August 8, 1908, Panama City.
The 17-year-old Downing left the western United States and arrived in Panama, the capital of Panama, which had only been independent for five years, and began to inspect the place.
Standing on the mountains of Panama, Tangning looked at the seas on the east and west sides, the Pacific and the Atlantic, and sighed.
“Panama, this place is great, here, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are so close.
Spain, Britain, France, and the United States are all big countries coming and going, always trying to control this place. So far, the United States has won. "
"Master, a group of people are digging in the soil over there. What are they doing? And why is there an American flag hanging there?"
Charlotte, looking at the sea on the left and right, was very excited to be in close contact with the two oceans.
After the excitement subsided, I looked at a group of people digging in the soil not far down the mountain, under the American flag, and felt very puzzled.
There are so many people digging in the soil, it doesn’t look like they are doing potted plants!
"Oh! That's a sign of American victory."
Of course, Tang Ning had noticed them a long time ago and knew what they were doing. They were building a canal.
"These people are building canals in preparation for connecting the two oceans!?"
"Is this like the Suez Canal?"
Charlotte, now 12 years old, is gradually able to understand the meaning of her master's words and the deeper meaning behind them.
Under Tangning's guidance, Charlotte also understood some politics.
"Master, this canal is controlled by the Americans. Doesn't that mean that the country of Panama, like Egypt, Britain and France, is controlled by the United States?"
"Charlotte, you are really my smart little maid, and you understand this now."
Charlotte enjoyed the head-touching encouragement given by her master very much.
"Of course the master taught me well!"
The little maid Charlotte, unlike the confident and proud eldest sister Marie Adelaide, has always been a very humble person.
"Master, didn't you say that America is controlled by Britain and France? How come this country is controlled by the United States?"
"Well, Britain and France are indeed powerful in America, but the United States is getting stronger and is challenging their power in some places."
Tang Ning knew about the Monroe Doctrine, and America was an America for Americans.
“Charlotte, you have to understand that the main interests of Britain and France are in Europe, and the interests of America are secondary.
You have been with me in the United States for so long, and you should feel the pride of Americans, especially for all countries in the Americas except Canada.
Americans believe that they are blessed by heaven, and all American countries should listen to him."
The Monroe Doctrine began as a political joke, but since the United States defeated Spain and became a major power, this sentence has a deeper meaning.
The United States became a third-class power, and the U.S. government gained some confidence. The Monroe Doctrine became the goal of the U.S. government's actions, and it began to take action step by step.
After all, Britain and France, although powerful in America, are too far away. The United States is testing various actions step by step, and some of them will always succeed.
Although the United States has no presence in South America, its power in North America south of Panama is getting stronger and stronger.
"Charlotte, guess how Panama became independent?"
"Independence from Spain." Charlotte said confidently.
"Master, you said that after the Napoleonic Wars, Spain's strength weakened, and the American colonies became independent one after another, leaving only some islands.
Spain is now even more in decline, and even the last of Cuba was taken away by the United States. "
"You remember correctly, but I want to tell you that Panama was separated from Colombia less than five years ago by the Americans."
Hearing Tangning's words, Charlotte was shocked and murmured to herself, "Wow, the United States is so powerful!"
"Don't be so surprised. Colombia is a small country. Mexico is ten times stronger than it. The United States has taken care of Britain and France. It is easy to split."
Of course Charlotte knows that Mexico can be bullied by the United States. The west she and her master led before was all Mexico.
"Oh, you are so weak, no wonder Panama is independent!"
Knowing that Panama is much weaker than Mexico, Charlotte is not surprised. No wonder she is bullied.
Americans, since the Spanish-American War, began to play with North American countries before World War II and penetrated into Venezuela and Colombia in South America.
Panama's independence was a glorious operation by the Americans.
The United States wanted to dig and control the Panama Canal, but although the Colombian government was terrible, it still had people with far-sighted vision and tried its best to obstruct it.
At the beginning, there was a British and French platform, and Colombia could hold on. However, after Britain and France diverted their attention due to European affairs, the Boer War and other matters, the United States gained the upper hand.
Without the support of Britain and France, Colombia immediately suffered. The large landowners supported by the United States succeeded in independence.
In Panama, the main leaders of the independence movement were the large estate owner Jose Augustine Arango and his son, as well as Thomas Arias, Federico Boyd and others.
These people have long been influenced by the United States and are spies planted in Colombia.
When Europe was paying attention to Africa, the United States launched an operation to support the rebels in taking control of Panama, and finally succeeded in achieving independence!
In March 1903, when the U.S. Secretary of War followed the president's instructions and sent intelligence personnel to the Isthmus of Panama to assist pro-American elements in organizing an independence movement, he took a fancy to the Arango father and son, and formed the "Panamanian Patriot Group" under their leadership.
In May, Manuel Amado Guerrero, a former senior official in Cologne and a long-term employee of the American Panama Railway Company, joined the "Patriot Group" and became its leader.
On June 14, the American "New York World" published an article advocating that if the Colombian government insists on going its own way and still sets up obstacles to the United States' acquisition of the French Canal Company's concession rights, the Panamanian people should break away from Colombia and become independent in order to defend their own interests.
