Chapter 224 John Bull's Diplomacy
Palace of Versailles
British Foreign Secretary Thomas said to Napoleon III: "Your Majesty, the Russian-Austrian alliance is too great a threat to us. Until the outbreak of the Near East War, if it were not for Austria's support, the Russians would have been unable to hold on.
Now is the chance. The Austrians want to unify the German regions, and the Russians will definitely oppose it.
Judging from the current situation, the Vienna government made concessions in exchange for supporting the Russians to gain Constantinople in exchange for their annexation of the South German region.
This deal, which seemed to be getting what everyone wanted, had problems in the process of operation. The Russians were not able to take Constantinople, while Austria swallowed the South German region in one go.
There must be many people within the tsarist government who do not want Austria's plan to be realized, so their support for Austria must be limited.
Faced with the diplomatic pressure from European countries to unite, the Austrian government could not stand the pressure. Originally, they suffered a loss in this transaction. If the Russians were found to be ineffective at this time, the Vienna government would definitely be dissatisfied.
At this time, on the condition of admitting their annexation of the South German region, we induced Austria to abandon the Russian-Austrian alliance, and the success was very high. "
The existence of the Russian-Austrian alliance has seriously threatened the core interests of Britain and France, which involves the struggle for the dominance of the European continent.
From the end of the anti-French war to the present, the reason why Russia, which has gained hegemony on the European continent, has not been able to expand externally, is not only restricted by the Vienna system, but more importantly, the tsarist government’s diplomatic means have failed, which has been boycotted by everyone.
The situation is different now. Austria and Russia have come together. Britain and France can despise Russian diplomacy, but they cannot ignore Austria's diplomatic capabilities.
Metternich was hailed as the "European Prime Minister" in this era, and the British have experienced his diplomatic skills firsthand.
Austria, with the strength at the end of the four major powers, has actually dominated the politics of the European continent for 30 years, relying on diplomatic means.
"Suppressing France, expelling Britain, and blocking Russia" was the greatest achievement of the Vienna system. By virtue of the contradictions between countries, Metternich achieved the strategic goal of using the weak to control the strong.
If Russia and Austria continue to cooperate in depth, once they achieve strategic complementarity, it will have a fatal impact on the core interests of Britain and France.
Napoleon III shook his head and said: "Mr. Thomas, we are all aware of the threat of the Russian-Austrian alliance, and I am also happy to break up this pair.
But all of what you said, the success rate that can be achieved is too low, the old fox of Metternich is not easy to deal with, I am afraid he will not be easily caught! "
Leaving aside the Fao-Austrian deal, to dismantle the Russian-Austrian alliance, the plan must be more reliable, right?
It is impossible to rely on guesswork to think that the Russians will reduce Austria's support because of jealousy, and then rashly pull Austria's back on diplomacy.
We all play politics, and when dealing with international relations, we need to focus on interests. As long as the interests are appropriate, it is not difficult to suppress personal emotions.
Thomas said calmly: "Your Majesty, the Russian-Austrian alliance is built on the basis of interests. Austria refuses to give up the alliance with the Russians because of insufficient interests.
As long as Austria is willing to give up its alliance with the Russians, we can not only support them in annexing the southern German region, but also give them the central German region, and even give them the land they are occupying the Ottomans now.
If Austria is unwilling to give up the Russian-Austrian alliance, then we must plan for the worst and directly limit Austria's strength.
We sent 100,000 troops, your country sent 200,000 troops, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sardinia, Spain sent 50,000 troops, plus the Kingdom of Prussia sent 300,000 troops to form an intervention army to force the Austrians to abandon this expansion. "
I have to say that the British are ruthless enough, and the Russian-Austrian alliance can get the benefits, even if they tear up the alliance, they can even get more.
Napoleon III fell into contemplation. From a strategic point of view, the threat of the Russian-Austrian alliance was too great, and it was no smaller than the Austrian unified German region.
