Rebirth of the Spanish Empire

Chapter 214: Taking advantage of the situation

Britain has been strong for hundreds of years, but the people in the country have never suffered such a blow. The Japanese slapped the British directly in the face. Although the door was closed so that no one could see it, the British people were not fools, of course. He will quickly guess the changes in the relationship between his allies Japan and the United Kingdom. If he does not resolve it quickly, if the mood for war in the country becomes high, Asquith believes that he will not be able to suppress it easily.

On June 24, 1909, after hesitating for several days, Asquith finally made a decision and issued a proclamation condemning Japan. He believed that the Japanese were abdicating their responsibility for invading other countries' lands, and at the same time believed that the Kingdom of the Netherlands should bear the responsibility. He expressed regret for the Japanese government's military actions in recent days and said that Japan's actions reject peace. Said that if the British ally the Netherlands is really forced too far, then the British will not be afraid of war. After Japan finds the murderer, the Netherlands can return its troops to the Japanese mainland instead of continuing to invade there. ""Updated fastest All text typed by hand

Asquith's speech was a big disappointment. Many people, especially the Dutch, thought that Asquith would directly declare war on Japan. Unexpectedly, the entire speech was just ambiguous and did not say that peace talks would progress. There was no declaration of war. On the contrary, looking at how straightforward and decisive the Japanese behaved, this made the Netherlands, as an ally, feel very frustrated."

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However, just as everyone was waiting for any action from these parties, on June 25, something happened that shocked the world.

At a time when more Chinese people in the world are complaining about the bad treatment received by the Western Chinese in Dutch Indonesia, and when the world is paying attention to the dispute between Japan and the Netherlands, to see how and when they plan to end the dispute, Spain, the mediating country and the bystander country, the German Empire, was involved.

On the afternoon of June 24, a Spanish purchasing team exported products from Western Australia to the Kingdom of Siam and purchased products from the Kingdom of Siam. When they stopped in Jakarta for supplies on their way back, they unexpectedly encountered was robbed by a group of Dutchmen who were indiscriminate between officials and gangsters. The value of the loss exceeded 1 million pesetas, and dozens of crew members were seriously injured due to severe beatings. As soon as the news came out, many people suddenly felt that the situation was very bad.

It is even said that when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands heard the news, she was so angry that she vomited blood and fainted. The world was a sensation. It was a complete sensation. Even Asquith was a little unsure after hearing the news. The Japanese are no better than Spain. The Japanese and the British can still threaten them. However, Britain does not have many means to deal with Spain now. In fact, the two countries, although in terms of navy and other aspects, Spain is still far behind. It is not an opponent of Britain, but if you look at the map carefully, many people will find that the only real British territory that is not threatened by Spain is Canada in North America. However, it has become autonomous, and the money it makes there is spent by itself. , for the local area, it is no longer a place where you can ask for resources if you want.

The Middle East needs to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar, but Spain is present in the north and south there, and the British colonial purposes in Africa and the resources obtained by the colonies in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are already dominated by Spain and the United States in the Pacific. The situation is not good, because many British colonies will find themselves surrounded by the Spanish navy and the bases of territorial allies, even in Africa. The British routes pass through Portugal and Spain, which is even more... Make Britain extremely wary of Spain

Therefore, Spain's weight in the eyes of the United Kingdom and its strategic position are definitely far beyond that of Japan, although Japan can block Russia's southern invasion.

In such a difficult situation, he could only report to His Majesty Edward VII who had just woken up.

"House and West, it's really hard to choose Ai. This decision is really uncomfortable. Let's just choose." Just when Edward VII was about to say his choice and Asquith was about to decide whether his guess was correct, but It's disturbing

"Tell me, the Prime Minister is not an outsider." Ai Huaqi looked at the hesitant look on his bodyguard's head, waved his hand, and said

"Yes, just now, the German Empire sent troops from the Western Peninsula of New Guinea to Sulawesi on the grounds that their citizens were raped and humiliated by unknown people on Sulawesi. The occupation took over the security there.”

