East, West, North, South (April-June, 1885)

Aftermath of the St. Petersburg Conference]

* German perspective.

After the conference the German Empire essentially fulfilled many of its political objectives, on the one hand it essentially had a free hand in the Indochina region (Vietnam) while fighting a war with the Qing dynasty.

On the other hand, the Dutch managed to obtain their interests in the Indonesian region, which could be freely looted by German merchants, businessmen and industrialists.

In Africa, on the other hand, Togoland was recognized and they could even expand a little further east, while Tanzania and possibly some more lands could be obtained.

While through the Swedish-Norwegian Congo they could carry out their plans for commercial lines that went from the Atlantic to the Indian through Africa (the problem would be that other powers would also have a free hand in the Congo).

On the other hand there were certain complaints, such as the German merchant Adolf Lüderitz complaining about the sale of Walvis Bay and areas close to the Russian Empire.

Some other German nationalists might complain about the little 'place in the sun' obtained by Chancellor Bismarck at the conference.

However, Chancellor Bismarck had seen something else, on the one hand Anglo-French and Austrian relations, Italian wishes, and Russia.

Bismarck decided to cede certain positions and concessions to Russia with the idea of keeping Tsar Alexander III happy with another port for Russia, otherwise Russia could fall within the Paris-Vienna-London Axis, and an alliance of this type would basically be the end of Germany.

Bismarck thought that apart from economic reasons, Napoleon IV gave Madagascar to give a bone to Russia (possibly causing Russia itself to spend more resources there). Because Germany threw a bone at Russia.

The secret of European foreign policy would be to maintain a balance between Vienna-Paris and Berlin-Rome, the English were already leaning in favor of Paris, so Berlin needed at least Saint Petersburg to equalize the situation.

In the social situation, some pan-Germanicists would still dream of the idea of a conference or federation with Scandinavia, more particularly now with Sweden-Norway, where there were also groups of pan-Germanicists, mainly Swedes.

*******

* English perspective.

In essence the UK got what it wanted in the Pacific, the UK, Russia, the US and Germany would now maintain an independent Hawai'i. Which was useful for everyone, or to avoid more powerful positions on Pacific islands.

On the other hand, Russia now had its Pacific area recognized by European powers, Germany continued to advance in Indochina and dominate the Dutch, and the Austro-Hungarians increased their presence in Borneo.

That was very bad if we talk about the regional balance ...

In Africa, on the other hand, it had been recognized that the United Kingdom wanted to unite Cairo and the Cape, but the problem was Sudan, otherwise the United Kingdom could effectively unite both cities through the Swedish-Norwegian Congo.

Other territories could also be obtained, the problem is that there were interests that clashed with the French, the Germans would also achieve their own objectives, and positions had to be ceded to Russia for various reasons.

The Gladstone administration was simply in decline, and King Edward VII could do little to save his politician friend from him.

The problem would be the idea of trying to contain Germany AND Russia at the same time, putting too much pressure on Russia would simply put them on the side of Germany, and in essence this alliance would endanger all of eastern and central Europe (surrounding Austria-Hungary on all sides. , the north, the Adriatic and the Balkans due to Romania and the other Balkan states).

Leaving only France and the UK in Western Europe (a France still in bad shape).

However not putting enough pressure will make Russia and Germany continue to win, furthermore Germany does not help with her expansionist attitudes and Russia just seems too nonaggressive.

But Russia's technological and industrial potential simply does not stop.

Even some English merchants and businessmen still continue to 'feed' Russia, investing in the state in competition with Germany.

No matter which administration is next, there is something very difficult about dealing with the new era of European foreign policy.

*******

* French perspective.

France was the giant with feet of clay, they had 'achieved' many of their African goals, but it was still understood that the Second French Empire depended on a foreign monetary life support (English, and a bit Russian now).

Their massive size and interests would not only hamper administrative and economic motives, but also put them in conflict with their own English allies. In essence, Britain had driven France out of the Suez Canal when they took Egypt, a canal that France had financed.

And the French themselves had interests in Sudan that the English didn't want anyone other than themselves to have.

There were marriage problems, bank account problems, and many more problems within Napoleon IV's France.

Franco-Russian relations continued to be somewhat cold after the conference, after all France sold its Malagasy possessions to Russia but had refused to release the Russian Jew Ben-Yehuda from prison.

