Turn 7.1, Foreign Diplomacy.
nachtingale
20. On that "honk, mimimi" type beat everyday.
- Location
- Malaysia
- Pronouns
- He/They
[X] [Land Reform]
[X] [Reconstruction]
[X] [Intergration]
[X] [Foreign Diplomacy]
[X] [Lanzhou]
With Open Arms.
"The global powers of this age are baffled... baffled at the mere concept of a great nation not of European origin.
The idea of a united Chinese state shall no doubt horrify them."
- Wu Ting-Fang, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Republic, insofar as it is viewed from the outside world, has so far been seen with little of much concern. With the defeat of the Jiachen revolutionaries in 1907, it had been assumed that the Republic would flounder and wither on its own lofty ambitions, built on foundations of sand. Indeed, the continuing internal intrigues of the young republic seemed to have confirmed this to foreign observers, as reports that were sent back to the homelands of the few minor diplomats that were even stationed in Lanzhou were few and far between, almost always contained some form of political scandal or crisis.
That, combined with the orientalist viewpoint of most major nations across the globe, meant that few had truly kept up with the happenings of China beyond the borders of the Xin Han territories, content to focus on the increasingly fragile international situation in Europe instead. What few interest was had in the Far east would be placed on the securely western-aligned cliques under the direction of either the French or Duan Qirui's bastardized confederation. Even the socialist factions of the world paid little heed to the Republic, having far more interest in the revolutionary potential of the volatile situation in Japan with either fear (for the 2nd International) or hope (for the Syndicalists).
The West China War would change that perception slightly, the destruction of the Taiping sending shockwaves through the international order, most especially the French, as they suddenly found themselves with a new neighbor, struggling to adjust to a lesser known entity so close to their prized colonies in the South China Sea. Their standing on the foreign stage was still low from the disastrous Mexican Intervention only a few years prior, and were loathe to suffer another such embarrassment in the near future from another non-European power.
The current Governor-General of the French colonial possessions, Joost van Vollenhoven, would be pressured by the French government to pursue the previous policy of detente with the Chinese powers, now faced with the new problem of the KMT-led Republic just north of Kunming. The newly-appointed governor would, with great reluctance, assent to the request for a French embassy in Lanzhou, officially establishing a French diplomatic presence inside of the Republic and accepted with little pushback. He would, however, further request that the Republicans dispatch a mission to Saigon to negotiate the continuation of the treaty signed with the Taiping only a year or so prior, detailing an agreement for a permanent ceasefire along the Sino-French border on both sides.
Worryingly, the Governor-General would include additional provisions for the forbidding of assistance granted to revolutionary activity within the French colonies in the Far East. NBIS has reported excellent progress in the southern territories, successfully rallying support amongst the local populations in support of Republican, and most importantly anti-colonial opposition to French rule. This has, naturally, formed a worrying sign to the Dutch-born Frenchman, with the usual methods of martial law and army troops proving less and less effective in cowing the local population.
Instead, he would go to the assumed source of the issue.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty in Full. (Revolutionary Group CANNOT vote for this option)
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions in Secret.
[] [INDOCHINA] Reject the Treaty. (Mainline CANNOT vote for this option)
On the other side of the Southern question would be a request from a group of Vietnamese revolutionaries at the same time, under the leadership of Phan Bội Châu. The Northern-born intellectual would be a new convert to Sun Yat-Sen's republican movement, inspired by the Jiachen Uprising and seeking to emulate it in his own way to forge a path for an independent Vietnam. Phan would request permission to establish a branch of the KMT in Vietnam and the necessary support for such an undertaking, citing the revolutionary potential of the Vietnamese people, especially after the weakening of French power in the aftermath of the disasters in Mexico.
Whilst promising, Song Jiaoren has noted that the Republic can ill-afford to spend such resources on such an adventurist policy, and that it would be wise to put-off such direct support for an organization as put forward by Phan whilst it was still in its infancy, given the history of Vietnamese revolts over the decades of French rule.
