Chapter 188 Big Bang
The soldiers' life was so simple and happy. As the armed force of a country, they were so angry when facing the British, and they appeared in front of the Spaniards with such arrogance.
The sense of responsibility to protect American expatriates made the more than 300 officers and soldiers on the battleship Maine hold their heads high and participate in this operation with enthusiasm.
The battleship Maine had been in service for no more than three years. Although it was no longer the most advanced warship of the United States in an era when naval technology was advancing by leaps and bounds, it was still a very threatening choice compared to the Spanish fleet in Cuba, and was most suitable for showing off military power to Spain.
On January 24, the battleship USS Maine appeared in the harbor of Havana and slowly sailed into the port amid the resentful gaze of the Spanish. In sharp contrast to the Spanish who dared not speak out, the American expatriates waiting in Havana waved the Stars and Stripes in their hands and warmly welcomed the arrival of their country's battleship.
The battleship Maine received a warm welcome as soon as it arrived in Havana. It was obvious that the local expatriates had been waiting for a long time. This welcome made the officers and soldiers on the battleship straighten their chests, and their eyes looking towards Havana were full of contempt. The contrast between the expatriates of the United States and the Spaniards formed a sharp contrast. One side was in its heyday, while the other side was already in decline. The glory of Spain, the once powerful global empire, was gone. Compared with the newly born United States of America, the Spanish Empire was like an old man in its twilight years, and its time was running out.
The four ten-inch 35-caliber Mark II main guns on the front side are facing the downtown area of Havana. The slightly raised angle shows that these main guns also agree with the ideas of the battleship's officers and soldiers.
Amidst the warm welcome of American expatriates, the battleship Maine docked in Havana, the capital of Cuba.
For the rest of the world, this act of trampling on the dignity of old imperialism has attracted very few attention. Perhaps only the Spanish government itself cares about this matter. Other countries are more concerned about what is happening in southern Africa.
Although the war would not begin for another year, the tense situation in southern Africa that was about to break out was enough to attract the attention of various countries. After all, one side was the world hegemon and the giant gold mine, while the Americas were just a long-declined Spain and a United States that was just beginning to emerge.
Although some self-proclaimed sober newspapers have reminded the United States of America of its great apology, the result is the same as the spread of the Republic Threat Theory in the 1990s: it is okay to listen to, but it is not worth taking seriously. Obviously, the combination of the world hegemon and the giant gold mine is more eye-catching.
The British expeditionary force and diplomats were acting at the same time. Although there would not necessarily be a fight, the troops transported to southern Africa could at least play a role in exerting pressure. British diplomats were visiting various countries in an effort to gain their understanding, at least superficially.
The Maine's stop was naturally to escort the expatriates back home. From this time on, expatriates in the United States began to order tickets back to the United States after hearing the news and bid farewell to this land.
Like most American expatriates, Berzin had just finished setting up his camera and placed it by the window facing the USS Maine battleship docked in the port. He then went out to buy food and happened to meet his neighbor, who was also an American citizen, who was packing his things just as Jintai chose to return home by ship.
"Why are you still here? The federal government has called on expatriates to return home. The atmosphere in Havana is so tense now. The Spaniards look at us in a strange way. Although there may not be a fight, it is better to return home and hide for a while." When the neighbor saw Berzin's relaxed expression and saw that he did not look nervous, he began to persuade him, "I have already booked the boat ticket, you should hurry up too. If there is no fight, you can come back then. Don't save this little money."
Berzin put his hands in his trouser pockets, listened to his neighbor's advice with a smile, and then said slowly, "My family is in Texas, and I am the only one here. I don't think there will be a war. Besides, I am just an ordinary expatriate, and I believe the Spaniards will not do anything to me. But it makes sense for you to return home. I will think about it when the time comes. Maybe I will go back in two days."
When he came back with food, the tenants next door had already left. It was obvious that the house was deserted. Berzin shook his head slightly, went back to his room and took off his shirt, his eyes still fixed on the battleship outside the window. In a ray of sunlight, the black and white shield tattoo on Berzin's arm was clearly visible.
Berzin was not the only one who observed the port's movements from various angles. As for why he did so, the people watching here did not know, they just obeyed the orders of the two companies.
