African Entrepreneurship Record

The tacit understanding between East Africa and the United States quickly caught the attention of Britain, France, and other countries, and of course, to be precise, dissatisfaction, especially Britain inevitably had some suspicion.

Launching a coup on the same day and then remaining at peace, this looks like ”premeditation.” Previously, Britain wanted to wait and see, but the expected conflict between the two countries over the Hawaii issue did not occur, further confirming the suspicions of Britain and France.

”We strongly suspect that East Africa and the United States had reached some understanding before the coup. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that both countries experienced a coup on the same day, obviously having made ample preparations to divide the Hawaiian Islands?” said Wilson, the British minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii, and Kabusel, the French minister on the island.

Kabusel thought the same. He said, ”Now that the matter is a foregone conclusion, we need to protest to the U.S. government and demand that it accept the interests and claims of our two countries,”

Why not resort to East Africa, the reason is simple. East Africa only holds Kauai, while the U.S. controls a series of islands. Engaging with East Africa wouldn’t yield Kauai, but negotiating with the U.S. could leverage other islands.

Soon, the U.S. government received inquiries from Britain and France. In fact, Japan was also disgruntled, but it didn’t command respect internationally and wasn’t regarded as a powerful country, unable to demand concessions from the U.S. as confidently as Britain and France.

Thus, President Cleveland soon faced the anticipated problem, as British and French diplomats began negotiations with the United States over the Hawaiian Islands issue.

And East Africa, one of the ”perpetrators,” became a bystander, not knowing which benefits the U.S. conceded to quickly pacify the British and French governments.

Yet, the most crucial issue regarding the Hawaiian Islands remained unresolved, which was the American property temporarily ”managed” by East Africa on Kauai.

”Rog has been putting on a pathetic act at the Hawaii Republic these past few days, and he’s doing quite well,” John Cran muttered.

Rog’s identity couldn’t be revealed, so John Cran didn’t disclose Rog’s identity to others. However, Rog, as one of the main merchants of former Kauai, had some actions in Honolulu that easily reached Kauai.

It was unlikely that Rog alone could manage this, but with numerous ”victims” like him, dozens of former Kauai merchants, with Americans from Kauai, demanded answers from the Honolulu city government, having some effect.

And on this point, the United States naturally couldn’t ignore, after all, it must uphold the legal rights of its merchants; making headlines in newspapers would look bad.

Regarding the issue of returning American citizens’ property from Kauai, soon, the U.S. envoy to Hawaii personally negotiated with East Africa.

U.S. envoy to Hawaii Ambassador Steven arrived on a U.S. warship at Kauai, with a grim face; he was the main orchestrator of the recent Hawaiian coup.

After all, without his tacit approval, American merchants wouldn’t have dared to instigate a coup in Hawaii. No matter how weakened, the Kingdom of Hawaii was still a nation with a military presence; in case of an accident, mainland U.S. would be relied upon.

”That’s an East African warship!” Steven remarked, looking at the ship from the East African Pacific Fleet, which was slightly bigger than his vessel.

Since this Hawaiian coup did not involve local troops, Steven’s ship was naturally inferior to the regular warships of the East African Navy, even to the seemingly superficial East African Navy Pacific Fleet.

Although an East African gunboat is not as majestic as an ironclad, in many countries it can serve as a main battleship, and East Africa deploying three at once to Kauai demonstrated to Ambassador Steven East Africa’s resolve in securing Kauai.

But the more it was like this, the more Steven ground his teeth in hatred. Being the mastermind behind the Hawaiian coup, East Africa’s actions this time were essentially undermining Steven’s efforts. Firstly, because of East Africa’s intervention, the U.S. had to split the Hawaiian Islands with another country rather than having sole control.

All these losses would ultimately be pinned on Steven because the coup was his private initiative, not mainland-authorized, likely ruining his career prospects upon his return and possibly holding him accountable.

But now, it was too late to say anything; Steven could only try to recover losses for the U.S. ”victims” to prevent them from suing him upon their return home.

Upon landing in Lihu’e, Steven was directly escorted to the East African Governor’s Mansion in Hawaii. Seeing the East African flag and the North Hawaiian Kingdom flag waving at the East African Governor’s Mansion, Steven felt an ache in his heart.

Concerning compensation, East Africa negotiated with Ambassador Steven for a long time. Unlike the previous lavish purchasing of industries on Kauai, East Africa now fought for every penny.

Ultimately, East Africa still acquired a portion of American assets at 0.3% above market price, including ”Rog’s” share, although this money essentially went from one hand to the other.

And for the American merchants unwilling to accept this, East Africa returned their assets; however, they couldn’t take them away, only operating on Kauai, primarily land and property.

For these Americans lingering on Kauai, East Africa had ways to deal with them, such as slightly increasing taxes. Eventually, they would comply obediently, but to temporarily stabilize the U.S. government, the East African government wouldn’t act directly, waiting to implement related works until the defenses on Kauai were completed.

…

”Brother Rog, don’t sigh, at least you got your money back, worst case you develop elsewhere. Back home, opportunities aren’t lacking, based on your wealth, once back, I believe you can still thrive,” Endress consoled.

Feigning a forced smile, Rog said, ”Thanks for your comfort, but after so many years of effort, all in vain, these East Africans are simply beasts!”

Rog’s expression of bitter hatred evoked sympathy from the Americans present, while others slightly gloated, thankful their assets weren’t deployed on Kauai, lest Rog’s pitiful predicament be theirs yesterday.

”Brother Rog, what are your plans for the future?”

Sighing, Rog said, ”Fortunately East Africa compensated a little, so I’m not losing everything. I plan to take this money and see about heading to the West (United States), as the risks of conducting overseas business are too great. My small frame can’t handle it; I advise you all as well that it might be best to leave this land of trouble.”

His words resonated with everyone; after all, if one could thrive at home, who would willingly venture into this Pacific hinterland. Hawaii’s location couldn’t even match remote areas, with a tropical rainforest climate; without strategic value and decent returns, no one would risk seeking fortune here.

”In a couple of years, once I’ve earned enough money, I’ll definitely return to invest in the U.S.; I’ll treat you to a drink then,” Endress reassured.

But Endress could never have thought that the seemingly innocent man before her was actually an East African spy, and regarding any future meetings, Endress never heard of Rog again.

No one knew where ”Rog” ultimately went; after all, Rog was just a codename, one among a dozen or even more.

Amid the reluctant farewells, Rog departed the sorrowful lands of Hawaii with his ”employees,” waving tear-farewell to everyone from the ship.

After the ship had traveled a distance.

”Chief, where are we headed next?”

At this moment, Rog no longer had the pitiful demeanor; with high spirits, he said, ”We’re heading to Florida...”