DisNES3 - Sins of our Fathers
- Thread starter Disenfrancised
- Start date
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
Miniupdate 1906 Jan-Mar
The international system in Eastern Europe is under going some turmoil as von Schillingsfürst, the Prussian Chancellor, hosted a small meeting of important ministers in Berlin, which ended in the announcement of a new alliance system; the Nordic alliance. Included in the proposed initial members were the kingdoms and duchies of the Prussian union, Finland and Sweden (good thing too or the Nordic would have somewhat silly otherwise). Prussia and Sweden have agreed upon the alliance, and though the King and chancellor of Finland have not forwarded their formal agreement as of yet it is widely considered likely that they will join. Although in reality this is merely a formalization of relationships that already exist it has caused waves in the wider world; Moscow seeing this as a direct alliance against them and a worrying sign of increasing Prussian influence, Paris agreeing with the latter reason, and London happy to see a more secure Prussia but worried about Prussias increasing influence over Sweden effecting iron exports and British industry.
The Prussian diplomatic service has not been idle in the wider world either; fostering good relations with the United States and the more prosperous Latin American nations and the various Asian nations as well. In only one case have they been conspicuous by absence; the Prussian commercial interests that have been forging up the Min and Pearl rivers in china negotiating deals and building commercial and technical links have been much more restrained in the last few months, with most concerns pulling back to the coastal cities though some continue on. Instead Prussia has been investing more along the coastal settlements from Saigon to Tianjin.
Britain has also been making international deals when, at the behest of the Bairdstown parliament in the Plate, Westminster extended a statement of protection over the Bolivar Republic of Perus integrity. Brazil of course was enraged by this and Brazilian newspapers made a pretty penny with opinion pieces on British Meddling and Imperialism, though it did not meet much exclamation elsewhere. Westminster has also begun implementing and tuning the system of tariffs with the empire with the intention to create a large reduced tariff zone within the empire with fixed tariffs to the outside world, the Dominion of the Plate (perhaps having most to gain from this plan) has approved it, but confirmations are awaiting the approval of the other two Dominions. A fly in the ointment that has caused much discussion in the British Parliament is the relationship of the US in this system; in an attempt to strengthen relations between the English-speaking peoples it is proposed that the US has favoured status above the rest of the world but beneath that of an imperial region. Striking a balance has been tricky and discussions are still ongoing as the British fear that American industry and agriculture will flood their markets, whilst some Americans, in a pale echo of the Brazilian outrage, worry about the undue influence British finance could generate.
Onto America now, where President Roosevelt has followed a path that has pleased, annoyed, bit above all bewildered both internationalist and isolationist factions in Congress. A withdrawal from the Far eastern provinces along the Ussuri as they were transferred to Japanese control was cheered by the isolationists, who where then shocked when control of Hawaii (a further example of Anglo-American cooperation) was negotiated. Though a formal statement of policy is awaited, the President seems to be continuing his prior big navy policy by gaining island bases such as Hawaii and Sakhalin far from American soil to act as an outer protective line. In the transferred territories themselves the Ussuri Americans are unconcerned as their rights have been contractually stipulated, but the Russians and Asian populations are considerably unsettled the latter due to the Japanese reputation in Korea, the former at the concept of Asians being put in charge over them, and large numbers are openly flouting Japanese authority, calling for Russian aid, or fleeing to the great port cities of Jefferson [1]. In Hawaii the American and British efforts to placate the locals pays off and the transfer is met with cautious optimism. The Japanese are happy about their new gains as a sign of their increasing prestige and security, though some worry about the new border with Russia, and some Manchu are politely raising the question that the Ussuri provinces are part of historic Manchuria. Back in Washington D.C there are rumours that Roosevelt plan has further stages but despite the frequent entertaining of the French Ambassador at the white house nothing has occurred officially
A minor incident occurs when Italian observation planes are found flying over Neapolitan territory without authorization to annoyance of some in Naples and the indifference of some in Venice.
France and Japan have begun working closer together, with the exchange of many experts and technical manuals; though there has not been great pay off yet the trade and industry departments of the two governments wax lyrical about the long term benefits of the exchanges.
