Capítulo 42: Chaos in the morning, chaos everyday (January-March, 1911).
Second Duma]
The Second Duma was a continuation of previous works (the vision of the previous government and the revision of the laws or the so-called legislative noodles), at the same time as new ones were introduced (the vision of the new government).
Premier Skobelev supported or was interested in the industrialization and agricultural policy of the former Premier Stolypin (who continued in a ministerial post and had, after all, worked alongside Skobelev for years).
But this is important because of Skobelev's aforementioned vision for Russia, the need for Stolypin's economic policies was because Premier Skobelev saw that Russia was heading for a war. A great war between the Slavdom, or the Slavic world, and the Germanic world (the axis of Berlin and London).
This is on the economic plane.
Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich obtained the post of Minister of Finance, Trade and Industry by approval of Tsar Alexander III and Premier Mikhail Skobelev.
After insistence by Tsesarevich himself for years without a minister in this position (after Sergei Witte's departure), the good news is that Tsesarevich had spent years in government, both in ministerial jobs and as provincial governor, so there was a minimum of economic knowledge. In any case of problems there were also other ministers.
The Pan-Russian National Union and Kadet coalition did not have a very clear economic plan, it was clear that the Russian state was still an intervening-paternalistic state (influence of the state in economic sectors, the state providing essential services, state enterprises, etc.) and there would still be capitalism (private enterprise and free trade under the laws of Russia), but the nature of the VNS-KD programs was more socio-political.
And it is here in the latter precisely where the Second Duma under Premier Skobelev would stand out, for his effort in the socio-political transformation of the Russian Empire under a particular vision.
The army had already been influenced by Skobelev for years and he had been an influential public figure through newspapers and allies such as the Moskva newspaper (which was one of the most popular within the Russian right for years), but now under the position from Premier there were many more possibilities.
Skobelev's ideas were clear:
* Rodina.
*Czar.
* State.
All with a strong orthodox component when it comes to symbolism, but in reality Skobelev was also very accepting of the other religions of the Russian Empire (although it was not a vision shared by all his party...).
Skobelev's ideas were that each citizen of the Russian Empire had responsibilities to the homeland (Rodina, the space of the Russian Empire and all its inhabitants who share a common destiny), the Tsar (monarch, head of state, the Little Father) and the state (the government, its armed forces and Russian society as a whole).
Those citizens who did not fulfill these duties were considered ... troublesome. Traitors at worst.
One reason why religions that did not support conscription in Russia were seriously affected (less popularity with the population and the government).
This is why immediately the first works of the Skobelev government under Tsar Alexander III was to guaranteeand mantain certain of the measures under Premier Stolypin: the measures of martial law and military-political trials, the police state and of espionage on the citizens, the modern functioning of the Katorga system and the like.
Stolypin had had his lines of authoritarianism between progressive measures, and with the Second Duma dominated by the VNS and the center-right Kadets this was relatively easy. But later came more complicated matters.
Skobelev is not so interested in increasing the power of the Premier, as in the application of measures that he saw necessary for the country.
Under these considerations, Premier Skobelev proposed the need for a 'Renewal' in Russian civil life, more specifically in the national spirit of the Russian people, through the Young Pioneers, the armed forces and their 'spirit of Suvorov' (дух суворова , dukh suvorova).
*The Young Pioneers were an organization created under the government of Tsar Alexander III before the democratic reform, focused above all on children and various activities for the promotion of certain values within Russia.
*The Dukh Suvorova were the measures taken under Romeyko-Gurko and Skobelev during their terms as war ministers, the constant training (physical and mental to some extent) for the preparation of the army.
*All associated with the usual patriotism of the citizens of Russia towards its armed forces, usually the army or the navy (the air force was still too young).
These elements had already infiltrated to some extent in various parts of Russian life, it was usual and expected that children were part of the Young Pioneers, the soldiers had for decades (1870s onwards) under men like the late Romeyko-Gurko and Skobelev, and Russian society was already somewhat militarized.
But Skobelev proposes more, a more active participation of the police forces, the intelligence and armed services in the spheres of the Russian Empire, its doctrines of civic nationalism, propaganda in society (young and old, men and women) and the like.
