Imperium: The Age of Empires (IC; OPEN)

[Santoak]

-snip-

Telegram to the Russian Empire.

We are absolutely appalled by your recent letter regarding the ongoing conflict in China. You are supposed to be a proud nation of the White Man to be siding with a race of nothing more than cunning yellow-skinned curs that have backstabbed the French in a most dishonorable move. Do not allow yourself to join in this dishonor. We will not stand down so long as your nation is willing to directly threaten France.

From, the National Directory of the Supreme Dictateur Maurice Barrès

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, French diplomats secretly confided with their Russian counterparts that talks were already being made to accept the Qing terms of a white peace and heavy reparations. However, to risk losing face, the new Barrès government could not appear to look like it bowed down to Russian interests. If Russia was willing to not only withdraw its most recent threats and mobilize, then France would accept the peace after the appearance was made to the rest of Europe that France did not shiver under Russian threat.

In order to further convince the Russians, French diplomats suggested that France would not protest Russian influence over Manchuria and would remain neutral in case of war with the Far East nation of Japan, even offering some kind of support in this possible future conflict of interests if France could also get a slice of this theoretical pie.

But until then the position of the Barrès government would remain firm.

---

-snip-

Telegram to the Qing Empire.

This indemnity will be accepted so long as all Qing forces withdraw from our trading posts in China and total withdrawal from Indochina alongside the recognition of it being permanently under French influence. We shall have peace soon if you accept.

From, the National Directory of the Supreme Dictateur Maurice Barrès

[Santoak]

Also for the 1 billion in taels is that what USD is worth today or back then?

Because that'd be roughly equivalent to 35,615,476,190 USD today if it's what its worth back then

[Santoak]

Are we talking 1 billion worth of taels with today's currency or currency back then btw?

[Nyetoa]

Are we talking 1 billion worth of taels with today's currency or currency back then btw?

1 billion usd in 2017

[Ukcross]

The minuscule reparations were an affront to Barrès not only on a personal level but a strategic one as well. In France, demonstrations erupted portraying the population's hatred of the yellow foe. Paris boasted a population of around 300 ethnic Chinese. This tiny Chinese population mainly consisted of students, journalists, intellectuals, as well as merchants. In a single infamous night of protests, their shopfronts were broken into and looted. Students were dragged out of their dorms and screamed horrifically as they are violently torn apart by the mob. The Paris Chinese population by the time the sun rose had been reduced to a mere 20, having been spirit out of the city thanks to members of the French resistance against Barrès. The French people were out for blood thanks to the nationalist fervor that had infected the country for the past few months.

If he accepted this offer then he risked this nationalist fervor turning from the Qing onto his government.

In no way would this be accepted.

Only a total victory.

So he quickly penned a letter to all the great powers of America and Europe (save Germany).

A transmission from the National Directory of the Supreme Dictateur Maurice Barrès

The Qing believe they can insult the White Man with this sorry excuse for surrender. If France is to accept such an offer it will only embolden them to continue their attacks of aggression against us. Only by cowing them can we teach the Yellow-Skins their proper place in the world. I call for all of you to continue to support France for the duration of this conflict until the Qing are thrown out of Indochina properly and permanently. Significant French reinforcements in the tens of thousands will approach our colonial possessions soon to throw these invaders out, but in the meantime to draw more forces from the battles in Indochina, I encourage the systematic and ruthless bombardments of Qing coastal cities in order to teach them a lesson.

And finally, he sent a transmission to Peking.

Telegram to the Qing Empire.

You have sowed the wind and now you are going to reap the whirlwind. Withdraw from Indochina and out treaty ports permanently and offer us proper terms of peace with suitable compensation.

Now we will ensure at least 50,000 Chinese will die.

Every second that passes, the requirement will continue to raise.

From, the National Directory of the Supreme Dictateur Maurice Barrès

---

(Will get to posting the continuation to the Indochina siege in a mmment.

To every leader in the world,

We will not be bombarding Chinese cities because we consider China to be Russia's friend. If France and Germany insists on continuing this war then Russia will be given no choice but enter the war on the side of the Qing. Both France and Germany have 1 month to sue for peace or Russia will be declaring war on both nations. As such, the Imperial Russian Armed Forces will be mobilizing.

Sincerely,
Nikolay Pavlovich Ignatyev
Imperial Russian Prime Minister

The Japanese Foreign Minister, Inoue Kaoru, receiving word that the Russians have aligned themselves with the Qing Dynasty, grunts. One of the Territorial goals of the Japanese Empire, was Vladivostok. At the same time, he was relieved at the possibility of an ally against the powers working against his Qing allies. He sends a telegram to the Qing.

DIPLOMATIC TELEGRAM - DIRECT-EMPEROR GUANGXU

We request that the Tsardom of Russia be send an invitation to the Sino-Japanese Alliance, bringing another power into a alliance with the nations and giving more power to the alliance.

