Alternate history IC 1900 Boxer Rebellion (closed) [Archive]

Fluffywuffy

28-06-2005, 01:35

(OOC: Before I begin this post, I am assuming the 'closed' aspect of this thread is that it is only for those in the Alternate History Earth thing, not just between those that historically participated in the Rebellion. Also, Hwang-je is, from what I have read, the Korea equivalent of "emperor" and is not part of the Emperor's name. Hwang-hu is "empress," though the only empress was killed five years ago by Japanese assassins.)

IC:

Hwang-je Gojong (a.k.a. Kojong, officially known as Gwangmu) and his advisors sat in their private chambers in the palace at Gyeongbokgung. The servants and chamberlains had been sent out and they were now free to discuss their concerns. The Korean Empire, a poor agrian society sandwhiched inbetween China, Russia and Japan, had to act somehow.

The Hwan-je spoke: "My friends, China and perhaps all of Asia is rife with conflict in this 'Boxer' rebellion, as the West calls it. However, this rebellion presents us with an opportunity. China, no doubt, would appreciate some aid in defeating the Western forces in China. However, this would likely anger the West. The West is mighty, with powerful weapons and strong nations. But China is nearer to us, with the potential for troops to seize this very palace in a short campaign. The West might offset this. But we must act with caution. So, opinions?"

An advisor from the diplomatic corps pipped up, obviously quite nervous in his first meeting with the Hwang-je. "Dae Hwang-je (OOC: great emperor, I think), I feel that the best course of action would be to side with the West. Suppose we make a treaty with the United States. We could have them place military bases here in Korea for protection in exchange for economic aid. We could then make a seperate treaty with, say, Germany for economic aid in exchange for us sending a few troops to China. This shields us from the Chinese dragon. I suppose it protects us from the Japanese and Russians, too."

An economic advisor put forth his two cents. "I must agree with my diplomatic colleague. We must secure a treaty with the United States or some other great power for protection before we act in any way against China. And the troops must be placed in Korea before we act in any way. The world is large, and travel can take a long time. Anyways, the economic benefits of such a treaty would be huge. We could jump-start industrialisation, and we could surpass Japan as the great power of Asia. We could then truly become an empire in reality, more than just our name."

The Hwang-je weighed the options. Only two advisors had spoken, but both had agreed that Korea must side with the West in this rebellion. And both had agreed a treaty must be signed and ratified before Korea would intervene in this rebellion on any side.

"Thank you for your concerns, my friends. I have decided. The Korean Empire shall support the West, but only when a treaty has been signed and ratified and only when any treaty-mandated troops arrive in Korea. Now, get a courier to take this idea to the U.S. Embassy. Tell them we are interested in an economic and military aid package in exchange for Korea's participation in the Chinese uprisings. Also, send similar messages to Great Britain, Russia, and France."

______________________

A nameless courier walked to the American embassy, with a hastilly prepared document in his hand.

On behalf of the Emperor of Korea, Emperor Gwangmu, I present to the United States the following offer, which the United States may find most interesting.

As many are aware, the United States is involved in the recent uprising in China against the West. The United States, of course, is a Western nation, far from China and with colonies in the Phillipenes, still a distant trip. Korea is closer to China, and Korea is willing to engage anti-Western forces within China and aid the United States in whatever aims it has in China. Korea, however, is weak and needing the protection of a great and mighty Western nation. This, of course, creates a common desire.

We, therefore, propose the following. The United States shall pledge economic and military aid to the Korean Empire. The Korean Empire shall then allow the United States to enter into Korea and set up naval and army bases for use in operations and defense of the Korean Empire and the Korean Empire shall provide five thousand (5,000) of its soldiers to aid the United States in the Chinese revolts. As a precondition for Korean troops entering China, American forces must be present in Korea to help safegaurd it. Once they are in place, Korea shall provide the 5,000 soldiers.

Similar messages were sent to the French, Russian, and British embassies, with a slightly different idea: France, Russia, and Britain get bases in Korea in exchange for economic aid. France, Russia, and Britain must defend Korea from foriegn invasion. And that is all.

Galveston Bay

28-06-2005, 04:21

USA

The Secretary of State, John Hay, groaned when he saw the content of the telegram from Korea. "Thats the last thing we need. The expansionists want to pass an amendment giving us the right to practically annex Cuba, we have this damn war in the Philippines, and now problems in China too. The last thing we need is another problem. The Japanese are already angry about the Russian and German pressure that forced them out of Korea a few years back, and now the Koreans want us to get involved there.

No, not now."

President McKinley agreed when he saw the note. Already there were voices criticizing American policy in the Philippines and condemning the Europeans in China, not to mention everywhere else. The last thing the US needed to do was add Korea as a procterate. "Mr. Hay, politely send a reply expressing our regrets and our best wishes. A trade treaty is one thing, but a military treaty simply is impossible. Our tradition is to avoid entangling alliances and this one is simply too entangling."

New Shiron

28-06-2005, 17:24

bump.... its China's move

Fluffywuffy

28-06-2005, 17:26

The Emperor was vexed at the American's refusal to aid him. He figured that the Americans would like having bases in Korea, so near to the conflict in China. But America had rejected any military alliance with Korea. Damn the American isolationists. Well, America was a democracy, and democracy could be a help and a hindrance. Even for Korea.

The Emperor called to a servant to relay a message. "Inform the authorities that Christian missionaries are to be welcomed with full hospitallity and announce that Christians have full rights etcetera concerning their religion. Inform our diplomatic corps that they should contact newspapers in America. Get a sensationalist story prepared. Call a Christian priest and tell him I wish to be baptized. That is all."

The following story was to be delivered to the San Francisco Times and other newspapers, hopefully for printing.

United States Government under Boxer Influence?

The Korean Empire, wishing to aid Christians and other people harmed by the revolts in China, submitted to the United States a Treaty calling for American aid and alliance in defeating the rebels. In exchange for the Korean Empire's aid in both troops and bases, the United States would pledge to defend the Korean Empire and provide economic aid. The Korean Emperor Gojong, soon to be a convert to Christianity, denounced the United States's decision.

"The Korean Empire wished to help the Christians in China and wished to become friends with the United States and the West. But the United States refused to cooperate, and now many Christians and Westerners in China that the Korean Empire might have been able to save will now perish. It is my conclusion that President McKinley is really in league with these Boxers and is some type of anti-Christian killer."

Korea, an increasingly Christian nation where missionaries are greeted warmly and the Emperor is going to be baptized soon, is sandwhiched between Japan and China, two nations that have historically made war with Korea. In fact, it is suspected that Japanese assassins killed the late Empress Min, Emperor Gojong's wife. Without American aid, it is likely that this unique Asian kingdom that has begun embracing Christianity will fall to the pagan hordes of Japan or China.

Sharina

30-06-2005, 00:55

OOC:

I must politely ask that everyone involved hold off a little bit, so that I can introduce a subtly different history as I've outlined in the E20 main thread. I have to introduce Prince Tuan and the conflict between Prince Tuan + Dowager Empress. This has to happen between 1898 - early 1900 (before the siege of Peking).

Once I have put in the "wheels of motion" or so to speak, then I'll have "caught up" to the timeline you guys are RP'ing aganist me in. I mean, I have to RP 1898 and 1899 before doing this current RP in 1900 so not to cause any confusion. In other words, you guys kinda jumped the gun, but I do commend you guys for starting this RP. I promise I will post my responses / "moves" right after I RP out 1898 and 1899, and then I'll be able to go with the flow with you guys here.

BTW for those who don't know, I'm the player of China in this thread.

Sharina

30-06-2005, 02:17

UPDATE:

I finally RP'ed out years 1898 and 1899. I tried to make it as believable and realistic as possible. The point of diverence (where my Alternate China History begins) starts in 1898.

Link: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9163223#post9163223

So before I can proceed and do my "moves" here in this thread, I'd like to hear your feedback on my thread in the link.

Galveston Bay

30-06-2005, 16:25

USA

-----------------------
Travel Advisory to American citizens in East Asia

"Due to rioting and the murders of Christian missionaries in China at the hands of bandits and the so called group known as the "Boxers", American citizens are hereby ordered to avoid travel into the interior of China and to return at once to Shanghai, Peking, Tientsien or Hongkong and to report to American consultates or the Embassy.

Be advised that travel to China at this time can be considered highly dangerous due to the unsettled situation there."

------------------------
Official note to the Chinese government

"The United States is sending a detachment of Marines to provide security at the American Embassy in Peking, as is allowed under the terms of Treaty agreements with your nation. The recent outbreaks of violence in your country makes it necessary to provide better security to our diplomatic personnel."

OOC
at this time, the US did not usually have marine guards at its embassy's, only during times of trouble were Marines actually sent to an embassy.

IC
Orders (wired to Honolulu and then to Manila)
To Commander, Asiatic Station

Prepare to safeguard American lives and property in China and if necessary prepare to evacaute Americans and other Westerners from coastal areas. Use whatever force might be necessary but avoid that use if possible.
signed
Admiral Dewey, Commander US Fleet

Carops

30-06-2005, 16:47

while trouble continues in China, Italy is rocked by the assasination of the beloved king Umberto I, leaving the people in grief. His only son takes the throne as Vittorio Emmanuel III and the country is left soul-serching after its figurehead's death at the hands of anarchists. As such, Italy chooses to stay away from China and leave it alone while Vittorio Emmanuel III decides to get revenge on anchistic elements in his own nation.

Sharina

30-06-2005, 19:54

Comminque to the United States
To: Admiral Dewey
From: Prince Tuan

Your people may be garrisoned at Peking, and I advise you to encourage your citizens to seek refuge in Peking. Once your citizens have arrived there, then your people may all leave China from Peking. I shall order the Imperial Army units under my command to escort your citizens and marines while they evacuate from China. Any Boxer Rebellion marauders or gurriellas that attack your evacuation shall be dealt with swiftly and harshly by my Imperial Army units.

The Dowager Empress does not know of this communication. I am doing this in the best interests of China, which the Dowager Empress does not appear to. If the Dowager Empress shall interfere, she will be dealt with as well.

Thank you.

Galveston Bay

01-07-2005, 18:54

USA

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

In the United States, debate broke out as the powerful lobbys representing the various Protestant missionary organizations that send people and money to China called for US action to protect the missionaries, business lobbyists pushed for the protection of American special treaty status and even the enlargement of that status, and isolationists demanded to know what business the US had considering military operations in such a far away place to begin with.

Information that both China and Korea were attempting to influence US policy didn't help at all either.

Meanwhile, Dewey passed the information he had on to his on the scene commander, Rear Admiral Bob Evans, and the Marines reached Peking. A few missionaries came in, but many chose to stay with their flocks.

Word of this still hadn't reached the US when the next wave of anti Western rioting began.

With the British still not taking an official position, the US leaders on the scene waited for instructions from home. Normal US policy was to go along with the British on most things, with the British going along with the US Open Door trade policy that prevented the other powers from simply dividing up China once and for all.

With no other choice, the US Charge de Affairs in Peking and Admiral Evans in Shanghai were forced to muddle through.

Sharina

02-07-2005, 10:27

Prince Tuan sat on a nobleman's throne in his fortress inside the ancient imperial Chinese city of Luo Yang, which had been founded in 1200 BC. Prince Tuan pondered the latest turn of events with the Boxer Rebellion, the USA's responses, the incomptency of the Dowager Empress, and future plans for China.

Prince Tuan abruptly had a thought as he recalled the problems of missionaries and foreigners still living in China's countryside.

Why didn't I think of this earlier? This would effectively solve all China's problems while giving me the necessary prestige and leverage to declare myself Emperor!

Prince Tuan smiled as he motioned for a personal aide to call for his military commanders. Approximately a hour later, several robed officials entered Prince Tuan's throne chamber. The officials bowed down to Prince Tuan, offering the proper gesture of respect for an Imperial member. Once all the ceremonials were over and done with, the officials sat down at a long tea table, with Prince Tuan taking up the head seat at the end of the table. Servants began serving tea to Prince Tuan first, then to his military officers.

Prince Tuan began speaking, barely suppressing excitement in his voice as he detailed his plan to his commanders.

"Greetings.

I have been thinking about the current situation with the Boxer Rebellion, and possible ways to prevail from this situation.

First of all, I want the Imperial Army to round up all foreigners, by force if necessary," Tuan emphasized the next phrase, "but do not harm or kill the foreigners."

Several officials murmured, as Prince Tuan continued his outline.

"Second, once we have rounded up the foreigners, the Imperial Army is to protect these foreigners from any possible Boxer Rebellion ambushes or attacks.

Third, all foreigners are to be escorted to Peking and Shanghai. The Imperial Army shall remain with the foreigners to protect them from any Boxer attacks in Peking and Shanghai. The Imperial Army is also to garrison themselves in these two cities.

In doing these actions, we will appear to be doing what the Westerners want. Therefore, they will be more leninent towards us, which grants us the perfect opporunity to either decieve them, or to deliver a potent boost to China.

At that point, we can either have all the foreigners leave China, leaving no foreigners for the Boxers to attack, and leaving the Westerners no reason or excuse to invade China again. On the other hand, we could take all these foreigners hostage, making the Westerners concede and cave in to my demands that all foreign influence, interference, and polices are to be removed from China completely, leaving China a free nation, independent of any Western influence."

After Prince Tuan finished his details, there was full silence for a good several minutes at the long rectangular tea table. One official sitting three seats down the table from Prince Tuan broke the silence.

"Esteemed Lord, I think I can speak for all of us here when I say that your plan sounds extremely ambitious. However, we are concerned about the Dowager Empress, as she is the ultimate authority."

Prince Tuan nodded before responding, signifying acknowledgement and respect for the proper question asked.

"Do not worry about the Dowager Empress. Once I put this plan into motion, the benefits China will see will easily sway even those loyal to the Dowager Empress to my side. Thus, she will lose the little prestige and respect that she has left. If she continues to rule, then China will surely self-destruct and end up as a giant colony of the Westerners.

