Chapter 221: Addressing the Population Surge
Ernst, the son of Prince Constantine, was diligently working on his physical fitness when he received a call from his father. During their conversation, they discussed the urgent issue of East Africa's population growth.
Ernst had been closely monitoring the population trends in East Africa. He had observed a significant increase in the number of newborn children in 1869, surpassing 200,000, and anticipated an even higher figure for the current year, possibly exceeding 500,000. This rapid growth was a matter of concern.
Prince Constantine explained the situation and raised the possibility of using administrative measures to control population growth. However, Ernst vehemently opposed such interventions, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and individual freedom.
Ernst believed that allowing East Africans to decide the size of their families was the correct approach. He stressed that East Africa's future strength relied on its population, and he saw mixed-race families as the nucleus of a future German community in East Africa.
Prince Constantine expressed worries about the challenges of raising and educating a growing number of children. Ernst proposed a more adaptable educational approach and suggested that women assume the role of housewives, concentrating on childcare while others, including black laborers, took on agricultural responsibilities. He believed that sharing farming tasks with black laborers would help support East Africa's expanding population.
Although Ernst acknowledged the harsh realities of this strategy, he considered it a necessary step for now. His ultimate goal was to discover new tools and technologies to replace manual labor and enhance mechanization. Until then, managing population growth and ensuring the welfare of East Africa were the top priorities.