Best,
Inoue Kaoru

He contemplates requesting to have the American pact destroyed so they could re-intervene in the conflict, it was looking better for their allies after all.
He sighs and sits down to rest. It will be a long career for him, but he will honor himself, the Emperor and Empire through his work.

[Nyetoa]

Deal Accepted

The Qing government has decided that peace with France is preferable to the continuation of the war, the peace will allow the Qing to unleash their aggression on Nepal and Bhutan. The Qing government sends a telegram, officially accepting the deal, and promising the payment of the money over
1 year. Already 2 armed steamers are preparing to depart to Marseilles each carrying 500,000 pounds in cash. The failure in Indochina has continued to destabilise the weak Qing, and in the coming months the government will be in a precarious spot, and any slight balance may cause a crisis.

Monsoons Strike China!

As monsoon season approaches, huge monsoons have began to strike China, while the destruction has been relatively contained, many are worried about the possibility of the Yellow River bursting, if this does happen, the extreme instability will only get worse. And the weak government will have to become stronger.

Diplomacy with Japan

The Qing sent the following letter to Japan, the envoy is sent home before the letter is sent to have him not killed for what the letter says. "So the great betrayer returns, you dare betray heaven and now wish to re-enter its good graces by betraying the ally you left heaven for! Your nation is a snake, its people are its head making the decisions,and Meiji is the buttox all the stuff he says comes out of your mouth as one thing, shit. You dare wish for your false emperor to be even compared to ours, if that is what you wish through this alliance that you will no doubt betray, then we say no! So that's your answer, no alliance with the Judas of Asia!

[Santoak]

Deal Accepted

The Qing government has decided that peace with France is preferable to the continuation of the war, the peace will allow the Qing to unleash their aggression on Nepal and Bhutan. The Qing government sends a telegram, officially accepting the deal, and promising the payment of the money over
1 year. Already 2 armed steamers are preparing to depart to Marseilles each carrying 500,000 pounds in cash. The failure in Indochina has continued to destabilise the weak Qing, and in the coming months the government will be in a precarious spot, and any slight balance may cause a crisis.

French warships would show up to escort these boats, the dark eyes of the French naval sailors never leaving their Chinese counterparts. Hate burned in their heart and only the knowledge that the war treasure would go to the bottom stopped them from sinking every one of them.

---

The Black Night

Defense Minister Klaus Barbie stared at the newest reports from Indochina. Finally, the French troops besieged at the gates of Indochina had some reprieve. With the combined aid of the Americans and the newly reinforcing French elements, the injured would be taken care of and the dead repatriated to France. He stared outside the window of his train car. He was on a Chemins de Fer du Nord express to Cambrai with two of his generals for a review of the local garrison.

His office had received a new secret directive from Barrès following the Cochinchina Incident. It stated that the French military was to be ready by 1890 for another full-scale European war with the projected enemies being literally almost every major power on the continent. Barbie had actually remained silent for nearly a minute upon hearing this before asking Barrès if he was making a jest. When Barbie realized it wasn't, he directly told Barrès to his face that such a plan was sheer insanity. Even if he was given fifty years there was nothing in this world that could make the French flag fly over London, Berlin, Vienna, and St. Petersburg.

Napoleon had faced lesser odds for God's sake. Notwithstanding the insanity of this, to come even close to parity with what his Dictator demanded of him... would involve turning France into nothing less than a military camp. Quality of life would plummet, industry blackens the skies, and every asset that could not be used by the military disposed of. The economy would have to be utterly revamped on layers never before seen. If this was to happen, France would cease to be a proper nation.

He had flat-out refused and gulped, expecting to be shot on the spot. Instead, Barrès silently nodded and allowed Barbie to continue on. Even now on this train, Barbie still felt his heart pounding despite being a hundred kilometers away from Paris.

Was that a test? A way to see if Barbie was of sound mind and heart to refuse such an order of insanity? Maybe that was the case then. if so then maybe Barrès was less of an extremist than many traditionalists feared.

Barbie never got to find out. As his train was crossing the bridge, an explosion suddenly engulfed the entire length of the crossing. Shrapnel ripped through the train, killing dozens. The steam tank was ruptured, causing boiling water to scald even more to death. As if that wasn't enough the flaming ruins of the armored train plunged into the dark waters of Aisne.

Save for five surviving Parisians, all 400 passengers were killed.

The attack was blamed on Socialist Resistance Members. The moment news reached Paris of the disaster, Barrès used it as a justification to enact mass arrests all over France.

In a smoky cafe in the Marais district, a small group of men huddled together, their voices low as they whispered about their plans.

Suddenly, the door burst open and a group of soldiers in dark blue uniforms stormed in - members of Barrès National Guard - their faces twisted with rage. The patrons of the cafe scrambled for cover as the soldiers began shouting and waving their weapons, demanding to know the identities of those present. One by one, the men were dragged from the room, their faces pale with fear as they were led into the night.

