Chile's large-scale rearmament war is almost impossible to hide from its neighbors in South America. Although, from the end of 1856 to the end of 1857, Chile always tried to keep it secret. However, when the more than a dozen warships of the Chilean Navy returned home, the movement caused was too great. It was easy for all countries to learn about the changes that had taken place in the Chilean Navy.

Peru and Bolivia, in particular, are already fighting with Chile for the Atacama Desert. Now that Chile is developing its navy on a large scale, perhaps at the same time as the army, it is understandable that it has in mind.

Peruvian President Ramón. President José of Castile and Bolivia. Maria. Linares. Lisarazu demanded that the intelligence officers of both countries immediately find out the true strength of the navy and army of the Republic of Chile, and it would be better to find out what the Chileans were trying to do with such a reckless development of armaments.

In fact, the two presidents also knew that the only enemies of the Chileans at this stage seemed to be Peru and Bolivia. Their contradictions in the Atacama Desert have become more and more acute, as the discovery of large quantities of guano and saltpeter has led all three countries to claim sovereignty over this otherwise barren desert. In fact, it has been a disputed place among the three kingdoms since the end of the colonial rule of the Kingdom of Spain. Chile, Bolivia and Peru all occupy a piece of the country. Chile occupies the southern part of the desert, while Bolivia occupies the central part of the desert. Peru occupies the northern part of the desert.

Now, after exploration, large quantities of guano and saltpeter have been found in both the central and northern Atacama Desert. Only the south does not have it, how can this make Chileans mentally balanced? Defeat Peru and Bolivia. In one fell swoop, taking over the entire Atakun Desert became their only choice. As a matter of fact. The Chileans did the same.

In the history known to Emperor Long Yufei, the Chileans annexed the entire Atacama Desert after defeating Peru and Bolivia in one fell swoop. With guano and saltpeter produced in the desert, Chile has become one of the three most powerful countries in South America. Of course, if we talk about wealth, it is estimated that there is no other country in South America that can compare with Chile.

Beginning in 1858, Chilean naval warships frequently appeared off the coast of Peru and Bolivia and began to reconnoiter the coastal situation. And Bolivia didn't have a navy in the first place. There is simply nothing that can be done about it. Peru has a navy, but its navy is nothing more than a few sailing warships. In the face of Chile's new warships, there is a big gap in both speed and tonnage. In such a situation, the Peruvian Navy suffered greatly.

Add to that the fact that the Chilean army has begun to march into the Atacama Desert and the vast amount of war materials that have been massed on the border, so that almost even fools know what the Chileans are trying to do.

For a time, Peru and Bolivia panicked. Even at the end of last year, they had already discovered Chile's ambitions. However, they did not begin to prepare for war. Instead, he thought that with diplomatic efforts, Chile might be able to abandon its unrealistic ambitions. After all, Peru and Bolivia are not weaker than Chile, but at best a little poorer than Chile. Combined, the populations of the two countries are more than three times that of Chile. This makes their total army four times that of the Chilean Army. Each country has 100,000 armies.

In such a situation, they thought that they could deter Chile from acting rashly. But. When Chile's rearmament war was carried out in an orderly manner, they realized that they had made a big mistake. The Chileans seem to have been hardened and ready to use war to solve the problem.

On January 18, 1858, Peruvian Foreign Minister Miguel and Bolivian Foreign Minister Balliente traveled to Santiago, Chile. The two countries tried to unite to put pressure on Chile to abandon its preparations for war. To this end, the armies of both countries have sent heavy troops into the Atacama desert region. In addition, Peru and Bolivia have formed a special alliance to unite against Chile if it is bent on starting a war. Chile's aggressive armament development has posed a great threat to them. Moreover, the two countries have found that it seems impossible to defeat Chile on their own.

On 19 January, Chilean Foreign Minister Manuel Perez met with visiting Peruvian Foreign Minister Miguel and Bolivian Foreign Minister Barriente. Miguel and Barryente, on behalf of Peru and Bolivia, sent a sternly worded diplomatic note to Chile.

