NationStates Jolt Archive

The Russian Empire

Российская империя


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/Russian_Empires_Big_Coat_of_Arms.jpg


Brief Historical Background
From Wikipedia

The Russian Empire formed from the powerful medieval state of Muscovy, which was ruled by the successors of Ivan IV as Tsars. Though the empire was only officially proclaimed late in 1721 by Tsar Peter I, it was truly born when Peter became Tsar in early 1682. Peter was disgusted by what he saw as the backwardness of his kingdom, and so, prior to his gaining the throne, he travelled about Europe, working in various jobs and gaining the experience necessary to bring Muscovy into the then-present. Following a war in the Baltic in the early 1700s, Peter gained a foothold along the coastline, and founded the city that would be the capital of his empire for almost 200 years, Saint Petersburg. By the end of the 19th century the size of the empire was about 22,400,000 square kilometers (almost 1/6 of the Earth's landmass); its only rival in size at the time was the British Empire. However, at this time, the majority of the population lived in European Russia. More than 100 different ethnic groups lived in the Russian Empire, with the majority ethnic Russians comprising about 45% of the population.

E20 History

The years from 1906 to 1911 saw the start of reforms and hope for the Russian people, as land reforms began in their early stages. The Tsar became friendly with the American President Theodore Roosevelt, visiting the American continent. It was also a time of uncertainty, as Russia almost became embroiled in a war in the Balkans in 1908. However, the war scare passed and people breathed a sigh of relief.

However, in 1911 the German Empire treacherously incited rebellion in Finland and the Baltic States. Shortly afterwards, German agents assassinated the Tsar and almost his entire family with a bomb, leaving his daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, bereft of her family.

The Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich Romanov was called to the capital of Petrograd, where he was named Regent and quickly formed a ruling council with Prime Minister Stolypin, just in time to face a treacherous and unprovoked invasion by the combined powers of Austria-Hungary and Germany. Alone, except for her ally Imperial China, the Russian Empire fought on for a year, losing ground and facing attacks from two fronts as only a few months later the vile Ottoman Empire decalred war, breaking a non-aggression pact. However, the Turks were stopped cold by Russian steel.

Then, a year after the beginning of the war, Russia's allies entered the war. France and Italy came to her assistance, smashing the German armies in the west, allowing the brave Russian army time to dig in and rearm. This was not without cost, however. The Japanese had entered the war as well, taking Vladivistok after a bloody fight.

By the second year of the war, the fighting had ground to a halt. Allied armies had smashed the Turkish Empire, leaving the Middle East in Allied hands. In the Far East, brave action by the Imperial Chinese armies and Russian soldiers had crippled the Japanese.

Despite the bravery of Russia and her allies, Russia had to grant independence to several nations and cede tracts of land. However, the Russian Empire was not crippled. It's economy began to recover. The government was intact. Above all, the Russian people still had pride. With a flourishing economy, Russia now looks to the horizon, preparing for the new decade.

Population Statistics

Census(1915): 144,000,000 persons
Official Languages: Russian, Ukranian
Dominant Religious Groups: Eastern Orthodox Church
Dominant Ethnic Groups: Russian (over 100 others)

Political Organization

Country Name
Official Title: The Empire of Russia
Conventional: Russia

Political System: Constitutional Monarchy
Seat of Power: Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg), North West Russia
Constitution(s): Fundamental Laws (1919) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12181610&postcount=109), The Manifesto on the Improvement of the State Order (1905)
Legislature: The Duma, consisting of a lower and upper house.

Head of State: Empress Anastasia Nikolaevna Romonava the First
Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Pyotr Stolypin
Foreign Minister: Nikolai Pokrovsky
Chairman of the State Council: Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich Romanov
Chairman of the State Duma: Alexander Guchkov


National Flag:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/600px-Romanov_Flag.png

Administrative Divisions
Archangelgorod Governorate
Astrakhan Governorate
Belgorod Governorate
Kazan Governorate
Moscow Governorate
Nizhny Novgorod Governorate
Novgorod Governorate
Orenburg Governorate
Revel Governorate
St. Petersburg Governorate
Siberian Governorate
Smolensk Governorate
Voronezh Governorate
Vyborg Governorate


Economics

Currency: Ruble

Production Centers: 53
-St Petersburg 2
-Moscow 3
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 5
-Kharkov 5
-Rostov 13
-Omsk 13
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 3
-Sverdlvosk 6
-Kursk 1
Resource Centers: 28
-Sverdlovsk 4
-Kharkov 7
-Tbilisi 3
-Kursk 4
-Voronezh 5
-Kerch 5
Fuel Centers:
Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3
-Perm 2
Natural Gas
-Karaganda 1
-Baku 5
Coal
-Ufa 5
-Novosikirsk 1
-Rostov 4

Merchant Marine: 7 shipping units

Military

Commanding Officer: Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich

Chief of Staff: Nikolai (Nicholas) Nikolayevich

Army

Current Numbers:
Active Duty Officers and Enlisted: 1,202,00
Reserves Strength: 1,610,00

Method of Recruitment: Universal Conscription

ORBAT

Western Military District

Petrograd
Fortress
1 Fighter Unit
1 HQ
1 Motorized Infantry Corps
1 Marine Brigade
1 Fortress Corp
1 Police Division
1 Air Depot
Reserves
2 Infantry Corps
1 Artillery Division
2 Fighter Units
3 Naval Bombers
1 Tank Brigade

Vyborg
1 Infantry Corps
1 Observation Air Unit


Minsk
1 Infantry Corp

Pskov
1 Infantry Corp

Vitebesk
1 Infantry Corp
Reserves
5 Infantry Corps
1 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 HQ
2 Light Bomber Units
1 Fighter Unit

Moscow
1 Police Division
1 Air Depot
1 Medium Bomber
Reserves
6 Infantry Corps

Smolensk
1 Air Depot
Reserves
2 Light Bomber Units
1 Medium Bomber
1 Heavy Bomber

Kharkov
Reserves
6 Infantry Corps

Rostov
Reserves
2 Infantry Corps

Sevastapol
1 Marine Brigade
1 Fortress Corp


Ukranian Military District

Kiev
1 Ukranian Infantry Corps
1 Russian Infantry Corps
1 Russian Police Division
Reserves
3 Ukranian Reserve Corps

Dnepropetrovsk
1 Russian HQ
Reserves
3 Ukranian Reserve Corps

Odessa
1 Ukranian Infantry Corps
1 Ukranian Minesweeper Flotilla


Far East Military District

Vladivistok
Fortress
1 Fortress Corp
1 Marine Brigade
1 Fighter unit
1 Air Depot
Reserves
1 Light Bomber
3 Naval Bomber Units
1 Fighter Unit

Chita
1 HQ
5 Infantry Corps
1 Light bomber unit
1 Air Depot
1 Medium Bomber
Reserves
1 Artillery Corps
2 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 HQ
2 Fighter Units
1 Medium Bomber
1 Heavy Bomber

Irkutsk
Reserves
4 Infantry Corps (Central Asians)


Southern Military District

Samarkand
1 Infantry Corps
1 Police Division

Baku
1 Infantry Corps
Reserves
2 Infantry Corps
1 HQ

Baghdad
2 Russian Garrison Units (One deployed to Persian-Kurdish Border)
2 Baghdad Cavalry Divisions (Russian Officers)
2 Russian Light Infantry Divisions
1 Russian Cavalry Corps
2 Police Units
Reserves
1 Light Bomber Unit

South-Eastern Baghdad Border
1 Police Unit

Armenia
1 Cavalry Corp
1 Russian Light Infantry Division

Krasnovodsk
Reserves
2 Militia Cavalry Corps

Persian Military District
(Persian Troops, Russian trained)

Isfahan
1 Infantry Corp

Tehran
1 Police Division
Reserves
2 Reserve Corps
1 Infantry Corp


Navy

Atlantic Fleet (Murmansk)

BBs:

Imperatritsa Christina
Imperator Ivan
Potmenkin
Makarov
Brusilov
Irkutsk
Vladivistok

Carriers (Converted BC2s):

Borodino
Kutusov
Suvarov
Prince Bagration


CLs:

Tatiania
Kiev
Rostislav
Olga


CA

Bellingshausen
Roosevelt

4xDD Flotillas

1xEscort Flotilla


Baltic Sea Fleet

BBs:

Imperator Pyotr
Anastasia I
Rosen

CA:

Kiev

CL:

Kars
Nicholai

1 minesweeper flotilla
1 coast defense submarine flotilla
1 MTB Flotilla
6 DD Flotillas
1 Escort Flotilla

SSK:

2 Flotillas

Black Sea Fleet

BBs

Sebastapol
Sergei Witte


CL
Marie
George


1 MTB Flotilla
1 DD Flotilla

Pacific Fleet

SSK

1 Flotilla (Tsingtao)

CL

Victoria
Rodina
Catherine

CA

Victory

As the year of 1906 begins, the Tsar inauguarates it by signing the new Russian constitution, also known as the Fundemental Laws. It outlines the powers of the Tsar, the Duma, and the natural rights of all people living under Russian rule. Elections of the Duma are scheduled and the Tsar appoints Pyotr Stolypin as Prime Minister.

Stolypin makes it clear that has several major reforms in mind for the coming years. Most of them involve land reform to allow the serfs to finally work their own land and get out from under the thumb of the gentry and nobility. It is intended to introduce a form of free market capalism to the economy. The Tsar has given his support, albiet slightly reluctantly. Still, with the Tsar's support and the new elections Stolypin may be able to get the through. Principal in these reforms are the following:

The unconditional right of land ownership
Development of large-scale individual farming (khutors)
Introduction of agricultural cooperation
Development of agricultural education
Dissemination of new methods of land improvement
Affordable lines of credit for peasants
Creation of an agrarian party, to represent the interests of farmers



On the military front, Grand Duke Nicholas has begun reforms of the military, kicking out political appointees, working on modern strategy, and generally applying lessons learned from the Russo-Japanese War.

Budget, 1911

Population: 153 million

Market Economy, Cut Spending, Tech Level Five

Production Centers: 35
-Warsaw 1
-St Petersburg 1
-Moscow 1
-Kiev 2
-Minsk 2
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 4
-Kharkov 3
-Kiev 1
-Rostov 5
-Omsk 9
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 2
-Helsinki 1
-Sverdlvosk 2

70 [Normal Spending: 140]

Resource Centers:72
-Kiev 28
-Minsk 5
-Rostov 8
-Omsk 4
-Irkutsk 1
-Sverdlovsk 10
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 4
-Helsinki 5

72 points

Fuel Centers:
Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3


Merchant Marine: 9 shipping units [3 Baltic (Sweden 2, Norway 1), 3 Black Sea/Med (Turkey 2, Italy 1) 3 Pacific (USA 3)]

9 points

TOTAL: 151

Growth Spending: 71.45

Growth: 5% [4]


Food production: 83 million

Constant Spending

Level II Social Services: 30 points
Intelligence Agency (Secret Police): 5 points

Domestic Projects
Persian State: 10 points
Trans-Siberian Railroad Upgrade: 2 points for 400 miles (Year 6 of 14)
Build Production Center: 10 [30/48]
Aid to Shikai: 15 points
Three Fortressess: 3/15
Coast Defense Fortress (Vladivistok): 3
Long-Range Submarine Research: 6/12 points
Mines: 6 points
Upgrade Four Reserve Infantry Corps to Regulars: 8 points
Fortress Corp (St. Petersburg): 4 points
Costal Defense Fortress (St. Petersburg): 3 points


Military Upkeep

Army

Active Duty
3 HQs: 3 points
1 Guard Corps: .5
11 Infantry Corps: 5.5
5 Cavalry Corps: 2.5
2 Mountain Divisions: .20
2 Light Infantry Divisions: .20
3 Fortress Corps: 1.5

Reserves
3 HQs: 3
50 Reserve Infantry Corps: 12.5
7 Cavalry Corps: 3.5
13 Reserve Militia Cavalry Corps: 1.3

TOTAL: 43.5

Navy

Baltic Sea Fleet
CA

Gromoboi: .25
Rossia: .25

CP

Pallada: .10
Diana: .10
Aurora: .10

1 destroyer flotilla: .10
1 torpedo boat flotilla: .10
1 Short-Range Submarine Flotilla: .10

Black Sea Fleet

BB1

Slava: .25
Pantelimon (ex Potemkin): .25
Tsessarevitch: .25

CP

Oleg: .10
Kagul: .10
Askold: .10

1 destroyer flotilla: .10
1 torpedo boat flotilla: .10

TOTAL: 2.55

Naval Yards
Sevastapol: 1
St. Petersburg: 1
Vladivistok: 1

Naval Bases
Riga: .5
Odessa: .5
Batumi: .5

TOTAL: 4.5

Military Total: 49.45

Total Spent: 151 points

The Treaty of Kars

The Ottoman and Russian Government after a series of intense meeting have signed a new peace treaty to ensure peace between the two empires. The Treaty itself is called " The Treaty of Kars"

Treaty of Kars of 1906
1. Russian Government will cede the region of Kars back to Ottoman rule.
2.In return the Russian Government will be given free passage through the dardenelles.
3. The two government have sign a Non Aggression Treaty.

Despite some grumblings from a few military leaders, teh Tsar has ordered that the Kars be ceded back to the Turks.

"It is far, far more important," he wrote, "That we gain access to the Mediterrian. If we must cede some territory back to the Turk, then so be it. But we must ahve the Mediterrian! It is vital to Russian interests now and later on in the coming years."

The newly elected Duma has announced that within the next few years they will be implementing Russia's first public schools, mainly in the large urban centers such as St. Petersburg, Volgagrad, and Moscow. Considering that much of Russia's population lives outside of the cities, one wonders how effective it will be at edifying the majority of the population.

However, also announced is a system of clinics across the country that would help take care of the sick.

The Tsar made no comment, although some grumbles are emitting from the palace about the cost of the project when the Tsar has other things he wishes accomplished.

ooc: Tag

Nicholas has begun effectively reforming the military, despite resistance from some ofhte more entrenched officers. With the Tsar's full support, the movement cannot be stopped.

He has begun plans to establish or reform the military acadimies of Russia, putting new emphasis on the effective use of artillery and the machine gun as weapons of war. The basic make-up of the army, conscripts, cannot be changed. They are slated, however, to recieve slightly more training in the use of their rifles as effective weapons.

