Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 733 The proud British man was slapped in the face

1879年3月11日，刚访问完阿根廷的英国克莱斯顿内阁政府对外贸易大臣约瑟夫.张伯伦(次子是二战时英国首相内维尔.张伯伦，长子奥斯丁.张伯伦是英国1924-1927年外交大臣）顺道访问南智利蒙特港。

He reiterated in Puerto Montt that the UK's security commitment to Southern Chile is unwavering and that if the sovereignty of Southern Chile is attacked by countries other than Northern Chile, the UK will be committed to safeguarding the security of the Southern Chilean government.

When meeting with José Mascaiano, one of the important future successors of the Liberal Party whom Creston valued, he said that the relationship between the United Kingdom and Southern Chile has a long history, and this relationship was established when the two countries fought against Spain. Established during the Empire, it was important for the security of Chile and South America as a whole.

Joseph Chamberlain also declared that the UK would stand on the same front as Southern Chile on security issues in the Strait of Magellan and the Eastern Pacific to maintain relations between the two countries.

Joseph Chamberlain, 42 years old this year and former mayor of Birmingham, said: "If the armed forces, maritime warships or land armies of South Chile are attacked in the area under the jurisdiction of South Chile, it will trigger the mutual defense commitment between the United Kingdom and South Chile. This This is our UK’s unwavering commitment to Southern Chile”

Macasiano reiterated that the relationship between South Chile and the United Kingdom is still strong and important, and he cannot foresee what the future of South Chile will be if South Chile loses British support, but he makes it clear that the United Kingdom is South Chile's most important ally.

Although he is not the British Prime Minister Creston and the Foreign Secretary Granville, and his weight is not satisfied, Joseph Chamberlain was the mayor of Birmingham and also led the national campaign of the Whig Party in 1876 when Creston ran for prime minister. , Creston's victory also made him famous.

Therefore, many people predict that he, who became a member of the cabinet at the age of only 42, will have a bright future.

Therefore, his arrival clearly expressed to the Netherlands that Britain would not give up on southern Chile.

A senior British government official told the London Times earlier that Joseph Chamberlain's visit to Argentina and Southern Chile is to strengthen bilateral relations with these two southernmost partners and allies in South America.

It reaffirmed the maintenance of British co-optation of Argentina and the preservation of the alliance with Southern Chile, and reaffirmed British countermeasures against Dutch pressure and military power projection there.

When Joseph Chamberlain previously met with Argentine President Miter, he and Miter discussed the economic and security relations between Britain and Argentina, including specific discussions on how to strengthen the "Plus Defense Cooperation Agreement" between the two countries in the next 10 years.

The two also expressed uneasiness about the situation in Uruguay and issued an implicit warning to Paraguay.

He also met with members of Argentina's cabinet and delivered a speech and address to the Argentine Congress.

In this regard, Walter, director of South America affairs under the British think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the London Times that although Joseph Chamberlain's trip to Argentina will anger the Netherlands, for the United Kingdom, it is more important to let Argentina Feeling at ease after betraying the Netherlands.

Even for this reason, the United Kingdom did not hesitate to sell British active warships and arms to Argentina.

Obviously everyone foresees that Britain has believed that Argentina is an important ally of Britain and has become Britain's most important ally in South America.

...

The establishment of an alliance between Argentina and the United Kingdom is not a small matter for all countries and forces in South America.

In addition to the Netherlands, all major forces, including the Brazilian Empire, are waiting to see what happens.

The governments of North and South France, the German Empire, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Europe also chose to watch. Even allies Sweden, Denmark, Spain and other countries were silent.Obviously, they all wanted to see how the Netherlands would react.

If the Netherlands swallows this breath, then it is estimated that many forces will deepen relations with Argentina, one of the world's largest grain exporters, like the United Kingdom, and will also take more actions against the Netherlands that harm its interests.

After all, in the 20 years since the Netherlands rose again, it has not only occupied such an important market share and security influence in South America.

Including the United States, the Netherlands has considerable influence.

Even in Europe, where there are many powerful countries, before the Netherlands moved its capital to Melbourne, Australia, it was a presence that all countries in Europe were competing to win over, and it was also a convener of small and medium-sized countries.

Therefore, various industries in small and medium-sized countries occupy a large share of the market.

Even Dutch arms are already the best-selling in the world, accounting for more than 50% of the world's share. This is not just about the amount, but also the quantity.

With such huge interests, as long as the Netherlands shows a little weakness, it will attract jackals and leopards, which will divide and devour the Netherlands' market share and security influence.

Because of this, the embassies in the Netherlands are keeping a close eye on the Dutch Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While waiting to see what happens, they are also paying close attention to the degree of the Netherlands' reaction.

However, the British people have already been inspired by Joseph Chamberlain's statement on this visit. Even many members of the Conservative Party and the opposition Tories agreed with Joseph Chamberlain's statement.

Former Tory Prime Minister Disraeli told the British Times: "This is the attitude that Britain should have. I hope that other members of Creston's cabinet government will do the same as Joseph Chamberlain. faction, not weakness”

Countless capitalists, interest groups or family forces that were suppressed by Dutch capital in the past feel that their great revenge has been avenged at this moment.

They wantonly criticized the society and government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and were gearing up to regain the share of industrial products and arms occupied by the Netherlands.

Argentina fell to the British, making all the British feel as if they were reaping rich spoils after a great victory.

And just when they were gloating about their misfortune, the Kingdom of the Netherlands took action.

March 1879, 3, just half a month after Joseph Chamberlain visited Argentina and southern Chile.

Puerto Montt, the temporary capital of southern Chile.

The red sun rises in the east, and when the first ray of sunlight shines on the majestic eastern mountains across South America, countless wriggling figures suddenly appear in all directions on the land north of Puerto Montt.

They were squirming towards the downtown area of ​​Puerto Montt like thousands of ants. In the blink of an eye, the entire north of Puerto Montt was surrounded by these figures.When the defense soldiers above Puerto Montt discovered and blew the police whistle, these things were like a dark cloud over the city, making the entire Puerto Montt population feel depressed.

If there is a word to describe it, it is called: The sky is so gray and the ground is so quiet!
(End of this chapter)