I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 441

< The Great Swindler (3) >

With the dramatic negotiations settled, there was nothing left to impede Leopold II’s control over the Congo.

In fact, this conference, essentially an earlier version of the Berlin Conference in history, held considerable historical significance.

If the 17th and 18th centuries were a nightmare for the Black people living along the African coast, the 19th century brought nightmares to those residing inland.

Originally, before the 19th century, Europe had been exploiting Africa enthusiastically, but it couldn’t penetrate deep inland.

This was because they faced too many losses from malaria and other endemic diseases, and they lacked accurate geographical information.

Even when procuring slaves from the interior, they mainly gave money or goods to African tribes near the coast and hired them to do the work.

However, as medicine advanced and numerous explorers ventured into the deepest parts of Africa to gather information, the situation completely reversed.

Resources abundant throughout Africa, though perhaps not in modern times, were irresistible to Europe at that time, and eventually, everyone jumped into the colonization of Africa.

And because there were no clear international laws or agreements at this time, the colonization of Africa was utter chaos.

Once you pushed in, planted a flag, and claimed it as your land, it became your land.

France and the British Empire led this trend, and many African lands fell under the colonial rule of these two countries.

Prussia also joined in, unable to resist the demands of its citizens, and most of Africa fell into the hands of these three great powers.

Of course, relatively weaker countries like Portugal also managed to get involved, and there was almost no land left in Africa for Africans.

When such an absurd situation unfolds, disputes are bound to arise.

France, Prussia, and the British Empire controlled so much land that it was difficult to say exactly where their colonies began and ended.

It felt like this was their land, and that was their land, but the other side claimed it as their own, so how could there not be conflict?

The conference in London also aimed to minimize these disputes.

If left unchecked, a continent with straight-line borders, as if drawn with a ruler, like modern Africa, would inevitably be born.

To be honest, it’s not much different now, but it’s still necessary to divide the land considering local conditions such as tribes and languages as much as possible.

That way, when the African colonies become independent in the future, we can at least act like we did them a favor.

While others are obsessed with territorial expansion and drawing borders with a ruler, it’s enough to be remembered as someone who considered local conditions even a little.

Hiding such thoughts, I watched as the plenipotentiary ambassadors [ambassadors with full power to make decisions] from each country freely debated.

“···So, I think it would be good to clarify this first. If everyone recognizes the concept of effective control proposed by His Majesty Killian of the British Empire, we can greatly reduce unnecessary disputes. Frankly speaking, simply claiming ‘this is my land,’ as we do now, only causes trouble, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right. Now, to assert the legitimacy of their rule, they scrape together all sorts of historical records, anecdotes, and even myths. If we follow that logic, countries claiming to be successors to the Roman Empire could argue that all of Europe and North Africa are their lands.”

“Prussia agrees as well. We believe that the country that effectively occupies the land should exercise sovereignty.”

As France and Prussia immediately expressed their support, other countries nodded without much objection.

North had no intention of forcibly entering Africa for colonial expansion, and France and Prussia had already taken enough, so they had no intention of causing further disputes in Africa.

Therefore, by establishing the concept of effective control here, they could assert clear legitimacy over the land they occupied.

Conversely, other weaker countries that had secured even a tiny colony in Africa did not object, thinking they could protect their land.

“Then, with everyone in agreement, let’s move on to the next agenda item: the official abolition of slavery. I believe no one will raise any objections to this.”

At Wellesley’s statement, who was acting as chairman, the Russian ambassador smirked and shook his head.

“European countries may all agree, but there are many reports that Islam still buys and sells slaves, so shouldn’t we hear their opinion?”

“That’s slander.”

“Slander? There are numerous testimonies that Arab slave traders are still kidnapping and selling Black people.”

Russia, which had been branded as a public enemy in Europe, had recently changed its strategy.

It acted cooperatively in Europe but constantly criticized and denigrated Turkey to prevent European countries from siding with Turkey.

Of course, most of the criticisms were based on reality, so Turkey couldn’t strongly deny them.

“Our Ottoman Turkey is willing to declare the official abolition of slavery along with the European countries.”

“You’ll just make the declaration but not crack down on it, right?”

“Hey! I told you it’s not like that!”

Even though slavery is already illegal in most countries, it is meaningful for the world’s great powers to gather in one place and declare the complete end of the era of slavery.

As the Russian ambassador said, it is questionable whether the Ottomans will crack down on slave traders, but it is still better to do it than not to do it at all.

Various other topics were discussed, but the interests of most countries mainly depended on the circumstances of the leading great powers.

For example, the Netherlands was openly pressured by Wellesley and gained nothing from this conference, and Portugal tried to make an unreasonable claim but ended up being ridiculed.

“According to the treaties we concluded in the past, our Portugal has the right to exercise legitimate territory in Africa···.”

“Look, isn’t it to prevent such unreasonable claims that everyone has now recognized the concept of effective control?”

“No, I’m not asking you to recognize everything, but I’m asking you to consider the treaties that our country concluded in the past to some extent.”

