Holy Roman Empire-Chapter 1018 - 32: Robert Going with the Flow

Chapter 1018: Chapter 32: Robert Going with the Flow

The Cuban rebellion was instigated by the British, a fact even the inattentive Vienna Government could discern, naturally the Spaniards could not be unaware.

Yet, at this juncture, apart from cursing the British for their unscrupulous actions, there was nothing the Spanish Government could do.

Such were the rules of the game; even to “protest,” one first needed to present evidence.

The British, experienced as they were, how could they possibly leave obvious evidence implicating themselves?

Lack of evidence wasn’t a major problem—if the Spaniards were convinced that the British were behind it, they could completely resort to covert retaliation.

With neither evidence nor strength, they could only swallow this bitter loss in silence.

...

Evidently, this was not acceptable to the Spanish Government. In search of international support and to apply diplomatic pressure on the British, Spanish diplomats once again became busy.

…

“The Spaniards are seeking help again!”

Franz furrowed his brows.

In some ways, the interactions between states were similar to interpersonal relationships. Only reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnerships could sustain long-term good relations.

Merely one-sided help, while many might be willing to assist the first time, would quickly become tedious by the second and by the third would likely turn cold.

Favors could be exhausted, even more so between states.

In the previous Philippine War, the Vienna Government had exerted significant effort, far beyond what they had previously promised to the Spanish Government.

The lack of reciprocation was evident, leading one to imagine Franz’s feelings when Spain came asking for help once more.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Foreign Minister Weisenberg: “The situation faced by the Spanish Government is extremely dire. Due to the war, Spain’s finances have nearly reached bankruptcy.

They had only just regained the Philippine Islands when they encountered the Cuban rebellion. Worse still, the shadow of the British emerged behind the Cuban independence movement.

Spain lacks the strength to contend with the British, and apart from international aid, they have no better options.”

In this survival of the fittest world, weakness was a sin.

Although Spain was also among the great powers, following the Philippine War, many countries no longer recognized their status.

Perhaps the Cuban independence movement was merely a casual move by the British Government, but the Spaniards dared not overlook it.

Unable to withstand it alone and desiring to mitigate British pressure, their best option was naturally to seek help from the major powers.

The Spanish Government had ample reason to believe that if the Continental Alliance intervened, the British Government would abandon their support for the Cuban Independence Organization, just as they did when Japan renounced the Philippine Islands.

“How does the Ministry plan to respond?”

Franz asked.

Being a leader was no easy task. Whether willing or not, when issues arose, they could not be shirked.

However, dealing with these trouble matters also required finesse. It was essential to protect the interests of affiliates without being overly accommodating or placing oneself in a passive position.

Evidently, the Foreign Ministry had more experience in this area. Dealing daily with various difficulties, their responses were well-practiced.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg: “The Ministry believes we can offer limited support to Spain: ensuring that the British do not directly interfere in the Cuban independence movement.

If Spain wants more, then they must present direct evidence of the British plotting the Cuban independence movement, or persuade other members within the alliance.

If all Continental countries agree, then we can consider another international intervention.”

Unlike the Philippine War, during which the Vienna Government had made certain promises, this Cuban independence movement was not within the agreed scope.

Since there was no agreement, it would have to be “business as usual.” Providing limited support and shielding from British pressure was already fulfilling our leader’s duty.

Sending troops to help suppress the rebellion was out of the question. If one couldn’t manage one’s own domestic affairs, it was embarrassing even to mention it.

Colonies were not the homeland; according to current game rules, if you cannot defend them, you must resign yourself to losing them, without even the hope of earning sympathy.

Regarding further international intervention, that seemed more like a “visible but unattainable” delusion.

The British were not as weak as the Japanese.

Against Japan, a native country without significant presence, European countries felt no real pressure and happily supported intervention to give Spain some face.

But the British were different. Even though Britain’s influence in Europe had waned, the Royal Navy still dominated the world.

