Chapter 799 Venice Conference
The entry of institutions such as the East African Meteorological Bureau and the Land and Resources Survey Bureau into Angola and Mozambique also means that the development of the two places in East Africa is about to begin.
Now a rough survey of conditions in Angola and Mozambique is being conducted, and then the East African governments 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 disrupted Franz's peaceful life. Since the 1980s, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had been developing very well, which was an era of rapid development for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz's work was also relatively easier.
"It seems that East Africa has caused considerable trouble for Britain. What is the current situation of the South African War?" Franz asked.
As for the South African War, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not actually overly concerned now. Of course, it was still affected in the early stages of the war. As an important trading partner and ally of East Africa, the Austrian government was shocked when East Africa went to war with Britain.
First of all, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was afraid of being dragged into the war by East Africa. If the war was only between East Africa and Portugal, it would not matter much. However, only the countries on the European continent could feel how terrifying Britain's strength was.
The reason why East Africa can be "arrogant and domineering" is that it is far away from the British mainland, making it difficult for Britain to interfere. In fact, if it were not for East Africa's crazy immigration policy in the past two decades and the development and emphasis on the military industry, the British Indian colony would have dealt a major blow to East Africa.
It can be said that in the entire Indian Ocean region, except for East Africa, there is no other country or region that can rival India under British rule.
The countries on the European continent, which are close to the British mainland, can feel the pressure brought to them by Britain more directly, especially the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Among the five major rogue states in the world today, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has the weakest national power and the most domestic instability factors, which are even more serious than the problems encountered by Tsarist Russia. Although Tsarist Russia did not have many main ethnic groups, the occupied areas were basically dominated by Slavs.
Therefore, it was easy for Britain to cause trouble for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it was enough to make the Austro-Hungarian Empire feel angry and helpless.
With its Royal Navy, Britain has no other abilities, but it is definitely the best in the world at making trouble. Anyway, given Britain's position, other countries cannot do anything to it as long as its navy does not weaken.
This is just like the Far Eastern Empire and Tsarist Russia in the past were suppressed by the United States, relying on the United States' position and naval strength.
Today, other major powers in the world feel this kind of powerlessness when facing Britain. If they are not major powers, they are even more unfortunate. Countries like Brazil and Portugal are even more bullied.
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 fact that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was able to get rid of the economic crisis ahead of schedule was due to the great efforts made by East Africa behind the scenes. Therefore, when East Africa and Britain went to war, Austria was one of the most anxious countries.
Of course, under the bizarre dual system of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary was indifferent to this war, because the existence of East Africa weakened the dependence of developed regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire such as Austria, Czech Republic and Venice on Hungarian agriculture and minerals.
Therefore, the attitude towards the South African War within the Austro-Hungarian Empire was divided, and Austria's allies were also unable to effectively intervene in the course of the South African War.
Fortunately, Ernst did not expect the Austro-Hungarian Empire 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, before the war with Britain in their previous life, the Boers had actually been incorporated into the British colonies, so the result would definitely be different.
Even if the East African military fails, it will not be completely annexed by Britain. At least the core area in the east can be preserved.
"Your Majesty, East Africa has now completely gained the upper hand in the South African War. Angola and Mozambique have been captured by East Africa. East Africans are heading south to attack Cape Town, and this is why the British are so anxious," said Foreign Secretary Earl Aenthal.
Franz was delighted to hear about what happened to the British. There was almost no country in the world that liked Britain, so Franz was very happy about Britain's setback in East Africa.
“Is there still a chance that Britain can turn things around?”
"It's basically impossible, unless Britain launches a comprehensive attack on East Africa, but this is almost impossible. East Africa has survived all kinds of restrictions and suppression from Britain since the beginning of the war. The South African War was the last attempt by the British after they had no other way to deal with East Africa. But now it seems that war cannot solve the strong rise of East Africa in southern Africa."
Hearing this, Franz stopped smiling and 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 changes in the world pattern such as the collapse of the Vienna system and the Franco-Prussian War.
Before this, the country where similar cases could be found was the United States in North America, so East Africa could become another United States, or even Brazil!
"Erenthal, how do you think we should respond to the British?" Franz asked.
"It's a good thing that the British want us to mediate the war. After all, we have a very close relationship with East Africa. But we still have to see whether East Africa has the need to end the war, or the bargaining chips they want." Count Allenthal replied.
“If East Africa agrees, what should our attitude in the middle be?”
"Your Majesty, everyone with a discerning eye knows that East Africa's rise in Africa is inevitable, so we should stand on East Africa's side. In addition to East Africa itself being our important ally, our country's potential interests in the future are closely related to East Africa, a world power that has suddenly risen. After taking over Angola and Mozambique, East Africa's land area will directly exceed 13 million square kilometers, second only to Tsarist Russia. For such a vast country, the resources and military strength cannot be ignored."
"The English?"
"The British are reaping what they have sown. After all, what you can't get on the battlefield is even harder to get at the negotiation table. Moreover, Britain is eager to get out of the South African War and needs us, so there is no need for us to pay too much attention to the British attitude."
Count Ehrental's words reassured Franz. Now that Britain needed help from Austria-Hungary, and East Africa itself had demonstrated its value in being worthy of being won over, he could definitely take the job.
As for why Britain negotiated with East Africa through Austria-Hungary rather than Germany, in addition to the fact that Austria-Hungary had the best relations with East Africa, the most important point was that William II had just ascended the throne and did not have enough prestige, so the old emperor Franz was more suitable to serve as a mediator to preside over the negotiations.
February 12, 1889.
With the mediation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the East African government was invited to participate in peace talks with Britain and Portugal in Venice.
At this time, there was actually no need to continue the South African War, but East Africa was a country that would not release its eagle until it saw the rabbit. Before Britain and Portugal ceded territory, East Africa would not easily end its new round of offensive against Cape Town.
(End of this chapter)
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