Additionally, he is seeking ore funding to provide the army with modern artillery and machine guns. The Mosin-Nagant rifle is seen as effective and will be retained.

In addition, the Russian military has begun expperimenting with small areoplanes as recon vehicles.

Greetings to the mighty Tsar and Emperor of all Russians and protector of the Orthodox faith from the Republic of Albania, We humbly come in hopes of establishing stable relations with the Proud people of the Rus.

The unconditional right of land ownership



Does this include Jews (are you disestablishing the Pale?)

Does this include Jews (are you disestablishing the Pale?)

Jews, although not technically excluded, find it difficult to do anything without having someone question their motives and are routinely turned away when they attempt to buy land.

Greetings to the mighty Tsar and Emperor of all Russians and protector of the Orthodox faith from the Republic of Albania, We humbly come in hopes of establishing stable relations with the Proud people of the Rus.

Greetings to the peoples of Albania from the Autocrat of all Russia. We welcome you to our country and hope that we may have stable relations.

[signed]

Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia.

Greece unveils plans for a union with the Cretan Republic, which the Ottoman Empire has renounced its claims on the island. Elefthérios Venizélos, the Cretan Councilor of Justice and the recently appointed High Commisioner of Crete, Alexandros Zaimis, invite the four Great Powers (Russia, UK, Italy, and France) to attend a conference to listen to a proposal for the union of the Cretan Republic, and the Kingdom of Greece.

OOC - the "Great Powers" currently protect Crete from the Ottomans, but at the same time stop a union with Greece to appease the Ottomans.

Budget, 1907

Purchase of Modern Artillery: 5 points




you should use this instead to upgrade 5 reserve militia corps into 5 reserve infantry corps

Seeking further relations, Representatives of the Bulgarian Government begin meeting with officials of the Russian Empire to discuss the various affairs of fiscal, political and armmaments nature.

Russian response is non-commital.


In the case of Sun Yet Sen the government announces that after several weeks of extensive investigation and following new leads, that the case ahs been blown wide open. The perpetrators of the deed were none other then insidious agents of the Imperial Chinese court. Several Chinese, allegedly the perpetrators and spies, are paraded through St. Petersburg and then publicly executed as spies and murderers.

The Russian Duma, in concert with the Tsar, demands that the Chinese government pay reperations and immediately hand over those higher ups in the Chinese court responsible for this horrible transaction of justice and violation of Russia's soverignty.

The Far Eastern Military District begins mobilization and an HQ is transferred from Warsaw.

Tsar Nicholas makes a speech to the Duma, several days after the conclusion of the Balkan crisis.

"Friends, comrades, and representatives, I have come here before you to tell you of our defeat. We were not defeated on the battlefield through feat of arms or overwhelming strength. We were not defeated at the negotiating table. No, we were defeated before the first shot was fired. Before our troops even reached the front. We were defeated when our supposed allies, the simpering French, stabbed us in the back! They betrayed our alliance and chose to sit out, leaving us alone against the Germans. They promised to come to our aid and we to theirs. I would gladly have given the order to help them...But they...they decided it was not in their interests to help an ally!"

"If we bring any lessons away from this, it is that we cannot rely on others or any alliances! Russia MUST STAND ALONE! We must become stronger and industrialize! Russia can not allow itself to be humiliated again. In the future we will choose our allys carefully. A stronger Russia will emerger from this and go forward into the future. As long as I still live I will work to ensure that Russia remains strong. God wills it!"

The Duma gives the speech a rousing applause as the Tsar leaves.

Spain thanks RUssia for it's coll headeness in returning to relations with France.

Elections for the Duma are held in early 1910. Voter turn-out is relatively low, as it's rather new to everyone. In addition, many rural villiages never even hear of the vote. Many of the people elected previously stay there. This will most likely begin to change in the future.

On June 6th 1910, President Roosevelt arrives in Warsaw on the next leg of his European tour. He hopes to return the favor of the Czar by visiting his fine country and seeing the sites while visiting with state officials.

The Great White Fleet arrives in Saint Petersburg a few days later and spends nearly a week mingling with the citizens of that great city. Many sailors quip that they got to see more of Russia than the President--a fact that Roosevelt unhappily admits is true. However though, schedules dictate that TR move on to his next stop in Berlin. After 4 days, Roosevelt bids the Russian people a warm farewell and departs for Germany.

OOC: If you have anything important to discuss I can use fluid time to resolve some of it while I finish RPing the rest of the tour.

The Tsar welcomes President Roosevelt warmly in Warsaw and takes him on a quick tour of the area, along with stops to speak to the people and show Roosevelt Russian hospitality.

In St. Petersburg, the US sailor's opposite numbers buy them several rounds of Vodka when they go ashore and teach them some Russian drinking songs. The common people (especially peasants who have just moved from the country) are amazed to see people from halfway around the world.

Russian ORBAT 1911

Warsaw:
1 Fortress
1 Fortress Corp
6 Militia Cavalry Corp

Odessa:
1 HQ
1 Infantry Corps
6 Reserve Infantry Corps
1 Mountain Division

Far East:

2 Cavalry Corps
12 Reserve Corps
2 Regualar Corps
2 HQs

Southern District:

1 Regular Corps
3 Reserve Corps
1 Mountain Division
1 Cavalry Corps

Moscow:

1 HQ
1 Cavalry Corps
5 Reserve Corps

Kiev:

1 HQ
5 Reserve Corps

Smolensk:

2 HQs
1 Fortress Corps
6 Regular Corps
16 Reserve Corps
3 Cavalry Corps

Sinkiang:

1 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 Reserve Corps

Sevastapol:

1 Fortress
1 Fortress Corps
1 Naval Infantry Division (lt. Inf)

St. Petersburg:

1 Guards Corps
1 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 Reserve Corps

Along Austro-Hungarian/German Border as pickets/early warning
system/delaying action troops:

5 Militia Cavalry Corps
5 Cavalry Corps

Russia is asked by Spain if it's statements in 1906 still hold. After all, fighting on it's own may be rather drastic. And Europe's balance has ended with the death of the Entente. In relation to this, it has left one or two powers in Europe too strong, and invites war. THose nations wishing for peace must instead join together. What the former French government did was cowardly, but that is the problem with Republics. They have one government and then another. THe new government is not like the old one. And perhaps if Russia wishes, they may join Spain and France in balancing Europe once more.

The Alliance of Seville is hopeful to create a new balance in Europe to prevent any of the fuss that has covered Asia and Africa.

Russia would be willing to sign onto the Alliance of Seville.

March 1911
A series of assassinations of ethnic Russian judges, tax collectors and policemen occurs in the Baltic provinces. Within a couple of weeks, dozens have been killed and the Interior ministry brings in Okhranka troops to restore order and enforce security.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okhranka
ooc 1 police division

Meanwhile, similar events occur in Finland, and more importantly, arms and equipment begin dissappearing from the depots of Finnish reserve regiments, while a number of officers, including Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, (alternate history event: has become dissillusioned with the Czar and Czarina and makes excuses to leave the Imperial entourage).

Secret OC
Only way to make it work, and he is a critical figure of the 20th Century is this part of Europe and only one likely to make what is about to happen occur successfully. Mannerheim and a number of other officers are in Norway at the moment.

IC
By April, the situation has not improved, but the Ohkanka is cracking down, having transferred another Gendarme (police) division to Finland. Thousands have been arrested, and several riots break out, the worst of which on April 7 results in several deaths.

Then things get even worse. On April 15, a bomb destroys the train carriage of the Imperial train as it leaves St. Petersburg, killing Czar Nicholas, his son, his wife, and all of his daughters except for Anastasia, who was in Moscow visiting a friend from school

The Okhranka cracks down even harder in the Baltic provinces and in Finland, and dozens are hanged after the mere semblance of trial by special courts, and a protest occurs in Riga on April 17. A riot soon breaks out, and the Army is forced to commit cavalry to assist the gendarmes is breaking it up. In the process over 3,000 civilians are killed and thousands more are injured.

The Spanish embassy, glad to have RUssia on board, look in shock as the country literally becomes without it's head in government. Spain decides to use the agreement as a possible future denotion, but can't be sure if Russia will be capable of cracking down enough to reform itself. They decide to talk to the Duma and the Grand Duke to show the agreement earlier with the Alliance of Seville for signing when the current crisis is resolved. Spain also offers it's condolences on the death of the Tsar. His death only shows the power and evil of the anarchists of the world. And hopes that like Portugal and SPain, RUssia will outlaw these deviant and evil political ideologies of Communism and Anarchism.

King Carol offers his condolences to the Imperial family and condemns the attack as "obviously perpatrated by anarchists and revolutionaries."

As a Mod

Russia is asked by Spain if it's statements in 1906 still hold. After all, fighting on it's own may be rather drastic. And Europe's balance has ended with the death of the Entente. In relation to this, it has left one or two powers in Europe too strong, and invites war. THose nations wishing for peace must instead join together. What the former French government did was cowardly, but that is the problem with Republics. They have one government and then another. THe new government is not like the old one. And perhaps if Russia wishes, they may join Spain and France in balancing Europe once more.

The Alliance of Seville is hopeful to create a new balance in Europe to prevent any of the fuss that has covered Asia and Africa.

OOC: Does Spain have France's premission to offer a place in the Alliance of Seville to the Empire of Russia? If not then France would have no obligation to honor a treaty between Russia and Spain that it did not give its approval to (although at present it is moot because Russia has not formally signed).

IC: Diplomats wait for the French reaction.

(Yes France and Spain discussed this in secret. Aka by TG me and Malyker did so. And therefore the French have been informed of all countries that will be sent to to join the Alliance. So yes France has.)

The French Foreign Minister states that, as interpreted by the French delegation at Seville, the Second Article of the Treaty applies solely to existing allies (for example, Italy) of the signatory states. France currently has no alliance with Russia, Britain, or Portugal, and thus the clause in question does not apply to those states; France would veto the recruitment of the Russian Empire in any case, as the state is essentially headless in the precarious position of a possible rope to drag its allies into war. If Spain wishes to expand this alliance, it must do so with French consent.

OOC: Sorry, Kilani.

IC2:
The French Government offers its sincerest condolences to the Russian people with the loss of the Czar and his family. France hopes that Russia will emerge from this chaos a state as peaceful and prosperous as it was before. However, many French Ministers condemn the harsh reaction on the part of the Russian government, though no official statement is made in regards to the crushing of protests.

When news of the bombing is heard in Moscow, Anastasia is immediatly surrounded by tightened security. An escort of cossacks and secret police agents usher her to St. Petersburg, where the Guards are called out and deployed to protect the palace.

In the confusion following both the revolts and the near total destruction of the royal family, the Grand Duke Michael is called to St. Petersburg to take over leadership of the country as regent until Anastasia is old enough to inherit the throne. He immediatly announces a national state of mourning and proclaims a state of emergency throughout the country. Shortly thereafter he goes into an extended conference with Prime Minister Stolypin and emerges several days later with the news that Stolypin has been chosen to head up the new Council of State.

Security for all major government figures is increased and tightened. Sweeps for bombs in railway cars, buildings, and automobiles are daily occurences for several weeks. After the scare dies down, regular sweeps are still made and are double checked when government officials travel.

Several changes are made as various ministers and leaders are replaced or shunted around. Grand Duke Nicholas continues to lead the military as Chief of Staff.

The Finnish troops are transferred to the Far East and switched with reserves there. Their higher officers are called to St. Petersburg, including Mannerheim, to face intense scrutiny.

Several days later the body of one Rasputin is found in the Neva River with a bullet in the back of his skull.

It is announced that a state funeral will be held in a week's time, with what remains can be found in the coffins.

OOC: Going to national effort ("state of emergency").

The Kingdom of Norway expresses shock and horror at the deaths of the russian Royal family. The deepest condolences of King Haakon VII and the current Norwegian government are given to the survivng members of the Romanov family. Some more liberal Norwegian politicians (OOC- When the nation is liberal, their more liberal guys are.... crazy liberal) note, however, that the deaths of the family do not give Russia a blank check to "wage war upon the peoples of the Baltic and Finland" and urge restraint from the Russian government.

Haakon VII makes it clear in his personal message that this is not the government's position or his position on the matter- some of Norway's citizenry is viewing the recent events most sternly, but Haakon understands somewhat the reason for the response. Nevertheless, even he urges restraint in the matter, pressing the Grand Duke to think of the innocents who are surely being hurt by the wave of terror now occurring in Finland and the Baltic against the civilians in the area.

[OOC- And Mannerheim and some of the Finnish dudes may not necessarily come back- since they are in Norway right now, I guess. They may not want to come back and I doubt that anyone in Russia knows where they went.]

Upon hearing of the vicous crackdowns in the Baltic provinces and Finland the Kaiser and Germany are shocked. German newspapers report figures of over 10,000 killed across Finland and more importantly the Baltic provinces. Reports of Russians cracking down heavily on Germanic peoples in the Baltics is not recieved kindly and angers are fanned by the government untill finally an ultimatum is delivered to what remains of the Russian government. Grant the Baltics and Finland there independence in a weeks time.

The Russian government begins easing up on it's crackdowns and says it will hear the grievances of the Finns and Baltic states should they choose to air them in a peaceful manner instead of killing government officials out of hand.


Grand Duke Micheal and Stolypin issue their response a week later: A point-blank refusal.

The following telegram is made public and published in many major newspapers entitled

"A Response to the German Demands"

This is an internal Russian matter and will be handled by the Russian government. We are beginning to ease off on them as we believe the worst has passed. That the government of Germany would even think of demanding such a thing while this country mourns it's leader is horrifying. We are willing to hear the grievances of the Finns and other ethnic groups should they wish to do so peacefully. They did not. Instead they killed government officials and rioted, causing property damage and forcing the government to intervene to stop them.

This is a blatant and obvious move by the Germans to attack the Russian people without provocation and without reason. In fact, we have some damning evidence to air against this disgusting ultimatum.

Our intelligence services hace discovered that it was in fact German agents who inspired the revolts and it was German agents who callously and cold-bloodedly slaughtered the Tsar and his family! We call on the nations of the world to condemn these cowardly tactics and demand that Germany cease its agressive actions.

As such, we reject the ultimatum.

[signed]
Regent, The Grand Duke Micheal Romanov
Minister Pyotr Stolypin, Head of the Council of State

In the week leading up to the refusal the Russian army is ordered to mobilize and the Baltic Fleet puts to sea ((OOC: GB, you know what I want them to do.)). The production center in Warsaw is evacuated to the East. All units are ordered on alert.

