197. Political Art

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The French government's energy was far greater than that of a few capitalists. Once they received authorization from the Paris Government, Envoy Tom's confidence surged.

In less than a month, he had obtained the Panama Canal rights from the Colombian Government, paying merely an aid package in return.

It was mainly military supplies; the main reason the armed forces within Colombia did not engage was due to external pressure.

Everyone feared the outbreak of a civil war that could provide an opportunity for others to take advantage, causing the country to once again fall into colonial rule.

This fear particularly concerned neighboring Austria, as the Austrian Central American Colony already possessed military forces threatening their existence.

Given the precedents set by other Central American countries, the Colombian Government was even cautious about European immigration, lest their power be toppled from within.