Chapter 1159: Transactions and Threats
While European countries were fighting to the death, East Africa launched a full-scale attack and quietly expanded in various regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. In addition to snatching the original European market and raw material supply areas, it also made small moves on the colonies of various countries.
Among them, East Africa was also very envious of the Dutch East Indies colony, but it did not make much move and could only make small moves around Kalimantan.
September 1914.
Germany and the British and French coalition forces started the bloody Battle of the Marne.
Germany's military operations in Belgium were basically over. Although the Liege Fortress was finally captured, the result did not meet Germany's psychological expectations.
Moltke the Younger did not fully implement Schlieffen's full plan before his death. He transferred one-third of the troops originally in the Belgian battlefield to other areas. The harm caused by weakening the right wing soon became apparent. The Belgian war on the Western Front, which was originally planned to end within a few days, was dragged on for more than ten days in the Liege Fortress.
The Schlieffen Plan was designed as a quick victory plan from the beginning, but because of Moltke the Younger's underestimation of the enemy, the actions of the German army on the entire Western Front were dragged down. Of course, Germany is still in the advantage now, and the front line has been successfully pushed into France. As long as there are no more mistakes in the future, the Schlieffen Plan can still be implemented.
At this time, Britain and France began to increase the intensity of the maritime blockade of Germany, and the strong offensive power shown by the German army was enough to make any country tremble with fear.
Port of Rotterdam.
In the early 20th century, the Port of Rotterdam had developed into one of the largest ports in Europe with its shipping, and it was also one of the main transit ports for East Africa to transport goods to Germany.
Before the outbreak of World War I, the Netherlands strictly adhered to the principle of neutrality, and was not chosen by Germany as a breakthrough point like Belgium, which made the Netherlands one of the paradises on the European battlefield.
As Belgium became the front line of the battlefield, a large number of Belgian refugees fled to the Netherlands, with the number reaching hundreds of thousands, which greatly increased the pressure on the Dutch government.
Now, someone is finally willing to take the initiative to help the Dutch government share the pressure of refugees. In the Dutch Royal Palace, East African envoy Trel is meeting with Queen Wilhelmina and senior Dutch government officials.
Trel said directly: "Your Majesty, we in East Africa can arrange for these Belgians to take refuge in various parts of East Africa."
Queen Wilhelmina: "Sir Tver, refugees are hot potatoes for many countries now. Don't you think it's troublesome for you in East Africa?"
Tver said: "Of course not. It is well known that we in East Africa are an immigrant country, so we still have a great demand for immigrants. After all, East Africa is a world power with a land area of more than 10 million. Even in our homeland, there are many areas that have not been fully developed."
This is also reasonable. After all, although the scale of immigration in East Africa has shrunk a lot in recent years, the annual immigration strength can still make many countries look up to it.
Of course, the main destination of these immigrants is most likely not East Africa itself, but East Africa's colonies and other regions.
The queen nodded and said, "We will not stop East Africa's activities, but all this should not be forced. If you can convince these poor people to go to East Africa voluntarily, we can also provide some convenience for your country."
Belgian refugees are naturally poor people, and of course, the Dutch government does not want to take in so many burdens.
"That's natural. Our East Africa is also one of the few big countries in the world, and East Africa is always much safer than Europe, so I believe there are still many people willing to develop in East Africa."
There are too many Belgians who fled to the Netherlands, and most of them are penniless, so the Dutch government could only provide relief to these refugees out of humanitarian spirit. That is, the Dutch government is rich and powerful, so it can support so many people who eat free meals.
Now that the Netherlands is a transit point for trade between East Africa and Germany, the tolls alone make the Dutch count the money, and any leakage is enough to support the Belgian refugees.
But this is obviously not a long-term solution. If East Africa can take in these Belgian refugees who eat free meals, the Netherlands will definitely make more money.
This is not a difficult task for East Africa. The ships from East Africa to Dutch ports such as Rotterdam are basically empty. On the way back, they can pick up some people in Togoland, Gabon and other places, which will not waste too much energy.
After discussing this matter, Terry said: "Your Majesty's kindness is touching, and God will definitely bless you with a long life."
Wilhelmina just smiled at Terry's compliment.
At this time, Terry said again: "By the way, Your Majesty, do you still remember the dispute between us and your country about Kalimantan Island?"
After laying a lot of groundwork, Terry finally showed his true colors. Belgian immigrants are a small matter for East Africa after all, including the Dutch transit status. It is not very attractive to East Africa. After all, Germany actually has an Atlantic outlet. Now it is just that the German navy is blocked in the Baltic Sea, and East African merchant ships can still reach the German mainland.
And Terry's words made Wilhelmina's face change. East Africa's ambition for the Dutch East Indies has been very clear to the Netherlands over the years.
The East African government has repeatedly expressed its intention to purchase the Dutch colony on Kalimantan, but the Dutch government has rejected it.
This time, Traill brought up the old matter again, which clearly shows his ambition for Kalimantan and even the East Indies.
If it were peacetime, the Dutch government could naturally refuse directly. After all, East Africa still needs to save face due to the rules of the international community.
But now is a very delicate time. The European powers have too much to take care of themselves and they can't care about what is happening outside Europe.
Assuming that at this time, East Africa takes a hard stand against the overlord of the East Indies, the Netherlands will not even find a place to cry, such as Britain and Germany, which have the closest relations with the Netherlands.
Indeed, the relationship between the Netherlands and Germany is also good, because Wilhelmina has a very good relationship with the Prussian royal family. Her mother and husband are both German nobles, and it was the Dutch queen who took in the "poor" William II in her previous life.
However, since Teller chose to negotiate with himself, it is obvious that things can turn around. Otherwise, if East Africa really sends troops, then with the military power of the Netherlands in the East Indies, the only thing they can do is to surrender.
After thinking about this, Wilhelmina felt a little relieved, and she asked Taylor calmly: "Sir Taylor, do you want to take advantage of others' danger? East Indies It is our country’s most important overseas territory and there is no possibility of negotiation.”
Trail retorted: "Her Majesty the Queen does not have to rush to refuse. We in East Africa are only interested in Kalimantan, not the East Indies. After all, we know that among the East Indies, only Java has the most economic value to your country." ”
"But Kalimantan is different. On the one hand, Kalimantan has no other advantages except that it is larger. Moreover, such a barren land is divided between our two countries and the United Kingdom."
"With the power of the Netherlands, it is simply impossible to defend the island of Kalimantan. The final result will be that our country or the United Kingdom obtains other territories on the island of Kalimantan."
"So your country might as well sell Kalimantan to the empire. In this way, without this burden, your country can focus on developing Java Island. After all, the Dutch national power is limited, and there are so many indigenous people on Java Island, and all kinds of riots The activities are enough to cause a headache for your country, so it is best for your country to tighten your strength and get the benefits. I don’t know if Her Majesty the Queen agrees.”
Tver's words make it clear and contain a threat. Generally speaking, riots in colonies are relatively easy to suppress, but it is different when a third party joins. For example, the United States once planned in the Spanish colonies. Similar actions greatly weakened Spain's control over the Philippines and Cuba.
The same method can naturally be used by East Africa on the Netherlands. Now Teller is trying to persuade him. If he cannot get the desired result, then he cannot blame East Africa for using force next. And once East Africa uses force, then It cannot be solved by the island of Kalimantan.