I am very well aware I am speaking treason, but it must be done for the greater good of China. The lives of hundreds of millions are at stake, as well as our entire culture, history, and society. China must modernize if she is to remain a power in the modern world."

Prince Tuan's voice began rising.

"Would you rather live as people under the heel of Westerners who have no concept or idea of our feelings, beliefs, society, and lives? Or would you rather stand proud as all the Chinese have done for the last 4,000 years, and stare down these vile Westerners whose empires and histories only date 800 to 1,000 years at most? We must stand proud, and declare that we are the rightful peoples of Asia!"

Prince Tuan sat back down, taking a long sip of tea to soothe his drying vocal chords. Meanwhile, the assembled commanders and offficials murmured amongst themselves, then eventually began nodding in unison. The same official who spoke up earlier locked eyes with Prince Tuan.

"You are quite convincing. I fully support your ideas and plan. May China prevail!"

Agreement spread throughout the assemblage like wildfire until there was not one silent voice. Prince Tuan simply smiled, as he knew that those officials and commanders were the ones most likely to stay with him through thick and thin. He also knew that these people were also disillusioned with the Empress's failing rule and strangehold on Chinese progress.

Time for massive change and reform was at hand. China will never be the same again.

Galveston Bay

03-07-2005, 04:13

USA
________________________

official note
From the US Government
To the Chinese Government

The United States insists that the Imperial Government of China live up to its treaty arrangements in regards to US rights in China. To Wit:

That the ports of Tientsin and Shanghai remain open to US shipping and that Chinese markets remain open to US goods.

That the US consulants in those two cities remain open and secure, along with the US Embassy in Peking.

Although the US recognizes the right of China to govern its internal affairs, and the right of Chinese to practice their own religion, the US insists that All American missionaries be treated with respect, and if they are not wanted, then they should be escorted out of the country without harm. However, the US requests that those missionaries be allowed to stay and points out that they do perform a useful role in providing education and medical care to Chinese people who otherwise would not have that available to them.

The US insists that all nations honor the Open Door policy so that all nations can trade with China and refuses to recognize any territorial claims made on China since 1897. The US recognizes the right of China to defend itself against any current or future territorial claims made against it.

A prompt reply is hereby requested. Failure to do so would have the gravest consequences.

Sincerely, John Hay, Security of State

attached is a more personal appeal urging China to accept the terms of the note so that the US can better maneuver to keep the Europeans, Japanese and Russians from carving China up.

OOC
Basically the US recognizes previous territorial claims like Hong Kong, Japanese held Taiwan, Russian held Port Arthur, Portugese Macau as it doesn't see a way to end those claims either by the US or China. The Missionary clause is a sop to US lobbyists and is a much weaker version of what they want. The US wants access to all of China, and the only way to ensure that is to make sure the Europeans don't carve it up. Which they are very prepared to do. The Germans have a city they basically own, the Russians do too, as do the British, and Italy, Germany, France, and Japan are eyeing for more, and Russia is eyeing Manchuria and Korea (Korea is already out of Chinese control at this point).

Safehaven2

03-07-2005, 04:22

TAG for now

Sharina

03-07-2005, 06:25

OOC:

I'm a little disappointed, since it appears the only serious participants in this RP would be me (China), Galveston Bay (USA), and Fluffywuffy (Korea). I have yet to see Sarzonia (Britain) or the France player post anything in this thread.

Also, just a tidbit of information... my Chinese guys are planning to bring ALL foreigners and missionaires to Shanghai and Peking so that they may leave China. There is essentially no point for them to stay in China as they'd get massacred, but if my Prince Tuan uses the Imperial Army to evacuate all foreigners, it can solve two problems.

First, the problem of foreigners mucking around in China, creating unrest and potential for future rebellions. So if the foreigners were all gone, then there won't be any more rebellions, Boxer revolts, massacres, etc. aganist foreigners which should work towards the Westerners best interests. Second, the Westerners won't be as angry or demand heavy reparations if all their missionaires and guys come out of this alive.

I'm still playing with a couple other possible outcomes for this RP.

Galveston Bay

03-07-2005, 06:51

ooc
technically China is in violation of several treaties if its starts kicking out foreigners. Hopefully some of the other players will act once the weekend is over (remember its a holiday weekend here in the US)

So a military response is very possible from the various Europeans, not to mention the Japanese and Russians. The Russians already control Port Arthur, and two raillines being built through Manchuria. The International City in Shanghai is garrisoned by several nations as well. Of course Japan already has Taiwan (they got that in 1896).

IC
The first missionaries began arriving in Peking, some of which were very angry and been forced at gunpoint and in some cases practically dragged away from their flocks. They feared for the safety of their converts, and the American Missionary Society began bombarding Congress with letters.

Meanwhile the first orders from Washington finally arrived, and Marines and Sailors reinforced the defenses of Shanghai, and preparations were made in the Philippines to send reinforcements were made. Meanwhile the acting Ambassador in Peking sent a request for an answer to the note recently delivered.

Sharina

03-07-2005, 07:10

Comminque to the USA
From: Prince Tuan

Greetings.

Several of my advisers have informed me of several complaints made by foreigners and missionaires being herded towards Shanghai and Peking. I would like to address any concerns that you may have regarding these people.

First of all, I am simply ensuring their safety. They will be far safer in Peking and Shanghai than in the Chinese countryside. The Boxer rebels can easily massacre any of your people in the countryside at any time. However, Peking and Shanghai are secure from the Boxer rebels so there should be little to no chance of Boxer massacres occurring there. Thus, I have taken the initative, to preserve the Westerner people and missionaires safety.

Second, in undertaking this process, I am personally ensuring that hundreds or thousands of non-Chinese people lives will be saved. Would you rather have hundreds or thousands of innocent American, British, or French men and women be killed at a whim from the Boxer rebels? Or would you prefer that they arrive home safe and sound, without fearing for their lives on a daily basis?

Third, the Boxer Rebellion erupted because the Chinese people do not want the missionaires interfering with their lives and traditions. According to my latest census, there are more than 400 million Chinese people living in glorious China. Being rational, lets assume 3 / 4 of these people depise or refuse to support you Westerners. That would be 300 million people aganist the missionaires and Westerners living in China. A few thousand foreigners amid a massive sea of people easily a thousand times their number. Now you can hopefully see why it is necessary for the safety of not just your citizens, but other nations as well, to leave China, or at the very least, leave China's countryside and villages.

Finally, China shall be honored to maintain trade and exchanges with your honorable nation. However, for your and our safety, these trades and exchanges must take place at Peking and Shanghai, our most secure cities. If we conduct exchanges or allow missionaires back into the countryside, we cannot guanatree their safety. It is best to conduct everything behind safety in such a situation as we find ourselves in today with the Boxers.

I believe that it is in our best interests to maintain cordial relations and trade with each other, but at the same time, keep ourselves mindful of the dangers of sending or keeping un-wanted people amongst the majority that does not want them.

Thank you.

~Prince Tuan

Fluffywuffy

03-07-2005, 17:03

It was time once again for Korea to attempt influencing America. It wasn't that Korea didn't like America; it was that America refused to give what Korea needed: a sure-fire method of defense. If the Americans also wanted Korea to attack the rebels in China, that brought the possibility of more territory for the Korean Empire. But the Emperor's decision to get baptized could be a boon for the Empire. America was mostly Christian, and a Christian Emperor protecting Christians in a pagan land just had to tickle their sensibilities. So a telegram was sent to the Korean Embassy in the United States to contact Christian missionary groups.

The Embassy complied at once. Sending in letters to both Congress and missionary groups, the Embassy railed against the United States' apparant backing down and failure to take a harder stance against the "evil Chinese pagan empire" and support the "Christian Korean Empire."

Artitsa

03-07-2005, 18:06

AP - Bogata, Colombia

President Vincente Sewell of Colombia has just released a Statement based upon the "Boxer's and their extermination of Christians".

In his statement, Sewell proclaimed:
Colombia is a Roman Catholic Nation. A Christian Nation. It is hard to standby as loyal servents to the almighty God are murdered by Chinese nationalists and heathens. This is why I will be bringing a Document before Colombia's parliment calling for the immediate mobilization of 350 Colombian Soldiers. This nation must firmly stand behind its Christian Brothers, and protect the word of god.

The Colombian Government is also seeking discussions with the United States of America in regards of transportation of these 350 Soldiers.

ooc: Colombia has a lot of things to gain by getting involved..

Galveston Bay

04-07-2005, 02:23

ooc
I have no idea what to do here.... should we assume the Europeans act as they did historically, along with Japan? Or what?

Secret IC
A fleet consisting of a battleship, 2 cruisers and 2 gunboats, along with several transports carrying the US 27th and 31st Infantry Regiments and a squadron of the 11th Cavalry regiment and a provesional battalion of Marine leaves Manila bound for China.

IC
Meanwhile in China, most American civilians are now concentrated in either Peking or Shanghai, but a few are in Tientsin, along with a company of marines. The Chinese have several forts nearby, but the critical factor is that a railroad connects Tientsin and Peking, the only railroad leading to Peking from the sea.

Galveston Bay

04-07-2005, 02:25

ooc: Colombia has a lot of things to gain by getting involved..

The US doesn't ignore the Colombian offer, but buries it under an avalanche of corrospondence concerning the future canal.... which the US feels is much more vital to both countries. The actual US response is that it is willing to charter a ship, but that by the time the Colombians board and sail all the way from the Pacific coast of Colombia to China, the crisis in China may very well be over.

Galveston Bay

04-07-2005, 02:28

It was time once again for Korea to attempt influencing America.

although Congress does indeed get many letters, the general attitude remains to avoid entangling alliances and more important debates on the future of Cuba, the Philippines, and the proposed Panama Canal outweigh the pleas of a country most Americans never even heard of.

ooc
there is also the fact that the US was pretty bigoted when it came to East Asians at this time in history. Sad but true. So Koreans wouldn't be considered seriously in any case. Japan barely gets any respect, most people have at least heard of the heathen Chinese, but the rest of Asia doesn't even exist in the minds of nearly all Americans in this time period.

Sharina

04-07-2005, 04:08

ooc
I have no idea what to do here.... should we assume the Europeans act as they did historically, along with Japan? Or what?

OOC:

Good question. However, unless we see Sarzonia, Scandavians, etc. actually RP responses for their European nations, we cannot really determine what the Europeans would actually do.

Also, if we went by historical stuff, we cannot do that. Its mainly because history is happening differently here. For instance, right now we have your USA citizens and other foreigner citizens safe inside Peking and Shanghai. There hasn't been "Siege of Peking" yet, which actually happened in 1900. Also, Prince Tuan is acting somewhat differently than he actually did, and he won't be executed as he was in RL history.

So it would be quite difficult to predict what Europeans would actually do under these different cicrumstances. For all we know, the British may have had backed down with either the "hostage-taking" scenario, or if there was never a "Peking Massacre".

Thus, I have a proposal. If Sarzonia, Scandivians, etc. doesn't respond within 2 days, by Tuesday or Wed. then we can RP it out as "Britain and France lose interest in China, and withdraw from China." Then we can focus on the Westerners who are actually involved and the active players.

Fluffywuffy (Korea), Artista (Columbia), you (USA), me (China)...

Also, I think we should try TG'ing the European players and the Japanese player and see if they are still gonna RP and be interested into seeing this to the finish. I really, really, really want to make this work, and make a great RP, instead of having it fizzle out like all those other Earth's.

Artitsa

04-07-2005, 06:17

ooc: Send the ship anyways, it'll provide an excuse to have an RP ;)

Vas Pokhoronim

04-07-2005, 19:28

OOC:

Good question. However, unless we see Sarzonia, Scandavians, etc. actually RP responses for their European nations, we cannot really determine what the Europeans would actually do.

Also, if we went by historical stuff, we cannot do that. Its mainly because history is happening differently here. For instance, right now we have your USA citizens and other foreigner citizens safe inside Peking and Shanghai. There hasn't been "Siege of Peking" yet, which actually happened in 1900. Also, Prince Tuan is acting somewhat differently than he actually did, and he won't be executed as he was in RL history.

So it would be quite difficult to predict what Europeans would actually do under these different cicrumstances. For all we know, the British may have had backed down with either the "hostage-taking" scenario, or if there was never a "Peking Massacre".

Thus, I have a proposal. If Sarzonia, Scandivians, etc. doesn't respond within 2 days, by Tuesday or Wed. then we can RP it out as "Britain and France lose interest in China, and withdraw from China." Then we can focus on the Westerners who are actually involved and the active players.

Fluffywuffy (Korea), Artista (Columbia), you (USA), me (China)...

Also, I think we should try TG'ing the European players and the Japanese player and see if they are still gonna RP and be interested into seeing this to the finish. I really, really, really want to make this work, and make a great RP, instead of having it fizzle out like all those other Earth's.
I believe there are provisions for dealing with lazy and uninvolved Great Powers, which involve booting them out after a warning or two. Since none of them have as yet responded to anything, I might suggest supending time for a couple of days while we determine the status of Britain, Russia, Germany, Austria, the Ottoman Empire, and Japan, and any who don't respond by, say, Wednesday, will have their countries reassigned.
I'll be posting this in the Main OoC Thread, as well.

Sharina

05-07-2005, 04:51

OOC:

I have decided that if there are no posts from any Europeans by Wed. or Thursday, then I will treat that situation as if Britain, France, Russia, etc. turned a blind eye to the Boxer Rebellion, or were "sweet-talked" into either withdrawal or doing nothing by my Prince Tuan character.

Then the actual involved parties, such as the USA, Korea, Columbia, etc. will RP actions, like maybe an invasion, peace talks, diplomatic wrangling, or whatever else. Then maybe by 1901 or 1902, should the European nations get a new active RP'er, they can RP a renewed interest in China or something.

Seems fair, wouldn't it?

Sarzonia

05-07-2005, 04:53

OOC: Please check the main thread. I'm pulling out of the game because it's a LOT more RPing than I expected.

