There are no borders that can stop him]
Vladimir Ulyanov headed from Germany to Switzerland, where he met a Russian-born idol of the international labor movement, Georgi Valentinovich Plekhanov, a Marxist philosopher and theorist who started the Russian Social Democratic movement.
With this Ulyanov had more access to Marxist material, the Russian political exile community and the international labor movement in general. Russia was a capitalist country and Ulyanov's goal was the socialist revolution in his homeland, the problem was precisely the struggle.
"I want you to understand what you've done, you probably can't go back to Russia right now." Plekhanov exclaims with little confidence.
"Why is that due?" Ulyanov questions.
"The tsarist regime does not welcome revolutionaries like us, that is precisely why I have been led to live in exile, simply sending illegally prohibited literature to Russia." Plekhanov proclaims through experience.
"Theory is not enough, we need action if we want to end the capitalist autocracy in Russia." Ulyanov exclaims.
"The moment is not right, stop a few moments and think. First of all, is Russia truly ready for revolution? It is likely that it will first occur in Germany, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, then the synergy of the moment will catapult the workers Russians towards socialism. " Plekhanov insists.
"These revolutions will not happen on the basis of theory only, the labor movement has to do something." Ulyanov insists.
*******
"Those who seek to serve the proletariat must unite the proletariat of all nations to fight against the bourgeoisie, and with this fight against domestic and foreign nationalism.
Those who advocate for the slogan of the 'national culture' are members of the petty bourgeoisie, not Marxists. "
-Vladimir Ilych Ulyanov.
"Ulyanov is only interested in being a leader of the masses." Rosa Luxemburg exclaims, one of the authors of the newspaper Sprawa Robotnicza (The Workers' Cause) in Zurich, accompanied by Julian Baltazar Józef Marchlewski and Leon "Leo" Jogiches.
"You say that because you two disagree on the subject of national issues." Leon responds, unbecoming of him recounting his relationship with Rosa.
"The only way to liberate Poland is through socialist revolutions in Austria-Hungary, Russia and Germany, we don't have time for issues of self-determination or internationalism." Luxembourg responds.
"But aren't the masses our target audience as well?" Jogiches insists.
*******
*Italy.
After Switzerland and considering Plekhanov's words (plus some discussions with other young people from Zurich), Ulyanov headed to northern Italy. There Ulyanov did not take long to connect with the Italian socialist movements, in particular with the ex-Fasci and socialists of northern Italy.
Such members of the international labor movements included personalities such as Giuseppe De Felice Giuffrida, Nicola Barbato, Amilcare Cipriani and Rosario Garibaldi Bosco.
"The Fasci Siciliani movement, similar to the Paris Commune, was a brilliant flower. Future generations are the fruit from which more similar movements will be able to grow." Ulyanov proclaims in a small village in Italy, rallying many of the villagers in favor.
Among these a child and his father, Alessandro Mussolini and Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (named after the Mexican liberal martyr, Benito Juarez, and the Italians Amilcare Cipriani and Andrea Costa.)
Ulyanov's presence in Italy is less documented, and probably less important than his presence in Germany, Switzerland, or France.
Italy already had powerful left-wing movements (even in the richest and most industrial north), opposing the government of Umberto I, whose conservative prime ministers were trying to get the country into wars, had corruption scandals, or attacked civil liberties (freedom press for example).
*******
[Okhrana: Poles]
The asylum was apparently clear or at least the routes used by the agents and their enemies, Felix Dzerzhinsky had Dr. Władysław Mazurkiewicz at gunpoint not far from there.
While the doctor couldn't do much, a shot rang through the scene, startling Mazurkiewicz and, to a lesser extent, Felix, but Felix did not remove the doctor's eye or hand from the trigger.
Agent Zachariasz Prus left the room, pistol drawn to also aim at Dr. Mazurkiewicz. "What ... what have you done?" The doctor exclaims, stunned.
"It was clear that Józef Piłsudski was saner than he appeared, you and I know it doctor. Due to his resistance, I have been forced to take drastic measures" Prus responds. "Doctor Mazurkiewicz, I want you to understand that you are accused of trying to help enemies of the Russian state."