Outside, the city was ablaze with the sounds of gunfire and screams of terror. The Barrès government had declared war on its all dissidents, rounding up anyone who dared to oppose its rule. In the streets, groups of National Guard roamed the city, dragging people from their homes and executing them in the name of the state.

Everyone killed was in some way a political rival to Barrès. The people in a fervor over victory in Indochina and frothing at their mouths in anger, celebrated this movement as removing insidious cancer within France that had allowed its defeat in the Franco-Prussian war. Anti-Semitic rumors also infested the night and up to 85 Jews were also killed. French soldiers looted and confiscated the property of another 300 Jews, beating many of them close to death in the process.

By the time day came over the wounded city, an estimated 3,000 dissidents had been executed or arrested. The Resistance Movement in Paris was shattered and forced to retreat to the more rural towns or over the channel to Britain.

With this single move, Barrès had finally cemented his rule.

[-Pashtunistan]

Black Night: International Reaction

Berlin, Illustrated

In Berlin, the atmosphere was one of shock and anger. German citizens, already quite keen to hate on the French, and the new government even more so, had decided to take this incident as a shining example of French villainy and savagery. It was on the front page of every newspaper and it was the talk of the nation. Many were even suggesting going to war with France immediately, that it was the moral duty of the German Government.

[The Empire Of The Sutherlands]

1876 Austro-Hungarian Reformation

Greatly influenced by the agent of Reformation himself Rudolf Franz Karl Josef, the Imperial Assembly enacted the national banking act which created the Imperial Reserve effectively merging the Austrian and Hungarian national banks as well as starting the production and transfer of a centralized national currency, citizens were obligated to transfer any old currency of previous value for the appropriate kranze as the new currency with one kranz having the value of one monetary unit instead of multiple for a single one crown. Concerning the military while the main army still used the M1867 Werndl–Holub the armament industry produced 5,000 of the Mannlicher Model 1876 a wedge-lock straight-pull bolt-action rifle with a 4 en bloc clip to be used en masses though for experimental purposes only in a new regiment, the Verwüstungs Kontrollkorps directly under the command of commander Franz Freiherr von John, who was under the recently established Imperial High Command which had the emperor in charge above the Minister of War above one Land Marshal and Sea Marshal who stood equal in rank forming the new general staff with various officers for different military objectives, along with 3 additional new ironclads to the Imperial Fleet, the Erika and the Delila along with the newly modified Lissa.

Diplomatic Endeavors

To the National State of France
Most notably Barrès Maurice

As the recent conflicts in Asia and the incident in Paris show you have a dutiful response to your homecountry against terrorism and the uncivilized, I believe you recognize the threat of the German Empire. As I'm sure you know of my Empire's defeat in the Bruderskrieg we can restrict the German Empire from its "tendencies" together in a unified effort. Regrettably there is to be conflict in Switzerland though it pains me as a respectable sovereign ruler to request foreign involvement, it means that there is a threat to the current balance of power in Europe. As I believe you and I would agree is that the German Empire's warmongering can not continue or must at least must be contained for fear of making western and southeastern Europe a wasteland not able to sustain a good living for respectable persons of civility, I ask that if German infringement encroaches further than Basel, Bern, and Sion to emulate a response of military aid to my empire, not only to protect my nation and its people but to further restrict the Kaiser in the north against vulnerable European nations, to deter the threat to happen, my empire will take control of Zurich, Chur, and Lugano to protect the Swiss citizens, though regrettably I have requested your nation to help in this matter I hope you can take control of Geneva to deter the German Empire, I believe we both fear for the Swiss.

Cautious of the German Empire, Kaiser Rudolf Franz Karl Josef

To the German Empire
Most notably Kaiser August I Von Schaumberg-Lippe, Emperor of Germany and Prince of Schaumberg-Lippe,

As I'm sure you're well aware of the recent tragedy in Paris and the recent French involvement in Asia. Maurice Barrès's state of mind is to be questioned rigorously for any malicious intent against foreign nations. Regrettably there is to be conflict in Switzerland though it pains me as a respectable sovereign ruler to request foreign involvement, it means that there is a threat to the current balance of power in Europe. As I believe you, I, and British Queen would agree is that Barrès's warmongering can not continue or must at least must be contained for fear of making western Europe a wasteland not able to sustain a good living for respectable persons of civility. I ask that if French infringement encroaches further than Geneva to emulate a response of military aid to my empire, not only to protect my nation and its people but to further support the British in the northwest against French belligerence, to deter the threat to happen, my empire will take control of Zurich, Chur, and Lugano to protect the Swiss citizens while the German Empire will take Basel, Bern, and Sion, I believe we both fear for the Swiss.