Lesser Ribena

05-07-2005, 19:55

OOC: I have taken over Britain from Sarzonia, so you can consider this my reaction

IC:

From the British Government
To the Chinese Government

The British Government would like to make clear it's stance concerning affairs in China. We request that the Cities of Peking and Tientsin remain open and free of any civil disturbance and that our citizens located here are safe. This is in addition to the guaranteed safety of our missionaries in the country and the freedom of the Chinese people to follow whatever religion they please and for religious meetings to be allowed to take place without disruption.

We require that the ports at Tientsin and Taku along with the railway and canal/river routes linking them to Peking remain open to British shipping and that free movement of supplies is permitted between these locations.

We request that in these troubled times, a guard force of marines and army personnel is allowed to be garrisoned at our embassy in Peking and that these men are allowed to visit British citizens in the area to check on their safety.

We further request the guaranteed safety of our territory at Hong Kong and Kowloon and that if any unauthorised foreign citizen tresspasses upon it's soil they will be treated as hostile and enemy forces and will be subject to the rules of war.

We request a prompt reply to this letter, and must insist that failure to do so will result in our peace terms being broken and a military force being landed at Tientsin to restore order in your country.

Lord Salisbury Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Sharina

06-07-2005, 05:57

OOC:

Thanks for picking up the slack, Lesser Ribena, its quite appreciated. :)

-----------------------------------------------------
Statement to the British Government
From: Prince Tuan, Prince of China

Greetings.

Allow me to address all of your concerns, requests, and points in your last comminque.

First, I have already ordered the Imperial Army to guard Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin from the Boxers. Your citizens should be safe there, as long as they remain within these cities. However, the Imperial Army cannot guanatree safety in the Chinese countryside. The Boxer rebels may attack any missionaries or Westerner citizen in the countryside without warning, and melt back into the land without a trace, before the Imperial Army can catch up or do anything.

The only way to truly guanatree the safety of your citizens would be for them to take up residence in Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin instead of the countryside. If your missionaries truly want to spread their teachings, they may do so safely within these cities. If they want to live in the countryside, they will have to take big risks in doing so, as the countryside is the Boxer's backyard, or so to speak.

Would you rather have your missionaries and citizens live safely within the major cities of China, or live under constant fear of raids or death on a hourly basis in the countryside?

You may bring several hundred marines or soldiers to guard your embassies and visit British citizens in Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin. However, as I've already stated, the Chinese Imperial Army cannot guanatree the safety of your citizens, marines, or soldiers in the countryside as the Boxers engage in an unique method of warfare. They attack without warning, and melt back into the countryside without any chance of soldiers or survivors to catch them to bring them to justice.

In regards for Hong Kong and Kowloon, I can guanatree that the Chinese Imperial Army and Chinese citizens shall treat these territories as you desire. However, once again, I cannot guanatree that the Boxers will respect or refrain from entering or interfering with Hong Kong and Kowloon.

As for trade, I do not see any problems or issues with allowing British goods to travel between Tienstin, Shanghai, and Peking. China is only starting to construct railroads, so it may take some time before full trading can be established via railroad between these cities. However, naval shipping shouldn't be of any problem.

Please let me know if there are any other issues that needs to be discussed.

~Prince Tuan

Galveston Bay

06-07-2005, 06:17

USA

---------
at Hong Kong, the American squadron stopped to coal. Present were the Battleship Oregon, freshly returned to the Pacific after an adventurous series of voyages during the Spanish American War, the cruisers Olympia of Manila Bay fame, and the cruiser Boston, now old and somewhat obsolete, plus a gunboat, a dispatch ship, 4 transports, and a collier.

Brigadier General Chaffee and Rear Admiral Bob Evans immediately contacted their British counterparts to begin consultations concerning joint operations.

ooc
by the way, there is already a rail line connecting Tientsin and Peking, it was built a few years back. It ain't much, but its a rail line nevertheless. Historically, significant fighting occured during the actual Boxer Rebellion.

The US still hasn't replied to the latest Chinese message by the way.. it pondering its next move.

Artitsa

06-07-2005, 16:47

ooc: Are you sending a transport for me?

Lesser Ribena

06-07-2005, 17:52

The ships of the US Navy were welcomed into Hong Kong harbour and were provided with supplies. The Governor Sir Henry Arthur Blake, met with Brigadier General Chaffee and Rear Admiral Bob Evans in his office.

"We have placed the fleet at full readiness and have the following ships ready to dispatch from this harbour: The Battleship HMS Canopus, Protected Cruisers Andromeda and Argonaut, Destroyers Spitfire, Lightning and Ardent as well as a few torpedo gunboats and transports"

"In addition a further force is sailing from India and includes the Battleship HMS Trafalgar and the Protected Cruiser Marathon as well as a destroyer escort."

"They will sail under Admiral Edward Seymour of the British Navy, whilst the ground forces will be under Lieutenant-General Alfred Gaselee. The forces will include batallions from: 1st Gurkha Rifles, 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Punjab Infantry, 32nd Sikh Pioneers, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Australian Naval Brigade, 23rd Royal Welch Fusilers."

"All in all approximately 4500 soldiers and marines will sail to protect British interests in China and a garrison force numbering 2000 men shall remain here in Hong Kong. I am sure we can arrange some tactical meetings between yourselves and our commanders later."

Lesser Ribena

06-07-2005, 18:03

To the Chinese government:

Whilst we note that the Imperial army has been ordered to guard Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin from the Boxers, we feel that a force of our infantry stationed there will benefit security in the area and free your units up to hunt down the rebels. I have ordered the citizens of Britain to move toward the city of Peking from which they will be guarded by our embassy toops until our relief force can reach them.

Our relief force is on it's way and will dock at Tientsin alongside ships of teh United States and any other nations who wish to protect their citizens. Do not fear, they shall only be a small force of troops and will not trouble any law abiding Chinese. I am reassured by the garantee regarding Kowloona nd Hong Kong though must reaffirm our stance on tresspassers there, particularly any members of the Boxer society.

We thankyou for the allowance of travel betweenTienstin, Shanghai, and Peking. We hope taht we may be allowed to use this route as a means of transportation of our guard forces to the embassy.

We hope you will contact us further on any other matters.

OOC: though obviously going against the chinese requirements for a small force the Britsih contingent will be larger than requested as happened historically.

Galveston Bay

06-07-2005, 19:00

ooc: Are you sending a transport for me?

a chartered transport would leave San Francisco in early April, reach Colombia in late April, then reach San Francisco again in early May, reach Hawaii in mid May, reach Japan in late June, reach China in early July

steaming at an average of 10 knots (pretty much standard for the day for a commercial steamer), includes coaling times as well

The Scandinvans

06-07-2005, 22:46

Thwe army Russia had assembled marched into Northen Manchuria and there set up a camp with defensive structures around. Also a message was sent to the emperor and also to the empress of China that read:
"We will not allow you to continue these actions and demand that you honor the treaties and pacts you made with the Western Countries of force our intervation in this war on their side."

Sharina

07-07-2005, 01:19

Comminque to Great Britain
From: Prince Tuan of China
(Same Comminque sent to the USA)

Greetings.

I appreciate your prompt response. Your troops will be welcomed as a relief force. I am also ordering the waterways between Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin opened to all British and USA traffic. If any trouble arises, have your commanders or officials in charge in the area of trouble contact my officials to resolve matters in a prompt and timely manner.

I have three things that I feel I must warn you about, though.

First, I am not officially the head of the Chinese government. That position belongs to the Dowager Empress. However, she does not appear to have the best interests of China at heart, thus, she is an ineffectual ruler. Steps are being taken to correct that, so please do not pay any heed to any of her complaints, demands, or requests. I have the backing of the majority of the Chinese, and many of the Imperial officials.

Second, it will be a slow process for the Imperial Army to weed out the Boxers, as I've made clear previously. The Boxers can literally melt into the countryside and evade the Imperial Army much more quickly than the Imperial Army can respond. It may take years before the Boxer rebellion may officially be called "over" or "eliminated".

Third, my intelligence services and diplomats have brought me quite troubling news. The Russians have apparently occupied Manchuria, and threatened additional action aganist us the Chinese. I shall enclose their latest comminque, and it troubles me. They appear not to understand the distinction of the Chinese government and the Boxer rebels.

"We will not allow you to continue these actions and demand that you honor the treaties and pacts you made with the Western Countries of force our intervation in this war on their side."

They may cause trouble not just for us, but for you as well. They may interfere in our operations aganist the Boxers, as they apparently cannot distinguish the difference between law-abiding Chinese and the Boxers.

Please inform me of any concerns or suggestions that you may have.

Thank you.
~Prince Tuan

Lesser Ribena

07-07-2005, 17:34

Communiqué to China

We welcome any help that the Chinese government may provide and thankyou for the opening up of transport links to and from the main cities. If possible I would like to place some of my force to protect these routes and the pioneers may dig some defences to ensure that they remain open and free of rebel forces. We were wondering if this is acceptable to you and maybe you can provide some buildings in the area to act as barracks or headquarters for the protection force. Furthermore a similar situation will exist in our embassy, we would ask that we be allowed to fortify the area and prepare it in case the worst should happen. Finally on this matter we would like you to know that preparations to evacuate civilians from Peking, other cities and the countryside back to the harbour at Tientsin have begun and that we hope to begin this process as soon as we arrive and the waterways are secure.

We are concerned about the presence of Russian forces in the North of your country especially as their arrival was not preceeded by any diplomatic effort and seems to be very large for such a situation. Whilst we remain powerless to assist in any large way without a declaration of war we would ask that you keep an eye on them and report any breaches of the rules of war to us so that we may enact on them in the correct manner.

Lesser Ribena

07-07-2005, 17:41

Meeting with US military leaders

We would share our tactical ideas with you so that we can better formulate an allied operation concerning events in China. Our broad ideas are to initially secure the ports at Tientsin and Taku to allow for landing of more troops and maintenance of supply lines. Further to this we are planning to secure the waterways and rail routes leading to Peking to allow for better transportation of follow up units and civilians back from the city. We will station units in the area to prevent interference by Boxer rebels and may dig entrenchments and other positions to hold these routes better. We would like to know your ideas on the situation and any suggestions or alterations that you may have to the plans we have made. We welcome full cooperation with US forces and other foreign units in this matter and hope for a quick solution. More units are being readied for movement to China from India and other colonies in the area, though fear to weaken our military too much in light of rebellions springing up within our Empire.

Fluffywuffy

07-07-2005, 20:50

(OOC: Kordo agreed he would send troops by telegram, though he didn't post it here yet. He might post it at a later time. He also agreed to ship in some weapons, supplies, advisors, engineers, etc. with his troops.)

Korea had plans to the north, China, and it was time to make those plans known. Telegrams had been sent back and forth between Korea and Austria-Hungary, and Austria-Hungary had decided it would send troops, advisors, and supplies to aid Korea in exchange for some territory in China.

But Russia was moving into Manchuria, an area where Austria-Hungary and Korea had decided they had some business. The offer Korea made to Austria-Hungary could be extended to Russia, and Korea had every intention of getting the land it wanted. So Korea sent a telegram to Russia:

To: The Russian Empire
From: The Korean Empire

(edit: map that has these things on it (though it is a 1910 map): http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ward_1912/chinese_empire_1910.jpg)

Contained in this telegram is an offer of mutual assistance between Korea, Russia, and, potentially, Austria-Hungary. In a recent telegram with Austria-Hungary, it was agreed that Korea and Austria-Hungary would move into southern Manchuria and beyond to gain territory and restore order. However, Russia has moved in to northern Manchuria. So we have an interesting situation with the potential for war between Russia on one side, China on the other, and Korea, Austria-Hungary, and potentially Italy and Germany on another, as per their alliance.

We know that Russia would not like this situation. We know we wouldn't either. So we propose the following border between Russia and Korea, and a possible border with any Austro-Hungarian lands. It would be wise to communicate with Austria-Hungary before you commit to that border, however. Korea shall take the Liaotung penninsula (minus Russian Port Arthur, of course) and shall follow the Russian Trans-Sibera Railway (full Russian access still allowed) to the Sungari River. All lands from there to Korea, up to the Russian border, shall be Korean. We hope Russia can agree to this. If not, perhaps more dialogue can reach a compromise.

At the intersection of the railway from Valdivostok through Manchuria and the Sungari River, we propose Austria-Hungary and Russia have a border. Of course, this would require dialogue with Russia and Austria-Hungary, so that they can agree on a common border. That is our proposal, but we have no idea what Austria-Hungary would think.

In the mean time, Korea began expanding its army. When the Austro-Hungarian advisors and equipment arrived, Korea should be able to recruit an additional 20,000 troops. The advisors would then be able to train them in Austro-Hungarian weapons and tactics, and the A-Hian model would be accepted.

Galveston Bay

09-07-2005, 04:31

Meanwhile, in Peking, the small US Marine detachment of 60 officers and men under the command of Captain John. T. Meyer made themselves available for the defense of the Embassy Quarter and Meyer placed himself under the command of Sir Claude Macdonald, the senior British diplomat. A total of 507 Western troops were now available to defend the area.

http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/boxer/boxer2.htm

over 2200 more Western troops were near Tientsin, and another 20,000 were either on the way or nearby ready to move.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/7624/BoxerRebellion.htm

But nearly 20,000 Boxers were in Peking now, plus another 10,000 near Tientsin, along with 10,000 Imperial troops. The big Western advantage was the huge disparity in firepower. But the Peking garrison and the numerous dependents and civilians were still ill defended from the huge mass of Boxers, who even now were slaughtering Chinese Christians by the thousands throughout the country.

News of the Empress refusing to condemn the Boxers created substantial outrage in the foreign community.

ooc
just to make sure everyone knows that the stage is set and whats involved.

and what happened historically

The Scandinvans

09-07-2005, 05:37

Allow me more territory and I also ask that the railroad be free to be used amongst us.

Artitsa

09-07-2005, 16:14

With the arrival of Colombian Soldiers (350), Captain Montoya has immediatly begun seeking a proper area to set up, alongside his American Counterpart. From the looks of things, Peking may be a wise choice.

