Chapter 1421 East African Federation (first update, please subscribe)
Sometimes opportunities come unexpectedly, like now.
"In other words, they hope to win our support?"
"Yes, Your Excellency, they have been active in London in the past month, but London's attitude has not been clear, so they hope to get our support!"
After listening to Robert's report, Li Yian muttered the place name "Tanganyika" in his heart. After thinking for a while, he said:
"Okay, let's meet!"
Soon, Wells, the chairman of the Legislative Council of the Dominion of Tanganyika, entered the study.
Li Yian stepped forward to greet him from the center of the study with a smile.
"Ah, Sir Wells, please come in."
Wells moved closer to the room and Robert closed the door behind him.
Now there were only two people left in the study, Li Yian and Wells. Wells sat on the chair, while Li Yian looked at Wells.
The Dominion of Tanganyika is a British colony. Originally, Tanganyika should have declared independence last year, and then London acquiesced to the reality. However, because of Tanganyika’s industrial development, the United Kingdom will definitely not give up this cow. Although Tanganyika The African Union of Tanganyika won the election, but despite the failure, the British still ensured the British "trusteeship" of Tanganyika by erecting some obstacles.
Strictly speaking, Tanganyika is not a British colony, but an international trusteeship under international trusteeship after World War I. After the war, Britain continued to rule Tanganyika in the form of a United Nations trusteeship.
This is why Wells came here.
"...So, theoretically speaking, the United Kingdom must take into account the attitude of the United Nations, and the United Nations' attitude is very clear, which is to ask the United Kingdom to end its rule in Tanganyika. However, Your Excellency, London may be able to end its rule in Tanganyika The rule of Kazakhstan, but what about foreign investment in the country?
Who will protect them? And that includes your farms—millions of acres! ”
Why Wells came here was to gain support. In his opinion, Chang'an would be on their side because of interests.
"Indeed, the interests of foreign investment must be guaranteed."
Li Yian nodded in agreement, glanced at him, and said.
"I have always firmly believed that foreign investments must be protected, regardless of any understanding or excuse. If they want to be nationalized, they must be compensated according to market prices,"
He opened his mouth and said:
"This is our consistent principle. At the same time, we firmly oppose any form of "forced nationalization", which is harmful to the business spirit."
Of course you must oppose anything that may harm your own interests. Only a fool would allow foreigners to "nationalize" their own industries!
Well, this stupidity includes, but is not limited to, the United States, Britain and France.
"Yes, but, Your Excellency, the spirit of business is being trampled upon in Tanganyika!"
Wells said:
“In order to win the support of local people, the African Union advocated the implementation of land nationalization, to seize all farms and then distribute them to local people, and to expel outsiders, not just white people, but also other outsiders. Of course, also Including you.”
This was the dilemma faced by the British colonies - with the support of the United Nations and major powers, the locals could either choose non-violent means to fight for independence, or directly lift the table and launch a rebellion.
In short, for the current Britain, it is definitely a precarious situation.
"Where? Really? What is your attitude towards this?"
Li Yi'an looked at the guy in front of him, aren't you the chairman of the Legislative Council?
"Your Excellency, first of all, I need to emphasize that I am not a racist, nor do I discriminate against local people. I was born in Africa, and my neighbors are local people. In Europe, the United States, and in many countries, people Africans know nothing, they just wishfully think that they are the same as us, but In fact, the local people currently lack the ability to govern themselves. Even now, the vast majority of Africans are still accustomed to tribal rule and life. For them, primitive society was six days ago. How can they manage a modern country immediately?”
All right!
This view is obviously incorrect!
But I have to say, what Wells said in front of me... is correct!
This is not the first time Li Yi'an has heard this point of view. In fact, this is also the mainstream view of white African politicians.
Although this is incorrect from the correct perspective, facts speak louder than words. After the independence of African countries, what did the so-called "emerging countries" become?
But even so, people still refuse to believe this. Nobel Prize winner James Watson was accused of making racial remarks because he scientifically proved the intelligence of Africans. He was not only condemned, but also deprived of all kinds of honors. .
Precisely because we understand what Africa will look like in the future, from a humanitarian perspective, it is undoubtedly appropriate to maintain colonial rule in Africa.
Of course, this colonial rule should not belong to Great Britain, but to an important member of the Commonwealth.
That's right, it's down there!
It is your duty to guard the last possessions of the British Empire!
Li Yian looked at Wells and said:
"Indeed, scientifically speaking, it is."
