Chapter 228: British-Austrian Alliance

The famous No. 10 Downing Street residence in the British Empire.

This was originally the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the British Cabinet Government, but after the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer was assumed by the Prime Minister by default, No. 10 Downing Street became the recognized residence of the British Prime Minister.

Benjamin Disraeli, the current Prime Minister of the British Empire, lives in No. 10 Downing Street, and the surrounding houses are also occupied by senior officials of the British Cabinet.

In the conference room of the mansion, the British cabinet ministers had gathered at this time. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli glanced around with a gloomy expression, and then said: "Everyone, tell me, how should we deal with the war in the Balkans?"

In the three years since Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister, he has vigorously promoted the policy of foreign aggression and colonial expansion, making the British colonial empire more prosperous and powerful.

It is precisely because of his colonial expansion strategy that the British have been obsessed with the situation in the Balkans. This is also an important reason why the British pay attention to the situation in the Balkans.

The Ottoman Empire is currently on the verge of collapse. If Britain does not send troops to support it, I am afraid the war will end within a few months.

This is unacceptable to the British Empire. If Russia is allowed to control Constantinople and the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be able to easily reach the Mediterranean.

This will make Russia's power in Central Asia even stronger, which is absolutely unacceptable to the British.

The Earl of Derby, who was the Foreign Secretary at the time, stood up first, looked at Benjamin Disraeli, and said: "The Ottoman Empire has informed us that if we cannot dispatch troops to support them within a month, they will activate the Negotiations in Russia.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli nodded without changing his expression. The current situation in the Balkans is very clear. If the British do not firmly support the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman Empire will indeed have only one outcome: defeat.

Surrendering and entering into negotiations early can save more land. If it is delayed until the Ottoman army is completely defeated, the Ottoman Empire will become a lamb to be slaughtered.

"What is the opinion of the War Department? If we intervene in the Balkan War, will the War Department be able to win the encounter with Russia?" Benjamin Disraeli looked at the British Secretary of War and raised his own question.

If you want to stop Russia, a friendly war with Russia on land is inevitable. Unless Britain can win over other countries to put pressure on Russia, Russia will not retreat to Britain alone.

"According to the information we have, Russia currently has more than 350,000 troops in the Balkans, and they are still increasing.

If we want to repel the Russian attack, we need to organize at least 200,000 troops and obtain the cooperation of the navy. replied the Secretary of War.

Although Russia's weapons and equipment were worse, they had gained an advantage in the war. It would be very difficult for Britain to stop the Russian army's attack, let alone fighting in a foreign country.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I think that if we want to stop the Russian attack, we must deepen our cooperation with the Austrians." Foreign Secretary Earl Derby continued to stand up and said: "The Austrians have a strong army and they can fight with the Russians on land. confrontation.

At the same time, the Austrians will also be worried about Russia's expansion in the Balkans, and I believe they will be interested in our proposal.

For us, as long as we can avoid Russia monopolizing the Balkans and ensure that Constantinople and surrounding lands are safe, it will satisfy our purpose.

We can even make the Balkans more chaotic by wooing Austria-Hungary and letting the Austrians and Russians compete on their own. "

Benjamin Disraeli nodded. The British government's foreign policy focuses on regional balance. Currently, the only country that can compete with Russia in the Balkans is the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Moreover, there is no too fierce conflict between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the United Kingdom, and they are indeed suitable targets to win over.

Moreover, the formation of competition between Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkans could also break up the Three Emperors Alliance between Germany, Russia and Austria.

The Three Emperors Alliance still poses a great threat to Britain. If the Three Emperors Alliance can be dismantled, the British government will still be happy to see it.

"Then contact the Austrians. If they don't want to see Russia monopolizing the Balkans, we are willing to help them jointly repel the Russian attack." Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said with a smile.

Since then, the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire have set their sights on the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On the Austro-Hungarian Empire side, Franz Joseph I was also holding an emergency meeting.

"The Russians have dispatched more than 500,000 troops, and the number of troops on the Balkan front is still increasing. At present, it seems that the Russians are determined to defeat the Ottoman Empire in this war." The Austro-Hungarian Empire Emperor Franz Joseph I said calmly.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, if the Russians achieve a complete victory in this war, I'm afraid they will not hand over Bosnia and Serbia to us easily." The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who is also the Chairman of the Austro-Hungarian Council of Ministers and has the power of Prime Minister Count Lo Andrassy stood up and said.

Since the establishment of the dual empire, the cabinet of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was somewhat special. The original power of the Prime Minister was completely decentralized. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, was the theoretical Prime Minister of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

But as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria and Hungary also have their own prime ministers, and even the Austrian Imperial Government and the Hungarian Kingdom Government.

