I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 753 Unpredictable
Egypt is an amazing country. Although its total area exceeds 100 million square kilometers, most of it is desert except for a narrow strip of land in the Nile River basin. Therefore, there are two maps of Egypt. One is a nearly square area measured by the British with a ruler, and the other is a long and thin strip that only includes the Nile River basin.

Egypt's arable land accounts for only 3.7% of the country's total area. The main crop is cotton, and food is heavily dependent on imports.

The Egyptians did not grow cotton to develop Egypt's textile industry, but to provide raw materials for the British textile industry. The history of Egyptian long-staple cotton cultivation can be traced back to the early 19th century.

This explains why Fuad was so eager to take back the Suez Canal.

Egypt's four major economic pillars in the 21st century are: oil and gas, tourism, remittances, and the Suez Canal.

At this time in 1923, Egypt's oil and gas resources had not yet been discovered, the tourism market was in urgent need of development, the Suez Canal was controlled by the British, and as for remittances from overseas Chinese -

To be honest, the money I earn working for the British is enough to support myself.

The reason why Fuad had the courage to fire at Britain was that in addition to promising to give Egypt more dividends, Felix also promised to send a guard to protect the safety of Fuad and his family.

Although Egypt is making such a fuss, the Egyptians actually know very well that even if Britain hands over the management of the Suez Canal, it will not be Egypt's turn to take over.

In a jungle society, strength is the bottom line. The canal company can collect tolls because Britain is so powerful that merchant ships from other countries have to pay the tolls honestly.

If it were Egypt, they wouldn’t get a penny.

As for the safety of Fuad and his family.

Since the British had the ability to make Fuad king, they also had the ability to kill Fuad overnight. This is the tragedy of a small country with a small population. Not only can they not control the destiny of the country, they cannot even guarantee their own safety.

Due to the strong intervention of the League of Nations and Russia, the British government was finally forced to face up to the canal crisis.

At the plenary session of the League of Nations on September 9, Joseph, the representative of the Canal Company, presented the land lease agreement signed between the Canal Company and the Ottoman Governor, stating that the Canal Company's operating rights should last until 15. Before that, the Canal Company would not engage in any form of negotiations with the Egyptian government on the management rights of the canal.

Nasser argued that the canal company had never paid Egypt its fair share of dividends as originally agreed.

When renting land, they use the original agreement as an excuse, but when dividing the money, the agreement is just a piece of waste paper. This is really very British.

"Wait, the Ottoman Empire no longer exists, right? Is this document still valid?"

The representatives were amazed that Grand Duke Nikolayevich actually started to speak reasonably. It was something they had never seen before.

Joseph then presented a second document, which was signed by Fuad before he ascended the throne, recognizing the Canal Company's management rights over the Suez Canal.

“This document must have been signed by His Majesty Fuad under duress and has no legal validity at all.”

Little Nicholas's true colors were revealed.

"Your Excellency, Grand Duke, whether it has legal effect is not up to you."

Joseph could no longer tolerate this. This was a matter between the canal company and the Egyptian government and had nothing to do with Russia.

"Who the hell are you? How dare you speak nonsense in front of me!"

Little Nicholas's loud cursing made Joseph fully understand what Russian style is.

Since Nicholas the Younger had been very aggressive at the League of Nations meetings, Clemenceau reminded him that he should pay attention to diplomatic manners and not let his words and deeds affect Russia's national image.

Little Nicolas then responded to Clemenceau's reminder during the interview with the reporter.

"Even if a robber wears a tuxedo, it cannot conceal his nature as a robber. Before reminding others, can Mr. Clemenceau check whether his own butt has been wiped clean first?"

"If these documents are valid, then the canal company should settle the rent that should have been paid to Egypt for the past 70 years."

Nasser doesn't argue, either give the money or get out.

Joseph said he could negotiate with the Egyptian government on the issue of income distribution.

But the premise of the negotiations is to start from the establishment of the Egyptian government, and all previous matters will be written off and not mentioned again.

The Egyptians wanted more than the Canal Company wanted to give.

The Egyptian government not only wants the canal company to make up for the debts it owes, but also wants compensation for the 12 people who died during the construction of the canal. These 12 people died of starvation, disease, exhaustion, being killed by the canal company, and dying of thirst.

The first few ways of dying are understandable.

What is death from thirst?

Doesn’t the canal company even give us drinking water?

Egypt didn’t have the ability in the past and could only accept this result.

Now that we have someone backing us up, we must settle both old and new accounts together.

While the Canal Company and the Egyptian government were in court before the League of Nations, the League of Nations army officially entered the canal zone.

The composition of the League of Nations army was very complex. Although the total strength was less than 1, all member states participated.

Countries that sent large numbers of troops include Russia, Britain, and France, each with around 2500 troops.

Egypt, for example, sent only a small number of troops, with less than 50 men.

There were 50 men to be divided among the League of Nations, not even enough for guides.

The ships carrying the League of Nations troops were intercepted by the British Mediterranean Fleet when they arrived at the mouth of the canal.

"Charge! Charge straight ahead!"

The Russian commander, Maj. Gen. Yuri Kusyazov, was dismissive.

"No, that would lead to a conflict with the Mediterranean Fleet."

The French commander, Major General Bradley, strongly opposed it as he did not want to get into trouble.

"your opinion?"

Kusyazov asked Major General Henry for his opinion.

The main commanders of the League of Nations army were these three people, from Russia, France and Britain.

"Our mission is to enter the Canal Zone. When uncontrollable factors arise during the mission, we should—"

Henry was interrupted by Kusyazov just as he began his long speech.

"Okay, I know what you mean—"

Kusyazov stopped talking nonsense, and the merchant ship "Oly" with 250 Russian soldiers on board suddenly accelerated and rushed towards the destroyer of the Mediterranean Fleet that was on high alert.

"Enemy ships are approaching, request to open fire--"

The captain of the USS Buckley reported to the destroyer squadron flagship immediately.

When the Mediterranean Fleet set out, different response plans were formulated based on the reactions of the League of Nations forces. The destroyer division was authorized to intercept and, in serious cases, to force the League of Nations fleet to change course by crowding in, but not to open fire.

Once the fire is opened, the situation could get out of control.

The British considered all possibilities except what to do if their fleet was rammed by League of Nations ships.

The League of Nations forces were on a civilian ship, and if they really rammed it back, the merchant ship would definitely suffer more damage.

If it is just economic loss, it doesn’t matter. The worst that can happen is you will have to pay compensation.

If there are casualties among the Coalition forces, especially Russian deaths, Russia's response will also be unpredictable.

(End of this chapter)