A cartoon is published in many Rumanian newspapers, showing the Kaiser threatening a mourning Grand Duchess Anastasia with a pistol.

The Rumanian government hurriedly declares it's neutrality in any conflict that may arise, though the sympathies of the Rumanian public sways towards the Russians.

OOC: Dont have time to make nice looking post concerning all this--my sincere apologies.

IC: rough US response to things going on.

Sincere condolances to Russian ppl and Anastasia. Condemnation of anarchists. Security around Roosevelt is increased. German ultimatum met with dismay and peace/calm is urged by all until things can be sorted out.

April 23, 1911
Orders are received for Finnish and Baltic units of the regular army to be transferred east. This results in the mutiny of Finnish and Balt units in Poland (Finnish corps) and along the Turkish border (Balt units). Both corps essentially disintegrate, with most of the soldiers fleeing to either Germany or Turkey seeking safety.

Meanwhile, reservists begin assembling at their mobilization centers in Latvia, Lithuenia, Estonia and Finland and attacking police units. It turns out that they have arms of their own, and in vicious fighting slaughter police units (both police divisions are destroyed) and the Gendarmes are forced to call for help from the Army, which has plenty of strength available to deal with the Balts but very little in position to deal with the Finns.

ooc
reaction will occur May / June turn

Russian casualties 40,000 (police units) + 150,000 deserted (Finn and Balt)
Balt casualties 5,000 + 5,000 civilian
Finnish casualties 2,000 + 3,000 civilian

IC
On April 30, a provisional government of Finland announces itself in Helsinki led by Baron Mannerheim

[OOC- Is Mannerheim in Finland then? Or is he still in Norway with his officers/men that went with him?]

Budget, 1911

Population: 153 million

National Effort, Tech Level Five

Production Centers: 35
-Warsaw 1 [Captured]
-St Petersburg 1
-Moscow 1
-Kiev 2
-Minsk 2 [Being Evacuated]
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 4
-Kharkov 3
-Rostov 5
-Omsk 9
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 2
-Helsinki 1[Rebel Held, Subtracted]
-Sverdlvosk 2

70 [Normal Spending: 140]

Resource Centers:72
-Kiev 28
-Minsk 5 [Destroyed]
-Rostov 8
-Omsk 4
-Irkutsk 1
-Sverdlovsk 10
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 4
-Helsinki 5 [Rebel held, subtracted]

72 points

Fuel Centers:
Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3


Merchant Marine: 9 shipping units [3 Baltic (Sweden 2, Norway 1), 3 Black Sea/Med (Turkey 2, Italy 1) 3 Pacific (USA 3)]

9 points

TOTAL: 151

Growth Spending: 71.45

Growth: 1% [2]

+52.5 points for Nat'l effort

Food production: 83 million

[b]Constant Spending

Level II Social Services: 24.4 points
Intelligence Agency (Secret Police): 5 points

Domestic Projects
Aid to Shikai: 15 points
Three Fortressess: 3/15
Coast Defense Fortress (Vladivistok): 3
Mines: 10 points
Upgrade Five Reserve Infantry Corps to Regulars: 10 points
Fortress Corp (St. Petersburg): 4 points
Costal Defense Fortress (St. Petersburg): 3 points
Eight regular infantry corps: 32 points
Two observation plane units: 2 points
Two Replacement Corps: 4 points
HQ: 6
Naval Repairs: 12 points
Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Black Sea): 1 point
Light Cruiser (Black Sea): 1 point
Military Upkeep

Army

Active Duty
3 HQs: 3 points
1 Guard Corps: .5
11 Infantry Corps: 5.5
4 Cavalry Corps: 2.0
2 Mountain Divisions: .20
2 Light Infantry Divisions: .20
3 Fortress Corps: 1.5

Reserves
3 HQs: 3
50 Reserve Infantry Corps: 12.5
7 Cavalry Corps: 3.5
10 Reserve Militia Cavalry Corps: 1.0

TOTAL: 43.5

Navy

Baltic Sea Fleet
CA

Gromoboi: .25
Rossia: .25

CP

Pallada: .10
Diana: .10
Aurora: .10

1 destroyer flotilla: .10
1 torpedo boat flotilla: .10
1 Short-Range Submarine Flotilla: .10

Black Sea Fleet

BB1

Slava: .25
Pantelimon (ex Potemkin): .25
Tsessarevitch: .25

CP

Oleg: .10
Kagul: .10
Askold: .10

1 destroyer flotilla: .10
1 torpedo boat flotilla: .10

TOTAL: 2.55

Naval Yards
Sevastapol: 1
St. Petersburg: 1
Vladivistok: 1

Naval Bases
Riga: .5
Odessa: .5
Batumi: .5

TOTAL: 4.5

Military Total: 49.45

Total Spent: 187 points

The Baltic rebels are told that if they lay down their weapons they will be allowed to return to their homes without repercussions against them or their families.

No such offer is extended to the Finns, who are regarded as being the worst traitors possible (Plus, they're right next to St. Petersburg).

The Baltic rebels are told that if they lay down their weapons they will be allowed to return to their homes without repercussions against them or their families.

No such offer is extended to the Finns, who are regarded as being the worst traitors possible (Plus, they're right next to St. Petersburg).

Both the Balts and the Finns formerly request German protection, and Lithuenia, Estonia and Latvia all declare their independence at a meeting in Kaunas, while the Finns declare the formation of the Republic of Finland

(details on the Balts and Finns tomorrow)

Meanwhile, in January, the Americans and Russians work out the sale of 8 battlecruisers to the Russian fleet (the ones completed already, as the Americans have better ones under construction). These BCs are delivered in March and enter Russian service in April (details as to location need to be determined)

A number of protests occur in the US over the deal after the news of Russian repression in the Baltic region emerge, but the death of the Czar and his family mutes a lot of the criticism.

ooc
this deal was worked out monday and because of other things on the agenda has only now been posted.

(Shit, shit...)

IC: Britain decides to take a longer look at the situation, but is not pleased with the Sale of BCs, and makes that known to America.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Free Persia (south Persia) mobilizes its forces.

Germany formally recognizes the Republics of Finland, Estonia, Lativia and Lithuania and declares that they are under Germany's protection. After Russia's refusal, Germany has now officially declared war.


It is also made very public Germany's anger at America for supplying the enemy with a very large amount of capital warships.

OOC: take complaints about BC sale to my thread please--I think this is more an issue for that, and the Russian thread will have plenty of other things to clutter it up very soon...

St. Petersburg has it's name changed to the more Russian "Petrograd" as Germany announces its decleration of war.

Russian patriots are called to arms and the slogan, "Everything for the Motherland!" is seen often.

The Empire of Persia mobilizes its own forces in response to the Republic.

The government orders food rationing, starting in May.

Reserving Slot for Eurasian War Builds

July/August 1911

To be added.

Revised War builds, 1911

Will be edited as the situation develops.

Every two months, 14.2 in social/main. expenses until after Feb., after which it becomes 13. After June it becomes 13.6 points.

(all build began at the first of the month)

35 Production centers, 72 resources, and 9 commerce (normal spending)

January/Feb: Income: 36.8 – 14.2 (S/M expenses) – 6 (two coastal defense fortresses, Vladivistok and Saint Petersburg) – 15 (aid to Imperial China) - 1.6 to mines

After Feb: 33 production centers, 68 resources, ect. (National Effort from here on)

March/April: Income 45.8 – 14.2(S/M expenses) – 4 (Fortress Corps in Saint Petersburg) – 6.6 mines – 6 (HQ) –15 (5 static infantry corps, will be ready by the end of July).

After April: 29 production centers and 62.5 resources, ect.

May/June: Income 41.3 – 13(S/M expenses) – 12 (naval repairs) – 2 (Two observation plane units, which will be ready at the end of October) – 12 (upgrading six static infantry corps in Far East Region to Heavy Infantry corps) – 2.3 (two thirds of a static infantry corps)

After June: 29 production centers and 62 resources, ect.

July/August: Estimated Income 40.8 – 13 (S/M expenses) - 4 (4 Light Cruisers, 3 Black Sea, 1 Pacific, first year) - 3 (3 torpedo boat flotillas, 2 Black Sea, 1 Baltic) – 1 mines – 16.7 (5 static infantry corps that will be ready by the end of October) -.1 trans Siberian railroad improvement - 2 (2 Air Units)

+8 from American loan (4 militia corps [ready by september], upgrade two static corps in the east to heavy corps.)

September/October: Estimated Income 38.8 – 13 (S/M expenses) – 24 (8 static infantry corps ready by the end of November) – 1.6 mines –

November/December: Estimated Income 38.8 - 13 – 21 (7 static infantry corps, available the end of next Feb.) -3 (3 Air Units) - 2 (2 motor torpedo boat flotillas, one for the Baltic Sea and one for the Black Sea)

New prod. center from growth, 1912: Rostov

Always eager to obtain intelligence on German strategy and unit quality, the French Army sends several officers to the Russians, to act as strictly neutral observers in the war between the two powers.

Russian territorial losses

Map link
http://www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/images/russia.jpg

Situation June 1911
The Coalition has secured the provinces of Poland, Grodno, Kovno and Courland, and is deep into the provinces of Vilna and Volhynia.

Germany occupies the province of Poland
Population 11 million, production centers 1 (Warsaw, damaged, will require 12 points to repair), resources: 0, food production 14, available manpower: 650,000 (as 50,000 are casualties, and 300,000 are in the Russian Army already). Current tech level is 4 because of intrastructure damage inflicted by retreating Russian Army

Estonia (provinces of Kovno and Courland) is another 500,000 people, no significant resources or production centers, but food production is 2. of the 50,000 men available for military service, 30,000 are already in Baltic Army.

Province of Grodno, Vilna, and Volhynia have a combined population of 4 million, of which 200,000 are already in the Russian Army. The remaining manpower is not available to the Russians until those provinces are returned to Russian rule and are not available to the Coalition.

Finland population 3.1 million, production centers 1 (Helsinki), resources 0, food production 3, military manpower: 300,000 of which 150,000 are already in service.
Russians hold Viborg area and points south, but no other portions of Finland. Tech level is 5.

The small town of Ekna at the entrance of the Gulf of Finland is an all weather port, and if 12 points are spent, can be used as a naval base and more importantly an all weather supply port for the Germans.

Germany has lost the food production resources from Shandung province in China.

Russian Budget/Builds 1912

January/February: Income 17.9

Imperial Russian Bilds, 1913

Russia is now on War Spending

Total cost for Maintance, Soical Services, etc is 101 points.

Total production capability (factoring in resources, alst years shipping, etc) is 332.

Less 101 points is 231 points for other spending.

Divided by six is 38.5 points.

January/February

38.5 – 12 (Repair damaged production center) – 16 (2 Artillery divisions) – 8 (4 militia corps) – 1 (TP flotilla, Baltic) -- 1.5 (aid to Imperial China)

PROD CENTER REPAIRED. 1.5 points added to each turn hereafter.

March/April

40 – 10 (5 militia corps, one in East) – 8 (Artillery Divisions, East) 3 (Fighter Plane) – 6 (ammo depot) – 3 (3 observation aircraft) -- 6 (1 fighter unit, 1 bomber unit) -- 4 (aid to Imperial China)

May/June

40 – 30 (15 militia corps, 5 in the East) -- 7 points (Aid to China) – 1 (Observation air unit, to China) - 2 (Garrison Unit for POWS)

July/August

40 – 12 (Resume construction on 3xDNs@ Petrograd [24/36, pre-war spending], ready in August ‘14) – 6 (DD flotilla) – 8 (Chemical Weapons Research) -- 9 (3 static infantry) – 1 ( Light cruiser, Black Sea) - 2 (garrison unit for POWs) -- 2 (Aid to Imperial China)

September/October

40 – 6 (Ammo Depot) – 30 (10 static corps, five in east) - 4 (2 Garrison Units for POWs)

November/December

40 – 36 (12 static corps, five in east) – 4 (4 observation planes)

OOC: Don't forget to provide food and garrisons to all the POWs you are holding.

Arctic Front
Russians have 1 static corps to defend the vital rail junction, and another to Archengel to firm up this front.
Helsinki: 1 Russian static infantry corps

Russian Baltic Front
Petrograd – 1 coast defense unit, 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing, the Grand Duke (General Unit)
forest hex 2 hexes south Vyborg – 1 fortress corps, 1 militia corps
swamp hex west of Pskov -- 1 fortress infantry corps, 1 militia corps
Pskov – 1 HQ, 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 observation aircraft wing, 1 milita corps
Southwest of Pskov – 1 infantry corps, 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia corps

Strategic Reserve: 8 heavy corps, General Nikolai Ivanov

Russian Central Front
Wooded hex 3 hexes east of Minsk – 1 fortress corps, 1 static infantry corps, 2 militia corps
wooded hex 2 hexes south of Vitbsk – 1 fortress corps, 1 static infantry corps, 2 militia corps
Hex east of Vitbsk – 1 HQ, 1 observation plane unit
wooded hex west of Vitbsk – 1 infantry corps, 2 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps

Russian Ukraine:

General Alexei Kaledin commanding

Forest hex 2 hexes north Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Kursk – 1 HQ unit
Hex northeast of Kiev – 2 static infantry corps, 2 observation aircraft units
Hex east of Kiev –2 static infantry corps,
Hex 2 hexes east of Kiev – 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps
Hex 2 hexes west of Kharkov – 1 static infantry corps, 1 militia cavalry corps, 2 militia corps
Kharkov
hex northeast of Dnepopetrovsk – 2 militia cavalry corps, 2 milita corps
hex east of Dnepopetrovsk – 2 static infantry corps,
Hex – 2 militia corps, 1 static infantry corps,
Hex – 2 militia corps, 1 static infantry corps
Hex – 1 militia cavalry corps, 1 static corps


Russian forces:
Erezum: 3 light infantry divisions, 1 static infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Batumi: 1 HQ, General Yedonich, 1 static infantry corps
Basra: 1 garrison corps, 2 cavalry corps
Baghdad: 1 garrison corps, 1 static corps
Hex southeast of Batumi: 2 static infantry corps

Kurdish forces
Hex 5 hexes north of Mosul: 2 militia corps

Siberia:

Russian forces:
Irkutsk: 4 light infantry divisions, 4 Chinese light Infantry Divisions, General Mikhail Alekseev, 5 static corps, 1 cavalry corps

Russian Navy:

Baltic: 5 BCs, 2 MTB flotillas, 1 sub flotilla, 1 BB1, 3 CP1

Black Sea: 3 MTBs, 1 DD Flotilla, Admiral


Total Strength: 4.58 million men under arms.

