Silent Night, Part 5

My apologies for taking so long to get this update out. I hope you enjoy it. 

PART 5: Writing the Peace, Act II

(click here for Part 4)

German soldiers march through Berlin, April 1915. 

TREATY DRAFT RECEIVES PRAISE AND CRITICISM 

LONDON, APRIL 20 - The “Treaty of Strasbourg” has been in the hands of government ministers across Europe for nearly a month now, and it is expected that there will be votes in several countries soon on whether or not to approve the treaty. The strongest support comes from the socialist government of France, which has stated to the press that they will vote on the treaty once a clean up from the civil war is completed. The anti-socialist forces of George Clemenceau surrendered on April 16th, after loosing the Second Battle of Auxerre on April 14th. The head of the government in Paris, Jean Juares, says that as soon as representatives of all regions of France have been able to assemble in the capital they will vote on the treaty, though he expects it to be approved by this new “National People’s Assembly.” 

In Germany, it appears that most commoners approve of the new treaty, or most of it, and are vehemently against the return of hostilities. Despite this, there seems to be a lingering animosity to the peace process among the German nobles, especially those from Prussia, and these men are doing all they can to influence Kaiser Wilhelm II to not approve the current draft of the treaty. They want to punish the mutineers, and most do not support giving up Alsace-Lorraine, even if it wouldn’t be given to France. In addition to this, there are serious reservations held by the government in Berlin about recognizing the legitimacy of the new socialist government in Paris. 

Support for the treaty is fairly strong in Russia. Despite not being involved in the initial Christmas Truce, the Russians fear facing Germany alone, and so have backed the treaty at the conference and it is expected that the Russian Tsar will give his consent soon. There are those in the Russian government and the Court of Tsar Nicholas II that fear revolt if the war were to drag on. Outside observers have repeatedly stated that the political and economic situation in the Russian Empire is on the verge of becoming quite dangerous, and it would not take much for that country to spiral into revolution. According to those stationed at the British Embassy in St. Petersburg, the Imperial government has gone through great lengths to keep a lid on the revolution in France, fearing that such news would bolster revolutionaries in their own country. 

Here in Britain, support for the peace is mixed. The common man calls for peace, while the upper classes are outraged at the mutiny that occurred and believe that not doing anything about it could lead to worse problems in the future. Debate in the House of Commons is set to begin within the next week, and it is unclear just where the support of Prime Minister Grey’s government lies. What it will ultimately come down to is whether or not the government can ignore popular opinion that supports the treaty. Many clergymen have spoken out against the recent war, and have begun to turn this into a moral and religious issue, which will make rejection of the peace harder to swallow. 

-”Treaty Draft Receives Praise and Criticism,” The Times (London), April 20, 1915. 

COUP IN BERLIN: ANTI-TREATY GENERALS TAKE POWER

BERLIN, APRIL 28 - The Chief of the German General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, along with General Paul von Hindenburg, announced today that Kaiser Wilhelm II had taken ill and was no longer able to lead the nation, and that his son, Prince Wilhelm, will serve as regent for the time being. Although trying to give the semblance of legitimacy, it is very clear that this is anything but legitimate. The Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, has been dismissed by the Emperor, and rumor has it that the Reichstag may be dismissed as well. In addition, the German delegation in Strasbourg have received orders to return to Berlin. Among those in the delegation at the moment is Prince Oskar, the 25 year old son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and he was one of the first to refer to what occurred as a coup. He and others in the delegation, including the Foreign Minister, have stated that they are refusing to return to Germany. 

Just what this means for the peace process in Strasbourg, or the state of the German Empire, is anyone’s guess at this point in time. Comrade Juares and Defense Minister Thomas has ordered a heightened alert for all troops stationed near the German boarder, and it is possible that additional troops may be sent to frontier fortifications. Officials at the People’s Palace in Paris have stated that, while the government believes that they can deal with this crisis without armed conflict, they want to be ready in case things deteriorate. 

-”Coup in Berlin: Anti-Treaty Generals Take Power,” Le Monde, April 29, 1915.

PRINZ OSKAR, VON JAGOW RALLY AGAINST COUP

STRASBOURG, APRIL 29- Prinz Oskar of Prussia, one of the sons of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Foreign Minister Gottlieb von Jagow are decrying what is obviously a coup against the Kaiser and those in the German government who have supported the truce. The ministers and military officials that made up the German delegation in Strasbourg have been meeting non-stop since word of the actions of Generals von Falkenhayn and Hindenburg, and there are many here in the so-called “City of Peace” that think the delegates will back von Jagow as emergency Chancellor and Prinz Oskar as regent until the Kaiser can be liberated from the custody of the new regime in Berlin. The German members of the Christmas Army are in an uproar, and many are calling on the Army Consulate to order an invasion of Germany and put an end to the coup. 

Meanwhile, in Germany, Prince Wilhelm, as acting regent, has ordered all newspapers to stop publishing any news coming out of Strasbourg. In addition, General von Falkenhayn has ordered the armed forces to prepare for action, especially in Berlin and on the boarders with France. There is speculation that the coup leaders may order their troops to march on Strasbourg and close the peace congress. 

