NationStates Jolt Archive

Date: June 23rd, 1905

Participants:
Germany (Nordrreich)
Russia (New Cynthia)
Italy (Kanor)
Hungary (German satellite)
Romania (German satellite)
Serbia (German/Russian dual satellite)
Bulgaria (German/Russian dual satellite)
Croatia (German/Russian dual satellite)
United Elias (independent, but with major German economic influence)

This thread will determine the Central Powers war plan, basically.

King Humbert of Italy walked into the conference hall with high hopes. He hoped that Italy wuld be able to expand its colonial power and maybe even take part of France itself.

The German Kaiser was in attendance, but under strict orders not to deal with anything politically. It suited Wilhelm fine, ever since his father had been assassinated, all he had ever wished for was that Frederick, by far the more intelligent and capable brother was older than he so he could be Kaiser. Manstein had put the Crown Prince away in a military position, commanding the 6th Army, a place of some honor but clearly a move to keep him away from Berlin.

Maybe he could go to an opera with Nicholas and his family at some point. He would like that very much, they had a most excellent opera house in Budapest if he recalled correctly. He was not looking forward very much to whatever Manstein had planned, but he did not have the political intelligence to suggest another course.

bump

The Russian Prime Minister, Aleyeiv arrived in Budapest first, along with the Russian General Staff and Russian Naval Staff (including the principal fleet and military district commanders). Full scale talks between the military principals could begin almost immediately.

Meanwhile, the Czar and Czarina were pursuaded to stop in Odessa first on the way to Hungary. While touring the city, which had never seen the imperial couple before, their coach was suddenly attacked.

A pair of Turks (or Turkish looking men) approached the carriage, each with a bomb. Before stunned onlookers could react, or the unusually slow guards could stop them, both bombs landed in the coach, and moments later, the royal couple were blown to pieces along with a couple of attendents.

Rioting against Turks began almost immediately, and soon spread all across the southern Russian Empire.

Although the civilian diplomats were fully in evidence in Budapest, it was an unspoken truism that the bulk of the negotiations would be dictated by the German General Staff. The military had become pervasively powerful in all areas of government and those who challenged the military order found their careers wrecked very rapidly. At the centre of this spider web of official and unofficial power was Grossemarschall Erich von Manstein, Chief of the General Staff. Along with him was his longtime friend and intelligence chief Count Philip von Eulenberg, the chief of the Naval Staff Alfred Tirpitz, Albrecht Manherheim, his most senior diplomat and an honor guard, commanded by his own son.

'Do you think the Russians and Italians will go along with our plans?' Manstein asked Mannerheim.

'I would expect so. I know the Russians have their own ideas, but I don't believe too many of them are a direct threat to our greatest interests. Although we will have to confirm their plans regarding the Ottomans and Japanese. Turkey is of considerable economic importance to us. We also have our own interests in China, which we intend to emphasize. I believe we can safely offer the Italians most of what they want. Savoy, Nice and Corsica in Europe as well as Somalia in Africa, with an understanding that they will attempt to seize Ethiopia.'

'True, but I want you to remember what we want. I don't want to be giving away key portions of our plans.'

Mannerheim nodded. 'Well, the Russians aren't an overseas colonial power as such and the Italians don't have the capacity to maintain the sort of empire we are thinking of. Our European ambitions are fairly seperate from theirs as well.'

'Good.' Manstein smiled humourlessly. 'Now, hopefully Hindenberg, Mackensen and Falkynhayn can help us convince the French and British to comply, no? What do you think of the Russian odds?'

Tirpitz shrugged. 'The Japanese ... admittedly, they have good ships, but I can't see them defeating the Russians if they throw their heart in it. Well, as long as they keep their heads straight. If the British get involved in a big way, it could get messier, of course.'

'They will.' Manstein looked Tirpitz square in the eye. 'You'd best get that fleet of yours ready for battle soon, Alfred.'

Prime Minister Alexiyev, de facto ruler of Russia at the moment, is well aware of how things are going in Germany. He invites Manstein to coffee, brandy and cigars a couple of days after the death of the Czar.

The Russians put forward the following:

As Bulgaria is a Slavic state, and has strong historic ties to Russia as well as strong ties to Germany, then Bulgaria should be awarded Turkish Thrace including the city of Constantinople. A combined Bulgarian and Russian army should therefore carry out offensive operations against Turkey to punish them for their insolance in killing the Czar.

German rights, especially the railroad, will of course be respected.

Russian forces will be invading Turkey from the Caucasus, with the goal of securing Kurdistan.

ooc The Russians fail to mention the Japanese, and if asked, dismiss them as not a serious threat, especially to the strong defenses in the Far East. What the Germans don't know, and the Russians haven't fully realized, is that Port Arthur is relatively weakly defended against a surprise torpedo attack as no mine fields have yet been laid (as Admiral Markarov has given the orders but incompetent subordinates have followed through yet and he is in Budapest).

IC
The Russian Prime Minister is fully confident that the Germans, Russians and Italians can crush the British and French should they interfere, and that the Americans will not intervene unless the British are attacked directly or they are for some reason.

Manstein took a sip of his coffee and a puff of his cigar (he's a teetotaler (sp?)) and put forward his views.