"Your Excellency Perez, the Republic of Peru is very concerned about the preparations that Chile is underway. My country believes that this act of the Republic of Chile has completely posed a threat to the Republic of Peru. We hope that the Republic of Chile will be able to cease its military preparations and withdraw its troops to the border. At the same time, the Chilean Navy also needs to refrain from entering Peruvian waters. Otherwise, the Republic of Chile will bear all the consequences! Foreign Minister Miguel's face was grim, and he knew that if the Chileans could not be stopped, a big war was likely to be inevitable. Of course, he believed that the Chileans' vain attempt to provoke war was a very stupid act. Chile is wealthy, but they have half the size of Peru's army. This time, in particular, Peru and Bolivia joined forces to put pressure on Chile. If the Chileans hadn't completely lost their minds, they would have made the right choice.

"The Republic of Bolivia also hopes that the Republic of Chile will abandon its military preparations, and that all disputes or contradictions can be resolved in a more peaceful way!" Bolivia's opinion was also expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Ballyente. Bolivia is even more reluctant to go to war, and although the Atacama Desert is very important, the center of Bolivian rule is in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains. If war were to break out west of the Rocky Mountains, it would have been very difficult to move troops from east of the Rocky Mountains to the west of the mountains. Not to mention the fact that there is still going to be a war.

"You guys, you seem to be making a fuss. The army of the Republic of Chile has the right to station on the territory of the Republic of Chile, and other countries have any right to accuse Chile! As for what you say about the threat that Chile poses to you, it is simply ridiculous, and the Chilean army is just carrying out a normal change of guards. And did not threaten any country! The Chilean foreign minister flatly denied the accusations made by the two countries.

It is true that Chile's preparations for war have entered the countdown, but it is a fool to admit that war will really break out.

For this helpless behavior of the Republic of Chile, Miguel and Baliante are very angry. However, they really don't have any definite evidence. After all, Chile has troops on its borders, but it has not really launched an attack on both countries.

"Your Excellency Perez, we don't have to go around in circles, what the hell does Chile want to do? We already have insight into Chile's intentions. However, we do not want a war. Therefore, we want to have open and honest negotiations with your country and try to solve the problem! Miguel said with a stern face.

Perez pondered for two minutes before he said, "All right, Lord Miguel. The Republic of Chile has its own claims regarding the Atacama Desert. We believe that the current distribution is extremely irrational, and Chile has only been given a real desert, a barren land. Peru and Bolivia, however, have been rewarded with abundant resources. This is extremely unfair to Chile. We have to change that. This is what all Chileans expect! ”

Miguel and Baliente had exactly that look on their faces. Indeed, they had already guessed that this would be the case. The Chileans are preparing for war with such fanfare, and they are really coming for the Atacama Desert. Actually, this is not difficult to understand. The Atacama Desert was divided into three parts, each of which each of the three countries occupied. But now it seems that only the Chileans occupy the part without guano and saltpeter, how can this possibly satisfy the Chileans? If they don't ask for it, that's not possible.

"Your Excellency Perez, we have already agreed on the division of the Atacama Desert. Chile now wants to make unilateral changes, which seems to be difficult for some strongmen. Baliant said with an ugly face.

Previously, Peru and Bolivia were also envious of their southern neighbors. Although Chile is a small country and has a small population. However, they have become very rich by selling their mineral resources. Guano and saltpeter have finally been found in the Atacama Desert, and they are able to live a good life with these resources. But how can Chileans accept the fact that they are making unequal demands on resources that belong to both countries?

"Your Excellency Balliente, the Chilean government has never agreed to such a division, it is only what you think! Now, the Chilean government has officially raised the issue. If Peru and Bolivia are not able to give us a satisfactory answer, then you can guess what the consequences will be! There was a smile on Perez's lips. Chile's preparations for war can be completed in a month at most, and even if Peru and Bolivia are told in advance, it will not have any effect. Chile is already winning!

"Your Excellency Perez, is this a threat to us?" Miguel said angrily. In his opinion, the behavior of these Chileans is no different from that of hooligans.

"You can understand it that way!" Perez was still smiling. (To be continued......)

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