1917-July-27-August-11
''The nobility is asking you to establish a parliament so they can elect representatives and use a model similar to the Ukrainian one, but more aggressive in favor of the Germans'' Adolf von Pilchau said.
''It is not within my plans to establish a parliament, not even in the near future'' I said while looking over some documents and signing the review of the construction progress.
''I think it is quite clear that it is not advisable to be an absolute ruler when there are parliaments everywhere, even with limited power. The Tsar tried it and look how he ended, burned with his entire family in his palace by a group of uncontrolled rebels'' Adolf said, insisting much more than usual.
''I prefer the term autocrat. I will govern as is proper, but I am not going to answer to a group of politicians whose only goal will be to guarantee their own power or secure privileges for themselves. So why have a parliament if it will only be decorative? It will not even calm the complaints of the population. A parliament will be allowed when the national emergency has ended'' I said without emotion in my voice.
''You do not know how difficult it has been to keep the nobility and knights of the duchy calm, preventing them from…'' von Pilchau said, looking irritated.
''Preventing what? Me from putting them in prison for treason? Have those dogs forgotten who has the weapons? They forget that the soldiers watching every street, every entrance, every one of the fields they claim to own answer to me and only to me. I am the commander of those forces. I hope they do not forget it, because any attempt to go beyond what is legal will be crushed with such force that only the von of their surnames will remain on their property'' I said, looking at him seriously without taking my eyes off the German-Baltic noble.
''Well… I am afraid that is all I can do'' the old noble said before turning around and leaving my office without arguing further.
''He helped us a great deal in stabilizing this'' Manstein said, finally looking intrigued by the break in the relations we had with the German-Baltic nobles.
''He helped maintain control by leaving many of his friends in positions of power. I will not deny that it kept things from getting more out of control, but that does not mean they are our friends. He was someone we had to tolerate, but we no longer need him. In fact, what I want most now is for the nobles to try something, an assassination attempt or something similar, or an insurrection, so I have the reason to attack their rights'' I said, clasping my hands together.
''Then I suppose we have information on those groups, do we not? Because if we are acting blindly, allowing our possible enemy to act without us being able to control their movements is rather foolish. They could strike hard, although removing us seems quite far from reality'' Manstein said, turning his neck while looking at me.
''The Kaiser has already been informed about the subversive tendencies of the German-Baltic nobles, about how they are planning an agricultural boycott against the duchy. If it becomes real, I will proceed to accuse all of them of treason and take their lands. In addition, Abteilung IIIb has some operatives scattered around, paying bribes to some of the nobles' servants, trying to find out what they are planning, and they have been following them for weeks, since the last thing Germany wants is subversives among the noble classes. Within the nobility, they would be the ones with the strongest rights because of Russian rule, where the nobility still preserved many rights that the nobility of Germany had lost decades or centuries ago'' I replied confidently while checking one of my pistols in case I needed it.
''Have those idiots forgotten that we are at war and that there is a general economic mobilization law?'' Manstein said, shaking his head while looking thoughtful.
''Consider that for the moment they are being integrated into Germany, especially now that there is finally an administration, in addition to the movement of some materials and some company production. For the moment, they have not faced the rules that have been stipulated to mobilize the economy and support the war, so they think they can do something like in Russia and get away with it. Honestly, I hope they keep thinking that, because I want the excuse to cut their privileges and wealth'' I said, bringing my hands together and interlacing my fingers as I said all of that.
''Then what is left for us? Wait for them to do something, or do you think those spies can inform you of something?'' Manstein asked, placing himself in front of me.
''Well, it is not as though they are bad. Abteilung IIIb has greatly improved its espionage and information-gathering techniques. In fact, not long ago I sent a telegram to the leader of that unit to establish one of our own for the duchy, since one never knows when it will be necessary to make someone who is too troublesome for the application of the laws we are going to implement disappear. They will be very harsh and there will be a great deal of discontent, but over time, when they see the benefits, they will be grateful, I hope. Although that will be in several years or almost decades'' I said without moving while exchanging glances with Manstein.
''What kind of laws are you thinking of applying? Like the Ukrainian mobilization law? It is somewhat unsuitable for the circumstance, since for the most part you have solved the unemployment problem with a great deal of construction work and work visas in other States'' Manstein said, raising an eyebrow.
''No, something simpler on paper. It is about making German the binding language of this multicultural hell, choosing a mother tongue of compulsory teaching, and German. I had already said this had to be done, but I think it is better to apply a rapid shock now that many schools are being built and the compulsory education law is being implemented for minors. Change the names of cities and streets, make all public services operate in German and eliminate any trace of their mother tongues from public life. If they want to speak their languages, they will be free to do so, but in the future, when all of this is over, business, science and education will be conducted in German, so it is important that everyone know how to speak it'' I said while finally drafting the law.
''That is going to cause many problems with the population that did not like the influence of the German nobles'' Manstein said while passing his black glove beneath his nose.