In July, the "Patriot Group" began to discuss specific plans for an independent uprising and actively communicated with the United States to seek help.
In August, Amado went to New York to meet with Cromwell and Varya, and received news that the U.S. government would support the independence uprising. Varria said that he had received support from President Theodore Ross and Milton Hayes. Secretary John's unequivocal commitment that the U.S. government would recognize Panamanian independence and protect the revolutionaries.
On September 1, 1903, the U.S. State Department handed over documents and other items needed for the uprising to Varria, including military plans, secret codes, the Declaration of Independence, the Panamanian Constitution, the national flag, etc. Varria himself advanced 500,000 francs. To Amado as funds for the uprising.
On October 20, 1903, Amado returned to Cologne. Although he was pleased with the results of the trip, he felt that it was inappropriate to risk his own destiny, career and even life based on the promise of a Frenchman. The key was At this moment, Amado's wife Donia Maria gave him great moral support.
At this time, after lobbying by revolutionaries and a grant of US$50,000, Colombian garrison commander Esteban Huertas decided to join the "Patriot Group", which was undoubtedly a timely help for the uprising.
Soon, Amado bought a Colombian gunboat captain for $35,000. When things got to this point, the Colombian government finally noticed the abnormal trends in Panama's political situation and immediately sent two generals and 40 soldiers on a gunboat. Headed to Colon in case of emergency, but at this time the American cruiser "Nashville" suddenly entered the port of Colon, openly preventing the Colombian army from entering Panama City.
On November 3, 1903, as soon as the two generals arrived in Panama City, they were arrested by Huertas, who had rebelled, at 17:00. Amado informed the U.S. Consulate that Panama had officially severed ties with Colombia. Arango and his son In Panama City's Cathedral Square, the establishment of the Panamanian Provisional Governing Council was publicly announced. The members of the council included Panamanian elites and senior employees of Amtrak. That night, the Panama City Council held a special meeting and recognized the new regime.
On November 4, 1903, Panama held a mass rally to declare independence and elected Amado as the first president of the republic. During his speech at the meeting, Amado shouted: "Long live the Republic of Panama! Long live Roosevelt! Long live the United States!" It became an interesting fact in the history of world diplomacy.
Regarding Panama's independence, a U.S. senator wrote: The Panamanian people stood up, like 11 people! Because the Panamanian Independence Rebellion was planned by 7 Panamanians and 4 Americans with the support of the United States. "
Gustave Adolphe Meliander wrote: “Panama married the United States for cheap” and was a “mongrel state that compromised its sovereignty.” Eric Leon believes that Panama is a "country suffering from atrophy".
As soon as Panama became independent, the independent government immediately signed a traitorous treaty with the United States.
After Panama became independent, the United States immediately urged the new government to sign a canal treaty. Varria was appointed by the Panamanian government as minister to the United States and granted full authority to sign a canal treaty.
On November 18, 1903, the United States and the Republic of Panama signed the "Special Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Panama for the Construction of a Navigable Navigation River Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans", referred to as the "U.S.-Maria Treaty" or "Hai John-Buño Varria". treaty".
The treaty stipulates that the United States guarantees Panama's independence. Panama gives the United States permanent occupation and control of the 10-mile-wide canal zone with an area of 1,432 square kilometers. Some islands in the Gulf of Panama are also given to the United States for use. The United States pays Panama a one-time payment of 10 million. Dollar.
Since 1913, an annual payment of US$250,000 has been made. Article 3 even clearly stipulates that the Republic of Panama shall not exercise national sovereignty in the Canal Zone, which turns the Canal Zone into a state within a state. Article 5 stipulates that the United States shall have a permanent monopoly over all property of the Panama Canal and Railroad Company, Article 8 stipulates that all property and rights of the French Canal Company and Railroad Company shall be transferred to the United States, and Article 24 stipulates that from now on Panama No change in the political situation of the Republic shall affect the powers vested in the United States under this Treaty. The most important point in the treaty is that the United States has the right to intervene in Panama City and Colon City to maintain public order.
"The United States is so outrageous. After Panama became independent, it still maintained a state within a state in Panama."
Listen, after Tangning talked about the relationship between Panama and the United States and the importance of the canal, she immediately realized the hegemony of the United States.
"It's really excessive. It's worse than the British methods. It really comes from the same nation."
Tangning was thinking about Brazil and the current United States, and felt that it was not too late for him, otherwise he would not be able to save Brazil.
After World War I, the United States controlled North America except Canada, and after World War II, it controlled all of America except Cuba.
In this era, Brazil is mainly controlled by the British, and the British control is not strict. The British main control in the Americas is actually concentrated in Canada and Argentina.
We can’t blame the British for not doing enough. In fact, the British have a too big plate and cannot cover everything, so we just focus on a few key points.
"However, this has nothing to do with us. My destination is Brazil."
Tang Ning looked at the busy workers at the foot of the mountain and had a plan in mind.
"With the canal, Panama will definitely be developed. Taking advantage of the fact that the surrounding land prices are very cheap, now is a good time to farm. I have to start quickly to get enough profits.
Land prices are cheap both within and outside the canal zone. Especially the nearby land outside the canal zone is something you can’t miss. "
