Chapter 630 - 297: Public Endorsement (Part 2)

As expected, the statement from the Spanish Government and Carlo was once again disseminated in Portuguese newspapers, sparking widespread discussion among the Portuguese.

Previously, the Portuguese were fighting alone. Although they were extremely angry at the behavior of the British, they also knew that their government had no good solutions.

Now, with the public support of the Spanish Government and King of Spain, Carlo, it can be said that Portugal no longer has any worries and needn’t humble themselves before the aggressive British.

On the side of the British Government, Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone naturally also noticed the public opinion dynamics of the two Iberian Peninsula countries.

Upon hearing the news, Prime Minister Gladstone angrily smashed several treasured artifacts. He did not expect Portugal to gain Spain’s support and was surprised that the matter was leaked to the Portuguese, causing widespread public outrage.

If it were only Portugal, even if every Portuguese were offended, it wouldn’t be a significant matter.

But if you include Spain, it would form a strong opposing force. Although this force is still not as powerful as the British Empire, for the many enemies the British have made, this would be quite a trouble.

However, trouble or not, for the sake of Britain’s colonial plans, Prime Minister Gladstone could not allow any compromise.

Portuguese concessions would cause public outrage among the Portuguese, and would not the British also be outraged if Prime Minister Gladstone made concessions?

As the most powerful nation in the world today, if Britain chooses to back down when facing Portugal and Spain, it would be quite the spectacle.

The British would not consider the diplomatic implications; they would only care about their Prime Minister backing down when at an advantage, then furiously denounce this cowardly Prime Minister.

An enraged Prime Minister Gladstone once again summoned the Portuguese ambassador. His face was ashen, his gaze fierce as he stared at the Portuguese ambassador, trying to discern panic in the other’s eyes: "Mr. Ambassador, please tell me exactly what your country’s choice is?

If Portugal wishes to forfeit its friendship with the United Kingdom, we don’t mind having one more adversarial nation. The glory of the British Empire cannot be trampled upon. If your country is determined to oppose us, then please prepare for war!"

The Portuguese ambassador sighed helplessly and said: "Please forgive us, Prime Minister. Our government does not intend to oppose the United Kingdom, but due to the leaked information, this matter has already caught the attention of many people.

If the news of abandoning the colonies is made public at this time, it will cause great turmoil. Therefore, we ask for some time; Portugal is willing to make the corresponding efforts to maintain our friendship."

"Information leaked?" Prime Minister Gladstone sneered sarcastically and said: "This matter is only known to our two governments. There is no way we leaked it. If information was leaked, wouldn’t it only be possible for your government?"

"No, Prime Minister." The Portuguese ambassador shook his head, a bitter smile and helplessness on his face, and explained: "At the time we received your country’s request, we had no intention of abandoning the colonies, so we sought assistance from Spain.

This also led to Spain obtaining the information and them leaking it to the public.

The development exceeded our expectations, but Portugal has no intention of abandoning friendship with your country. Give us more time; once public opinion has calmed, we are willing to resume talks with your country."

For Portugal, no matter whether Spain leaked the information, at this moment, it must be that the Spanish government leaked it.

This way, they can shirk their responsibility and meanwhile gain more time to calm domestic public opinion.

The Portuguese ambassador was also quite resentful of the potentially leaking Spanish government. If not for the Spanish government’s leak, the Portuguese government would not be in such a difficult decision.

As long as they could keep it from the Portuguese people, even if they ultimately abandoned the colonies, they could negotiate some form of compensation to appease the public.

But now, with a large portion of the Portuguese people’s focus on whether the government will yield under British pressure, the Portuguese government cannot proceed according to the initial plan.

In the current public opinion environment, if news broke that the Portuguese government decided to yield and that the British were taking over the southern Congo colony, there might be uprisings and revolts breaking out within Portugal by the next day, and the Kingdom of Portugal would be close to ruin.

"Spain?" Prime Minister Gladstone thought of the reaction of the Spanish Government and King Carlo after the news was exposed, then sneered, looking at the Portuguese ambassador, and said: "Regardless of whether Spain is the one who leaked, the leak is related to your government.

If your country does not wish to destroy the friendship with the United Kingdom, I expect to see more tangible actions. During this period, your country must completely cease colonization in the southern Congo, and be ready to hand over territories like Barotseland and the Mwata Kazembe Kingdom.

Once public opinion has calmed, I hope to carry out the colony transfer at the earliest possible time. If there are any more unexpected developments, I would not hesitate to use military means to acquire this land."

The Portuguese ambassador nodded repeatedly. Being able to get a period to calm domestic public opinion was already a fairly good result.