Russian Budget

July-December, 1913

The govenment drops to National Effort spending as the war begins to wind down and pressure is taken off of the industrial sector. However, the Russia people are asked to put in one last effort for the last half of the year so war damages and debts can be paid for.

120 points to spend (Maintenence, Social Services already paid for)

+15 from Sakhalin Island sale

-20 (debt payments to United States, [20/97])
-15 (Aid to Imperial China)
-8 (Production Center for Armenia [8/24])
-12 (Aid to Kurdistan)
-6 (2 Baghdad Cavalry Divisions [Arab cavalry, Russian officers])
-12 (Production Center in N. Persia [12/24])
-12 (war damage in Ukraine [1 resource repaired])
-12 (Intelligence Agency)
-10 (5 Police Units; Petrograd, Moscow, Central Asia, Baghdad, Tehran [Consists of Persians])
-3 (DN; Black Sea)
-10 (Upgrades; 10 static corps to regulars)
-1 (Fortress in Vladivistok [1/5])
-1 (Fortress in Petrograd [1/5])
-4 (Long Range Submarines [4/12]
-1 (Airships [1/12])
-6 (Railroads [2 Trans-Siberian, 2 Central Asia-Western China, 2 Caucaus-Basra RR])
-1 (War Memorials [Petrograd, Irkutsk, Kiev]

Budget, 1914

Population: 130 million

Normal Spending, Tech Level Five

4.5 million men in the military at the end of the war.

reduced to 3.9 million men as troops are demobilized.

.5% unemployment. (1% economic penalty)

Production Centers: 35
-St Petersburg 2
-Moscow 3
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 4
-Kharkov 3
-Rostov 7
-Omsk 9
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 3
-Sverdlvosk 3

Normal Spending: 140

Resource Centers: 47
-Rostov 6
-Omsk 4
-Sverdlovsk 9
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 3
-Irkutsk: 1
-Kursk 5
-Voronezh 5
-Kerch 5

Fuel Centers:

Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3
-Perm 2

Natural Gas
-Karaganda 1
-Add Baku 5

Coal
-Ufa 5
-Novosikirsk 1
-Rostov 4

Merchant Marine: 7 shipping units [3 Baltic (Sweden 2, Norway 1), 2 Internal (River Barges, etc) 2 Pacific (USA 2)]

7 points

Commerce, resources halved.

TOTAL: 138.6

Growth Spending: 84.1

Growth: 3% (halved from Flu) [1.25]

1 new production center in Rostov, 1914

1 new production center in Sverdlvosk, 1914


Food production: 83 million

Constant Spending

Level II Social Services: 26.6 points
Intelligence Agency (Secret Police): 5 points

Domestic Projects


12 (Railroads [4 Trans-Siberian, 4 Central Asia-China, 4 Basra-Caucaus])
15 (Debt payments to the US [35/97])
12 (production Center in N. Persia [24/24])
2 (production center for Armenia [10/24])
15 (Aid to Imperial China)
1 (fortress in Vladivistok [2/5])
1 (Fortress in Petrograd [2/5])
3 (1xDN Baltic)
6 (4 CLs from the UK)
5 (Intelligence Operations)
4 (Aid to Kurdistan)
2 (Aid to Basra)
2 (Feed 600,000 unemployed and their dependents)
2 (relocate homeless/build temporary shelters)
3 (1 light naval bomber)
3 (DN, Black Sea)
6 (upgrade three milita to Regular Infantry)

Military Upkeep

Army

Active Duty
3 HQs: 3 points
13 Regular Infantry Corps: 9.75
3 Light Infantry Divisions: .20
3 Marine Brigades: 1.5
2 Fighter Units: 2
1 Light Bomber Unit: 1
2 Observation Aircraft Units: 1
2 Garrison Units: .5
7 Police Units: 1.75
3 Cavalry Corps: 1.5
2 Baghdad Cavalry Divisions: .5

Reserves
3 HQs: 1.5
20 Militia Corps: 1
5 Militia Cavalry Corps: .25
3 Fortress Corps: .75
3 Regular Infantry Corps: 1.10
3 Artillery Divisions: 6
4 Observation Air Units: 1

TOTAL: 43.5

Navy

Baltic Sea Fleet

BC:

Borodino: .25
Kutusov: .25
Suvarov: .25
Prince Bagration: .25
Markarov: .25

1 minesweeper flotilla: .10
1 coast defense submarine flotilla: .25


Black Sea Fleet

3 MTB Flotilla: .3
1 DD Flotilla: .10

CLs:

Marie: .10
Alexandra: .10

TOTAL: 2.55

Naval Yards
Sevastapol: 1
St. Petersburg: 1

Naval Bases
Batumi: .5

Mothballed:

CP Aroura

TOTAL: 4.7

Military Total: 39.7

Total Spent: 158.6 points

Through out the last half of 1913, as the amount of dead from the strange flu epidemic begins to rise, the government begins entering radica changes. Stolypin and the Council remain in power as Duma elections in late 1913 sweep the Octobrist Party to power once again. The more liberal parties, such as the Socialists, are utterly rejected. In addition, there is a a line of discontent amog the citizens regarding the war. Russia has given up much land, thanks to German treachery.

The government is not faulted and the army is applauded for it's stand at Kiev, the defeat of the Japanese Army and the utter rout of the Turks. The citizens blame others, outside of the country for the defeat.

In the Ukraine, Vladimir Kokovtsov is appointed Governor-General and he begins working with the Ukranian government.

The government also being sponsoring immigration to Siberia, as well as working on massive rail and industrialization projects. Land reforms, sponsored by Stolypin, continue to push forward.

In the meanwhile, the army, navy and new air force begin recieving funding. Stolypin vows that Russia will never again be caught without modern weaponry and defenses.

Money is also sent to Russia's new allies and protectrates in the Middle East. Russian diplomats approach the new government in Basra with several offers...

Through out the last half of 1913, as the amount of dead from the strange flu epidemic begins to rise, the government begins entering radica changes. Stolypin and the Council remain in power as Duma elections in late 1913 sweep the Octobrist Party to power once again. The more liberal parties, such as the Socialists, are utterly rejected. In addition, there is a a line of discontent amog the citizens regarding the war. Russia has given up much land, thanks to German treachery.

The government is not faulted and the army is applauded for it's stand at Kiev, the defeat of the Japanese Army and the utter rout of the Turks. The citizens blame others, outside of the country for the defeat.

In the Ukraine, Vladimir Kokovtsov is appointed Governor-General and he begins working with the Ukranian government.

The government also being sponsoring immigration to Siberia, as well as working on massive rail and industrialization projects. Land reforms, sponsored by Stolypin, continue to push forward.

In the meanwhile, the army, navy and new air force begin recieving funding. Stolypin vows that Russia will never again be caught without modern weaponry and defenses.

Money is also sent to Russia's new allies and protectrates in the Middle East. Russian diplomats approach the new government in Basra with several offers...

Doesn't this seem a bit too rosy? Socalists and Communists will trumpet the loss of 6 million soldiers and such huge tracts of lands, and people generally end up blaming the government no matter what heppens, not to mention ultra-nationalists in Ukriane who want full freedom

But best to check with GB

Doesn't this seem a bit too rosy? Socalists and Communists will trumpet the loss of 6 million soldiers and such huge tracts of lands, and people generally end up blaming the government no matter what heppens, not to mention ultra-nationalists in Ukriane who want full freedom

But best to check with GB

Already did.

In July a new holiday is declared, both to commemorate the war and the death of the Tsar. It will be known as Remembrance Day. All flags are ordered to fly at half-mast as they would in mourning and the Imperial Flag is to be flown at upside down to show distress. It is a day of mourning for the Russian people. Somber military parades will occur in Petrograd and empty caskets, representing the murdered Imperial Family, are ordered paraded through the streets on gun carriages.

At the Duma, Stolypin announces the new Remembrance Day, with the Regent and the Grand Duchess Anastasia at his side, as well as General Ivanov and the recently liberated General Brusilov. It is a somber moment and many of the Duma are silent and grim.

"The Russian people must never forget this treacherous war of aggression against them. We may have been pushed back, we may have lost land, but the Russian people will always be prepared and must always remember that one day vengeance will be ours. We should not think of the Ukranians as our enemy. They are our brothers! They are Russians! No, the real enemy in all of this were the Germans and their vicious allies, the Japanese, along with those who stabbed Russia in the back! They are the ones we should swear eternal vigilance and vengeance upon. We must be watchful and we must be ready. One day they will attack us again. Their aim, to destroy Russia, has failed. We, along with our allies, stopped them. But they remain, lurking behind closed doors, waiting for another chance to strike. As such, I now pronounce May 1st Remembrance Day. May the Russian people never forget that we fought and suffered against the German agressors."


By the winter of 1913, large war memorials in Irkutsk, Petrograd and the slowly reviving city of Kiev are being assembled. The one in Kiev reads, "In memory of those who served." and features a statue of a Russian soldier, looking west. The one in Petrograd is still under construction. It is a seven foot high wall made of black marble, with a white star for every Russian soldier killed in the war. It will stretch for almost a mile and the words "Lest we forget." will be engraved in large letters in the center of the walkway that will run along it. In addition, a whole park is built around it. It will be situated near the new Imperial War Cemetary, which contains the remains of several hundred thousand soldiers, many of which fell at Kiev or Vyborg. Also being constructed is a mausoleum, which will house the remains of ten unidentified war dead. It will be known as the Tomb of the Unkown Soldiers.

OOC: Please note that one point is being spent on war memorials.

In early 1914, the government of the Dominion of the Ukraine is invited to Petrograd to discuss matters of state with the Council and to improve relations after the war. They are assured that Russia will work with the Ukranians towards a better future.

Eastern War District

Active:

Vladivistok

1 Fortress Corp
1 Marine Brigade
1 fighter unit

Chita
1 HQ
5 Infantry Corps
1 Observation Air unit
General Brusilov

Reserves:

Vladivistok:
1 Observation air unit

Chita:
1 Artillery Corps
2 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 HQ

Irkutsk:
4 Militia Corps

Southern War District

Active:

Samarkand:
1 Infantry Division
1 Police Division

Baku:
1 Infantry Corps

Baghdad:
1 Russian Garrison Unit
2 Baghdad Cavalry Divisions (Russian Officers)
1 Russian Light Infantry Division
1 light bomber unit
1 Police Division
1 Russian Cavalry Corps

Basra:
1 Russian Light Infantry Division
1 Russian Garrison Unit (To protect the security of Basra until such a time as it can provide for its own defense)

Armenia:
1 Cavalry Corp
1 Russian Light Infantry Division

Reserve:

Krasnovodsk:
2 Militia Cavalry Corps

Baku:
2 Militia Corps
1 HQ


Persian War District (Persian Troops, Russian trained):

Active:

Isfahan
1 Infantry Corp

Tehran:
1 Police Division

Reserve:

Tehran:
2 Reserve Corps
1 Militia Corp

Western War District

Active:

Petrograd:
1 Fighter Unit
1 HQ
1 Infantry Corps (Guards)
1 Marine Brigade
1 Fortress Corp
1 Police Division

Vyborg:
1 Infantry Corps
1 Observation Air Unit


Minsk:
1 Infantry Corp

Pskov:
1 Infantry Corp

Vitebesk:
1 Infantry Corp

Moscow:
1 Police Division

Sevastapol:
1 Marine Brigade
1 Fortress Corp

Reserves:

Petrograd:

2 Militia Corps
1 Artillery Division

Vitebesk:

4 Militia Corps
1 Militia Cavalry Corps
1 HQ
2 Observation Air Units

Moscow:
4 Milita Corps
2 Observation Air Units

Kharkov:
4 Militia Corps

Rostov:
2 Militia Corps

Ukranian War District:

Active

Kiev:
1 Ukranian Infantry Corps
1 Russian Infantry Corps
1 Russian Police Division

Dnepropetrovsk:
1 Russian HQ

Odessa:
1 Ukranian Infantry Corps
1 Ukranian Minesweeper Flotilla

Reserves:

Kiev:
3 Ukranian Reserve Corps

Dnepropetrovsk:
3 Ukranian Reserve Corps

Baltic Fleet (Petrograd):


DN

Imperator Nicholay II
Imperatritsa Alexandra
Alexei


BC
Borodino
Kutusov
Suvarov
Prince Bagration
Markarov

1 minesweeper flotilla
1 coast defense submarine flotilla

CL

Tatiania
Kiev
Rostislav
Olga


Black Sea Fleet (Sevastapol):

1 MTB Flotilla
1 DD Flotilla

CL

Marie
George

tech level advancements, restructuring of the Russian economy because of the war, and other incentives mean Russian resources are now as follows:

Resource Centers: 34
-Rostov 6
-Omsk 4
-Sverdlovsk 9
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 3
-Irkutsk: 1
Add Kursk 5
Add Voronezh 5
Add Kerch 5

Fuel Centers:
Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3
Add Perm 2
Natural Gas
Add Karaganda 1
Add Baku 5

Coal
Ufa 5
Novosikirsk 1
Rostov 4

Anglo-Russian Accord of 1914

1. Russia agrees to withdraw all soldiers from Basra in by June 30th.
2. Britain agrees to protect Russian shipping in the Indian Ocean (Includes Red Sea to Suez, to the Cape of Good Hope, to the Straits of Molucca, to Australia)
3. Britain and Russia agree to keep all soldiers out of Basra unless the other agrees.
4. Britain and Russia will both give Basra 2 points of aid so that it can purchase a shipping unit and train an independant light infantry Brigade.
5. Britain and Russia set their spheres of influence as

Russia: North Persia, Armenia, Baghdad, with influence in Kurdistan.
Britain: Afghanistan, South Persia, Tibet with influence in Saudi Arabia.

Basra will be neutral and under neither sphere.

After some deliberation, the Russian government agrees and the accord is duly signed.

Maps of the area in question.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/eastborder.jpg

Persia, etc.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/middleeast2-1.jpg

Armenia, Kurdistan

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/bagbas.jpg

Basra and Baghdad

In late August of 1914, Baron Rosen is summoned back to Russia where he is made Foriegn Minister of Russia for his excellent diplomatic work over the past two years.

