African Entrepreneurship Records 2

Chapter 1284: French Assets
Although the climatic conditions are extremely harsh, there must be a reason why Davao City has developed 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 industry is its pillar industry. Davao City and its surrounding areas are rich in gold, iron, manganese and other resources.

This was a place with relatively rich resources in the Philippines in the past. East Africa has always attached great importance to mineral exploration in its overseas colonies, and East Africa's mineral exploration in Mindanao started from Davao and Zamboanga City, and gradually extended northward and inland.

Compared with Lanfang Overseas Province, East Kalimantan and Mindanao are both rich in mineral resources, so East Africa has invested more in these two places, and most of its efforts are invested in the development of mineral resources.

Mineral exploration in the rainforest area is also relatively difficult, and Davao City’s greatest advantage is that it is close to the coast.

Davao City covers a large area, and its jurisdiction includes the entire Davao Bay. It is located in an area with active geological activities, with frequent earthquakes and volcanoes, which also provides excellent conditions for the formation of minerals.

Mineral exploration in East Africa is carried out along the Davao Gulf. After the mineral deposits are discovered, development and transportation are quite convenient.

……

1917 October.

Rhine City.

Compared with the British, the French were more concerned about stabilizing East Africa and preventing it from joining the Allied camp.

At the French Embassy, ​​Ambassador Thomson was discussing relevant issues with his subordinates.

"According to local requirements, we are determined not to let East Africa join Germany. At present, our country is at a disadvantage in the European war. We in France are not like Britain. If we lose, we can retreat to the other side of the channel. If this war fails, the whole of Europe will be shrouded in the shadow of the Germans."

"If Germany wins, they will dismember France and make it impossible for us to recover forever. Therefore, preventing the Allies from further increasing their advantage is the focus of our work, and diplomatic work in East Africa is the top priority."

The French Embassy Counselor in East Africa, Cahors, said: "Your Excellency, the problem we are facing now is very complicated. It is very difficult to hold East Africa. After all, East Africa is essentially a German country, and Germany, the main force of the Allies, or the Austro-Hungarian Empire can be regarded as a German country. Although the official media in East Africa has never revealed its political inclinations, the people of East Africa have great support for Germany and Austria."

"This is completely different from the public opinion our government faces in the United States, and we are unable to effectively intervene in this fierce nationalist sentiment in East Africa through newspapers, radio and other forms."

Ambassador Thomson said: "This is not entirely bad news. At least it shows that the East African governments have not been drawn into the changing form of war in Europe like the Ottoman Empire did."

"The East African government is obviously much more rational, so we must actively win over the East African government. As for the East African people, this kind of extreme nationalism can only be eliminated as much as possible to prevent them from interfering with the decision-making of the East African government."

That being said, Thomson's frown showed that he was not at peace in his heart. After all, the public sentiment in East Africa, to a large extent, also represents the thoughts of East African government officials.

After all, they are all Germans, and if East Africa joins the war, it will have a great possibility of seizing hegemony over the entire Indian Ocean. Germany and Austria-Hungary can obviously offer such chips to win over East Africa.

Germany and Austria-Hungary were also well aware that after defeating Britain and France, they would certainly not be able to enter the Indian Ocean. However, Europe alone was enough for them to handle, and Russia alone was enough for the Allies to divide up and deal with their investment in the war.

Thomson paced back and forth in the embassy, ​​analyzing: "Compared with Germany and Austria, the promises we can make to East Africa are obviously easier to fulfill."

"Because Germany and Austria have no overseas colonies, even if they can promise East Africa benefits, they can only obtain them after East Africa joins the war." "And we have many overseas colonies, which is also our advantage in negotiations with East Africa. Sacrificing some overseas colonies in exchange for East Africa's guarantee not to join the war may be a feasible solution. The British seem to have similar plans."

At this point, Britain and France have no other choice. If they do not make concessions in East Africa, there is no hope of victory in the war.

Thomson said: "We can promise benefits to East Africa, and they can be fulfilled immediately without joining the war. This is our advantage. However, we definitely cannot consider West Africa, North Africa and Southeast Asia."

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 have a small population.

Of course, there is no shortage of strategic locations, but it is very difficult for France to maintain its status as a world power after the war. The most important thing now is to consider how to survive.

Thomson went on to say, "President Clemenceau has communicated with us before. We can negotiate with East Africa on some unimportant overseas territories. Do you think we should use those first to test East Africa's attitude?"

Counselor Kahor said: "For East Africa, no matter which colony we have, it has great appeal to East Africa."

"East Africa is located right in the middle of our colonies. Whether it's the Atlantic coast, the Indian Ocean coast, or the Pacific coast, we can expand East Africa's strategic scope."

This is indeed as Cahors said. France's colonies include French Guiana, West Africa, North Africa, Syria, Indochina, India, Madagascar, the Indian Ocean islands, the Pacific islands, etc.

Take French Guiana for example. It may not seem very important, but East Africa itself has no South American colonies, and French Guiana is close to the Caribbean Sea.

If East Africa acquires French Guiana, it will be equivalent to having a frontline position in South America to confront the United States, which will greatly strengthen East Africa's competition with the United States in South America. At the same time, it can further enhance the security of East Africa's energy interests in Venezuela.

The importance of Syria to France is self-evident. It represents the eastern depth of France's influence in the Mediterranean. After all, France itself is also a Mediterranean coastal country.

If East Africa gains Syria, it will be even more serious. This also means that East Africa will infiltrate its power into the Mediterranean, and then enhance East Africa's influence on the three major regions of North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Obviously, Syria is not within the scope of negotiations between the French government and East Africa.

As for the colonies in the Pacific region, excluding Indochina, that is, the islands in the heart of the Pacific, if given to East Africa, it will strengthen East Africa's sphere of influence in the Pacific, especially in Oceania.

Prior to this, East Africa had acquired a series of Oceania colonies represented by New Guinea from Germany. If it absorbed a number of surrounding islands owned by France, East Africa would become the second largest power in the region after Britain. This also means that East Africa could take this opportunity to control Australia.

After all, there is only the Indian Ocean between East Africa and Australia, and the distance between East Africa's native navy and Australia is not far. Coupled with the colonies looming over Australia, it means that East Africa can block Australia's external connections at any time.

In fact, the only country capable of supporting Australia and threatening East Africa is the United States. However, it is much more difficult to travel 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, not to mention that the United States and Australia are in two hemispheres.

Other countries, such as Australia's sovereign country Britain, have been separated from East Africa. The Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope are actually the fulcrums for East Africa to clamp down on Britain.

The Japanese navy is not weak, but it cannot pose a threat to East Africa at present. It can only be said that it has potential.

(End of this chapter)