The Age of Imperialism

[Mao]

To: Ethiopia
From: Britain

We are more than willing to help out our brothers in Africa. We are willing to send advisors as well as companies to invest in your nation if you wish.

[PolarisGL]

To Her Majesty in Britain,

We would like to become part of this "League of Nations" as you call it. If there is a spot open for the Kingdom of Italy, I request a seat in this league. I believe that if many nations come together to discuss various issues to maintain world peace between existing established nations, we will make a more efficient living atmosphere everywhere.

-Victor Emmanuel II

[This message has been edited by PolarisGL (edited April 21, 2000).]

[Mao]

Her Majesty thanks the Kingdom of Italy greatly for his interest in peace for the world. There is a seat for all nations of the world in this new council.

[Lord Sigma]

Zulu traders flooded into Transvaal and into the Cape Colonies in Shaka Zulu II plan to develope prosperous relations with his new neighbors. The whole sceme is based on a similar move by the first Shaka Zulu.


To His Majesty, the King of England,

Only a fool would decline such an offer. I look forward to a future of prosperity with your great nation.

[Bearcat]

SWEDES CALL FOR RETRIBUTION

Massive crowds of Swedish citizens gathered in Stockholm today demanding retribution against the vile Argentines for the poisoning of good King Oscar. New King Gustaf V Adolf came out of the Palace to visit and discuss with the crowds. After an hour the King withdrew from the Square and the crowds disperssed without violence.

SWEDISH ARMY TO BE EXPANDED

Today King Gustaf and the Riksdag agreed to the expansion of the Swedish military. Premier Mats Persson and King Gustaf both signed the agreement which calls for more soldiers, better training, and modernizing and expanding the navy. Conscriptions are to be held in a month or two.

To Britain - Do you support our campagin against the Argentines?

To USA - We suggest that you allow us to destroy the cowardly Argentines before more of Europe's monarchs fall.

[Mao]

To: USA
From: Britain

We are aware of our commitment to the alliance, but we will not allow the Argentines to kill off Europe's royalty. They must be taught a lesson. We do not wish for new territory, but we must teach them a lesson.

To: Zulus
From: Britain

Excellent, we should celebrate our new-found friendship. Our garrisons in South Africa can help to train your great armies. Simply send however many men you wish to train into our colonies and we will make them excellent fighters.

To: Sweden
From: Britain

We do not wish to act too hastily, if Argentina is responsible, this action will be dealt with harshly. We hope that your findings are true.

[Black Dragon]

The United States has reached her full 100,000 mobilized strength (OOC: Scott said reach mobilized strength takes 1 month). Most of the American forces are being deployed toward the United States' Southern border with Mexico. Training is continuing so that the US may reach full strength of 100,000.

From US:
To Sweeden and Britain:

While we don't mind Punitive actions against the Argentine stater we DO mind any attempt to conquer Argentina.

From US:
To Sweeden and Britain:
TOP SECRET!

We will give our consent and participate and help you- if we are to get the Northern 3/4 of Argentina. The New World is our sphere of the world, remember.

OOC: It seems as though Mao is starting up a "league of nations" or something- for the intrests of peace. While I can't stop you from joining- I don't think peace will help this stroy thread out. This thread is supposed to be about imperialism- and having a leauge in place to attempt to stop imperialism and keep peace may hurt this thread...

[BasV]

Negus Menelik II accepts all the offered treaties, technology and investment. Our army currently numbers 130.000, but more men are being called up as we speak.

The war with the Somalians and Mahdists were going well. Several Eritrean tribes, who have saw some white men land on their soil, have allied with the Ethiopians to eradicate these unarmed men. (If Polaris is Italy, ignore the part of the Italian landing.). The tribes inhabiting the areas surrounding Massawa and Kassala have taken up arms against the Mahdist threat, and will be very useful in the campaigns. Advisors from several western nations have led to some new technological and tactical ideas, which might give the Ethiopian armies the edge over the Mahdists and Somalians.

For the moment, the Ethiopians have been trying to maintain the status quo on the western front, so that the army can focus on the weaker Somalians first. Some 60.000 troops are currently active on the eastern front, against some 50.000 on the west, while another 100.000 are being called up. Without heavy casualties, the divided Somali tribes had to retreat eastwards, as far east as British Somaliland. Ethiopian generals are still succeeding to push the Somalians back further, and most of the Ogaden is now under Ethiopian control.

[Scott F]

Berlin, April 6, 1885:
The newly elected Reichstag entered its first session today. A modified version of the 1885 Army Bill was passed the Reichstag by a wide majority. No one in the Reichstag wished to arouse Bismarck's wrath and challenge his threat to dissolve the Reichstag a second time. The Reichstag election results are as follows:

Free Conservatives: 23%
National Liberals: 14%
Catholic Center Party: 27%
German Progressive Party: 11%
Independents: 25%
(OOC: Independents include the outlawed Social Democratic Party. Do not let the lack of a majority or one large party fool you. In real life, Bismarck made coalitions between just about every single party.)

The 1885 Army Bill was modified to include funds and provisions which would more than double the size of the peacetime and mobilized forces of the Landwehr. The total peacetime size of the Landwehr would reach 850,000 men and the full mobilized size of the Landwehr would exceed 1,900,000 men. It will be a year before these figures can be reached. The officer corps is to be expanded to accommodate these increases as well. Several hundred pieces of field and heavy artillery have been ordered from Krupp to equip these new forces.

Berlin, April 8, 1885:
The Reichstag passed the 1885 Navy Bill today. This bill has ordered the construction of 12 new battleships and 30 armored cruisers. Chancellor Bismarck justified this massive naval program as "necessary to maintain and defend Germany's colonial and financial investments abroad." The warships will be built gradually over the next few years.

Dispatches from the Foreign Office:

To Ethiopia:
We will gladly sell you all of the rifles and light artillery that you would need to defeat the Mahdists and the Somalis. For concessions to allow us to invest in your nation, we will send a team of German officers, the finest in the world, to train your men and their leaders.

To Russia:
We are glad to continue our alliance. We will also send a team of engineers to assist in your railroad program.

To Britain:
We are glad that you accepted our alliance proposal. We will join you in this novel concept of yours that you call a League of Nations. We are very skeptical, but all noble ideas deserve a chance.

To the Boers:
We offer you the same arrangement we proposed to the Ethiopians.

To France:
We never dispatched trainers or advisors to help you with your army. Not that even our fine and knowledgeable advice could help an army as pathetic as yours. We are watching this new, militaristic, and hostile government of yours. Be forewarned that we will not sit still for any expansion. It would mean a repeat of 1871.

OOC: I am mod, BTW.

[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).]

[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!!

[BasV]

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).]

[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.

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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*****

[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.

[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!!