In late 1914 the Russian government announces plans for a series of public unviersities and hospitals in all of the nation's major cities by 1916.

Petrograd, January 14th, 1915

Prime Minister Piotr Stolypin took a drink from the glass of water on the podium, arranging his notes one last time before he began to address the gathered representatives of the Duma and Council of State. The plan he, several other members of the Council and the Regent had been working on would be revealed at last.

“Colleagues, friends and countrymen, we have only just come through one of the most destructive wars of our time. It was only four years ago that Germany launched the vicious and unprovoked attack against us. Were we damaged? Yes. Crippled? Far from it! Our agricultural sector is booming, our economy growing stronger. However, I come to you today to announce the beginning of a new plan, an era of reformation that will allow Russia to grow stronger then ever before.

It is called the Five Year Plan. The goals of this plan are numerable and I can only begin to tell you of some of them. Under the Five Year Plan, government spending would be drastically scaled back and policies implimented in order to stimulate the economy and fuel our growing industrial capacity. We intend that in five years our industry shall be doubled!”

A murmur runs through the crowd. Such a thing seemed near impossible. The room fell silent again as Stolypin continued.

“The land reforms that have already proven themselves successful will continue and be expanded all over the Empire. We must improve our agricultural output and insure that all Russians can own land. We have taken steps toward this already, but we have a long way to go yet.”

“In addition to these land reforms, we must began to educate and inspire our new generation if we are to have a place in the modern world. To this end, the Five Year Plan will implement a series of public universities all across the country in major Russian cities. This has already been proposed and was accepted by the Duma.”

“Our military must not lag behind either. We intend to fully modernize and equip every military unit in Russia. The new generation of officers must be able to follow in the path of Brusilov and Ivanov. They will be trained in several new war colleges and will be taught everything about modern warfare. The use of artillery, the machine gun and the airplane. All are key.”

“At sea, our navy must reach parity with Germany. They must never again be allowed to blockade our ports with impunity. Valiant though our navy was, it was unable to stop them from cutting our food and import supplies. This section of the plan is already underway. Only this year, several new battleships, named after our late Ruler and several of his immediate family, were launched from the Petrograd shipyards.”

“And the common man, the man who fights, the man who works, the man who is Russian must know that his country is great and must have pride in his country. He must know that his country is one of the most modern and one of the best in the world. This plan will show him that. The Russian people will see that our country is still one of the most powerful in the world and that they can have pride in their country. Indeed, they must also be able to participate in their government. We must expand Zemstvo, the reforms initiated under Tsar Alexander II so that all people may influence the decisions of their government. Gentlemen, this is the Five Year Plan.”

“Some of you may ask, ‘Why? Our nation is strong. We have industry, tractors, ships and airplanes. What further need have we of these?’ Well, I will tell you this: Russia is a good fifty years behind other modern powers and we must modernize or be crushed! The fate of our country hangs in the balance. It is up to you, all of you, to see that this plan is initiated and succeeds!”

Budget, 1915

Population: 144 million

Cut Spending, Tech Level Five


Production Centers: 36
-St Petersburg 2
-Moscow 3
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 4
-Kharkov 3
-Rostov 9
-Omsk 9
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 3
-Sverdlvosk 3

Normal Spending: 140

Resource Centers: 45
-Rostov 4
-Omsk 4
-Sverdlovsk 8
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 3
-Irkutsk: 1
-Kursk 5
-Voronezh 5
-Kerch 5

Fuel Centers:

Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3
-Perm 2

Natural Gas
-Karaganda 1
-Add Baku 5

Coal
-Ufa 5
-Novosikirsk 1
-Rostov 4

Merchant Marine: 7 shipping units [3 Baltic (Sweden 2, Norway 1), 2 Internal (River Barges, etc) 2 Pacific (USA 2)]

7 points

72 points for production centers + 45 resource points +7 commerce points + 4 points from oil exports = 130 points

TOTAL: 128 [Normal Spending: 200]

Maintance: 77.225

Growth calculated from: 127.575 points

Growth: 4% [5.103]


Food production: 90

Funding Avaliable: 50.775 points

Constant Spending

Level II Social Services: 28.8 points
Intelligence Agency (Secret Police): 5 points


Domestic Projects

15 (Debt Payment to the United States [50/93])
12 (Aid to China)
4 (DN, Baltic [12/12])
4 (DN, Baltic [4/12], contracted to American shipyards)
4 (DN, Black Sea [8/12])
2 (Forts@Petrograd, Valdivistok [8/10])
8 (2 Trans-Siberian RR [8/50], 3 Central Asian RR [10/40], 3 Basra-Caucus RR [10/25])
1 (Intelligence Operations)

Military Upkeep

Army

Active Duty
3 HQs: 3 points
13 Regular Infantry Corps: 9.75
3 Light Infantry Divisions: .20
3 Marine Brigades: 1.5
2 Fighter Units: 2
1 Light Bomber Unit: 1
1 Light Naval Bomer Unit: 1
2 Observation Aircraft Units: 1
2 Garrison Units: .5
7 Police Units: 1.75
3 Cavalry Corps: 1.5
2 Baghdad Cavalry Divisions: .5

Reserves
3 HQs: 1.5
17 Militia Corps: 1
5 Militia Cavalry Corps: .25
3 Fortress Corps: .75
6 Regular Infantry Corps: 2.25
3 Artillery Divisions: 6
4 Observation Air Units: 1

TOTAL: 43.5

Navy

Baltic Sea Fleet

DN:

Imperator Nicholay II: .25
Imperatritsa Alexandra: .25
Alexei: .25

BC:

Borodino: .25
Kutusov: .25
Suvarov: .25
Prince Bagration: .25
Markarov: .25

1 minesweeper flotilla: .10
1 coast defense submarine flotilla: .25
1 MTB Flotilla: .10
1 DD Flotilla: .10
CLs:

Tatiania: .10
Kiev: .10
Rostislav: .10
Olga: .10

Black Sea Fleet

1 MTB Flotilla: .1
1 DD Flotilla: .10

CLs:

Marie: .10
Alexandra: .10

TOTAL: 2.55

Naval Yards
Sevastapol: 1
St. Petersburg: 1

Naval Bases
Batumi: .5

Mothballed:

CP Aroura

TOTAL: 4.7

Military Total: 42.825

OOC: don't you have to buy food?

OOC: don't you have to buy food?

OOC: Russia only has to buy a little, and that is done by the private sector in peacetime (no points need to be spent unless at war).

After the recent incident in the Balkans, Imperial and Russian diplomats meet and hammer out the Russo-Austrian Accord in February of 1915.

Russo-Austrian Accord of 1915

As the Balkans have continually proven themselves to be unstable and both the Eastern European Empire and the Empire of Russia border said Balkan states, both the Imperium and the Empire hereby pledge that:

1. Both the Imperium and Russia will work together to mediate conflicts in the Balkans.

2. Both the Imperium and Russia will uphold the soverignty of all Balkan nations.

3. The Imperium and Russia will intervene to prevent war in the Balkans, through force if neccessary.

Gulf of Finland, August 16th, 1915

Admiral Aleksandr Kolchak stood on the bridge of the Imperator Nicholay II, binoculars raised to his face. Several miles away, a lone ship bobbed in the cold Baltic Sea. The old and obsolescent proteced cruiser Aroura was being used as a test subject for a new weapon of war: the naval bomber. Kolchak was unsure of how he really felt about this new weapon. It was strange and didn't seem right, using planes against ships. They were only wood and cloth for the love of God! But still...

He glanced to his side, looking at the Grand Duke, who was standing only a few feet away, an imposing Guards officer flanking him. The Regent himself had come out to see the test.

Below, on the deck, Russian sailors crowded near the rail to watch, fascinated. Many had never seen an airplane before today. The planes flitted overhead, the sun glistening off of the bombs slung underneath their fuselages.

There was some sort of unseen signal and three of the planes dove out of formation and began zipping towards the target. He raised his glasses again and watched as they dove shallowly at the target and released their bombs. The sailors cheered enthusiastically and then groaned in dissapointment as there was no explosion. He saw two of the bombs splash just wide of the target, while another hit the hull at an oblique angle and bounced off.

The next three dove in and released their bombs. This time, an explosion shattered the quiet of the morning and a geyser of smoke, debris and water shot up from the bow of the Aroura. The sailors cheered in appreciation. The ship listed, low at the at the bow. The next three came on and this time an explosion blew the entire bridge to matchsticks, while another bomb pierced the deck aft and blew a hole in the side of the hull. The ship began to settle, smoke rising as the stricken vessel began to slip beneath the waves.

Kolchak was suitably impressed, as was the Grand Duke. The two looked at each other.

"Admiral, I do believe we need to invest in this new weapon."

The Imperium hereby calls for the creation of the League to deal with the consistent and historic problems of the Balkans. This would include; the Imperium, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey as voting members and Russia receiving a non-voting seat in recognition of its influence in the Balkans. By joining the League, all nations whether voting or not, would be required to recognize the current borders as legitimate and permanent, pledge to protect all ethnicities within their borders and to sign a non-aggression pact with all other League members. The purpose of this League is to deal with all Balkan-related matters in a peaceful and fair manner so that any violence is snuffed out before allowed to blossom.

The Imperium hereby calls for the creation of the League to deal with the consistent and historic problems of the Balkans. This would include; the Imperium, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey as voting members and Russia receiving a non-voting seat in recognition of its influence in the Balkans. By joining the League, all nations whether voting or not, would be required to recognize the current borders as legitimate and permanent, pledge to protect all ethnicities within their borders and to sign a non-aggression pact with all other League members. The purpose of this League is to deal with all Balkan-related matters in a peaceful and fair manner so that any violence is snuffed out before allowed to blossom.

The Empire of Russia would be willing to sign on, but only if it is allowed a vote. After all, many of the inhabitants in the Balkans are Slavs and Russia is a power in the region.

Germany makes it quietly known to the Imperium that it is strongly against Russia having a vote in any Balkan League.

Germany makes it quietly known to the Imperium that it is strongly against Russia having a vote in any Balkan League.

The Germans are told, quite bluntly, to stay out of business that does not concern them.

In early 1916, the French Naval Staff sends officers to work jointly with their Russian counterparts. Bringing with them numerous plans, reports, blueprints, and other items of interest, the French begin working with the Russians to get both countries' navies up to par in terms of modern technology and strategy.

It is suggested that both powers share any new developments that arise in military technology or doctrine, in order to strengthen the Alliance and further the already close relations between the Russian Empire and the French Republic.

OOC: Essentially, France is giving Russia SDN tech as of 1916.

The Empire of Russia would be willing to sign on, but only if it is allowed a vote. After all, many of the inhabitants in the Balkans are Slavs and Russia is a power in the region.

The Imperium points out that many of the Balkans population is Germanic as well but Germany does not even get representation much less a vote as well. The offer stands as offers, Russia is urged to take the offer in the interests of peace.

The Imperium points out that many of the Balkans population is Germanic as well but Germany does not even get representation much less a vote as well. The offer stands as offers, Russia is urged to take the offer in the interests of peace.

The Empire of Russia asks why Turkey gets a voting seat and it does not. After all, Russia is a much larger power. The feeling the austrians reviece from the Russian diplmats is that the government of Russia feels slighted.

In any event, the fact that both Rumania and Greece have no interest in joining essentially makes the Balkan League defunct. Russia refers Austria to the recent Ruso-Austrian Accords, pointing out that this should be able to deal with any problems.

The Bolshiviks 1917
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12079316&postcount=194

Budget, 1916

Population: 144 million

Cut Spending, Tech Level Five


Production Centers: 42
-St Petersburg 2
-Moscow 3
-Tula 1
-Irkutsk 5
-Kharkov 3
-Rostov 11
-Omsk 9
-Volgograd 1
-Tbilisi 3
-Sverdlvosk 5
-Kursk 1

Normal Spending: 164

Resource Centers: 39
-Rostov 2
-Omsk 4
-Sverdlovsk 5
-Kharkov 9
-Tbilisi 3
-Kursk 4
-Voronezh 5
-Kerch 5

Fuel Centers:

Oil
-Baku 5
-Grozny 2
-Maikop 3
-Perm 2

Natural Gas
-Karaganda 1
-Add Baku 5

Coal
-Ufa 5
-Novosikirsk 1
-Rostov 4

Merchant Marine: 35 shipping units [20 Baltic/Atlantic, 20 Internal (River Barges, etc), 15 Pacific]

7 points

84 points for production centers + 40 resource points +7 commerce points + 4 points from oil exports = 130 points

TOTAL: 135 [Normal Spending: 218]

Maintance: 72.025

Growth calculated from: 140.975 points

Growth: 4% [5.69 + .1 growth from ’14 + .31 in ’13 = 6.1 growth]


Food production: 90

Funding Avaliable: 52.4 points

Constant Spending

Level II Social Services: 24.4 points
Level III Social Services in all major cities: 6 points
Intelligence Agency (Secret Police): 5 points


Domestic Projects

15 (Debt Payment to the United States [65/93])
13 (Aid to China)
4 (DN, Baltic [8/12], contracted to American shipyards)
4 (DN, Black Sea [12/12])
2 (Forts@Petrograd, Valdivistok [10/10])
8 (2 Trans-Siberian RR [10/50], 3 Central Asian RR [13/40], 3 Basra-Caucus RR [13/25])
1 (Intelligence Operations)
3 (Air Depot, Petrograd])
2 (upgrade a milita corp to regular)
.25 (Polar Expedition w/ Danes and Swedes)
1.5 (Police Division [1.5/2]

Military Upkeep

Army

Active Duty
3 HQs: 3 points
13 Regular Infantry Corps: 9.75
3 Light Infantry Divisions: .20, one paid for by Armenia
3 Marine Brigades: 1.5
2 Fighter Units: 2
2 Light Bomber Units: 1
1 Light Naval Bomber Unit: .5
2 Garrison Units-Paid for by Armenia
7 Police Units: 1.75
3 Cavalry Corps-Paid for by Armenia

Reserves
3 HQs: 1.5
17 Militia Corps: 1
5 Militia Cavalry Corps: .25
3 Fortress Corps: .75
6 Regular Infantry Corps: 2.25
3 Artillery Divisions: 6
5 Light Bomber Units: 1.25

TOTAL: 40
Navy

Baltic Sea Fleet

DN:

Imperator Nicholay II: .25
Imperatritsa Alexandra: .25
Alexei: .25
Imperatritsa Maria: .25

BC:

Borodino: .25
Kutusov: .25
Suvarov: .25
Prince Bagration: .25
Markarov: .25

1 minesweeper flotilla: .10
1 coast defense submarine flotilla: .25
1 MTB Flotilla: .10
1 DD Flotilla: .10
CLs:

Tatiania: .10
Kiev: .10
Rostislav: .10
Olga: .10

Black Sea Fleet

1 MTB Flotilla: .10
1 DD Flotilla: .10

CLs:

Marie: .10
Alexandra: .10

TOTAL: 2.65

Naval Yards
Sevastapol: 1
St. Petersburg: 1

Naval Bases
Batumi: .5


TOTAL: 4.95

Military Total: 42.825

In alte 1916 Grand Duke Nicholas, Chief of Staff of the Russian military, announces the creation of the Imperial Air Corps and Imperial Naval Aviation Corps.