Fluffywuffy

09-07-2005, 19:09

Sergeant Lee Kimpo paced up and down the ranks of soldiers, staring each in the eye with a fierce look. The idiotic soldiers had failed this drill again! If this had been a real battle, they'd all have charged directly into a machine gun emplacement and been cut down very quickly. They just didn't appear to understand cover. Sure, a few of those men were smart enough to get behind some trees and undergrowth and leap frog towards the emplacement, but the majority of this class had charged gungho into death.

"All right, you dumb mother fuckers, get down and give me fifty! If this was a real war, you'd all be dead! Now after you gimme fifty, we are gonna do this again until all of you retards take cover. The Empire needs great soldiers to defend itself. But look at you! I'd rather recruit some Ethiopians than you. Now get outta my sight!"

The men let out a collective sigh and quickly got to exercise. The smarter soldiers privately berated the dumb ones, and the knowledge was slowly transferred to them. In just another month, Korea would be ready to cross the border into Manchuria and begin what would hopefully be a quick and easy campaign for expansion. Already troops were beginning to march toward the border.

Sharina

09-07-2005, 22:44

OOC:

I'd like to resolve the Russia problem before we continue. Vas Porokim is interested in RP'ing Russia, but the Scandavians has been RP'ing it (albeit not that actively).

Also I need to know about France, whether to go ahead without it, or wait for a France player to join up?

Once these issues are resolved, then we can continue RP'ing without tangling ourselves up in messy OOC situations (like "Hey, who's playing Russia?" or "Hey, Scanadvia RP's this but Vas Porokim RP's that", etc.)

Kordo

09-07-2005, 23:03

General Franz Von Hindenburg looked at the Korean coast with interest as the ship pulled into the Korean Harbor. He had insisted on being with the first transports to arrive, in order to work out the military details, before any political negotiators arrived. With luck, the Korean troops wouldn't be too green, but Franz had a sneaking suspicion that was like hopeing that pigs could fly. Either way, they would make soldiers out of the Koreans yet, and use them to spread Austrian-Hungarian Empire to China.

ooc: just leting you know I'm still interested and involved

Vas Pokhoronim

10-07-2005, 17:14

To: The Russian Empire
From: The Korean Empire
Contained in this telegram is an offer of mutual assistance between Korea, Russia, and, potentially, Austria-Hungary. In a recent telegram with Austria-Hungary, it was agreed that Korea and Austria-Hungary would move into southern Manchuria and beyond to gain territory and restore order. However, Russia has moved in to northern Manchuria. So we have an interesting situation with the potential for war between Russia on one side, China on the other, and Korea, Austria-Hungary, and potentially Italy and Germany on another, as per their alliance.

We know that Russia would not like this situation. We know we wouldn't either. So we propose the following border between Russia and Korea, and a possible border with any Austro-Hungarian lands. It would be wise to communicate with Austria-Hungary before you commit to that border, however. Korea shall take the Liaotung penninsula (minus Russian Port Arthur, of course) and shall follow the Russian Trans-Siberia Railway (full Russian access still allowed) to the Sungari River. All lands from there to Korea, up to the Russian border, shall be Korean. We hope Russia can agree to this. If not, perhaps more dialogue can reach a compromise.

At the intersection of the railway from Valdivostok through Manchuria and the Sungari River, we propose Austria-Hungary and Russia have a border. Of course, this would require dialogue with Russia and Austria-Hungary, so that they can agree on a common border. That is our proposal, but we have no idea what Austria-Hungary would think.

In a Study in the Winter Palace, Sankt-Petrburg

Nikolai II Aleksandrovich Romanov, Sovereign Emperor of All the Russias, pointedly tossed the telegram he had just into the nearby fire and settled back in his armchair. He let his right arm drop to his side to absently scratch behind the ears of his favorite wolfhound.

"Russia does not need the permission of any chattering yellow monkeys to take what she wants," he growled, "nor shall her greatness be hemmed in by the 'preferences' of the heathen Tartars, nor her destiny abridged."

Count Sergei Witte, his courtesies long honed by his diplomatic profession and his status as a worldly intellectual among an uncultured race, repressed a grimace at this display of his master's raw bigotry. He had taken note of the recent modernizing developments in Japan, and suspected both China and Korea of possessing far more potential than the Tsar, a man of very limited vision, could truly appreciate. He had always opposed naked expansionism in the Far East, anyway, but in the context of Russian autocracy the chancellor was easily overruled. In any event, he knew his duties were first and foremost to the Motherland.

"Their Emperor’s requests make sense in light of their position, but I agree they are ridiculously grandiose."

"Insulting is more like it," replied the Tsar indifferently. He was by this point paying more attention to his dog than to his principal minister.

"Nevertheless, their Emperor favors Christianity, and might prove a useful ally in Asia in the future. We could offer to guarantee for the Koreans the section of Manchuria south and east of our railway junction at the Sungari as a token of friendship."

That got the Tsar's attention.

"Friendship? In God’s name what do we need the friendship of Korea for?"

Witte paused, realizing he had misphrased his suggestion, and implied that Russia, in the person of Nikolai, might tolerate a relationship of equality with an Asian power. As he pondered a way to reconstruct his proposal into something that might prove more acceptable to his master's towering sense of superiority and entitlement, Nikolai stood up, and with a sinking feeling in his gut, Witte suddenly knew his moment had passed.

"Seryozha," said the Tsar indulgently, clapping him resoundingly on the shoulder, "you are far, far too soft for the playing of the Great Game. We have more than enough troops in the east to deal with both China and Korea, and we can always send more. The Austrians won't risk a war against a White power for the sake of a Yellow one, and in any case they can have whatever they want so long as it’s not Manchuria, Mongolia, or," a prankish twinkle crept into the Tsar's eye, and a half smirk dimpled his cheek, "Korea."
Nikolai turned to go.

"It seems I have new orders to give my commanders in the Orient. Don’t bother replying to the Koreans, but do tell the Austrians something friendly, would you?"

And with that the Tsar strode out of the room, his wolfhound trotting unquestioningly at his heels, leaving Witte alone in the study, with only the fire and his doubts for company . . .

OoC: More will be forthcoming, including a message to Austria-Hungary, as I find out more about actual Russian forces in Asia during this time (got some . . . stuff . . . around here . . . somewhere). If for some reason The Scandinvans resume control of Russia I'll just delete this.

Vas Pokhoronim

10-07-2005, 18:29

20,00 Cossacks and 140,000 Regular soldiers well armed and well trained have been mustered to fight this threat.
And, incidentally, these numbers (I assume that 20,00 means 20,000) are absurdly high.
The total Allied Forces in the vicinity of Beijing and Tianjin during the height of the Uprising were
13,200 Russian
21,000 Japanese
8400 British
8200 Germans
6800 French (obviously these won't be here, since the French withdrew)
5600 American
2500 Italian
and 500 Austrian;
The 1st Siberian Army Corps consisted of 56,000 fairly raw troops under the command of Lieutenant-General Linevich, operating chiefly in Manchuria, and that is the number I will be starting with in Harbin, should an invasion actually transpire. In history, incidentally, the Russian governor of Port Arthur, Admiral Alekseev, actually pacified Manchuria in 1900 as much by the bribery of Manchu military commanders as by actual military force, but the Russians still saw a lot of fighting the next year.

The Scandinvans

10-07-2005, 19:43

OCC: Okay not that I am freed from some of my major threads I will make a come back and also I apolgoize for not rping that much I have also been going to my lakehouse.

Originally Posted by Fluffywuffy
To: The Russian Empire
From: The Korean Empire
Contained in this telegram is an offer of mutual assistance between Korea, Russia, and, potentially, Austria-Hungary. In a recent telegram with Austria-Hungary, it was agreed that Korea and Austria-Hungary would move into southern Manchuria and beyond to gain territory and restore order. However, Russia has moved in to northern Manchuria. So we have an interesting situation with the potential for war between Russia on one side, China on the other, and Korea, Austria-Hungary, and potentially Italy and Germany on another, as per their alliance.

We know that Russia would not like this situation. We know we wouldn't either. So we propose the following border between Russia and Korea, and a possible border with any Austro-Hungarian lands. It would be wise to communicate with Austria-Hungary before you commit to that border, however. Korea shall take the Liaotung penninsula (minus Russian Port Arthur, of course) and shall follow the Russian Trans-Siberia Railway (full Russian access still allowed) to the Sungari River. All lands from there to Korea, up to the Russian border, shall be Korean. We hope Russia can agree to this. If not, perhaps more dialogue can reach a compromise.

At the intersection of the railway from Valdivostok through Manchuria and the Sungari River, we propose Austria-Hungary and Russia have a border. Of course, this would require dialogue with Russia and Austria-Hungary, so that they can agree on a common border. That is our proposal, but we have no idea what Austria-Hungary would think.

Response to the message:
"We fear that these terms are unfavroable to me in many ways. But, I am we am willing to make a certain changes in the deal and here is what I propoe for it. That the trainline is made open for free use amonsgt, but for troops movementts in the thousands and other majorarms transports that er consult the others before doing so as not to conside to the plan. Also that we make furture talks about the borderes beween us. Also I acknowledge that we both desire great deals and that I have the greater deal of land but I find it unfavorable to you.

About the Chinese that we make a allaince agaisnt the Boxer menace and all of your troops and citzens we encounter that are held by them be it siege or inprisonment we will rrturn to you. Also any inteliignce we gain on them that we will share if it proves to be of any threat to you. I also request that you do the same under those circmstances. Also that if we capture Boxer leaders both of us are looking for that we judge there fate together as one tribunal.

What do you think of these new terms I propose if you wish to cahneg any of them please contact."

The Scandinvans

10-07-2005, 19:46

OCC: Sorry Fluffywuffy I messed up in the quote but I did include your rp in my post.

Vas Pokhoronim

11-07-2005, 18:01

Map of Foreign Spheres of Influence in China, 1900 (http://www.wwnorton.com/literature/general-resources/maps/world9_2.htm)

OoC: So far my candidacy for Russia has gotten a lot more support than the neglected claim of The Scandinvans, so I'm going to keep posting in order to move things along. Hopefully I won't be contributing to the utter ruination of this super-cool RP, but I trust I will be told in no uncertain terms if that proves to be the case. Anyway.
As can be seen in the Map, above, all of Korea's requests fall within the existing Russian Sphere of Influence (Manchuria was lost partially in 1901 and completely in 1905 to Japan), with a pre-existing population of Russians and a good deal of investment. This, as well as Tsar Nikolai's racism, explains his reactions to the Korean telegram. Also, my earlier comments on military strengths were mistakenly only those for a single province at a single time (that will be straightened out later), as I have since found that the full 1st Siberian Army Corps, which fought in the Rebellion, actually consisted of some 56,000 men. More on that later, too.
That is, if I am, in fact, proceeding with the blessings of the community and not just being a greedy dick. I realize that my stance so far has put Russia pretty forcefully against both China and Korea (whose players I otherwise like, and whose anti-Imperialist causes I'm frankly rooting for as a player, if not as a character), but Russia has to work with what it's got, in my opinion.
Anyway. I hope this all works out.

Kaduna

11-07-2005, 18:49

(OOC: I havn't had my claim over France totally confirmed yet, but no-one has expressed their denile of this, so on with the show, also i didn't read right the way through so if i do anything bad then tell me)

Émile François Loubet sat at his desk in Paris, it was a Sunny January day in 1901, he smiled at the blue skies and at the view over the city, his daydreaming was interupted by Alexandre Ribot who rushed in, "Monsenior President, we must discuss the current situation in China!" Alexandre looked worried "Monsenior you have put your decision off for too long, we must have a decision of our course of action!" Émile sighed, he had dreaded this day "Alexandre, I am not sure of our current course of action, if the Dreyfus Affair tought us anything maybe it's that Polotics should be kept out of Religon." Alexandre winced when he heard Émile mention the Dreyfus affair, Alexandre had been himself an avid antidreyfusard and the eventual judgement had depressed him greatly "But monsenior, if we continue to fight we may be able to gain some territory in the far east, it would be a great boost to our economy!" Alexandre practically begged the president to reconsider "Alexandre my mind is settled, we shall pull our troops out of this religious war.

(OOC: don't worry, i don't plan on exaturating the stereotypical French surrender monkey)

Galveston Bay

11-07-2005, 19:46

ooc
Its time for the Boxers and Chinese government to do something before the end of 1900... historically all the really exciting stuff happened that summer and fall. At this point, China has the Russians threatening from the North, the Americans, British, a few Colombians, and maybe others have ships off Tientsin and Shanghai, plus the Embassy Quarter in Peking that is now somewhat armed and fortified. I need to know if massacres of Chinese Christians are continuing. I am sure they are, as even Prince Tuans troops aren't very large in number (relatively speaking) and I doubt he could even control much of Peking. The Boxers really were a fairly popular movement after all and a lot of things were not controlled by anybody.

If so, then a nasty note demanding that the Chinese suppress the Rebellion or the Western Powers will be forced to do so will have been sent, and shortly after the seige begins in Peking. At this point the Chinese government either commits artillery and regular troops to back up the Boxers and the seige ends in the Chinese occupying the quarter (and a nasty massacre is inevitable no matter how hard the government tries to prevent it) or the Boxers get beaten off as historically through superior Allied firepower and discipline.

Either way, a seige triggers an Allied assault on Tientsin under Admiral Seymour. A relief expedition beyond that depends on what happens in Peking.

by the way, thanks for the map VP.

IC
Off Tienstin, a large fleet of foreign warships has gathered, including battleships, cruisers, destroyers and various support ships. A large force of British and American marines were now present, and more reinforcements were on the way. A Colombian battalion was present as well, although the Americans for one had little confidence in it.

American troops also arrived to beef up the garrison at Shanghai, along with even more warships.

Sharina

11-07-2005, 22:20

OOC:

I need a few days to catch up on all these responses, and also I've been pushing through for Vas Porokoim, Council of Clan, and Kaduna as RP'ers for Russia, Japan, and France respectively. I am pretty sure that this matter will be resolved by this week, so that this RP can continue (when I can post Prince Tuan's responses and such).

Also, we can hold off 1901 for a bit in this RP, so to let the actions and resultant RP's take place, then later on, we could fast-forward to the current "time" in this Earth.

