African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1177: Chapter 186: Controversy

The Austria-Hungary Empire, although limited by various factors and lacking stellar military performance, found Russia to be similarly constrained. The issues faced by Austria-Hungary were also present in Russia. The Eastern Front differed from the Western Front; on the Eastern Front, Russia faced both Germany and Austria-Hungary.

As Austria-Hungary held Russia in check, the German Army displayed its might on the Eastern Front, giving the Allies an advantage on both fronts. At this moment, the Ottoman Empire, Russia’s longstanding adversary, made its decision.

”Basra Railway, is it!” Crown Prince Friedrich pondered in his heart upon knowing the intentions of the Three Kingdoms.

The Basra Railway, the unfinished section of Railway 2B, holds significant strategic value. Once completed, it would greatly enhance the Allies’ access to resources, further amplifying their advantage.

Currently, the Allies are generally in a favorable position on the battlefield. With the support of the Basra Railway, their chances of victory would increase further.

The remarkable aspect of the Basra Railway is its significance not only to Germany but also to the entire Allies’ camp.

It could connect the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and ”Balkans Prussia” Bulgaria into one continuous line, linking four Allies’ members.

Of course, a railway is not a maritime route, and even if the Basra Railway is fully connected, its added value to the four nations is limited. Moreover, constructing a railway several hundred kilometers long within a short time span poses significant challenges.

”This is a matter our East African Government still needs to discuss internally. Of course, I will report your opinions directly to my father. Whether it can be realized depends on the internal discussions of the government.” Friedrich said.

Soon, Friedrich submitted the proposal from the Three Kingdoms delegation to the Rhine Palace, and the East African high-ranking officials engaged in a heated debate on whether to construct the Basra Railway.

Minister of Railways Kasso: ”The Basra Railway can certainly be built. The geological conditions from Basra to Baghdad are not complicated, although it does pass through arid desert regions, they are not as challenging as the domestic desert terrains we have faced. It runs through the fertile Mesopotamian plain, which has a solid agricultural and industrial foundation and a relatively large population, making it one of the few excellent lands in the Middle East.”

The Mesopotamian plain has long been an important granary in the Middle East, with developed agriculture and convenient irrigation, with numerous rivers and channels crisscrossing the fertile land.

This is primarily due to the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, the true Two Rivers Valley. Meanwhile, the Shebelle and Juba Rivers in Northeast East Africa, often referred to by East Africans as the Two Rivers Valley, are merely an imitation.

”If we construct a railway line led by East Africa, it will enable us to deepen our influence in the Two Rivers Valley, further expanding our advantage along the Persian Gulf coast.”

”Currently, our domestic railway standards have never been exported on a large scale. This presents a good opportunity.”

Railway construction in East Africa has mostly been concentrated domestically, with minimal development in the colonies. This is largely due to the poor conditions of the East African colonies, which are mainly islands with sparse populations, making railway construction somewhat redundant.

However, with East Kalimantan and the Lanfang Overseas Province becoming integrated, the feasibility of constructing a railway on Kalimantan Island is significantly enhanced. Combined, these regions cover nearly five hundred thousand square kilometers, comparable to some large European countries, though this is a matter for the future.

Domestically, East African railways have approached saturation. If regions like Gabon hadn’t been incorporated, the era of major railway expansion in East Africa might have concluded.

Therefore, the railway department is quite interested in the Basra Railway. With East Africa’s infrastructural capabilities, building a railway only several hundred kilometers long presents relatively low difficulty, given East Africa’s annual railway growth of nearly ten thousand kilometers over the past decades.

However, Merk voiced a contrary opinion: ”The Basra Railway should consider not only economic factors but also the international context. After all, the railway involves two major factions, and both the United Kingdom and Russia have a significant influence and military presence in the Persian Gulf region. Without appeasing the UK and Russia, this railway may not be smoothly completed.”

Merk only mentioned smooth completion because, if East Africa truly wanted to build this railway, it could certainly be completed.

Sivert: ”Since Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire all agree on building this railway, we shouldn’t overly concern ourselves with the attitudes of countries like the UK. After all, the 2B railway predominantly passes through Allied territories, which is a part of normal economic cooperation. As long as we reach an agreement with the Ottoman Government, there would be no major issues.”

”Of course, we certainly won’t construct the Basra Railway following Germany’s plan. In this way, the railway would still require a transfer at Baghdad. For us, we’re not necessarily eager for the complete connection of the 2B railway.”

Germany’s construction of the 2B railway is motivated by both strategic and economic factors. Germany’s economic core is primarily aligned with neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria. In the years leading up to World War I, there was rapid expansion towards the Balkans and the Middle East.

The Middle East is also a key overseas market for East Africa. Previously, East African trade with the Middle East mainly relied on maritime routes, comprised of complex routes through the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea.

Thus, the complete connection of the 2B railway holds limited appeal for East Africa, as East Africa’s trade with Middle Eastern countries does not rely on railways.

However, constructing the Basra Railway according to East African rail standards would differ. Though connecting Baghdad and Basra, East Africa’s railway is unique globally, with rail gauges differing from other countries. Even with the Basra Railway constructed, the 2B railway wouldn’t be entirely interconnected, necessitating a transfer in Baghdad.

Overall, most East African officials support the construction of the Basra Railway. After all, East Africans are also Germans, and most hold favorable views of the Allies, hoping the Allies achieve the final victory in the war.

Emperor Ernst entrusted the final decision to Crown Prince Friedrich.

He asked the Crown Prince, ”Friedrich, what is your opinion?”

Friedrich replied, ”Father, I believe we can build this railway. Moreover, as Duke Sivert suggested, this railway must be constructed according to our national standards. Although this might not satisfy the Three Kingdoms, at this stage, they have no other choice, correct?”

”Additionally, our trade with the Allies is already affected by England and France. Therefore, building the Basra Railway is entirely justified in principle. Currently, no other power in the Indian Ocean can interfere with the Empire’s decisions.”

With the outbreak of the European war, both England and France have withdrawn their main forces back to the European battlefield. This shift allowed the East African Navy, after transferring its naval power to the Atlantic, to emerge with reinforced strength in the Indian Ocean.

Furthermore, the Allies are significantly more crucial to East Africa compared to the Entente, even though the Entente has attempted to influence East Africa. Nonetheless, the Entente market involves competition with the Americans, whereas most Allied business is monopolized by East Africa, presenting entirely different scenarios.

The wealth of Germany and Austria-Hungary rivals that of the Entente. Furthermore, East Africa happens to engage in business with Russia, an essential market for East Africa before the war, especially throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

Russia is equally a major client of East Africa, equaling or surpassing any single nation of the Allies. Given Russia’s reliance on external material support, its principal avenues are East Africa and the United States, with the United States trade mainly being conducted through the Trans-Siberian Railway.

However, East African vessels can directly reach the Black Sea for trade with Russia. After Russia commenced hostilities with Germany and Austria-Hungary, it largely lost its trade channels with Europe, particularly Western Europe.