MagnificentOne

World in Revolution: 1900

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Prince Albert Edward's speech during a state visit to Portugal

Rei e amigos, pessoas de Portugal!

It is a delight to be here in your wonderful country.

I have set foot in Lisbon with the aim of not only meeting the wonderful Portuguese people, whose hospitality can not be overstated, but also with the aim of building bridges. Together we have much to celebrate: the ancient ties between our people and our shared values that make us so much more than mere partners; the ancient ties that make us firm friends and equal partners.

Since 1373 we have stood by one another's shoulders as faithful allies: together we successfully won an overwhelming victory against the invading Castillians during the Battle of Aljubarrota; together we guaranteed and protected Portugal's sacred independence in the Seven Years War; and together we battled against the seemingly invincible forces of Joseph Bonaparte and Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, where we brought upon them a crushing defeat in the Peninsular War.

Within our alliance's many annals, however, regretfully lies times of lapses and isolation - times in which our nations where not as closely bound as they should have rightfully been. We have both experienced more than a fair share of turbulence between one another. It is indeed a painful legacy, and I have this to say: to all the people of Portugal who have suffered humiliation as a consequence of our troubled times, I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy.

We realise that we have made some wrong choices, but what defines an alliance not only the friendly spirits in which we treat one another, but also the spirit of forbearance and most importantly of all, that of conciliation. I believe that although misgivings have arose, ours has still been a truly remarkable alliance; one whose bonds may be stretched but never broken. In my humble opinion, I believe it is only right to ensure that these bonds may never be strained again. It is our duty to ensure that they are only nourished from this day onwards.

Having engaged in close discussions with your esteemed King, and reflecting deeply upon the thoughts of the ordinary Portuguese civilian, I have helped to craft a treaty in which the United Kingdom, having recognised its trespasses, vows to reimburse your nation for these misdeeds. It is an agreement that shall not only allow for the mistakes of the past to be compensated for, but shall allow for the friendship and affection between the United Kingdom and Portugal to grow anew into an unbreakable bond, as deserving of such ancient allies.

Thank you, and may the Almighty God be with you all.

---

The Treaty of Lisbon

Whereas the ties between our nations have been lacking in recent years, and whereas the both His Majesty the King of Portugal and Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom are desirous of revitalising the ancient ties that bound the the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Portugal together, it has hereby been agreed as follows:

Article I - The United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Portugal shall reaffirm each and every one of the articles within the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373, as signed between His Majesty King Edward III and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal, in that between our nations shall exist true, faithful, constant, mutual and perpetual friendships, unions, alliances, and needs of sincere affection, and as true and faithful friends we shall henceforth, reciprocally, be friends to friends and enemies to enemies, and shall assist, maintain, and uphold each other mutually, by sea and by land, against all men that may live and die.

Section I - It is agreed that whenever any of the rights and interests of the United Kingdom and Portugal alike are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly, and consider in common the measures which should be taken jointly to safeguard those menaced rights or interests.

Article II - Being fully satisfied with the alliance between the the Contracting Parties, and wishing to see Portugal as a strong ally of the British Empire, the Government of the United Kingdom shall embark upon creating stronger ties between the Royal Navy and the Marinha Portuguesa. The blueprints regarding the designs of Eclipse-Class Cruisers shall be divulged towards our ally in Portugal, and the Board of Admiralty and the Estado-Maior da Armada shall fully co-operate in hosting future military exercises.

Article III - Inspired by her sincere friendship with Portugal, Her Majesty's Government shall reimburse the Kingdom of Portugal for the loss in regards to the lands transferred to the British Central Africa Protectorate from the Portuguese East Africa in 1890 A.D. Therefore, the United Kingdom shall engage to pay to the Portuguese Government the sum of £10,000,000 per annum for a period of ten years.

Article IV - Should the Kingdom of Portugal find itself in the position of declaring bankruptcy, Her Majesty's Government declares itself willing to enter into negotiations with their Portuguese counterpart over the provision of a loan for their ally in order to rebalance the Portuguese economy.

Article V - With the purpose of strengthening mutual understanding, exchanging experiences and becoming more familiar with the public and cultural life of of the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Portugal alike, both governments shall develop an active programme of cultural exchanges, and shall encourage and welcome direct links and visits between artists and performers.

[X] - Sir Hugh Guion MacDonell, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to the King of Portugal and the Algarves
[X] - His Royal Highness the Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Earl of Dublin
[X] - His Most Faithful Majesty Carlos I, King of Portugal and the Algarves

World in Revolution: 1900

Pepperm1nts said
Austria didn't send anyone IRL, I don't think. I think they provided some aid, but didn't commit soldiers. That said, I don't know what I'll do.

They sent more than Italy. That counts for something!