Fluffywuffy

12-07-2005, 02:46

(OOC: Considering Russia is still up in the air, I will not make any responses to Russia until it is 100% solved who is Russia. I have little time for now, and, basically, this post is to say I am still just building and training those extra 20,000 troops. The A-H help is being used, of course. I might not get to post Tuesday, I'm travelling.)

Vas Pokhoronim

12-07-2005, 14:58

OoC: Having been actually confirmed as Russia in the Main Thread, I will therefore continue playing. This post does not affect China directly, so Sharina still has plenty of time to hatch his schemes.

IC:

To His Excellency Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary,

Greetings.

Concerning the situation in the Far East, His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II recently received an odd diplomatic notice from the self-styled "Emperor" of Korea, indicating that he had recently contracted some sort of alliance with your government to seize Manchuria from Chinese sovereignty.

This surely cannot be true.

As you of course must be aware, Manchuria, Mongolia, and Sinkiang have for some decades now been rightly considered by international treaty as falling within Russia's natural Sphere of Influence. It is inconceivable that the Habsburg Monarchy would even consider violating these long-standing arrangements at all, let alone without so much as notifying Saint-Petersburg of her interests in East Asia. Yet the mention of the Empire of Austria-Hungary within this dispatch is hard to account for. Why, I wonder, would this strange little chieftain in some isolated far corner of the world drop Vienna's good name into what amounts to a declaration of war against the Russian Empire?

As I say, I find it most curious.

Perhaps you can enlighten me in this matter. If indeed you do have some sort of arrangement with the Koreans, after all, you ought to be made aware of the abuses to which they seem to be putting it.

With great regard,
Graf Sergei Witte, Chancellor of the Empire of All the Russias
Postscriptum:
Enclosed is a reproduction of the telegram we received. Perhaps you can make more sense of it. Note that they do not even refer to our monarchs by name.
-S. Yu. Witte

To: The Russian Empire
From: The Korean Empire
Contained in this telegram is an offer of mutual assistance between Korea, Russia, and, potentially, Austria-Hungary. In a recent telegram with Austria-Hungary, it was agreed that Korea and Austria-Hungary would move into southern Manchuria and beyond to gain territory and restore order. However, Russia has moved in to northern Manchuria. So we have an interesting situation with the potential for war between Russia on one side, China on the other, and Korea, Austria-Hungary, and potentially Italy and Germany on another, as per their alliance.

We know that Russia would not like this situation. We know we wouldn't either. So we propose the following border between Russia and Korea, and a possible border with any Austro-Hungarian lands. It would be wise to communicate with Austria-Hungary before you commit to that border, however. Korea shall take the Liaotung penninsula (minus Russian Port Arthur, of course) and shall follow the Russian Trans-Siberia Railway (full Russian access still allowed) to the Sungari River. All lands from there to Korea, up to the Russian border, shall be Korean. We hope Russia can agree to this. If not, perhaps more dialogue can reach a compromise.

At the intersection of the railway from Vladivostok through Manchuria and the Sungari River, we propose Austria-Hungary and Russia have a border. Of course, this would require dialogue with Russia and Austria-Hungary, so that they can agree on a common border. That is our proposal, but we have no idea what Austria-Hungary would think.

Of the council of clan

12-07-2005, 18:04

OOC: As Japan I'm definetly taking a different Path in the Boxer Rebellion, I'm still doing research right now to come up with names and other details of my country but i'll make a preliminary post

IC:

Secret Communication to Prince Tuan of China from Emperor of Japan

Prince Tuan, we see that you are possibly attempting to secure China's future and Independence from the Western Devils. The Empire of Japan would like to secure this part of the world for Asians only and we are willing to support actions of the Chinese Imperial Government to protect itself from further division by Western Devils. We are also willing to send troops in support of that aim. In addition we are willing to give up our "sphere of influence" on the Chinese mainland in exchange for a Co-Prosperity Treaty and possibly a treaty of Alliance. We will be pledging troops in support of the Imperial West's Aims but they will be a small number and be ineffectual.

OOC: I think Japan and Britain had an alliance at this time?
IC: Communication to Empire of the British

Japan is alarmed at the present situation in China and to help protect both of our Empire's interests we are willing to send 2 Regiments of Japanese Naval Infantry and 2 Armored Cruisers in support. They shall be sailing from Nagasaki(sp?) within a month.

Kordo

12-07-2005, 18:37

snip

To: Graf Sergei Witte, Chancellor of the Empire of All the Russias
From: Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary

Greetings too you sir.

It is true as the telegram from the Korea and its 'Emperor' stated that Austria-Hungary and Korea have formed a temporary alliance. However, do not fear. The Austrian-Hungarian Empire has never had the intention of seizing territory from the great Russian Empire or its sphere of influence.

However, the Austrian-Hungarian government has made an agreement with the Korean, if only one of convenience. You see, as you may have realized, the Austrian-Hungarian government was not granted territory or a ‘sphere of influence’ in China. His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Francis Joseph wishes to rectify the situation by using the so-called ‘Boxer Rebellion’ to our advantage. We have never ever expressed an desire to Korea to help them conquer territory in your area of influence, or to use their troops to help Austro-Hungarian forces do the same. We will discuss this issue with our Korean allies in an effort to rectify the situation. There is not a doubt in my mind that neither His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty Francis Joseph nor His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II wish a repeat of say, the Crimean War?

With my deepest regards,

Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary

ooc: nothin like a little political back-peddeling

Vas Pokhoronim

12-07-2005, 21:44

snip

To Ernst von Koerber, Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary,

My Good Sir,

It is as I expected. These less-mature powers can all-too-easily be carried off in their enthusiasms, and begin dreaming of things that are at best impractical and more frequently unworkable and outright destructive. It is no discredit to you, sir, that they have misconstrued the essential integrity of the European system. In the light of these disclosures, I can assure you I will do my utmost to dissuade the Tsar from punishing their presumption precipitately, and I will furthermore tender to him my full confidence that the Dual Monarchy will correct her protectorate's errors in full measure.

And may I further extend to you, sir, my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Austria-Hungary's first significant steps towards assuming her rightful place upon the world's stage. Specifically, I might recommend Tianjin and the corridor westwards to Beijing (OoC: I know the pinyin might be confusing, but it's easier to look up on a modern map and it's what I know) as a point of interest worth pursuing. The British, Germans, and the Japanese would have to be informed for courtesy's sake, but I cannot imagine any legitimate objections on their parts, and you will find an advocate for your cause in Russia. Moreover, I can of course offer your merchants the free use of Russia's harbor at Port Arthur. Our governor there is quite a liberal man, and harbors no prejudices against any Europeans, nor even Jews.

Again, my deepest thanks for clarifying this matter, and my greatest hopes for His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty's continued good health.

And with great regards to you, sir, I remain,
Graf Sergei Witte, Chancellor of the Empire of All the Russias

Vas Pokhoronim

13-07-2005, 00:47

Secret Communication to Prince Tuan of China from Emperor of Japan
<snip>
OoC: This is what I like to see.
Historically, among the Chinese modernizers, there was considerable pro-Japanese sentiment. Many young people, especially, went to Japan to receive a modern education (among them Lu Xun, considered the greatest modern Chinese author), where they were first introduced to concepts like democracy, constitutionalism, socialism, and human rights, since the Confucian equivalents (based on the Master's and Mencius' surprisingly modern understanding of the social contract) had long since been buried under the accrued weight of ever-increasingly reactionary and servile interpretations of moral virtue.
In any event, neither Japan's actions during the Sino-Japanese War nor the Boxer Rebellion were sufficient to alienate these students. It was only the rise of Fascism in Japan that finally drove an impermeable wedge between Japan's Chinese admirers and its terrible reality.
I'm not as familiar with the history of the Japanese side of this equation, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.

Sharina

13-07-2005, 03:21

OOC: I'm finally able to get this RP moving, as we have already confirmed Japan, France, Germany, and Russia. Now let the sparks fly!

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

Prince Tuan reclined back in his Imperial throne in the city of Luo Yang, the ancient Chinese Imperial capital, dating all the way back to pre-Han dynasty times approximately 2,000 years hence. He quietly read the latest diplomacy comminques, as well as recent Westerner activity in Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin. He groaned slightly, an act seemingly non-Imperial and unbecoming of a Prince of China. His groan faded away, as a smile began spreading across his thin lips.

This is becoming quite interesting. Japan is offering to support China, while France is withdrawing. This leaves Russia, Britain, Germany, and America as the major threats. However, Germany will be of a lesser issue with the aid of Japan, while Russia may be tied up with Korea, as my inetlligence sources indicate that both Russia and Korea has an interest in Manchuria. This leaves me with England and America to deal with.

However, America appears to be an Isolationist nation, which means they probably want to withdraw from China as quickly and soon as possible, to minimize possible American casaulties. America seems to prefer to keep their interests within their continent, and even if it came to war, America cannot wage much of one. Their logistics and supply would be greatly complicated and made much more difficult as they would have to cross the giant Pacific Ocean. Thus, it would take months or more for any sizable American force to attack China, allowing me to prepare defenses and such in a timely manner.

This leaves Britain as the only primary threat, with Russia as a secondary threat. If I can convince America to leave, and give Russia no excuse to invade, then I can easily deal with any potential war with Britain if it should come to that.

Yes, I can see it now. China pushing out the Westerners through smooth tongues, allowing it to grow much stronger and perhaps exact some revenge aganist the Westerners someday.

Prince Tuan nodded to himself, as he began putting his thoughts into formulated plans and strategies. Suddenly, he felt a slight breeze as a middle-aged man stepped out from behind a pillar in the throne chamber with not a sound. The silent man donned a dress uniform of an Imperial Officer, and spoke up in a quiet voice.

"My Lord."

Prince Tuan gave the mysterious officer a simple nod, acknowledging his presence, then motioned for the officer to step forward.

"Greetings.

I have information and a duty for you to perform. Honor China in doing so, and you shall be rewarded as you have been.

First, the information. Here is some directives and intelligence for you to distribute among your groups. If you can pull this off, just for the next few months, then our dominance shall be assured. It may be necessary to swallow your pride and beliefs just for this time period, otherwise, the Westerners would tear us apart. Have your men follow these directives based off the latest Chinese intelligence.

Second, you are to engage in small scale skirmishes with my Imperial Army near Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin. However, the intelligence enclosed should be able to help your men and my Imperial Army to sustain minimal casaulties.

We must maintain our illusion for this to work. The future and glory of China is at stake here. Remember that."

Prince Tuan handed the officer a small bundle of papers, and gave him another nod, but one of dismissal. The officer bowed slightly, and seemed to disappear within the shadows of the throne room as if he was never there in the first place.

After one hour had passed, several attendants entered the throne chamber, and Prince Tuan ordered his attendants to bring him diplomatic papers for him to begin composing responses. Tuan spent several more hours carefully composing his diplomatic messages, as the future of China rested on his every word, letter, and symbol.

-----------------------------------------------------
Comminque to Britain
From: Prince Tuan

Greetings.

I wanted to inform you that the Imperial Army is ready to begin hunting down the Boxers, as training has been somewhat slow this past year. The Imperial Army will be able to start operations around Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin as they are priority areas to secure.

In addition, I must also reiniterate that once Peking, Shanghai, and Tienstin are secure, your civilians and missionaries should be safe from the Boxers. However, the Imperial Army cannot guanatree their safety should they want to move back into the countryside, as the Boxers have far more mobility and effectiveness in the countryside than the Imperial Army. The Boxers can hit your civilians and missionaries in the countryside before the Imperial Army can even mobilize, much less chase down the Boxers. The only chance that the Imperial Army has is if the Boxers attack a garrisoned city, as small villages, towns, or dwellings aren't garrisoned by the Imperial Army.

Chinese engineers would like to request that your engineers teach them about building railroads, locomotive construction and maintainence, and operation of railroad networks. This is to help faciliate more rapid construction of railroads, which should open up more Chinese cities to British trade. Please share your thoughts on this.

Thank you.

~Prince Tuan

-----------------------------------------------------
Secret Comminque to Japan
From: Prince Tuan

Greetings.

I am honored that the Japanese Emperor and people have chosen to support the Chinese people in these troubled times. I fully agree that the Westerners have no place in Asia and among her proud peoples. These Westerners have no respect for our culture, society, traditions, and codes of honor that date back thousands of years. I am quite receptive to your offer of a co-propserity and alliance agreements. China is prepared to give up all Chinese island or isle claims and plans in the Pacific. I propose the following...

Japan gains dominance over the Pacific Ocean, while China gains dominance over Eastern Asia. The Japanese people can become the masters of the sea, while the Chinese people become the masters of the land. Would this be agreeable?

Please inform me of your thoughts, proposals, and ideas. We must stand united aganist the Westerners and their self-destructive society and ways. The Asian peoples are the rightful inheritors of Asia and eventually the world. We must not let our entire civilization fall to the Westerners!

Live well.

~Prince Tuan

Lesser Ribena

13-07-2005, 10:38

"It seems that the Chinese have at last begun operatiosn against the Boxers" Lord Lansdowne noted to an aide.

"Indeed my lord, they have begun to clear Peking, Shanghai and Tientsin of the menace and our soldiers will join them shortly"

"I still don't trust their leaders though, they're too secretive and cunning for my liking" He had always been sceptical of other countries ever since he had held the Secreatry of Stae for War position for 5 years. "The way that they are too willing to agree with us but whilst waiting so long to actually do anything about these Boxers. And this railway nonsense, how can we think of helping them to improve their infrastructure when theres such a plague in their country?"

"Maybe they just want to improve trade and their economy after this is over?" put in the aide.

"Maybe, but I still don't trust them, I just hope that Admiral Seymour will be able to sort out what's going on over there"

He began drafting another communiqué to China, trying to be forceful with them whilst remaining diplomatic.

To: Prince Tuan
From: Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of Sate for Foreign Affairs.