Appalled by the National State of France, Kaiser Rudolf Franz Karl Josef

To the British Empire
Most notably Queen Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain-Ireland and Empress of India
As well as Benjamin Disraeli Prime Minister of Her Majesty's Empire

As I'm sure you're well aware of the recent tragedy in Paris and the recent French involvement in Asia. Maurice Barrès's state of mind is to be questioned rigorously for any malicious intent against foreign nations. Regrettably there is to be conflict in Switzerland though it pains me as a respectable sovereign ruler to request foreign involvement, it means that there is a threat to the current balance of power in Europe. As I believe you, I, and the northern Kaiser would agree is that Barrès's warmongering can not continue or must at least must be contained for fear of making western Europe a wasteland not able to sustain a good living for respectable persons of civility. I ask that if French infringement encroaches further than Geneva to emulate a response of military aid to my empire, not only to protect my nation and its people but to further support the Kaiser in the north against French belligerence to deter the threat to happen, my empire will take control of Zurich, Chur, and Lugano to protect the Swiss citizens while the German Empire will take Basel, Bern, and Sion.

Concerned with the issue of the National State of France, Kaiser Rudolf Franz Karl Josef

To the Russian Empire
Most notably Alexander the III Emperor of Russia

As I'm sure you're well aware of the recent German involvement in Asia. The German Empire's government is to be questioned rigorously for any malicious intent against foreign nations, especially Asia. Regrettably there is to be conflict in Switzerland though it pains me as a respectable sovereign ruler to request foreign involvement, it means that there is a threat to the current balance of power in Europe. As I believe you and I would agree is that the German Empire's warmongering can not continue or must at least must be contained for fear of making western and southeastern Europe a wasteland not able to sustain a good living for respectable persons of civility, I ask that if German infringement encroaches further than Basel, Bern, and Sion to emulate a response of military aid to my empire, not only to protect my nation and its people but to further restrict the Kaiser in the north against vulnerable European nations, to deter the threat to happen, my empire will take control of Zurich, Chur, and Lugano to protect the Swiss citizens, though regrettably I have requested the French to help in this matter with my reluctant acquiescence of Geneva to their administration to deter the German Empire, I believe we both fear for the Swiss.

Appalled by the express belligerence of the German Empire, Kaiser Rudolf Franz Karl Josef

[-Pashtunistan]

The Imperial German troops moved quickly, before nightfall, all three aforementioned cities were bloodlessly occupied by the Germans. In Bern, In the Federal Palace, the statue of Helvetica proudly displayed on top of the façade was blown up by German troops (OOC: like this).

King Ludwig II of Bavaria (AKA The Swan King, AKA The Fairy-tale King, AKA The Mad king, AKA Mad King Ludwig) was placed in charge of overseeing the military occupation of Northern Switzerland. For the ordinary man however, if mostly went on as normal, ignoring the German troops patrolling the streets and the curfews.

[Santoak]

(will post my stuff soon too)

[Keltrkle]

The Mexican government has offered the exchange of 67 tons of sliver for 1.3 million 1874 French Gras 11mm Rifles. Work on a new ironclad is underway as of the moment it should take 13 months to complete, further development and improvement of the ironclad will continue on. Mexican governmentally officials have said that a new campaign of further police funding and new and improved training. Partnership with the United States of America to provide further help with rebuilding processes will hopefully help improve living standards to improve. The establishment of further training centers in the Yucatán peninsula will help improve the currently old and underdeveloped military. To help with all of these tasks the government has invested the help of private businesses to ramp up mining efforts in the north east and south, they will sell 70% to the South America Market and split the remaining resources between the government and companies due to there help with the mining project. The project hopes to find new resources in the south due to dwindling resources in the north east. Scientists at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and in Tecnologico de Monterrey are studying for resources in the south east for further possibilities of integrating it’s resources into the nation.
The government has also been hard at work trying to improve the quality of education in and abroad for it’s students.
This is a list of current cities which will be affected by the industrialization campaign:


Mexico City

Guadalajara

Mérida


Tijuana

León

Ciudad Juárez

Monterrey

Heroica Veracruz.



The government of Mexico will continue to improve the life’s of all citizens in its borders and also aboard.

[The Empire Of The Sutherlands]

As notified by the undoubtedly quick occupation of Basel, Bern, and Sion the Imperial Army advanced on Zurich, Chur, and Lugano swiftly occupying eastern Switzerland. Government officials were soon sought out and captured as well as sent to Slovakia for Swiss governmental coherence to be temporarily paused while the Imperial Military cemented its control. The military occupation was overseen by Archduke Eugen Ferdinand Pius Bernhard Felix Maria of Austria-Teschen. Though without the abrupt military occupation in the early morning life resumed as normal in eastern Switzerland as well as there being no news of any casualties of the opposed to the occupiers to the knowledge of the Swiss public.

[Northern Seleucia]

Czar Alexander III has decided to secretly support the Qing in their war against the French due to Russia's long standing rivalry with France by covertly sending arms to the Qing government.

To the American President
From Count Nikolay Girs, Foreign Minister for the Russian Empire
Encryption: High

To whom it may concern,

On behalf of His Imperial Majesty Czar Alexander III, I would like to invite you to St. Petersburg to discuss the possibility of forming an economic and military alliance between the United States and the Russian Empire. The Czar has explained to me that while at first, he was opposed to the Westernization of Russia but I was able to convince him that the only way to make Russia stronger was by westernizing and modernizing. We await your response and hope to see you in St. Petersburg soon.

