The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 432: Chapter 350: War and the Expeditionary Army_3

The United States, already geographically superior and hard to conquer, coupled with support from South American resources, indeed have the potential to become a world superpower.

This is something that the British Empire neither wants to see nor accept, which is why they've been fostering Australasia to counteract the United States.

Under the keen observation of Britain and America, the war in South America continued for another week.

Up to now, the war has inflicted tens of thousands of casualties on both Chile and Argentina, with a combined death toll exceeding two thousand.

Even though South America had been relatively prosperous, the strain of the war has inflicted severe hardship on these two countries.

If it weren't for the British and Americans providing backup and support, these two countries would have had to drain their national resources to win the war.

On July 17, 1913, Arthur received a telegram from the British Government inquiring if Australasia was interested in jointly dispatching an expeditionary army to end the war in South America.

Of course, there would be rewards. After the victory of the war, a buffer zone would be delineated between Chile and Argentina for joint management by all countries that participated in the military expedition.

This essentially includes Britain, Russia Nation, France, and Australasia. As Allies, these four great powers have the strongest support for the British Empire, naturally excluding Britain itself.

The Allies have shared interests, so their relationships remain relatively tight now.

Arthur does not know if France and Russia Nation have agreed to Britain's terms, but for Australasia, Britain's conditions are not too bad.

The scale of the expeditionary army to end the war in South America will not exceed 50,000 at most. This means, if the four great powers jointly dispatched troops, each country would only need to contribute slightly more than 10,000 soldiers.

The plan to divide a buffer zone for joint management by the four great powers is considered good news for Arthur.

After all, by distance, Australasia is the country closest to South America.

Moreover, after World War I breaks out, other countries will be occupied, and the management of the buffer zone would essentially be up to Australasia.

Arthur has a clear understanding of the buffer zone. Although the British Empire proposes it with legitimate reasons to defuse disputes between Chile and Argentina,

Looking at the relationship between Chile and Britain, most or even all of the buffer zone should be in Argentina.

And Argentina owns one of the world's four Black Land areas, the Pampas. This black soil plain spans a total area of 105 million hectares, with Argentina holding the vast majority, up to 89 million hectares.

Each of the world's four Black Land areas holds tremendous potential as a grain harvest.

And with the upcoming World War I, the economic crisis, and World War II, the importance of grain is indisputable.

Even in peacetime, food production is a significant indicator for a country.

A large population country must control the production of its food. If they can control a part of the Black Land in Argentina, it would be meaningful for Australasia's development.

This is indeed a good opportunity, allowing Australasia, with the British Empire's agreement, and even anticipation, to control part of Argentina's Black Land.

As long as Argentina's strength does not surpass Australasia's, Australasia can continue to hold this black soil and develop it as their own granary.

Arthur cannot resist coveting this Black Land as the value of the world's four Black Land areas are truly significant.

The largest black soil area, the Eastern European Plain, has always been Europe's major granary and will shine even more brightly in the future under the Soviet Union.

The second-largest black soil region is located in North America, within the United States, affectionately called the "bread basket" by the American People.

The third largest region is in Northeast Asia, which has developed from a desolate area to an important grain production area, earning the reputation of "North Granary".

Although the Black Land of South America is the smallest, Argentina's 89 million hectares of land are enough to cultivate it into a super granary.

With this vital grain production area, Australasia can confidently expand its population to tens of millions or even hundreds of millions without worrying about any food crisis.

Food is the basis of the population, and as long as there is enough food production and reserves, whether in war or crisis, Australasia has the full confidence to get through safely.

More food production can also bring substantial profits to the country and take the country's development to the next level.