German Empire: News 1900

[miketr]

Chancellor Fürst zu Hohenlohe Resigns!

Citing his age, the Prince was born in 1819, and failing health has decided to step down after 6 years in office.  The Prince has had a distinguished career in public service as Prime Minister of Bavaria (1866–1870), German Ambassador to Paris (1873–1880), Foreign Secretary (1880) and Imperial Lieutenant of Elsass-Lothringen (1885–1894).   

In a move that has surprised many Kaiser Wilhelm for a second time has selected an army officer as Imperial Chancellor, General der Infantry Colmar Freiherr von der Goltz.  Most political insiders had expected the emperor to select career diplomat Bernhard von Bülow as Imperial Chancellor.  The move is all the more surprising as while the Baron is well known in public circles from his military writings he has not held any political office.  The previous General to serve as Imperial Chancellor, Leo von Caprivi, had been head of the Imperial Navy Office which required appearances before the Reichstag for the navy budget. 

Baron von der Goltz has had a nontraditional military career spending over a decade in the Ottoman Empire as head of the reforming German Military mission.  As a reward the Ottoman Sultan gave Baron von der Goltz the title of Pasha and the rank of Field Marshal in the Ottoman Army.  A number credit Baron von der Goltz efforts with being a key element that allowed the Ottoman Empire to triumph over Austria-Hungary in the 1880-82 war.  Baron von der Goltz has written a number of books such as "The War Along the Danube 1880-82", "The Nation in Arms", "From Rossbach to Jena and Auerstadt, 1806" and has been a noted contributor to military journals over the years.  The focus of the new Chancellors writings have been the process of military reform and mobilization not just of a nations armies at the start of conflict but of the entire population and economy.  The New Chancellor has also taught at the Military Academy in Berlin and since 1898 has held the title of Chief of the Engineer and Pioneer Corps and Inspector-General of Fortifications.  Over the years von der Goltz has been an outspoken advocate for increasing the size of the peace time army, reserves, seeking the establishment of an economic General staff and increased funding for fortifications.

In addition to being Imperial Chancellor and Minister-President of Prussia the Baron is also to serve as his own Minister of War. 
 
With the new Chancellors background many are expecting army reforms to be a key item.

[miketr]

Reichskanzlei "Reich Chancellery"
Wilhelmstraße 77
Berlin, German Empire

Inside the Baroque Palace that served as the office and home of the German Chancellor a meeting was being held.  The New Reich Chancellor, Von der Goltz, sat at the head of a long table with a number of key ministers of the Reich in attendance.  Bernhard von Bülow the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and who had been expected to occupy the seat at the head of the table.  The face of the career diplomat showed no sign of disappointment.

Next came Max von Thielmann who like Bülow was a career diplomat but he was the State Secretary of the Treasury. 

Across from the two diplomats was a man in Vizeadmiral uniform of the Kaiserliche Marine with a prominent forked beard; Alfred von Tirpitz.   

"I have decided to have the first meeting to be a smaller group of the key ministries.  General der Kavallerie von Schlieffen isn't available.  Later meetings will include the general along with the State Secretaries for Interior, Justice and Post.  Now there has been a great deal of speculation in the press as to what the objective of my government is to be."

The four men had all had a private meeting with the new chancellor and had some idea as to what he was going to say now so they kept quiet and waited for Von der Goltz to elaborate.

"Before we get into where I want to take Germany in policy terms we should go over our current situation.  I asked the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs to provide a brief for us....  Secretary if you would."  Von der Goltz gave a nod at Bülow.

"I contacted all of our ambassadors for the latest information.  In short France is as hostile towards us as ever, smarting over the loss of the two provinces from the wars of unification in 1871.  Russia while not overtly hostile towards us is allied to the French but his Majesty has hope that he can restrain his cousin..."

Tirpitz snorted at the statement while von Thielmann kept a carefully neutral expression.
Bülow kept speaking without missing a step, "but the reality is they are allied with our enemy.  Italy is allied with us but I am concerned how dependable they are.  Vienna is confused following the death of Franz Joseph as Franz Ferdinand appears to want to chart a new course."

The new chancellor leaned forward,  "Any specifics as of yet?"

The other men in the room looked on with some interest.

There was a slight shake of Bülow's head, "Details no but from what we have been able to gather Franz Ferdinand IS set on making big changes.  Some version of a reforming the Dual Monarchy along federal lines and he isn't going to wait till 1907 when the Great Compromise is due for renewal. "

This was news as making such a change would be very complex but Austria-Hungary had very poor luck for the past few decades so something had to change.

