Chapter 83: Ceuta Rebellion
Just back in Madrid, Carlo eagerly handed over the more than 100 Vitali rifles purchased from Italy to the royal arsenal for imitation, and strove to figure out their principles.
No matter how successful the reforms and development were, military strength was the standard for measuring whether a country was powerful.
Spain at present was not very suitable for navy development, so it could only focus on army development and strive to possess a first-class European army.
Because the Spanish population was far inferior to that of the European powers, the current focus could only be on the advanced level of weapons and equipment.
If it could equip advanced rifles and machine guns in large quantities before the European powers, then the Spanish army would at least not be inferior to any country in terms of quality.
Through several campaigns to establish the dominance of the Spanish Army, Carlo and the Spanish Government would also have more confidence in diplomatic activities.
After all, plainly speaking, whether a country could have influence at the diplomatic level depended on the country’s overall strength, especially its military capabilities.
If this country’s military aspect was a complete mess, even if the diplomats were ever so eloquent, they would be helpless in front of other powerful powers.
National dignity was built on the edge of the blade, and truth was only within the range of cannon fire. For Spain to become powerful, while developing industry and economy, military strength was also indispensable, even more important.
Speaking of weapon design, compared to rifles, Carlo actually valued the research and development of machine guns more.
Especially in colonial wars, generally a few machine guns could face tens of thousands of indigenous armies, something previous colonial countries had never thought of.
In the research and development of machine guns, the United States was absolutely far ahead.
The United States already had the hand-cranked Gatling gun, although this machine gun had various problems in use, but at
least it achieved firepower output far more powerful than rifles.
With the purpose of learning and reference, Carlo instructed Cadillac to dispatch personnel to America, to search for talent in firearms design while purchasing several finished hand-cranked Gatling guns for the armory to study.
As for the 10 million lira interest-free loan borrowed from Italy, Carlo decided to invest it all in factory construction.
Building factories now was no different from lying down and making money; it was just a matter of how much was earned. It could also create thousands of jobs for Spaniards, which was a sure win-win.
The comfortable days didn’t last long before Prime Minister Primó and Minister of War Serrano came together, bringing news that Carlo had not expected: a small-scale rebellion had broken out in Ceuta.
This rebellion was clearly not the reason for Primó and Serrano to seek an audience with Carlo. Such a small-scale rebellion could be dealt with by the local colonial troops, and even such news did not qualify to be reported to the kingdom government.
The real reason that aroused Primó and Serrano’s attention was that Spain could use this opportunity to launch another invasion of Morocco.
Morocco faced Spain across the straits and was also the African country closest to Spain.
As early as during Queen Isabella’s rule, Spain had fought a colonial war with Morocco, and Spain occupied northern cities Tetuán and Ceuta in Morocco.
Although it defeated the Moroccan Government at that time, because the British did not want to see Spain possess powerful forces near Gibraltar, under British intervention, Spain only obtained two small cities.
Now, exactly ten years had passed since that war, and coinciding with the British having their own domestic problems, Prime Minister Primó believed it was a good opportunity for a large-scale invasion of Morocco.
The reason for coming with Serrano was naturally to persuade Carlo to launch a colonial war against Morocco.
This was also the tacit understanding reached by Spain’s three giants. On such major events, Primó had to consider Carlo’s attitude in exchange for Carlo’s full support for the reforms.
Primó had indeed done so; on major matters, even though he as prime minister could decide directly, he would come to inquire about Carlo’s attitude and request Carlo’s agreement.
Carlo looked at the map of the Kingdom of Spain hanging in his office; the area of Morocco below was about the same size as Spain, which was truly attractive.
In Carlo’s plan, Morocco was a place that must be taken. This was the only land that Spain could localize, and it was also the sphere of influence that Spain must obtain to become a great power.
But just like the reason Spain did not gain much benefit from the previous colonial war, the British would not allow Spain to possess such a large area of land near Gibraltar.
If it occupied a large area of northern coastal land in Morocco, Spain’s territory would once again surround Gibraltar, and the British plans in Gibraltar would come to nothing.
“Your Majesty, I believe it is feasible to launch a war at this time.” Seeing Carlo hesitating, Primó stood up and advised: “Ten years ago, Isabella’s government could defeat Morocco, and our current army can of course defeat Morocco again.
Moreover, even if we cannot obtain a large area of northern Morocco land, we can take the opportunity to announce our claims to African land.
If the British are unwilling for us to obtain northern Morocco, then they must agree to our expansion in other regions of Africa. Otherwise, they will have to bear the consequences of us completely leaning towards France.”
To say which country was most unwilling to see Spain join Germany, the first was France, and the second was the United Kingdom.
After France’s defeat, it lost important industrial zones like Alsace and Lorraine, and its overall strength was already inferior to the integrated German Empire.
Moreover, the French had to pay Germany 5 billion francs in indemnity, which was simply angel startup capital for Germany’s industrial development.
Facing the German Empire that was continuously becoming stronger, it was impossible for the British to have no defense. If at this time news came that Spain had completely leaned towards Germany and France was ordered to be pincered from north and south, the British would absolutely not sit still.
Not to mention that Italy and Germany were also allies; if it really came to war, France might face a three-sided pincer.
After all, the Kingdom of Sardinia at that time, in order to unify Italy, had ceded the two important regions of Savoy and Nice to France.
Just looking at the surname of the Italian Royal Family showed how important the Savoy region was; this was the ancestral land of the Italian Royal Family.
It was impossible for Italy to have no ideas about these two pieces of land that were forcibly ceded; once France faced a pincer situation, Italy would definitely join in.
In such a situation, the British absolutely did not want to see the French directly defeated.
To keep the situation on the European Continent balanced, it was necessary to ensure that Spain did not lean towards Germany, which was also why Primó had the confidence to exchange interests with the British.
After all, although Spain was not strong, if it really came to fighting, it was not so afraid of the British. A naval blockade would not have much impact on Spain, because Spain at this time had few colonies left.
And for the British to blockade Spain’s vast seas, they would have to mobilize a large fleet. Even if the British could bear such enormous consumption, other countries in Europe might not remain indifferent.
As for whether the British would invade the Spanish Mainland, this was completely unnecessary to worry about. Primó had the confidence to make the British come but not return; in land warfare, the British should stand aside.
Riwandi 2/7 days, updated 4200/10000 words. The remaining three updates might be late, but they will definitely be finished at night.
