Chapter 643 Spain and the Philippines
This time East Africa has made a big move, but because East Africa has not done anything under the banner of East Africa in Central and Eastern Europe, at most it has some rhythm. Now everyone is criticizing the Americans in words and writing, and by the way, it has diverted the social conflicts caused by the economic downturn in some countries. , on the contrary, governments of various countries are happy to see the results.
But it is indeed the first time that Americans have truly realized that there is a country in East Africa in the world. After all, it has risen to the level of diplomacy between the two countries, and together with the Far Eastern Imperial Government, it is putting pressure on the United States. This feels like being on top of others. Export is very unpleasant. As for Europeans' comments about the United States, it is a trivial matter. If there are too many lice, there is no need to itch. If there are too many debts, there is no need to worry.
However, the United States really has no effective way to deal with East Africa. In the end, it can only attack the slave ships from East Africa to North America. This may be the largest trade behavior between East Africa and the United States.
But East Africa does not follow this pattern. The slave trade is becoming increasingly difficult, so East Africa focuses on developing the Latin American market. Except for Argentina, where oil and salt are not available, black slaves are still relatively popular in Latin America.
Moreover, the slave trade did not bring much economic benefit to East Africa, but suffered losses all year round, so this countermeasure is not painful for East Africa.
To solve the black problem, East Africa has many methods. At worst, it can be exported directly to West Africa at a loss. The slave planters in West Africa must be very grateful.
Ernst originally did not want to pay attention to the behavior of the Americans, but this time the United States took the initiative to provoke East Africa, so Ernst was determined to retaliate.
This time public opinion has not affected East Africa itself. After all, East African citizens are divided into Germans and "Chinese". This kind of news that is not conducive to unity will not be publicized in East Africa. As long as they have naturalized nationality, they are "Germans".
That is to say, the current generation of immigrants from East Africa is indeed relatively clearly divided. In 30 to 40 years, this problem will no longer exist. By then, East Africa will have entered the racial status of Brazil in the 21st century in advance, and mixed-race people will completely occupy the majority of the country.
…
Amid the uproar, the Ernst family finally arrived in Spain to visit the government of Alfonso XII.
“Ernst, actually I have wanted to meet you for a long time. The support your Hechingen royal family provided to me and my mother helped us get through the most difficult years and played a huge role in restoring Spanish orthodoxy.”
Ernst’s act of providing help in times of crisis left a deep impression on Alfonso XII, and the relationship between Spain and East Africa was also good.
The most important thing is that trade between the two countries is relatively frequent. This is mainly due to Spain's geographical location. Most of the merchant ships from the east coast of East Africa to North America or Western Europe and Northern Europe use the Suez Canal and then pass through the Strait of Gibraltar.
So the opening of the Suez Canal is definitely a benefit for Spain, just like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is also a beneficiary area of the Suez Canal.
"Your Majesty, it goes without saying. As a major international country, political stability in Spain is very important. You came to the throne and ended the turmoil in Spain. This is a good thing for Spain as a whole and Europe." Ernst complimented casually.
Alfonso XII’s current feelings about East Africa can be said to be quite good, because the two rivals in East Africa and Spain, the United States and Portugal, are in conflict. The so-called enemy of the enemy is a friend, not to mention the fact that the two rivals of East Africa and Spain are friends. The royal family of Hechingen came to their aid.
And there is another point, that is, his wife Maria Christina is the Grand Duchess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Maria Kristina's father is the Archduke Karl of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Of course, there are many great nobles named Karl in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
(Alfonso XII’s grandmother was also named Maria Cristina, the Spanish “Maria Cristina of the Two Sicilies”)
This Maria Cristina’s son is Alfonso XIII, but Alfonso XIII has not yet been born.
Historically, it was when Alfonso XII died in 1885 that Maria Cristina became pregnant with Alfonso XIII. The unexpected death of Alfonso XII caused Maria Cristina to serve as the regent of Spain until Alfonso XIII came of age. She was very capable and carried out many political reforms. During the regency, Spain overall maintained stability. , and successfully handed over power to her son.
So Karina also had a few acquaintances with the Archduchess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which made the meeting more friendly.
∣Ernst's purpose of befriending the Spanish royal family was not simple. This had already begun before Alfonso XII succeeded to the throne.
Mainly related to East Africa's management of the Nanyang region. The Indo-Pacific direction has always been the focus of East Africa's operation, especially the Nanyang region, and Spain, the old empire, is one of the most important forces in the Nanyang region.
So the reason for making good friends with Spain now is to benefit East Africa, especially the Nanyang region, when Spain suffers a disaster in the future.
Ernst doesn’t know whether history will develop the same as in previous generations, but one thing is certain, that is, if the United States wants to become an influential power in the future, it must choose one of several world powers to start with.
And this great power is 100% Spain, because Cuba in Latin America has always been the most coveted "fat" in the United States.
Furthermore, since East Africa defeated Portugal, Portugal, the last great power, has been disgraced and kicked out of the club of great powers. If Portugal is a great power, then the Netherlands and Belgium can also call themselves great powers. Apart from their area, these two countries are not necessarily larger than Portugal. Difference.
After Portugal was deposed, the goalkeeper of the European powers became Spain. If the weak ones are picked first, the United States will inevitably cause trouble for Spain in the future.
At that time, Alfonso XII had died many years ago, and the Spanish royal family was orphaned and widowed. It was a good time for East Africa to intervene. After all, Ernst's character had already been established.
Building a good relationship with Alfonso XII will leave a good impression on Queen Maria Cristina. In addition, everyone is German and has a good relationship with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
And East Africa has its own two strategic pivots in the Indo-Pacific region, especially near the Philippines, the Lanfang Overseas Province and the Southern Ryukyu Islands, which just sandwiched the Philippines and were Spain's best helpers at that time.
As for offending the Americans, it is nothing compared to East Africa’s Indo-Pacific strategy. In the future, East Africa will definitely have a hand in the Pacific.
Ernst actually didn't have a good impression of the Philippines. This was due to the poor national governance of the Philippines in the previous life. In fact, the conditions in the Philippines were good. The population of the Philippines in the previous life was more than 100 million, but in the early 19th century, the Philippines had only one million exports. Under Spanish rule over the years, it increased to about three to four million.
With a land area of nearly 300,000 people and a population of 3 to 4 million, it is more densely populated than most provinces in East Africa.
However, there are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, which are quite scattered. There is Balabac Island in East Africa, which is an island affiliated with Palawan Island in the Philippine Archipelago.
Balabac Island is an East African colony. The island has a total population of 237 people, all of whom are East African soldiers. Since East Africa occupied it, no other people have been found on the island, except for the occasional pirates.
And Balabac Island is a chess piece left by Ernst, which is also an important springboard for future plans to build a sparsely populated Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.
(End of this chapter)