Their duties will include protecting the Russian borders, supporting the ground troops and navy and patrolling Russia's coasts. Plans to make or purchase flying boats and other craft in the future are discussed.

July, 1916

Prime Minister Stolypin stared down at the assembled delegates before him. He had come to the Ukraine in an effort to improve relations between the Russian Empire and it’s dominion. He shuffled his notes one last time and then began giving his speech…in Ukranian.

“My fellow Slavs, I come before you today as a messenger of hope. Despite the war that afflicted the European continent only a few short years ago, we are already recovering. The agricultural and industrial sectors of the Empire are booming and we now produce more food the new did before the war. I hope that the prosperity we are experiencing is also affecting the Ukraine.”

“It is my fervent belief that the central government in Petrograd and the regional government in Kiev should not be at odds. They should, instead, be working together. For only by working together and embracing each other as brothers can we hope to succeed. We must expand our trade and economic ties. We both have much to offer each other. You have great expanses of farmland, with fields of wheat and other crops extending towards the horizon. Where else can one find such agriculture? The answer is no where! You are one of the richest agricultural regions in the world.”

“I should note that Russia’s industrial sector is growing with each passing year. Already the Five Year Plan is beginning to show signs of success. We have been able to put new schools and hospitals in every major city around the country.”

“However, I did not come here to bore you with progress reports on economics. I have come to announce that not only will the Empire be making Ukranian the second official language of the nation, but that we are also extending to you the money to help your government pay for new universities and hospitals in your glorious and beautiful cities, such as Kiev.”

Stolypin pauses for the briefest of moments before continuing.

“I visited the war memorial that was built here recently to honor both the Russian and Ukranian soldiers. Several women had come to lay flowers there and the tragic beauty of the petals touched me deeply. One woman was crying sorrowfully, mourning the loss of her son, husband or brother. It was a terrible remainder of the price paid during the war and a stark reminder of one of the Imperial Army’s finest moments. Credit must be extended to the many Ukranians who fought alongside us there, defending their homeland against the German invaders. After all, we were all brothers when the Germans flattened Kiev in order to conquer it.”

“I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship as, together, we move into the future and the twentieth century. The Imperial government and myself will admit that mistakes were made in the past. However, the past is just that: the past. Let us look forward to the new day and what lies ahead. Together our two peoples are capable of anything.”

Britain's Ambassador to Petrograd approaches the Grand Duke. There he sends his official praise of Russia's advancement this past decade. Russia's reforms both economic and politcal have caught the eye of London, and London is pleased.

London is also pleased that Russia and Britain have been able to refrain from struggling over the Mideast and have finally come to an accord.

Parthini;12119674']Britain's Ambassador to Petrograd approaches the Grand Duke. There he sends his official praise of Russia's advancement this past decade. Russia's reforms both economic and politcal have caught the eye of London, and London is pleased.

London is also pleased that Russia and Britain have been able to refrain from struggling over the Mideast and have finally come to an accord.

The ambassador is thanked for his kind words and is told that Russia is equally greatful to the British for the mutual agreement they have achieved in the Middle East.

Parthini;12119674']Britain's Ambassador to Petrograd approaches the Grand Duke. There he sends his official praise of Russia's advancement this past decade. Russia's reforms both economic and politcal have caught the eye of London, and London is pleased.

London is also pleased that Russia and Britain have been able to refrain from struggling over the Mideast and have finally come to an accord.

Parliament does however approve of this treaty, making up some of the disfavor suffered by the talks with Austria

Anastasia Nikolaievna Romanova’s progression, 1916 to early 1918

The 16-17 year old girl has for the past four years been under the direct care of the Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich Romanov and his wife Princess Anastasia of Montenegro, both of whom serve as her adoptive parents. The sentimental and caring Nikolai proves an exceptional foster father and Anastasia warms to him. The two form a very close bond.

Although religious (something imparted in her by her late Mother, her “departed friend” Grigori Rasputin, and her adoptive parents), praying in the morning, at night, and paying regular pilgrimages to the Cathedral where her Sainted families remains lay interred, Anastasia lacks both an interest and patience in the dogma and regimen of the Orthodox Faith she will soon become sovereign over. During her regular bouts of depression she often betrays, in passing, cynical and fatalistic attitudes, as well as manifestations of survivor’s guilt. Her daily moods range from euphoric and lively to withdrawn and dispirited.

The fact that she is destined to soon be crowned Empress of one of the largest and most populous countries on Earth adds further stress. The Grand Duchess confides how she feels to her school friends, “It is said that my father at age 26 was so unprepared that he tearfully asked, What is going to happen to me and all of Russia? How do you think I feel right now?”

However, despite feelings of great responsibility and unease, she is rather dismissive of the official powers still supposedly held by the Monarchy, at one point remarking to George Buchanan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Buchanan_%28diplomat%29) (the British Ambassador) during the annual Military Concert at the Petrograd Opera House that “Absolutism is dead in Russia and no one actually expects me to rule.” Anastasia supports the plans of Stolypin and the Octobrist’s aimed at the gradual liberalization of the Empire. At one point she sums up her position that the liberalization cannot be halted, and that in any event there is no acceptable alternative, by stating “Our State has become a fish, it must either swim forward or drown.”

Undoubtedly owing to the slaughter of her entire immediate family, the Grand Duchess holds an intense hatred of all things Hohenzollern, ordering vanished to the cellar all the gifts given by them to the Romanovas over the years. She commands the servants when in her presence to refer to Emperor Wilhelm II as “That Horrible Man whom her Majesty Hates.”

At school Anastasia continues to both charm and frustrate her various tutors with her intelligence, humor, over abundance of energy, and tendency to play mean pranks. In addition to the conventional studies Anastasia is also taught the duties expected of her as heir to the Imperial Throne, as well as the English, French, and Ukrainian language (all of which Anastasia becomes more or less fluent in). By her 17th birthday she has grown disgusted with the constant tutoring and the restrictions imposed by the school room.

The young Romanova is most happy when acting, telling jokes, writing poetry, reading unconventional philosophy, attending the Opera, reviewing her Guard in full regalia, and watching army maneuvers with Nikolai.

ooc
has St. Petersburg been renamed Petrograd yet?

IC
March 3, 1918, a young woman named Fanya Kaplan manages to get close to Stolypin after a meeting of the Duma and fires several shots, hitting him and leaving him badly wounded. She is immediately subdued, and it turns out that she is a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party who wishes to bring about conditions needed for a workers revolution.

ooc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Revolutionary_Party
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanya_Kaplan

ooc
has St. Petersburg been renamed Petrograd yet?

OOC: It has been renamed Petrograd since the beginning of the Great War, although some undoubtedly still call it St. Petersburg and all the older government records list it as St. Petersburg (its only been about seven years since the name was changed after all).

OOC: St. Ptersburg was renamed Petrograd in 1911, after the war began.

IC:

Once again, security precautions are stepped up and sweeps for known anarchists and revolutionaries intensify. There are mutterings in some intelligence circles about another "German plot", but the idea is discounted.

The Imperial Guard is called out in Petrograd and surrounds the hospital where Stolypin is being cared for, along with the Duma, the Winter Palace and the homes of prominent legislators and officials. At Stolypin's side as he recovers is the Grand Duchess Anastasia, along with the Grand Duke Nikolai and Alexander Guchkov, leader of the Octoberist Party. Guchkov is heard to remark, "Without him, Russia would have been in a swamp."

Several days after the atempt on Stolypin's life both the Duma and State Council, outraged over the assassination attempt, pass a measure outlawing the Socialist Revolutionary Party and declaring the members of the party terrorists. The Regent, Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich Romanov, approves it within hours.

The newly formed KGB is empowered to arrest and detain them, along with every other police orginization in the nation. Working in concert, they begin a concerted effort to destroy the Socialist Revolutionary Party, as well as other outlawed groups (most notably the Bolsheviks) with orders to "end the threat this revolutionary group poses to the stability of the Empire". [OOC: Four police divisions and the intelligence agency involved.] However, they are also ordered to remain within the realm of law and must seek warrants before acting, as well as having the evidence to convict.

Chapter II. Rights and Obligations of Russian Subjects

30. No one shall be subjected to persecution for a violation of the law except as prescribed by the law.

3I. No one can be detained for investigation otherwise than prescribed by law.

32. No one can be tried and punished other than for criminal acts considered under the existing criminal laws, in force during the perpetration of these acts, provided newly enacted laws do not exclude the perpetrated criminal acts from the list of crimes.

33. The dwelling of every individual is inviolable. Breaking into a dwelling without the consent of the owner and search and seizure are allowed only in accordance with legally instituted procedures.

The police are expected to act in accordance with the Fundemental Laws. This crackdown is no indiscriminate purge. This is a targeted and deliberate attack on those who seek to overthrow the Russian Empire.

The Ministry of Justice is told that the government wants "no more death scentences." Instead, those caught and convicted are not executed, but deported to Siberia under guard.

The Mensheviks and other moderate socialist groups are asked politely to co-operate with the police and government.

The Okhrana undergoes another series of reforms as the overnment attempts to streamline its intelligence gather capabilities. As such, the Okhrana is officially divided into two departments, one known as the Central Security Service (CSB) which handles foriegn intelligence operations and works closely with the military and their intelligence units. The second is known as the Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti (or Comitte for State Security, aka the KGB) and will handle all internal and counter-intelligence matters. It works in concert with agents of both the CSB and the military to handle all threats to the internal stability of the Empire and protect it's leaders.

Several weeks later Fanya Kaplan is convicted of attempted murder and "terrorist actions". She is scentenced to be "hung by the neck until dead". The execution takes place the following day.

March 3, 1918, a young woman named Fanya Kaplan manages to get close to Stolypin after a meeting of the Duma and fires several shots, hitting him and leaving him badly wounded. She is immediately subdued, and it turns out that she is a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party who wishes to bring about conditions needed for a workers revolution.

The French government sends its condolences to the Russian nation, and its wishes that Monsieur Stolypin makes a speedy and full recovery. The French Republic condemns the actions of the terrorist Kaplan, and hopes the Russians are successful in rooting out those who would cause death and suffering for the people of the Empire.

In June 1918, the Russian police close down Pravda, the official Bolshevik newspaper. One of its editors, Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, better known by his alias’ Koba and Stalin, is rearrested and once again exiled to Siberia.

By September of 1918 Stolypin has sufficiently recovered to resume his duties as head of the Council of State and Council of Ministers.

In June 1918, the Russian police close down Pravda, the official Bolshevik newspaper. One of its editors, Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, better known by his alias’ Koba and Stalin, is rearrested and once again exiled to Siberia.

I thought he was hiding in Georgia. Did he move back since the update on the Bolsheviks?

I thought he was hiding in Georgia. Did he move back since the update on the Bolsheviks?

OOC: Stalin, not the type of guy to sit around on his hands, became an editor for Pravda in 1917, as he did in RL (while an editor he remained in hiding as best he could, but ultimately that was not good enough).

Spain commends Russia on it's harsh line with Communists, though the Spanish Socialist Party (Legal party) decries the treatment of the Russian socialist party.

Spain also hopes this will allow Russia to join the growing number of nations (Portugal, Spain, and the Imperium.) In creating a list of names that will be made so that Russian Anarchists and assasin Communists can be caught if they try to run to other European countries. Spain is willing to give Russia it's Spanish assasins that might ahve run towards other nations. And is willing to search for Russian assasins in Spain. Hopefully the Imperium will send it's lists as well. This has helped immensily from stopping others from escaping justice by running to other nations.

The Nationalist Party grumbles lightly on the "light" hand Russia gives it's dissenters. Anarchists in Spain are thrown against a wall as quickly as possible. Other than this, most see the hunting of dangerous factions inside Russia as a positive, and shows that Spain sees it's anti-anarchist and anti-communist campaign in Europe as a success.

In April of 1919 elections for the Fifth Duma take place. The Octoberist Party wins in another landslide, gaining a vast majority on top of their earlier election victories. Partly, this is because of the comprehensive land reform that was instituted by the Octoberists, which allowed for greater financial independence. There is also a general feeling of good will towards Stolypin after the assassination attempt in 1918. However, some of the opposition point out that the electoral system favors land-owning nobility, business owners, the middle-class and others with property.

This leaves the Octoberists holding one hundred and ninety-five seats in the Duma, with the Nationalists holding another forty-five, the Centrists sixty, the Constitutional Democrats thirty-six, the Progressives thirty, the Ukranian Liberal Party twenty-five, the Trudoviki ten and the Russian Social Democratic party nine.

April, 1919

Baron Roman Romanovitch Rosen, Foreign Minister, acclaimed diplomat, member of the State Council, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, retires from public life to write his memoirs. Rosen, having served as Ambassador to the Empire of Japan, participated in the mediation that ended the Russo-Japanese war, served as Ambassador to the United States and head of the Russian delegation to the Arlington Conference during the Great War, presided over the first meeting of the Jerusalem Summit, negotiated the Anglo-Russian Accords and the Washington naval treaty, and thus participated in many of the most pivotal events of the early 20th century. Titled "Forty Years of a Diplomat's Life," this collection of personal history, opinions, observations, and articles on European politics and diplomacy immediately becomes a best seller upon its publication.

