Chapter 1247 Fifty Thousand Square Kilometers
In terms of population, the residents of the Thapi River Plain are authentic Siamese, and there are some obvious differences from the people further south who believe in Arabic religion.
As for trade, although the rise of the Malacca Strait has greatly reduced the value of his river plain, it is still of great importance.
After all, this place is in the hands of Siam, which means that no one can cut off the trade between Siam and the East and the West.
Speaking of this, the strategic value of the Hebi River Plain is obvious. This is actually an important part of the concept of the "Kra Isthmus Canal" in the previous life.
King Rama VI said: "It is impossible to hand over the Tapi River plain to your country. Except here, other areas in the south can be discussed."
The British Sir Clare, who had been "watching the battle", also jumped out at this time and said: "Except for the plains of the Hebi River, other places can be given to East Africa. Mr. Ander, I think East Africa should also be more considerate of the Siamese government. After all, here It is the core area of Siam, and Siam still owes East Africa a large amount of money. If it loses this place, the amount of compensation will also be calculated separately. "
Siam owes East Africa 60 million rhine guilders, and the Hepi River plain is the country's financial and tax center, so Sir Clare's words seem to make some sense.
But this is obviously not his real purpose, which is why Sir Claire is anxious to jump out and stop Ender.
That's because after analyzing the negotiations between the two, a bold idea popped up deep in his heart.
That's why the East Africans were fixated on this land. Combined with the topography of Siam and some rumors, he suddenly thought of a project.
That is the "Panama Canal". The opening of the Panama Canal can be said to be a major historical event, but the time when the canal was opened was not wonderful. After all, the Panama Canal was officially opened in 1914. Therefore, the world's attention at that time was attracted by the European wars of the same period.
East Africa's aggressive claim to its river plain this time reminded Sir Clare of the "almost forgotten" Panama Canal.
The structure of the Isthmus of Kra is very similar to the Isthmus of Panama where the Panama Canal is located.
Does this mean that East Africa also wants to build a sea channel similar to the Panama Canal in the Isthmus of Kra to open up connections between East Africa and the Southeast Asia?
Although, just by looking at the map of the Isthmus of Kra, one can tell that building a canal connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean would be no less difficult than the Panama Canal, but what if East Africa really does this?
Sir Clare's idea is definitely not fanciful, but well-founded.
Why Britain can maintain maritime hegemony is that, in addition to the strong strength of the Royal Navy, the most important thing is that it occupies many strategic maritime channels in the world.
The Strait of Malacca is one of them. It can be said unceremoniously that as long as the Strait of Malacca is firmly controlled, the trade of all European and Indian Ocean coastal countries and the Far East will depend on the British.
As for the country in East Africa, as a new power, will it be willing to be controlled by Britain?
The Strait of Malacca, like the Suez Canal, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Cape of Good Hope, is a strategic fulcrum through which Britain can contain East Africa.
Therefore, Sir Clare has every reason to believe that East Africa’s encounter with Siam this time came just for the Isthmus of Kra.
Therefore, in order to ensure the interests of the British Empire in the region, Sir Clare was determined not to let the East Africans succeed.
Ender looked at Sir Clare who suddenly jumped out to obstruct and said with some displeasure: "Sir Clare, you promised us not to interfere with this negotiation."
"And this is the case with the Tapi River plain. It is related to the security of the empire's Indian colonies, so I cannot stand idly by."
The Indian colony Claire mentioned here obviously includes the Burmese area. After all, it borders Myanmar on the river plain, and Claire can also connect the two. This naturally caused Ender to sneer. When we were discussing the Pattani area, why didn't you jump out and say that it threatened the security of the British colonies on the Malay Peninsula. After all, the British also accounted for part of Pattani.
Naturally, Ender will not give up his demands just because of the so-called safety of the British Empire. After all, you have the British Empire behind you, and I have the Rhine Empire behind me!
Ande said: "Our local demands will definitely not threaten your country's interests in Myanmar. After all, judging from the terrain, it is impossible to pose a threat to Myanmar."
"The terrain of the area bordering Myanmar and Siam is significantly higher than that of the Tapi River plain. You have an advantage militarily."
As for why Myanmar did not compete with Thailand in ancient times, it was because the core area of Myanmar was too far away from here. Even if it occupied the local area, it would be alienated and difficult to control. It was not easy to transport materials. In the era of sea power, there was no need to worry. This, but Myanmar has no chance, after all, Westerners are coming.
But how could Clare let this area, which threatened the Strait of Malacca, the key to British hegemony in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, fall into the hands of East Africans.
Even if there is a slight possibility of the Kra Isthmus Canal, Clare will never allow East Africa to occupy this place.
After all, the Panama Canal has proved that the Kra Isthmus Canal is not a castle in the air. As long as East Africa is willing to pay the price, it is entirely possible for the Kra Isthmus to threaten the status of the Malacca Strait.
Although King Rama VI did not know why Sir Clare suddenly changed his tune at this time, he actively cooperated. In this way, the negotiations reached a deadlock.
In fact, it is easy to understand if you think about it simply. Although East Africa has many colonies in the Pacific region, these colonies have a colonial shortcoming, that is, they are not closely connected with the East African mainland.
It is the Strait of Malacca that blocks the communication between East Africa and the Pacific Fleet. At the moment, East Africa is not willing to antagonize Britain.
As for measures that can avoid the United Kingdom and connect the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the Kra Isthmus is a very good choice.
Faced with Sir Clare's firm opposition, Ander said: "His Majesty Rama VI, we can take a step back, but since the Thapi River plain cannot be controlled by us, then other areas, including Van Lun, Phang Nga, and Pattani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket...the entire southern region must be handed over to us in East Africa."
"Sir Clare, this is my final compromise. If this 'little' demand cannot be met, then we will have to decide on the battlefield."
Ender still made a concession, and this finally made Sir Clare breathe a sigh of relief. As long as he was not on the other side of the river, everything would be easy.
After all, if the Kra Isthmus Canal is to be built, it is inseparable from the Tapi River. Otherwise, the project volume will be huge and the cost will be too high. At least Claire can't think of any other solution to this problem.
However, King Rama VI still wanted to fight for it, but was stopped by Claire's eyes.
Of course King Rama VI felt distressed. After all, although East Africa had revised the plan, they still took too much. That was the land of the eleven provinces of Siam in the previous life, covering a full 50,000 square kilometers, which is almost equivalent to 100% of the country's area. About ten out of ten.
But Claire didn't have any psychological burden at all. After all, it was enough for him to achieve his goal and ensure that the Kra Isthmus Canal would not be built.
As for the territory ceded by Siam, Clare, as an Englishman, naturally did not feel distressed at all. To be honest, except for the most suitable place for the construction of the Kra Isthmus Canal, other places did not have much value in Clare's eyes.
Otherwise, the British would have occupied these areas many years ago, and they would not be taking advantage of East Africans now.
This is also true. The 50,000 square kilometers of land acquired by East Africa are not highly developed. There are large areas of mountains, swamps and rainforests. After all, it is in a tropical area and the terrain is not high. Therefore, it will take time for East Africa to develop the area. of.
Taking the local population as an example, the total population in this 50,000 square kilometers of land is probably less than 500,000. Ender had already guessed as high as possible.
(End of chapter)