Oct-Dec 1906: Taking flight
~Oct-Dec 1906: Taking flight
October 1906: With the success of the Madsen light machine gun during the Chinese Civil War, British businessman Henry de Morgan Snell has founded the Rexel Small Arms company to produce the weapon under licence for sale within the Empire. Intelligence from China has lead to considerable interest from the army and a series of trials. These trials however show persistent feed issues. Having received two early production examples of the Chengdu machine carbine and being impressed by it, de Morgan Snell hires Prasan Tendulkar to redesign the Madsen to meet British requirements.
October 1906: The military cooperation which has been developing between Denmark and Norway shows it's first practical results with the announcement of a joint naval program. Under this plan, the Danish coastal battleship Iver Hvitfeldt, along with the Norwegian Harald Haarfagre and Tordenskjold will undergo a major refits at the Copenhagen Royal Dockyard. A class of 500 ton fast destroyer minelayers is also ordered, two for each navy. However as the Royal Dockyard will be fully occupied with refitting the battleships, these will be built in the private Danish yards. The program also includes the construction of six submarines in the Horton Naval Yard, four for Denmark and two for Norway. Work on these submarines will begin next year with technical assistance from the US.
October 1906: Using a courtesy visit by the battleship Asahi to San Francisco as cover, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Tadasu meets with US Secretary of State Elihu Root in secret to discuss policy regarding China. With the ejection of Russia from Manchuria and the end of the Chinese Civil War both governments regard stability in China as vital. Concerned by the need to counter the potential German influence with the Zheng, they agree a diplomatic approach is best initially, with Hayashi stressing the importance of Japanese support for Yuan Shikai's coup and suggesting full diplomatic recognition of the Zheng. While Root rejects this option, preferring to continue to recognise the Xianfa as the legitimate government of all China, he agrees some form of formal diplomatic contact is essential, suggesting establishing consular representation as an alternative. The Asahi Talks end with broad agreement that cultivating contacts with the Zheng to avoid them falling under German influence and supporting the growing British influence with the Xianfa is the best approach for maintaining the fragile peace in China.
October 1906: American born British aviation pioneer Samuel Cody obtains permission from Alberto Santos-Dumont to commercially manufacture a version of his No. 20 Criança. Produced in kit form with a choice of 15kw, 22.5kw or 30kw engines for £300 {£286}, the Criança will prove extremely popular with over 100 sold. However attempts to sell the Criança in the US will be blocked by the Wright Brothers claiming patent violations. Nonetheless in Europe, many early aviators will learn to fly in a Criança, giving the European aviation industry a vital boost over the US.
October 1906: Shah Mozzafar an-Din of Persia's extravagant lifestyle has incited widespread unrest in the country. In response to this unrest, he convenes a commission to draw up a written constitution for the nation. This will immediately lead to conflict between the Russian and British over control of the nation.
November 1906: With the only remaining obstacle appearing to preventing French Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau's long sought Anglo-French alliance being Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia, he has been engaged in frantic negotiations in order to arrange an Conference aimed at resolving the matter. Unfortunately, there widespread opposition to any form of rapprochement in both governments. However eventually agree is reached for a French mediated conference to be held in St Petersburg in January.
November 1906: While highly controversial Government of India Bill is passed by the Commons after its alteration in September, it fails in the Lords. Despite Prime Minister Dilke wanting to use the provisions of the parliament act to bypass the Lords veto, moderates in the Liberal Party led by Joseph Chamberlains son Austen, supported by the Federalist Party, are able to convince cabinet the bill is too controversial and should be abandoned. Instead a commission headed by former Viceroy Lord Wallington is established to develop a less radical set of reforms.
November 1906: By the end of the Chinese Civil War, the Zheng had over 620,000 men under arms. While there has been no demobilisation, a steady stream of desertions by troops unwilling to continue to serve has reduced this to around 540,000. With the Xianfa having demobilised at the end of the previous year, this now far outnumbers the remaining Xianfa forces. Many of Emperor Shikai's supporters have been urging him to take advantage of the situation by resuming hostilities, hoping to comprehensively defeat their opponents before they can rebuild their strength. The matters has dominated discussions within the Zheng Grand Council for many months, with the Emperor remaining undecided. Eventual he decides against any resumption of hostilities, refusing to fall into what he sees as the trap of underestimate the Xianfa as the Dowager Empress did. With the Boxer and Civil Wars primarily fought on Zheng territory he feels rebuilding should be the first priority, with the aim of exploiting Northern China's rich mineral resources To develop an industrialised economy. As a first step the hugely expensive army should be reduced to 250,000 regulars maintained by one year of universal conscription, giving a powerful standing army supported by a substantial reserve available on mobilisation.
November 1906: Unlike the Government of India Bill, the Regional Government Bill is narrowly passed by the Lords in return for a guarantee the Liberal-Federalist government will not introduce any further such legislation during the current Parliamentary term. While the program of devolution along with land reform has satisfied many Irish nationalists, the powers thus far granted fall far below those of the Dominions and there remains a core of Irish nationalist demanding either full Dominion status or even outright independence. With the government now guaranteeing no further devolution until at least 1911, thirteen Irish Federalist MPs headed by John Dillon leave the party to reform the Irish National League, demanding full Dominion status for Ireland.
