Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

On February 17, 1869, when there was still one day left before Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck announced that he would communicate with British Prime Minister Disraeli as the deadline, the largest leader of the opposition party in the British Empire, former prime minister, and current member of the House of Lords and Prime Minister Disraeli's old rival Crichton gave a formal speech in the House of Commons.

Among them, the most eye-catching hot event is the visit of the Speaker of the Dutch House of Representatives to Spain, which has become the most interesting content for the former British Prime Minister.

On the continent, Bismarck also gave a speech to his own House of Representatives, and this event became one of his important contents. .

"No matter what kind of political mission Huntington undertakes in Spain, or whether it is for the purpose of boosting the Dutch liberal election and enriching political capital in preparation for the Dutch parliamentary elections that will begin in the second half of the year, for London, what he represents This means that he is the fourth-ranking figure in the Dutch national system and the second-in-line successor to the position of prime minister after Senate President John Bonnen.

Once he actually sets foot on Spain's southwestern border and declares his support for Spain's sovereignty over Gibraltar, he will undoubtedly formally declare that he has subverted the invisible tacit understanding between the British Empire and many countries, challenged Britain's bottom line, and substantially enhanced the common understanding with Spain. Opposing the influence of the British Empire in the western Mediterranean is not only damaging to Anglo-Dutch relations, but also a huge provocation to the British Empire.

Therefore, it can be seen that the British Empire attaches great importance to this matter. It shows that on February 10, British Foreign Secretary Russell stated that if Huntington visits Spain and declares support for Spanish territorial sovereignty, it will seriously jeopardize Anglo-Dutch and Anglo-Spanish relations. Impacting the political foundations of the three countries and sending the wrong signal to Spain. Russell also emphasized that all consequences will be borne by the Netherlands and Spain.

After that, the British official escalated its tough response and prevention stance to a level that we have been able to achieve for a long time.

Hugh Smith, former editor-in-chief of the London Times, president of the University of Cambridge and dean of the Institute of Political Science, who has always been the official mouthpiece of the Tory party in the British Disraeli government (opponent to Rowan Elson, president of the University of Oxford, is pro-Whig) The Guardian, which is also pro-Tory, proposed that the British navy could circle Spain or even the Far East of the Netherlands. This influential figure in the British Tory Party believes that the British Empire can only fight back with resolute preventive actions. Jose's provocation made the Netherlands and even other countries that were watching and ready to take action understand the cost of playing the Gibraltar card. This is the only language they understand in the British Empire. Such an approach can truly reflect the British Empire's sovereignty over Gibraltar and maintain the majesty of the British Empire.

In other words, no matter what political calculations the Netherlands and Spain have, the British Empire will prepare for the worst and make the most complete preparations to prevent Gibraltar from being used by the Dutch and other kings as a sacrifice to contain Britain in the Mediterranean and even Southwest Europe.

In particular, Speaker Huntington has always been known for his toughness in Anglo-Dutch relations. When Britain suffered a defeat in South Africa, the Speaker even appealed to William IV, the Dutch military and the Tolbeck government to let the Netherlands The Boers who supported the Transvaal Republic defeated the British in South Africa, returning South Africa to the embrace of the Netherlands.

Even some time ago, after the British army suffered heavy losses in supporting the Confederate States of Southern America during the American Civil War, the Dutch Speaker of the House of Representatives praised the Lincoln government for creating "a beautiful scenery" that attracted the world's attention. , and then criticized the UK for causing chaos around the world.

Now the Speaker of the House of Representatives has chosen to visit Spain at this time and provide support for the Gibraltar sovereignty that Spain has never forgotten, replicating the fight between the United Kingdom and Spain. The Speaker of the House of Representatives has obviously made the United Kingdom uneasy. This must be the Tory Party's desire to improve Be vigilant and resolutely prevent the trend. "

Bismarck looked at the congressmen below who were listening very seriously, and he said: "However, the sharp turmoil caused by the Anglo-Dutch game is probably not within the scope of Spanish politicians. For Spain, as long as it can provide support for Isabel II and The election of Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez's cabinet will bring the greatest benefits, as long as it can mobilize people's populist sentiments and consolidate his ruling position in the long term, the only consideration is to wipe out.

For example, Queen Isabel II, who just went to the Netherlands to attend a meeting with King William IV and preached that "the relationship between Spain and the Netherlands has broken through again", recently said that the past 10 years have been the best relations between Spain and the Netherlands, and Spain has the best independence. In the past ten years, the queen also stated that she would not let other major powers ignore Spain's oppression, nor would she allow Spain to lose its status as a major power. She seems to be considering the current issue from the perspective of the Netherlands, and her attitude towards Britain and France is the same as that of the Netherlands. This is obviously an abdication mentality that externalizes the responsibility for all problems to the land neighbors in the north and the other side of the sea in the north. "

Bismarck said with great seriousness: "As far as I know, the news of Dutch Speaker Huntington's visit to Spain came out today. This news has received a huge positive response in Spain. All major newspapers in Spain rushed to report it with headlines. Although Spanish officials in Cixi are relatively low-key, including Spanish Foreign Minister Tonis, who said that they have not intercepted the exact news of Speaker Huntington’s visit to Spain, it is not difficult to imagine that Spanish politicians are secretly delighted and full of expectations.”

"Just like the 'Joseph-Spain Friendship' is their timeless 'emotional card', if the No. 4 figure in the Netherlands comes to Spain and supports Spain's sovereignty in Gibraltar, it will once again set off the collective 'Joseph-Spain Friendship' Excited, the government and the public regardless of factionalism are intoxicated in the rock-solid self-illusion. As for the turmoil in the relationship between Britain, Spain and the Netherlands, Spanish politicians who only have votes for the opposite sex have naturally abandoned the idea."

Bismarck concluded by saying: "Spain is intoxicated with the feeling of being favored by the Dutch government and politicians, and regards the coming envoy of its die-hard ally the Netherlands as a supreme 'honour'. However, once the beautiful slogans are torn off, Propaganda cloak, back to the reality of international politics, as Napoleon III of the French Empire frankly said, the Netherlands is doing it for its own national interests, not for the good of Spain.

The plan the Netherlands is setting up is nothing more than using Spain as a bargaining chip on the negotiation table for the Netherlands to become a major power. This is used to bargain with Britain, France, Prussia and other major powers, and to establish the Netherlands' equal status. This is a disguised form of tying Spain to its own battlefield. Together, we completed the transformation of the Netherlands into a great power. For this reason, they even advocated that Spain learn from Sweden's shield strategy of all citizens. IGN Spain became a sharp bayonet in the rear of Britain and France when dealing with countries such as the Netherlands, making it difficult for Britain and France to sleep. Of course, it also made Spain the target of British and French dissatisfaction. To make its people the ones who contributed their lives and paid the price for the advancement of the Netherlands.

Regardless of whether Huntington, the speaker of the Dutch House of Representatives, visited Spain in the end, Spanish rulers and politicians have already been hypnotized by the waves of pro-Dutch and anti-British and French movements. No wonder they can’t see the sorrow of drinking poison to quench their thirst. Close at hand”