The March of Socialism
Years of war have wracked the Iberian Peninsula, and the people have cried out for change, and for better or worse that call has been answered by the socialist revolutionaries of Madrid. Their realm has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the march of their armies, the successful propagation of their revolutionary ideals and pan-Iberian rhetoric together their efforts to restore services causing the poor and dispossessed to flock to their cause, as the remaining wealthy and middle class Spaniards and Portuguese flee to the friendly states of the new world.
There have been two bold thrusts by the Consejo with the first revolutionary army punching through to the northern coast and surrounding the pocket of the poorly armed and organised Galician regionalists. In the south the 2nd army achieved success also, marching south from Lisbon into Andalusia and using their small quantity of artillery to devastate the regionalists in the battle of Nerva before marching on Seville. The battle of Seville was long and hard and fought street to street the natural environment of the Consejos forces most of who were recruited from the poor of Lisbon and Madrid. After a month of urban combat the Consejo was in control of Seville, and only the Catalan nationalists remain to challenge their power as a coherent political force, though the Catalan leadership seems paralyzed.
The triumphs of the Consejo brought heart to the left wing radicals across Europe, and one Rhenish newssheet went so far as to run the headline Today Seville, tomorrow Paris?, but the great powers of Europe; Britain and France continue to do nothing more than beef up their border garrisons and observation patrols. Perhaps it is the ever tension between the two cancelling out any chance of action in Spain, neither wishing to have their troops bogged down or allow the other to gain the territory, or perhaps it is merely lethargy and confusion on behalf of the respective governments.
Madrid Consejo: 3 -- Infantry Divisions lost, 9 Militia Volunteers -- gained.
An Oriental Affair
It was an eerie parallel to the events of sixty years ago when a squadron of powerful ships sailed into a bustling Asian port city; back then it was the Black Ships of the British opening up Japan, this time it was the Japanese turn, and their target the Vietnamese. The powerful Japanese battleships scattered the light Vietnamese ships before them like clown fish before a shark and at precisely noon on March 5th began shelling the cities of Hue, Saigon and Haiphong. The Vietnamese fleets main strength, which could have at least slowed the bombardment down or maybe even defeat one of the Japanese squadrons, was no where to be found. The reason for that had became apparent to the high ranking nobles and ministers of the Nam Viet some four hours earlier when the King had summoned them to his chambers and delivered a shocking announcement; not only was the king aware of the impending attack and had sent the fleet south, but he intended to surrender to the Japanese to allow them to establish a protectorate. The lords were outraged over this unilateral decision, but with the kings guards pointing guns to their heads were unable to do anything as the king left for the harbour until their own guards, never very far away in the still semi-feudal society came and rescued them and the lords broke out into the city.
While that occurred the king was down in the harbour attempting to surrender to the Japanese envoy, who refused it and ordered the bombardment begun. With the city in disarray from the falling shells the various lords considered their options, some deciding to side with the king after all, others leaving the city to organise resistance. When a crack Japanese amphibious assault wiped out the Kings small defensive forces in the harbour in the early afternoon the city descended into anarchy and the last vestiges of the kings authority, never as strong as the divine mandate owed to the emperors of Chin and Japan vanished with his complete defeat. The king was taken by Japanese forces clearly intent on creating a puppet kingdom, and the military forces, often more loyal to their local commander than the central authority scattered to the winds.
The aftermath of the initial attacks was chaotic; as the hill garrisons, unsure of their wage and ration, returned to the coasts the hilly hinterlands erupted in tribal rebellion. The lords of the centre after hearing the Japanese promises (and threats) declared their allegiance (but not their respect it appeared) to the king and soon stabilised the area. The lords of the north had to be crushed by Japanese troops directly, causing much concern to the Chinese beyond the border. The lords of the south and merchentile elite of the southern cities continue on outside Japanese/Royal control and were the destination of the returning Vietnamese fleet, managing to drive the Japanese north after some harsh skirmishes, but their days appear numbered and they are considering a number of extreme options to remain outside the tight Japanese grip. Many have even considered offering the protectorate of their profitable lands to the Prussians or British, both who are said to have a very light touch on their Asian regions and who have been trading profitable with Vietnam for many years (especially with the recent reorientation of Prussian activity).
