NationStates Jolt Archive

The French Third Republic

Population Statistics
Population (1917 est.): 41,371,560
Official Language: French
Dominant Religious Group: Roman Catholic

Political Organization
Official Title: The Republic of France; The French Third Republic
Conventional: France
Political System: Parliamentary Republic
Capital: Paris
Constitution: The constitution of the French Third Republic, February 24 and 25, and July 16, 1875
Legislature: The French Parliament, consisting of two-chambers, the Assemblée Nationale, and the Sénat.

Head of State (as of February, 1920): President Paul Deschanel (Radical Socialist)
Head of Government (as of October, 1916): Prime Minister Aristide Briand (Radical-Socialist)

Briand's Ministry
President of the Council (Prime Minister): Aristide Briand
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Théophile Delcassé (DLN)
Minister of Overseas France: Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix (Radical)
Minister of War: Guy Régis (DLN)
Minister of Marine: Jean Charles Reynaud (DLN)
Minister of Finance: Louis Loucheur (Radical)
Minister of Labour and Social Security Provisions: René Besnard (Radical)
Minister of Justice: Bienvenu Martin (Radical)
Minister of the Interior: Vincent Gratien (DLN)
Minister of Public Instruction, and Fine Arts: René Renoult (Radical)
Minister of Public Works, Posts, and Telegraphs: Édouard Herriot (Radical)
Minister of Commerce and Industry: Benoit Lambert (DLN)
Minister of Agriculture: Jourdain Romain (Radical)

Significant Political Parties:
Parti Républicain, Radical et Radical-Socialiste (Radical-Socialist Party)
Section Française de l'Internationale Ouvrière (Party of the Workers' Movement, the French section of the Second International, abbreviated as SFIO)
Alliance républicaine démocratique (Democratic Republican Alliance)
Devant Libéral Nationale (National Liberal Front)

French Diplomatic Relations
Great Britain-Cordial
Germany-Wary
Russia-Allied
Italy-Allied
Spain-Allied
Portugal-Cordial
Japan-Wary
United States-Cordial
Argentina-Cordial
Brazil-Cordial
Chile-Cordial
Republic of China-Cordial
Republic of Hainan-Allied
Kingdom of Siam-Wary
Imperial China-Allied
Kingdom of Rumania-Allied
Kingdom of Greece-Allied
Sultanate of Morocco-Allied
Republic of Turkey-Neutral
Eastern European Empire-Neutral

French Economy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699766&postcount=2)
French Military (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699772&postcount=3)
French Chinese Policies (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11752735&postcount=28)

French Economy, 1920

]Metropolitan France:
Income: 127.3
Production: 96 (24 production centers: Paris 4, Lille 4, Marseilles 4, Nantes 2, Brest 2, Montpelier 2, Lyon 2, Vichy 1, Saint-Étienne 1)
Commerce: 15.3 (69 shipping units, 2 ocean liners, 1 Zeppelin unit)
Resources: 0
Other: 6 (from Hainan), 6 (reparations from Siam)
Food Production: 55 (need 40, 3 points from surplus)
Tourism: 1 points (Marseilles)
Annual Growth: 2% (1.3575 production centers + . 5935 centers = 1.951 centers)

Overseas France:
Income: 27
Production: 10 (4 production centers: Algiers 3, Dakar 1)
Commerce: n/a
Resources: 16 (French West Africa 3, Madagascar 1, French India 1, Algeria 3, Morocco 2, Middle East 6)
Food Production: 26.4 (French India 3, Algeria 11 , Morocco 5 Middle East 7.4)
Tourism: 1 (Jerusalem)
Annual Growth:
Algeria: 3% (cut spending, .36 production centers + .08 centers = 0.44 centers)
Senegal: 2% (normal spending, 0.08 production centers)

Total 1920 Income: 154.3 points

Constant Costs: 76.425 points
Military Maintenance: 47.425 points
Armée de Terre-28.35
Armée d’Afrique-4.875
Colonial Army-1.9
Légion Étrangère-.55
Marine Nationale-7.75
Aeronautique Militaire-4
Naval Yards-3
Naval Bases-2
Intelligence Agency-5
Social Services (Level III)-15 points (Metropolitan France, Algeria, French Colonial Communities, Lebanon, Palestine)
Social Services (Level II)-5 points (West Africa, Guyana, Madagascar, India, Syria, Transjordan, Hainan)

Points Available for 1920: 77.875
4x SDN-24 points (year 3 of 3)
Fortress at Dakar-1 point (year 3 of 5)
2x SDN-12 points (year 2 of 3)
Intelligence Agency-5 points
1x Heavy Cruiser (For Hainan)-2 points (year 2 of 2)
2x Light Cruiser (for Hainan)-2 points (year 2 of 2)
Production Center at Bingerville-24 points

Surplus: +0.875
Deficit: n/a

Predicted 1921 Income: 161.3 (+1 production center from growth, +1 production center at Bingerville)

French Military, ca. 1920

Armée de Terre (conscript force)
Regulars:
1 HQ
5 Motorized Corps
3 Infantry Corps (heavies)
4 Siege Artillery Brigades
2 Artillery Divisions
2 Marine Brigades
2 Mountain Divisions
2 Cavalry Divisions (in Middle East acting as garrisons)
1 Motorized Division
1 Assault Engineer Brigade
1 Tank Brigade
Reserves:
1 HQ
16 Infantry Corps (heavies)
2 Fortress Corps
2 Mountain Divisions
2 Cavalry Corps

Maintenance: 28.1

Aeronautique Militaire
2 Light Bomber Units
2 Fighter Units

Maintenance: 4

Armée d’Afrique (volunteer force; Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian soldiers)
Regulars:
1 HQ
2 Infantry Corps
1 Cavalry Corps
1 Motorized Division
Reserves:
2 Infantry Corps
1 Static Infantry Corps (Moroccan)
3 Cavalry Corps

Maintenance: 4.875

Armée du Levant (volunteer force, Christian and Jewish soldiers w/ French officers)
Regulars:
1 Motorized Infantry Division (Haifa-Jewish)
1 Motorized Infantry Division (Beirut-Christian)
3 Police Divisions

Maintenance: ..95

Colonial Army (volunteer force)
West Africa:
2 Garrison Unit
1 Coast Defense Fortress (Dakar)
Fortress (Dakar--Under Construction)
1 Light Infantry Division

Madagascar
1 Garrison Unit

French India
1 Garrison Unit

Maintenance: 1.6

Légion Étrangére (volunteer, limited to 4 brigades)
1 Light Infantry Brigade (Algiers)
1 Light Infantry Brigade (Oran)
1 Light Infantry Brigade (Beirut)
1 Marine Brigade (Sidi-Bel-Abbès)

Maintenance: .55

Marine Nationale
Tech Level 5
4 SDN: Justice, Democratie, Libertie, Charlemagne
2 Fleet Carrier: Fraternitie, Tavernier, President, Congress
24 CL: Vindicatif, Vengeance, Audacieux, Intrépide, Alger, Irréductible, Jeane d’Arc, Reims, Pondicherry, Calais
5x Heavy Cruiser: Republique, La Marseillaise, Charles Martel, Cardinal Richelieu, Constantine
5x DD flotilla
1x MTB flotilla (PT boats)
2x Transport Groups

Ships in red are to be scrapped over the course of 1919 in order to bring the French Navy in line with the Washington Naval Treaty.

Maintenance: 7.75

Total Maintenance: 47.175 points

Total Frontline Strength of French and colonial armies: 983,000
Total Reserve Strength of French and colonial armies: 1.255 million
Total Naval Manpower: 164,000

N.B.
As Algeria is considered a department of France, the Metropolitan Army can be stationed there during peacetime. However, as the Armée d’Afrique is made of both peid-noirs from Algeria and "mercenary" North African units, it cannot be stationed in Metropolitan France except during wartime.

French Naval Deployments (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11721935&postcount=23)

France Outre-mer

Algeria [overseas départments of Algiers, Constantine, Oran]
Population: 6,000,000 (c.2 million French/European)
Tech Level: 4
Production: 6 (3 production centers at Algiers, cut spending)
Resources: 3
Food Production: 11

Morocco [protectorate, includes former Spanish Sahara]
Population: 3,500,000
Tech Level: 3
Production: 0
Resources: 2
Food Production: 5

West Africa
Population: 11,807,000 [1912 est.]
Tech Level: 2
Production: 4 (1 production center at Dakar)
Resources: 3 (+3 to Ivory Coast b/c increased demand for cocoa)
Food Production: insignificant

Madagascar [codominium with Italy]
Population: 2,965,500
Tech Level: 2
Production: 0
Resources: 1
Food Production:

French India
Population: 3,000,000
Tech Level: 2
Production: 0
Resources: 1
Food Production: 3

Guyane Française
Population: 29,100 [1905 census]
Tech Level: 2
Production: 0
Resources: 0
Food Production: insignificant

Rio de Oro
Population: insignificant
Tech Level: 2
Production: 0
Resources: 0
Food Production: insignificant

Tunisia [protectorate]
Population: 1,940,000 [1914 est]
Tech Level: 2
Production: 0
Resources: 0
Food Production: insignificant

Palestine [protectorate; includes rl Israel and Jordan]
Population: 1,512,924 (302,924 European Jews, 5,000 other Jews, 50,000 Christian Arabs, 100,000 Druze, remainder Muslim Arabs with small scattering of Christians in Jerusalem)
Tech Level: 3
Production: 0
Resources: 1
Food Production: 3

Lebanon [protectorate]
Population: 250,000 (90% Christian, 10% Muslim, Druze, Jewish, other)
Tech Level: 3
Production: 0
Resources: 1
Food Production: .4

Syria [protectorate]
Population: 2,000,000
Tech Level: 3
Production: 0
Resources: 3
Food Production: 4

Total Population of France Outre-mer: 32,791,600
Total Production of France Outre-mer: 10
Total Resources of France Outre-mer: 15
Total Food Production of France Outre-mer: 26.4

Spain hopes that despite the chaos, the friendship between France and Spain continues to flourish. And that with Russia being hasty, perhaps Western Europe can unite together.

At the height of the Balkan Crisis, even as the major powers mobilize their troops, the French government abruptly withdraws from its alliance with Russia. This brings down the government, and a constitutional and elective crisis in France occurs.

For the next few weeks following August 3, both sides attempt to woo the center.

The Right is outraged by the governments consideration of a plan to sell off colonies and its cowardly (in the view of that side) withdrawal from the alliance with Russia and feel that France is gravely dishonored.

The Left feels that going to war to defend Rumania and Greece, which blatantly attempted to conquer Bulgaria and Albania is worse then foolish, and that the alliance with Russia was contrary to the interests of the French people, and that Russia is guilty of nearly dragging France into a war without good reason.

The Center is confused (ooc, next player basically is the Center and gets to decide which view to take).

Relations with Russia plummet, and France finds itself without allies except for Italy as it tries to find a new way.

After the fall of Clemenceau's government, the name of the Radical Socialist Party is sullied, and the Party breaks into various splinter factions. The largest group, calling themselves the Radicals, move toward the center while smaller groups head either left or right. A series of coalition governments take power through the end of 1907 and past the beginning of 1908; some barely last days. It is utter political chaos in France.

Towards the end of February, a new party is formed by several minor politicians and retired army officers, and backed by certain French business enterprises. Calling themselves the Devant Libéral Nationale (National Liberal Front), they win a plurality in the latest general election and immediately begin strengthening alliances with other political parties. Barely a week following their victory, DLN party chapters across the nation begin funding speakers to go to the people and spread their message; a center-right party, the DLN relies on business interests and wealthy conservatives to fund many of its gatherings and rallies, but makes a noticeable effort to reach the common folk and working-class.

Under the DLN government, Jean Charles Reynaud becomes the Prime Minister. However, the Radical Socialists have enough clout in the National Assembly to keep Paul Doumer in the office of President (his term ends in 1912). On February 28th, Reynaud gives a brief speech in front of the Arc d'Triomphe to a crowd of thousands of Parisians.

