Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 100: Chapter 92: The Meeting

“Plans for the future development of the Royal Physical Chemistry College?” Echegaray didn’t rush to answer Carlo’s question but carefully thought and organized his words before he spoke: “His Majesty founded the Royal Physical Chemistry College based on Spain’s urgent need for talent in physics and chemistry.

At Spain’s universities, physics and chemistry programs are not given much importance, which has led to a shortage of outstanding graduates in these fields.

I have three considerations for the future development plans of the Royal Physical Chemistry College.

First, recruit the best professors and experts in physics and chemistry from across Europe to use their expertise in training more outstanding graduates for us.

Second, the educational situation in Spain inevitably limits the future student source for our school. I believe the college’s scale should not be large, at least not until Spain’s educational standards have improved.

I suggest limiting the annual enrollment at the Royal Physical Chemistry College to around 400 students. Although 400 is not a large number, if we focus on cultivating these 400 individuals, perhaps the graduate quality of the Royal Physical Chemistry College will surpass that of ordinary universities.

When Spain’s educational situation improves, we can then gradually increase the annual enrollment numbers to ensure Spain has more talent.

The third point is providing certain subsidies and attention to the students at the college.

Actually, it’s not just Spain; many countries and universities face situations where students drop out because they can’t afford tuition.

If such a situation arises, we might miss out on a potential scientist in physics and chemistry. Instead, we should subsidize students within the college, reducing their tuition to ensure talented students receive better training.”

After hearing Echegaray’s opinion, Carlo felt even more satisfied in appointing him as the dean of the Royal Physical Chemistry College.

Universities these days aren’t like those of the future with vast campuses and countless graduates each year.

Current universities lean more towards small-scale, with the average enrollment in Spanish universities between 200-500 students annually, and globally, few universities enroll over a thousand students a year.

Why is Carlo so eager and hopeful about nurturing university graduates? Because, in this era, a university degree is almost the pinnacle of education.

Let alone a university degree; even a primary education in Spain signifies being educated and cultured, while those with secondary education are preferred by some factories and companies.

As for university graduates, finding a job is generally not a concern. Including Echegaray himself, university graduates at present can opt to stay at the university as professors, continue with research related to their field, or seek higher-paying jobs, easily becoming part of the middle class.

The reason there are so few university students, in countries with higher educational levels, is primarily due to the high tuition fees.

In countries like Spain with lower education levels, besides high tuition fees, another reason is that most of the populace is illiterate or only has primary education. Can we really expect these illiterate individuals and those with primary education to enroll in university?

Echegaray’s suggestion to limit early enrollment at the Royal Physical Chemistry College to 400 students closely aligns with Carlo’s consideration for a cap of 500, which is also agreeable to Carlo.

If Echegaray were to boast of enrolling over a thousand students, Carlo would instead feel suspicious and doubtful.

A cap of below 500 students at the Royal Physical Chemistry College is the best choice for a university still under construction; enrolling too many students could be an additional burden.

Carlo desires graduates from the university with abundant knowledge reserves and certain practical skills in physics and chemistry, not merely students with a degree.

Having rich knowledge and practical skills is vital; as for the degree, it’s merely an add-on from studying at the university.

“Very good.” Carlo nodded in satisfaction, smiling as he said to Echegaray: “From now on, you’re the dean of the Royal Physical Chemistry College. I hope that under your leadership, this college will become Spain’s top institution in physics and chemistry and a haven for talent in these fields across Europe.

Regarding the college’s construction, if there are financial issues, you can apply for additional funds from Steward Luo Lun. I’m looking forward to the results of the college’s construction and to seeing what heights the Royal Physical Chemistry College reaches under your leadership.”

“It’s my honor, Your Majesty.” Echegaray stood, speaking with a face full of honor and excitement: “I won’t fail your trust. The Royal Physical Chemistry College will be the cradle for Spanish scientists, providing you with a continuous flow of scientific talent.”

Thus, a pleasant meeting concluded. After enjoying a not-so-luxurious but very sumptuous breakfast at Carlo’s private dining room, Echegaray bid farewell to Carlo and returned to prepare for the construction work of the Royal Physical Chemistry College.

