บท 14: Ukaz (January-March, 1905)
Suverennyy Ukaz]
On January 1, 1905, Tsar (Augustus) Alexander III, made an important announcement, declaring political reform in Russia through the Suverennyy Ukaz (translated as sovereign decree).
This results in a revolutionary reform in the political apparatus, in essence a transformation of the Russian legal order, from the absolutist autocracy to a more semi-constitutional monarchy (a monarch still in power).
It is not exactly a constitution, it is similar to the Loris-Melikov reform, it is simply a reform in the legal order. But the Suverennyy Ukaz contains all the rights of a Russian citizen, the establishment of the executive, legislative, judicial power, etc.
This moved waves within Russia, the population had experienced democratic activities on a smaller scale, but now it was announced that in November (1905), the Russian Empire would hold legislative elections on a national scale.
Also people had to learn about other points of the Suverennyy Ukaz, as new rights had been guaranteed and certain situations explained later.
* [Civil rights and state religion.]
The Suverennyy Ukaz proclaimed, among many other things:
* Universal male suffrage from the age of 20.
* Freedom of conscience.
*Freedom of expression.
* Freedom of assembly.
* Freedom of association.
*Freedom of religion.
But the aforementioned freedoms had of course certain buts.
In the case of freedom of speech, broad criticism of the monarch and the imperial family was still prohibited (not all the excesses of the institution of the monarchy, but this point was quite limited).
Terrorist, separatist or racist messages (considered harmful to the Russian state and its population) were also prohibited. Violating this could result in warnings - fines, censorship, or imprisonment.
Freedom of assembly still needed to notify the authorities in case of demonstrations or strikes
Of course, such demonstrations could be against the government (and its actions) or another body (corporations, other political parties, etc.), but the government authorities had to be warned a week in advance (to prepare streets and public places, watch that there was no violence, etc).
And religious freedom was the most interesting thing, religious freedom canceled many of the complications of individuals to convert to another religion (in the Russian Empire it was easier to join orthodoxy than to abandon orthodoxy) and the freedom of any individual was proclaimed to believe in a certain religion-philosophy.
You could even preach in private spaces, if you had a license, you were part of a religious organization / position or permit.
As long as it does not violate the rights of others, said belief will harm others, that is, a predicate with other laws, etc. That is why in particular religions such as Mormonism or Jehovah's Witnesses had many problems in Russia.
However, in turn, the Russian Orthodox Church was the official religion of the Russian Empire, it continued to have a special position and presence at particular state events (that is why even today the Orthodox Church blesses rockets and military weapons).
But the rest of the religions were allowed, respected and had their own spaces.
The Islamic world within Russia remained the second most important religion within Russia, followed by Judaism, Buddhism and the traditional religions of various peoples (compiled within animism-shamanism).
The Five Great Religions of Russia, as defined by the state, whose representatives and members were represented in many aspects of Russian life.
With this, the Pale of Settlement was also definitively annulled. Giving freedom of movement to practically all the inhabitants of the Russian Empire.
*[Legislative power]
In the legislature (legislative body) of the Russian Empire, you get two important chambers and a very interesting advisory body. They are bodies in charge of the legislative initiative for the Russian Empire and communication between the common people and their government.
The legislative initiative is a characteristic shared with the Head of State.
In the first place there is the Upper House, the Imperial Senate (Imperatorskiy Senat, Императорский Сенат) also called the Imperial Council (Imperatorskiy Sovet, Императорский Совет) or simply Senate / Senat.
This senate includes two representatives elected by the provincial government of each Governorate of the Russian Empire (including the Grand Duchy of Finland, which in 1905 made 16 Finnish representatives). Also including 30 senators elected by the czar.
The number of senators has been changing as governorates are created, united or dissolved.
The senate has the function of collecting and analyzing information on Russian legislation, law enforcement practices, prevention of foreign interference in internal Russian affairs, examining (and 'improving') Russian legislation and proposals of the State Duma, monitoring affairs of foreign states, inter-provincial associations and international organizations, protect political, economic, cultural and humanitarian activity in Russia, and monitor the state of international law.
