African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1176: Chapter 185: Revisiting the Basra Railway

Regarding Franz IV’s words, Friedrich expressed: ”The current development of East Africa is ultimately the result of the collective effort of over a hundred million citizens, and this also proves the resilience of the German people. After all, Brazil is also one of the world’s leading powers, with a longer history than ours, but has become only an economic appendage of Europe. Thus, the development of East Africa is the result of multiple factors and cannot be summed up in a few words...”

Looking back to the time when the Heixinggen Royal Family colonized East Africa, the Maasai on the East African plains were still battling with the animals on the African plains. It can be said that the entire African civilization was quite primitive in its development.

It is nearly impossible to make the natives skip the primitive society and transition directly to an industrial society, and even entering an agricultural society, East Africa would only be a larger version of Brazil. Therefore, introducing relatively civilized immigrants is key to the rapid rise of East Africa, saving a lot of time in education and enlightenment.

After a few casual conversations, Friedrich steered the topic back on track: ”Grand Duke, I am curious about the purpose of your delegation’s visit to East Africa this time? After all, it is rare for your Three Kingdoms to form a group to visit East Africa.”

Not just rare, this is actually the first time in history that Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire have formed a delegation to conduct diplomatic activities in East Africa. Moreover, with Franz IV leading the team, which holds a very high position, amidst the chaotic European situation, key leaders need to be stationed in Europe. Thus, Germany dispatching a Grand Duke like Franz IV to come to East Africa shows Germany’s sincerity.

Franz IV got straight to the point: ”The main reason our Three Kingdoms have come this time is because of the Baghdad railway issue.”

”Currently, countries like England and France are using geographical advantages to blockade our Allies, so for the sake of winning the war, I am here representing the governments of the Three Kingdoms with the hope of restarting the final section of the Baghdad railway, the construction of the Basra railway.”

Basra is the most important port of the Ottoman Empire in the Persian Gulf and is also a crucial part of the pre-war German-planned Berlin-Baghdad-Basra railway. From the last century, Germany began planning the construction of this railway.

However, due to interference from the United Kingdom and Russia, the railway ultimately achieved only the overall construction of the Berlin-Baghdad section.

It can be said that this railway is the German version of the ”Central European Train Corridor,” for the German government was no fool and knew from the last century that if it offended England and France, they would definitely blockade Germany’s maritime trade routes to strike against Germany.

The Berlin-Baghdad-Basra railway is a key element for breaking the maritime blockade of England and France through land transportation. If Germany could open this land channel before the war, it would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the whole European war situation.

Of course, the United Kingdom also saw this, which is why, under British obstruction, Germany’s 2B (Berlin, Basra) railway plan eventually became a dead end, failing to achieve the strategic goal of reaching the Persian Gulf directly.

And now, the consequences manifest as the European battlefield situation deteriorates, with Germany increasingly relying on goods transportation from the Persian Gulf region. However, due to the interruption of the Baghdad and Basra railway plans, this trade route is not completely unobstructed.

Franz IV continued: ”As England and France tighten the maritime blockade, trade between your country and mine has inevitably been affected. Thus, restarting the construction of the Baghdad and Basra railway is beneficial for all our countries.”

This is indeed true. Although East Africa has forcefully opened up maritime trade between East Africa and Germany and Austria-Hungary, England and France can also obstruct through various means.

If not for the East African Navy dedicating seventy percent of its naval power to the Atlantic region, it would be a dream for East African goods to directly reach Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Though hindered by the strength of East Africa, England and France have not cut off trade routes. By merely extending the delivery time of goods to the Allies, they can also achieve their aims.

In general, East Africa has done its utmost for both Germany and Austria-Hungary, even severely offending England and France.

And the foundation of all this is built on East Africa’s deterrence. Although East Africa’s trade with Europe is obstructed by the two countries, it is still within limits since East Africa controls their overseas material transport channels, especially for the United Kingdom, which heavily relies on supplies from India during the war, and cannot bypass East Africa from India to Britain.

This is a fragile balance. If England and France become desperate from losses in Europe, they are bound to fight to the last, shattering the tacit understanding between the three countries. However, Germany will surely suffer the most in such a scenario.

Therefore, Germany urgently needs the Basra section of the railway to ensure that after the blockade from England and France, the country’s trade routes remain open, with the 2B railway being the most critical link.

Among the allies, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire are Germany’s allies. As long as Basra’s railway is open, materials from East Africa can steadily supply the Three Kingdoms through the 2B railway, which is the last logistical retreat for the Three Kingdoms.

”On the several-hundred-kilometer line from Baghdad to Basra, relying on human labor and camels makes it challenging to complete large-scale traffic operations. We now must restart the construction of this railway to substantially increase the victory chances between the Triple Alliance,” inserted an official from the Ottoman Empire at this moment.

It seems the Ottoman Empire can no longer sit by, planning to thoroughly ally with Germany and Austria-Hungary, Friedrich pondered as he looked at the Ottoman official in front of him.

Currently, the Ottoman Empire remains a Neutral Country. Since it can come to East Africa together with Franz IV, it is apparent that the two countries have fully reached an agreement.

This is also not hard to understand, as the situation for the Allies on the battlefield is quite favorable, leading the Ottoman Empire to firmly believe in the Allies’ eventual victory.

The decisive reason for the Ottoman Empire’s firm decision is not hard to guess; apart from Germany’s excellent performance in the early war, Austria-Hungary is truly surprising.

Or rather it surprised Ernst since the Austria-Hungary Empire was quite embarrassed during World War I. At first, Ernst was not optimistic about Austria-Hungary.

However, Ernst did not anticipate that many of his earlier arrangements would significantly impact Austria-Hungary. Therein, while sharing certain issues with its historical counterpart, this time’s Austria-Hungary is absolutely not equivalent.

For instance, Crown Prince Rudolph has now completely taken over battlefield command from Franz, which never occurred historically. And Rudolph, evidently younger than Emperor Franz, handles battlefield commands with more energy.

Regarding morale boosting, Rudolph’s presence at the front line is challenging for the elderly Emperor Franz to achieve. Also, Rudolph is more willing than Franz to promote young generals within Austria-Hungary since anyone gets more considerate with age.

Of course, the most important thing is that this time’s Austria-Hungary is far stronger than its historical version, acquiring more territories such as Venice and Lombardy, while Ernst has been sending considerable immigrants to Austria-Hungary. Counting the Neretva region, East Africa has migrated at least over 600,000 people into Austria-Hungary over the years, with these populations continuing to grow. For example, the Neretva region’s population has increased two-fold.

Additionally, Austria-Hungary’s industry is stronger compared to its historical counterpart due to East Africa’s emergence, mitigating Austria-Hungary’s shortcomings in energy and mineral resources. For instance, the development of the oil industry within Austria-Hungary by East African companies, or exports of East African cotton, rubber, and other materials to Austria-Hungary.

In terms of the navy, Austria-Hungary has also made some advances; with additional coastline from the Venice region, even if Hungary opposes naval expansion, Austria-Hungary has justified reasons for adding several warships.

In summary, Austria-Hungary has been considerably strengthened amounting to improved combat capabilities, albeit not as formidable as Germany’s military prowess, but at least fulfilling its potential.

And currently, Austria-Hungary’s main adversary is only Russia. With Austria-Hungary’s normal performance, both sides are relatively evenly matched and have already reached a stalemate in the border regions, which is quite different from Austria-Hungary historically being routed by Russia.