Chapter 51 Going to Mindanao for military training
() As the chairman of the Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate and the spokesperson of the Morgan family, Senator Nelson Aldridge and Senator Albert Beveridge had some differences in their visit priorities from the Secretary of War. As for economic and
Professionals in the banking industry, although these two senators were surprised by Taiwan's armed forces, they were just surprised. In their hearts, money is always more moving and convincing than machine guns and cannons.
Neither of the two senators expressed much enthusiasm for Keelung's huge industrial base. In the United States, there are not 10 but only 5 industrial cities of this size. They are only larger than Taiwan, not smaller.
Both senators expressed a higher interest in the Bank of Taiwan and Taiwan's various special products. However, due to David's face issues, the two senators did not make any remarks when visiting the Bank of Taiwan.
What is the substantive discussion, because the current president of the Bank of Taiwan is David’s wife Helena.
When David was introducing everyone, the three American guests were obviously confused by the unexpected situation that David's wife was the president of the Bank of Taiwan. Then, they all smiled knowingly in unison. It was probably because of their previous experience.
They are also doubtful about David's familiarity with Taiwan. Now the appearance of David's wife has just touched their doubts. They may think: It turns out that there is always David's wife, the daughter of a wealthy German businessman, behind Taiwan.
Support, no wonder David helps the illegal government of Taiwan no matter what.
fu, get resources from all over the world, now I understand!
Out of respect, they could not pay too much attention to the Bank of Taiwan, so the two senators were very interested in Taiwan's specialty cane sugar and camphor oil. Not only did they visit a small camphor processing factory near Tamsui, Taipei, but they also learned about Taiwan
The accompanying personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs were carefully inquired about the annual production and processing volume of sucrose and camphor oil.
In addition, the two senators accidentally discovered that local farmers were using several new types of machinery for farming, and after farming, they also sprayed some pesticides on the fields. Therefore, they once farmed in their hometown in the United States.
Councilor Albert from the farm happily boarded the tractor and drove the wheeled tractor towing the rice transplanter back and forth for two plowing circles before reluctantly leaving the cab.
In addition to tractors, the senators were also interested in the spraying liquid. After getting Liu Fu's approval, the accompanying Ministry of Internal Affairs official told the senator that these were organic pesticides and herbicides developed by Taiwan Chemical Industry.
Help kill insects and weeds in the fields. And during subsequent questioning, Da
I told the American guests that the yield of rice in Taiwan is about 250 kilograms per mu, while the yield of corn per mu can reach 350 kilograms. Since rice can mature three times a year in Taiwan, corn can mostly be harvested once a year. However,
In the past two years, some places are trying to plant two crops of corn a year.
The two senators were not very touched when they heard about Taiwan's rice yield per mu, because European and American countries generally rely on wheat as their staple food and rarely grow rice. But when they heard that the corn yield per mu could reach 350 kilograms, the two American guests were very excited.
Surprisingly, in the United States, corn cultivation occupies a very large area
, exceeding the planting area of wheat, because corn is a crop that has excellent drought resistance and insect resistance. As a kind of grain, it can not only be eaten by humans, but can also be used to feed livestock, produce starch, make wine, etc. If the acres can be
If the output increases, the total output of the United States will increase a lot.
Each with their own concerns in mind, the three American representatives did not beat around the bush, but explained Taiwan's current situation very directly: No country in the world recognizes Taiwan, and no country has established diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Now European countries are negotiating how to treat Taiwan.
United States government
Fu believes that military strikes are unlikely, but economic sanctions are highly likely. If Taiwan is sanctioned, the great powers will mobilize all their colonies to cut off economic exchanges with Taiwan, and it is unlikely that the Americans will fight with Taiwan alone.
trade, therefore, Taiwan will face the dilemma of having no source of raw materials.
Out of the principle of benefiting both sides, the U.S. government is willing to negotiate peace with Taiwan and recognize Taiwan's legal status. The U.S. government can also come forward and invite European powers to sit down and talk with Taiwan. However, what kind of sacrifices does Taiwan intend to make?
In exchange for the support of the US government?
After listening to the explanations of the three American dignitaries, Liu Fu had nothing to say. What the Americans said was very objective and fair. Countries need to exchange interests, and Taiwan does not have many bargaining chips that can be used in exchange.
Of course, Taiwan can also choose not to recognize its relatives and carve out a world for itself in Asia, but that will be a long and arduous road. Liu Fu does not intend to choose any path unless it is a last resort.
