The Spanish, as the former suzerain country of this land in South America, were driven out of South America half a century ago. But Spain has been trying to return to this land. Even until now, they have not recognized the independence of Peru.
In August 1863, an attack on Spanish Basque immigrants working on a Peruvian plantation gave Madrid an opportunity. Faced with the "heavy losses" of one Spanish immigrant being killed and four others injured, Spain sent a team of nine
The Spanish fleet, composed of 1 warship and three support ships, sailed away from Spain in a mighty manner. After arriving on the west coast of South America, they first conducted some scientific research, but mainly showed their strength. Then Spanish Admiral Luis El
Nandez led a fleet to Peru, demanding an apology and compensation after their threats were rejected by the Peruvian government. On April 14, 1864, the Spanish fleet captured the Chincha Islands, about 12 miles off the coast of Peru. The island of Peru
Officials were arrested, and at the same time, the Spanish navy blocked Peru's main ports. Spain's invasion of Peru not only made Peru feel the pressure, but also the surrounding countries also felt the tremendous pressure from the former suzerain, facing the possibility of being invaded by the previous suzerain.
Amid the crisis, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador closed their ports to Spanish warships.
The closure of the port immediately plunged the Spanish fleet into crisis - maybe they occupied the Chincha Islands, but what was on the islands?
In addition to bird droppings, there are thousands of Chinese coolies.
The fleet's sailors need to eat, the warships need maintenance, and the fleet's steam engines also need coal. Faced with the hostility of the west coast countries, Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja, who had just taken over as commander of the fleet, suddenly felt the pressure
.
Although the invasion of Peru is just a bluff, the countries on the west coast of South America, including Peru and Chile, do not think so. After all, in the past ten years, Spain has been carrying out colonial expansion in uneven areas, such as occupying Morocco, such as
Reoccupation of Dominica.
Now they have brought their fleet here in a mighty manner. Of course, it cannot be just for the expatriates. Maybe they want to reoccupy this land.
Faced with the widespread anti-Spanish sentiment in South America, even General Pareja was helpless.
"We must find a way to break their blockade, general, otherwise, soon, we will fall into a new crisis. There is not even enough fresh water on this island, and as early as when we just occupied the Chincha Islands
At that time, the Peruvian side declared that any foreign businessman who bought guano from the Chincha Islands during the war would be blacklisted. So now not only can we not sell the guano here for a peso, we even have to pay for it.
Feed the indentured Chinese workers on the island, General, if this continues, we will definitely be dragged down!"
Major General Nunez looked at the commander and said.
"So, no matter what, we have to solve these problems, otherwise, soon, in order to obtain fresh water, food and coal, we will have to attack the fortresses in Peru, General."
Regarding the deputy's reminder, General Pareja said somewhat helplessly.
"I know, but what can we do now? Nunez, you should know very well 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.
Chincha Islands, as you said, there is nothing here except bird droppings.”
Of course, Pareja is eager to regain the glory of Spain and recapture Peru, but this idea is just a thought. After all, his fleet lacks marines, which makes it almost impossible to occupy Peru. Of course, more importantly, such a lonely force
It is impossible for the fleet to float on the hostile west coast of South America for a long time.
Just when the two generals were at a loss for words, the admiral's adjutant hurriedly walked in.
"Admiral, Admiral, the Chileans, the Chileans invite us to visit Valparaiso..."
…
"Damn Perez, that traitor!"
In the presidential palace in Lima, almost the moment he learned that the Chileans had extended an invitation to the Spaniards, Juan Antonio Pezette, the Peruvian president, became furious.
"They betrayed all of South America, damn them, aren't they worried about the Spanish reoccupying this land?"
Although as president he was not active in resisting the Spanish invasion, he never gave up diplomatic efforts and tried to form an alliance with Chile and other countries to jointly deal with the Spanish threat. His original plan was to oppose the Spanish invasion by establishing
Alliance to stop the Spanish invasion, but Chile's betrayal made his plan come to nothing.
"What exactly is going on?"
He set his sights on Foreign Minister Juan Ribeiro.
"Your Excellency, our ambassador in Santiago sent a secret message saying that Chilean officials believe that closing the port to the Spanish fleet without an actual declaration of war between the two sides is not in compliance with international public law, so President Perez decided to lift the ban. In order to eliminate the conflict with the Spanish
There was a misunderstanding between them and I specially invited them to visit..."
Before the Foreign Minister could finish speaking, President Pezet said loudly.
"Damn Chileans, why did they betray us so quickly? Conspiracy, they must have some conspiracy, right?"
"Of course, Your Excellency, there is never a free lunch in this world. Our ambassador in Santiago believes that what forced Chile to make this decision was the separatists in Chillen in the south and the American company that occupied Araucania, and they seemed to
Araucania has sent a fleet!”
"fleet!"
President Pezet's eyes lit up, and then, after calming down, he asked.
"American Company also has a fleet, right?"
"Yes, Mr. President, they also have a fleet. I heard that they are ironclads. They are the same as the ironclads we customized in the UK. They are built by the same shipyard, but their tonnage is larger."
As Vice President, Diez Canseco, although he did not agree with the declaration of war against Spain, he had been committed to rearming arms to resist the Spanish invasion. It was under his call that Peru issued an order to the United Kingdom.
, purchased an ironclad ship.
However, limited by financial resources, the armored ship only weighed more than a thousand tons. Even if it was delivered, it would not be enough to see in front of the Spaniards, but this was also to show an absolutely uncompromising stance.
"That's right..."
After pondering for a moment, President Pezet said helplessly,
"It seems that the Chileans have sided with the Spanish. In this case, we seem to have no choice... We must find ourselves a new ally!"
"New allies?"
General Prado said.
"You mean America Corporation?"
"Yes, although they are just a company, they have warships and ironclads. We can definitely invite them to visit Peru and use their fleet to protect ourselves. Juan, what do you think?"
"Inviting the American fleet to visit?"
Foreign Minister Huan thought for a moment and nodded.
"It seems that this is also a good idea. No matter what the result is, it will at least make Chileans very unhappy..."