"Parisians, my fellow Frenchmen, you have chosen the National Liberal Front to lead our great country in this time of instability and crisis. It is true, and only a fool would attempt to deny, that France is weakened at the moment. She has lost her prestige, her honor, and her dignity. The Radical Socialist government of Georges Clemenceau, who I must stress is an honorable man and with whom I have no personal quarrel, has led France down this path. They have led France to humiliation, shame, and abandonment."

While Reynaud's speech started slowly and calmly, it is becoming rapidly more agitated and increasing in volume.

"I love France. But I am no liar. France deserves what the world has given her! France abandoned her allies, disgraced herself, and now has lost all honor. It is in your hands, my friends, in the hands of the French People, to see our Patrie restored to honor and glory. No government is capable of doing this. Only a concerted effort by the whole French Nation, and its empire beyond the seas, blessed by the Lord God Almighty, will see our country and our people restored to our place of glory.

France has her critics, her enemies. She has those who would see her tied down, never allowed to rise again. To them, I say this: France shall be restored. Honor and Glory to France!"

Reynaud's speech is greated by cheers and applause, but also by boos and hisses. The French press wage a war of words against the government, political parties, and each other. Some demonstrations degrade into riots, some of which become violent, and Army cavalry and infantry units are ordered to Paris and other major cities to supplement police there.

Spain hopes that despite the chaos, the friendship between France and Spain continues to flourish. And that with Russia being hasty, perhaps Western Europe can unite together.

A message from Prime Minister Reynaud thanks Spain for their continued friendship, and the Prime Minister reaffirms his desire to see nothing but peace and prosperity across the Pyrenees.

Spain also states that if France needs any help in 1909 with funding that Spain is at their service. And that Catholic Nations should always be allied together. Once things have settled down, perhaps alliances and other friendships can be created.

The Ottoman and French Goverments have agreed to sign NAP in the hopes of improving relations between the two repected states.

The French government confirms the non-aggression pact, and hopes for further friendly relations toward the Ottoman Empire.

The Kingdom of Norway welcomes a new government out of the chaos that was present in France in the last weeks and hopes for excellent relations with the new government. King Haakon the VII hopes to possibly meet with President Doumer at a later point in time to solidify diplomatic relations with France.

President Doumer [ooc: Amestria was kind enough to point out that the President wouldn't step down in a general election] thanks King Haakon, and inquires as to when the Norwegian monarch would like to meet with French officials. Doumer extends an invitation to Paris for the King, but offers to travel to Oslo should that be more convenient.

OOC: Amestria's last action about Haiti was to quiet bobo down some. You dont necessarily need to keep along that path, but the US would be interested in getting some talks going to relieve the tension between our two nations. Some were almost started on the Banana thread but I will assume they were aborted by the fall of the french gov.

Domestically, the political situation in France begins to stabilize as the DLN shores up its control of the government, and proves it is perfectly willing to use soldiers to disperse large riots. Economic concerns arise, but the Ministry of Finance assures the country that France has plenty of money and resources, and promises that the level of social services will not fall. In addition to this, French infrastructure is planned to be built up over the next three years, bringing France up to par technologically with the rest of industrial Europe.

In Algeria, plans are made to begin indigenous production of industrial goods as soon as is feasible, with the goal being to provide sustained economic growth for the department, and to make the Armee d'Afrique independent of France by providing the capacity to produce its own weapons and ammunition. A similar plan is suggested for Indochina, but no firm timetable has been set up.

In Morocco, one of the cavalry corps garrisoning the colony is sent south to the former Spanish Sahara, in order to set up a French military presence in that colony.

Diplomatic feelers are sent out to the United States and Britain, hoping to repair relations with the two powers.

A Spanish diplomat is sent to France, discussing a possibility of helping deal with Great Britain and the United States as Spain has had to repair relations with those two nations itself and it could be helpful if France and Spain showed a united front.

Other issues are added that perhaps Great Britain and the United States could be helped so that someone could help fill the gap that the Entente's end has created.

The Political situation in France from the Mid to Late 1908

The Reynaud government after a brief calm moves from crisis to crisis as the vague agenda of the new and relatively untested Devant Libéral Nationale brushes up against reality.

Georges Clemenceau, back to his familiar position in the opposition (ooc: his position as Première and Minister of the Interior for roughly a year being his first real role in any government, he dominated France by being in perpetual opposition to those in charge) immediately sets to work attacking the new government and defending his actions as Prime Minister.

“I was not elevated to the position of Prime Minister of France to oversea the destruction of French Empire and France’s bloody defeat upon the field of battle. I was not elevated to the position of Prime Minister to repeat the follies of Napoleon III and lose countless French lives and territory in a senseless un-winnable war waged to save a Foreign autocracy from humiliation for senseless overreach.”

Many recognize he has a point, France was in no way ready for war in 1907, and neither was Russia (ooc: In real life at this time significant portions of the French population either wished to avoid conflict with Germany or delay it until France was ready). All talk concerning the death of the Parti Républicain, Radical et Radical-Socialiste proves very premature (ooc: the Radicals never had more then a plurality anyway during their periods in power).

Clemenceau also comes out in favor significant naval expansion.

“The French fleet is far too small to defend Frances territories in Africa, defend the French territories in the Pacific, and protect Frances Atlantic coastline. France is badly in need of a larger fleet!”

(ooc: In RL he strongly advocated naval expansion around this time.)

Clemenceau further attacks the government after rumors surface of plans to sell France’s Caribbean possessions to America for a song (ooc: 1 point).

"I considered selling France's overseas possessions in the event of war for weapons, badly needed money, and to deny them to our enemies. Here we have the government offering to sell the Caribbean territories of a trivial token price that will not benefit France in anyway...what’s their excuse?! If French territory is sold it should be sold for concrete material gains that allow significant improvement in Frances position."

The Radical Party threatens to withdraw all support from the government, seek its removal, and form a coalition with the Section Française de l'Internationale Ouvrière to carry out it's promises for a larger navy and moderate colonial reform.

The Alliance républicaine démocratique is equally up in arms over the government’s plans to sell the Caribbean territories for a token price, the party’s principle founder, Raymond Poincaré (who entertains ambitions of becoming President of the Republic or Prime Minister) calling it "utterly outrageous." Supported by the colons and the more conservative members of the powerful French Colonial Lobby the party also comes out strongly against the various forms of colonial reform (including industrialization) championed by their rivals and threatens to abandon and overturn the government if it tries to go through with its plans of selling the Caribbean territories "far short of a fair price" and "destructive upsetting of the Colonial economy."


The Plot Thickens…

In response to the latest (as perceived by the Right) “National Humiliation” and the 1905 separation of Church and State, a new extremist group also makes its début, Action Française, led by the ultranationalist and monarchist thinker, Charles Maurras. On March 21st, 1908, the movement publishes the first addition of its latest daily paper, violently denouncing Jews, Freemasons, and Protestants for “seeking to control all political life in France” and promoting a stanch “blood and soil nationalism.” A youth organization, the Camelots du Roy, is recruited to sell Action Française newspaper and quickly establishes itself as the groups youth paramilitary wing.

The Camelots organize riots against Amédée Thalamas' lessons, accused him of having "insulted Joan of Arc" and Lucien Lacour, a young Camelot, gives a memorable smack to Aristide Briand, Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts. A brawl between the Camelots and various Leftists becomes a common sight throughout the streets of Metropolitan France.

Action Française seeks to overturn the Radical Unitary Third Republic and replace it with a Federal restored Orléanist Monarchy, the restoration to be achieved by means of a coup d'état.

The groups sudden rise, however popular it is among reactionary Catholics, worries members of the traditional Catholic Hierarchy.

(ooc: The present government is an unnatural amalgamation of the four main blocs that cannot last now that things have normalized somewhat, particularly given how unstable governments historically where under the Third Republic. The DLN will have to choose a primary coalition partner in order to remain in power. Meanwhile in Action Française, which is an authoritarian cabal rather then a political faction, there is a worrying royalist counter-revolutionary movement seeking to undo the entire legacy of the French Revolution by demagoguery and violence, and thus will have to be closely watched.)


In Algeria…

Meanwhile across the Mediterranean there is similar unrest in French Algeria, provoked by numerous talk of colonial reform among the French Political elite, talk of conscripting Algerian Muslims into the French Army, and the commission of enquiry regarding the workings of the overseas territories established by Clemenceau, headed by the stance anti-imperialist Jean Jaurès (who seems particularly determined to sniff out every rotten bit).

The newly formed Jeunesse Algérienne (Young Algerians), a small liberal elite of well-educated, middle-class évolués, delivers a letter to Georges Clemenceau, SFIO Leader Jean Jaurès, and Prime Minister Reynaud containing a petition expressing opposition under the status quo to a proposed policy to conscript Muslim Algerians into the French army. If, however, the state grants the Muslims full citizenship, the petition goes on, opposition to conscription will be dropped.

The petition also demands preferential treatment for "the intellectual elements of the country," and calls for an end to unequal taxation, broadening of the franchise, more schools (ooc: France has only been providing Level II services for only two years at this point), the removal of all voters from the jurisdiction of the humiliating indigénat*, and protection of indigenous property. It also calls on the government to appoint reform minded officials to the government of Algeria, as the colons who dominate the overseas territory are universally hostile to any sort of reform.

(*ooc: The indigénat, a “native code” that lists as offenses acts such as insolence and unauthorized assembly not punishable by French law, and the normal jurisdiction of the cudah is sharply restricted. The governor-general is empowered to jail suspects for up to five years without trial. The argument made in defense of these exceptional measures is that the French penal code as applied to Frenchmen was too permissive to control Muslims.)

Throughout the letter there is extensive mentioning of the Algerians who served and are presently serving in the Armée d'Afrique, who fought in the Moroccan Conflict, and who died and/or were awarded for their conduct.

The emerging Jeunesse Algérienne is strongly opposed by Algeria’s colons, the pieds-noirs, who monopolize power in the territories government, police force, and economy. In Algeria there are numerous demonstrations against the various reformist agendas by the pieds-noir community and Jaurès complains that the colons are obstructing his enquiry and denying him access to the information he has requested through various underhanded means.

tag

The French government, as a conciliatory gesture to the United States, and also because France needs American technology, sells the French holdings in the Caribbean in exchange for a large sum (ooc: 3 points) and guaranteed use of the Panama Canal upon completion. In addition, France contracts US shipyards to build two battle cruisers for the French Navy*.

Efforts are made domestically to reach out to elements of the Radical-Socialist Party, aimed at bringing the former ruling party into a loose coalition with the DLN. The two parties have some common ground in the areas of colonial reform and naval expansion, but it remains to be seen how the PRRS will respond to DLN proposals, especially given past attacks by the DLN on the PRRS.

[*worked out via TG]

The nascent Republic of China sends telegrams to France, asking for diplomatic recognition and any potential aid they can spare. Though initially opposed by Wang Jingwei and Huang Xing, the idea is promoted by Chaing, as he notes "they have a new government now."

Btw, you own a naval base in Greece which you have to pay rent for. Its something me and Ames agreed on before. I think the rent was .25 per year.

The nascent Republic of China sends telegrams to France, asking for diplomatic recognition and any potential aid they can spare. Though initially opposed by Wang Jingwei and Huang Xing, the idea is promoted by Chaing, as he notes "they have a new government now."

France is unable to recognize the Republic of China at this time, given its own precarious position in both the Far East and in Europe. Likewise, no aid can be spared at the moment. However, certain members of the French government pledge their moral solidarity with the Chinese cause through private messages to Chain Kai-Shek, and sympathy with the Republican cause.

One such message, from Prime Minister Reynaud, hopes that should the Chinese Republic win its struggle, that France and China may be allies and friends in the future.

