The colonial war, a brief but decisive affair launched by the Spanish Government, had come to its foregone conclusion. Even before it began,
The colonial war, a brief but decisive affair launched by the Spanish Government, had come to its foregone conclusion. Even before it began, Prime Minister Prim had carefully considered its purpose and what Spain stood to gain. Since the British Government had agreed to Spain occupying the coastline near Agadir in Southern Morocco and also guaranteed the Moroccan government would provide compensation, the war could be brought to a swift end. It was a pity such a thing could not be repeated. Otherwise, if it happened once a year, the Spanish Government's much-needed industry development funds would be within easy reach.
On October 2, 1870, under the watchful eye of the British Ambassador, the Spanish and Moroccan governments began formal peace talks in Ceuta. Unlike the brief meeting between British Ambassador William and Prime Minister Prim, these negotiations concerned the core interests of both nations and were bound to be a long, arduous process. Peace could not be declared until an agreement acceptable to both parties was finalized, a task that could take days, weeks, or even a month.
After reaching a compromise with Ambassador William, Prime Minister Prim reported to Carlo, informing him that the war's conclusion was imminent. Carlo felt a pang of regret. The fighting had only broken out a few days ago; Caman and Andrew had just reached the battlefield, with no chance to earn significant honor. Still, as long as the Spanish Government could secure more land and compensation from the war, it was undeniably good news.
The time arrived, and the peace talks in Ceuta officially began. The Spanish diplomatic representative immediately laid out Spain's two primary demands: land and funds. First, Spain demanded that all Moroccan territory south of the line from Agadir to Tata be ceded, serving as a comprehensive compensation from the Moroccan government to both the Spanish state and its citizens. Second, the Moroccan government must pay 350 million pesetas in compensation: 200 million for Spain's military expenses and the remaining 150 million as compensation for Spanish soldiers and civilians killed or wounded in the conflict, as well as the cost for the Spanish army to withdraw from Moroccan territory. A final, additional demand was the establishment of a non-military zone within the Tangier, Tetouan, and Ceuta triangle, which the Moroccan army must never enter, to prevent similar conflicts from reoccurring.
At this, the Moroccan government representatives could no longer sit still. Each of the three conditions was more outrageous than the last, practically putting them on a hot seat. Though Agadir was the largest city in Southern Morocco, the land south of the Agadir-Tata line was vast—close to one-sixth of the country's total territory. Ceding such a massive portion of the nation was something the Moroccan government could absolutely not agree to.
The 350 million pesetas in compensation was an astronomical sum, a burden they could never hope to pay even by selling everything. Adding the non-military zone, while Morocco would not technically become a Spanish colony, what was the difference?
"No, this is absolutely impossible!" The Moroccan representative stood up, his eyes burning with anger as he directly refused. "We cannot agree to such demands, absolutely not!"
"Then that makes it easy." The Spanish representative's smile never wavered. "Then the war continues, and the outcome will decide the terms. I would like to friendly remind your country that the more funds we invest in this war, the more compensation your country will have to pay after being defeated."
Hearing Spain's thinly veiled threat, the Moroccan representative quickly turned his pleading gaze toward British Ambassador William, seeking help.
The British could not stand by and watch the negotiations collapse. If the war truly continued, the situation's development would be beyond their control.
"Gentlemen, since you have both come here, it proves you both have the will for peace," Ambassador William said, his voice calm and measured as he tried to get the peace talks back on track. "I propose that both sides take a step back and strive to reach a peace agreement acceptable to both parties. Considering the specific economic situation of the Moroccan government, I believe the compensation of 350 million pesetas is unreasonable and an unbearable burden. How about this? Today's negotiations end here. Both sides will draft a more reasonable set of peace demands, and we will discuss them again tomorrow."
The first day of peace talks ended with no progress. The Spanish envoy looked completely relaxed; Morocco was now like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, and it was impossible for it not to pay a heavy price. This was a grim characteristic of the era: underdeveloped countries had to be prepared to be invaded and plundered by stronger nations at any time.
After the negotiations concluded, the Moroccan representative immediately sought out Ambassador William for help. "Respected British Ambassador, Spain's demands are completely unacceptable to Morocco. We request the help of the powerful British Government, and we are willing to pay a corresponding price."
William put on a face of deep sympathy. "Sir, I deeply sympathize with the plight of your government," he said with feigned regret. "But as you know, even though Great Britain is immensely powerful, it cannot arbitrarily interfere with the decisions of other countries. Getting Spain to abandon its claim to Northern Moroccan territory is the limit of what we can do for your country; the Spanish can't give up the idea of colonizing Morocco, and we deeply regret this."
The British had no intention of allowing a smooth path for Spain. They could accept Spain's annexation of Southern Morocco, but that did not mean they wouldn't cause trouble. Using this incident to incite more intense resistance from the Moroccans against Spain was a plan the British Government had laid long ago. Since Spain had the audacity to launch a war against Morocco and occupy its land as a colony, Spain should also bear the Moroccans' resistance and the hatred for their occupied territory.
This way, even if Spain could gain a considerable colony, it would be exhausted by the long-term suppression of the Moroccans' resistance, perhaps even incurring costs greater than the gains. With the Spanish busy suppressing rebellion in Morocco, they would naturally not have time to think about the British's Gibraltar. With rebellions in Cuba and the Philippines already a source of immense cost, a third drain in Morocco would ensure Spain's resources were perpetually overextended, its national strength weakened, and it would become a country unable to pose any threat to England. The brutal truth of the age was simple: survival belonged to the fittest.
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