Chapter 177 The Outbreak of the War in the Near East

On February 21, 1852, the Ottoman Empire rejected the rude Russian demands, the Constantinople negotiations ended in failure, and the Russo-Turkish war was inevitable.

This is not unexpected by everyone, and no one else can agree to the Russian request.

If it's just a little bit of scrap, maybe the decadent Ottoman government will endure it, but if you want to swallow them in one bite, there is no way to compromise.

A week later, the Sudanese government also rejected Austria's conditions, and the war entered a countdown.

From a military perspective, it is very unwise to fight on two fronts.

In theory, let Austria occupy Moldavia and Wallachia, Russia and Turkey will be separated in the Balkans, and the military pressure of the Ottoman Empire will be much less.

However, politically speaking, the Sudanese government cannot compromise at all. At this time, it shows a hint of weakness, and the support of Britain and France may change.

Maybe Britain and France will compromise with the Russians. When the four major powers come together to carve up the Ottoman Empire, it will really be over.

Although the Ottoman Empire is rotten, they are still a "powerful country" on the surface. Before the essence of weakness is exposed, Britain and France still have confidence in them.

The four major powers in Europe are divided into two waves. The remaining countries are naturally neutral and neutral. They follow the footsteps of their bosses and shout, and even if they participate in the war, how can everyone be civilized people fight and kill?

The Ottoman Empire has a very bad reputation in Europe, and of course the Russians don't have a much better reputation. They are considered bad brothers and are unpopular in Europe.

It's just that the reputation of the Ottoman Empire is even worse, and Franz sent people to find out the old accounts of the Ottomans, so the support of the Russians in public opinion is even higher.

The response of the people gave the Russians confidence. Nicholas I called himself the liberator of Christ, and Franz also carried this banner.

On March 27, 1852, the Russian Empire officially declared war on the Ottoman Empire, and the Ninth Russo-Turkish War broke out.

On March 28, under the orders of Nicholas I, the Russian army launched an attack on the Ottoman Empire.

This time, the tsarist government was very disciplined, operating in strict accordance with international practice, and did not engage in any undeclared war.

Vienna

Before the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, the Russians informed Austria in accordance with the covenant, and Franz immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for war, and at the same time held two enlarged meetings of military and political.

Marshal Radesky pointed to the military map and analyzed: "Everyone, please see, according to the judgment of our General Staff, this time the Russians have three offensive routes to choose from.

First, from the Caucasus; second, from the Balkans; third, from the sea.

The Russian army's attack from the Caucasus region has little to do with us and can be ignored.

If they attack from the Balkans, they will have to occupy Moldavia and Wallachia first, which is our sphere of influence as agreed.

Then we must take action, otherwise the westward strategy will be broken. As long as the Russians leak out the secret agreement, the three countries of Britain, France and Prussia will stare at us.

If they attacked from the sea, there would be more options for landing, including port cities on the Black Sea coast of the Ottoman Empire.

Militarily, all three routes of attack are feasible, and the Russians may choose one or two of them, or attack all three together. "

With Britain and France not intervening, the Russians have too many options. The decaying Ottoman Empire is full of loopholes and simply impossible to guard against.

Once Britain and France intervened, the sea attack ceased to exist. It’s okay for the Black Sea Fleet to bully the Ottoman Navy, but it can only deliver food when it encounters the British and French navies.

For Austria, the most embarrassing thing for them was that the Russians fought along the Balkans, and if the Russians occupied the Danube valley, it would be difficult for them to withdraw.

As for the covenant, from the moment it was signed, it was used to tear it up. As long as the interests are large enough, any alliance is unreliable.

Metternich thought for a while and said: "The westward strategy must not be exposed. If it attracts the attention of various countries, it will be difficult for us to unify the southern German region."

Everyone nodded their heads one after another. Austria had paid too much for the westward strategy. If it was exposed at a critical moment, it would be a big loss.

What Austria wants to unify the South German region is not to destroy the South German region.

If there is a sudden attack, with the help of the Leading Party, Munich will be occupied for the first time, and the war can basically be declared over.

In essence, the westward strategy is "three parts military and seven parts politics". Austria's government of these states is mainly based on political lure, and military strikes are only auxiliary.

If the plan is exposed, and with the support of the foreign powers, South Germany and Austria will fight to the end, even if they win, it will not be worth the loss in the end.

If there is more blood on both sides, it will be difficult to rule these places. Austria annexed southern Germany to enhance national strength, not to increase trouble.