-”Prinz Oskar, von Jagow Rally Against Coup,” The Times (London), April 30, 1915. 

On May 1, 1915, the members of the German delegation to the Strasbourg Peace Congress announced that they were recognizing Prinz Oskar of Prussia as acting Regent, and Foreign Minister Gottlieb von Jagow as emergency Chancellor, and called on Generals von Hindenburg and von Falkenhayn to release Kaiser Wilhelm II and restore the legitimate government. Within hours, many of the leaders of the provinces in western Germany announced allegiance to Prinz Oskar, denouncing the leaders of the coup. Very quickly, the leaders of Europe feared that Germany would find itself plunged into civil war. To avert this, Prinz Oskar and von Jagow and the leaders of the Christmas Army acted fast. 

A mere two days later, on May 3, the Regent, the Chancellor, and approximately one third of the German Contingent of the Christmas Army boarded express trains bound for Berlin, with the goal of ousting the coup leaders from power. As the trains crossed Germany, they met only light resistance, which they took as a sign that the coup was not as strong as it claimed to be. On the early morning of May 5, the so-called “Prinz Oskar’s Army” arrived in the imperial capital. They quickly secured the main train station. Outside, soldiers loyal to the coup opened fire, and the Battle of Berlin began. By noon, the anti-coup forces had pushed its way into the city center, and the pro-coup forces were fraying, as the populace of Berlin began to come out in support of Prinz Oskar. Just after noon, Prinz Oskar and von Jagow entered the City Palace, where their soldiers had captured General von Falkenhayn. They found out that General von Hindenburg and Prinz Wilhelm had fled to the palaces at Potsdam. In the upper level of the palace, soldiers found Kaiser Wilhelm, who’d been locked in a small room, and appeared to be suffering from some sort of pneumonia. 

By that evening, the troops loyal to the coup had either surrendered or fled the city to Potsdam. Three days later, reinforcements arrived and the anti-coup forces marched on Potsdam, overwhelming the coup and bringing about it’s end. Prinz Wilhelm and Hindenburg both died during the fighting. The legitimate government was restored on May 10. 

• Heim, Dr. Rudolph. The Birth of the New Germany. Berlin: Humboldt University Press, 1989. 

GERMANY BACKS TREATY

BERLIN, MAY 15- In the wake of the recent coup that occurred in Germany, the recently restored Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg announced today that Germany would fully support the Strasbourg Treaty, seeking only minor changes in the territorial concessions that Germany would make to the newly independent boarder states. The other main issue that had previously been mentioned, punishment of the mutineers, has vanished since the coup, due to fact that the German members of the Christmas Army are now being hailed as heros of the Empire and saviors of the Kaiser. If Britain and Austria-Hungary will back the treaty, then the Great European War could come to an end by June or July, one year after it started. 

-”Germany Backs Treaty,”  The Washington Post, May 16, 1915. 

KAISER WILHELM II DEAD

BERLIN, MAY 21- The Imperial Government of Germany announced this morning that Kaiser Wilhelm II died from complications to the pneumonia that he contracted before the start of the coup last month, and that was left untreated by the coup leaders. Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg has declared a state of mourning throughout Germany. Wilhelm II, son of Wilhelm I, the first Emperor of a a united Germany, was 56 when he passed from this world, reportedly surrounded by his wife, Prince Oskar, and other family, friends, and members of the Government. 

It is not entirely clear who will succeed Wilhelm II as Emperor. Since the coup, one high possibility is that Prince Oskar could ascend to the throne. This is not a guaranteed thing, since he is not the first in line for the throne. However, since Crown Prince Wilhelm died during the coup, exactly who is in line is unclear. Prince Eitel Friedrich, 31, is now the oldest surviving child of Wilhelm II, but he and his brother Prince August Wilhelm both gave tacit support to the coup in April. The government in Berlin may convene a regency council to determine who will ascend the throne as the next Kaiser. 

-”Kaiser Wilhelm II Dead,” The Times (London), May 22, 1915. 

AUSTRIA AGREES TO TREATY, FINAL PEACE IMMINENT 

VIENNA, MAY 24- After Britain’s recent announcement on the 23rd that they were giving consent to the Strasbourg Treaty, and in light of the loss of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has announced that they are giving their approval of the treaty as well. They were the last major power of the Great European War to agree to the peace proposal. Emperor Charles I & IV stated that, “the time for war is over. We must now make peace, we must stop the killing. Too many good and innocent people have perished since the war broke out in the summer of 1914. I say no more. No more killing, no more death.” 

President Wilson, on hearing that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had agreed to the treaty, told reporters at the White House that, “this is a great day for all humanity. Soon Europe can put this terrible conflict behind them, and our world will be a better place for it.” 

-”Austria Agrees to Treaty, Final Peace Imminent,” The Washington Post, May 25, 1915. 

