The Russo-Japanese War was still going on, and the officers and soldiers of both sides continued to fight, especially in Lushun, which was the most brutal.
Because of the strong request of the navy, the Japanese 3rd Army launched a strong attack on the Russian positions. The fierce battle lasted until September 24. The Japanese army lost 22,000 people before they wedged into the defense lines of the fortress guards in some places, while the Russian army
As a result, more than 4,000 people were lost. The power of the Maxim machine gun in position defense was fully demonstrated in this critical battle. Groups of Japanese officers and soldiers were shot down by this deadly weapon on the way to the charge.
For this reason, when the battle report of the Third Army was sent back to Tokyo, the base camp thought it was a mistake.
Due to heavy losses, the Japanese army had to postpone further attempts to attack the fortress, wait for the replenishment of troops and supplies, and prepare for a new offensive. From October 19 to 22, the Japanese army launched a second storm. During the four-day offensive, the Japanese army
Only three fortifications were captured at the cost of 13,000 people, but the important strategic commanding heights surrounding the city were still in the hands of the defenders. This time the Russian army lost more than 3,000 people.
While the offensive and defensive battle in Lushun was in full swing, a battle between Japan and Russia was also taking place in Liaoyang. The Japanese 1st, 2nd, and 4th armies, led by General Dashanyan, fought against the Japanese Army led by General Kuropatkin.
Russia fought a battle.
The 135,000 Japanese army launched an offensive against the 160,000 Russian troops stationed here. After eight days of fighting, the Japanese army defeated the Russians at the cost of 14,000 losses, causing Russia to retreat to Fengtian. This time the Russian army
27,000 people were lost.
When the Battle of Liaoyang was fiercely underway, the Second Detachment of the Combined Fleet led by Uemura Hikonosei made a meritorious service. They captured the Russian Vladivostok Squadron led by Major General Essen in Ulsan.
To say which Russian fleet makes the Japanese gnash their teeth the most, it has to be the Vladivostok Squadron. This fleet, led by Rear Admiral Essen, harassed the coast of Japan several times, sank and captured a large number of Japanese civilian ships, and caused a huge sensation.
For a while, Japanese civilian ships were like frightened birds. When they saw the warships, they shouted that the Lucia fleet was coming.
In the Ulsan naval battle, the second detachment, led by two Garibaldi-class cruisers, gave the Vladivostok squadron a hard beating. The Vladivostok squadron's fire protection and speed were far inferior to those of the Japanese ships, except for one
In addition to the Romboy, which was seriously injured and escaped, the Russia and the Rurik were both sunk on the spot. After this naval battle, the Vladivostok squadron existed in name only, and the threat to the Japanese coast was relieved.
At this time, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Russia is at a comprehensive disadvantage in this war in the Far East.
Faced with this situation, the Russians were certainly not willing to accept it. In addition to using the Siberian Railway, which had not yet been completed, to continuously transport troops and supplies to the Far East, the Russians were also determined to win the batch of warships for sale in Italy.
"Prime Minister Antonio, our country has increased the price by 380 million lire, which is enough to prove our country's sincerity. Your country is insisting on the price of 400 million lire. Isn't it a little too persistent? You must know that our country currently sells 400 million lire.
The price is already the highest, a full 40 million lire higher than the Japanese price. I don’t think there is anything higher than this price.”
The person who spoke was Russia's Ambassador to Italy, Tokayev. This ambassador has been the most active ambassador to Italy recently. Because he is also the negotiator for the purchase of Italian warships, he has a lot of contact with Italy these days. The bidding process between the two countries has already begun.
At the end of the day, Japan was so strapped that it could only afford 340 million lire, while the great Russian Empire had already offered 380 million lire, which far suppressed the Japanese in terms of price.
But some things are so helpless. The price of 380 million lire has been discussed. The Italians in front of them are not moving at all. They are not willing to let go of the price of 400 million lire. They are itching for popularity. Aren't these Italians afraid that these battleships will not be sold?
?
None of the senior Italian officials present knew the inner thoughts of the Russian ambassador. Prime Minister Antonio smiled slightly and said, "Your Excellency, the purchase of warships is also your wish. Since your country needs these warships, it needs to be given to them."
The price matches the price, and our country believes that these warships are worth 400 million liras. I think this is the reason for the different values, and it has nothing to do with other issues."
Regardless of other issues, Tokayev cursed angrily in his heart. You must know that Russia had purchased two Genoa-class battleships in Italy three years ago, and he participated in the whole process at that time. Why didn't he say so at that time? Now,
Instead, let’s talk about the differences in values.
In fact, he also knew that the Italians were desperate and could only buy ships here, and in order to win the war, St. Petersburg would definitely yield to this high price. Because he could see it from the contents of the telegrams sent to him from St. Petersburg.
come out.
However, despite his grievances, the tasks assigned to him by St. Petersburg must be completed. Ambassador Tokayev could only continue to rub elbows with the Italians, but the effect was the same as before. These Italians refused to let go and did not let him use it at all.
opportunity. In the end, he had no choice but to return to the embassy.
As soon as he returned to the embassy, he immediately called his secretary. "Send a telegram to St. Petersburg. According to my observation, the Italians insist on demanding 400 million liras for the purchase of the ship and are very determined."
"Okay, Your Excellency Ambassador."
After seeing off his secretary, Ambassador Tokayev slumped in his chair in frustration. The day's negotiations were very tiring. What's more, the Italians were inexperienced, leaving him no room to display his abilities.
Originally he thought it was a good job, and wanted to make a contribution to the people above him, and would move up a few steps if he had the opportunity. But now he has given up this idea, and St. Petersburg does not think that he is doing something bad.
Early the next morning, before Ambassador Tokayev asked, I saw the secretary rushing over with a telegram.
"St. Petersburg calls back."
This sentence made Ambassador Tokayev cheer up and read it carefully. In fact, he read the telegram at a glance, because it said the words "complete the transaction as soon as possible" were written on it.
"Something must have happened, and I don't know about it."
This was the thought that came to Tokayev's mind.
Tokayev was right, because Admiral Kutparokin, the commander-in-chief of the Far East, had previously sent a telegram to the Tsar. In addition to stating Russia's current difficulties there, he also gave the Tsar advice.
Road, due to the failure of the Siberian Railway to penetrate, it is too difficult to achieve the goal of defeating the Japanese army on land. You can completely find a way from the sea.
It was this sentence that became the last straw that broke the Tsar's heart, and he finally decided to purchase Italian warships and complete the formation of a fleet to reinforce the Far East as soon as possible.
Although Tokayev did not know the inside story, since St. Petersburg was willing to accept this decision, he had nothing to say.
Then he said to his secretary, "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the Prime Minister's Office now."
In a hurry, Tokayev went to the Italian Prime Minister's Palace with the news of Russia's agreement.
The ship purchase contract was signed quickly, and the two parties reached a ship purchase agreement the next day.
Subsequently, the news that Russia spent a huge sum of 400 million lire to purchase the Italian fleet spread to all parts of the world along with the radio waves. And the news also shocked the whole world. Some people said that Italy was greedy, and some said that the Russians were taken advantage of. However,
In any case, the news that Russia has obtained a 120,000-ton fleet must be the most shocking to the Japanese.