Dr. Mazurkiewicz was arrested by Felix, with his hands tied the doctor would be sent to trial to pay for his crimes in collaboration with Piłsudski.
*******
Felix Dzerzhinsky and Prus were going through Piłsudski's body in the laundry room. "... Hey, I know this guy! We study together." Felix mentions surprised after reading some of the reports and seeing a bit of the face of the murdered Pole.
"How small the world is, I hope you two weren't friends." Agent Prus exclaims.
"Of course not!". Felix responds without hesitation. Both agents will be retiring to continue their jobs after a routine procedure.
With Piłsudski's death, the last of his colleagues and collaborators disappeared into obscurity, some died and others simply disappeared from the political scene, even to an underground level.
Agent Prus and Agent Dzerzhinsky then went from case to case to office work, with no major notable events until 1897.
Politically, the political power of the nationalist movements would move towards the request for greater autonomy, such as the aforementioned National Democracy by Roman Dmowski.
*******
[Okhrana: Korea]
In Korea, on the other hand, agent Afanasy Ivanovich Seredin-Sabatin and the Korean cell of the Okhrana, report to Tsar Alexander III the plans of a coup by disloyal elements that will occur in October 1895.
The event is described as a reactionary act by members of the anti-Russian nobility, deposed administrators, anti-Russian politicians, pro-Qing politicians, some intellectuals and other non-Russian-aligned modernizers.
Given this, Tsar Alexander III ordered preparations against the attempted coup against Russian influence, which would precisely take place at the end of 1895.
Seredin-Sabatin and affiliates have orders to end the traces of the opposition and start the final processes of the Russian plans in Korea, after the opposition has been eliminated.
Korean officials and administrators loyal to Russia are also beginning preparations for their October plans, regarding statements that will be addressed to the nation, other members of the Russian-Korean civic-military dictatorship and King Gojong.
These activities go unnoticed by foreign authorities in Korea and the pulp enemies of the Okhrana and their allies due to Russian dominance over Korean institutions.
The plan involved getting rid of the opposition, taking possession of its economic assets and properties, solving possible administrative problems caused by the opposition and trying to guarantee a smooth transition after the counter-operation, etc.
*******
[Labor movements and the Moscow union]
The Moscow state unions seemed to be doing well, initially achieving the peaceful resolution of disagreements or strikes (in the worst case) while the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich grew in popularity, but in fact the Tsesarevich and members of the Moscow governorate did not They expected that the situation would last long in its present state in 1895.
The unions were bringing together more and more industrial workers, primarily those in the railway and metal industries, among other Moscow's many bountiful industries.
At some point the workers would rebel over their conditions, and the Tsesarevich would have to choose whether he would stick with the working masses or prefer the economic elites of Moscow.
This already caused some competition between the elected labor leaders, and the wealthy Moscow businessmen, competing for favors from the Tsesarevich to also get to the Tsar and get what they wanted.
From exceptions in taxes, certain rates or benefits, to more labor rights, better salary, better conditions or an 8-hour workday, etc. There was much to attend to, and much to be careful about in these matters.
A wrong answer could have unforeseen consequences, especially when a strike by manufacturing workers began in close proximity in the city of Yaroslavl.
Tsar Alexander III prohibited the use of military force against workers, and the police were prohibited from using lethal force against them, while the end of the strike was being negotiated.
The Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich proposed to go as a government delegate to the negotiation, but it could not be due to various factors.
*******
The Yaroslavl strike was caused by certain business decisions, new tariffs that lowered workers' wages.
In response to this, Tsar Alexander III expanded and established new codes of credit unions, allowing workers to carry out types of retail transactions in all the formal territories of the Russian Empire (that is, not in colonies but in what was the Empire). Russian proper at the time).
He means that this allowed workers new savings and money loan societies, helping against wage problems while Tsar Alexander III resolved the situation of workers' rights in Russia.
Yaroslavl's 4,000 workers returned after this, without wage increases but with the ability to establish credit unions and with some subsidies for ending the strike promptly.
