For the British Government, the situation suddenly became very difficult. With only Spain, it would be manageable for the British Government.
But as news of frequent meetings between the Spanish Royal Family and the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Family and the Italian Royal Family emerged, the British Government also understood that these two countries had chosen to stand behind Spain.
At this time, Prime Minister Gladstone finally felt the same as the Portuguese Government did a few days earlier, unable to advance or retreat, feeling quite uncomfortable.
These lands west of Mozambique must be occupied, as it concerns the UK's Cairo-Cape Town line, and the UK absolutely cannot allow the plan to be disrupted by other nations.
