Part I, Chapter three :
The first steps in the great nation's playground ( june 37 - august 39 ) (1)
During a full year did the belgian governement attemp to build a strong economy. The mesures of 36 and early 37 proved themselves to be quite good, and soon money came in the treasuary. But not enough to increase the defense, education and justice budgets. Belgium was simply too small for that.
Knowing this, the higher members of the belgian political elite were looking abroad for a good colony, as it was perceived as the only real solution. But they soon discovred that it would be quite difficult to get a good colony for the pacific island were all occupied or so it seemed, the Americas were too organised to be considered as valuable targets, Asia was a british and russian playground with french ambitions in the middle...
Thus the only availlable continent was Africa. A land full of contrasts, with a lot of uncleared jungles and deep forests and terrible savages, without towns or roads, plagued by many kind of uncurable sickness... Not a great perspective !
Then, in during the month of april 37 th prime minister, the chief of army and the leaders of the liberal and catholic groups of the governement of national union were summoned by the King.
Arriving in a single car, the three men talked a lot, curious about what the king had to tell them. For it was the first time that all three men were
ordered to come to the king's cabinet.
When they came in the Royal Palace, they immediatly saw that something was wrong for they were not led to the king's office but to the king's library, where they found a great map of the world. They immediatly recognized the map as a political map of the world, with the various nations borders and claims. Then came the king.
" - Gentlemens, I thank you for being here today. I hope you have no other apointment today for we have much to discuss. If you have to cancel something, I've got some messengers next door for your use.
With that said, let's sit down and enter the subject without any preambule."
The three very surprised men sat while the king stayed on his legs.
"As you can see on this map, Belgium is small. Very small. Well, it's a kingdom, and it's bigger than some german or italians states, but it's still very small. And powerless. For what do we own except some coal and iron under our feets ? Nothing ! No cotton, no precious stones or minerals, no cafe,... We don't even grow enough food to feed our population ! This has to stop. But how ? Like you, I've been thinking about a colony. And I've come to the same conclusion than the governement on the continent where this colony must be founded. But where I don't agree with you gentlemens is the exact localisation of this colony. For I think that looking toward Madagascar or southern africa is looking too far...
- But Sire, if I might, they are no other free lands...
- In your eyes not. But there is. The solution came to my mind while looking young Leopold showing his younger brother Philippe his new toys, small lead soldiers showing crusaders and sarrasins.
- You don't think about a new crusade, do you Sire ?
- Yes I am. But not to Jerusalem, at least not now... Maybe in the future but not now. The Ottomans are too powerfull and leading a war so far is currently impossible for our small forces. 3 divisions can't seriously hope to beat such a power ! But let me show you this map..."
The king then showed the three men a new map on which Africa was drawned as far as the junction between Egypt proper and the Sinai. All of Africa north of a line drawn between mount Cameroun and the Corn of Africa was stripped in brown, the color that had been applied to Belgium on the previous map. The three men gapped : their king wanted more than half of a continent for colony !
The king then said : " Well, gentlemens, this is our objective for the next 25 years. All must be done in order to accomplish it. Let's get to buisness. And I tell it to you here and now, they will be no opposition, no obstacles to this plan that I will not see silenced or destroyed in blood ! It includes any belgian citizen. It includes you. You are dismissed."