Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

February 22, 1869.

Spain, Madrid, inside the Royal Palace of Spain.

Queen Isabella II, Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez, Foreign Minister Tonis, Speaker of the House of Representatives Julian, and President of the Senate Benande met with the Spanish Senate President Huntington and held a grand reception After the banquet, after they dispersed, they and Huntington held a meeting alone in the palace.

"At present, on the one hand, it is the Dutch diplomacy, and on the other hand, the British are in the most 'weak' state in recent years. Both of them will be hurt."

Speaker Huntington: "Compared to the Americas and Northern Europe, the importance of the Far East to the British is decreasing, and it is also considered the weakest place of British power."

At present, Britain's two previous battlefields in North America and the Balkans have ended in failure, which has tied up a large amount of British political and military resources. Even if the British government wants to reinforce the Far East, it is unable to do so.

This is not because the UK does not have enough resources, nor does it mean that they do not have money in their hands. The actual reason is that North America has been managed by the American Commonwealth, and both military and economic development are sufficient to resist the UK. If the UK uses the strength of the whole country, it will naturally The war can be won, but Europe itself will face threats from other countries. This is why Britain is afraid of war.

The Balkan Peninsula was only based on Britain's strategic position, and its purpose was to block the southward movement of the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. In the past, the Ottoman Empire was wooed by the British and was used as a wine bottle cork, airtightly blocked, and completed the 'mission' assigned by the British. However, at the moment, Constantinople had second thoughts. No longer only obeying British orders, these have made Britain dare not go to war in the future. Even if it wants to, the delicate situation in Europe has been broken by the rise of Prussia. Britain has added another country besides Tsarist Russia and France. The rise of Prussia. Our Dutch ‘restlessness’ is also part of the reason for the UK’s headaches. These restrictions can almost directly declare that British rule around the world has entered an unprecedented period of decline. "

Having said this, Huntington looked at a few people and smiled encouragingly: "This is Spain's opportunity."

Who are Queen Isabella II, Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez, Foreign Minister Tonis, Speaker of the House of Representatives Julian, and President of the Senate Benande? They are currently the most powerful politicians in Spain, and no one would think that their political wisdom is low.

Looking at Huntington's seemingly kind smile, they naturally would not be conquered by this expression that could easily win votes.

Several people secretly cursed the old fox, and finally Spanish Foreign Minister Tonis stood up at the signal of Isabella II and Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez, and asked instead: "Is the Kingdom of the Netherlands ready to take action? ?”

He then made a shocking statement: "The Netherlands supports Spain's support for the sovereignty of Gibraltar, and Spain supports the Netherlands' position on the recovery of sovereignty over Belgium. Before your current visit, you have vigorously publicized what the Speaker of the House of Representatives has done in Spain, but it is Not surprisingly, the British concerns about His Excellency in Spain were reached, which triggered a period of turmoil in the diplomacy of the three countries of Britain, the Netherlands and Spain.

If our guess is correct, your Excellency wants to achieve a certain goal. At present, it seems that the Netherlands should start talking to London, right? I don’t know if my guess is right? "

Foreign Minister Tonys made his words clear, which immediately caused several others, including Queen Isabel II, to look at Huntington critically.

Huntington shook his head and said: "In fact, as early as last week, we had sent Deputy Minister Nicholas Pierson of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit London to start negotiations with the United Kingdom. Now we have entered a critical moment, and the Dutch cabinet government has Everyone is busy with this matter."

Queen Isabella II, Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez, Foreign Minister Tonis, Speaker of the House of Representatives Julian, President of the Senate Benande: "."

Everyone in the room was shocked by Huntington's seemingly casual and casual news.

Isabella II had bright eyes and shortness of breath. Because of the close relationship between the Netherlands and her Spain over the years, Spain under her leadership successfully broke away from the infiltration of France and completed itself.

I originally thought that Spain would be awesome now that it dared to indirectly confront Britain on Gibraltar. After all, it would allow Spain to take food from China's tiger's mouth from Britain, the maritime hegemonic superpower.

But now we actually know that the Netherlands has already negotiated with the United Kingdom, and that they even went to London, England, to ask for it at their doorstep.

Although Belgium is not under British rule, everyone knows that Queen Victoria helped her uncle to establish the country. Although her uncle Leopold I has passed away, Leopold II is also his cousin. Everyone knows Don't think Britain will back down.

What's more, Belgium's strategic position is also very critical to the United Kingdom. From the north, it can monitor the Netherlands, but from the south, it cannot monitor France. The western sea can cooperate with the United Kingdom and become a backup port for the British Navy.

It is precisely because of this that when Viscount Palmerston forcefully cut off the hands of the Netherlands to establish the Kingdom of Belgium, everyone in Europe was shocked by this, because this meant that Britain had further intervened in the European continent. Britain's strength.

