Mir (July-September, 1885)
Planes]
Tsar Alexander III had met with War Minister Iosif Romeyko-Gurko and Deputy Minister Mikhail Skobelev (among some other members of the Russian General Staff), the war ministry had (in part) paid for the developments of Mozhaisky biplanes made by Alexander Mozhaisky, Nikolai Kibalchich, and Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.
"In the future the war will not only be on land and sea, but it will also move to the sky. So we will have to continue investing in the development of aircraft and possibly other heavier-than-air flying vehicles." Tsar Alexander III announces the generals about him.
"What kind of developments are we talking about?" War Minister Romeyko-Gurko spoke while Skobelev wrote and jotted down.
"Well, initially it will be just exploration, investigation and reconnaissance missions. After that, we can start talking about something else, weapons, bombs. Tsar Alexander III responds.
The sky was not the limit, but the Russians were not only interested in its scientific potential, but also in the war potential, with the first successful flying machine, but the Russians it was obvious that soon other European states (and possibly the United States) would also start. to design and build flying machines.
After that it was only a matter of time for any of them to develop their war capabilities, Russia did not want to be left at a disadvantage in that regard.
One of the impulses of Russia was always the idea that they would be invaded, the invasions of Russia were within the psyche of its citizens in many respects. The Mongols, Sweden under Charles XII, Napoleon, and the Crimean War.
Russian strategy then focused on preventing further invasions, often cutting off enemies little by little and expanding Russian territory.
Fear was a powerful idea without a doubt.
Of course, although Russia began to reinvest in the military capabilities of airplanes, they were still investigating the development of submarines, and it was obvious that the Russians were not going to neglect their best strength, the land army.
*******
* Skobelev perspective.
The white general, Skobelev, met Jan Gotlib (Bogumił) Bloch, a Pole working under the finance ministry in Saint Petersburg and associate of the ministry of transport and railways.
"Do you know what the war will be like in the future?" Skobelev asks.
"What do you mean?". Bloch exclaims.
"Unlike previous wars, now at some level all the powers of Europe are industrializing, changing. Imagine a war between Germany and Russia, two industrial powers, full of cultural and political minorities, millions of civilians on each side." General Skobelev implies. "I want you to study the possibilities of a modern war, so to speak."
"... I'm going to need to gather some statistics, some scholars." Bloch is quick to affirm.
Skobelev kept thinking about the idea that a war between Germany and Russia was inevitable, but Skobelev himself was just a man guided by his intuition.
His meetings with Tsar Alexander III and ministerial work only convinced him of this, technology was advancing dangerously fast, changing the landscape of future wars.
Also certain ideas about politics, after all Russia was under Skobelev's ideals in a sense. 'A dictatorship with a heart' or an 'Autocracy with a heart'.
Bloch would assemble a group that would carefully compile statistics from the industrial powers, and some of his formal work, compiled around just over 3,000 pages.
In Bloch's view, a 'modern' war between industrial powers would have considerable social, economic and military consequences:
* New technologies were limiting open field maneuvers, such as common cavalry charging and the use of bayonets, or possibly rendering them obsolete.
* Due to this a war between European powers would be a trench warfare, where rapid attacks and decisive victories would be a thing of the past since the infantry (now counted in the millions) would have more chances of success in trenches than in the open field.
* Industrial societies would come to a standstill involving millions of men, leading to no war being resolved quickly.
* Consequently this war would be a war of attrition, measured by an industrial and economic power. As a consequence, famine, plague, and social disasters (including lower-middle class revolutions) would become the major problems and results of a modern war.
*******
[Holy Rus]
Vladivostok, various city streets were excited, Pavel Ivanovich Gomzyakov was returning to the city after the Second Russian Arctic Expedition, as a native Vladivostok member of the expedition, he obviously did as a hero.
Domzyakov would become the first proper poet of Vladivostok, born and raised in the city at least, the rest of the local poets in general were from other regions of Russia or migrants so they did not 'count' as a tradition of Vladivostok.
