Chapter 2144 High-Level Meeting Two
Germany, the British colony in Southeast Asia, cannot be moved. On the one hand, it is because the location is too remote and the output is average, which feels a bit tasteless. On the other hand, it is to avoid stimulating the United States. India is known as the most dazzling jewel at the top of the crown of the British Empire. It is too difficult for Germany to eat it. After all, it took the British hundreds of years to complete the colonization. However, it is necessary to do something in Britain's most important colony, and the division of India will directly lead to the weakness of Britain.
As for places such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, their independence is already strong, and their locations are farther away. The rewards are not proportional to their efforts, and they are closer to the United States.... In this case, it is better to keep these places in the territory of the British Empire.
The African region is closer to Germany and easier to rule. So, theoretically, how much of Africa can Germany get this time? The area of British Africa is 8.8 million square kilometers, and the Congo, which belongs to Belgium, has an area of about 2.5 million square kilometers, which is more than 11 million square kilometers! Seriously, how to govern such a large area is really a problem!
Of course, how to rule, whether to rule directly or establish a vassal state or let them go out independently, is a matter for the future, but no matter what, these places must be separated from the territory of the British Empire! In line with the principle that even if I don't want it, I can't leave it to you, completely erase the traces of Britain in Africa! As for this, the British probably cannot accept it.
Of course, some important British bases in the Mediterranean must also be withdrawn, such as the island of Malta and the Strait of Gibraltar. As a result, the communication channel between Britain and the Far East was completely cut off.
As for withdrawing from the Middle East? Iran in this era was once influenced by Russia and the United Kingdom. Tsarist Russia was finished, and Britain was also hit hard. They were unable to maintain their influence, so it would not be difficult for Germany to enter. The British will not be so clinging to Iran. The real difficulty lies in operating independent parts of India. The Englishman will definitely resist it firmly.
"This idea is very simple, but it is estimated that the possibility of the British accepting it is very small. As a major maritime country, the United Kingdom is very sensitive to important straits and waterways! For example, the Strait of Gibraltar, such as the Suez Canal, in my opinion, the United Kingdom People may give up Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, but they will never give up Egypt!"
"In southern Africa, whether it is diamonds and gold in South Africa or copper mines and non-ferrous metals in Rhodesia, the British Empire is indispensable. Britain will also negotiate with us on the issue of southern Africa, and they may sell Some mining rights and economic rights, but it is difficult for them to give up these areas." The Grand Duke of Baden analyzed the British colonial system in Africa from the perspective of sea power and economy.
"This is the bottom line. If the British don't agree, we may be forced to choose the bonus question." Ruprecht said calmly.
"If this is the bottom line, it means that we can consider obtaining more things in the future. If possible, I hope to turn half of India into our vassal state." Balter said after thinking for a while.
"This question? I just want to say that our appetite is a bit too big." Ruprecht said. "India is different from Africa. Africa is vast and sparsely populated. Its culture is backward, and the cost for us to rule them is not high. But India is different. India has a large population, and religious issues are very complicated. Our energy is limited. Everyone still Remember when we only had 3 colonies in Africa? For a long time, we
Our input is greater than our output. In this war, we got too much territory, so that we invested too much in the development of these areas. In fact, it is difficult for us to eat in British Africa. , Therefore, we must allow them to be independent when necessary. "
"His Royal Highness is right. In fact, if I make the policy, Egypt and Sudan can be vassal states. Nigeria and British Southern Africa are what we need to firmly control. It is the richest region in Africa and the British The region with the best human base.” The Archduke of Baden expressed his support for Ruprecht’s proposal.
"There is also the Belgian Congo, which is also the richest region in Africa." Prince Albert said. "Also, Your Highness, what are you going to do with the French colonies in Africa?" The prince raised another question that everyone cared about.
"Do you think that the French colonies in Africa have what we need?" Ruprecht asked. "Although the French have the largest base in Africa, North Africa is dominated by desert areas. The colonies near the equator have relatively rich tropical economies, but they are not necessary for us. Compared with the economic value of these areas, I think the geopolitical value is a little bit bigger."
"So you mean, we can not even get any colonies from France in exchange for the right to be stationed in the economy or fleet?" the Grand Duke of Baden said. "If this is the case, I feel that it will be difficult for the country to accept it. At least I personally think that this treatment is too lenient." Although the Grand Duke's words were very euphemistic, it showed the position of the Kaiser and him, and he opposed it.
"So what do you mean, Your Excellency?" Ruprecht asked.
"Gabon and the southern part of French Equatorial Africa, with these places, we can connect our territories in Central Africa," said the Grand Duke of Baden. The area mentioned by the Grand Duke is Gabon, French Congo and Central Africa in later generations.
"Gabon is valuable. Oil and rich manganese ore are needed by the empire, and the French Congo is also available, but in Central Africa, the economic significance is really not great." Ruprecht thought for a while and said, for Gabon, The prince has an idea. In addition to the oil and manganese mentioned earlier, there is also a very important strategic resource here, which is uranium ore! If you want to make an atomic bomb, how can you do without this! So Gabon is available, and the French Congo is also valuable, but what about Central Africa? Although the mineral resources are average, as the least developed country in the future, this place is really tasteless. If possible, Ruprecht is even willing to switch to other rights.
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