But Russia had allowed France to negotiate its expansion into Saharan and Central Africa, while Russia simply gained some coastal ports.

But France also continued its downward spiral, on the one hand something had been proven, many of the stories about Russia seemed to be false, now that the Russians became the first to master the heavier-than-air flying machines.

France was still quite Russophobic, and was lagging somewhat behind in industrial, technological, etc. terms.

But even so France refused to acknowledge that Russia was nothing more than a barbaric and uncivilized land, the idea of a Franco-Russian alliance was simply unthinkable in many of the French minds that were overwhelmingly pro-Polish (Napoleon III even considered supporting the idea of an independent Poland from Russia in the January uprising, and the French public even supported the assassination attempt of Alexander III in Paris).

It was clear that if it was up to France, Russia would fall into the German diplomatic sphere. And the English knew that was a stupid decision.

*******

* Austro-Hungarian perspective.

It was clear that Austria-Hungary got everything it set out to do in the Pacific, and relatively favorable trade deals in Africa, a Rudolf I foreign relations success.

However there was not much to say about this, Austria-Hungary was still full of national problems, economic, political problems, etc.

Rudolf I had to find a balance between the Hungarian magnates, and the Slavic, Italian, Romanian separatists, etc.

About how to deal with this the Kaiser had even asked Tsar Alexander III of Russia for help.

On the other hand for Austria-Hungary, or for Rudolf I something was clear, Germany was terrifying with its ambitions, Italy was not an ally, France despite being Rudolf I's favorite was in a weak position, the English were not allies and the Russians were a mystery.

On top of that, Russia was impressive in a way with its construction of an airplane.

*******

* American perspective.

Russia was the opposite of America, and in many ways they were similar too, states stretched from west to east, industrial powers (to some extent), and 'sleeping giants' so to speak.

But their cultures and forms of government were diametrically different, but even so the Russians left a certain good impression on the Americans, having granted trade rights and supported the independence of Liberia from European powers.

Russians in general had shown an incorruptible part by denying Belgian gifts (probably some of the biggest losers of the conference).

Also that they weren't exactly a threat to the United States.

Besides that, the only thing the United States had not achieved was the possibility of an expansion into the Philippines, but there were other matters to attend to.

*******

* Japanese perspective.

Although Japan had achieved nothing due to its observer nature, the Russian invitation had a strong impact on the Japanese diplomatic situation. On the one hand, the Imperial Japanese Navy continued with its pro-Russian doctrine, while the Imperial Japanese Army was terrified (the gap to possibly defeat Russia was closing day by day).

The Japanese diplomatic service was impressed to be face to face with all the European powers, but the only one that had treated Japan fairly was Russia.

A Russia that continued to grow as a Japanese trading partner, and that was simply a much greater power in various respects than Japan. The Trans-Siberian, presence in Korea, etc, many aspects that violated Japanese interests but Russia was becoming a vital element of the Japanese economy (food, minerals, money, trade, oil, etc).

In short, Japan continued to polarize with respect to Russia, it was clear that the immediate enemy would be China, but Russia was an enigma with respect to Japan.

Some were grateful and continued to see a Russo-Japanese alliance as the most viable alternative in foreign policy, others understood that if they continued to please Russia they would lose many political objectives in mainland China and Siberia, etc.

*******

* Ethiopian perspective.

King Menelik of Shewa was impressed, and of course spoke strongly in favor of a pro-Russian diplomatic doctrine in Abyssinia with Emperor Yohannes IV.

Russia was possibly the only power friendly to Ethiopia that could guarantee its independence from European colonialism, in addition to helping to modernize the Ethiopian state, provide weapons, technology, etc.

Yohannes IV accepted such huge accounts of Menelik's stay in Russia, it was clear to the emperor that resisting the Europeans alone could be too costly, and with the Russians so close and ready to help, it would be difficult not to accept.

* Malagasy perspective.

The Russians were essentially unknown in Madagascar, the French mostly dropped out leaving the keys to the Russians, but the Malagasy still wouldn't know what to expect after the sale.

*******

* Minor perspectives.

Spain won what it wanted (a desert and little else), Portugal was relegated from its former great empire to being basically trampled by the English, Denmark did not win much, the Ottomans did not attend, and the Italians would only keep Tunisia but everyone was clear your interests in Libya.

