Chapter 410: The Navy Issue
In early 1872, Leopold II's push into Africa happened several years earlier than in history, and because he now had the East African Kingdom as a model, he no longer hesitated as before. By all accounts, establishing the Belgian Congo would not be difficult this time around.
The scope of this "Belgian Congo" was roughly the entirety of what would be the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) in another timeline, plus Luanda in Angola, most of Gabon, and small parts of southern Cameroon, eastern Guinea, and western Central Africa. Its total area would be at least six hundred thousand square kilometers. Precisely how much Belgium could take would depend on how many resources it was willing to invest.
The only potential threat to Belgian Congo was France. Yet for the next few years, France was hardly in a position to bother Belgium—indeed, Paris would likely try to court Belgium. States and people alike grow and learn from experience; after being crushed by Prussia, Napoleon III's France had to rethink its foreign policy. If it failed to secure allies, the country might be in danger of annihilation next time. And Belgium, caught between France and Germany, was one such potential ally.
Moreover, the idea of France threatening Belgium's colony was far less plausible than threatening Belgium itself. By losing Alsace-Lorraine, France also lost valuable coal and iron sites, plus its biggest cotton-producing region and second-largest steel and timber base. Now the closest coal and steel region was in Belgium—and half its population spoke French.
As for Portugal's Angola in the Congo Basin, Belgium simply chose to ignore it. Portugal was no longer the once-great maritime empire. Its decline wasn't gradual but catastrophic; its population, economy, and industry were all weaker than Belgium's. Though Belgium itself hadn't been independent for very long, until recently it was part of the Netherlands—still a maritime power not to be dismissed.
The East African Kingdom posed a certain threat to Belgium, too, since East Africa controlled the capital region of what in another timeline would become the Central African Republic (Bangui). Below Bangui, the Ubangi River was navigable year-round—meaning East Africa effectively controlled everything east of the Ubangi in the Congo Basin.
Though East Africa had undertaken no large-scale colonial expansion in the Congo Rainforest, its patrol boats plied the Ubangi and Congo Rivers all the way to what would later be Kinshasa (in the DR Congo). Leopold II was quite aware of that, so he sensibly marked the Ubangi as the line dividing Belgian Congo from the East African Kingdom.
Most importantly, Leopold II, skilled in political dealings, made sure to let East Africa know of his plans to colonize the Congo by way of his sister, Princess Charlotte. Word of his ambitions soon reached Constantino and Ernst.
To this end, Archduke Ferdinand, who usually stayed in Bagamoyo, took leave to accompany Princess Charlotte to First Town.
Archduke Ferdinand: "This letter is from Charlotte's brother, King Leopold II of Belgium. He's planning to expand inland from the West African coast. Do you think it threatens the East African Kingdom's strategic security?"
In East Africa, "strategic security" carries special weight. Almost all of its expansion wars hinge upon that phrase, and many African states have suffered "unjust calamities" as a result. Archduke Ferdinand, evidently influenced by East Africa, now understood the concept's essence.
As East Africa's naval commander, it was natural he'd consider things from the kingdom's viewpoint. Every territory East Africa annexed boosted its power, and because his daughter was set to marry into East Africa's future royalty, he placed East African interests first.
Ernst did not answer at once but carefully read Leopold II's letter, which came with a proposed map of "Belgian Congo."
Ernst: "Well, King Leopold is indeed quite clever at this colonial game. He's found a route that perfectly bypasses not just our East Africa but also other nations' spheres of influence."
On the map, Leopold II used red ink to mark "Belgian Congo," scrupulously leaving the Ubangi's eastern bank to East Africa. Though Ernst had no interest in the Congo rainforest, once East Africa occupied the Azande Plateau, it had effectively controlled the entire region. That was thanks to the Congo River and its tributaries. East Africa commanded many upper reaches, so the rainforest was enveloped in a "pocket" with East Africa holding the strategic initiative. In that jungle terrain, everything depended on river navigation, and any newcomer would be at East Africa's mercy.
Archduke Ferdinand: "So you'd let Belgium expand along the West African coast?"
Ernst: "Yes. If Belgium has that ambition, we needn't object. Even if Belgium didn't grab it, we ourselves wouldn't be able to do much in central-west Africa. The Congo rainforest is a major barrier. We're already stretched thin occupying the Azande Plateau, never mind that we haven't fully exploited the White Nile Basin, which is even closer. The rainforest is huge in area but can't hold many people, so it's more trouble than it's worth. We have better ways to use our efforts—like integrating southern Africa more tightly with East Africa."
Constantino: "I agree with Ernst. We just conquered a load of land in South Africa, expanding the kingdom's area. South Africa is far more important than central or western Africa, in both climate and strategic value."
After all, East Africa remains a mid-sized country with a large area but limited human resources. It needs to recognize its boundaries. Overreaching could be fatal.
Then Ernst changed the subject. "Your Grace, there's a plan regarding our control of South Africa that requires your help."
Archduke Ferdinand: "What plan?"
Ernst explained, "Since defeating the Zulu Kingdom, we now hold some of the southern African coastline. To keep our grip on South Africa, I want to build a port in the old Zulu coastal area."
He took a map from a drawer and laid it on the table, pointing to what in another timeline was Richard's Bay. "Here, in the old Zulu coastal region, our surveys show this site is very suitable for a port. For developing and controlling South Africa, we need a naval-civilian port."
Archduke Ferdinand: "So you want the navy to hold it down?"
Ernst: "Precisely."
Ferdinand grimaced. "You do realize the state of our navy. Isn't this making things difficult for me?"
At the mention of East Africa's navy, Archduke Ferdinand was visibly irritated. In truth, East Africa's naval development hadn't been that slow—there had been no existing foundation—but to the former commander of the Austrian Navy, it was meager indeed.
He had reason. The East African Navy had eight main warships plus thirteen gunboats. Two from Zanzibar were basically worthless. Another two older ships from the Austrian navy were antique sailing vessels. Four newly built ones might be passable, yet they were still wooden-hulled. With ironclads on the rise, they were slipping behind the times. The rumored giant ironclad "Archduke Ferdinand" was still under construction in Trieste's Royal Shipyard, set for completion next March—though Ferdinand himself did not know of its existence yet.
Archduke Ferdinand: "We cover a coastline of over two thousand kilometers with just these few ships, while we also guard Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel. That's already spreading us too thin. Now you want me to add South Africa? You've got some nerve."
Hearing this "righteous complaint," Constantino and Princess Charlotte burst into laughter, for Ernst had indeed been pushing the navy's limits.
But Ernst merely kept calm. "Your Grace, believe me, I'm fully aware of the Navy's plight. Indeed, it's been rough these past few years. But that was because we didn't have the conditions before. Now that I've earned some pocket change in North America, I plan to acquire new vessels for East Africa's navy."
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