African Entrepreneurship Records

Chapter 860: President Cleveland’s dilemma

"What is this?" Cleveland, the 24th President of the United States, said as he looked at the document sent to the desk by his secretary.

“Mr. President, there was a coup in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Our business group overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii and established the Republic of Hawaii. But now they are in trouble, so they are asking us for help.”

 Cleveland picked up the document and read it very displeased, although many people in the country had designs on Hawaii, especially those within the Democratic Party who were the most vocal.

But President Russell, a Democratic Party, was obviously not among them, because in terms of diplomacy, Cleveland advocated that the country continue to adopt an isolationist policy, opposed territorial expansion, and opposed the annexation of Hawaii.

Yes, Cleveland is unequivocally opposed to the United States' annexation of Hawaii. Of course, although he has no feelings for Hawaii, Cleveland is obviously not a good guy. In the Americas and the Pacific (mainly the Far Eastern Empire and Japan), Cleveland's attention is very high, and Actively promote the expansion of U.S. power in relevant regions.

The most typical example is forcing Britain to accept arbitration on the Venezuelan border dispute. In his previous life, Cleveland also sided with Japan in the war between the Far Eastern Empire and Japan, openly supported Japan, and "protected" the "security and commercial interests" of American missionaries and expatriates. As an excuse, the Marine Corps was stationed in the capital and Tianjin area of ​​the Far Eastern Empire.

Of course, although Cleveland opposes the domestic annexation of Hawaii, if everything goes smoothly, he can naturally turn a blind eye and acquiesce to their actions. But now the businessmen in Hawaii have obviously caused trouble, and they are only now thinking of asking for it. He "wipes" his butt, a practice that annoys him.

"Hmph!" Cleveland said coldly: "This so-called Republic of Hawaii has not communicated with us before, and it will not be easy for us to end it now, especially since East Africa is not a weak country."

When he took office, East Africa had just ended the South African War and became a major power in the world. The United States actually welcomed the rise of such a big country in East Africa. After all, the United States was also bowing its head at this time. Although its economy overtook the United Kingdom, it was still regarded as The British suppressed them fiercely.

 This is true for many countries. In an era when hegemony is prevalent, weak countries naturally hope that other countries can share the pressure they face from the hegemon. East Africa and the United States are actually targets of British suppression.

“This coup in Hawaii was initiated by our minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii. In addition to asking our mainland to send troops to recover Kauai, he also asked the government to pass a bill to annex Hawaii to our territory.” The secretary said at the side.

Cleveland said: "There is no room for negotiation in this matter. As Americans, we must oppose this kind of aggression with strict moral standards and a sense of justice, not to mention that this time it involves a third country in East Africa. Originally, our The international reputation is not very good. If we learn from East Africa, we may become as notorious as them.”

There is nothing wrong with what Cleveland said. Hegemony is not only at the military level. Britain's leadership in world public opinion is also top-notch. Words like "upstart" in the United States, "savages" in East Africa, and "barbarians" in Prussia are not good words. But it is widely accepted around the world, and these suppressions of public opinion are the prerogatives of being a world hegemon. It is like the United States in the previous life that designated "liberal democracy". Anyone who does not conform to "American liberal democracy" will be punished by the United States and Its domesticated Western countries and lackeys are biting like crazy.

The reason why France is independent of the United Kingdom is because France currently has a very strong cultural influence in the world. The two countries dominate the world's colonial system and also dominate the world's cultural and public opinion hegemony.

 Hence, after the South African War, East Africa’s international reputation could be said to be even more in shambles. “Despotism, colonization, barbarism, slavery” and all kinds of good words were thrown at East Africans without money.

 Ernst readily accepted these terms. The 19th century is not the 21st century. It would be the most terrible thing if the whole world praised East Africa instead.

Of course, due to the war, East Africa temporarily replaced the United States as Britain's second "hatred" object. In fact, it is not too prominent. After all, the contradiction between Britain and France is more prominent than that between East Britain. Britain did not have an advantage in the South African War, but It is not considered a defeat, and the comprehensive national strength of East Africa does not pose a threat to Britain for the time being. The United States and Germany, two countries with rapid industrial development, are Britain's innermost worries. Especially Germany under the leadership of William II will increasingly attract British firepower and hostility in the future.

To put it bluntly, except for a few important industries that are mainly supported, the competitiveness of East Africa's industrial products in the international market is very weak. This is the main reason why the United Kingdom does not take East Africa seriously.

Although Cleveland's words are a bit unbelievable, he did the same in the original history. In December 1893, in the original history, Cleveland submitted a message to the U.S. Congress. He asked Congress to "act in a manner consistent with American honor, justice, and morality." Assisting the regime of the Kingdom of Hawaii, which delayed the formal annexation of Hawaii by the United States until 1898.

Now Cleveland is just using East Africa as an excuse to do what he has done in history again, and in this way it can save a lot of trouble.

Historically, after Cleveland vetoed the annexation of Hawaii, American newspapers frequently accused Cleveland of failing to expand the territory of the United States, but he always adhered to what he believed to be a just position.

Now that East Africa has appeared, the same approach can completely avoid the dissatisfaction of some people in the country. After all, East Africa can share the firepower.

The secretary said uneasily on the side: "Mr. President, what about the Republic of Hawaii? And even if we don't support the illegal organization of the Republic of Hawaii, are we going to allow East Africans to annex the entire island of Hawaii?"

His words did arouse Cleveland's concerns. It was good that Cleveland did not support the United States' annexation of Hawaii, but it did not mean that it would give up Hawaii's power.

 Especially the presence of other national forces in the important position of Hawaii, which will inevitably affect the national security of the United States.

Cleveland supports the United States to vigorously develop its naval power. Coupled with his identity as a Democratic Party, he supports foreign expansion. The only exception is Hawaii. Now East Africa has made the situation in Hawaii even more muddy, so negotiation with East Africa is also indispensable.

I don’t want it, and you can’t steal it. This is Cleveland’s attitude. In fact, if Cleveland’s attitude towards the Hawaiian Islands was not so “contradictory”, it would not have these troubles.

“Contact the East African Embassy in the United States. We need to communicate with the East African officials. After all, East Africa is a big country. It is impossible for us to start a war with them for Hawaii, but it is also impossible to give up the Hawaiian Islands.” Cleveland said.

The current situation depends not only on the attitudes of Cleveland and the Republic of Hawaii, but also on the attitude of East Africa, a third country. After all, if East Africa does not agree to withdraw its troops, the ideas of Cleveland and the Republic of Hawaii will not be realized.

This is the most troublesome thing for Cleveland. He is completely kidnapped by the morality of the Republic of Hawaii. After all, the Republic of Hawaii is an independent act of the American ministers and businessmen on the island and has not been authorized by him. However, these are things that his family cannot let go. in spite of.

At the same time, the factor of East Africa has been added. If it is not handled well, it will lead to international disputes. Therefore, it is most important for Cleveland to find out the attitude of the East African government.

 (End of this chapter)