Below the Senate is the Lower House, the State Duma (Gosudarstvennaya Duma, Государственная Дума). Or just Duma.
The State Duma is elected by Russian citizens with the right to vote (through a secret ballot), for a period of 5 years, with each seat won by an independent or party according to the votes obtained (provided that it the electoral umbrella has been exceeded).
In total having a total of 650 seats, the Duma has the job of: Present legislative proposals and legislative work programs, make calendars and planning of issues for the Duma meetings, preliminary consideration of bills, preparation of draft resolutions, meeting of deputies' opinions on draft bills-resolutions, organization of parliamentary meetings, conclusions and proposals on matters relevant to the Russian Empire, and analysis of the practice-application of legislation.
The Duma can be dissolved by the Russian Tsar in case of 'extreme corruption', national crisis and cases of extreme corruption or similar.
And underneath all this is the National Congress of the Russian Citizens (Национальный конгресс граждан России, Natsional'nyy Kongress Grazhdan Rossii).
An advisory body of 400 members elected by national Zemstvos, it does not have legislative initiative (and obviously they do not have the salary of legislators), but it has the task of listening and gathering the opinions of the people.
The National Congress publicly solicits the opinion of people from all over Russia, to present such opinions to the Duma before legislative meetings. Representing then public opinions.
*[Executive power]
The head of state of the Russian Empire was still the emperor / czar of the Romanov dynasty, and of course, similar to the German model at the time, the emperor still possessed governmental powers.
Legislative initiative, emergency powers (in case of national crisis), powers over diplomacy and armed forces, powers over the executive, etc. But now the tsar was not an autocrat, he also had to deal with the popular vote (elected representatives) and political parties, etc.
Among other limitations of the Suverennyy Ukaz (of course, the tsar could not violate the rights of his citizens, unless it was a national crisis and/or it was necessary to remove the government for corruption or other reasons, and the Tsar should re-call elections).
Under the Tsar was then the Premier of the State Duma (Премьер Государственной Думы, Prem'yer Gosudarstvennoy Dumy). Also called by foreign countries as "Prime Minister", and "Chairman" inside the Russian Empire.
Elected premier of the majority party of the State Duma, which shares administrative responsibilities and part of the executive power with the head of state (czar).
The premier organizes the meetings of the State Duma, has the right to vote within it, discusses governmental-national affairs with the Tsar and his ministers, signs government regulations, periodically informs the Tsar about national and international affairs, and acts in the office of various national organizations.
Below the Premier is the Deputy Premier of the Goverment of the Russian Empire, informally called "Second Secretary" or "Secretary of the Premier".
The Deputy Chairman coordinates the activities of provincial executive bodies, works related to ministries and coordination with deputies of the State Duma.
And related to all these are of course the ministers and ministries of the Russian Empire, which cover the areas of defense, economic affairs, education, etc.
*[Judiciary Power]
It is not going to delve much into the Russian judicial system, but basically it was reformed into a Supreme Court of Justice, under which is the Supreme Court of Arbitration and the Prosecutor General.
Then there are other members of the judiciary (such as judges), in charge of seeing the day-to-day life of Russian citizens and their legal situations.
* [The vote and parties]
As mentioned above, voting in Russia was originally only exclusively for 20-year-old male Russian citizens (relatively normal for the time).
Although legislative initiatives for the female vote were soon called.
Something that we have to take into account are other provisions for the Suverennyy Ukaz, Tsar Alexander III and the pre-reform Alexandrian government concerned about many issues, among them clauses were created against terrorism, separatism and racism, but also in against lobbying.
This was vital for Russia, in the sense that with the democratic reform, capitalist-corporations and the Russian nobility (people with money) would try to interfere in the democratic system, so "donations" from third parties to political parties or candidates were prohibited, among other forms of early lobbying.
Regarding the formation of political parties, as long as they were civil (not called violence-terrorism for example) most were allowed.
