Chapter 838 Spanish Gold

Starting in April 1935, the situation in Spain became even more chaotic. 6̾̾

Why is it more confusing? Because in addition to France, Russia also joined in and began to support the Spanish Republic.

So the question is, why did Russia, which had kept a low profile since the end of the civil war, stand up to support the Spanish Republic?

This has to mention the problems that Russia’s special ideas have brought to Russia.

In the whole of Europe, Russia has no allies. Except for the Spanish republican government, which has some trends, other countries are either capital-controlled or monarchy, which is far from the Russian political system.

Moreover, Russia has another consideration in supporting Spain, which is to limit the expansion speed of Germany and Italy.

After all, Russia is also a neighbor of Germany. Germany's strength is not a good thing for Russia.

With the transportation of a batch of weapons and equipment from Russia to Spain, the Spanish Republic's army regained a certain degree of combat effectiveness and entered into battles with the German and Italian armies.

Compared with Germany and Italy, the Russian government is not that crazy. In order not to offend Britain and France and not violate the non-expansion treaty previously agreed with Britain and France, Russia only supported a batch of weapons and equipment to the Spanish government and had no plans to send troops to help the Spanish Republic government in combat.

But we have to admit that the weapons and equipment provided by Russia to the Spanish government did play a vital role.

When the German and Italian armies almost captured Madrid, this batch of weapons and equipment allowed the Spanish Republican government to persist for a while.

But precisely because of this, the relations between Germany and Italy and Russia have deteriorated somewhat.

However, the German government still has the idea of ​​​​carving up Poland with Russia, but it has not protested against Russia's actions.

In any case, because of Russia's entry, the situation in Spain has become more chaotic, and the Spanish people have suffered greater pain as they face the increasingly fierce civil war.

"What? The Spanish Republican government still holds a large amount of gold reserves?" Arthur was a little surprised and looked at the former King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, who was still staying in Australasia.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Alfonso XIII nodded, not regretting his betrayal of the Spanish government: "When the Spanish royal family fled Spain, more than 200 tons of gold were left behind in the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Coupled with the Spanish government's long-term gold reserves, the current Spanish government holds at least more than 500 tons of gold, which is why they can persist in fighting. "

"More than 500 tons of gold?" Arthur touched his beard and had an idea about the Spanish government's large gold reserves.

"It seems like we may have to intervene in this civil war." Arthur nodded, having already changed his plans for Europe.

"Your Majesty Alfonso, please rest assured that after the Spanish Civil War is over, I will consider helping the Spanish royal family restore the throne. As long as there are no accidents, you will become the King of Spain again within five years." Arthur smiled and nodded. He nodded and drew a pie for Alfonso XIII.

Judging from the current situation in Europe, accidents are bound to happen in Europe, and Spain will definitely not be an exception.

This also means that it is impossible for Alfonso XIII to become the King of Spain again within five years, unless World War II ends within five years.

But Arthur wanted to completely weaken Britain and France through this World War II. This also means that this World War II cannot be short, and it is very difficult to end it within five years.

Alfonso XIII had to wait at least five years if he wanted to become King of Spain again.

Historically, Alfonso XIII died in 1941, and the cause of death was illness. In this world, if he stayed in Australasia, he might be able to avoid the fate of dying of illness in 1941, and he might even be able to regain the throne of Spain at the end of his life.

Now that he knew that the Spanish government had more than 500 tons of gold reserves, it was naturally impossible for Arthur to let go of the gold.

No matter when, gold is very important to a country. Since the beginning of the gold standard, gold has been related to a country's currency stability and economic conditions, and people's daily lives are completely inseparable from gold.

Although the gold standard has now been cancelled, gold is still very important.

In addition to domestic economic factors, the strength of each country's currency is also influenced by the amount of gold reserves it holds.

In other words, the more gold reserves you have, the higher the value retention rate of the currency issued by the country.

As long as sufficient gold reserves can be accumulated during World War II, the Australian dollar will be able to impact the status of the world currency after the end of World War II, and even gradually replace the British pound.

Becoming a world currency means that Australasia has the capital to control the world economy.

What is the Australian dollar? It's just paper that the Australasian government can print at will. This is what later generations of dollars did.

The United States can simply print a large amount of U.S. dollars and let other countries in the world that use U.S. dollars bear their own debts.