In order to clarify its sometimes vague agenda, the DLN leadership publishes the following document in October of 1908:

Le Programme (1908) du Devant Libéral National:
Manifesto (1908) of the National Liberal Front

-The French Marine Nationale is woefully small and too concentrated to be able to defend the French Colonial Empire. As such, the Third Republic is to undertake a naval expansion and modernization program to bring the French Navy up to par with the navies of the other Great Powers. It is not the intention of the Third Republic to begin a naval arms race with its neighbors; rather, the goal of this expansion is to increase France’s ability to defend her shores and her colonies and citizens across the world.
-The previous governments of France have squandered France’s resources and ignored the needs of French industry and the navy in terms of fuel. The Third Republic is to seek out and purchase coal to fuel its industry and navy, as France and its Empire do not possess the necessary resources. Some sacrifices must necessarily be made in order to gain requisite amounts of energy resources on short notice, and the people and government of the Third Republic must accept such for the good of the Republic and the Empire (ooc: this last clause is intended to justify the sale of the French Caribbean in fewer words, as France needs America’s coal more than it needs a few tropical islands).
-Many groups which fear the new path of France and yearn for a return to the days of shame and status as a second-rate power exist in France. Where applicable, such groups are to be dealt with according to Constitutional Law. However, such organizations, both in Metropolitan France and the Empire, that seek to destabilize the political process and turn back the Revolutionary Legacy through violence and demagoguery shall be monitored and suppressed by any means necessary.
-Those colonies essential to the French Empire are currently horribly under-developed and totally dependent on Metropolitan France. Small-scale industrialization of these colonies will strengthen the French Empire both politically and economically, and will grant the colonial armies a degree of independence from France, in that they will be able to continue operations even if shipping from France is cut off. In addition, the colonial armies will be better able to defend their territory as the local production of weapons and ammunition (ooc: the unspoken premise here is that by putting a production center each in Algeria and Indochina will allow French authorities there to maintain French control even if shipping from the Republic is cut off during a war) becomes possible. No significant social reform shall take place in the colonies until such time as the inquiry set up by Jean Jaurès reaches its conclusion.
-The Third Republic of France is a nation of honor, and it is the duty of the government to uphold that ideal. The Third Republic at present finds itself in an awkward international position, excepting its allies in Spain and Italy. Relations with allies were broken by the shameful actions of previous governments, and it is the aim of the present government to repair these relations, so that France may again join its European brothers as a nation of honor (ooc: France is already in discussions with the United States, and has sent diplomatic feelers to Britain, but has taken no action as of yet in regards to normalizing relations with Russia. The DLN may be a little idealistic and naïve, but they aren’t stupid. Even if it’s not likely to happen for a while, they don’t want to become allies with Russia again only to be dragged into a war with Germany that France probably won’t win).

French Naval Deployments, 1918:

Atlantic Fleet
SDN: Justice, Democratie, Libertie
DN: Strasbourg
BC: Fraternitie
Fleet Carrier: Congress
BB1: Suffern, Massena, Charlemagne, Charles Martel
CL: Boucanier, Corsair, Vindicatif, Vengeance, Audacieux, Intrépide, Souvenir, Mulhouse, Constantine, Alger, Oran, Casablanca, Irréductible, Joseph, Jeane d’Arc, Reims
3x Destroyer Flotilla (tech level 5)
1x Coast Defense Submarine Flotilla
1x Transport Group
Bases: Cherbourg, Dunkirk, Dakar
Yards: Brest, St. Nazaire
Ports: Bordeaux

Mediterranean Fleet
DN: Sedan, Metz
BC: Tavernier
Fleet Carrier: President
BB1: Illinois, Kentucky
CL: Pondicherry, Calais, Raleigh, Detroit, Richmond, Concord, Trenton, Marblehead
CA2: Republique, La Marseillaise
2x Destroyer Flotilla (tech level 5)
1x MTB flotilla
1x Coast Defense Submarine Flotilla
1x Transport Group
Bases: Oran
Yards: Toulon
Ports: Marseilles

[OOC - Have you decided where you want your base? Don't forget the payment next year? Maybe you have some obligation to defend me from Austro-Hungary if you have a base in my territory. I would understand if you didn't want to help if Germany invaded though.]
The Greek War Minister would like to enquire as to whether France has any naval units available.

Spain wonders if France will provide some 75's for the light artillery contigent of the Spanish Army.

In France:
Throughout the year, the ruling DLN continues to consolidate its control of the government by reaching out across the aisle, so to speak, to the Radical-Socialists, inviting the former ruling party into coalition with the DLN. One DLN Assemblyman was quoted as saying that "it is foolish for the National Liberal Front and the Radical-Socialist Party to be at such great odds, especially when so much of their respective agendas are in happy agreement."

When reminded of the ferocious verbal attacks on the Radical-Socialist name in the months and years immediately following that government's fall from power, the Assemblyman stated that every government has its fault, and he is not so filled with hubris so as to assume that the DLN will be perfect in its government of the Third Republic. The charges of damaging France internationally and domestically were, he said, levied against all such governments which have done so, not just the Radicals.

Rumors abound in Paris, though at the moment they are unconfirmed, that former Prime Minister Clemenceau will rejoin the government as Minister of Marine, though Prime Minister Reynaud has made no statement to that effect.

In the colonies:
Jean Jaures' commission inquiring as to practices of government in the French overseas territories is being consistently held up and delayed by conservative colons, especially in Algeria. While the DLN government has stated that it believes in the principal of reform and just rule in the French colonial empire, the fact remains clear that without the support of the colons, the empire could very well collapse. Much lip service and rhetoric is given to the SFIO enquiry, but the commission is given few teeth.

In Haikou, on the Chinese island of Hainan Dao, an indepedent Republic of Hainan is announced, under the leadership of the Radical-Federalist Party. The French Far East Fleet is assigned to defend the island, and the Republic signs treaties of friendship, mutual defense, and many beneficial (to the French) trade agreements with France. In theory, Hainan is an independent Federal Republic, with close ties to a powerful neighbor. In practice, it is little more than a puppet state...

Tag, I might contact you Ic later.

1909
In an effort to assist its fledgling ally, the Republic of Hainan, the French government allocates money in 1910 to pay for primary education and basic clinics. As few Hainanese are qualified to run such services, the French take over the Social Services Department for the immediate future, providing trained and qualified staff. Each French staffer takes on two Hainanese proteges, in order to have native Hainanese take over more responsibility from France in coming years. France will also provide funding to expand the infrastructure of the republic. Anti-French opposition parties are allowed to assemble and speak even in the city center of Haikou, adding support to French claims that Hainan is a fully independent republic that simply happens to be a French protectorate. France also recognizes the government of Yunnan as independent.

In late 1909, France begins assisting the Hainanese in creating a military. The Légion étrangère begins recruiting from the Hainanese population, though widespread illiteracy and little knowledge of the French language mean that the "Hainan Brigade" will be some time before it is combat ready. The eventual goal, as per a joint Franco-Hainanese statement, is that veterans of the Hainan Brigade will be able to form a cadre from which to train a useful military force for the republic.

In addition, the French Third Republic officially recognizes the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-Shek's Kuomintang as the sole legitimate government of the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong, Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guazhou and Guangxi, on the condition that the Republic of China recognizes the Republic of Hainan as independent and sovereign over Hainan Dao and the islands traditionally associated with the province of Hainan.

In response to the attempted coup in Yunnan, French Intelligence increases its monitoring of China as a whole and Yunnan in particular, eventually finding out who is responsible. At the same time, a brigade of the Foreign Legion is moved from Indochina to Yunnan, to provide a more concrete French presence in support of the allied government.

In late October of 1909, a year after the DLN published their party manifesto, another general election changes the government of the Third Republic, bringing to power a consolidated and formal coalition of the Devant Libéral National and the Parti Républicain, Radical et Radical-Socialiste,. The two parties will continue their policies set down previously, including economic and social reforms and the expansion and modernization of the Navy.

The new French Government:
President of the Council (Prime Minister): Jean Charles Reynaud (DLN)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Vespasien Robert (DLN)
Minister of Overseas France: Xavier Renard (DLN)
Minister of War: Guy Régis (DLN)
Minister of Finance: Benoit Lambert (DLN)
Minister of Labour and Social Security Provisions: René Viviani (self described independent Socialist, effectively a Radical)
Minister of Justice: Bienvenu Martin (Radical)
Minister of Marine and Minister of the Interior: Georges Clemenceau (Radical)
Minister of Public Instruction, and Fine Arts: Aristide Briand (Radical)
Minister of Agriculture: Jourdain Romain (Radical)
Minister of Public Works, Posts, and Telegraphs: Richard Michel (Radical)
Minister of Commerce and Industry: Gaston Doumergue (Radical)

French Economy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699766&postcount=2)
French Military (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699772&postcount=3)
French Chinese Policies (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11752735&postcount=28)

Added a link to France's Chinese doings to the first post.

tag

Russia reopens it's embassy in Paris, sends it's diplomatic staff back and sends a message to the French government asking for a reopening of diplomatic relations and hopes for friendship in the future.

The French government welcomes back Russian diplomats, and expresses its hope that the two former allies will be able to move past the unpleasantness of the past.

Spain sends France the notice that it wishes to connect Spanish and French railways. With the upgrading of Spanish railways underway, this is a perfect opprotunity to connect our two railway systems. Not only will this help with trade, it will help with military defense.

ANother statement is sent to France, with the urgent need for an alliance between nations, as the dissolution of the Entente has made the sitution very unstable. German and Austrian alliance gives them more power than should be capable.

On May 7th 1910 President Roosevelt arrives in Paris on his European tour. On the same day, the Great White Fleet makes port in Brest (see US thread for details of its behavior).

The President plans on spending the next two days in discussions of state with French officials and touring the city before boarding a train for Madrid. The American Fleet instead of following turns and steams around the English Channel in a show of strength before moving on to port in Amsterdam.

OOC: I can claim fluid time for discussions with French folk while i resolve the rest of the tour if you would like.

OOC: M'kay.

As the American President arrives in Paris, he is greeted by much fanfare, and is taken, along with Prime Minister Reynaud and President Doumer, to downtown Paris, where a military parade is held in front of the Arc d'Triomphe. Soldiers of the Metropolitan army salute as they pass heads of state, as does a company of the Chasseurs d'Afrique and a company of the Foreign Legion, marching at its peculiar slow-tempo.

In Brest, the Great White Fleet is welcomed by officers of the French Marine Nationale, many of whom look on enviously at the American dreadnoughts.

President Doumer gives a speech, stating that he is pleased that France and the United States have moved past the unpleasantness of recent years, and are working toward a closer relationship. He stresses the importance of republican unity, and mentions how impressive it is to see the Great White Fleet, which now defends those United States which LaFayette helped into independence and the Statue of Liberty has watched over for twenty-four years now.

Seated behind the President, Prime Minister Reynaud leans over to President Roosevelt, and lets him know that later, following the diplomatic pleasantries, he wishes to discuss several things with Roosevelt, among them the "China question."

Rama V, King of Siam, offers France a non-aggression pact in return for a French promise not to take any more of Siam's territory and a revocation of French extraterritoriality in Siam.

(At this point, French citizens in Siam are not under the jurisdiction of Siamese law and can do pretty much whatever they want and get away with it legally.)

And indeed, following the diplomatic pleasantries, Roosevelt and Reynaud cut right to the chase. The President admits that the issue of China is indeed a thorny one, and although it is indeed wonderful that the mess concerning Haiti is cleared up, that US policy toward Europeans in China is mixed. Was there something the French wished to discuss in particular?

Reynaud offers a very Gaullic shrug, and states simply that France has no wish to see the Republic of China destroyed and carved into colonies in the first years of its existance. Surely America, that great Republic, understands French concerns? The Sino-Japanese war, Italian and German invasions, and Russian imperialism have rendered China into a rump state in just a few years. Aware of the growing friendliness between Britain and the United States, the Prime Minister tactfully avoids mentioning British involvement in China. Reynaud goes so far as to suggest a joint statement of a unified Franco-American policy concerning China.