For the sake of world hegemony, the British want to fight against their biggest competitors. Naturally, at this time, they can give anything.
Anyway, after offending Russia, Austria's rear is unstable, and there are French people in front of it, and it is simply powerless to dominate the European continent.
But it is different for the French. Dismantling the Russian-Austrian alliance is very important, but it is equally important to suppress the emergence of new opponents.
If the Russians are finally suppressed and Austria is brought up again, they will be busy working in vain.
The British wanted a balance on the continent. As long as the balance could be maintained, it didn't matter who was stronger or weaker. Anyway, Austria's geographical location was definitely unable to challenge sea power, and the threat to them was the smallest among the great powers.
For France, it was different. Napoleon III was also an emperor who wanted to dominate the European continent. Naturally, he could not tolerate the appearance of giants in southern Europe.
The strength gap between Austria and France is not big. The current Austrian Empire, Napoleon III is not sure that it can be suppressed, let alone the expanded Austria?
At this time, Fao Miyo had been left behind by him, and all he thought about was that Austria could not be prevented from growing, and effective measures must be taken to limit their development.
After a while, Napoleon III shook his head and said, "Mr. Thomas, your plan is too unreliable, what if we admit Austria's expansion and they turn their backs on it?
The Russian-Austrian alliance can be torn up, and it can also be re-established. In the final analysis, it is
--Benefit.
Your country's continental balance plan has actually suppressed Austria's future development. In order to go further, they will join forces with the Russians sooner or later.
If I am Nicholas I, as long as I can annex the Ottoman Empire, even if I indulge Austria to unify the German region, it is acceptable.
When Austria unifies the German region, France will be the first to bear the brunt. The Russians can completely provoke the Franco-Austrian War and then reap the benefits of the fisherman.
Your country can also sit on the sidelines and wait for the situation to change. Mr. Thomas, do you think I'm being fooled? "
Feeling the murderous aura in Napoleon III's eyes, Thomas quickly remedied: "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much, Nicholas I is not as wise as you.
Moreover, we will not watch Austria grow, and European countries do not want a giant in Central Europe.
Austria has no chance to unify the German region, at least the Kingdom of Prussia will not be able to eat it.
Don't look at the fact that Austria seems to be strong and strong. Once the war starts, as long as it is not fought in their own country, the logistics of a million army will be enough to drag them to death. "
Napoleon III said with certainty: "Mr. Thomas, no matter what you say, we in France cannot allow Austria to become bigger in order to split the Russian-Austrian alliance!"
After saying this, Napoleon III reacted instantly. Where did the British want to let Austria become bigger, they clearly wanted to curb Austria's development, so they came to stimulate him.
Thinking of this, Napoleon III looked at Thomas with disgust beyond words.
Seeing the change in Napoleon III's face, Thomas said nonchalantly: "Your Majesty, since your country wants to restrict Austria's development, then as allies, we naturally have to cooperate with your country's actions.
The aggressive war launched by the Austrians, aimed at annexing all the states in the German region, is intolerable to all righteous people.
I propose that our two countries join forces at once to stop the Austrians, and to permanently break up the German region, form an independent state outside of Prussia, and eliminate the source of war in Europe. "
Seeing the poor picture, Napoleon III knew that this was the real purpose of the British, but now he is a little unbelievable.
John Bull was too arrogant to play diplomatic tricks. In the past, his uncle Napoleon the Great was so arrogant that he was invincible all over Europe, but he still fell under the British diplomatic tricks.
Austria was able to lead the establishment of the Vienna system, which was also needed by the British for overseas colonial expansion. They did not have the energy to intervene in European affairs, so they pushed Austria to help maintain European stability.
When they are free, they will immediately come back to do things. The current war in the Near East and the process of intervening in the reunification of the German region are all carried out under the leadership of the British.
Even now, it was the British who wanted to contain the growth of Austria, but it was France who wanted to contain the development of Austria, and successfully handed over the task of pulling hatred to him.
reject? Napoleon III wanted very much to refuse, but he had no choice.
