Chapter 311
Chapter 311: The Idea of the Kingdom of Italy
The medical situation in East Africa was challenging, with a shortage of doctors and limited access to medical care. Most medical practitioners came from the East, and there were few trained doctors in the region. Many indigenous people relied on homemade remedies and traditional practices, often resorting to trial and error.
East Africa had 108 official clinics but no hospitals, and only 285 registered doctors. The medical infrastructure was rudimentary at best, and the region depended on herbal medicine, some of which was inherited from indigenous practices. While some remedies were ineffective, others helped with common issues like inflammation, bleeding, and pain.
Amidst these challenges, East Africa had offered medical assistance to Italy, leveraging its agricultural capacity and excess food production to provide aid during a time of crisis. The influx of refugees from Italy's lost territories in Lombardy and Venice had created a severe food shortage within the Kingdom of Italy, which was now looking for external support.
Emmanuel II, the King of Italy, was deeply concerned about the food problem his country faced after losing significant agricultural regions in the Po River Plain and southern Italy. His Minister of Agriculture reported that Italy's grain output was insufficient, and the situation was exacerbated by rising food prices in Europe due to reduced production in Germany and France.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs brought good news to Emmanuel II, stating that the Kingdom of East Africa was willing to sell a substantial amount of food to Italy, particularly rice and corn, at a low price. Emmanuel II was initially curious about East Africa and inquired about the nation's history.
He learned that the Kingdom of East Africa was a relatively new country, established in East Africa by Constantine, Prince of Hechingen in Prussia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that East Africa had been exporting grain steadily in recent years, even before the establishment of the Kingdom of East Africa.
Emmanuel II inquired whether East Africa had achieved wealth by developing the land and growing food using the local population. The minister suggested that this might be the case, as the African continent had a vast area, a relatively low population density, and a labor force that required minimal wages.
Emmanuel II became interested in the idea of opening an Italian colony in Africa to address Italy's food problem. However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concerns about Italy's lack of experience in overseas colonization and its current financial challenges.
Emmanuel II acknowledged the financial difficulties Italy faced, with significant debts owed to the United Kingdom. He decided that importing food from East Africa was a more immediate solution to alleviate the food crisis, prioritizing rice and corn. He believed that appeasing the refugees was crucial at this time, and he would consider the possibility of opening colonies in Africa in the future when Italy's financial situation improved.
Italy had no immediate plans for overseas colonization but focused on addressing its pressing issues, including food shortages caused by territorial losses in the recent war.