Reynaud is also clear that France does not wish to see Yunnan or Hainan absorbed into a larger state. While it is fairly clear that Yunnan is a puppet state, Reynaud emphasizes that Hainan is an independent republic, and the most liberal and democratic independent state in Asia. Perhaps a bit melodramatically, Reynaud adds that "Lady Liberty should have a place on all the continents, not just her birthplace in France or her home in New York."

In 1911, the Armèe de Terre will be decreased in size by one infantry corps, in order to free up funding for additional naval expansion, as two new battle cruisers join the French Navy that year, and it is widely expected that France will begin construction of dreadnoughts and battle cruisers in the near future. This move is seen as the first concrete move on the part of the Liberal Front/Radical Socialist coalition in terms of their policies of naval modernization and expansion.

OOC: GB approved this move (i.e. it won't cause the government to fall), because it will allow France to maintain 25 tech level 5 naval units (or 18 tech level 4) under the population limit (3%) than previously.

Assuming that France has approved it, when the older iron rails of SPain are replaced next year, they shall be interconnected with French rails. And that the newer roads will also be connected to allow for easier trade.

France is given forewarning that SPain will be testing the water of the nations mentioned in its private dispatch.

Reynaud offers a very Gaullic shrug, and states simply that France has no wish to see the Republic of China destroyed and carved into colonies in the first years of its existance. Surely America, that great Republic, understands French concerns? The Sino-Japanese war, Italian and German invasions, and Russian imperialism have rendered China into a rump state in just a few years. Aware of the growing friendliness between Britain and the United States, the Prime Minister tactfully avoids mentioning British involvement in China. Reynaud goes so far as to suggest a joint statement of a unified Franco-American policy concerning China.

Reynaud is also clear that France does not wish to see Yunnan or Hainan absorbed into a larger state. While it is fairly clear that Yunnan is a puppet state, Reynaud emphasizes that Hainan is an independent republic, and the most liberal and democratic independent state in Asia. Perhaps a bit melodramatically, Reynaud adds that "Lady Liberty should have a place on all the continents, not just her birthplace in France or her home in New York."

As far as the United States is concerned, European possessions in China as of the beginning of the year were already big enough--further expansion of these territories is most undesirable. However, the US understands French interests in Yunnan and the exceptionally friendly Republic of Hainan.

Should Paris wish to join Washington in a second condemnation of further foreign pressure on China and to entertain the possiblity of aid to the Republic of China (economic and possibly military as a defensive measure only), it would likely be in the interest of the United States to recognize an independent Hainan...

Late 1910 (August through December)

After roughly two and a half years of intense investigation and frustrating delay Jean Jaurès finally finishes and releases his commission of enquiries final report

There are really no surprises in Jaurès’ report on the situation in Algeria.

The bulk of Algeria's wealth in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and trade is controlled by the grands colons. The modern European-owned and -managed sectors of the economy are centered around small industry and a highly developed export trade, designed to provide food and raw materials to France in return for capital and consumer goods. Europeans hold about 30% of the total arable land, including the bulk of the most fertile land and most of the areas under irrigation. Europeans produce more than two-thirds of the value of output in agriculture and practically all agricultural exports. The modern, or European, sector is run on a commercial basis and meshed with the French market system, supplying it with wine, citrus, olives, and vegetables. Nearly half of the value of European-owned real property is in vineyards. By contrast, subsistence cereal production, supplemented by olive, fig, and date growing and stock raising, forms the basis of the traditional sector, but the land available for cropping was sub-marginal even for cereals under prevailing traditional cultivation practices. There is an industrial expansion underway that is benefiting Algeria’s Muslims owing to recent French investment, but much more is needed.

The colonial regime imposes more and higher taxes on Muslims than on Europeans. The Muslims, in addition to paying traditional taxes dating from before the French conquest, also pay new taxes, from which the colons were often exempted. At present Muslims produced 20% of Algeria's income but paid 70% of direct taxes and 45% of the total taxes collected. Furthermore, the colons control how these revenues are spent. As a result, colon towns have handsome municipal buildings, paved streets lined with trees, fountains and statues, while Algerian villages and rural areas benefiting little, if at all, from local tax revenues. Recent increases in social spending by the French Government have helped, but the colon dominated local administration is wasteful and rotten.

Muslims are grossly underrepresented on local councils. Because of the many restrictions imposed by the authorities, only 50,000 Muslims are eligible to vote in elections in the civil communes (50,000 out of four million). A special indigénat (native code) lists as offenses acts such as insolence and unauthorized assembly not punishable by French law, and the normal jurisdiction of the cudah is sharply restricted. The governor general is empowered to jail suspects for up to five years without trial. Land is still taken from native Algerians by the State and given to settlers.

The report suggests significant reforms, among them greater enfranchising of the native Algerian population, land reform, the end of land appropriation, tax reform, the repeal of the indigénat, an end to the governor generals power to imprison people without trial, and additional investment in Algerian industry. There is also no surprise when the entire (and politically powerful) colon delegation comes out against Jaurès’ findings and proposed reforms or that colons in Algeria express their complete opposition.

It is concerning French Equatorial African Colonies that Jaurès drops the biggest bombshell, unearthing a report issued by a previous commission of enquiry led by the late famed French explorer de Brazza.

The de Brazza commission was set up in 1905 by the government of Maurice Rouvier after two white men were put on trial for a gruesome series of murders; to celebrate Bastille Day, one had exploded a stick of dynamite in a prisoner’s rectum. It had been privately hoped de Brazza would not say anything embarrassing about the territory he had won for France, whose capital city was named Brazzaville. He was however so horrified by what he saw that he drew up a searingly critical report. Unfortunately, or fortunately from the perspective of the French Government, de Brazza died on the way home and his draft report was suppressed by then Minister of Overseas France Étienne Clémentel with the consent of the French Parliament.

It is this report Jean now unilaterally (and without the approval of the Ministry of Overseas France or the French Parliament) releases, along with more recent reports by his own commissions agents. The Socialist leader then gives numerous speeches on his findings, each one pulsing with outrage.

“Almost all exploitable land has been divided among private concession companies. Forced labor, hostages, slave chains, starving porters, burned villages, paramilitary company sentries, and the chicotte (ooc: a whip of raw sun dried hippopotamus hide) are the order of the day. In some rubber areas the country is a desert, there are no people left. To call what is happening in the French Congo commerce, trade, or development is the height of lying. It is a Terrible System, a Terrible Infamous System!”

Throughout the rubber producing areas of French Equatorial Africa the native population is estimated by Jaurès’ investigators and cooperative locals to have decreased by roughly 50%.

In one French Congo outpost, Salanga, between 1904 and 1907 the rise and fall of month-by-month rubber production is found by Jaurès’ to chillingly correlate almost exactly to the rise and fall in the number of bullets used by company “sentries” – nearly four hundred in a busy month.

It is further noted by Jean in his reports that this system of terror is not just in place in French Equatorial Africa, but also in the Belgian Congo, Portuguese Angola, and the German Cameroons…indeed anywhere there is wild rubber.

Jaurès’ anger resonates in his words, echoed across France through speeches and newsprint as he demands immediate action. “Système terrible, Système infâme terrible!”*

(*“Terrible System, Terrible Infamous System!”)


Georges Clemenceau, in the wake of the revelations and public outrage brought forth by Mr. Jaurès’ report, meets personally with Prime Minister Reynaud.

“There are two perfectly useless things in this world,” Clemenceau begins, in his typical confrontational style. “One is the appendix and the other is Renard!”

(ooc: Xavier Renard, the DLN Minister of Overseas France)

“He has done nothing but either implement or obstruct the reformist polices prepared by Mister Milliès-Lacroix. That non-entity has proven himself completely unsuited for his position and completely lacking in the resolve needed to carry out necessary reforms.”

Clemenceau demands that the portfolio of the Ministry of Overseas France be returned to Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix (the Radicals in return will cede the Interior Ministry to the DLN) or he will bring down the government and form a coalition with Jean Jaurès’ SFIO.

(ooc: Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix was the reformist Minister of Overseas France during Clemenceau’s government. He replaced Étienne Clémentel.)

Radical leaders Maurice Rouvier, the former Prime Minister, and Eugène Étienne, the former Minister of War, offer throw the support of their more conservative Radical faction behind the government (possibly preserving it), but in return they request that they be made Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of War, respectfully.

Lobbyists from the various French concession companies operating in the French Congo criticize Jean Jaurès’ report as “sensationalist and inaccurate” while privately informing the DLN government that reform of the concession system would significantly reduce (perhaps altogether eliminate) the colony’s profits.

Meanwhile, a disgraced Étienne Clémentel (Radical Party) resigns from Parliament.

ooc
concerning previous... all true, which is why the Algerian War of Independence was historically so desperate

<snip>

In Hainan:
The Hainan Brigade of the Foreign Legion finishes training in mid-1910, providing a permanent military force for the island. While the brigade is a part of the French military and is maintained at French expense, it is the hope of the DLN government that the veterans of the Hainan Brigade will go on to serve as a veteran cadre for the nascent Hainan National Republican Army (currently little more than a glorified police force in Haikou and the surrounding countryside), allowing the Hainanese military to gain experienced enlisted soldiers and NCOs over the years. The French government has also announced its intentions to provide for Hainan naval vessels for coastal defense, though due to internal pressures the Third Republic will wait until Hainan is able to pay for the maintenance of said vessels before constructing them.

In Algeria:
Unable to delay the eventual clash with the economically and politically powerful colons any longer, the French government initiates a series of reforms in Algeria. Investment in Algerian industry, begun in 1910, is continued in to 1911. In addition, land appropriations by the State are ended (though previous appropriations are not reversed), and the Governor-General is informed that he must hold trials for Algerian Muslims after no more than six months, a significant decrease in time from the previous five years. The indigénat is not repealed, as that is determined to be a "local issue." However, there is much talk in the National Assembly and the Senate of enfranchising all Algerian Muslims who would be eligible to vote if they were Frenchmen living in France.

Xavier Renard is quietly and unceremoniously sacked, and the Ministry of Overseas France is handed over to its previous occupant, Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix. Vincent Gratien, an assistant minister of the Interior and member of the DLN, is promoted to fulled Interior Minister.

In French Equatorial Africa:
The representatives of the concession companies in Equatorial Africa are told politely but firmly that the French government will not tolerate such practices within French territories, and informs the companies that inspectors from the Ministry of Overseas France will tour rubber plantations and other areas monthly, to insure that the barbaric treatment of Africans ends. While not stated outright, it is clear that the Reynaud government is willing to use French (or colonial) military force to end the Système terrible.

