After the sale of the Philippines between Germany and Spain became public, it caused an uproar around the world. Among them, the United States, which has already regarded the Philippines as something in its pocket, reacted the most fiercely.

The New York Times ran a lengthy commentary about the deal, saying that it was a terrible deal, and that the two countries were playing a farce when the rotten Spanish settlers sold one of their two chairs, only to be treasured by the German silly boys who had just gotten rich and wanted to decorate the façade.

Of course, no matter how sarcastic the New York Times is, it still can't change the fact that Germany has already bought the Philippines.

Of course, for the US government preparing for war, they also feel the urgency, and this time can no longer be delayed, and they continue to wait for all aspects to be ready, and they don't know what moths are going to come out.

So on July 14, 12 days after the explosion of the USS Maine, the U.S. Naval Investigation Team released its findings. The Maine was caused by a mine that exploded from the outside, triggering the explosion of the battleship's ammunition depot, causing the tragedy of the Maine.

The US Navy's investigative report was reported by newspapers all over the United States, and this attitude of openly pointing at Spain and calling the murderer made the American people have the highest degree of disgust with Spain. The slogan of revenge resounded all over the land.

Subsequently, the US Congress directly passed an emergency bill requiring Spain to stop the counterinsurgency war in Cuba within one week.

Such a direct demand for a truce from other countries can also show that the United States is not in a hurry to go to war. Perhaps in the eyes of the lord of the American Congress, his ultimatum will make the Spanish dog jump over the wall and do something that is always ashamed and angry.

Unfortunately, the Congressional elders were disappointed, and on the fifth day, the Spanish government issued a statement accepting the American proposal to stop fighting the rebels in Cuba.

In order to buy time to prepare for the war, Spanish officials don't care about face.

Of course, the reason why Spain has lowered its posture so much is naturally because the matter of purchasing ships has not yet been discussed.

For the purchase of warships negotiated with Italy, for Prime Minister Castillo and others, this is really a good thing. Because the original discussion was almost over, at this time Italy suddenly appeared willing to sell two Venetian-class cruisers to Spain.

This sudden increase caught Spain a little off guard, because the two Venice class ships are no longer advanced, and they have been in service for more than ten years. Admiral Shelvera did not want the two ships to be patrolled, but when he wanted to refuse, he was stopped by the prime minister. The reason is simple, at this time, only Italy was able to buy warships with combat effectiveness on a large scale.

Although Spain could also buy warships from other countries, they would not sell ships and give them to mercenaries who could operate ships, so Spain could only continue to negotiate with Italy about the purchase of ships.

In the Prime Minister's Office in Madrid, Prime Minister Castillo is in talks with Foreign Secretary Gibbs, who has just returned from the meeting, and Admiral Serveira, with the Italian ambassador to Madrid, Nigaul.

"Ambassador Nigaul, the price of China's three Turin-class battleships and two Venetian-class cruisers is 120 million lire, which is not low, although they are all warships that have been in service for seven or eight years or even more than ten years, but we still give a price that is not much different from the cost of construction, taking into account the good relations with your country, and I think this is enough to reflect the good relations between your two countries."

As soon as Gibbs opened his mouth, he talked a lot about the relations between Italy and Spain, and of course there was nothing wrong with saying this, and the price at which the old ships were sold for the new ones was indeed very high. Unfortunately, Nigaul didn't think the price was too high.

"Your Excellency Gibbs, you are right, I shouldn't dwell on this, but you also know that the sale of this warship is also different, and your country buys our warships not because it can directly exert its full combat effectiveness, but because it can fight the most outstanding point of China's ship sales. So in terms of price, this must also be reflected. ”

Nigaul's still unsatisfied remarks drew a rebuttal from Prime Minister Castillo. "Ambassador Nigaul, my country has shown enough sincerity to your country that it is simply impossible for your country to get a higher offer. Our country has limited funds and time, and cannot afford to get caught up in unlimited disputes. ”

In the face of Prime Minister Castillo's already somewhat threatening situation, how can this be difficult for Nigol, at this time the Spanish government, which has already sold the Philippines, is actually riding a tiger, unless they find a naval power like Italy, willing to sell warships and retired officers and soldiers to help it fight.

At present, how many countries in Europe can be called naval powers, aren't they the five that are Britain, France, Italy, Russia and Germany? Except for Italy, which is poor and crazy, no other country will do this.

However, due to time and other reasons, Nigaul decided to give Spain a step down. "Of course, of course, if your country can change the way of buying, then I think this negotiation should be agreed on very quickly."

Unexpectedly, the Italian ambassador suddenly changed his tone, which surprised the three of them a little, and of course it is better to have a breakthrough.

"In what way?"

Nigaul explained. "That's right, these warships are the main warships of our navy, and the money after the sale is mainly for our navy to build new ships. So in terms of selling price, the opinion of our navy is very important. ”

"Our country will not raise prices anymore, this price is already very expensive."

"Please listen to me first."

"The price may not be increased, but it is also possible to move the price from other places."

Such a clear hint that the three high-ranking Spanish officials in the office could not understand it.

So why did Nigaul propose to embezzle other expenses into the cost of ship sales, this is not the navy crying poor, in the face of the navy's crying poverty, knowing that Italy cannot lack a strong navy, Carlo, who can only acquiesce to find his own way when the government can't come up with the money. However, after Spain bit the price of 120 million lira, the top brass of the navy came up with the idea of that salary and even pension.

In order to build ships, they are about to drink the blood of soldiers. This can also show how hungry and thirsty the poor Italian Navy is. Of course, they also knew that this kind of thing would not see the light of day, and they could not even make a suggestion, but could only give a hint that it was brought up by Spain, and they pretended not to see it.

"I understand what Your Excellency means. In this way, given the relationship between your two countries, we can raise the price of the purchase of warships to 140 million lira. However, the cost of buying a warship is too much, is it a little lower in terms of the cost of hiring your country's officers and soldiers, I think it is very reasonable to pay twice the salary, and also give twice the pension, what do you think? ”

"It's really a bit difficult, but I believe that our government will consider your country's difficulties, and I believe that there will be good news in less than three days."

After giving an obviously suggestive reply, Nigaul subsequently left the office of the Spanish prime minister.

Within three days, the next day an agreement was signed between Italy and Spain on the sale of warships. Under the agreement, Italy sold three Turin-class battleships and two Venetian-class cruisers for a total of 140 million lira. In addition to this, there was a secret agreement that the officers and men of the five warships were also decommissioned on the day of the agreement and were hired by the navy of the Kingdom of Spain.

Three Turin-class battleships, two Garibaldi-class cruisers, two Venice-class cruisers, these seven battleships are enough for the Americans to drink a pot, but I don't know if they like such surprises or not.