Belgium lost everything (and they can't do something because they are a junior partner), and the Netherlands won nothing.

Sweden-Norway was, in essence, the biggest winner of the lesser powers.

This meant a rapprochement with the three great powers of Europe to maintain Swedish-Norwegian neutrality, the United Kingdom, Russia and Germany.

But Sweden-Norway itself was divided, on the one side the Norwegian was more pro-English, the Swedes more pro-German, and Russia was a mixed player.

In addition, the Swedish-Norwegians did not have all their sovereignty within the Kongo, they had to make many concessions to foreign powers on an economic level.

*******

[Four Corners of Africa]

Russia had received three ports (more or less) and the rights to the island of Madagascar after the St. Petersburg conference, four locations in four different locations in Africa. Two in the west and two in the east, each with its own geographical, cultural, economic and biological peculiarities.

Tsar Alexander III was carefully studying documents and documents on the geography, cultures and other important data that were known about the areas. There were diseases, tribal rivalries, political instability, different resources, different opportunities, etc.

This led Tsar Alexander III to develop the idea of 'The Four Points of Africa' or 'The Four Corners', 'The Four Arrows', etc. Four Russian colonies in Africa that had to be administered in different ways due to their particularities, with extreme caution and work.

The most basic Russian model is to establish a port or city and work from there on to improve the economy (farms, mines, and if possible other industries) and quality of life (roads, schools, hospitals, etc.).

Educate natives to integrate into Russian administration or culture to keep the situation stable, use Russian as a business language, dealings with local leaders, etc.

1-New Krakow, Cameroon, North West Slavic Africa.

Poles and Russians alike had to be kept in check. Russia could not tolerate such a religious or ethnic war, even under colonial administration.

Tsar Alexander III decided to agree not to limit Polish migration to the area, but the military authorities and the governor would remain in the hands of the government of Saint Petersburg. For this the tsar chose a Russified Pole and a Cossack soldier for military affairs.

Any local militia would not be formed under ethnic or religious principles, but purely geographical for the defense of the colony from any problem.

One still had to be careful, especially with the geographic location and the many native groups that inhabited Cameroon.

And it was not necessary to neglect the aspects of another important infrastructure, first Tsar Alexander III intends to secure the coast, connect it and integrate natives in its administration before launching into expansions towards the tropical region of Cameroon.

2-New Moscow, Sallago, North East Slavic Africa.

Russia had to ensure her dominion over the Gulf of Tadjoura to guarantee the success of New Moscow as a port, this meant finding a solution for the small tribal kings of the town (preferably diplomatically).

Russia had quickly to build not only farms and ports, but also immediately schools (with a fixation on factual sciences) for the teaching of Russians and native Africans of the territory (lower class or leading families) with the intention of forming the administration of the colony and integration of the colony.

The Russian Orthodox Church would also be of help with colonial orthodoxy programs regarding construction, population growth, education, etc.

Also New Moscow should become the door to the industrialization and modernization of Ethiopia, as well as a port of Ethiopian products to the world. Plans with Yohannes IV and Menelik of Shewa were in progress. But both monarchs (Alexander and Yohannes) would need an in-depth business discussion before such plans continue.

At first Sallago proper would be relatively small, but a free hand in Somali lands is very juicy, Russia has to prevent other powers from getting into the Horn of Africa and threatening the southern flank of Abyssinia.

3-Walvis Bay, Namibia, South West Slavic Africa.

At the time many of Namibia's resources are unknown, and it makes geographical sense, even though Russia is simply occupying a port and has a large area to expand there are still many considerable problems for such expansion.

However, Tsar Alexander III was interested in the potential of the region, although the desert could pose a problem, if Russia did not expand it ran the risk of allowing criminals and the expansion of other empires to the area, which could be a damage considerable for the natives.

For this, Tsar Alexander III devised the construction of a duarchy between Walvis Bay and another city (New Petrograd, as he decided to call it) to begin to unify the region.

This would involve the entire 'natural' Russian process in African colonization, cities, infrastructure and economy, integration. Russia would also have to serve as a peacemaker and negotiator in the region.

4-??? (very possibly Antananarivo), Kingdom of Merina / Madagascar.