Since the Americans plan to do business with Taiwan, Liu Fu plans to first listen to the other party's asking price. Although the Americans' offer cannot be considered fair, it is beyond Liu Fu's expectations and is basically reasonable. The Americans first proposed that Taiwan want to negotiate with Taiwan.
The United States signed a cooperation agreement and sent troops to help the Americans safeguard their interests in the Philippines. The specific number of troops sent can be discussed later; secondly, rifles, machine guns
For guns, artillery and engine technology for large warships, Taiwan must cooperate with the United States to help the United States develop and manufacture these equipment. Of course, it is not free. The Americans will normally purchase Taiwan's technical equipment and services on a cooperation and order basis.
; In addition, pesticides, agricultural machinery, and automobiles will also be cooperation projects between the two countries, taking priority over U.S. cooperation, but Zheng
The fu does not interfere with these projects, and private companies can operate these projects according to business models; finally, it is to open Taiwan's market to the United States and allow American businessmen to open companies, schools, banks, mines, farms, etc. in Taiwan, and both parties
The tax rate reduction will be kept at a relatively low level, and the specific figure will need to be negotiated by professionals from both parties.
Originally, the Americans planned to ask for Taiwan's submarine and torpedo technology, or purchase these equipment from Taiwan. However, since David informed them in advance, the Americans thought it was reasonable. After all, Taiwan is an island country. It can establish itself in this world.
Counting on submarines and torpedoes, if even these two are handed over to outsiders, then Taiwan might as well just surrender now. What else is there to talk about?
In return for Taiwan agreeing to these conditions, the United States is first to take the lead in recognizing the legality of Taiwan's government, and the two sides can establish consulates in each other's country. Second, the United States will come forward to host peace talks between European countries and Taiwan, and to protect Taiwan's interests during the peace talks.
, strive to have Taiwan recognized by European powers.
Since Liu Fu felt that the demands made by the Americans were acceptable, and the rewards from the Americans were exactly what Liu Fu needed, Liu Fu proposed to suspend the talks and the conditions proposed by the United States would be handed over to the Taiwanese government for discussion. The three participants
The congressman expressed that he understood Liu Fu's intentions and suggested that the talks should be continued after seven days. In other words, Liu Fu should be given seven days to go back and discuss with his government team.
Liu Fu took the conditions proposed by the Americans and convened the largest government meeting in Taiwan's history. He explained to the attendees the advantages and disadvantages of Taiwan now, and then also presented the conditions of the Americans, and everyone was free to do so.
After discussion, it will be up to Liu Fu to decide whether to sign the contract or not.
In these government departments in Taiwan, there are European technical management talents, American business managers, old officials from the Qing Dynasty who stayed in Taiwan, local Taiwanese ethnic minorities and those trained in Taiwan’s own schools over the years.
The talents who came out represent different interest groups and have different interests and needs, but they don’t have many ideas about the future of Taiwan. Today, Taiwan has become a powerful country in Asia, although it is not as good as other countries.
The country recognizes it, but strength is something that cannot be reduced if you don't see it. Moreover, Taiwan has also undergone earth-shaking changes in recent years. Not only in agriculture due to large-scale investment in chemical fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural machinery, and water conservancy projects.
The annual production is high, and industry and commerce are also advancing by leaps and bounds. In more than ten years, the millions of people on the island of Taiwan have escaped from the state of not having enough to eat, not wearing warm, and not being able to afford food. Not only can they eat well, but they can also
If you eat well, you can not only keep warm, but also look good. Not only can you no longer offend foreigners, but you can also chase foreigners. In Asia, no one wants to offend Taiwan as a rival.
However, because it has always been relatively closed, except for some merchant ships that do business with Taiwan and come to Taiwan to transport goods from time to time, basically very few Taiwanese people leave Taiwan to do business in other countries. It is not that they are unwilling to go out, but no matter where they go,
When it comes to Taiwanese, a lot of business cannot be done because governments everywhere do not recognize the Taiwanese regime.
Now we have the opportunity to let the world recognize us. Most of the participants agreed. Among the few objections, the vast majority were from the military or the internal affairs department. They were worried that so much advanced equipment would be copied by foreigners.
Will they be allowed to use Taiwan's weapons to attack Taiwan?
Finally, Liu Fu synthesized everyone's opinions and finally decided to agree to the Americans' request in principle and discuss the details later.
