While the Spey fleet was still battling wits with the British fleet in Oceania, its final destination, the Italian East African colonies, was also extremely lively.
As for which colony of the Allied Powers was a thorn in the side of the Allied Powers, it had to be Italy's East African colonies. This colony, stuck in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, was a pain in the throats of Britain and France.
Even before the war broke out, the British military proposed to its government that Italy's colonies in East Africa seriously threatened the trade and transportation lines between the mainland and India, and hoped that this problem could be solved immediately after the war broke out.
However, London did not pay attention to the military's suggestions because they believed that the war would only take a few months to end.
The armies of France and Russia attacked Germany from the east and west, and Britain blocked its sea routes and landed from the north. The Germans would never be able to stop such a three-party attack. The core Germans of the alliance camp fell, so the Italians and Austrians, who were the younger brothers,
The country will naturally surrender obediently.
But it's a pity that the Entente lineup did not expect that the Germans could fight better than the Franco-Prussian War. Not only did they defeat the British and French forces on the Western Front and occupy Paris, they also rescued the Austrians who were beaten by Russia on the Eastern Front, and also gave the Russians a heavy blow.
Fist, so that it will not dare to peek into German territory again.
In addition, the Italians, who have always been considered the backbone of the great powers, also performed surprisingly well. Their performance in the Italian-French border battle and the Battle of Sirte made Britain and France regard them as another major enemy besides Germany.
At the same time, after several months of fighting, both sides have found that it is no longer possible to eliminate their opponents in a short time. As the war cannot subside in a short time, it is necessary to start from all aspects.
As for the Italian East African colonies, which were a thorn in the side, they look so dazzling no matter how you look at them now.
However, although it looks dazzling, it is not easy to seize Italy's East African colonies because Italy has deployed heavy troops here.
"Hello Mr. Boyle, my master knows your intentions, and my master has a very good impression of your country. He believes that Abyssinia can only gain true independence by following your country. And a great master can change the kingdom.
Her attitude is as long as your envoy is willing to support her."
The wise old king of the Kingdom of Abyssinia, the British had many dealings with him, and it was difficult to take advantage of him, even if he had suffered a stroke.
He sees each other every once in a while.
Just when he asked the servant to reply, he agreed after thinking about this mission.
It’s just that Boyle’s envoy didn’t know that the young king was influenced by Italian servants and tutors when he was growing up, which made Ejasu have a good impression of Italy. Besides the current situation in Africa, Ejasu is not
I don’t know, it has already been divided up by various European countries.
"I am very grateful to the British for their regard for our country, but our country has signed a treaty of friendship and mutual assistance with Italy, so I can only say sorry to your country."
If they get rid of Italy, then other powers will not be interested in them, especially Britain, which is located in the northwest of the kingdom. It is not that he does not know what the African colonies under British rule are like. In the final analysis, Ejasso does not trust Britain.
Whether it's embarrassing or not will be discussed later. The most important thing now is to pull out the nail that belongs to Italian East Africa.
The place has a powerful navy and an army that is absolutely huge for a colony. The Italian military has deployed 120,000 local troops here, and also has 80,000 colonial troops, as well as servants.
The Kingdom of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) can provide 150,000 troops.
Boyle was an old acquaintance of the Kingdom of Abyssinia. Before he served as High Commissioner for the British East African Colonies, Boyle had done business with the Kingdom of Abyssinia for more than ten years, so he was very familiar with Abyssinia.
The senior officials of the Kingdom of Abyssinia are very familiar with it. Of course, he also knows that the Kingdom of Abyssinia has complicated feelings towards its suzerain country, Italy.
"Your Excellency Boyle, I am very grateful for your country's interest in our country. However, our country currently has no plans to change the country. Your envoy, please come back."
Faced with the young king's resolute attitude, he could not speak no matter how many thoughts and words he had.
After Boyle was rejected by the young king, he had no choice but to return to his residence.
Mr. Boyle, the High Commissioner for the British East African Colonies, was the secret envoy this time. And he was telling the young King Ejasu in front of him the conditions that the British side could offer.
Since we are preparing for a major battle, in addition to supplies and troops, we must prepare for intelligence, diplomacy and other aspects. Among them, one of the most important tasks is diplomacy.