Nikola Tesla didn't have much interest in the event, but SEiPK was successfully continuing the construction of the Bering or Transpacific telegraph, and the Brotherhood Statues were nearing completion.
The continuous growth of the city continued, but as in other parts of Russia, certain concepts were growing.
*******
So many successes and a sum of associated factors (political, ideological, literary movements and other economic or cultural factors) obviously feed even more the Russian World, Russkiy mir or the Pax Russica.
Slavophiles, nationalists and even some Russophiles from Galicia (Central-Eastern Europe) have the idea of the Holy Rus, a land blessed by God, a unique civilization destined for greatness, etc.
An idea emphasized by Byzantine heritage, a successful autocracy, and an empire that stretched from the Baltic to the Pacific.
An example of exceptionalism or nationalism similar to how it has occurred in various peoples and states before or after, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Poles themselves or the Jews.
This in Russia had several effects, they were a growing population, a great power, a growing economy, a colonial empire, etc.
Made up mainly of a highly conservative lower-middle class, the middle class was only 'liberal' in various parts of Europe, such as Warsaw, Saint Petersburg or Baltic cities.
Russia had simply entered a new era, they conquered heaven, united Vladivostok and Mosu, etc. The citizens of Russia simply believed in infinite possibilities, and that it was because they were part of the same land and entity (the Russian state).
Other ethnic groups had also been seriously integrated into the Russian Empire, Kurds for example.
Although this idea could be unifying, it was also a double-edged sword: them, against us.
With the foreign diplomacy situation, and Russia being a different 'civilization', the inherent conflict between Russia and other nations was understood. The Napoleonic invasion, the Crimean War, etc.
Russia at any moment could collide with other nations of Europe or more. And what would happen next?
Most people did not know and did not understand or think enough.
Some like General Skobelev believed that the fight between the Slavic world and the Germanic world would be inevitable, and that obviously Russia would lead that fight.
Ivan Aksakov wrote about Slavism in the Moscow Moskva and various nationalist propaganda.
Others understood an upcoming war against the Ottoman Empire for the reconquest of Tsargrad, or conquests beyond.
Tsar Alexander III just had his own plans, maybe a better world or something like that.
*******
[Central Asia: After annexation]
After the annexation of the Emirates and Khanates of Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand, the leaders of these countries Seyid Abdulahad Khan the Emir of Bukhara, Nasruddin Khan the Khan of Kokand and Muhammad Rahim Khan II the Khan of Khiva had become local nobles. (with higher titles than most Muslim nobles of Central Asia, but still subject to the emperor of all Russia) who held some local 'courts' (rather parties and guests in palaces, rather than administrative tasks) and used their money.
Now effectively only having decorative titles, each Russian vassal engaged in some particular actions, without interference or rebellion against Russian domination over Central Asia.
Seyid Abdulahad Khan devoted himself to literature, creating a collection of poems, sometimes under the pseudonym 'Ojiz' (translated as weak, defenseless). Promoting local Central Asian poets.
He also promoted historical work with the promotion of local historians, giving a vision of the change of Central Asia under Russian rule.
Also Seyid Abudulahad Khan would promote architectural development, sometimes in Central Asia ... and other times in the Caucasus or the Black Sea, where he spent every summer. He also in the construction or reconstruction of mosques.
Muhammad Rahim Khan II also engaged in cultural activities (and to some extent scientific, albeit with a theological focus as well), an avid poet and musical composer. With his money, works were translated, manuscripts copied, and libraries built.
Muhammad Rahim Khan II would create one of the first orchestras of what was formerly Khiva, very much based on the environment and local traditions of the region.
Poets, calligraphers, translators, scientists, and historians were promoted, with whom the former monarch discussed religious issues, recited poetry, and other activities.
Nasruddin Khan on the other hand was dedicated to architectural tasks, he built madrasas (madrasa is an Arabic word that indicates various types of elementary or higher, secular or religious schools) and mosques.