“Heh heh heh, you’re asking us to consider the Treaty of Tordesillas [a 1494 agreement between Spain and Portugal dividing newly discovered lands outside of Europe]?”

The French ambassador roughly drew a line on a large world map and showed it to everyone.

“According to that treaty, all of South America should be in the hands of Spain, but I should ask the representatives of other countries here: Does the ambassador of the United States think this treaty makes sense now?”

“It’s just a piece of paper made more than 300 years ago. Since Spain has already signed a recent treaty with my country, in which Spain agrees to give up all rights in the Americas, it has no meaning.”

“I see.”

From the beginning, no one thought that such an insane treaty would actually be valid, so Portugal did not say anything more, and eventually, it was time to discuss the main event of this conference.

“Now, let’s discuss whether it is right to recognize the Congo Basin as the private property of His Majesty Leopold II. First of all, I would like to confirm a few facts in front of all the representatives here.

Your Majesty Leopold II, is it certain that you have not changed your mind about allowing European countries to enter the Congo economically?”

“Of course. However, please understand that I have no choice but to impose some restrictions to prevent the people of the Congo from becoming completely subordinate to capital.”

“Of course. Then you must keep your promise not to take all the profits from the Congo.”

“Of course. As I have said many times, I am by no means trying to rule the Congo for my own personal gain.”

Leopold II’s words sounded so sincere that even the renowned plenipotentiary ambassadors from each country nodded at Leopold II with infinitely gentle eyes.

If he had been an actor with that level of method acting, wouldn’t he have become a great star?

He’s truly an amazing person the more you look at him.

From the beginning, the British Empire, France, and Prussia already had so much land in Africa that it was difficult to digest it all.

Rather than handing it over to a country like the Netherlands, it was inevitable to judge that it would be more beneficial to hand it over to a weaker country like Belgium and show off.

Wellesley and the ambassadors of France and Prussia calmly signed the agreement and said.

“Then, our British Empire will also agree to the Congo Basin becoming the private property of His Majesty Leopold II.”

“France agrees as well.”

“Prussia has no objection.”

Subsequently, the plenipotentiary ambassadors of all the countries participating in the conference, including Spain, Denmark, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, and Turkey, completed the signing, and Leopold II officially gained control of the Congo.

“All the countries here officially recognize the Independent State of the Congo and respect His Majesty Leopold II’s rights over the Congo.”

Once the signing is complete, it cannot be reversed.

However, the representatives present truly believed that Leopold II would implement good policies for the Congo and its Black people.

“Wow!”

“Congratulations!”

“Your Majesty’s efforts have paid off!”

The fact that there was no sign of jealousy, even though he had acquired territory dozens of times the size of his home country, was proof of that.

Some people even gave a standing ovation and offered heartfelt congratulations to Leopold II.

“Thank you! Thank you! This is all thanks to your trust and support. I will continue to work hard without losing my initial intentions.”

Leopold II gave a simple smile, unlike the king of a country, and offered his thanks to everyone.

In a way, his words about not losing his initial intentions were 100 percent sincere.

Because from the beginning, he never had any intention of implementing good policies in the Congo.

As all the talks came to an end, I approached him, shook his hand, and smiled brightly.

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you, it’s all thanks to Your Majesty.”

“I should say it’s a victory for Your Majesty’s passion rather than mine. Then, I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Of course. I will definitely keep the contract, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Hahaha! It’s a promise from none other than His Majesty Leopold II, so how dare I doubt it.”

Click!

Thus, the beautiful scene of the leaders of the two countries sharing friendship and shaking hands was permanently captured in a photograph, and another page of history was written today.

* * *

Brussels, the capital of Belgium

Leopold II, who had returned from London, could not hide his excitement and called his confidant, Henry Stanley.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes. We have already organized the organization and prepared all the gifts for the chiefs.”

“Now that we have extracted a lot of investment from London, we will be able to complete the work more quickly.”

Leopold II never lied.

The profits from the Congo will naturally return to all the tribes of the Congo.

This is what he promised in front of the ambassadors of each country.

But if those chiefs offer to return the profits they have earned to the king, that is not a violation of the agreement, is it?

They are returning all the profits as a sign of gratitude and loyalty to the king who led them to the path of civilization.

“Are you sure the Congolese don’t know our writing?”

“Yes. We have already completed all the checks. There are a few tribes with people who know how to write, but those who can read our writing have already been taken away at the request of others to take on practical work elsewhere.”

“Excellent. I like your work.”

Leopold II looked at the paper written by his order with satisfaction.

[We hereby transfer all our inheritance rights and economic benefits to His Majesty Leopold II’s Congo Association and permanently waive all sovereignty and rights over the territory. In all territories of His Majesty, we provide all labor and means without limitation or condition, and acknowledge that the Association has the rights to all roads and waterways existing in this country. All these pledges are made voluntarily, and we swear that there has been no coercion, intimidation, or falsehood.]

Why should we treat these fools who give up all their rights with such simple methods as the same human beings?

All preparations are complete, and the dice have been cast.