Kingdom of Vietnam: Lost 2 Divisions - -, 8 Divisions - - deserted. 2 Escorts, 10 Light Ships lost
Empire of Japan: No division level losses, 1 Escort lost
Notes
[1] State covering OTL Washington and British Colombia
@ JosefStalinator: yes your guys are much better than the Vietnamese they still need logistics and fleet support
@Symphony D. American fleets are aqua as the blue colour does not show up well on the seas
@shortguy:
So thats the first mini-update; stats changes (army organisation will come tomorrow) along with the deadline for the next mini-update and NPC military positions on the map. Everyone who hasn't sent in economic and domestic orders should do so.
The international system in Eastern Europe is under going some turmoil as von Schillingsfürst, the Prussian Chancellor, hosted a small meeting of important ministers in Berlin, which ended in the announcement of a new alliance system; the Nordic alliance. Included in the proposed initial members were the kingdoms and duchies of the Prussian union, Finland and Sweden (good thing too or the Nordic would have somewhat silly otherwise). Prussia and Sweden have agreed upon the alliance, and though the King and chancellor of Finland have not forwarded their formal agreement as of yet it is widely considered likely that they will join. Although in reality this is merely a formalization of relationships that already exist it has caused waves in the wider world; Moscow seeing this as a direct alliance against them and a worrying sign of increasing Prussian influence, Paris agreeing with the latter reason, and London happy to see a more secure Prussia but worried about Prussias increasing influence over Sweden effecting iron exports and British industry.
The Prussian diplomatic service has not been idle in the wider world either; fostering good relations with the United States and the more prosperous Latin American nations and the various Asian nations as well. In only one case have they been conspicuous by absence; the Prussian commercial interests that have been forging up the Min and Pearl rivers in china negotiating deals and building commercial and technical links have been much more restrained in the last few months, with most concerns pulling back to the coastal cities though some continue on. Instead Prussia has been investing more along the coastal settlements from Saigon to Tianjin.
Britain has also been making international deals when, at the behest of the Bairdstown parliament in the Plate, Westminster extended a statement of protection over the Bolivar Republic of Perus integrity. Brazil of course was enraged by this and Brazilian newspapers made a pretty penny with opinion pieces on British Meddling and Imperialism, though it did not meet much exclamation elsewhere. Westminster has also begun implementing and tuning the system of tariffs with the empire with the intention to create a large reduced tariff zone within the empire with fixed tariffs to the outside world, the Dominion of the Plate (perhaps having most to gain from this plan) has approved it, but confirmations are awaiting the approval of the other two Dominions. A fly in the ointment that has caused much discussion in the British Parliament is the relationship of the US in this system; in an attempt to strengthen relations between the English-speaking peoples it is proposed that the US has favoured status above the rest of the world but beneath that of an imperial region. Striking a balance has been tricky and discussions are still ongoing as the British fear that American industry and agriculture will flood their markets, whilst some Americans, in a pale echo of the Brazilian outrage, worry about the undue influence British finance could generate.
Onto America now, where President Roosevelt has followed a path that has pleased, annoyed, bit above all bewildered both internationalist and isolationist factions in Congress. A withdrawal from the Far eastern provinces along the Ussuri as they were transferred to Japanese control was cheered by the isolationists, who where then shocked when control of Hawaii (a further example of Anglo-American cooperation) was negotiated. Though a formal statement of policy is awaited, the President seems to be continuing his prior big navy policy by gaining island bases such as Hawaii and Sakhalin far from American soil to act as an outer protective line. In the transferred territories themselves the Ussuri Americans are unconcerned as their rights have been contractually stipulated, but the Russians and Asian populations are considerably unsettled the latter due to the Japanese reputation in Korea, the former at the concept of Asians being put in charge over them, and large numbers are openly flouting Japanese authority, calling for Russian aid, or fleeing to the great port cities of Jefferson [1]. In Hawaii the American and British efforts to placate the locals pays off and the transfer is met with cautious optimism. The Japanese are happy about their new gains as a sign of their increasing prestige and security, though some worry about the new border with Russia, and some Manchu are politely raising the question that the Ussuri provinces are part of historic Manchuria. Back in Washington D.C there are rumours that Roosevelt plan has further stages but despite the frequent entertaining of the French Ambassador at the white house nothing has occurred officially
A minor incident occurs when Italian observation planes are found flying over Neapolitan territory without authorization to annoyance of some in Naples and the indifference of some in Venice.