(Click Here for Part 6)

Time Traveling through Photography

Hello to all my readers. Work is still on going on the next update of Silent Night. As to when said update will be up for you to enjoy, all I can say right now is "soon, hopefully." Student teaching is definitely keeping me busy, but I have found some time to write, and it is my hope that I can get you the next update, and maybe some other articles and stories, posted for your enjoyment in the near future. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you this amazing gem I discovered the other day thanks to social media.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to look at the past "in living color," as the phrase goes? I for one have often said that I would love to travel back in time, not to change the past, but just for the opportunity to see it for myself in the bright and real hues that we are used to seeing in the every day. At best, we get a glimpse of the past through the dull (though sometimes quite artistic) limitations of black and white. And that's only for the past hundred years, 150 at best. Before that all we have are paintings, artistic representations of the past that don't always do reality justice. Well, the other day, I discovered the following two websites that present more than a dozen images taken in Paris between 1910 and 1940, all with a type of color photography that was actually copyrighted in 1903. I was amazed to see vivid, high quality photographs of Parisian street scenes from before the First World War, or the the Eiffel tower decorated and illuminated during the inter-war years in beautiful yellow and blue lights. There were pictures of the victory celebrations outside the Paris city hall in 1918, the building bedecked with the red-white-blue of the French tricolor flag. When you first see some of these pictures, you think, "surely these are snapshots taken from some movie set," because they look so life-like that you think it's impossible for them to be 100 years old. But then you really start looking and realize....these are the real deal.

So, without further adieu, here are the links. The first website just has the pictures all listed together, without any caption or information. The second website, where the first website borrowed the images from, posted these pictures individually as separate posts with date and locations, so it takes a bit longer to go through the posts, but there is more information for you.

website 1

website 2
(on this website, you'll have to click on the pictures to find out the place and date it was taken)

Enjoy!

While you're waiting on me...check out these cool reads!

Never fear Chrononaut readers! I am working on the next update to Silent Night. It's taking me longer than I had originally hoped for, but it will get done. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some excellent short stories that have recently been posted on a blog that I follow and really enjoy, the Alternate History Weekly Update. If you like what you've read here, chances are you will really enjoy what blog editor Matt Mitrovich

The first story I liked because it was written in a style similar to how I've written both the Airship President & Legacy story, as well as Silent Night, that is, written like a news article from the actual alternate history. It's called "The Holy Land," by Kieran Colfer, and was a really interesting look at what might have happened in the Middle East. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The second story was a real treat. Most alternate histories that you come to mind when you first think about the genre usually have a point of departure from real history sometime within the last 200-300 years (essentially from the American Revolution on up, especially in English-language works). This one, however, goes back thousands of years, and the changes in it are guaranteed to result in a world that will become radically different from our own. So go check out "The Anointed One," by A.J. Nolte and enjoy the story.

Blog Update 1/8/2013

Hello and Happy New Years to all my readers! I hope you all have had a great and restful holiday season and are having a good start to the new year. The blog saw a lot of views at the first of the year, and for January 2013 there has already been 300 page views (bringing the total page views up to over 1500)! To all those who've been reading and enjoying these stories and random historical facts, thank you for stopping by and taking a look around. I hope that you like what you see.
This spring promises to be very busy for me, since this will be my final semester before I graduate from University. As some of you may know, I'm studying to be a history teacher, and this semester I will be doing my student teaching (for those of you unfamiliar with what that is, it's essentially an internship, where I will be working in a classroom with a regular teacher and their students for the semester, finally getting to take all the things I've learned at University and put them to work.). I'm really excited about what all this will entail, but it also means that I may not have as much time to write on my stories or other history posts on this blog. My goal is to have another update for Silent Night posted by the end of the weekend, and from there on trying to have one or two updates on that story a month, more if I get the time and inspiration. I promise, I won't abandon the story or leave you hanging for months on end, but I wont be able to get out an update or two a week like I've sometimes been able to pull off. I start back at my University tomorrow, and the actual student teaching starts on January 14th, and will last until the beginning of May, so just stick with me during this busy period and this summer I will have much more time to write.
Again, a heartfelt thank you to all my readers and fans and friends who've been such an encouragement. I look forward to writing more stories for you to enjoy.

--Zach

Silent Night, Part 4

PART 4: Writing the Peace, Act I

(click here for part 3)

Diplomats discuss the Strasbourg Peace, March 1915

AMERICA WILL ATTEND CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, JAN 21 - The American Vice President, Thomas R. Marshal, is en route to Europe, hoping to arrive by January 25 in order to attend the Strasbourg Peace Congress as an observer to the negotiations working to end the Great European War. After a request from the American Ambassador to Great Britain, the Three Consuls of the Christmas Army, along with Pope Benedict XV, issued an official invitation to the United States to attend as a non-participating observer. The American President, Woodrow Wilson, has been very supportive of the peace movement and the Truce Fighters. He has actually offered to mediate between the warring nations of Europe, but the Pope’s offer to do so was taken instead. The American government has stayed very outspoken in support of ending the war, and before a ceasefire was declared, the United States congress was taking up legislation that would have curtailed American shipping to those nations involved in the war. President Wilson told reporters that “sending Vice President Marshal, such a high ranking member of the American government, to the Peace Congress shows America’s commitment to peace around the globe.”

-”America Will Attend Congress,” The Times (London), January 22, 1915.

