Chapter 948 New Mediterranean Fleet

Intelligence, manpower, equipment, military technology, military concepts, as well as popular support and geographical advantages are all on the Austrian side.

It's just that it's too early, otherwise we can really try the Greater Germany Plan.

Although the French had drawn up a battle plan early, they still sent people to the Vienna and Frankfurt parliaments to issue ultimatums.

On the surface, it was a courtesy before force, but in fact it was to mobilize troops and wait for the British fleet.

The top leaders of the Great Eastern Fleet opposed going to war with Austria, and even more opposed joining forces with the British.

But the top leaders of the Second French Republic believed that everything would be fine as long as the British fleet entered the Mediterranean.

The commander of the new Mediterranean Fleet was old Edward Hobart Seymour, who was known for his shrewdness and sophistication and had never lost a battle in his life, just like many famous British generals of this period.

In fact, it was difficult for the British government. After all, it was difficult to choose a suitable candidate from a group of undefeated generals.

Edward Hobart Seymour Sr. is not well-known, but his grandson Edward Hobart Seymour is famous as the commander of the British army in the Eight-Nation Alliance's invasion of China.

The latter was beaten by the Boxers in the East, but he still received many honors in Britain, thanks to his good uncle (Sir Michael Seymour, former commander of the British Eastern Fleet) and a good cousin (a senior British naval officer).

The newly formed Mediterranean Fleet is extremely large, consisting of a total of 38 battleships, eight of which are the latest warships equipped with paddle steam power.

Including various auxiliary ships, the total tonnage is close to twice that of the French Grand Orient Fleet, and the total number of officers and soldiers is as high as 40,000, making it the most powerful fleet ever sent by the British.

John Russell has high hopes for it, but the purpose of this fleet is not as simple as just blocking the Adriatic Sea.

John Russell also wants to use this to completely disintegrate Austria's sea routes and overseas trade, and seize the overseas colonies of the Austrian Empire, in order to alleviate Britain's economic crisis and his own crisis of confidence.

At the same time, this fleet will return to Greece to let Otto I lease Crete to Britain again. He wants to take back everything Britain has lost.

But Franz doesn't care. After all, his plan also needs time to deploy.

The scale of the new British Mediterranean fleet is large, but it is just a piece of meat on the chopping board. Unless this piece of meat is so big that it can make people die, Franz does not intend to pay too much attention to it.

Austrian Empire, Vienna.

The British and French ambassadors arrived in Vienna at almost the same time, but their moods were completely different.

British Ambassador Viscount Stratford came to Vienna and saw the depressed streets and the uneasy crowds, which made him feel relieved.

Although the Vienna riots have been quelled, the mottled traces are not so easy to erase.

Roads and houses can be repaired, but the haze cannot be dispelled in a short time.

This time, Viscount Stratford knew very well that he did not bring any peace initiative, but a declaration of war.

In fact, even if Austria promised to give up the title of German emperor forever, it could still hold on to this matter and demand the dissolution of the German Confederation, and then dissolve the German Customs Union, the economy that posed the greatest threat to Britain.

Historically, Britain did not regard the German Customs Union as an opponent, because even after its establishment, British goods were still sold well in Germany.

However, this time was different. Due to the joining of the Austrian Empire, the size of this alliance became too large, and Franz's economic reforms actually seized the original share of the British.

And this contradiction will become more and more acute with the rise of the Austrian Empire, so the British can always find a reason

Viscount Stratford naturally did not have such a high degree. The reason he felt happy was because of the revenge. Although he did not know whether the incident was true, he was very happy.

The ambassador of the Second French Republic this time was Maladin. As the leader of the National News and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he should be the head of the French government at this time.

But the romantic poet did not want to use his authority, so Dan Gira became the actual speaker of the Second French Republic.

In order to completely eliminate the influence of the former, the latter naturally transferred him away from Paris, and the unfortunate mission to Vienna naturally fell on Marradin.

The reason why it is called an unfortunate mission is that no matter what kind of talented diplomat, it is impossible to change anything, let alone gain anything.

Marradin didn't care much about these, but at this time, the actions of the Second French Republic had violated his original intention.

The "Declaration to Europe" has become a joke, and peaceful diplomacy has become part of the conspiracy. Even Marradin himself is said to be a conspirator.

At the same time, as a romantic poet, the bleak scene in Vienna at this time can trigger his feelings.

In order to find more inspiration, Marradin decided to walk around Vienna first.

However, during this walk, he discovered something that Viscount Stratford could not see.

The bleak streets and the hot conscription office formed a sharp contrast. There is no doubt that this war is not as simple as the British said.

"The Austrians are ready to fill the entire battlefield with blood. Is France really ready?"