Armée de Terre (Conscript Force, cannot be deployed outside of Metropolitan France during peacetime)
Regulars:
Paris-1 HQ, 1 infantry corps, 2 infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Reims-2 heavy infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps, 2 infantry corps
Charleville Mezieres-1 heavy infantry corps
Verdun-1 fortress division, 1 cavalry corps, 2 infantry corps, 1 heavy infantry corps
Grenoble-1 mountain division
Bayonne-1 mountain division
Le Harve-1 light infantry brigade (Marines)
Troyes-1 HQ, 2 infantry corps
Dijon-1 HQ, 2 infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Besançon-3 infantry corps
Clermont-Ferrand-1 infantry corps
Le Mans-1 infantry corps
Épernay-1 infantry corps
Lyon-1 cavalry corps
Amiens-2 infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Nantes-1 reserve infantry corps
Brest-1 reserve infantry corps
Bordeaux-1 reserve infantry corps
Limoges-1 reserve infantry corps
Valence-1 reserve infantry corps
Nice-1 reserve infantry corps
Marseilles-2 reserve infantry corps
Montpellier-1 reserve infantry corps
Pau-1 reserve infantry corps
Orléans-2 reserve infantry corps

Units marked in plain type are regulars, those in italics are regular units that are in the reserves, and units labeled "reserve x" are Paysarmée units comprised of reservists (Landwehr-type troops)

Armée d’Afrique (French Algeria, consider a department of France)
Fes- 1 infantry corps
Casablanca- 1 infantry corps, 1 light infantry brigade (Légion Étrangère)
Marrakesh- 1 reserve infantry corps, 1 cavalry corps
Bou Afra- 1 reserve infantry corps
Algiers- 1 HQ, 1 infantry corps, 1 light infantry brigade (Légion Étrangère)
Constantine- 1 reserve infantry corps
Oran- 1 cavalry corps
Villa Cisneros- 1 cavalry corps
Oujda-1 cavalry corps

Colonies and Protectorates:
Saigon-1 garrison unit
Phnom Penh-1 garrison unit
Vientiane-1 garrison unit
Hanoi-1 garrison unit
Brazzaville-1 garrison unit
Diego Suarez-1 garrison unit
Dakar-1 cavalry corps
New Caledonia-1 garrison unit
Tahiti-1 garrison unit
Haikou-1 light infantry brigade (Légion Étrangère)
Yunnan-1 light infantry brigade (Légion Étrangère)

French Naval Deployments, 1911:

Atlantic Fleet
BC:
Fraternitie
BB1:
Democratie, Justice, Libertie, Verite, Republique, Patrie, Charlemagne, Charles Martel, Carnot
CA:
Ernest Renan, Jules Michelet, Gloire, Amiral Aube, Conde, Marseilaise, Sully, Dupleix, Amiral Charner, Bruix
CP:
Jurien de la Graviere, D'Estrees, Infernet, Chateaurenault, Guichen, D'Entrecasteaux, D'Assas, Cassard
2x Destroyer Flotilla (tech level 5)
1x Gunboat Flotilla
1x Coast Defense Submarine Flotilla
Bases: Cherbourg, Dunkirk, Dakar
Yards: Brest, St. Nazaire
Ports: Bordeaux

Mediterranean Fleet
BC:
Tavernier
BB1:
Bouvet, Massena, Jaureguiberry
CA:
Chanzy, Latouche Treville, Desaix
CP:
Du Chayla, Catinat, Protet, Pascal, Descartes, Bugead, Chasseloup-Laubat, Alger
1x Coast Defense Submarine Flotilla
1x Torpedo Boat Flotilla
Bases: Oran
Yards: Toulon
Ports: Marseilles

Far East Fleet
BB1:
Suffren, Jena, St. Louis, Gaulois
CA:
Kleber, Gueydon, Dupetit-Thouars, Montcalm, Jeane d'Arc, Pothuau
CP:
Friant, Isly, Jean Bart, Gallilee, Lavosier, Linois, Suchet, Davout
1x Destroyer Flotilla (tech level 4.5)
1x Gunboat Flotilla
Bases: Saigon, Tahiti, Haikou (under construction in 1911)
Yards: n/a
Ports: n/a

To be updated as required.

The Aéronautique Militaire, the nascent aerial branch of the French Army founded on 22 October 1910 under the command of General Roques, begins to organize in earnest by February of 1911, sending cadets to train in pilot schools throughout France.

Several types of aircraft of tested by the AM, but little in the way of a cohesive combat or military intelligence-gathering unit has formed as of yet.

The Spanish and French government sign the Alliance of Seville.

Alliance of Seville

1. France and Spain will delegate problems with eachother through diplomatic means only. They shall show no aggression to the other.
2. The Allies of either nation will agree to belonging to both. Neither will make Alliances with the sworn enemies of the other nation.
3. If any nation within this alliance should be invaded, all others shall declare war on the invader and work to expelling them.
4. Trade shall be with minimum to no tarriffs between these nations.

Other countries are searched and asked to sign by the SPanish Government.

As a Mod

Other countries are searched and asked to sign by the SPanish Government.

OOC: Expanding an alliance requires the explicit approval from both parties unless it is written into the treaty that one party may recruit people (something this treaty lacks). Thus all candidate members would have to be approved by both France and Spain.

OOC: Expanding an alliance requires the explicit approval from both parties unless it is written into the treaty that one party may recruit people (something this treaty lacks). Thus all candidate members would have to be approved by both France and Spain.

OOC: Amestria is right.

OOC: Ahem, this is the problem with people jumping to conclusions. Article 2 is written ambigious, but was explained to Malkyer when we discussed this in TG. Ergo the French had the same question. Article 2 is the note in the treaty in political jargon that the Alliance can be added to. It's just written in such a way that it appears rather confusing. Which is it's purpose. Therefore, No the french wouldn't be annoyed because when they signed it with Spain, ergo when me and Malkyer signed it, we had this already hammered out. Therefore your post is not proper due to lack of information. And Malkyer I have sent several TG's that I would be attempting to recruit Russia, Portugal, Britain, and Italy into the alliance. In effect Spain has been informing France from the get go.

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: Sukiaida, I realize that you informed me several times that you planned to invite Russia, Britain, and Italy into this alliance. However, I have made it clear several times in IC posts and OOC over Chatzy and the like that France does not have and is not interested in having a defensive alliance with Russia at this point in time. Because the alliance as agreed to by France does not state that one signatory may recruit other nations, Spain will require French approval for any nation it wishes to bring into this alliance (and vice versa, France will require Spanish assent). Telling me what you are planning to do does not equate to me agreeing to your plans.

OOC: Ok. But we do both agree to Italy joining right? I think we agreed to that. So that goes as planned.

IC: Spain agrees on the note of current Russia, as it might develop into a Civil War. However, if a friendly government were to take control. And to prove that it had taken control, then it would be advised that Russia be included.

Great Britain and Portugal are a deal together. It would be impossible to recruit one without the other as they are close allies. Great Britain would be an intricate point in the Alliance simply because it would anchor France's left flank. The Channel would be secure, and France would have help in defending the border of Belgium should anyone attempt to violate it's neutrality. Just as Italy is a good anchor on our right flank, so is Britain to our left. Not to mention the help of an empire can never hurt. Also the Suez Canal and GIbraltor would have an allied front, therefor allowing for the entrance and exit of the Mediterranian to be owned by a single alliance. Spain requests that France approve allowing Spain to attempt to recruit Great Britain and Portugal. And Russia considering modern events shall have to be debated later.

France states that it is already allied with Italy, so Spain is free to talk to the Italians. However, France also reiterates its stance of neutrality in European affairs. The Third Republic wishes to avoid entangling alliances at this time.

OOC: No, France will not approve Russia in the near future, especially when it looks like Russia may fall in to civil war, or be attacked by external forces, thus drawing France and Spain into war.

OOC: Understood on that.

IC: If that is what France wishes, then the ALliance of Seville shall only include Italy, Spain, and France. But Spain shall also attempt Alliances with other nations as well. As long as they do not violate article 2 of the Alliance. As Great Britain is not a sworn enemy of France or Italy, then Spain shall attempt this in a seperate alliance from the one with France.

Spain however questions if Germany will recognize France's neutrality when the time comes. France and Spain are possibly and even match with Germany, but include Austria Hungary into the mix, and Spain questions if Italy can hold the right flank. Does France believe Italy can hold the right? If not than there is a danger here that "Entangling Alliances" may be able to solve.

Britain points out that unless France cedes its Indian Possessions and New Caledonia, that Britain finds this Alliance too entangling and pointless, and informs Portugal that it should follow suit.

The Russian government contracts several French weapons companies to produce machine guns and rifles in the Russian caliber.

OOC: AHem OOC I'll handle the Britain thing myself Malkyer. As uhhh it seems some stuff got screwed around. But I will handle it.

In June 1911, the government of the Third Republic issues Le Décret de la économique d'Algérie, a proclamation concerning economic reform in the départments of Algiers, Oran, and Constantine. According to the Décret, income from new Algerian industry [ooc: 1 production center completed in 1912] is to be invested back into the Algerian economy at the direction of the national government, so that the Algerian people benefit directly from the industrialization of the départments, but also preventing the previous problem of colon-directed funding benefitting peid-noirs at the expense of native Algerian Muslims. Under the Décret, the spending of tax revenue is still directed by the colon administration. Both Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix and Benoit Lambert (Ministers of Overseas France and Finance, respectively) affix their signatures to the Décret, as do Prime Minister Reynaud and President Doumer.

The money brought in by Algerian industry will be used to fund various projects of the French Republic that directly affect Algeria, specifically the maintenance of the Armée d'Afrique and the Marine Nationale Mediterranean Fleet, in addition to paying for social services in Algeria.

The Décret causes much grumbling among the peid-noirs, and some of the more influential ones protest loudly both in the press and in the local départment governments.

June, 1911

In a move calculated to strengthen ties between France and Italy, allies for several years now, the Third Republic announces that the island of Madagascar is to become a codominium between the Third Republic of France and the Kingdom of Italy. With Madagascar relatively isolated as far as large French colonies are concerned, it is felt that the Italian presence on the island will free up the French Navy for more pressing concerns, especially as the war in Europe progresses.

The French military garrison on the island [ooc: 1 garrison unit] will remain stationed there for the duration of the codominium.

*****

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.

June 1911

Spain tells France that the connections with French rails have been pushed forward first so that SPanish troops may react to developments to helping defend French soil quicker than before. Also it might be a good idea if France, Italy, and Spain talked tactically about their plans should things get ugly in Europe.

July 1911

Spain wishes to purchase 2 Observation Plane Units in 1912.



Observation planes air combat (1), bombing 0, naval 0, strategic bombing 0, range 2 hexes, cost 1, maintenance .5, build time 3 months (100 aircraft)

In July of 1911, the French government, fearful that the Germans will be emboldened by their recent gains in Russia and the Ottoman declaration of war on the former French ally, and also to a degree yielding to pro-Russian public sentiment, authorizes the mobilization of two corps of regular infantry in addition to the active professional corps of the army. Additional reserves, Paysarmée units, the Armée d'Afrique, and the Foreign Legion brigades in North Africa are put on alert. The Marine Nationale steps up patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and L'Infanterie Marine begin running practice drills along the coast near their base in Le Harve.

Publicly, the government of Prime Minister Reynaud is still very much neutral. Privately, Jean Charles Reynaud and his Cabinet are worried...

Does France believe that Spain should be on alert?

OOC: Probably not a bad idea.

IC:
The French government condemns the Ottoman declaration of war on Russia, with PM Reynaud (in private) calling them "little more than sand-covered marionettes, their strings moved by Berlin." An additional three corps of infantry are mobilized, and measures to increase French industrial output are implemented. The government is reorganized as Le Gouvernement de Préparation Nationale. The two brigades of the Foreign Legion in the Far East, stationed in Yunnan and Hainan, are withdrawn to Saigon. The Far East Fleet increases its patrols in the South China Sea, in order to show the Republic of China that France is still involved in safeguarding the independence of its Asian protectorates.

OOC: Too many reserves used and you will have less food I think.

IC: Is Italy to be informed?

OOC: Italy and I are in communication. Stop worrying so much.

IC:
In France, many pro-Russian citizens celebrate the Russian victories and praise Russian élan. Even many Frenchmen who do not care for Russia are impressed by the tenacious defense of Kiev, and the overwhelming Russian victory in the Caucasus. The French military is, unofficially but understandably, happy to see that so many Germans have been killed, captured, or wounded.

The French government, however, becomes somewhat more anxious, as the Russian victories make it more difficult to ignore the calls by French citizens for war against Germany, to assist France's old ally and take back Alsace-Lorraine (at the moment a minority, but they are growing in number).

In Algeria, discontent among peid-noirs over economic reform continues to grow. Peid-noir MPs in Paris give many a speech, but with the attention of both France and the world on eastern Europe, they are largely ignored. However, two mountain divisions and a light infantry brigade of the Armie d'Terre are transferred to Algeria, in order to conduct exercises with the Armie d'Afrique. The introduction of French military units to Algeria is a subtle reminder to the peid-noirs that Paris runs the show, and that they should behave.

