It was not only the British who suffered from the cotton crisis; the French were having a hard time as well. As a major power that had completed industrialization, France also had an enormous demand for cotton.
The cotton textile industry was also a vital link in the French economy. Napoleon III, who placed great importance on developing the domestic economy, naturally could not overlook this problem.
After seeing the Austrians successfully promote cotton cultivation in Africa, Napoleon III was also tempted to follow suit. He had even selected the location.
At the Palace of Versailles, Colonial Minister Stern said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, our colonies in West Africa lack sufficient immigrants. It will be very difficult to promote cotton cultivation there."
Cotton was a labor-intensive industry, especially during the harvest, when vast numbers of hands were needed.
France's population was growing even more slowly than a snail crawled—practically standing still. If immigrants were organized from the homeland to develop the African Continent, the domestic population might even suffer negative growth.
That was clearly impossible. A population decline would lead to a labor shortage, inevitably driving up labor costs. The domestic capitalists certainly would not be able to stomach that.
Napoleon III asked, "If we introduce preferential policies and recruit immigrants from Europe, can this problem be solved?"
"Your Majesty, most of the emigrants leaving Europe each year come from Germany. Ever since Austria opened up its African colonies, most of these immigrants have entered Austrian colonies.
"From 1854 until now, in just seven short years, Austrian Africa has taken in more than 1.4 million immigrants.
"With this batch of immigrants, Austrian Africa has developed far faster than any other part of the African Continent. They fly the banner of rebuilding a second homeland for Germany. It will be difficult