Chapter Summaries

After finishing their handover work in Davao City, Wilknitz and the Freedom's crew relaxed at Edeltar's tavern, where they discussed the city's local liquor and the Russian immigrants they had brought. Edeltar warned that the immigrants would face hardship settling on undeveloped islands north of Mindanao, and Wilknitz left their future in the context of East Africa's own difficult beginnings.

• Wilknitz led Captain Hilda and the Freedom's crew to Edeltar's tavern, where Edeltar welcomed them and treated them to local banana wine.
• Edeltar explained that he brewed the wine from Davao City's bananas using a method learned from a sailor from North Great Lakes Province.
• Wilknitz told Edeltar that the Freedom had brought Russian immigrants from the Persian Gulf, most of them from Ukraine.
• Edeltar said the immigrants would likely be settled on undeveloped islands north of Mindanao after acclimating in Davao City.
• Wilknitz compared their expected hardship with East Africa's early struggles and its development over several generations.

At Davao’s immigrant learning camp, Batesdorf explained the rules, work requirements, and naturalization process that awaited Slavic immigrants in the Mindanao colony. Kumoyev and Leblya discussed their unfamiliar rice-based meals and plentiful tropical fruit before being reassigned to the colony.

• Batesdorf told the Slavic immigrants that Mindanao required standard German for naturalization and imposed militarized, government-directed work and living conditions on those who were not yet naturalized.
• Batesdorf explained that Davao’s learning camps taught immigrants language and local rules and helped them adjust to the climate before they were sent to settlements across Mindanao.
• Kumoyev and Leblya ate rice, fish, and tropical fruit in the camp cafeteria and talked about how different the food was from what they had known in Ukraine and Russia.

Kumoyev and Leblya joined their class’s first practical lesson, clearing rainforest near Davao under Batesdorf’s instruction. The oppressive heat and humidity left the Slavic trainees exhausted as they worked, while Batesdorf held back from pushing the recent arrivals too hard.

• Batesdorf led the class to a warehouse, assigned Kumoyev and Leblya to carry a whetstone, and took everyone into the forest.
• Batesdorf taught the trainees how to use and maintain their tools and avoid rainforest hazards before putting them to work logging.
• Kumoyev and Leblya chopped nearby trees together and discussed Mindanao’s rainforest, its development, and the challenges of clearing it.
• The heat, rain, insects, and humidity drained the Slavic trainees, and Batesdorf refrained from urging them to work harder.

In October 1917, French diplomats in Rhine City discussed how to keep East Africa out of the Central Powers by offering colonial concessions. They concluded that many French territories could attract East Africa, but the most valuable colonies were off limits, leaving them to find a suitable place to test East Africa’s interest.

• Ambassador Thomson told the French embassy staff that preventing East Africa from joining Germany’s side was a vital priority as France struggled in the war.
• Counselor Kaor warned that East African popular support for Germany and Austria was strong and could complicate diplomatic efforts.
• Thomson argued that France could offer overseas territories immediately in exchange for East Africa’s neutrality, while Germany and Austria could only promise spoils East Africa would have to seize in war.
• Thomson ruled out West Africa, North Africa, and Indochina, and asked which less important territories France should offer first.
• Kaor explained that French colonies across the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific could all expand East Africa’s strategic reach, while Thomson considered the implications of territories such as French Guiana, Syria, and Pacific islands.

Kaor and Ambassador Thomson discussed which French colonies France could trade away and which it needed to preserve for its postwar ambitions. They settled on using India as bait to draw East Africa into conflict with Britain while retaining France’s stronger footholds in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

• Kaor argued that France should give its distant, low-value Pacific colonies to East Africa.
• Thomson rejected giving up Guyana because France might use it as a base to return to South America.
• Thomson said France’s best path to remaining a world power was integrating its North and West African colonies, while preserving Indochina and potential South American opportunities.
• Thomson proposed negotiating over Madagascar, Mauritius, Caribbean islands, and French outposts in India.
• Thomson suggested offering India as bait to involve East Africa in the Indian Ocean and intensify its rivalry with Britain.

German diplomat Burs and Austro-Hungarian official Blairon discussed the Central Powers’ improved prospects after victories on the Eastern Front and argued that East Africa and the United States should remain neutral. Their confidence and resentment toward East Africa grew as they considered the countries’ separate identities and the limited concessions they could offer.

