IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 105
**Chapter 105**
Pacific Fleet (6)
“Only 1.5 million pesos!”
Of course, it’s a bit cheap.
You could say that 1.5 million pesos for Puerto Rico is a fair price, considering that I offered to sell the Philippines for 3 million, but that was because an independent country was already being established in the Philippines, and we didn’t have the power to reclaim it.
In the original history, the US was considering paying $150 million for Cuba in the 1850s. When Spain rejected the offer, a report accidentally leaked, stating that “it would be justified to take it by force,” which became the seed of the Spanish-American War.
“But land prices are very volatile in this era.”
Didn’t the US buy half of Mexico’s territory for only $15 million? Of course, that was possible because they had waged a war and destroyed Mexico.
Our Mexican Empire in this world has that capability, and Spain has already lost a war against us.
“1.8 million pesos. That’s the limit. It’s better to sell it now while you have the chance. It’s a big mistake to think that our Mexican Empire will tolerate Spain’s Caribbean and Pacific colonies forever.”
I applied more pressure directly.
“Ahem. I think this is a good offer.”
Ambassador Pakenham chimed in. For them, it was just a matter of getting money, so it was a position they could take.
Spain’s Ambassador Emery looked at Ambassador Pakenham with a bewildered expression, but that’s how the international community works, isn’t it?
“I’ll discuss it with my home country and make a decision.”
“Then, we’ll lend you our British high-speed messenger ship.”
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
It was a silent pressure to get an answer quickly, but Ambassador Emery couldn’t say anything else.
A month later, Ambassador Emery brought an unexpected response.
“You want to sell the Pacific islands all at once?”
“Yes. Our Spanish Republic (República Española) has decided to get rid of the remnants of the past: the colonies. We’ll sell Puerto Rico, the Mariana Islands, Palau, the Caroline Islands, and the Marshall Islands for a total of 3.5 million pesos.”
“…3.5 million pesos?”
Getting rid of the remnants of the past is a justifiable reason for anyone, and it seems like the Spanish government is just desperate for money, but they cleverly made me think.
I offered 1.8 million pesos for Puerto Rico, so adding the Pacific islands for 1.7 million pesos is a bit expensive. But it’s not easy to get a chance to buy them all at once without going to war.
It would be a headache if other powerful countries like England, the US, and France were to buy these islands. The islands are small, but they’re big enough to build military ports, which means it’s a matter of influence in the Pacific.
“It’s not a bad price, but…”
As I hesitated, Ambassador Pakenham spoke.
“We in England are also interested in the Pacific islands, not Puerto Rico. For example, Guam…”
“I see. If the Mexican Empire doesn’t accept this offer, we’ll have to consider selling them separately to various countries.”
Ambassador Pakenham and Ambassador Emery were pressuring me, taking turns in front of me.
“I’ve been tricked.”
Mentioning the Caribbean and the Pacific to pressure Spain backfired. I’ve shown them that I consider those two important.
I have to buy them. But I can’t just take it lying down.
“Sell them for a total of 3.2 million pesos.”
“3.2 million is…”
Ambassador Emery tried to protest my instant 300,000-peso reduction, but I interrupted him and explained.
“Ambassador Emery, think carefully. Spain has debts to England and France. How much cash can you get by selling the islands? Even if you try to sell them to other countries, how many countries would reach out to the Pacific?”
It’s not Africa, America, India, or Asia. It’s the Pacific. Not many countries would be interested in that region.
The US might be interested, but they wouldn’t be able to buy the Pacific islands rashly, as the border dispute over Oregon, the only route for them to go to the Pacific, hasn’t been settled yet.
Ambassador Emery seemed convinced by my words. After further negotiations, the final outcome was as follows:
——
Article 1. Territory Purchase
– The Mexican Empire will purchase Puerto Rico, the Mariana Islands, Palau, the Caroline Islands, and the Marshall Islands from the Spanish Republic for a total of 3,250,000 pesos.
Article 2. Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
– The Mexican Empire and the Spanish Republic will mutually place resident diplomats in each other’s capitals to maintain continuous and stable diplomatic relations.
Article 3. Trade Authorization
– Merchants of the Mexican Empire and the Spanish Republic can freely engage in trade.
——
The Spanish Republic, which had only recently succeeded in its revolution, seemed to consider being recognized as a proper country important, so they took a friendly stance, including clauses for diplomatic normalization and trade.
쓱쓱-
I signed the treaty and said to Ambassador Emery,
“I think this will create a friendly atmosphere between our two countries. I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you. I look forward to working with you as well, Your Highness.”
He decided to remain as the Spanish ambassador to Mexico.
This treaty will give the Spanish Republic some breathing room.
***
The governor, who had proclaimed himself king of the Philippines, was killed with a bullet to the head, and the independent country “Republic of the Philippines (República de Filipinas)” was established in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
“Send half the fleet to Korea as planned. The rest will stay here to help stabilize the Republic of the Philippines.”
“Yes!”
We destroyed the governor’s fleet and killed the governor, but it was just the beginning.
The newly established Republic of the Philippines had no debts, but it also had no money. The new government politicians had no political experience, and the provinces weren’t willing to follow central control.
If they don’t overcome these obstacles that most independent countries face, they won’t function as a proper country and will experience prolonged chaos. His Highness, the Crown Prince, ordered us to remove these obstacles.
