My Italy

When Germany and Spain made the sale of the Philippines public, it caused an uproar around the world. Among them, the United States, which has regarded the Philippines as a treasure, reacted the most fiercely.

The New York Times published a long comment on this, saying that this was a very bad agreement. The decadent Spanish settlement sold off one of the only two chairs, but it was sold by the stupid Germans who had just become rich and wanted to show off their appearance. The boy was treated as a treasure, and the two countries staged a farce.

Of course, no matter how ironic the New York Times is, it still cannot change the fact that Germany has purchased the Philippines.

Of course, for the U.S. government preparing for war, they also feel the urgency. This time can no longer be delayed. They continue to wait for all parties to be ready, and they still don’t know what will happen.

So on July 14, the 12th day after the explosion of the USS Maine, the U.S. Navy investigation team announced the results of its investigation. The Maine encountered a mine that exploded from the outside, causing the battleship's ammunition depot to explode, causing the Maine's tragedy.

This U.S. Navy investigation report was reported by newspapers across the United States. This attitude of pointing the finger at Spain as the murderer made the American people hate Spain to the highest level. The slogan of revenge resounded throughout the land.

Subsequently, the U.S. Congress directly passed an emergency bill requiring Spain to stop its counterinsurgency war in Cuba within a week.

Such direct demands for a ceasefire from other countries also show that the United States is impatient to start a war. Perhaps in the eyes of the masters of the U.S. Congress, this ultimatum will make Spanish dogs jump over the wall and do things that make them angry.

Unfortunately, the Congressmen were disappointed. On the fifth day, the Spanish government issued a statement accepting the United States' proposal and agreeing to stop fighting the rebels in Cuba.

In order to buy time to prepare for war, Spanish officials did not care about face.

Of course, the reason why Spain has such a low profile is because the ship purchase issue has not yet been concluded.

Regarding the purchase of warships negotiated with Italy, it is really a long time for Prime Minister Castillo and others. Because the talks were almost over, Italy suddenly appeared willing to sell two Venice-class patrol ships to Spain.

This sudden increase caught Spain by surprise, because these two Venice-class ships are no longer considered advanced and have been in service for more than ten years. Admiral Cervera did not want these two ships to patrol, but when he wanted to refuse, he was stopped by the Prime Minister. The reason is simple. At this time, only Italy can purchase combat-effective warships on a large scale.

Although Spain can also purchase warships from other countries, they will not sell the ships and send mercenaries who can operate them, so Spain can only continue to talk to Italy about purchasing ships.

In the Prime Minister's Office in Madrid, Prime Minister Castillo, Foreign Secretary Gibbs, and Navy Minister Cervera, who had just returned, were discussing with Nigel, the Italian Ambassador to Madrid.

"Ambassador Nigel, our country has offered 120 million lire for your country's three Turin-class battleships and two Venetian-class battleships. This is not low. Although they are all battleships that have been in service for seven or eight years or even more than ten years, we Considering the good relationship with your country, we still offered a price that is almost the same as the cost. I think this is enough to reflect the good relationship between your country and our country.”

Gibbs started talking about the relationship between Italy and Spain. Of course, there was nothing wrong with what he said. The price for selling old ships to new ones was indeed very high. But it's a pity that Nigel doesn't think the price is high.

"Mr. Gibbs, you are right. I shouldn't dwell on this, but you also know that the sale of this warship is different. Your country is not buying our warship because it can directly exert its full combat effectiveness and be able to fight. This is the best thing about selling ships in our country, so this must also be reflected in the price.”

Nigel's still unsatisfied words drew a rebuttal from Prime Minister Castillo. "Ambassador Nicol, our country has shown enough sincerity to your country. If your country wants to get a higher offer, it is simply impossible. Our country has limited funds and time and cannot fall into an unlimited dispute. "

If Prime Minister Castillo already has some threats, how can it be difficult to defeat Nicol? At this time, the Spanish government, which has sold the Philippines, is actually in a dilemma, unless they find another company that is willing to sell warships and retired officers and soldiers like Italy. A naval power that helped it fight the war.

At present, there are only a few naval powers in Europe that can be called powerful naval powers, including Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and Germany. Except for Italy, which is crazy poor, other countries will not do this.

However, considering time and other reasons, Nigel decided to give Spain a step down. "Of course, if your country can change the purchase method, then I think this negotiation should be able to reach an agreement soon."

Unexpectedly, the Italian ambassador suddenly changed his tone, which surprised the three of them. Of course, it would be best if there was a breakthrough.

"In what way?"

Nigel explained. "It's like this. These warships are the main warships of our country's navy, and the money after the sale is mainly for our country's navy to build new ships. So when it comes to selling prices, the opinions of our country's navy are very important."

"Our country will not raise prices anymore, they are already very expensive."

"Please listen to what I have to say first."

“The selling price may not be able to be increased, but it is equally possible to transfer the expenses from other places to the selling price.”

Such an obvious hint could not be understood by the three senior Spanish officials in the office.

So why did Nicol propose to misappropriate other expenses into the cost of selling ships? This is not just the navy crying for poverty. Faced with the navy crying for poverty, Carlo knew that Italy cannot lack a strong navy. When the government cannot provide the money, I can only acquiesce and figure it out on my own. However, after Spain set a price of 120 million lire, the navy's top brass began to think about the salary and even the pension.

This is almost a waste of soldiers' blood for the sake of building ships. This also shows how hungry the Italian navy has become due to poverty. Of course, they also knew that this kind of thing was not visible to the public, and they could not even make suggestions. They could only give hints and put them forward by Spain. They pretended not to see it.

"I understand what you mean. Well, in view of the relationship between your country and our country, we can raise the price of purchasing warships to 140 million lire. However, the cost of purchasing warships is too much, and the cost of hiring your officers and soldiers is It’s not a little lower, I think twice the salary is very reasonable, and I also give twice the pension, what do you think?”

"It is indeed difficult to handle, but I believe our government will consider your country's difficulties. I believe there will be good news within three days."

Nicol left the Spanish Prime Minister's office after giving an obviously suggestive reply.

In less than three days, Italy and Spain signed an agreement on the sale of warships on the next day. In this agreement, Italy sold three Turin-class battleships and two Venetian-class cruise ships for a total amount of 140 million lire. In addition, there was a secret agreement. The officers and soldiers of the five warships also retired on the day the agreement was signed and were employed by the Royal Spanish Navy.

Three Turin-class battleships, two Garibaldi-class cruise ships, and two Venetian-class cruise ships. These seven battleships are enough for the Americans to drink. I just don't know if they like such surprises.