The other nation will Let us be Free if we pay Compensation

We have received word from Belgium, and they have put a literal price on our independence. They remind us of the significant outlay of capital that they invested into our nation, ranging from the laying of considerable lengths of track, development of mining capabilities and general expansion of infrastructure. At the time this was claimed to be a part of their responsibility towards us as the colonial overlord, and was simply a part of the process of civilizing the nation. Now however, they hold this over our heads as collateral designed to retain our ongoing loyalty through economic dependence. The asking price is not unattainable, but it is extremely high and will beggar our nation for the short term, and leave us beholden to them through debt for a much longer period after. The question now, this is worth the price of independence, or should it be paid in blood?