• Burs claimed that Russia’s possible withdrawal and the Ottoman Empire’s strength left the Central Powers poised to defeat Britain and France.
• Blairon cautioned Burs that East Africa could not be offended, even as he agreed that defeating Britain and France had to come first.
• Burs argued that the Central Powers should avoid sharing postwar spoils with East Africa and could later use other countries to counterbalance it and the United States.
• The diplomats acknowledged their frustration at having sought East African support while money flowed from their treasuries into East Africa and the United States.
• Blairon said East Africans were developing a distinct Rhine people identity and were no longer traveling the same path as Germany.

East African leaders debated whether to join the Central Powers or the Entente Powers as Britain and France offered colonial territory for support. Ernst decided East Africa would remain neutral until the United States entered the war and the European balance became clear.

• Logens and Svit compared the offers from Britain and France with the potential gains and dangers of joining the Central Powers.
• Logens warned that East Africa’s navy could not easily defeat the British and French fleets or secure the Suez Canal, and that American intervention could change the war.
• Ernst said East Africa would not openly support either side before the United States made its position clear.
• Ernst decided that East Africa would join the Central Powers only if they gained a clear advantage in Europe; otherwise, it would remain neutral and continue overseas expansion.
• The East African government chose to keep observing the war and rejected the offers from both camps.

East African Foreign Minister Freer met French Ambassador Thomson, who tried to secure closer relations by praising East Africa’s power and promising French support for its ambitions. The meeting ended with Thomson urging cooperation against potential rivals, while East Africa’s intentions remained unstated.

• Freer told Thomson that East Africa remained neutral and had no intention of entering the European War at present.
• Thomson praised East Africa’s influence and said France supported its future role in the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic.
• Freer downplayed East Africa’s overseas colonies and contrasted them with France’s possessions.
• Thomson reflected on East Africa’s vast territory and how its rise had weakened Britain’s position in Africa.
• Thomson urged France and East Africa to establish close relations against countries that might obstruct East Africa’s strategy.

Freer considered Ambassador Thomson’s proposal for closer Franco-East African cooperation, recognizing shared interests in finance, trade, technology, and resistance to British influence. He welcomed future cooperation, and Thomson decided to offer East Africa tangible incentives to keep it neutral during the war.

• Freer understood that Thomson hoped France and East Africa would cooperate after the war to counter Britain and the United States.
• Freer weighed France’s financial, colonial, cultural, and academic strengths against East Africa’s need for investment, markets, and technology.
• Freer told Thomson that East Africa welcomed greater cooperation with France across international affairs, economics, culture, research, technology, and colonies.
• Thomson took Freer’s friendly response as evidence that East Africa was unlikely to join the Central Powers and decided to offer it tangible incentives.

Freer told Ambassador Thomson that British control of key Indian Ocean islands and waterways left East Africa strategically vulnerable. He outlined the value of Socotra Island, Seychelles, the Maldives, and the Chagos Islands, leaving East Africa’s need for maritime strongholds clear.

• Ambassador Thomson asked Freer about East Africa’s development strategy in the Indian Ocean.
• Freer said East Africa lacked strategic strongholds and faced British control of the Suez Canal, the Strait of Mandeb, Socotra Island, Seychelles, the Maldives, and the Chagos Islands.
• Freer explained that Socotra Island could threaten shipping in the Gulf of Aden and serve as a gateway to East Africa’s seas.
• Freer described Seychelles as a vital island group that could extend East Africa’s maritime defenses and provide early warning against attacks.
• Freer noted that the Maldives and Chagos Islands could support Britain’s position but were too distant from other strongholds to create a complete blockade.
• Freer argued that East Africa’s access to the Atlantic and Pacific would let its navy become a blue-water force once it acquired ocean-going warships.

Freer and Ambassador Thomson discussed East Africa’s need for Indian Ocean naval bases, and Thomson offered French India’s Pondicherry, Yanan, and Karikal along with Rodrigues Island in a proposed transaction. Freer welcomed the offer but recognized France hoped East Africa would challenge Britain in India, and he avoided making promises that would compromise East Africa’s interests.

