~July-Dec 1890: An Imperial campaign
July 1890: Since assuming office US President Cleveland has been attempting to bring in measures to deal with the monopolistic practices of the 'robber barons.' However the powerful corporations he is attacking have mobilised to lobby congress and limit the scope of any such laws. During his first year he has only able to introduce legislation attacking 'unreasonable' pricing. However with the assistance of Republican Congressmen he is able to get the Sherman Antitrust Act passed. This law prohibits any corporate practice which is intended to suppress competition and empowers the courts to break up monopolistic Trusts. While imperfect, it is the first effective measure against the Trusts.
July 1890: The Durban Imperial Conference is the first at which the British opposition is officially represented, in this by party leader, Lord Salisbury himself. As a result, Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman has also attended, making it the first time the British delegation has been officially headed by the Prime Minister, as while Campbell-Bannerman did attend the London Conference, the British delegation was officially headed by then Colonial Secretary Randolph Churchill. The British immediately raise the issue of their proposed reconquest of Sudan. The Pacific Dominions are extremely enthusiastic, going as far as to offer to contribute troops even before the matter of Dominion participation is raised. While not as eager, the other Dominions are supportive of such a campaign, acknowledging the importance of mainlining control over the Suez Canal for Imperial security. However they are reluctant to commit troops to the reconquest, claiming their military forces are just for their own defence, with British being responsible for Imperial campaigns. Surprisingly it is Lord Salisbury who effectively counters this by plainly stating if the Dominions wish a voice in Imperial affairs, they must also accept the responsibility which come with that, one of which is contributing troops to such campaigns. This will become the Durban Doctrine, that the Dominions are equally responsible for Implementing Imperial policy. Faced with this, the remaining Dominions agree to contribute to the campaign. However Canadian Premier MacDonald states such forces can not be prepared before the expiration of the Occupation of Egypt Act in 1891, while the Pacific Dominions express their outright objection to any setting any timetable for a withdrawal from Egypt. In response Campbell-Bannerman states a new occupation bill will be introduced, without any fixed schedule for withdrawal, allowing the Dominions to organise their forces. With this settled, it is agreed Sudan Campaign should be launched in the spring of 1892.
July 1890: With the Sudan Campaign arranged, South Australian Premier Thomas Playford raises some concerns over concentration of strategic industries in Britain. He points out while there are Royal Dockyards throughout the Empire, there are no yards capable of carrying out major repairs or refitting warships outside of Britain, which could considerably extend the time required to return damaged ships back to service, especially in the Pacific. In this he finds considerable support as all the Dominions can see the economic benefits in expanding their shipbuilding industries. Campbell-Bannerman counters that such a policy would be extremely expensive, however he does concede it should be investigated. In conjuration with this Jan Hofmeyr from Cape Colony raises the All Red Route he suggested at the London Conference again, arguing expanding the Dominions merchant fleets would provide a useful pool of skilled mariners in the event of war. Lord Salisbury in particular supports this, suggesting such a policy should be encouraged. The Conference is regarded as a resounding success, with the Dominions feeling their concerns are finally being attended to. At the end of the Conference many argue future Conferences should be held annually, but it is felt travel times make this impractical, Therefore the next Conference is scheduled for 1892 in Wellington, New Zealand.
August 1890: In an effort to determine their relative spheres of influence in Africa the Treaty of Potsdam is signed by Foreign Secretary Chamberlain and new German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi. The treaty transfers Wituland and the Ruandi-Urundi regions in east Africa to Britain. These areas will become part of British East Africa, In return Germany receives the Heligoland Islands in the North Sea and Dagombaland to the north of the Ashanti Empire in west Africa which will be added to German Togoland. The treaty also acknowledges British control of Zanzibar.
September 1890: The British have finally developed a satisfactory smokeless powder, known as cordite. While the powder entered production in August 1889, priority has been given to applying it for naval artillery. But with production now increasing, work begins on adapting the 0.303” round to its use. Additionally, in line with the new policy of distributing strategic industry throughout the Empire, plans are made to establish cordite factories in Canada, Cape Colony, India and New Zealand.
October 1890: Despite his success in the June elections, Brazilian Prime Minister Afonso Celso has been unable to enact much of his reform program due to conservative opposition. In particular he has been unable to reform the Senate. In an effort to quiet opposition from conservative landowners, the Lei de Compensaçao or Law of Compensation is passed. The new law provides former slave owners with compensation the losses due to the abolition of slavery in 1888. While not as successful as hoped, the law will improve Celso's support. However it will also require large loans from the US and Britain in order to fund the compensation.