From this aspect, we can also see the problem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The imperial government's control over Hungary is completely insufficient.

In peacetime, this problem can still be covered up. But if it waits for war or other special periods, the imperial government will lack control over Hungary, which will eventually lead to the collapse of this special dual empire.

Emperor Franz Joseph I nodded, and he also believed that the Russians would not keep their promises so easily.

Although national credibility is also very important, if the two important regions of Bosnia and Serbia are sacrificed for this, I believe that no matter which country will carefully consider the gains and losses.

The reason why the Austro-Hungarian Empire agreed to remain neutral in the war, in addition to Russia's support from Germany, another important point is that the Ottoman Empire has the help of the British.

Franz Joseph I originally thought that with the help of the British, even if the Ottoman Empire could not win this war, it could drag the Russians into the abyss of a war of attrition.

But unexpectedly, the Russians quickly returned after getting into trouble at the Pleven Fortress, and drove the Ottoman army directly to the vicinity of Plovdiv.

As a result, the situation in the Balkan Peninsula will usher in huge changes, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which had been watching the fight from the mountain, finally became anxious.

"What is the opinion of the British government? The Ottoman Empire failed in this war, and I'm afraid the British will not remain indifferent." Franz Joseph I asked.

If possible, he did not want to face the Russians alone. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire is also one of the five traditional powers in Europe, after failing to compete with Prussia, Austria has become the bottom of the five traditional powers.

It is also possible to fight with the Russians, but the losses are enough for Franz Joseph I to consider carefully.

"The British are temporarily" Foreign Minister Count Gyula Andrassy had not finished his words when there was a knock on the door outside the conference room.

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to the door of the conference room. After the door opened, the palace butler and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs waited respectfully at the door.

"What's going on?" Franz Joseph I asked.

"Your Majesty, ministers. Not long ago, the British government sent a telegram asking if we are willing to mobilize troops to intervene in Russia's war, and said that they would send the navy and army to help us intervene.

As long as we are willing to send troops to interfere with Russia's attack and ensure that the Russians will not set foot in Constantinople, the British are willing to let us take over Bosnia and Herzegovina." The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said respectfully.

Franz Joseph I immediately stood up, his eyes full of excitement, and asked: "Do you have the original telegram?"

"It has been brought, Your Majesty." The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs respectfully handed over the original telegram, quietly waiting for Franz Joseph I's decision.

"Your news is very timely, which will change our diplomatic strategy." After reading the original telegram, Franz Joseph I looked at the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with a satisfied smile.

"Since the original telegram has been delivered, I will take my leave." The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was very considerate and did not stay at the meeting for long.

After the gate was closed again, the Austro-Hungarian ministerial meeting resumed.

Franz Joseph I breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the guards to pass the original telegram in his hand to all cabinet ministers for viewing.

"Tell me, should we send troops to interfere with Russia's attack as requested by the British?" Franz Joseph I asked.

After reading the original telegram, many cabinet ministers fell into deep thought.

Foreign Minister Count Gyula Andrassy took the lead and said: "If the British are really willing to send out the Royal Fleet, I think this is an excellent opportunity.

The British do not want Russia to control Constantinople. For the safety of Constantinople, they are certainly willing to pay Bosnia and Herzegovina as a reward.

With the help of the British, at least the Russians will not pose a big threat to us. After we control Bosnia and Herzegovina, we can still infiltrate Serbia and even affect the Montenegro region further south.

In order to protect the safety of Constantinople, the British will definitely not allow the Russians to obtain Bulgaria. In this way, We got Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia got Romania, we are still at the same starting line. "

Before other cabinet ministers could react, the current Hungarian Prime Minister Tisza Kalman was the first to get impatient and stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think we should consider it carefully.

If we offend the Russians, our border will be at great risk. The Russians can mobilize millions of troops at any time. Even if we can resist the Russian attack, it will destroy our agricultural production and economy. "

Austria-Hungary and Russia are adjacent to each other, and the adjacent areas are Galicia and Lodomeria in northern Hungary.

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If a conflict breaks out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, the Russian army is likely to attack Hungary from Galicia and Romania.

And Austria is still further west. The Russian army can only occupy the whole of Hungary and have a chance to attack Austrian land.

This is extremely disadvantageous for the Hungarians. Once a conflict breaks out between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia, Hungary will become the front line.

The Hungarians are not so stupid. Although they are also happy for the Empire to occupy Bosnia, they are not happy if Hungary suffers a crisis.