As the day of the start of the Congress approached, the world was abuzz with excitement. there were a great many hopes that people had for this meeting of diplomats and world leaders. In church meetings across Europe and America, people prayed for peace. The Christmas Army leaders secured Strasbourg and the surrounding area, and much of the province was under the control of the Christmas Republic. However, not all were thrilled about what was going on. In Germany, although somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of soldiers on the front lines had acted in support of the truce, the rest were very much loyal to the Kaiser, and were very upset about the actions of their fellow soldiers. The situation inside Germany was very tense. There were some that wanted to support the truce. While others wanted the army to reengage the French now that they were divided in Civil War. Wilhelm II was behind going to the Congress, but he did not have the full support of everyone in Berlin. 

In France, most civilians, regardless of who they were supporting in the Civil War,  supported the Truce. The news from the Front in the previous months had been disheartening, and support for the war had waned across the nation. It would be this factor that Clemenceau and his republicans underestimated in their attempt to undermine the socialist government in Paris that would ultimately lead to their downfall later in the year. However, as the statesmen gathered in Strasbourg, the outcome of France was anything but clear and this made some fear that the Peace Congress would be fruitless. 

Like in France, the English public was firmly behind the Peace Congress. However, what it was not behind was its government. Ever since King George V and Prime Minister Asquith had ordered loyal troops to fire on the troops that had joined the Christmas Army, there had been great unrest in the major British cities of London, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Glasgow and Edinburgh. There were calls for the Prime Minister to resign, and even some saying that King George V should abdicate and allow his younger son to take the thrown instead. The high levels of unrest would lead to a vote of no confidence in Asquith’s leadership in Parliament in February, and ultimately new parliamentary elections would happen in September. 

-Franklin, Dr. David. Peace on Earth: Christmas 1914. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975.

POPE HOLDS SPECIAL MASS IN STRASBOURG

STRASBOURG, JAN 24 - At the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, His Holiness Pope Benedict XV held a special Mass this Sunday evening in advance of the Peace Congress. The Cathedral was packed with diplomats that had already arrived in the city, including Comrade Juares, British Foreign Minister Grey, and German Foreign Minister von Jagow. The service began with a special performance of the song “Silent Night,” performed in both German and English, in tribute to the lives lost in the conflict throughout 1914. The song, which according to popular accounts was the song German troops started singing on Christmas Eve that sparked the truce, has become a sort of anthem for the Truce Movement. Following this and other songs, His Holiness spoke to those gathered in the Cathedral. 

“We gather in this city as a result of what can only be described as a Christmas Miracle, that men on opposite sides of a terrible conflict would lay down their weapons and join hand in hand to defeat this terrible war. It is now up to those of us here in Strasbourg to ensure that their Miracle does not go to waste. May our Lord in Heaven give us guidance and wisdom to put aside our differences so that our children will have a better world, and that there truly shall be Peace on Earth in our time.”

-”Pope Holds Special Mass in Strasbourg,” Le Monde, January 25, 1915. 

The first meeting of Strasbourg Peace Congress began at 10:00 a.m. on January 25, 1915 at the Palais Rohan, exactly one month after the start of the Christmas Truce. The nations in attendance included France, represented by Jean Juares, the head of the Council of State of the People’s Socialist Republic of France, Great Britain, represented by both Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and Foreign Minister Edward Grey, Germany, represented by Foreign Minister Gottlieb von Jagow, Russia, represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Sazonov, Austro-Hungaria Count Leopold Berchtold, and the Ottoman Empire, represented by Grand Vizier Said Halim Pasha. Two days later, American Vice President Thomas R. Marshal wold also arrive. With these movers and shakers was an army of staff members, advisers, and civil servants who’d accompanied the statesmen to Strasbourg. In the opening session, Pope Benedict XV addressed those assembled, and presented his now famous “7 Points for Peace,” which were:

1) Demobilization of all armies in Europe

2) General Pardon for all soldiers who joined the Christmas Army

3) Establishment of Barrier Nations between the Three main European Powers (one between Germany and France, the other between Germany and Poland)

4) Creation of the Congress of European States, which would meet annually to handle diplomatic disputes between European nations, and also manage Supra-national bodies set up by the Congress

5) Creation of the European War Relief fund, which would be managed by the CES leadership, and funded by all nations who participated in the war with the goal of helping the continent recover.

6) Creation of the European Disarmament Council, managed by the CES, to help work together between all European nations to see a draw down of armaments across the continent. 

1. Official declaration that there was no single nation responsible for the start of the war.

As you can expect, these proposals caused quite a stir. It was obvious that one of the states referred to in Point 3 was Alsace-Lorraine, which Germany in particular balked at giving up (despite the fact that this proposal had originally come not from the Pope but from the Christmas Army leadership). Russia was also wary of giving up territory, even if it wasn’t to the Germans. Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov stated to an aide that “We haven’t lost, why should we give up territory?” Russia also wanted to place the war blame on Austro-Hungaria, and the Austro-Hungarians wanted to blame either Serbia or Russia. Though generally amiable to the proposals, Chairman Juares stated that he wasn’t quite convinced that every nation should share equally in the rebuilding costs, telling a French reporter that, “after all, most of the war in the West was fought on French soil. We should pay less and receive more, especially when compared to Germany.”

