Among the Boer Republics, only the Orange Free State had relatively ample finances. Although Britain had taken the lion's share of the Kimberley diamond mines, at least a little broth was left in the pot.
The Griqualand Republic was actually rich in resources, but they had not been surveyed. Coupled with Griqualand's harsh climate and sparse population, even if mineral resources were discovered, it lacked the capacity to develop them. Unable to mine, the Griqualand Republic's only viable industry was pastoralism. As a result, its economic level was destined to remain low, even inferior to some Arab countries with equally poor natural conditions.
A few days later, beneath the very noses of the British and Griqualand Republic's upper echelon, Merke incorporated the Griqualand Republic's territory into the Kingdom of East Africa.
This left the administrative personnel sent by the Cape Colony to Griqualand dumbfounded. The East African Army had moved too quickly; only after East Africa sealed off the Orange River did the British react.
After reports passed through layer upon layer of bureaucracy, Johnson, the highest-ranking Cape Colony official in Griqualand, met Merke.
"Lord Merke, this is naked aggression by your Kingdom of East Africa. Griqualand is already territory of the Great British Empire. Does your Kingdom of East Africa intend to provoke the Empire's majesty?" Johnson demanded the moment he saw Merke.
Merke actually lacked confidence when he heard Johnson speak this way. It was not that he feared Britain, but that East Africa truly was in the wrong in this matter.
"Mr. Johnson, please calm down first. We had no intention of offending your country. Allow me to offer you an apology here."
Seeing Merke's decent attitude, Johnson finally said, "Hm, now that sounds more like it. But next, withdraw your troops from Griqualand immediately, and I