On April 19, 1880, the Austrian Central American colonial army encircled and suppressed the "bandits" in the territory and pursued them all the way to Panama.

Because of the fog, there was a misunderstanding with the Colombian defenders, and an armed conflict broke out, causing thousands of casualties.

The local population can testify that there was indeed a heavy fog in the Panamanian region on 19 April. Before the army entered the Panamanian region, the colonial government also sent people to communicate with the local government, and decided to jointly send troops to exterminate these "bandits" who did all kinds of evil.

However, someone in the Colombian government colluded with the "bandits" to leak the news, and the "bandits" cut off the local telegraph and robbed and killed the herald in the middle of the way.

The defenders did not receive the news in time, the two sides failed to communicate effectively, and the sight of the foggy weather was affected, and they originally thought that they would jointly suppress the bandits, but as a result, they mistook each other for the enemy, causing an accidental firefight.

This is the "truth" announced by the colonial government of Austrian Central America. Whether the Colombian government accepts it or not, their troops stationed in the Panama region are finished.

After the outbreak of the "April 19 Incident", the colonial government of Austria Central America immediately declared itself responsible for the incident. He apologized to the victims of the accident and expressed his willingness to pay compensation for casualties.

Such a positive and responsible attitude would have been speechless if it had not been for the fact that the Austrian army had not stayed in the local area.

Of course, there is also a reason why the Austrian army remained in the local area, although the main force of the "bandits" was surrounded and annihilated, there are still many remnants wandering around.

For the safety of the Panamanian people, the Austrian army must eliminate these rogue bandits, or wait for the Colombian government army to arrive before they can evacuate from the area.

……

After the news of the "4.19" accidental firefight reached Colombia, the people of the capital Bogotá were boiling, and they took to the streets to demonstrate, demanding that the government send troops to recover Panama.

I have to say that President Rafael Núñez is really unlucky, he has encountered so many troubles just after taking office.

The people are asking for troops, and President Rafael Nunez wants to send troops, to take back the Panama region as soon as possible, and to deal with the aftermath, but unfortunately no force can take on this task.

"Misunderstanding" can have a first time, and it can also have a second time. Whether or not the "misunderstanding" will continue is based entirely on Austrian discipline.

The Colombian military is very careful, anyway, the Austrians said that they misunderstood, and it is certainly impossible to occupy the Panama region for a long time. You can get it back sooner or later, so why risk it?

Anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is Austria's revenge for the Colombian government's blockade of Peru, and the defenders of the Panama region happen to be cannon fodder.

Whoever causes the blame should bear the blame. As for revenge against Austria and justice for the innocent defenders, this is not something that Colombia can do.

As a small country, the first thing to consider is survival, as long as the territory is not lost, the core sovereignty can be taken back, and a little grievance is nothing!

Rafael Nunez is out of the question of the aftermath for the time being, and now he is being questioned by MPs.

An opposition parliamentarian sneered: "Mr. President, do you have anything to say about the fall of Panama due to the government's wrong foreign policy?" ”

Without pressure, there is no motivation. If Austria were to take over Panama, it would be possible for all parties in Colombia to unite under external pressure.

Unfortunately, this did not happen, and the colonial government of Austria-Central America has characterized this incident as a "misunderstanding".

Since it was just a misunderstanding, then there was no reason for the Austrian army to hold it for a long time. The Austrian minister has sent a diplomatic note asking them to send troops to defend as soon as possible.

The sovereignty can be preserved, the only problem is that this beating has been in vain. It is not to the point of life and death, and it is normal to take the opportunity to fight competitors.

The greatest virtue of politicians is that they are thick-skinned, and Rafael Nunez said casually: "The Panamanian region did not fall, there was just a misunderstanding."

The Austrian government has already claimed responsibility for the incident. We are negotiating with them about compensation, or it won't be long before the Austrians will be evacuated from the area.

The main reason for this misunderstanding is that there are people in the government who collude with bandits, and it has nothing to do with the government's foreign policy.

Colombia is an independent country, and we have the right to conduct diplomacy freely and without the influence of third parties. ”

Since Austria says it's a "misunderstanding", let's let this "misunderstanding" go ahead!

Until there is no strength to retaliate, this kind of thing can only be a "misunderstanding".

Deep down, Rafael Nunez just hopes that things will end soon, and there will be no more moths in the future.

One councillor questioned: "If a misunderstanding is over, will our people die in vain?" ”

Rafael Nunez waved his hand: "Of course you can't die in vain. We will investigate to the end, find out the culprits who led to this conflict, and accept the punishment of the law.

The deceased is gone, and what we can do now is to rest in peace and comfort the families.

The government will guarantee that all the victims of this incident will receive pensions, please give us a little time......"

With that, Rafael Nunez bowed to the crowd as if to apologize.

