Banquet (3)

Examining the geographical map reveals a stark reality—despite the vast expanse of the Ottoman Empire, the suitable regions for agriculture are scarce.

The core territory, Asia Minor, is often referred to as the "Anatolian Plateau," indicating a landscape dominated by continuous hills. While suitable for herding sheep and horses, this terrain is less conducive to sustaining large populations through farming and animal husbandry. Only a small portion of land in the western coastal plain, specifically the Smyrna region, proves suitable for agricultural production in all of Asia Minor.

Turning attention to the Arabian Peninsula, its predominant khaki desert landscape precludes any aspirations of agriculture. Therefore, after losing the essence of Europe, the Ottoman Empire found its material foundation for maintaining a global empire eroding.

Recognizing the paramount importance of agricultural production to great powers, Constantine redirected the discourse during the gathering. Despite the decline of the Ottoman Empire, Greece faced challenges in compensating for the absence of larger resources.

Constantine, acknowledging the lack of high-quality coal in Greece, proposed a solution involving the application of alternating current technology developed by Mr. Tesla. Unlike steam engines requiring high-quality hard coal, the use of lignite, abundantly available in Greece, presented an opportunity. Combining this with the idea of establishing a large-scale alternating current power station, Constantine envisioned a transformative impact on Greek industries.

Delving into specifics, Constantine explored the potential of the cotton textile industry. Greece, with its modest cotton production, proximity to raw cotton-producing areas like Asia Minor and Egypt, and a need for imported cotton cloth, could embark on import substitution. This sparked Alexandros's interest, who contemplated the application of electricity in olive oil extraction from Greece's extensive olive groves.

Cantoriotis, a Greek from Alexandria dominating the local raw cotton trade, envisioned the establishment of textile factories. Recognizing the profitability of processing raw cotton into finished cotton cloth, Cantoriotis saw the potential for substantial gains. Intrigued by the prospects of developing the upstream cotton industry, he eagerly embraced the idea.

Constantine, seizing the momentum, expanded on the vision, incorporating the Congo River Basin's vast market under his control. With approximately 20 million people in the Congo region, he posed the question of how much cotton would be needed if every Congolese purchased a piece of clothing. Constantine envisaged breaking the monopoly held by major European industrial countries in this vast market, aiming for a significant share.

While the reality of the Congo's climate suggested minimal clothing requirements, Constantine's strategic presentation blended truth and aspiration, captivating the imagination of those present. The potential establishment of a cotton mill in Greece became a rallying point, fostering a collective commitment to realizing these ambitious industrial endeavors.