It is truely great that you have begun military operations against the Boxers in the cities of Shanghai, Tientsin and Peking. My men will undoubtedly be able to assist you in this matter, especially at Tientsin and Peking. But would be greatly relieved by the additional reinforcements that I am readying in India for transport across, this includes several European regiments who were training there on the North West Frontier as well as locally raised regiments and a detachment of the Royal Artillery. I hope that they will be able to dock with the rest of my forces at Tientsin peacefully.

As to the matter of British Civilians in China, I have issued strong advice taht they make their way towards Peking or Tientsin where my forces are and are free to bring along any other foreign nationals or Chinese Christians. Tey are advised to travel in large groups under armed protection if possible and to avoid any other groups on the way as they may be Boxers. I am sending out patrols from Peking to keep an eye out for any such groups and to return them safely to the city.

As to the matter of railroads, we can understand that it is of great import to you at the moment as you wish to build up trade with my country and that such an arrangement would be beneficial to us both. However I cannot spare the necessary engineers to assist you in any civilian construction work but am willing to assist you by extending the current Tientsin line so that it reaches Peking, as this will benefit us both by assisting troop and suppky movement.

I hope that you will contact me again in the future and will not hesitate to contact me on any other issues that may arise.

_________________________________________

To: US Government
From: lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

I wish to contact you regarding the matter of Chian. It has become clear that the Chinese Givernment is attempting to stall foreign involvement in China. It is not yet known as to why this is being done, however what is certain is that we must continue troop deployments in the area to safeguard foreign concerns there, this is especially heightened due to the recent complete French Pullout from the area andthe concerns of Russia with Korea. This leaves only British and US troops capable of operating in the area and hence we must increase our dispositions there or else face an uncertain future. I have dispatched yet more reinforcements to China from my available troops in India and can only hope that they will be enough. The Royal Navy contingent in the arae has also been stepped up with several cruisers being dispatched from South Africa where they are not needed and the allocation of HMS Formidible our new Battleship to the Pacific from it's construction yard in Britain.

We hope for a peaceful conclusion to the events in China though this looks less and less promising by every day.

Yours,

Lord Lansdowne

Vas Pokhoronim

13-07-2005, 16:06

Edit--I was re-reading this, and thought I should make it clear that I don't mean to come across as harsh or even frustrated, so my apologies if I'm giving that impression. I'm just confused is all.

Questions

Yo Sharina, we've seen a lot of Prince Tuan's court at Loyang so far, but what's going on in the rest of China?

Historically, the governor of Shandong, in open defiance of the Imperial Government, joined forces with them to drive out foreigners as early as 1899. Cixi's attitudes towards them veered drunkenly from denouncing them as "bandits" to her declaration, on 21 June 1900, of open-ended war against all foreign powers in contact with China. The Boxer (Yihetuan in Chinese) attacks on foreign legations inside Beijing had already been going on for a couple of weeks by then.

Has any of this been happening? Who's running these people, if you're only handling Tuan? Or are you running them and just haven't shown it yet?

As you've pointed out, Tuan isn't the Chinese head of government--Cixi is. We Foreign Devils really ought to be dealing mostly with her until Tuan actually seizes the reins of power. Moreover, a lot of foreign diplomats and businessmen in Beijing should have been assassinated by the rebels by now (the real violence exploded in early June 1900), including the German ambassador and a secretary of the Japanese Legation. Have Imperial Troops loyal to Tuan prevented these occurrences where the Empress Dowager could or would not?

I need answers to these questions before I can make any further moves.

Troop Dispositions

For now, I'll assume that Manchuria is more-or-less at peace, due to Admiral Alekseev's sharp military and diplomatic maneuvering with the local, extremely independent (and corrupt) Manchu commanders (this is historically fairly accurate), and that General Linevich's 1st Siberian Army Corps is currently mobilized and occupying Harbin and the surrounding area, but has made no further incursions into Chinese territory. The garrisons and naval squadrons at Port Arthur and Vladivostok are on alert but have not yet taken any military action. Mostly what the Russians are concerned about now is the possibility of a Korean invasion.

Galveston Bay

13-07-2005, 16:17

USA

------------
The US government sends a polite but firm note to Korea reminding it that it has a trade treaty with the US. Another note is sent to China reminding it that the US has a treaty with them ensuring that trade will not be infringed. Other polite notes are sent to Russia and Austria Hungary reminding them that the US will be displeased if its trade with Korea and China is infringed upon.

Meanwhile, the US lands a provisional battalion of Marines and 2 infantry regiments at Tientsin, and another infantry regiment at Shanghai, plus the Columbian battalion is landed at Tienstin.

A gunboat is also sent on a 'courtesy call' to the port of Inchon in Korea to keep an eye on things there.

-----
ooc
Korea, modernizing is going to take loans, as you essentially have no cash. The premier lender at this time is the British, with the US and France in distant 3rd and 2nd place (respectively). Austria Hungary isn't known for its great financial reserves or international banking and lending capability, and Russia is using French capital to build its railroads, so it can't really loan you money either. The only other potential source of lending is Germany at this time, and they weren't really in the international lending market.

The US is frankly annoyed by Korean activities as of late so the US government is pressuring the big banks to ensure they don't lend you any money. Which doesn't hurt them much, as they have plenty of other people to loan money to (mostly in Latin America).

Of the council of clan

13-07-2005, 18:01

Secret Communique to China (Prince Tuan)
Emperor Mutsuhito

Japan would be most agreeable to China have control of Land whilst Japan controls seas and Islands. Japan has long been modernizing and industrializing for decades and I feel if China can accomplish the same we will have 2 major powers that the Europeans will not be able to dominate over. At the moment so that Europeans are not suspect I have dispatched 2,000 Japanese Naval Infantry to Peking to "protect" my embassies if it is agreeable with you I would like several companies of these troops to assist your Imperial army in training its forces and possibly "hunting" the boxers. Currently Japan Supports yourself in taking control of China. China should seek peace with Britain to keep this war at a small scale.

[NS]Parthini

13-07-2005, 18:02

OOC: Ouch, USA... ouch.

Man, I wish the Revolution wouldv'e happened earlier. This is getting interesting to watch.

IC: A proclamation from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yamin Siva:

The Persian Government hereby strongly condemns the actions of the Boxers in their murderous acts against other People of the Book. Persia hereby supports the Western Powers, especially the United Kingdom, in their actions to quell such a horrible disaster. The Shah also begs the soverign nations of Britian and China to conclude this matter in peaceful measures, rather than through steel and lead.

Sharina

13-07-2005, 23:22

OOC:

Valid questions, VP. I'll try to answer them to the best I can.

1. Dowager Empress Cixi has lost much of her power thanks to Prince Tuan and his political manuevering. The "point of divergence" began in 1898 as I detailed in my other China thread, but I lost the link. Tuan has become much more politically active, as well as more savvy in Westerner politics than he has been in RL history.

Thus, Prince Tuan has gathered much internal support, from officials and the general Chinese populace. Cixi is important, but is merely a figurehead in respect to power. Tuan is about to take care of Cixi once the next round of diplomacy takes place.

What's more, the diplomatic posts I've made lately were made by Prince Tuan without Cixi's knowledge, because Tuan knew that Cixi would probably interfere and create more problems for China. Tuan is preparing to declare himself Emperor, so it should all work out diplomatic-wise.

2. Prince Tuan has been in touch with the Boxer leadership, and giving them intelligence and long-term plans. The Boxers in this alternate history have noticed Prince Tuan's successes with the Westerners, and have taken an interest in Tuan's obvious ascendancy to Emperor-hood. Thus, they are willing to work with Prince Tuan, while in RL, they apparently didn't work with anyone.

However, I will RP some problems down the road like several dis-satisfied Boxer commanders. Then the Imperial Army will crush those groups, boosting Westerner opinion of Prince Tuan.

3. I do plan on RP'ing locations elsewhere in China in the next couple of weeks, as I will RP the Imperial Army chasing down the Boxers and such. Luo-Yang is primarily the site for my diplomatic RP posts.

This RP has been mostly diplomacy manuevering so far. There haven't been any major battles yet. Historically, Tuan was executed by 1901, because of his actions, but in this Alt History, he is growing in power, and gaining more support from officials, the general populace, and even the Boxers.

Hope all that made sense. If any of you guys have any suggestions or feedback on how to improve this, or keep it within realism (not necessarily follow RL history) I'm willing to listen. :)

Vas Pokhoronim

14-07-2005, 05:00

OOC:
Valid questions, VP. I'll try to answer them to the best I can.
<snip>
Thanks for the clarifications, and also for reminding me to look at The Awakening of the Sleeping Dragon (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9163223#post9163223). So I can assume that sporadic violence has broken out but that the Imperial Army under Tuan has essentially arrested all the foreign businessman and missionaries they could find (along with their families, of course) and brought into "protective custody" (which can mean a lot of different things, just ask the Cherokee) in Shanghai and Beijing, and they have not otherwise been molested. And that no significant assassinations have taken place, but that there's probably a lot of property damage, especially to churches.
So, no, not as hairy as the real Rebellion (at least not yet), but the detention of foreign nationals might prove the sticking point.

Troop Dispositions
In the meantime, that's enough for me to know. My forces are still concentrating on holding Manchuria and Liaodong against all comers. There aren't enough Russians in the rest of China to be worth bothering about (though you can expect a request from the Governor of Port Arthur for their immediate release into Russian custody, and compensation for any loss of property), and without actual massacres of other Europeans that leaves my commanders with cause to be wary, even hostile, but not quite cause to invade--chiefly because invading without consultation might offend the other Western Powers.
I never thought I'd enjoy Colonialism quite so much. I must be more evil than I thought.
I'll post more details presently.

Vas Pokhoronim

14-07-2005, 05:21

Parthini']A proclamation from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yamin Siva:

The Persian Government hereby strongly condemns the actions of the Boxers in their murderous acts against other People of the Book. Persia hereby supports the Western Powers, especially the United Kingdom, in their actions to quell such a horrible disaster. The Shah also begs the soverign nations of Britian and China to conclude this matter in peaceful measures, rather than through steel and lead.
Over tea with a member of the Persian diplomatic corps later that week, the Russian Minister in Tehran makes certain to complement the Shah's especial concern for Great Britain, remarking that His Majesty's loyalty to his truest friends is touching.

OoC: I hope that was the right tone of quiet menace. I believe Northern Iran is Russia's Sphere of Influence there, after all, and heavy-handedness is what Russians do best.

Galveston Bay

14-07-2005, 07:35

USA

A note is delivered to the Chinese Government..

"The United States expects and insists that Americans and Europeans be able to travel safely from Tientsin to Peking. Therefore, if the Imperial government is unable to ensure the safety of Westerners travelling on the railroad connecting those two cities than action will have to be taken to ensure that safety. In short, the Chinese government is responsible for the safety of Americans in China under previous treaty arrangements and the US government is holding China to that treaty."

The note is just short of an ultimatum.

a copy of this note is also delivered to the other Embassies in Peking, and the consulates in Tientsin and Shanghai for their information.

Lesser Ribena

14-07-2005, 16:14

Great Britain

A message from Lord Salisbury

"In addition to the recent American statement the British governement would like to reiterate it's earlier statements that if the Imperial Chinese Army and it's government can no longer guarantee the safety of foreign nationals within it's country then Britain and it's allies will be forced to guarantee this safety themselves with additional troops from abroad. Whilst this is a worst case scenario and will only be resultant from reduced stability and increased danger in the area, we would like to reaffirm the increased risk of foreign involvement in your sovereign country."

Fluffywuffy

15-07-2005, 03:42

Korea had remained silent for a a little while, with the Emperor and his advisors contemplating what action to take next. The word on the street was that Russia was solidifying its hold on Manchuria, including the Liaodong penninsula, which the Emperor had had his eyes on. Russia was too strong to take on along and, if Russia was beaten, America, with that gunboat, might just get involved. And that might mean Britain. Certainly China would not want Manchuria or the Liaodong in Korean hands--no doubt Prince Tuan fumed with rage at Russian "influence" in Manchuria and Mongolia. It was decided Korea would not enter Manchuria on its own side. Two nations next to Korea had greater opportunities for long-lasting friendship, modernisation, and trade. Those two nations were China and Japan. China would be contacted first, for in the distant past China was a friend of Korea.

Telegram to Prince Tuan:

Greetings, great and honorable Prince Tuan of the Chinese Empire. China, and Asia with it, is in turmoil. Western nations from half a world away occupy vast tracts of land that is rightfully China's out of pure racism and hatred. Korea, too, has experienced this Western hatred: our telegrams to the West have largely been ignored, despite numerous attempts to cater to the West's culture, probably out of disdain for our Asian race.

We understand that China has attempted to meet Western demands to ensure the safety of all of the West's citizens in China to prevent the West's wrath. And we also understand that, even then, the West puts forth ultimatums demanding even more Chinese concessions. Troops from as far away as South America now stand in China, preventing China's manifest destiny as a great power to shine through the thick clouds of Western aggression.

But let us cut to the chase: Korea wishes to ally itself with one of its traditional allies, China, to defeat this new Western threat. Should the West do something really drastic, or if China requests help, Korea will send all it can to defeat the Westerners. All we ask of China in exchange is that, should Korea need the same help, China provide it. I, Emperor Kojong of Korea, request a meeting between the two of us at a location of your choice to discuss this matter more fully.

-Emperor Kojong

Galveston Bay

15-07-2005, 07:27

USA

on the East Coast of the US, a pair of cruisers left New York Harbor for their long journey around the Horn to the Pacific. The crisis in China would almost certainly be over long before they themselves joined the Asiatic Squadron, but news of their deperature enabled the Navy to consider plans to shift more shifts to the Western Pacific should it desire to.

Sharina

15-07-2005, 11:05

OOC: I'm going to adopt a new style of writing. The plain italics will be actual dialogue, while the blue italics will be the person's thoughts and musings.

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

Prince Tuan smiled as he read the latest diplomatic comminques and transcripts.

Perfect. Japan and Korea as potential allies aganist the Russians, British, and the Americans. With the Westerners blatant and continuing demands aganist China, despite China's continued efforts to appease the Westerners, it has apparently begun to unify us true Asians aganist the Westerner menace. Without the Westerners, Asia would still be fractured, and easier for these despeciable nations to conquer us one by one.