''I am very aware of that. Nobody likes it, but I know I am right when the language of trade will be German, and so will the language of science and education. If people want to integrate into any market with German influence, they must know the most important language. Besides, I have heard a rumor among some officers that I do not like very much'' I said, leaning back in the chair while placing my palms together near my nose.
''What?'' Manstein said after sighing.
''I heard that maybe… and only maybe… they might have the area of Lithuania annexed to the duchy… that would be terrible… not only would I have to deal with Russians, Estonians, Lithuanian minorities, Latvians, and now Lithuanians and Poles… do you know how bad that would be? At the very least, you must try to solve this'' I said, clenching my jaw while thinking about that problem.
''Ah… usually anyone would be wishing to be given more control over people. And why is there this thought that they might do that?'' the German officer asked.
''Because they want to punish the Poles even more. Apparently, something they had indeed left to them was Lithuania, adding it to the Kingdom of Poland, but it seems they want to reduce any control the Poles could have in their parliament. So Lithuania may be turned into an independent kingdom, which would be ideal, or they may annex it to the duchy, which would be terrible, because it would be more territory that our armed forces and police would have to protect'' I said, pressing my lips together.
''I see… well, at least… there is not even a positive side to that. Let us hope they do not try to keep worsening the conditions of the Poles, since as far as I know they are still recruiting them in large numbers to send them to the front'' Manstein said.
''The man who was highest in the army trusted them and now he must be upset that they made him look stupid, so I doubt conditions will improve much. Even if they have their king and parliament, they will have to keep sending men to the front and working long hours in the factories'' I said, standing up.
''Are you going to return or travel?'' Manstein asked while I put on my coat.
''Travel. I am going to inspect constructions and all that. We have to see how those new schools are coming along and make sure everything is fine. That way, besides, I make myself a much harder target and inspect Ukraine'' I said with a slight smile.
''Then I will make sure the training camp continues functioning as it should'' Manstein said.
I nodded and left my office. I began to travel.
My first stop was Kiev, where the train journey left me in the capital. I carried out several inspections in the harvest areas, reviewing the work. To my relief, many of the farms appeared to be in excellent condition, where everything indicated that we would have another good harvest for this autumn.
The grains were growing well, some legumes had been harvested and other things had been planted. In addition, the production of natural fertilizers was beginning to increase to the point that almost all crops had simple fertilization with natural fertilizer, so it should be better than last year.
My second stop was Odessa, where I inspected the rice fields, since they had expanded again under Hans's supervision, to the point that the entire Danube River and the local rivers were perfect areas to plant rice in enormous quantities.
Besides speaking with Hans, who explained to me that after sending many socialists to the coal mines, the strikes had stopped and for the moment he was enjoying a great deal of tranquility.
My third stop was back to the German colonies, where construction work and the expansion of fields continued to increase. Practically all the areas that had been handed over were cultivated thanks to the high mechanization of agriculture enjoyed by the German colonies.
In addition, the population had increased considerably, with the numbers of the German population in the colonies established in Ukraine having grown a great deal.
I did not personally inspect the Donbass, since I had to check how the work was progressing in White Ruthenia, but I did receive reports that mineral extraction had increased, although mortality in the mines remained incredibly high. So we would soon have to carry out some mining reforms so that the Donbass would not be a cemetery for honest workers who fill their lungs with coal and iron dust.
Stopping again in Kiev to review something simple, much of the educational system that had been designed for Ukraine, which was far more relaxed than the one I had proposed for the Baltic Duchy, was already being implemented and German was being taught. In addition, the first work visas had already been arranged and almost 50,000 Ukrainian workers had been sent to German factories to fill jobs in military factories.
I left Kiev and, traveling to Minsk to meet with Ferdinand, I learned of a major problem Ruthenia had. Although there was some political control in the cities, this did not extend to the countryside, where the nobility largely refused to collaborate with the social democratic government because the agrarian reform being proposed by parliament practically cut their properties by more than 90%.
So we would possibly have to observe something similar to what the German-Baltic nobles were planning, as they were already trying to maintain their power by controlling most of the land. The social democrats, for their part, were already engaging in populism with noble lands that, without paying compensation, they wanted to hand over to the peasants.
So I would probably have to dissolve the parliament of White Ruthenia if they still had not chosen a head of government, and at the same time strike the nobles, punishing both sides.
After traveling through the occupied territory, I returned to the duchy, where the most aggressive measures of the orders were already being implemented. All the names of the cities had been Germanized, everything in the public service, schools, hospitals and libraries had been changed, and the system of mother tongue plus mandatory German was already beginning to be applied. I watched as local children arrived at the schools for their education.
In addition to the policemen who went to houses to look for those who were absent and fine the parents for not sending their sons.
After a quick review of machinery production and the dam, I did not have much time left before I had to begin managing the harvest to meet the German demand.
-----------------------------
If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
-------------------------------