"So Vienna remains committed to the alliance but they are going to be distracted.  The Turks as our Chancellor is well aware remains committed to friendly relations with us.  I have received some disquieting rumors from London."

Tirpitz spoke up first and asked for details.

"I must emphasize these are just rumors, nothing official.  It appears that some in the British Government view us as a threat, they are worried about our battle fleet and our economy."
The Admiral had a look on his face that was a cross between amusement and satisfaction.
Von der Goltz turned to the admiral, "Any comment this revelation as it appears to fall into your area Admiral."

"We have a dozen Battleships compared to over thirty for the British.  One day we may be a threat to the British but not today, which is why we need more capital ships.  To pressure the British into giving us concessions and diplomatic support on our terms."  Tirpitz announced.

The Chancellor raised an eye brow at the admirals statement, "We have one clear enemy and two unreliable allies, I do not see the wisdom in adding to the list of the former at this time.  As General von Schlieffen isn't available and I am also State Secretary for War.  In plan numbers the Russians have 1.6 million troops and the French 650,000 and we have 850,000.  The numbers speak for themselves.  This situation is one of the key elements I plan to address in the short term.  First of all I want another Corps raised and to update the readiness of reserves.  Long term I want to assure that the common border with France is secure against any attack.  Fortifications will free up the mobile forces to allow von Schlieffen some freedom."
At last von Thielmann, "That is going to cost Chancellor."

"I am sure you will find the money the full range of what I want to achieve will take several years I know.  I will have exact details on what I am looking for and we can see about budgets."

The state secretary glanced at the unhappy look on Tirpitz face and just nodded to the chancellor.

....

[Guinness]

Re: Franco-Russian alliance. We hadn't quite worked that out yet. This is mostly a symptom of me not quite having figured out how I want to play Russia.

[miketr]

Potsdam, Near Berlin and München
The Gardekorps and I Bayerisches-Armeekorps move out from their kasernes, are entrained and headed South.  Both Corps were already mobilized.

In Berlin
The German Foreign minister summons the Ambassadors of France and Russia the following message is delivered.

"The Governments of the German Empire and the Kingdom of Italy have received a request from the government of Austria Hungary to assist with dealing with current disturbances rocking the Hapsburg state.  Germany per the terms of its alliance is providing aid to the legitimate government of Austria Hungary.  As part of this two German Corps are being sent to provide aid and are in no way a threatening move towards either the French Republic or the Russian Empire."

[miketr]

Hanover
June 1st, 1900

By order of the Kaiser, Armeekorps V is ordered to full mobilization and to be ready to be entrained no later than June 15th. 

[miketr]

Telegram messages on June 4th, 1900.

FROM: COMMANDING GENERAL I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS (BRESLAU)
TO: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
AT LEAST TWO RUSSIAN CORPS HAVE DRAWN UP TO THE BORDER STOP  THE RUSSIAN CORPS ARE AT WAR READINESS STOP REPEAT THE RUSSIAN CORPS ARE AT WAR READINESS STOP REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS STOP

FROM: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
TO: COMMANDING GENERAL I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS (BRESLAU)
HAVE THE RUSSIANS CROSSED THE BORDER STOP

FROM: COMMANDING GENERAL I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS (BRESLAU)
TO: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
NEGATIVE ON RUSSIAN TROOPS CROSSING BORDER BUT THEY ARE AT THE BORDER STOP REPEAT RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE AT WAR READINESS STOP REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS STOP
 
FROM: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
TO: COMMANDING GENERAL I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS (BRESLAU)
ON MY AUTHORITY BEGIN MOBILIZATION OF YOUR CORPS STOP DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER STOP REPEAT DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER STOP DEFENSIVE ACTION IS AUTHORIZED STOP  GENERALOBERST SCHLIEFFEN STOP

FROM: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
TO: COMMANDING GENERALS OF I ARMEEKORPS (KONIGSBERG) AND II ARMEEKORPS (POSEN)
REPORT ON ANY UNUSUAL RUSSIAN ACTIVITY AT ONCE STOP

FROM: COMMANDING GENERAL I ARMEEKORPS (KONIGSBERG)
TO: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
NO STRANGE RUSSIAN ACTIVITY STOP WHAT IS GOING ON STOP

FROM: COMMANDING GENERAL II ARMEEKORPS (POSEN)
TO: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
NO SIGN OF RUSSIAN TROOP ACTIVITY BUT HAVE RECEIVED WORD THAT I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS IS MOBILIZING STOP HAVE ALSO RECEIVED WORD THAT SEVERAL RUSSIAN TRAINS SCHEDULED TO CROSS THE BORDER HAVE NOT STOP SHALL I MOBILIZE STOP