We must stand together, for unity is the way to success.

Later in the day, Prince Tuan called for another meeting of his commanders and head subordinates. The commanders and subordinates sat down at the very same long conference table that instituted a subtle change in Chinese policy several months earlier.

Prince Tuan spoke to the silent and respectful assemblage.

"Greetings.

I believe that it is the correct time to declare myself Emperor, for several reasons.

First, according to the reports I have read, the Chinese people grow weary of the Dowager Empress Cixi's incomptence in face of the growing Westerner threat. The Boxers are actively opposing Cixi's directives, and Cixi does not understand how to deal with the Westerners. She still thinks and treats them as she would another Asian state. She hasn't learned that the Westerners operate in many different fundamental ways than us proud Asians.

Second, with the peace and alliance overtures presented by Japan and Korea, which were our enemies at one point or another in history, it speaks volumes of the Westerner threat. The Westerner threat is sufficient to have former enemies band together in unity, when a few years ago, this would have been a laughable notion. To spearhead such a union, we need a strong leader, and Cixi is definitely not the type of leader who can effectively lead such an union aganist the Westerners.

Finally, if we eliminate Cixi from her role of leadership, then I may lead China much more effectively. The modern world demands much change and progress, which Cixi and her dynasty is adamantly opposed to. They prefer to keep to the traditional ways, and if we allow this to continue, then it will be the downfall of China. Our people would have no protection aganist the Westerners, and our civilization would be destroyed, our histories forgotten, and our children raised as dishonorable Westerner liars. This is completely unacceptable, for China and her people have been prospering for thousands of years. We must not submit to these newborn European and American civilizations a few centuries old, for they are nothing more but glorified backstabbers who have no concept of honor and duty.

In short, Cixi's time has passed, and it is time for China to be led by a ruler much more knowledgable and wise in the ways of the modern world and the international stage. Only then, will China become stronger and help develop Asia into a power that shall surpass Europe!"

Once Prince Tuan finished speaking, there was full silence for more than five minutes. Not a single sound escaped from the assembled officers, nor military commanders. The passion and force of Prince Tuan's speech deprived them of any doubts or disagreements. Another several minutes passed before Prince Tuan spoke again.

"I take it from your silence that you do agree with my reasoning and plans for declaration of Emperor-ship and founding a new dynasty? Speak up if you think otherwise."

An aging officer, apparently in his late fifties nodded and cleared his throat before responding.

"My exalted lord, I think I can speak once again for all of us that we support your goal. We shall lend our political, moral, and cultural support behind you, and we pledge our lives to you."

Prince Tuan gave a small smile, showing approval of the old officier's statement.

"Good. I shall declare Emperor-ship within a week, once preparations are made. Thank you for your support, and you will not be forgotten. Dismissed."

The officers gave the customary bows of respect before leaving Prince Tuan's conference chamber. The next day, Prince Tuan composed diplomatic responses to the Westerners, Japan, and Korea.

---------------------------------------------
Comminque to Britain and United States
Copies secretly sent to Japan and Korea
From: Prince Tuan

I must be blunt and honest with your nations regarding the safety of foreign nationals within China. The more we dance around on lilies, more is lost on both sides.

The Imperial Army is not equipped to operate aganist gurriellas, thus the only areas that the Imperial Army can truly secure are major cities. Not only that, but it is extremely difficult to fully secure the railroad aganist gurriella groups, or tiny mobile armies. Defending and securing cities and large urban centers aganist gurriella warfare and sabotage is far easier than securing the countryside or transportation networks

The only way I can see fully securing the railroad and canals is to garrison 500 to 1,000 men for each mile of railroad or canal. Or station 20 - 30 men every 200 feet along the railroad or canal to prevent sabotage or gurriella actions. This would be a logistical nightmare that the Imperial Army is simply unable and unprepared to deal with.

Securing the countryside is far worse. China would need literally millions of soldiers in active duty, not counting the additional millions of support personnel, to scour the millions of square miles of countrysides, mountains, deserts, forests, and so forth for any secret or hidden Boxer camps. To compound that problem, China has over 400 million people, and finding actual Boxers amongst the populace would be, as you people put it, "finding a needle in a haystack".

The Imperial Army would also need to station 1,000 men for every 10 x 10 mile area. What's more, is that even if such a deployment was even possible (which it is definitely not), it would still not be enough to prevent gurriella forces from sneaking in the land, kill a few foreign nationals or burn churches, then melt back into the countryside. Those acts could happen within 10 - 15 minutes, not sufficient time for the 1,000 men to take up arms, and travel even a mile.

Now, to address your concern of sending your own militaries to deal with the Boxers and restore order in China. This is simply not possible, due to the sheer size of China, along with its hundreds of millions of people. Your army would not be as large as the Imperial Army, and your empires are far flung, unlike China. How many of your colonies or even your homeland would be under-defended if you were to send any sizable force of 50,000 men or more? What's to stop an eager colony from revolting aganist under-defended authorities? Or what is there to stop an rival empire from seizing the initative and pounce on your under-defended colonies or homeland while you wage war aganist China?

With all of these issues in mind, I believe that I am doing the best I can to save as many foreign national lives as possible, with little to no military casaulties. It is obvious that the Chinese people do not welcome foreign nationals, after the way that they treat the Chinese people, and blatantly disregard Chinese culture, traditions, and etiquette.

Once again, I apologize for the bluntness in this comminque, but in these times, we cannot dance on lilies, as decisive actions are required. The more we dance around, the more damage will occur not only to the foreign nationals, but to the Chinese people as well.

China is doing everything in its power to secure the safety of the foreign nationals within its borders, despite the somewhat inadequate training of its army aganist gurriellas, its under-developed transportation networks, and the sheer amount of land to secure. The job can and is being done, that I can guanatree you. However, it cannot be done as quickly as we both would like, unless some kind of divine miracle or fortune occurs.

~Prince Tuan

----------------------------------------------------
Secret Comminque to Korea
From: Prince Tuan

Greetings, Emperor Kojong.

I am quite honored that you have chosen to reconcile differences with the Chinese people. I would be honored to meet with you and discuss the future of Asia. I would like to meet with you within the next several weeks, as time is of the essence here.

I would also like to inform you that I am going to declare my Emperor-ship and officially found a new dynasty. The Dowager Empress Cixi lacks the will or power to lead China into the next century with all the major changes that will probably be forthcoming.

Please contact me as quickly and discreetly as possible. I apologize for the short comminque, but the less that is said in comminques, the better. We do not want the Westerners to gain critical information now, do we?

Live well,
~Prince Tuan

Fluffywuffy

15-07-2005, 16:14

A communications officer strolled into the Emperor's chambers, bowed courtiously, and spoke in a solemn and respectful voice. "My lord, we have just recieved two telegrams from China. One is, apparantly, a copy of a note to Britain and America. The other is purely to us. Prince Tuan is about to declare himself Emperor of China, and this new Emperor does wish to meet with you. He urges discretion--no need to alert our Western foes--but he urges some haste in this matter. So, my Lord, what is your will on this matter?"

The Emperor paused before speaking. This was a matter of a great deal of importance--the burden of leadership now sat heavy on the aging Emperor's shoulders. All of his goals for Korea could have been laid down for naught if his current course was the wrong one. Prince Tuan was to be an Emperor soon; he probably wouldn't want to meet in Korea because of any potential unrest relating to that ascension. Likewise, China had many foriegn soldiers inside its borders, and that made the Korean Emperor a little nervous. Well, the entire idea of allying with China made the Emperor nervous, but this would be a good show of trust for both sides.

"Inform the Chinese in a quick note that I am sailing for China at the moment. Inform Pri-, I mean, Emperor, Tuan that I shall meet him in Peking. Wish him good luck in ruling China, and tell the Chinese Emperor that we will discuss all matters of great importance in person. Also, in a matter of no relation, contact France and see if we can get any loans. We need cash to develop all the industries we require."

The officer bowed, and in a blink of the eye he sped off toward a telegraph machine to tell China about developments and request a French loan. Meanwhile, Emperor Kojong strolled out of his palace and into a carriage, which sped him toward a waiting merchant vessel. He informed several ministers of temporary powers to rule in his stead and told them that China would probably provide a telegram machine for the Emperor if any serious situation occured. He then sailed off toward the city of Peking.

Kaduna

15-07-2005, 16:33

Alexandre walked into the Presidents room "Monsenior, the Koreans are asking for a loan." Émile looked up at his foreign minister, "Well how would this affect things?" He asked "Well the Koreans seem to have no major standing in European affairs, it could however be used to aid in the Boxer Rebellion." Alexandre seemed to pause as if he was about to say somthing "hmmm, what is Koreas political standing with the Boxers?" Émile leant back in his chair "Well sir, we aren't too sure-" He was interupted by Émile, "well your the foreign minister find out!" He seemed to bark out, "Yessir i'll got on it right away!"

Telegram
From: Alexandre Ribot
To: Emperor Kojong
Subject: Loan

France would like to offer you a loan, but first we would like to know certain things, firstly, what is it that you plan to use this money for? Secondly, what is your current view on events in Asia? After these questions have been answered we will consider lending money

Signed

Alexandre Ribot

Lesser Ribena

15-07-2005, 16:52

To: Prince Tuan
From: Lord Lansdowne, British Foreign Minister

We are aware of the dangers and impracticalities of a guerrilla war, having fought the Boers for the past 2 years, however we are also aware that we cannot send a vast number of men into the region as we are spread thinly as it is. I put it to you that Britain will guard the Tientsin-Peking railway. Allow our mounted infantry to patrol the area and allow us to dig in/fortify the route for the infantry and together with more reinforcements and a little chinese help we can keep this this link open.

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

To: American Government
From: Lord Lansdowne, British Foreign Minister

Dear Sirs,

We would like to propose increased cooperation between our nations in the matter of China. The Chinese have expressed their unwillingness to keep open our essential trade and support routes to Peking, and so we are forced to patrol alongside the trains ourselves. Though I am rushing yet more reinforcements in from India, detaching marines from ship duties and weakening the garrison at Hong Kong I am unable to keep open the route alone. Therefore I am requesting, nay pleading, that the United States will assist in the protection of it's citizens and will pledge more reinforcements and supllies to the area. I hope wou will agree otherwise I will be forced to order my civilians out of the area and abandon it to the Chinese, this is unthinkable and must not be allowed to happen.

Artitsa

15-07-2005, 18:22

To: British Government
From: Colombian Army Attache to President Sewell

The Battalion of Colombian Troops is willing to guard, protect, and retrieve any British Citizen should their government require it. Colombia would be more than happy to lend a hand in preventing any casualties or atrocities commited by the Chinese Heathens known as Boxers.

-=-=-=-=-=-

Vasquez could barely wake up. The best couple of weeks had been hell, training every day. First the run, then the drills and maneuvers and finally target training. His skills had been improving, along with the rest of the Colombians, but they were very tired. The Americans had a lot of excellent strategies and tactics that had been taught to them, and now, the 1st Colombian Battalion was deemed combat ready. Combat Ready? Vasquez was too tired to even think about holding his rifle let alone combat in general. Thank the lord that today and tomarrow would be R&R days. He and his countrymen, certainly needed it.

Galveston Bay

15-07-2005, 19:04

General Chaffee, commander of the US Army and Marine forces, and also the Colombian expeditionary force, quickly responded to the British request.

Companies from the Colombians and the US 27th and 31st Infantry regiments began riding aboard trains to provide security. Meanwhile the Marines, and the rest of the Army brigade, provided local security to Tientsin.

Equiped with machine guns and magazine rifles, the Americans and Colombians had a lot of firepower to deal with any Boxer rioters.

Chaffee let the British handle patroling the rail line itself, as they had cavalry and mounted infantry, and none of that arm was available to him.

The train guards had orders to shoot if a train was threatened by rioters. Hopefully the message would quickly get out.

ooc
most of the Boxers are armed with muscle powered weapons and have few firearms except a rather impressive collection of matchlocks, flintlocks, and the occasional modern rifle. Only the Chinese Army actually has modern rifles and a limited amount of artillery. The American troops are fresh from the Philippine Insurrection, and are experts at counter guerilla tactics, and are very willing to shoot if necessary, but their officers also know when to shoot and when not too.

Vas Pokhoronim

15-07-2005, 19:48

Harbin, Manchuria - Field Headquarters of the 1st Siberian Army Corps

The loyalty of Nikolai Petrovich Linevich was beyond reproach. Instead of cursing the Tsar, therefore, he vented his wrath on the damnable invention known as the telegraph, which made possible the obnoxious series of conflicting orders from Sankt-Peterburg that had dogged him since his arrival in Chinese territory.

First, he was simply to occupy and stabilize Manchuria. Then orders came for him to prepare to invade Korea. Bezobrazov must be responsible for that, he figured at the time. The influential industrialist had long advocated such an endeavor, after all. But no, it soon appeared that Austria-Hungary was sponsoring Korea, and that the whole thing was some kind of misunderstanding. He was not to invade Korea, after all, but simply occupy and stabilize Manchuria, as his original orders mandated, and be prepared to defend it in the event that Vienna failed to rein the Koreans in. Not that he was terribly worried--his intelligence indicated that the entire Korean "imperial" army was something like ten thousand men fighting with feudal weapons and hundred-year old guns. His own forces numbered over fifty thousand battle-hardened soldiers, well-trained and long experienced from the frontier wars.

Worse, though, was the situation in China itself. It had taken some time for him to sort it all out, but it seemed that the Empress Dowager, regent for the Emperor and China's nominal head of state, was being eased out of power by a faction loyal to Prince Tuan of Loyang. Since neither faction had yet contacted the Russian army or even Sankt-Peterburg, it had been impossible for Linevich to determine which of the two, if either, he was capable of coordinating with. He had therefore simply allowed the Governor of Port Arthur, Admiral Alekseev, to continue his policy of dealing strictly with the local, hughly purchaseable Manchu military commanders for the purposes of restoring order.

