The game between Britain, France, and Austria, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia vied for the lead, and a fierce political struggle broke out within the Colombian government.

The presidential election in 1880 became the focus of contention. President Julián Trujillo Lalgača, aware of the trouble, decisively chose to withdraw from the election.

Julián's withdrawal, instead of quelling the strife, intensified.

After a series of struggles, the pro-British leader Rafael Nunez was elected president of Colombia and the situation began to turn in Chile's favor. (Note: Term of office is two years)

When the news reached Europe, Vienna and Paris shook. The game between Britain, France and Austria is not only a struggle for the interests of South America, but also a struggle for everyone's face.

It doesn't matter if they lose to the British in other places, after all, France and Austria are latecomers, and their influence cannot be compared with John Bull.

Colombia is different, the power of France and Austria has penetrated deep into the past, although it came later than the British, but the two countries together are no weaker than the British.

The election defeat is not surprising. Because of their interests, France and Austria have agents in Colombia.

Even if France and Austria choose to cooperate, the contradictions between these agents still exist, and sincere cooperation is impossible.

The forces are scattered and cannot be concentrated, and it is normal to lose in the elections. It is understandable at the top of the government, but it is not understood by everyone.

In the eyes of the outside world, France and Austria lost again to the British in the South American competition. This perception will inevitably affect the choices of governments in other countries and regions.

If this concept is not broken, France and Austria will be at a disadvantage in future international competition.

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In this era of the jungle, there is nothing that cannot be solved by force, and if it is, it must be that force is not strong enough.

France and Austria are not easy to mess with, and since the pro-British faction in Colombia came to power, the British should make concessions elsewhere, for example: the South American War.

On April 1, 1880, France and Austria sent two cruisers to the Pacific Ocean for an April Fool's Day exercise, visiting Barranquilla.

It was President Nunez's first day in office, and it was too late to celebrate the victory before it was a blow to the head.

Rafael Nunez angrily tore up the telegram and roared: "Damn it, they are deliberately provoking, intent on getting along with me!" ”

"Send the order down, order the surrounding troops to strengthen their vigilance and strictly prevent the enemy from landing ......"

Before President Rafael Nunez could finish speaking, Foreign Minister Francisco interrupted: "Your Excellency, Fao is only a diplomatic visit.

It's not polite, but it's also normal diplomacy. Taking bold action to provoke contradictions is not something we can afford to bear. ”

There is nothing wrong with it, it is indeed a normal diplomatic activity. Although there was no prior notice and they came by warship, the weak country had no diplomacy, and the etiquette problem was over.

Rafael Nunez naturally knows this truth. Otherwise, instead of ordering the army to be on alert, the navy was ordered to expel these uninvited guests.

Forcibly suppressing his anger, Rafael Nunez complained dissatisfiedly: "Is it difficult to give advance notice of a normal diplomatic visit? A diplomatic visit that forcibly broke into the port, what a miracle in the history of diplomacy! ”

After pondering for a moment, Foreign Minister Francisco advised: "There are many more such miracles, and you should get used to them, Your Excellency."

Now that we are the ruling party, we need to be responsible for the country, and we can't be so radical when we encounter problems, otherwise it is easy to have problems. ”

As a qualified politician, Rafael Nunez naturally knows that "if you should be coaxed, you must be coaxed". As for the "face", I can't get it back anyway, so it's better to put it down first.

"You convinced me. Then send someone to keep an eye on them, and act immediately at the slightest sign of landing. ”

The Franco-Austrian combined fleet is here to visit, and naturally it will not act with the army, and the landing will be impossible. Considering Rafael Nunez's self-esteem, Francisco naturally does not debunk.

"It's all a minor problem, and now the key is how to get rid of this group of villains. The purpose of the Franco-Austrian action is clear: we want to ensure that trade with Peru is unimpeded.

But before that, in order to win the support of the British, we made a promise to them that if we won the election, we would close the trade route with Peru. ”

Rafael Nunez had considered this question before the election, but he underestimated the determination of France and Austria.

After hesitating for a moment, Rafael Nunez reluctantly decided: "Contact the British, this matter is caused by them, you can't just leave it alone now!" ”

Francisco wanted to say something, although he knew that it was "drinking to quench his thirst", but there was nothing he could do.

