African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 812 - 116: The Venice Conference

The entrance of the East Africa Meteorological Bureau and the National Land Resources Survey Bureau into Angola and Mozambique signifies the imminent commencement of East Africa's development in those areas.

Currently, preliminary assessments are being conducted on various conditions in Angola and Mozambique, after which the East African Government will set development goals.

...

Vienna.

February 1889.

"Your Majesty, the British have started seeking reconciliation with East Africa. They intend to have us and other nations mediate this war."

The British arrival disrupted Franz's peaceful life. Since the 1880s, the Austria-Hungary Empire had developed quite well, which could be considered a period of rapid growth for the empire, and Franz's work had become relatively easier.

"It seems East Africa has brought quite a bit of trouble to the British. What is the current situation of the South African War?" Franz asked.

In truth, the Austria-Hungary Empire was not overly concerned with the South African War at the moment. Of course, in the early stages of the war, the empire was somewhat impacted. As an important trade partner and ally of East Africa, the Austrian government was quite startled when East Africa went to war with the British.

Initially, the Austria-Hungary Empire feared being dragged down by East Africa. If it were merely a conflict between East Africa and Portugal, it wouldn't have mattered much, but the formidable power of the British was deeply felt only by the countries on the European continent.

East Africa's ability to act "arrogantly" was because of its relative distance from the British homeland. British intervention was challenging, and in fact, if not for East Africa's twenty-plus years of aggressive immigration policy and investment in military industry, even the British colony in India could have posed a significant threat to East Africa.

In the Indian Ocean region, apart from East Africa, no other country or region could compete with British-controlled India.

And for the countries on the European continent, being closer to the British homeland made them feel the pressure from Britain even more keenly, particularly the Austria-Hungary Empire.

The Austria-Hungary Empire ranked weakest among the current five major rogue states, and it faced the most internal instability, with issues more severe than Tsarist Russia, which, though consisting of diverse ethnicities in its territories, had Slavs as the primary population.

Thus, if Britain wanted to cause trouble for the Austria-Hungary Empire, it could do so with ease, translating into significant challenges that the empire would struggle to address.

With the Royal Navy, Britain might have no other significant abilities, but in causing disruption, it was undoubtedly the world's best. As long as Britain's navy remained strong, other nations could do little against it.

This situation was akin to the historical Far East Empire and Tsarist Russia being firmly suppressed by the United States, relying on the U.S.'s strategic location and naval power.

In the current world, other great powers faced similar helplessness against Britain; non-major powers had an even tougher time, often being targets of bullying, like Brazil and Portugal.

Besides Austria-Hungary's strategic considerations, the impact on trade with East Africa also posed significant concerns for the empire.

East Africa was a critical market for the Austria-Hungary Empire, and its assistance from behind significantly helped the empire emerge from economic crisis early. Thus, when war broke out between East Africa and Britain, Austria was one of the most anxious nations.

Of course, under the peculiar dual system of Austria-Hungary, Hungary was indifferent to the war, as East Africa's existence weakened Austria's dependence on Hungary's agriculture and minerals from developed regions like the Czech part of Venice.

Therefore, within the Austria-Hungary Empire, the stance on the South African War was divided, and even its allies could not effectively intervene in the conflict's progress.

Fortunately, Ernst did not anticipate much help from the Austria-Hungary Empire for East Africa from the outset, or else East Africa's outcome might not differ greatly from that of the Boers in the previous life.

Of course, before the previous life's war with Britain, the Boers had already been incorporated into British colonial territory, so the outcome was bound to be different.

Even if East Africa faced military defeat, it would not be entirely annexed by Britain; at the very least, the core eastern region could be preserved.

"Your Majesty, East Africa has already gained a complete advantage in the South African War, with both Angola and Mozambique already taken by East Africa. The East Africans are advancing southward to attack Cape Town, which is also why the British are so anxious," said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Allen Tal.

Upon hearing about the British predicament, Franz's face lit up with joy. Almost no country in the world liked Britain, so seeing Britain stumble before East Africa brought Franz immense delight.

"Is there still a chance for the British to turn the tables?"

"Pretty much no chance unless Britain launches a full-scale assault on East Africa, but that's almost impossible. From the war's onset to now, East Africa has endured various British restrictions and pressures, and the South African War is Britain's final attempt out of desperation against East Africa's unstoppable rise in southern Africa. But now it seems war cannot resolve East Africa's strong emergence in the African southern region."

Upon hearing this, Franz also put away his smile as he began to reevaluate East Africa—this "unexpected" nation.

The establishment and development of East Africa could indeed be considered one of the unique historical events of the 19th century, no less significant than the collapse of the Vienna system or the Franco-Prussian War in changing the world's structure.

Before this, the only comparable example was the United States in North America, so could East Africa become another United States or perhaps a Brazil?

"Allen Tal, what do you think our response to the British should be?" Franz asked.

"The British want us to mediate the war, which is a good thing since our relationship with East Africa is very close. However, we still need to see if East Africa has the need to end the war or what they might desire as leverage," Count Allen Tal answered.

"If East Africa agrees, what should our stance be?"

"Your Majesty, it's clear to all observers now that East Africa's rise in Africa is inevitable. Thus, we should stand with East Africa. Aside from the fact that East Africa is a significant ally, our potential future interests are closely tied to this suddenly emerging global power. With the acquisition of Angola and Mozambique, East Africa's land area surpasses 13 million square kilometers, second only to Tsarist Russia. Such a vast country, with considerable resource and military strength, cannot be ignored."

"And what about the British?"

"The British are reaping what they've sown. Anything they can't secure on the battlefield is even harder to obtain at the negotiating table. Moreover, now it's Britain eager to extricate itself from the South African War and seeking our aid. Therefore, we need not be overly concerned with British attitudes."

Count Allen Tal's words reassured Franz. Now the British were the ones seeking favor with the Austria-Hungary Empire, and with East Africa itself demonstrating its worthiness of alliance, it was a deal Franz was fully willing to consider.

And as for why Britain chose the Austria-Hungary Empire rather than Germany to negotiate with East Africa, besides the close relationship between the empire and East Africa, a more crucial point was that William II had just ascended the throne and lacked sufficient prestige, making Franz, the elder emperor, more suitable to host the negotiations.

February 12, 1889.

Under the mediation of the Austria-Hungary Empire, the East African government was invited to Venice to partake in peace talks with the British and Portuguese.

At this point, there was no real necessity for the continuation of the South African War, but East Africa was not one to let go easily. Until Britain and Portugal ceded territory, East Africa would not hastily halt its new round of offensives against Cape Town.