Like Cameroon, Madagascar's climate and biology would pose a problem, but also its natives and cultures, the Malagasy pose various problems (for the French and quite possibly for the Russians) but Tsar Alexander III refuses any too drastic solution .

This is why Tsar Alexander III would decide that a meeting with the Queen of Merina, Ranavalona III, would be the first important and necessary step for Russia to help Merina / Madagascar.

Russia would have to work with some oligarchies and local leaders, establish safe points, and from then on pacify the entire island, modernize its economy, etc.

Speaking of objectives, technically the Russian ports would serve for the Russian navy (repair, travel, checkpoints, etc.) but also for trade and for the development of African regions.

Tsar Alexander III envisioned a kind of 'circle' around Africa, Sagallo (Djibouti), Madagascar, Namibia and Cameroon, with merchandise that could travel from Europe to Africa and Asia or vice versa, etc.

Perhaps a too idealistic and very forward-looking plan, the African economic potential was immense, but its development would be slow and costly.

*******

"And what if Queen Ranavalona III will not accept our diplomatic advances?" The Tsesarevich Nicholas asks in his first 'official' meeting with his father the Tsar and Minister Nikolai de Girs.

"We have a lot of money, weapons, a better fleet and a better army. She will accept simply for those reasons." Nikolai de Girs sentences calmly.

"... While what Girs says is true and is ... our compelling argument, I hope she can understand that we seek more cooperation, than French-style domination." Tsar Alexander III promptly claims by putting Girs on the line.

"Winning hearts and minds is very useful, but we need the right resources and rhetoric." Girs asserts, and that's something the Tsar immediately agrees with.

*******

[Automotive industry]

Through certain changes to the engine produced by Nikolai Ivanovich Kibalchich of the Mozhaisky airplane (made by Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaysky, Konstantine Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, and Kibalchich himself), Fyodor Abramovich Blinov developed the Blinov-Kibalchich engine.

The Blinov-Kibalchich engine is a compression ignition (IC) internal combustion engine. In the case of the engine, this means that the ignition of the fuel is caused by the high temperature of the air in the cylinder, due to mechanical compression.

The first prototypes of the Blinov-Kibalchich engine would run at 88 revolutions per minute, which would undoubtedly be a breakthrough for the various technologies in Russia.

The 'third generation' of prototypes were more successful, having covered work for 111 hours without serious or noticeable failures.

On the one hand Blinov began to look for the possibility of using the Blinov-Kibalchich engine in vehicles (either tractors or personal vehicles), while the various Russian industries were looking for a more efficient engine such as those designed by Blinov.

This was another notable advance for the Russian Empire in technological areas.

(OOC: Blinov-Kibalchich = diesel engine).

*******

[International]

On April 2, the Frog Lake massacre occurs, where Cree warriors led by Wandering Spirit kill 9 settlers from Frog Lake, in Canada.

On May 2, curiously, the Cree and Assiniboine would win their greatest battle in the north-west rebellion against Canadian forces, the Battle of Cur Knife.

But it would all finally end on June 3 when Canadian forces would surround the Cree and force them to surrender, putting an end to the rebellion of the Native American tribes in the region.

On April 14, the Germans defeat the Qing in the Battle of Kép, this is important because it marks a great withdrawal of Qing forces from Tokin or also called Đàng Ngoài.

This means unleashing Germany in Vietnam, the Germans themselves are excited about their victory. Now they could settle for their victories in Indochina, or continue advancing north into southern China.

The English on the other hand are obviously angry at this victory, as they were giving the Qing weapons to retain the German invasion and dominance over Indochina, but that has proven to be another failure of this period of the Gladstone administration.

April 30, the Niagara Falls State Park is formed.

On June 23, from the Conservatives, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil (3rd Marquess of Salisbury) becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, appointed by King Edward VII after the resignation of Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

In the later periods of this period as Prime Minister, Gladstone faced a decline in popularity, mainly due to the loss to Sudanese forces, and some domestic problems.

*******

[Royal marriage]

June 24, 1885.

Grand Duke Alexander is promptly reunited with his brother, hiding. "Hey bro, I think I accidentally spilled some juice on one of our cousins."

"In a cousin? Are you sure that he, or she was one of our cousins?" Tsesarevich Nicholas asks somewhat confused.

"I don't know who she was, and I think she didn't realize it was me. But ... isn't it just more likely that someone at this party is our cousin, than not?" Grand Duke Alexander responds.

