Chapter 799 Venice Conference
The entry of agencies such as the East African Meteorological Bureau and the Bureau of Land and Resources Survey into Angola and Mozambique also means that East Africa’s development of the two places is about to begin.
Now it is time to conduct a rough survey of various conditions in Angola and Mozambique, and then the East African government will set development goals.
……
Vienna.
February 1889.
"Your Majesty, the British have begun to seek reconciliation with East Africa. They intend to use us and other countries as mediators to mediate this war."
The arrival of the British broke Franz's mind Since the 1980s, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has developed very well. It can be regarded as an era of rapid development of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Franz's work has become relatively easier.
"It seems that East Africa has brought a lot of trouble to Britain. What is the situation of the war in South Africa now?" Franz asked.
As for the South African War, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not too concerned about it now. Of course, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was still affected to some extent in the early stages of the war. As an important trading partner and ally of East Africa, when East Africa and Britain went to war, the Austrian government was Shocked.
First of all, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was afraid of being dragged into the water by East Africa. If it was just a war between East Africa and Portugal, it would naturally not matter. However, only countries on the European continent felt how terrifying Britain's strength was.
The reason why East Africa can be "arrogant and domineering" is because East Africa is relatively far away from the British mainland, and it is more difficult for the British to intervene. In fact, if it were not for the crazy immigration policy and military industry in East Africa for more than 20 years, Development and attention, even the British Indian colonies could deal a major blow to East Africa.
It can be said that in the entire Indian Ocean periphery, except for East Africa, other countries and regions did not have a single enemy of India under British rule.
Countries on the European continent, close to the British mainland, can more intuitively feel the pressure brought by Britain on them, especially the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Among the five major gangsters in the world, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has the worst national strength and the most domestic instability factors. The problems are more serious than those encountered by Tsarist Russia. Although Tsarist Russia does not have many major ethnic groups, The occupied areas are basically dominated by Slavs.
Therefore, it can be said that it is easy for Britain to cause trouble to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it is enough to give the Austro-Hungarian Empire no place to vent its anger.
With the Royal Navy, Britain has no other ability. It is definitely the best in the world at causing trouble. Anyway, Britain’s position is that as long as the navy does not weaken, other countries can’t do anything about it.
This is just like the Far Eastern Empire and Tsarist Russia were suppressed when facing the United States in the previous life, relying on the position and naval strength of the United States.
Nowadays, other major powers in the world feel this powerless when facing Britain. If they are not major powers, they will be even more unlucky. Brazil and Portugal are the targets of bullying.
In addition to the strategic considerations of the Austro-Hungarian Empire itself, the impact on trade between East Africa and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was also a factor that caused great headaches for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
East Africa was an important market for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even the Austro-Hungarian Empire was able to get out of the economic crisis early because of East Africa's strong support. Therefore, when East Africa and Britain went to war, Austria was one of the most anxious countries.
Of course, under the weird dual system of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary was indifferent to this war, because the existence of East Africa weakened the dependence of Austria, Czech Venice and other developed areas of the Austro-Hungarian Empire on Hungarian agriculture and minerals .
So the attitude towards the South African War within the Austro-Hungarian Empire was divided, and by the way, the Austrian allies were unable to effectively intervene in the trend of the South African War. Fortunately, Ernst did not expect Austria-Hungary to be of much help to East Africa from the beginning, otherwise the outcome in East Africa might not be much different from that of the Boers in the previous life.
Of course, the Boers had actually been incorporated into the British colonies before the war with the British in their previous lives, so the results were definitely different.
Even if the military in East Africa fails, it will not be completely annexed by the British. At least the core area in the east can be preserved.
"Your Majesty, East Africa has now completely gained the advantage in the South African War. Angola and Mozambique have been captured by East Africa. The East Africans are moving south to attack Cape Town, and this is why the British are so anxious." said Count Alan Tarr, Foreign Secretary.
Franz was overjoyed when he heard what happened to the British. Almost no country in the world liked the British, so Franz was very happy that the British failed in front of East Africa.
"Is it possible for the UK to make a comeback?"
"It is basically impossible, unless the UK attacks East Africa in an all-out manner, but this is almost impossible. East Africa has faced the British challenge from the beginning of the war to now All kinds of restrictions and suppressions have survived, and the South African War was the British’s final attempt after they had no way to control East Africa. However, it now seems that the war cannot solve the strong rise of East Africa in southern Africa.”
After hearing this, Franz also stopped smiling, and he began to re-examine this "unexpected" country in East Africa.
The establishment and development of East Africa can be said to be one of the unique historical events in the 19th century. Its significance is no less than the collapse of the Vienna System, the Franco-Prussian War and other changes to the world structure.
Before this, the country where similar cases could be found was the United States of America in North America, so East Africa could become another United States, or perhaps Brazil!
"Erenthal, how do you think we should reply to the British?" Franz asked.
“It’s a good thing that the British want us to mediate the war. After all, we have very close relations with East Africa, but we still have to see whether East Africa needs to end the war, or what they want. Chips," Count Ellenthal replied.
"If East Africa agrees, what should be our attitude in the middle?"
"Your Majesty, everyone with a discerning eye now knows that the rise of East Africa in Africa is inevitable, so we should stand on the side of East Africa, except for East Africa itself In addition to our important allies, our country's potential interests in the future are closely related to East Africa, a suddenly rising world power. After taking over Angola and Mozambique, East Africa has a land area of more than 13 million square kilometers, second only to For Tsarist Russia, such a vast country, its resources and military strength cannot be ignored."
"What about the British?"
"The British are suffering from their own consequences, after all, they cannot win on the battlefield. What you get is harder to get at the negotiation table, and now Britain is eager to get out of the South African War and wants something from us, so we don't need to care too much about the British attitude."
Ellenthal. The earl's words gave Franz reassurance that Britain was now seeking help from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and East Africa itself had shown its worth to be attracted, so this job was completely acceptable.
As for why Britain negotiated with East Africa through Austria-Hungary rather than Germany, in addition to the best relationship between Austria-Hungary and East Africa, the most important point is that William II had just succeeded to the throne and was not prestigious enough, so the old emperor Franz Instead, he is more suitable as a mediator presiding over negotiations.
February 12, 1889.
Under the mediation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the East African government was invited to participate in peace negotiations with Britain and Portugal in Venice.
At this time, there is actually no need to continue the South African War, but East Africa is a master of not letting go of hawks when it sees rabbits. East Africa will not easily end its new round of offensive against Cape Town before Britain and Portugal cede territory.
(End of this chapter)