Chapter 1499 - 38: Autonomy (2)

Chapter 1499: Chapter 38: Autonomy (2)

Those colonies that do not wish to break away from their Sovereign Country generally have some unspeakable concerns, such as the United Kingdom’s colony in South Africa.

The main reason why the South Africa colony does not, like Canada and Australia, seek political equality or even independence is that South Africa needs the United Kingdom’s military protection.

The two major ethnic groups in South Africa—the British and the Boer People—have, due to the impact of the South African Wars in the last century, never relaxed their vigilance toward East Africa.

Moreover, economically, South Africa today no longer has the confidence to stand alone as it did in the previous timeline. In that former world, South Africa possessed the rich mineral resources of the Northwest Region and its economy developed quite well.

However, in this timeline, South Africa’s main mineral areas have basically been occupied by East Africa. As a result, the current economy of the South Africa colony relies mainly on Cape Town’s geographical position, developing shipping, commerce, and a small amount of agriculture.

Judging from the present situation, the future prospects of the South Africa colony may not be much better than the potential of the Congo colony.

Lastly, on the military level, Belgium has never been a military Great Power, and even if Belgium had the military capability to intervene in Congo, it would not have the nerve to attempt it. Apart from the local situation in Congo, East Africa’s influence there is likewise impossible to ignore.

As the regional Overlord, East Africa naturally cannot tolerate an outside power launching a war on East Africa’s doorstep without its permission.

And since Congo is surrounded on three sides by East Africa, it is itself an important component of East Africa’s national defense and security. East Africa even holds absolute influence over Congo in military and diplomatic affairs—a point against which its Sovereign Country, Belgium, is powerless.

For example, East Africa possesses military passage rights in Congo and stations troops there; Congo’s main railway trunk lines are connected to East Africa’s rail network; and Congo’s maritime areas are simultaneously patrol and free-passage zones for the East African Navy, and so on.

From these angles, it is more accurate to say that Congo is a joint colony of East Africa and Belgium rather than solely Belgium’s colony. The good news, however, is that both Sovereign Countries still maintain a relatively positive attitude toward Congo.

This gives Congo a status somewhat similar to Canada, which can play both sides between Britain and the United States. The difference is that Congo’s scale is far smaller than Canada’s.

Between East Africa and Belgium, Congo still tends to strengthen cooperation with Belgium. Of course, this is mainly to preserve Congo’s current special status. If it were truly to throw itself into East Africa’s arms, many of Congo’s present privileges would certainly vanish without a trace.

Therefore, when Hanberg and the Congo interest group argue forcefully in the Belgian parliament, their fundamental aim is still to seek more benefits. They cannot truly break away from Belgium; at least at this stage, maintaining the status quo is most advantageous for Congo.

Among the Three Kingdoms, the most awkward position is that of the Belgian government. After suffering the heavy blows of the First World War on the homeland, the Belgian government now even less can afford to abandon Congo, its stable source of fiscal revenue, so the Congo side holds the initiative.

Thus, when Congo’s representatives and domestic deputies are locked in debate within parliament, the current Belgian King, Albert I, steps in and says: "Enough, gentlemen, please stop arguing. Congo is an inseparable part of Belgium; this point is unshakable."

"Therefore Belgium will of course treat Congo as family, fairly and justly. So Mr. Hanberg need not take offense at the radical statements of Deputy Rokas."

"However, Mr. Hanberg, you must also understand the difficulties at home. Belgium has endured five years of devastation from the World War, so now Belgium needs Congo to contribute to the recovery of the domestic economy. This is a reasonable demand, and we will not shortchange Congo for the effort and contributions it makes."

King Albert I is the nephew of Leopold II, and before Albert I ascended the throne he had visited the Congo colony.

That was in 1901, when Albert I once represented Leopold II on an inspection tour of Congo. Yet at that time, Congo was still no more than an optional colony in the eyes of Belgium.

Of course, that assessment applied only to the Belgian government; for the royal family it was a different matter. By then, Congo had already become Leopold II’s personal money bag, but its output at the time could benefit only Leopold II himself.

With the death of Leopold II, Albert I, as his heir, naturally took over most of his uncle’s assets in Congo.

Thus, at present a considerable portion of the interests in the Congo colony also belong to Albert I. In regard to Congo, whether in terms of personal interests or national interests, Albert I can in no way allow Congo to gain independence during his reign.

Hanberg still holds Albert I in fairly high regard. He says, "Your Majesty, we in Congo naturally are unwilling to part lightly from Belgium, but the premise for all this is that certain people in the homeland must recognize that Congo is not a mere vassal of Belgium."

Albert I offers reassurance: "Naturally so, Mr. Hanberg. Speaking personally, I too have visited Congo; it is indeed a rapidly developing land full of vitality. Of course, the most important thing is that the majority of Congo’s residents are immigrants from Belgium, so calling it a bond of blood is hardly an exaggeration."

"Therefore, in external exchanges and attitudes, the homeland and Congo ought more to join hands and advance together, speaking with one voice. Only in this way can we promote progress for all."