Chapter 1284: The French Family Assets

Although the climate conditions are extremely harsh, there must be a reason for Davao City to develop into a large city in Mindanao with a population of more than 30,000.

In addition to its geographical advantages, Davao City's mineral resources are its pillar industry. Davao City and its surrounding areas are rich in gold, iron, manganese and other resources.

This was a place rich in resources in the Philippines in the previous life. East Africa has always attached great importance to mineral exploration in overseas colonies. 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 places rich in mineral resources, so East Africa’s investment in these two places is relatively high. Among them, most of the energy is devoted to the development of mineral resources.

Mineral exploration work in rainforest areas is also relatively difficult, and the most unique thing about Davao City is that it is close to the coast.

Davao City has a large area, and its jurisdiction includes the entire Davao Bay surroundings. It is in an area of ​​active geological activity, with many earthquakes and volcanoes, which also brings superior mineral formation conditions here.

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

…

October 1917.

Rhine city.

Compared with the British, the French were much more concerned about keeping East Africa 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's side no matter what. Our country is currently at a disadvantage in the European war situation. Unlike Britain, we in France can retreat to the other side of the strait if we lose. If this time If the war ends, the whole of Europe will be under the shadow of the Germans."

"If Germany wins, they will dismember France and prevent us from ever getting back on our feet. 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."

Cahors, counselor of the French Embassy in East Africa, said: "Your Excellency Ambassador, the problems we are facing now are very complex. It is very difficult to hold East Africa in check. After all, East Africa is essentially a German country, and the main force of the Allies is Germany, or perhaps The Austro-Hungarian Empire can be regarded as a German country. Although the official media in East Africa have never revealed their political leanings, 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 such fierce nationalist sentiments in East Africa through newspapers, radio, etc."

Ambassador Thomson said: "This is not entirely bad news. It at least shows that the East African government has not been attracted by the changes in the form of war in Europe, just like the Ottoman Empire."

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

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

After all, they are all Germans, and if East Africa joins the war, it is very likely to seize hegemony over the entire Indian Ocean. Germany and Austria-Hungary can obviously offer such bargaining chips to win over East Africa.

Germany and Austria-Hungary also knew very well that after they defeated Britain and France, they would definitely not be able to enter the Indian Ocean. However, Europe alone was enough for them to digest it, and Russia alone was enough for the Allies to carve up and solve their problems in the war. Invested.

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

"Because Germany and Austria have no overseas colonies, even if they can promise the interests of East Africa, they can only obtain them after East Africa itself joins the war."

"And we have many colonies overseas, which is also our advantage in negotiating with East Africa. It may be a feasible way to sacrifice some overseas colonies in exchange for East Africa's guarantee that it will not join the war. The British seem to have similar plans."

At this point, Britain and France have no other choice. If East Africa is not allowed to benefit, there will be no hope of victory in the war.

Thomson said: "The benefits we can promise to East Africa can be fulfilled immediately without them joining the war. This is our advantage. West Africa, North Africa and Southeast Asia are two places that we certainly cannot consider."

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 population.

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

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

Counselor Cahor said: "For East Africa, no matter which of our colonies it is, it has a huge attraction for East Africa."

"East Africa is located right in the middle of our colonies. Whether it is the Atlantic coast, the Indian Ocean coast, or the Pacific coast, it 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, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, etc.

Take French Guiana for example. It doesn't 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 means that it has a frontier 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 East Africa's energy interests in Venezuela.

And Syria is of self-evident importance to France. 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 gets Syria, it will be even more incredible. This also means that East Africa will infiltrate the Mediterranean, thereby enhancing 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 the negotiations between the French government and East Africa.

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

Before this, East Africa had already obtained a series of Oceania colonies represented by New Guinea from Germany. If it absorbed a number of French islands in the surrounding area, East Africa would become the second largest force in the region after Britain, which also means that East Africa can take this opportunity to control Australia.

After all, there is only the Indian Ocean between East Africa and Australia. The distance between East Africa's local navy and Australia is not far. Coupled with a number of colonies covering Australia, it means that East Africa can block Australia's external contacts at any time.

The only country that is capable of supporting Australia and threatening East Africa is actually the United States. However, it is much more difficult for the United States to reach Australia than 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.