June 21, 1919

Moscow

The crowd gathered to see and celebrate the coronation of the new Empress of Russia was immense. People crowded into the cathedral to see the ceremony and watch as power was handed over to the 18-year old Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolevna Romanva, soon to be ruler of the vast land that was Russia, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic. Representatives from nations spanning the globe had been invited to the event, including America, France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Rumania, Bulgaria, the Imperium, all of the SRC states and many others. Notably absent from the list are both the Germans and the Japanese, however.

The Grand Duchess is escorted to the cathedral by a troop of Guard’s cavalry in full dress uniform. Police and soldiers line the route she takes, pressing back crowds and keeping a wary eye out for any who look to have an intent to harm the soon-to-be monarch. After all, an attempt was made on Stolypin only last year. More discreetly, the plain clothes officers of the KGB comb and infiltrate the crowd on a similar mission.

Once she reaches the cathedral, she is greeted by her uncle, the Regent, and Head of Council Pyotr Stolypin, as well as other prominent politicians and religious leaders. Then the ceremony begins.

Slowly and carefully, in full Imperial regalia, with measured steps Anastasia makes her way towards the raised platform In the middle of the cathedral. All around her, watching, are nobles, military officers, politicians and foreign dignitaries. She ascends the steps and takes her place, standing before the assembled crowd. There is a pause and then she recites the Nicene Creed, her voice sounding faint at first, but rising in volume and clarity as she goes on.

“I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the prophets.In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.”

“Amen.”

She pauses again for a moment and then invokes both the Holy Ghost and the Litany. She then assumes the purple chlamys, the purple robe draped about her body. The Metropolitan then presents her with the Imperial Crown of Russia. For a moment she stands, the weight of the crown heavy in her hands. Then she slowly places it on her own head, as the Metropolitan intones, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

The Metropolitan then makes a short address, "Most God-fearing, absolute, and mighty Lord, Tsar of all the Russias, this visible and tangible adornment of thy head is an eloquent symbol that thou, as the head of the whole Russian people, art invisibly crowned by the King of kings, Christ, with a most ample blessing, seeing that He bestows upon thee entire authority over His people."

The Grand Duchess Anastasia has become Empress Anastasia the First.

After the ceremony she proceeds to the Khodynka Field for the traditional presentation of gifts to the people. The police and Imperial Guard, not wanting a repeat of the tragic events at Tsar Nicholas II’s coronation, carefully keep order and deploy well over 3,000 men to keep order. Aside form a few minor problems, it goes well.

That night Anastasia I attends a ball and reception at the French Embassy. She seems to be in high spirits, laughing and enjoying herself immensely.

Over the next few days, she reviews the Guards and gives two speeches. The first is to the court and Duma. There she invokes the memory of Catherine the Great, as well as the other female rules of Russia. She promises that the future is bright, that Russia will continue on its glorious path and that all will prosper. Her second speech is made to the Ukrainian delegation and is one of conciliation, promising not to repeat mistakes made in the past and that she hopes the Ukrainian people will join the Russians in brotherhood and friendship.

The ageing General Zhang Xun, China's ambassador to Russia, attends the ceremony and includes details of it in his report back to Lanchow.

The crowning of a new Empress, is always an occasion that brings out royal regalia of all kinds, royals from everywhere seemed to arrive from all over Europe. Of which the Danish where represented by Crown Prince Frederick, now 20 years old and his slightly younger brother Prince Knud, who was 19. Who for the young princes was their first foray into international politics. The two young princes were shaparoned by their mother the Queen Consort of Denmark and a swaggle of officials from the Danish court. The King himself had decided not to attend but had sent a telegram congratulating the empress to be and explaining that he would not be able to attend as matters of state required his attention.

Prince Kyril of Preslave attends the grand ceremony on behalf of his brother and the Bulgarian Kingdom. Despite not so warm relations between Bulgaria and Russia since the Balkan War of 1908, it has been decided that in the interests of good taste that such an important event should have the graceful prescence of a Bulgarian Royal. Of course it bade an excellent oppertunity for other matters.

Throughout the ceremony at the Cathedral the young Prince wondered quietly about this young Czarina, With her very young age and inexperience, how much real control would this supposedly "new" and "friendly" Russian government allow her? Was the Regent a servant or a caretaker?

He sighed and into his mind popped his brother's, the Bulgarian King's predicament, back home; the quiet exile of the Czar Ferdinand and the passage of crown to a young prince Boris was clearly orchestrated with the downfall of faithful Prime Minister Radoslavov. They hoped that Young Prince should prove more controllable (of course in doing so they gained a supporter in the anti-monarchial Communists).

During the "Gift Giving", as the Russians called it, things were quite tedious as he watched the common folk sing praises to the new Empress in exchange for a few baubels and trinkets, "then tommorow they call for revolution and equity of wealth and stature, the nerve!" thought the Prince of Preslave, remembering the news of the shooting of the Russian regent and ponders the possibility of that occurance. A young man approaches him, a juniour officer approaches and bids him to follow. "Very well, Major Vylkov, tell Noykov that I will send someone to meet with his men".

During the Reception, Prince Kyril engaged in the social interactions as a proper prince does (especially excelling himself by appearing most interested for a lengthy period of time for a politician's view on the Middle East), he even expressed the warm wishes of the Bulgarian Royal Family to the Young Empress.

Following the end of festivities the Prince decides on the Journey home to deviate towards Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to meet with his dear father, and of course there will be other pleasent "surprises" such as those in Petrograd for this journey.

Queen Marie of Rumania attends, leaving her husband at home to deal with matters of state. She personally congratulates the young Emperess on her ascendancy and extends an invitation to come visit her in Rumania at any time if she wishes. She is warm and friendly to everyone, though she only speaks with Prince Kyril for as long as politeness demands before finding someone else to speak to.

Prime Minister Briand and Minister of Marine Reynaud attend Anastasia's coronation and the subsequent festivities. Notable among their companions is Jacques de Bourbon, duc d'Anjou et Madrid, the current claimant to the throne of France. Anastasia is congratulated on her ascent to power, and is told by Reynaud that she will always find welcome in France, "Russia's ally, forever." Prime Minister Briand, though no less excited for the girl, is somewhat more reserved.

A large British Delegation including the King and much of his family, as well as several Commoners, including the Ambassador to France and Russia, and the Foreign Minister, as well as the leader of the Opposition. They all give their love and congratulations to the new Czarina, and wish for peace and prosperity for Russia.

In an effort to relieve tensions and to defuse the strike situation, Stolypin meets personally with the strike leaders in Petrograd. The police are ordered to leave peaceful strikers alone and prevent people from attacking the strikers in retribution. Violence is to be avoided at all costs.

In the meeting, Stolypin at first scolds the leaders of the strikers for disrupting the internal workings of the country while it is attempting to industrialize and increase the living quality of all Russians. He also refers to the fact that Russia remains surrounded by Japan on the one side and the Germans and the Austro-Hungarians on the other. He also scolds them for not working through their representatives in the Duma and the political process.

However, he does promise them that the government will be passing legislation to increase the level of social spending across all of Russia, not merely the cities. He also assures them that he will personally work towards legislation protecting workers and improving working conditions, as well as a gradual extension of the franchise over the next decade. He hopes that they will work with him and help Russia by ending the strike.

Starting on June the 22nd and into much of July the recently crowned Empress proposes, “on her own initiative”, constitutional reform. The planned changes will weaken the monarch while strengthening the legislative branch of the Government. They also create responsible government at the executive level and a balance of power among the different branches of the Government. After some debate, the reforms pass and are approved by Anastasia I.

It should be noted that the changes were written down and agreed to over a year ago by Prime Minister Stolypin, State Duma Chairman Alexander Guchkov, and the Octobrist Party leadership and is effectively making official the way the Government has been run since the war.


The Russian Fundamental Laws of 1919

1. The Russian State is one and indivisible....

2. The Dominion of the Ukraine, while comprising an inseparable part of the Russian State, enjoys internal self-government along the lines laid out in the Treaty of Arlington.

3. The Russian and Ukrainian languages are the general languages of the Russian State.

4. The Russian State has a sacred duty to protect and defend the independent Kingdom of Armenia.


Chapter I. The Essence of the Supreme Autocratic Power

5. The All-Russian Emperor possesses the supreme autocratic power. Not only fear and conscience, but God himself, commands obedience to his authority. As Sovereign the Emperor embodies the will and character of all the peoples of the Empire.

6. The person of the Sovereign Emperor is sacred and inviolable.

7. The same supreme autocratic power belongs to the Sovereign Empress, should the order of succession to the throne pass to a female line; her husband, however, is not considered a sovereign; except for the title, he enjoys the same honors and privileges reserved for the spouses of all other sovereigns.

8. The Sovereign Emperor exercises power in conjunction with the State Council and the State Duma.

9. The Fundamental Laws may be subject to revision in the State Council and State Duma only on the Sovereign Emperor’s initiative.

10. The Sovereign Emperor approves laws; and without his approval no legislative measure can become law.

11. The Sovereign Emperor takes a leading role in the external relations of the Russian State. He helps determine the direction of Russia's foreign policy and ratifies treaties.

12. The Sovereign Emperor is the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army and navy.

13. The Sovereign Emperor appoints and dismisses the Chairman the Council of Ministers.

14. The Sovereign Emperor has the right to determine the physical appearance of the Russian States currency.

15. The Sovereign Emperor grants titles, medals and other state distinctions as well as property rights. He also determines conditions and procedures for gaining titles, medals, and distinctions.

16. The Sovereign Emperor directly issues decrees and instructions on matters of property that belongs to him as well as on those properties that bear his name and which have traditionally belonged to the ruling Emperor. The latter cannot be bequeathed or divided and are subject to a different form of alienation. These as well as other properties are not subject to a different form of alienation. These as well as other properties are not subject to levy or collection of taxes.

17. As head of the Imperial Household, the Sovereign Emperor, in accordance with Regulations on the Imperial Family, has the right to issue regulations affecting princely properties. He also determines the composition of the personnel of the Ministry of the Imperial Household, its organization and regulation, as well as the procedure of its administration.

18. Justice is administered in the name of the Sovereign Emperor in courts legally constituted, and its execution is also carried out in the name of His Imperial Majesty.

19. The Sovereign Emperor has the right to pardon the accused, to mitigate the sentence, and even to completely forgive transgressions, including the right to terminate court actions against the guilty and to free them from trial and punishment. Stemming from royal mercy, he also has the right to commute the official penalty and to generally pardon all exceptional cases that are not subject to general laws, provided such actions do not infringe upon civil rights or the legally protected interests of others.

20. Statutes of the Svod Zakonov (Vol. 1, part i, 1892 edition) on the order of succession to the throne (Articles 3-17), on the coming of age of the Sovereign Emperor, on government and guardianship (Articles 18-30), on the ascension to the throne and on the oath of allegiance (Articles 31-34 and Appendix V), on the sacred crowning and anointing (Articles 35 and 36), and on the title of His Imperial Majesty and on the State Emblem (Articles 37-39 and Appendix 1), and on the faith (Articles 40-46), retain the force of the Fundamental Laws.

21. The Regulation on the Imperial Family (Svod zakonov, Vol. 1, part i, 1892 edition, Articles 82-179 and Appendices II-IV and VI), while retaining the force of the Fundamental Laws, can be changed or amended only by the Sovereign Emperor personally in accordance with the procedure established by him, provided these changes or amendments of these regulations do not infringe general laws or provided they do not call for new expenditures from the treasury.

Chapter II. Rights and Obligations of Russian Subjects

22. Conditions for acquiring rights of Russian citizenship, as well as its loss, are determined by law.

23. The defense of the Throne and of the Motherland is a sacred obligation of every Russian subject. The male population, irrespective of social status, is subject to military service determined by law.

24. Russian subjects are obliged to pay legally instituted taxes and dues and also to perform other obligations determined by law.

25. No one shall be subjected to persecution for a violation of the law except as prescribed by the law.

26. No one can be detained for investigation otherwise than prescribed by law.

27. No one can be tried and punished other than for criminal acts considered under the existing criminal laws, in force during the perpetration of these acts, provided newly enacted laws do not exclude the perpetrated criminal acts from the list of crimes.

28. The dwelling of every individual is inviolable. Breaking into a dwelling without the consent of the owner and search and seizure are allowed only in accordance with legally instituted procedures.

29. Every Russian subject has the right to freely select his place of dwelling and profession, to accumulate and dispose of property, and to travel abroad without any hindrance. Limits on these rights are determined by special laws.

30. Private property is inviolable. Forcible seizure of immovable property, should state or public need demand such action, is permissible only upon just and decent compensation.

31. Russian subjects have the right to organize meetings that are peaceful, unarmed, and not contrary to the law. The law determines the conditions of meetings, rules governing their termination, as well as limitations on places of meetings.

32. Within the limits determined by law everyone can express his thoughts orally or in writing, as well as distribute these thoughts through publication or other means.

33. Russian subjects have the right to organize societies and unions for purposes not contrary to the law. Conditions for organization of societies and unions, their activity, terms and rules for acquiring legal rights as well as dosing of societies and unions, is determined by law.

34. Russian subjects enjoy freedom of religion. Terms of enjoyment of this freedom are determined by law.

35. Foreigners living in Russia enjoy the rights of Russian subjects, within limitations established by law.

36. Exceptions to the rules outlined in this chapter include localities where martial law is declared or where there exist exceptional conditions that are determined by special laws.

Chapter III. Laws

37. The Russian Empire is governed by firmly established laws that have been properly enacted.

38. Laws are obligatory, without exception, for all Russian subjects and foreigners living within the Russian state.

39. No new law can be enacted without the approval of the State Council and the State Duma, and it shall not be legally binding without the approval of the Sovereign Emperor.

40. Should extraordinary circumstances demand, when the State Duma is not in session, and the introduction of a measure requires a properly constituted legal procedure, the Council of Ministers will submit such a measure directly to the Sovereign Emperor. Such a measure cannot, however, introduce any changes into the Fundamental Laws, or to the organization of the State Council or the State Duma, or to the rules governing elections to the Council or to the Duma. The validity of such a measure is terminated if the responsible minister or the head of a special department fails to introduce appropriate legislation in the State Duma during the first two months of its session upon reconvening, or if the State Duma or the State Council should refuse to enact it into law.

41. Laws issued especially for certain localities or segments of the population are not made void by a new law unless such a voiding is specifically intended.

42. Every law is valid for the future, except in those cases where the law itself stipulates that its force is retroactive or where it states that its intent is to reaffirm or explain the meaning of a previous law.

