Chapter 1502 - 39: International Conference (2)

Chapter 1502: Chapter 39: International Conference (2)

Of course, the Southern German Kingdom is a great power with a land area exceeding two million square kilometers. Even if the southwestern grassland doesn’t take up much proportion, it still isn’t small. Based on the condition of these regions in the previous era, accommodating tens of millions of people can still be achieved.

"Unlike your vast East African territories, the Southern German Kingdom, though extensive, mostly consists of worthless deserts. Sadly, its coastline is a narrow strip of just over a hundred kilometers."

"In this era devoid of oceans, poverty is inevitable, compelling us to strive for expanding our coastline. The challenge lies in the fact that our neighbor is the British. Were it the Spaniards across the river, this problem might not exist."

Bioko Island is a rather unnoticed island, at least to other regions of the world. However, forces surrounding Guinea Bay do indeed pay attention to it.

Currently, Bioko Island belongs to the Spanish Guinea Colony, a region akin to the peculiar nation of Equatorial Guinea in the previous era. Of course, Africa has never lacked peculiar nations, as most African governments tend to be highly anthropomorphic.

In the previous era, Equatorial Guinea was the same. Regarding the territory of Equatorial Guinea, there’s no doubt the mainland of the African continent comprises the major part, yet the capital is established on Bioko Island.

This is as unreasonable as if a unified Italy set its capital on Sicily or Sardinia.

However, this situation can be attributed to the colonizers without a doubt; the fact is Spain’s development in Guinea was primarily on Bioko Island.

As for the mainland of West Spanish Guinea, the old colonial country of Spain traditionally did not emphasize or was unwilling to develop it.

Most of West Spanish Guinea falls within a tropical oceanic climate, extremely hot and humid, making development difficult. This point can be observed in neighboring East Africa; Gabon and Cameroon, even backed by East Africa, a major industrial power, remain some of East Africa’s most backward regions. Transforming these places requires a considerable expenditure of energy, manpower, materials, and finances.

Clearly, West Spanish Guinea is not worth such effort from Spain, especially the mainland part. With its proximity to the great power of East Africa, the Spanish government is indeed worried that investments might just benefit East Africa.

Not to mention East Africa; even last century, Spain faced competition from France and Germany, opting mainly for compromise until the surrounding lands entirely fell into East African hands.

Thus, lacking a sense of security, the Spanish government dares not invest in the mainland part of West Spanish Guinea. In contrast, Bioko Island, as an island that can be advanced upon yet retreated defensively, receives more favor from the Spaniards.

And the Southern German Kingdom’s coastline is directly facing Bioko Island in West Spanish Guinea, with its capital Malabo overlooking Bamuso, the only coastal city of the Southern German Kingdom across the sea. The straight-line distance through the sea between the two is only over seventy kilometers.

One might say Bioko Island is blocking the Southern German Kingdom’s doorstep, needing just a navy to seal off the kingdom’s only sea exit. However, at this stage, the Spanish government will surely not do so, as they have no real contradiction with the Southern German Kingdom.

Moreover, the Southern German Kingdom shows little interest in Bioko Island, rather being more intrigued by the lands of Nigeria.

Expanding into Nigeria not only extends the coastline length, acquiring excellent sea outlets, but simultaneously secures a substantial amount of fertile land, both of which the Southern German Kingdom urgently needs.

Nigeria’s land is considered top-notch across Sub-Saharan Africa, previously feeding two hundred million people. Of course, compared to arable resources, Nigerian oil resources are even more renowned.

To sum up Nigeria’s agricultural development conditions: extensive arable lands, flat terrain, relatively abundant rainfall, all nourished and supplemented by the Niger River, Africa’s second-largest river in terms of flow.

In the early 20th century, even based on these agricultural conditions, the Southern German Kingdom, with a population of merely over three million people, could live a prosperous life akin to Argentina’s.

Unfortunately, most of Nigeria’s regions are under British control, and clearly, the Southern German Kingdom has no capacity to confront Britain.

However, with the support from East Africa and Germany, the Southern German Kingdom has managed to open up some new territories over the past years.

Germany’s involvement here is due to its former colonization of Cameroon; nevertheless, after Germany packaged Cameroon and sold it to East Africa, the Southern German Kingdom essentially returned to being under East Africa’s dominance.

Thus, Ludwig I states: "In recent years, we have made some progress in Nigeria. However, with the end of the European war, the British have redirected their focus to Nigeria, significantly impeding the kingdom’s northwestward expansion."

"During this visit to East Africa to attend the Southeast African Market Conference, I also hope to secure some of your support, especially granting us convenience in weaponry and material aid."

In dialogue with Friedrich, Ludwig I is generally straightforward, given the close relations between the two nations, not to mention being part of the Hohenzollern Family, which alone suffices.