Gradually, though, things were becoming clearer. Prince Tuan was definitely the man to be watching, while Cixi's authority was growing weaker daily. Tuan had something of a reputation as a nationalist, though (OoC: He did), and hopefully would not prove obnoxious.

Confidential Communique to Prince Tuan of Loyang

Your Imperial Highness,
As you are no doubt aware, the Russian army has for several months now occupied itself with the task of protecting Chinese sovereignty and the mutual interests of our two governments within your dynasty's ancestral homeland of Manchuria. Our common enemies might call this an invasion, but I assure you that we Russians have come only in friendship. After all, how can we invade a territory to which we already hold the lease? Furthermore, as you are no doubt also aware, there is the Chinese option to buy back the province in 1931, and who knows what kind of improvements we may have brought to the area in the meantime? As a friend of the Chinese Empire, I counsel you to ignore such jealous talk, especially as you might be hearing from the Japanese or their agents within your government (OoC: Linevich would be saying this even in ignorance--and he is ignorant--of the recent Sino-Japanese detente), who have long coveted your family's land of origin for themselves. Did we not defend your Manchurian interests in the aftermath of the late Sino-Japanese War, after all?

I am writing to inform you that the Russians will not abandon you to the ambitions of your enemies, but will rather stay the course, and defend Chinese sovereignty and order in Manchuria against all threats.

In your service, I remain,
Lieutenant General N. P. Linevich, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st Siberian Army Corps

Communiques are also dispatched to the American and British commanders indicating that although the Russian army has no present intentions of carrying out operations south of the Manchurian border, Governor Alekseev will make the facilities of Port Arthur fully available for the Allies' use.

Lesser Ribena

15-07-2005, 20:15

To: Russian Government
From: Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

We thankyou for offering up the city of Port Arthur to the allies as a base of operations. It will be useful as an alternative coaling point than Hong Kong and will help the effort against the Boxers immensely. We hope that this will lead to more cooperation and trade between our nations and we also hope for greater diplomatic contact in the future.

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

To: Colombian and American army representitives in China
From: Admiral Seymour, Commander of British forces in China

We thankyou for your offer to aid us in the keeping open of the supply routes from Tientsin to Peking. These will be immeasureably useful in keeping an effective force present in Peking especially the Railway lines. Your train guard forces will be acting in conjunction with the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse and the 7th Hariana Lancers brought recently from India. In addition elements of the The Royal Scots Fusiliers and 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Punjab Infantry as well as several marine units will provide support as train guards to spread the workload.

We thankyou for your continued support in this matter and hope for continued good relations between our nations.

Kordo

16-07-2005, 01:50

Imperial and Royal Premier of the Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary Ernst von Koerber announced today that large amounts of Austro-Hungarian troops would be moving from their bases in Korea to the port city of Tianjin in order to help secure the city from the threat of the Boxer Uprising. He also hinted that some may move to Peking (sp?). When asked how long they would stay, he stated that "Austria-Hungary has a duty to protect the interests of its fellow Europeans and its own. It will continue to protect these interests along with those of the Chinese people until they are safe from any danger.

ooc:
3,000 'Elite' Troops have been sent. They have some experience with small insurections in AH, but mostly the 'Elite' title means they are some of the best equiped and best trained AH troops since hasn't been a European war in forty some years. This isn't a outright seizure of lands: so far they are only protecting the city.

Fluffywuffy

16-07-2005, 02:54

Telegram
From: Alexandre Ribot
To: Emperor Kojong
Subject: Loan

France would like to offer you a loan, but first we would like to know certain things, firstly, what is it that you plan to use this money for? Secondly, what is your current view on events in Asia? After these questions have been answered we will consider lending money

Signed

Alexandre Ribot

Korea has requested the loan for industrialisation. The funds are to be invested in the automobile industry, exploiting Korea's modest natural resources reserves (coal, iron, etc.), industrialising farms (purchasing tractors, etc.) to improve food surpluses, and generally expanding the Korean economy. Judging by your questions, France is concerned by events in China and Asia in general, and would not like the loaned money to be used for war, empire building, and the like. Korea is concerned with events in China--we are nervous from Russian positions in Manchuria, foriegn soldiers in China, and conflict so near to our home. We have trained a few more soldiers and placed them on the Korea-China border becuase of this nervousness, but that is, for the most part, all Korea had done.

Kaduna

16-07-2005, 02:58

Korea has requested the loan for industrialisation. The funds are to be invested in the automobile industry, exploiting Korea's modest natural resources reserves (coal, iron, etc.), industrialising farms (purchasing tractors, etc.) to improve food surpluses, and generally expanding the Korean economy. Judging by your questions, France is concerned by events in China and Asia in general, and would not like the loaned money to be used for war, empire building, and the like. Korea is concerned with events in China--we are nervous from Russian positions in Manchuria, foriegn soldiers in China, and conflict so near to our home. We have trained a few more soldiers and placed them on the Korea-China border becuase of this nervousness, but that is, for the most part, all Korea had done.

Telegram
From: Alexandre Ribot
To: Emperor Kojong
Subject: Loan

In which case France will gladly lend Korea the money, we hope that this will lead to a great friendship between our great nations, we hope that the dispute in China is resolved peacefully and without too many casualties.

Signed

Alexandre Ribot

Of the council of clan

16-07-2005, 17:39

Secret Communique to Korean Emperor and Prince Tuan

My nation is becoming alarmed at the large number of Foreign Troops becoming involved in the Boxer Rebellion and wishes to know if you would like to offset the number of Foreign Troops in your Lands with Japanese Soldiers to make sure the Western Devils don't take this oppurtunity to increase their sphere's of influence if not outright seize control of areas of China. I also propose a Summit for which to sign a Treaty of Alliance between our nations and create a unified front and policy on how to deal with the Westerners.

Emperor Mutsihito

Fluffywuffy

17-07-2005, 04:52

((OOC: As you see Prince Gang answer the telegram, I am trying to show that he will be a powerful contendor for Emperor once Emperor Kojong/Gojong dies. In our time line, Sunjong was installed by Japan after their invasion of Korea. Prince Gang was a more independence minded person and attempted in 1919 to take power back from Japan. Of course, this failed, and he later died in 1955.)

With the Korean Emperor on a trip to China, the telegram was not answered by the Emperor. His son, Prince Gang, an ambassador at various times, answered the telegram in his father's name. He knew where his father was and thought he knew what he would say. Besides, he had consulted a little with a few ministers, so his response couldn't be too far from appropriate, could it? And those Western bastards could use a little more forceful diplomacy, and he would steer Korea more towards that.

Greetings Emperor Mutsihito,

I, Prince Gang, reply to your telegram on behalf of my father, Emperor Gojong. Emperor Gojong is currently on a trip to Peking, where he is to meet with the Chinese Emperor Tuan to discuss matters of mutual importance. Korea agrees that a Treaty between our nations concerning the West is in all three of our nation's common interest, and we will not oppose your entering this conference if China allows you to join.

We feel that the serious proposal of a Korea-China-Japan alliance against the West speaks greatly of the threat the West poses to our three great nations. Just a few months before, using the words "Korea," "China," "Japan," and "alliance" in the same sentence convicted the speaker of insanity. But it appears that we are all allowing to make up for our past emnity and right the former wrongs. If China does not wish to accomodate a Japanese envoy in China for whatever reason, Korea will accept a Japanese diplomatic mission to Korea where we can hammer out the details of a treaty.

Sharina

17-07-2005, 18:58

OOC:

I've been dealing with some RL stuff the last few days, so I haven't been able to post anything new and substantial in here.

Also, China would welcome the Japanese to the conference. Please assume that Emperor Tuan recieved the telegram from Japan, and he approves of Japan joining in the conference, and Japan sends its Emperor or important diplomat. We could start RP'ing the secret conference between our three Emperors or something when I get back from RL issues tonight or tomorrow. :)

Galveston Bay

18-07-2005, 04:44

[NS]Parthini

18-07-2005, 05:15

OOC: Even though I didn't participate much, I thought it was a good introduction to future, and a good practace. Mostly it was a bunch of diplomacy and it set up for whatever world conflict is going to happen.

Sharina

18-07-2005, 05:53

Secret IC
The American Charge De'Affairs in Peking approachs Prince Tuan and offers a simple deal. The US will supply arms and equipment sufficient to equip 10 divisions, and substantial railroad equipment and rolling stock should Prince Tuan becomes Emperor. In exchange, China will continue to honor the trade treaty it has with the US, protect US civilians including missionaries (ooc: who don't really make much of an impact because of the built in Chinese philosphical and world view differences). The US also wishes to retain its Embassy in Peking, and its Consulates in Tientsin and Shanghai.

Secret Comminque to the USA
From: Prince Tuan

Your offer is appreciated, and this might be the beginning of a developing new relationship between our nations. I shall advocate this deal, as the weapons would greatly help the Imperial Army eliminate the Boxers, and the railroad equipment would also greatly help develop Chinese transportation. This will actually greatly increase potential trade between our two nations, as more of your trade goods will be able to reach more Chinese cities, allowing for more revenues and profits.

I am planning on declaring my Emperor-ship and found a new dynasty within the next week, once preparations are done. Once I am Emperor, my doctrines and decrees shall meet no opposition, thus your deal will be ratified without any problems.

Thank you.

~Emperor-to-be Tuan

Lesser Ribena

18-07-2005, 13:12

Secret IC:

A deal is posted to the Chinese government from Lord Lansdowne:

Now that the Boxer crisis is over we are willing to resume trade and diplomatic relations with China. We would ask that in return for greater protection of British civilians in China I will order the withdrawal of British troops from the area and the resumtion of trade with the Chinese people. I believe that such an arrangement is mutually beneficial and should help us both.

Sharina

18-07-2005, 13:37

OOC:

I'm going to RP Tuan being crowned Emperor, and talks with Japan and Korea then this RP thread should be finished. Afterwards, I'll RP new Chinese stuff in new threads and such.

Agreeable, folks? :)

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

Secret IC:

A deal is posted to the Chinese government from Lord Lansdowne:

Now that the Boxer crisis is over we are willing to resume trade and diplomatic relations with China. We would ask that in return for greater protection of British civilians in China I will order the withdrawal of British troops from the area and the resumtion of trade with the Chinese people. I believe that such an arrangement is mutually beneficial and should help us both.

Comminque to British Empire
From: Prince Tuan

Greetings.

I am glad to hear of your deal. I am indeed interested in trade, as China has several valuable commodities to trade with the British, including our famed silk, dyes, spices, foodstuffs, and such. For trade to improve, China would need some aid in construction of railroads, to help faciliate a more efficient trade network, along with opening up many more Chinese cities for British citizens and merchants to visit.

I am planning on declaring my Emperor-ship and found a new dynasty within the next week, once preparations are done. Once I am Emperor, my doctrines and decrees shall meet no opposition, thus your deal will be ratified without any problems.

Thank you.

~Emperor-to-be Tuan

Lesser Ribena

18-07-2005, 14:02

To: Prince Tuan
From: Lord Lansdowne

We are glad to hear that you have accepted our deal and hope for a long and prosperous future between our nations. I am glad to hear that you are dedicated to improving your infrastructure to allow for easier trade. We would be glad to help you improve your railway network and will supply engineers, materials and locomotives for them as well as building storage depots and warehouses to improve the trade situation.

We are glad to hear that such a decisive and charismatic person is being chosen to lead China into this brave new century and would like to show British support for you as the new Emperor. Long may you rule!

Galveston Bay

18-07-2005, 20:01

USA

soon after Prince Tuan became the Emperor, the US Army went back to the Philippines, along with most of the Asiatic Fleet. Within a few months the marines were mostly gone as well, and only occasional port visits continued.

Meanwhile, ships filled with arms, locomotives, and other equipment began arriving in Tientsin.

Lesser Ribena

19-07-2005, 12:32

The British Army troops in China have returned by boat to India, south Africa and Britain, though some marines and navy personnel have remained alongside some West Pacific fleet ships. Though these men are expected to leave soon and the ships return to their normal duties. Exports to China have increased and are expected to include railway equipment, locomotives, weapons and other goods. British engineers have already started work on the construction of new rail links to Chinese cities and are aided by Chinese labourers.

Vas Pokhoronim

19-07-2005, 14:18

To His Imperial Majesty, Guozu, Son of Heaven

First, let me congratulate you on the occasion of your accession to the Dragon Throne.
With the country effectively pacified in the wake of this most recent insurgency, it seems there is no further purpose to be gained from maintaining our forces in Manchuria. The Korean threat has not materialized, and indeed shows no sign of manifesting. I trust, of course, that your dynasty will continue to honor our standing treaties with regard to the lease of territories, ownership and operation of the railroads, and the naval base at Port Arthur. You will find us most interested in the further development of Manchurian coal, iron, and copper resources, to the mutual profit of our peoples.

With great respect,
Graf S. Yu. Witte, Premier of the Empire of All the Russias

Troop Dispositions
The 1st Siberian is striking camp and beginning a phased pullout, now that the crisis is over without having provided any excuse for actually annexing Manchuria outright. This is seen as a much-needed victory for the liberals at Sankt-Peterburg, and the influence of Far Eastern expansionists has suffered accordingly. Some major figures are likely to be reassigned, but terrible, divisive things are afoot in Russia in 1902, and I won’t go into all that here.

OoC: Commentary and Critique
As a player, I’m never disappointed by a peaceful resolution to a conflict. I have mentioned that it was never made exactly clear what the Boxers themselves were doing, or how the court at Beijing was reacting. That made it difficult to chart a course of action, since, of the three main political forces in China—Tuan, Cixi, and the Rebels, not to mention the foreign civilians—we only saw what was going on with one. That was a little frustrating.
Most problems, though, were more associated with gameplay. Russia had an identity crisis in the middle (er, um . . .) and the timeflow was chaotic (that’s not my fault, either—really, er . . . um), but these had nothing to do with anything specific to this RP. I think we’re still working a lot of things out.
We have some great players, here, and I look forward to further interaction.

NationStates Jolt Archive

Alternate history IC 1900 Boxer Rebellion (closed)