Chapter 856

There is no accident, as a responsible power, Austria naturally provides security protection to Belgium and North Germany.

On August 1, 1888, Franz issued the "Message to the People of Europe", which made it clear that Austria would be committed to maintaining the balance and stability of the European continent and resolutely fight against the evil forces that disrupt the European order.

As for whether the two governments can believe it, I don't know. However, this announcement is still positive and has won widespread support from public opinion.

With Austria's commitment, the two countries also gained some confidence at the negotiating table.

There is really only a trace, because the two countries involved will suffer the most from the outbreak of the war. No one knows who will win in the end between France and Austria. Anyway, they are the losers in the middle.

The fact that the two governments can be rational does not mean that the people will also be rational. After receiving the affirmative reply from Austria, a massive anti-French movement broke out among the people of the two countries.

In Brussels, demonstrators have blocked the streets, and even in the deep palace, Leopold II can clearly hear the protests of the people.

No doubt, all are asking the government to be tough on the law. Nationalism was on the rise, and the French offered conditions that galvanized everyone's self-esteem.

Prime Minister Auguste: "Your Majesty, we cannot back down now. The French will not die, this is just the beginning.

Blind concessions will not only fail to solve the problem, but will also make the French think that we are weak and can be bullied, making us even more aggressive. "

Obviously, Austria's clear position and the support of mainstream public opinion in Europe still affected the Belgian government.

Prime Minister Auguste, who has always been mature and prudent, was also annoyed by the unreasonable demands of the French, and turned to support toughness.

Leopold II nodded, and he also wanted to be tough, but he didn't know what to do!

It is true that Belgium and Austria have a secret agreement, but it will take time for the Austrian reinforcements to arrive before the outbreak of the war. In the early stage, they still have to bear it first. The possibility of the battlefield in Belgium is as high as 99.99%...

In case the Austrians are cowardly, or arrive a few days late, Belgium will cease to exist. Leopold II had no confidence in stopping the French invasion.

It cannot be stopped militarily, and it cannot be retreated politically and economically.

If you look at the people gathered outside, you will know that if you really agree to the unreasonable demands of the French, the country will explode first.

Economically, not to mention, the Belgian government is waiting to go bankrupt if it loses such a large profit!

Leopold II asked: "How is the communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Germans, do they agree to advance and retreat with us?"

Foreign Secretary Jules shook his head and sneered: "The Germans are busy communicating with the British, hoping that the London government will interfere in the actions of the French."

Leopold II was very surprised and asked: "Don't they have brains?

If you want to interfere with others, you have already stated your position. At this time, it is simply whimsical to expect the British to interfere! "

It was no surprise that Leopold II knew that Britain and France had just formed an alliance, no matter what, at this point in time, the British government would not turn its back on them and their most important ally.

Even Austria, which is most likely to interfere, has only stated its position now and has not directly intervened in this negotiation.

In Leopold II's view, instead of continuing to entangle with the British, it is better to take the opportunity to promote the alliance of the three kingdoms of Bideo and jointly curb the expansion of the French.

Foreign Secretary Jules explained: "It may be that the British gave Hannover some promises, and George I has always rejected moving closer to Austria.

However, other states in the German region are communicating with Austria. The Grand Duke of Baden will visit Vienna in the near future, which may also have something to do with this incident. "

Despite the fact that the North German Confederation is a mess, everyone has the same goal when it comes to safeguarding national interests.

It is unrealistic for the British to withdraw from the International Coal Export Union and continue to maintain high coal prices with the French, but it is even more impossible to sign a low-priced coal treaty with the French that humiliates the country.

In a sense, the approach of the North German Confederation is most in line with its own interests. As the central Hannover, it embraces the thighs of the British, and the small domestic states seek the support of Austria.

If you don't look at the monk's face and look at the Buddha's face, even if the negotiation fails, the French will not be able to take action against them rashly.

It's just that, Belgium suffers. The relationship between the North German Confederation and the British Olympics is simply not comparable to them.

This year, there is no shortage of men who shed blood for the country and the nation. Once the French invaded North Germany, whether the Austrian government is willing to join the war or not, domestic nationalists will push Austria into the battlefield.

Even if the central government doesn't want to fight, the defenders on the border will start it themselves, and whoever dares to stop it will have a hard time with public opinion.