Sincerely,
Count Nikolay Girs
Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire

The Russian Ambassador received the message in Washington, D.C, and proceeded to decrypt the message and hand it over to the American president.

Officials in the White House discussed the matters. The new American president, Rutherford B. Hayes, read the letter carefully. There was a new hope for Russia that perhaps the nation could join the Western powers, especially in their stand against the Qing Dynasty.

The United States promised to send a delegation to St. Petersburg to further discuss matters.

---

[Northern Seleucia]

The United States was intrigued by this. Investing in Mexico brought the possibility of a much richer America, especially as Mexico had been affected by a French Intervention recently - only nine years prior.

The United States returned with an offer. In summary, America were to have special privileges over other countries over trade in Mexico, and offered Mexico the possibility of establishing a "lucrative colony in South America, perhaps Ecuador and Peru, which are rich in resources" in exchange for Mexican support in a possible American invasion of Cuba and Puerto Rico. Mexico would also benefit from cheap American steel heading into the country for construction and American companies will, for a low cost, offer to rebuild Mexico, and Mexico would benefit from low tariffs from America.

---

OOC; Technically the Centennial is an ongoing event. The official day is July 4th, but the fair is from May to November and you can visit at any time.

Mexico would sign this treaty and return back to Washington with the Signature.
They would add in additional in a note when steel will be heading into their country.
And along with that wanted to know if they could come to the centennial celebration.

Finishing of the dockyard was completed.

Soon, American ships entered the new drydock and delivered the first shipments of high quality steel destined for Mexico.

[Zeo South Africa]

Third Offer for Peace

The Qing goverment has sent another peace deal to France, offering 10,000,000 pounds (1 Billion USD in 2017) for a White Peace in Indochina.
SIC: If the French reject then the Qing will wait untill Russias ultimatum has almost expired and then send a peace deal with less reperations.

The Sino Russian Pact

The Qing goverment has offered an official alliance between Russia and the Qing. this alliance named the Sino Russian Pact will be military and economic. A telegraph containing the offer for the pact has been sent to the Qing asmbassador in Saint Petersburg, who will give the offer to the Tsar of Russia.

To: Vienna

The Qing goverment has sent an offer to the Austro Hungarian empire, offering an alliance with Russia and the Qing, along with the promise of future colonies. In exchange the Austro Hungarians will have to push for peace with France along with Russia. The Qing wishes to convince the Austro Hungarians to drift farther away from Berlin and utilize anti German dentiment following the Austrian defeat in the Bruderskrieg.

Telegram to the Qing Emperor
From Nikolay Pavlovich Ignatyev, Imperial Russian Prime Minister


To whom it may concern,

We would be happy to establish an alliance between our two countries. I have personally sent a telegram to our ambassador to your great country giving him permission to negotiate the treaty that will create this Sino-Russian Pact. While Russia's threat has forced the French to accept your peace offer, we both know that have burning hatred for you, China and Russia for forcing them to sue for peace. As a gesture of kindness, we will be sending you a steady flow of weapons to arm your military with and money to recoup the money you had to give to the French. If the Japanese decide to attack you, we will help you when they refused to help you against the French and Germans.

The 2nd and 3rd Army are sent up north to deal with the rebellion in Aland while the 5th and 6th Army continue to form up on the Russo-German border due to their invasion of Switzerland. Meanwhile in the Russian Far East, the 1st and 4th Armies are in and near Vladivostok to protect the city from any future Japanese invasion as Imperial Russian Military Intelligence knows that Japan want Vladivostok badly. The Russian Ambassador to Switzerland reaches out to all three countries involved and politely asks that all three countries withdraw and restore Swiss independence.

[Northern Seleucia]

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880

Invited Empires discussing the future of Africa and Asia

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880 was approaching. The United States, desperate to unite the West and to prove itself as a Great Power, had taken the time to send special telegrams to the British Empire, German Empire, French Empire, Italian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire, cordially inviting them to set aside their differences for once and to instead tackle the issue of how the west was going to civilize the inferior savages in Africa and Asia. It was set for this December and the division of Africa was to take place soon after. The United States also wanted to foster a coalition against the Qing Dynasty, for their anti-Western beliefs held since.

[-Pashtunistan]

-snip-

The German Empire had it's own proposal for Afrika, It considered the native peoples there to be dangerous savages who wouldn't wait to backstab their occupiers any chance they got, Therefore, All the "n*****rs" should be exterminated like Vermin, expect for the "already civilized" Afrikans, Which Germany listed as the Christian Ethiopians and Nubians; The Muslim Tuaregs, and white Arabs and Turks and The Jewish Axumites and Yemenites.

[-Pashtunistan]

The Russian Ambassador to Switzerland reaches out to all three countries involved and politely asks that all three countries withdraw and restore Swiss independence.

