Once East Africa had gained a firm foothold overseas, it would be difficult for the old guardians of order, Britain and France, to make East Africa cough up its markets and sources of raw materials again.
Moreover, East Africa would have the United States, a fellow sufferer in the same boat, to share the pressure from Britain and France. After all, America's moves were no less significant than East Africa's.
It was foreseeable that, regardless of how the European War unfolded—whether Britain and France won or Germany and Austria won—Europe's international standing as a political bloc would decline sharply after the war.
And this was something neither the Central Powers nor the Entente Powers could prevent. After all, only the ultimate victor of the European War would have the chance to sit at the same table and negotiate with the future East Africa and the United States.
As for Russia, it was already destined to be a loser. The Russian Revolution was bound to erupt, and the future Russian government naturally could not enjoy the spoils of the victorious nations.
East Kalimantan.
April 1915.
East Africa, the new conqueror of East Kalimantan, officially began its purge of the local indigenous forces. East Kalimantan was actually East Africa's designation, based on its position relative to Lanfang Overseas Province. In reality, it included eastern Borneo, as well as parts of its south and central regions.
Samarinda.
At this time, Samarinda was merely an undeveloped bay, with only a small fishing village of several dozen people scattered along its shores. The Seventh Infantry Regiment under the East African Guards Division landed here.
"This is Samarinda? Why was this chosen as our regiment's landing site? It's even more barren than the East Africa our fathers described." Clavier, commander of the Seventh Infantry Regiment,