That, combined with the orientalist viewpoint of most major nations across the globe, meant that few had truly kept up with the happenings of China beyond the borders of the Xin Han territories, content to focus on the increasingly fragile international situation in Europe instead. What few interest was had in the Far east would be placed on the securely western-aligned cliques under the direction of either the French or Duan Qirui's bastardized confederation. Even the socialist factions of the world paid little heed to the Republic, having far more interest in the revolutionary potential of the volatile situation in Japan with either fear (for the 2nd International) or hope (for the Syndicalists).
The West China War would change that perception slightly, the destruction of the Taiping sending shockwaves through the international order, most especially the French, as they suddenly found themselves with a new neighbor, struggling to adjust to a lesser known entity so close to their prized colonies in the South China Sea. Their standing on the foreign stage was still low from the disastrous Mexican Intervention only a few years prior, and were loathe to suffer another such embarrassment in the near future from another non-European power.
The current Governor-General of the French colonial possessions, Joost van Vollenhoven, would be pressured by the French government to pursue the previous policy of detente with the Chinese powers, now faced with the new problem of the KMT-led Republic just north of Kunming. The newly-appointed governor would, with great reluctance, assent to the request for a French embassy in Lanzhou, officially establishing a French diplomatic presence inside of the Republic and accepted with little pushback. He would, however, further request that the Republicans dispatch a mission to Saigon to negotiate the continuation of the treaty signed with the Taiping only a year or so prior, detailing an agreement for a permanent ceasefire along the Sino-French border on both sides.
Worryingly, the Governor-General would include additional provisions for the forbidding of assistance granted to revolutionary activity within the French colonies in the Far East. NBIS has reported excellent progress in the southern territories, successfully rallying support amongst the local populations in support of Republican, and most importantly anti-colonial opposition to French rule. This has, naturally, formed a worrying sign to the Dutch-born Frenchman, with the usual methods of martial law and army troops proving less and less effective in cowing the local population.
Instead, he would go to the assumed source of the issue.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty in Full. (Revolutionary Group CANNOT vote for this option)
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions in Secret.
[] [INDOCHINA] Reject the Treaty. (Mainline CANNOT vote for this option)
On the other side of the Southern question would be a request from a group of Vietnamese revolutionaries at the same time, under the leadership of Phan Bội Châu. The Northern-born intellectual would be a new convert to Sun Yat-Sen's republican movement, inspired by the Jiachen Uprising and seeking to emulate it in his own way to forge a path for an independent Vietnam. Phan would request permission to establish a branch of the KMT in Vietnam and the necessary support for such an undertaking, citing the revolutionary potential of the Vietnamese people, especially after the weakening of French power in the aftermath of the disasters in Mexico.
Whilst promising, Song Jiaoren has noted that the Republic can ill-afford to spend such resources on such an adventurist policy, and that it would be wise to put-off such direct support for an organization as put forward by Phan whilst it was still in its infancy, given the history of Vietnamese revolts over the decades of French rule.
[] [VNQPH] Give Phan all that he needs. (Mainline CANNOT vote for this option)
[] [VNQPH] Agree to the formation of the new organization, but withhold resources.
[] [VNQPH] Deny his request. (Revolutionary Group CANNOT vote for this option)
For the rest of the foreign affairs, there is still much to discuss, most especially as it concerns the establishment of diplomatic missions with the great powers of the world. Access to these great states would be quite beneficial to the Republic, whether in terms of financial, industrial or military aid, reconstruction our battered state in the aftermath of the West China War. Such support could prove vital in helping us rejuvenate our state's meagre resources and improving the prospects of Chinese reunification.
The Republic can provide few resources for its diplomatic corps at this point, however, given the domestic circumstances that it finds itself mired in at this moment. As such, only TWO missions can be afforded enough to establish themselves in sufficient standing to the eyes of the industrial powers of the wider world.
The Republic can provide few resources for its diplomatic corps at this point, however, given the domestic circumstances that it finds itself mired in at this moment. As such, only TWO missions can be afforded enough to establish themselves in sufficient standing to the eyes of the industrial powers of the wider world.
