The Rise of the Empire

Mutsu Munemitsu already understood the whole process very well, because Japan did not benefit much during the Sino-Japanese War. In order to develop and fight against Russia, it must obtain compensation from other places. The Qing Dynasty does not need to think about it. This is very likely to lead to Russia, Germany, France The joint suppression of the three countries. There is no need to think about other parts of Southeast Asia. Everything that can be divided up has been divided up. At this time, the Japanese found that Spain, which occupied the Philippines, was a weak chicken! If you don't hit me at this time, who will you hit?

Therefore, around the issue of attacking the Philippines, the Japanese government carried out a naval armament campaign that could be described as a shipwreck. For this plan, Britain was neutral in name and actually supported it. It is very likely that Russia, Germany and France have not reacted, and the Philippines has changed. , the United States is too far away from here, even if it wants to intervene, it will have to wait for the service of warships such as Brooklyn. Considering the growing trend of the US Navy and its control over Hawaii, the Japanese government believes that it is necessary to take down the Philippines as soon as possible, causing the established fact.

Therefore, after considering various factors, the Japanese government first bypassed the treaty between Russia and Germany through purchasing agents, and when Russia unexpectedly suspended the agreement, in order to prevent the potential enemy Spaniards from obtaining these two warships, the Japanese government did not No choice but to grit your teeth and buy it!

Can the Japanese finances support it? The answer is yes, but very reluctantly! After the end of the warships of the Qing Dynasty, Japan will not be at a loss economically, and will not cause famine. In theory, there is probably less than 5 million pounds left. This sum alone is enough to support the cost of these 4 warships. Moreover, after all, the Japanese government still has a financial budget of more than 80 million yen per year. With the opening of the Qing Dynasty market, the Japanese government’s fiscal revenue has also increased a little, so the funds for military expansion and preparations for war are still enough. Of course, the 5 million pounds cannot All of it is used for military expansion, and some of it must be used for investment and other aspects. At this time, the help of the British is very important!

The total cost of the four warships was less than £5 million, split over three years. The annual average is about 1.6 million pounds, which is acceptable. We must know that in history, Japan’s total budget for Russia’s military expansion and war preparations and domestic investment is 516 million yen. And 1898 was the craziest year for the Japanese Navy to order ships. 5 armored cruisers and 2 battleships were ordered from foreign countries in one year!

This time, Japan is just making an advance effort with the help of the United Kingdom, so that in 1898 it can gather a fleet capable of fighting! Of course, in addition to purchasing warships, the army's military expenditures for war must also be prepared. However, according to the estimates of the Japanese Army. At most one division can defeat the Spanish army entrenched in the Philippines. In terms of cost, this is much smaller than the Sino-Japanese War. But this time the Japanese estimate was not bad. In fact, the number of troops sent by the United States to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War was only 11,000. Playing Spain is really a cost-effective choice for Japan.

In fact, the Japanese really had the idea of ​​attacking Spain in history. The dispute between the northward advance and the southward advance did not exist before the Great War. In fact, after the Sino-Japanese War, there were already a northward advance faction and a southward advance faction in Japan. However, even so, after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in May 1898, the Japanese Navy dispatched three warships, Naniwa, Akitsushu, and Matsushima, to the Philippines in the name of watching the battle.

During the Spanish-American War, the military's southward faction clashed with the foreign ministry's northward faction. The former demanded that the Philippines be independent, or at least turn the Philippines into a joint US-Japanese occupation. Although it was not successful, it is certain that Japan has ideas about the Philippines. On this historical plane, the road to the north seems to be extremely difficult, and after the end of the Sino-Japanese War, Japan gained too little profit.

It is understandable that the Japanese government chose to take the risk. The Japanese chose this path, and it did not exceed someone's expectations! It can even be said that the Japanese navy has the size it is today under the covert connivance of someone!

"Our plan has deceived almost all the enemies. Isn't it? And you are the most important part of this plan." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang comforted.

"This plan is really powerful. But it is not without loopholes. Some people may have realized it. And what if the Americans intervene when we attack Spain?" asked Mutsu Munemitsu.

If Japan is just an idea for the Philippines, then Japan has put it into action for Hawaii! Just look at the grievances and hatreds among Japan, the United States and Hawaii. The entanglement of the three parties began in the mid-19th century, and the intensification began after the signing of the Japanese and Hawaiian governments in 1871. Since then, a large number of Japanese immigrants went to Hawaii. By 1890, there were 12,000 Japanese immigrants in Hawaii, accounting for 13.3% of the total population. In the same period, the local population of the United States was less than 2,000....

In 1893, the Americans finally couldn't help but start an armed coup with the help of the American Consulate and 160 Marines in Hawaii. Overthrew the Queen of Hawaii and declared a republic. This aroused the dissatisfaction of the Japanese government. The King Kong and Naniwa warships went to Hawaii successively. Although they did not directly interfere with the coup in Hawaii, they also aroused the displeasure of the Americans, and the US government believed that these two warships sent weapons to Japanese immigrants!

And just three days before Ito Hirobumi came to visit Mutsu Munemitsu, the United States and Japan finally launched their first public confrontation on the Hawaii issue! The essence of the tearing is still the immigration issue. By 1897, the total number of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii had reached 26,000! Accounted for 40% of the total population! And the Republic of Hawaii, which is dominated by the United States, is still very vigilant about this! Are you 40% Y and still immigrating? The American puppet in Hawaii immediately expressed that it could not bear it! If this continues, is this Japanese or American?

So on February 7, 1897, the Japanese immigrant ship "Shenzhou Maru" arrived in Hawaii. As a result, the US government refused to let 463 Japanese immigrants go ashore! And this thing is still going on! According to the Japanese government's speculation, this will happen more and more. At this time, Saigo, the Japanese Navy Minister, has already begun to consider sending warships to visit! The Americans also said that if the Japanese dare to come, I will send warships! Who is afraid of whom!

I really thought Hirobumi Ito came here just to visit Mutsu Munemitsu, and kindly tell him the truth by the way? What are you thinking! The fundamental purpose of Hirobumi Ito's coming here is to squeeze out Mutsu Munemitsu's remaining value for the last time! Telling him the truth is also to let Mutsu Munemitsu sort out the cause and effect, and then see his opinion.

Thank you for the reward from the first guard tank brigade of book friends~~~, and the support of monthly tickets from book friends Super Boss, Kuang_Galewind Wolf, Xueruo Lihua Melting in the Sky~~~.