Chapter Thirty (Patreon)

The Creation of a Two-Ocean Power: A Ten-Year Plan

Written by General of the Infantry Nikolai Nikolaevich Muravyov-Joseonsky, Commander of the Eastern Siberian Army, and Admiral Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev, Commander of the Pacific Fleet

With Assistance from . . .

. . . thus demonstrating the necessity of resident power within the Far East, we must decide what the purpose of such a force is. Is it to be purely defensive, ensuring the Empire’s territory? Or should it be able to project force as well?

Let us assume a defensive force is preferred. What is needed? The current force is admittedly sufficient to defeat any Qing invasion or British attempt at landing soldiers in the Far East. Yet in a war with Britain–or the United States, or Spain–the governorate would be, practically speaking, responsible for the defense of Russian America as well. What is necessary for this defense? Let us take a look at the forces British North America has already shown itself able to support during the Rebellions of 1837-1838 . . .

. . . transporting these troops to Russian America requires total control of the seas, from warm-water port to warm-water port. In practical terms this requires dominance over the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bearing Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska. This, like the deployment of troops to that land, will require a significant increase in infrastructure in Russian America . . .

. . . it is therefore the proposal that Russian America be fully surveyed for resources, so as to examine the worthiness of keeping this territory and, if the resources are indeed worthy of exploitation, that the whole of Russian America be annexed by the Governate-General of Eastern Siberia . . .

Alexander looked up from the report. “You propose focusing on the navy first.”

Muravyov looked to Lazarev. “We do,” Muravyov agreed.

“Why?”

“The report–”

“I have read the report,” Alexander interrupted. “I read it last night. I have been reviewing it now. I wish for you to tell me.”

“Your Imperial Highness,” Lazarev began, “the reason for the navy’s prominence is the nature of the Russian position in the Far East and the broader Pacific. A strong navy is needed to protect trade with the Americas and China. A strong navy is needed to secure troop movements to America in the even of a war. And a strong navy is needed for any future expansion into the Pacific.”

Alexander leaned forward. “Why should we expand into the Pacific?” He had plans of his own. Lazarev’s view would reveal if he could be trusted, be used, or would need to be removed.

“Because we have an opportunity here, and one that will not last forever,” Lazarev answered. He gestured towards Alexander and Muravyov. “We have all seen the census estimates. I have reviewed the Five-Year Plan, and the current projections. By 1850 Eastern Siberia will match Prussia in industrial capacity while possessing considerably more people, land, and natural resources. There is currently no power or near the Pacific capable of withstanding that might. That is not a permanent state of affairs. The British and French are seeking to expand here. China is weak and burdened by tradition, but there are already those who call for modernization. Even the weak states in the Americas could be cause for trouble. It was not so long ago that Siberia was tundra and empty meadows. If we wish to secure Russia’s dominance over the Pacific, we must act now.”

“Would an army not be more useful for that?” Alexander asked. “If we conquer China none could resist our claims on the Pacific.”

“Your–”

Alexander raised his hand, cutting Muravyov short. “I wish to hear his answer.”

“Your Imperial Highness,” Lazarev began. “We cannot conquer China.”

“Why not?”

“There are too many Chinamen,” Lazarev said plainly. “Their own census is far from complete and accurate, yet our spies report it claims more than three hundred million people. The Qing, though ineffective, remain widely supported. Defeating them is not difficult. Maintaining an occupation of the Han heartlands would be impossible.”

“I agree.” Alexander leaned further forward. “Nesselrode is hungry for the Balkans. He plots now, seeking casus belli and ways to keep the Quadruple Alliance from interfering. He will find the former. The latter is impossible. Britain will always fight to keep Russia out of the Mediterranean, and France will not be far behind. Do you recall what you said when we first met?”

“I said that you expect Britain to betray us,” Lazarev said. “And that you wish to punish them.”

“That remains my goal.” Alexander sat back in his chair. “You will have your navy. You will have funding for new propellers, experimental ships, and for shell artillery and breech-loading rifled guns. But I will not ignore the army. You are to control the seas between our lands. They shall conquer everything from Canada to Australia.”

“A voyage to Australia would need a great deal of preparation,” Lazarev warned. “Even the best engines would need to recoal twice en route, and arrive bereft of fuel.”

“Then it is a good thing we have time.” Alexander turned to Muravyov. “Now, your proposal regarding Russian America. How difficult would it be to buy out the company?”

“I have discussed the matter with Director von Stieglitz,” Muravyov admitted. Alexander eyed him carefully. His advisors met often, but to officially consult von Stieglitz without having any approval from Alexander? He would need to watch the pair of them closely.

“He believes the purchase would be quite easy,” Muravyov continued obliviously. “The Company is constantly losing money. The difficulty comes with the Company’s obligations. Director von Stieglitz recommended purchasing the land itself from the Company, and then letting them dissolve. It would remove any obligations and allow for a new administration to be put in place.”

“Which would cost more than purchasing the stock.”

“Most likely. The Director gave a rough estimate of four or five million rubles for a majority of the stock, but ten million for the land itself.”

Alexander weighed his options. On the left end of the scale was the wealth. Five to six million rubles of difference was no small matter. It could feed, train, equip, and pay for an infantry regiment for a year. It could open two or three steelworks, or a score of small factories. But the Russian American Company was poorly organized. It was burdened by heavy and arbitrary regulations. The Company was still legally mandated to sent five thousand poods of salt to Kamchatka every year, never mind that the new coastal settlements were perfectly capable of making their own salt. The bulk of its employees were incompetent drunks and the administrative systems would need to be entirely overhauled.

And,  Alexander thought, not everyone would be willing to sell. He knew roughly how much gold was waiting in Alaska. He would not see a single ounce fall into the capitalists’ hands if he could help it.

“We will buy it outright,” Alexander decided. “Savings can be set aside as part of the next Five-Year Plan. I will inform Kegel and von Kayserling to begin planning the surveys.”