Possibility Of Getting Congo

Queen Olga, seemingly displeased with her husband's lack of attention, turned to George and exclaimed, "George, aren't you going to say something?"

George hastily wiped his mouth with a napkin and replied slowly, "For Constantine, this matter is a rare experience, whether his plan succeeds or fails. From my perspective, there's a real chance of success, albeit unlikely."

Observing Queen Olga's dissatisfaction with her husband's supportive stance, Imitating George's tone, she shook her head and said mockingly, "Success or failure, it's all just a 'rare experience,' George, you truly are a good father. So far, Constantine's plan has cost us 4 million francs, and judging by the situation, the expenses are likely to keep rising. You better be mentally prepared."

The so-called "Constantine's plan" involved funding explorers for expeditions into central Africa. Explorers would receive honors and monetary rewards, and in return, Constantine aimed to acquire colonies.

The reason for taking such a risky gambit was out of necessity.

Greece, having gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830, found itself in a challenging situation. The Greek peninsula, with its rolling hills and scarce resources, was ill-suited for farming and development. In the 19th century, the focus was on empire and conquest, and a country's strength depended on coal and iron output.

However, Greece was not only sparsely populated but also lacked coal and iron mines. Lignite, the most abundant coal, had low calorific value and high sulfur content, making it unsuitable for industrial use. Moreover, there was no iron ore in Greece at all.

With the country struggling to establish itself, Greece had to borrow substantial foreign debts to sustain itself. By 1882, Greece had been independent for 50 years, yet industry remained primitive, transportation lagged, and agriculture was outdated, leading to dependency on imported food.

Constantine, having heard of European explorations in southern Africa, saw an opportunity to break free from Greece's predicament. Despite the risks, the potential benefits of obtaining a resource-rich African colony were too enticing to ignore. The world was mostly divided, and southern Africa, with its vast unexplored interior, offered a chance for growth.

However, the success of Constantine's plan hinged on two critical conditions. Firstly, other colonial powers, like Britain and France, would likely avoid heavy investments in the Congo River Basin due to the region's challenging climate and uncertain returns. Secondly, the strategic location of the Congo Basin in the heart of Africa made it a potential game-changer for any country holding firm ground there.

While it seemed like an improbable bet for a weaker country like Greece, the potential rewards, in this case, depended on whether the Congo was truly worth the hefty gamble.