Of course these activities did not involve any kind of rebellion or anti-Russian sentiment, otherwise the local administrators themselves would cut them down.
*******
[The story of some Poles: Rugi Pruskie]
"Rugi Pruskie" or "Prussian Deportations" is the name given to the events regarding the mass deportation (early ethnic cleansing) of Poles and Jews of Russian-Austrian origin in the eastern Prussian-German territories.
The German Junkers, landowners of the nobility with large tracts of land, were now essentially the political, military and diplomatic elite of much of Otto von Bismarck and WIlhelm I's German Empire.
These employed tens of thousands of peasants, including many Poles and Jews of foreign origin. The local German and Polish population themselves had moved to more economically developed areas (urban centers and industry), although these migrants never demonstrated particularly anti-German activities, their rapid demographic increase caused panic among German nationalists, leading Bismarck to take your decision.
The action was condemned by parts of the German government in the federal council, and part of the international community, but no one could really do anything.
The deportations included considerable violence against Poles and Jews, but these did not raise much trouble. And to the Poles and Jews of Prussia they didn't do much either.
The Austrian-Russian Jews and Poles had to leave Germany, many at the blow of the butt of a German gun, many of the Russian Poles went to France although the Jews were less received, other Poles and Russian Jews went to the United Kingdom ( where nationalist movements weren't friendly either, but that's another matter) and Polish-Russian Jews also went to Austria-Hungary.
Or to Italy and potentially the United States, if they had the money to travel of course.
However, curiously, some Poles of Austrian origin, mainly from Galicia, would find themselves going to Russia, some more voluntarily than others.
* Zachariasz Prus.
A man on horseback had appeared that day, the young Pole (with some Jewish descent) had been observing the sky when he noticed his father talking to the man on horseback, his mother tending the nearby cows.
The man had a large beard, accompanied by a black uniform with a helmet with a spike. In his hands a paper that indicated that the family should leave.
The father objected, and the butt of the German's gun just hit the peasant like nothing. Violence quickly broke out, a couple of shots rang out across the field, and the young Pole had run away in fear.
For a few days the young man had been wandering aimlessly, hungry and cold at night when he had unknowingly crossed German lands to the Warsaw Governorate of the Russian Empire.
The young man had heard a lot from them, mainly that Poles and Russians only shared a similar taste for alcohol, nothing more.
But the young man would take any help when a border guard, speaking Russian and Polish, had given him aid and food.
The young man would never look back, or would never see his parents again, but he ended up in the south of the Warsaw governorate, with a pension of a few rubles due to his particular situation.
*******
"Hey, I'll be your teacher. My pleasure." A young man had introduced himself to the young man from Germany, somewhat confused.
"Aren't you too young to teach Russian?" The young man from Germany exclaims in confusion.
"It's a job I'm taking to have some extra money, don't worry, I'm very fluent in Russian and Polish." The professor exclaims. "My name is Anton Ivanovich Denikin".
"Zachariasz Prus, my pleasure." The young man from Germany introduces himself.
*******
Although there were few Poles (and even fewer Jews) of Austrian origin in Russia, they did not take long to integrate into the Russian state, being more loyal than some of the native Poles of the region.
After all Russia was growing economically much more than Austria-Hungary, and even people of Polish origin (mixed or 'pure') could grow within the establishment.
An example is Anton Denikin, son of the military man Ivan Efimovich Denikin (1807-1885, 35 years of service in the Russian army) and Elizaveta Fyodorovna Vrzhesinskaya (seamstress of Polish origin).
*******
[Four arrows: Madagascar]
Tsar Alexander III entered into diplomatic talks with Queen Ranavalona III of Merina / Madagascar, making the situation clear. France sold her possessions and rights to Russia, now, this did not necessarily mean a war, and if it was not Russia, probably another European power would invade Madagascar sooner or later (very possibly the United Kingdom or Germany).
