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Piaotian Literature of the Fourth Empire of China www.piaotia.com Chapter 737 Overseas Military Bases

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    "Your Majesty, our people have also been in contact with the French general manager of the canal company. However, the French refused to transfer the canal to us, and instead transferred the canal to the Americans!" said General Wei Zhiyong, director of the Military Intelligence Bureau.  .  After learning that the French Interoceanic Canal Company was unable to continue supporting the construction of the Panama Canal, China quickly contacted the French Interoceanic Canal Company and wanted to obtain the right to construct the canal. However, the relationship between China and France is not that close. France has repeatedly  The defeat by China made everyone in France hate China very much.  Under such circumstances, it is conceivable that China wants to obtain the right to dig the canal.

    At the same time, the Americans are also actively fighting for it. In addition, France and the United States are both members of the Allied Powers. It is natural for the French to transfer the canal to the United States.  As for the Americans, in order to protect their west coast and facilitate the transfer of the main force of the U.S. Navy from the east coast to the west coast, opening the canal before the war became the most important thing for the Americans!

    Wang Yuze nodded and did not blame the Military Intelligence Agency for this incident.  With the current relationship between China and France, if the French are willing to transfer the canal to China, that would be a big deal!

    In the distant colonial era, the Isthmus of Panama was a transportation hub connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Spanish metropolis. The annual Portofolo Trade Fair attracted agents from major European trading houses. Here, tons of Peruvian silver were traded with European goods.  Profitable trade, Panama increasingly prospered with commerce and shipping.  However, this does not change its subordinate status.

    As early as the 15th century, Vasco Cortez, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico, proposed building a canal, but he did not specify a suitable location for digging.  After Vasco Nuneri Balboa conquered Panama, in 1523, King Charles I of Spain (ie Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) clearly proposed the idea of ??digging a Central American canal.

    In 1534, King Carlos I of Spain ordered a survey of the Isthmus of Panama. The Spanish paved a post road across the isthmus with cobblestones along the ridge, which was considered preparation for excavation.  Starting in the 18th century, the Spanish colonial government successively sent personnel to explore four alternative locations: the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico; a point near the Atrato River in northwest Colombia; the Isthmus of Nicaragua; and the Isthmus of Panama.  , in 1771, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec was surveyed but by 1814.  When Spain finally decided to dig a canal, the outbreak of the Latin American War of Independence disrupted the entire plan.  In 1823, the Federal Republic of Central America, composed of the five countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, was established. It formally submitted a request to the United States for assistance in building the canal in June of the following year.  At an international conference held in Panama by Simon Bolivar, the father of Latin American freedom, the construction of the Central American Canal was officially put on the agenda.  Among the four proposed excavation sites, the Isthmus of Panama is the narrowest (61 kilometers), and the Isthmus of Nicaragua has Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River available, and has gradually become popular.  Economically, the benefits of digging a canal are self-evident. As shipping between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans becomes increasingly developed, a more convenient shipping route will obviously bring many benefits.  If the canal is opened, the voyage from New York to San Francisco can be shortened by 16%, the voyage from Liverpool to San Francisco can be shortened by 43%, and the voyage from New York to Sydney can also be shortened by 28%.  Significance.

    Finally, the French obtained the right to dig the canal.  However, the difficulty of digging the canal far exceeded the French expectations.  at the same time.  The French Canal Company also had problems in its operation and management. The senior management headed by Lesseps found it difficult to sustain the project.  However, it embezzled the funds of publicly issued canal stocks; in order to cover up the truth, it continued to issue additional bonds, and the company used large sums of money to bribe officials. 150 ministers and members of the French government accepted bribes. However, the paper could not stop the fire. By 1889,  The French Interoceanic Canal Company was at the end of its rope and had to declare bankruptcy, and the Lesseps people also went to court.

    This allowed the Americans to get involved in the construction of the canal, replacing France and becoming the owner of the Panama Canal.  The historical Panama Canal was only opened in 1914.  However, now the United States must speed up progress for the sake of its own security.  Therefore, the United States expects to open the Panama Canal in five years!

    "Your Majesty, once the Panama Canal is opened, it will pose a huge threat to the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet. We must prepare early!" Navy Minister Zhang Cheng suggested.  After the canal was opened, the main force of the U.S. Navy could be transferred from the east coast to the west coast in less than half a month.  Now, the U.S. Navy has begun to build new battleships on a large scale. In five years, it will definitely pose a threat to the Imperial Navy!