If it is taken back by the Netherlands, it means that Britain has begun to weaken 30 years after the Netherlands surrendered in 1839.

Will the British agree? Will Queen Victoria admit that Britain is weaker now than when she first inherited the throne?

This also caused Isabella II's face to show two strange rosy colors, showing how unpeaceful she was inside.

The Netherlands has already negotiated with the UK, when will Spain start?

Thinking of this, she felt a sense of urgency. Not just her, but everyone else too.

I thought that if they could get Gibraltar back from the UK when they were in power, they would have left their name in Spanish history forever. In addition, in the real Spanish electoral politics, they would also have a more consolidated vote base and be re-elected with a high vote. Needless to say, thinking of this, even breathing became more rapid.

Seeing their changes, Huntington said: "So, now the Netherlands is willing to implement the treaty signed with Spain. The Netherlands takes a step forward, but it also hopes that Spain will not fall behind. This trip to Spain is actually a visit to our great William IV. His Majesty the World and Prime Minister Tolbek entrusted it in order to express the two countries’ positions of advancing and retreating together.”

Huntington secretly said: "As expected, London rejected Nicholas Pearson's request for Britain to support Belgium's return to the Netherlands."

According to the plan, my visit to Spain is the second link of the plan, mobilizing Spain to publicly support Belgium's return to the Netherlands and increasing pressure on the UK.

At present, persuading these people to willingly join the Tinghe position is his goal. As for the bottom line of payment, hehe, even if the Netherlands wants to support them in talking to the UK, these people in front of them probably don't dare to do so at the moment, don't you believe it?

"The UK currently has heavy troops deployed in Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean fleet often supplies supplies there when entering and exiting the Strait of Gibraltar. Shouldn't the UK agree to our negotiations?"

Huntington showed curiosity at the right time. .

Foreign Secretary Tonys explained: "Belgium is not under direct rule of the United Kingdom after all, and the United Kingdom may not react so strongly. However, Gibraltar has been ruled by the United Kingdom for more than 160 years. The United Kingdom has always attached great importance to this. Now that we have rashly proposed to the United Kingdom, will we It would appear too abrupt, and it would anger the UK. Instead, it would completely side with France when Spain and France are at odds with each other, which would be even more detrimental to Spain. Therefore, clarifying our position with the UK may not be the best option at the moment."

Look, while Huntington was proud of his guess, he also had regret on his face.

Seeing this, in the eyes of several others, it was because they had thwarted the Dutch attempt to let Spain and the Netherlands be the vanguard against the British, which made them very proud.

Little did he know that this was all part of Huntington's plan.

He secretly said: "Your Majesty is indeed very accurate in judging people. These people seem to be in great power, but they are timid and fearful. They only want to retain power. They have more than enough power, but they still lack courage."

Huntington regretted: "This is a pity, but our Majesty and the Prime Minister have asked me to make a promise to everyone in Spain before I came to Madrid. As long as Spain demands Gibraltar sovereignty from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands will definitely become the first country in the world." The country that supports Spain's position is the most steadfast country. On this point, our Majesty has repeatedly told me to convey this to the point."

Isabel II and others were very moved after hearing this, and their favorable impression of the Netherlands immediately increased.

It was in this atmosphere that Huntington got what he wanted.

Several people in Spain also got the benefits they wanted from Huntington's visit, and everyone got what they needed.

On February 21, 1869, with global attention, the first stop of Dutch House Speaker Huntington’s visit to Spain was welcomed by Spain.

The next day, Speaker of the House of Representatives Huntington gave two speeches respectively in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Spanish Congress. He therefore became the first foreign speaker of the House of Representatives in Spain's history to be able to deliver speeches in the Senate and the House of Representatives at the same time. In the past, only French or Portuguese speakers could only speak. The history of speaking alone in one of the parliaments.

It can be seen how high the relationship between the Netherlands and Spain has reached so far.

On the third day, Huntington was received by Foreign Secretary Tonys, Speaker of the House of Representatives Julian, Senate President Benande, Prime Minister Ramon Narvaez, and Queen Isabella II.

After the meeting, Speaker Huntington and the Speaker of the Spanish House of Representatives held a closed-door meeting. Finally, at the joint press conference, the two announced a news in front of reporters from newspapers around the world.

Huntington: "The Dutch House of Representatives is currently preparing to pass a bill - "Our Belgium". We will start voting in the Dutch Parliament on the premise that Belgium will return to our embrace. This bill will become our goal, and we currently see progress. Yes, my colleague Speaker Julian shares our position on Belgian sovereignty.”

Spanish Speaker of the House of Representatives Julian: "Yes, just like the Netherlands' Gibraltar complex towards Spain"