Chapter 215 The Peruvians' Decision (3rd update, please subscribe)

The Spanish, as the former sovereign of South America, were driven out of South America half a century ago. However, Spain has been trying to return to this land. Even until now, they have not recognized the independence of Peru.

In August 1863, the attack on Spanish Basque immigrants working in Peruvian plantations gave Madrid an opportunity. Faced with the "heavy losses" of one Spanish immigrant being killed and four injured, Spain sent a Spanish fleet consisting of nine warships and three support ships, which sailed away from Spain in a mighty manner. After arriving on the west coast of South America, some scientific research was first carried out, but it was mainly a display of strength. Then Spanish Admiral Luis Hernandez led the fleet to Peru and demanded an apology and compensation, after their threats were rejected by the Peruvian government. On April 14, 1864, the Spanish fleet occupied the Chincha Islands, about 12 miles from the coast of Peru. Peruvian officials on the island were arrested, and the Spanish Navy blocked Peru's main ports. Spain's invasion of Peru not only made Peru feel pressure, but also the surrounding countries felt the huge pressure of the former sovereign. Faced with the crisis of possible invasion by the former sovereign, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador closed their ports to Spanish warships.

The closure of the port immediately put the Spanish fleet into crisis - perhaps they occupied the Chincha Islands, what was on the islands?

In addition to the bird droppings, there were also thousands of Chinese laborers.

The fleet's sailors needed to eat, the warships needed maintenance, and the fleet's steam engines also needed coal. Faced with the hostility of the west coast countries, Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja, who had just taken over as fleet commander, immediately felt the pressure.

Although the invasion of Peru was just a bluff, the countries on the west coast of South America, including Peru and Chile, did not think so. After all, in the past decade or so, Spain had been carrying out colonial expansion in unstable regions, such as occupying Morocco and reoccupying the Dominican Republic.

Now they have brought their fleet here in a mighty force. Of course it is not just for the expatriates. Maybe they want to reoccupy this land.

Faced with the widespread anti-Spanish sentiment in South America, even Admiral Pareja felt helpless.

"We must find a way to break their blockade, General. Otherwise, we will soon fall into a new crisis. There is not even enough fresh water on this island. Moreover, when we just occupied the Chincha Islands, Peru announced that any foreign businessman who purchased guano from the Chincha Islands during the war would be blacklisted. So now we not only cannot sell a single peso for the guano here, but we even have to feed the contracted Chinese workers on the island. General, if this continues, we will definitely be dragged down!"

Major General Nunes said, looking at the commander.

"So, we have to solve these problems anyway, otherwise, soon, we will have to attack the Peruvian fortresses for fresh water, food and coal, General."

Admiral Pareja said helplessly in response to his deputy's reminder.

"I know, but what can we do now? Nunez, you should know that the entire West Coast regards us as enemies, so they prohibit our fleet from entering their ports and are full of hostility towards us. In the Chincha Islands, as you said, there is nothing here except guano."

Pareja certainly longed to restore the glory of Spain and retake Peru, but this idea was just a thought. After all, his fleet lacked marines, and it was almost impossible to occupy Peru. Of course, more importantly, such an isolated fleet could not drift for a long time on the hostile west coast of South America.

Just when the two generals were at a loss, the admiral's adjutant hurried in.

"Admiral, Admiral, the Chileans, the Chileans invited us to visit Valparaiso..."

…

"Damn Perez, that traitor!"

In the presidential palace in Lima, almost as soon as he learned that the Chileans had extended an invitation to the Spaniards, Peruvian President Juan Antonio Pezet flew into a rage.

"They betrayed all of South America, damn them. Aren't they worried that the Spanish will reoccupy this land?"

Although as president he was not active in resisting the Spanish invasion, he never gave up his diplomatic efforts and tried to form an alliance with Chile and other countries to deal with the Spanish threat. His original plan was to block the Spanish invasion by establishing an alliance against the Spanish invasion, but Chile's betrayal made his plan come to nothing.

"What on earth is going on?"

He set his sights on Foreign Minister Juan Ribeiro.

"Sir, our ambassador in Santiago sent a secret message saying that the Chilean government believes that closing the port to the Spanish fleet is not in compliance with international law when there is no actual declaration of war between the two sides, so President Perez decided to lift the ban. In order to eliminate misunderstandings with the Spanish, he specially invited them to visit..."

Without waiting for the Foreign Minister to finish his words, President Pezet spoke loudly.

"Damn Chileans, how could they betray us so quickly? Conspiracy, they must have some conspiracy, right?"

"Of course, sir, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Our ambassador in Santiago believes that the separatists in Southern Chillan and the American Company that occupied Araucania forced Chile to make this decision. They seem to have sent a fleet to Araucania!"

"fleet!"

President Pezzet's eyes lit up, then he calmed down and asked.

"The America Company also has a fleet, right?"

"Yes, Mr. President, they also have a fleet. I heard that they are ironclad ships, just like the ones we ordered in the UK. They were built by the same shipyard, but their tonnage is larger."

As vice president, although Diz Canseco did not agree with declaring war on Spain, he was committed to reorganizing the army to resist the Spanish invasion. It was at his call that Peru placed an order with Britain to purchase an ironclad ship.

However, due to financial constraints, the ironclad ship was only over a thousand tons. Even if it was delivered, it would not be good enough in front of the Spanish, but this was also to show an absolutely uncompromising position.

"Is that so..."

After a moment's silence, President Pezzet said helplessly,

"It seems that the Chileans have sided with the Spanish. In this case, we seem to have no choice... We must find a new ally for ourselves!"

"New allies?"

General Prado said.

"You mean the American Company?"

"That's right. Although they are just a company, they have warships and ironclad ships. We can definitely invite them to visit Peru and borrow their fleet to protect ourselves. Juan, what do you think?"

"Invite the fleet of the America Company to visit?"

Foreign Minister Juan thought about it and nodded.

"It seems that this is also a good idea. No matter what the result is, at least it will make the Chileans very unhappy."

(End of this chapter)