Although Britain may not turn against the French because of this, Queen Victoria's face will definitely be very wonderful.

Even if you don't turn your face on the surface, and secretly do some small actions against the French, it will still happen.

Belgium does not have this treatment. Although the relationship between the UK and Belgium is good, it is only good. The two countries are not allies with military obligations.

Because of its size, Belgium is not very important to Britain. Of course the French annexed Belgium, and the British didn't want to see it either.

But just a beating is not within the scope of the British interference.

Not to mention Austria, from the moment of its independence from the Holy Roman Empire, Belgium is not one of its own.

Although the two countries have signed a secret agreement, it does not mean that they will not be betrayed. The French are going to annex Belgium, and Austria will certainly fulfill its obligations.

If they just beat them up, there is no certainty that Austria will go to war with the French for this.

In fact, what Leopold II is most worried about now is not being annexed by the French.

The annexation of a country on the European continent is very hateful, and the French do not dare to risk the world without the acquiescence of the great powers.

The current military threat is to beat you up and change the government. For the rulers, this is similar to the subjugation of a country.

After hesitating for a long time, Leopold II said slowly: "First appease the people outside and tell them that the government will never accept the unreasonable demands of the French.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to negotiate with the French, and the export price of coal can be reduced, but it cannot be much lower than the international average export price. "

No matter how big the threat of the French was, Leopold II still had the responsibility of a monarch, and he first chose to appease the domestic people.

After the emergence of the two major alliances, the smell of gunpowder on the European continent became stronger and stronger, and Leopold II was not unaware.

It is a pity that Belgium is only a small country and has not become the capital of trend-setters. Even the conflict-ridden North German Confederation is in a much better situation than them.

...

In Paris, Napoleon IV's face turned ashen when he read Franz's "Letter to the People of Europe".

It was originally a temptation, and I didn't expect that Austria would jump out and make trouble just at the beginning.

Having the support of a great power and having no great power support are two completely different concepts. There is no doubt that it is impossible for the two countries to accept the conditions at this time.

"Humph!"

With a cold snort, Napoleon IV threw away half of the "Letter to the European People" and cursed: "Damn Habsburg Dynasty, the ghosts are so haunted, you are everywhere!"

France and the Habsburgs fought for hegemony on the European continent for hundreds of years, and the grievances between the Bonaparte and the Habsburgs also ran through the war against France.

In recent decades, although there has been some easing, the contradiction between the two countries has not decreased, but has been increasing.

It's just that in order not to cheapen other countries, the governments of the two countries subconsciously cover up the conflicts on the surface, and secretly the two sides have no idea how many times they have made moves.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin reassured: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be offended by such a trivial matter.

Although we did not let the two countries accept our conditions, the bottom line of each country was still tested by us.

Even Austria, which seems to be the toughest, is only clamoring loudly. If they really want to stand up for the two countries, they will directly participate in the negotiations.

Now it seems to be supporting the two countries, but in fact it is limited to moral support.

No substantive action has been taken. If they really want them to go to war with us for the sake of the two countries, most of the Austrian government will still be cowardly. "

In a sense, Napoleon IV did not need to be angry, and the results are much better than expected.

If it weren't for Franz's disgusting Letter to the People of Europe, it would be perfect.

Napoleon IV sneered: "So what, the bottom line of European countries is indeed very low, but what we have to do still challenge their bottom line.

Britain, Russia and Austria do not want us to make up for the last shortcoming, even our good allies, didn't they warn us? "

In the eyes of the outside world, only Austria has publicly expressed support for the two countries and condemned the actions of the French government.

But secretly, Britain and Russia also expressed their dissatisfaction with the French government.

Perhaps this kind of secret warning is not very strong, but it is still an invisible pressure for the French government.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin: "It's a good start anyway.

Although European countries still reject us, they are no longer united and have their own calculus.

On the issue of containing us, the three major powers of Britain, Russia and Austria have already had differences. If it weren't for geographical constraints, I am afraid that Austria would not be so positive.

The hearts of the governments of the two countries have been beaten down by us. In the ensuing negotiations, we only need to make a small concession, and the two governments should accept it.

The falling coal cost will definitely have a certain promotion effect on the domestic industry and economy. The new prosperity is not far away. "

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