King Vajiravhud of Siam proposes to follow his father's policy of friendship with both France and Britain. In order to facilitate this, he proposes a 5-point agreement to bring the two countries closer together.

1. Siam will annually send a maximum of 100 students to French universities to be educated there.
2. French citizens traveling in (but not residing in) Siam will have limited immunity from Siamese law (but not to felonies).
3. France will send a few paintings to Siam to be displayed in the new Chulalangkorn University, to be rotated yearly, for the benefit of Siam's culture.
4. Siam will set up French-language schools all over Siam.
5. Siam will pay a small amount (OOC: purely nominal) each year to France

The Greek Government formally requests a French military mission to help advise the Greek Army, and to conduct joint exercises.

A French mission is dispatched to Greece, consisting of two mountain divisions and a brigade of the Légion Étrangère. The French troops will be on hand to advise the Greeks tactics and strategy, and it is hoped that the this mission will bring about closer relations between the French Republic and the Hellenic Kingdom.

An additional six corps of French infantry are mobilized and sent to the border regions of Germany. Cavalry begin exercises in northern France, near the Belgian border.

Quietly and without pomp or ceremony, the battle cruiser Tavernier is dispatched from the South China Sea to the Mediterranean, in order to increase French fleet strength there.

Mobilized French Armée de Terre, June 1912
3 HQ
12 Infantry Corps
4 Heavy Infantry Corps
2 Cavalry Corps
2 Fortress Corps
1 Fortress Division (Verdun)
2 Mountain Divisions
2 Marine Brigades
4 Siege Artillery Brigades

Deployment of the Armée de Terre
In France:
Hex west of Metz-2 Siege Artillery Brigades, 2 Heavy Infantry Corps, 1 HQ, 1 Fortress Corps
Mountain hex north of Berne-2 Siege Artillery Brigades, 2 Heavy Infantry Corps, 2 Infantry Corps
Hex southwest of Metz-3 Infantry Corps, 1 Fortress Corps, 1 Observation Plane Unit
Two hexes northwest of Berne-1 HQ, 3 Infantry Corps
Two hexes southwest of Brussels-1 HQ, 2 Cavalry Corps
Two hexes southwest of Metz-4 Infantry Corps
Three hexes northeast of Vichy-1 Fortress Division (Verdun)*

*OOC: I’m not sure exactly where Verdun is on the WiF map, so if this is incorrect, let me know and I will change it.

In Greece:
Forest hex bordering Ottoman Empire-1 Light Infantry Brigade (Foreign Legion)
Western mountain hex on Bulgarian Border-2 Mountain Divisions

Deployment of the Armée d'Afrique
Algiers Hex- 1 HQ, 2 Marine Brigades, 2 Infantry Corps, 1 Light Infantry Brigade (Foreign Legion)
Bone Hex-2 Cavalry Corps, 2 Infantry Corps

N.B. This list includes only those units of the French Army that have been mobilized through May of 1912.

Army group's A and E(10 fortress corps, 6 heavy infantry corps)have been ordered to mobilize in response to the French mobilizations and prepare for a French invasion.

Colonial forces have also begun mobilizing.

[B]

Forest hex north of Berne-2 Siege Artillery Brigades, 2 Heavy Infantry Corps, 2 Infantry Corps[/I]
OOC: I *think* that hex is German, part of AL. I'm not positive on the German/French borders on the WiF map though.

OOC: I *think* that hex is German, part of AL. I'm not positive on the German/French borders on the WiF map though.

OOC: You're right. I didn't think AL extended as far south as the Swiss border, but I search Google for a map and it turns out that it does. I've edited the deployments accordingly.

An HQ unit is transferred from near the Franco-Belgian border to the military mission in Greece by way of Italy, with a quick ferry trip across the strait to Greece. The transfer of a headquarters unit is ostensibly to "better organize" the French military mission to Greece.

It seems that the world is on the bring and the fire spreads.

Tged you Malkyer by the way.

TG again.

June 2nd, 1912

In front of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Jean Charles Reynaud stands to give a speech. Usually a calm man, he reaches for a glass of water to cool the sheen of sweat growing on his forehead.

"Frenchmen, for forty-two years our brothers in Alsace and Lorraine have been ground down by the jackboot of Prussian oppression. Liberty, equality, and fraternity have no meaning under the Hun. Our countrymen suffer under what is to all purposes a military occupation. For years now, the Kaiser has been building up his military presence in Alsace and Lorraine, even before he began his war against the Russian people, even before France was forced to mobilize soldiers in response, to guarantee that our borders could be defended in the event Germany attempted an unwarranted attack on our Republic, a mirror image of their shameless venture in the east of this Continent.

"Frenchmen, for a year now the German Empire and its lackeys have been waging an unprovoked war against the people of Russia, after cowardly killing that country’s leaders and prodding the peoples of that Empire to rebellion.

"Frenchmen, I say to you now that the Third Republic will not accept rampant German imperialism in the heart of Europe itself! We stand as protectors of the rights of men, and I refuse, and so should all of France refuse, to fall slack in that sacred duty. We see the murder of the Tsar and his family, of children! We see the refusal of the German militarist in Berlin to let Europe live in peace. We see the cowardly demands of the Austrian Empire against the Serbs and the Rumanians, threatening to end the sovereignty of those countries if they do not surrender it wholesale to the Germans and Austrians. I say now that France will not stand for this."

Amid the cheers of the hawkish MPs, Reynaud pauses to sip water before continuing.

"I say to the German Empire and its Austrian lackeys with the utmost clarity, that a state of war exists between the Third Republic of France and the Huns to our east. War has also been declared on the Ottoman Empire; they forfeited their right to protection under our non-aggression pact when they broke such a treaty with the Russians.

"The Russian Army has made many a valiant stand to defend their motherland, and I know with certainty that our own soldiers will be honored to fight as their allies once again. France and Russia, with our courageous, selfless, and brave allies in Madrid, Rome, Athens, and Bucharest, will see the Hun defeated. We will see victory in Europe. Liberty, equality, and fraternity for all the peoples of Europe!"

* * * * *

Immediately following the declaration of war, the remainder of the French Army is called up; an addition eight army corps and twelve reservist corps, a million men. Officers of the Lègion Ètrangére were attached to the regular units, to recruit prisoners of war into the Legion. Rationing is implemented in the major cities, in order to free up foodstuffs to ship to Russia. Tricolors and regimental flags flutter as units parade the streets of Paris. Pretty girls threw flowers and blew kisses to the soldiers. As a young soldier would later write to his mother, "No one who did not see Paris on that day has truly lived."

At the French embassy in Bucharest, several Rumanian government officials arrive and present the staff with several bottles of wine, offering a toast during the calm before the storm.

A detatchment of Rumanian soldiers moves in to help the French embassy guard fortify the embassy building.

In Petrograd, cheering crowds waving the Russian flag and the tricolor nearly storm the French embassy when the news spreads that France has entered the war. Russian morale soars again now that an old ally is in the fight. Despite the losses in the Ukraine, things look bright. How can Germany fight a two front war?

The Spanish embassy personell laugh as they see their neighbor stormed by celebrating crowds. "It seems we are a second fiddle. OH well. This will make victory much more certain. Russia's morale will improve, as the ring of countries declaring war were all on their side. Well to victory and those who will be buried before it." He lifted a glass.

From: the King of Siam
To: The Third Republic of France

The Kingdom of Siam asks the French Third Republic to surrender its remaining holdings in Indochina to Siam. Surely, the French must know that 35,000 French troops have no hope of holding out against 160,000 Siamese. There is no need for French troops to die in vain.

The Siamese request is laughed at, and the Siamese government is informed publicly that Indochina will be retaken regardless of Siamese delusions of grandeur. Any Indochinese who support the French, or who are fighting for the Siamese and choose to desert and back the French upon their return, will be treated leniently by France at the end of the war.

In the Pacific, France agrees to sell its many islands to the United Kingdom and the United States. The total deal includes an additional interest-free loan from the USA (ooc: 15 points), a large loan from Britain (ooc: 20 points), British and American recognition and guarantees of independence to Hainan and Yunnan (Britain will recognize Yunnan and guarantee Hainan; America will recognize and guarantee Hainan), and a naval aid package from Britain consisting of six light cruisers (delivered immediately) and three flotillas of destroyers (delivered in 1913). In addition, the USN will transport free of charge the two French garrison units in the Pacific to Hainan, where they will remain for the duration of the war, with orders to only fight in cases of self-defense, so as not to call into question the neutrality of Hainan.

Siam sends an ambassador, Prince Chudadhut Dharadilok, to France to discuss terms for peace and the return of French POWs. His visit is publicized in Siam, Great Britain, America, and (if the French government allows) France.

OOC: Want to do a roleplay based around Siamese-French negotiations, or just summerize?

Prince Dharadilok is welcomed to France, though with understandably little ceremony.

He is taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he meets with Minister Vespasien Robert. On Robert's desk sat a globe, newly painted with Yunnan no longer colored blue. However, if the Prince looked he would see that Indochina had not changed colors. An aide quietly sees to it that the Prince's needs are met as far as refreshments are concerned, and then leaves the two statesmen in the Minister's office alone. Robert pulls a cigarette case from his coat pocket, and offers one to the Siamese prince.

"Pleasantries aside, Your Majesty, I hope you will forgive me if I seem less than welcoming. Siam has, if you will, experienced a sudden drop in popularity in and around Paris." The Foreign Minister grinned, but his eyes lacked mirth.

"I have been instructed to inform you that France wishes to know your reasons for stabbing us in the back in our moment of need, especially after relations between our countries became so much better after the nastiness of one of the previous governments."

OOC: RP would be good; it'll give us something to do on days that GB doesn't post.

The Prince considered the Minister's words carefully before framing a response. "Monsieur, you must understand that I am not liberty to talk with complete candor." He leaned in, speaking softly so as to avoid being overheard. "Had the King not been in Europe at the time... no matter." The Prince straightened himself up in his chair.

"We must concern ourselves with the here and now. Siam owns-" he paused, seeing the look of displeasure on Robert's face, "-or, if you like, has control of- Indochina." Dharadilok paused, measuring Robert before continuing. "France will never re-assume control over Indochina. The people there... over three hundred thousand rose up and joined the Siamese forces as they swept your brave Legionnaires out of Indochina. Now that their pressure has been released... no army in the world could hold Vietnam now without the approval of the Vietnamese." Dharadilok paused, waiting for the Frenchman's reply.

Robert's cold smile spread wider across his face. "Three hundred thousand Indochinese rose up against the French because they were incited to do so by the Siamese Army. I am fairly sure that had the situations been reversed, an invading French Army would have found many Siamese rising up to support it. You are right that our Legionnaires were defeated. But they fought with honor, making their stand even when the battle was hopeless, because it was their duty. They did what was expected of them. They fought with honor. That is more than can be said of those who fought against them."

The smile has left Robert's face. Now it is simply cold. The Frenchman's voice has become very quiet.

"Prince Dharadilok...My government is not concerned with holding the Indochinese down. Even if we assume that you are correct, and a few decades in the future some guerrillas in their pajamas hiking through the jungles manage to defeat a French army, that is not our immediate concern.

"I have been instructed to offer Siam one chance to end this. Your nation has one chance to agree to a complete and unconditional surrender to France. Reject this offer, and Siam will burn. Bangkok will be reduced to rubble, and your armies will be slaughtered on the battlefield. Your navy will be swept from the waves, and French troops will march through every town and village.

"Siam cannot win, not in the long run. End this now, or France will end it later."

The Prince smiled sadly. "Monsieur Robert, you know well that I am not authorized to issue surrender even if I fully believed your hyperbolistic statements."

