The Bear's Shadow Over Manchuria
The situation in the Far East was absurd beyond belief. The reason the Asiatic Cavalry Division had seized Mongolia left me utterly speechless. When I declared I would not become Tsar, their response had been simple: If not Tsar, then something else. They offered me the throne of the Great Khan instead. It felt like a childish game of blind man's bluff. Suddenly, it seemed I was destined to become a white-skinned Great Khan.
Wait a moment. Would the Mongols even accept this? These lunatics—if they truly wanted to act, why not wait a few years until the Anhui clique had ravaged Mongolia, then swoop in as saviors? That would have made far more sense.
“Won’t the Mongols resist fiercely?” I asked.
“The Mongol princes and nobility have stated that if Your Highness ascends as Great Khan, they have no objections.”
I desperately hoped that “no objections” had not been extracted at gunpoint. Then again, Mongolia had been receiving support from the Russian Empire. They might genuinely be favorable. Still, no matter how friendly a nation might be, an uninvited invasion usually turns public sentiment sour in an instant.
That said, if I became Great Khan, the theory that Russia and the Mongol Empire were one and the same would hold. Perhaps they hoped I would protect them from China. Everything was resolving far too easily. Friction with the Republic of China seemed inevitable.
“Hahaha! Since Your Highness refused the throne of Tsaritsa, this must be their loyal desire to seat you upon the throne of an Eastern Empire instead.”
“It is actually for the best. This will serve as a precedent proving that Russia is not yet dead. For the sake of securing dominion over Mongolia, it is only proper that you accept the Great Khan’s seal and take the throne.”
Great Khan instead of Tsar. In this modern age, the title of Great Khan sounded completely ridiculous. Yet Yekaterinburg was a city belonging to Asia. If they were using that as justification to place me on an Asian monarch’s throne, the logic held some merit.
“Very well. I shall appoint Bogd Khan, who offered me the seal, as Governor-General of Mongolia. The princes and nobles who accompanied him will be granted seats in the Duma of Yekaterinburg. Additionally, I will name Semyonov as Deputy Governor-General to assist the Governor, and appoint Ungern as Lieutenant General with overall command of the Asiatic Cavalry Division.”
“Understood. The military will handle those appointments.”
“Your Highness. Yekaterinburg is too exposed to Bolshevik attacks. It would be wise to designate a new capital in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.”
We had recaptured most of the cities near Yekaterinburg, but they remained dangerously close to Soviet territory. It was indeed a concern.
“What about Vladivostok?”
“Is the territory around Vladivostok not too narrow? In that case, why not annex the entirety of North Manchuria instead?”
“North Manchuria?”
North Manchuria? Out of nowhere? Hey, kids, our civil war isn’t even over yet.
“Yes. Ungern and Semyonov have already established their main bases in North Manchuria. There is also a sizable Russian population in a place called Harbin. Since Bolsheviks are present there as well, we could use that as justification for a southward advance.”
“We won’t be the only ones thinking this way. What about the other members of the Provisional Duma?”
This was crucial. The White Army was a coalition of wildly different ideologies. Though I had dragged them this far by the collar and public sentiment had shifted considerably, there were still plenty of fanatics among them. I had no choice but to watch my step. If one of them suddenly grew upset and declared, I’m joining the Bolsheviks! it would become an immediate headache.
“I worry that expanding the front might be unwise, but if we cannot defeat the Bolsheviks right now, would it not be better to secure at least North Manchuria?”
“Any additional strength, no matter how small, would be helpful at this moment. Incorporating North Manchuria and embracing the Russians living there seems highly desirable.”
Surprisingly, the response to seizing North Manchuria was overwhelmingly positive. If we could not recapture the Moscow region immediately, we might as well expand elsewhere. Had I been too complacent, viewing everything only through the lens of history? I would have to assume my presence had influenced their thinking as well.
This was the era of warlords in China, after all. Seizing North Manchuria would draw the attention of the great powers, and more importantly—
“I understand your thoughts, gentlemen, but there are still problems that make an immediate move on North Manchuria difficult.”
“What problems?”
“The Japanese.”
The Japanese were the issue. Had they not launched a surprise attack without declaration of war to begin the Russo-Japanese War, all to drive Russia out of Manchuria and seize the Korean Peninsula? After winning the Russo-Japanese War and then the Great War, the Japanese Empire was drunk on nationalism, proclaiming itself equal to the European great powers. If Russia tried to swallow Manchuria now, they would foam at the mouth and charge in.
The Chinese warlords were not a serious concern, but even with reforms underway, fighting Japan and the Soviets simultaneously on both eastern and western fronts would be madness—especially while the civil war continued and our forces were already depleted from the Great War. A second Russo-Japanese War was the last thing we needed.
“We could look at this from a different angle.”
“Pardon?”
“The great powers are supporting us because they want the Red Plague to end. Therefore, they should desire us to grow stronger.”
Normally they would prefer Russia to remain permanently weakened and split in half. Yet they were supporting us so vigorously that such a strategy seemed impossible now.
“So we should ask them to tolerate our move into Manchuria?”
“No matter how much Japan protests, if the other great powers approve, what can they do? Besides, if Russians are living there, does that not make it Russian territory by definition?”
“That is true.”
Yes, you’re all correct. Exactly. If Russians live there, it belongs to the Russians. Self-determination of peoples, or something like that. Right. Self-determination—the same principle Hitler would later twist to suit his own tastes—No, that’s dangerous. At least the Sudetenland was in Europe and packed with industrial facilities. Claiming North Manchuria simply because some Russians lived there felt a bit much. Still, if the goal was to restore the shattered pride of the Russian people, it might not be so bad.
“That is not the only problem. Although we have unified the White Army, opening another front when the Bolsheviks are not yet defeated could provoke opposition even within our own ranks.”