The naval officers and soldiers on the battleship Maine had a much more relaxed life. During the first few days, they remained vigilant. After all, this was Spanish territory, and if the Spanish suddenly attacked, it would be no joke.
But as time went by, the Spaniards maintained their restraint and endured humiliation, which made the naval officers and soldiers feel relieved. Although the United States is not a veteran imperialist country and does not have much experience in bullying compared to Britain and France, they also know that given the current situation, the Spaniards will not start a war.
Gradually their vigilance faded, and some officers and soldiers who remained on the battleships had already disembarked to purchase supplies or take a walk. Some laughed at the predicament of the First Empire on which the Sun Never Sets, and their days were quite comfortable, as if this was just a routine evacuation mission and there was nothing special about it.
This kind of observation continued in the house where the battleship Maine could be seen from all angles. Berzin and his companions never let down their guard. The order from the United Company headquarters was simple and direct, and it also told these observers that there were companions nearby, but no one knew how many companions they had.
Knowing a certain truth but not all of it makes all observers dare not slack off. If others see something but you don’t, that would be the biggest dereliction of duty.
Berzin, leaning on the bed, looked at the situation in the port boredly. He had been in this state for more than half a month. In fact, from the time the battleship Maine arrived in Havana to now, the expatriates who decided to leave had already boarded the ship and left Cuba and returned to the land of the United States. It was a bit strange that this battleship had been docked here all the time.
Berzin, who was extremely bored, pushed aside a banana. It seemed that today was going to be another boring day. He had already thought about how to write today's diary. After all, that was what the United Company's telegram required.
"On the night of February 15th, Berzin, a mid-level employee of the United Company's Black Gold Transport Company, was at the southwest corner of the Havana Port. Everything was normal during the day!" Berzin was writing today's observation report with a fountain pen under the oil lamp. Just as he was about to close the diary, a loud earth-shattering noise suddenly sounded, and then the window of the room slammed, and the glass on it shattered into pieces.
All these sudden changes left Berzin stunned for a moment. It took him a few seconds to react. With a buzzing sound still in his ears, Berzin took two steps at a time to the edge of the bed, staring straight in the direction of the fire, and quickly pointed the camera he had prepared at the explosion site to take pictures.
On the night of February 15, the battleship Maine, which was anchored in Havana Harbor, suddenly exploded. The explosion was so powerful that it almost blew off one-third of the front hull, and the rest of the wreckage quickly sank into the sea. The explosion woke up all the residents near the port, and everyone looked towards the explosion site with panic.
Soon, the Spanish military and police were all out on the streets of Havana, anxiously rushing to the site of the explosion at the port. Everything that happened in Havana was quickly spread to all parts of the country via radio signals.
"Boss, telegram from Havana!" Inside the Oak Manor in New Orleans, Sheffield, who had fallen asleep, was pushed open by Jessla. He performed a difficult move in front of the bodyguard, who sat up in shock!
With one hand on his still paste-covered forehead, Sheffield stretched out his other hand and said in a voice that sounded like death, "Give it to me!" Taking the telegram from Jesla, Sheffield, who seemed half awake, stared at the contents on it, "The battleship Maine exploded for unknown reasons?"
Unknown reason? I have been in Havana for half a month. The expatriates have already been evacuated, but they still refuse to leave. The domestic public opinion is warmongering. The Navy even formulated a combat plan to attack Cuba last year. Why is it that they are now in Havana?
The boss's tired smile made Jesla feel uncomfortable, but Sheffield soon handed the telegram back to Jesla and said calmly, "All newspapers under your control must report the news that the battleship Maine was sunk by the Spanish tomorrow morning. All of them, no newspaper should report anything else tomorrow. You can edit the content however you want."
Sheffield didn't care how many officers and soldiers died on the battleship Maine. As a capitalist, it didn't stop him from making some money from the blood of others. He believed that tomorrow morning, with the shouting of newsboys, the news that the battleship Maine was sunk in Havana would spread throughout the United States, and this would form a public opinion that no one could stop.
Sure enough, early the next morning, almost all newspapers published this explosive news. Citizens who did not believe it thought it was fake news, and then bought another newspaper, which was still about the Maine. Citizens of the entire United States were at a loss, and then there was great anger.
(End of this chapter)
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