Being a newly established university, assuming the role of the dean of the Royal Physical Chemistry College is more challenging than that of other university presidents.

However, the benefits are plentiful. If the task is accomplished well and Carlo’s trust is gained, there will be more rewards for Echegaray.

Shortly after Echegaray left, Prime Minister Prim came to see Carlo, reporting on the development status of the Southern Morocco colony.

With the treaty signed, the Spanish Army began taking control of all lands south of the Agadir to Tata line.

With the British Government acting as a witness, the Moroccan Government behaved prudently. Although reluctant, they obediently withdrew from these areas, transferring control to the Spanish Army and Government.

Now that the Spanish Army has successfully taken over this region, it’s time to discuss the establishment of the Southern Morocco colony and the selection of the colonial governor.

Prime Minister Prim remembered how Carlo previously hinted at wanting Prim to recommend candidates for the colonial governor.

This visit was also a probe of Carlo’s intentions, to understand Carlo’s goals and plan his next move accordingly.

Carlo, too, is quite eager for the establishment of the Southern Morocco colony. The history of the Spanish Empire has long passed, and currently, apart from the larger colonies of Cuba and the Philippines, the remaining colonies are all small territories.

The establishment of the Southern Morocco colony means Carlo not only prevented loss of colonies for the Spanish Government but also gained a colony conveniently close to home.

Though in this colony only Agadir has some scale, the rest are sparsely inhabited, yet it is indeed a colony.

More importantly, the establishment of the Southern Morocco colony signifies the formal focus of Spanish colonial expansion shifting to Africa during Carlo’s reign.

Once the situation stabilizes and suitable opportunities arise, Carlo will consider selling Cuba and the Philippines to other countries in exchange for certain interests.

In fact, reflecting on Spain’s current trajectory, there remain nearly 30 years before the Spanish-American War unfolds, providing Spain with ample opportunity to develop into a major power before the war arrives.

If Spain possess the strength of a major power, the United States of 1898 wouldn’t dare engage in full-scale war with Spain.

But is it really necessary to confront the United States over Cuba?

This is a question worth considering.

While Cuba indeed brings positive returns to the Spanish Government, the problem is the Cubans are unruly. Despite their small population, their desire for independence hardly differs from that of Catalonia and the Basque Region.

Moreover, it is separated from Spain by the Atlantic Ocean, yet lies just tens of kilometers away from mainland United States.

Instead of inciting conflict with the Americans over Cuba, it’s better to sell Cuba early, exchanging it for colonies that can generate similar interests, while also stirring discord between other countries and the United States.

Whether sold to the United States or another country, theoretically, it wouldn’t be much of a loss. After all, this land is difficult to fully assimilate; Spain might hold it for a day, yet might not sustain it for eternity.

Carlo recalls historically, the United States proposed purchasing the Cuban colony from the Spanish Government for one billion dollars before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

But the proud Spanish Government couldn’t possibly agree to the American request. In European eyes, the United States was mere nouveau riche, their status as a major power entirely based on economy and industry, yet militarily quite lacking.

Yet the Spaniards didn’t anticipate that after the Spanish-American War broke out, not only did they lose the billion-dollar Cuban colony, but they also lost the larger Philippine colony.

Spain’s glory thoroughly became a thing of the past. After this war, Spain completely descended into a second-rate European country, losing any qualifications to be a major power.

Although in this world, Spain doesn’t fear the threat of the United States, it’s not worthwhile to be consumed by it either.

The costs expended on a confrontation with America could instead be invested in seizing African colonies, potentially acquiring territories more advantageous than Congo.

Morocco won’t dare provoke anytime soon, but regions like Guinea and Congo can still be considered.

Carlo has even planned Spain’s future development strategy. Through vast colonial resources, build Spain’s industry and economy, and industrial products can be sold in Central America and South America.

Although Spain lost most of its colonies in America, there remain many countries with Spanish mixed populations in Central and South America, including Mexico, who are also speaking Spanish.

A significant number of these individuals maintain a closeness to Spain, and if economic actions are undertaken, it should be possible to draw some nations into forming a tariff alliance to flood the market with Spanish industrial goods.