The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 61: Heading to Germany

Translator: 549690339 |

“I have never thought about asking the British Government to help us with immigration.” Arthur nodded and said with a smile, “For us, as long as the immigration plan is not obstructed or opposed by the British Government, it is a success.”

Although Australia cannot currently prevent more than half of the immigrants from going to the United States, it can still attract some immigrants to Australia by virtue of its own development and friendly relations with the United Kingdom and Germany.

As long as they can attract about one-tenth of the total European immigrants, there will be as many as seven or eight hundred thousand Europeans going to Australia every year.

Is one-tenth a large proportion? Actually, it is not. In the original history, since the establishment of the federal government, Australia has liberalized its immigration policy and began to attract immigrants on a large scale.

This has led to a population boom in Australia, from just over 3.7 million people at the beginning of the 20th century to nearly 19.4. million people at the beginning of the 21st century, an increase of nearly six times.

During this one hundred years, on average, more than one hundred thousand people immigrated to Australia every year, becoming permanent residents and official citizens of Australia.

Among them, European immigrants accounted for a large part, with at least fifty or sixty thousand Europeans going to Australia every year.

All of this is based on Australia’s achievements without any help. Now, under Arthur’s help, Australia has sufficient development funds, as well as the assistance of the United Kingdom and Germany. Its sphere of influence has also expanded to New Zealand and British New Guinea ahead of schedule.

With no external enemies or internal problems, Australia has a golden period of development. Attractiveness in the eyes of Europeans can be enhanced, not necessarily surpassing the extent to which Australia attracted immigrants in its original history.

The three ministers also unconsciously nodded their heads, agreeing with Arthur’s point of view.

As long as the British Government does not interfere with Australia’s policy of attracting immigrants, relying on Arthur’s good reputation among the British people, it is still hopeful to slightly increase the proportion of British immigrants going to Australia.

Moreover, Arthur has many trump cards that he hasn’t used yet, and the development of Australia has just begun.

On December 11,1900, witnessed by many media and a large number of British people, the British Empire Government and the Australian Government signed a treaty on assisting Australia, and took effect on the first day after the signing of the treaty, for a full ten years.

Because it bears the signatures of both monarchs, Edward VII and Arthur, this treaty officially has legal effect.

In order to commemorate Queen Victoria’s contribution to this treaty, at Arthur’s suggestion, the treaty was officially named: “Treaty of the British Empire based on Queen Victoria’s will on White Island regarding various assistance to Australia”, also known as the British-Australian “White Island Treaty”.

Because this treaty does not have any diplomatic or military conditions, it merely stipulates and declares the British assistance to Australia’s funds and resources, equipment. Therefore, this treaty did not receive the attention of various countries, only looking at the British Empire’s assistance to its own affiliated countries.

The reason for proposing to add the names of White Island and Queen Victoria to the treaty is that this is indeed a treaty signed in accordance with Queen Victoria’s will. If it weren’t for Queen Victoria’s instructions, Britain would not have recognized this treaty.

Furthermore, the treaty gains authority by using the lingering prestige of Queen Victoria.

It is believed that even if the United Kingdom changes its monarch again, this treaty will still be carried out meticulously.

The reason why Edward VII agreed to such a naming is that he naturally has his own selfishness in it.

By mentioning Queen Victoria’s will again, it also tells all British people that their new King Edward VII has executed the last will of his predecessor very well, and can also win over the hearts of the people.

Both monarchs, with their own plans in mind, achieved a brief unity in the naming of the treaty; though their goals were different, they shared a common interest.

Following the signing of the treaty, the diplomatic visiting group completed its mission in the United Kingdom, and there was no need to stay any longer.

Thus, with the “reluctant and sincere” pleas of Edward VII for him to stay, Arthur resolutely led the Australian diplomatic visiting group to their next destination, the German Empire.

The British public, still under the influence of the media’s publicity, was slightly moved by this and thought that Arthur was leaving his beloved hometown out of necessity due to his busy state affairs.

Although there were no tangible benefits, Arthur’s favorability increased slightly among the British people, and many even sympathized more with his circumstances.

This demonstrated the advantage of controlling public opinion. Although it was only a few small British newspapers, they could play a significant role at times.

Since the capital of Germania, Berlin, is located in the heart of Central Europe, the fleet had to travel by land after stopping at the German port of Hamburg.

As William II had been informed beforehand, when the Australian fleet arrived at the Hamburg Port, they saw a welcoming team from Germany.

Although called a team, it wasn’t extravagant. Since Australia had not yet established significant international prestige, it was untenable for high-ranking German government officials to greet them.

To demonstrate their attention to Australia, William II sent his son, Crown Prince William, to receive them.

As heir to the German Empire, the Crown Prince’s status was certainly worthy enough.

Additionally, as he was of a similar age to Arthur, William II naturally assumed that Crown Prince William and Arthur could have a good rapport.

At that time, Crown Prince William was already receiving military education in Potsdam and was regarded as a satisfactory successor by William II.

When Arthur and the diplomatic visiting group set foot on Hamburg’s port, Crown Prince William approached them with a smile, without any pretension as a Crown Prince: “His Royal Highness Arthur, welcome to Germania!” Actually, in terms of seniority, Arthur was Crown Prince William’s cousin. However, addressing him as “uncle” in such a public setting was impossible due to the Crown Prince’s exalted status. “Your Highness” was an excellent compromise, demonstrating both respect for and deference to Arthur while not embarrassing the Crown Prince.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Arthur politely nodded and replied with a smile.

“I had planned to accompany Your Highness on a tour of Hamburg for a few days before heading to Berlin. However, due to my father’s insistence, I must first see you to Berlin. Once everything is settled, I will accompany Your Highness on a tour of Germania,” Crown Prince William explained apologetically.

Both William II and Arthur wanted to expedite treaty negotiations and signings as much as possible.

This resulted in Arthur and the visiting group rushing to Berlin immediately after arriving in Hamburg.

Only by doing so could they reach Berlin within the planned timeframe and commence negotiations with Germany officially.

“It’s fine, Your Highness. Moreover, heading to Berlin promptly was my intention,” Arthur said with a smile as he shook his head..