With Ernst's order issued, the East African National Defense Army ultimately bore the full burden. The armored force, originally scheduled for trials before 1900, was delayed until the next century—three years later, in fact.
For the army, delaying the armored force had little impact, because the East African Army had never possessed a generational advantage over the European and American armies in the first place.
Of course, East Africa lagged behind the European and American great powers in total military size, considering the combined strength of its army and navy. Although the American Army was no match for the East African National Defense Army—even ten of them could be taken on at once—the American Navy had expanded far too quickly in recent years, widening the gap between itself and the East African military instead.
"Ernst, why has the navy budget been cut again? We agreed before that the navy would not expand, but that did not mean it could be reduced!"
Before long, Archduke Ferdinand came storming in to demand an explanation from his son-in-law. After the South African War, the navy had entered an era of slow development. Though the East African Navy still ranked among the world's top ten, the rest of the world had not been idle, frantically expanding their naval forces.
East Africa had already been unusual enough; now its naval budget was being cut as well. Archduke Ferdinand could no longer sit still.
"After the South African War ended, in 1892, the British built the world's first battleship with an all-steel hull—the HMS Monarch. This is precisely an age of naval transformation. How can you pry military funds out of the navy's hands? I say the army should contribute more. Forget that armored force that is still nothing but a shadow; simply reduce the number