Marshal Radesky thought for a while and said, "Then we have only two options, one is to immediately launch a westward strategy and catch them off guard.

Only in this way, the possibility of French intervention is very high, and we have to prepare for a war with the French first.

Second, continue to implement the alternative Balkan strategy and release smoke bombs to the outside world.

As long as we start a war in the Balkans, it will be a Russian-Austrian secret pact

If it is leaked, Britain and France will also be misled by us. "

It is obviously not in Austria's interest to start now. This is to act as a scapegoat for the Russians. Austria chose France, and even with the support of the British, the Ottoman Empire could not stop the Russians.

It is not easy to release smoke bombs. It is easy to provoke a war, but difficult to quell it. Maybe the Anglo-French Allied Forces ran over to take Austrian operations before looking for the Russians' bad luck.

Prime Minister Felix said with a serious look: "We have long expected this situation. Once the Russians take military action, we will follow up immediately. They can attack along the Balkans.

However, we must also send troops to occupy the two principalities of the Danube Valley. Russia cannot be swallowed in one bite.

As long as the Russian-Turkish war cannot be resolved quickly, they cannot do without our support, and the Russians will not default at this time. "

Franz nodded in agreement, and that's it. No strategy can be guaranteed to be foolproof. Naturally, as an emperor, you cannot rush ahead, and you must leave room for buffering.

If something happens in the middle and the plan fails, someone has to take the blame? Cabinet is the most suitable choice, politics is so cruel.

Of course, Franz is a good boss, and it's okay to help him take the blame. At most, he will be driven home for a few years, and he can come back after the limelight.

This kind of thing has not happened too much in history. Almost every successful emperor has played this way.

...

On March 28, 1852, after the Russians, Austria also submitted a gauntlet to the Ottoman Empire, and the War in the Near East expanded.

Constantinople

After receiving the war letter from the Russians and Austria, the Sudanese government gave up the last hope, and Abdul Mejid I also declared war on the two countries tit for tat.

In terms of courage, Abdul Majid I was still a qualified emperor and did not back down at this time.

In theory, Abdul Mejid I now has a million troops under his command. With the support of Britain and France, they have replaced them with modern weapons. As a defensive side, they are not without the power to fight.

"What did the British and French representatives say, when will they be able to send reinforcements?" Abdul Mejid I asked with concern

The Foreign Secretary replied: "Your Majesty, the representatives of Britain and France have expressed their support for us, but it will take some time to send reinforcements.

If we agreed, the British and French navies could immediately enter the Black Sea and suppress the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Britain and France also agreed to let the instructors who help us train our troops join the war, but they must participate in the war as commanders. "

It is easy to ask God to send God off, it is easy to ask the British and French fleets to enter the Black Sea, but it is difficult to let them leave.

Suppressing the Russian Black Sea Fleet is only one aspect. For Britain and France, controlling the Black Sea Strait can also increase their voice in the Ottoman Empire, which is accompanied by a lot of economic benefits.

Abdul Majid I frowned. He knew that the aid of Britain and France was not easy to get. He didn't put forward conditions before. Isn't that waiting here?

Before the outbreak of the War in the Near East, how could the concessions that the Ottoman Empire be able to make have been greater after the outbreak of the war?

Now it's time to see it. The military instructors sent by Britain and France participated in the war as commanders. This is to ask the Ottoman government for the command of the army.

Once the sultan government made a compromise, it would be difficult for the Ottoman Empire to get rid of British and French control in the future. This is a conspiracy, even if Abdul Mejid I knew that there was a pit ahead, he had to jump down.

"Tell them, as long as the British and French reinforcements can arrive in advance, I will agree!" Abdul Mejid I said through gritted teeth

For him, agreeing to such conditions is undoubtedly an insult to his dignity, but reality has no choice.

When the war in the Near East broke out, the Ottoman Empire could not do without the support of Britain and France. Weapons and equipment need to be provided by Britain and France, military expenses need to be provided by Britain and France, and reinforcements from Britain and France are needed to win the war.

...

On March 28, 1852, the Russian army launched an offensive in the Caucasus; on March 29, the Russian army attacked the Danube River Basin, and Austria also sent troops to the Danube River Basin on the same day.

Facing the simultaneous attack of the Russians and Austria, the self-governing governments of the two principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia surrendered very neatly.

There is no bloody war for the Ottoman Empire. The Romanians have no intention of working for the sultan, and they have not resisted the Ottoman Empire for a day or two.