African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 478 - 156: Quasi-Allied Relationship
After driving Ferdinand away, Franz called his staff to discuss the necessity of forming an alliance with East Africa, but to be cautious, he decided to first discuss it with the Austrian government.
"Why should we form an alliance with an African country? Do we want to be laughed at by other countries on the European continent? To be honest, even forming an alliance with infidels from the Middle East sounds better than joining hands with an African country, Egypt being the exception, of course," said the Prime Minister of the Austrian government.
"However, as far as I know, the Heixinggen royal family of the East African Kingdom wields considerable influence within the empire. They control important sectors of the imperial economy, such as railways, steel, grain, and electricity, which are crucial for the stability of the kingdom’s economy and regime. If we do not choose East Africa, it will inevitably affect our relationship with the Heixinggen royal family, and we also have substantial interests in East Africa, so we have a foundation for cooperation," the Minister of Finance retorted.
"If the empire joins with East Africa, I believe the Hungarian government will be the first to oppose it!" said the Prime Minister.
Franz agreed: "That’s also why I sought your counsel. Cooperating with East Africa is indeed detrimental to our international reputation, and if we form an alliance, will it affect the international situation? Will England and France misjudge that we have designs on Africa and react aggressively?"
"Your Majesty, that is certain to happen. Every move of the empire is under the watch of other countries. If we show interest in East Africa, it will likely trigger a chain reaction. The problem is, we have neither the intention nor the capability to colonize Africa, which is contrary to our focus on the European continent," the Prime Minister replied affirmatively.
"Hmm, but we can’t underestimate the rising power of the East African Kingdom, especially in terms of naval capabilities. The Heixinggen royal family has ordered many warships from Austria, and due to Princess Karina, the relations between the two royal families are quite amicable."
"But that doesn’t mean anything. Relationships between countries are still primarily based on national interests. What benefits do we gain from an alliance with East Africa?" the Prime Minister countered.
Franz spoke up: "We know too little about East Africa. Its position has always led Europe to overlook it, but what exactly is East Africa’s comprehensive strength? How much control does the Heixinggen royal family wield over Africa?"
"Your Majesty, you don’t know either?" To the Prime Minister, the Heixinggen and Habsburg royal families are connected by marriage, so the royal family should be well aware of East Africa’s national conditions. After all, the commander of the East African navy is one of their own.
Franz shook his head and said: "I might have a general understanding of East Africa’s situation a few years ago. At that time, East Africa had a certain scale, but much time has passed."
"Judging by East Africa’s ability to procure steel and warships from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, East Africa’s national power should not be underestimated," analyzed the Minister of Finance.
"That’s different. The wealth of the Heixinggen royal family should be viewed separately from East Africa. Take the navy, for instance. If the Rothschild family wanted to, I believe they too have the power to form their own private navy. Many American nouveau riche probably have this capability as well," the Prime Minister denied, viewing the Heixinggen royal family as such a nouveau riche, albeit a traditional aristocratic one, making it slightly different.
And why does the Heixinggen royal family have so much money? Simply look at the enterprises they have established in the German region to find out. Just the size of Heixinggen Bank can rival nations.
In fact, many aristocrats envy or are even jealous of the wealth of the Heixinggen royal family, but it stops there. Primarily, they don’t want to break the aristocratic rules, and secondly, the Heixinggen consortium isn’t dormant; its vast size affects millions of workers and farmers’ livelihoods.
The Heixinggen consortium differs from Jewish capital in that it truly values real industry. These industries, while creating value for the Heixinggen royal family, also do so for both Germany and Austria. Therefore, to move against the Heixinggen consortium would be like cutting oneself, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire clearly cannot accept this approach; any turmoil might deeply injure this ancient empire, and no aristocrat wishes for 1848 to recur.
"So, the main point still lies with the Heixinggen royal family. It wouldn’t be wrong to say East Africa is a private property of theirs. The question is whether we choose to align with the Heixinggen royal family."
Minister of Finance: "Personally, I support cooperation because working with East Africa helps stabilize the imperial economy. I believe the imperial navy shares this view. Without East Africa’s orders, the navy’s two ironclad ships would’ve been impossible to manifest out of thin air."
Prime Minister: "Cooperating with East Africa indeed benefits us, but East Africa’s unusual pursuit of imperial protection clearly indicates a request. What could possibly compel the Heixinggen royal family to do this? What are their reasons?"
Franz was stumped by this question too. Indeed! Why didn’t the Heixinggen royal family make this request before, but changed their stance after developing further?
The Prime Minister continued: "This time, the East African Kingdom is seeking cooperation, indicating that they are facing threats they cannot handle on their own... perhaps from England, France, or Portugal, which have significant influence in Africa!"
"It’s very likely. East Africa is evidently looking to make us their shield to prevent external threats!"
"If that’s the case, it makes sense!"
"So, should we do it? What if England and France truly have designs on Africa; won’t we be dragged into it?"
Franz also fell silent. If it’s indeed as the Prime Minister described, it’s a difficult decision.
East Africa does face such threats, but not as seriously as the Austrian sovereign and ministers believed. This is an intelligence deficiency leading to a misjudgment.
"Is there a way to maintain friendly relations with the Heixinggen royal family without getting dragged into trouble?" Franz decided to have his subordinates think harder.
After some thought, the Minister of Finance said: "If so, perhaps we could pursue limited cooperation, embracing East Africa while ensuring we don’t fall into the controversies of Africa."
"How would limited cooperation work?"
"We wouldn’t cooperate with East Africa in the name of the empire, but rather in the name of the Austrian government. Austria can’t fully represent the empire, so when East Africa has disputes with other countries, the empire can remain detached. After all, Hungary’s attitude also determines the empire’s direction, and the Heixinggen royal family can’t comment on it."
The idea from the Austrian Minister of Finance was to have Austria enjoy the benefits while letting Hungary take the blame.
"Ahem, let’s not speak divisively in the future, but regarding the alliance with East Africa, your Austrian government can handle it independently," Franz said.
Prime Minister: "If that’s the case, it is indeed a feasible plan. We negotiate alone with East Africa representing only Austria, not the empire as a whole."
...
June 1876.
The Austrian government alone signed the "Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance between the Kingdom of Heixinggen and the Kingdom of Austria" with the Kingdom of East Africa, forming a quasi-alliance.
The actions of the Austrian government caused displeasure among the Hungarian side. What are you doing? Why didn’t you discuss it with us?
The Austrian Prime Minister said to the Hungarian Prime Minister: "This is for the development of Austria’s economy. The business groups in Austria have significant shared interests with East Africa."
Hungary: "Then why is the treaty you’ve concluded a quasi-alliance treaty? Why not just sign an economic treaty!"
"In this aspect, the Austrian government has its own plans. The treaty’s content is limited to the Kingdom of Austria and will not negatively affect Hungary."
"You mean the treaty content does not represent the empire’s will!"
"Of course, if it represented the empire, we’d certainly consult with you!" the Austrian Prime Minister chuckled.
This response somewhat satisfied the Hungarian side, as their primary concern was preventing the Austrian government from representing the entire empire. Otherwise, what’s the difference between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the former Austrian Empire!
If it’s merely the Kingdom of Austria’s independent diplomatic activities with other nations, Hungary has little reaction, as Hungary has its own diplomatic department.
In reality, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has three governments: the Central Government, the Austrian Government, and the Hungarian Government. Both Austria and Hungary have a certain degree of autonomy, allowing Austria to bypass Hungary in conducting a seemingly ambiguous alliance with East Africa. Therefore, the two parties are allied, yet not entirely bonded.