• Freer described how British control of strategic Indian Ocean points and the Seychelles had pressured the East African Navy.
• Thomson recalled the East African naval battle and questioned France’s ability to resolve East Africa’s difficulties in the Indian Ocean.
• Thomson offered France’s Indian territories of Pondicherry, Yanan, and Karikal, as well as Rodrigues Island, to East Africa.
• Freer judged Rodrigues Island especially valuable as a potential naval stronghold and considered the offer acceptable despite France’s hopes of provoking trouble with Britain.
• Freer declined to offer any guarantee that would compromise East Africa’s core national interests.

East African officials debated whether to accept France’s three Indian colonies, weighing their limited value against the chance to gain a foothold in India. Freer warned that an independent India could become East Africa’s greatest Indian Ocean rival, and the discussion ended with Britain’s colonial rule shown as both suppressing India and enabling its industrial growth.

• Ernst asked the officials what they thought of the four colonies France wanted to hand over, and Logens described the French Indian possessions as weak, insecure outposts with poor ports and little useful industry.
• Logens explained that Yanan had the best harbor conditions but that the Godavari River was difficult to navigate, while the other French settlements also offered few advantages.
• Ernst agreed that France would not surrender valuable territory and asked whether the Empire should establish colonies there.
• Freer urged the Empire to take the three French colonies as an opportunity to penetrate India, warning that India’s resources and position could make it a threat if it became independent.
• Freer argued that Britain could not rule India indefinitely, and the discussion noted that local Indian elites and businesses were gaining power, industry, and military capabilities under colonial rule.

Freer argued that East Africa should prevent India and other Indian Ocean regions from becoming future threats by promoting division and backing non-Arab religious and ethnic forces. He proposed creating a Dravidian nation in southern India, leaving East Africa with plans to fragment India and contain Arab religious influence.

• Freer identified India as East Africa’s greatest potential Indian Ocean rival and urged supporting ethnic and religious conflicts to prevent its unification.
• Freer ranked the Ottoman Empire, Persia, and Australia as additional potential threats and called for plans to protect East Africa’s Indian Ocean dominance.
• Freer warned that Arab religion could unite India with the Middle East and Nanyang, and urged East Africa to support Indian forces that opposed it.
• Freer proposed backing Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox groups and using Dravidian identity to build a separate nation in southern India.
• Freer suggested that even a Dravidian country that remained dependent could weaken India’s development and serve East Africa’s interests.

Ernst outlined East Africa’s plans to limit Arab religious and revolutionary influence in India while preserving British rule. After the Russian Labor Party seized power in Saint Petersburg and the royal family’s whereabouts became unknown, Alexei, Maria, and Anastasia decided to seek information from Ambassador Baranov in Rhine City.

• Ernst said East Africa would suppress threats to its influence in the Indian Ocean and use Karikal, Yanan, and a third area to spread its ideology while avoiding conflict with Britain.
• Ernst argued that East Africa should preserve India’s existing order until it had strengthened separatist movements and other forces that could counter religious unity and Labor Party influence.
• At the end of 1917, the Russian Labor Party overthrew the Provisional Government in Saint Petersburg, and Shellyur told Alexei, Maria, and Anastasia that Nicholas II and other family members had disappeared.
• Maria urged Alexei and Anastasia to stay calm and contact Ambassador Baranov, since Shellyur’s information network had been cut off by the revolution.
• Alexei agreed with Maria, and she ordered Shellyur to prepare vehicles so they could visit the Russian embassy and seek news from Baranov.

Ambassador Baranov told Alexei and the Grand Duchesses that rebels had overthrown the Provisional Government and that reliable news of Nicholas II was scarce. He urged them to stay in East Africa and said he would seek the East African government’s help with their security and possible efforts to rescue the royal family.

• Baranov’s secretary, Ivan, informed him that Crown Prince Alexei, Grand Duchess Maria, and Grand Duchess Anastasia had arrived.
• Baranov explained that communications from Saint Petersburg had nearly stopped after rebels overthrew the Provisional Government, and that Nicholas II and his family had been moved to an unknown location.
• Baranov warned Alexei and the Grand Duchesses that rebels posed a serious danger to the royal family and other prominent Russians.
• Baranov cautioned them not to trust messages urging them to return to Russia, since rebels might forge them to lure the royals home.
• Baranov told them to return to their estate and promised to ask the East African government for protection and help contacting Russian Royalists.

Ernst told Baranov and Alexei that the Russian Labor Party regime had rejected East Africa’s efforts to locate Nicholas II and warned that the royal family was in grave danger. He urged them to seek refuge or rely on Russian counterrevolutionary forces, while explaining that foreign intervention was effectively impossible.