November 1906: With memories of the turmoil of the late 1890s fading and nationalist sentiment soaring after the Tangier Crisis, the 1906 elections see a radical change in French politics. The surge in support for the right will see Gabriel Hantaux's conservatives take the largest number of seats, though only 24 more than Waldeck-Rousseau's moderates. However, Paul Déroulède's boulangists ultra-nationalist policies result in a significant increase in their number of deputies. With the constitution allowing the party with the largest number of deputies ten days to form a government, Hantaux is able to form a coalition with the boulangists, replacing Waldeck-Rousseau as Prime Minister.
December 1906: The British army's experiments with the military use of motor vehicles have proven successful in demonstrating their potential usefulness on the battlefield. In light of this result the Experimental Motor Force is regularised as the single company Motor Corps to further develop the concept.
December 1906: After the limited success of his first airship, the LZ1, Ferdinand von Zeppelin has continued his work in an attempt to improve the design. This culminated with the construction of the LZ2 in 1905. While the improved design showed promise, it suffered serious instability and crashed shortly into its second flight. Undeterred, von Zeppelin produced yet another improved design, the LZ3, which will be the first truly successful rigid airship. After conducting a number of flights of several hours duration, the design attracted the interest of the German Army who were willing to purchase the craft after several modifications. While these have taken several months, they have proved successful with the airship accepted into German service as the Z I, the world's first military airship.
December 1906: During the South American Naval Arms Race of the 1880s and 1890s, the Brazilian navy become one of the most powerful in the world. However the financial crisis which followed resulted in it being run down as a cost cutting measure, leaving only four effective warships in service. With the Brazilian economy booming due demand for coffee and rubber, Prime Minister Rodrigues Alves authorises the construction of two dreadnoughts and three scout cruisers in British yards to rebuild the Imperial Navy. With Brazil seeming have no need for such a power vessel, there is widespread speculation they are working as a proxy for another power, with Russia being frequently mentioned. These rumours become so widespread, the British obtain assurances from the Brazilian government the ships will not be resold.
December 1906: The Australian federal elections again result in a hung parliament, with the Protectionist Party, Free Trade Party and Labour Party again finely balanced in the house. With the issues around tariffs having largely been resolved over the past six years, the Protectionist and Free Trade parties form a coalition to keep the socialist Labour Party out of power, allowing Alfred Deakin to remain Premier.
October 1906: With the success of the Madsen light machine gun during the Chinese Civil War, British businessman Henry de Morgan Snell has founded the Rexel Small Arms company to produce the weapon under licence for sale within the Empire. Intelligence from China has lead to considerable interest from the army and a series of trials. These trials however show persistent feed issues. Having received two early production examples of the Chengdu machine carbine and being impressed by it, de Morgan Snell hires Prasan Tendulkar to redesign the Madsen to meet British requirements.
October 1906: The military cooperation which has been developing between Denmark and Norway shows it's first practical results with the announcement of a joint naval program. Under this plan, the Danish coastal battleship Iver Hvitfeldt, along with the Norwegian Harald Haarfagre and Tordenskjold will undergo a major refits at the Copenhagen Royal Dockyard. A class of 500 ton fast destroyer minelayers is also ordered, two for each navy. However as the Royal Dockyard will be fully occupied with refitting the battleships, these will be built in the private Danish yards. The program also includes the construction of six submarines in the Horton Naval Yard, four for Denmark and two for Norway. Work on these submarines will begin next year with technical assistance from the US.
October 1906: Using a courtesy visit by the battleship Asahi to San Francisco as cover, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Tadasu meets with US Secretary of State Elihu Root in secret to discuss policy regarding China. With the ejection of Russia from Manchuria and the end of the Chinese Civil War both governments regard stability in China as vital. Concerned by the need to counter the potential German influence with the Zheng, they agree a diplomatic approach is best initially, with Hayashi stressing the importance of Japanese support for Yuan Shikai's coup and suggesting full diplomatic recognition of the Zheng. While Root rejects this option, preferring to continue to recognise the Xianfa as the legitimate government of all China, he agrees some form of formal diplomatic contact is essential, suggesting establishing consular representation as an alternative. The Asahi Talks end with broad agreement that cultivating contacts with the Zheng to avoid them falling under German influence and supporting the growing British influence with the Xianfa is the best approach for maintaining the fragile peace in China.
October 1906: American born British aviation pioneer Samuel Cody obtains permission from Alberto Santos-Dumont to commercially manufacture a version of his No. 20 Criança. Produced in kit form with a choice of 15kw, 22.5kw or 30kw engines for £300 {£286}, the Criança will prove extremely popular with over 100 sold. However attempts to sell the Criança in the US will be blocked by the Wright Brothers claiming patent violations. Nonetheless in Europe, many early aviators will learn to fly in a Criança, giving the European aviation industry a vital boost over the US.