Reason told him that if France didn't start restricting Austria's development, the British would really let Austria become bigger in order to split the Russian-Austrian alliance.
This is a conspiracy, and Napoleon III can't help but jump into the pit. Now that France has defaulted, it has blocked Austria's expansion. When they expand in the future, what will Austria do? Needless to say?
It can be said that a calculation has not only curbed the development of Austria, but also made the two countries contain each other, breaking the road of alliance between the two countries, and at the same time, the French have to continue to depend on them in international politics.
Napoleon III sneered: "Mr. Thomas, is this your real goal?
But do you think Austria is a soft persimmon, where are the intervening coalition forces of various countries?
I don't think France will be able to get the Austrians to make concessions with a few threats before the coalition appears.
But Mr. Thomas is eloquent. Why don't you go on behalf of France and let Metternich bow his head! "
Is the coalition so easy to organize? Before the plan is exposed, there is no problem in fooling Prussia into participating. Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Sardinia have always followed the lead of the British, and it is not difficult for them to send troops.
Switzerland, a neutral country, is full of food, why should it send troops to offend the nearby Austria? Whether Austria grows or not has nothing to do with the Spaniards, why do they go to this puddle of water?
Napoleon III didn't think that France would take the blame in the end. If the Austrians did not surrender and the war broke out, where would he cry?
Fighting is also killing people. In normal times, Napoleon III was not cowardly, but he was not crazy when he started a war with Austria at the same time as the Russians.
Thomas said confidently: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, we have resolved the issue of interfering with the coalition forces.
Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium can get some German territories in return, and Spain and Portugal can get rewards for colonizing overseas.
As long as our two countries have the same position, they will not dare to reject our goodwill.
Once the Austrians chose war, the Royal Navy blocked the Adriatic Sea, cutting off their overseas trade routes.
Considering the actual situation, I think the possibility of the Austrian government giving in is very high. As long as we show our intention to form a coalition, they will compromise.
Moreover, we do not want to kill with a stick, such as the Bavarian kingdom that the Austrians have occupied.
for them to annex.
The London government just wants to dismantle the Russian-Austrian alliance, and does not want to make the Russian-Austrian alliance closer, so military intervention is only the worst plan.
What do you think the Russians would do if we intervened by force, Your Majesty?
Are they risking their troops to join forces with Austria to attack the Kingdom of Prussia, or are they confronting us in the Near East and verbally supporting Austria? "
After listening to Thomas' explanation, Napoleon III only felt thunderous, and the British had calculated too many things.
Almost all the countries in Europe were wiped out. Except for Denmark and Sweden in Northern Europe, which were too close to the bears, they were unable to win over. Other countries were forced to stand in line.
Even if the Russian-Austrian alliance still exists, most European countries stand on their opposite sides, and it is so awesome to have sea power.
The world's No. 1 and the world's No. 2 naval power join forces, and the three colonial countries of Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands have no choice at all.
Belgium is determined by its geographical location, and it must hold the thighs of Britain and France; the Kingdom of Sardinia wants revenge against Austria; Switzerland and the Habsburg Dynasty have a feud, and if they offend Britain and France again, they will not be able to get along at all.
Napoleon III said coldly: "Since this is the case, then this plan should be proposed by our two countries together.
It is better for Mr. Thomas to go there for the Russians, as long as the Russians are not firm enough, the plan will come to fruition. "
Thomas said blankly: "Your Majesty, don't forget that the plan to divide the German region was proposed by the Russians. Presumably, the Austrians will have a very exciting face when they know about this plan."
Not to be outdone, Napoleon III said: "The premise is that the Prussians do not know our follow-up plan, otherwise they choose to join forces with Austria to divide up the German region.
By then, all these plans had come to nothing. Prussia and Austria are growing at the same time, your country's interests in the German region are not guaranteed, and you will have to add a competitor in the future. "
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