This supported the creation of social democratic and socialist parties, although of course there were also liberals, conservatives, autonomists, independents (a politician without a party), and many other ideologies, etc.
Of course it does not mean that extremism disappeared from Russian political-social life, extremism of the left and right will always exist.
*******
[Russo-Japanese war]
On January 5, severe Russian counter-offensives (Pacific Fleet) begin against the Imperial Japanese Navy, protecting the main islands of the Japanese Archipelago and the logistics lines of the Japanese Navy.
These attacks are not only intended to weaken the defenses of the main islands, but also to prevent the navy (Japan's main defense at the moment) from continuing to receive resources from the Philippines and Taiwan.
While the Japanese navy may initially equal or have an advantage over the Russian imperial navy, the economic downturn and loss of resources is simply devastating for Japan and therefore the armed forces. Japan simply cannot win a war of attrition.
On January 22 there is the invasion of the Russian Empire to the island of Taiwan after the various operations against the Japanese supply lines.
Too far from the Philippines and with the damage to the connections between the main islands and Taiwan, the officers of the Imperial Japanese Army are forced to resist with their limited resources against the Russian invasion.
Some members of the Imperial Japanese Navy surrender, and the Russians were able to easily access some of the island ports, then fighting against the remnants of the Japanese forces, a bloody fight ensues with casualties on both sides, but the Russians can take more damage than the Japanese.
Some Japanese retreat to the remotest parts of the island, outnumbered by the Russians. Natives (Han and Taiwanese natives) mostly remain neutral, although some loyal to the Japanese administration have to be imprisoned or killed.
On January 26, 20,000 Japanese soldiers die during the conflicts against Russia and 7,300 troops are captured, during the battles in Taiwan and the conflict between fleets.
With Taiwan lost, civil strikes due to the economic situation, lack of resources and the threat to the main islands, the Japanese high command understands the need for a quick conclusion to the war before peace becomes too costly for Japan.
February 2, the Japanese colonial government narrowly manages to crush various native protests in Manila, Firipin (Philippines). However, the guerrilla war is being lost against the rebel forces.
Russia is not doing much to make the situation in the Philippines worse.
February 6, various labor strikes take place in Japan, continuing the paralysis of the Japanese economy and the Japanese labor movement.
From February 17 to 20, the last battles take place in the nearby waters and beaches of Okinawa (after the Russian attacks on the Ryukyu), the battle of Okinawa occurs between 270,000 Japanese troops against 340,000 Russian troops.
Mostly coastal defenses, parts of the IJN and the IJA.
22,000 Japanese soldiers are killed, there are more than 50,000 wounded and about 17,000 Japanese soldiers captured, while there are about 18,000 Russian soldiers killed, about 30,000 to 40,000 wounded, and about 8000 Russian soldiers captured.
(OOC: This is based in the battle of Mukden, so I don't think is too realist but the point was not a full-invasion of Japan main islands)
Coastal forces withdrew towards the interior of the island, but finally with the defeat in Okinawa, the Empire of Japan agreed to enter into peace talks to end the conflict.
Russia occupied parts of the island of Taiwan and the Japanese Pacific islands, assaulted Ryukyu and northern parts of Hokkaido, but did not touch the Philippines.
Japan on the other hand assaulted mainly in the ocean, with close victories over Korea and the main islands of the Japanese archipelago.
The peace discussions would be extended for various reasons, mainly discussions regarding Taiwan and the Philippines.
*******
* Diplomatic perspectives (Russia and Japan).
Outside of the obvious hostage release and Russia's gaining of southern Sakhalin and the Kuril archipelago, both the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire encountered certain internal problems regarding the peace treaty.
The Japanese people wanted peace, they demonstrated it in various strikes and demonstrations in favor of a speedy end to the war, but now the Japanese government was fighting against itself.
On the one hand, the Black Dragon Society had to be exterminated from government posts and investigated cases of corruption-criminality, the Prime Minister retired and a great blow was given to the Imperial Japanese Army, but now the Imperial Diet (led by liberals) he had to pick up all the problems left behind.
