Chapter 1018: Chapter 32: Robert Going with the Flow
The Cuban rebellion was instigated by the British, a fact even the inattentive Vienna Governnt could discern, naturally the Spaniards could not be unaware.
Yet, at this juncture, apart from cursing the British for their unscrupulous actions, there was nothing the Spanish Governnt could do.
Such were the rules of the ga; even to “protest,” one first needed to present evidence.
The British, experienced as they were, how could they possibly leave obvious evidence implicating themselves?
Lack of evidence wasn’t a major problem—if the Spaniards were convinced that the British were behind it, they could completely resort to covert retaliation.
With neither evidence nor strength, they could only swallow this bitter loss in silence.
...
Evidently, this was not acceptable to the Spanish Governnt. In search of international support and to apply diplomatic pressure on the British, Spanish diplomats once again beca busy.
…
“The Spaniards are seeking help again!”
Franz furrowed his brows.
In so ways, the interactions between states were similar to interpersonal relationships. Only reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnerships could sustain long-term good relations.
rely one-sided help, while many might be willing to assist the first ti, would quickly beco tedious by the second and by the third would likely turn cold.
Favors could be exhausted, even more so between states.
In the previous Philippine War, the Vienna Governnt had exerted significant effort, far beyond what they had previously promised to the Spanish Governnt.
The lack of reciprocation was evident, leading one to imagine Franz’s feelings when Spain ca asking for help once more.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Foreign Minister Weisenberg: “The situation faced by the Spanish Governnt is extrely dire. Due to the war, Spain’s finances have nearly reached bankruptcy.
They had only just regained the Philippine Islands when they encountered the Cuban rebellion. Worse still, the shadow of the British erged behind the Cuban independence movent.
Spain lacks the strength to contend with the British, and apart from international aid, they have no better options.”
In this survival of the fittest world, weakness was a sin.
Although Spain was also among the great powers, following the Philippine War, many countries no longer recognized their status.
Perhaps the Cuban independence movent was rely a casual move by the British Governnt, but the Spaniards dared not overlook it.
Unable to withstand it alone and desiring to mitigate British pressure, their best option was naturally to seek help from the major powers.
The Spanish Governnt had ample reason to believe that if the Continental Alliance intervened, the British Governnt would abandon their support for the Cuban Independence Organization, just as they did when Japan renounced the Philippine Islands.
“How does the Ministry plan to respond?”
Franz asked.
Being a leader was no easy task. Whether willing or not, when issues arose, they could not be shirked.
However, dealing with these trouble matters also required finesse. It was essential to protect the interests of affiliates without being overly accommodating or placing oneself in a passive position.
Evidently, the Foreign Ministry had more experience in this area. Dealing daily with various difficulties, their responses were well-practiced.
Foreign Minister Weisenberg: “The Ministry believes we can offer limited support to Spain: ensuring that the British do not directly interfere in the Cuban independence movent.
If Spain wants more, then they must present direct evidence of the British plotting the Cuban independence movent, or persuade other mbers within the alliance.
If all Continental countries agree, then we can consider another international intervention.”
Unlike the Philippine War, during which the Vienna Governnt had made certain promises, this Cuban independence movent was not within the agreed scope.
Since there was no agreent, it would have to be “business as usual.” Providing limited support and shielding from British pressure was already fulfilling our leader’s duty.
Sending troops to help suppress the rebellion was out of the question. If one couldn’t manage one’s own dostic affairs, it was embarrassing even to ntion it.
Colonies were not the holand; according to current ga rules, if you cannot defend them, you must resign yourself to losing them, without even the hope of earning sympathy.
Regarding further international intervention, that seed more like a “visible but unattainable” delusion.
The British were not as weak as the Japanese.
Against Japan, a native country without significant presence, European countries felt no real pressure and happily supported intervention to give Spain so face.
But the British were different. Even though Britain’s influence in Europe had waned, the Royal Navy still dominated the world.
