Rise of Empires: Spain.

Chapter 86: Declaration of War on Morocco (Subscription Request)
Carlo was still waiting for the formation of an expedition team, trying to secretly explore the Congo River basin while the government was planning to colonize Morocco.

But Carlo clearly underestimated the government's ambitions to colonize Morocco.

After Serrano and Primo returned from the palace, they formulated an action plan for Morocco overnight and determined the time of action.

现在是1870年的9月21日，而普里莫和萨拉诺制定的行动时间就在一周后的9月28日。

A week was just enough time to mobilize the troops and ensure that there were enough troops to carry out military operations against Morocco at the beginning of the operation.

Ceuta is located at the northernmost tip of Morocco, across the sea from Gibraltar. This is also the reason why the British do not want Spain to occupy too much territory near Ceuta.

It was for this reason that Prime Minister Primo deliberately divided the operation against Morocco into two parts. The main force set out from Ceuta, heading south to Tetouan and west to Tangier, completely occupying the small northern corner of Morocco.

There is also a protruding pointed tip in southern Spain, which together with the protruding pointed tip in northern Morocco form the gateway to the western Mediterranean.

For this reason, the British are unlikely to agree to Spain's occupation of this place. Therefore, in Prime Minister Primo's plan, there will be an army that will expand northward along the coast from the Ifni fishing base previously occupied by Spain to occupy the southern Moroccan city of Agadir.

Even if the first plan failed due to British interference, as long as the second plan was completed and Agadir was occupied, it would not be a loss for the Spanish government.

For European countries of that era, it was easy to find excuses to take action against indigenous African countries.

Sometimes there is no need for an excuse at all, and colonial expansion is the best excuse.

With the lesson learned from the last time, Prime Minister Primo decided to make secret preparations and give the Moroccan government a surprise attack.

It would be best to achieve our strategic goals before the European powers react, so that we can take the initiative in the subsequent negotiations.

On September 1870, 9, 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, citing an attack planned by the Moroccans that killed at least five Spaniards in Ceuta.

An hour before declaring war on the Moroccan government, Prime Minister Primo sent a telegram to Italian Prime Minister Giovanni, asking the Italian government to express its support for the Spanish government in this war.

In return, the Spanish government would strongly support Italy's colonial operations in Tunisia and Libya, and the two sides would conclude a military alliance on North African colonization.

The alliance between Spain and Italy was something that the two governments were constantly negotiating. Considering the relationship between Carlo and Emanuele, it was normal for the Spanish and Italian governments to gradually move closer under the influence of the two.

The interests of Spain and Italy would not conflict. Spain wanted Morocco, Italy wanted Tunisia and Libya, and between them was France's Algerian colony.

With France as their common neighbor and a powerful enemy, the relationship between Spain and Italy was actually very friendly. At least in some aspects, such as colonization, they could cooperate.

However, compared with Prime Minister Primo, Prime Minister Giovanni did not have as much power. Although the Kingdom of Italy was also a constitutional monarchy, who could ignore the influence of King Vittorio Emanuele II? After receiving the telegram from the Spanish government, Prime Minister Giovanni immediately asked to see King Vittorio Emanuele II to inquire about the king's attitude.

"What does the Prime Minister think about this?" Vittorio Emanuele II did not give his own opinion, but asked Prime Minister Giovanni what he thought.

Although the royal families of the two countries are one family, it does not mean that their governments are one family.

This matter concerns the interests of the Italian and Spanish governments, so naturally the royal family cannot have the final say.

Victor Emmanuel II certainly understood this. Although he was a good father, he was also a good king.

If doing so would harm the interests of the Italian government, then Vittorio Emanuele II would have to carefully consider the relationship between the two governments.

"Your Majesty, I think what Primo said makes sense." Prime Minister Giovanni thought seriously for a moment and replied, "Spain's colonial demands do not conflict with ours, and this will not harm Italy's interests.

Secondly, France had colonial operations in Morocco and Tunisia and could be seen as a common enemy of Spain and Italy in their colonization of Africa.

If we rely on ourselves to fight against France, we are doomed to be defeated by the French. If we do not want to see France occupy a large area of ​​North African territory from Morocco to Libya, the best option is to cooperate with the Spanish. "

"So the Prime Minister agrees to cooperate with the Spanish government?" Vittorio Emanuele II asked with a smile.

He could accept either cooperating with or not cooperating with the Spanish government, but if he could take the opportunity to help the Spanish government, Vittorio Emanuele II would naturally be willing to see it.

The stronger Spain was, the more benefits Carlo would gain. Without affecting the interests of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II certainly hoped that his son could rule a more powerful country.

“Your Majesty, the last war between Spain and Morocco caused British intervention, and I’m afraid the same will happen this time.

Spain's biggest enemy in colonizing Morocco is not France, but Britain, which is thousands of miles away from Spain. If it is just France, it will be fine. But if Britain is included, I am afraid our support will not be of much use. " Prime Minister Giovanni mustered up his courage and expressed his guess.

"British?" Vittorio Emanuele II nodded, thinking that Prime Minister Giovanni's guess was reasonable.

Since becoming powerful, Britain has become a notorious troublemaker on the European continent. The British will intervene in any international events to ensure that the balance of power on the European continent will not be disrupted.

If Spain's invasion of Morocco had been targeted by the British, it would have been unlikely to complete the colonization of Morocco despite British opposition.

Vittorio Emanuele II sighed, looked at Prime Minister Giovanni who was waiting for his order, and ordered: "Give the Spanish government diplomatic support in accordance with our previous support. At the same time, tell the Spanish government that if this colonial action causes intervention from other powers, Italy will be unable to intervene."

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(End of this chapter)