The German Empire offers Russia Memel and Posen (Poznań) in exchange for shutting up.

[The Great state of Joseon]

Invite U.S. Railroad Executives


The Joseon government invited executives from U.S. railway companies to build railways. If the U.S. agrees, the U.S. will gain exclusive rights to the railway construction of Joseon.


Attempt to purchase weapons


The Joseon government wants to exchange 1 ton of silver, 200 kg of gold, and 5 tons of coal for U.S.-made weapons. Although there are not many resources to exchange because Joseon itself has so few resources, Joseon told the United States that it is willing to exchange weapons for other goods or transactions.

If the deal succeeds, Joseon could replace the Berdan rifle's replica rifles. Some of the replica rifles are of excellent quality, but some are defective and difficult to use.

[Northern Seleucia]

Invite U.S. Railroad Executives


The Joseon government invited executives from U.S. railway companies to build railways. If the U.S. agrees, the U.S. will gain exclusive rights to the railway construction of Joseon.


Attempt to purchase weapons


The Joseon government wants to exchange 1 ton of silver, 200 kg of gold, and 5 tons of coal for U.S.-made weapons. Although there are not many resources to exchange because Joseon itself has so few resources, Joseon told the United States that it is willing to exchange weapons for other goods or transactions.

If the deal succeeds, Joseon could replace the Berdan rifle's replica rifles. Some of the replica rifles are of excellent quality, but some are defective and difficult to use.

Within two weeks, U.S executives arrived in Joseon to discuss railroad construction. At this time, the first American supplies come in, including Joseon's first ironclads. The United States retired these two ships and gave them to Joseon, suddenly propelling the nation from wooden ships to iron ships in an instant. The ironclads were in great condition and were fully stocked with ammunition. This was the initial gift to Joseon, in response to the agreement signed earlier.
Other American diplomats arrive for a possible weapons purchase, including sending rifles made in the legendary Springfield Armory, where the first repeater rifles were made.

[The Jamesian Republic]

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880

(Image)

Invited Empires discussing the future of Africa and Asia

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880 was approaching. The United States, desperate to unite the West and to prove itself as a Great Power, had taken the time to send special telegrams to the British Empire, German Empire, French Empire, Italian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire, cordially inviting them to set aside their differences for once and to instead tackle the issue of how the west was going to civilize the inferior savages in Africa and Asia. It was set for this December and the division of Africa was to take place soon after. The United States also wanted to foster a coalition against the Qing Dynasty, for their anti-Western beliefs held since.

James opposed the colonization of Africa in a journal from 1879 he wrote:

The United States of America was founded to be the opposite of Europe. When America was created Europe was ruled by kings and tyranny. America was to be ruled by the people and democracy. I believe it’s our mission in Africa to create a column of nations like Liberia and Abyssinia to oppose European encroachment on the continent and create an alliance to continue to defend human freedom.

[Ayshire]

With new events on the international stage and Her Majesty's empire eager to take advantage has decided to extend the olive branch to developing countries, countries such as Mexico. In the wee hours of the morning representatives from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company and Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company telegrammed the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense offering to construct 3 Euphrates class-troopships, 2 Nelson-class cruisers, and 4 Warrior-class broadside ironclads for the Mexican Navy. This is one of the first of many efforts to foster close relations with Mexico which could be seen as a possible regional power in the region and a ally. Having Mexico as a ally could also help expand British influence deeper into South and Central America something Her Majesty's government was keen to have.

As for the State of Joseon seeing it's potential Her Majesty's government has offered to train the Joseon Army and help establish local shipbuilding companies and build up the Joseon economy. Her Majesty's government has also offered to establish a trading deal with the nation noting how they have few resources and could help fix this problem.

With the warmongering French government of Maurice Barrès possibly eyeing Europe like Napoleon before him many in Parliament scolded themselves for not taking note of the situation in Europe. Many did not want to have another Napoleon and feared the possibility of another war in Europe and the effect it could have on the empire they worked so hard to establish. And with the sudden occupation of Switzerland from the German and Austro-Hungarian empires war in Europe seemed closer than ever before.
But there was hope that the Royal Navy could "convince" the French from taking any responsive action, as for the Germans and Austrians a response to them might be more difficult. For the German Empire Her Majesty's Empire was currently in a mutual-defence pact so blockading their ports was out of the question. As for the Austrians they hadn't posed much of a threat but could prove a possible ally in the Balkan region. Parliament also wanted to keep a close eye on the Ottoman Empire and their situation in the Balkans so having the Austrians on their side could help with that immensely. For now though Parliament would remain quiet about their occupation of Switzerland and if the French happened to attack both Germany and Austria-Hungary then they would get involved. For now they would sit and wait and closely monitor the situation.