"However, I am not prepared to leave your office just yet; there is one more issue I would like to discuss with you. As you said, your legionnaires were only doing their duty. If the French government is willing-on the honor it holds so close to its heart-to never again have them fight for the Allied cause, the Kingdom of Siam is willing to return them to their homeland. It is hoped, after all," and here the Prince pauses for a moment, "that even in times of war, men will not be forced to suffer unduly for their government's dealings."

Robert shook his head. "Even if I were empowered to agree to that, you realize that it would be pointless? Men sign up for the Legion under assumed identities all the time; it would be impossible to prevent someone from joining the Legion upon their return. And further still, I am sure you are aware of the "French by blood spilt" clause of the Legionnaire's contract? Any man wounded in the service of France is granted French citizenship, and this government, being one ruled by the people, cannot very well deny those people their right to fight for their country.

"I agree with you, Prince, that it is regrettable that men must suffer for their government's dealings. Especially those thousands of Siamese, Indochinese, and Frenchmen who died because of your government's actions."

The Prince smiled sadly. "Then I think that will be all."

Two days later, Siam publicly offers to return the French POWs, only to be turned down again.

The Prince smiled sadly. "Then I think that will be all."

Two days later, Siam publicly offers to return the French POWs, only to be turned down again.

The French government, after some heated deliberation, agrees to accept the Siamese offer. As per the rules of the Legion contract, those Legionnaires that were wounded in Indochina are offered French citizenship.

November/December 1912

The French government restructures itself as its economy goes to Wartime Production/Spending, creating several new Ministries in the process and bringing in some of the more prominent (and moderate) members of the Conservatives to create a “Government of National Unity.”

The Government of National Unity

President of the Council (Prime Minister): Jean Charles Reynaud (DLN)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Théophile Delcassé (DLN)
Minister of Overseas France: Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix (Radical)
Minister of War: Guy Régis (DLN)
Minister of Marine, Convoying, and Blockades: Georges Clemenceau (Radical), after January 1913, Georges Leygues (Radical)
Minister of Finance: Raymond Poincaré (ARD)
Minister of Labour and Social Security Provisions: René Besnard (Radical)
Minister of Justice: Bienvenu Martin (Radical)
Minister of the Interior: Vincent Gratien (DLN)
Minister of Public Instruction, and Fine Arts: Aristide Briand (Radical)
Minister of Public Works, Posts, and Telegraphs: Albert Lebrun (ARD)
Minister of Commerce and Industry: Benoit Lambert (DLN)
Minister of Armaments and War Manufacturing: Louis Loucheur (Radical)
Minister of Agriculture: Jourdain Romain (Radical)
Minister of Liberated Regions: Charles Jonnart (ARD)


Legislation allowing female suffrage is also pushed through the National Assembly and Senate.

Georges Clemenceau, whose faction of the Radical’s sponsored the legislation, speaks strongly in favor of it, conjuring up the memory of the French women who had stormed Versailles during the French Revolution and butchered members of the Royal Swiss Guard and reminding everyone of the great ordeal before them.

“France needs every one of its sons, every man and every soldier it can muster along the Rhine and Kizil. Let France’s daughters, who worry as their men are called off to fight and weep at the inevitable funerals before stoically continuing on…let them shoulder some of the burden of this conflict, let them support their fathers, husbands, and sons at the front.

To those reactionary fools who oppose this legislation on the grounds it could harm France’s society…well, our society is at present preoccupied with a far greater concern then mere custom, the necessity of victory and survival! The full might of the French citizenry, the French people, the French Nation must be brought forth to vanquish the Germans, once and for all.”

It passes, with many conservative members voting for it to free up men to fight the Germans.

So far, the legislation only concerns the mobilization of woman for the factories, replacing jobs opened by men leaving to join the Army, but guarantees full legal and civil rights for women by 1916, including the right to vote and hold political offices.


January 1913

Radical Georges Clemenceau, with the support of the Devant Libéral Nationale, is elected President of the Republic by the French Parliament, defeating conservative Alliance républicaine démocratique candidate Raymond Poincaré. Clemenceau succeeds President Paul Doumer (Radical, January 1906 to December 1912). He and Jean Charles Reynaud vow to work closely together.

Georges Leygues (Radical) becomes Minister of Marine, Convoying, and Blockades.

The heavy casualties suffered in the fighting so far begin to raise concerns among the Left. Hard questions regarding war aims and what is needed for peace are asked.

President Clemenceau, the old radical, is called upon by Prime Minister Reynaud (his ally, rival, and friend) to answer the Left. He rises to the occasion, addressing Parliament.

“The Unity Governments home policy: We wage war. Our foreign policy: We wage war. All the time we wage war. What is needed for peace? The complete and total defeat of Germany and the liberation of all territory seized by it and its coalition of small predatory aggressors! There will be peace when Germany is defeated, as without Germany the feeble states of the Coalition would immediately fall apart. Germany has to be defeated!

Yes, the casualties suffered so far have indeed been horrific, for war, particularly modern war, is a series of catastrophes, which is why so many of our statesmen attempted to avoid what has occurred, but all their efforts were for naught as the Prussians are impossible, the events of 1911 demonstrated such. They seek to become the masters of Europe and ultimately destroy those who will not cower before them. Well, France will not cower, so it must fight or be destroyed. What is France seeking…?

France is seeking peace, real peace, a lasting peace…not another armistice for 20 or so years.”

ooc: Thanks to Ames for the research into government ministers, etc.

The heavy casualties suffered in the fighting so far begin to raise concerns among the Left. Hard questions regarding war aims and what is needed for peace are asked.

Resources: 13 [size=1](French West Africa 1, French Equatorial Africa 2, Madagascar and Indian Ocean Territories 1, French India 1, Algeria 4, Indochina 7*, New Caledonia 6, Morocco 2)
Food: 22 [rationing] (French India 3, Algeria 11, Indochina 17, New Caledonia 6, Morocco 5))

OOC: Didn't NC get sold to the Brits? Even if it didn't how would France get its resources as the Coalition controls the Pacific, IO, Red Sea and S Atlantic.

OOC: Didn't NC get sold to the Brits? Even if it didn't how would France get its resources as the Coalition controls the Pacific, IO, Red Sea and S Atlantic.

OOC: NC was sold to Britain, with the agreement that France would continue to recieve its resources until the end of the war. I have just been assuming that the points are coming through Britain, as that seems the logical way.

OOC: I assume that since you're still managing the resources that you're handling the shipping of said resources?

The Ministry of Overseas France authorizes the raising of several corps of troops in West Africa. The infantry and cavalry raised there will be used to defend France's African possessions, and to reinforce Allied armies in the Middle East and Europe.

The Minisitry predicts that the Colonial Army will be able to raise over 20 corps worth of troops from West Africa.

The Ministry of Overseas France authorizes the raising of several corps of troops in West Africa. The infantry and cavalry raised there will be used to defend France's African possessions, and to reinforce Allied armies in the Middle East and Europe.

The Minisitry predicts that the Colonial Army will be able to raise over 20 corps worth of troops from West Africa alone, and an additional three from Equatorial Africa.

Equatorial Africa fell already I believe

Equatorial Africa fell already I believe

OOC: That's what I thought as well, but I looked through the Great War Thread and couldn't find the post. You wouldn't happen to have a link, would you?

France is asked if it can build 2 fighter units for Spain. These will be paid for immiedietly of course.

French Military (mobilized and ready for action) as of 1 January, 1913 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699772&postcount=3)

French Casualties, 1 January 1913
Dead: 181,800
Missing: 90,900
Wounded (Return to Duty): 272,700
Wounded (Permanently): 272,700
POW: 90,900

Total Casaulties: 909,000 (822,000 Metropolitan, 87,000 Colonial)

French Military (mobilized and ready for action) as of 1 January, 1913 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11699772&postcount=3)

Total Casaulties: 909,000 (822,000 Metropolitan, 87,000 Colonial)

OOC: I'm not sure of the percentage breakdowns for the casualties (i.e. how many dead, how many wounded, how many POWs, etc).

10% killed in action, 10% die of wounds, 10% missing (unidentified dead usually), 30% permanently crippled, 10% POW, 30% wounded or injured and able to return to duty within 6 months.

Half of the permanently crippled can be returned to duty if you go to 15% mobilization, although they can only be used for garrison, fortress or militia type service or police service

OOC: That's what I thought as well, but I looked through the Great War Thread and couldn't find the post. You wouldn't happen to have a link, would you?

fell in December 1912

Parthini;11937874']OOC: I assume that since you're still managing the resources that you're handling the shipping of said resources?

assume neutral shipping is handling that

Metropolitan France:

Civilians Sick:
8 million

Civilians Dead:
1.2 million

Military Sick:
935,000

Military Dead:
187,000

Production lost:
5 points

These figures are then divided by 24 (24 month period March 1913-March 1915), bringing the losses to 100,000 civilians and 15,600 soldiers dead per two-month turn, and .4 points lost per turn.

In March and April, France loses 100,000 civilians to the Persian flu, and 15,600 soldiers have died.

With the cease-fire beginning on May 1, casualties from the flu begin to drop, as hospitals are no longer swamped with battlefield wounded. For the duration of the ceasefire, 32,500 civilians die per turn, as do 5,100 soldiers.

As of May/June:
Total Civilian Dead: 132,500
Total Military Dead: 20,700

France Outre-Mer:
Civilians Sick:


Civilians Dead:


Military Sick:


Military Dead:


Production lost:

[Overseas France will be done later as time permits]

In May 1913, France concludes a separate peace with Siam:

Treaty of Phnom Penh
1. The Double Empire of Siam will retain claim on the states of Cochin-China, Annam, Tonkin, Cambodia, and Laos.
2. The Republics of South Madagascar and East India will decide internally whether to become independent, rejoin the French Empire, or become colonies of the Double Empire of Siam.
3. The Double Empire of Siam will pay reparations to France, in the amount of 90 points by January 1929.
4. All ethnic French in Indochina will gain joint French-Siamese citizenship, or retain French citizenship as they choose.
5. France will refrain from interfering with internal Siamese matters for a period of 10 years.
6. Siam shall recognize the independence of the Republic of Hainan (ooc: if they haven't already done so), and shall not interefere in the affairs of that nation.

The reaction in France is mixed, as many (mostly on the right) are furious that the government gave up Indochina without even a token attempt to take it back, while many others (mostly on the left) are glad to see one less colony, as they few the French Colonial Empire as making a farce of the belief in liberty, equality, and fraternity.

However, the politicians, military leaders, and civilians who are able to look beyond the present and immediate future are almost grateful to Siam, who have taken the potentially problematic Vietnamese off of their hands.

Now the Third Republic must focus its efforts on making peace with the six remaining Coalition states.

Following the provisos of the Treaty of Phnom Penh, the governments of South Madagascar and French India decide to rejoin France through their own internal legislatures.

Note that South Madagascar voted to return only to French control, not joint Italian-French control as they see the Italians as no better than the French (and anyway, Italian control was not stipulated in the treaty.)

By July of 1913, the Treaty of Arlington has been signed and peace has returned to Europe, and to the rest of the world. The Third French Republic is one of the few nations content with the outcome of the war; while the loss of Indochina and Equatorial Africa was a blow to the pride and prestige of the French Colonial Empire, the retaking of Alsace-Lorraine and the conquest of the Holy Land is seen by many as a worthwhile reward.

Cheering crowds lined the streets of French cities as soldiers returned home from the front, throwing flowers and waving the tricolore. Prime Minister Reynaud spoke before the National Assembly and the Senate:

"France and its allies have emerged the victorious bastion of democracy in Europe. We have suffered defeats, it is true, and we have suffered losses. But in the face of death and war, and scorning the despot, the French Republic stood in defiance of those who would threaten liberty, and we stand still today. Thousands have died, and thousands more have been wounded; their sacrifice shall not be made vain by our actions now.

"A fragile peace has been achieved. This peace must be protected an nutured, so that our sons, or their sons, may never again be taken by the spectre of war."

