"This point has also been discussed in Whitehall and can be alleviated. Now the financial pressure is not great. The operation of the Imperial System of Preferences and the European Community have initially allowed us to escape from the most difficult days." Norman Brooke
He nodded in approval, "Now there is no need to consider giving up the colony to save costs, at least in principle."
"In principle, the only difficult part of the current imperial territory is Nigeria. If our statistics are correct, Nigeria should be the most densely populated place in Africa. Of course, we do not want any colony to become independent easily, but we should put forward the
Have a plan to deal with it to prevent you from being caught off guard."
While talking, Alan Wilson took out an investigation report on Nigeria, which contained Nigeria's response plan.
The remaining British colonies in Africa are mainly on the east coast. West Africa is the weak link of the British. It is the world of the French, the Gold Coast and Nigeria, surrounded by the surrounding French colonies.
Who allowed Germany to lose the war? German Cameroon was divided between Britain and France, and 80% of the land became French Cameroon. So on the map, Britain looks very lonely in Nigeria and the Gold Coast in West Africa.
However, the natural conditions of the two British colonies in West Africa are not bad, otherwise they would not be able to support Nigeria's population of more than 200 million in future generations. Population is also Nigeria's greatest value.
The reason why Nigeria has a high status in Africa and is favored by the five major countries is not unrelated to its huge population.
In fact, during the Cold War, China entered Africa and invested its forces in three key areas: Nigeria, Tanzania, West Africa, East Africa, and Angola, which later caused a melee.
The choice of Nigeria is based on the size of its population, which is useful even in modern societies.
In addition to China, Nigeria also maintains good relations with other major countries, which of course includes the United Kingdom. In fact, other countries, generally new countries after independence from British colonies, send diplomats called ambassadors.
But in many African countries in the Commonwealth, British diplomats there are not called ambassadors, but high missioners, which is the same title as Alan Wilson's position in Malaya.
These ambassadors, called high commissioners, are distributed among the African member states of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to.
The main content of Nigeria's registration is how to maintain British influence in Nigeria if independence cannot be prevented.
Alan Wilson is already very familiar with this set of business. He has experienced it personally in India and Sudan. He knows what Britain needs.
In later generations, Nigeria was also a country where the British maintained relatively good influence. In fact, after the revolutionary wave faded, and African countries were unable to hold up the wall, the British influence was restored.
Norman Brooke just flipped through it casually and asked, "Is it just about the West African colonies?"
"West Africa is surrounded by French Africa. Even if we don't continue to invest, we won't be able to break away from our dependence on Britain in a short time. East Africa is different and requires overseas British troops to continue to be stationed."
It is not difficult to understand what Alan Wilson meant. West Africa can shrink, and even if Britain shrinks, France will still insist on it. In East Africa, Britain can no longer rely on France's strength and needs to maintain British interests on its own.
Fortunately, before Alan Wilson came back, he also went to Northern Rhodesia, thinking that Northern Rhodesia could be used as a base for British intervention in Africa in the future. Moreover, the location of Northern Rhodesia can also be leveraged. This leverage is
Rhodesian and Afrikaner power.
Times are changing, and the investment required to maintain colonies is increasing. Compared with Nigeria, which has too many people, East Africa is currently relatively easy to deal with. Of course, Alan Wilson also knows that a new player will enter the market, and the main dangerous area is Tanzania.
, but he had previously supported the Sultan of Sannibar in expelling blacks.
The Zannibar Islands have been turned into an offshore balance base, and there are currently garrisons from two countries in Zannibar.
One is the British army, and the other is the Egyptian garrison. Yes, after the end of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium in Sudan, the British and Egyptians appeared in the same country again, namely Sannibar, who was tasked with keeping an eye on East Africa.
Once Tanganyika takes an unfriendly turn towards Britain, Sannibar will block the Tanganyika coastline.
British West Africa will draw on the strength of France, the suzerain country of French Africa, while British East Africa, with Northern Rhodesia as its core, will need help from South Africa and Rhodesia. The weak point is Tanganyika, and Zanzibar will be removed in advance.
The connection with Tanganyika is severed, so that if there are changes, we can respond in time.
As for the colonies where the British directly stationed troops, they were mainly in South Sudan and Kenya. This was also the original arrangement of British East Africa.
"It seems that after Sudan becomes independent, the African colonies will usher in a period of stability." Norman Brooke is still very satisfied with this blueprint.
