Chapter 250: We can talk, but we have to pay more
There was no tension in the meeting between the two parties. The company director who came to receive them had also heard of the famous American representative in Paris. He wondered why the two parties, who had such an unrelated relationship, would come to visit today.
Philip's head was dizzy from the strong cologne on Harry Sheffield. Although some wealthy people in Paris had a strong preference for perfume, and he was one of them, it was rare to see someone like him.
"Mr. Harry, we are a canal company that undertakes huge projects." Philip spoke first, saying that this was not a ball and the other party should not come here.
"I know, I'm looking for you, there's nothing wrong with that." Harry Sheffield sat down without treating himself as an outsider, smacked his lips to organize his words, and began his long speech, "I'm here for the canal. To be exact, I'm here on behalf of a United States company to discuss the transfer of the canal project with you."
"You seem to be joking with me. I heard that you Americans think you have a good sense of humor, but this joke is not funny." Philip refused flatly, "Our company has been planning for this canal for many years."
"So it's still not completed, and it's encountered this or that problem, and it's still not profitable." Harry Sheffield finally remembered that he was a top student in business. "No matter how wonderful the prospect is, if it can't become a reality, then everything is fake. The board of directors and shareholders are waiting for benefits. They need to benefit, not watch their money go down the drain. Now it's very clear that the Panama Canal is close to death, but you are still trying to rescue it in vain. Although doing business is accompanied by risks, it is not advisable to do business in a gambling way. Mr. Philip, do I make sense?"
Harry Sheffield pointed out the driving force behind the canal construction. Why did they build the canal? It was definitely not for charity. For private companies, it was to make a profit. Of course, there was also a part of the reason for France to make a profit. It was better to combine patriotism and profit.
But the current situation of the canal company is not like this. They can't afford to lose everything and still hold up the banner of patriotism. Private companies are responsible to shareholders, not to the French government. If you put yourself in their shoes, if the federal government of the United States is like this, Harry Sheffield would not do it. Losing all his property just to make the country thank him? Then he would rather not be patriotic, and the other way around is almost the same.
"Mr. Phillip, although you may not want to admit it, this matter can hardly go on. This involves many issues beyond private companies, not just the federal government of the United States, but also the British. If this problem is not solved, the canal company will not be able to continue construction. There are many things that we businessmen cannot solve."
Harry Sheffield's attitude could definitely be described as earnest, and he also revealed everything he had learned about the difficult situation of the canal company's operations.
If they choose to continue the canal project, there are only two possible results: success or failure. However, the chance of success is very slim, and failure is almost inevitable. He hopes that the French Canal Company will consider this matter clearly.
"You are using Britain to put pressure on us French? Have you got the British consent?" Philip looked at Harry Sheffield with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Does this American think of himself as the Queen of England?
"The British are busy expanding their empire in Africa and have no time to deal with this matter. Precisely because they are busy, this matter is a problem between France and the United States. Mr. Philip doesn't still think that the United States is still the same as it was back then? Is he indifferent to the French invasion of Mexico and pretending not to see it?" Harry Sheffield was also reminding his opponents that the world has changed. France may not be weaker than it was back then, but the United States is definitely stronger than it was back then, much stronger.
An invasion of Mexico by the Second French Empire, initially supported by Britain and Spain. The invasion was caused by the Mexican President Benito Juárez's suspension of interest payments on foreign loans, which angered Mexico's largest lenders, Spain, Britain, and France. The leader of the action was Emperor Napoleon III, who gathered forces to get their money back from Mexico.
That was thirty years ago. Now, if the conflict took place in America, the French might not necessarily gain any advantage, as the Panama Canal is in America.
"Given the federal government's concern for the Panama Canal, your company will definitely go bankrupt. You can see this from the difficulties your company has encountered in recent years." Harry Sheffield pondered for a moment and said, "This is not a problem that the canal company can solve on its own. So my sincere suggestion is to transfer the development rights of the canal to an American company. Although that would be a bit disappointing to the Paris government's expectations, it would help stop the losses and recover the investment over the years."
