A scaled-down African railway network plan had been released. Following the principle of saving wherever possible, the central government would fund half the construction costs of the main lines, while the colonial governments would have to find their own solutions for all other branch railways.
The main lines were a strategic necessity. Linking the colonies into one whole would increase their ability to withstand risks. Even if a world war broke out, Austria could still hold on to the African Continent.
To say nothing else, the gold mines in South Africa alone warranted building this railway. Without sufficient strength, there would be no way to fend off the covetous eyes of the various nations.
The Portuguese did not dare join hands with the British because John Bull had not offered enough benefits—nothing worth the risk. But if vast gold mines were discovered in South Africa, would they still be able to restrain their greed?
Put plainly, colonies in this era were merely another form of wealth. For the Portuguese, as long as the gains were large enough, it would be worth it even if Austrian retaliation cost them colonies in other regions.
Otherwise, why would Franz have needed to fight the British in South Africa? So long as the Vienna Government announced the annexation of the Boer Republic, Governor Delfo was no fool. How could he possibly continue the war?
The greatest value of the Anglo-Boer War was making the London Government clearly realize that they truly were not cut out for fighting on land.
As for the Cape Town Colonial Government, it would probably be unable to emerge from the shadow of this war for decades.
Once the railways were connected, even if the gold reserves were exposed, the Cape Town Colonial Government would no longer have the nerve