This to modern eyes might be strange, but it was in a sense a natural evolution of the Alexandrian period. Tsar Alexander III thought about modifying some of these programs, but his state of health and insistence from members of the government (Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov, Premier Mikhail Skobelev, KGB director Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili and others) convinced him otherwise.
Finally, the Second Duma voted in favor of the proposals of Skobelev.
The initiation of a new period in the Russian Empire. Some consider this the beginning of the end of the Alexandrian period and the true beginning of the government of Tsar Nicholas II.
The militarization and militarism of Russian society found its roots during the Alexandrian period, the military could participate in political life, parades and military propaganda in various parts of the empire, and a kind of cult of the defense forces (the army, the navy, air force and intelligence services).
And also in education, with compulsory military service being since the military reform (19th century) the values and culture of the armed forces infiltrated various parts of Russian society, including the family, the Young Pioneers and other institutions. Including among these the aforementioned Spirit of Suvorov.
We must also take into account the centralism of the Russian state that supported all this, the Russian Orthodox Church, the figure of the Tsar (with his cult and propaganda), nationalism and the intervention of the state in citizen life.
Everything allowed an authoritarian society and politics (nationalism, militarism, the police state, etc.), but that had certain democratic characteristics.
And many Russians would agree that it should be, Russia was of a centralist and authoritarian tradition, not of democracy and decentralization. Socio-economic and political conditions simply evolved in this way.
*******
*Perspective.
Rows and rows of people marched, they marched almost as a single being, all with similar flags (red flags, national flags, flags with images of figures such as the tsar, the leader or Jesus).
This was just another one of the demonstrations led by Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, director of the KGB and member of the Troika of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party.
Iosif was leading a strange faction of Russian socialism, but he was the faction that was taking the lead in imperial politics.
Peasants, workers, followers, allies and officials of all kinds.
"Moy vozhd! Moy vozhd! Moy vozhd!" The people behind Iosif sing, the people behind Iosif proclaim, the people behind Iosif cheer.
Vozhd is a word that means 'leader'. A leader like Tsar Alexander III, a political leader like Dzhugashvili, tribal leaders, military leaders, etc.
Iosif Dzhugashvili was tremendously successful, able to ride and lead the wave like no other leader of the political left or political right could.
A mixture of religion (the relationship between religious thought and socialist thought), Russian civic patriotism (promoted by the government of Alexander III and the Premiers), Marxist thought, authoritarian-military values (under the secret services), etc.
Socialism with Russian characteristics became popular even under the rule of the right in the Second Duma, by 1912, Dzhugashvili would take the reins of the RSDLP from Zinoviev. What some call the true beginning of Stalinism.
"СЛАВА ВОЖДЮ! SLAVA VOZHDYU! GLORY TO THE LEADER!".
These words ran through marches, military parades, political rallies and propaganda throughout the entire Russian Empire, it did not matter if the political opinion was left or right.
The correct citizen of the Russian Empire praised its homeland (Rodina), praised its state, its government and armed forces, praised the figures of Russia and respected the law.
Tsar Alexander III, important historical figures (Ivan IV, Peter I, Catherine II), veterans and war leaders, other state officials and bureaucrats, fathers and mothers.
Religion was up to everyone.
Most of the country was Orthodox, but most of the time there were no problems with being a Muslim, a Buddhist, a follower of traditional religions, or a Jew.
The religions only had to respect the laws of the Russian Empire, or else there could be problems.
*******
In short, Skobelev early in his government launched a renewal of Russian society:
Continue the influence of the army in Russian political-society (military values, propaganda, militarism and militarization), continue the measures of Stolypin (not only in economics but also in authoritarianism), support civic nationalism (Rodina) and authoritarianism (cult personality in the Russian Empire, religious influence in society, the role of the strong-man in Russian politics, etc).
In the period 1910-1915 there were some military figures who would rise to prominence under Mikhail Skobelev's Premiership (by service, by involvement in politics or other developments), such as Alexei Alekseyevich Brusilov, Anton Ivanovich Denikin, Lavr Georgiyevich Kornilov, Alexei Maksimovich Kaledin, Sergey Leonidovich Markov, Alexander Vasilyevich Kolchak, Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel, Grigory Mikhailovich Semyonov, and Roman Fyodorovich von Ungern-Sternberg.