When the “7 Proposals for Peace,” were circulated in the press the following days, there was definitely a mixed reaction across the continent. George Clemenceau, who was preparing to lead his Republican faction on an attack on the Socialist government in Paris, stated, “giving up sovereign French territory up for any reason, even this proposed “buffer state,” is unacceptable.” Most Germans seemed more or less okay with the points, although in the military classes and the elites, the reaction was more varied and generally less supportive. While negotiations were early on, Kaiser Wilhelm II was attempting to remain quiet so as to not upset one faction or the other or interfere with the peace process. In what would become the Kingdom of Poland, when news of the proposed buffer state between Germany and Russia was heard, agitation for a new Polish nation started almost immediately. This was initially suppressed by Russian authorities, but eventually became overwhelming, and, worrying about agitation for reform closer to home and fearing further deterioration if they continued to clamp down, the Tsar would end up supporting this proposal. 

-Franklin, Dr. David. Peace on Earth: Christmas 1914. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975.

CLEMENCEAU’S ARMY ON THE MARCH!

PARIS, JAN 29 - The government has confirmed reports that the traitor Clemenceau and his fellow rebels holed up in Lyons are preparing an army to march northward in an attempt to take Paris. It is estimated that roughly a third of the French Army that was fielded during the War of 1914 have joined the ranks of the Christmas Army. Of the 2/3s remaining, approximately 1/4 have joined Clemenceau’s supposed “Free Republican Army,” the rest remaining loyal to the Socialist revolution that was proclaimed on January 8. At the request of the rest of the members of the Council of State, First Comrade Juares is returning from Strasbourg to oversee the coming battle with the rebel forces. Replacing him at the Peace Congress is the Council Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Paul Faure. 

Council Secretary for Defense, Albert Thomas, told the press that the French Revolutionary Army was being deployed south of the city of Paris to prepare for the oncoming rebel troops, and that conflict could occur by the beginning of next week. Some soldiers will be left behind in Paris itself as a second line of defense, augmented with members of the Red Guard. 

• “Clemenceau’s Army on the March!” Le Monde, January 30, 1915. 

The first real battle of the French Civil War, and one of the largest, occurred on February 4, 1915, near the town of Auxerre. The French Revolutionary Army had moved in to the area on February 1 and taken up defensive maneuvers. The battle started just after 9 in the morning, with the FRA opening up artillery on the advancing Republican Army. The battle would go on for 6 hours, and the FRA forced the rebel army to retreat southwards, where they reformed and were able to stall the advance of the socialist soldiers. It is often speculated that had the Civil War continued on this course, that the war could have dragged on for months, or even into 1916. However, due to several major gaffes by Clemenceau, along with events that would happen in the south, the Republican resolve to fight would deteriorate by summer. 

The worst and most damning gaffe made by Clemenceau occurred on February 15, 1915, when he was interviewed by local reporters in Lyons and was asked what he intended to do after he defeated the socialists, answering, “Why, of course, defend French honor and reengage the enemy. The deserters who fled the ranks to join this so-called Christmas Army are why we are in this precarious situation. After our victory over the socialists, we must take that victorious momentum and strike against our enemy, Germany, and put an end to this truce nonsense.” This was hugely unpopular amongst nearly all the common people of France, and crippled the Republican’s support in many regions. 

-Nelson, Dr. Henry. Vive la Revolution 1915! Birth of the French socialist state. New York: Colombia University Press, 1980.

HEADWAY IN PEACE CONGRESS: RUSSIA AGREES TO BUFFER STATE

STRASBOURG, FEB 17 - The Russian Empire has agreed, in principle it says, to the idea of creating a buffer state between itself and the German Empire, the first major break the diplomats trying to hammer out a peace deal in Strasbourg have received. The Russians had initially balked at the idea of giving up so much territory in order to create this buffer zone, but has since had a change of heart. It is likely this has something to do with the increasing nationalist agitation occurring in the territory that would likely become that buffer state, which is home to large population of ethnically Polish people. In addition, there has been increasing agitation for reform in Russia proper, and it is believed that the Tsar did not want to wish spreading agitation throughout the Empire. 

So far, all parties have agreed to the First and Second Peace Points initially presented by Pope Benedict XV on January 25, and this is the first major headway given for Peace Point Three, calling for buffer states between Germany and Russia along with Germany and France (which would essentially be Alsace-Lorraine, the hotly contested territory that lies on the French-German boarder). So far, the French support creating an independent buffer state out of the Alsace-Lorraine territory that lies on the German side of the line. However, the German authorities have stated that these terms are not acceptable, and that France should have to give up some of it’s own territory as well. 

“Headway in Peace Congress: Russia Agrees to Buffer State,” The Times (London), February 18, 1915. 

NO CONFIDENCE IN ASQUITH GOVERNMENT

LONDON, FEB 20 - A final vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Asquith has occurred today in Parliament, and was overwhelmingly in support of removing Asquith from power. The Prime Minister, who has been in Strasbourg at the Peace Conference with Foreign Minister Grey since the end of January, is expected to return to London within the next few days and formally resign. As for who is likely to become the next Prime Minister, the most likely candidates are David Lloyd George, currently the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Foreign Minister Edward Grey. 

