Chapter 677 Law of the Jungle

Franz's worries were superfluous, and the tsarist government had already begun to do so without waiting for the Vienna government's reminder.

It's just that the means are a little immature, it may be that there is no preparation in advance, and the evidence provided by the Russians is not convincing enough.

There are no movies yet, makeup has not become one of the four major magic arts, and the special effects don't even have shadows. It is still difficult to fake photos.

No, to be precise, the Tsarist government has no concept of fraud at all.

The Berlin government has launched a public opinion offensive, and the Prussian army on the front line has long been ordered to abide by military discipline. It is naturally not easy to catch the Prussian army at this time.

Many of the photographic evidence provided by the tsarist government were sponsored by the Austrian government.

These were accidentally shot by the Austrian military when they were collecting information on the battlefield. There were very few actual shots on the ground, and most of them were shot on airships.

Naturally, the sharpness cannot be expected, and it is good to be able to see the silhouette in a blur. On the one hand, it is flying too high, and on the other hand, the camera is not advanced enough.

If it weren't for the fact that the newspaper office was trying to stir up controversy for the sake of sales, the evidence provided by the tsarist government would probably have been suppressed without even a single spray.

Anyway, it's better to have something to contend with than nothing. By convention, this kind of public opinion usually strays from the topic.

In the words of the instructor: "The Russian army is a bandit, and the Prussian army is a bandit." In short, it is not a good thing.

After you sing, I will come on stage. This winter, the performances of Prussia and Russia have made the European people watch a great show.

As the temperature dropped, the Russian-Prussian war gradually eased. After the winter, the non-combat attrition of the Prussian army increased day by day. In order to reduce losses, Mao Qi had to stop the offensive.

Hairy bears are indeed more resistant to freezing, but they also need to accumulate and use strategic supplies this winter. Unless victory can be guaranteed this winter, the Russian army must stop.

There is no way to do this. After the spring, the snow and ice melt, the roads are muddy, and the transportation of materials is very difficult.

Having suffered from a shortage of supplies once, the bureaucrats of the tsarist government have evolved. It's good to crush the enemy in an upright manner, so why take the risk?

Of course, the "Winter Offensive" is still needed. The Russian army continued to fight against Smolinsk. This fortress city happened to be on the Dnieper River, and water transportation was very convenient.

Forget about other areas, they are already on the defensive. Isn't it good to use the winter to reinforce the fortifications? Why go out and fight the enemy in the field?

...

The Russian-Prussian battlefield stabilized, and the South American war underwent earth-shaking changes. The Peruvian-Bolivian alliance, which had the upper hand, gradually fell into a disadvantage after the British shot.

Two months ago, 7,000 Chilean soldiers, escorted by 6 warships, landed near the Iquique fortress and successfully defeated the Peru-Bolivian coalition, and the balance of power between the two sides was reversed.

Looking at the intelligence collected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Franz didn't know how to complain. Mud can't support the wall, it's Bolivia.

Who would have thought that the Bolivian army was still using bows and crossbows?

If there is no way, only these weapons are fine. The problem was that Bolivia had Austrian support and bought a lot of second-hand equipment before the war broke out.

Franz admitted that the time was a little short, and that the Bolivian army was filled with a large number of Indians, and it was indeed difficult to change clothes without training.

But no matter how difficult it is, you have to get on it! The basics are too poor to be well-trained, and it is always possible to teach them to shoot.

From the preparation for the war to the fall of Iquique, it took half a year before and after. The army is not the navy, so if you hold on to Buddha's feet temporarily, you can still train a war-worthy army in a few months.

Franz no longer cares about the internal Bolivian issues involved behind this. Now he is just glad to let go in time and did not continue to support this "A Dou".

Not only is the Bolivian army rubbish, but the victorious Chilean army is not bad either. Dealing with such a rabble, he has been busy for so long.

A relatively bad war is completely worthless, and it can't even learn lessons from experience. Franz was very suspicious that putting the Principality of Montenegro in South America would be able to become a hegemon.

Originally, he was worried that after the rise of Chile, Austrian South America would be in danger, but now Franz is relieved. If there is a fight, it is estimated that the Chilean army will not be able to defeat the local militia.

The South American war is no longer called the "Pacific War". Compared with the tragic Prussian-Russian war, the wars between Chile and Bolivia and Peru are completely children's games.

The European media has replaced the original "Pacific War" with "guano war" or "salt petro war", and the sarcasm is completely undisguised.

