Chapter 408: The Executioner is Online
In March 1871, King Leopold II of Belgium shared his ambitious vision with his cabinet members. He firmly believed that Belgium's future hinged on acquiring vast colonies. Despite his childhood dream of making Belgium a great nation, the country's small size and strategic location between larger powers made this dream challenging to achieve. Leopold II saw colonies as the solution.
By 1872, news of East Africa's remarkable success in South Africa reached Leopold II. This development intensified his longstanding fascination with Africa.
Leopold II addressed his ministers with a question: "Who among you is familiar with the East African Kingdom?"
The ministers exchanged puzzled glances; none of them had detailed knowledge of the East African Kingdom beyond hearing its name.
Expressing his frustration, Leopold II remarked, "I've consistently stressed that Belgium's future lies in colonies, but it seems my words have fallen on deaf ears."
One minister explained, "Your Majesty, it's not that we disregard the importance of colonization. It's just that colonization can be prohibitively expensive, especially if the colony isn't agriculturally fertile. In such cases, the value of occupying such lands may be limited."
Leopold II dismissed this view, saying, "That's a fallacy! Every piece of land holds value; it just takes wise minds to recognize it. The only two individuals in the world as astute as myself are the Hohenzollern Blacks and Prince Constantine of Hechingen."
He then presented detailed information about the East African Kingdom. Since 1865, the Hechingen royal family had embarked on colonization efforts in East Africa. By 1872, it was estimated that the East African Kingdom's land area in Africa spanned several million square kilometers, with its army presence stretching from Somalia to South Africa and into central and western Africa.
This revelation took Ernst by surprise. Leopold II had gathered data on East Africa, including the significant growth of Mombasa Port's population and the bustling trade activity between the port and the East African Kingdom.
Ernst couldn't help but reflect on the fact that he, too, had sent observers to Mombasa to study East Africa's development.
Leopold II continued, "I possess information on the Kingdom of East Africa. Do you know of the Bank of Hechingen?"
He proceeded to attribute the bank's rapid rise to prominence in Germany to the vast resources the East African Kingdom had provided to the Hechingen royal family. Leopold II believed that Africa represented untapped wealth, and the Principality of Hechingen had secured a substantial share of it, thanks to their colonization efforts.
While the East African Kingdom did contribute to the Bank of Hechingen's growth, Leopold's assessment was somewhat exaggerated. Ernst knew that the bank's success was also attributed to timely investments during various wars and economic booms, rather than solely the resources from Africa.
Leopold II advocated immediate action in Africa, fearing that Belgium would be left with mere scraps behind the East African Kingdom.
Despite his typically cautious demeanor, the East African Kingdom's rapid ascent, combined with the Cape Town Colony's capitulation to them, spurred Leopold II into action. The East African Kingdom's successful compromise with Cape Town, a British colony, especially drew his attention.
Ernst had orchestrated the rescue of Archduke Ferdinand, Princess Charlotte's husband and Leopold II's brother-in-law. Leopold II was aware of the circumstances surrounding this event, and it piqued his interest in East African colonies. He knew that the Royal Family of Hechingen had followed a similar path to colonization.
Leopold II's sister, Princess Charlotte, had sought assistance from various European countries, including Belgium, during her husband's difficulties in Mexico. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire couldn't intervene due to the Austro-Prussian War. Leopold II initially thought that the Habsburgs had saved Archduke Ferdinand but later discovered it was Ernst who had rescued him.
He had also sent observers to Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to study East Africa, uncovering the influx of Germans and Far Easterners into the region.
Leopold II saw an opportunity to replicate the success of the East African Kingdom and emulate the Hechingen royal family. He believed that with Belgium's larger population and industry, the country could establish itself as a significant colonial power in Africa.
He urged his ministers to develop a plan quickly, recognizing that time was of the essence. Leopold II was determined to make Belgium's presence felt in the scramble for Africa's riches.
(End of this chapter)