Some associated with the left, some apolitical and others associated with the right, who had their relevance especially in the period 1916-1920.
*******
[Army: New weapon]
Curiously right with the first months of Mikhail Skobelev's Premiership, Premier and Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov look at the results of the weapons development work proposed some years ago.
The FA 1911 (Fyodorov Automat / Avtomát Fiódorova from 1911, or simply Avtomat), developed by Vladimir Grigoryevich Fyodorov and Vasily Alekseevich Degtyarev.
The batch of rifles developed at the Sestroretsk Arms Plant (located in St. Petersburg, founded by Peter I the Great in 1721) successfully passed military performance tests.
The 1911 Fyodorov Avtomat was one of the world's first operational automatic rifles (including selective fire and various other modifications), the early predecessor of the modern assault rifle.
With the success of the creation of a first batch, the Ministry of War under Mikhail Skobelev would oversee the standardization of this weapon for the Russian army and industrial manufacturing plans for the armament would be developed.
Tula, Kovrov and Saint Petersburg (Sestroretsk) would be the main triangle of the initial manufacture of the Fyodorov Avtomat for the armed forces of the Russian Empire.
Of course it would take a few years for the entire army to be armed with FA 1911, but it was a process that had already happened before in the Russian Empire.
Vladimir Fyodorov and Vasily Degtyarev received their corresponding endorsements from the Russian state (and reverence for their support of the armed forces), but it was obviously not the end of their careers.
Almost immediately the weapons development team received funds for the next projects in the development of military equipment, moving to the city of Kovrov.
*******
[Economy: Caspian economy and more]
As mentioned, Skobelev was not the type of Premier who thought economics, but he was smart enough to let Pyotr Stolypin, Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov and other men lead on these fronts.
Which meant maintaining the successful economic policies of previous governments, as mentioned, the Russian authority highly valued continuity.
In 1911 Stolypin's industrial and agricultural reforms began to bear fruit (bad luck, just as his Premiership ended), causing a serious economic boom that was very useful for the Russian Empire.
The production of heavy industry, production of civil manufactures (vehicles, tools, etc.) and the agricultural-commercial sectors of civilians expanded considerably.
The industrialization of Central Siberia was a success, the new settlements increased the agro-livestock production and trade of the lower-middle classes and the local demography (density and number), and the civil industry continued to grow in its associations with the government and private productions.
Some members of the right seized on this economic boom, but serious historiography and most people admit that it could only have been the work of the previous government due to the brevity of the Premiership of Skobelev in January-March 1911.
It does not mean that Mikhail Skobelev's Premiership did not have its own results in economics. Between January 10 and January 30 of 1911, important discoveries were made in the oil and natural gas sector.
The so-called 'Caspian oil and gas province', means oil and gas deposits located in the Caspian lowlands, in the Russian Turkestan.
The Russian Empire was one of the largest countries when it came to the oil industry and other energy resources, and during the Great Depression oil was extremely valuable (and to this day it is still quite valuable).
As a result of this, Mikhail Skobelev's Premiership was able to promote the development of infrastructure and oil-energy economy, creating railways, jobs and industrial developments in the regions of Central Asia (where Skobelev had history ... Turkmen had usually negative views of him).
But not only this, with the boom in the Caspian economy the Russian government could also focus on several issues: Expand and develop more Turkestan economies (Russian Central Asia), look for other deposits in other parts of the empire, use the money for the developing other policies (not only expanding the oil industry and energy resources, but also diverting money to infrastructure, manufacturing industries, local programs, etc.), expanding Russian influence in Persia and the like.
The discovery and explosion of the Caspian economy meant that Russia continued to press for its influence and concessions on northern Persia (territories south of the Caspian Sea), with the intention of controlling the other regional resources and economies.
The search for oil and energy resources also involved the discovery or expansion of the oil industry in Galicia-Lodomeria and Inland Manchuria (the Daqing, Jilin and Liaohe oil fields for example).
Not that Russia was exclusively dependent on oil, but it was a nice bonus to keep fueling the Russian machine in the midst of the Great Depression under the goverment of Alexander III and Mikhail Skobelev as Premier.