"What?" Edward VII was shocked. They both saw shock in each other's eyes. They suddenly had a feeling that the situation seemed to have deviated more and more from the trajectory they understood and was heading towards the unpredictable. We are moving in the same direction, mainly from what happened again and again.

Outside Buckingham Palace, there were also two people there. They were British Secretary of Commerce Churchill and Secretary of the Admiralty Fisher.

"Why did things come together so coincidentally? It's not like things like this have never happened before, but no real high-level national figures have expressed any intention to come forward. But now, all countries are scrambling to announce it. I am the victim, and it is really not an ordinary lively place here."

After taking a look at Churchill, Fisher didn't like the other party's approach of suppressing the navy and helping the army increase military expenditures, but he still admired the other party's talents very much, despite his different positions.

Now almost 69 years old, he has spent most of his life in the Navy, so he is very concerned about the Navy, especially the issue of warships he raised, which is developing at the most critical moment now, so he will I was so disgusted with Churchill before, but seriously speaking, judging from his age, Churchill, who was born in 1874 and is only 35 years old, is very likely to be one of the most powerful political figures in the future of Britain and the key to maintaining British hegemony. Therefore, he is gradually easing his dislike of him and thinking about cultivating the next generation for the future of Britain as Asquith said.

Churchill was surprised to see that the Lord of the Admiralty, who he thought was not very nice to him, now had such a nice tone.

"Don't look at me like this. Although I am disgusted by your reduction in military expenditures for the Navy, I am doing it to the right person. However, I think if you continue to suppress the Navy like this, your reputation in the Navy will most likely be directly affected. I know you are ambitious. If you continue to travel east like this, you may regret it in the end. The whole world knows that the most powerful force in Britain is the navy, not the navy. Army, you should know what I'm talking about."

Churchill looked at him thoughtfully, but he was thinking about Xiao Jiujiu. He could see that the other party was a kind reminder. Remembering the reminder that Prime Minister Asquith said to him a few days ago, he suddenly understood something. However, he did not say it frankly and directly. In that case, it would be more embarrassing for both parties.

Instead, he changed the topic to the matter he mentioned just now, and said: "Obviously, they have already plotted to act together."[

"What, you mean?" Although Fisher had some doubts, it was just doubts. Now listen to what Churchill meant, how could he be so sure?

Churchill smiled and said: "What's the matter? As you just said, why didn't they collectively launch an attack before, but now they are launching an attack at this time? Some people may say that this was exposed when it attracted the attention of various countries, and even more It has attracted the attention of citizens of various countries, so in order to avoid being used by other countries to spread opinions, governments of various countries might as well take the initiative to raise it themselves, so that they can also take the opportunity to transfer it to the Netherlands and reduce people's resentment towards the government.

Yes, this is one, but, I think, as two of the most powerful countries in Europe now, they have the same news practices together this time

"What about Japan?"

"Japan, obviously, Japan is taking the lead. This is a step-by-step approach. Japan first stirs up public opinion, Spain takes the initiative to be a good person, and the German Empire is keeping up with the British pace. Watching the UK as a bystander, using it as a check and balance to restrain the UK, allowing Spain to play the role they want to see, and at the same time allowing the situation to develop in the direction they want to see. As a result, you can see that Spain's slow mediation is occupying a pit. Don't let other countries interfere

Then Spain deliberately provided indirect support for the development of the current result, and then the situation has developed to the point where there is no room for much, especially after the Prime Minister issued a mild statement, they know that the Netherlands The flowers in the Far East have already begun to bear fruit. They know they can pick the fruits. Therefore, the German Empire has now emerged, and then Spain will definitely see the German Empire and Japan sending troops to Dutch Indonesia. Waiting for it."

"So confident?" However, Fisher found in his heart that he believed that this might be more than 90%

It didn't take long for the two of them to be recruited in. However, Edward VII's first words made them stunned.

"Spain has sent troops to the Nusa Tenggara Islands. Except for Java Island, it is said that all of them have been occupied by them. The external reason is that there is a possibility of being persecuted to the safety of life and property on these islands where the Spaniards are spread."

Second update, please vote (to be continued)