* Bulgaria would be the best recipient of Turkish Thrace, Constantinople inclusive. The Greeks, the only other candidate are under British influence anyway.

* Some Serbian, Croatian, Romanian and Hungarian forces will be able to assist in a Balkans campaign against Turkey and possibly Greece. Probably the bulk of the Serbian, Croatian and Romanian armies and about a third to one half of the Hungarian army.

* Albania could perhaps be awarded to Italy? Northern Macedonia could go to Serbia, perhaps.

* The Germans will probably not be able to commit too many troops into the Balkans or Mediterranean area until France is crushed. However, the Mediterranean fleet will be able to assist in operations there.

* The Germans have no objections to the annexation of Kurdistan, but due to major economic interests, would like to have a 50/50 share of influence in what remains of Turkey.

* Tying into the first bit, provided United Elias falls into line and goes to war on the Central Power side, perhaps they could be awarded some of the Arab-dominated territories of Turkey? Otherwise, the Levant and Palestine could perhaps be shared by Germany and Italy, Germany taking the Levant and Italy taking Palestine. Of course, if United Elias gets those territories, they will be expected to respect the rights of Christians.

* Regarding Manchuria, the Germans recognize the Russian rights to annexation of Manchuria and dominance of Korea. However, in the event of a crushing victory over Japan, could the Germans perhaps gain Taiwan and the southern Japanese treaty ports?

* Other stuff that I haven't thought of here, but will come up later.

Prime Minister Alexiyeiv agreed completely with Manstein's proposal, although he had misgivings about Elias. But if neccessary the Empire could move against them later if need be.

King Humbert agrees to the proposal but would like to add one thing.

*Italy recieves any islands in the Mediterranean Sea that are not already held by annother Central Power

* Major Islands not in control of Central Powers are the Balerics (Minorca the most important), Corsica (already covered), Malta, Crete (still presumably in Turkish hands) and Cyprus. Spain hasn't declared one way or another, so it doesn't look like the Balerics are a current prize to be seized.

* The likelihood of getting the British to give up Malta or Cyprus is low. Crete, however, could be given to Italy from Turkey.

Manstein nodded. 'United Elias is valuable to German economic interests, of course. That condition, is of course, dependent upon her rendering immediate aid to us. Even so, we will be watching her most closely.'

Meanwhile, as the politicians and generals were meeting, the Admirals were discussing naval strategy. All three navies realized that the British were the principal threat, and the position of the Central Powers, while strong on land, was far weaker at sea. The 3 principal arenas of naval conflict were widely seperated and the fleets the Central Powers had in each Ocean would not be able to support the others, while the British could shift fleets at will.

Admiral Markarov was not daunted however. "I think we have a chance in the Mediterranean and Pacific gentlemen. Admiral Tirpitz, you should order your two fleets to concentrate, at either Manila Bay or at Tsingtao. I would encourage Tsingtao, as there the possibility of my fleet and your fleet joining forces is within reach, while if your fleet is in the Philippines we will not be able to combine." Sipping his coffee, the fearless Russian Admiral continued, "With your fleet in the Baltic, and the your combined fleet with Italian assistance in the Med, the British will not be able to shift forces initially to deal with us once we crush the Japanese. We could win there."

ooc The Russians severely underestimated the Japanese, but then so did everyone else

IC
In the Med we have a chance as well. Once we take control of the Dardenelles, our Black Sea fleet will be able to threaten Egypt, and the British will either have to split their forces or move their entire force to deal cover Egypt. This will give you the oppurtunity to crush the French Fleet, and close the gap in numbers. Your opinions sirs?"

ooc Markarov is a Vice Admiral, junior in rank to the senior Russian and Italian naval leaders, not to mention Grand Admiral Tirpitz.

Tirpitz was a bit surprised by the Vice Admirals forwardness but he seemed to share many of the same thoughts that Tirpitz himself had had.

'I shall give the order for the German Pacific Fleet to concentrate at Tsingtao to await further orders. I believe our best chance indeed lies in the Mediterranean, where we may hope perhaps to undermine British naval power and cause enough casualties to allow the combined Russian and German Baltic fleets to give battle to the Grand Fleet.

When we destroy the Japanese, a blockade would seem to be the thing to do, but I doubt we can spare the ships. We'll probably need much of the Pacific Fleets for further operations against the Japanese possessions in Taiwan and the treaty ports in China.'

Tirpitz recieved a slip of paper. 'Oh ... more rich news. Apparently British Hannover has declared war on Russia. Well, I don't think that's exactly devastating news.'

OOC> Tirpitz is fairly obsessed with this apocalyptic battle concept of the High Seas Fleet besting the Grand Fleet in a massive slugfest. And Tirpitz is almost as deluded about the Japanese as the Russians. It's hard to top the Russians in that regard, but he's got a somewhat inflated view of German capabilities, I believe.

With hostilities commencing, the Russian field and operational commanders left for their stations and commands, leaving behind a number of staff officers to setup a liaison office with the Germans and other Central Powers nations.

Due to the coming outbreak of the war, both Manstein and Tirpitz are leaving in order to direct the course of the war. Mannerheim, one of the Manstein's most trusted civilian allies, will remain behind to direct whatever else needs to be said in Budapest.