Diplomatic

After successfully securing an agreement with the French, Constantine and Schmidt departed from Paris and swiftly headed to Berlin, Germany. Their destination was the ongoing Berlin Conference, a diplomatic endeavor aimed at resolving disputes among nations over the Congo and the watershed.

Upon reaching the Greek embassy in Berlin, they met Banning, who had already attended the opening ceremony of the conference. Constantine, eager for updates, anxiously inquired about the progress of the meeting.

"Constantine, how was the meeting going?" he asked, his anticipation evident.

Banning, appearing somewhat helpless, shared the challenges encountered during the conference. Disputes arose from the beginning, with countries like Britain, France, and others expressing concerns about Germany encroaching on their respective spheres of influence. Banning explained the German perspective, highlighting their skepticism regarding the concept of a "sphere of influence."

According to the Germans, effective occupation—signified by flying the national flag, having garrisoned troops, establishing a police force, and implementing a judicial system—should determine territorial ownership. The ongoing discussions, however, were marked by prolonged disagreements among the participating nations.

On July 19, Constantine and Banning arrived at a Rococo mansion at 77 Wilhelmstraße in Berlin—the Chancellery of the German Empire. Led to a reception room, they met with Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of the Second German Empire.

Bismarck, a portly figure wearing a uniform with a gray mustache, welcomed them. The conversation revolved around the ownership of the Congo River Basin, a topic of significant importance.

"Are you behind the Congolese committee?" Bismarck inquired, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"To be honest, I'm not optimistic about this plan to develop a deserted tropical African colony. Do you know how much money it will cost?" Bismarck expressed his reservations candidly.

Constantine, resolute in his commitment to the Congolese Council's mission, asserted the necessity of acquiring Congo's management rights.

Bismarck, a realist in the world of politics, challenged Constantine on the feasibility of his plan. He questioned how Constantine intended to gain ownership when all countries were closely monitoring the situation.

"Reliance? In fact, my biggest reliance is that all countries are eager to get it, and Greece is enough to reassure them," Constantine replied calmly, acknowledging Greece's weak strength as both a challenge and an advantage in this context.

After pondering Constantine's words, Bismarck realized the pragmatic approach of allowing a small country to acquire the Congo without causing conflict among larger nations.

"What is your asking price?" Bismarck inquired.

Constantine presented conditions similar to those offered to France and the United States, emphasizing the principle of free trade in the Congo River Basin.

"In this case, there is nothing wrong with Germany here. As long as other countries agree, Germany will not object. The Congolese Commission will obtain the management rights of the Congo," Bismarck agreed.

Constantine, inching closer to his goal, breathed a sigh of relief. Due to the peculiar nature of the Congolese Committee as a private organization, Constantine, as its representative, took the opportunity to meet privately with other countries, while Banning attended the conference as an observer.

On July 22, Constantine and Schmidt crossed the English Channel from Berlin to London. They arrived at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister.

However, an unexpected incident occurred on their way to the reception room. They encountered Prime Minister Gladstone, engaged intimately with a heavily made-up woman. The awkward moment prompted an explanation from a male staff member, highlighting Gladstone's unconventional behavior.

Undeterred, Constantine and Schmidt proceeded to the reception room, where they engaged in discussions with Gladstone about the ownership of the Congo River. Gladstone, firmly standing by the British government's support for Portugal's acquisition of the Congo River region, seemed unwavering.

Constantine, however, remained steadfast, challenging the notion that historical reasons alone should grant Portugal ownership. The negotiations continued, marking another chapter in the complex diplomatic dance for control over African territories.