FROM: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
TO: COMMANDING GENERALS I ARMEEKORPS (KONIGSBERG) AND II ARMEEKORPS (POSEN) AND COMMANDANTS OF FESTUNG THORN, FESTUNG POSEN AND FESTUNG KONIGBERG
HAVE RECEIVED REPORTS OF STRANGE RUSSIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY NEAR SILESIA STOP  TWO RUSSIAN CORPS HAVE DRAWN CLOSE TO THE BORDER NEAR SILESIA STOP PERHAPS THIS ACTIVITY IS CONNECTED TO AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN CIVIL WAR STOP I KAVALLERIE-KOPRS HAS BEEN ORDERED MOBILIZED STOP ALL LEAVES ARE CANCELED STOP ALL ACTIVE DUTY PERSONAL ARE TO REPORT TO THEIR STATIONS AT ONCE STOP THIS IS TO BE CONSIDERED A WAR WARNING STOP REPEAT THIS IS TO BE CONSIDERED A WAR WARNING STOP MOBILIZATION AT THIS TIME IS NOT AUTHORIZED STOP BEGIN ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS FOR MOBILIZATION STOP PLAN IS OFFENSIVE EAST II STOP REPEAT BEGIN ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS FOR MOBILIZATION PLAN IS OFFENSIVE EAST II STOP THIS IS NO DRILL STOP GENERALOBERST SCHLIEFFEN STOP

FROM: CHIEF OF GREAT GENERAL STAFF (BERLIN)
TO: COMMANDER PRUSSIAN RAIL SERVICE EASTERN DISTRICT
BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR CONCENTRATION OF ENGINES AND ROLLING STOCK STOP

With the last telegrams on their way Alfred von Schlieffen looked up from his desk. Perhaps THE DAY had arrived.  If this was to be start of general war would the Kaiser act or would he waffle between action and inaction. The Chief of the Great General Staff put that unhappy thought aside and let his mind drift to other matters.  His deputy would handle contacting the western districts to be sure the French were quiet but it was time to report to the Kaiser and Chancellor what was going on in the east and ask for his own instructions.  Would Germany roll the Iron Dice or not?

[Guinness]

OOC: Excellent. Possibly the Germans will take the bait.

[miketr]

Stadtschloss, Berlin
June 30th

In the background, "I can't believe that Nicky would do this to me..."

"Chancellor the Russians have at last come out into the open in favor of Hungarian Independence and are demanding that we along with the Austrians and Italians leave Hungary."  Bernhard von Bülow the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs informed Von der Goltz.

Von der Goltz let out a sigh, "Iacta alea est..."

Both Bülow and Schlieffen of course knew at once what the chancellor was talking about, the famous quote by Caesar as he crossed the Rubicon, translated as 'the die is cast' it marked a step that could not be back away from and set off a civil war for the future of the Roman Republic.  The Russians actions to fight in Hungary and declare for Hungarian Independence were a similar point of no return; all that was left was a war with Russian and to wonder how wide it would become. 

"State Secretary any word from France that they will back the Russians?" 

"No Chancellor, they continue to repeat that they are neutral in this conflict."

"General any signs of French military movement?"

"On the part of the French?  No but we have received word activity in Congress Poland by the Russians around Warsaw.  They are going to do it, they are going to order general mobilization.  We have to do the same NOW, Chancellor."

In another room the Kaiser continued to complain at the betrayal of his cousin alternating that it must be a mistake of some type.

"What of our allies?"

Bülow tapped his binder, "We have received word from Rome in the form of messages from the King and Prime Minister that they stand with us."

Schlieffen spoke up, "I also received a message from Rome, From the Italian Chief of Staff.  They are prepared to send 10 divisions to help eject the Russians from Hungary."

Pleased at the clear action by the Italians the Chancellor turned to the next subject he was less than pleased with, "What word from Vienna?"

Bülow made a helpless shrug, "No one has been able to get a meeting with Kaiser Franz Ferdinand since the day after his announcement on changing the succession.  The Austrian Chancellor is fighting fires in the Senate, a number of the Archdukes, starting with those that would be bumped in the succession are screaming for blood.  The Parliament is even worse, a radical socialist called for the end of the Monarchy and the formation of a Republic but it was one person.  The fact that he felt safe enough in making the statement is a sign of worry."

"You mean to tell me that we might be fighting a general war while Austria is tied up in another domestic crises?  This after they set things off in the first place trying to ram through reform in the face of the Hungarian opposition."

"Yes, Chancellor that is exactly what is going on."