Wells was relieved. The temperature in the room was pleasant and the chairs very comfortable, so he spoke. “So, I think that the future Tanganyika, including Kenya, should be independent in the form of the East African Federation, and its structure should fully take into account the interests of all parties. I think your local employees have already been integrated into the local area. They should play an important role in local governance ”
Local staff!
They are the employees sent by the cereal company. How many are those employees?
Not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands!
After all, tens of millions of acres of land require managers. Without those managers, referring to the local people, they can turn tractors into scrap metal.
Therefore, grain companies need to hire tens of thousands of employees from the mainland to farms in Africa to participate in management and operation. Not only them, but also their families have been living there.
Now, what's Wells' advice?
It means treating the company's employees as "locals" and participating in the management of the colony!
Not just Tanganyika, but also Kenya, and the entire East African Federation!
East African Federation. In fact, the British Colonial Office has always hoped to integrate East Africa into a whole, but due to various reasons, it has not been successful.
Now this company once again mentioned the East African Federation...
What is his purpose?
"What a cunning guy."
He stood by the window and muttered to himself.
The reason why he said this was because he finally understood why Wells found him, because people-whether in Tanganyika or Kenya, their people are very limited.
It should be said that the number of white people is extremely limited. In Tanganyika, the white population only accounts for a little more than 3% of the total population, while in Kenya, the white population only accounts for less than 3% of the total population.
After the establishment of the East African Federation, the proportion of whites in the local population was only 3% at most, and they could be regarded as an absolute minority.
Who else but white people?
Indian!
As a loyal dog of the empire, when the British developed African colonies, they introduced a large number of Indian workers because of insufficient population. Therefore, there were a large number of Indians living in the African colonies. Their proportion of the population in East Africa even reached 7% !
Although those Indians were not locals, Wells and others were not willing to cooperate with them. After all, the Indians... were once just their laborers and servants. Wouldn't working with them mean lowering one's status?
Therefore, company employees and their families, who account for about 5% of the local population, have become the best partners.
So, that's why he came for help - nothing more than cooperation!
"Every builder deserves his due."
Li Yian said:
"This is a very fair thing. Of course, although it is a little late now, it is a start after all."
When saying the words "after all", Li Yian waved his hands to emphasize his tone.
"Now that we have made this start, I believe that East Africa will be even better in the future."
Li Yian continued,
"I even envy your determination. Tell me about your idea. Given the current situation, it may be very difficult to get London to agree to the establishment of the East African Federation."
"It is very difficult, but the Colonial Office has always had this idea. Ten years ago, British Colonial Secretary Oliver Littleton gave a speech during his visit to East Africa, demanding that the three colonies of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika be merged into the East African Federation as soon as possible. . It failed because of Uganda’s opposition, but I think if we leave Uganda behind, we should have a chance to establish an East African Federation.”
Then Wells emphasized:
"Of course, we will definitely dominate the seats in the future East African Federation. We can't bring those people with bones in their noses who are running naked on the grasslands to the seats to discuss governance issues. Is it possible to talk about governance issues with us? They discuss together, should humans wear clothes?"
Wells' words made Li Yian say.
"Yes, this is indeed a problem. That place is still so barbaric. We should bring them into modern civilization. This kind of introduction should be said to be guidance, and we should not leave them alone or let them use primitive methods. Rule that land.”
Li Yi'an tilted his head back into the shadows. His words were not loud, but in Wells's ears, he fully felt the encouragement. This kind of encouragement and support was exactly what he and politicians across Africa needed. .
"You are absolutely right, Your Excellency. I have been to some African countries that have become independent. Those countries governed by local people are simply bloody slaughterhouses. Since their independence, they have been continuously regressing to the Middle Ages."
Wells continued.
"Most African countries are now rushing to establish a power bloc. Judging from their behavior in exercising power, it simply proves that they are not qualified to manage a garbage dump of the country. Congo is a typical example, with expulsion of whites, civil war, military rebellion, and rebellion Of course, the result is that ordinary people suffer."
This is exactly the fact in Africa. Don’t say that colonial rule is evil. If justice means that after independence, the country fell into turmoil and civil war, millions of people were displaced, and millions of people died in the war, then independence is still justice. Of?
"So, we believe that for the stability of East Africa, the establishment of the East African Federation is undoubtedly a very appropriate choice. This federation should be governed by people with the ability to govern, rather than being hastily handed over to a power group that does not have the ability to govern."
Li Yian stood up with a smile, walked to the window, looked down at the crowded streets downstairs, and looked at London outside the window. After thinking for a while, he asked:
"So, who should lead the future East African Federation?"
(End of chapter)