Chapter 197: Oolong Dialogue
Upon realizing Maximilian I's intentions regarding naval forces in East Africa, Prince Constantine decided to engage in a discussion before making any commitments. He admitted that he hadn't initially considered the defense of East Africa's coastline since he lacked knowledge in naval matters.
"Being from Hexingen, which is landlocked and far from the sea, I seldom thought about the navy. Even during my time in the Prussian army, my focus was on land-based operations," Prince Constantine explained.
He pointed out that while Europe had numerous powerful navies, naval expenditures were becoming increasingly costly. Many European nations might prefer to invest in expanding their armies if given the choice, especially since there were opportunities for territorial expansion within Europe itself.
Prince Constantine provided the example of France, which had both a coastline and land territory. Despite its powerful navy, France focused more on its army. Other countries like Britain and Austria had limited influence over France, and as long as France managed its foreign relations well, it could secure the interests of smaller countries.
Maximilian I acknowledged the high cost of building a navy but argued that it was a matter of prioritization. He believed that even if East Africa didn't aim for a large navy, a small fleet, or even a few gunboats, could be considered.
He highlighted the importance of coastal defense, noting that East Africa had numerous forts along the coast. However, these forts were primarily designed for land-based defense, and artillery was not effective for deterring naval threats. Maximilian I emphasized that the vulnerability of East Africa's coast to naval attacks and the potential for piracy were real concerns.
Prince Constantine agreed with Maximilian I's points but noted that there were differences between East Africa and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Zanzibar's main territory was on the island itself, while East Africa's forces were deeper inland, making it challenging to establish a naval foothold.
Maximilian I clarified that he wasn't just raising security concerns but was also thinking about East Africa's future development. He argued that building a navy required long-term planning, including the accumulation of personnel, equipment, and expertise. Even if East Africa continued expanding inland, it would eventually need a navy of its own.
Prince Constantine came to understand the importance of naval forces in East Africa's future but wondered if Ernst had already considered it. However, the information flow in East Africa was not well coordinated, and not all relevant data reached Ernst. Thus, this dialogue revealed some gaps in their knowledge.
Ernst did have plans for the development of the East African Navy, but due to the ongoing Northwest Campaign and various administrative responsibilities, the idea had been temporarily put on hold. Additionally, the River and Lake Forces in East Africa, while not a true naval force, operated on the Great Lakes, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi, offering some experience in maritime operations. Nevertheless, the conversation highlighted the need to revisit and formalize these plans in the future.