“Why are you helping us so much?”
Jose Garcia, the interim president of the Republic of the Philippines, asked with a mixture of gratitude and suspicion.
“You don’t think you’re being helped just because you’re an independent country that was also a Spanish colony, do you? I’m not that naive.”
It’s too much help to just call it kindness. Didn’t we essentially feed them independence? So, how big of a bill will they present? President Garcia was afraid of that.
Admiral Navarro sensed his feelings.
“Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal for the Mexican Empire. It’s more convenient for us to have a politically stable trading partner.”
This help is a huge deal for the Philippines, but it’s not a major investment for Mexico.
Expanding and protecting the Mexican Empire’s influence in the Pacific region is the current mission of the Pacific Fleet. It’s just a matter of giving the already deployed fleet work to do, so it’s not a big deal.
“…I can only hope that’s true.”
The Republic of the Philippines, which currently only controls the Manila area, couldn’t refuse Mexico’s offer of help.
After all, they have no way to resist even if Mexico changes its mind. Just recently, they couldn’t escape the Spanish colonial governor’s fleet, not even Spain itself.
“First, we need to completely control Luzon Island.”
The Philippines is a country made up of countless islands. The largest and most important island is Luzon Island, where Manila is located, followed by Mindanao Island.
They have a large population, befitting their size of 110,000 square kilometers and 90,000 square kilometers, respectively. We need to secure these two largest and most populous islands first and then secure the smaller ones.
“I agree. Just a demonstration of force by marching troops will make most of the provinces declare their willingness to join the republic, but if not, we’ll have to fight.”
“Yes, but the Pacific Fleet will support us, so they won’t rebel unless they’re insane.”
Why could the governor control the Philippines? He could control the Philippines with just this fleet, without having a large army, because all the major cities in the Philippines, including Manila, were port cities.
President Garcia nodded in agreement with the admiral’s opinion.
“That’s right.”
Thus, they began to seize control of the Philippines. The Pacific Fleet, carrying the republican troops, visited each city and urged them to join the republic.
Half of the fleet was sent to Korea, but the remaining half had no opposition.
Ambitious individuals who had quickly raised armies and seized control of the provinces enjoyed a few weeks of sweetness before having their command revoked and being transported to the capital.
It took a month to secure Luzon Island and a month to secure Mindanao Island. Once these two islands joined the Republic of the Philippines, other islands naturally started requesting to join.
Samar, Negros, Palawan, Panay, and Cebu, the main islands, joined the republic one after another.
“It seems like we’ve almost finished securing the provinces. I see that the security situation isn’t very good, but I trust you’ll be able to handle that.”
“Yes, we’ll have to catch the criminal organizations ourselves.”
They had confiscated the weapons used by the governor’s army, so there would be no force in the Philippines that could defeat the republican government.
“Now, it’s time to officially sign the treaty.”
It was a tense moment.
President Garcia was more nervous than the day he launched the rebellion.
He read the document handed over by Admiral Navarro.
—————
Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between the Mexican Empire and the Republic of the Philippines (Tratado de Comercio y Amistad entre el Imperio de México y la República de Filipinas)
Article 1. Diplomatic Relations and Cultural Respect
– The Mexican Empire and the Republic of the Philippines will maintain continuous contact between the two countries by placing resident diplomatic representatives in each other’s capitals.
– Based on mutual respect for each other’s cultures and traditions, the two countries will strive to promote mutual understanding through diplomatic communication.
Article 2. Port Usage Rights
– The Republic of the Philippines will open five ports to the Mexican Empire: Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga, and Vigan.
– The aforementioned ports can be used as supply points for the Mexican Imperial navy and as a market for trade and exchange of goods for Mexican merchants.
Article 3. Fixed Tariff Policy
– The Republic of the Philippines will impose fixed tariffs agreed upon by the two countries on goods imported from the Mexican Empire.
– Tariffs can be changed through mutual agreement between the two countries.
Article 4. Resource Development Agreement
– The Republic of the Philippines allows resource development companies belonging to the Mexican Empire to negotiate resource development in the Philippines.
Article 5. Granting Most Favored Nation Status
– The Republic of the Philippines grants most favored nation status to the Mexican Empire, which applies to trade, investment, and other economic activities.
Article 6. Non-interference in Trade Activities
– Officials of the Republic of the Philippines will not interfere with the legitimate trade activities of Mexican merchants and will guarantee their commercial freedom.
Article 7. Recognition of the Jurisdiction of Mexican Consuls
– Mexican consuls in the Republic of the Philippines will exercise jurisdiction over Mexican citizens and provide legal protection for them.
—————
“…Article 4 only allows for ‘negotiations’ regarding resource development. There are no repercussions if the negotiations fail, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Then, I accept.”
It was a typical unequal treaty, but considering that they gained independence through external force, these conditions could hardly be considered harsh.
President Garcia sighed with relief inwardly.
“Ah, and there’s something His Highness, the Crown Prince, requested unofficially.”
“What is it?”
“He requested that Spanish be used as one of the official languages of the government. He also said it didn’t have to be the only one.”
“I understand.”
Spanish had been the dominant language for a long time. They had to use Spanish if they wanted to manage administrative affairs.
President Garcia signed the treaty.
It was the moment the Pacific Fleet’s second mission was completed.
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