Wasn't the Yaroslavl strike insignificant? Yes compared to other strikes worldwide, but it was still important within Russia as a message (not using violence was seen popularly by the masses), and it allowed certain labor rights that the conservative mass could otherwise reject.
Of course the rights of the credit unions were still miniscule, compared to workers' problems and future reforms.
But it was still very clear that Russian power went from top to bottom, Tsar Alexander III and his ministers were the ones who had launched all the reforms of the Alexandrian era, not popular pressure.
*******
With the resolution of the Yaroslavl strike, the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich was quick to implement the new credit union laws for state unions almost immediately, as a method of appeasement.
Furthermore, the Tsesarevich allowed a particular type of organization, the "second-tier credit unions."
* First-rate credit union: Cooperative formed solely by individuals.
* Second level credit union: Cooperative formed by other smaller cooperatives.
This allowed nominally more credit unions, not more autonomy, but Tsesarevich Nicholas presented it as more beneficial to the workers (and to some extent it was).
Of course the union cooperatives were under the governor's control, and although these were expanding, the government was not going to allow them to be a threat.
As a banking institution, credit unions became quite popular especially in small or medium settlements.
Big cities already had competing large banks and financial institutions, but rural or small town workers without banks might still need some support from their local credit union from time to time.
*******
* Perspective of the Tsesarevich Nicholas.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you present here." The Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich exclaims in one of Moscow's public squares, greeting some of Moscow's union leaders along with some stakeholders, journalists and business leaders.
"Any comments on Tsar Alexander III's response to the Yaroslavl strike?" One of the businessmen questions.
"... Things were resolved, it is clear that cooperation must be one of our main values and we can use such cooperation to solve our problems until we achieve the following Alexandrian reforms." Without answering time or place, it was clear that reforms would come, for the moment guaranteeing stability on the popular front.
But the reality of the negotiations remained difficult.
*******
* Julius Martov.
In a port in the Baltic, Yuliy Osipovich Tsederbaum, who adopted the name Julius Osipovich Martov, arrived in Russia once more. As a man somewhat changed, but quickly learning about the situations in Russia (the Yaroslavl strike, reforms of the credit unions and little else).
"In 1893 I was imprisoned, my grandfather had to pay 3,000 rubles to pay my bail. Because of this my grandfather recommended that I should emigrate to the United States, at least temporarily. And so I did.
My experience was enlightening.
My political romanticism and my thinking was superficial, and unfounded. I observed the inequalities of the capitalist system in the midst of the panic of the '93.
Rows and rows of the unemployed, and the social struggle of the working mass against the state forces. My political cosmology was completely overshadowed by the sociological and philosophical heights of Marxism. "
-Julius Martov in a pamphlet written by him as soon as he arrived in Russia.
With his arrival, Martov began to write "The Modern Russia", on his way to Moscow to study the Moscow unions and the credit unions established by the Tsarist government.
Politically speaking, Martov was an idealist and philosopher, the important thing for him were coherent worldviews, not pragmatism or political effectiveness, so he found himself interested in the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich.
As the heir and the Russian government they reconciled the autocracy with the trade unions and the workers' struggle.
*******
[Russosphere: Thailand]
During 1895 the kingdom of Siam and Russia began to strengthen ties more publicly, with some Russian ships of the Pacific fleet in particular in the Gulf of Thailand, to carry out exercises in conjunction with the Thai authorities.
Of course this was sold to the British as another way to prevent the Germans from swallowing more Thai land, while the Germans were bought on the grounds that it was to avoid British interference (and so Russia could also conduct more trade with German Indochina, which helped convince Wilhelm II).
The two powers had other things to do besides focus on Thailand (such as the Anglo-German naval race), so Russia could afford to act slowly but surely to get what she wanted in Siam.
The trade certainly benefited Russia and Germany, plus Thailand was now able to sell more rice and resources to Russian markets and through Russian trade routes.
Having some Russian forces to defend such investment also added an advantage to defending the integrity of what was left of Siam territorially and politically.