The French Army has seen its greatest successes since the days of Napoleon, and in addition to conquering territory and bringing lost lands back into the Republic, has shattered the myth of the invincibility of the Imperial German Army. The defeats of the French Navy at the hands of the Japanese and Germans keep the French military establishment from gaining too much power and over-confidence.

Military reforms are planned, including the full motorization of the French Army, and the expanding of both the Colonial Army and the Navy. The quick and relatively easy Coalition victories over colonial forces in Africa and the Indian Ocean demonstrated the clear need to remake the Colonial Army into a force capable of fighting aggressors on equal terms. The Navy is planned to expand exponentially through the remainder of the decade; by the end of 1914 France will possess almost as many light cruisers as Germany, and ship strength will only increase in coming years.

A series of war memorials are planned, with the most poignant to be built in Metz, the sight of the bloodiest and most costly French victory of the war. A stone obelisk several meters high will stand outside the city, engraved with the names of all the French and Allied soldiers who fell taking Metz. Along the base, a simple caption reads, "That others may live in peace."

General Joseph Joffre and the Rumanian general Averescu are both inducted into the Légion d'Honneur, as Commanders. Many other officers and soldiers are awarded the Croix de Guerre and other medals.

Overall, the French public's reaction to the war is guarded, but positive...

*****

President Georges Clemenceau watched people meander down the street from the window in the Prime Minister's office. Behind him, Reynaud poured drinks, and handed one to Clemenceau before taking a seat at his desk. Behind the desk hung a large map of the world, similar to the one that had intimidated Sun Yat Sen five years past. Clemenceau paid it a passing glance as he turned to speak with the chief of the French government, then looked at it a little more intently.

"Hmm...I was going to say that your map needed to be updated, but I see that it already has the Levant shown as French protectorates. But Indochina is not the same color as the rest of Siam."

Reynaud gave a Gallic shrug, and answered briefly. "This government officially recognizes the former French Indochina as a part of the Dual Empire of Siam. Within the walls of this office, I am not forced to recognize the success of traitors."

Clemenceau opened his mouth, and promptly closed it again. While he was known publicly as Le Tigre and was known for bombastic and grandiose rhetoric, privately he saw no reason to start another argument with the Prime Minister about the Siamese question, especially when the two men and their respective parties worked well together in both the Senate and National Assembly.

Reynaud spoke again after a moment of silence. "Georges, you and I both know that this was a Great War, not the Great War. This false war has brought no peace--only armistice."

Clemenceau did not reply, instead downing the contents of his glass. After all, victory had come to France and peace to Europe, and few, French or German, were willing to return to war, at any point in the future, to reclaim lost colonies or lost pride.

Spain congradulates it's Allies in the return of their rightful property. Though Spain shows some fatigue. Spain never really had stakes in going to war, and it seems that popular support against any more wars has risen in Spain. (Ergo some stuff to watch out for in the future. Not like enemy stuff, just neutrality stuff.)

France is warned of certain problems in Morocco. It's a blessing that the Moroccans didn't try for independence again during the European backlash. But, they may wish it anyways. We've noticed a few smuggled French weapons. Probably from Dakar.

Greece asks France to build a Zepplin Airliner unit, and payment will be upfront.

In 1914 through the start of 1915, the Third Republic begins to dust itself off, repairing the damage from the Great War. By the end of 1914, the French Merchant Marine and French Army have been restored to pre-war strength, though the Marine Nationale is still uncomfortably far behind the Germans in terms of ship strength and size for many in both the military and government.

In 1915, France continues upgrading the interior infrastructure of its West African colonies and begins to do the same in the Middle East; this is part of Prime Minister Reynaud's policy of Restauration Coloniale, aimed at increasing the power, wealth, and prestige of the French colonial empire after it suffered painful losses of territory during the Great War.

The Armée d'Afrique continues to battle rebels in Algeria and Morocco, but the nature of the enemy makes it difficult to engage them in a set battle; the conflict has degraded to cavalry raids and sniping attacks. Military commanders and the families of soldiers in Algeria steel themselves for a long and indecisive conflict.

The French Navy commissions three new dreadnaughts in 1915, marking France's belated entry into the modern naval era. Keels have already been laid for new super-dreadnaughts, part of the massive naval expansion that was slated to begin in 1912, but was pushed back because of more pressing war concerns.

All considered, the French Third Republic is strong, and growing stronger.

OOC: Malk, can you TG me a link to the 'other' chatzy?

Considering the Spain has been left out of the new allies, Spain will be proclaming itself a grand neutral. And is looking for French support in this endeaver.

Considering the Spain has been left out of the new allies, Spain will be proclaming itself a grand neutral. And is looking for French support in this endeaver.

The French make it absolutely clear to the Spanish that France does not consider the alliance between France and Spain ended; the fact that Spain was not invited to Jerusalem is a reflection of the general Allied sentiment concerning the Spanish government's actions towards the end of the war, rather than any hostility toward the Spanish on the part of the French.

However, if the Spanish wish to end the alliance that bound the Pyrenees together with honor and strength, then they are by all means welcome to do so.

In other news, the French military in Algeria begins a new approach to the insurgency there. Three mountain divisions are to be transferred to Algeria from France, and the reserve infantry and static infantry corps are to be deactivated. The money saved in doing so will be used to upgrade the existing light infantry division in Algeria (the Zouaves) and one of the mountain divisions to motorized divisions. Once the upgrades are complete, each division will be broken down into three brigades, which are believed to be of more use fighting the rebels.

By no means does SPain wish to fall from the alliances of France, but in truth a neutral standing is best. Remember that the alliance that combined the Pyreness in rails was a defensive one. Not an offensive one. Spain at this time believes diplomacy is the best target for peace. If that has alienated it from all the other allies besides France, then that is a shame. All Spain ever wished was for peace. But Spain does not know any hostility towards France.

In truth if you were to see our discussions with Germany, it has been made very clear that we do not have any ill will with France, and believe that no more conflict should ever happen between Germany and France. In fact Spain has only agreed to a NAP with Germany. Which they would have to violate. Belgium has a neutral standing, and yet has an alliance with Great Britain. Just because Spain will be attempting a neutral standing, does not void the alliance with France. But, what we are stating is that we will stand together with France against any invader, but we will not cross the Rhine again. The ALliance of Seville was for defense only. Spain believes there are more pressing concerns, and Europe should not tear itself apart again.

THere are also internal concerns that Spain must attend to, and not external ones. Besides, SPain needs to be modernized before we ever attempt another conflict.

(In truth the Alliance of Seville was defensive, and we took it a little further, but Spain is saying it's going to go with the full letter of the decree this time.)

France is asked if it will help provide trucks for Spain to have two motorized units in 1917.

Following the end of the rebellions in North Africa, the French intelligence community comes under harsh criticism both in the press and within the cover, as individuals from all sides ennumerate the failures of the intelligence community in predicting and dealing with the nascent rebellion. Specifically mentioned are things like missing boats carrying shipments of weapons and cash tor rebels, and a failure to track foreign money coming into France's overseas possessions.

In late 1916, the French government calls for new elections, as women are granted the vote in accordance with the 1913 Suffrage Act. The election causes a shift to the Left in the French government, with the Radical-Socialists gaining the Presidency of the Council, bringing the executive branch under the unified leadership of a single party for the first time in years. In addition, the Radicals gain many cabinet portfolios, though the centrist National Liberal Front retains key positions.

The new government is organized in October, 1916:
President of the Council (Prime Minister): Aristide Briand
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Théophile Delcassé (DLN)
Minister of Overseas France: Raphaël Milliès-Lacroix (Radical)
Minister of War: Guy Régis (DLN)
Minister of Marine: Jean Charles Reynaud (DLN)
Minister of Finance: Louis Loucheur (Radical)
Minister of Labour and Social Security Provisions: René Besnard (Radical)
Minister of Justice: Bienvenu Martin (Radical)
Minister of the Interior: Vincent Gratien (DLN)
Minister of Public Instruction, and Fine Arts: René Renoult (Radical)
Minister of Public Works, Posts, and Telegraphs: Édouard Herriot (Radical)
Minister of Commerce and Industry: Benoit Lambert (DLN)
Minister of Agriculture: Jourdain Romain (Radical)

In late 1916, a group of French and Rumanian investors collaborate to form the Français-Dacian Compagnie Aéronautique, a Zeppelin-based airline service with stops in Paris, Marseilles, Rome, Athens, and Bucharest. Currently the airline operates several Zeppelins (ooc: two Zeppelin units), though plans are made to expand the airline and increase the number of routes and destinations in the near future; some even talk of a Transatlantic flight, and destinations in Asia and Africa…

Following the termination of the Siamese-Japanese alliance, Siam makes tentative overtures to France on the subject of repairing relations.

A Brief Summary of my Travels in the Nation of Siam and Our Former Colonies in Indochina

Monsieur Delcassé:

Taking leave from our embassy in Bangkok, I toured the areas controlled by Siam, and wish to inform you of the state of the nation.

I began my journey by taking a full tour of Bangkok itself. Far from the quaint town of years ago, much of the city is now dominated by noisy factories that have polluted the air. Using an interpreter, I spoke to many, from both high and low classes. The people all seem to be of the opinion that recent developments here have been for the worse. Many dislike the idea of being ruled by an Emperor of Vietnam.

After finishing with Bangkok I elected to travel east, towards Cambodia. On the way I passed through the Siamese countryside. There the state of affairs was woefully underdeveloped, and the people bemoaned their poverty. Many young Siamese men have gone to the cities, another fact bemoaned by the peasants here. Cambodia itself seems to be mostly untouched except for Phnom Penh itself. There many of the graceful buildings that the French constructed have been torn down in favor of new ones. The Cambodian I spoke with seemed to care little for the government here. The local Cambodian government, ironically, is trusted less than the central government. I also spoke to some of those who recognize how beneficial the French administration was to the region. One former official said, "After the Siamese army came through, I lost my job and my house was taken by their soldiers. I would rather have the French, they were at least fair."

Finally, I ventured into the mountains of Laos for the final part of my journey. The Laotians live under mean and vile conditions. Many of the young men join the military or travel to a large city to seek their fortunes. In Vien-tiane, I toured the city and found it old and decrepit. The industry that has seized the rest of the nation has left Laos behind, and it shows in this city. A group here even openly denounces the Siamese government and calls for a return to French rule! I spoke with Hung Duc, a former bureaucrat and the leader of this organization. He said that he preferred the French over the Siamese, and in hushed tones told me that most of his countrymen felt the same. At this point my funds ran short and I returned to Bangkok.

In conclusion, I feel that if the French Government launched an effort to retake Indochina and Siam with it, the people would welcome us as liberators. Such an expedition should be seriously considered.

Prosper Germain Garnier, Aid to the French Ambassador to Siam.

Various government ministers meet with the leaders of the respective Rightist and Leftist groups that have been causing trouble during late 1919, and there is a general slapping of wrists and chastisements for not taking advantage of the proper avenues of government, and instead causing trouble that has stymied much-needed economic growth.

However, the DLN proposes and the Radicals support new legislation improving working conditions for the lower classes in France, to take effect 1 January 1920.

In other news, the last of France's older warships and excess vessels are scrapped to bring the Marine Nationale in line with the Treaty of Washington.

The French legislature, reflecting the increasingly left-leaning political climate in France, elects Paul Deschanel President in February of 1920. Deschanel is a Radical further to the left than his predecessors, and is a great public orator. Interestingly, Deschanel is the first man elected to the Presidency without prior ministerial experience, leading many to wonder if perhaps the legislature is searching for leaders without established contacts and interests in the government.

Russian military planners and scientists travel to France, where they begin helping the French military develop long-range submarines. (OOC: THe French now have long-range sub technology.)

Seeing this SPain wonders if France may share some of her new tech with Spain. After all they do remain allies.

(I don't know if Amestria will be including this as her French thread or if she'll return to the older one.)