The Rise Of Australasia-Chapter 1047 - 783: Diplomatic War
Chapter 1047: Chapter 783: Diplomatic War
“Mr. Mackay, are you saying that the Indians themselves will also face issues?” the intelligence personnel asked with slight surprise after hearing what Norman had said.
“Heh, if the mighty British Empire could have problems in its Native Land, not to mention India, which is intrinsically fragmented,” Norman Mackay said with a smile, feeling good about having completed his mission as he explained to his subordinate: “What do you think my purpose was in actively seeking out Prabhati?
Only when Gandhi’s followers start an armed faction will the hidden forces from all over India be unable to resist exposing themselves.
Rajputs, Sikhs, and that chaotic mess of a caste system, oh, there will be plenty to keep us busy then.”
Having said this, Norman Mackay couldn’t help but smile with a hint of pride: “Just imagine, when every region in India starts arming their own military, how are the British going to clean up this rotted mess?
When Gandhi, who is supported by the Indians, becomes unable to stop the armed rebellions across India, that might be the time for the crown jewel of the British Empire to shatter.”
“Are you saying Gandhi is propped up by the British? Isn’t it Gandhi’s movement that has been affecting British rule?” his subordinate asked, puzzled. Gandhi seemed to be an enemy of the British, so why was Norman saying that Gandhi was supported by them?
“How could it not be?” Norman Mackay said mysteriously: “Don’t you think that only someone like Gandhi, who advocates absolute non-violence, could best save British rule in India amidst country-wide rebellions?
Without Gandhi, there would be no one to curb the armed rebellions all over India.
Even if the British could suppress these rebellions, they would have to expend a great deal of effort on Indian affairs. For us, the time the British spend on India is the perfect opportunity to resolve the war in South America and seek out more ways to oppose the British.”
When it comes to national interests and politics, relationships between people and factions become extremely complex.
Although Gandhi’s goal appears to be opposing British colonial rule, his methods are undoubtedly more extreme in their non-violence compared to other Indian forces opposed to the British.
If the British had to choose a leader for the Indian rebellion, they would naturally prefer an extreme pacifist like Gandhi over a militaristic rebel.
Although Gandhi could threaten the colonial rule of Britain in India and even directly destroy it through public opinion,
At least, as long as the British Empire is strong, there’s no need to worry about Indian independence. If a militaristic force were allowed to lead India’s revolution, the British Empire might, apart from investing heavily in physics and manpower, be forced to grant India independence and lose the shining jewel in its crown.
Under Mackay’s anticipation, the French government soon took action. The first was the loan promised to Prabhati, with the French providing a total of 500 million Francs.
While 500 million Francs might seem like a lot, if one understands the exchange rates of currencies at the time, it’s clear this is just a normal-sized low-interest loan for foreigners.
The current exchange rates are: 1 pound = 2 Australian Dollars = 14.57 US dollars = 327 rupees = 209 Francs = 178,469 Marks (available only in certain regions, most areas are incalculable)
Even though 500 million Francs seem like a lot, after the conversion, it amounts to only about 2.392 million pounds, about 4.784 million Australian Dollars.
This is still the result of the French exerting their utmost effort to control the Franc’s exchange rate, even allowing for a slight recovery in its value.
If it were at the lowest value of the Franc, 1 pound could have been exchanged for more than 300 Francs, as the Franc’s currency system was already half-collapsed at that time.
It’s for these reasons that after the fall of the United States, the only international currencies left were the pound and the Australian Dollar.
Other currencies, including the Franc and the new US dollars, could only circulate in certain regions.
After all, compared to the pound and the Australian Dollar, the value of other currencies is not as stable. For international trade with a currency other than pounds and Australian Dollars, unnecessary losses could easily occur, which is something companies engaged in international trade would not want to see.
Though the loan was less than 5 million Australian Dollars, it was entirely possible to purchase a batch of weapons and equipment produced in France.
In this regard, the French followed the usual practice of the European powers regarding foreign loans, which is to demand that the borrowing country must spend the loan on themselves.
Prabhati could use this loan to buy the required weapons and equipment from France, or purchase grain, medical care, and other supplies, but the money should not be left for other uses.
With this operation, the French seemed to lend out a debt, but in fact, they still retained the money domestically.
After a simple transaction by Prabhati’s side, the French not only generated some income but also left the Indians owing them a debt—a win-win—winning twice for themselves.
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Once the loan was secured, Norman Mackay immediately began enthusiastically introducing Prabhati to the weapons and equipment produced by France.
Speaking of which, the French actually have quite significant achievements in the field of weaponry. French artillery is famous, and the production of various types of weapons is amongst the best in the world.
