Chapter 958

Behind the rapid economic development, there were also many hidden dangers. The most typical one was the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

There was no index to express it yet, so Franz could just look at the statistical data. It was all seen by the senior government officials and would not be announced to the public. Naturally, there was no need to add water.

In 1875, the gross domestic product was about 5.46 billion DND, which was the world's number one. (Statistics of the localized African region and various states)

Looking at the big data alone, the gross domestic product was twice that of the United Kingdom. The data was indeed beautiful, but it could not be compared with the following data.

The European population of Austria was about 78.2614 million, and the population of the localized African region was about 6.2152 million. The total was 84.4766 million, while the United Kingdom's population was only slightly more than 30 million.

The population was 2.8 times, and the total economic volume had just broken through 2 times. When it came to per capita, the United Kingdom surpassed them.

Due to the incomplete data, the Government of Vienna could only roughly estimate that Austria's per capita income was only about seven times that of the United Kingdom.

The only consolation was that it surpassed the French. Ever since the Regions of Italy dragged them down, France's per capita income fell behind Austria.

Of course, France's total economic volume still went up. Like Austria, it relied on the strength of its population to surpass the United Kingdom.

It was meaningless to look at the total volume alone. Other than Austria's own survey results, the other countries were estimated by economists. It was normal to have a 10 to 20% error.

However, this 10 to 20% difference was huge. At present, there were many opinions in the Austrian economic community. Everyone agreed that the world's five largest economies were Austria, Britannia, France, Empire of the Far East, and India.

However, the ranking was endless, and no one could convince the other.

First: Austria > France > Britannia > Empire of the Far East > India;

Second: Empire of the Far East > India = Austria > France > Britannia;

Third: Empire of the Far East > India > Austria > France > Britannia;

…

Without detailed survey data, everyone had their own theoretical basis, and Franz could not be sure who was right. This did not affect the Government of Vienna to put itself first.

Even if it was not the first in the world now, it would not be long before it became the first. This was the period of the Industrial Revolution, a period of rapid economic growth. Industrial countries had too much of an advantage over agricultural countries.

In addition to the mainland, the GDP of the Austrian colonies was also listed. To Franz's surprise, the GDP of the Nanyang colonies was almost catching up with that of Austrian Africa. (Only calculated after deducting the localized regions.)

One had to know that the Vienna government placed much more importance on Austrian Africa than the Nanyang region, and the difference in size between the two was also huge.

At present, the Austrian Nanyang mainly consists of the islands of Kalimantan and New Guinea, as well as a few small islands around them. None of these areas were the wealthiest in Nanyang, yet they were able to generate such high production values.

Specific data:

Africa 450 million DH.

Austria South Africa 450 million DH.

Central America 250 million DH.

100 million DH.

50 million DH.

(The Austrian Arabian Peninsula was not fully occupied and was in a period of chaos. Not yet counted)

From the data, there was still a 20% gap between the two. It seemed to be a long way off, but compared to the data from five years ago, the gap had shrunk by 8%.

As if sensing Franz's doubts, the Colonial Minister Stephen explained, "Your Majesty, Austria South Africa has been developing very fast in recent years. The Lanfang Autonomous Province, in particular, has developed rapidly in agriculture.

The world's largest rubber plantation has been established, and a pepper plantation has been developed. The local residents have opened up about 15 million hectares of farmland to grow crops such as rice, corn, and pumpkins.

In addition, several new gold mines have been discovered on the island, and coal mines have been discovered in the southwest, which have been mined. "

This answer made Franz even more puzzled. In his memory, except for a few areas that were fertile, most of the land in Kalimantan was not very good.

Of course, it was still possible to grow food, but in an era without fertilizers, the output would be very disappointing.

He knew that the Chinese liked to farm, but they would also consider returns. Opening up so much farmland, did Kalimantan have that much fertile soil?

Franz asked, "What's the population of the Lanfang Autonomous Province now? What's the output of so much farmland?"

The Colonial Minister Stephen said, "The population of the Lanfang Autonomous Province is growing very fast. There are about 8 million now, and it may break through 10 million in a few years.

