Chapter 416

Chapter 416: Different positions

Regarding the purchase of warships in East Africa, Ernst himself will not do business at a loss. This time, Crown Prince Ferdinand came to Austria to check, mainly to add East African products to his shopping cart.

On the other hand, Ernst will only start buying when an economic crisis occurs. Historical changes mean Ernst doesn't know exactly when this global crisis will erupt. However, the cyclical nature of the economic crisis determines that this crisis will definitely occur in the current period. boom.

Ernst then told Archduke Ferdinand: "There is no need to rush to buy ships. Now there is no vacancy. We can wait. Finally, my request is to complete the expansion of the East African Navy before 1880, which is seven years. "Having more time means that you, my father-in-law, have to work harder and harder in choosing warships. We cannot blindly order warships produced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but must impose additional requirements based on the characteristics of East African waters. These require full demonstration work. Father-in-law, you can discuss this matter further with your former subordinates and the current senior officials of the Austrian Navy. After all, the situation in our East African waters is different from the situation in the Adriatic Sea, which means that the strategic positions of the two navies will be somewhat different. "

The Austro-Hungarian Navy was blocked in the Adriatic Sea by the Strait of Otranto. Even if it could escape the Adriatic Sea, it would encounter the Mediterranean Sea. Although the Mediterranean is vast, it is still a closed sea. At the same time, the power of England and France in the Mediterranean was even stronger than the Austro-Hungarian navy.

Of course, this geographical condition also has advantages. The Austro-Hungarian navy could not get out, and the navies of other countries could hardly get in. Previously, the greatest threat to the Austro-Hungarian Navy was the navy of the Kingdom of Italy, which had lost the coast of Venice and the Papal States, as well as the Kingdom of Naples. Say goodbye to the Adriatic Sea completely and the greatest threat to the Imperial Navy will no longer exist.

Therefore, the Austro-Hungarian Navy was not strategically proactive. The ship's design favors counter-attack and defense. It was a complete surprise to defeat the Italian navy under the command of a talented general. Therefore, the senior leadership of the Austro-Hungarian Navy had a current strategic and tactical vision. It is guaranteed.

If they demonstrate the development direction of the East African Navy, it will bring great benefits to the East African Kingdom. The scenario facing the East African Navy was completely different from that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although Ernst insisted on establishing a defensive navy, eastern East Africa faced the vast Indian Ocean, so the East African Navy naturally had to be more proactive in terms of strategy and tactics. Can't wait for the enemy to come home.

Grand Duke Ferdinand: "Okay! What you say makes sense, but I'm a little impatient. After all, the East African navy really has no ability to act now, it seems I'm not determined enough."

As former Commander in Chief of the Austrian Navy, he was demoted to the position of Commander in Chief of the East African Navy. The gap is really too big. Most people would probably give up on themselves, but Archduke Ferdinand was different because the blow from Mexico was heavier. Now he has changed the song. , put the navy back on track, in fact, Archduke Ferdinand was somewhat eager to try, especially after East Africa proposed to expand the navy, Ferdinand wanted the African Navy in the East to be able to directly capture caught up to its old master, at least in terms of scale.

Ferdinand continued: "Actually, when it comes to buying warships, you don't have to focus only on Austria. Other countries can also be considered, France and the UK are also good options.

Ernst: "That's what I'm saying, but personally I think it's better to unify the naval standards. After all, our navy and the Austrian navy have the same origin. This will also facilitate logistics and technical connectivity. »

Saying so is showing a lie. Ernst's continued support of the Austrian navy was based not entirely on economic considerations but on military needs and political considerations.

After all, the East African Navy could ask not only Austrian, but also French and British shipyards, quite possibly to allow them to build ships according to East African standards.

The most profitable ships of the era, especially those trading in warships, had to be Britain's first choice. The quality is absolutely unmatched and military products are expected to be unusable to deal with it.

But from a personal point of view, Ernst felt that if the British took away that money, it would be more unpleasant than suicide. Ernst was most active in anti-British, deceitful American and anti-Japanese activities.

So when the next economic crisis hits, Ernst certainly hopes the UK will suffer as much as possible. If he sends orders, doesn't he invest in the enemy? As for France, France, like Britain, is a major threat to East Africa. Both are top players on the African continent and are naturally incompatible with the East African kingdom.

Furthermore, it's not like we don't have assets so foreigners don't need to make money. This concerns the entire German cultural circle.

Among them, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was Ernst's most reliable partner. The characteristics of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were that they were strong but not strong. She is among the best in the world in many fields such as industry, economics, diplomacy and military, but she cannot fully utilize her strength. . From a naval perspective, although the Austro-Hungarian Navy is not respected, its strength is not bad. In two recent world-class naval battles, the Austro-Hungarian navy performed well. Although the Hechingen Association has made great efforts to develop the Austrian shipbuilding industry, without the contribution of the Hechingen Association, Austria's shipbuilding industry is currently among the best in the world, and Germany is currently not can compare with this.

What the Austro-Hungarian Navy lacked was the cost of trial and error. If the Navy wants to progress, it must pay the price of trial and error. Even if a large, well-funded navy like the British Navy could turn back in time after going off course, the Austro-Hungarian Navy could not. . Ernst was willing to share part of the cost of this trial and error with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, because a strong shipbuilding industry in the Austro-Hungarian Empire meant that the shipbuilding industry in South Africa' East was strong. Two of the four shipyards of the Hechingen Ocean Trading Company were located in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. in the territory.

Furthermore, by cooperating with a country like the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ernst could put 200 of his 100 hearts in his stomach. Not to mention the close relationship between the two families, even if the Austro-Hungarian Empire wanted to interfere in the development of East Africa, it would be powerless. Germany is almost as interesting. Although both families were Hohenzollern, there were still some conflicting national interests. There was nothing wrong with William I and Bismarck taking power and paying more attention to international relations and cooperation.

Looking back at life before World War I, Germany, led by a whole host of national interests, eventually embarked on the path of colonizing Africa. In the end, under the siege of Britain and France, it could only use force to disrupt the order of the entire world. Currently East Africa only accounts for a small third of Africa, it is very possible that some Germans have bad intentions towards East Africa. It is a threat to national interests.

After all, German industry and trade also needed markets and sources of raw materials. This cannot be dismissed by William I and Bismarck. Germany had France on its left and Tsarist Russia on its right. These are not easy goals. There was not much room for maneuver and Austria-Hungary was stronger. The Balkan Peninsula is a piece of burning fat. After the capture of the Balkan Peninsula, the revival of the Eastern Roman Empire can truly be realized. Although this was also the goal of Tsarist Russia, both families believed they had a high chance of winning.

Grand Duke Ferdinand: "If you think so, I won't say anything. This will reduce the East African Navy's options. But we can always play the foreign card and let the companies of the Austro-Hungarian Empire bring us more profits. »

Ernst said frankly: "Father-in-law, you are still professional." I've never really thought about this level before.

· Due to the economic downturn, companies around the world are going through difficult times and finding orders will become more stressful. If East Africa uses this as a bargaining chip, Austrian shipbuilders will certainly reduce prices further.

The initial amount you invest in the navy may only be enough in normal years. If you take advantage of the economic crisis and add a price selling method, money will immediately become abundant.

Of course, in the event of an economic crisis, the governments of the great powers will certainly not stop working. They will often actively develop weapons, solve employment problems and prepare for war to overcome crises. For example, the American Civil War was caused by the American economic crisis of 1857.

 It seems I still have to be wary of this change, especially in military construction. However, at the present time, the East African military does not appear to need to make any major changes. It can only optimize certain details on a current basis.

(End of this chapter)