Chapter 30: Carrot and stick
"I think that what the empire did in the African colonies not only harmed the face of a civilized country, but also one of the important reasons why we are currently struggling in Africa. We want to use our sabers to establish a military rule and use power. Squeeze the surplus value of Africans in the shortest possible time. But what the result is, I think you should be very clear. Just last year, the central government of the Empire dedicated 1 million marks to hire a lieutenant colonel to suppress the local uprising. I know that this kind of uprising has never stopped me since 1985. I doubt very much whether the empire’s investment in the colony can recover the cost in this case!” Ruprecht said.
Actually, the crown prince already has the answer in his mind. It seems, maybe, probably, except Togo, other places are losing money. The only difference is the question of losing more and less! The annual investment in the colonies is a large piece, which is naturally a cost that must be paid, but the biggest problem in Germany is that the uprisings of three to five make Germany pay more! No way, it's on the way to the end, and the African buddies are going to shake the sky!
"We would rather spend 5000 marks for military expenses, guns and blood to obtain a colony, and then use 20,000 marks for military expenses to fight against indigenous resistance and uprisings than to buy a colony with 2000 marks! All our colonies can use land. It is sparsely populated to describe it, and our government and business people, can't we change our mindset to do it?" The crown prince said bitterly. Everyone knows that the British spent a lot of money in suppressing the Boer uprisings, and Germany's "stability maintenance" funding in the colonies is equally amazing!
"Businessmen are short-sighted, and so are the guys from the East Africa Company." The cost of the colony is also a new disease of the Prime Minister. A large sum of money has been poured in but no output is produced. It is unwilling to put it on anyone.
"The fundamental reason is that the military expenditures for suppressing the uprisings and resistance were paid by the government! The businessmen's overly greedy nature made them indifferent to all costs except themselves! So this pot was eventually carried by the government! This is unfair. The government must play a role. All the behaviors of the colonial businessmen must be consistent with national interests. Our place is far from being as rich as the Gold Coast and South Africa. The British can gain benefits by simple squeezing, but for us it is not worth the gain! "
"Give the Wittelsbach family a place that we can buy with money. In a few years, we will use reality to tell everyone how the colony should be governed!" Ruprecht reached out three fingers after speaking. If the central government agrees, our Kingdom of Bavaria will contribute an additional 3 million marks to support the imperial operations in East Africa! How?"
"We buy a piece of land, and all the remaining expenses have nothing to do with the imperial government. Every year we pay a fixed tax. And the imperial colonial authorities can't bother about the things on this land. How?" Looking at the uncertain prime minister, the crown prince continued Said.
"You are tantamount to establishing an African Bavaria among the African Teutonics. The colony belongs to the imperial government." The Prime Minister said with some dissatisfaction.
"It's like this in the local area, how about the colony? What's more, some large local companies have already done this, and when they are gaining a lot of benefits, they let the country take care of those troubles. We have done very well. This It will be a very meaningful attempt. It will not only drastically reduce the abnormal expenditure of the colony, but also allow more people to come to Africa, right?" The crown prince asked with a smile.
"Your words are very harsh." The crown prince's explicit remarks made the prime minister very dissatisfied, but he had to admit that the crown prince was right. The German government's control over the African colonies was indeed very weak, and many places were still handed over Local chief management. Africa is now a money-losing business. Since Bavaria wants to share part of the burden of the empire, it is normal to make some demands.
"How about the tax you paid according to the percentage of the empire's expenditure in the colonies? I can persuade the parliament to give you 5% of the land in German East Africa, but you have to pay the corresponding fees!" The crown prince is asking for the price, and the Prime Minister pays the land back money!
"Then you continue to spend money in Africa, I will not do it!" The crown prince said that the conditions were unacceptable, and immediately prepared to lift the table! The ratio of 5% seems to be very low, but the traversers happened to read the information of the German African colonies before crossing, and some of the figures can be described as terrifying!
In the years before the First World War, Germany's investment in German East Africa averaged about 250 million marks per year! 250 million marks! Only 5% has 12.5 million marks! Isn't this TM cheating? And there are even worse! The cunning Bismarck is talking about the expenses of the colony! Rather than just construction funding! You know, Germany spent 600 million marks in suppressing the Naama-Khoi uprising from 1904 to 1907! If this is multiplied by 5%, it will be 30 million marks! This kind of loss-making business must never be done! In 1913, German sisal exports in the East African colonies were only 10.3 million marks!
"The annual tax of 1 million marks for the first 5 years, the annual tax of 1.5 million marks for the next five years, and 2 million marks for the next five years, with a lease term of at least 30 years! How? This is our bottom line and we can't make any more concessions!" He waved his hand to indicate that this was the limit of his concession, and then disagreed with one shot and two!
"I need to think about this again, after all, this is not my sole responsibility." Bismarck did not promise anything, but his attitude has loosened. "Which place does the royal family plan to want?"
"This requires on-site investigation. There may be many alternative answers, and maybe you can't find them anywhere. This plan will be ruined. Who can say it. UU reading www.uukānshu.com" His Royal Highness chuckled. "But we are still quite satisfied with Cameroon, where cocoa, palm, rubber and tobacco can be grown. Moreover, it is close to the colonies operated by Britain and France for a long time, and transportation and infrastructure are relatively convenient."
"Then it may be a little difficult, the price will be higher. Your offer may not work." Bismarck said.
"Then you can mark a place." The crown prince is already very impatient!
"If nothing happens, you can only choose from East Africa and Southwest Africa."
"We have to choose that place! This is the bottom line!" The prince said with a solemn expression.
"Give me a few days and I will give you an answer!" Bismarck replied. At this point, the good relationship between the two parties at the beginning seems to have disappeared. Talking about money is hurting feelings!
"I will visit your Excellency again in a few days. In addition, the representatives of the Bavarian royal family have already prepared some exchanges with His Majesty the Kaiser on colonial issues. Even if the results are the same, it is still the Kaiser’s favor that the final result is achieved through you. The difference in accuracy is very big. We accept your preference for the former, and if it is the latter, it is really official business!" the crown prince said before leaving.
"The little lion of Bavaria!" Bismarck couldn't help smiling bitterly while looking at the back of the traveler.
There is only one industry in one area in the African colony of Germany which makes a lot of money. You can guess it~~~, after guessing it will add more~~~!
The results of the side position yesterday were very bad, and the collection increased by about 50 a day during the recommendation period. The depressed side decided to play a game--! Deserted for a night. Please book friends. Seeking collection, seeking clicks, seeking recommendation! !
In addition, I would like to thank my book friend zhouyu1976, the energetic person, and the private Klausius for their rewards~~~.
