The game between the UK and Fao, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia competed to be the first, and a fierce political struggle broke out within the Colombian government.
The 1880 presidential election became the focus of all parties. President Julián Trujillo Largacha, aware of the trouble, decisively chose to withdraw from the election.
Not only did Hurian's withdrawal not quell the dispute, it even intensified it.
After a series of struggles, Rafael Núñez, the leader of the pro-British faction, was elected as the Colombian president, and the situation began to develop in the direction of Chile. (Note: Two years)
When the news reached Europe, Vienna and Paris were shocked. The game between the UK and Fao was not only a struggle for interests in South America, but also a struggle for everyone's reputation.
It was fine if they lost to the British in other areas. After all, the two countries of Fao and Colombia were latecomers, and their influence could not be compared with John.
Colombia was different. The forces of the two countries of Fao and Colombia had penetrated deep into the country. Although they came later than the British, the two countries combined were not weaker than the British.
It was not surprising that they lost the election. Because of the relationship of interests, the two countries of Fao and Colombia each supported agents in Colombia.
Even if the two countries of Fao and Colombia chose to cooperate, the contradictions between these agents still existed. It was impossible to cooperate sincerely.
It was normal to lose the election because the power was scattered and could not be concentrated. The senior government officials could understand it, but not everyone could.
In the eyes of the outside world, the two countries of Fao and Colombia lost to the British in the competition in South America. This perception was bound to affect the choices of other countries and regional governments.
If they did not break this perception, the two countries of Fao and Colombia would be at a disadvantage in the future international competition.
…
In this era of the law of the jungle, there was nothing that could not be solved by force. If there was, it must be because the force was not strong enough.
The two countries of Fao and Colombia were not easy to provoke. Since the pro-British faction in Colombia came to power, the British should make concessions in other areas, such as the South American war.
On April 1, 1880, the Fao and Colombia sent two cruisers to the Pacific for an "April Fool's Day military exercise" and visited Barranquilla.
It happened to be the first day of President Rafael Núñez's office. Before he could celebrate the victory, he was hit in the head.
Rafael Nuñez tore up the telegram angrily and roared, "Damn it, they are deliberately provoking me. They are deliberately trying to make life difficult for me!"
"Pass down my order. Order the surrounding troops to strengthen their defenses and prevent the enemy from landing …"
Without waiting for President Rafael Nuñez to finish, Foreign Minister Francisco interrupted, "Mr. President, Fao is only on a diplomatic visit.
Although it was rude, it was a normal diplomatic behavior. We can't bear the consequences of acting rashly and provoking the conflict. "
There was nothing wrong with it. It was indeed a normal diplomatic activity. Although there was no prior notice and they had come in a warship, a weak country had no diplomatic relations. They could just bear with the etiquette and let it pass.
Raphael Nuñez naturally understood this as well. Otherwise, instead of ordering the army to be on alert, he would have ordered the navy to expel these uninvited guests.
Forcibly suppressing his anger, Raphael Nuñez complained in dissatisfaction, "Is it difficult to notify them in advance for a normal diplomatic visit? Forcefully barging into the port for a diplomatic visit, this is really a miracle in the history of diplomacy! "
After a moment of contemplation, Foreign Minister Francisco advised, "There are many such miracles. Mr. President, you should get used to it.
Now that we are the ruling party, we need to be responsible for this country. We can't be so radical when we encounter problems. Otherwise, it will be easy for problems to occur. "
As a qualified politician, Raphael Nuñez naturally knew that he had to "be a coward." As for "face," he could not get it back anyway, so it was better to let it go first.
"You convinced me. Then send someone to keep an eye on them. Once there are signs of landing, take action immediately. "
The Fao Joint Fleet was here for a visit. Naturally, they would not bring the army with them. It was impossible for them to land. Considering Raphael Nuñez's pride, Francisco naturally would not expose him.
"These are all small problems. The key now is how to get rid of these unwelcome guests. The purpose of the Fao and the two countries' actions is very clear. They want us to ensure smooth trade with Peru.
But before that, in order to win the support of the British, we promised them that as long as we win the election, we will close the trade channel with Peru. "
Raphael Nuñez had considered this issue before the election, but he underestimated the determination of the Fao and the two countries.
After hesitating for a moment, Raphael Nuñez reluctantly made a decision, "Contact the British. This matter started because of them. We can't just ignore it now!"