Also, not all Japanese wanted to lose their entire colonial empire after this incident.
Russia on the other hand discussed aspects of cost and consequence, anti-Japanese, moderate and ultra-nationalist groups proposed many different solutions.
It was obvious that Sakhalin and the Kurils would be a Russian territory, but some proposed the annexation of Hokkaido, the independence of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the annexation or colonization of Taiwan and the Philippines, military bases on Japanese soil, etc.
The problem is that except for the aforementioned gains, all of this would be very costly economically, politically and militarily.
* Hokkaido: Most of the Ainu now lived in Russia, Hokkaido was heavily colonized by the Japanese and the Ainu were now a minority. Any project there would have little sympathy from the Yamato people.
* Taiwan: A possible project of Russian interest, it would have its costs, but it would be lucrative to have influence in southern China. The problem would be German-British views of a Russian position on the island, upfront costs, and dealing with Japanese colonization in the region.
In addition, Taiwan could have consequences in relation to the IJN, a part of the Empire of Japan with which Russia had good relations. It would also have an impact on the Japanese national psyche.
* Philippines: Russia did not want to touch the Philippines, not even with a stick. But it was impossible to leave Japan with the Philippines, not only was it morally unjustifiable, but it could also be a bigger problem in the future if Japan recovered.
* Ryukyu: While a Ryukyu restoration was certainly possible, in 1905 it would not make sense, the local monarchy and programs would have to be reestablished to reinforce the local culture, in addition to the costs of maintaining the Russian imperial navy there, modernizing and dealing with possible problems with the main Japanese islands later.
* Foreign perspectives.
Many countries like the United States, most of the Americas, and much of Europe did not pay much attention to the conflict, simply because of geographic distance or because they were busy with more important issues at the national level.
But for the German Empire and Puerto Rico in particular this was pretty good news, in the opinion of the Kingdom of Spain in Puerto Rico, the Russo-Japanese war was a delight after the Spanish defeat at the hands of Japan.
On the other hand, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and part of the German high command, was happy to know that the 'ambitions of the yellow race' were stopped by Russia.
Some in the British Empire saw this more as a fight between barbarians, perhaps an opportunity to sow discord in the future (without stopping to 'ally' with Japan, the Japanese Empire would be a lesser partner in the eyes of any white Briton) or with fear of a possible future Russian invasion (in the case of Australia).
********
[Intervention in Greece]
January did not start well for the Kingdom of Greece, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire, accompanied by the Ionian fleet (junior partner) quickly dealt deadly blows to the Greek navy and the islands of the Aegean Sea.
Most of these were under foreign rule after the first two weeks of January, the clear exception being Crete which, due to its size and population, needed a little more preparation from the Russian Empire.
On the other hand, the Bulgarian-Russian mobilization of ground troops obviously alarmed Greece, which by contrast had its own militias and troops. But they obviously lacked the resources, preparation and training for a war of this caliber.
Other Balkan countries did not move to help Greece, they were aligned with the Russian countryside and took it upon themselves to avoid Greek products or feed the Greek economy (which caused problems for the Kingdom of Greece).
During the last days of January and the first days of February, the Bulgarian-Russian forces achieve victories on the Greek border against the enemy forces.
Fighting in the mountains and other environments would have helped the Greeks, the problem was the lack of organization for an effective guerrilla movement (and also the lack of external support, with the UK and Germany occupied in other matters until March).
On February 21 Bulgarian troops enter Thessalonica, while on the other hand Russian forces advance through other territories of Greek Macedonia.
Northern Greece begins to mount a better defense, but then the Russians begin to focus more on their Aegean operation against Greece.
On March 10, the Russian navy launches its operation against the island of Crete, supported by the Bulgarian and Ionian navy, some local militias rise to fight against this and support the local soldiers, but the militias are less than 10,000 troops.
On March 23, the island of Crete officially surrenders to the Russian Empire and the coalition after almost two weeks of conflict. A war where the weights were very uneven.
