Chapter 2144: High-level meeting two
Germany, the British colony in Southeast Asia, could not move. On the one hand, it was too far away and the output was average. It felt a bit tasteless. The other aspect is to avoid irritation to the United States. India, known as the most dazzling gem at the top of the Crown of the British Empire, is too difficult for Germany to eat. After all, it took the British hundreds of years to complete colonization. However, it is necessary to do some tricks in Britain's most important colony, and the division of India will directly lead to Britain's weakness.
As for places such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the independence is already very strong, and the location is farther, the pay is not proportional to the return, 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.
It is relatively close to Germany, and it is Africa that is better to rule. That's good. In theory, how much place can Germany get in Africa this time? The area of British Africa is 8.8 million square kilometers, and the Congo, which belongs to Belgium, covers an area of about 2.5 million square kilometers, which is more than 11 million square kilometers! Seriously, how to rule such a large area is really a problem!
Of course, how to rule, whether to directly rule or establish vassal states or let them go out independently is a future thing, 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, and completely erase the traces of Britain in Africa! For this, the British estimated that it is unacceptable.
Of course, some important British bases in the Mediterranean must also be removed, such as the island of Malta, such as the Strait of Gibraltar. The former can be handed over to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the latter can be considered to be returned to Spain. In this way, the communication channel between Britain and the Far East was completely cut off.
As for withdrawing from the Middle East? In this era, Iran was once influenced by Russia and Britain. Tsarist Russia was over, and Britain was hit hard. They were unable to maintain their influence, so it would not be difficult for Germany to enter. The British would not hold Iran in such a way. The real difficulty lies in operating the independence of parts of India. The British will definitely resist.
"This idea is very simple, but it is estimated that the possibility of acceptance by the British is very small. As a maritime power, the United Kingdom is very sensitive to important straits and navigation channels! For example, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and in my opinion, the United Kingdom People may abandon Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, but they will never abandon Egypt!"
"In southern Africa, whether it is South Africa’s diamonds, gold, or Rhodesian copper and non-ferrous metals, they are all indispensable to the British Empire. The United Kingdom will also negotiate with us on Southern Africa, and they may sell Part of the mining rights and economic rights, but it is difficult for them to give up these areas.” Grand Duke Baden analyzed the British colonial system in Africa from the perspective of sea rights and economics.
"This is the bottom line. If the British do not agree, we may be forced to choose to do the bonus question." Ruprecht said calmly.
"If this is the bottom line, it means that we can consider getting more things in the future. If possible, I hope to turn half of India into our vassal state." Barthes thought for a while and said.
"This question? I just want to say that our appetite is a bit too big." Ruprecht said. "India is not the same as Africa. Africa is vast and sparsely populated. Moreover, it is culturally backward, and it is not expensive for us to rule them. But India is different. India has a large population and complicated religious issues. Our energy is limited. Remember the situation when we only had 3 colonies in Africa? For a long time, our input was greater than our output. In this war, we got so much land that We have invested too much in the development of these areas. In fact, British Africa is very difficult for us to eat, so 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 the ones we need to firmly control. It is the richest region in Africa and the United Kingdom. The area with the best human base.” Grand Duke Baden expressed his support for Ruprecht's proposal.
"There is also the Congo in Belgium, which is also the richest region in Africa." Prince Albert said to the side. "In addition, your Highness, how are you going to deal with the French colonies in Africa?" The prince asked another question that everyone cares about.
"Do you think that the French colony in Africa has what we need?" Ruprecht asked. "Although the French have the largest chassis in Africa, North Africa is dominated by desert areas. The colonies near the equator have relatively rich tropical economies~www.wuxiaspot.com~ but they are not necessary for us. The economic value of these areas, I think the geopolitical value will be greater."
"So you mean, can we not even acquire any colonies from France in exchange for the economy or the right to berth the fleet?" Grand Duke Baden said. "If this is the case, I feel that it will be difficult to accept in China. At least I personally think that this treatment is too lenient." Although the Grand Duke's words are very euphemistic, they show the position of the Kaiser and him. He is opposed to this.
"So what do you mean by your excellency?" Ruprecht asked.
"Gabon and the southern regions of French Equatorial Africa, with these places, we can connect our central African territories as one." Grand Duke Baden said. The area the Grand Duke said is Gabon, French Congo, and Central Africa.
"Gabon is valuable. Oil and rich manganese ore are all needed by the empire. French Congo can also be used. But in Central Africa, the economic significance is really small." Ruprecht thought for a while and said, for Gabon, The prince has ideas. In addition to the petroleum and manganese ore mentioned earlier, there is also a very important strategic resource here, which is uranium! If you want an atomic bomb, how can you do without this! So Gabon is acceptable, and French Congo is also valuable, but is it Central Africa? Although the mineral resources are average, as the least developed country in later generations, this place is really tasteless. If possible, Ruprecht is even willing to switch to other rights.
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