My Italy

"Dear Carlo, I didn't know that Italy was talking to Spain about a territorial deal in the Philippines, but when I learned the news, I was surprised. I really want Germany to withdraw from this territorial deal, but I The officials and businessmen are simply unwilling to withdraw. It is impossible for me to change the minds of most people, and I also do not want to affect the feelings between you and me, as well as the long-term friendship between Germany and Italy. I hope Carlo can understand that you My most sincere friend, William.”

Carlo put down the letter in his hand, raised his head and said to the German Ambassador Pearson who was waiting for him. "I have read the letter from your emperor. I also asked William to send a reply to thank him for his sincerity. Our friendship will not change, nor will the friendship between Italy and Germany."

Facing Carlo's words, Ambassador Pearson bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, I will send this reply to His Majesty the Emperor right away. Please allow me to retire."

"Please, Ambassador Pearson."

After waiting for Ambassador Pearson to leave, Carlo touched his head with one hand and sighed.

Germany suddenly intervened to purchase the Philippines. How could this not affect the relationship between the two countries, and how could it not affect his relationship with William? As long as there is a conflict of interest, it will inevitably lead to damage to the relationship between the two parties.

Besides, his relationship with the Kaiser was also more about interests than personal matters. In fact, both parties knew this. But having said that, the Philippines alone is not enough to worsen the relationship between Germany and Italy. At most, there seems to be a twist in it.

In the final analysis, it is interests that connect the two sides. The two countries complement each other in many ways. For example, Italy has a large demand for German chemical and military technology, while Germany also relies on Italy for shipbuilding technology, power transmission and other aspects.

It is precisely because both parties have a lot of needs that the Kaiser's letter came out. This is a step forward for Italy. Of course, Carlo would not really believe that Germany had indeed contacted Spain without knowing it. This was completely impossible. Of course, the next step is coming, and Carlo will definitely have to step down. After all, Italy's demand for Germany is higher than Germany's demand for Italy. It's impossible not to give.

Now that Germany has intervened, Carlo doesn't want to think about the dispensable Philippines.

Yes, in Carlo's view, the Philippines is useless for three reasons. First, the Philippines has awakened its national ideology, and even if the rebels are suppressed, there will be no peace. Unless Germany intended to transform the national composition of the Philippines, security operations would consume the colonial government's energy.

Second, and based on the first point, the price is too high. Now just buying the Philippines basically costs 50 to 60 million U.S. dollars. Next, we have to destroy the rebels, and then we need to build and transform. It is impossible to spend less than 150 million U.S. dollars. With so much money, the Philippines must earn at least 15 million U.S. dollars for Germany every year. This requirement is not low at all.

You must know that when Spain had the most profits, it only made US$3 million from the Philippines. Although Spain's colonial management is terrible, how good is Germany? If you want to get high returns, Germany needs high investment. This is the problem.

Some people may ask, why do we have to earn so much every year, why not less? It is indeed not possible, because it is already 1898. If the world war still started according to the original history, it would only take 16 years, which would not even be enough for babies to reach adulthood.

Of course, who can say for sure about these things now? It is still uncertain whether history will continue to develop in this way.

But now, Carlo has taken up the idea of ​​​​Spain, which has not yet received funds. "Invite Foreign Minister Bacona. I have something to ask him."

…………

"I have met His Majesty."

Without keeping Carlo waiting, Bacona arrived at the palace within half an hour.

"Your Excellency Bacona, the terms of our negotiations with Spain can be changed. You tell them that our two Venetian-class ships can also be sold, also with retired officers and soldiers. Let the ambassador in Madrid tell the Spanish Foreign Minister, It seems to be called Gibbs?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Foreign Secretary is indeed named Gibbs, but it was his Prime Minister Castillo who recently discussed with our ambassador in Madrid."

"Wait a minute, you're saying that the person was changed in the middle of the negotiation, and the foreign minister is not here?"

"I don't know if he is here or not, but the substitution is certain."

People were replaced mid-negotiation, so where was Gibbs?

In a room in the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, the much-remembered Mr. Gibbs was here, and with him was the German Foreign Minister Bernhard von Bülow.

Yes, the two were having secret talks, secret negotiations without the presence of a third person, and the content of the negotiations was exactly the Philippine colony. Both parties have received sufficient authorization, and of course confidentiality is taken into account (both parties need it), so the fewer people negotiating, the better.

"Mr. Gibbs, we in Germany have given us the greatest sincerity. The price of 230 million marks is already the limit of what we can afford to buy the Philippines and the Pacific Islands, where most of the territory of your country is occupied by rebels. The Pacific Islands The value is limited, and if it is worth 5 million marks, we are generous. As for the Philippines, we still need to consider counterinsurgency and other expenses when buying it, so this price is also our final offer."

Gibbs would definitely sneer at the final quote claimed by Bülow. The final quote had increased from 200 million marks to 230 million marks. Can this be believed?

"Your Excellency Bilo, I admit that the price of your country is quite high, but please note that what we are about to sell is a vast colony with a population of tens of millions and an area of ​​300,000 square kilometers. It is rich in products, whether it is cash crops or not. , it has a high output of grain, and it also has a lot of minerals. For such an excellent colony, although there are a few rebels, 230 million marks is indeed not a gratifying price."

Hearing Gibbs' cliche words, Biro felt a little depressed, but fortunately he had a trump card.

"Mr. Gibbs, I acknowledge what you said, but there is one thing I need to state in advance. If the United States takes the lead in seizing the Philippines, our country will not pay for the colonies that were taken away from your country."

Bilo's words made Gibbs a little confused, and a bad thought emerged in his mind. "Your Excellency Biro, I don't know what you mean by this?"

"Nothing, I just want to tell you something. The Acting Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt sent a telegram to Commodore Dewey, the commander of the Asia Fleet, saying that the Asia Fleet can prepare for battle in advance."

"What?"

Gibbs was frightened by Bulow's words, and of course he knew what it meant at this time. If it is true, then we can no longer dwell on these issues at this time. We should give up our illusions and prepare for war. The sale of the Philippine colonies cannot be delayed any longer.

"I'm sorry, can I send a telegram to China first?"

"No problem, please do."

The next day, an agreement was reached between Germany and Spain on the sale of the Philippines and the Pacific Islands. Germany provided Spain with 230 million marks in emergency loan funds for one year, with Spain using the Philippines and Pacific Islands as collateral. If the principal and interest of 350 million marks cannot be returned when due, Germany will have the right to confiscate the Philippines and the Pacific Islands. In addition, in order to ensure that the loan can be repaid, Germany has the right to station troops in the Philippines and even collect taxes and manage things from the date of signing the treaty.

Well, this is actually the sale of the Philippines and the colonies of the Pacific Islands. It is just to make Spain look better, so it is used as an excuse to use loans and mortgages.

On the second day after the treaty was signed, Germany formed a government team for the German Philippines. It seemed that Germany could not wait to take over the Philippines.