Franz now understands why the European people are so arrogant. It's not that they are arrogant, nor that they are short-sighted, they are all brought out by their opponents.

In the 19th century, the center of the world was in Europe. In this era, all the major powers in the world gathered on the European continent. Looking around the world, I could not find a single challenger.

If the original time and space did not have a world war, this advantage would continue for many years. History has no ifs, and a world war is both a coincidence and a necessity.

Even in continental Europe today, Franz cannot guarantee that war will never break out. To put it bluntly, war is a continuation of politics, and politics is motivated by interests.

...

Foreign Minister Wesenberg: "Your Majesty, the Chilean Minister extended an invitation to us this morning, hoping that we can intervene in the Pacific War,

Britain and France were also invited. "

It's not surprising that since the three countries of Britain, France and Austria announced their alliance, the three countries are responsible for mediating conflicts in the world.

Even if no one is invited, the Three Kingdoms will come to serve them on their own. The euphemism is for "world peace", but the real purpose is naturally...

After looking at the map of South America, Franz said after a while: "This Chilean government is not bad. If you know it's good, you can close it, but will Peru and Bolivia agree?"

The Chileans have occupied Antofagasta, Tarapaca, Arica, Tacna and other regions, which happen to be the main producers of saltpeter and guano.

The desired benefits have been obtained, and the war continues, and no greater benefits can be obtained. The Chilean government chooses to settle down, which is undoubtedly the most sensible choice.

If the war continues, it will be possible to obtain greater benefits. I don’t know if it is delayed until the end of the Prussian-Russian war, and France and Austria will turn their attention to South America again, and it will be difficult to eat the spoils again.

Wesenberg replied: "I'm afraid it will be difficult. Militarily, Peru and Bolivia still have a fight.

Especially Peru, their population is much larger than Chile, the losses are still within the range, and there is still a chance for a comeback if they continue to fight.

Politically, the situation is more pronounced. Affected by the defeat on the front line, both Peru and Bolivia changed governments, and the atmosphere of civil war was strong, and they could not help but retreat.

Chile invited us to intervene, mainly to use our strength and that of Britain and France to force the two governments to compromise. "

"Maintaining world peace" is the banner + political platform of the alliance of Britain, France and Austria. Now that the slogan has been shouted, the Vienna government cannot refuse the Chilean government's invitation to mediate, even for the sake of face.

Not only this "mediation" invitation, any country in the world invites "mediation", and the three countries will send people to participate.

Britain, France and Austria are so actively involved in international affairs that it is not without purpose. Seemingly pure international mediation is actually a division of regional interests.

As the three most powerful countries in the world today, as long as they participate, they can take a share more or less. This is the essence of the era of imperialism.

"Let's go through the motions, we don't have much interest in South America, if Peru and Bolivia want to continue the war, let them continue.

As a responsible big country, we must fully respect the opinions of small countries and cannot blindly impose our will on them. "

While speaking, Franz waved his hand, as if he didn't care about this matter. However, the frown between his brows revealed his inner unwillingness.

At this time of the truce, there was no doubt that the British took the lead, followed by Chile to eat meat, and France and Austria to fight soy sauce and share soup.

Similar things have not just happened once or twice. If you suffer too many times, you will always be dissatisfied.

In this era of the strong eating the weak, it is understandable that how much strength can get as much benefit as possible, but the strength ratio between Britain, France and Austria is constantly changing, but the distribution of benefits has not changed with the change of strength.

Inciting Peru and Bolivia to continue the war was a counterattack by Franz. Since the British want to take the best interest, keep investing!

If the Mystic Wave Alliance is lucky and turns over on the battlefield, the situation will be very different. Franz didn't mind taking a gamble, despite the odds.

If the bet is lost, the British will be blocked; if the bet is won, it can also shake the British's hegemony in South America.

From Austria's standpoint, it's worth it no matter how you look at it.

As for Peru and Bolivia, the path is chosen by oneself, and it will be finished with tears.

Not forcing them to cede land and pay indemnity to end the war is the greatest respect in itself.

Austria is not a pure flicker of white teeth, and there are still weapons and ammunition assistance. Although they all have to pay, in wartime, being able to get loans, arms and ammunition is a kind of support in itself.

No matter what the cause of the "guano war" was, it doesn't matter now.

For Peru and Bolivia, the enemy has already fought, and now the purpose of the war is no longer the competition for guano and saltpeter, but the territorial defense.

Since it is to protect the family and the country, it is natural to have to do it by yourself, and can you expect others to fail?

...