Chapter 298 The arrow is on the string (the day before yesterday)
Simeone's telegram was quickly sent to Rome, and Menelik II's request also caused a great stir among high-level government officials.
Regarding Menelik II's request, most senior officials believed that his ambition was untamable and was not conducive to Italy's control of this land. Some even said that if the Abyssinians were given so many weapons, Italy would
It is shooting itself in the foot, and it will inevitably betray Italy.
In the face of overwhelming opposition, some people believed that it was entirely possible to take a gamble. The reason was that Italy's strength could completely suppress the Abyssinians.
However, due to the overwhelming opposition, these voices of support were completely ignored.
Of course, the differences within the government are not a priority for Prime Minister Despretis. He needs to know what His Majesty wants first.
"Your Majesty, this is the current situation of the government."
After listening to the Prime Minister's report on the government's attitude, Carlo immediately said, "The military's attitude is very different from yours. They are very willing to promote this transaction."
Yes, the military, as a hawk, is very happy to see the Abyssinians purchase arms. Because the Abyssinians are mainly to deal with the Sudanese. Although Italy cannot personally go to war, if Abyssinians
The cession of territory and indemnity from Sudan during the war in Sinia also expanded Italy's sphere of influence in East Africa in disguise.
As for whether the Abyssinians are rebellious after their strength has greatly increased. To paraphrase the words of Marshal Cadorna, Minister of War, since we can beat him once, we can beat him a second time.
When Carlo told the military's attitude, Prime Minister Despretis was somewhat disapproving. "Your Majesty, although the military's attitude can be used as a reference, I think it is not sufficient at all. You must know that the last time our country had a conflict with Abiy
The Abyssinians' war cost more than 200 million lire. Although the Abyssinians are still docile at present, the situation is not unchanged. If there is another time, how much should it cost?"
Carlo also knew what the Prime Minister meant. Although the Abyssinians are currently respectful to Italy, there is still the possibility of rebellion. Perhaps with the instigation of someone with good intentions, the Abyssinians may raise the flag of rebellion.
Moreover, selling such a large amount of arms to the Abyssinians is obviously more beneficial to them.
However, Prime Minister Depretis has said so much, but the final decision still lies with Carlo. Although he also knows that the Prime Minister's concerns are not impossible, Carlo always thinks that this is not good.
As for why it's not good, he couldn't say, maybe it's a cognitive issue. Carlo believes that a surrendered vassal country like Abyssinia is like a younger brother. If Italy eats meat, it should make its younger brother drink soup.
.A practice that only knows how to squeeze but not give benefits will not last long.
Of course, if this vassal country is called India, that would be a different story. If you don't break India's bones and suck out its marrow, it would be considered a kindness. After all, Indians are pursuing the afterlife, and suffering in this life is to prepare for happiness in the next life. The more suffering you suffer in this life, the better it will be in the next life.
Happily, maybe I can be directly promoted from a Sudra in this life to a Brahmin in the next life, and everything will be worth it.
"Just follow the military's advice and agree to the Abyssinians' request."
"His Majesty!"
Carlo's words shocked the Prime Minister. Facing the Prime Minister who stopped him, he looked at him. "Prime Minister, this matter has been decided. The more important thing for the government at the moment is to find out the attitudes of various countries. Governor Antonio
The wait was very urgent.”
Yes, what Carlo said is the most important thing for the Italian government at the moment. Compared with it, Abyssinia's purchase of arms is a trivial matter. After years of development, Italian Borneo has finally reached saturation, and now
Italian Borneo has set its sights on Dutch Borneo. In fact, it is not certain that the development of Italian Borneo has been completed. Currently, Italian Borneo still has a large number of virgin jungles, but the development costs of these places are too high.
As an investor, the most important thing is the rate of return, so there is no better place than Dutch Borneo, which is just sitting there and doing nothing. The main thing is to bully the Dutch. Italy has no pressure at all. As long as it can deal with the British, everything else will be easy.
The previous riots planned by Governor Antonio still did not make the Dutch let go. Since softness is not enough, let's use hardness.
So when Governor Antonio sent back the secret letter six months ago, Rome agreed without much thought.
After all, for the Italian government, the Borneo colony is a major source of financial revenue. Although this place is not good at growing food, it is good at growing tropical cash crops, whether it is rubber, pepper, or other cash crops.
As for why we only ask for the opinions of the British, the reason is very simple. Currently in Southeast Asia, Italy values the opinions of the British the most, because the British are the most powerful.
Of course, Italy does not ignore the opinions of other countries, but considering the current situation, it cannot. Because Italy is invading the interests of the Dutch this time, other countries must have objections.
Although the French are not weak in Southeast Asia, they pay more attention to Indochina and South China. As for the Spanish, it would be good if they can keep the Philippines. The declining Spanish have only a few ancestral legacies, but many people are making plans.
It is not a wise choice to provoke Italy. As the Dutch are destined victims, Italy will not care about their attitude.
So after a while, the attitude of the British is still the most important this time.
Faced with the king's inquiry, Prime Minister Despretis immediately said, "Your Majesty, we have talked with the British. However, the British demand a high price. They require our country to open the Borneo colony to British businessmen and not set up obstacles to their investment.
."
Hearing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo couldn't help but frowned. "Did the British not give in at all?"
The reason Carlo asked this was also to know the attitude of the British.
"This was the condition from the beginning, and the British did not give in at all."
After hearing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo quickly grasped the key point. "So, the British attitude has changed, shouldn't it?"
Don't blame Carlo for saying this. When negotiating with the Dutch before, there were loopholes in the treaty, which did not include the remaining colonies in Borneo. Although the Dutch were not willing, all the countries at the time acquiesced. Isn't this
Are there variables?
Carlo was right. Changes had indeed occurred. The only reason to blame is that former Prime Minister Cairoli was so successful in building Italian Borneo. The former Prime Minister left behind a colony that earned nearly 100 million in revenue every year.
, which made the British jealous. For this reason, London was criticized more than once. It was inappropriate to leave this colony to Italy.
Of course, these accusations are a bit excessive. Before Italy took over, no other country thought of investing money here. When Italy invested a lot of money to develop it, it started to be jealous again. Don't look at Italy's prosperity in Borneo.
The British were not bad either. Their Malayan colony also had a high income, which was much higher than that of the Italian colony.
However, although Carlo didn't understand where the variables were, he still had an arrow on the string and had to take action.
"Since the British won't relent, let's continue talking. We don't need to raise our conditions. The British will naturally relent when the time comes."
Prime Minister Despretis certainly understood what Carlo said. "What does your Majesty mean?"
Carlo made it clear directly. "Yes, sometimes you don't have to care too much about other people's attitudes."
That's right, Carlo plans to be strong. He doesn't believe that the British will declare war on Italy on behalf of the Dutch. Sometimes showing a tough attitude will make others respect you. Carlo thinks there is nothing wrong with showing Italy's attitude now.
.
Of course, he was confident in saying this because the navy, which he relied on the most, had a secret weapon.
