My Italian: Chapter 298 The arrow is on the string make up for the day before yesterday
Simeone's telegram was soon sent to Rome, and the request of Menelik II also caused a big wave in the high-level government.
For the request of Menelik II, most high-ranking officials believed that his ambition was untamed, and it was not conducive to Italy's control of the land at all. Some people even said that if the Abyssinians were given so many weapons, then Italy would shoot itself in the foot, and it would definitely betray Italy.
In the face of such a wave of opposition, although some people think that it is completely possible to gamble, the reason is that the Italian strength can completely subdue the Abyssinians.
However, these voices of support were completely ignored in view of the loud opposition.
Of course, the differences within the government are nothing to Prime Minister Depretis. He needs to know what His Majesty means first.
"Your Majesty, this is the current state of the government."
After listening to the Prime Minister's report on the government's attitude, Carlo said immediately. "The attitude of the military is very different from yours, and they are very willing to facilitate this transaction."
Yes, as a hawkish military, the Abyssinians are very happy to buy arms. Because the Abyssinians are mainly to deal with the Sudanese, although Italy cannot end the game in person, but if Abyssinia fights Sudan to cede land and pay indemnity, it will also expand Italy's sphere of influence in East Africa in disguise.
As for whether the Abyssinians have the heart to resist after their strength has increased greatly. To paraphrase the words of Marshal Cadorna, Minister of War, if we can hit him once, we can hit him a second time.
In the face of Carlo's statement about the military's attitude, Prime Minister Depretis disagreed. "Your Majesty, although the attitude of the military can be used as a reference, I don't think it is enough. You must know that the last war between our country and the Abyssinians cost more than 200 million lire, although the Abyssinians are still It is docile, but the situation is not the same. If there is another time, how much should it cost?"
The Prime Minister's meaning is also clear to Carlo. Although the Abyssinians are currently respectful to Italy, there is still the possibility of rebellion. Perhaps at the instigation of someone with a heart, maybe the Abyssinians will raise the flag of rebellion.
And selling such a large amount of arms to the Abyssinians is obviously more beneficial to them.
But Prime Minister Depretis said so much, but the final decision rests with Carlo. Although he also knows that the Prime Minister's concerns are not impossible, Carlo always thinks it is not good.
As for why it's not good, he can't tell, maybe it's a problem of cognition. Carlo thinks that a submissive country like Abyssinia is like a younger brother, and Italy should let the younger brother drink soup when eating meat. A practice that only knows how to squeeze without knowing how to give benefits will not last long.
Of course, if the country is called India, that is another story. It would be kindness not to knock India out of the bone. After all, what Indians pursue is the afterlife, and suffering in this life is prepared for the sake of happiness in the afterlife. The more suffering you suffer in this life, the happier you will be in the next life. Maybe you will be promoted directly from the Sudra in this life to the Brahmin in the next life. Everything will be worth it.
"According to the advice of the military, agree to the request of the Abyssinians."
"His Majesty!"
Carlo's words shocked the Prime Minister. Facing the Prime Minister who stopped him, he looked at the other party. "Prime Minister, this matter has been decided. The more important thing for the government at the moment is to find out the attitudes of various countries. Governor Antonio is very anxious to wait."
Yes, what Carlo said is the most important thing for the Italian government at the moment. By comparison, the purchase of arms by Abyssinia is a trivial matter. After years of development, Italian Borneo has always been saturated, and now Italian Borneo is eyeing Dutch Borneo. In fact, it is not necessarily the case that the development of Italian Borneo is completed. At present, Italian Borneo still has a large number of primitive jungles, but the development cost of these places is too high.
As an investor, the most important thing is the return rate, so there is no better place than the Dutch Borneo, which is sitting on the sidelines and not shitting. The main thing is to bully the Lantians. Italy has no pressure at all. As long as the British are dealt with, everything else is easy to say.
The riot planned by the Governor Antonio before did not let the Dutch people relax.
So when Governor Antonio sent a secret letter half a year ago, Rome agreed without much thought.
After all, for the Italian government, the Borneo colony was a major source of revenue. Although this place is not good for growing food, it is very good to grow tropical cash crops, whether it is rubber or pepper, or other cash crops are very good.
As for why only the British were asked, the reason is simple. At present in Southeast Asia, Italy attaches the most importance to the opinions of the British, because the British are the most powerful.
Of course, it is not that Italy does not pay attention to the opinions of other countries, but considering the current situation, it is impossible to pay attention to it. Because Italy is encroaching on the interests of the Dutch this time, other countries must have objections.
Although the French are not weak in Southeast Asia, they pay more attention to Indochina and South China. As for the Spaniards, it would be nice to keep their Philippines. The only little ancestral heritage of the declining Spaniards has many people making up their minds. Provoking Italy is not a wise choice. As the doomed victim of the Dutch, Italy does not care about their attitude.
So spare a circle, this time is still the most important attitude of the British.
In the face of the king's inquiry, Prime Minister Depretis said immediately. "Your Majesty, we have talked to the British. But the British are asking for a high price. They demand that our country open the Borneo colony to British businessmen and not set up obstacles to their investment."
Hearing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo couldn't help frowning. "Did the English not give in at all?"
The reason why Carlo asked this was to know the attitude of the British.
"That was the condition from the start, the British didn't budge at all."
After hearing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo quickly grasped the point. "So, the attitude of the British has changed, shouldn't it?"
Don't blame Carlo for saying that, when he negotiated with the Dutch earlier, there was a loophole in the treaty that did not include the remaining colonies of Borneo. Although the Dutch were unwilling, all countries acquiesced at that time. Is there a variable?
Carlo was right, and indeed there were variables. It's to blame. Former Prime Minister Cairoli thought that the construction of Borneo was too successful. The former prime minister left behind a colony that earned nearly 100 million a year, which made the British jealous. For this reason, London has been accused more than once, that it is too inappropriate to leave this colony to Italy.
Of course, these accusations are a bit excessive~www.mtlnovel.com~ Before Italy took it over, no other country thought about investing money here. When Italy invested a lot of money to develop it, it began to be jealous again. Regardless of how prosperous Italy is in Borneo, the British are not bad, and their Malayan colony also has a lot of income, which is much higher than that of the Italian colony.
However, although Carlo didn't want to understand where the variables were, in any case, the arrow was on the string, and he had to send it.
"Since the British are going to die, let's continue talking, and we don't need to improve our conditions. The British will naturally let go."
Of course, Prime Minister Depretis understands Carlo's words. "What does your majesty mean?"
Carlo pointed out directly. "Yes, sometimes you don't have to care too much about other people's attitudes."
That's right, Carlo intends to get stronger. He did not believe that the British would declare war on Italy for the Dutch. Sometimes showing a tough attitude will make others respect you. Carlo thinks there is nothing wrong with showing the attitude of Italy now.
Of course, he also has his own confidence in saying this, because the navy, which he relies on most, has a secret weapon.