Chapter 86: Declaring War On Morocco
Carlo was still waiting for the expedition team’s assembly, attempting to secretly explore the Congo River Basin while the government was planning to colonize Morocco.
But Carlo clearly underestimated the government’s ambition to colonize Morocco.
After returning from the Royal Palace, Serrano and Prime Minister Primó immediately drafted an action plan against Morocco overnight and confirmed the action date.
It was now September 21, 1870, and the action date set by Primó and Salé was just one week later on September
One week was just enough time to mobilize the army, ensuring sufficient troops for military action against Morocco in the early stages of the operation.
Ceuta is located at the northernmost tip of Moroccan territory, facing Gibraltar across the sea, which is also why the British do not want Spain to occupy too much territory near Ceuta.
For this reason, Prime Minister Primó specifically divided the action against Morocco into two parts. The main force would depart from Ceuta, head south to Tetouan, and west to Tangier, completely occupying the small northern tip of Moroccan territory.
Southern Spain also has a protruding small tip, which together with the protruding northern tip of Morocco forms the gateway to the western Mediterranean Sea.
For this reason, the British are unlikely to agree to Spain occupying here. So in Prime Minister Primó’s plan, there would also be a force expanding northward along the coast from the Ifni fishing base previously occupied by Spain, occupying the southern Moroccan city of Agadir.
Even if the first plan fails due to British intervention, as long as the second plan is completed and Agadir is occupied, it would not be a loss for the Spanish Government.
For European countries of this era, finding an excuse to act against indigenous African nations was all too easy.
Sometimes no excuse was needed at all; expanding colonies was the best excuse.
Learning from the previous lesson, Prime Minister Primó decided to prepare in secret and deliver a sudden blow to the Moroccan Government.
It would be best to achieve their strategic goals before the European Powers reacted, so that they could hold the initiative in subsequent negotiations.
On September 28, 1870, the Spanish Army assembled in Ceuta and launched a fierce attack on the surrounding Moroccan indigenous tribes without any warning.
Twelve hours later, the Spanish Government declared war on the Moroccan Government, with the reason being an attack planned by Moroccans that caused at least 5 Spaniards to sacrifice in Ceuta.
One hour before declaring war on the Moroccan Government, Prime Minister Primó sent a telegram to Italian Prime Minister Giovanni, requesting that the Italian Government express support for the Spanish Government in this war.
In return, the Spanish Government would strongly support Italy’s colonial actions in the Tunisia and Libya regions, with both sides forming a military alliance on North African colonialism.
The alliance between Spain and Italy was something the two governments had continuously negotiated. Considering the relationship between Carlo and Emanuele, it was normal for the Spanish and Italian Governments to gradually draw closer under their influence.
The interests of Spain and Italy would not conflict. Spain wanted Morocco, Italy wanted Tunisia and Libya, separated by France’s Algerian colony.
With France as a common adjacent strong enemy, the relationship between Spain and Italy was actually quite friendly, at least in certain aspects like colonialism where cooperation was possible.
However, compared to Primó, Prime Minister Giovanni had much less power. Although the Kingdom of Italy was also a constitutional monarchy, who could ignore King Emanuele II’s influence?
After receiving the telegram from the Spanish Government, Prime Minister Giovanni immediately sought an audience with King Vittorio Emanuele II to inquire about the king’s attitude.
“What does the Prime Minister think of this matter?” Vittorio Emanuele II did not give his own opinion but asked Prime Minister Giovanni’s thoughts.
Although the two royal families were one family, it did not mean the governments were one family.
This matter concerned the interests of the Italian and Spanish Governments, so it naturally could not be decided by the royal family.
Vittorio Emanuele II naturally understood this. Although he was a good father, he was also a good king.
If doing so would harm the Italian Government’s interests, Emanuele II would have to carefully consider the relationship between the two governments.
“Your Majesty, I think what Primó said makes some sense.” Prime Minister Giovanni thought seriously for a moment and replied: “Spain’s colonial demands do not conflict with ours and will not harm Italy’s interests.
Secondly, France has colonial actions in both Morocco and Tunisia, which can be seen as a common enemy for Spain and Italy in colonizing Africa.
If we confront France alone, we are destined to lose out to the French. If we do not want to see France occupy large swathes of North African territory from Morocco to Libya, the best choice is to cooperate with the Spaniards.”
“So the Prime Minister’s opinion is to agree to cooperate with the Spanish Government?” Vittorio Emanuele II asked with a smile.
Whether cooperating with the Spanish Government or not, he could accept, but if he could take the opportunity to help the Spanish Government, Vittorio Emanuele II was naturally willing to see it.
The stronger Spain became, the more benefits Carlo would gain. Without affecting Italy’s interests, Vittorio Emanuele II of course hoped his son could rule a more powerful country.
“Your Majesty, the previous war between Spain and Morocco already provoked British intervention, and I’m afraid it will be the same this time.
Spain’s biggest enemy in colonizing Morocco is not France, but the United Kingdom thousands of miles away. Dealing with France alone would be fine, but if Britain is added, I’m afraid our support won’t have much effect.” Prime Minister Giovanni mustered his courage and voiced his guess.
“The British?” Vittorio Emanuele II nodded, thinking Prime Minister Giovanni’s guess was quite reasonable.
Since becoming powerful, Britain had turned into the notorious shit-stirrer of the European Continent. The British would meddle in any international affair to ensure no situation disrupted the balance on the European Continent.
If Britain’s invasion of Morocco was targeted by the British, it would indeed be unlikely to complete the colonization of Morocco under British opposition.
Vittorio Emanuele II sighed and looked at Prime Minister Giovanni awaiting his order, instructing: “Provide diplomatic support to the Spanish Government as per our previous agreement. At the same time, inform the Spanish Government that if this colonial action provokes intervention from other great powers, Italy will be unable to intervene.”
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