Chapter 1177 "Old Friends" in East Africa
April 15, 1915.
Port of Luanda.
Since the west coast of East Africa was developed, the communication path for French people to East Africa has also changed. In the past, France, like most countries, needed to first arrive at Dar es Salaam on the east coast of East Africa by boat, and then transfer to the railway to reach East Africa. capital.
But now the French can reach the East African mainland only along the Atlantic Ocean, without the need to transfer to the Mediterranean Sea, which is much more convenient for France.
"It's been a long time, Special Envoy Thomson!" East African Foreign Secretary Friel said to Thomson.
"Hello, Mr. Freer, you look more elegant than usual." Thomson said to Freer with a smile.
The two were old acquaintances. Thomson was the former French ambassador to East Africa, so they often interacted with each other when they were in Rhine City.
Looking at the more prosperous city of Luanda, Thomson couldn't help but sigh: "When I left East Africa, I returned to France from Luanda. Now it seems that Luanda is more prosperous than before. I think after the war is over, Luanda should It can also have a high international reputation like the city of Dar es Salaam! ”
The outbreak of World War I can be said to have put an engine on the economic development of cities on the west coast of East Africa. The most proud people on the entire Atlantic are East Africans and Americans.
Luanda has also become the leader in East Africa's trade exports to Western Europe, North America, South America, and West Africa. In the urban development of East Africa in 1914, it surpassed the capital Rhine City and ranked first in East Africa's economic growth rate for the first time.
Not only are there factories in East Africa, it is also the most prosperous area for foreign investment and private economy. French businessmen have invested in many new companies on the west coast of East Africa such as Luanda and Cabinda.
It can be said that Luanda made a lot of money from its trade with France last year. Many industrial products manufactured in Luanda and agricultural products from the hinterland of East Africa departed from here and were eventually shipped to France.
It is worth mentioning that France has now become the largest exporter in East Africa, and its total import volume of goods to East Africa is still higher than Germany and Austria-Hungary.
"Ambassador Thomson, you are an old friend of our East African people. This time you return to your hometown, we have arranged the highest level of treatment for you." Freer said to Thomson with a smile.
France's wealth made the East African governments very happy. Before the war, France was East Africa's largest creditor. French capital's investment and loans in East Africa far exceeded those of Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries.
After the war broke out, France became the largest buyer of East African goods. East Africa's debt to France was quickly being filled. It can be said that France has made a significant contribution to the current industrialization process in East Africa.
"Haha, Mr. Freer is too polite. We in France have always regarded East Africa as a friend of the French. We believe that the future of both countries will be bright." Thomson replied politely.
In fact, the diplomacy between East and France is a rather strange phenomenon. The relationship between the French government and the East African government has always been very good, but in contrast, French public sentiment is not very friendly to East Africa.
After all, East Africans are also Germans, so East Africans, who are of the same ethnicity as Germany, are also affected.
The French government is more rational. For the French government, although East Africa is a German country, it is an independent country after all. Germany's interests are not consistent with those of East Africa, so France has been trying to win over the East African government.
This is also true for East Africa. East Africa has a bad relationship with Britain, so East Africa has completely different attitudes towards France and Britain in its attitude towards the Allied camp. With the United Kingdom cooperating with the United States, East Africa can collude with France. In this way, even after the war, Britain and France will not be able to join forces against East Africa. Of course, this is predicated on the final victory of the Allied Powers.
When it comes to hedging its bets, East Africa's methods are not bad at all. It can play the emotional card with the Allied Powers, and it can win over France and Britain to compete for the right to speak with the Allied Powers. In this way, no matter which side is the final winner of the war, East Africa There is huge room for movement.
Thomson said: "No more gossip, I came here to ask for help from your government. France's national destiny is now difficult, so we need East Africa's material support, horses, cars, ships, food, etc., we I hope East Africa can increase its support for our country in this regard.”
Obviously, this time Thomson came with a procurement mission from the French government. After the war broke out, although France was in a better position in terms of material supply than landlocked Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, its strength was limited.
"Ship?" Freer's focus was different.
Thomson said with some embarrassment: "Yes, because of the war, we are relatively short of ships. Now the only ones that can help France are East Africa and the United States."
Thomson deliberately pulled the United States out so that it would be easier to bargain with the East Africans. After all, France, an old imperialist country, faced a war of the scale of World War I and had "not much left over."
After thinking for a while, Freer said to Thomson: "When it comes to ships, France might as well buy our second-hand ships. Now that the war has turned ships into consumables, second-hand ships are cheaper, and we The second-hand ships in East Africa are not very old, so we can give you the best discount.”
After all, this country in East Africa only has a history of half a century, and even the oldest ship made locally cannot be more than fifty years old.
After just thinking about it, Freer decided to facilitate this deal for the government. On the one hand, France's demand is definitely not small, and even second-hand ships can be discounted for a lot of money. On the other hand, East Africa also needs to go there now. Inventory, thanks to the efforts of East African shipyards, the number of new ships launched in East Africa every year has reached an astonishing number in recent years.
Moreover, there is no record of exporting ships to other industrial countries in the history of East Africa. Let alone industrial countries, the only countries in East Africa that have achieved overseas ship orders are actually Paraguay and the Neretva region of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
As for the three ships exported to the Neretva region, they were actually given away for free. Therefore, only one country in East Africa has actually achieved a record of ship exports: Paraguay.
Thomson also thinks that what Freer said makes sense. After all, second-hand ships are in stock and cheap, which is perfect for meeting the transportation needs in this war state.
"Very good, but I don't know how much inventory your country has. Our need is very urgent." Thomson asked.
Freer: "This matter is very simple. Your country should believe in the strength of East Africa. Our country is the second largest ship producer in the world, and the price is much cheaper than that of the UK. It can fully meet the needs of your country."
The cost of East Africa's shipbuilding industry is already very low, mainly relying on East Africa's world-leading steel production, large labor force, cheap electricity and other factors.
The population of East Africa is second only to Russia and the Far Eastern Empire. Although Britain and its colonies have a large population, the British shipbuilding industry is basically concentrated in the mainland. The population of the UK is less than half that of East Africa, and the number of industrial workers in the UK is even greater than that of East Africa. Far from it.
Now East Africa has actually become the world's largest industrial country. This can be seen from today's world trade. East Africa is completely in an advantageous position in the competition with the United States, and its commodity output is much higher than that of the United States, the former world's largest industrial country. industrial country.
Subsequently, Thomson conducted negotiations on other materials and products with East Africa on behalf of the French government, such as steel, horses, automobiles, sugar, cotton, arms, etc.
This time Thomson was actually here for a large purchase, and the French were very happy to give money. This was not because the French were not short of money, but because East Africa owed France too much money before the war, so many supplies could be used directly. The debts of the two countries were offset.
(End of chapter)