Bab 107: Eagles over the World (July-September, 1888)
Four Arrows: Abyssinia]
Emperor Alexander III, Yohannes IV, and Menelik of Shewa were now a "triumvirate" in times of crisis regarding the Great Ethiopian Famine. This caused by the aforementioned famine, there were administrative, social and economic problems.
While Yohannes IV could be understood as the "helmsman" of Abyssinia in this situation, Tsar Alexander III was the leader with much-needed economic and logistical resources for Abyssinia, giving Alexander himself great power.
Menelik was on the other hand a very important partner of Russia in the region, so his presence was another point of Russian influence at the Abyssinian court to deal with the matter. Furthermore he was another Ethiopian king who gave Russia influence and help in dealing with the situation.
The Russian-Ethiopian conglomerates, the Shewa administration, Sagallo, court Cossacks and diplomatic services centralized to seize the opportunity. Yohannes IV ceded and centralized various powers to the emperor, nullifying the huge decentralization of the Ethiopian or Abyssinian Empire.
There were some complaints from various kings of the north, but the Russian forces and the Shewa forces, allied with other militias from the south, swept away these complaints without much trouble.
This is due to the fact that the Russians fed these militias (giving them power over them), they armed the Shewa army with modern equipment, and the kings of the north did not have the economic, social or political power to oppose them in a moment of crisis.
The only remaining complicated issue that was not closed in this centralization of power was the succession, in 1888 in matters not related to the great famine, the legitimate son of Yohannes IV, Araya Selassie Yohannes died of smallpox. Araya Selassie Yohannes had offspring through his son, Gugsa Araya.
The nephew, or "natural" son of Yohannes IV, Mengesha Yohannes remained but the emperor in 1888 had not recognized Mengesha as his son and this caused succession problems. Mengesha also had a son, Seyoum Mengesha (barely 1 year old in 1888).
There was also Menelik of Shewa, with his own claim and who was the elder of the throne.
Yohannes IV was very worried, but external pressures forced him to change the status quo, so also due to the influence of Menelik and Alexander III, the succession was an issue that Yohannes IV decided not to alter (not in discussion).
Menelik and Alexander III were paving the way, among the letters of the king and emperor, a "New Solomon Age" was mentioned.
One was that would be guided by Menelik.
Of course, they both did not plan to assassinate Yohannes IV, Alexander III simply forbade that, but circumstances helped a lot in later times.
(OOC: We will see, we will see ...).
The Russian Empire also activated the Russian Red Cross in Ethiopia, and while it could be of help, it faced the same problems as the government initiative to help Ethiopians.
Infrastructure and logistics problems, which made it difficult to help the most remote population of coastal or Russian-controlled points such as Sagallo-New Moscow.
*******
[German-Russian politics: Buganda and Kenya]
Tsar Alexander III and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany met at the first major diplomatic meeting of the new Kaiser, and obviously this was an event the young Kaiser hoped would turn out to be fruitful.
Chancellor (for the moment) Otto von Bismarck was less excited, because Tsar Alexander III had come to discuss colonial affairs.
Kaiser Wilhelm II had inherited the "prodigious" German colonial empire, with southeastern territories of New Guinea, Tanzania, Togoland, Indochina (Vietnam and Cambodia) and de-facto (after putting order in some Dutch revolts) the majority of Indonesia .
But obviously the Kaiser was still young, and quite ambitious, not a fool but the problem is that Wilhelm II was somewhat ... unstable with his emotions and thoughts, he would also be so to speak a catalyst that would support many political sentiments in the German Empire. .
*******
* Perspective of Alexander III and Wilhelm II.
"As you must know, the English companies in East Africa have been a failure, not only that, the diseases caused within their attempts have infected cattle in the southern Horn of Africa, and northern German East Africa. " Tsar Alexander III starts.
"Yes. What does that have to do with our colonial empires?" Wilhelm II asks.
"Very simple, it must be solved before we lose money, prestige, influence and control over our colonial empires due to this disease." Alexander III argues quickly and directly. "Russia and Germany must buy the assets of British colonial companies in the region, with that we can exterminate or expel the infected cattle and work to reduce the losses for our colonial empires. While we divide new territories in East Africa."