France and Japan have begun working closer together, with the exchange of many experts and technical manuals; though there has not been great pay off yet the trade and industry departments of the two governments wax lyrical about the long term benefits of the exchanges.
The March of Socialism
Years of war have wracked the Iberian Peninsula, and the people have cried out for change, and for better or worse that call has been answered by the socialist revolutionaries of Madrid. Their realm has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the march of their armies, the successful propagation of their revolutionary ideals and pan-Iberian rhetoric together their efforts to restore services causing the poor and dispossessed to flock to their cause, as the remaining wealthy and middle class Spaniards and Portuguese flee to the friendly states of the new world.
There have been two bold thrusts by the Consejo with the first revolutionary army punching through to the northern coast and surrounding the pocket of the poorly armed and organised Galician regionalists. In the south the 2nd army achieved success also, marching south from Lisbon into Andalusia and using their small quantity of artillery to devastate the regionalists in the battle of Nerva before marching on Seville. The battle of Seville was long and hard and fought street to street the natural environment of the Consejos forces most of who were recruited from the poor of Lisbon and Madrid. After a month of urban combat the Consejo was in control of Seville, and only the Catalan nationalists remain to challenge their power as a coherent political force, though the Catalan leadership seems paralyzed.
The triumphs of the Consejo brought heart to the left wing radicals across Europe, and one Rhenish newssheet went so far as to run the headline Today Seville, tomorrow Paris?, but the great powers of Europe; Britain and France continue to do nothing more than beef up their border garrisons and observation patrols. Perhaps it is the ever tension between the two cancelling out any chance of action in Spain, neither wishing to have their troops bogged down or allow the other to gain the territory, or perhaps it is merely lethargy and confusion on behalf of the respective governments.
Madrid Consejo: 3 -- Infantry Divisions lost, 9 Militia Volunteers -- gained.
An Oriental Affair
It was an eerie parallel to the events of sixty years ago when a squadron of powerful ships sailed into a bustling Asian port city; back then it was the Black Ships of the British opening up Japan, this time it was the Japanese turn, and their target the Vietnamese. The powerful Japanese battleships scattered the light Vietnamese ships before them like clown fish before a shark and at precisely noon on March 5th began shelling the cities of Hue, Saigon and Haiphong. The Vietnamese fleets main strength, which could have at least slowed the bombardment down or maybe even defeat one of the Japanese squadrons, was no where to be found. The reason for that had became apparent to the high ranking nobles and ministers of the Nam Viet some four hours earlier when the King had summoned them to his chambers and delivered a shocking announcement; not only was the king aware of the impending attack and had sent the fleet south, but he intended to surrender to the Japanese to allow them to establish a protectorate. The lords were outraged over this unilateral decision, but with the kings guards pointing guns to their heads were unable to do anything as the king left for the harbour until their own guards, never very far away in the still semi-feudal society came and rescued them and the lords broke out into the city.
While that occurred the king was down in the harbour attempting to surrender to the Japanese envoy, who refused it and ordered the bombardment begun. With the city in disarray from the falling shells the various lords considered their options, some deciding to side with the king after all, others leaving the city to organise resistance. When a crack Japanese amphibious assault wiped out the Kings small defensive forces in the harbour in the early afternoon the city descended into anarchy and the last vestiges of the kings authority, never as strong as the divine mandate owed to the emperors of Chin and Japan vanished with his complete defeat. The king was taken by Japanese forces clearly intent on creating a puppet kingdom, and the military forces, often more loyal to their local commander than the central authority scattered to the winds.