The agricultural production method on the island is still a bit backward, relying mainly on manpower and animal power for farming. There is almost no machinery, and the output is only slightly lower than in China.

I have to say that the Lanfang people are the best farmers. They are still keen to open up wastelands. If other areas had half of their enthusiasm, the world's food would be unsalable. "

Compared to the British, French, and Italians, the Germans were already more enthusiastic about farming. Just look at the number of farms in the colonies.

Most people who went to the colonies these days did so to make a fortune, not to farm. These people would rather take risks than farm honestly.

Austria was lucky. Many German farmers' dream was to be farmers, and these people became the core of the economic development of the Austrian colonies.

However, everyone was rational. They had to earn money from farming. The barren land would never be touched. Most of Kalimantan Island belonged to the barren land.

Franz frowned slightly. "How do they ensure food production? I remember the investigation report seems to say that the Lanfang Autonomous Province's land is barren and has no agricultural development value."

The Government of Vienna had sent people to evaluate each colony. There would be detailed information on what was suitable for development and what was not suitable for development for the colonial government officials to consult.

The Lanfang Autonomous Province was no exception. Since the flag of Austria was planted, these basic work were indispensable.

After a moment of contemplation, Stephen replied, "Bird droppings, Lanfang Province uses a lot of bird droppings as fertilizer. We have several guano islands in the Pacific Ocean, just near the Marshall Islands.

At first, we didn't occupy these islands. It was after the Lanfang Autonomous Province applied to the government that the Colonial Department included them in the ruling area. "

Franz nodded. If there was no accident, it should be Nauru in the future.

Austria occupied no less than 10,000 islands. Because of the butterfly effect, the names of many islands were changed beyond recognition. Franz naturally couldn't distinguish them.

"Well done. Bird droppings are also a kind of resource and are very useful for agricultural production. This is a gift from nature. For long-term development, we need to protect it in advance and reasonably develop and utilize it.

The colonial government should enact laws as soon as possible to prohibit anyone from hunting around the island. The development of bird droppings must also choose the right season and not affect the survival of birds.

We can work a little more in this area and encircle more ownerless islands. Even if there is no value, we can mark it first.

Consider it as increasing the area of the sea. According to the current situation, after next year's international conference, the division of power is likely to include the coastline.

Especially the islands with ports, regardless of whether they are useful or not, we should occupy them first. "

It was necessary to protect the island. If the birds were gone, what was the point of selling bird droppings?

This was wealth delivered to the door. Reasonable development could be used for many years. Naturally, they couldn't kill the goose that laid the golden eggs.

It was necessary to seize the island. In the era of ship encirclement, it was really a case of fast hands and slow hands.

Once the international situation stabilized and everyone's sphere of influence was delineated, this good thing would end.

It was also a good thing for Austria. Once the new international order was established, the gold mines in Alaska could be mined.

Franz couldn't hold back anymore. Alaska was not suitable for human habitation. Even the climate in the canyon area was not good.

This meant that it was difficult for Austria to establish a solid foundation there. Perhaps no one dared to rob them on the surface, but they couldn't stop people from stabbing them in the dark.

Not to mention the long border between Alaska and Canada, the Government of Vienna couldn't wipe out the gold robbers.

It was different after the international order was established. Everyone signed a treaty and agreed not to stab each other in the back. No matter what, they had to restrain themselves.

If they broke the promise just after they made it, how could they survive in the international arena?

Although Alaska's gold mines were rich, they couldn't be developed in a day or two. The part that could be developed now was not enough to make John Bull lose his credibility.

Of course, the most important thing was that Austria wasn't weak and could retaliate.

Once the Government of Vienna gave up their bottom line and specifically looked for trouble with John Bull, not to mention shaking their colonial system, it was necessary to increase the cost of ruling by millions of pounds every year.

With the current technology, it was unknown whether there would be a profit of millions of pounds every year from mining Alaska's gold mines.

John Bull might do things that harmed others without benefiting himself, but the Government of London had to think twice before doing things that harmed others and themselves.

Colonial Secretary Stephen: "Yes, Your Majesty. The Department of Colonial Affairs will strive to bring as many unclaimed islands under its rule before the end of the Paris conference. "