This move comes amid great political pressure throughout the country against what is perceived by many to be Asquith’s poor handling of the initial stages of the Christmas Truce crisis, including his signing off on the order to have loyal troops open fire on soldiers that had joined the Truce Army. Members of Parliament are hoping this will quell some of the protests, but it may be too little too late. There is a growing call for new parliamentary elections by the end of the year, led in large part by Liberal politician and former MP George Lansbury, who is a quickly rising star in the Liberal Party since the Christmas Truce crisis began. Lansbury is known as an outspoken pacifist, and has gained a huge following from those who want to see this war over and see to it that future conflicts are avoided. 

-”No Confidence in Asquith Government,” The Times (London), February 21, 1915. 

When Herbert H. Asquith returned from the Strasbourg Congress with Foreign Minister Earl Grey on February 23, 1915, he promptly resigned as Prime Minister, and the members of the Liberal Party met and voted on who would succeed him. David Lloyd George was one of the likeliest candidates, followed closely by Edward Grey. In a close vote, it was decided that Grey would become Prime Minister, and he was formally appointed on February 29, 1915. Grey tapped former Home Secretary Winston Churchill to serve as Foreign Minister. Grey and Churchill would head back Strasbourg on March 5, 1915. 

Grey’s government would only last until the next parliamentary elections in the fall of 1915. By then, George Lansbury and other pacifists had seen a huge rise in popularity and would become the new leaders of the Liberal Party that would see an increase in power after the 1915 election. 

• Thomas, Dr. George, History of British Politics of the Early Twentieth Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987. 

FIRST DRAFT OF STRASBOURG TREATY NOW UNDER REVIEW

STRASBOURG, MAR 27 - The delegates of the Strasbourg Peace Congress have hammered out a first draft of a treaty that they are now sending out to the capitals of Europe, attempting to find a settlement to bring about the end of the Great European War. If accepted by all parties, the treaty could be signed sometime in mid April, bringing the war to an official close. The official text of the treaty draft has not been released to the press, but from several sources we have learned that the treaty essentially meets the 7 Points for Peace that Pope Benedict XV proposed back in January. Now, whether all these terms will be acceptable to the major powers of Europe or not remains to be seen. There had been a lot of discussion about the proposals, and not everyone was happy with the different items of the proposal. People in France and Germany have both voiced qualms about giving up Alsace-Lorraine, and there are those in Russia who are appalled at giving in up Poland, though the Russian government has officially endorsed such a proposal. There are also those in the military establishments across Europe that think that some sort of punishment should be laid against the soldiers who mutinied and deserted their posts to join the Christmas Truce Army. Vice President Marshal, who has been in Strasbourg for the duration of the discussions to provide an American opinion, stated he had serious concerns about what sort of precedent it would set if the soldiers weren’t reprimanded. He told American reporters in Strasbourg that, “if the soldiers who joined the Christmas Army are let off the hook, what’s to keep other soldiers in future conflicts from hijacking those wars and threatening their governments with revolution.” 

-”First Draft of Strasbourg Treaty Now Under Review,” The New York Times, March 28, 1915. 

After the failure to push forward against the French Revolutionary Army at Auxerre, the Republicans consolidated their forces and control over the region around Lyons and south. It was Clemenceau’s plan to start setting up a functioning government in Lyons and consolidate total control over southern France before striking against the revolutionary government in Paris. At first this went well for Clemenceau, with the area around Lyons supporting the Republicans enthusiastically, and parts farther south remaining fairly loyal. All this would unravel, however, after the Emergency Governing Council of the Fourth French Republic (the official body that governed the anti-Socialist forces in France), passed the now infamous Order 413 on March 1, which authorized large scale mandatory conscription of men ages 16-40, to “help save our nation from the horde of revolutionaries.” Army units were sent out to enforce this Order, and that’s when the once patriotic support of the Clemenceau resistance began to unravel. People were upset that the army was being sent out to essentially arrest all able bodied men and drag them into the army. 

In Marseilles, local socialists, who’d stayed mostly in hiding once the city declared allegiance to Lyons, came out of the wood work and rallied the citizens, a vast majority of whom opposed Order 413. This would lead to the birth of the Marseilles Commune, which overthrew the city government on March 17th, and prepared the city to resist the Republican troops that were headed their way. On March 26, the Battle of Marseilles began. After day of street fighting, the army retreaded, having lost too many men. Word of this victory spread quickly, and towns and cities across the “Free French Republic” rose up against the the Republican Army. With this momentum, the FRA mobilized and planned to attack. The Revolutionaries and the resisters would meet for the Second Battle of Auxerre on April 12, 1915. 

-Nelson, Dr. Henry. Vive la Revolution 1915! Birth of the French socialist state. New York: Colombia University Press, 1980.

CLEMENCEAU’S ARMY ON THE RUN

PARIS, APR 16 - The Socialist French government of Jean Juares has reported that forces loyal to anti-socialist leader George Clemenceau have been defeated at the Second Battle of Auxerre and are retreating towards Lyons, which is reportedly preparing for a siege. Early casualty reports are hovering above 70,000 troops in total. Socialist Leader Juares, who has been in Paris while the French government deliberates over the proposed Strasbourg Treaty, told reporters that, “this is an encouraging day for the People’s Revolution. The forces of reaction and capitalism are on the run, and I am optimistic that by summer, France will be unified under the red banner of socialism and freedom and equality. 

