The explosion of the USS Maine was known to the United States the next day, and major newspapers rushed to report the incident. The U.S. Navy also immediately launched an investigation into the matter.
Of course, until the investigation is clear, it is fair to say that no one knows what caused the explosion of the USS Maine. But unfortunately, there is no justice in this matter. After the news of the explosion of the USS Maine was published in the newspaper, various
Rumors and gossip spread about everything.
Of course, this kind of gossip counts for nothing. Sorry, it does. The New York News used a misleading headline to attribute the sinking of the Maine to Spain, which aroused public anger. For this reason, in Spain
After the ambassador protested, he directly offered a reward of $50,000 for evidence of the crime.
The various excessive reactions of American newspapers all reflect the attitude of the US government behind them.
This is definitely not going to be good.
As the Prime Minister of Spain, Castillo immediately felt that the United States was coming with bad intentions. So when the news of the explosion of the Maine in Havana Port reached Madrid, he immediately summoned the ministers to discuss countermeasures.
"Everyone, you must know what happened in Cuba. We need to think of a countermeasure immediately here."
From the very beginning, the Prime Minister made clear the seriousness of the problem.
Everyone present already knew what happened in the Port of Havana, Cuba, so they understood the current urgency and naturally agreed with the Prime Minister's words.
"At present, the United States has sent a request to our country for its own investigation. Taking into account the current actual situation, I have agreed to the request of the United States. In addition, in view of the situation that occurred on the Maine in our port, we can provide help to the surviving officers and soldiers
, In addition, we can also provide other assistance to the United States, such as supplies, equipment calls, and summoning nearby people to inquire, etc."
Foreign Secretary Gibbs briefed the Prime Minister and colleagues present on the current situation and strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although this sounds a bit backhanded, if you consider the power gap between the two countries, then this problem will be easily solved.
In this era of the jungle, weakness is the original sin, and Spain, the former world hegemon, also wants to submit to its malicious neighbors.
After Foreign Secretary Gibbs spoke, other ministers also put forward their own opinions. However, they basically agreed with the Foreign Secretary and tried to avoid conflicts with the United States.
Faced with the meaning of the ministers' words, Castillo also knew very well that in fact it would be good if we could talk about anything, but there were some things that had to be prevented first.
So he turned to Admiral Cervera, the Minister of the Navy, and asked, "Admiral Cervera, what do you think of this?"
Facing the Prime Minister's inquiry, Admiral Cerveira felt a pain in his heart, but he replied without changing his expression. "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, our navy is ready to fight at any time and is ready to fight for the kingdom."
Admiral Cervera's answer was cunning, because he did not put forward any opinions and everything was left to the government's decision.
However, the Prime Minister didn't seem to care much. He ignored General Cervera and continued talking to other ministers.
This emergency meeting lasted for more than two hours, and the final result of the discussion was that Spain should try its best to cooperate with the US investigation regarding the explosion of the USS Maine. In addition, if the United States has other intentions, Spain needs to be prepared as soon as possible.
Yes, the people present are all senior Spanish officials, and they naturally know the United States' greed for Cuba, so there are certain things that must be thought of ahead of time.
After the meeting ended, Castillo immediately said, "Admiral Cervera will stay here for a moment."
The other ministers were not surprised at all that Admiral Cervera, the Minister of the Navy, was retained. How could they not say a few words alone at this moment when the navy might be used.
"Let's talk in my office."
Before General Cervera could speak, Prime Minister Castillo spoke directly.
When he arrived at the Prime Minister's Office and his secretary brought him two cups of coffee, Prime Minister Castillo spoke. "Do you have any doubts about fighting the United States?"
"Yes, Prime Minister."
In fact, without the Prime Minister asking, Admiral Cervera also wanted to say it, but he couldn't say it in front of everyone. "Prime Minister, the current situation of the Spanish Navy is not good. If there is a war between our country and the United States in the future, then there will be
There is a high probability that we will be defeated."
Although Prime Minister Castillo did not have high expectations for the navy, the Prime Minister himself was a little surprised to point out the poor situation of his navy so bluntly.
"Didn't we just bring back two powerful Garibaldi-class battleships from Italy? I remember what you said at the time, but as long as there are two of these battleships, the Americans will think twice before they act?"
