Wild North America 1846

Chapter 691
After two days of bloody battles, the 1.12 Chilean soldiers who landed finally defeated the enemy and announced the occupation of Antofagasta, the fifth largest city in Bolivia and the most important port on the Pacific coast of the country.

This battle defeated more than 2 Bolivian defenders, killed and wounded more than 1700 enemy troops, and captured nearly 4000 people. The rest of the defeated soldiers retreated to the northwest of the Chuquicamata area in embarrassment.

The Chilean army also paid the price of 417 casualties, and finally won the battle with more elite equipment and German training.

This also means that the Chilean army has blocked the coastline of Bolivia, blocked the main sea artery for the import and export of materials, and has taken the upper hand, and the situation has become unfavorable to the Bolivian alliance.

in South America
Peru has the strongest strength and was the first country to export guano. Today, the annual export volume is as high as 2 million Tang yuan, accounting for more than 000% of its total national economic income.

Over the past 30 years, Peru has exported a total of 5.5 million Tang yuan in guano, known as "white gold". It is a very rich South American country, and its domestic economic level is in the same range as the European Austrian Empire.

Chile is second. In this South American country dominated by white people, the export of rich mineral resources is the economic pillar of Chile. There are more than 130 large and small copper mines throughout the country, which is the second largest in the world after the Tang Empire. copper exporting country.

Chile's copper reserves rank first in the world, accounting for about 32%.

In addition, Chile discovered gold mines in the 16th century, silver mines in the 17th century, and copper mines in the 18th century. There are also rich deposits of iron, coal, lead, zinc, etc., with good grades and high quality.

Among South American countries, Chile is the first country to achieve stable domestic political development.

The dictatorship of its military government is a distinctive label, but it has reduced the political chaos and corruption that often occur in South American countries, and the economy has developed by leaps and bounds.

In the military
The Chilean navy learned from the British, from the import of warships to the training of naval officers and soldiers, all the British goods, and the hired British instructors were in charge of teaching.

In terms of the army, Chilean President Francisco Antonio Pinto and the army generals who occupy the dominant position of the government are particularly fond of Germany, spending a lot of money to hire a large number of retired German officers to serve as middle and senior military positions, from the army drills to combat regulations. It's German style.

The poorest is Bolivia, a country dominated by Indians whose only hope is the guano and saltpeter deposits in the desert.

House leaks coincided with continuous rains. Such a poor country encountered a catastrophic heavy rainstorm in 1886, coupled with flooding and floods, which caused large-scale crop failure. Dozens of millions of people in the country were struggling to starve to death, and the situation was on the verge of collapse.

The so-called barefoot is not afraid of wearing shoes. The harsh situation forced Bolivia to make a desperate move on the saltpeter mines, thus provoking this South American Pacific War.

a few days later

It was the German general Otto von Sternberg (note; naturalized in Chile) who led the Chilean army to capture Antofagasta. At this moment, he is in the Spanish-style mansion in the city, and he is talking with the British adviser George Graham. The colonel studied the battle situation.

Everyone's expressions are very dignified. The news they have received recently is not good!

Bolivian President Hilarion Daza was furious after the retreat of the Bolivian army.

On the one hand, he urgently contacted the Peruvian reinforcements, and on the other hand, he personally led an army of 5.6 to kill them, vowing to take back this important Pacific port town.

If it joins with about 1.6 remnants and defeated generals in the Chuquicamata area, the total force will reach more than 7, plus the cavalry and artillery reinforced by Peru, it will definitely pose a serious threat.

On paper, Chile is undoubtedly at an absolute disadvantage in terms of the strength of the two sides.

Peru has a total population of 431 million, plus more than 260 million in Bolivia. The total population is about 700 million.

Chile has a population of more than 330 million. Before the war, the army was 4.42. After the war, it increased to about 7 after the war. The current army size is only half or less of the opponent.

The latest news is even worse. The total number of allied forces of the two countries may have exceeded 20, and it is still growing rapidly.

The quantity is scary, but the quality is not so good.

Behind the huge sand table, a Chilean captain officer is introducing the military situation with a long wooden pole;
"...

Bolivia once again carried out national military mobilization, and those hungry Indians dressed in rags were very enthusiastic about participating in the war for a bite to eat.

Accordingly, this has become our big problem.

The army led by President Hilarion Daza has now arrived in Real Doro, and the mighty army stretches back and forth for more than [-] kilometers.

In the villages and towns that passed by, there were many starving people who had no food and clothing to join the team, and the number was changing at any time.

Our existing troops are deployed near the San Marco Monastery in the northwest of the city and at the Civic Square in the city..."

Listening to the captain's introduction, Colonel George Graham covered his mouth and yawned. Several British officers also looked tired and listless.

They participated in the upper-class dinner hosted by the rich local Chinese businessmen last night. Some noble officers from the armored cruiser "Black Wind" of the Tang Empire also attended. There were also many beautiful white girls at the dinner, and everyone enjoyed themselves until midnight.

