Chapter 218

Chapter 218: Wrong Meeting

On December 30, 1869

In Maputo, Mozambique, officials gathered to discuss the growing presence of Germans in the Kazenbe Kingdom. The governor of Mozambique expressed concern about the Germans' rapid expansion in Africa and suggested contacting the Angola colony to jointly counter this development.

However, some participants were cautious, pointing out the challenges of putting troops into the interior and the potential risks of conflicts with both the British and the Germans. They believed that the Germans might not be able to establish a foothold deep in the interior, making them less of a threat.

Another concern was the British, who had already tested Mozambique and could pose a threat both from the sea and land. Some argued that the British were the country they should be most wary of.

The discussion also touched on supporting the western kingdoms, particularly the Kingdom of Malawi, as a buffer against East Africa's expansion. Still, some participants questioned the wisdom of aiding the western kingdoms and suggested that Mozambique had already infiltrated the area.

Amidst the debates and differing opinions, the governor emphasized that the British threat was more significant than the German one. He suggested negotiating with the Germans to protect Mozambique's interests in the Kazenbe region and proposed inspecting East Africa's development to gauge their strength.

However, as the meeting continued, the focus shifted away from discussing the German and British threats. Instead, participants began discussing how to carve up the Kingdom of Malawi, seeing it as an opportunity for profit rather than a problem. The meeting's theme had unintentionally shifted from addressing external threats to negotiating for territorial gains, leaving East Africa's role in the conversation unclear.