CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 100 NAVY ISSUES

This time Leopold II acted several years earlier than in history, and with the model set by the Kingdom of East Africa, he was not as timid as in the past. It is basically certain that there will be no difficulty in establishing the Belgian Congo.

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The territory of the Belgian Congo roughly covers the entire area of the former Congo (Brazzaville), plus the Luanda region of former Angola, most of Gabon, a small part of southern Cameroon, eastern Guinea, and the western region of Central Africa.

The area is at least over 600,000 square kilometers. How much the Kingdom of Belgium can actually obtain depends on how many resources Belgium is willing to invest.

The only factor threatening the Belgian Congo is France, but it can be assured that within these few years, France will not trouble Belgium, and may even woo Belgium. People grow and so do nations.

After being heavily defeated by Prussia during the era of Napoleon III, the diplomatic approach of France had to change. Without allies, next time they might truly risk extinction, and Belgium, situated between Germany and France, is one of the countries France aims to woo.

Moreover, considering the threat of France to Belgian colonies, it is less convincing than the threat to Belgium itself. After losing Lorraine and Alsace, France also lost coal and iron mines there, as well as its largest cotton production area and second-largest steel and timber production area. Losing Lorraine and Alsace meant the nearest coal and steel production area was in Belgium, and most importantly, nearly half of Belgium’s population speaks French.

As for the traditional colony in the Congo River Basin—the Portuguese colony of Angola, the Belgian government chose to simply ignore it.

Portugal is no longer the world’s maritime overlord it once was, and its decline isn’t a slow process but rather a swift collapse. Currently, in every aspect like population, economy, and industrial level, Portugal is inferior to Belgium.

Although Belgium hasn’t been independent for many years, previously it was part of the Netherlands. Even now, the Netherlands remains a significant maritime entity.

The Kingdom of East Africa also poses a certain threat to Belgium. The westernmost part of East Africa controls the capital of the former Central African Republic, Bangui. Below Bangui, the Ubangi River is navigable all year round, meaning East Africa effectively controls all the Congo Basin regions east of the Ubangi River.

Although the Kingdom of East Africa didn’t colonize within the Congo rainforest, East Africa’s patrol boats roam the Ubangi River and the Congo River, reaching the capital of the former Congo (Gold), Kinsasa.

Leopold II is, of course, aware of this, so he wisely uses the Ubangi River as the boundary between the Belgian Congo and the Kingdom of East Africa.

The crucial point is that Leopold II is very insightful in colonial matters. After he planned to colonize the Belgian Congo, he specifically communicated through his sister Princess Charlotte to send messages to the Kingdom of East Africa, so Leopold II’s plan quickly reached the hands of Constantine and Ernst.

For this matter, Archduke Ferdinand specially took leave to accompany Princess Charlotte from Bajamojo to First Town.

Archduke Ferdinand said, "This is the letter sent by Charlotte’s brother, King Leopold II of Belgium. Belgium plans to colonize from the West African coast inland. Could this threaten the strategic security of the Kingdom of East Africa?"

The term ’strategic security’ has special meaning for the Kingdom of East Africa. Looking at the series of expansion wars East Africa conducted, they all revolve around the term strategic security. Countless African forces suffered unforeseen disasters because of this term. It seems under the influence of the Kingdom of East Africa, Archduke Ferdinand understands the essence of ’strategic security.’

It is understandable for Archduke Ferdinand to consider issues from the Kingdom of East Africa’s perspective. Besides being the Navy Commander of East Africa, he supports any expansion efforts of East Africa.

Every piece of land East Africa acquires means an advancement in strength for the Kingdom of East Africa, and his daughter will be the future mistress of the Kingdom of East Africa. Therefore, Archduke Ferdinand prioritizes East Africa’s interests when considering issues.

Ernst did not immediately respond to his father-in-law but first carefully read the letter sent by Leopold II. Leopold II even thoughtfully included a conceptual map of the "Belgian Congo."

Ernst exclaimed, "His Majesty Leopold is truly a colonial genius by nature, skilled at maneuvering. He managed to perfectly avoid the spheres of influence of our East Africa and other countries, finding a path for Belgium."