The French War Minister, Albert Thomas, reportedly said that he believes the Revolutionary Army will reach Lyons within a few days, and could defeat the Republicans in a number of days. “The War in France should be over by May.”

-”Clemenceau’s Army on the Run,” Frankfurter Zeitung, April 17, 1915. 

(Click Here for Part 5)

Ringing in the New Year: Quick History of the Times Square Ball Drop

It is attended by nearly 1 million people ever year, and it is estimated that nearly 1 billion people watch it via television world-wide. The now iconic dropping of the Times Square Ball is the single most famous New Years Eve celebration in the world. So, when did this tradition beginning? Why IS there a Ball that is dropped in the first place?

The tradition of a celebration at Times Square dates back December 31, 1903. That year, the New York Times had opened it's new headquarters at the triangularly shaped One Times Square building at what was at the time known as Longacre Square (which was renamed as Times Square in April, 1904). To celebrate the opening of their new headquarters, the Times held a big New Years Eve party in the Square, culminating in a huge fireworks display at midnight. This first party was attended by more than 200,000 people. The owner of the Times wanted to create an even bigger spectacle, and so the idea was hatched in 1907 for a large time ball to be dropped from the flag pole atop One Times Square. 

A quick aside. What is a "time ball," exactly? Well, it was used as a way to help ships sailing along the coasts to verify their marine chronometers. It would be hoisted every day at the same time from a tower and then dropped (usually at 1p.m. in the British Isles, and at 12 p.m in the United States). 

So this first Times Square Time Ball was hoisted to the top of One Time Square on December 31, 1907, and dropped one second after midnight, the followed by the fireworks as in previous celebrations. This first Time Ball was built of iron and wood, weighed close to 700 pounds and five feet in diameter, and was lit with 100 incandescent light bulbs. This same ball would be used every year until 1920. That year, a new ball was created, with the same diameter but only weighing 400 pounds. This ball was scrapped in 1955, replaced with a new ball built of aluminum, weighing only 150 pounds. This ball would remain in service until 1999, when it was scrapped and replaced with a new time ball in honor of the Millennium. This Millennium Ball was 6 feet in diameter, created by the Waterford Crystal company, and weighed nearly 1,000 pounds. In 2006, new LED lights were installed in the Ball. However, this was the last year that the Millennium Ball was used. The following year, to celebrate the centennial of the ball drop tradition, a fifth ball was created, essentially a replica of the previous ball, but with a new computerized lighting system. This Fifth Ball was only used in 2007, replaced in 2008 with a Ball that was essentially the same overall design but on a much larger scale, being 12 feet in diameter. This new ball required the installation of a new and larger flag pole atop One Times Square. Starting with this new, Sixth Ball, the Time Square Ball is on display year-round. 

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season, and I want to wish all my readers a Happy New Year! May 2013 be better than 2012. 

Silent Night, Part 3

Part 3: Setting the Stage for Peace

(Click here for Part 2)

Christmas Army Occupies Strasbourg, January 1915

RUSSIA CALLS FOR PEACE! OTTOMANS MAY FOLLOW

LONDON, JAN 11 - The Foreign Ministry is reporting that Tsar Nicholas II has issued a full ceasefire on all fronts. Just one day after Germany declared a ceasefire in the West, it seems that the Russians did not want to face the entire German army on one front, since the war in the West has collapsed due to the Christmas Truce. With this latest announcement, it seems that this Great War that had seemed poised to turn into a multi-year conflict is now all but over. With Germany’s announcement on January 9 for a ceasefire in the West, and Austro-Hungaria announcing the same thing the following day, the only major power that has yet to declare an end to hostilities is the Ottoman Empire. Sources in the government have stated that it seems likely that the Ottomans will declare a ceasefire within a few days as well. 

-”Russia Calls for Peace! Ottomans May Follow.” The Times (London). January 11, 1915.

CHRISTMAS FIGHTERS OCCUPY ALSACE-LORRAINE 

PARIS, JAN 12 - The French and German governments have both confirmed that the bulk of the Christmas Army that did not go to occupy Paris has taken over the city of Strasbourg, relieving the local German authorities of command. It is reported that many German military units joined the ranks of the Christmas  Army as the troops approached the city. Consul Dumont, one of the three Consuls who are in charge of the so-called, “Christmas Republic,” has since left Paris to join up with his fellow leaders. Before he left he stated that the occupation of Alsace-Lorraine is “instrumental in the type of peace we hope to establish in Europe in the wake of this horrid war.”  It appears that, as part of the peace deal they wish to see implemented, the leaders of the Christmas fighters hope to create an independent nation out of Alsace-Lorraine, creating a buffer state between the rivals of France and Germany. It is unclear whether this plan has any support from the newly forming French government of Jean Juares and his fellow socialists, but it hasn’t been rejected either. 