As long as the US dollar collapses, it will affect the economic order of the world and be a huge blow to some countries that are extremely dependent on the US dollar.

This also leads to the fact that in the future dollar countries, even if they know that the United States will extract income from other countries by printing dollars, all countries can only bear it silently.

If the U.S. dollar really collapses, the losses to itself will not necessarily be much less than the income extracted by the United States.

If this triggers an economic crisis, it will be even worse.

How to get this gold from the Spanish government? The simplest and most effective way is to exchange interests with the Spanish government.

What does the Spanish government need most at this time? Of course, there are a large number of weapons and equipment, strategic materials urgently needed for the war, as well as food, medicine, etc. that are very needed by the army and the people.

As it happens, Australasia has hoarded a large amount of strategic supplies, food, medicine and medical equipment, and can export these supplies in exchange for Spanish gold.

Why is Arthur so sure that the Spanish government will exchange gold for these supplies?

Because the Spanish government has reached its most critical moment at this time. Although Russia had provided a batch of weapons and equipment support before, it was only a drop in the bucket.

German and Italian weapons and equipment are still being shipped to Spain in a steady stream, and even their armies are constantly being rotated.

Under such circumstances, it is impossible for Spain to consume the two major powers of Germany and Italy.

For the final survival of the Spanish government, I believe that the Spanish government will make a wise decision and use gold in exchange for a greater chance of victory.

Without further ado, the Australasian government immediately contacted the Spanish government and expressed its willingness to support Spain.

This is a timely help for Spain. Under pressure from Germany and Italy, few countries in Europe would support Spain.

Even France and Russia have limited support. They do not dare to risk offending Germany and Italy to help Spain, a small and medium-sized country in Europe.

Australasia also quickly put forward its own conditions, which was to export a large amount of weapons and equipment to Spain in exchange for Spain's gold reserves.

As a sign of sincerity, Australasia can sell a large amount of weapons and equipment to Spain, as well as precious medicines including penicillin.

This is a difficult choice for the Spanish government. Once it agrees to the Australasian government's request, it means that the Spanish government will lose a large amount of gold reserves and allow gold to flow to Australasia.

But if you don't agree to the Australasian government's request, what can you do to keep this gold?

If the Spanish government perishes, won't this gold become the property of the Spanish National Army, Germany, and Italy?

Anyway, the final result is to throw away this batch of gold. It is better to let this batch of gold play its due value and exchange for more weapons, equipment and strategic resources for the Spanish government.

With this in mind, the Spanish government agreed to Australasia's request after hesitating for several days.

Of course, the Spanish government also made further demands.

These include that the Australasian government must send a team of military advisers.

This military advisory team will help the Spanish government reform the Spanish army, and at the same time help the Spanish army acquire weapons and equipment from Australasia more quickly.

Secondly, when the Spanish government uses gold to purchase supplies, the value of gold should be equal to 1.2 times its actual value.

The current exchange rate between the Australian dollar and gold has dropped to 1:1.03.

According to the requirements of the Spanish government, the original value of 500 tons of gold should be equal to 515 million Australian dollars. Based on its 1.2 times value, the Spanish government requires 500 tons of gold to purchase supplies of at least 618 million Australian dollars.

Such a request was actually quite normal, and Arthur agreed without even thinking about it.

Although currency can be exchanged for gold, this does not mean that the value of currency and gold are equal.

Money can be printed at will, but gold can only be mined.

By exchanging 500 tons of gold for 618 million Australian dollars in supplies, Australasia will definitely not lose money.

After all, the cost of these 618 million Australian dollars of supplies will never exceed the actual value of 500 tons of gold.

Coupled with the importance of gold to the country, under Arthur's order, the Australasian government quickly signed relevant agreements with the Spanish government, and immediately began trade in strategic materials.

Half a month after the agreement was signed, the first batch of weapons and equipment containing 200,000 rifles, 500 machine guns, 1,200 artillery pieces and corresponding bullets and shells, along with food and medical supplies worth more than 10 million Australian dollars, were transported to Spain.

In order to ensure the safety of the supplies, this batch of supplies will be escorted by Australasian warships, pass through the Mediterranean Sea, and directly arrive at the coast controlled by the Spanish Republic government.

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