Restart Spain Chapter 29

While the supply problem in Cuba is still being resolved, Alfonso in Spain has new ideas.

Spain is not famous in later generations, the only famous ones may be football and bullfighting.

But little known is that Spain ranks second in the world in terms of high-speed rail mileage, after China.

In the 19th century today, the history of railway development in Spain lags behind that of Western European countries by more than a little bit.

The Germans are 30,000 kilometers, the British are 23,000 kilometers, the French are 20,000 kilometers, and the Spanish are only 5,400 kilometers.

Spain, with a territory of 500,000 square kilometers, is only about 40,000 square kilometers smaller than Germany and France.

The other side's railway mileage is several times that of Spain.

There is a saying in my hometown that if you want to get rich first build roads, railways not only have huge benefits for the economy, but also have a huge impact on politics, people's livelihood and the military.

For this reason, Alfonso specially notified Canovas and Palacides to come to discuss the construction of the railway.

"You two, Spain, as a big country in Western Europe, I think our railway mileage should catch up with the rest of the big countries."

Alfonso said directly, not intending to discuss.

After going through compulsory education and military reform, Alfonso's personal reputation in the country reached the peak at this time.

"Your Majesty, our country's railways have already linked several major metropolises, which is enough. And because of the large-scale investment this year, the government has no money to invest in the construction of more railways."

The construction of the railway is a big deal. Whether it is the consumption of steel, the construction of the railway, and the later operation and maintenance, it is a big hole like a bottomless pit.

To be honest, accumulating so many things to do in one year, for the country, it means a little bit of encouragement.

But Alfonso knows that in a few years, Europe will hold a conference to carve up Africa, and Spain, whose comprehensive strength is far behind European countries, only gets a small part of Morocco.

Britain, France, Germany and other countries ate their mouths full of oil in this feast of dividing up Africa.

The most basic element of a country's strength is the economy, and building railways to promote transportation will be a great stimulus to the domestic economy.

Therefore, Alfonso needs to step up the development of national strength in the past few years, so that Spain has enough right to speak in this feast of powers to divide Africa.

"For the construction of various railway networks, we directly bid for the public and implement a shareholding system."

The people who have the ability to invest in the construction of railways are no more than some big nobles and capitalists. Instead of letting them outflow their money on a large scale, it is better to stay in the country through bidding.

"The government will provide land, policies, workers, and some funds, and will sell up to 49 percent of the shares to private capital based on the actual valuation of the railway."

It is also a last resort to give profits to capitalists, which will lead to the looting of railways in prosperous areas, and the roads in remote areas will definitely become unattended.

Similarly, the railway line from Barcelona to Madrid must be looted, but the relative actual valuation must be high, and there is no worry about whether there is any investment.

"But Your Majesty, if the government promises that the workers will be on duty, the wages of the workers alone will hit our country's finances heavily."

Canovas said worriedly that the average income of Spaniards is not lower than that of Western European countries.

In 1875, Spain's per capita GDP was 1925. Although the total economic volume was not comparable to that of other Western European countries, the population was much lower than others, and the per capita naturally increased.

"The workers are indeed the problem, but I've figured out a solution."

If it is the 21st century, this problem will be very difficult to solve, but now it is the 19th century, especially in Europe.

"Notify the mayors of Ceuta and Meria, and publish job advertisements to recruit railway workers in Morocco."

That's right, Alfonso set his sights on Morocco, which is just across the strait from Spain.

On the 450,000 square kilometers of Morocco, there are about 8 million indigenous people, most of whom are Arabs and Berbers.

"Moroccans? It's a good choice. We can hire them at a low price."

Canovas nodded, thinking that Alfonso's doctrine was good.

"Canovas, maybe we can lure them with a slightly lower salary than the Spaniards, you say."

Alfonso smiled, hiring? Canovas had a good suggestion, but Alfonso didn't intend to.

"After attracting the Moroccans and transporting them back to Spain, maybe we can try to let them work for free, and let the soldiers use the way of managing slaves. I hope they will never come back."

Canovas was obviously stunned by Alfonso's words, but he didn't react much.

"Okay, Your Majesty, using Moroccans to build Spain requires money to buy slaves, and if you lure them with high salaries and bury them forever in Spain, we only need to pay for shipping and a negligible amount of food."

I am afraid that as the leader of the Liberal Party, Rashids will naturally be more open, UU reading www. uukanshu.com even agrees with this inhumane way.

"This method is really good."

Canovas also agreed that Europeans in this period did not see anyone of color getting a cold. Although he was a conservative, he did not feel anything wrong.

"In the early stage, we only need to use this method. After the Moroccans discover it, create conflicts on the border and send the Spanish army to occupy the land of Morocco."

Alfonso knew what to do after occupying Morocco, not to mention the two of them, but using the military is always the most inferior method.

The hands and feet of the French have not yet reached here, and the first intervention of the great powers in Morocco will not be until the Madrid Conference in 1880.

But it was 1875, and Spain's move against Morocco would not suffer from European moral problems.

"Then start to prepare the implementation plan, and make sure that the railway workers are available."

Alfonso knocked on the table, and the plan was settled.

Although it may seem cruel to modern people, several countries in history have hurt our ancestors more severely, and North and South America are the worst hit areas.

But a strong country must be built up on the flesh and blood of countless people. For the rapid development of Spain, this is an indispensable shortcut.

And the implementation of this policy Alfonso believes that the following people can do well, after all, the Spaniards have experience in this area.

The large number of blacks in South America proves that the Spaniards are not only experienced, but gifted for it…

As a Chinese in the previous life, he also reminded Alfonso that it is time for them to do their part for the huge group of Chinese workers in Cuba and the Philippines.

Chapter end