Chereads / Blood and Iron Germany[Part One] / Chapter 35 - Chapter 0035: The Moroccan Crisis

Chapter 35 - Chapter 0035: The Moroccan Crisis

Under the sincere invitation of Qin Tian, Diesel agreed to join Qin Tian's engine manufacturing company. Qin Tian purchased all the patents for Diesel's diesel engine for five million marks. 

Simultaneously, Qin Tian appointed Diesel as the chief engineer of the diesel engine division at the Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company, entrusting him with further research on diesel engines. Soon, Qin Tian would invest at least twenty million marks to establish a research and development center and factory in Augsburg, aiming to swiftly produce highly reliable diesel engines.

In May 1905, the Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company was officially founded. In addition to the previously established diesel engine division, there were also divisions for steam turbines and gasoline engines. In the future, an aviation engine division would be added to ensure comprehensive coverage of land, sea, and air. Of course, Qin Tian remained focused on military applications. As the military transitioned into mechanization, the demand for high-power engines would be significant, directly impacting combat effectiveness. By laying the groundwork now, Germany could undoubtedly secure a leading position in this regard on the global stage.

Qin Tian's ventures officially entered a period of rapid development. The Deutsche Shipyard began a large-scale expansion; with substantial financial investment, this medium-sized shipyard, established over a century ago, underwent tremendous transformation. Although the Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company was just beginning, it had already positioned itself at the forefront of the diesel engine and steam turbine fields due to its acquisition of comprehensive technology. The technology for the Curtis steam turbine obtained from the United States was being organized for research by engineers under Qin Tian's direction, with the goal of developing large steam turbines suitable for battleships, thus enhancing the speed of the battleships being constructed.

Although Qin Tian knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, he also relished the sensation of altering the world through his own efforts. Even though his current influence on Germany and world history was minimal, he believed this marked an excellent beginning. As long as he could continue to advance, his impact would grow significantly. Before long, Germany would undergo substantial changes thanks to his contributions. However, the inertia of history remained potent. Whether Germany would win wars and alter its fate due to Qin Tian's presence was uncertain. All he could do was strive to ensure victory for Germany.

As Qin Tian's enterprises thrived, Germany faced a diplomatic crisis. The nation experienced a significant diplomatic failure, inciting widespread public outrage. Consequently, global tensions began to escalate.

Morocco, a country located in the northwest of Africa, had been invaded by Western powers since the 15th century. As the 20th century commenced, Morocco's situation grew increasingly tumultuous. France and Spain vied for their respective interests in Morocco, while substantial German capital also flooded into the region.

In April 1904, an agreement was reached between Britain and France, wherein France promised not to interfere with British actions in Egypt, and in return, Britain acknowledged Morocco as France's sphere of influence. This encroached upon Germany's interests in Morocco.

In February 1905, France demanded that Morocco undergo reforms under French supervision, seeking to make Morocco a protectorate. Germany immediately responded with resistance. On March 31, Emperor Wilhelm II visited the Moroccan city of Tangier, proclaiming that Germany would uphold Morocco's independence and that foreign interests in Morocco must be treated as absolutely equal. Subsequently, German Chancellor von Bülow proposed that all countries involved in the 1880 Madrid Treaty convene an international conference to discuss the Moroccan issue.

The Madrid Treaty stipulated that all foreign nationals and their citizens in Morocco enjoyed equal commercial rights and other privileges. Germany's ultimatum to France was framed with the threat of war, prompting French Foreign Minister T. Delcassé to adopt a hardline stance, backed by Britain. The situation became increasingly tense.

On June 6, a heated debate occurred within the French cabinet, leading to Delcassé's resignation. Prime Minister M. Rouvier assumed the role of Foreign Minister and continued negotiations with Germany.

On July 8, an agreement was reached to convene an international conference involving the signatories of the Madrid Treaty to discuss the Moroccan issue. 

However, Germany clearly found itself at a disadvantage regarding the Moroccan matter. 

At the German palace, Wilhelm II convened a council meeting with Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow, Foreign Minister von Kiderlen-Waechter, Chief of the General Staff Hermann von Moltke, Army Minister von Falkenhayn, Navy Minister Tirpitz, and Crown Prince Wilhelm in attendance.

As for Qin Tian, despite his recent achievements marking a stark contrast to his previous performance and garnering the attention of Wilhelm II, he was still not deemed qualified to attend such a significant meeting.

"Father, we cannot continue to remain passive. The French actions in Morocco utterly disregard our interests there, which is a violation of the German Empire's rights and sovereignty. We must not compromise any longer. We must demonstrate our resolve with our formidable military strength and compel the French to retreat," Crown Prince Wilhelm's impassioned voice echoed in the office.

Crown Prince Wilhelm's stance on the Moroccan issue was quite resolute, understanding it represented the voice of the people. The military's position was equally uncompromising. By taking such a stance, he would undoubtedly gain more support, further solidifying his position as heir apparent.

Qin Tian's recent developments instilled a profound sense of crisis within Crown Prince Wilhelm, who needed to devise measures to ensure the stability of his heir position.

"Your Majesty, public sentiment is quite agitated domestically. The majority believe we cannot afford to back down any longer; otherwise, the Empire's overseas interests will remain unprotected," Chancellor von Bülow concurred.

Germany achieved unification only in 1870, and although its subsequent development was rapid, it soon realized that it had become a world-class power amidst a world already divided. In the ensuing scramble for colonies, Germany only acquired a few insignificant territories. This disparity between Germany's vast economic and military strength and its meager colonial holdings fostered growing discontent with nations such as Britain and France, which imposed trade barriers on their colonies, preventing German industrial products from entering. 

The Moroccan incident served to ignite the fury of the German populace.