NOVPUBThe situation was broken, and the chaos expected by the outside world did not happen. The only ones really making a move to snatch colonies were England, France, and Austria.
It wasn’t that other colonial empires didn’t want to compete; it was mainly due to insufficient strength. It was good enough for them to hold onto their current territories; they simply didn’t have the capacity to participate in the competition.
With fewer competitors, it was naturally a good thing. If it came to settling the issue through negotiations, probably even England, France, and Austria wouldn’t be able to monopolize the benefits.
The seemingly absurd behavior of the London Government was actually deeply considered. Now, only the small nations suffered damages, and even if there were grievances, they could only be held in. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
Vienna Palace
Foreign Minister Weisenberg, "Your Majesty, news has just come from South America that the French are in contact with the Colombian Government to restart the Panama Canal project."
Franz frowned, "Do we know the true purpose of the French?"
The Panama Canal’s fate had been rocky, with plans existing for several hundred years but never progressing smoothly.
As early as 1534, the Spaniards sent explorers and even built a road to prepare for the canal’s excavation. However, the plans fell through due to the outbreak of wars in Europe.
In 1814, the Spaniards restarted the canal project but, unfortunately, colonial uprisings erupted, and the plans failed again.
The Republic of Colombia also had plans for the canal, but after Austria occupied the Central American region, the plans fell through once again.
From the perspective of Republic of Colombia, while the opening of the Panama Canal could bring substantial economic benefits, the strategic pressure they faced would be immense.
A man is not guilty for carrying jade; he is guilty for bearing it.
Before the canal’s opening, the Panama area had limited value and wasn’t worth the covetous glances of others. Once the canal was navigable, the situation would change. How could the Republic of Colombia preserve the Panama area?
Depend on the French?
That would likely be introducing a wolf into the house. When the fight for the Panama area comes, France will surely be involved.
Foreign Minister Weisenberg, "Currently, we do not have enough intelligence to determine the true intention of the French.
On the surface, it seems to be a spontaneous act by capitalists, with the French government not stepping in. This might just be a probing move."
Franz nodded; this was probably the most reasonable explanation.
Austria had been operating in the Central American region for twenty years and was now deeply entrenched; its influence had long since spread to the Panama area.
Since their strategic failure in Mexico, the French influence in America had plummeted, and competing with Austria was almost impossible.
The benefits of digging the Panama Canal were great, but the risks were even greater. Should Austria send troops to seize the Panama area, their investment might not be completely lost, but a significant devaluation was very possible.
After some thought, Franz, "Regardless of what the French want to do, ignore them. The moment the canal project starts, create a pretext to declare war on Colombia and seize the Panama area directly."
Under the butterfly effect of Franz, the international situation had completely changed. The advantage of knowing history was gone.
Without the benefit of foresight, the only option now was to adapt to circumstances as they arose. It was uncertain what the French wanted to do, but preventing the Panama Canal from opening was definitely correct.
...
Republic of Colombia, ever since the French proposed the opening of the Panama Canal, President Akillae Para Gomez had a headache.
The tremendous economic value brought by the opening of the Panama Canal was obvious to him, but the prerequisite was that Colombia had to have the strength to defend it.
The infiltration of Austria into Colombia was no secret, especially in the Panama area where the highest population ratio was of German descent.
With so many traitors ready to lead the way, should war break out, the Panama area might fall in a matter of days. Everyone was aware of the dangers, yet no one dared to address it.
The Republic of Colombia was plagued with internal conflicts. In the last thirteen years, there had been twelve presidents, averaging a change in presidency every year.
President Akillae Para Gomez had not even considered dealing with this issue. That Austria had not targeted them was lucky enough; who would dare to stir up trouble deliberately!
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The arrival of the French detonated the underlying issues. Domestic capitalists touted the benefits of opening the Panama Canal every day, without considering the accompanying risks.
Of course, from the capitalist’s standpoint, opening the Panama Canal is indeed profitable, and even if the Panama area were lost, it wouldn’t affect their business dealings.
The capitalists within Colombia are not solely native entrepreneurs; a dominant part are compradors, with the shadows of countries like England, France, Austria, the US-West, and others present.
Akilae Para Gomez: "Mr. Nino, I cannot agree to your canal proposal unless your government convinces the Austrians. Otherwise, we cannot restart the Panama Canal project; it involves our territorial strategic security."
Nino smiled slightly: "President, the Austrians are pressing hard, having already penetrated the Panama area. Don’t you want to rid yourself of the Austrian threat?
Once the Panama Canal is open, your country will have the canal as leverage—European powers will not allow Austria to control this Golden Waterway.
After attracting the interests of various parties, even if Austria wanted to make a move, they would have to consider the stance of European nations.
The Vienna Government isn’t crazy; the Panama Canal alone isn’t enough for them to risk it; the risks are not as great as you imagine.’
No matter how Nino tried to lure him, Akilae Para Gomez remained indifferent. Whatever the French said, it was all castles in the air.
After the Panama Canal opens, various powers may indeed prevent Austria from monopolizing the canal, but that doesn’t mean they will allow the Republic of Colombia to take control of it.
Not to mention, the French have put in so much effort, isn’t it to gain control over the Panama Canal?
Akilae Para Gomez was self-aware, knowing that with the power of the Republic of Colombia, there was no way to secure the leading position in the canal, let alone a significant economic stake.
Without sufficient benefits, why should he take the risk? Austria isn’t a pushover—if he angered the Vienna Government and they decided to strike first, regardless of consequences, what then?
In this day and age, might makes right. Weakness is a sin; Akilae Para Gomez did not believe the French would fall out with Austria over Colombia.
Akilae Para Gomez: "Mr. Nino, this is just your personal judgment and does not represent the stance of European governments.
The Panama Canal remains just a theory; we’ve sent people to survey it, but building a major canal in the Panama area is not that simple.
Your country constructed the Suez Canal, so you should be aware of the construction difficulties. The situation in the Panama area is even worse and would require a significant investment.
If we cannot obtain Austrian consent, their meddling could mean the canal may forever remain unnavigable.
European nations won’t oppose Austria for a canal that’s not open, and even your own country may not necessarily support us."
That’s the heart of the matter—the value of the Panama Canal would only manifest after its completion. Currently, there’s nothing, and expecting vocal support is simply an insult to everyone’s intelligence.
In the Central American region, Panama is not the only place where a canal can be dug. It’s just that, compared to others, the Panama isthmus is the narrowest.
That is an advantage but also a disadvantage, for example: the many venomous creatures in the Panama area that threaten the lives of the workers.
In this era, human life is indeed cheap, but mass casualties among workers would still increase costs.
The French might not have discovered these issues, but they couldn’t hide from the Republic of Colombia, the local authority; otherwise, they would not have abandoned developing this Golden Waterway themselves.
Nino knew it was impossible to get something for nothing; without tangible benefits, it would be difficult to get the Colombian Government to cooperate.
"President, if your country grants us the rights to develop the canal, these problems cease to be issues.
Rest assured, with the investment required for the canal plan being so large, we cannot afford to see our funds wash away.
As compensation, we’re willing to persuade the Paris Bank to offer your country an interest-free loan of 100 million francs to help overcome the economic crisis."
Akilae Para Gomez’s face darkened—this was not help but a clear calculation, an attempt to take advantage during a fire.
Following the spread of the economic crisis, European countries such as England, France, and Austria dumped surplus goods overseas at low prices, with South America as one of the most affected regions, and the Republic of Colombia could not escape unscathed.
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