The war of these South Americans is their business, and has little to do with the high-ranking British and Tang people.

Whether Chile wins or the alliance of the two countries wins, the interests of Britain and Tang will not be affected. Therefore, the officers of the two countries dance and drink as usual, showing a detached attitude.

General Otto von Sternberg frowned secretly, but he had no choice but to pretend not to see these British guys, and continued to listen to his subordinates explaining the current situation.

after awhile
After the introduction of the captain and officer, General Otto von Sternberg said;

"Chile has undergone emergency mobilization, and reinforcements will arrive one after another. Our most urgent task right now is to defend Antofagasta for at least a week.

I have confidence in the Chilean army. Their tenacity and sacrifice are comparable to the European army. No matter how large the Bolivian army is, it is nothing more than a mob.

Colonel;

I have another thing I want to talk to you about. Tang Guo recently announced that in order to maintain neutrality, the three South American countries at war are not allowed to pass through the Nicaragua Canal. This has caused us a lot of trouble.

Merchant ships full of ore can only stop in Huwan City, and cannot be delivered to customers in exchange for the funds we urgently need.

The vice president of Chile has led an emergency delegation to Chang'an, but it is estimated that it will be difficult to change the attitude of the Datang government.

We hope that through you, we can convey this urgent request to the London government, and hope that the UK can come forward to negotiate with the Datang government and release the Chilean goods for God's sake. "

"Mr. General, are you sure that the transportation of goods in the three countries is prohibited?"

"Yes, they are all banned from the Nicaragua Canal."

"That's going to be difficult." Colonel George Graham touched his forehead with some headaches, but he still said;

"I can truthfully convey your request to London, but will it be effective? Only God knows.

As far as Chile is concerned alone, London has every reason to intervene.

The problem is that
Tang's embargo measures are not aimed at Chile alone, but treat the goods of the three countries equally. This is their official neutral policy and cannot be easily changed.

There is no valid reason for London to intervene, so don't expect too much from your side. "

I knew I couldn't count on these Brits.

General Otto von Sternberg slandered secretly with a displeased face. This move of the Tang Empire hit Chile's weakness, and it was such a pain.

Due to its limited industrial capacity, Chile exports a large amount of copper ore powder every year, which is shipped to Datang or Europe for processing and smelting. This is the country's economic lifeline and the main source of income.

In the past, it was transshipped through the land channel of Panama, and shipped from the Port of Colon to Datang or Europe. Now it can directly pass through the Vicaragua Canal, saving a lot of sea-land combined transportation costs.

But now that the canal is embargoed, Chile really has nothing to do.

Some people will say...can't the freighter go south into the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego?

Looking at the map, you can see that this requires going south to bypass the entire South America, not only increasing the voyage of more than 14 kilometers, but also crossing the treacherous Magellan Strait, which is extremely dangerous.

Especially now that it is July, which is the winter in South America, the cold wind is wrapped in overwhelming waves and raging wildly, which makes all navigators feel daunted.

A freighter of tens of thousands of tons is like a small sampan in the face of a wave of more than ten meters high, and it can capsize at any time.

take a thousand steps back

Don't you need permission from the Tang Empire to cross the Strait of Magellan without permission?

Is the fleet of the Tang Empire stationed in Storm City a display?
Even with a gun to the captain's head, no captain would dare to cross the turbulent Magellan Strait without the permission of the Tang Empire.

All freighters passing through the Strait of Magellan must register with the Maritime Safety Administration on both sides of the Strait, pay tolls, and pass through according to the schedule of the Maritime Safety Administration.

The Maritime Bureau's schedule is based on the weather conditions and the wind and waves in the Strait of Magellan. It is a no-voyage period from June to August.Ships arriving here can only wait in the port for a few months, and they can pass through after the wind and waves subside.

Even with a daring captain, occasionally he can successfully cross the Strait of Magellan without permission.

Then it got on the blacklist of the Maritime Safety Administration of the Tang Empire, and this ship will not be able to dock in the ports of the entire America in the future.

Ships sail at sea, and the rules are greater than those of cars.

When entering the port, you need to register at the port, including where did the ship come from?What are you going to pack?What is the type of goods?How many days are you expecting to stop?How many people are there on board including the captain, chief mate, chief engineer and sailor?Do you hold a certificate and belong to your nationality?Whether the ship is to be piloted, which pier to call, etc., are registered in great detail.

When leaving the port, you need to register at the port. Where is the ship going?What cargo is loaded?It is expected to take which route, etc., almost every detail needs to be registered.

Ships don't just run around on the sea, wouldn't that be a mess?

The move of the Tang Empire can be regarded as strangling the throats of the three countries in South America. Except for Bolivia, which has little impact, Peru and Chile will be very uncomfortable.

If you can't export minerals, you have no source of funds. What kind of war do you have without money?

(End of this chapter)