• “Christmas Fighters Occupy Alsace-Lorraine,” The New York Times, January 13, 1915. 

As the Great War of 1914 quickly wrapped up in the early days of January, 1915, a new conflict began to stir. Although the citizens of Paris, for the most part, welcomed the new government of Jean Juares and the French socialists, this was not a universal acceptance. Famous conservative statesman George Clemenceau, a former French Prime Minister, had fled Paris prior to the arrival of the Christmas Army, and upon the declaration of the People’s Socialist Republic of France on January 8, began to move quickly into action. On January 15, just days before the Three Consuls of the Christmas Republic would call for a formal Peace Congress to be moderated by the Pope and held in Strasbourg, Clemenceau and a cadre of men who opposed the socialists gathered in Lyons, France, and voted to declare Clemenceau as “Acting President of the Fourth French Republic.” The so-called “Republicans” announced that as soon as Paris was “liberated from the anarchist movement that has attempted to destroy France” a new constitution would be adopted and the nation would be reborn as a stronger Republic. Clemenceau called on all members of the military loyal to the “true France” to head to Lyons to help organize resistance to the socialist revolution. While the rest of Europe celebrated an end to war, France found itself falling into a new one. The French Civil War was here.

-Nelson, Dr. Henry. Vive la Revolution 1915! Birth of the French socialist state. New York: Colombia University Press, 1980. 

CALL FOR PEACE CONGRESS GOES OUT

LONDON, JAN 17 - The leaders of the Christmas Republic, who’s army occupied the contested German territory of Alsace-Lorraine, has called for a Peace Congress to be held in Strasbourg, mediated by Pope Benedict XV, to start on January 25, marking the one month anniversary of the start of the truce that has brought the Great European War to a standstill. The Pope stated from Rome that he would gladly travel to Strasbourg to help oversee the peace process and plans to attend. Jean Juares, the leader of the new French socialist government, stated that his country would attend as well. Invites went out to England, Germany, Russia, and Austro-Hungaria as well, though no response from those countries has been forth-coming at the time this issue went to press. There is some worry in the Foreign Ministry and from the War Office about the legitimacy of Juares’ government in Paris, with the former French Prime Minister George Clemenceau organizing a formal resistance to the socialist revolution that was declared in Paris. There are some who fear that the Germans, seeing the French in disarray, may attempt to take advantage of the situation. Still others question whether this country should recognize Juares as the leader of France at all, fearing that it could embolden socialist revolutionaries at home to try and do the same thing. 

-”Call for Peace Congress Goes Out,” The Times (London), January 18, 1915. 

ENGLAND RECOGNIZES FRENCH SOCIALISTS, WILL ATTEND CONGRESS IN STRASBOURG

LONDON, JAN 19 - The British Government today announced that they were formally recognizing the leaders of the self-proclaimed People’s Socialist Republic of France (PSRF) as the “legitimate government of all of France, with the provisional mandate to rule,” and that they would not support George Clemenceau (a former French Prime Minister and ardent anti-socialist) and his “Fourth French Republic.” In addition, Prime Minister Asquith announced that Foreign Minister Edward Grey will attend the Peace Congress, and there is a rumor going around that King George V may also make an appearance in Strasbourg, but this has not been confirmed. This puts to rest the debate in Britain as to whether or not they should recognize the socialist government forming in Paris, or back Clemenceau’s conservatives currently operating out of Lyons. Britain is now the second nation promising to attend the Peace Congress that is set for the 25th of this month. It was announced yesterday as well that Pope Benedict XV will be in Strasbourg the day before the start of the Congress to hold a special service at the Strasbourg Cathedral to mark the one month anniversary of the beginning of the Truce. 

-”England Recognizes French Socialists, Will Attend Congress in Strasbourg,” The Washington Post, January 20, 1915. 

GERMANY WILL ATTEND, AUSTRIANS EXPECTED AS WELL!

BERLIN, JAN 20 - The German Kaiser announced this morning that Germany will attend the Peace Congress in Strasbourg on January 25. It is expected that Germany is following the example made earlier this week by Great Britain, which announced it’s intent to attend on the 19th, and also extended diplomatic recognition to the true French government in Paris, stating that they would not assist the rebels and counterrevolutionaries in Lyons. Germany has not gone quite as far, stating that they would not, at the present time, extend formal diplomatic recognition to either faction in the power struggle occurring in France. Many in Paris are disappointed to hear this, though senior officials in the new Juares government have stated to the press that this is better than expected, with one official in the Foreign Office stating that “with Germany being known for being especially reactionary and anti-socialist, I will breath a sigh of relief just knowing that they chose not to back the counterrevolutionaries in Lyons. With Britain’s recognition of Comrade Juares’ legitimacy as leader of France, had Germany backed the Lyon Council it could have reignited the Great War that we have just brought to a close.”

In addition, although it has yet to be announced, it is expected that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will send representatives to Strasbourg as well. With such a showing, Comrade Juares has stated that he is hopeful that the peace process that is set to begin will be met with real success, and that we may have seen the last real war on this continent.

-”Germany Will Attend, Austrians Expected as Well!” Le Mond, January 21, 1915. 

(Click Here for Part 4)