The aftermath of the initial attacks was chaotic; as the hill garrisons, unsure of their wage and ration, returned to the coasts the hilly hinterlands erupted in tribal rebellion. The lords of the centre after hearing the Japanese promises (and threats) declared their allegiance (but not their respect it appeared) to the king and soon stabilised the area. The lords of the north had to be crushed by Japanese troops directly, causing much concern to the Chinese beyond the border. The lords of the south and merchentile elite of the southern cities continue on outside Japanese/Royal control and were the destination of the returning Vietnamese fleet, managing to drive the Japanese north after some harsh skirmishes, but their days appear numbered and they are considering a number of extreme options to remain outside the tight Japanese grip. Many have even considered offering the protectorate of their profitable lands to the Prussians or British, both who are said to have a very light touch on their Asian regions and who have been trading profitable with Vietnam for many years (especially with the recent reorientation of Prussian activity).
Kingdom of Vietnam: Lost 2 Divisions - -, 8 Divisions - - deserted. 2 Escorts, 10 Light Ships lost
Empire of Japan: No division level losses, 1 Escort lost
Notes
[1] State covering OTL Washington and British Colombia
@ JosefStalinator: yes your guys are much better than the Vietnamese they still need logistics and fleet support
@Symphony D. American fleets are aqua as the blue colour does not show up well on the seas
@shortguy:
So thats the first mini-update; stats changes (army organisation will come tomorrow) along with the deadline for the next mini-update and NPC military positions on the map. Everyone who hasn't sent in economic and domestic orders should do so
.
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
This is not Athens!
Insane_Panda
Deity
Ah, that is the one thing I forgot to do. Position my troops. Anyways, it will be done by the big update.
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
Fleets in port are right by the city on the map, and yes I forgot to put yours on
.No the next mini update is for the next three months of diplomatic and military action, nothing much is happening for you so you can just coast by and enjoy the show
.
TheBladeRoden
Deity
A victory for the greater peasantry and workerdom!
JosefStalinator
Я буду снова здесь
OOC: Damn it! I did exactly the same thing in your last NES, forgot to allocate eco for my logistics on the first turn! 
Insane_Panda
Deity
Sorry, Kal, I was not sure if we were going to act now or later. I will PM you soon.
nice update, couple of things to be said
Dominions, if you have a problem with the tarriffs system I'm attemtping to implement, please PM, otherwise Confirmation would be nice.
Panda, I am waiting for you, although I will raise some concerns in response to your PM; when you send it.
@Dis: I forgot to make a war chest, I would like to steal some from the Industrial project I was starting up, is that fine?
To Japan
CC: Vietnam
From Britian
If You continue to destabalise the region, we will have to secure Vietnam ourselves, to secure Siam, to secure Burma to secure India.
I'm sure however, that we can reach a settlement.
Dominions, if you have a problem with the tarriffs system I'm attemtping to implement, please PM, otherwise Confirmation would be nice.
Panda, I am waiting for you, although I will raise some concerns in response to your PM; when you send it.
@Dis: I forgot to make a war chest
, I would like to steal some from the Industrial project I was starting up, is that fine?To Japan
CC: Vietnam
From Britian
If You continue to destabalise the region, we will have to secure Vietnam ourselves, to secure Siam, to secure Burma to secure India.
I'm sure however, that we can reach a settlement.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
Will send orders later today. So sorry that I had to do family stuff. It wasn't worth it. 
das
Regeneration In Process
Good first (mini-)update, I think that the African army should be divided between the colonies though (ofcourse, that probably IS the case).
JosefStalinator
Я буду снова здесь
To the United Kingdom, Prussia
From the Empire of Japan
We must assure you that the situation in Vietnam is being resolved, and if the region is not in a state of general stability by the end of the year, the United Kingdom and Prussia are welcome to intervene in South Vietnam. We are taking steps to centralize power under royal authority, in the interest of long term stability and modernization of the nation.
We ask, however, that you recognize the position of the Emperor of Vietnam as the legitimate and only sovereign, and do not infringe upon his right to rule.
OOC: It's only been three months, relax. The situation will be under control in no time; I am allocating more forces to ensure the south stops resisting.