"I will add that their army is even more confused than before and most commanders are sitting waiting on orders that either not coming or they are receiving contradictor orders.  It appears that multiple people in Vienna are sending out instructions."  Schlieffen informed the meeting.

"Schwachkopf!  Schwachsinnige!  What I really want to do is leave the degenerate Hapsburgs to lay in the bed that they have made.  Of course we can't do that.  Reach out to people we know, we might have to get involved in this succession fight.  His Majesties idea of an inheritance for any children of Franz Ferdinand by making him sovereign Duke of Elsaß-Lothringen is a good place to start; perhaps we can save the Hapsburgs by getting the Austrian Kaiser to step down."

"Chancellor I need a signed order for mobilization..."

"I have not forgotten General...  I will get his majesty to sign the decree.  We are going to war with Russia."

At that moment Kaiser Wilhelm II burst into the room, "I have wonderful news!  The Ottomans are going to host a conference!  I am certain I can clear this all up with Nicky..."

The Chancellor and State Secretary looked at each other in shock at the Kaisers announcement while General von Schlieffen face turned bright red and he crumpled the folder with the war plan he wanted to go over for his campaign vs. Russia. 

   
 

[miketr]

July 16th

Anschluß Declared with Austria! 

After the vote in the Reichstag was concluded a conservative politician stood up, "Heil Wilhelm der Zweite, Heil dem Kaiser von GroßDeutschland! Deutschland über alles!*"  Others but hardly in the Reichstag all took up the chant.  The socialists stood and clapped their hands.




*Translation: Hail William the Second, Hail the Emperor of Greater Germany!  Germany over all!"

Any nation with a German minority should be concerned by this as the Kaisers title is German Emperor while Emperor of Greater Germany implies authority over ALL Germans.  Its why Bismark worded the title the way he did.  Please note the Reichstag did NOT vote to change the Kaisers title.

[miketr]

OOC a pair of German Nationalist bits.  The later is an extremist view point but it is out there. 

IC
1900 H2 news
Frankfurt Zeiten
Is Greater Germany Complete?

While the collapse of the Hapsburg State as a great power is regrettable the unification of the German elements of Austria to the German Empire is a source for joy.  The task that Bismarck left unfinished in 1866 and 1871 has been completed or has it?  At first glance Großdeutsch has been achieved but glances can be deceiving as a large number of German Speakers are still not part of the German Empire.  The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and the Swiss Confederation are the two most obvious places where German speakers have been left out of Greater Germany but there are a number of other places within Europe. 

A number of lands that were part of the Hapsburg State as recently as a generation ago have sizable numbers of German Speakers.  The lands lost to Romania, Russia and the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of the Hapsburg Ottoman War had sizable numbers of ethnic Germans, the largest group being the Transylvanian Saxons.  The next largest group is the Danube Swabians who are scattered across the southern half of the new Kingdom of Hungary and the northern border of the Ottoman Empire.  Plus there is the question of Gottschee and its German population; the Dutchy of Caroline has been annexed by the Kingdom of Italy.

German settlement during the medival period has planted ethnic Germans all over much of Eastern Europe.  The closest being the Baltic Germans and the hundreds of German Villages in Congress Poland known as the Vistula Germans as far east as the Volga Germans and the Black Sea Germans.  The for fathers of these Germans traveled east starting in the 17th century looking for land and today have grown into sizable communities.  Shouldn't these people and perhaps their lands be part of Germany?       

The question of how to address these ethnic Germans that Germany will have to consider in the future.  The answers range from doing nothing, to migration back to Germany of these ethnic Germans to annexation.  For now people of Germany we should celebrate the unification of Austria with Germany but we shouldn't loose sight of the fact that the historic mission of unification of all Germans into one state has NOT been fulfilled.

Lost Lands of the German People
A pan German pamphlet.

Question: What are the lands of Germany?
Answer: Any place where ethnic German reside, Greater Germany, Swiss Confederation. Luxemburg and the German communities of the rest of the Netherlands.  All of these lands are natural part of Germany.

Question: Are the Dutch and Frisian, German Speakers?
Answer: While Dutch and Frisian are no longer fully comprehensible by the main branch of the German Language the relationship between the three is clear.  All date to languages spoken by tribes of Germans from the end of the Roman Empire.  Given time the breach that separates the Dutch and Frisian from the rest of the Germans can be bridged.

Question: What are the lost lands of Germany?
Answer: The predecessor of Germany was the Holy Roman Empire.  Any of the lands lost by the Holy Roman Empire are lands lost by Germany. 