"Humph! Is Russia the only country that can mobilize millions of troops?" The current Austrian Prime Minister, Prince Adolf von Auersperg, snorted coldly and directly refuted the views of Hungarian Prime Minister Tisza Kalman: "

We can also mobilize millions of troops, not to mention that we have the support of the British. The British Royal Fleet can enter the Black Sea at any time and threaten Russia's port cities.

If Russia does not want to repeat the failure of the last Crimean War, they will inevitably compromise with us.

Of course, we are not afraid of the war with Russia. If we can completely defeat the Russian attack, the Balkan Peninsula will be controlled by us.

By then, we will not only get Bosnia and Herzegovina, but perhaps Serbia can also be controlled in our hands.

After obtaining these lands, the strength of the empire will be greatly increased, and we will once again become a superpower that can compete with Britain, France and Germany."

The different views of the Austrian and Hungarian prime ministers actually represent the current bad situation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire is composed of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, this does not mean that the governments of the two countries will reach a unified opinion.

It is precisely because of this that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will be subject to many restrictions when issuing decrees. The imperial decree can only affect Bohemia, Austria, Croatia and Dalmatia, and the Kingdom of Hungary will selectively implement it.

But the Austro-Hungarian Empire has no way to deal with it. The Kingdom of Hungary is an important grain producing area of ​​the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Hungarian farmers and nobles also have great say.

Hearing the Austrian Prime Minister Prince Adolf von Auersperg's unceremonious rebuttal, Hungarian Prime Minister Tisza Kalman's face turned pale, but finally snorted coldly and stopped talking.

"Well, since you all have your own opinions, why not let everyone vote to decide." Franz Joseph I broke the awkward atmosphere in the meeting room and said aloud.

As the founder of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Joseph I has great prestige in Austria and Hungary.

It is no exaggeration to say that Franz Joseph I's importance to the Austro-Hungarian Empire is irreplaceable. The reason why the Austro-Hungarian Empire is still closely connected is half because Franz Joseph I's huge reputation is trusted.

Since Franz Joseph I had decided that all ministers would vote, the rest would naturally not raise any objections.

In the end, the majority of people agreed to interfere with the Russian attack, so the Austro-Hungarian Empire decided to interfere with the Russian attack.

But before intervening in Russia, some diplomatic preparations are still necessary.

"Let's mobilize our army first." After the voting results were obtained, Franz Joseph I issued his own orders: "We have to contact the British again to ensure that the British will really send out the navy.

In addition, if we can force the Russians to stop the attack from a diplomatic level, this will certainly be a better result. If we can avoid war with the Russians, it will save us from greater casualties."

Franz Joseph I slowly issued orders, and the ministers in the meeting room also listened quietly with an extremely serious look.

"By the way, don't forget our ally Spain." Franz Joseph I seemed to remember something and said with a smile: "If we can get the support of one more ally at the diplomatic level, we will have a better chance of winning.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remembers to contact Spain. If Spain can stand with us, we and Spain, plus the diplomatic pressure from the British, will surely make the Russians pay attention.

Even if Spain is unwilling to join the war, their diplomatic team is also very important to us. In addition, the scale of Spain's military industry has also developed quite well, and our military experts don't seem to want to come back.

If the war really breaks out, Spain may be our main source of weapons."

Before being excluded from the German region, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had many allies, most of which were states in southern Germany.

After the establishment of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire currently has only three allies, namely Germany, Russia and Spain of the Triple Alliance.

Needless to say, Russia is the main competitor in the Balkans and the war target of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Germany remained neutral in the conflict between Russia and Austria, and it was obviously unreliable to lean towards Russia in this war.

Only Spain, the weakest country, is currently the most reliable country, although Spain is unlikely to join this war.

Hearing the order of Emperor Franz Joseph I, Foreign Minister Count Gyula Andrassy nodded respectfully, indicating that he understood.

"In addition, if the Russian attack is really unstoppable, then our army will directly enter the Bosnia-Herzegovina region and occupy the entire Bosnia-Herzegovina before the Russian army arrives.

Anyway, the Russians have promised us to occupy the Bosnia-Herzegovina region before, and as long as we achieve this practical fact, they have no reason to refute.

In short, no matter what choice we make, we will become one of the beneficiaries of this war. Do you understand?" Franz Joseph I smiled and continued to make his arrangements.

For the shrewd Franz Joseph I, he had actually anticipated that the Russians would not keep their word long before reaching a cooperation agreement with Russia.

But it doesn't matter, the Austro-Hungarian Empire will force the outcome agreed with Russia before. Anyway, the main forces of Russia and the Ottoman Empire are currently in Bulgaria, and Russia has no time to take care of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Regardless of whether the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Britain can stop the Russian attack, as long as the Austro-Hungarian Empire can occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina in the end, the goal of Franz Joseph I will be achieved.

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