• Ernst informed Baranov that the Labor Party regime had refused East Africa’s demands and that Nicholas II and his family were likely in danger.
• Ernst said Nicholas II had previously refused chances to leave Russia and urged Baranov to withdraw if he could contact his family.
• Ernst welcomed Alexei and other members of the royal family as refugees and urged Alexei to persuade them to leave Russia.
• Baranov urged Ernst to help destroy the Labor Party regime, arguing that it threatened Russia, Europe, and the world.
• Ernst explained that wartime divisions and limited access made foreign intervention in Russia impossible, leaving Russian counterrevolutionaries to attempt to retake power.

Ernst discussed Russia’s Labor Party uprising with Ambassador Baranov, promising East Africa would oppose the movement while warning that Russia’s other factions needed to unite. He urged Alexei, Maria, and Anastasia to stay in East Africa and promised Maria that East Africa would try to rescue Nicholas II and his family.

• Ernst explained that the Central Powers would likely make peace with the Russian Labor Party and would not help Russia’s old leadership suppress the rebels.
• Baranov asked Ernst to help eliminate the Russian Labor Party, warning that its revolutionary ideals threatened East Africa and the world.
• Ernst promised East Africa would not recognize the Labor Party’s ideals and advised Russia’s nobles, bureaucrats, and capitalists to unite against it.
• Ernst considered using the Labor Party as an external threat to encourage East Africa’s development while guarding against its ideological influence.
• Ernst advised Baranov to contact other countries and told Alexei, Maria, and Anastasia to remain in East Africa until Russia’s turmoil settled.
• Maria asked Ernst to help her parents escape Russia, and Ernst promised East Africa would do its best to rescue Nicholas II and his family.

By the end of 1917, East Africa’s National Security Bureau had established a covert operation in Russia, including a gang near Kazan led by Berezovka. Berezovka prepared to seize Kazan, arguing that the collapse of the Russian government gave him an opportunity, while Chubalov feared the consequences.

• East Africa’s National Security Bureau began operations in Russia to evacuate people, monitor resources, and withdraw its agents safely.
• Berezovka built a force of about ten thousand men by conquering and integrating the bandit gangs around Kazan.
• Chubalov questioned whether Berezovka’s force could take Kazan, but Berezovka dismissed his concerns and threatened that dissenters could leave.
• Chubalov warned that Kazan’s garrison and the government could destroy them, while Berezovka claimed the Russian government had fallen and could not respond quickly.

Berezovka led a bandit army toward Kazan while East African intelligence agents used the attack as cover to rob the city’s treasury. The vault was blown open and roughly one hundred tons of gold and other valuables disappeared, with later generations wrongly blaming Berezovka’s gang.

• Berezovka convinced Chubalov that Russia’s turmoil gave them a chance to seize Kazan and ordered the army to advance.
• Berezovka’s cavalry reached Kazan disguised as reinforcements and captured the eastern side after a brief battle.
• Nightingale told Golde that the Kazan Treasury held vast assets and that their preparations were complete.
• Golde ordered more than four thousand National Security Bureau agents and accomplices to storm the vault.
• The raiders blew open the treasury, and roughly one hundred tons of gold and valuables vanished.

Berezovka’s forces captured Kazan after the East African National Security Bureau secretly plundered the Kazan Treasury and helped undermine the Russian garrison. The next day, Berezovka directed the new Kazan Army to take control of the city and expand its forces while keeping the Bureau’s presence secret.

• The East African National Security Bureau exploited the chaos and its cooperation with the Berezovka Gang to plunder the Kazan Treasury before the Russian Labor Party could reach it.
• The Kazan garrison lost morale and its commander fled the city, allowing the Berezovka Gang to capture Kazan.
• Chubalov celebrated the gang’s transformation into regular troops, and Berezovka declared that Kazan’s capture gave them leverage amid Russia’s turmoil.
• Berezovka ordered his men to control government offices, factories, and banks, keep production and tax collection stable, and recruit troops using Kazan’s resources.
• Berezovka told Chubalov that the East African force occupying the Treasury was allied with him and forbade the Kazan Army from entering its cordoned-off area.
• Berezovka ordered the Kazan Army to prevent the wealthy and aristocrats from leaving, triple its forces, and capture more territory from Kazan.