43. The Governing Senate is the general depository of laws. Consequently, all laws should be deposited in the Governing Senate in the original or in duly authorized lists.

44. Laws are published for general knowledge by the Governing Senate according to established rules and are not legally binding before their publication.

45. Legal decrees are not subject to publication if they were issued in accordance with the rules of the Fundamental Laws.

46. Upon publication, the law is legally binding from the time stipulated by the law itself, or, in the case that such a time is omitted, from the day on which the Senate publication containing the published law is received locally. The law itself may stipulate that telegraph or other media of communication be used to transmit it for execution before its publication.

47. The law cannot be repealed otherwise than by another law. Consequently, until a new law repeals the existing law, the old law retains fully its force.

48. No one can be excused for ignorance of the law once it is duly published.

49. Regulations governing combat, technical, and supply branches of the Armed Forces, as well as rules and orders to institutions and authorized personnel of the military and naval establishments are, as a rule, submitted directly to the Sovereign Emperor and the Council of Ministers upon review by the Military and Admiralty Councils, provided that these regulations, rules, and orders affect primarily the above mentioned establishments, do not touch on matters of general laws, and do not call for new expenditures from the treasury; or, if they call for new expenditure, are covered by expected savings by the Military or Naval Ministries. In cases where the expected saving is insufficient to cover the projected expenditure, submission of such regulations, rules, and orders for the Emperor's approval is permitted only upon first requesting, in a prescribed manner, the necessary appropriation.

50. Regulations governing military and naval courts are issued in accordance with Regulations on Military and Naval Codes.

Chapter IV. The State Council, State Duma, and the Scope of Their Activity

51. The Sovereign Emperor, by a decree, shall annually convene the session of the State Council and of the State Duma.

52. The State Council and of the State Duma determine the length of their annual sessions, and the length of the interval between sessions, by the rules governing their respective internal functioning.

53. The State Council is composed of members suggested and listed by the Council of Ministers and appointed by His Majesty and of elected members. The total number of appointed members of the Council called by the Emperor to deliberate in the Council's proceedings cannot exceed the total number of the elected members of the Council.

54. The State Duma consists of members elected by the population of the Russian Empire for a period of five years, on the basis of rules governing elections to the Duma.

55. The State Council examines the credentials of its members. Equally, the State Duma examines the credentials of its members.

56. The same person cannot serve simultaneously as a member of the State Council and as a member of the State Duma.

57. The Sovereign Emperor cannot replace the appointed membership of the State Council with new members before its tenure expires.

58. The emperor who holds the throne of all Russia cannot profess any religion save the Orthodox. . . .

59. The State Council and the State Duma have equal rights in legislative matters.

60. The State Council has the right to coin money.

61. The State Council declares war and concludes peace.

62. In the administration of the church, the autocratic power acts through the intermediary of the Holy Governing Synod which it has instituted.

63. All subjects of the Russian state who do not belong to the established church . . . as well as foreigners . . . residing in Russia, shall everywhere be free to profess their religion, and to worship in accordance with its ritual.

64. Freedom of religion is accorded, not only to Christians of foreign denominations, but also to Jews, Muslims and heathens. . . .

65. Those legislative measures that are considered and approved by the State Duma are then submitted to the State Council for its approval. Those legislative measures that have been initiated by the State Council are reviewed by the Council and, upon approval, are submitted to the Duma.

66. Legislative measures that have been rejected either by the State Council or by the State Duma are considered defeated.

67. Those legislative measures that have been initiated either by the State Council or by the State Duma [and approved by both], but which have failed to gain Imperial approval, cannot be resubmitted for legislative consideration during the same session. Those legislative measures that have been initiated by either the State Council or by the State Duma and are rejected by either one of the Chambers, can be resubmitted for legislative consideration during the same session, provided the Emperor agrees to it.

69. No one can be prosecuted for criminal offences except in the manner prescribed by law.

70. No one can be held under arrest except in cases prescribed by law. . . .

71. If the State budget is not appropriated before the appropriation deadline, the budget that had been duly approved in the preceding year will remain in force with only such changes as have resulted from those legislative measures that became laws after the budget was approved. Prior to publication of the new budget, on the decision of the Council of Ministers and rulings of Ministries and Special Departments, necessary funds will be gradually released. These funds will not exceed in their totality during any month, however, one-twelfth of the entire budgetary expenditures.

72. All dwellings are inviolable. No search or seizure may take place in a dwelling without the consent of the head of the household, except in cases and in a manner prescribed by law.

73. Every Russian subject has the right freely to choose his place of residence and occupation, to acquire and dispose of property, and to travel abroad without hindrance. Limitations of these rights are regulated by special laws.

74. Property is inviolable. Compulsory alienation of property, when such is necessary for the welfare of the state or the public, is permissible only on the basis of just and adequate compensation.

75. Russian subjects have the right to organize meetings for purposes that are not contrary to the laws, peacefully, and without weapons. . . .

76. Everyone may, within the limits of the law, express his ideas orally and in writing and may also disseminate them by means of the press or by other methods.

77. Russian subjects have the right to form societies and associations for purposes that are not in contravention of the laws. . . .

78. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers appoints and dismisses the membership of the Council of Ministers. All appointments by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers must have the confidence of a majority of the State Duma.

79. The Chairman of the Council of Minister is the ceremonial head of the State Council and swears in the Chairman of the State Council upon his election by the membership of the State Council. The Chairman of the State Council presides over meetings, helps set the agenda, and reserves the right to cast the tie breaking vote.

80. The Council of Ministers suggests and lists the names of those that it feels best capable of serving on the State Council. The Sovereign Emperor may not appoint those the Council of Ministers have not suggested or listed.

81. The Council of Ministers, in conformity with the existing laws, issues decrees for the organization and functioning of diverse branches of state administration as well as directives essential for the execution of the laws.

82. The Council of Ministers negotiates treaties with foreign states. The Sovereign Emperor approves all treaties; and without his approval no treaty can come into force.

83. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Ministers, and Heads of various departments, are responsible to the State Council and State Duma for State administration. Each individual member is responsible for his actions and decisions.

84. For official misconducts in office, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Ministers and Heads of various departments are subject to civil and criminal punishment established by law.

85. No new law can come into force without the approval of the State Council and State Duma and the ratification of the Sovereign Emperor.

86. If extraordinary circumstances require legislative action whilst the State Duma is in recess, the Council of Ministers may make recommendations direct to the Sovereign Emperor. Such a measure may not, however, introduce changes in the Fundamental Laws, in the statutes of the State Council and State Duma or in the regulations governing elections to the Council and the Duma. Should such a measure not be introduced into the Duma as a bill within two months from the date of its next meeting and be passed by the State Duma and State Council into law, it loses all force. . . .

87. The State Council and State Duma are to be summoned annually by edict of the Sovereign Emperor upon the time previously decided upon by the previous State Council and State Duma. The Sovereign Emperor may not summon the State Council and the State Duma any later then the time they both have specified. The Sovereign Emperor may summon both the State Council and the State Duma early for extraordinary secessions.

88. The State Council and the State Duma possess equal legislative powers. . .

89. The State Council and State Duma may…interpellate ministers under oath . . . concerning actions taken by them, or by persons or agencies under their jurisdiction that are held to be illegal.......

90. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the Ministers.....are responsible to the State Council and State Duma for the general operation of the State administration. Each of them is individually responsible for their own actions and orders.

91. It is required that a majority of the State Duma must have and maintain confidence in the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. If the Chairman of the Council of Ministers should lack the confidence of a majority the State Duma after two votes the Sovereign Emperor is obligated to dismiss the Chairman and make a new appointment.



OOC: Original 1906 Laws (http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/royalty/russia/rfl.html) for comparison.

September, 1919

In response to the massive strikes and Stolypin’s meeting with the leaders of said strikes, the Duma and State Council end the Five Year Plan early owing to the economic disruption and prepare to authorize an increase in social and general spending all across the nation. However, it is stipulated that the Ministries will only be authorized to begin social spending when the strikers return to their jobs.


Extra Spending

31.4 points to spend

13.6 points (Increase Social Spending to Level III)
14 Points (Finish Shipyard at Vladivistok)
3.8 (4 shipping units [3.8/4])

Observers in the Ukraine note that general anti Russian feeling has markedly decreased in the last couple of years.

Perhaps the rift is ending.

Spain had sent their Governor of Morocco, and leader of the colonies of SPain; General Sunjerjo. Trying to gain support for his Prime Ministership when Berenguer retired, which had been announaced as 1930, he planned to look the part of world leader before it occured.

Spain itself used this to gain better relations from the damage done by the lack of Spain's mention in the Jerusilum Summit.

September, 1919

In response to the massive strikes and Stolypin’s meeting with the leaders of said strikes, the Duma and State Council end the Five Year Plan early owing to the economic disruption and prepare to authorize an increase in social and general spending all across the nation. However, it is stipulated that the Ministries will only be authorized to begin social spending when the strikers return to their jobs.


Extra Spending

31.4 points to spend

13.6 points (Increase Social Spending to Level III)
14 Points (Finish Shipyard at Vladivistok)
3.8 (4 shipping units [3.8/4])

The Unions agree to those terms, but are still pressuring for increased wages and a 40 hour work week

In early 1920 Stolypin makes a speech to the Duma, speaking of the need to improve the workers’ lot for reasons of social stability. However, he also scolds the unions again for not working through the political process, disrupting national stability and slowing the Empire's economic progress.

Throughout 1920, debate in the Duma rages, but by the middle of the year the Octoberists and Centrist parties have cooperated with lefists and the government begins gradually implementing the 40-hour work week, as well as passing some important legislation regarding worker’s safety. Anastasia I signs the legislation.

The French Ambassador, furious over reported Washington Treaty violations on Russia’s part, places several calls to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the various civilians in charge of the Russian military and demands answers. He also makes clear that if there were violations the French government wants “the idiots responsible” fired.

The French are told that the Russian government will handle it and take care of the matter, regardless of French wishes.


There is a swift investigation into the matter by the Russian government, which results in several higher ups being summarily sacked and two admirals court-martialed and dishonorably discharged for dereliction of duty.

The mistake is quickly rectified as the four older battleships still in mothballs are sent used for target practice and the Ukranians told to halt their construction of their battleship immediately or face investigations into their government.

The French are told that the Russian government will handle it and take care of the matter, regardless of French wishes.

The Russian Government is told that France, which saved Russia from defeat in the Great War, is not happy with "this needless episode of blundering ineptitude."

The Russian Government is told that France, which saved Russia from defeat in the Great War, is not happy with "this needless episode of blundering ineptitude." The Ambassador also points out that Russia had better not simply gift the ships to Imperial China, it should sell them.

The French recieve a polite note, thanking them for their concern. It is noted the matter has been effectively handled and that no further input will be neccessary. Those responsible have been sacked.

Japan expresses outrage over the treaty violation, but merel;y notes japan will be watching closely after Russia reports it has punished those responsible

Semi-Secret IC

In mid 1925 Marshall Joseph Joffre (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Joseph_Joffre.jpg) and the leadership of the French Military's General Staff send an official letter to the Russian Ministry of Defense and War. In the letter they criticize the plans made by the Russian Military's General Staff for being "overly defensive minded" and "lacking in both offensive action and spirit." They further warn that "Russia is in danger of learning the wrong lessons from the Great War."

Several prominent officers are dispatched by the French Military’s General Staff to Petrograd to meet with their Russian counterparts and discuss matters at length.

Semi-Secret IC

In mid 1925 Marshall Joseph Joffre (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Joseph_Joffre.jpg) and the leadership of the French Military's General Staff send an official letter to the Russian Ministry of Defense and War. In the letter they criticize the plans made by the Russian Military's General Staff for being "overly defensive minded" and "lacking in both offensive action and spirit." They further warn that "Russia is in danger of learning the wrong lessons from the Great War."

Several prominent officers are dispatched by the French Military’s General Staff to Petrograd to meet with their Russian counterparts and discuss matters at length.

Also Semi-Secret

The now retired General Brusilov makes a comment to the effect that "it was defense that destroyed Napoleon's army."

The Russian General Staff is slightly miffed at this entire thing, but agree to meet with the French to discuss military plans and doctrines. Among those offficers sent to meet the French is the up and coming Mikhail Tukhachevsky (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Tukhachevsky) who has some ideas for an "offensive doctrine".

The Italian Government, at the request of France, sends several officers from its General Staff to confer with its counterparts in Petrograd.

With the arrival of not one, but two groups of foriegn military officers, the General Staff rolls out the extra-large map and prepares the small flags.

Also Semi-Secret

The now retired General Brusilov makes a comment to the effect that "it was defense that destroyed Napoleon's army."

Semi-Secret

In Paris Marshall Joffre, upon hearing of General Brusilovs comment, remarks to the effect "while the Russian winter destroyed one of Napoleons armies, it was the Battle of Nations at Leipzig and the Battle of Waterloo that destroyed Napoleon." He also notes that while the winter hindered the enemy during the Great War, it did not destroy them as it did Napoleon.

Anti-Semitism worsens in Russia and the Ukraine, as many peasants and unemployed workers blame Jewish moneylenders and tradesmen for their suffering as the Depression worsens.

Rioting breaks out in several cities but is put down by the police.

OOC
Anti-Semitism isn't a matter of policy at this point, but its not helped by the fact a Jewish woman tried to kill Stolypin a few years back, and traditional Anti-Semitism runs strong.

Game effect: Jewish Emigration accelerates to Palestine and North America

A concerned Prime Minister Blum writes to Prime Minister Stolypin and Empress Anastasia, asking them to both to speak out against the rising tide of Anti-Semitism in Russia and Eastern Europe.

The Hungarian Government publicly denounces the French threat of Russian violence, whether or not intended by the Russians, as nothing more than blackmail in attempt to manipulate the Hungarian government into signing a secret treaty that would allow Russian unhindered access through Hungarian soil.

Copies of the telegrams from the French and Russians are distributed to various national and international media agencies including ones in France and Russia.

The Hungarian Government publicly denounces the French threat of Russian violence, whether or not intended by the Russians, as nothing more than blackmail in attempt to manipulate the Hungarian government into signing a secret treaty that would allow Russian unhindered access through Hungarian soil.

Copies of the telegrams from the French and Russians are distributed to various national and international media agencies including ones in France and Russia.

OOC: Which telegram?

OOC: Which telegram?

OOC: TG's and comments edited into the Warsaw Pact thread.