Chapter 1284 The French Family
Although the climate conditions are extremely harsh, there must be a reason why Davao City can develop into a large city in Mindanao with a population of more than 30,000.
In addition to its geographical location advantages, Davao City’s mineral resources are its pillar industry. Davao City and its surrounding areas are rich in gold, iron, manganese and other resources.
This is a place rich in resources in the Philippines in the previous life. East Africa has always attached great importance to mineral exploration in overseas colonies. East Africa’s mineral exploration in Mindanao started from Davao and Zamboanga City and gradually moved northward. , extending inland.
Compared with Lanfang Overseas Province, East Kalimantan and Mindanao are both places rich in mineral resources, so East Africa’s investment in these two places is relatively high. Among them, most of the energy is devoted to the development of mineral resources.
Mineral exploration work in rainforest areas is also relatively difficult, and the most unique thing about Davao City is that it is close to the coast.
Davao City covers a large area, and its jurisdiction includes the entire Davao Bay surroundings. It is in an area of active geological activity, with many earthquakes and volcanoes, which also brings superior mineral formation conditions here.
The mineral exploration work in East Africa is carried out along the Davao Bay. After the mineral deposits are discovered, development and transportation are quite convenient.
……
October 1917.
Rhine city.
Compared to the British, the French were much more concerned about keeping East Africa from joining the Allied camp.
At the French Embassy, Ambassador Thomson was discussing related issues with his subordinates.
“According to the requirements of the mainland, we are determined not to let East Africa join the German side no matter what. Our country is currently at a disadvantage in the European war situation. Unlike the United Kingdom, we in France can retreat to the Strait if we lose. On the other hand, if this war fails, the whole of Europe will be Under the shadow of the Germans."
"If Germany wins, they will dismember France and prevent us from ever getting over it. Therefore, preventing the Allies from further increasing their advantage is the focus of our work, and for East Africa. China’s diplomatic work is a top priority.”
Cahors, counselor of the French Embassy in East Africa, said: "Your Excellency Ambassador, the problems we are facing now are very complex. It is very difficult to hold East Africa in check. After all, East Africa is essentially a German country, and the main force of the Allies is Germany, or perhaps Austria-Hungary can be regarded as a German country, although East African official media never He has never disclosed his political leanings, but the East African people have great support for Germany and Austria.”
“This is completely different from the public opinion our government faces in the United States, but we cannot express it through newspapers or radio. and other forms to effectively intervene in the fierce nationalist sentiment in East Africa.”
Ambassador Thomson said: "This is not entirely bad news. At least it shows that the East African government has not been attracted to the changes in the form of war in Europe, just like the Ottoman Empire, which has no determination."
"The East African government Obviously there is much more sense, so we must actively win over the East African government. As for the East African people, In the meantime, this kind of extreme nationalist sentiment can only be eliminated as much as possible to prevent them from interfering with the decision-making of the East African government."
Those words were said, but Thomson's frown showed that he did not have any thoughts in his heart. Calmness, after all, is the popular sentiment in East Africa and to a large extent represents the thoughts of East African government officials.
After all, they are all Germans, and if East Africa joins the war, it is very likely to seize hegemony over the entire Indian Ocean. Germany and Austria-Hungary can obviously offer such bargaining chips to win over East Africa.
Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also knew very well that after they defeated Britain and France, they would definitely not be able to enter the Indian Ocean. However, Europe alone was enough for them to digest it, and Russia alone was enough for the Allies to carve up, and to resolve their investment in the war.
Thomson paced back and forth in the embassy while analyzing: "Compared to Germany and Austria, the promises we can give to East Africa are obviously easier to fulfill."
"Because Germany and Austria Austria and Austria have no overseas colonies, so even if they can promise the interests of East Africa, they can only Obtained after joining the war. ""And we have many overseas colonies, which is also our advantage in negotiating with East Africa. It may be a feasible method to sacrifice some overseas colonies in exchange for East Africa's guarantee not to join the war. The British seem to have a similar approach. Plan.”
At this point, Britain and France have no other choice. If they do not give advantage to East Africa, there will be no hope of victory in the war.
Thomson said: "The benefits we can promise to East Africa can be realized immediately without joining the war. This is our advantage. West Africa, North Africa and Southeast Asia are two places that we certainly cannot consider. ”
West Africa, North Africa and Southeast Asia (Indochina) are the essence of French colonies. As for other colonies, they are basically small in area and population.
Of course, there is no shortage of strategic locations, but after the war it was very difficult for France to maintain its status as a world power. The most important thing now is to consider how to survive.
Thomson continued: "President Clemenceau has communicated with us before. We can use some unimportant overseas territories to negotiate with East Africa. Do you think we should use them to test East Africa first? Attitude? ”
Counselor Cahor said: "For East Africa, no matter which of our colonies it is, it has a huge attraction for East Africa."
"The location of East Africa is just in the middle of our colonies. The Atlantic coast, the Indian Ocean coast, or the Pacific Ocean? The strategic scope of East Africa can be expanded anywhere along the Atlantic coast. "
This is true as Cahors said. French colonies include French Guiana, West Africa, North Africa, Syria, Indochina, India, Madagascar, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, etc.
Take French Guiana as an example. It doesn’t seem very important, but there are no South American colonies in East Africa itself, and French Guiana is also close to the Caribbean Sea.
If East Africa acquires French Guiana, it will be equivalent to having a forward position in South America to confront the United States. It will greatly strengthen East Africa's competition with the United States in South America. At the same time, it will further strengthen East Africa's position in the United States. Venezuela’s energy interests are secure.
As for Syria, its importance to France is self-evident. It represents the depth of France's influence in the east of the Mediterranean. After all, France itself is also a country along the Mediterranean Sea.
It would be even more extraordinary if East Africa acquires Syria. This also means that East Africa will penetrate its power into the Mediterranean, thereby increasing East Africa’s influence on North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Obviously Syria is not in France within the scope of negotiations between the government and East Africa.
As for the colonies in the Pacific, excluding Indochina, that is, the islands in the hinterland of the Pacific, if given to East Africa, it will strengthen East Africa's sphere of influence in the Pacific, especially Oceania.
Previously, East Africa has acquired a series of Oceania colonies represented by New Guinea from Germany. If France absorbs the surrounding islands, East Africa will become second only to the United Kingdom in the region. The second largest force, this also means that East Africa can take this opportunity to take advantage of Australia.
After all, there is only the Indian Ocean between East Africa and Australia, and the distance between the East African navy and Australia is not that far. Coupled with the number of colonies hanging over Australia, that means that East Africa can be reached at any time. Australia's external contacts can be blocked.
The only country that has the ability to support Australia and poses a threat to East Africa is the United States. However, it is much more difficult to get from the United States to Australia than from East Africa. The Indian Ocean between East Africa and Australia is far less difficult to cross than the Pacific Ocean between the United States and Australia. What's more, the United States and Australia are in two hemispheres.
Other countries, such as Australia's sovereign state, the United Kingdom, have been separated by East Africa. The Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope are actually the fulcrums for East Africa to restrain the United Kingdom.
The Japanese navy is not weak, but it is currently unable to pose a threat to East Africa. It can only be said to have potential.
(End of this chapter)