"Your majesty of him, I advise further discussing this idea." Bismarck mentions the Kaiser about him.
"... How would we divide the company?" Wilhelm II asks quickly.
"You can keep the western part or 'Buganda', on the other hand Russia asks for the eastern part, in exchange for paying more of the transaction and help in the extermination of infected cattle in Tanzania, perhaps we can also discuss certain trade agreements in passing. " Tsar Alexander III argues.
It was a juicy deal, the part obtained by Russia in the agreement would leave Germany with most of Lake Victoria, and an even larger border with the Swedish-Norwegian Congo that would certainly be an interesting region for projects of the German colonial empire in the region, economic exploitation, etc.
*******
"I insist that you must reconsider." Bismarck exclaims.
"Why? You said we must keep Russia as a neutral partner or ally. I'm doing that!" Wilhelm II responds quickly.
"In Europe, Africa is not important to the Empire." Bismarck insists.
What was done was done, the tactic of threatening suicide or resignation did not work with Wilhelm II in the same way that it worked with Wilhelm I. The magician (Bismarck) had lost his magic, and Wilhelm II would use Bismarck's own tricks in against him, while in politics the electoral situation was complicated for the chancellor.
Germany (with its own and Russian money) would legally buy English rights, property and settlements in East Africa. Wilhelm II later ceded to the Russian Empire an eastern territory of the acquired area (Kenya), while retaining the eastern area or Buganda remained in German hands.
Russian-German cooperation increased to eradicate infected cattle from the region to facilitate ending diseases brought by Indian cattle, but obviously such an action, with most of the information being secret from the foreign diplomatic service, did not pass. unnoticed.
*******
* British perspective.
Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil and King Edward VII of the United Kingdom met, in addition to being Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil himself was now the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of his government.
"After our failures in East Africa, our citizens had no choice but to sell the colony to the Germans for a sum of money, there is no indication of illegal actions, coercion or force, the colony simply failed and the Germans did. they took advantage. " The Prime Minister informs.
"'I can understand that. But why give a part to Russia?" Edward VII questions.
"... There are two basic situations." The Prime Minister starts. "At best this is simply a symbol of goodwill, Germany wants to approach Russia to get something in return, or just some kind of comercial treaty"
"And at worst?" Edward VII asks one more time.
"At worst Russia and Germany are already in a military alliance, and this is simply a way of closing the deal or the first step in such an alliance." Gascoyn-Cecil exclaims. "But of course, it is clear that in any case, Kaiser Wilhelm II is not interested in re-approaching the United Kingdom and stopping the current frictions between Paris-Vienna-London and Berlin-Rome."
"What makes you think that?". Edward VII maintains, he was unsure for a few moments, Wilhelm II was certainly not the king's favorite cousin but he still had some common sense.
"Your Majesty, with these actions the Germans dominate most of Lake Victoria and the White Nile, they are cutting off the possibility of a continued British Empire forcing us to turn to the Swedish-Norwegian Congo, and potentially threatening the Nile itself, which it has enormous potential for Germans to focus their attention on Sudan and Egypt. Even worse if they are with the Russians" The Prime Minister informs.
"...God".
With most of the information being kept secret between the Russian and German high diplomatic services, the United Kingdom had no choice but to assume that it had occurred between the Russian-German relations for the division of the former British colony.
But the diplomatic service consequently now had to turn its attention to Germany, which seemed at first glance to be the main opponent of British geopolitical objectives in Africa after the Germans spread to control part of the Nile.
Wilhelm II's first actions immediately put him on a collision course with London.
Russia-Germany: Naval discussions]
Tsar Alexander III and Kaiser Wilhelm II were observing the German navy stationed in the North Sea after a few days of discussions (before the purchase of the English properties in East Africa).
"I must say it is an impressive fleet ... to have been made by private hands of course." Alexander III mentions. "However Wilhelm. What is the doctrine of your fleet, it serves to defend your colonial empire, to defend your empire in Europe, or for something else?"
The tsar had quickly caught the kaiser off guard. "What do you mean?".
