Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 93: Chapter 87: The British Response

The colonial war initiated by the Spanish Government thus came to an end.

Even before the war started, Prime Minister Prim had considered the true purpose of this war, namely, what Spain aimed to achieve through it.

Since the British Government had agreed to Spain occupying the coastline near Agadir in Southern Morocco, and also accepted the Moroccan Government’s compensation to the Spanish Government, the war could naturally come to an end.

Unfortunately, such things are destined not to happen again. Otherwise, if it happened annually, the Spanish Government would have a clear source for its lacking industrial development funds.

On October 2, 1870, under the witness of the British ambassador, the Spanish Government and the Moroccan Government conducted peace negotiations in Ceuta to end the war.

Unlike the brief talks between the British ambassador William and Prime Minister Prim, this negotiation concerned the interests between Spain and Morocco and was destined to involve a lot of back-and-forth.

The talks could last from a few days to several weeks or even a month. Only when an agreement acceptable to both parties was established could the negotiations be truly concluded.

After reaching a compromise with the British ambassador William, Prime Minister Prim reported to Carlo, informing him of the impending end of the negotiations and the war.

Carlo felt somewhat regretful. The war had only erupted for a few days, and Kaman and Andrew had just gone to the battlefield, clearly without achieving any honors.

However, as long as the Spanish Government could secure more land and compensation from the war, it was also good news.

The time arrived on October 2, and the peace negotiations in Ceuta formally began.

The Spanish diplomatic representative initially put forward two demands of Spain: land and finances.

The Spanish Government demanded that all Moroccan territories south of the line from Agadir to Tata be ceded to the Spanish Government as compensation from the Moroccan Government to the Spanish Government and its civilians.

Secondly, the Moroccan Government must compensate the Spanish Government with 350 million Pesseta. Among this, 200 million Pesseta was the cost of Spain’s military operation, which should rightly be borne by the Moroccan Government.

The remaining 150 million Pesseta was compensation for the Spanish civilians and soldiers injured or killed in the war, and as expenses for the Spanish Army’s withdrawal from Moroccan lands.

There was also an additional requirement for the Moroccan Government to establish a demilitarized zone within the Tangier, Tetouan, and Ceuta triangle, prohibiting the Moroccan Army from entering to prevent similar conflicts from recurring.

This caused the Moroccan Government’s representative to be completely unable to remain composed.

Each of the three conditions was quite absurd, essentially putting the Moroccan Government representative on the hot seat.

Although Agadir was touted as the largest city in Southern Morocco, its geographical location leaned more towards the center.

The land south of the Agadir to Tata line was not small, constituting nearly one-sixth of Morocco’s territory.

Despite the smaller population compared to northern areas, ceding nearly one-sixth of the land was something the Moroccan Government could absolutely not agree to.

The 350 million Pesseta compensation further compounded the issue.

This compensation was an astronomical number for the Moroccan Government, impossible to amass by any means.

Moreover, the final condition regarding the demilitarized zone essentially meant that although Morocco was not a Spanish colony, it was indistinguishable from being one.

“No, that’s absolutely impossible.” The Moroccan Government representative stood up in shock, looking at the Spanish Government representative with anger, directly refusing: “We cannot agree to such demands, absolutely not.”

“That makes it easy then.” The Spanish Government representative nodded with a smile, showing no concern towards the Moroccan Government representative: “Then let the war continue, let the outcome of the war do the talking.

However, I kindly remind your country that the more we invest in this war, the higher the compensation will be after your defeat.”

Hearing the Spanish threat, the Moroccan Government representative quickly looked towards the British ambassador William, seeking assistance from the British side.

The British naturally could not sit by and watch the negotiations collapse. If the war continued, the developments would get out of British control.

“Gentlemen, since you’ve both come here, it proves that there is a willingness for peace talks.

I suggest that both sides take a step back and strive to reach a peace agreement acceptable to both parties.

Considering the specific economic conditions of the Moroccan Government, I believe that the 350 million Pesseta compensation is unreasonable and an unbearable burden for the Moroccan Government.” British ambassador William stood up, attempting to steer the negotiations back on track: ”

Well then, let’s end today’s negotiations here. Both sides should draft more reasonable demands for tomorrow’s discussion?”

The first day’s peace talks ended without any progress.

The expressions on the Spanish representatives remained relaxed, as Morocco appeared like a lamb to the slaughter, unlikely to avoid severe consequences.

This was characteristic of the era: a country with underdeveloped progress should always be prepared for invasion and plundering by stronger powers.

The saying of “falling behind means getting beaten” was very true, as the law of the jungle was the only truth in this era.

As for Morocco, following the end of the first day’s negotiations, the Moroccan representatives immediately sought out British ambassador William, requesting his help.

“Honorable British ambassador, the demands from Spain are absolutely unacceptable for Morocco. We request the assistance of the mighty British Government and are willing to pay the corresponding price.” The Moroccan ambassador said directly to William.

“Sir, I sympathize with your government’s plight.” British ambassador William initially seemed regretful, speaking with sympathy to the Moroccan Government representative: “But as you know, even if the British Empire is immensely powerful, it cannot arbitrarily interfere with the decisions of other nations.

Persuading Spain to abandon its claims on Northern Moroccan territory was the utmost we could do for your country, and we deeply regret that the Spaniards are unlikely to give up their colonial ambitions on Morocco.”

Although the British Government could accept Spain annexing Southern Moroccan land, it didn’t mean the British would refrain from causing trouble for Spain.

Fueling more fierce resistance against Spain from Moroccans through this event was something the British Government had planned long ago.

Since Spain dared to wage war against Morocco and occupy Moroccan land as colonies, Spain should also bear the resistance from Moroccans and the hatred for occupying their land.

In this way, even if Spain secures a significant colony through the war, they would be exhausted from suppressing Moroccan resistance over time, possibly costing them more than the gains.

Busy suppressing Morocco’s rebellion, Spaniards naturally would have no time to eye Britain’s Gibraltar.

Additionally, revolts from insurgents in Cuba and the Philippines, these three colonial uprisings could leave the Spanish Government overwhelmed, potentially forcing Spain to invest enormous funds, manpower, and material resources over the long term, eventually weakening it to a state incapable of threatening Britain.