On July 18, 1906, Liu Fu, on behalf of Taiwan's government, formally signed a memorandum with the U.S. representative. This memorandum will be brought back to the United States by three U.S. senators and applied to the U.S. President to formally send negotiators from Taiwan and the United States.
According to the framework of this memorandum, we will negotiate in detail a contract that is recognized by both parties, and then it will be approved by the Taiwan government and the U.S. Congress, and finally signed by the presidents of both parties before it officially comes into effect.
After signing this memorandum, the mission of these three U.S. senators was completed. These three senators only stayed in Taiwan for one more day. Liu Fu hosted a banquet for them in the presidential palace. On the second day of the banquet,
, took Taiwan's Asia-class heavy cruiser "Asia" and returned to the United States.
Originally, these senators planned to return to the United States on a Helena Shipping cargo ship. However, after signing the memorandum, Secretary Taft temporarily expressed to Liu Fu that if Taiwan could send this warship, which represents Taiwan's industrial shipbuilding capabilities, to visit
The U.S. Navy demonstrates Taiwan's strength to all walks of life in the U.S., so that this memorandum can gain a lot of weight among the U.S. military circles and President Roosevelt, who is keen on the navy.
When Liu Fu heard that there was such a role, he immediately agreed to Secretary Taft's request, and also dispatched a Keelung-class destroyer and a logistics ship to form a small fleet to the west coast of the United States for a goodwill visit. Of course.
, this kind of visit is not something that can be done unilaterally. Secretary Taft must have received approval from the United States before making this invitation.
After more than half a month of busy work, Taiwan's external exchanges can finally take a step forward. Although the specific details still need to be discussed between the two governments, the basic framework has been established, and what remains is the equal exchange between the two countries.
The professionals in the department will not care about anything at the negotiation table, and the overall direction will not change.
Before this, Liu Fu had planned to go to Ryukyu to train Taiwan's army, and to occupy Ryukyu by the way, so as to prevent the Japanese from using this archipelago to threaten Taiwan at all times. But now it seems that this plan needs to change.
We cannot have peace talks with the United States or even European powers here, and then start opening up Japan's archipelago over there. This is tantamount to a slap in the face of European and American countries. It is too hurtful and offending.
Although Ryukyu cannot be used for military training, according to the American proposal, Taiwan will send a certain number of army and navy to help the Americans maintain their rule in the Philippine Islands. It seems that the Americans are making the Filipino people's struggle a bit unbearable.
Well, just in time, the same goes for training in the Philippines. As long as he is not a member of his own country or nation, Liu Fu will not have any psychological pressure at all. He will kill anyone he kills. For military training, military training must be seen when he sees blood, and seeing the blood of foreigners
, is the most cost-effective.
In September 1906, David sent another telegram from the United States. The President of the United States approved this memorandum. Taking into account Taiwan's situation, the first formal talks on obesity will be held in Taiwan. The American delegation will return to Taiwan five days later.
The visiting U.S. fleet came to Taiwan together and had detailed discussions with the Taiwanese government on Taiwan-U.S. relations.
The negotiations lasted for more than two months. The Taiwan government delegation also went to the United States for a return visit and negotiations. Finally, a consensus was reached at the end of 1906. Representatives from both sides signed an agreement between Taiwan and the United States at the San Francisco City Hall on the west coast of the United States.
The first formal contract, the contract stipulates that both parties recognize each other as legitimate
fu, and set up consulates in each other's country. Taiwan and the United States treat each other with conditional most-favored-nation status, and mutually stipulate the rights and obligations of both parties in cooperation in military, economic, agricultural and other fields; and the last article of the treaty states,
Taiwan needs to send no less than 5,000 army troops into the Philippine Islands within one year to help the U.S. Army and Navy maintain local civilization and peace. These 5,000 Taiwan Army troops will be commanded by the Taiwan military.
The war is not affiliated with the U.S. Army, and its logistics and supplies will also be responsible for Taiwan. The cooperative relationship between the two armies will be directly coordinated by the U.S. Army Department and the Taiwan Army Department. In other words, the Taiwan Army will be assigned a maintenance area.
Except for some joint operations projects negotiated between the Taiwan Army Department and the U.S. Department of the Army, the rest of the time, the Taiwan Army is not under the command of the U.S. Army in the Philippines and can decide its own actions in this area.
Because this contract was signed in San Francisco, the United States, it was called the "Taiwan-U.S. San Francisco Agreement." This was Taiwan's first step on the international stage and the first step in establishing diplomatic relations with other countries.