"Well Wilhelm, as you know, Russia and Germany may not be as great naval powers as the British Empire, but we still need a sizeable fleet to defend our international and national interests." Alexander III responds. "Foreigners, and more importantly, your citizens, will not respect you if you don't have a way to defend them, and with an expanding empire with territories on the other side of the world, you need a fleet."
"...I see." Wilhelm II exclaims, once a younger Wilhelm II revealed to Edward VII a dream, to have a fleet. Germany had a fleet, but it was not yet Wilhelm II's dream fleet. "But where do I start?"
"The best thing to do is ask around." Alexander III responds.
Germany had carried out considerable naval growth since Wilhelm I, mainly for German interests in Indochina, but it was a poorly planned initiative carried out mainly by Hamburg commercial elites with colonial interests.
Wilhelm II was looking for something more, and for this he got to know Alfred Peter Friedrich von Tirpitz, creating a Marine-Kabinett or Naval Cabinet that imitated the Russian naval research and development models made by Alexander III and Stepan Makarov.
The Kabinett would be founded early in 1889, and Wilhelm II would support Tirpitz's ideas for naval laws and a large centralized expansion of the German navy to pursue German dreams in foreign policy, the colonial empire, etc.
(OOC: OTL Tirpitz and Wilhelm II met at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, but here she is dead, so Tsar Alexander III ITL is the one who gives a push for both of them to meet and shoot the German navy quite a bit ).
*******
[American diplomacy]
* German perspective.
The Second Mexican Empire was in a difficult situation, relations with the United States were normalized but they were not exactly positive, with respect to Europe after the death of Franz Joseph (older brother of Emperor Maximilian I) and Napoleon III (promoter of the whole idea Second Empire) relations with France and Austria-Hungary had cooled.
Above all with Boulanger de-facto in command of France (a personality that the emperor or the minister-president did not like), and Rudolf I could not be a reliable ally due to the domestic situation in Austria-Hungary.
Mexican finances also depended heavily on foreign investment (British, German, and Russian, and to a lesser extent from other parts of Europe), and on the strong government of Minister-President Porfirio Diaz.
It was a fertile ground for German diplomacy, Porfirio Diaz and Kaiser Wilhelm II together with Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (in his later years) led the German Empire and the Second Mexican Empire to new diplomatic relations.
Germany (or Wilhelm II) needed more money for their projects, due to this Germany quickly became the main supplier of weapons for the Second Mexican Empire.
An important bilateral business for both states, one in the Porfiriato regime (Mexico) and the other a great power needing money (and therefore economic partners).
This would also have dangerous doors and windows for other agents of course, the United States would not see this in a completely positive light (especially in the late 1890s).
*******
[International]
Through most of the month of July (from the 2nd to the 27th), notable events occur in labor movements in London, as the London matchgirls strike occurs.
200 workers, mainly teenage girls, go on strike following the firing of three co-workers at Bryant & May, a strike also created by articles in the press created by Annie Besant.
This leads women workers to unionize.
On July 15, a tragedy brings to Japan, 400 people in Fukushima, Honshu, die due to an eruption and ash cloud in the region.
August 1, driving licenses begin to be issued more commonly in Russia, Germany and some other areas of Europe, a necessity caused by the increase and increase in sales of Romanov cars.
August 7, Martha Tabram's body is found in one of the Whitechapel murders. Tabram (a prostitute) is considered to have been one of the victims of Jack the Ripper.
On August 9, the Oath Act of 1888 is accepted, this allows oaths of allegiance to the sovereign and not to God in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Technically allowing atheists to sit in the House of Commons.
August 10, Dr. Friedrich Hermann Wölfert's motorized airship makes a trip from Cannstatt to Kornwestheim in Germany, indicating that while Russia is making progress, so are local actors in other parts of the world.
August 20, another defeat occurs to the Anglo-Egyptian forces in the Sudan region, which means that the British Empire has lost all control over South Sudan on the White Nile, which marks a major problem.
The British government is still trying to regain control of North Sudan (which is still a conflict zone) but now the Sudan Mahdist forces led by Abdallahi ibn Muhammad have a free zone in the south where they can take troops to recover, plan, prepare resources , etc.