October 1906: Shah Mozzafar an-Din of Persia's extravagant lifestyle has incited widespread unrest in the country. In response to this unrest, he convenes a commission to draw up a written constitution for the nation. This will immediately lead to conflict between the Russian and British over control of the nation.
November 1906: With the only remaining obstacle appearing to preventing French Prime Minister Waldeck-Rousseau's long sought Anglo-French alliance being Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia, he has been engaged in frantic negotiations in order to arrange an Conference aimed at resolving the matter. Unfortunately, there widespread opposition to any form of rapprochement in both governments. However eventually agree is reached for a French mediated conference to be held in St Petersburg in January.
November 1906: While highly controversial Government of India Bill is passed by the Commons after its alteration in September, it fails in the Lords. Despite Prime Minister Dilke wanting to use the provisions of the parliament act to bypass the Lords veto, moderates in the Liberal Party led by Joseph Chamberlains son Austen, supported by the Federalist Party, are able to convince cabinet the bill is too controversial and should be abandoned. Instead a commission headed by former Viceroy Lord Wallington is established to develop a less radical set of reforms.
November 1906: By the end of the Chinese Civil War, the Zheng had over 620,000 men under arms. While there has been no demobilisation, a steady stream of desertions by troops unwilling to continue to serve has reduced this to around 540,000. With the Xianfa having demobilised at the end of the previous year, this now far outnumbers the remaining Xianfa forces. Many of Emperor Shikai's supporters have been urging him to take advantage of the situation by resuming hostilities, hoping to comprehensively defeat their opponents before they can rebuild their strength. The matters has dominated discussions within the Zheng Grand Council for many months, with the Emperor remaining undecided. Eventual he decides against any resumption of hostilities, refusing to fall into what he sees as the trap of underestimate the Xianfa as the Dowager Empress did. With the Boxer and Civil Wars primarily fought on Zheng territory he feels rebuilding should be the first priority, with the aim of exploiting Northern China's rich mineral resources To develop an industrialised economy. As a first step the hugely expensive army should be reduced to 250,000 regulars maintained by one year of universal conscription, giving a powerful standing army supported by a substantial reserve available on mobilisation.
November 1906: Unlike the Government of India Bill, the Regional Government Bill is narrowly passed by the Lords in return for a guarantee the Liberal-Federalist government will not introduce any further such legislation during the current Parliamentary term. While the program of devolution along with land reform has satisfied many Irish nationalists, the powers thus far granted fall far below those of the Dominions and there remains a core of Irish nationalist demanding either full Dominion status or even outright independence. With the government now guaranteeing no further devolution until at least 1911, thirteen Irish Federalist MPs headed by John Dillon leave the party to reform the Irish National League, demanding full Dominion status for Ireland.
November 1906: With memories of the turmoil of the late 1890s fading and nationalist sentiment soaring after the Tangier Crisis, the 1906 elections see a radical change in French politics. The surge in support for the right will see Gabriel Hantaux's conservatives take the largest number of seats, though only 24 more than Waldeck-Rousseau's moderates. However, Paul Déroulède's boulangists ultra-nationalist policies result in a significant increase in their number of deputies. With the constitution allowing the party with the largest number of deputies ten days to form a government, Hantaux is able to form a coalition with the boulangists, replacing Waldeck-Rousseau as Prime Minister.
December 1906: The British army's experiments with the military use of motor vehicles have proven successful in demonstrating their potential usefulness on the battlefield. In light of this result the Experimental Motor Force is regularised as the single company Motor Corps to further develop the concept.
December 1906: After the limited success of his first airship, the LZ1, Ferdinand von Zeppelin has continued his work in an attempt to improve the design. This culminated with the construction of the LZ2 in 1905. While the improved design showed promise, it suffered serious instability and crashed shortly into its second flight. Undeterred, von Zeppelin produced yet another improved design, the LZ3, which will be the first truly successful rigid airship. After conducting a number of flights of several hours duration, the design attracted the interest of the German Army who were willing to purchase the craft after several modifications. While these have taken several months, they have proved successful with the airship accepted into German service as the Z I, the world's first military airship.
December 1906: During the South American Naval Arms Race of the 1880s and 1890s, the Brazilian navy become one of the most powerful in the world. However the financial crisis which followed resulted in it being run down as a cost cutting measure, leaving only four effective warships in service. With the Brazilian economy booming due demand for coffee and rubber, Prime Minister Rodrigues Alves authorises the construction of two dreadnoughts and three scout cruisers in British yards to rebuild the Imperial Navy. With Brazil seeming have no need for such a power vessel, there is widespread speculation they are working as a proxy for another power, with Russia being frequently mentioned. These rumours become so widespread, the British obtain assurances from the Brazilian government the ships will not be resold.
December 1906: The Australian federal elections again result in a hung parliament, with the Protectionist Party, Free Trade Party and Labour Party again finely balanced in the house. With the issues around tariffs having largely been resolved over the past six years, the Protectionist and Free Trade parties form a coalition to keep the socialist Labour Party out of power, allowing Alfred Deakin to remain Premier.