Without bringing in the power of the British, counteracting the political pressure from the Franco-Austrians, they alone will not be able to withstand the impact at all.

……

The South American issue involves relations between Britain, France, and Austria, and it cannot be overstated.

After receiving a telegram from the Colombian government asking for help, Prime Minister Benjamin immediately convened a cabinet meeting.

Benjamin: "It's all here, let's get started!" Sir Edward, give me a general idea. ”

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Foreign Secretary Edward: "In order to end the South American war as soon as possible, with the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have successively roped in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador to block the Franco-Austrian-backed Peruvian Union of Bolivia.

All that remains is Colombia's foreign trade route, and in order to cut off this trade route, our pro-British faction in Colombia won the general election not long ago.

The situation was developing for the better, and the two countries, not willing to lose, suddenly overturned the table.

Three days ago, a joint Franco-Austrian fleet suddenly broke into the port of Barranquilla, Republic of Colombia, in an attempt to use the threat of force to force the Colombian government to submit. ”

It seems that the tone is flat, but in fact, Edward has long been full of anger.

Everyone used diplomatic means to compete, and it was the time for them to show their skills, but at the last moment to reap the fruits of victory, the enemy suddenly stopped playing.

This is embarrassing, and most of the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been nullified at once. The political achievements in hand suddenly flew away, and anyone who changed them would be angry.

As if aware of this, Prime Minister Benjamin reassured: "The efforts of the Foreign Office are obvious to all, and being able to force bad rules in France and Austria is a great victory in itself." ”

After speaking, he took the lead and applauded, and everyone followed suit. Even though it was just a situation, Edward's mood was much more relaxed.

Although I didn't do my best and won the biggest political achievements, it was also a big gain to be recognized by everyone.

"Thank you, this is the job of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"

……

Prime Minister Benjamin: "It's clear, now it's up to us to decide. The Colombian government has asked us for help and wants us to send a fleet to share their political pressure. ”

There was no problem in sending the fleet, and it was finally replaced by a pro-British government, and the London government naturally could not give up so much. The question is how to deal with relations with France and Austria.

When it came to international relations, all eyes were on Edward.

"France and Austria are our main competitors, and it is impossible to maintain a good relationship for a long time. In recent years, the clashes between us and Fa-Austria have been increasing, and the collapse of the alliance is a matter of time.

That's for the future, though. Now we still need the alliance to exist, so the contradictions must be controlled within a certain range.

It is also understandable that Fao has taken drastic actions, most of the countries of South America have fallen to us, and if they do not fight back, there will be no chance.

It is impossible to expel France and Austria from South America at once, and the stakes are too great for them to stop.

Now that France and Austria have a tendency to move closer together, I suggest that they should be accepted as soon as they see it, so as not to overdo it and lead to inevitable consequences. ”

……

At the invitation of the Colombian government, on April 6, 1880, the British Royal Navy, which had blockaded Peru, sent a detachment to visit Mikay.

The Colombian government is dumbfounded, the script is wrong! The British did show their support with practical actions, but the problem is: this is not what the Colombian government wants.

Britain, France and Austria chose a very clever location for their visit, which happened to be separated from the eastern and western Pacific Oceans, and even if the conflict escalated, the two sides would not be able to reach it.

There is no doubt that all three countries remain rational and deliberately control the contradictions. Deliberately avoiding a head-on conflict, the pressure was thrown on the Colombian government.

This is sad for Rafael Nunez, no matter how slow he reacts, he also knows that he has been calculated by the British.

If you think about it, it is not difficult to see that these days, the regimes of small countries without the support of international powers are very unstable.

On the surface, Rafael Nunez had two paths in front of him, either to offend the British and compromise with France and Austria to ensure the smooth flow of trade routes with Peru; Either follow in the footsteps of the British and break with France and Austria.

In fact, Rafael Nunez has no choice. Fao has his own voice for interests in Colombia, and even if he wants to support him, it will not be his turn.

It was not easy to follow the British, who offended France and Austria fiercely, and was bound to bear the retaliation of the two countries.

The great powers all want to save face, and Fao can't help the British, can't he find their bad luck?

As for whether the British boss can be relied upon, Rafael Nunez has already experienced it firsthand.

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