followed by the interior 2 months after that. The new ships will be commisioned in approximately 1 year, though estimations hint at slightly less.



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Almighty ruler and Resident God!!

[Spartan187]

To Germany
We gratefully accept your offer. Would you perhaps also consider sending some engineers to help us build our own armaments?
We would like to purchase 100,000 rifles and 15,000 machine guns from your nation.

Meanwhile, Oranian engineers and industrialists are visiting the factories of Europe and North America, learning first hand modern industrial techniques. These techniques will then be brought back to the homeland, and put in use to industrialize Orania...

At the growing port city of New Hague, President Linder has personally overseen the beginning of the construction on the first ship of the Oranian navy. The armored cruiser, Retief, would be the flagship of the Oranian navy, and would proclaim the might of Orania to all the world.

[Midshipman]

Free Elections In Spain
For the first time in its history, Spain held free elections to democratically elect a new leader. After four days of vote tallying, the results are in.

Samuel Nogales - New Spanish - 59%
Francisco Vena - Home Front - 32%
Juan Miguele - Conservative - 9%

Samuel Nogales has been elected Premier of Republica Espanola, behind the platform of make Spain great. To this end, he will work internetionally on both the diplomatic and military fronts to expand Spain back to the status of the world power it once was.

Partial Mobilization of Spanish Reserves
To meet with the demand for overseas work, and in the expansion of Spanish power world wide, Spain has ordered up another 100,000 reservists. It will take approximately one month or so (same time as the US) for these reservists to be ready to do battle.

Expansion into Africa
Troops from Spanish Africa have begun to move south east towards the headwaters of the Miger River. Additioanl troops will be sent as resistence increases, and these troops are needed.

Spanish Navy To Increase
Construction was ordered today on three new battleships, and six armored cruisers. Although these are expected to be the class of the world, it is not known when they will be ready.

---------------------------------------------

Foreign Relations

To Germany
From Spain
As you are one of the up and coming powers in Europe, we wish to have closer connections with you. Perhaps we could talk about a more permanet alliance between our tow powers.

To Britain
From Spain
As one of the old powers of Europe, we respect your leadership in world affairs. Perhaps we could discuss closer relations between our two great nations?

To US
From Spain
We would like there to be closer relations between our two nations. Could we talk over an alliance.
****TOP SECRET - US EYES ONLY*****
Perhaps the subject of Cuba could be discussed? Including its status within the Spanish, or American sphere of influence.
****TOP SECRET - US EYES ONLY*****

Ethiopia will gladly accept the military technology and knowhow from Germany, and German companies are welcome to trade with Ethiopia. We are proud to report that the war is going well, and that the province of Assab has been assimilated into Ethiopia after an agreement with local Eritrean tribal leaders.

In the east, the fight against the Somalians is going well. In the south, Ethiopian troops have reached lake Rudolph, and they have captured the towns of Kelem and Negele without much resistance. More northwards, Somali's have moved further eastwards as Ethiopian infantry both outnumbered and outgunned them in Dire Dawa, Imi Gode and Harer. Still most of the territory is sparsely inhabited, and most of the actual Somalian army is currently in the coastal regions. Currently, some 40.000 troops are on their way to the towns of Degeh Bur and Kebri Dehar, which are two of the remaining three strongholds of the Somali resistance in the Ogaden. Another 40.000 troops are advancing onto Moyale and Dolo Odo, so that the Somalians will be pushed back from all sides. In total, 180.000 troops are now in service, with another 20.000 being called up as we speak. About one half is on the western front, defending against the Mahdists who have not been able to make any advances against the Ethiopian army, while the other half is fighting the Somalians in the east. Western advisors have been arriving in Addis Abeba recently, and are teaching the wise men of Abyssinia in science, tactics, engineering, metallurgy, and other vital western knowledge. Still, production facilities in Ethiopia are not very good, and only a very small part of the Ethiopian army is actually equipped with rifles and other modern technology.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopians are trying to assimilate the conquered lands into their culture as much as possible. There is free movement for all Ethiopian citizens within the borders, and migration from traditional tribal homelands is actually stimulated so that there will be no divided Ethiopia anymore. Amharic has been declared the official language of all of Ethiopia, and will need to be spoken besides tribal languages. Now, only a small minority of the people in Ethiopia can read and write, but a large program has been started to improve the education, which includes military training, of the Ethiopian youth. Ethiopian Orthodox churches are being built all over Abyssinia, and missionaries are eager to convert the animists and muslims to the true faith. Hopefully, these efforts will result in pushing Ethiopia above the average African state, and make Ethiopia a role model in Africa and a regional power to be reckoned with.
[This message has been edited by BasV (edited April 22, 2000).]

[Napoleon Bonaparte]

OOC: I never said they worked for your government. I just said nationalities...there are things as mercenaries. I would post more but I am working on like 2hours sleep.

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Almighty ruler and Resident God!!

[Bolo]

The engineers had been dispatched three weeks ago, they would begin construction soon. It had been quite a feat getting the Med foothold, now Russia would finally have access to the Med. And an Alliance with Turkey, well that wasn't too bad either. They may be crumbling but they aren't gone yet, and they have a formidable industry and resources that could be expoited quite well. Best of all they were a buffer zone between any Black Sea based attack, a defeat like what occured in the Crimean war would never happened again.
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Orders from the Office of the President:
Naval Construction bill - The office of the President hereby authorizes the construction of 8 Battleships, 24 first-class Cruisers, and 10 Armoured Cruisers, along with an unspecified amount of smaller ships.

Submarine research bill - The Undersea ship has potential unseen by tradional naval thinkers, the office of the President approves research and development of this weapon.

Far East bill - The office of the President has authorized the shipping of three more corps to the Russian Far east. Along with the Battleship Potemkin.

Education bill - The office of the President has authorized the approval of the education bill. Which makes school madetory for all boys and girls aged 6 to 14. All those turning 6 will begin attending school, along with those children aged 7, 8, 9, and 10. Those above 10 will not be schooled.

Railroad bill - The Trans-Siberian railroad needs more workers. The office of the President has approved sending the XIV Corps to help.

Industry expansion bill - The office of the President has approved all applications for industrial expansion and construction. Continued industrial expansion is a must and Russian labor is cheap and cost effective.
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Foreign Affairs

To Germany: Thanks for the Engineers, we appretiate them and your continued friendship.

To France: We never sent any trainers to help you.

To Britain: Please ignore our request we no longer require your assistence.

To Turkey: President Bolo asks if you would like to take a tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg in honor of our glorious new alliance.
[This message has been edited by Bolo (edited April 22, 2000).]