Without waiting for the European countries to take a stand, the situation in South America changed again. Under the pressure of death and death, Peru chose to form an alliance with Bolivia, and the Pacific War broke out.

With Peru's entry into the war, the situation in South America has become more complicated. Originally, Chile pressed Bolivia to fight, but after Peru entered the war, the situation changed, and the two sides seemed to be evenly matched.

The military strength is close, and diplomacy will be tested. In these years, the great powers have a very heavy right to speak, especially when they are evenly matched, whoever gains the support of the great powers gets the last straw that crushes the camel.

……

London, Downing Street

Foreign Secretary Edward: "The situation in South American countries has not been very good, and the war between Chile and Bolivia and Peru, in addition to fighting for minerals in the desert of Atacama, is more about diverting internal contradictions.

Almost all South American countries have territorial disputes with their neighbors, and most of these countries have serious internal contradictions and have the desire to divert internal contradictions.

If we don't intervene in time, more countries will be involved in this war. Once a full-scale war breaks out in South America, it will be another round of new reshuffle, which is not in our interest.

At the moment both warring parties are looking for our help, and in view of the traditional friendship, I propose to support Chile in winning this war. ”

The South American countries seem to have become independent, but in fact they are still economic colonies of European countries, but they are framed and do not look so ugly.

Without a doubt, Britain took the lion's share. As the British newspaper described: "Argentina is our pasture, Peru is our silver mine, Chile is our mine......"

The British, as the largest vested interests, naturally did not want to break the situation.

It was only the war between Chile and Peru and Bolivia, and the British still had the strength to control the situation. If there is a full-scale war in South America, it is not the London government that has the final say.

Unlike in the past, France and Austria have been relatively idle lately, and have long been eyeing the interests of the British in South America.

Once the cards are reshuffled, the three countries are bound to start a new round of competition. Can the British still have the advantage they have now?

This is a question worth pondering.

Economic competition is also a war, and it is nothing more than the smoke of gunpowder in sight.

If you use data to speak, you will find that nearly sixty percent of the foreign trade of South American countries is carried out with the British, and the rest is divided between other European and American countries.

Prime Minister Benjamin: "The Chileans agreed to our terms? ”

In Britain, "traditional friendship" and "interests" are usually equated, and the Foreign Office advocates support for Chile, and there is only one explanation – Chileans are bidding higher.

As for relations between the two countries, they are all secondary. There are a lot of younger brothers in Britain, and if the younger brothers want to support them, then the London government doesn't have to do anything.

Foreign Secretary Edward: "Of course, in addition to pegging the peso to the pound, the Chileans also promised that if we help them win this war, we will get the right to exploit the minerals in the Atacama Desert."

The Atacama Desert has the largest number of saltpeter mines in the world, and by mastering it, we control the saltpeter market.

Whether it is strategic value or economic value, it is worth our shot. ”

After a moment of hesitation, Prime Minister Benjamin decided: "Try again to see if you can get an exclusive license, and if you don't want to license it to a third party, you must first get our consent." ”

Promoting monetary hegemony is the core, and controlling the saltpeter market is incidental. Prime Minister Benjamin can still tell the weight of this.

"No problem!" Edward said confidently

With the world's largest Royal Navy, Britain has always had a strong voice overseas, and even France and Austria combined have no way to compete with them in South America.

In terms of strength, whoever received the support of the British had an advantage in the war.

……

Inside the presidential residence in Santiago, President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia is approaching a special group of guests.

"Your Excellency, our business is done, and now it's time for you to make good on your promise."

It was a middle-aged man dressed in a gorgeous costume who spoke, and although he was smiling, it was still difficult to hide the arrogance between his eyebrows. What seems to be a peaceful conversation is actually full of warnings.

President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia frowned, apparently the middle-aged man's performance made him very uncomfortable. However, as a politician, he can still restrain this little emotion.

He replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Sir Locks." As long as we win this war, the mineral exploitation rights of the Atacama Desert will be yours.

Now that the war is still going on, even if the promise is fulfilled immediately, it will not be fulfilled at this time! ”

There is no way, the British have always had a low temperance. If they get everything they want in advance, who knows if they will sell it?

President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia was incapable of influencing the London government and could only take a roundabout approach to influence the London government through the British capitalists.

In fact, this war was also the result of British capital behind it. The core goal is to monopolize the saltpeter trade and, incidentally, to promote the hegemony of the pound.

Compared with Bolivia, which introduced Britain, France and Austria to check and balance each other, Chile is much simpler, and has always hugged Britain's thighs.

Locks shook his head: "It's okay, we can sign a treaty first." The fulfillment of the treaty can wait until after the war, and I have enough patience. ”

President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia is worried, and Locks is also very worried. Don't think that if he is British, nothing has changed, in fact, Britain is also full of competition.

If the contract is not signed earlier, it may be cut off by other domestic forces, and the capitalists will have no discipline in the face of interests.

For the London government, as long as the meat is in the pot, it doesn't matter who controls it. Locks didn't want to be lucky enough to work so hard for so long and end up making a wedding dress for someone else.

After a pause, Locks added: "Your Excellency, I have heard that your country's newly formed troops are still short of weapons, and I am willing to privately sponsor the equipment of a regiment. ”

Seeing that President Anivar Pinto Gamondia was moved, Locks continued to increase: "It's all the active equipment of the British Army, plus 1 million rounds of ammunition and 5,000 shells." ”

After much hesitation, President Anivar Pinto Gamondia shook his head. He wanted weapons and equipment, but it was tricky to get them.

Locks' face sank: "The equipment of the two regiments!" ”

President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia was in a trance, as if he was in a fierce mental struggle, and it was difficult to choose.

Locks: "Three regiments of equipment!" ”

"This is the bottom line, if His Excellency the President still can't accept it, then I can only find someone else to cooperate."

"Deal!" President Aníbal Pinto Gamondia replied with difficulty

Facts have once again proved that there is nothing that cannot be solved by weapons and equipment, and if it does not work, it must be that weapons and equipment are not enough.

South America is not peaceful, and Chile is no exception. The presidency does not necessarily depend on elections, but it must be supported by the military.

In this case, whoever is the president must protect the interests of the supporters behind the scenes.

Weapons and equipment are undoubtedly the best weapon to buy the military, and even if President Anibal Pinto Gamondia wants to refuse, the people behind the scenes will not let him refuse.