Countries could personally feel the might of the British; it was no trouble for them to offer moral support or verbal condemnation, as everyone boldly spoke up.

But to confront the British directly, even in armed intervention, would mean: “Cough, cough, cough, we are feeling unwell and must leave now.”

Not to mention the European countries, even the Vienna Government was wary of the British.

Unless Spain obtained concrete evidence, and as the leader, we were obliged to step forward; otherwise, the Vienna Government was equally unwilling to clash with the British over such a minor issue.

Even though the Spanish Government tried everything in their power, the most they could hope for, or perhaps the only one they could realistically persuade, was Russia.

Newly ascended Nicholas II, eager to undertake “great enterprise,” might not mind confronting the British.

A war between England and Russia had been inevitable since the day the Central Asia Railway construction began.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend”—if Spain had the courage to ally with the Russians on the issue of opposing the British, the Tsarist Government would undoubtedly vote in support within the alliance.

But thereafter, there was no thereafter. Limited by the Russian navy’s capability for intervention and the Tsarist Government’s financial woes ringing out like empty pockets, mere cheers could boost morale but provided virtually no real help.

After some reflection, Franz slowly said, “Have the Ministry handle the reception as usual. Also, tell the Spanish Prime Minister that I am on vacation and currently have no time to see him.”

Obviously, Franz was tacitly approving of the Foreign Ministry’s approach. Cuba had nothing to do with the Shinra Empire; in fact, if Cuba were ruined, international sugar prices might rise, possibly increasing the taxes he could collect.

In recent years, the Aristocratic Lords had not been idle, with one plantation after another springing up, nearly all kinds of economic crops available.

Looking at the international trade scenario, it was evident that Shinra had long maintained a trade surplus, a major reason being: while exporting industrial and commercial products, they could also self-sustain their industrial raw materials.

Without sufficient interest at stake in the Cuban issue, Franz was naturally content to watch the excitement without fearing any consequences.

Standing from the perspective of the Vienna Government, as long as the British did not personally snatch Cuba, the Vienna Government could simply watch the excitement unfold.

Cuban independence was not an issue either, after all, as a colony under Shinra, it lacked the foundations for a national independence movement.

If a wave of colonial independence were truly to arise, it would be the British who would have headaches, not having to push behind the scenes was already fair to Spain.

If Spain managed to suppress the rebellion, that too would be fine. The conflict between England and Spain would deepen, aiding the growth of international anti-British forces.

It would also help consume some of the ammunition stockpile. The era of free ammunition during the Philippine War was history; now there was a charge.

Don’t worry if you’re out of money.

Shinra has the most professional banking and finance teams specifically to provide such international loan services to friends in need.

As long as there is sufficient collateral, there is no problem with how much you want to borrow. They might even secure the most favorable loan rates considering the friendship between the two nations.

The condition was: to designate the purchase of some stock goods.

…

London, Downing Street.

“What’s going on here, haven’t we already terminated the operation?”

Prime Minister Robert Cecil asked discontentedly.

The London Government’s support for the Cuban independence movement was indeed based on the ongoing Philippine War to alleviate pressure on the Japanese.

With the mutual compromise between Japan and Spain, the Philippine War ended prematurely, and the belated Cuban independence movement had lost its original value.

As the largest colonial empire in the world, instigating national independence movements was not in Britannia’s long-term interests.

Though John Bull liked to engage in actions detrimental to others but not beneficial to himself, such potential future harming acts were generally rare.

Thus, after the Philippine negotiations reached a consensus, Robert Cecil decisively ordered the termination of the operation.

Foreign Minister Cameron McCutcheon explained, “Your Excellency, we cannot fully control the Cuban Independence Organization.

In fact, we had already reduced our support for the independence organization when the Japanese-Spanish negotiations began, and completely stopped our aid as soon as the negotiations concluded.

However, by then they had already returned to Cuba to start the independence movement, and we essentially lost control over them.

