Mutsu Munemitsu had a very clear understanding of the whole process, because Japan did not gain much in the First Sino-Japanese War, and in order to develop and fight against Russia, it had to obtain compensation from other places, and the Qing did not need to think about it, which was very likely to attract the joint suppression of Russia, Germany and France. The rest of Southeast Asia doesn't need to think about it, everything that can be divided is divided, and at this time, the Japanese found that Spain, which occupied the Philippines, was a weak chicken! Who do you fight if you don't hit at this time?

Therefore, around the issue of attacking the Philippines, the Japanese government carried out a naval armament activity that can be called a ship-wreck, for this plan, Britain nominally neutral and actually supported, Russia, Germany and France are very likely to have not reacted, the Philippines has already changed, the United States is too far away from here, even if it wants to intervene, it will have to wait for Brooklyn and other warships to enter service, considering the trend of the US Navy becoming stronger and stronger and its control over Hawaii, the Japanese government believes that it is necessary to take the Philippines as soon as possible, resulting in the established facts.

Therefore, after combining all factors, the Japanese government first bypassed the treaty between Russia and Germany through purchasing agents, and when Russia unexpectedly suspended the agreement, in order to prevent the potential enemy Spaniards from getting these two warships, the Japanese government had no choice but to grit its teeth and buy it!

Can the Japanese be financially supported? The answer is yes, but barely! After the end of the Qing-Japanese warships, Japan was not at a loss economically and would not pull down the famine. Theoretically, there is probably less than £5 million left. This amount of money alone is enough to support the cost of these 4 battleships. Moreover, after all, the Japanese government still has a fiscal budget of more than 80 million yen every year, and with the opening of the Qing market, the Japanese government's fiscal revenue has also increased somewhat, so the funds for arms expansion and war are still sufficient, of course, the 5 million pounds cannot be used to expand the army. There is definitely a part of it that needs to be used for investment and other things. And at this time, the help of the British is very important!

The total cost of the four warships was less than £5 million, which was split over three years. That's an average of around £1.6 million a year, which is quite acceptable. Historically, Japan's total budget for arms expansion and investment in Russia was 516 million yen (this figure was increased in 1899). And in 1898, when the Japanese Navy ordered ships the craziest, 5 armored cruisers and 2 battleships were ordered from foreign countries in one year!

This time Japan was only making a preemptive effort with the help of Great Britain so that in 1898 it could assemble a capable fleet! Of course. In addition to the procurement of warships, the army's war expenses also have to be prepared. However, according to the Japanese Army's estimates, at most one division could defeat the Spanish army entrenched in the Philippines, which was much smaller in cost than the Sino-Japanese War. This time, the Japanese estimated that the number of troops sent to the Philippines by the United States was 11,000. (From the roadside club, may not be accurate.) Playing Spain is really a cost-effective choice for Japan.

In fact, the Japanese really had the idea of attacking Spain in history, and the dispute between the northward and southward advances was not only before the war, but actually after the First Sino-Japanese War. There were already northward and southward factions in Japan, but later the strategy against Russia was pressed to everything, and this strategy was not formed, but even so, after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in May 1898, the Japanese Navy still sent three warships Naniwa, Akitsushu, and Matsushima to the Philippines in the name of watching the battle.

During the Spanish-American War, the southward faction of the military headquarters clashed with the northward faction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The former demanded that the Philippines be independent, or at least that the Philippines should be jointly occupied by the United States and Japan. Although it didn't work out. However, it is certain that Japan has ideas about the Philippines, and in this historical plane, the road to the north seems to be extremely difficult, and after the end of the Qing-Japanese War, when Japan made too little profit, it is understandable that the Japanese government chose to take risks, and the Japanese chose this path. Nor did it exceed someone's expectations! It can even be said that it was with someone's secret connivance that the Japanese Navy has the scale it has today!

"We've fooled almost all of our enemies with this plan, haven't we? And you are the most important part of the plan. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang comforted.

"It's a really great plan. But it's not without loopholes, and some people may already be aware of it. And what if, when we do it to Spain, the Americans intervene? Mutsu Munemitsu asked.

If Japan has just an idea about the Philippines. Then Japan has taken action against Hawaii! Just look at the feud between Japan, the United States, and Hawaii, which began in the mid-19th century and intensified after the signing of the Treaty of Reconciliation between Japan and Hawaii in 1871. Since then, a large number of Japanese immigrants have moved to Hawaii. By 1890, there were 12,000 Japanese immigrants in Hawaii, or 13.3 percent of the population. At the same time, the population of the United States was less than 2,000.

And by 1893, the Americans finally couldn't resist and staged an armed coup d'état with the help of the American Consulate and 160 Marines in Hawaii. Overthrew the Queen of Hawaii and proclaimed a republic. And this caused the dissatisfaction of the Japanese government, the two warships Kongo and Naniwa went to Hawaii successively, although they did not directly interfere in the coup d'état in Hawaii, but also caused the displeasure of the Americans, and the US government believed that these two warships sent weapons to Japanese immigrants!

And just three days before Hirobumi Ito came to visit Mutsu Munemitsu, the United States and Japan finally launched the first public fight over Hawaii! By 1897, there were 26,000 Japanese immigrants in Hawaii! That's 40% of the total population! And the Republic of Hawaii, which is dominated by the United States, is still very wary of this! Are you still immigrating after 40%? The American puppets in Hawaii immediately said they couldn't bear it! If this continues, is this Japanese or American?

So on February 7, 1897, the Japanese immigrant ship "Shenshu Maru" arrived in Hawaii, and as a result, the U.S. government did not allow 463 Japanese immigrants to go ashore! And this matter continues to ferment! According to the Japanese government's speculation, this will happen more and more. At this time, the Japanese Minister of the Navy, Saigo, had already begun to consider sending warships to visit him! And the Americans also said that if the Japanese dared to come, brother would also send warships! Who's afraid of whom!

Do you really think that Hirobumi Ito came here to visit Mutsu Munemitsu, and by the way, kindly tell him what he really likes? What do you think! The fundamental purpose of Hirobumi Ito's coming here is to squeeze out the surplus value of Mutsu Munemitsu one last time! Telling him the truth is also to let Mutsu Munemitsu sort out the cause and effect, and then see his opinion.

Thank you for the reward of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade of the book friend~~~, as well as the monthly pass support of the book friend Super Boss, Wild _ Gale Wolf, and Snow Pear Blossom dissolved in the empty ~~~. (To be continued.) )