Well, the Prime Minister still remembers the Haikou boasted by Admiral Cerveira, so he is cheating himself.
However, Admiral Cervera still had answers to the Prime Minister's questions.
"Prime Minister, the result of the United States thinking twice is the launch of four Pennsylvania-class cruise ships. Although this cruise ship is not as powerful as our Garibaldi class, we cannot make up for the numerical advantage. In addition, the United States also has 4 battleships, and our country
Except for the Columbus and Francisco, no other warships can currently compete with it."
Yes, the Spanish Navy led by Admiral Cervera also has difficulties, that is, although Spain's current naval tonnage seems to be okay, there are not many warships that can fight. Currently, in the Spanish Navy, except for the two Garibaldi-class ships
, the next most powerful ones are the first-class armored cruiser Carlos V and the second-class battleship Pelayo.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult for you to bring these two battleships into battle. Among them, the Carlos V is still being launched and outfitted and has not officially entered service. As for the Pelayo, this ironclad ship customized in France is in service.
More than ten years later, it is being overhauled and refitted, and it is currently unable to go to sea.
Well, in addition to these two ships, the Spanish Navy can only use three armored cruisers: Queen Maria Theresa, Admiral Oquendo, and Vizcaya (historically known as
These three warships were equipped with the Garibaldi-class Columbus purchased from Italy, and a few small ships were added to the battle. The other warships were either in the dock, or they were not strong enough to take action).
As for other warships, they either have no actual combat effectiveness or are still under construction. One more thing, there are several sailing wooden warships in the Spanish Navy (Numancia, Victoria, etc.).
It can be said that even if Spain has added two of its strongest cruise ships, its strength is still not as good as that of the U.S. Navy. The opponent has 4 Pennsylvania-class cruisers, 3 Indiana-class battleships, and 1 USS Iowa (a major modification of the Indiana class).
, the first true ocean-going battleship of the United States).
In addition, the U.S. Navy also has two large armored cruisers, the 8,200-ton USS New York, the more powerful 9,200-ton USS Brooklyn, two Columbia-class protected cruisers, and a 5,800-ton protected cruiser USS Olympia. These three battleships
Both have good fire protection and can run at a speed of 21 knots.
There are also five protected cruisers, all of which are around 4,000 tons. They were all in service from 1989 to 1990, and their speed is only 18-19 knots, which is not outstanding enough.
In addition, there are a variety of coastal defense armored ships, small cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats, etc.
Apart from anything else, once the financial resources of these parties are revealed, it is obvious that the Spanish Navy is not enough.
So after Admiral Cervera finished talking about the disparity in naval strength between the two sides, Prime Minister Castillo looked unhappy.
"So, the navy can no longer guarantee Cuba's maritime security?"
Although he knew that it was a bit rude to say this, Admiral Cervera, who knew that he could no longer hide it at this time, immediately replied. "Yes, Prime Minister, unless we can have at least three new battleships and supporting well-trained officers and soldiers,
Otherwise it would be really difficult to keep Cuba."
Admiral Cervera's words plunged the Prime Minister into deep thought, and suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed through him, "What did you just say? Repeat it again."
Although he didn’t know why the Prime Minister asked this, Admiral Cervera still repeated what he said. “I said that unless we have at least three new battleships and supporting well-trained officers and soldiers, it will be really difficult to keep Cuba.
"
"Okay, I get it!"
Prime Minister Castillo felt somewhat confident at this time, but whether it would be achieved or not still needed to be discussed. After seeing off the Navy Minister, he picked up the phone. "Please ask the Foreign Secretary to come over. I have something to ask for."
Find him."
Cuba is Spain's wealth, and nothing can be taken away from it. If necessary, it may be preserved in another way. Look at Spain's attitude towards Cuba. There are rebellions in Cuba and the Philippines at this time, but the Philippines simply cannot
It received little support and basically relied on its garrison. Even though the Philippine rebels had grown in size, Spain still prioritized ensuring Cuba. Its nearly 200,000 troops on the island speak for themselves.
Compared with Cuba, there are only more than 30,000 troops stationed on the Philippine island. At this time, some negative assets may be sold.
In order to save Cuba, Prime Minister Castillo will also take ruthless measures.
