"The Your Majesty, Germany people must have failed the military invasion of Gibraltar and were afraid of being condemned by the international community. Then they wanted to put pressure on us through diplomatic means and make us give up." Preto looked very sure.
"Is that so?" Alfonso XIII hesitated. He is very opinionated and thinks whatever the ministers say. This undoubtedly made him waver on this issue.
He was afraid of the outbreak of war and the destruction of Spain by the Germans, making him a subjugated king. At the same time, he was reluctant to part with the glory that would come from regaining Gibraltar.
"Your Majesty, it must be like this. The Germany people want to intimidate us and make them compromise so that they can realize their dream of occupying Gibraltar. If we are determined not to compromise, the Germany people will definitely retreat." Preto said.
Alfonso XIII Seeing that Preto said so definitely, I couldn't help but believe it.
"Your Majesty, how about we summon German Ambassador and see what conditions they have first!" Prime Minister Count Romanones suggested.
"Okay, let's do it." Alfonso XIII said.
The palace immediately sent someone to summon German Ambassador, and in less than half an hour, German Ambassador appeared at the palace.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, Gibraltar has always been the territory of Kingdom of Spain. It was just occupied by the Britain people before. Now, we will take back Gibraltar, which is legal and reasonable. I hope that German Empire will not interfere in Kingdom of Spain's internal affairs." Alfonso XIII said.
Although he is a idiot, he has been a König for so many years, and he knows what to say in this situation.
"His Majesty the King, I have already discussed this issue with your country Foreign Minister. So, I don't want to waste time saying anything else here." German Ambassador was not at all humble when facing Alfonso XIII.
Alfonso XIII's face suddenly turned ugly. Preto had already told him about his conversation with German Ambassador. He is also very dissatisfied with Germany people's strong words.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, our country needs to warn your country that we have not colluded with Britain people, let alone joined Allied Powers. Germany cannot just fabricate charges and impose them on us." Count Romanones said.
German Ambassador nodded. "Well, if you insist on this, then German Empire needs to see your sincerity. If Spain does not join Allied Powers and is not an ally of Britain people, then Gibraltar is not of much use to you. German Empire hopes that Kingdom of Spain can lease Gibraltar to us. In this case, German Empire will recognize that Kingdom of Spain has sovereignty over Gibraltar."
Alfonso XIII and others immediately began to think about what benefits this would have for them. If Germany can admit that Kingdom of Spain has sovereignty over Gibraltar, then no one can deny this. At the same time, this can be regarded as giving Spain a step up. It is much better than falling out with Germany and starting a war. In addition, you may be able to earn some rent from Germany people. This result seems to be very good.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, I wonder how much rent your country is willing to pay? How many years will the lease last?" Alfonso XIII asked.
"Your Majesty, we hope to rent Gibraltar for ninety-nine years at the price of one Mark." German Ambassador said.
"One Mark? Rent for ninety-nine years?" Alfonso XIII was stunned.
Similarly, Romanones and Preto also couldn't believe what they heard.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, this is too bullying. Mark is given every year, how can we possibly get Gibraltar on loan." Preto said angrily.
"No, Sir Foreign Minister, you heard it wrong, it is not one Mark per year, but ninety-nine years, a total of one Mark!" German Ambassador said.
"A total of one Mark in ninety-nine years, so what's the difference between giving it to you for free?" Count Romanones's face was gloomy.
"Of course there is a difference. At least the sovereignty is yours. After ninety-nine years, Gibraltar will belong to Spain. By then, no one will raise any objection to this."
"Hmph! Who can tell clearly what will happen ninety-nine years later?" Alfonso XIII was also very angry. He hated Germany people for treating him as a fool. He is almost certain that if he accepts the conditions of Germany, then Gibraltar may have something that does not belong to Spain. After the ninety-nine-year lease is up, Germany people will definitely think of other ways and ask for an extension. Unless German Empire has collapsed by then, or Kingdom of Spain has become extremely powerful, it will be possible to recover Gibraltar. However, both possibilities are too small.
"His Majesty the King, this is the Empire's Conditions. Whether you agree or not depends entirely on your country. Of course, if your country does not agree, then I am afraid you have to be prepared to bear the wrath of the Empire." German Ambassador said.
"Your Excellency, Ambassador, are you threatening us with war? Spain and Germany have no grudge. If Germany attacks Spain wantonly, it will make the whole world laugh!" Count Romanones yelled angrily.
"No, Count. This is not a war threat. German Empire does not want a war to break out with Kingdom of Spain. However, the prerequisite is that Empire's interests Empire will use all means to ensure that Empire's interests will not be harmed!" German Ambassador said with a smile on his face. However, his words made the monarchs and ministers of Kingdom of Spain feel a coldness coming from the depths of their souls.
"Okay, His Majesty the King. I hope to get a reply from your country tomorrow morning. May God bless Kingdom of Spain!" After German Ambassador finished speaking, he leaned over and saluted Alfonso XIII, and then left.
"God! This is really a war threat! The Germany people have issued a war threat to us. What should we do now? Can our army beat the Germany people?" Alfonso XIII asked in panic.
Obviously, German Ambassador's attitude just now frightened him. Now he suspected that if he did not end the conditions offered by the Germany people, the Germany people would go to war with them without hesitation.
However, if he was asked to accept Germany's request to rent Gibraltar for ninety-nine years with one Mark, he couldn't do it. In that case, his face and Kingdom of Spain's face will be completely lost.