Countries could personally feel the might of the British; it was no trouble for them to offer moral support or verbal condemnation, as everyone boldly spoke up.
But to confront the British directly, even in ard intervention, would an: “Cough, cough, cough, we are feeling unwell and must leave now.”
Not to ntion the European countries, even the Vienna Governnt was wary of the British.
Unless Spain obtained concrete evidence, and as the leader, we were obliged to step forward; otherwise, the Vienna Governnt was equally unwilling to clash with the British over such a minor issue.
Even though the Spanish Governnt tried everything in their power, the most they could hope for, or perhaps the only one they could realistically persuade, was Russia.
Newly ascended Nicholas II, eager to undertake “great enterprise,” might not mind confronting the British.
A war between England and Russia had been inevitable since the day the Central Asia Railway construction began.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”—if Spain had the courage to ally with the Russians on the issue of opposing the British, the Tsarist Governnt would undoubtedly vote in support within the alliance.
But thereafter, there was no thereafter. Limited by the Russian navy’s capability for intervention and the Tsarist Governnt’s financial woes ringing out like empty pockets, re cheers could boost morale but provided virtually no real help.
After so reflection, Franz slowly said, “Have the Ministry handle the reception as usual. Also, tell the Spanish Pri Minister that I am on vacation and currently have no ti to see him.”
Obviously, Franz was tacitly approving of the Foreign Ministry’s approach. Cuba had nothing to do with the Shinra Empire; in fact, if Cuba were ruined, international sugar prices might rise, possibly increasing the taxes he could collect.
In recent years, the Aristocratic Lords had not been idle, with one plantation after another springing up, nearly all kinds of economic crops available.
Looking at the international trade scenario, it was evident that Shinra had long maintained a trade surplus, a major reason being: while exporting industrial and comrcial products, they could also self-sustain their industrial raw materials.
Without sufficient interest at stake in the Cuban issue, Franz was naturally content to watch the excitent without fearing any consequences.
Standing from the perspective of the Vienna Governnt, as long as the British did not personally snatch Cuba, the Vienna Governnt could simply watch the excitent unfold.
Cuban independence was not an issue either, after all, as a colony under Shinra, it lacked the foundations for a national independence movent.
If a wave of colonial independence were truly to arise, it would be the British who would have headaches, not having to push behind the scenes was already fair to Spain.
If Spain managed to suppress the rebellion, that too would be fine. The conflict between England and Spain would deepen, aiding the growth of international anti-British forces.
It would also help consu so of the ammunition stockpile. The era of free ammunition during the Philippine War was history; now there was a charge.
Don’t worry if you’re out of money.
Shinra has the most professional banking and finance teams specifically to provide such international loan services to friends in need.
As long as there is sufficient collateral, there is no problem with how much you want to borrow. They might even secure the most favorable loan rates considering the friendship between the two nations.
The condition was: to designate the purchase of so stock goods.
…
London, Downing Street.
“What’s going on here, haven’t we already terminated the operation?”
Pri Minister Robert Cecil asked discontentedly.
The London Governnt’s support for the Cuban independence movent was indeed based on the ongoing Philippine War to alleviate pressure on the Japanese.
With the mutual compromise between Japan and Spain, the Philippine War ended prematurely, and the belated Cuban independence movent had lost its original value.
As the largest colonial empire in the world, instigating national independence movents was not in Britannia’s long-term interests.
Though John Bull liked to engage in actions detrintal to others but not beneficial to himself, such potential future harming acts were generally rare.
Thus, after the Philippine negotiations reached a consensus, Robert Cecil decisively ordered the termination of the operation.
Foreign Minister Caron McCutcheon explained, “Your Excellency, we cannot fully control the Cuban Independence Organization.
In fact, we had already reduced our support for the independence organization when the Japanese-Spanish negotiations began, and completely stopped our aid as soon as the negotiations concluded.
However, by then they had already returned to Cuba to start the independence movent, and we essentially lost control over them.