"...That's true." Tsesarevich Nicholas exclaims when he then sees a girl in a somewhat wet dress bumping into one of Tsesarevich's cousins, the Prince of Wales, Albert Victor.

The wedding was a European event, Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, daughter of (dead) Queen Victoria and sister of King Edward VII, was getting married to the second French emperor Napoleon IV, son of Napoleon III.

This had brought together many European families, because basically they are all related in one way or another.

Now Grand Duke Alexander was with his brother Nicholas and their cousin Wilhelm, Prince of Prussia (a few years older than his cousins but they were almost adults, in particular Nicholas turned 17 recently, so the Prussian wanted to celebrate with his cousin). In addition Wilhelm was somewhat annoyed by the treatment of his British relatives, quite cold, the Russians were somewhat more friendly, in particular the Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich.

"Hey George!" Albert Victor calls accompanied by a girl, but then he realizes. "Oh, it's you Nicholas. From a distance you're indistinguishable from George" The Prince of Wales exclaims in surprise.

"I don't even look that much like George." The Tsesarevich Nicholas says something annoying while he drank juice together with Wilhelm and Grand Duke Alexander.

"Yes, you look alike." Albert Victor and Wilhelm called, even Alexander notices the resemblance.

"... I have the hairline on the other side." Nicholas quickly defends himself.

"Oh well, in any case. This is Alix." The Prince of Wales says introducing Alix of Hesse and by Rhine. The Tsesarevich Nichola almost choked.

*******

"And tell me ... What is the secret of your success?" Emperor Napoleon IV asks Tsar Alexander III with curiosity, it would be normal for the groom to speak with some guests but the question was somewhat strange for the Tsar (in boredom).

"Mh?" The Tsar asks in confusion.

"First flying machine, St. Petersburg conference, and all in general. France needs a little of that success, you know?" Napoleon IV exclaims with a somewhat twisted smile. The emperor was barely 29 years old, and his situation was certainly not the best despite what seems like a happy marriage.

"... There is no simple answer, I think I'm just lucky." Tsar Alexander III responds.

The wedding of Napoleon IV and Beatrice of the United Kingdom, now Empress Beatrice of France, undoubtedly continued to align English foreign policy with a pro-French doctrine directed against Germany.

However, the Prince of Wales met and became seriously interested in one of the German princesses, Alix of Hesse.

*******

[Second Russian Arctic Expedition]

On June 17, 1885, the Second Russian Arctic Expedition returns to the Russian Empire to report the events.

Participants included, among some:

* Eduard Vladimirovich (Voldemarovich) Maydel (baron, admiral, researcher and leader).

* Konstantin Petrovich Andreev (meteorologist, naval officer and hydrographer).

* Leonid (Lev) Frantsevich Grinevetsky (physician, naturalist and scientist).

* Fyodor Kiríllovich Drizhenko (lieutenant, hydrographer and scientist).

* Iskhak Ibrahimovich Islyamov (second lieutenant, navigator).

* Andrey Ippolitovich Vilkitsky (hydrographer and navigator).

* Fedor Ivanovich Voronin (sailor and fisherman, who earlier in 1884 gave two polar bears to Tsar Alexander III).

* Pavel Ivanovich Gomzyakov (Vladivostok native medical student).

And the American George De Long (American explorer, led his own failed expedition to the North Pole) and Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (a Finnish-Swede expelled from the Russian Empire in times of Alexander II in fact, but an interested in Arctic exploration). As international members to verify the information.

The second Russian arctic expedition ... was a success, Iskhak Ibrahimovich Islyamov of the expedition nailed the Russian flag in the center of the North Pole, marking the success of the expedition led by Eduard Vladimirovich Maydel.

This would obviously be received in a good way in Russia, a pleasant surprise. While on the other hand, various international organizations were reviewing the information and corroborating the facts of the expedition to mark whether it was true or not.

The expedition obviously had Western-style navigation experts, non-Russian people as observers and participants, etc. Making the process a little easier, but still the international organizations had to make sure.

*******

[Sport culture]

4 teams are chosen for the 5th edition of the Russian Soccer League.

*Anadyr.

*Novo Arkhangelsk. First Alaskan team in the Russian Soccer League.

*Moscow.

*Riga.