Chapter 497 Philippines
If you look closely at the map of Australasia, you will find that the Philippines is like a nail, nailed in Southeast Asia, becoming the outpost of the United States on the west coast of the Pacific, threatening East Asia and Australia.
Arthur deeply understands the principle that there can be no two tigers in one mountain, and will naturally not allow the United States to have an outpost in Southeast Asia to balance Australasia.
To put it mildly, the Philippines is a transit station and material supply point for American warships, and it is also a springboard for the United States on the west coast of the Pacific.
To put it more seriously, when the United States has more powerful aircraft in the future, they can even take off from the Philippines and threaten the colonies and homeland of Australasia.
If all countries have missiles in the future, the United States only needs to deploy medium-range missiles in the Philippines to easily threaten Australasia, which is something Arthur does not want to see.
The good news is that the current control of the Americans over the Philippines is not very stable. Long before the Spanish-American War, the Filipinos formed the First Republic of the Philippines by themselves, but because of the Spanish-American War, it was forcibly annexed by the United States, and the republic also collapsed.
But this does not mean that the Filipinos' dream of independence will be shattered. On August 29, 1916, the U.S. Congress passed the Philippine Autonomy Act, making the Philippines a vassal state with the right to autonomy.
During this period, the Philippines also held elections, established the Philippine Senate, and gradually gained some rights.
As the reputation of Americans in the flu gradually deteriorated, the U.S. government at the time was even ready to deal with the war, which led to a further reduction in the U.S. control rate in the Philippines and also gave the Philippine Senate hope for independence.
In February of this year, Philippine representatives went to the United States to lobby for the United States to agree to the independence of the Philippines, but were rejected by the U.S. Congress.
Although the peaceful way to gain independence has been rejected, it does not mean that the Filipinos will accept their fate.
In fact, according to the news of intelligence personnel who have been planted in the Philippines, the Philippine Senate has even prepared for independence, but the arrogance to go to war with the powerful United States has made the Philippine government hesitate and dare not provoke a war for independence.
Judging from the current situation, this should be the best opportunity to provoke Philippine independence. If the support of British and French power can be obtained, the independence of the Philippines is inevitable, and the Americans are simply unable to stop it.
The Philippines, after independence, is closest to Australasia, so it is easy for Australasia to fully infiltrate this country.
Although Arthur has no good feelings towards the Filipinos, it is not unacceptable to cultivate them as a backup market and vassal state to resist risks.
If a war breaks out with the island country in the future, the Filipinos can be used as cannon fodder and serve as the first line against the island country. Using human lives to exchange with the island people is also a turtle fighting a turtle, and no one loses.
Under Arthur's order, a large number of intelligence personnel from the Royal Security Intelligence Agency went to the Philippines to prepare to cause some trouble for the Americans.
In a luxurious villa in Manila, the Philippines.
This is a luxurious villa that was built not long ago. It is basically inhabited by dignitaries from the top of the Philippines. It is also the center of this autonomous country and the gathering area of members of the Senate.
Knock, knock!
At nine o'clock in the evening, just when all ordinary people finished dinner and were ready to rest, a knock on the door suddenly sounded in a villa area, which seemed very dull in the quiet night.
Manuel Quezon got up without hesitation and went to open the door.
If I guess correctly, it should be other members of the Senate at this time. After the United States openly rejected the Philippines' request for independence, the Philippine Senate held a large meeting almost every once in a while, and members of various parties held private gatherings more frequently.
"Who are you?" Manuel Quezon was about to say hello, but found that he didn't know the people outside the door at all. They were all dressed in black, and it seemed that they were not friendly.
The visitor did not greet him at all, took out a pistol and gently pressed it against Manuel's forehead, and whispered: "Go in and talk."
Bang!
As the door was closed, Manuel's heart also beat suddenly. This means that in the silent night, his experience will hardly be discovered by anyone, unless he is willing to risk his life and shout loudly, but the enemy's gun is not vegetarian.
Maybe there is still a little hope, but at this time Manuel hopes that there is no such hope, because that hope is his wife and daughter in the bedroom on the second floor.
Seeing Manuel looking at the second floor with worried eyes from time to time, the intelligence officer was almost amused by Manuel's disguise.
With a signal, several intelligence officers rushed up with guns, obviously knowing something about Manuel's family situation.
"No, you can't do that." Seeing the two intelligence officers running to the second floor with guns, Manuel's face turned pale at this time, regretting that he had accidentally revealed a flaw.
"Is it Mr. Manuel Quezon?" The intelligence officer carefully looked at Manuel's appearance and asked after confirming that there was no problem.