With this presence, Tsar Alexander III and Rama V were able to discuss Russian protection over Thailand, in particular Russia offered protection and a rather lax protectorate status in exchange for Thai resources and obviously certain diplomatic-economic preferences.
Rama V considered it, meanwhile for the moment Russia and Siam had to continue strengthening ties, a mixture of greater trade, Russian companies in the region and gastrodiplomacy.
More Russian products began to reach Thai markets, and Thai products flowed more easily onto the New Silk Road.
Obviously Russia was still the dominant partner in these agreements, since it sold technology and products that the Thai industry could not produce on its own, but even so, Russia was still a fairer partner than other European powers, they did not ask for territory or annexations in a way. abrupt and violent.
The Russians followed a fairly open and still positive bilateral policy for the Asian powers, in particular Thai food could be exported abroad thanks to the actions of Russia, which motivated Thai investors to the Russosphere.
*******
[Automotive industry]
Amid the brain and human capital leaks, Felix Faure, a wealthy leather tanner and a moderate Republican, had escaped from France.
Faure ended up in Russia, where after reestablishing his financial position as best he could, he settled on a particular business, the automotive industry.
Russia was the largest car producer in Europe, so Fuare took an interest in this business, and found himself fascinated. In the businessman's opinion, Russian cars were considerably more stylish than cars produced in France and Germany (and they smelled better too ... according to Faure).
This made Faure invest in the Russian automotive industry, particularly turning to luxury cars (such as the Blinov-Faberge production) for export to other parts of Europe or the world (to a much lesser extent).
Similar to the leather tanning business, Faure began to make money in the automotive business, particularly as one of the great luxury car designers in Russia (rather than production for the common man).
Faure was through this, one of the most prominent entities of the French community in Russia, with its opulence, parties and occasional scandals (use of prostitutes in particular).
*******
[International]
On April 6, the Irish poet Oscar Wilde is imprisoned, on charges of gross indecency, after having lost a criminal case for defamation before the Marquis of Queensberry, John Sholto Douglas (father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas).
April 14, an earthquake hits Ljubljana, the capital of the Duchy of Carniola, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
April 16, with their conquests and projects in Chad, the forces of the French colonial empire, under the Second French Empire, point towards Sudan.
The vast region - the largest and most independent region in Africa - managed to maintain its independence from the British and Egyptians years ago, but it is difficult to say whether they will be able to remain independent from the French and British together.
While this to some extent excites the English, thinking that they will be able to get Sudan, the French are not doing this for the English and are not taking any initiative for joint action against Sudan.
On the contrary, the French plan their own plans separate from the English, advancing with their expeditionary force more and more towards Sudanese territory. But the results of this will only be seen later.
April 17, the economic problems in Qing increase with the inflation of its currency and other economic problems due to the semi-feudal state of the Qing dynasty.
On April 22, some 600 Beijing students signed a 10,000-word declaration against the most authoritarian and backward institutions and laws of the Qing government, calling for economic, social and political reforms.
These included the modernization of the army, the recovery of territory and sovereignty lost to foreigners (particularly after the European intervention in the Sino-Japanese war) and the aforementioned reforms (abolition of the traditional civil service exam, reforms in the educational system, implement a constitution for the monarchy, etc).
On May 2, thousands of other Beijing students, civilians and intellectuals join the call for reform in Beijing, opposing the current form of the Qing government, led by Emperor Guangxu (and Empress Dowager Cixi).
Although the movement fails, leaders of the reform attempt such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong and Yan Fu draw the emperor's attention.
May 9, the Yaroslavl strike is resolved without bloodshed, initiating an era of reform in the laws regarding credit unions, the first step in the labor rights reforms of the Russian Empire.
These cooperatives are democratic associations of workers dedicated to savings and loans, functioning as small banking organizations in favor of the workers.
However they are not exactly trade unions (still only limited to Moscow and by various laws), and such cooperative organizations previously existed but exclusive to Alyáska farmers and central Siberian miners.
May 18, Vladimir Ulyanov arrives in Italy.