It is the mission of Germany to unify all of the German Speakers, unify all of the Germanic Speakers and to restore to Germany all of the lost lands!
 

[miketr]

More 1900 H2 News Items.

German Naval League

What is one of the key lessons of the Constantinople Conference?  That Germany needs more Sea Power.  While all of the conflict occurred in the lands of the former Hapsburg Empire the results were decided based upon diplomatic strength.  Germany despite being the most prosperous power in Europe wasn't able to get the results it so clearly deserved. 

Russia went unpunished despite attacking without cause the Hapsburg State.
The Czech Lands have been lost to the German State and People.

This was caused by the simple fact of the matter that other powers hate and envy our strength but we are simply not strong enough to achieve the results that Germany deserves.  As a result powers like France and the United Kingdom decided to block Germany from getting what it rightful deserved.  The Navy needs to be doubled in size at the very least.  The fleet next needs a global network of coaling and supply stations.  The next time a conference occurs and the results are not going the way we need them to go Germany will be able to use the strength of the powerful fleet to force the results Germany deserves.

Demand New Naval Bill! Demand 24 Battleships!

German Army League

With the end of Austria-Hungary, Germany has found itself with a much longer border and at this point only a fool wouldn't consider Russia to be a potentially hostile power in any future conflict.  Also the Austrian Army was badly disrupted by the effects of the Civil War and breakup of the Dual Monarchy.  Divisions and Regiments broke along ethnic lines and the army then had to fight two months of combat in that fractured state.  Now Germany has inherited a broken sword and it must be re-forged.  It is a very real possibility that in the future Germany could face a war on two fronts and the Heer is not capable of launching offensives both east and west. 

To meet Germany's needs as a continental power the Heer needs more funds to be expanded and updated.

Demand a Special Army Bill!  Demand an Expanded Army!   

[The Rock Doctor]

Obviously the answer is both a larger navy and a larger army.

So who inherited how much of the pre-conflict A-H army and navy, anyway?

[miketr]

OOC my assumption is Germany inherited the Austrian Army, which is going to be 2 to 4 corps worth of troops.  IE It should be 4 Corps but from the effects of the civil war (units breaking along ethnic lines and then fighting) they are really only have 2 Corps worth of troops and gear. 

As to the navy, I assume it wasn't very large and by default whatever it is went to Italy.  I figure Italy gets maybe 10,000 army troops in total as an absolute upper limit as they just didn't get much pop from this.

Michael

[Kaiser Kirk]

OOC
I actually had a news blurb saying the Italians were allowing the Austrians time to pack and their Navy went to Germany.
After all, the ships are the property of the Austrian crown, not the port they were docked in. At best I expect a couple naval facilities.
Likewise with Army equipment/troops, I presume I get nothing, all gets shipped back to Austria.

I budgeted some funds on my end for training a brigade each for the  Slovenes and the Gottschee Germans- with better equipment for the Germans.

-Kirk

[miketr]

Act Relating to the German Fleet of July 10th, 1901

We, William, by the grace of God, Emperor of the Germans, King of Prussia, etc., order in the name of the Empire, with the consent of the Federal Council and the Reichstag, what follows:

I. Ship Establishment.

1. The ship establishment of the German Fleet is, apart from torpedo craft, school-ships, special service ships, and gunboats, fixed as below:

(a)    Active Duty and Ready for use -
   1 Squadron of 8 battleships
   1 Squadron of 8 small cruisers
   4 large armored cruisers
(b)   Reserve Formations -
   1 Squadron of 8 battleships
   1 Squadron of 8 small cruisers
   4 large armored cruisers

2. Counting ships existing or under construction on July 1st, 1901, there shall be reckon this establishment -

As battleships 14
As large armored cruisers 11
As small cruisers 20

3. The provisions of the means for the new ships necessary for the attainment of the establishment (clause 1) is subject to annual determination by the Imperial Budget, with standard, that the completion of the legal establishment, can be attained by the end of the financial year 1906.   

4. Ships excess to the establishment(clause 1) are to be disposed of no later than year after they become surplus but means of sale, scraping or other means as specified by law.

Clause 2.

The provision of the means for the necessary replacement construction is subject to annual determination by the Imperial Budget, with the standard that, as the rule -

   Battleships and large armored cruisers can be replaced at the end of 20 years.
   Small cruisers can be replaced at the end of 15 years.

For purposes of replacement up to 2 large cruisers and 4 small cruisers will be allowed to be replaced early within the next 5 years.
II. Maintenance in Commission.

...

...

Legal Attested under our own signature and Imperial seal.
Given at Postdam, July 4th 1901

Wilhelm
Freiherr von der Goltz