October 1890: The Guangxu Emperor graduates Woolwich Military Academy with high marks, completing his education and there is fierce dispute in the Qing court as to his future. Despite her efforts Dowager Empress Cixi has been unable to gain sufficient support to replace him with a new Emperor. She and the conservatives remain convinced he is an unacceptable threat to the established order and have no desire to see him return, hoping instead to muster enough backing to depose him. The reformers on the other hand are split, Some such as Prince Gong, now agree with the conservatives. After his actions in 1887 they fear he will undermine the fundamental basis of Qing power by introducing a radical reform program. Both they and the conservatives recognising there are a growing number of younger radicals who see him as the great hope for fully reforming China into a constitutional monarchy. Others such as Li Hongzhang remain convinced his education will enable to him to effectively modernise China and are eager for his return. Eventually as he has expressed his personal desire to accept a commission in the British Army and serve as an officer, it is decided he should spend some time in the British Army to learn the essentials of command as a precursor to his assuming his role as Emperor. Thus the young Emperor is commissioned as Second Lieutenant Zaitian Aisin-Gioro in the Royal Engineers.
November 1890: Having made considerable speculative investments in Argentina, many of them dubious, Edward Baring, director of the Barings Bank in London, has been funnelling cash into the Argentine banking system to stave off a financial collapse since the 1888 crisis. Unfortunately, the Argentine banks remain on the verge of collapse and the Argentine government is now on the brink of sovereign default. Also, these effort have pushed Barings itself to the edge of collapse. As Britain is the financial centre of the world and Barings one of the largest British banks, their collapse would be disastrous. With the strong possibility of bringing down the entire British banking system, resulting in unthinkable worldwide consequences. To prevent this potential catastrophe, William Lidderdale, Governor of the Bank of England organises a consortium to intervene and create a fund to guarantee Barings debts. The consortium includes the Bank of England and most of the major British banks, along with many leading international banks. The rescue plan writes off over £20 million {£22,276,016} of Barings debt, and the bank is restructured as public company with a new board. Edward Baring himself loses his personal fortune and is required to retire, with many others involved sharing his fate. As a final result of the crisis, credit is cut off to Argentina. The government goes into sovereign default and its banking system collapses, plunging the country into depression.
November 1890: In 1875, William O'Shea, now an MP for Parnell's Irish Home Rule Party, separated from his wife Katherine. However as she was expecting a large inheritance he did not divorce her. In 1885 Katherine took up residence with Parnell in Kent. Eventually Katherine's wealthy aunt died. However Katherine's inheritance was left in trust, meaning her husband would have no claim on it. No longer having any reason to remain married, he filed for divorce in 1889 citing Parnell as co-respondent. The matter caused considerable concern within the conservative catholic Irish nationalist movement. However Parnell gave multiple assurances he will be completely exonerated at trial, for the most part these quieting those concerns at the time. While Parnell does not appear at the divorce hearing, evidence makes it clear he has been involved with Katherine for a very long time, including fathering three children with her. The following scandal ruins Parnell. All but three MPs from the Irish Home Rule Party abandon him forming the Irish National League, choosing John Dillon as the new leader.
December 1890: With the radical Irish nationalists now deeply divided in the wake of the Parnell Scandal, Charles Dilke sees an opportunity to implement his proposed devolution scheme. He raises the matter in cabinet, suggesting 'testing the water' by introducing a bill establishing limited devolution in the form of elected regional boards with control over things such as education and social welfare which are already handled differently in each of the home nations. Campbell-Bannerman is extremely reluctant to renege on his promise to Shaw to introduce home rule, but is eventually persuaded that if such a bill fails to attract controversy it would far easier to convince Shaw to abandon home rule.
December 1890: The Morgan Report into the Annexation of Hawai'i is released. Senator Morgan made no attempt to travel to Hawai'i. Relying solely on sworn testimony from settlers, US diplomats and naval officers. His report directly contradicts the Blount Report, finding nothing irregular in the annexation of Hawai'i. In a surprisingly close vote, Congress accept this report over the earlier one and refuses to void the annexation. Already under pressure over civil service reform, trust busting and monetary policy, President Cleveland is unwilling to press the matter immediately but reiterates his commitment to finding an honourable resolution, privately expressing his belief the annexation was illegal.