As expected, the moment those words were spoken, the Duma members began whispering among themselves.
“Above all, it could lead to new friction. There are also the Chinese warlords to consider.”
“Those fellows are nothing but numbers with heads attached, aren’t they?”
“How could China possibly spare attention for North Manchuria right now? We must demonstrate that Russia remains a viable power.”
While others seemed to ponder my words, Kolchak and Wrangel were firmly in favor of seizing North Manchuria. I, too, liked the idea of more territory, so North Manchuria did not sound bad. Of course, that was because I was Anastasia now.
We were in a position where, without the great powers, we would wither and die. Reforms would improve the situation eventually, but—
“Then perhaps we should consider a slightly different approach.”
“A different approach?”
“Issue orders to Lieutenant General Ungern. Have the Asiatic Cavalry Division move south under the pretext of protecting North Manchuria, testing the waters gradually.”
In other words, create various justifications and simply inch southward as if by coincidence.
“Test the waters.”
“If the great powers object, we can always withdraw.”
That was rather tempting. Probe once or twice, and if the powers remained silent, that would be enough. Moreover, preventing Japan from later establishing Manchukuo and causing trouble meant we needed to reduce their influence in Manchuria anyway. If the great powers tacitly approved and told us to fight harder, the situation would change entirely. Thanks to the civil war, we might actually be able to expand in Asia.
“Then let us proceed with the southward movement while informing Britain as well. After all, along with Germany, they are our greatest sponsor.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Most importantly, we need numbers. We require people to fight wars and operate factories. Therefore, at this juncture, we will embrace the Jews living in Russia.”
“You intend to pursue a pro-Jewish policy?”
“If done well, might we not also receive support from Jewish capitalists?”
Because Hitler had slaughtered so many Jews, people often overlooked how antisemitic Russia had been. During the Russo-Japanese War, Jews had supported Japan to such an extent that it spoke volumes. It was necessary to win over Jewish hearts as well.
On the British side, the British Empire did not react with the same hypersensitivity it had shown during the Great Game upon receiving reports—via its ambassador to Russia—about the White Russians’ planned southward advance into North Manchuria. Russia, having already submitted to Germany, was in no position to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the British Empire that had forced even Germany to its knees. Moreover, Russia was currently split in two, and Grand Duchess Anastasia’s White Russia relied on British support. In fact, the sight of Russia wanting a piece of Manchuria at a time like this seemed almost endearing.
“So she wishes to move south under the pretext of protecting Russians in North Manchuria.”
“Now that things are becoming somewhat manageable, our adorable Grand Duchess apparently has her eyes on North Manchuria.”
“She can barely put out the fire in her own house, yet she wants to plant her flag elsewhere? That seems a bit much.”
“She probably wants to show that the Russian Empire is still alive and well.”
“It’s a plea to restore some of their pride. North Manchuria seems acceptable, doesn’t it?”
I’m fighting hard! I’ll make sure the Red Plague doesn’t spread to you! So please give me more rewards!
That was essentially what the Grand Duchess was saying. Considering that the Soviet Union’s very birth was Russia’s own fault and that Russia had survived this long only thanks to the great powers, it was rather amusing. Nevertheless, Britain was inclined to tolerate this development.
After all, Ukraine, Finland, the Baltic states, and Belarus had all broken away and now fell under British influence. As for America, if Russia guaranteed American interests in Manchuria, there was no reason to object.
“This is not something an ambassador can decide. Mister Gallipoli, please travel to Yekaterinburg and meet with the Grand Duchess.”
“Indeed. Go on, Gallipoli.”
“You people are serious! Fine, I’ll go!”
And so Mister Gallipoli was dispatched to Yekaterinburg. Britain could easily say that Russia was free to take North Manchuria. The real question was whether the Japanese Empire—which was desperate to devour Siberia and the Far East—would tolerate it.
“North Manchuria? We haven’t gotten anything, yet Russia gets to take it? Why only Russia! Why only Russia!”
As expected, Japan threw a fit. Russia had refused support from the Imperial Japanese Army and blocked Japanese advances into Siberia. Why on earth should they hand anything over?
“Since the great powers have already given tacit approval, we cannot openly oppose it. I hear the British Empire has even sent someone to the Provisional Government in Yekaterinburg regarding North Manchuria.”
“Then what about the original plan to partition Manchuria?”
“Partition Manchuria?”
Even Japan could not ignore the great powers’ approval entirely. Instead, they shifted toward the idea of using this opportunity to snatch at least a small piece of Manchurian flesh. It was a very Japanese judgment: the great powers were exhausted from the war and would be unable to intervene in Manchurian affairs. If they had failed to enter Siberia, they must at least secure Manchuria.
In that case, setting aside the other powers, perhaps they should negotiate directly with Russia.
“We will conclude a bilateral agreement with Russia. Russia takes North Manchuria, and we take South Manchuria—establishing bridgeheads for continental expansion.”
“Or we could claim we are helping our ally Russia by protecting Russians in Manchuria and secure the region that way?”
“They would never accept that. For now, let us divide South and North Manchuria amicably between us. If the civil war ends in Soviet victory, we can intervene immediately and push into North Manchuria as well. How does that sound?”
Although Russia was currently split in half, starting a conflict with them over all of Manchuria would prompt the great powers to intervene. Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi had no desire for such risks now that the Great War had ended.
“If we partition Manchuria, it means we must bury our old grudges with Russia. In any case, it will be difficult for Russia to fully annex North Manchuria at present. It would not be too late to send a military attaché to assess the situation in White Russia before making a final decision.”
“Let us do that.”
Japan maintained an ambiguous stance—neither approving nor opposing. This was to leave room for future negotiations with Russia regarding Manchuria.