The question, then, becomes of whom do we send our venerable diplomats to?
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Germany
The Germans have been our most venerable patrons for years now, having provided the first reliable foreign support for the Republic's ambitions during the initial years of its existence. The growing socialist movement in the Reichstag could prove further useful for our goals, itself sympathetic to our cause to modernize the Chinese nation. Furthermore, fears of a Franco-Russian usurpation and domination of China's lucrative markets could be relied upon to extract beneficial agreements from the mildly paranoid state, surrounded by all sides as it were by enemies and rivals.
[] [FOREIGN] The Second French Empire
The French could be argued as the premiere global power of this century, as the British Empire continues to crumble and give way in the aftermath of the 1904 Revolutions. The carving up of the British colonial empire has brought it ever so closer to the Xin Han, sweeping up formerly British-owned businesses or administrations in the state in an effort to secure the great gains that could be had from exploiting the Chinese region. Negotiations with the French could prove tough, given our noticeable alignment with the Germans in the midst of mutual Franco-German hostility, and our further nationalist rhetoric stressing the colonial governors of the southern Chinese provinces. But, should they succeed, the benefits could be immense.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Japan
Theoretically the most easy to interact with, the Japanese are the most compatible of the great powers for us to negotiate with. Being only just a strait away from each other, should both sides have wished it, a mutually beneficial deal could result from a diplomatic meeting in short order, and with little hassle for both sides. However, recent events have soured opinions for both the Republic and Japan, and the question of the remnants of the Qing monarchy in the Northeast could prove a major obstacle in the negotiations, given their closer relationship with Japan and their unification rhetoric.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Brazil
Brazil would appear as a surprise choice to many, but nonetheless enticing. The continually modernizing state has always sought to establish itself as a preeminent global power, able to stand toe-to-toe with the European hegemons of the last century and establish themselves as yet another of the pantheon of great powers. Negotiations with the Empire could prove interesting, as the Brazilian state seeks new markets that it could possibly capture for itself, and have much to offer in terms of foreign investment and aid should they agree to it. Furthermore, they have little antagonisms with the rest of the world, save for the rival Bogota government.
[] [FOREIGN] The United People's Union of Great Britain and Ireland
There is, of course, the theoretical champion for the cause of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism. The UPU stands as the brightest torch for socialism in the world, and the recent toppling of the Lord-Protector Hyndman would seem a promising start for the further advancement of the Syndicalist International on the global stage, now rid of the stench of Hyndman's reputation. Negotiations with the UPU would almost certainly be of great success, given their desire to insert a new ally of the SI in the Far East, what with Japan's revolutionary energy seemingly dissipating, to the disappointment of all. However, this would most assuredly throw the imperial powers into a paranoid frenzy regarding the Republic's intentions.
[] [FOREIGN] The Union of American Socialist Republics
Another possible choice for diplomatic detente would be the newly forged UASR, having only recently ended its reactionary rivals in the civil war. The New World behemoth could prove extremely beneficial for our cause, the great industries and economies of the former American states able to assist our rebirth with ease. However, the recent spell of natural disasters, and the reconstruction undergoing the war-torn nation could throw a wrench in negotiations, with Debs' inward-looking government less inclined to support a more aggressive foreign police as a result.
Pick ONE Faction.
[] KMT - Mainline[] KMT - Revolutionary Group
[] KMT - Independents
[NPC] Republican Party
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty in Full.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Germany.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Brazil.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Germany.
[] [FOREIGN] The Empire of Brazil.
[] [INDOCHINA] Reject the Treaty.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions in Secret.
[] [FOREIGN] The United People's Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
[] [FOREIGN] The Union of American Socialist Republics.
[] [INDOCHINA] Agree to the Treaty, but Reject the New Provisions in Secret.
[] [FOREIGN] The United People's Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
[] [FOREIGN] The Union of American Socialist Republics.
Abstention.
A/N: A bit of a doozy, all votes must be written in a plan format. You may ask any questions that you have regarding this vote.
48 hour moratorium.
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