The word "stop loss" successfully moved Philip. The canal company had already spent a lot of money, but it was like being tied up with a rope. The more it struggled, the tighter it got. The heavy financial pressure was already suffocating the canal company.
As Harry Sheffield said, most of the board of directors and shareholders of the canal company have found that the Panama Canal is not a problem that the company can solve, and many people have become pessimistic about the prospects. Although the French government continues to support it, it is unable to prevent this pessimism from spreading within the company.
"Mr. Harry, this matter requires discussion by the board of directors!" Philip remained calm and did not express his opinion on the transfer of excavation rights.
Harry Sheffield smiled. In fact, some discussions were already a statement of stance. This proved that there were indeed differences within the canal company on the canal project, just as rumored.
"Okay, I just came here to communicate. I'm not in a hurry about this matter." Harry Sheffield was not disappointed because he failed to achieve his goal the first time. He still had a lot of preparation to do and mobilized more female friends to inquire about this matter.
The Panama Canal was a big deal and certainly could not be rushed. After leaving the Canal Company headquarters, Harry Sheffield quickly sent a telegram to the country to take credit for himself. Of course, because of the price of international telegrams, Harry Sheffield felt that he did not need to make a long speech like his son had. With the money, he could carry on further.
"We can talk, but we need more money!" Sheffield held the telegram, a strange look flashed across his face. He was extremely skeptical whether the more money would be used to get things done. Sheffield, who had a deep understanding of the old man, knew that the money must have fallen into some bottomless pit.
"The French branch can only earn enough to pay one employee's salary throughout the year, and has to ask the London branch to send him money." Sheffield rubbed his face hard, his voice full of fatigue.
As long as there is room for negotiation, Sheffield is willing to pay this amount of money, but what he is not satisfied with is that the old man is clearly taking advantage of the opportunity to fleece him. However, this is also the result of his first pressure in the name of the old man. He is the one who does the first thing, and the old man does the fifteenth thing. This result is retribution.
After analyzing the attitudes of all parties, Sheffield has changed his previous negative attitude and feels that the Panama Canal can be seized. Earlier, he thought that he might not be able to seize it as well as Wall Street, but after evaluating the situations of several stakeholders in the Panama Canal, he is sure that it can be seized.
Now the world police, the British Empire, is continuously increasing its troops in Africa. In fact, the Boer War is a very good opportunity. Once Britain takes action, the attention of almost all countries will be drawn to Africa. Similarly, Morgan will pay close attention to the progress of the Boer War. You must know that Morgan's title as the world's creditor is truly recognized because it financed Britain during the Boer War.
In this way, Wall Street, the financially most powerful state in the United States, was attracted to another war. The Boer War could draw away the attention of the world's most powerful military force and Wall Street, the financially most powerful state in the United States.
If they want to take action, they must seize this opportunity. Once the Boer War is over, as in history, if they set their sights on the Panama Canal, they will definitely not be able to compete with Wall Street.
"William, you called us!" Gail and McHale arrived at the same time, and seeing Sheffield sitting there blankly, they asked, "Have you finished thinking about it?"
"I've thought about it. The old man sent a telegram saying that we can discuss this matter. The operating conditions of the French Canal Company are indeed problematic and we can't afford to delay any longer. Now we need to wait for two favorable conditions. The first is to wait for the British and the Boers to fight. This war will attract the attention of our domestic opponents. The second is to wait until Keane really understands the public opinion in Panama, especially the thoughts of the upper class."
Sheffield crossed his fingers and held his chin. "Another favorable condition is that due to the long struggle, many important politicians in the country have lost confidence in the Panama Canal. This is another preparation of the federal government, the Nicaragua Canal. With the cover of the Nicaragua Canal plan, we must seize this brief opportunity and devote all our strength to settle the matter."
"We have to wait for several conditions to be met? How is that possible?" McHale said with a wry smile, "There are too many conditions for the success of the plan. Who knows how long it will take for all these conditions to be met?"
Sheffield raised his head slightly, pretending not to hear McHale's complaints, "This won't delay the preparations. Go ahead, just in case all these conditions come true."
(End of this chapter)
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