~July-Sept 1907: Family squabbles
July 1907: With Anglo-French relations continuing to deteriorate, Emperor Napoleon IV privately expresses his concerns to Prime Minister Gabriel Hantaux, stressing the importance of British support during the Tangier Crisis. Hantaux dismisses these concerns, claiming British support was a minor factor and the French success can be attributed to the Franco-Russian Entente. Hantaux goes further, stating despite the recent Anglo-Russian agreement over Persia, the Isan Crisis will produce a similar success due to British fears regarding Russia over India.
July 1907: Despite hopes the deadlock of the previous Quebec Imperial Conference can be avoided, the Johannesburg Imperial Conference is again dominated by the Canadian government of Wilfred Laurier's efforts to halt or even reverse the process of Imperial Integration. The conference opens with discussion of the growing Isan Crisis in Siam, which immediately highlights the divide between the Canadians and the rest of the Empire. While there is common concern the improved relations with France may be in jeopardy, there is a vast gulf between the Canadians and other delegations on how to respond. The Canadians argue for compromise and acceptance of French expansion, while the consensus in the rest of the Empire is a firm stand should be taken to prevent any further French encroachment into Siam. Suggestions the Imperial Army Corps in Egypt should be forward deployed to the East Indies are met with a Canadian threat to withdraw their troops from the force. Eventually after much argument the Canadians reluctantly accept the upgrading to the Royal Navy's China Station to a full squadron along with the deployment of several modern cruisers and two New Zealand class battleships. However the Canadians then attempt to use their acceptance of this as leverage to roll back the Imperial Common Market, but find even less support than in 1905, with even Newfoundland now unwilling to support Premier Laurier's demands.
July 1907: With the conference seemingly deadlocked again, Prime Minister Charles Dilke has few hopes when he once more raises the Issue of Indian inclusion in the Imperial common market. Much to his surprise he finds support from Newfoundland, New Zealand and Fiji, with the most of the remaining Dominions willing to consider some concessions. But again, Canadian intransigence blocks any consensus, however the three Dominions who strongly supported the move will go on to reduce tariffs on Indian goods. Once again the conference fails to achieve anything of note, with many now openly expressing anger the Canadians and fearing a similar result at the Brisbane Imperial Conference in 1909.
July 1907: With the new French Obusier de 105mm Modèle 1907 field howitzer, Canon de 127mm Modèle 1907 heavy gun and Obusier de 155mm Modèle 1907 heavy howitzer ready to enter service, the Emperor begins advocating the development of even larger weapons for the superheavy role shown to be necessary after the Russo-Japanese War. However the military establishment firmly committed to the existing doctrine based around the 75mm Mle 1897 field gun, is extremely reluctant to sanction the widespread adoption of the weapons already developed, let alone develop larger ones.
August 1907: In a major escalation of the Isan Crisis, the French demand the Siamese cede a number of border regions to French Indochina. British Prime Minister Charles Dilke issues a formal protest, stating this is a breach of the 1901 London Agreement. The French ignore the protest, instead moving troops toward the border. In response the Imperial Army Corps in Egypt is placed on alert. As Canadian participation in the Boer War was deeply unpopular with his support base, Premier Wilfred Laurier withdraws the 3,000 Canadian troops in the corps. This decision will trigger what will be known as the 1907 Imperial Constitutional Crisis, as well provoking widespread outrage in both Canada and the wider Empire.