Ejasu's unwillingness to continue the conversation made Boyle feel helpless. Why were the two kings of Abyssinia so disobedient?
"Kamala?"
Now that there is no more powerful old king, the British have become more active again.
Especially after the war broke out, in order to get the Kingdom of Abyssinia to switch sides, the British offered a lot of money, weapons, and territory, but they were all declined by the old king.
Boyle sneered at this in his heart. It is fair to say that Italy has been very good to the Kingdom of Abyssinia. Although Italian goods are very popular in Abyssinia, Italy also allows them to get their money back. 20,000 to 50,000 per year.
The labor dispatch of people made the Abyssinian royal family and noble governors earn a lot of money (in order to win over the Abyssinian nobles, Italy gave half of the labor wages to the royal nobles. Of course, most of the money was paid in the form of
Commodity arms and other supplies returned to Italy.).
I remember that when the war started, the staff officers of the British and French armies often laughed at Italy's military deployment. It was simply stupid to put a large number of elite troops in the colonies instead of using them in the mainland. As a result, they did not expect that they would become a thorn in their side. This is
So embarrassing.
"His Majesty King Ejasso, our British Empire is very willing to help your country get rid of Italian control. Your country was invaded by Italy more than 20 years ago, which is a trampling on the civilized world. Our country has always felt about your country's experience.
Sympathy. This war now is a punishment for its banditry. In fact, this is also an opportunity for your country.
Just when he was feeling sad about the failure of this mission, his most trusted servant stepped forward and said, "Master, there is a person named Kamala who wants to visit you and says he can solve your troubles."
Look at the current situation in your country. The Italians have plundered a lot of interests in your country. This should originally belong to your country. We in the British Empire do not want to see your country being treated like this, so we are willing to provide sufficient support to help you.
In addition, our country can also distribute enough spoils to your country based on your country's performance. Weapons, machines, funds, and land are all acceptable. If your country performs well enough on the battlefield, we can also help your country regain its
Coastal land.”
Several previous tests have shown that not only the Italian army is not weak, but even its colonial army and the slave country's Abyssinian army are stronger than the British colonial army in Africa, and are comparable to the British and Indian troops. Of course, its weapons
In terms of equipment, there is still a gap with the British and Indian troops.
Boyle recalled in his mind which of the people he knew in Addis Ababa had this name. However, after thinking for a long time, he was sure that not only in Addis Ababa, but also in Abyssinia.
Meet a guy named Kamala.
At this time, Ejasu, as the new young king of Abyssinia, refused these benefits offered by Boyle.
Regarding the visitor's attitude, Boyle looked at him with great interest, trying to find out something from his expression. Unfortunately, his efforts failed because the visitor's expression remained unchanged.
Emotions such as unwillingness, gratitude, fear, etc. are the feelings of the top leaders of the Kingdom of Abyssinia towards Italy.
"I wonder who Mr. Kamara represents and which noble person he is?"
Originally they had given up on winning over the Kingdom of Abyssinia, but Menelik II died at the end of the year. Since he had no son, but had a legal daughter, his grandson Ejasu was finally chosen to succeed him as the new king.
.
Since Italy is very powerful in East Africa, it will not be easy to capture East Africa. In addition to preparing to gather troops in Sudan and British East Africa (Kenya), a large amount of military supplies also need to be prepared.
"Please ask this gentleman to come in."
It can be said that if you want to seize Italian East Africa, the number of troops alone will not be less than 400,000, and they cannot all be colonial troops. You will also need the Allied Powers to send local elite troops.
"Okay, Master."
Although Boyle was a little confused by Ejasu's refusal as soon as he opened his mouth, how could he let the meeting end like this as a businessman.
"Your Majesty the King, if you are not satisfied with our conditions, you can discuss it again."
While speaking, Boyle was guessing who was behind the other party. Not many people could know in a short time that they had failed to visit Ejasu. His mind quickly sifted through these people.
"Mr. Boyle, if you wish, you can see my master."
Still in or near Addis Ababa, Boyle quickly narrowed the scope.
"No problem, I don't know when I can see your master."