Francisco wanted to say something but stopped. Although he knew that this was "drinking poison to quench thirst," there was no other way.
If he did not bring in the power of the British to offset the political pressure from the Fao, they would not be able to withstand the impact on their own.
…
The South American issue involved the relationship between the United Kingdom, the Fao, and the United Kingdom.
After receiving a telegram for help from the Colombian government, Prime Minister Benjamin immediately convened a cabinet meeting.
Benjamin: "Everyone is here, let's get started! Sir Edward, introduce the general situation first. "
"Okay, Prime Minister."
Foreign Minister Edward: "In order to end the South American war as soon as possible, under the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have drawn in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador to block the Peru-Bolivian alliance supported by the Fao.
Colombia is the only foreign trade route left. In order to cut off this trade route, the pro-British party we supported in Colombia won the election not long ago.
The situation was developing in a good direction. Unwilling to accept defeat, the Fao and the United Kingdom suddenly flipped the table.
Three days ago, the joint fleet formed by the Fao and the United Kingdom suddenly broke into the Barranquilla port of the Republic of Colombia, attempting to use force to force the Colombian government to yield. "
His tone seemed calm, but in fact, Edward was already full of anger.
Everyone used diplomatic means to compete, and it was the time for them to show their skills. In the end, at the last moment of picking the fruits of victory, the enemy suddenly stopped playing.
This was awkward. The efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were suddenly wasted. Anyone would be angry when the political achievements in their hands suddenly flew away.
Seemingly aware of this, Prime Minister Benjamin comforted, "The efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are obvious to all. To be able to force the Fao and the United Kingdom to break the rules is a great victory in itself."
After that, he took the lead to applaud, and everyone followed suit. Although this was only a situation, Edward's mood was still a lot more relaxed.
Although he didn't get the greatest political achievement, to be able to gain everyone's recognition was not a small gain.
"Thank you, this is the job of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"
…
Prime Minister Benjamin: "Things are clear. Now we need to make a decision. The Colombian government has asked us for help, hoping that we will send a fleet to visit and share their political pressure. "
There was no problem sending a fleet. It was not easy to change a pro-British government, and the Government of London naturally couldn't give up. The problem was how to deal with the relationship with the Fao and the United Kingdom?
When it came to international relations, everyone turned their attention to Edward.
"The Fao and the United Kingdom are our main competitors. It is impossible to maintain a good relationship in the long run. In recent years, the conflict between us and the Fao has been increasing. The collapse of the alliance is only a matter of time.
However, this is a matter of the future. Now we still need the existence of the alliance, so the conflict must be controlled within a certain range.
It is understandable that the Fao took drastic action. Most of the countries in South America have fallen to our side. If they don't fight back, there will be no chance.
It is impossible to expel the Fao and the United Kingdom from South America at once. The interests involved are too great, and they will definitely not give up.
Now that the Fao and the United Kingdom have a tendency to move closer, I suggest that we stop while we are ahead, so as not to provoke them too much and cause inevitable consequences. "
…
At the invitation of the Colombian government, on April 6, 1880, the British Royal Navy, which blockaded Peru, sent a fleet to visit Mica.
The Colombian government was dumbfounded. The script was wrong! The British did show their support with practical actions, but the problem was that this was not what the Colombian government wanted.
The visit location chosen by the British, the Fao, and the United Kingdom were very clever. It happened to be separated by the Americas. Even if the conflict escalated, the two sides could not reach each other.
There was no doubt that the three countries remained rational and deliberately controlled the conflict. They deliberately avoided direct conflict and put the pressure on the Colombian government.
This worried Rafael Nuñez. No matter how slow his reaction was, he knew that he was plotted against by the British.
It was not difficult to find the problem if he thought about it carefully. In this day and age, the regime of a small country without the support of international forces was very unstable.
On the surface, there were two paths in front of Rafael Nuñez. He could either offend the British and compromise with the Fao to ensure the smooth trade line with Peru, or he could follow the British's footsteps and break with the Fao and the United Kingdom.
In fact, Rafael Nuñez had no choice. The Fao had its own spokesperson in Colombia. Even if they wanted to support him, it was not his turn.
It was not easy to follow the British. If he severely offended the Fao and the United Kingdom, he was bound to suffer the revenge of the two countries.
The big powers all wanted face. The Fao could not do anything to the British, but they could not find trouble with them.
As for whether the British boss could be relied on, Rafael Nuñez had personally experienced it.
…
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