In the matter of the Kingdom of Dalmatia's independence, East Africa appeared to have gained an advantage, but in reality, it had suffered a major loss. After all, compared with the benefits East Africa had received from the Austro-Hungarian Empire under Habsburg rule, the Kingdom of Dalmatia was utterly incomparable.
During the Habsburg era, East Africa had been able to share in the entire Austro-Hungarian market. Although it had faced restrictions, the Austro-Hungarian market had been enormous.
Now, the bulk of this market of tens of millions had basically fallen into German hands.
December 28, 1934.
Berlin, Germany.
At this moment, Adolf and senior German government officials were meeting separately with Italian negotiators, haggling over Venice, East Lombardy, and even the Istrian Peninsula.
For these negotiations, Italy's Benito had personally led the delegation to Berlin to meet his "junior," Adolf.
Benito was, after all, an old veteran of the Extreme Nationalist Party in Europe and even the world. He had established the world's first extreme nationalist regime, and Adolf's ideas had been influenced by Benito. Thus, calling Adolf Benito's "junior" was not much of a stretch.
Inside Adolf's residence.
"Mr. Benito, welcome to Germany. I have admired you for a very long time," Adolf said, giving Benito an enthusiastic reception.
Benito likewise extended his hand in return. "Chancellor Adolf, you are now also one of Europe's most sought-after political figures. We share great ideals. I believe that, under the leadership of Italy and Germany, Europe will march toward a brighter future."
Although Benito had wanted to say that Italy and Germany were Europe's leaders, Italy's national strength now made that impossible. Forget leading Europe—even before Germany, Italy could not stand tall. He had come to Berlin to ask Adolf for help, so he could only stiffly and tactfully emphasize