World in Revolution: 1900

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

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The House of Commons
Select excerpts from the debate on British intervention against the Boxers
February 6th, 1900

"... I consider that the rising of the Chinese was a patriotic rising. Their territory had been seized in the most aggressive manner by foreign Powers, and it was only natural that patriotic Chinamen should make an effort to expel the foreigners. My sympathies in this matter lie with the Boxers - [Cries of booing] - and that in light of their brutal treatment of the European or the Christian, it shows that we must tread carefully..."
-- Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Member of Parliament for Stirling Burghs

"...From all I gathered, having listened to a great many British traveller and Chinese civilian alike, I can confidently say that it is a fact that the grand majority of the Chinese people throughout that country have no sympathy whatsoever with the present rising! No ordinary Chinese would wish to associate themselves with what is seen as brutal and bloodthirsty mob. I believe that the hope of staying the rising and preserving the territorial integrity of the Qing lies in the co-operation of the Chinese Empire and this Concert of Germany, the United States, France, Russia, and any other power that would join in this international task-force. With proper conduct, I can promise the Chinese that they may rely on no attempt being made by the United Kingdom nor the other powers to seize territory in that great heart of China, and that the powers will co-operate with the Imperial Court on the friendliest of terms.

I must say that one's heart goes out to all of the Europeans and Christian Chinese alike. Being hunted by the ruthless Boxer Militia, I can only imagine the fear in which they live in. Indeed, my greatest worry is that while we debate the question of joint intervention, there may be none of them left alive..."
-- Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies and Member of Parliament for Birmingham West

"...The Chinese people look upon the Boxer movement as nothing but mere rabble, who are set on to viciously attack innocents. There are some here who hold the opinion that we ought to leave China severely alone. I daresay that this should not the view of Her Majesty's Government. I say that we must decide to grant assistance to the Chinese, but that much like the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain has suggested, we must co-operate fully with that Chinese Government. To leave the Chinese alone during this struggle would be a heinous crime..."
--Viscount Cranborne, Member of Parliament for Rochester

---

Parliamentary vote secured by landslide, Britain offers assistance to China in suppressing Boxers

- The Times of London Headline, February 21st 1900.

World in Revolution: 1900

Simmer down now, China. The Europeans only wish to help you crush the Boxers!

World in Revolution: 1900

Yeah, I wouldn't want to use the monarchs for every speech. Queen Victoria gave a speech as the state opening of Parliament involves a speech from the throne.

World in Revolution: 1900

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Queen Victoria's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament
January 30th, 1900

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The peace which had recently been broken by the Boer Republics in the last few months have unhappily not been restored; but otherwise my relations with other nations of the world are friendly. We shall strive to ensure that this remains the case.

In resisting the invasion of my South African colonies by the Transvaal Republic and by the Orange Free State, my people have responded with devotion and enthusiasm to the appeal which I have made to them. The heroism of my soldiers in the field, and of my sailors and marines who were landed to co-operate with them, has not fallen short of the noblest traditions of our military history. I am deeply grieved that so many valuable lives should have fallen a sacrifice. But I have witnessed with pride and with the heartiest gratification the patriotic eagerness and spontaneous loyalty with which my subjects in all parts of my dominions have come forward to share in the common defence of their Imperial interests. I am confident that I shall not look to them in vain when I exhort them to sustain and renew their exertions until they have brought this struggle for the maintenance of the Empire and the assertion of its supremacy in South Africa to a victorious conclusion. We are not interested in the possibilities of withdrawal nor defeat; they do not exist.

The brilliant courage of the colonial forces engaged in South Africa have already earned high admiration. Patriotic offers of assistance have come from many other colonies with populations of various races. Furthermore, I have also received from the ruling chiefs of Native States in India numerous offers to place their troops and the resources of their States at my disposal for service in South Africa. These proofs of the loyalty of all the peoples of the British Empire to myself and of their devotion to the cause of my Empire have afforded me much gratification.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

The experience of the shocking invasions by the Boer Republics must necessarily afford lessons of the greatest importance to the military administrations of the country. You will not, I am convinced, shrink from the duties that are required of each and every one of us to place our defensive preparations on a level with the responsibilities which the possession of so great an Empire has laid upon us. Indeed, at a dawn of a new century where the future may be uncertain, the solicitude with which you have provided for the efficiency of our Royal Navy and of our coast defences will assuredly not be relaxed.

I commend your deliberations in this anxious time to the blessing and guidance of Almighty God.

World in Revolution: 1861

Does the UR have a President?

World in Revolution: 1900

Heyitsjiwon said
Lasted as Korea for a while in the last one. I think it wasn't until 1917 that I lost control due to some strange events.

Here I thought all was fine, then Japan just suddenly swept in under the guise of friendship. :P

The Nexerus said
If Canada isn't playable, why is it a separate colour from Britain on the map, and why is South Africa post-Boer War playable? I put Canada on my preferences above Sweden, so if Canada is an option, I'd take it before I would Sweden.

My only guess is that you were given Sweden since they actually have their own foreign policy, and doesn't have Britain holding supreme legislative, judicial, and executive authority above them.

World in Revolution: 1861

So Boerd said
Is not!

It is!

World in Revolution: 1861

This isn't an argument. It's just contradictions.