The Rise Of Australasia-Chapter 1040 - 779: South American Conflict_2
Chapter 1040: Chapter 779: South American Conflict_2
Speaking of which, Arthur was also connected to this large-scale conflict. Previously, because Arthur and the United Kingdom agreed to control the world’s petroleum prices, international oil prices generally rose, and major oil companies made a fortune.
For this reason, the discovery of oil fields in the Northern Chaco region became even more significant to various countries. As time entered 1931, Powers including Britain, Australasia, and France aggressively entered the Northern Chaco region, further escalating the already tense area.
As the petroleum enterprise that first discovered oil in the Northern Chaco region, ExxonMobil was no longer receiving favorable treatment.
With the fall of the United States, ExxonMobil became like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered in the eyes of the Powers.
For ExxonMobil to vie for oil drilling rights in the Northern Chaco region, especially while the Powers were already involved, was undoubtedly a fool’s dream.
Although the Northern Chaco region superficially involved only Bolivia and Paraguay in conflict, numerous countries were involved behind the scenes.
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The situation between Bolivia and Paraguay became even more delicate after ExxonMobil collaborated with the French.
ExxonMobil, along with France and Chile, supported Bolivia, while Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company, along with the United Kingdom and Argentina, backed Paraguay.
The purpose of the Cabinet Meeting was to decide Australasia’s position in this conflict.
As a Power with significant influence in South America, outside of the British and French, Australasia had a relatively high say in this conflict.
Indeed, geopolitically, it’s apparent that the Powers capable of influencing South America are none other than Britain, France, and Australasia.
Other Powers either lacked strength or were too distant, and thus incapable of participating in the competition for the Northern Chaco region.
So the question arises, what stance should Australasia take in this competition?
To put it plainly, this competition is between Britain and France, with Bolivia, Paraguay, even Argentina and Chile being nothing but pawns.
Australasia’s stance not only determines the strength of both sides in this conflict but also the eventual situation in South America.
After the fall of the United States, South America effectively became a no-man’s-land. The three most powerful countries in South America remained small in the face of the Powers, helpless against their encroachments.
This event may seem to be a competition over oil, but it is also an expansion of the Powers’ influence over South America.
Whoever wins this conflict will have the opportunity to greatly expand their sphere of influence in South America.
Therefore, Arthur’s decision must be made cautiously, considering the impact of his choice.
Based on the current situation, Arthur leans towards continuing cooperation with the British to maintain control over the world’s oil market.
At this time, Britain was in need of Australasia’s support, as it might not be a match for France in South America if left alone to compete.
After all, ExxonMobil had already chosen to cooperate with France. This oil company, established in Texas, was once the largest non-governmental oil and natural gas company in the United States.
Its history can be traced back to the Standard Oil Company founded by Rockefeller, which would consistently rank in the top ten of the Fortune Global 500 in later generations.
It was only natural for ExxonMobil to cooperate with the French. After all, Texas had since become independent as the Lone Star Republic, which was under French control.
If ExxonMobil, which was the earliest to arrive in the Northern Chaco region, decided to firmly cooperate with the French, and with Chile’s help, it would definitely cause significant trouble for the British.
“Your Majesty, I believe we should enter the scene prominently and let Britain and France actively court us,” Prime Minister Raul suggested first at the Cabinet Meeting.
Seeing that he had successfully drawn everyone’s attention, Prime Minister Raul then explained calmly, “Whether we support Britain or France, we cannot gain the greatest benefit without taking the initiative.
Rather than this, it would be better to bide our time and let the United Kingdom and France take the initiative to court us. That way, we can choose the side that shows the most sincerity to join them, creating the greatest benefits for us.
Whether Bolivia or Paraguay wins, it doesn’t matter to us. Only interests are of paramount importance, and they will determine which side we should support in this conflict.”
One had to admit, Prime Minister Raul, with his military background, was quite decisive politically.
As Arthur’s absolute confidant, Prime Minister Raul wouldn’t instinctively lean towards any party when considering issues, but instead, he would prioritize Arthur’s and Australasia’s benefits.
This was unlike some officers. Due to their Australasian origins, some officers have very strong British backgrounds and involuntarily lean towards Britain when considering issues.
In the past few decades, tilting towards Britain was Australasia’s strategy, and naturally, there was nothing wrong with it.
However, given the current situation, Australasia couldn’t blindly support Britain. There are conflicts of interest between Britain and Australasia, which means the relationship between the two countries could not possibly return to what it had been before.
“What’s the current situation in South America?” Arthur didn’t rush to make a decision but posed his own question.
“Both parties have already clashed in the border areas. Bolivia and Paraguay are both purchasing weapons on a large scale, and it’s very likely that a war will ensue,” replied Foreign Minister Lington.
The world situation is very complex, and the causes of events are definitely not as simple as they appear on the surface.
Although it seems to be a conflict triggered by Bolivia and Paraguay’s dispute over the oil-rich Chaco region, there are various factors at work behind the scenes.
Looking back, a significant part of the reason for this conflict can be attributed to the previous economic crisis.
After the outbreak of the economic crisis, all major Powers significantly reduced their imports, leading to a sharp drop in the prices of agricultural products, Industrial goods, and raw materials.
South America is a typical export region for primary products of agriculture and animal husbandry and industry and mining, and Bolivia and Paraguay are no exceptions.
Bolivia has long relied on the export of silver and tin mines for reliable income, while a large part of Paraguay’s Government Finance comes from the export of agricultural products such as beef and yerba mate.
The impact of the economic crisis led to social unrest in these two countries, and various classes started to become dissatisfied with the oligarchic elite rule.
Under such circumstances, even without the oil of the Chaco region, the likelihood of these two countries heading towards war was significant.
Because once the domestic contradictions become irreconcilable, the last resort would only be to shift contradictions through war.
“Have our Envoys touch base with Bolivia and Paraguay to see if we can strike a deal for an arms trade.
Additionally, send a new guard to our farms in Argentina. I believe Britain and France will take action once they hear the news,” Arthur mused for a moment before issuing his orders.
For Australasia, even if it entered the arena, it must not be too conspicuous.
After all, the main theme of world events is peace, and the People actually do not wish to see the outbreak of war.
If Australasia vocally supported the outbreak of war, it wouldn’t stand on solid ground in terms of public opinion.
But if we switch to another method, such as through selling weapons and dispatching a small-scale guard to declare our presence, we could achieve the same goal.
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This way, not only could we signal to Britain and France that it’s time to court us, but we could also avoid being framed as warmongers.
After all, the arms trade is very normal, and it’s something other countries are engaged in too. It’s unreasonable to blame a single arms trade deal for war and attribute the responsibility to Australasia, isn’t it?