*******
[Anti-Semitism: Beilis Affair]
On March 12, 3-4 hours after 10 in the morning, the student of the Kiev-Sophia Theological School, Andrei Yushchinsky (12 years old), disappears, which later unleashes the well-known Beilis Case or Beilis Affair.
An almost-immediate resurgence of political anti-Semitism after Pyotr Stolypin's Premiership, which saw a period virtually free of notable instances of anti-Semitism.
Andrey was the son of illegitimate biological (out of wedlock) Theodosius Chirkov (a local bourgeois who later abandoned his family) and Alexandra Yushchinsky (a Kiev merchant, later married to Luka Prikhodko, Andrey's stepfather).
His upbringing was mostly at the hands of his aunt Natalya Yushchinskaya, a kindergarten / orphanage, and a teachers' seminary.
On March 20, Andrey's body was found in a small cave in Lukyanovka, it was determined that the cave was not the site of the murder.
Occasionally throughout the history of anti-Semitism, accusations arose that Jews used blood for their rituals.
Between March 21 and 25, letters had already reached police investigators about how Jews had been responsible for Andrey's murder, using his blood to make matza (a traditional Jewish bread), and right-wing pamphlet-newspapers began to proclaim around the date of the child's funeral:
"Orthodox Christians! The boy was tortured by the Jews, so he beats the Jews, throw them out, do not forgive the orthodox bloodshed!"
Especially when we mention the right wing, we talk about the Black Hundreds and other groups, not only regional, but even associated with the VNS. Ruling party of the Second Duma.
The main investigators of the case, the head of the Kiev detective department, Yevgeny Mischuk, the investigator of especially important cases of the Kiev district court, Vasily Fenenko and the prosecutor of the Kiev district court, Nikolai Brandorf, did not currently deny the possibility that the murder had a "ritual" character, but after verifying it, they did not find any confirmation of it.
In fact initially, the main version was that the murder was due to selfish motives.
But then the opportunistic and amatuer interference of the press began, not only the right wing of the VNS but also some Kadets and liberals.
Also leading to the accusation of gypsies, as a curiosity.
Many members of the right would take steps to intensify the accusation against Jews, also to fight against the old pro-Jewish measures during the Stolypin government and democratic reform.
Menahem Mendel Beilis (also called Mendel Tevevich Baylis) was a Kiev-born man, indifferent to religion but born to a deeply religious Hasidic.
Beilis dedicated himself to being a salesman and doing various jobs from morning to night, even on Saturdays, to support a large family with ambitious plans (sending his four sons and a daughter to good educational institutions).
He had such a good reputation in the Orthodox Christian community that even right-wing members assured him that he had nothing to fear in case of pogroms ...
Until actually they came for him.
Beilis would be accused of being a suspect in the murder of Andrey Yushchinsky (one of Beilis's sons, Pinchas, currently knew the murdered young man).
Currently many 'testimonies' and comments from interviewees would be accompanied by "Of course, I cannot provide evidence of this" or "I cannot present evidence to support my presumption."
The situation in Kiev had been heating up, anti-Semitism was making a comeback and the media was of no help, testimony without evidence was problematic, and the investigation was under threat.
Then came the time for the Russian state to intervene, Premier Mikhail Skobelev was not the Jews' best friend but he was not exactly an anti-Semite either (anti-Semitic ideas went against the idea of Rodina) and other authorities such as the Tsar Alexander III, Tsesarevich Nicholas and Minister Pyotr Stolypin were against these injustices and problems that were occurring in the investigation due to political reasons.
The state then attacked the cases of local anti-Semitism, setting up a particular commission to investigate the Andrey Yushchinsky case. Commission headed by Vasily Fenenko, N. A. Krasovsky and journalist Sergei Brazul-Brushkovsky.
This commission began to guide the investigation in the proper line, but until the end the investigation and the case would be surrounded by the media, anti-Semitic movements and Jewish movements against anti-Semitism generating problems.
*******
The Premier Skobelev considered that the Jews were another type of citizens of the Russian Empire, part of the Rodina (Fatherland / Motherland).
