The British Government quickly authorized Russell, the current Ambassador to East Africa, to negotiate with the East African government. The two nations exchanged views on stability in the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic regions.
In fact, East Africa's current diplomatic and military activities in South America were not deliberately aimed at Britain. The fundamental reason was the needs of its own industrial development, forcing it to take a more proactive approach in the relevant regions.
Ernst spoke bluntly to Russell. "East Africa's current political and diplomatic activities are all carried out in accordance with our nation's conditions and development needs. Compared with Britain, East Africa is a weak and poor country, which is why we need to participate more actively in international trade and pave the way for East Africa's development."
The implication was that East Africa could not possibly halt its current overseas diplomatic and military activities. After all, they were driven by East Africa's national interests.
Russell had no real answer to Ernst's evasions. To put it bluntly, it was already a decent outcome that Ernst was speaking to him so mildly and politely in such a humble posture. After all, it was the British Government that needed something from East Africa now.
He said, "Your Highness, our United Kingdom has always been a peace-loving nation, and our attitude toward East Africa has been fairly 'friendly.' But the East African government's actions are absolutely not as you described. The Persian Gulf and South America are both core interests of the Empire, and East Africa's actions have undoubtedly caused substantive harm to our interests."
Naturally, Ernst could not admit it. He said, "Any activities East Africa has undertaken in the Persian Gulf and South America are legal and just. East Africa likewise has enormous interests in these two regions,