    "Does the Navy Department have any suggestions?" Wang Yuze asked.

    "Your Majesty, the AdmiraltyHopefully we can get a naval base or two in Central America.  Used to guard against the U.S. fleet that may enter the Pacific through the canal at any time!  "Zhang Cheng said.

    "Obtain a naval base in Central America? Is there a suitable place?" Wang Yuze asked.  Central America has always been regarded by Americans as their own backyard.  China's acquisition of a naval base in Central America will inevitably further intensify the direct contradiction between China and the United States.  However, Wang Yuze is not afraid. Anyway, it is impossible for China and the United States to live in peace.  There will definitely be a war between the two sides in the future. Obtaining a naval base in Central America will undoubtedly make the Chinese Navy more prepared.

    "There are currently two candidates. One is Tumaco in the southwestern province of Nari?o, Colombia. There is an excellent harbor there that can berth large warships. It is also only a day's sail from the Panama Canal! As long as we build it there  A good military base that can effectively monitor the Panama Canal! The other one is Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador. Puerto Ayora on the island is also a good port. It is 1,500 kilometers away from the Panama Canal, and you can reach the canal in two days  . Moreover, islands in the Pacific are safer." Zhang Cheng introduced.

    "So, which one does the Navy think is more suitable?" Wang Yuze asked.

    "Your Majesty, the Navy Department wants to capture both places! In Tumaco, Colombia, we can deploy light cruisers, destroyers and submarines to monitor the Panama Canal. On Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador, we can deploy the Pacific Fleet's  The main force. As long as the U.S. Navy enters the Pacific through the Panama Canal, our warships in Tumaco will be able to track them all the way. Provide accurate intelligence for the main force of the fleet departing from Santa Cruz Island!" After Zhang Cheng finished speaking, he looked eagerly  Looking at Wang Yuze, the Navy Ministry does not want to give up on these two naval bases!

    "Mr. Wu, how is our relationship with Colombia and Ecuador? Is it possible to have a naval base in the concessions of the two countries?" Wang Yuze asked.  He didn't know much about South American countries.

    "Your Majesty, our relationship with Colombia and Ecuador can only be said to be average. However, it is not impossible to obtain a naval base!" Foreign Minister Wu Tingfang said with a smile!

    "Oh? What can I do?" Wang Yuze asked.

    "Although the current president of Colombia, Jos¨¦ Manuel Marroqu¨ªn Ricault, is a conservative, the relationship between Colombia and the United States has always been uneasy. At the beginning, Panama was part of Colombia, and the United States  In order to open a canal in Panama, people supported the independence of the Panamanians. Colombia has always held a grudge against this. As long as we give Colombia certain benefits and let them give us the Tumaco concession, I think they should  I won¡¯t refuse!¡± Wu Tingfang said.

    Wang Yuze nodded, the so-called enemy of the enemy is a friend.  Colombia is naturally very aware of the hostile relationship between China and the United States.  The opening of the Panama Canal is also a threat to Colombia.  Americans have also coveted South America for a long time.  After the United States developed and expanded, a large amount of American capital has entered South America.  A few years ago, the United States defeated Spain and acquired Cuba. This was a harbinger!

    "So, what about Ecuador?" Wang Yuze continued to ask.

    ¡°In the case of Ecuador, it is even easier. After the end of the term of Ecuador¡¯s last president, Eloy Alfaro, there was a conflict in Ecuador over the succession of the president, Leonidas Plaza and Lizaldo Garcia.  Both of them are competing for the position of president. However, the power of the two parties is almost the same, and no one can overwhelm the other. As a result, the situation in Ecuador has been very chaotic for more than a year! Therefore, we can intervene and work with both parties.  We will contact all parties and we will support whoever can give us the concession of Santa Cruz Island on preferential terms. If the party we support wins, then there will be no problem for us to obtain Santa Cruz Island.  !" Wu Tingfang said.

    These two methods are very good.  When it comes to national interests, threats, coercion and even subversion are all very common.  This is also the tragedy of the governments of small countries. For the sake of their own interests, large countries will often choose to support an obedient regime if a small country is disobedient.  This is undoubtedly the case in Ecuador now.

    "However, Your Majesty, the Americans and the Germans are currently involved in Ecuador's problems. The Americans support Leonidas Plaza, and the Germans support Lizaldo Garcia. Therefore, we can only support  Lizaldo Garcia. But I don¡¯t know if the Germans will cause trouble inside!" Wu Tingfang was a little worried.  The relationship between China and Germany seems to be drifting apart!
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