Although the Jews had their traditions and peculiarities, they shared a destiny with the other peoples of Russia, worked for common interests with the other peoples of Russia, used a common language in certain aspects of their daily life (Russian) and lived together in what the Russian Empire is (as a geographical concept, Russia proper and its colonies).
The Pale of Settlement was no more, and Skobelev did not plan to bring it back.
It should be mentioned that Beilis himself had completed his military service in the army without problems, an attack without evidence against a former member of the armed forces was something unacceptable in the Russian Empire under Premier Skobelev and Alexander III.
Not everyone in the VNS (Pan-Russian National Union) thought the same, but although Skobelev did not have as perfect a record as Stolypin, he still fought against cases of anti-Semitism in Russia.
*******
[International]
January 2, in revolutionary Mexico the Central American Voluntary Corps is formed, a series of brigades from Central America (especially Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras) made up of anti-American volunteers.
The first of these volunteers arrived and formed the brigade in cooperation with the Mexicans due to US interference in Central America.
This led to coups, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of Native American Centrals, who are obviously not very pro-US.
January 3, earthquake of magnitude 7.7 in Almaty, Turkestan, Russian Empire.
In New York, the Hip Sing and On Leong gangs, from Chinatown, reach a truce stopping the rivalry of both gangs. In this truce banquets are held and 100 men from each group cut their Manchu hairstyles simultaneously.
The truce lasts 1 year before the assassination of the gang leader Hip Sing, returning the violent rivalry to New York's Chinatown.
January 6, Robert M. La Follete Sr states:
"Fines are ineffective against rich men. To rid men of big business and business from imprisonment would be to break the authority of the law with those of power and influence.
... Worse, it would give a real basis for the claim that is so often heard from socialists, that only poor criminals are really punished. "
Unfortunately La Follete was right up to a point, but his words weren't enough to change the world. This occurred shortly after the American government pardoned H.S. Harlan, a wealthy lumber and turpentine factory manager, convicted of violations against labor laws.
January 10, the United States conferred a loan to Honduras (under its pro-US government), after the intervention of the navy in the area.
Despite this, it remains clear that Honduras could perfectly be a protectorate or an associated territory (similar to Panama or Hispaniola) with another name ...
January 16, instability in Bolivia, rebels and members of the government of the cornered country (by the Democratic Peru, the Republic of Acre, the Empire of Brazil of Dom Pedro III, Argentina and Paraguay) begin to negotiate with the Argentine bloc for a change of sides.
January 17, Woodrow Wilson loses the New Jersey gubernatorial election to Republican candidate Vivian M. Lewis.
January 24, Japanese society continues to be problematic, 11 people (including the socialist-anarchist Kōtoku Denjirō, one of the most important members, having introduced anarchist currents to Japan and dividing the labor movement between moderate social democrats and action radicals direct) escape justice.
Kōtoku Denjirō and the other ten were charged with conspiracy to assassinate the crown prince Yoshihito. Similar to how there have been assassination attempts against the emperor for months.
Similar to other Japanese extremists, Kōtoku Denjirō and his followers managed to escape to other parts of Asia (such as China).
January 25, the United States Army continues to increase since the Elihu Root reforms, but now because it is necessary to send more troops to the Mexican war in order to protect the borders and the occupied territory of Mexico.
This is due to recent US defeats against Mexican guerrilla-revolutionary forces.
* [Imperial economy and diplomacy]
January 26, the Imperial Federation and Chile sign a new economic treaty.
Said agreement contains secret clauses for the aid to Chile in the great Latin American wars, after the Imperial Federation had given notable loans to Chile.
Shortly thereafter the Imperial Federation and Germany would sign a similar mutual economic agreement (free trade and so forth), very briefly halting the economic decline in both countries in the Great Depression.
With no secret clauses this time, it was rather a public statement, as it occurs in the period of the post-Fashoda Anglo-German rapprochement.
The Imperial Federation had its economic center in the Home Islands (where most of the economies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand were going) turning London back into one of the largest post-Fashoda financial centers.
But it was an economic center built on mud ...
******
January 29, shaken in the territory occupied by the United States, in the Baja California peninsula more than 18,000 rebels rise up against the puppet government and the United States.
