Chapter 1159 Transactions and Threats
While European countries were fighting to the death, East Africa launched a full-scale attack and quietly expanded in various regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. In addition to robbing the original European markets and raw material suppliers, it also attacked the colonies of various countries. There are also constant small moves.
Among them, East Africa is also very covetous of the Dutch East Indies colony, but it has not taken much action and can only make small fuss around the island of Kalimantan.
September 1914.
Germany and the British and French forces began the bloody Battle of the Marne.
Germany's military operations in Belgium were basically over. Although the Liege Fortress was finally captured, the results did not meet Germany's psychological expectations.
Moltke did not fully implement Schlieffen's full plan during his lifetime, and transferred one-third of the original troops from the Belgian battlefield to other areas. The harm caused by weakening the right wing soon became apparent, and the original plan ended within a few days. The war in Belgium on the Western Front was dragged on for more than ten days in the Liege Fortress.
The Schlieffen Plan was designed from the beginning to be a quick victory plan. However, Moltke's underestimation of the enemy slowed down the actions of the German army on the entire Western Front. Of course, Germany still has the advantage and successfully advanced the front. Once in France, as long as there are no mistakes in the future, the Schlieffen Plan can still be implemented.
At this time, Britain and France also began to intensify their naval blockade of Germany. The powerful offensive power displayed by the German army was enough to scare any country.
Port of Rotterdam.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Port of Rotterdam had developed into one of the largest ports in Europe, relying on shipping, and it was also one of the main transit ports for cargo transportation from East Africa to Germany.
Before the outbreak of World War I, the Netherlands strictly abided by the principle of neutrality, and was not chosen as a breakthrough point by Germany like Belgium. This made the Netherlands one of the paradises on the European battlefield.
As Belgium became a battlefield frontline, a large number of Belgian refugees fled to the Netherlands, numbering hundreds of thousands, which greatly increased the pressure on the Dutch government.
Now, finally, someone is willing to take the initiative to help the Dutch government share the pressure of refugees. At the Dutch Royal Palace, East African Envoy Teller is meeting with Queen Wilhelmina and senior Dutch government officials.
Trel went straight to the point: "Your Majesty the Queen, we in East Africa can arrange for these Belgians to take refuge in various parts of East Africa."
Queen Wilhelmina: "Sir Tver, refugees are now a hot potato for many countries. Don't you in East Africa find it troublesome?"
Tver said: "Of course not. As we all know, we in East Africa are immigrants. country, so we still have a huge demand for immigrants. After all, East Africa is a world power with a land area of over 10 million, and many areas in our homeland are not fully developed.”
This is also true. In the past, after all, although the scale of immigration in East Africa has shrunk a lot in recent years, the annual immigration intensity can still lag behind many countries.
Of course, the main destination of these immigrants is most likely not East Africa, but mostly colonies and other areas in East Africa.
The Queen nodded and said: "Of course we will not stop activities in East Africa, but none of this should be based on force. If you can convince these poor people to voluntarily go to East Africa, we can also provide your country with Some conveniences.”
Belgian refugees are naturally pitiful people. Of course, the Dutch government does not want to take in so many burdens.
“This is natural. We in East Africa are also one of the few big countries in the world, and East Africa is always much safer than Europe, so I believe there are still many people who are willing to develop in East Africa.”
There are too many Belgians who have fled to the Netherlands, and most of them are penniless. Therefore, in the past, the Dutch government could only provide relief to these refugees out of a humanitarian spirit. That is to say, the Dutch government is very wealthy and can support so many people.
Nowadays, the Netherlands serves as a transit point for trade between East Africa and Germany. The tolls alone make the Dutch spend a lot of money. Any leakage is enough to feed the Belgian refugees. But this is obviously not a long-term solution. If East Africa can take in this group of Belgian refugees who are living on their own, the Netherlands will definitely make more money.
And this is not difficult for East Africa. The ships from East Africa to Rotterdam and other Dutch ports are basically empty ships. It will not waste too much energy to pick up some people on the way back to Togoland, Gabon and other places.
After discussing the matter, Trailer said: "Her Majesty the Queen's kindness is touching, and God will definitely bless you with a long life."
Compliments to Trailer , Wilhelmina just smiled.
At this time, Teller said again: "By the way, Her Majesty the Queen, do you still remember the dispute between us and your country over Kalimantan Island?"
Foreshadowing. After a lot of time, Terrell finally got the idea, and Billy After all, immigration is a trivial matter for East Africa, including the fact that the Netherlands’ transit status is not a big attraction to East Africa. After all, Germany actually has an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. Now the German navy is just besieged in the Baltic Sea, and merchant ships from East Africa can still reach Germany. Native.
And Teller's words made Wilhelmina's expression change. The Netherlands has been very aware of East Africa's ambitions for the Dutch East Indies over the years.
The East African government has repeatedly revealed its intention to purchase the Dutch colony on Kalimantan, but it has been rejected by the Dutch government.
But this time Teller brought up the old matter again, obviously he has ambitions towards Kalimantan and even the East Indies.
If it were peacetime, the Dutch government could naturally refuse directly. After all, East Africa still needs to take face into account due to the rules of the international community.
But now is a very delicate time. The European powers have too much to take care of themselves, and they can't care about what is happening outside Europe.
Assuming that at this time, East Africa takes a strong stance against the overlord of the East Indies, the Netherlands will not even find a place to cry, such as Britain and Germany, which have the closest relations with the Netherlands.
Indeed, the relationship between the Netherlands and Germany is also good, because Wilhelmina has a very good relationship with the Prussian royal family. Her mother and husband are both German nobles, and it was the Dutch Queen who took in the "poor" in her previous life. "William II.
However, since Teller chose to negotiate with himself, it is clear that things can still turn around. Otherwise, if East Africa really sends out troops, then with the military power of the Netherlands in the East Indies, the only thing that can be done is to surrender. .
After thinking about this, Wilhelmina felt a little relieved. She asked Teller calmly: "Sir Teller, do you want to take advantage of others?" The East Indies is our country's most important overseas territory, and there is no possibility of negotiation."
Tell retorted: "Her Majesty the Queen does not have to rush to refuse, we in East Africa are only interested in Kalimantan. You are interested in the island, not the East Indies. After all, we know that among the East Indies, only the island of Java has the most economic value to your country.”
"But Kalimantan is different. On the one hand, Kalimantan has no other advantages except that it is larger. Moreover, such a barren land is divided between our two countries and the United Kingdom."
" And with the strength of the Netherlands, it is impossible to defend Gary. Mandan Island, the final result is nothing more than our country or the United Kingdom acquiring other territories on Kalimantan Island."
"So your country might as well sell Kalimantan Island to the empire. In this way, it is expensive to get rid of this burden. The country can also focus on developing Java Island. After all, the Netherlands has national strength. There are limits, and there are so many indigenous people on the island of Java. All kinds of riots are enough to cause a headache for your country. Therefore, tightening your strength and getting the benefits is the most beneficial to your country. I don’t know if Her Majesty the Queen agrees. ”
Tver’s words make the truth clear. There is a threat element. Generally speaking, colonial riots are relatively easy to suppress, but it is different when a third party joins. For example, the United States once planned similar actions in the Spanish colonies, which greatly weakened Spain's control of the colonies. Control in the Philippines and Cuba.
The same method can naturally be used by East Africa on the Netherlands. Now Teller is trying to persuade him. If he cannot get the desired result, then he cannot blame East Africa for using force next time. But the use of force in East Africa cannot be solved by Kalimantan.
(End of this chapter)