MTL - Restart Spain-Chapter 76 Russian-Western Arms Purchase Negotiations

At this time in Constantinople, British ambassador Elliott received news from home, and Salisbury's audacity shocked him.

"Elliott, negotiate with the Ottomans to amend the Slavs clause in the constitution. If they are unwilling to amend, then we will not be able to continue to provide support for the Ottomans."

Looking at the telegram sent by Prime Minister Disraeli from London, Elliott, as the ambassador to Turkey, inevitably blushes.

"Prepare the carriage. Let's go to the Prime Minister's Mansion and discuss some things with Midhat Pasha."

Elliott instructed his men to prepare to go to the Ottoman Prime Minister's Palace.

At this time, the Russian embassy also welcomed a guest.

"Your Excellency Gorchakov, this time we represent Spain and want to sell our weapons to your country."

Palacides' mission this time was to sell weapons, and the Russian Empire was naturally the biggest customer.

"Didn't your country agree to sell weapons to our country? Why did you come to us at this time?"

Pavlovich had already gone to Spain to discuss this matter. Although he was courteous, he had not received a positive answer at all. Now the Spaniards are actively seeking it, which makes Gorchakov somewhat baffled.

"Spain is now on the British side. Overseas we have to look at the faces of the British, but this does not mean that we are willing to be enemies with your country. There are too many British people in Spain, and we have no choice but to do so. for it."

Palacides' tone was full of helplessness. In fact, the Ottomans had nothing to do with Spain at all, just as he showed.

But the Kuwait area and the sale of old warships, as well as the large shipment of machine guns and artillery to the Ottomans, are not mentioned.

"If that's the case, why is your country willing to sell it to us now?"

Gorchakov asked with a little doubt, but he didn't deny the Spaniard's words, because now Russia really needs these weapons.

"My country believes that the situation in Russia will definitely change, and the British will change their attitude towards the Russians in the next few months."

"His Majesty Alfonso has great confidence in his judgment, and we can only support it."

At the beginning of 1877, on the original trajectory, a new round of war crisis broke out in Germany and France, which forced the British to compromise with the Russians.

The Russian Empire seized the opportunity to have almost no opposition during the war, nothing more than the last cruel "San Stefano Treaty", which made all European countries opposed at the same time, and the Russians had to spit out almost all the fruits of victory.

The treaty not only required the establishment of a Great Slavic state to be included in Russia's sphere of influence, but also the three countries of Montenegro, Serbia and Romania were required to be completely independent.

Even Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was promised to Austria-Hungary in the early stage of the war, was left in Turkey by the Russian Empire in the name of autonomy, directly playing tricks on the entire Austria-Hungary Empire.

In addition to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia also required Russian warships to pass through the Bosphorus Strait. Britain and Austria joined forces directly, allowing Russia to recover only the land lost in the Crimean War.

The Russians lost their money by playing directly with their own hand.

"I don't know, His Majesty Alfonso, why can you make such an assertion?"

Gorchakov asked curiously, the Russians haven't thought of a way out yet.

"The key to breaking the situation lies in the relationship between Germany and France. According to the news that our country has received, the anti-German sentiment in France has become even more intense. Once a new round of war crisis breaks out, the United Kingdom is bound to win over your country to sanction the Germans."

Although the British implemented a policy of isolation, the strength of any country on the European continent was not what he wanted to see. Once the French were completely defeated by Germany, there would be almost no German rivals on the European continent.

Although Russia is known as the European road roller, in the face of a Germany that has lost all checks and balances, it can only obediently avoid the edge.

But for today's Russians, this is undoubtedly good news, which means that the British, who need Russian support, have to compromise on the Ottoman issue.

"In that case, let's wait and see. If it is as His Majesty Alfonso said, then we will welcome this cooperation."

Nowadays, the Ottomans have accepted a large number of Spanish-style weapons, and the backward-equipped Tsarist Russian army will pay a huge price even if they win.

"Why don't we sign an arms purchase treaty. The effective date of the treaty is set on the date when the British change their attitude. Before that, our country will prepare this batch of armaments. After the treaty takes effect, we will pay for the goods in your country. After that, it was quickly transported to Russia."

Palacides means Alfonso, so that it will not have too much impact on Spain's diplomatic environment, but also allow these weapons to be safely transported to Russia.

"In that case, after I ask the Tsar, I will sign this treaty with you here."

Gorchakov naturally has no objection. Although he is the Prime Minister of the Russian Empire, the final decision is still in the hands of the Tsar.

"That's natural. I hope His Majesty the Tsar can accept our offer and congratulate us in advance on a pleasant cooperation."

Palacides shook hands with Gorchakov with a smile on his face. On the sale price, a detailed negotiation was still required, but this was carried out under the precondition that the tsar agreed.

"Happy cooperation!"

......

Unlike the embassy, ​​the prime minister's mansion at this time has nothing to do with friendship.

"Your Excellency Ambassador, we want to know what your country means. Are you ready to let Russia occupy the entire Balkans?"

The Ottoman Prime Minister Midhart Pasha angrily questioned Elliott. No matter what the British are doing now, they have already made the Ottoman Empire difficult to ride.

"Peace your anger, Your Excellency Prime Minister, Salisbury has been summoned by our country to return to the country, and what awaits him may be sanctions from the court. His words do not represent the meaning of the British Empire."

Elliott replied unhurriedly, this incident was indeed the fault of the British, but in the end, it did not cause any loss to the United Kingdom. It was nothing but embarrassment for the Ottoman government.

"The Prime Minister of our country, I hope that your country can add provisions for treating Slavs in the constitution you are writing, fabricate the findings of a Batak town for all countries, and at the same time promulgate a new constitution, countries will not have the opportunity to intervene."

Elliott's words are indeed feasible, but Midhart Pasha's approach to the minority is undoubtedly cruel.

"But our country's Sudan, the reform of the constitution is not so urgent."

"I believe that Your Excellency can convince His Excellency Mohammed V, and if not, our country may not have the interface to give your country more help."

For the Ottomans, losing the support of the British is the biggest bad news, so although this excuse is old-fashioned, it is easy to use, and the Ottoman government will definitely take it seriously.

"I will try my best to convince Your Majesty."

Midhat Pasha, the leader of the Ottoman reforms, once again felt the pain of being controlled by others...