From the Empire of Japan
We must assure you that the situation in Vietnam is being resolved, and if the region is not in a state of general stability by the end of the year, the United Kingdom and Prussia are welcome to intervene in South Vietnam. We are taking steps to centralize power under royal authority, in the interest of long term stability and modernization of the nation.
We ask, however, that you recognize the position of the Emperor of Vietnam as the legitimate and only sovereign, and do not infringe upon his right to rule.
OOC: It's only been three months, relax. The situation will be under control in no time; I am allocating more forces to ensure the south stops resisting.
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
Front page and stats updated, changes (such as new troops and what not) in bold, new deadline on Friday for Military and Diplomatic, essential briefings about to be forwarded, for more info get in touch . If you haven't sent in economic and domestic orders then please do, the earlier you get them in the quicker I can do the update and the happier I'll be when writing your parts .
. If you haven't sent in economic and domestic orders then please do, the earlier you get them in the quicker I can do the update and the happier I'll be when writing your parts .From: Viceroy Lawrence Cairo of the British Raj
To: British Empire
Has the placing of Ceylon under the Raj been officialized yet by his Majesty? We know London is a busy place and papers can be lost, things forgotten, we are simply reminding our overlords of this negotiation.
To: British Empire
Has the placing of Ceylon under the Raj been officialized yet by his Majesty? We know London is a busy place and papers can be lost, things forgotten, we are simply reminding our overlords of this negotiation.
Stormbringer
The Brick and The Rose
I totally missed the begining of this NES, I'm here now, let me know if anyone needs anything from me.
Insane_Panda
Deity
Haiti is America, Dis. I fogot earlier.
Stormbringer
The Brick and The Rose
Introduction
The snow was falling slowly around St. Petersburg as a tall old man with a full white beard hurried along, holding a brief case under his arm. He walked briskly along the river, looking towards the Marie Palace in St. Isaac’s Square. Two soldiers in standard Imperial Guard uniform followed the man closely, walking a few steps behind him, looking around vigilantly, but at this early morning hour there were few people out in this part of town. Sergey Witte walked quickly inside the palace, four people waiting for him in the lobby quickly followed him down the hall.
Sergey Witte, the Prime Minister of Russia, has overseen rapid industrialization and economic growth of the country, but was hated by both the members of the monarchist right and the liberal left. The Conservatives were unhappy with Witte for what they believed to be liberal political reforms and republican sympathies. The liberals were convinced that the Tsar’s appointee was a conservative who cared nothing for the plight of the people, but only for the economic performance of the country. All in all Witte continued to hold on to his job, but over the last five years he had been constantly at odds with the State Duma, which blocked repeatedly his proposals for economic reform.
Witte’s troubled government had been further damaged by his personal disagreements with the Tsar. Nicholas II was an autocrat who tolerated the democratic institutions that he was forced to set up in the aftermath of the disastrous wars against America. Witte’s economic programs have proven to be effective, but in recent years his continuous bickering with the Duma and willingness to compromise have emboldened the more radical democratic organizations while producing few results. The Tsar was said to be already considering a possible successor – either Vladimir Kokovtsoy, the current Finance Minister who had not distinguished himself in any way, making himself a perfect candidate for a Tsar who wished a weak Prime Minister, or Ivan Goremykin, a member of the State Council known for his reactionary views and disdain for the Duma who could be useful in taming the unruly democratic institution. Both were with Witte now, as he walked into the chambers of the State Council.
The elections to the Third State Duma have taken place two weeks ago and results were to be announced today. Witte had not campaigned on behalf of any party, and only the moderate monarchists and the Octobrist Party supported him. The only good news came when the radical left, the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party and the Socialist-Revolutionary Party boycotted the elections following the refusal of the Tsar and the State Council to accept the law the two parties sponsored which would require the Prime Minister to be confirmed by the Duma. There was still hope that without the leftist votes a more moderate coalition could be formed and Witte’s reforms would finally pass.
