However, East Africa cannot just watch idly; the arrival of Gleid and William makes Ernst believe this is an opportunity, but to gain the greatest benefits, discussions with France and Spain should be held separately.

In Ernst's view, Spain is already doomed this time, as the United States is currently at a critical stage of transformation into imperialism, so no one can save Spain.

However, if we can reduce Spain's losses, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, by coordinating with countries like France, it would be very important.

On one hand, East Africa is also strategizing in the South Sea Region. At this time, apart from Austria-Hungary, almost all the powerful countries are setting up in the South Sea, among them, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and East Africa are the most aggressive. Adding the United States into the competition in the South Sea Region is undoubtedly disadvantageous for everyone. After all, the cake is only so big, and here comes someone who can eat a lot; everyone worries that their "share" might get eaten.

Aside from the United States, Japan was the most active in the South Sea Region in the past, but Japan is currently overwhelmed by debt payments, so they're unable to join this grand feast. However, Ernst believes Japan will still repeat the same mistakes in the future, after all, leopards don't change their spots.

In Ernst's view, although the United Kingdom and France occupy advantageous ecological niches in the South Sea region, their threat level is far less than that of Japan and the United States.

Since the United Kingdom and France have their energies entangled on the European continent, it's only a matter of time before they withdraw from the South Sea Region. Japan and the United States are different though; not only are they closer, but they are less prone to outside interference.

East Africa is actually the same, occupying forty-three percent of Africa's land. In the north, the country has the Sahara Desert, while in the west, although West Africa offers great opportunities, it has been disassembled by major powers, so there's no force in Africa that can threaten East Africa.

Additionally, leaving Spain in the South Sea Region can further muddy the waters. Currently, East Africa lacks the ability to flaunt its strength in the South Sea region, although East Africa has three colonies, they're insignificant in the South Sea Region.

Before East Africa come the United Kingdom and France, needless to say, the Netherlands and Spain are also tricky for East Africa. If the United States joins in, East Africa might find it even harder to maneuver the situation in the South Sea in the future.

Furthermore, East Africa and the United States are actually following the same path, both keeping a low profile and looking for the right opportunity to ascend and take over world hegemony; more importantly, both have significant overlaps in geographical competition.

For example, the United States views Latin America as its backyard, but East Africa also has ambitions for the South American region. Geographically, the reason Europe is so upset about the Monroe Doctrine is because the United States is right there in America, making it difficult for Europe to intervene.

But East Africa is different; it may not be able to fully reach the entire Latin America region, but narrowing it down to South America, East Africa and the United States are roughly equidistant.

Especially the countries on the eastern coast of South America like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, which are just a South Atlantic away from East Africa.

Of course, with the economy on East Africa's west coast yet to rise, East Africa temporarily lacks the ability to extend its influence to these regions, but it can be foreseen that countries like Brazil and Argentina will be key areas of contention between East Africa and the United States in the future.

As countries situated between two oceans, the United States is focused on America, planning Europe in the East, and paying attention to the Asia-Pacific in the West, while East Africa is anchored on the African continent, with a focus on the South Sea Region in the East, including Australia, and primarily focusing on South America in the West.

The South Sea belongs to the Asia-Pacific, while South America is part of America, which outlines the geopolitical landscape between the two.

However, the US location presents advantages over Europe, while East Africa's location gives it advantages over the Middle East and India, this is a point of difference.

Overall, each has its strengths and weaknesses, but they share a common goal, which is to see the United Kingdom, France, and other European countries collapse sooner, allowing East Africa and new powers like the United States to redivide the cake.

If there are no surprises, the international community might even see a new player like the Soviet Union, but Ernst doesn't hold much hope for the Soviet Union, as its sphere of influence cannot break away from the Eurasian continent, lacking the conditions for oceanic competition.

...

"Ambassador Gleid, I'm curious about France's provisions for Spain? Now that Ambassador William is not here, we hope you can be candid with East Africa, so that our two countries can take joint action."

After sending away Ambassador William, Ernst first communicated directly with the French, as the primary force directing this intervention is still the French, who cannot possibly rally fully for Spain's interests.

Gleid frowned and said, "Your Highness, since you asked, I shall not hold back. In this conflict between Spain and the United States, although France intends to stand by Spain, our stance is somewhat pessimistic regarding Spain's situation."

Ernst intentionally asked, "How do you plan to resolve this conflict? The Americans won't just let it slide!"

Gleid responded slowly, "From our perspective, it's crucial to minimize Spain's losses after defeat, so we need East Africa's help in speaking up at the right time to prevent the Americans from going too far."

In the past, it was ultimately France's mediation during the Spanish-American War; otherwise, the victorious United States wouldn't have obediently paid Spain twenty million US dollars.

Of course, France's goodwill to Spain goes beyond debt issues, mainly considering strategic factors. As France's hinterland, Spain must align with France.

Take for instance, the trigger of the Franco-Prussian War was Spain's royal succession issue. If Spain were drawn over by Germany or the United Kingdom, France would be in a tough spot.

Nowadays, France is fixated on vengeance against Germany, so Spain, this core territory, cannot be lost. Should anything go wrong, Spain could deliver a fatal blow to France in its competition with Germany, hence France's fundamental reason for consistently courting Spain.

Ernst: "I roughly understand, and East Africa supports your country's ideas. We will help France support Spain when necessary. Moreover, in my view, our concern shouldn't just be the Caribbean Sea Region's situation. Although Cuba is the current hotspot, the United States might have designs on Spain's other colonies, especially in the Asia-Pacific. The Pacific Ocean has always been a focal area for US strategy, and Spain has vast colonies and crucial strategic islands there."

"Therefore, this is what Spain should emphasize on defense, knowing the United States possesses geographic advantages in the Pacific, and with its strong national power, developed industry, and large population, it can easily sustain its two-front campaigns. Many of Spain's colonies clog strategic points in the Pacific, which obviously does not benefit various nations' interests in the Asia-Pacific region."

"Just take Spain's Philippine colony; if the United States occupies it, its next move would surely be to expand into Southeast Asia, given the South Sea Region's prime territory lies in Southeast Asia."

Ernst continued sowing seeds of doubt for France, noting that if there's any predominant country in Southeast Asia, it would be France taking Vietnam and Cambodia- with the best resources, ports, population, arable conditions in Southeast Asia. Ernst's words may not have immediate effect, but continuously undermining the US surely doesn't harm East Africa.

Gleid didn't have much reaction to Ernst's statement. He said, "What you've said does make some sense, but the United States might not necessarily extend its reach to the Philippines or other Spanish colonies in the Pacific simultaneously while dealing with Cuba. Of course, I'll report this to the government; the specific result isn't for us to decide."

For Gleid, France's aid to Spain is already quite generous, and Spanish territory concessions don't affect France significantly, so Gleid isn't particularly concerned, nor does Ernst, an outsider, have much influence. If France can't be persuaded, Spain could still be lobbied.