The colonial war initiated by the Spanish Governnt thus ca to an end.
Even before the war started, Pri Minister Prim had considered the true purpose of this war, naly, what Spain aid to achieve through it.
Since the British Governnt had agreed to Spain occupying the coastline near Agadir in Southern Morocco, and also accepted the Moroccan Governnt’s compensation to the Spanish Governnt, the war could naturally co to an end.
Unfortunately, such things are destined not to happen again. Otherwise, if it happened annually, the Spanish Governnt would have a clear source for its lacking industrial developnt funds.
On October 2, 1870, under the witness of the British ambassador, the Spanish Governnt and the Moroccan Governnt conducted peace negotiations in Ceuta to end the war.
Unlike the brief talks between the British ambassador William and Pri 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 agreent acceptable to both parties was established could the negotiations be truly concluded.
After reaching a compromise with the British ambassador William, Pri Minister Prim reported to Carlo, informing him of the impending end of the negotiations and the war.
Carlo felt sowhat 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 Governnt could secure more land and compensation from the war, it was also good news.
The ti 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 Governnt demanded that all Moroccan territories south of the line from Agadir to Tata be ceded to the Spanish Governnt as compensation from the Moroccan Governnt to the Spanish Governnt and its civilians.
Secondly, the Moroccan Governnt must compensate the Spanish Governnt 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 Governnt.
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 requirent for the Moroccan Governnt 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 Governnt’s representative to be completely unable to remain composed.
Each of the three conditions was quite absurd, essentially putting the Moroccan Governnt 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 sothing the Moroccan Governnt could absolutely not agree to.
The 350 million Pesseta compensation further compounded the issue.
This compensation was an astronomical number for the Moroccan Governnt, impossible to amass by any ans.
Moreover, the final condition regarding the demilitarized zone essentially ant that although Morocco was not a Spanish colony, it was indistinguishable from being one.
"No, that’s absolutely impossible." The Moroccan Governnt representative stood up in shock, looking at the Spanish Governnt representative with anger, directly refusing: "We cannot agree to such demands, absolutely not."
"That makes it easy then." The Spanish Governnt representative nodded with a smile, showing no concern towards the Moroccan Governnt representative: "Then let the war continue, let the outco 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 Governnt 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 developnts would get out of British control.
"Gentlen, since you’ve both co 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 agreent acceptable to both parties.
Considering the specific economic conditions of the Moroccan Governnt, I believe that the 350 million Pesseta compensation is unreasonable and an unbearable burden for the Moroccan Governnt." 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 ans 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 imdiately 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 Governnt and are willing to pay the corresponding price." The Moroccan ambassador said directly to William.
"Sir, I sympathize with your governnt’s plight." British ambassador William initially seed regretful, speaking with sympathy to the Moroccan Governnt representative: "But as you know, even if the British Empire is imnsely 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 Governnt could accept Spain annexing Southern Moroccan land, it didn’t an the British would refrain from causing trouble for Spain.
Fueling more fierce resistance against Spain from Moroccans through this event was sothing the British Governnt 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 ti, possibly costing them more than the gains.
Busy suppressing Morocco’s rebellion, Spaniards naturally would have no ti to eye Britain’s Gibraltar.
Additionally, revolts from insurgents in Cuba and the Philippines, these three colonial uprisings could leave the Spanish Governnt overwheld, 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.
User Comments
0 comments from readers