For many it was not even a war, it was simply an intervention after the chaos in Greece.
Germany agreed as after all they went to war in Haiti for similar reasons, and the UK was busy (getting the Afghan-Anglo-Russian treaty, seeing the situation in France, etc) and the Russians indicated that there was no intention of change the Greek monarchy.
This was a huge national shame for Greece, they were eaten without much trouble.
After the conquest of Crete the Russian imperial navy began to block and bomb southern ports, in Athens on the other hand there were many unrest and social problems.
Many of the nationalists were lynched and again in many towns there were civil conflicts against nationalist political leaders. It was like a little civil war.
There was still no treaty but it was obvious that this was going to hurt for Greece.
*******
[Russia-Afghanistan: Opportunities]
On March 21, Emir Habibullah Khan, accompanied by British and Russian representatives, signs a bilateral treaty where Afghanistan agrees to maintain treaties previously established by the previous Afghan government (the Emir of Iron, Abdurrahman) in exchange for certain subsidies from from the UK and Russia.
This effectively keeps Afghanistan as a neutral nation (recognized by Russia and the UK), between the Russian Turkestan and the British Raj.
However, even though this is a wise decision, Emir Habibullah Khan is still not the smartest or wisest leader Afghanistan has ever had.
While Habibullah Khan established progressive legal reforms, brought in modern medicine (with help from Russia) and a modern military academy, he also gave amnesty to his father's political enemies, allowed aspiring to the throne (which would be a problem later) and he abolished the good intelligence service that his father had created and used to reign over Afghanistan.
But Habibullah Khan's idiocy is the opportunity of Tsar Alexander III, whose KGB was quick to hire the remnants of the Afghan intelligence service to obtain information about Afghanistan and regions near the country.
The Afghan agents were very useful in the isolated and mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, especially very loyal now that there was no work for them under the Afghan government.
********
[New India Policy and artifacts]
Meanwhile, with his new contacts in India, Tsar Alexander III acquired many Indian works of art thanks in part to Sister Nivedita.
Also some Indian artists made their little place in Russia (although they were obviously a small group), following the example of Jagadish Chandra Bose, who brought Bengali science fiction to the country.
This also allowed the Tsar to get hold of some minor artifacts, following the English example ... but more legal, paying for them.
Among other artifacts, Tsar Alexander III got hold of more religious artifacts and the original notes of the German author Karl Marx, in the midst of socialist revolutions.
Partly because of these notes and other objects, Russia has a "Red Tourism."
*******
[International]
January 1, the Alagir plant (from Alagirsk, lead and silver plant) begins to extract zinc.
In the future Alagir gives rise to Electrozink, one of the largest non-ferrous metallurgy companies in Russia.
January 5, the play The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emma Orczy, opens in London.
January 26, the Cullinan diamond is found in Pretoria, Boer United States. The largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, weighing 621.35 grams (about 3,106.75 carats).
February 2, Ivan Platonovich Kalyaev (poet and revolutionary socialist) is arrested before trying to assassinate Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov (fifth son of Tsar Alexander II).
Kalyaev was carrying a rocket bomb that he planned to launch at the Grand Duke's vehicle after it left one of the Romanov palaces.
The reason why Kalyaev was arrested was because of his doubt, the SR could not launch his attack because he saw that the Grand Duke was accompanied by his wife and his nephews.
The reason was the Grand Duke's support for hard-line policies against strikers, although in reality Sergei Alexandrovich did not have as much influence in the government of his older brother.
February 12, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament opens in New Zealand.
February 16, Irish revolutionaries launch a terrorist attack on a military base in Haulbowline, Ireland, UK.
As a result of the attack (two bombs), 6 people die and 11 people are injured. In addition, one of the submarines stationed at the site sinks.
February 17, German attempts at an invasion of Hispaniola (restoring the southern government) fail, however fortunately Mexican Cuba stands firm.
Although the United States has not been able to carry out a successful invasion of Cuba, its advance through northern Mexico continues successfully, drawing ever closer to Mexico City (with all the associated problems).