Russia offered to establish a flexible protectorate over the kingdom, not without offering anything in return of course:
* Queen Ranavalona III would maintain her status as monarch (queen) of Madagascar. But she would have to discuss foreign diplomacy with Russia.
* Russia would establish a 'Special Delegation' in the city of Antananarivo, as advisers of a military and administrative nature.
* Russia would establish civilian and military schools for the training of local forces and administrators.
* Russia would invest in some Malagasy ports and the kingdom's economy.
Queen Ranavalona III at first doubted the planning, saying that Russia was a largely unknown state for Madagascar. But Tsar Alexander III had already prepared discussions with other suitors to the throne, aristocrats, great merchants and enemies of the queen in case she refused.
The weight of Russia was simply higher, so at first Queen Ranavalona III accepted.
Russia essentially took possession of some ports and placed her special delegation in Antananarivo to continue discussing business with the queen and her associates.
Tsar Alexander III understood Queen Ranavalona III's concern for her people, a concern that Tsar Alexander III shared, but progress on the island would be slow.
Russia began at first with the shipment of merchants, builders and money to the ports in question to form a base for the following projects.
Some priests also arrived for 'charity' and to help with the local infrastructure, it would attract more faithful according to them.
Russia bought their stay based on weapons and money for the loyalists of Queen Ranavalona III, but Russia knew that it could not depend only on these, however they already had their own plans in the educational aspects.
The Malagasy youth, some sons of local elites (nobles, business or politics) but also many of them orphans from many of the local political wars, were handed over by the Malagasy themselves to Russian schools.
The young men would receive education in factual science, and if they went to military academies, in military affairs to serve under the 'New Armies' of Ranavalona III (under the auspices of Russia of course).
*******
* Alexandrian perspective.
"In a sense, I think that I am using children and adolescents as future soldiers and workers to fulfill my objectives, that does not make me better than the Ottomans or many barbarians before and after me.
But also ... I think I could do this for the better, if I educate young Malagasy people to have no affiliation to tribes and local disputes, without family associations, I will get a less polarized administration and army, less inclined to corruption and to deviate from the path.
It could establish a more peaceful, more equitable and developed Madagascar ...
I wonder if that's true, just excuses or a failed dream, but there is little left to do, other than keep moving forward. "
*******
[Four arrows: New Moscow and Abyssinia]
With the colonial orthodoxy program towards Sagallo or New Moscow, Tsar Alexander III immediately built secular and religious schools (but forced to teach factual science) for the growing population of Russian children.
An offer was extended to educate nearby native children of course, some of them noblemen and other peasants, of the latter many would join the Russian colony as farmers and shepherds, while the former would most likely be future administrators.
The less troublesome little local tribal kings would be bought or left alone, many of them assimilated into the growing Cossack and civilian forces through various methods (purchase, diplomacy, and assimilation through education).
The most troublesome would simply be deterred by Russo-Ethiopian relations, defeats suffered in some skirmishes, and rapid colonial growth as more and more Russian ships arrived to continue growth and expansion around the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Russia for example not only continued with its commercial activities, infrastructure development and some agricultural activities (agriculture-livestock) but also imported the first industry to the region (mainly clothing manufacturing).
*******
While colonial success was a good thing, Russia also had business to discuss with Yohannes IV of Ethiopia, an emperor-to-emperor talk (not literally due to time and distance constraints, but Russia made it clear that while Ethiopia was under guidance to some extent, Alexander III would treat Ethiopians as equals).
* Ethiopia is still free to trade with other states, but Russia gets a certain priority and particular rights.
* Many nobles and ordinary citizens of Ethiopia should go to be educated in the schools of New Moscow to work for Emperor Yohannes IV, some of these nobles would be in essence hostages of Yohannes IV sent for the Russians (which still supported the families nobles at bay).
In these schools they would teach factual sciences, Russian language, and especially utility for administration of Yohannes IV.
* Russia would send modern weapons but also Cossacks as military advisers for the formation of academies and improvements in the army of Yohannes IV (and Menelik of Shewa).