The people who entered Congress are all old fritters in the political arena, and it is okay to take the opportunity to make things difficult for Rafael Nunez, and it is true that he wants to be pulled down.

However, no one was ready for war with Austria. So there are some things that you can only choose to be confused.

While reassuring the country, Rafael Nunez did not forget to ask the British boss for help.

Something so big that John Bull couldn't have said anything if he hadn't come out again. In any case, the Colombian government is also trying to do things for them, and it has caused trouble.

Downing Street, inside the Prime Minister's residence. Prime Minister Benjamin puffed in smoke as he read the Colombian government's telegram for help.

Sitting opposite sat a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes, holding coffee in one hand and stirring with a spoon in the other, staring ahead, as if he was wandering in the world, it was British Foreign Secretary Edward.

After half a cup of tea, Prime Minister Benjamin put down the telegram, snuffed out the cigarette butt on the ashtray, and spat out the last puff of light cigarette.

"Sir Edward, what the hell do you think the Austrians are doing, they can't really be just trying to beat up Columbia?"

Like Britain, Austria is a country with interests at its core, and every move revolves around national interests.

Although the Colombian government's actions have caused the Vienna government to lose face, and retaliatory action is inevitable, it has not yet reached the point where it is necessary to send troops to fight.

Don't look at the fact that the military operation in Panama is going well, it is the Austrian government that has made the "truth" public in time, so that everyone knows that they are only staying temporarily and will leave soon.

Otherwise, the Colombian government would not have been so rosy if it had called on the locals to rise up against the invasion.

The fact that South American countries can exist independently is not that the European powers cannot occupy them, but mainly because the cost of ruling is too high, and the benefits are not proportional to the pay.

Edward put down the coffee in his hand and replied slowly, "Of course not. On the basis of the information gathered, it was initially determined that Austria had the idea of attacking the Panama region.

It was only because the Vienna government, taking into account its own reputation, felt that the direct invasion of an independent country would have too bad an impact and too high cost, so it deliberately created this "misunderstanding".

By taking out the Panamanian defenders, the independent organization they supported was able to succeed. It is estimated that after the withdrawal of Austrian troops, it will not be long before Panama will become independent. ”

With such a big move, it is impossible to keep it completely secret. Austria's approach may have deceived ordinary people, but it could not have been deceived by the British, who were also hooligans.

John Bull has done something like this for a long time, and he has a lot of practical experience. Just from the superficial clues, they can be pushed.

Prime Minister Benjamin nodded: "It seems that we are going to pay a moment of silence for the Colombians, until now they do not know what kind of enemy they have encountered, at least not reflected in this telegram for help." ”

"Allies", for Britain this is a false proposition.

On the bright side, Britain and Austria are allies who have signed an alliance, and Colombia is not yet qualified to form an alliance with Britain.

In fact, Britain and Austria, as allies, are the biggest rivals, and the weak Colombian government is the newly acquired little brother of the British, and the degree of closeness is completely reversed.

Foreign Secretary Edward shook his head: "Sometimes ignorance is a blessing, and if the truth is known, Rafael Núñez's life will not be possible."

Of course, it is also possible that he is pretending to be confused. It was easier to deal with the Panamanian rebels than with the Austrians.

This time the Austrians had already committed a foul, and with Franz the Great's style of cherishing feathers, the same "misunderstanding" could not have happened twice.

As long as the Colombian government can crush the rebels in Panama, this time will be over.

For the Republic of Colombia, without lifting this lid, there is still a chance to win; If you turn your face now, you will immediately lose the Panama region. ”

Benjamin smiled slightly, lit a cigarette again, took a deep breath, and exhaled a wisp of light smoke.

"You're right, sometimes you do need to be confused. Since the Colombian government doesn't mention it, then we don't know.

Let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs act as soon as possible and send the Austrians back as soon as possible, so that the Colombian government can feel our sincerity. ”

The part needs to serve the whole, and the land blockade network against Peru and Bolivia has been built, and Chile's victory in the war is almost a foregone conclusion.

Britain has the absolute upper hand in the South American competition, and the influence of France and Austria has been reduced to a corner, and it is no longer necessary to continue to press.

The Panama incident became Austria's last counterattack, and in addition to forcing France and Austria to move closer, Britain could not gain more benefits.

After a moment's thought, Edward smiled, "Of course, we never treat our friends badly. But before we can do that, we need to give the Austrians a little more trouble.

There is such a big "misunderstanding", and more people must know about it. Presumably, the media would be happy to have more news and increase newspaper sales. ”

Without direct confrontation, it is because Britain's power in Panama is limited, and even if it wants to intervene in Austria's next actions, it is more than enough to do so.

Just because they can't intervene head-on doesn't mean they won't take action. The public opinion offensive and the discrediting of Austria are also a form of attack.