My Italy

Speaking of the yet-to-be-established Governor of East Africa, this is a very important position. He will govern all Italian colonies in East Africa. Both Eritrea and Somalia are under its administration, and the newly surrendered Abyssinia is also governed by it.

It can be said that Italy's sphere of influence in East Africa was under the control of this governor, which can be said to be a high-power position. And it’s not enough if we don’t set up the Governor-General of East Africa. Currently in East Africa, the Governor-General of Eritrea and the Governor-General of Somalia are in charge of their own affairs, which reduces efficiency, and it is a bit wasteful to establish two Governor-Generals like this.

In addition, with the surrender of Abyssinia, the security problem of the colony has been basically solved, so it is time to integrate here and reduce costs.

However, although East Africa is very important, its importance is still not as important as Governor Lanfang.

Because although East Africa's location is very important, it does not have enough economic benefits. You must know that the Italian government's positioning for East Africa is to meet its own financial needs within five years and not allow the government to allocate funds. It took five years to start paying the Italian government, and it was not much, 10 million lire a year.

Are the requirements very low?

In fact, this is not low at all. What is there in East Africa? Apart from agriculture and animal husbandry, there is nothing else. I am wrong. There is also a potash mine.

But even if this potash mine is added, how much fiscal revenue can it provide?

You must know that the local colonial government in Italy needs to do a lot of things, such as building roads, expanding ports, garrison expenses, etc., which all require money. These are big money eaters.

Moreover, maintaining the colonial government was also very expensive. In addition, dealing with the dependent country Abyssinia was basically handled by the governor of East Africa. The choice of this governor is also very important to Italy.

The only difference from Governor Lanfang is that he doesn't need to care too much about the economy.

But when it comes to Lan Fong Colony, this piece of land is truly a treasure. Under the leadership of Governor and former Prime Minister Cairoli, the development of Lan Fong Colony is simply one step a year. After handing over 30 million lire of financial revenue to Rome, Pontianak New Port can be expanded significantly, and the railway from the new port to Pontianak has also been built.

The ambitious governor also planned to extend the railway further inland, striving to slowly connect the Italian colonies in Borneo to facilitate logistics and personnel movement. Of course, it would also be more convenient to mobilize the army when necessary.

Of course, in addition to the port railway, the governor also did some other things, such as opening Western-style hospitals and establishing schools to ensure that local people who wanted their children to go to school could have the opportunity to attend. Of course, Italian and Latin must also be learned in school.

Kairoli, the former prime minister, was so prosperous in Borneo that the Ministry of Finance was discussing whether the fiscal revenue he handed over was too low and should be raised from 30 million to 50 million per year.

Fortunately, the Prime Minister is still very clear-headed and stopped the Ministry of Finance's idea.

Because he knows that this is a reflection of the former prime minister's personal ability. This can only be achieved after mobilizing the financial resources of the local Chinese. If it were another person, it would be difficult to achieve this level.

Of course, it is not that Depretis has no idea of ​​increasing the fiscal revenue handed over by Lanfang Colony, but he will only do so after the development is completed. Killing the goose to retrieve the eggs is not at all in line with his style.

No, Carlo, who had no good choice for the Governor of East Africa, could only call the Prime Minister to discuss candidates for this position.

"Prime Minister, do you have any good suggestions for the selection of the Governor-General of East Africa?"

At the beginning, Carlo asked the Prime Minister if he had any good candidates for the governor.

In the final analysis, Carlo was not familiar enough with the officialdom, so there were fewer people available at this time. The Governor of East Africa had a heavy responsibility, and he must have enough experience to be competent. Carlo didn't have such a person on hand, so he asked the Prime Minister for his opinion.

"There are many things that need to be dealt with in the position of Governor of East Africa, especially the relationship with the local indigenous people. When it comes to candidates, I don't have any good candidates for the time being, but I can provide a reference candidate."

"Oh, who is it?"

Facing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo couldn't help but ask.

"It is Mr. Antonio, the Governor of Sicily. I think he may meet your Majesty's requirements."

Prime Minister Despretis's words immediately made Carlo have an image.

Because what the governor said was a bit special in Italian official circles. He is remembered for his amazing remarks.

"Italy needs enough sunny land to feed its growing population."

"I'm not saying that Italy wants to challenge the existing colonial order, but that small countries with insufficient national strength should focus their energy on what they can. If they blindly want to keep their huge colonies, they will only ask for trouble."

"For me, a qualified Italian is someone who is willing to love Italy and is willing to contribute. If they only think about their own personal gain, such people do not deserve to be called Italians and they should be hanged." On the gallows.”

If such remarks were made by a young man full of patriotic enthusiasm, it would not be surprising at all and everyone would understand. But this is very unusual for a high-ranking official who is the governor of Sicily. You must know that to achieve this position, means, tactics, ability, and luck must all be indispensable, and people who have entered their forties must also know what trade-offs are.

Rational people should have discarded comments like this that will not bring progress to themselves, but will instead attract dissent. Even your true thoughts will inevitably be buried deep in your heart.

But Antonio was different. He made these remarks public. He didn't hide his attitude at all, and he didn't look like he was playing politics at all.

But the surprising thing is here, Ortonio is very good, otherwise he would not be appointed governor of Sicily. You must know that this is the only governor in Italy. The reason is that the complicated situation in Sicily requires the position of governor.

In the past few years when Antonio was the governor of Sicily, he carried out a series of repairs to the mafia that had begun to proliferate on the island, allowing these mafia people to turn their tails between their legs. In addition, the local aristocrats are also divided and suppressed, and the manipulators behind the mafia are also governed and obeyed.

And in the past few years, he has also cleaned up the island's bureaucrats, cleaning up those bureaucrats who like to shield, use power for personal gain, and trade money and power. In addition, he has promoted many young talents. It can be said that he gave Sicilians a better tomorrow.

Logically, such a person should be introduced into the cabinet, but his mouth should also be blamed for making him a stepping stone. However, he does not care about this and still spreads these remarks everywhere.

And his good friend, the new Speaker Crispi, strongly agrees with his remarks, but only in private.

So when the Prime Minister said Antonio's name, Carlo thought carefully and really had no better choice. After all, it is impossible for him to find another former prime minister to be the governor-general of East Africa. This would be too disrespectful to the former prime minister.

"In that case, let Mr. Antonio come to Rome first and let me know about it."

Although Carlo said something understanding, both of them knew that it would be Antonio.

Of course, the Prime Minister also had his own intentions in bringing it up. In the past few years in Sicily, Antonio has almost established it as his own sphere of influence. This is not possible, and he needs to be relocated.

The position of the Governor of East Africa is just right. It can not only reward the other party for his outstanding performance in Sicily (the Governor of a large overseas colony is only half a level lower than the cabinet ministers, but higher than the local government governor), and can also solve the problem of the Governor of East Africa. It is simply the best of both worlds.

So Lord Antonio, who was in Sicily, was called to Rome.