* The problem was certain Ethiopian policies, their lack of centralization, the rampant problem of slavery, technological backwardness, etc. Russia made it clear that it would not tolerate slaves in New Moscow and other Russian colonial possessions in the Horn of Africa, but would still offer alternatives for Ethiopia's economic development.
(Russia would also receive some population of tribes that suffered problems with slavery, to protect them, although such protection would also integrate these natives into the colony).
Better trade deals for Ethiopia to export its hibiscus tea, coffee and some other resources to Russia, while Russia imported technology, money, weapons and some other missing materials in Ethiopia.
* Russia even presents its plan for a New Moscow railway to Addis Ababa, for the future, but that will eventually pass if Russian-Ethiopian cooperation continues.
* However Alexander III also made it clear that Ethiopian development would not happen overnight, and such development would take time even as Russia will educate Ethiopian citizens and increase trade with Ethiopia.
Ethiopia needs a more stable government or Russian investors will feel less secure. But for this there was a solution, Russian-Ethiopian state companies (where Russia wanted at least 51% of the shares to 'secure its investment') for the development of vital sectors of the Ethiopian economy.
This would also allow state-controlled industrial conglomerates for particular projects, such as extractive, agricultural and manufacturing industries, that Tsar Alexander III hopes will pay for the Ethiopian military-industrial complex that Russia will help create.
A multi-stage, and objective, deal, but too juicy for Yohannes IV, no other European power would offer him such a thing, and it was clear that Russia would be Ethiopia's greatest protector and ally in Europe.
This is why Emperor Yohannes IV was forced to accept a deal with Alexander III for the development of Ethiopia, it would not be easy, but the Ethiopian emperor and the Russian emperor were ready for the project.
*******
[International]
The Japanese finish their first ship for Russia, the so-called SS "Kirin" (which can be translated simply, as giraffe) on July 1.
The Russian navy determines that the ship is fit for service standards and trade ties between Russia and Japan continue to deepen.
At the beginning, the United States, which had business to do (related to the change of presidency, which affected the rapid action), finally gave in to the Minister-President Porfirio Diaz so that Diaz intercepts the Guatemalan forces of Justo Rufino Barrios in Central America .
In return, the United States resumes its normal diplomatic relations with the Second Mexican Empire (they still hate each other but at least it was a step).
The damage in parts of Honduras was done, but Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador together with Mexico manage to assassinate Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios on July 2, putting an end to the "Intentona de Barrios" and therefore the dream of the Guatemalan president of a unified Central America.
But as mentioned, various damages have been done, and Porfirio Diaz does not have the best image in the United States, although the image of him as a strong man in Mexico and parts of Central America is well established.
July 6, Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux test the first successful rabies vaccine on the boy Joseph Meister, infected by the bite of a mad dog.
July 14, Sarah Elisabeth Goode becomes the first African-American woman to receive a patent (invention: hideaway bed).
July 15, the Niagara Falls reserve opens.
On July 20, professional football is legalized for the first time.
September 2, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, 150 white American miners attack their Chinese co-workers, killing 28, 15 injured and forcing hundreds of Chinese out of the city.
On September 6, the Kurds once again defeat the Ottoman forces sent in a mixture of attrition and ambushes through the Kurdish cavalry in the peripheral regions of the Ottoman Empire.
On September 18, while the Kurdish revolt continues without much change, in the Balkans the Ottomans on the other hand decide to unite Epirus of the North with the Principality of Albania.
This however causes enormous problems, the Greeks of Greece and Epirus from the north are agitated and upset by this decision, the government of Greece itself is also upset but the United Kingdom tries to contain them to prevent them from acting against the Ottomans.
However, a 'regiment' of annoying Greek civilians is mobilized towards the border with the Ottoman Empire, towards Epirus of the North, where they are 'their brothers and sisters'.
*******
[Sport culture]
4 teams are chosen for the 5th edition of the Russian Soccer League.
*Kharkov.
*Kiev.
*Minsk.
*Saratov.