The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 424: Chapter 348: Continuous Conflicts on the Borders

Argentina and Chile, these two countries, due to the issue of borders, led to constant conflicts and countless disputes between each other during the centuries since their founding.

If it were a regular minor conflict, although the Powers would pay attention, they would generally not interfere too much.

But if it were a major large-scale conflict, the situation in South America would inevitably be subject to the Powers' intervention.

There is no way around it; the strategic significance of this region is too high. Chile possesses the world's largest natural saltpeter mines, and saltpeter is an important raw material for making fertilizer and gunpowder.

The importance of fertilizer and gunpowder need not be emphasized; one promotes the development of agriculture while the other boosts military growth.

For the major Powers in the current chaotic world situation, the natural saltpeter mines in Chile carry undeniable significance.

Chile has always been on good terms with the British Empire, which controls all the saltpeter mines in the country.

The previous vigorous research on ammonia synthesis technology by various countries was aimed at breaking free from the British Empire's control over saltpeter mines, hence the search for a material such as synthetic ammonia that can replace saltpeter.

But given the current technology and development, synthetic ammonia is far from being a complete replacement for saltpeter.

It can only be said that it can partially replace it; the importance of saltpeter still remains high, and the British Empire always keeps an eye on the news from Chile.

The bad news is that the conflict between Argentina and Chile this time is clearly different from the past.

More precisely, the conflict between Argentina and Chile this time seems more like an extension of the previous South American naval arms race.

The South American naval arms race, triggered by Brazil's lead in building dreadnoughts, saw Brazil lose its leading position in the arms race due to a Navy rebellion.

The real cause of the uprising was actually due to conflicts between races.

Seeing Chile gradually becoming stronger and stronger, for the Argentinians, it is even more uncomfortable than losing money.

Perhaps the recent outbreak of the Second Balkan War gave the Argentinians hope.

Or maybe they made contact with a certain country, which gave the Argentinians some trump card and confidence.

In any case, in June 1913, a medium-scale military conflict broke out on the southern border between Argentina and Chile.

This conflict resulted in the deaths of about ten soldiers from both Argentina and Chile and dozens of soldiers injured.

The tension between Argentina and Chile was ignited instantly because of this conflict.

Both countries' governments and congresses have called for army preparations and to seek justice for their citizens.

Only the border soldiers know the real cause of the conflict, but the soldiers on both sides are either injured or dead. Other soldiers have different opinions, and it is difficult to determine the real responsibility for the conflict.

After the outbreak of the conflict, Argentina and Chile both sent officers to closely control their border troops.

However, it is evident that, at least on the Argentine side, the control of the border troops is not strict.

As a result, under the premise that the Chileans remain restrained, Argentina's border troops still occasionally invade Chile's borders, and the two sides seem likely to break out in conflict again.

Theoretically speaking, Chile has the support of the British Empire behind it, and Argentina cannot possibly blindly launch wars and conflicts.

But the current state of Argentina should have the corresponding trump card and confidence.

This also means that Argentina should have gained the support of the Powerful Nations, which gave them the confidence to provoke conflict with Chile, even at the risk of offending the British Empire.