August 1907: With Anglo-French tensions rising due to the Isan Crisis, the 1907/08 estimates for the Royal Navy include four new dreadnoughts and two improved Invincible class battlecruisers, along with an additional Swift class flotilla leader with five more Tribal class destroyers and twelve Cricket class coastal destroyers are ordered. The St Vincent class dreadnoughts will be considerably larger than the previous Bellerophon class, retaining their improved protection but adding another twin turret superfiring aft to bring the number of guns to ten, all capable of bearing on the broadside. The Indefatigable class battlecruisers are an enlarged version of the earlier Invincible class, with the additional tonnage dedicated to slightly improved protection. These two classes also feature a radical new turret, taking into account the lesson of the 'Battle of the Kentish Coast' with sighting hoods altered to avoid blast effects on lower superfiring turrets, along with the magazine place below the shell room to improve flash protection. The estimates also include two D class submarines. Far larger than all earlier Royal Navy submarines, these boats introduce diesel propulsion and are the first British submarines capable of operating outside of coastal waters.
August 1907: With official persecution of the anarchist movement having subsided since the mid 1890s, the Black International holds it's first Anarchist Congress since 1893 in Amsterdam. The congress is dominated by a debate over the approach which should be followed to bring about a true socialist society. One faction, headed by Pierre Monatte argues for Propaganda of the Deed and armed revolution. They are opposed by the syndicalists headed by Errico Malatesta, who believe in a workers trade union approach. While no resolution is achieved, the majority favour Malatesta's syndicalist approach which be the focus of the Black International going forward.
August 1907: Despite some concerns a number of Liberal MPs may cross the floor to vote against it, the Government of India Bill is expected to comfortably pass the Commons. However, its passage through the far more conservative leaning Lords is less certain. With fears opposition to the bill may lead to civil disorder in India, Prime Minister Charles Dilke hold private talks with Conservative leader Arthur Balfour in an effort to reach a compromise to ensure the bill's passage. Dilke makes it clear while he is willing to use the provisions of the Parliament Act to ensure the Bill becomes law, he would prefer a rapid passage to minimise any potential disorder on the sub continent and is therefore willing to modify the bill to make it more acceptable. After lengthy discussions, Balfour demands the removal of the provision for the five year review, seen as moving toward to further India self government, as well as the inclusion of an explicit veto over any Indian legislation by the Provincial Governor, Viceroy or British Cabinet. In order to guarantee the bill's passage before the end of the year, Dilke conceded to these points and the bill is modified accordingly
September 1907: With the Brazilian warships order the previous year now having been laid down. the two US built Dom Pedro II class armoured cruisers dating from the 1890s are renamed Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais to free up their names for the new dreadnoughts. With their economy still booming, the Brazilians order two light cruisers and ten destroyers in Britain. This building program will result in a fleet which will far outmatch either Argentine or Chilean navies, causing considerable alarm in both countries.
September 1907: Premier Wilfred Laurier's decision to refuse to allow Canadian troops to be deployed along with the Imperial Army Corps in Egypt has enabled the opposition to move a vote of no confidence. The election which follows is dominated by the issue of Imperial integration. The election is deeply divisive, with the Dominion split into pro and anti Imperial camps. However Robert Borden's Conservative party will win a clear majority, taking 121 seats as against Laurier's Liberals 96 seats, with another four held by independents. One of the new government's first actions is to reverse the decision to refuse to allow Canadian troops to be deployed with the Imperial Army Corps.
September 1907: The US Army forms the Aeronautical Division of the Army Signal Corps to investigate the military use of aircraft. This will be the world's first dedicated military aviation service. The new service will contract with aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss for a non rigid airship and the Wright Brothers for a heavier than air craft to evaluate.
September 1907: The growing Isan Crisis has deeply concerned both the US and Japanese governments. With an Anglo-French war now appearing a possibility, Japanese Ambassador to US Aoki Shūzū and US Secretary of State Elihu Root hold urgent discussions in Washington regarding the crisis. The talks result in a joint call from Japanese Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi and US President Theodore Roosevelt for talks to resolve the situation. While the British immediately agree, French Prime Minister Gabriel Hantaux refuses, believing the Canadian refusal to allow their troops to be deployed gives them a decisive upper hand. However Emperor Napoleon IV intervenes, openly expressing his support for such talks, forcing Hantaux to agrees to talks in Oslo mediated by Norwegian King Haakon VII.