African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 212: Chapter 200: Consolidating Military Authority

June 14, 1869.

Prince Constantine presided over the first military conference of the East African colonies.

The officers and staff led by Arman and Sivert sat on opposite sides of the conference table. Due to Arman’s advancing age, his health and energy were declining.

Although Arman was only in his fifties, he had endured much hardship on the European battlefield. Constantine had also served in the Prussian army, but their experiences differed greatly; one was on the frontline, the other in the rear. Thus, Arman, in his early fifties, seemed even older than Constantine, who was nearing seventy.

However, the more Arman appeared to be like this, the more Ernst valued him, and was more at ease entrusting him with the East African army.

The worse his health, the less ambitious he became. Arman indeed was like this. He didn’t even know how many good years he had left, and it wasn’t bad to muddle through for a pension based on his seniority and rank in the East African army.

Therefore, the expansion plan against the Yake Kingdom was previously executed by Sivert. This time, the military work report was also completed by the young and vigorous Sivert.

”As of March this year, the East African royal territories have a standing army of ninety-eight thousand men. Besides the field troops, there are also garrisons in various cities and the River and Lake Team, temporarily divided into eight military districts according to location.

Among them, the three eastern military districts total twenty-three thousand men, with the five coastal ports and two islands being the focus of defense, including coastal defense troops equipped with various cannons, making it the strongest in East Africa.

The eastern military district includes the four important cities of Dar es Salaam, Bajamojo, Tanga, and First Town, with First Town being the current political center of East Africa, hence the military district headquarters is also established in First Town.

The northeastern military district is mainly responsible for military security in areas including the Mombasa and northern Somali border, with the defense focus mainly on Mombasa.

The southeastern and southern military districts correspond to the Marine District and the East Malawi Lake District, mainly to prevent the Portuguese forces from advancing north.

However, there is the Lufuma River between the two colonies as a boundary, so the defense pressure is not significant. The main concern is the plains area on the east coast of Lake Malawi, which is flat, so we have built several fortresses along the border where five thousand men are stationed.

The northern military district currently has a garrison of ten thousand men. Besides the Omo River Basin, there is no expansion demand; the overall stance is defensive.

The western and northwestern military districts have Lake Tanganyika and the Mitumba Mountains as natural barriers, and there are no strong enemies to the west, so there are more than five thousand men in total.

The largest military district is the southwestern military district, which is now the main direction of expansion. We have recently gained control of the Yake Kingdom, and the expansion to the southwest will certainly continue in the coming years, so twenty-five thousand men have been stationed there.

Besides these, what remains is the city garrisons in East Africa and the River and Lake Team...” Sivert explained the numbers and distribution of East Africa’s standing troops in detail to Prince Constantine.

As of April this year, the population of East Africa had officially surpassed two million, and together with the indigenous people, the total population of East Africa was about three and a half million.

The standing East African army is basically supported by this population of three and a half million, and there is also a significant militia force present.

However, the exact number of militiamen has not been tallied by the East African government due to its fluctuation, but according to the storage of arms and ammunition in East Africa, the government can muster a militia of up to thirty thousand at any time.

”Hmm, the East African army is considerable in number, but due to political reasons and Africa’s complex situation, the army is quite disordered.

For example, eight military districts are too many in my opinion; it’s bloated, and the jurisdictions aren’t very reasonable. You are all elites of the East African army; how do you view this issue?” Constantine asked.

”Report to Your Highness, I think the military districts in East Africa should be reorganized based on function and importance.

For instance, those peripheral military districts could be merged into others. The northern part of the northeastern military district should merge into the northern military district, with Mombasa and the south merging into the eastern combat zone.

The south, facing the Portuguese, should be coordinated as a single military district for easier management and maneuvering of the troops.

Also, the western military district doesn’t know what its duties are since crossing Lake Tanganyika and the Mitumba Mountains, it’s all tropical rainforest to the west, with hardly any population.” Sivert was the first to speak.

Then Arman suggested: ”Your Highness, in my opinion, the military strength in the central district should also be strengthened.

The First Town is still too close to the coast, only a day or two away from the ports of Bajamojo and Dar es Salaam, which is dangerous for East African security.

Therefore, we should focus on the important status and location of First Town and strengthen its military defense capabilities.

Although we have a relatively mature defense system in Bajamojo and Dar es Salaam, we should build a new line of defense in First Town just in case and enhance its military strength by establishing a centrally affiliated defense force.”

”Excellent! Anyone else with suggestions is welcome to voice them,” said Prince Constantine.

Felix, newly promoted to Deputy Chief of Military of East Africa, said: ”Your Highness, East Africa should also reform internally within the army, clarifying the functions and authority of various departments, introducing relevant Prussian military regulations, as well as military ranks and designations.

We all know that Prussia has performed impressively in military achievements through reforms in recent years, gaining the prestige of a strong European army. Since most of us hail from Germany, we should learn from the Prussian army...”

The crowd summarized and compiled numerous shortcomings of the East African army, calling for strengthened management and consolidating the scattered military powers under central control. Previously, Ernst had been uneasy about the formation of a core military in East Africa, but now with Prince Constantine presiding over the military affairs, there was naturally no problem.

Ernst not only disturbed the military but did the same in other government departments. Now that Prince Constantine is organizing East African affairs and strengthening central power, it is the trend of the times,

With only Prince Constantine and Ernst in the Heixinggen royal family, there was no worry of power struggles or court intrigues.

...

”Your Excellency, this is the first telephone line from Europe directly to East Africa. With it, you’ll be able to communicate directly with Ernst,” the European technicians introduced to Constantine.

The ”Three-Line” plan included not only the construction of telegraph lines but also the invention of the telephone by the Berlin Power Company.

At the same time, upgrades and improvements were made to the existing telegraph lines, completed just as Prince Constantine arrived in First Town. From now on, Constantine could discuss matters directly with Ernst.

”Connect me to Hohenzollern Castle,” Constantine said.

Soon after.

”This is Hohenzollern Castle, whom shall I say is calling?” Tom answered.

”Tom! It’s Constantine, is that boy Ernst around?”

”Sir, the Prince is in Trieste right now, please hold while I get the call transferred!”

A moment later.

”Hello, father, it’s Ernst. How is everything in Africa lately?”

”It’s fine here, I’ve adapted. Why are you in Trieste?”

”I’m inspecting the construction of a food factory here.”

”Hmm, got it. By the way, I held a military conference in East Africa today; I want to discuss some matters about army reform with you...”

”I see! What they said makes sense, but it’s best not to put all eggs in one basket. In addition to Prussia, we shouldn’t overlook Austria, which has long been a military power with valuable experiences...”

”By the way, I sent you a telegram yesterday regarding your father-in-law’s naval proposal. What’s your opinion?”

”You’re probably aware that there’s already a River and Lake Team in East Africa! This is the initial form of the East African navy, but it’s not a true navy. My suggestion is we can develop the navy, but we should experiment first and not go too hard initially. Start by selecting a batch with good water skills from the River and Lake Team to form the foundation...

As for equipment, I’m a bit tight on finances in Europe right now, but next year I might be able to get a few small boats for trials. For training, we’ll make do with those old ships left behind in Zanzibar for now!...”