The launch of the Columbus was good news for Spain, but of course it was not for some countries. So the four ship installation patrols at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the New York Naval Shipyard invariably accelerated
increased the construction speed.
However, this is a matter between the United States and Spain, and Italy is still on the sidelines.
But on the other side, Italy can't sit back and watch.
"King Carlo, thank you for your country's continued support on the Sudan issue. I hope your two countries will get better and better in the future."
In front of Carlo, the British Ambassador Sir Mandyson said words of thanks.
"Ambassador Mandison is too polite. Regarding the Sudanese rebels, our country has always had the same attitude as your country, threatening their development and growth. For example, our country's affiliated country Abyssinia has been at war with the Sudanese rebels for dozens of years.
This time, the number of rebels increased from several thousand to more than 100,000, which effectively curbed the size of the Sudanese rebels. Therefore, on the Sudan issue, your two countries are consistent."
Carlo didn't mean what he said, but he didn't dare to challenge the British Empire on the Sudan issue.
Yes, the British can no longer tolerate the land of Sudan falling out of their control. A new round of carving up Africa is underway, and all countries are gearing up to speed up their fight for Africa.
Sudan, which has escaped the control of the British Empire, is so dazzling. Not to mention that the 2c plan is in full swing. If you want to go from Cairo to Cape Town, it is impossible without the Sudan. So the British plan to reconquer Sudan
.I have been preparing silently.
Since last year, the newly equipped British colonial army has been testing the waters. It had a battle with the Sudanese army in Dongola (a city in northern Sudan) and defeated 45,000 Sudanese troops with 6,000 troops. A great victory that the British also called
I measured the quality of the Sudanese army.
Now that it has been weighed, there is nothing to say next. The most important thing is to recapture Sudan as soon as possible. And if you want to recapture Sudan, its neighbors must have an idea. The Belgians who occupy the Congo River Basin in the southwest corner, lend
He wouldn't even dare to have any ideas.
To the west is the French, who have just captured the Chad River Basin. The French have nothing to worry about. The French colonial government, which has just captured the Chad Basin, does not have that much appetite to target Sudan. According to the British's own estimates, there are less than 10,000 troops.
, it is impossible to conquer Sudan. Not to mention that the French have to cross the desert, which is simply impossible.
To the east of Sudan, there are Italians who have been cultivating this area for many years. Although the Italian colonies bordering Sudan are also desert terrain, which is not conducive to military deployment.
However, Italy has a subsidiary kingdom of Abyssinia, which has been at war with the Sudanese around Lake Tana for many years, and its strength is not weak. Moreover, the Blue Nile originates from the Abyssinian Plateau, and there is a river as a transportation line from high up. It can be said that except
Apart from Britain, which occupied Egypt and Uganda, the only threat to Sudan was Italy.
Yes, it was precisely because Italy was a possible contender for Sudan that Ambassador Mandison paid a visit, and also to avoid certain surprises.
Facing the visit of the British ambassador, Carlo certainly would not quarrel with Britain for the Sudan. Besides, if he really wanted to take over the Sudan, he would have done it long ago. Now it is even more impossible to trick the British Empire. He is not the Kaiser.
Mandison was very satisfied with Carlo's reply. The task given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was completed very well this time. After staying in Italy for so many years, he had already figured out the king's temperament and knew what he promised.
There will be no setbacks.
"Thank you for the summons, Your Majesty. I will inform London of your country's kindness."
"Goodbye, Ambassador Mandyson."
After Ambassador Mandison left, Carlo called an attendant. "Fetch the Foreign Secretary."
"I obey your Majesty."
Half an hour later, Foreign Minister Bacona hurriedly appeared in front of Carlo.
"I have met His Majesty."
"Your Excellency Bacona, there is no need to be polite."
Carlo saw Bacona coming and said, "The British Ambassador Mandyson came to visit earlier and asked me about my attitude towards Sudan. I have already replied to him that our country will not interfere in Sudan."
Upon hearing Carlo's words, Bacona frowned. "Is Britain preparing to take back Sudan?"
"I think it's almost the same. Otherwise, why would Ambassador Mandison come here to visit?"
Carlo expressed his judgment, "What's wrong? Is there something unexpected?"
"It is true that King Menelik II of Abyssinia has a different idea, but I think it can be dissuaded."
"What's the specific situation?"
Faced with the foreign minister's hesitant words, Carlo immediately felt that there must be something wrong.
Faced with Carlo's questioning, Bacona did not hide anything. "Okay, Your Majesty, the situation is like this..."
From Bacona's narration, Carlo felt the ambition of Menelik II. After succeeding as the king of Abyssinia, Menelik II used troops many times to weaken the feudal separatist forces.
.From 1887 to 1895, he successively suppressed the rebellions of feudal princes in Leka, Volamo, Sidamo, Ogaden and other places.
All this was for the purpose of centralizing power. Under this suppression, the rulers of each province and district were all appointed, which greatly strengthened the cohesion of the Abyssinian Kingdom.
In addition, Menelik also built a new capital in the middle of the Ethiopian plateau. Queen Taitu named it "Fresh Flowers", which is indeed the city of Addis Ababa.
In addition, Menelik minted national currency, printed stamps, formulated new domestic financial and postal systems, absorbed foreign investment to build roads, railways, and laid telegraph and telephone systems. Of course, capital from Italy accounted for an absolute share of this big move.
.
Since the internal affairs were almost done, how could Menelik, as a wise monarch, fail to see the weakness of his neighbors? In fact, he could see better than the British that the Sudanese people's spirit had been torn apart.
The annual confrontation between the two countries on Lake Tana has become two years or even three or four years, and the distance is gradually getting farther and farther from the lakeside, reaching Famaka in the middle reaches of the Blue Nile.
Under such circumstances, Menelik II would be sorry for himself if he did not take the opportunity to expand. Of course, as a wise monarch, he certainly wanted to maximize his interests, so he planned to deal a harsh blow to the Sudanese, at least with a ruthless
He tore off large tracts of territory and allowed the Abyssinian nobles who followed him to taste the benefits of expansion.
Of course, only by obtaining Italy's approval or acquiescence can you implement your ambitions, and Menelik II was very clear about this. He approached Italian banks early and borrowed large sums of money at high interest rates. In addition, these sums were basically
It was used to purchase materials from Italy. Menelik II, who had the support of Italian banks and factory owners, found it hard for the government to refuse, so it maintained its acquiescence.
"You are saying that Menelik II is already preparing to further seize Damazin in the lower reaches of the Blue Nile River and the Akobo Valley in the Nile Basin?"
Facing Carlo's inquiry, Bacona replied. "Yes, Your Majesty, Menelik II has been preparing for this for three years, and has invested 10 million lire in improving roads. As for material reserves,
That’s more.”
Well, it seems that Menelik II has invested a lot of money, and it would be unwise to stop the opponent's preparations under such circumstances.
If that's the case, then it's okay to think about it from another angle.
"We need to discuss this matter with the British and inform them that in order to maintain the relationship between the two countries, we plan to ask the client country Abyssinia to send a large army to help them. Then it is best to target Menelik II
, talk to the British in exchange for helping to send troops."
Facing Carlo's idea, Bacona thought about it carefully and said, "Your Majesty, this is a good idea, it is very beneficial to our country."
"One more thing, tell that Menelik II that expansion needs to be moderate, otherwise problems will easily occur."
Yes, Carlo still had to give a little warning to the ambitious Menelik II, not to let him eat too much.