For God and the Empire

[Santoak]

To the National State of France
Most notably Barrès Maurice

As the recent conflicts in Asia and the incident in Paris show you have a dutiful response to your homecountry against terrorism and the uncivilized, I believe you recognize the threat of the German Empire. As I'm sure you know of my Empire's defeat in the Bruderskrieg we can restrict the German Empire from its "tendencies" together in a unified effort. Regrettably there is to be conflict in Switzerland though it pains me as a respectable sovereign ruler to request foreign involvement, it means that there is a threat to the current balance of power in Europe. As I believe you and I would agree is that the German Empire's warmongering can not continue or must at least must be contained for fear of making western and southeastern Europe a wasteland not able to sustain a good living for respectable persons of civility, I ask that if German infringement encroaches further than Basel, Bern, and Sion to emulate a response of military aid to my empire, not only to protect my nation and its people but to further restrict the Kaiser in the north against vulnerable European nations, to deter the threat to happen, my empire will take control of Zurich, Chur, and Lugano to protect the Swiss citizens, though regrettably I have requested your nation to help in this matter I hope you can take control of Geneva to deter the German Empire, I believe we both fear for the Swiss.

Cautious of the German Empire, Kaiser Rudolf Franz Karl Josef

The following is a group of historical accounts given of the French Intervention in Switzerland. It was a much regretable war in a much regretable time and we hope that the inclusion of these accounts within our hallowed halls will serve as an insight into the personal lives of those most involved. Through this we hope to mend our relations with the Cantons.

May we never again suffer another Brother War.

I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be invading Switzerland. It had always existed... but I never really pondered a thought on it. It was neutral and out of the way of the affairs of the great chess masters. As a result, you never really thought about it. You can imagine our surprise of me and my fellows when we learned that the Germans were flooding over the border to abject violation of that neutrality. It became clear that even the extensive fortifications of the Swiss, would fall under the Prussian onslaught. We could not allow the German savages to overrun yet another nation and with a heavy heart the Dictator ordered us to secure as much of Swiss land as we could, to prevent it from falling into their hands.

We crossed the border as the sun first rose.

The landscape was rugged and unforgiving, with sheer cliffs rising up on either side of us. But we were determined to press on, despite the bitter cold and the treacherous terrain. We marched for hours, our boots crunching on the snow and our breaths coming out in white puffs.

Soon we encountered Swiss soldiers, their uniforms brown and their rifles at the ready. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as we aimed our guns at them, knowing that we were violating their country's sovereignty. But I had a duty to fulfill, and I couldn't let my fellow soldiers down.

The battle was fierce and intense, with both sides trading blows and fighting for every inch of the ground. But in the end, we emerged victorious. The Swiss soldiers were either killed or taken prisoner, and we established a French foothold on their territory. We took fairly few losses. About a hundred of our men for two hundred of theirs. Most were simply wounded. The recent reforms to the Medical Corps with lessons learned from the American Civil War now allowed for our Surgeons to guarantee a decent rate of survival amongst the wounded when it came to infections.

After about three hours to reorganize, we continued to march toward Geneva, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. On the one hand, I was proud of what we'd accomplished. We'd carried out our mission and proved ourselves to be formidable soldiers. We had shown ourselves to have grown from the humiliation of 1871. But on the other hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that we'd done something wrong. We'd invaded a peaceful country, and for what? To expand our borders and assert our dominance over our neighbors? Even if it was to prevent the expansion of the Germans, I had seen the way that the trains of Swiss refugees. They no doubt hated me as much as them. Just another group of invaders

I knew that I would carry the memory of that day with me for the rest of my life. It had taught me that war was never truly just and that there were always innocent people caught in the crossfire. But it had also shown me the strength and bravery of my fellow soldiers, and for that, I would always be grateful.

-Seraphine Perrin, 2nd Carabinier Regiment , a conscripted female soldier that was becoming quite common in the French Army

The streets are filled with smoke and the sounds of gunfire, and the air is thick with the smell of blood. But I am not afraid. I have been trained for this. I am a soldier, and I am ready to fight.

The enemy is everywhere, hiding behind buildings and firing their guns. But we are not deterred. We charge forward, bayonets at the ready, screaming our battle cries into the wind. It's a beautiful chaos, a dance of death and destruction that I am honored to be a part of.

I do not understand why they so doggedly resisted us. Could they not see us as the liberators we were? Many of them share Germanic blood. It would not surprise me that the Judeo-Prussians have tricked them.

The bullets whizz past my head, but I do not flinch. I am focused on my task, on the enemy in front of me. I see one of them peeking out from behind a corner, and I take aim. I fire, and he falls to the ground. It's a victory, a small one, but it's enough to fuel me for the fight ahead.

The enemy is fierce, but we are fiercer. We push forward, storming through the streets with reckless abandon. It's a struggle, a grueling test of endurance and courage. But I am not afraid. I am a soldier, and I will do what it takes to win.

I see one of my comrades fall, struck by a bullet. But I do not stop. I cannot. I must keep fighting, keep pushing forward. It's a matter of honor, of duty. We are soldiers, and we will fight until the bitter end.