May 25, Oscar Wilde is convicted of "illegally committing acts of gross indecency with certain male persons", the sentence is two years of forced labor.
May 27, the Supreme Court of the United States rules that is legal for the federal goverment to use military power to crush strikes, such as the Pullman Strike.
However, it does not give the federal government much power to regulate interstate commerce.
The important thing is that the Pullman strike is crushed through the federal military force, which leads for example to Eugene V. Debs to prison and towards socialism.
June 5, the Liberal Revolution begins in Ecuador, a process of political and economic transformation for the country.
The local authorities of Santiago de Guayaquil, ignore the national government, and initiate a conflict (civil war) between both parties, the liberals of the coast and the conservatives of the highlands (landlocked center of the country).
June 11, the British Empire annexes Tongaland.
June 20, in the German Empire the Kiel canal is finished, without a doubt some relief for the finances of the German Empire ... now Kaiser Wilhelm II can spend more on his navy and the Tehuantepec canal, which is still under construction but that could be finished by the end of the decade or beginning of the next.
Something that continues to alarm the Anglo-Saxons, the United Kingdom for the increase in the navy and German commercial activity in the Americas, and the United States for having the Germans in Mexico (a possible geostrategic threat).
On the same day, June 20, the Amapala Pact enters into action, creating the Republic of Central America (or also Greater Republic of Central America), a political union between Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
The Amapala pact is the product of a unionist conference in Central America, carried out by the leaders of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
In particular by the Honduran Policarpo Bonilla.
It is difficult to say whether this union, which plans to put its capital in the Honduran city of Amapala (port city where the pact was signed), will survive the test of time.
Previous attempts at such unionism either failed or disintegrated.
*******
[A little interest]
Tsesarevich Nicholas hugged the belly of his wife, Elena, as their baby grew. However, on this day, June 28, a series of news reaches Tsesarevich Nicholas and Elena of Montenegro.
"You see, this is a project that my father and I promoted in Egypt, in the valley of the kings." The Tsesarevich Nicholas reports at home before leaving for the Crimea to receive the package, sent directly across the Black Sea.
"What exactly is it about?" Elena asks curiously.
"This is an archaeological discovery, the tomb of an ancient pharaoh, Tutankhamun." The Tsesarevich explains, commenting to his wife some Egyptian history.
According to Russia's agreements with the Egyptian authorities, the Russian archaeological society could keep what they discovered, and the rediscovery of this tomb (that of King Tut) was undoubtedly an event.
More than 5000 items (5398 more specifically) were found in King Tut's tomb, including the solid gold coffin and the mummy within it, a face mask, thrones, shooting bows, trumpets, lotus chalice , Imiut fetriches (a religious object), furniture, food, wine, sandals, etc.
The discovery was widely publicized among archaeological communities in Russia and Europe, as the process of cataloging all recovered items began.
The truth is that recovering the objects from the Valley of the Kings was undoubtedly a stroke of luck, preventing said objects from being looted or destroyed due to vandalism, theft or conflicts that plague Egypt.
"Nicholas is very passionate, not only in a romantic sense, but also in the sense that he is very dedicated to his jobs and hobbies.
Even in boring tasks, he gives his all.
Outside of all the work, there is a genuine person there.
... One person that particularly likes riding, archery and falconry, hehe, he is a little weird at times but that's part of his charm. Russia is like that too, something weird but fascinating once you get to know it."
Elena was writing.
"So I am charming?" Nicholas asks curiously seeing what Elena was writing without her noticing.
"...". Elena was silent, then she blush.
********
[Russian Soccer Lague: Quarter-finals]
The following matches of the eighth edition of the Russian Soccer League are:
* Baku vs Kharkov: The Baku team beats the Kharkov team by 3 to 2.
* Helsinki vs Astrakhan: The Astrakhan team defeats the Helsinki team 1 to 0.
* Sevastopol vs Novosibirsk: The Sevastopol team beats the Novosibirsk team by 2 to 0.
* Moscow vs Vladivostok: The Vladivostok team beats the Moscow team by 2 to 1.