According to insider reports we bought, other international forces interfered behind the recent Cuban independence movent.
Both the Confederate States and the Union are suspects, but they acted too covertly, even the Cuban Independence Organization itself doesn’t know who supported them.”
Caron McCutcheon also felt helpless; it wasn’t a failure on his part as a Foreign Minister.
An independence movent is not child’s play; once started, it is not sothing that can simply be stopped.
Spaniards are not fools, no matter how covert the actions of the Independence Organization, given enough ti, traces would eventually be revealed.
The British did not care; even if exposed, the Spaniards could not do much to them. But the Cuban Independence Organization was different, even if the higher-ups could flee, what about those at the middle and lower levels?
Once caught by the Spaniards, it would reveal everything, dealing a destructive blow to the entire Independence Organization.
They had reached the edge of the cliff, they had no choice but to act.
Just then, new international sympathizers appeared, replacing the British role and providing material support to the Independence Organization.
The leaders of the Cuban Independence Organization took a bold risk and went all in. Thus, the explosive Cuban independence movent began.
“Damn those Arican fools, do they not realize they are playing with fire! To let the Empire be blad, it is simply…”
Clearly, Pri Minister Robert Cecil was furious. Not only was he taking the bla for others, but he also had no idea whose bla he was actually taking.
Even if the evidence were found now, Robert Cecil would not believe it. Given the relationship between the United States and the Confederate States, setting each other up had beco too commonplace.
Since the Civil War began, there had not been a day when they didn’t stab each other in the back. Watching and enjoying the Arican’s spectacle had beco a part of daily life for the British.
If it’s unknown who caused it, then the British Governnt would surely take the bla. Even if Robert Cecil publicly declared their non-involvent, no one would believe them.
After venting his anger, a calr Pri Minister Robert Cecil fell into deep contemplation.
In politics, it’s not about right or wrong, just pros and cons.
Knowing he was blad, and unable to clear the suspicions, the British Governnt couldn’t simply walk away, especially after just receiving a note from the Vienna Governnt.
Otherwise, it would look like Britannia was afraid of the Holy Roman Empire, and a re note made them abandon the Cuban Independence Organization.
Sotis, rumors could be deadly. Although on the surface Anglo-Austria relations seed alright, in reality, they had already engaged in countless covert battles over supremacy.
At such a critical ti, any sign of weakness from Britannia could trigger an international chain reaction.
Due to geopolitical reasons, Europe, already standing precariously like “grass on top of a wall,” might make up its minds to join the victors.
If that happened, then nothing more needed to be said. The Shinra Empire, having consolidated the European Continent, would surely be an unstoppable force, and Britannia’s struggle would be futile.
Then, the British Governnt would have only two choices: either strike first while the European countries were still in doubt, launching a fierce battle against Shinra or ekly relinquish world supremacy.
Clearly, neither option was what Robert Cecil wanted. If it was possible to fight, Britannia would have done so during the anti-France wars, not waited until now.
Relinquishing world supremacy was even less likely. If he showed retreat on this front, he wouldn’t make it out of Downing Street alive, beaten by the furious “public.”
“Resu supporting the Cuban Independence Organization. We need to use them to find out the mastermind behind this. I want to know who dares to sche against Britannia.
Send soone to secretly contact the Spanish Governnt, if they agree to leave the Continental Alliance, we will stop our support for the Independence Organization and support them in suppressing the Cuban rebellion.
anwhile, send a ssage to Netherlands and Portugal, they’ve been getting too close to Vienna lately, almost forgetting who truly rules this world.”
The bla should not be carried for nothing; maximizing benefits is a must. Supporting the Cuban independence efforts indeed draws hatred, but it also serves to deter others.
Ever since France’s defeat, London has been the headquarters for international exile organizations.
Today, Britannia might support the independence of the Cuban Independence Organization, tomorrow it could be the Indonesian Independent Organization, and the day after that, it might change to…
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