"I am. If you are sent by the Americans, please let my wife and daughter go, I am willing to pay any price." Manuel nodded palely, having lost any hope of survival.
"You misunderstood, Mr. Manuel. We were not sent by the Americans, and we will never hurt you and your family." Watching his men take Manuel's family downstairs, the leading intelligence officer nodded with satisfaction, released the pistol against Manuel's forehead, and explained as if nothing had happened.
"Is this a joke?" Manuel's forehead was still cold, and a drop of cold sweat slid down the corner of his eye. Looking at his wife and daughter who were still being held against their foreheads by pistols, Manuel felt that these Americans were joking with him, a provocation and teasing of himself who was about to die.
"If you promise not to make a sound, we are certainly willing to sit down and have a good talk." The intelligence officer looked at Manuel and his family, and after they all nodded woodenly, he signaled his men to take away their weapons.
"That's right! Mr. Manuel." The leading intelligence officer smiled and stretched out his hand. Seeing that Manuel had no intention of shaking hands and did not care at all, he continued: "Let me introduce myself. I am from the Foreign Intelligence Department of the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau of Australasia. You can call me Sam, or any name you want to call me."
"Australasia? Royal Security Intelligence Bureau? Foreign Intelligence Department? I don't understand why you came to me?" Manuel muttered to himself.
Logically speaking, the Philippines and Australasia have nothing to do with each other. The Philippines is still under the control of the United States. Before the United States, it was also a colony of Spain and had nothing to do with Australasia.
"According to our intelligence, you seem to want to lobby the Washington government to agree to let the Philippines be independent, but it seems that your lobbying has failed." The intelligence officer who called himself Sam did not answer Manuel's question, but spoke to himself.
The news that the Philippine delegation went to the United States was not kept absolutely confidential, and it was normal for the intelligence department of Australasia to know about it.
But, the dispute between the Philippines and the United States does not seem to have anything to do with Australasia, right?
Or, has Australasia decided to reach out to the Philippines? Isn't Australasia afraid of the American counterattack?
Almost in an instant, Manuel thought of many questions. But then, Manuel suddenly realized that Australasia had already become a great power and had established a very good relationship with the British Empire. In theory, it was not afraid of the United States at all.
In short, this may be a dispute between two great powers. Manuel has decided to give up resistance and save his own life and his family's life first.
"Yes, the Americans do not agree with the independence of the Philippines. Although we have initially obtained the support of President Wilson, the attitude of the US Congress is also very firm." Manuel, who has seen through it, has decided not to hold back and answer whatever the other party asks.
Seeing that Manuel was very cooperative, the intelligence officer nodded with satisfaction and continued to ask: "According to our understanding, you seem to have made all kinds of preparations for independence. If independence can only be achieved by force, are you willing to fight against the United States?"
"The Philippines wants independence, so it is obvious that the Philippines alone cannot be compared with the United States. If the US Congress does not give in, the Senate will never agree to the plan of independence by force." Manuel shook his head with a wry smile and explained.
In this era, weak countries have no right to choose their own destiny. Even the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which retained its status as a great power after the war, had no right to choose at all in the face of Hungary's independence.
Not to mention the Philippines, which is nothing. Facing the pressure of the powerful Americans, the possibility of the Philippine Senate provoking independence by force is almost zero.
"I don't think your worries are necessary, Mr. Senate President." Sam smiled and started the official topic: "If you need it, Australasia can provide you with help. Of course, not only Australasia, we can also seek support from Britain and France to help you achieve independence."
According to the current situation in the United States, the Philippines with the support of Australasia is enough to give the US government a headache.
If the support of Britain and France is added, even if the Americans are unwilling, the independence of the Philippines is a foregone conclusion.
Manuel was very tempted by Sam's proposal, but then he forced himself to calm down and asked tentatively: "Mr. Sam, your country's help should not be free, right? I wonder what price the Philippines can offer in exchange for your country and Britain and France's support for the independence of the Philippines?"
"Hahaha!" Sam did not answer in a hurry, but smiled and patted Manuel on the shoulder, saying with a little meaning: "I believe that Mr. Senate President is also a smart man, knowing that this world is ultimately a world of the jungle. Without our help, even if the Philippines is independent, it is destined to be controlled by the United States or other countries. Our request is very simple. We hope to form a permanent alliance with the Philippines and have close exchanges in military and economic aspects."
"If the independent Philippine government is willing, we can also send experts to help your country better form a government, improve the judicial and administrative systems, and strengthen your country's military strength to prevent retaliation from the United States."
It seems that Sam did not make any demands, but was willing to provide a series of help to the independent Philippine government.
But if you change your mind and look at Sam's words, Manuel feels that Australasia's appetite is bigger than that of the United States.