The battle rages on, for hours it seems. But eventually, we emerge victorious. The city of Geneva is ours, and the enemy has been vanquished. We stand, exhausted but triumphant, looking out over the destruction we have wrought.

I am a soldier, and I am proud. Proud of what I have accomplished, of the battles I have fought, of the lives I have saved. But as I look around, at the devastation and the chaos, I cannot help but feel a twinge of sadness. Is this what war does? Does it turn us into beasts, into savages, willing to do whatever it takes to win?

I do not know. All I know is that I am a soldier, and I will fight for my country until my dying breath.

-Juste Fabron, 107th Infantry Regiment

The sound of gunfire echoed through the streets as we huddled together in our small apartment. My wife and I clutched our children tightly, their frightened faces pressed against our chests. We knew we had to leave, and quickly. The French soldiers were advancing, and the city was no longer safe.

We quickly gathered what little we could carry and made our way to the streets. It was chaos, the sound of gunfire and screams filling the air. We could see smoke rising in the distance, and we knew the city was under attack.

We tried to blend in with the crowds, but it was difficult. The streets were packed with people, all trying to flee the city at once. We could see French soldiers ahead, their bayonets glinting in the sunlight. We knew we had to be careful, to avoid drawing attention to ourselves.

We finally made it to the outskirts of the city, the sounds of gunfire growing fainter in the distance. We thought we were safe, but then we heard the sound of marching feet. We turned to see a group of French soldiers approaching, their eyes scanning the crowd. We tried to blend in, to avoid being seen. But they spotted us, their eyes locking onto our small family. We froze, our hearts racing with fear.

But then, to our surprise, one of the women soldiers motioned for us to follow her. She led us to a nearby farmhouse, where we were met by a group of other fleeing families. The soldiers had allowed us to escape, to seek refuge in the countryside. We spent the next few days holed up in that farmhouse, crowded with crying men, women, and children, listening to the distant sounds of battle. We didn't know what was happening in the city, or if we would ever be able to return. But we were safe, for now.

Eventually, the fighting stopped, and the French soldiers rose the tricolors over St Pierre Cathedral. We made our way back to the city, seeing the devastation and destruction wrought by the battle. We were grateful to be alive, to have escaped with our family intact.

But we knew that we could never forget the horrors of that day, the fear and uncertainty that had gripped us. We would never forget the kindness of those French soldiers who allowed us to escape, even as their comrades were fighting to conquer our city.

-Wenert Güde, Future Mayor of Geneval

By the time the campaign was declared over, French forces met their German counterparts at the limits of Basel, Bern, and Sion. Displaying remarkable discipline given the recent experiences of the Franco-Prussian war, French units did not engage in any hostilities and generally kept their distance though would often shadow any German units near this unofficial new border. At least initially this was the case, but the latter occurrences are not under the coverage of this exhibition.

The Barrès Government soon set up a puppet state in its occupied territories, seeing the advantage of taking the high ground, instead of outright annexing them and generally holding off on their characteristic mass arrests and vanishings. This puppet state, later called the Canton Republic, was under the leadership of ex-Prime Minister Friedrich Frey-Herosé. He immediately denounced the German invasion as an act of unmitigated hostility that showed the Hun's blood still within them and called for every international power to denounce the German Empire. He promised constant Swiss resistance against German threats.

Almost at once using a mixture of funds from Qing war loot and the bank vaults that the French had seized, Swiss nationalists in German-Occupied Switzerland began a campaign of resistance. They were armed with the newer French rifles and even cannons for some of the larger groups, they sought to ambush German troops in the narrow mountain passes and passionate collaborationist figures and local German military leaders.

The initial figure of this resistance movement began as around 5,000 active resistance troops, all extremely well-armed, and fanatical to all degrees.

The bloody War of Swiss Resistance, had just begun.

-Paschalis Greuter, Director of the Lyon National Museum

[Northern Seleucia]

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880

(Image)

Invited Empires discussing the future of Africa and Asia

The Berlin Conference of 1879-1880 was approaching. The United States, desperate to unite the West and to prove itself as a Great Power, had taken the time to send special telegrams to the British Empire, German Empire, French Empire, Italian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire, cordially inviting them to set aside their differences for once and to instead tackle the issue of how the west was going to civilize the inferior savages in Africa and Asia. It was set for this December and the division of Africa was to take place soon after. The United States also wanted to foster a coalition against the Qing Dynasty, for their anti-Western beliefs held since.

James opposed the colonization of Africa in a journal from 1879 he wrote:

The United States of America was founded to be the opposite of Europe. When America was created Europe was ruled by kings and tyranny. America was to be ruled by the people and democracy. I believe it’s our mission in Africa to create a column of nations like Liberia and Abyssinia to oppose European encroachment on the continent and create an alliance to continue to defend human freedom.

Although the statement resonated with some, those who opposed him - especially the imperialists in government - ridiculed him as a racist who despises Europeans and support inferior savages.