Chapter 1286: Arrogance

Through comparison, it can be found that among France's many colonies in the Indian Ocean, except for Djibouti, its strategic value is difficult to compare with that of the United Kingdom. Djibouti is also better than nothing because of the existence of British Somaliland, the Aden Colony, and Egypt.

…

The Rhine City has been particularly lively recently. Diplomats and dignitaries from various countries frequently visit the Rhine Palace and the East African government, especially the United Kingdom and France.

But it was a different scene a year ago. At that time, the Allies, Germany and Austria, were the most anxious. Now that the war situation in Europe has changed, they have slowed down their work.

"A year ago, the East Africans ignored us. Now even if they want to join the camp, it is our turn to think again." German diplomat Boers, who had just walked out of the Rhine Palace, said in a arrogant tone.

Standing next to him was Brylon, a diplomat from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who said in a slightly soothing tone: "Your Excellency Boers, it is better not to jump to conclusions. Any changes may have a huge impact on the European battlefield. Although now The situation faced by our two countries is not as constricted as before, but it must not harm East Africa.”

Burse said nonchalantly: "Now that the Austro-Hungarian Empire has joined the war, it is equivalent to having an extra helper on our side. As long as the three of us work together, we can basically prevent third-party countries from picking peaches."

"Currently, Russia's second government has revealed its willingness for peace talks. Although they have not yet taken power, they have a strong influence on the Russian army and the people."

"Regardless of Russia's defeat or peace talks, it means that we will obtain a stable rear. As long as we digest the spoils of this war with Russia, we will end the dilemma of fighting on two fronts."

"There is a high probability that East Africa will not join the Allied camp. The only people who need to worry are the Americans. However, the United States and Europe are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Even if they support Britain and France behind their backs, they will have little chance of winning."

In Burse's view, after solving the great enemy of Russia, the Allies are basically guaranteed to win. After all, the Allies did not lose in two versus three before, and now Britain and France are not the Allies' opponents.

Burse said: "The Ottoman Empire has been accumulating strength in the past few years, and its military and military-industrial capabilities have been greatly improved. They have imported a lot of weapons and equipment from East Africa, and their military reforms have been successfully completed."

"Even if it cannot compare with the great powers, it can still have 80% to 90% strength. This is equivalent to the confrontation between three military powers and two military powers."

"As for the Americans, unless they send troops to fight in Europe, the Americans have low combat effectiveness and are nothing to be afraid of. The strength of their army can only be compared with that of the Ottoman Empire."

Regardless of the Allies or the Entente, they have always had a consensus, that is, the army strength of the United States and East Africa is not very good.

This consensus is actually a kind of arrogance, stemming from Eurocentrism. Countries outside Europe are all barbarian lands, so how can they understand "art of war, strategy" and other advanced war arts!

In fact, this does not mean that Europeans really do not know the strong military strength of East Africa and the United States deep down, but it is a subconscious behavior.

If they put aside their prejudices, Europeans will also carefully analyze the military strength of the United States and East Africa. From a clear point of view, the paper data of the two countries are quite high. However, wars are always based on luck.

Just like the two major camps, before the war started, they both believed that their side could win quickly and end the war, but the result was exactly the opposite. After all, their thoughts before the war started were basically based on various factors that were most beneficial to their country.

This is similar to football. Even fans of weak teams will have the idea of ​​​​"in case" and "maybe", not to mention that the two sides are evenly matched before the war.

At the beginning of the war, both the Allied Powers and the Entente Powers, whether at the top or among the people, had this mentality that ultimately led to the outbreak of the largest war in human history.

The recent victory of the Allied Powers on the Eastern Front has boosted Boers' confidence. Once Russia withdraws from the war, Germany will be able to transfer the elites from the Eastern Front to the Western Front to organize the final decisive battle. In this case, he can't imagine how the Allies could lose. .

Burse continued: "Moreover, it is better for East Africa not to join the war, so that after the war is won, we can give the spoils to East Africa without dividing the profits."

"Our original intention was not to fight to the death in Europe, only for the United States and East Africa to carve up places outside of Europe."

"After the war is over, we may be able to support the Ottoman Empire, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries to check and balance East Africa and the United States."

Listening to Burse's arrogant words, Braylon did not refute at all. He said: "If you control Europe, you control the center of civilization. After our two countries integrate European hegemony, we will be fully capable of subduing the United States and East Africa. "

"Of course, the top priority now is to defeat Britain and France. Only by defeating Britain and France can we obtain the authority of the world order from them."

"Therefore, we also need to stabilize East Africa and the United States to prevent them from joining the war. As long as the two countries guarantee neutrality, the United Kingdom and France will persist for at most one year."

The victory on the Eastern Front rebuilt the confidence of the two countries in the war. Although the social conflicts between the two countries have become more acute due to the war, under the "dawn of victory", most people's thoughts are to endure it. Better days are coming.

In fact, it is understandable why Burles and Brylon are hostile to East Africa and the United States. In the past few years of diplomacy, they often received little practical benefit from the two countries.

On the contrary, in order to support the continuation of the war, the treasury of the two countries became increasingly empty, and a large amount of real money flowed to East Africa and the United States.

It is impossible for anyone to remain indifferent to this situation, and it is completely understandable to feel some resentment in one's heart.

Of course, another reason for the change in attitude of the diplomats of the two countries is also very simple, that is, the bargaining chips the two countries can give East Africa are too small.

Although the Indian Ocean hegemony can whet the appetite of East Africa, the pie is still a pie and has no practical significance at all. After all, neither Germany nor the Austro-Hungarian Empire has any sense of presence in the Indian Ocean.

Burse said: "The past two years or so have been the most frustrating time I have ever experienced in my work experience. As a major country in the world, Germany has never had a diplomat like me in front of other countries. groveling.”

Braylon felt the same way about this. Their diplomatic careers in East Africa were naturally not smooth. After all, the two countries had always wanted things from East Africa and could not stand firm in front of East Africa.

You also have to accept orders from your superiors and work hard every day to gain support from East Africa.

Braylon said: "Although East Africa claims to be a German country, they are different from us after all, so they cannot be completely regarded as our own people. Although there are Hungarians in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, East Africans are lagging behind in terms of blood and appearance. , there are some huge differences between them and pure Germans.”

"In recent years, East Africa has also been actively promoting Rhine identity, and this identity is similar to the difference between the Boers and the Dutch before. After all, they are not from the same ethnic group as Germany."

The Boers can be said to be a living example. As a new nation, their essence is the Dutch who immigrated to South Africa. Today, the Boers are still active in the British South African colony.

The racial differences between East Africans and Germans, or Austria and other German countries, are obviously greater than the differences between the Dutch and the Boers.

Although the Boers also have French, German, British and other origins, the Netherlands also has immigrants from various European countries, so the gap between the two is almost negligible.

East Africa is completely different. If you place East Africans in the German region of Europe, you can basically tell the difference between East Africans and Germans at a glance.