The Minister-President Porfirio Diaz guarantees the sending of the imperial family to Cuba thanks to Germany, while the Minister-President and some allies mobilize to the south of the Second Mexican Empire.
The fall of Mexico City will not be the end, but the government in some parts is reeling. In spite of everything, the Americans do not see that the Mexican spirit wavers.
Félix Díaz Prieto, Brigadier General, takes over a small regiment in central Mexico to fight the United States (and has clear intentions to replace his uncle and Emperor Maximilian if something happens ...).
On February 18, the last British attempts to interfere in French affairs came to a halt when British mercenaries were finally eliminated by action of the central government in Paris.
Shortly after, other rebel groups are defeated shortly after.
February 23, the United States has some minor victories in northern Colombia, but after the Darien campaign, US forces need reinforcements.
The Colombians on the other hand continue their resistance successfully, and after February they begin to push hard against the American victories.
The Venezuelan command also succeeds, with German help, in disturbing the United States' maritime supply lines. But thanks to certain companies, the United States can pass resources (mainly food) to its men under civilian flags.
March 3, Victoriano Huerta begins to spread propaganda about crimes of the Porfirian government, all approved by the United States of course.
March 4, inauguration of President Elihu Root of the United States.
March 13, the German Empire begins to reinforce the Tehuantepec Canal. Along with planning operations in the event of an American assault on the canal ... or that the Mexican government falls, because Germany plans to take it in case that happens.
*******
*[France]
This same day, the unification of France takes place after its civil conflict during the Second French Empire. European continental France proclaims a new constitution, under which Pierre Curie retires for elections.
In this a coalition of Pierre Curie and Jules Guesde, is victorious (in part, because most of opponents are dead), but Pierre abandons the leadership position in favor of Guesde.
This leads to the founding of the Parti Communiste Intransigeant de France (Intransigent Communist Party of France, PCIF), and the People's Republic of France (PRF), which follows a socialist-Marxist model. In opposition to the Second French Empire, proclaimed by Maurras and Napoleon IV in French colonial Africa.
The PCIF centralized power, creating a one-party regime with the concepts of democratic centralism developed by Vladimir Lenin and Jules Guesde, for this re-organization of France under socialist leadership.
Guesde holds the title of Secretary General of the party and President of France.
Britain is giving up on attempts at direct confrontation, for now, while for the first time in much Germany is becoming aware of the situation in its close neighbor.
The French government is re-organizing.
On the other hand, with the new socialist government, Tsar Alexander III gives Paris money in exchange for many religious artifacts, such as the Crown of Thorns.
*Perspective.
"I plan to retire, have a garden with some fruits and vegetables, continue my research if possible. Nothing for war." Pierre Curie calmly declares, working together with Jules Guesde and workers repairing a building in Paris.
"Sounds great." Jules Guesde exclaims, the new leader of France. "Things will be difficult at first, but I'm ready."
"What do you mean?". Curie asks curiously.
"France has suffered a lot, the years to come will not be immediately better. But we are intransigents, hardliners, uncompromising, we are committed to the revolution and we will not abandon those values." Jules Guesde explains. "We will get through it, and one day there will be better times for France."
"I wish you the best of luck Jules. If you have problems with the Boulangerists, I will help you." Pierre Curie explains gladly. Pierre Curie's Boulangerists were a rare group, socially conservative but economically socialist (they were right to see the problems of the capitalist system but were wrong on other issues according to the socialists).
*******
March 18, the physicist Albert Einstein presents his text "On a heuristic viewpoint concerning the production and transformation of light".
In this text, published in June 1905, the photoelectric effect is explained through what is called in 1905, light quanta (photon).
March 20, strikes in Massachusetts result in several outbreaks of violence in this part of the United States.
March 21, tripartite treaty between Afghanistan, the British Empire and the Russian Empire.
31 of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II insists that Germany will not withdraw from the Caribbean-American conflict, meanwhile, some parts of Germany are on fire (figuratively speaking).
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