As the results were read out Witte paid attention with a stoic expression. The radical left received a total of 28 seats out of 450, but most of the votes went to the Trudoviky party, a moderate labor party that has been relatively minor until now, but which has nevertheless always been hostile to the Prime Minister. The Constitutional Democrats, which refused the idea of a Constitutional Monarchy and continued to demand a transition to a full democracy took 189 seats, and together with the Trudoviky’s 103 easily formed a majority. The Octobrists who backed Witte paid for their support of the Prime Minister, receiving only 35 seats, and the monarchists and other far-right deputies held 95 seats, almost identical to the previous Duma.
Witte submitted his resignation to the Tsar the next day.
OOC: I hope to write a story every day or every other day, hopefully that is possible, I have quite a plot planned out.
The snow was falling slowly around St. Petersburg as a tall old man with a full white beard hurried along, holding a brief case under his arm. He walked briskly along the river, looking towards the Marie Palace in St. Isaac’s Square. Two soldiers in standard Imperial Guard uniform followed the man closely, walking a few steps behind him, looking around vigilantly, but at this early morning hour there were few people out in this part of town. Sergey Witte walked quickly inside the palace, four people waiting for him in the lobby quickly followed him down the hall.
Sergey Witte, the Prime Minister of Russia, has overseen rapid industrialization and economic growth of the country, but was hated by both the members of the monarchist right and the liberal left. The Conservatives were unhappy with Witte for what they believed to be liberal political reforms and republican sympathies. The liberals were convinced that the Tsar’s appointee was a conservative who cared nothing for the plight of the people, but only for the economic performance of the country. All in all Witte continued to hold on to his job, but over the last five years he had been constantly at odds with the State Duma, which blocked repeatedly his proposals for economic reform.
Witte’s troubled government had been further damaged by his personal disagreements with the Tsar. Nicholas II was an autocrat who tolerated the democratic institutions that he was forced to set up in the aftermath of the disastrous wars against America. Witte’s economic programs have proven to be effective, but in recent years his continuous bickering with the Duma and willingness to compromise have emboldened the more radical democratic organizations while producing few results. The Tsar was said to be already considering a possible successor – either Vladimir Kokovtsoy, the current Finance Minister who had not distinguished himself in any way, making himself a perfect candidate for a Tsar who wished a weak Prime Minister, or Ivan Goremykin, a member of the State Council known for his reactionary views and disdain for the Duma who could be useful in taming the unruly democratic institution. Both were with Witte now, as he walked into the chambers of the State Council.
The elections to the Third State Duma have taken place two weeks ago and results were to be announced today. Witte had not campaigned on behalf of any party, and only the moderate monarchists and the Octobrist Party supported him. The only good news came when the radical left, the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party and the Socialist-Revolutionary Party boycotted the elections following the refusal of the Tsar and the State Council to accept the law the two parties sponsored which would require the Prime Minister to be confirmed by the Duma. There was still hope that without the leftist votes a more moderate coalition could be formed and Witte’s reforms would finally pass.
As the results were read out Witte paid attention with a stoic expression. The radical left received a total of 28 seats out of 450, but most of the votes went to the Trudoviky party, a moderate labor party that has been relatively minor until now, but which has nevertheless always been hostile to the Prime Minister. The Constitutional Democrats, which refused the idea of a Constitutional Monarchy and continued to demand a transition to a full democracy took 189 seats, and together with the Trudoviky’s 103 easily formed a majority. The Octobrists who backed Witte paid for their support of the Prime Minister, receiving only 35 seats, and the monarchists and other far-right deputies held 95 seats, almost identical to the previous Duma.
Witte submitted his resignation to the Tsar the next day.
OOC: I hope to write a story every day or every other day, hopefully that is possible, I have quite a plot planned out.
TheBladeRoden
Deity
I wish I had the ability (or willpower) to do that amount of writing
Currently at home; this means less access to computer and internet. Please PM all queries etc.
@Azale;I will try and remember for the next mini-update of orders. However to be clear Ceylon is not subordinate, simply another functioning part of the Empire.
@Azale;I will try and remember for the next mini-update of orders. However to be clear Ceylon is not subordinate, simply another functioning part of the Empire.