The first is close military and economic exchanges.
The newly formed Philippine country is in a state of exhaustion in all aspects and is also easily influenced by other countries.
The formation of the army will definitely not be completed in a short time. The help of the Australasians also means that the Philippine army will be extremely biased towards Australasia.
The same is true for the economy. The independent Philippines' economy was destined to be fragile and needed help from other countries.
If Australasia penetrates the Philippine economy too deeply, it will be impossible for the Philippines to get rid of Australasia economically.
The military and economy are both controlled by Australasia. Even if the Philippine government becomes independent, the consequences will still be the same as now, and it will have to obey Australasia.
As for what Sam finally said, to help the Philippines establish a judicial and administrative system, that is to completely control the Philippines.
Needless to say, the judicial and administrative systems are the most fundamental powers of the national government and are also the basis for determining whether a national government has autonomy.
Can the Philippines be said to be an independent country when its military, economy, judiciary and politics are all controlled by others? The answer is obvious, of course not, and the situation is even worse than the current Philippines. At least the current Philippines has administrative autonomy, but it just has to be a dog for the Americans.
"Mr. Sam, are you really kidding me? The military, economy, judiciary and politics are all controlled by others. This is not the independence the Philippines wants, and it is absolutely impossible for the Senate to agree to it." Manuel looked at him in disbelief. Sam, he completely underestimated the appetite and bottom line of Australasians.
"No, Mr. Senate President, I believe the Senate will support it." Sam shook his head and said with a smile: "As far as I know, as the Senate President, you seem to have a very high reputation in the Philippines. As long as Mr. Senate President can There is no problem in getting the Senate to agree to it, despite all the opposition and our support.”
"I believe Mr. Senate President is a smart man, and we will only cooperate with smart people. The independent Philippines needs a qualified ruler. I think Mr. Senate President is very suitable for this position with his reputation in the Philippines. I hope we can To maintain long-term cooperation, I don’t want to lose this new friend, Mr. Senate President.” Sam looked at Manuel with a deep look and said half-coaxing and half-threatening.
Manuel's full name is Manuel Luis Quezon, and he is also a famous figure in the Philippines.
Manuel, who was born in 1878, became the President of the Philippine Senate at the age of only 41. He has extremely high prestige and support in the Philippines.
Looking carefully at Manuel's resume, although he is a civilian, he looks very luxurious.
After graduating from college, Manuel worked as a lecturer at the University of Santo Tomas and studied law.
Later, he joined Emilio's revolutionary war team against Spain. With his heroic and fearless fighting style, he gained a lot of reputation in the revolutionary team and made Manuel's name known to more Filipinos.
Unfortunately, the Philippine revolutionary team did not recognize the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. This also led to Manuel, an important member of the revolutionary team, being handed over to the Americans and imprisoned for six months.
After that, Manuel passed the bar exam and gradually entered the political arena.
With a lot of prestige accumulated due to the revolution, Manuel, who was only 28 years old, was selected as a high-ranking official, which strengthened Manuel's prestige in Philippine politics.
With the Jones Act drafted and enacted by Manuel a few years ago, Manuel quickly became a hero in the Philippines, and quickly entered the Senate and became the President of the Senate.
This promotion resume has almost no setbacks. He is simply the pride of the Philippines, and he has also successfully become the first president of the Republic of the Philippines in history.
However, Manuel's fate in this era is destined to change, and the fate of the Philippines will also undergo tremendous changes.
As one of the most highly educated people in the Philippines, Manuel, who has been in politics for a long time, naturally understands the solicitation and threats in Sam's words, and is also well aware of the current situation of himself and his family.
Facing Sam's threat, Manuel had no strength to resist. Even if it rises to the national level, even if the Philippines achieves independence, it will not have any ability to resist in the face of the current Australasia.
"I hope to ensure the safety of my family first, and I will try my best to cooperate with you." Manuel's throat rolled several times before he sighed and said.
"Hahaha, sure enough, I believe that Mr. Senate President will be a smart man. Don't worry, as long as you cooperate with our actions, your family will be very safe, and our intelligence personnel will protect them personally." Sam laughed again He smiled, patted Manuel on the shoulder and said.
In fact, although it also has the purpose of protection, it also has the meaning of surveillance. After all, the Philippines is so big. If Manuel wants to hide, the Royal Security Intelligence Service may not be able to find his family in a short time.
Rather than doing this, it would be better to directly monitor him personally, and be able to do it once and for all, and protect Manuel's family at the same time.
Understanding that he had no right to choose, Manuel nodded helplessly and asked, "Then what should I do?"
That’s it for today, 5,000 words. I'm back late, sorry. Please vote for me and support me!