In response the US military intervenes to crush the rebels (successfully), to secure the vital position of the Baja California peninsula.
In the event that the war turns into a total Mexican victory, the United States government developed plans to annex the peninsula to the union.
February 1, the Russian Empire succeeds in placing several of its Persian associates (Persian citizens trained by the Russian military) or even Russian nationals in local positions.
Such as police chiefs and leaders of local associations throughout northern Persia, the area of influence of the Russian Empire in the Qajar dynasty.
February 2, revolution on the north-west coast of Hispaniola (the Haitian part).
The United States subsequently executes the rebel leaders on February 5, particularly generals of the former local armed forces (General Montreuil Guillaume and General Millionard).
February 13, an explosion in Managua, Nicaragua, generates the destruction of important military reserves (ammunition and weapons), leading to the declaration of martial law in the country by Juan José Estrada.
February 20, the Manchurian plague in northeast China (Qing dynasty) does not seem to have been enough, in fact it also starts an epidemic of bubonic plague, which leads to thousands of deaths.
The central government decrees that to fight the disease, villages must burn their dead.
February 25, the military leader Emilio Madero suffers a notable defeat on the northern front against US troops, which almost cost the guerrilla-revolutionary leader his life.
The Maderist troops were almost trapped, but they managed to retreat safely, the problem is that now that the guerrillas are taking the initiative, they are getting stuck and the operation to recover the northern territories is getting complicated.
If the war continues indefinitely, not only the United States loses, but also the Mexican Revolutionary Council, remaining with little 'fuel' (varied resources to mobilize the fight).
February 28, a proposed Seventeenth Amendment of the United States Constitution (providing for U.S. Senators to be elected by popular vote rather than by the state legislatures) received 59-28 votes favor in the Senate of the United States.
This means that the amendment is successful, although it is ratified in 1912 (the year of the next US presidential election).
March 1, Jose Battle y Ordoñez is elected president of Uruguay, the last attempt at a civil revolt led by the Whites fails.
The second presidency of Battle marks important steps in the development of Uruguay (nationalization and nationalization, industrialization and modernization, etc.) and the Batllismo.
March 2, in the Imperial Parliament the vote of the 'Veto Bill' (which would give the Commons the power to override the decisions of the Lords under certain conditions), is in favor of the Lords.
March 5, is the 50th anniversary of the March 5, 1861 emancipation of the Serfs by Tsar Alexander II.
On this day, 23,000,000 Russian citizens celebrate across the nation.
In the Second Duma, the Pan-Russian National Union and the Kadets reject proposals from the autonomists for the federalization of the Russian Empire.
March 6, Samuel Jesse Battle becomes the first African-American in the New York Police Department.
March 8, Henry Ford of the right wing of the National Republicans begins to gain more support for his populist and right wing proposals.
There is almost a cult of Ford, a successful and wealthy man in the midst of the Great Depression, more specifically in the US domestic auto industry.
March 11, the polio 'germ' (actually virus) is isolated from the blood of persons in Boston and New York who had fallen victim in the pandemic of 1908.
This is what Dr. Simon Flexne announces at one of the Rockefeller Institute meetings. An important advance against infantile paralysis or polio (poliomyelitis).
March 16, Bolivia changes to the Argentine side after negotiations with the bloc, which triggers the Anglo-Chilean treaty for the intervention of the Imperial Federation in the great Latin American wars in favor of Chile.
This creates a gap between Greater Colombia and Germany (traditional allies, but now Germany is in a rapprochement with the Imperial Federation and Greater Colombia is on the Argentine side), and between the USA and the Imperial Federation (due to imperial intervention in Latin America) .
March 18, the 1910 census reveals that the German Empire has a population of 63,603,423 people.
March 25, the German navy loses its military operation for the reconquest of Tehuantepec.
But not only this, in the midst of the English intervention in Chile and Latin America, the marine incidents with the USA, the defeats at Mexican hands and the diplomatic rupture with Gran Colombia intensify again.
As a result of this, the last drops that spilled the glass are produced. German society is in crisis with the defeat of the German forces (all money in México is almost gone), the international diplomatic situation is dangerously close to a new war and the economy is falling again, the product of strikes and protests...
Status de energia semanal
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