Chapter 216
Chapter 216: The Future Can Be Expected
Yaris expressed frustration at the Germans' lack of courtesy and their abrupt actions in the Kazenbe Kingdom, feeling that they showed no regard for the Kingdom of Portugal. When asked about their course of action, Yaris admitted that they were just a chamber of commerce facing an army and had no intention of provoking conflict.
Suggesting that contacting the Portuguese government might help resolve the situation, Yaris expressed doubt in their ability, believing that the current generation lacked the vigor of the past. He lamented that Portugal had given up expanding inland, citing the weakness of the Portuguese colonies and the kingdom itself.
Yaris emphasized the contrast between the German army's organization and Portugal's inability to muster such a force in the interior. He believed that the Germans were capable of challenging the entire Portuguese African colony.
The Kazenbe Chamber of Commerce chose to endure the situation and sent a letter to the Mozambique government to explain the circumstances.
Meanwhile, in East Africa, more troops poured into the region as part of the "pocket" plan. The arsenal expedited its efforts to refurbish weapons, and immigrants continued to arrive in large numbers, creating conditions for East Africa to expand further into the region. A telegraph line was under construction to ensure efficient communication.
As the year 1869 drew to a close, the statistical data highlighted significant developments in East Africa. The immigrant population had reached 2.453 million, with over 200,000 newborns. Territorial expansion continued, with particular focus on the Mitumba Mountains, Lake Solon, the Lualaba River area, and the Great Southwest. The land area was expected to exceed 3 million square kilometers by the following year.
In terms of industry, the East African Railway Company and various mines were driving development in mining. Agriculture also thrived, with significant increases in corn, soybeans, potatoes, and rice production. The total grain output exceeded 2.5 billion catties or about 1.25 million tons.
Despite these accomplishments, East Africa still faced challenges in reaching the level of Italy, a country with thousands of years of history and development. To address this, Ernst planned to introduce immigrants from impoverished areas of Italy to East Africa.
The villages in East Africa had become diverse and integrated, with no ethnic enclaves. Neighbors were encouraged to communicate in German, fostering the emergence of a new German-speaking nation.
Road construction had been completed, connecting all cities and villages, and the focus shifted to the construction of mines, railways, and large-scale water conservancy projects.
Ernst also aimed to strengthen cooperation with the Austrian royal family, focusing on Austria to bolster Germany's influence. Austria was viewed as a more stable partner compared to Prussia. Plans were in place to transfer profits to Austria, benefiting both countries. Other major powers were not expected to oppose this arrangement, considering their own interests and situations.
As for the United States, it was preoccupied with conflicts with the United Kingdom and Spain, while Tsarist Russia had no conflicts of interest with East Africa. France's stance was considered unimportant, as it was expected to undergo political changes soon. Overall, East Africa was positioning itself for continued growth and influence.