The places where he can draw on his strength have already been mentioned. He gained a lot from Alan Wilson's trip to Africa. He also made a similar judgment that the first phase of post-war contraction has been completed.
This may not be the end, but it can be regarded as an intermission. By the ten years after the war, the British power center had clearly understood that the United States wanted all colonies to be independent, but it would not use military means in an environment where the Soviet Union was eagerly watching.
Come grab it.
It is impossible for Britain to cover everything on the European front against the Soviet Union and its remaining colonies. There may be colonies that become independent in the future. This is a general trend, but London still has the right to decide when to become independent.
Norman Brooke believed that Prime Minister Attlee would also be happy with the news that the colony would usher in a period of stability.
"Do you have anything else?" Norman Brooke saw that Alan Wilson was hesitant to speak, and the cabinet secretary in a good mood proactively asked, "If you need any support, you can just say it."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Dear Sir, Sudan's independence has entered the process. John, the high commissioner, directly transferred to diplomatic work and seems unable to use his abilities." Alan Wilson also
He has not forgotten that the purpose of coming to Whitehall is to find a comfortable home for his colleagues. "Our old boss, Sir Barron, is tired of the heavy work, but Aden's work is very important..."
Norman Brook stared at Alan Wilson with a half-smile, and said with a smile, "It turns out that this is the case. Barron's position is indeed very important, and a tolerant, open-minded, and capable successor is needed."
"Especially reliable!" Alan Wilson continued following the words of the Cabinet Secretary. "With the current colonial position, compared with Africa, there are colonies in various countries that can draw on strength. In the direction of Asia, we are much more isolated. I manage Malaya.
The Persian Gulf, where the Aden commissioners are located, need to support each other. I do not deny that John is my colleague. We were both commissioners of the princely states in the past. We have many similar ideas and it is easy to communicate."
After explaining his reasons, Alan Wilson remained silent. He knew that the final decision was still in the hands of Norman Brooke. After a long time, Norman Brooke had already considered it, "Trust and reliability are mutual. I hope you will
To live up to Whitehall's trust."
"We never dare to forget the imperial responsibility we shoulder." Alan Wilson was overjoyed. Does this mean he agreed?
"Barron has been working for so many years, and it shouldn't be a problem if he persists for a few months. At that time, the Sudanese Commissioner will be transferred to the Aden Commissioner, responsible for the empire's work in the Arab world." Norman Brooke made the final decision.
Of course, Norman Brooke was still concerned about whether the Malayan colony still had the potential to shoulder imperial responsibilities and surpass the status of British India.
"I will prepare some orders." Alan Wilson thought for a moment and used this year's financial balance to develop the chemical industry. He has not forgotten to take the Formosa Plastics route.
It is a very appropriate way to use wealth to purchase the British chemical industry.
"Do you want to develop the chemical industry?" Norman Brook said hesitantly and nonchalantly, "It seems that the local garrison needs to be strengthened, otherwise it will be difficult to ensure local security."
"Sir, I will use five to ten years to establish the chemical industry. Of course, no one can find fault with legal transactions." Alan Wilson said that his immediate boss had misunderstood, and he could not build the British chemical industry in one year.
Industry hollowed out.
This is unrealistic. The British government is not the Soviet government. Nor will it support the development of a place for no reason without money. The British government will never do the stupid support of the Soviet Union.
"Ten years later, Malaya, together with Hong Kong, will create an economic radiation belt for the entire Southeast Asia. This will be used by the UK to jointly control Australia and New Zealand, and can also bring closer relations with the Commonwealth."
"If it succeeds, it would be really gratifying." Norman Brooke listened to Alan Wilson's grand blueprint, and even though it had just started, he couldn't help but feel excited, "At that time, one of the two important wings was
That’s when it’s finished, isn’t it?”
This trip to Whitehall was very fruitful. Norman Brooke did not object to the development of the chemical industry in Malaya. He also approved Sir Barron's candidate to take charge of Aden after he resigned.
Then he went to the Treasury to find Edward Bridges, the permanent secretary. Although the relationship between Edward Bridges and Norman Brooke was subtle, Alan Wilson did not avoid it.
The British finances have greatly improved, but the Labor Party still hopes to find a way to increase military spending, at least not to continue to increase it.
The countermeasure of Mountbatten, the First Sea Lord, was to reduce the number of British troops stationed in the country and increase the number of British troops stationed in Germany. Whether this was feasible, no one knew better than Edward Bridges.