On the map, Leopold II used a red pen to strictly control the ’Belgian Congo’ within the west bank of the Ubangi River.

Although Ernst is not interested in the Congo rainforest, after East Africa occupied the Azande Plateau, East Africa already practically controls the Congo rainforest.

This is all thanks to the Congo River and its tributaries. East Africa controls the upstream of the Congo River and many of its tributaries, putting the entire Congo rainforest within the pocket of the Kingdom of East Africa.

Controlling the upstream of the river allows gaining strategic initiative, and the environment of the Congo rainforest can only be developed along the rivers. Any other forces entering this area are within the fire range of the Kingdom of East Africa.

Archduke Ferdinand said, "Ernst, are you suggesting that we allow Belgium to expand on the West Coast of Africa?"

Ernst nodded, "Since Belgium has this idea, we have no need to oppose it. In fact, even if Belgium does not occupy there, it is difficult for us in East Africa to make advances in Central and West Africa. The Congo rainforest is a natural barrier; holding the Azande Plateau was already a stretch, and the closer White Nile Basin still hasn’t been effectively developed. Although the Congo rainforest is large, it cannot sustain much population, which is a disadvantage. If we have energy, we might as well find ways to accelerate the integration of South Africa with East Africa."

At this point, Constantine also said, "Ernst is right. We’ve just occupied so much land in South Africa, increasing our national territory significantly. South Africa is clearly more important in terms of climate and significance compared to Central and West Africa."

Ultimately, the Kingdom of East Africa is a medium-sized country with a large area and moderate population. Resources and energy are limited, so having self-awareness is crucial. The saying ’biting off more than one can chew’ holds true; having too much could lead to ruin.

Ernst then changed the subject, "Father-in-law, speaking of controlling South Africa, we currently have a plan that requires your assistance."

Archduke Ferdinand asked, "What plan?"

Ernst explained, "Since the annihilation of the Zulu Kingdom, we gained a seaport along the South African coast. To control South Africa, we plan to build a port in the former coastal area of the Zulu Kingdom."

Ernst took out a map from the drawer, placed it on the table, and pointed to the former Richard Bay of South Africa, "Here is a bay within the territory of the former Zulu Kingdom. Our people have surveyed it and found it highly suitable for constructing a port. Due to the need for development and control of South Africa, I plan to build a dual-use port here."

Archduke Ferdinand said, "Do you want the navy to control it?"

Ernst confirmed, "Yes."

This put Archduke Ferdinand in a difficult position. He said, "Ernst, I think you should be quite aware of the condition of the East African navy. Are you intentionally making things difficult for me?"

Archduke Ferdinand gets instantly riled up talking about navy matters. Although the development of the East African navy hasn’t been slow considering it previously had no foundation, as a former Austrian Navy Commander, the current East African navy leaves him unimpressed.

It isn’t unreasonable for Archduke Ferdinand to say this, as the East African navy is pitifully weak, with a total of eight main warships and thirteen gunboats.

Among them, the two warships from the Sultanate of Zanzibar are inferior even to merchant ships of the Kingdom of East Africa. The two sailing warships taken for free from the Austro-Hungarian Navy are also decades-old antiques. The other four newly built ships are barely passable, but they too have wooden hulls that will soon be outdated with the rise of ironclad ships.

As for the giant ironclad "Archduke Ferdinand" funded by Ernst, it is still lying in the royal shipyard in Trieste, awaiting completion until next March, and most notably, Archduke Ferdinand himself is unaware of this ship’s existence.

Archduke Ferdinand continued, "The East African coastline stretches over two thousand kilometers, maintained solely by these few warships. We also have to be responsible for defense on Mayotte Island within the Mozambique Channel, which is already insufficient. If we include South Africa, I can’t imagine how these few ships should be allocated. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?"

Archduke Ferdinand’s conscience question drew hearty laughter from Constantine and Princess Charlotte. Ernst indeed seemed somewhat inconsiderate on this matter.

Ernst calmly replied, "Father-in-law, I’m quite aware of the situation with the East African navy. These years have indeed been difficult for you. However, previously the conditions didn’t allow it. Now I’ve earned some pocket money in North America, so I’m planning to add a few new ships to the East African navy."