The problem is that the more one moves into the African continent, the more difficult the logistics and carrying troops, so the British actually have few options to flank the Sudanese, their only 100% viable and safe paths are through Egypt (go south).
As if that were not enough, Abdallahi ibn Muhammad with his victories has consolidated the Sudanese Mahdist state, where there is a judicial and administrative system that follows the government's interpretation of Islamic law.
August 22, as if that were not enough, while the Kurdish revolt of Sheikh Abdul-Kadir Ubeydullah (son of Sheikh Ubeydullah) takes place, the region of Sulaymaniyah, Vilayet of Mosul (or Iraq) is hit by a meteorite, curiously the first event of this type with deaths confirmed by said event.
It doesn't seem like a good omen.
This same day, Sheikh Abdul-Kadir Ubeydullah publishes a letter from his father, which is taken as the manifesto of the rebellion itself:
"The Kurdish nation, consisting of more than 500,000 families, is a separate people from the Ottoman Turks and the Persians. Our religion is different, and our laws and customs are different.
We are a separate nation.
We want our affairs to be in our hands, so that we are strong and independent in punishing our offenders, and we have privileges like other countries.
This is our goal.
Otherwise, all of Kurdistan will take it into their own hands and will not be able to bear these evil deeds, the oppression they suffer at the hands of the Persian and Ottoman governments. "
Manifesto reaching out to sympathetic Kurds in Persia and Russia, and to Christian missionaries and other foreign sympathizers in the UK and other parts of Europe.
August 28, 1888, longest date in Roman numerals (VIII-XXVIII-MDCCCLXXXVIII).
On August 31, is what is considered (by official record) the body of the first victim of Jack the Ripper, the inhabitant of London, Mary Ann Nichols (profession, prostitute).
September 8, occurs El Gran Arreo (or translated into English, The Great Herding or Patagonian sheep farming boom).
This event marks an important development in Patagonia, expanding sheep farming through the grasslands of Patagonia, which will make Chile and Argentina some of the most important regions for sheep farming in the world, in a beginning developing the economics of wool production and later to the development of industrial refrigerators for the export of meat.
This attracts many immigrants from Europe (mainly from southern Europe) to Patagonia, altering the economic and demographic perspectives of the region (in many ways for the better) and in turn changes the ecosystem of the steppe, the sheep or rather their excrement may have led to eutrophication (enrichment of a water body with minerals and nutrients) of ponds such as Potrok Aike, and sheep may also have caused considerable erosion.
The body of Jack the Ripper's (supposed) second victim, Annie Chapman, is found.
President Grover Cleveland, in a rather anti-Chinese era of the United States, declares that the Chinese people are "impossible to assimilate to our people and dangerous to our peace and well-being."
September 27, London's Central News Agency receives the 'Dear Boss letter', supposedly signed by Jack the Ripper, marking the first use of the nickname to refer to the killer.
Three days later, the bodies of the alleged third and fourth victims of Jacl the Ripper, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes are found.
*******
[Photography]
On September 4, the American George Eastman (1854-1932) receives an offer from Tsar Alexander III, a well-known man in the United States (occasional diplomatic visits, presence during the American civil war, and also a businessman, sometimes somewhat eccentric but very wealthy, so he can afford to be like that) to buy the Eastman Kodak Company.
Eastman sells the brand that becomes simply Kodak Company, with this money George Eastman (and through some payments throughout his life) would become a philanthropist, founding the Eastman School of Music, various schools of medicine and dentistry in the University of Rochester and London Eastman Dental Hospital, contributing to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the construction of infrastructure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and donations to Tuskegee University and Hampton University, universities for African Americans in the South from the United States, and to clinics in London and other European cities to improve the health of low-income residents.
On the other hand, Tsar Alexander III could deviate to his own interests, preparing the way for future developments in the field of photography.
The Kodad Company of Russia would not only attract the interest of photography in the Russian Empire, but it would also focus the use of roll film to mainstream photography.
This influenced some of the world's early filmmakers like Eadweard Muybridge and Louis Le Prince, and later like the Lumière brothers.
It would also help develop filmmakers and photography in Russia, which was the main goal of Tsar Alexander III, but such developments would only be seen more in the late 1880s and the 1890s.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone