Soon the German side responded, agreeing to the investment and sending a visit invitation to Crown Prince Eder.
Standard Oil Company was faster than Germany and agreed to this contract. So in April 1905, the Romanian Petroleum Company was established, with a total capital of 300 pounds, the royal family accounted for 65%, and the Romanian government 10% (land shareholding)
), Standard Oil has 12.5%, and Germany owns 12.5%.
Regarding this matter, the British and French ambassadors approached the Crown Prince, hoping to contribute funds to join. The Crown Prince refused on the grounds that the funds were sufficient now, but he was reassured by the fact that when it came to expanding funding, Britain and France would be given priority. Now Edel plans to go
Germany, this visit is very important to Romania, but before that, King Carol needs to get permission.
"The situation in Europe is becoming increasingly tense now. Both France and Germany regard each other as a serious concern. Although Russia is fighting in the east, we must also see that France's economic assistance to Russia continues. No matter Russia loses or wins, France will use capital to
The reins pulled Russia back from its own chariot. In addition, France signed an agreement with the United Kingdom last year, and Britain, France, and Russia are getting closer. Although the United States and Britain support Japan in Asia against Russia. After all, Europe is the core of Russia. If something happens, Russia will not stay out of it. Germany,
Even though Austria-Hungary and Italy are allies, they will not back down. Especially in the Balkans, Austria-Hungary and Russia have too many interests intertwined. Once something goes wrong, it will be a European war. For us in Romania, whether it is to protect ourselves or to fight for interests,
A strong military is indispensable. This requires good industrial and financial support."
In the king's office, Edel told King Carol I about his purpose of going to Germany. The old king was very satisfied that the crown prince had such an opinion. "My Edel, when you grow up, feel free to do it. From now on.
After all, this is the world for you young people."
After gaining the support of the old king, Edel got on the train to Germany. Accompanying him to Germany were the military General Pleshan and a large number of government officials. General Pleshan had rich military qualities and superb skills.
Commanding skills were the helpers King Carol needed for Edel to choose to control the army. After a conversation with the general on the train, Edel was very satisfied with General Pleshan.
The train passed through Austria-Hungary and soon arrived in Berlin, the capital of Germany. After getting off the train, Edel saw the German Crown Prince Wilhelm Entes greeting them. Edel stepped forward and gave the crown prince a hug. "Cousin William did not expect you to come back.
pick me up."
"After all, the fact that you are here now is your support for our Germany. We want to tell Europe that the Hohenzollern family is still very united." The Crown Prince patted Edel on the shoulder. Edel knew that what the Crown Prince was talking about was the first Moroccan crisis.
, almost all countries did not support the Kaiser's demands in this crisis. Regarding this visit from Romania, Wilhelm II considered it to be support for his "reasonable" demands.
In fact, this is the reason why Edel chose this time to come. At the dinner held for Romania in Charlottenburg in the evening, Edel and Crown Prince Entes were having a cordial exchange.
At this time, the duty officer came in and said, "His Majesty William has arrived."
At this time, everyone stood up to greet the Kaiser, and then Wilhelm II came in from the door and walked up to the Crown Prince and Edel.
"Welcome to Germany, Edel."
"Thank you very much for your majesty's hospitality. Here I feel the strength of Germany and the prosperity of its people. All of this was achieved under your majesty's wise leadership." Edel flattered the Kaiser in a small way.
"No, this is the result of the people's efforts." It was obvious that the Kaiser was not interested in this flattery. Seeing that the Kaiser was not interested in this, Edel took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to William II, "This is
My father gave it to Your Majesty. I am very sorry for not being able to come this time."
The Kaiser took the letter and chatted with Edel for a few words before walking out of the banquet hall. It was obvious that the Kaiser came just to show the close relationship between Germany and Romania. Then the banquet continued, but no one cared about eating or drinking, and they all chatted about their own topics in a low voice.
.
In the Kaiser's office, Wilhelm II sat on a chair and thought after reading King Carol's letter. Prime Minister Bernhard stood beside him, waiting for his Majesty to think about the problem. Since Prime Minister Bismarck stepped down,
, other prime ministers have become puppets of Wilhelm II. Now faced with the large loan mentioned in King Carol's letter, the prime minister did not dare to express his opinion at will, and the Kaiser himself was undecided for a while.
The next day the Kaiser summoned his ministers, and the Prime Minister told everyone about Romania's request. Moltke expressed that if Romania could be brought into the alliance, he would fully support it. The Minister of Industry also supported that it would be of great benefit to the economy. The Minister of Finance
I am very opposed to this as it will increase the country's deficit.
The news that Romania wanted to borrow money to buy German machinery and supplies was known to the capitalists and factory owners in less than half a day after the Kaiser's meeting. At this time, they also exerted their influence, and finally after three days of discussion
The Kaiser finally agreed to the loan.
After receiving the news, Edel took General Preshan to the Charlottenburg Palace and met William II and Prime Minister Bernhard.
"Your Highness, this is the purchase list for our visit." Edel took out a purchase list and handed it to William II. The Kaiser did not mention what he wanted to buy in the letter from the old King Carol. The old King just
Reaffirmed its obligations to Romania, the post-Three Emperors Alliance, and its support for German rights in Morocco. The most important thing is a loan of 250 million gold marks, mainly used to purchase German machinery, technology and arms. The twenty-year loan will start five years later.
The repayment is secured by Romanian customs and mineral taxes.
In order to pull Romania onto the battlefield, they finally negotiated and agreed. Now the Kaiser looked at the purchase list in his hand, mainly military industry, chemical industry and the emerging internal combustion engine, a 200,000-ton steel plant, and purchased
Mauser 98 rifle technology, G08 heavy machine gun, 105 light howitzer, Knub 150 heavy howitzer, 210 heavy cannon, etc. After the Kaiser read it, he handed it to Prime Minister Bernhard, who would then discuss the next details.
"Crown Prince Edel, there is no problem with the military-industrial government. You only need to contact Mauser and Knupper. I believe there will be a satisfactory result. For chemical industry, just contact Farben Chemical. There is no problem with internal combustion engines. Two hundred thousand tons
Steel plant? Your Highness Eder, I haven't heard about the discovery of large-scale coal and iron in Romania. Is it too expensive to import all this?" Prime Minister Bernhard asked a little uncertainly at the end.
"Building a steel plant is something we have seriously considered, Your Excellency Prime Minister. We plan to place this steel plant in Constanta and use sea transportation to reduce costs." Edel explained to Prime Minister Bernhard. Regarding the steel industry, Edel is also depressed.
Who made Romania have no coal and iron mines? Eastern Ukraine has abundant coal and iron, so it became Russia, and Bohemia also has it, so the Austro-Hungarian Empire is strong, not to mention the Ruhr area. France and Germany fought a war for it.
, are preparing to play the second round, and there will be a third round waiting for them in the future.
Edel has no choice but to rely on himself. Now he can only rely on the experience of later generations of China and rely on sea transportation to solve this problem. Besides, Eastern Ukraine is not too far away, and the freight will not be that high. No, there are still
The Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians also had a lot of coal and iron resources.