According to insider reports we bought, other international forces interfered behind the recent Cuban independence movement.

Both the Confederate States and the Union are suspects, but they acted too covertly, even the Cuban Independence Organization itself doesn’t know who supported them.”

Cameron McCutcheon also felt helpless; it wasn’t a failure on his part as a Foreign Minister.

An independence movement is not child’s play; once started, it is not something that can simply be stopped.

Spaniards are not fools, no matter how covert the actions of the Independence Organization, given enough time, traces would eventually be revealed.

The British did not care; even if exposed, the Spaniards could not do much to them. But the Cuban Independence Organization was different, even if the higher-ups could flee, what about those at the middle and lower levels?

Once caught by the Spaniards, it would reveal everything, dealing a destructive blow to the entire Independence Organization.

They had reached the edge of the cliff, they had no choice but to act.

Just then, new international sympathizers appeared, replacing the British role and providing material support to the Independence Organization.

The leaders of the Cuban Independence Organization took a bold risk and went all in. Thus, the explosive Cuban independence movement began.

“Damn those American fools, do they not realize they are playing with fire! To let the Empire be blamed, it is simply…”

Clearly, Prime Minister Robert Cecil was furious. Not only was he taking the blame for others, but he also had no idea whose blame he was actually taking.

Even if the evidence were found now, Robert Cecil would not believe it. Given the relationship between the United States and the Confederate States, setting each other up had become too commonplace.

Since the Civil War began, there had not been a day when they didn’t stab each other in the back. Watching and enjoying the American’s spectacle had become a part of daily life for the British.

If it’s unknown who caused it, then the British Government would surely take the blame. Even if Robert Cecil publicly declared their non-involvement, no one would believe them.

After venting his anger, a calmer Prime Minister Robert Cecil fell into deep contemplation.

In politics, it’s not about right or wrong, just pros and cons.

Knowing he was blamed, and unable to clear the suspicions, the British Government couldn’t simply walk away, especially after just receiving a note from the Vienna Government.

Otherwise, it would look like Britannia was afraid of the Holy Roman Empire, and a mere note made them abandon the Cuban Independence Organization.

Sometimes, rumors could be deadly. Although on the surface Anglo-Austria relations seemed alright, in reality, they had already engaged in countless covert battles over supremacy.

At such a critical time, any sign of weakness from Britannia could trigger an international chain reaction.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Due to geopolitical reasons, Europe, already standing precariously like “grass on top of a wall,” might make up its minds to join the victors.

If that happened, then nothing more needed to be said. The Shinra Empire, having consolidated the European Continent, would surely be an unstoppable force, and Britannia’s struggle would be futile.

Then, the British Government would have only two choices: either strike first while the European countries were still in doubt, launching a fierce battle against Shinra or meekly relinquish world supremacy.

Clearly, neither option was what Robert Cecil wanted. If it was possible to fight, Britannia would have done so during the anti-France wars, not waited until now.

Relinquishing world supremacy was even less likely. If he showed retreat on this front, he wouldn’t make it out of Downing Street alive, beaten by the furious “public.”

“Resume supporting the Cuban Independence Organization. We need to use them to find out the mastermind behind this. I want to know who dares to scheme against Britannia.

Send someone to secretly contact the Spanish Government, if they agree to leave the Continental Alliance, we will stop our support for the Independence Organization and support them in suppressing the Cuban rebellion.

Meanwhile, send a message to Netherlands and Portugal, they’ve been getting too close to Vienna lately, almost forgetting who truly rules this world.”

The blame should not be carried for nothing; maximizing benefits is a must. Supporting the Cuban independence efforts indeed draws hatred, but it also serves to deter others.

Ever since France’s defeat, London has been the headquarters for international exile organizations.

Today, Britannia might support the independence of the Cuban Independence Organization, tomorrow it could be the Indonesian Independent Organization, and the day after that, it might change to…