After the outbreak of the Central Asian War, the Persian governnt realized that it had been deceived by the Russian governnt, or rather by the bureaucrats within the Tsarist regi.
The so-called aid was indeed given, but in practice, it was delayed and reduced in quantity.
Minor issues that were inconsequential in peaceti beca major problems during the war, and due to inadequate support, the Persian military was initially overwheld by the British.
For their own safety, the Persian governnt decided to bring in a third force to balance the power between Britain and Russia and end this war as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the officials in the Persian governnt were not very bright. Their first thought was to rely on Arica to counteract the influences of Great Britain and Russia.
It was quite unfortunate that the United States at this ti was not the powerful nation it would beco in later years. While they may have had so influence in Arican affairs, who would recognize them in Central Asia?
The Aricans, who only wanted to share privileges, naturally cowered at the first sight of Britain and Russias firm attitude. Of course, even if they didnt cower, no one would listen to them.
Left with no other choice, the Persian governnt once again turned to the European continent, seeking help from France and Austria.
Vienna
tternich handed Franz a docunt and said, Your Majesty, this is a diplomatic note from the Persian governnt in the hope that we can diate in this Central Asian War.
After going through it, Franz shook his head and said, Reject the Persian governnt. We currently have no need to involve ourselves in Persian affairs.
The Austrian governnt still wanted Britain and Russia to clash in Central Asia. To diate at this ti would be unnecessary ddling.
As for the economic benefits promised by the Persian governnt, they were actually of little value to Austria. Austrias main exports in international trade were processed agricultural products and a small amount of industrial products and machinery.
Persia could sustain itself in terms of food, and couldnt afford Austrias processed agricultural products. As a traditional feudal monarchy, Persia had little demand for industrial products and machinery, and with competition from the British, there was hardly any profit to be made.
Before the Suez Canal was dug, Franz had no intention of getting involved in Persian affairs. If he had the ti, he might as well infiltrate the Arabian Peninsula, at least using the Sinai Peninsula as a foothold.
Yes, Your Majesty! tternich replied.
Apparently, he also had no interest in interfering in Persian affairs. Perhaps it was old age that made him more conservative, or perhaps he simply decided from an interest-based perspective.
None of this mattered. In the midst of ongoing reforms, Franz still needed conservatives to act as a brake, to keep them from speeding ahead too recklessly.
Mainly because they failed to find the right balance, many old empires tended to fall faster the more they reford. Those that needed drastic asures were already half dead, fighting a last, desperate battle.
Obviously, the New Holy Roman Empire hadnt reached that point yet. The neighboring Ottoman Empire, on the other hand, was truly in need of drastic asures, having been on life support since the loss of the Balkan Peninsula.
The Minister of the Navy, Filkos, suggested: Your Majesty, the island of Corfu has long been known as the gateway to Venice. Without securing the Adriatic, we cannot consider ourselves truly safe.
Although the British have only made the Ionian Islands a protectorate and have not stationed substantial troops there, the potential threat still exists. We must seize the opportunity to take control of this area.
Strength is always the best assurance. With the commissioning of the Frederick, the Austrian Navy began to feel restless, eager to secure this strategic gateway.
Franz nodded and said, Dealing with this issue now may be a bit cumberso, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can initiate contact with the British to see if they are willing to sell it to us.
From what I have heard, the locals seem to have a strong dislike for the British. The puppet governnt they support in the area does not have the support of the people. If necessary, we can plan local riots to incite the local people to revolt.
Franz was not worried about whether the British would let go. Once the Indian rebellion erupted, the British governnt would have no choice but to compromise.
However, you cant have both fish and bears paw. By obtaining this, there would be no way to exchange interests with the British in other regions.
tternich replied, Your Majesty, if it were only Corfu, the British would probably let it go. They are more concerned about us taking advantage of the Ottoman Empires troubles.
Recently, the British Foreign Office has been in frequent contact with the French. Theyre likely trying to win over the French to prevent us from expanding our influence in the diterranean.
Corfu is just one of the Ionian Islands, very important to the Austrians, but not so important to the British.
Since gaining control of the island in 1815, the British governnt has never stationed many troops there. This is partly to avoid provoking Austria, and partly because its simply unnecessary.
As for containing Austria? That can be done in Malta or the Strait of Gibraltar. Why bother going to their doorstep?
Each additional military base cos with enormous military expenditures. The British governnt may be rich, but theyre not stupid.
Pri Minister Felix said, There is little room left for expansion in the diterranean. The remaining areas are either British and French territories or under Ottoman influence.
The Vienna System has just been established and is still very fragile. At this ti, any action on our part must be cautious and prudent.
Navy Minister Filkos analyzed: We cannot touch Egypt, that was an agreent made with Britain and France that cannot be violated.
We have already given up on Morocco. Algeria is in French hands. Tunisia is also at on the chopping block for Napoleon III. If we dont want a conflict with France, these territories are off-limits.
As for the holand of the Ottoman Empire, it goes without saying. If we were to defeat them, it would only benefit the Russians, and it would be more trouble than its worth for us.
The place of greatest strategic value that remains is Crete. Occupying it would extend our sphere of influence into the Aegean Sea and increase our say in the diterranean.
As for Cyprus, it was now of strategic value only to the Ottoman Empire. For Austria, it might be of strategic value only in the mid to late 20th century.
Libya even less so. The desert country did not deserve its reputation. With a total population of only 500,000-600,000 nomads, neither Britain nor France expanded there, not for lack of strength, but for lack of value.
In the sa era, elites have similar perspectives. Places that Britain and France dont find appealing naturally do not interest the Austrian governnt either.
Franz casually remarked, The finances of the Ottoman Empire are in a terrible state. If they hadnt sold their remaining Balkan territories to the French, they probably wouldn't even be able to pay the interest.
Now that the Ottoman governnt is undergoing reforms and likely strapped for cash, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can engage with them to purchase or lease Crete and Cyprus.
If theyre willing to sell the sovereignty of Libya, that's also an option. In the future, we might even be able to build a railway line between Libya and the Gulf of Guinea, which would go a long way toward consolidating our control over the region.
Talking about anything else is pointless. Predicting the future, and having strategic foresight these are things only fools do. Without a protagonists halo, they would be dead within three episodes.
Thats fine for fooling ordinary people, but to dream of fooling the elites of this era? Thats wishful thinking. Theyll co to only one conclusion: the emperor has gone mad!
Talking directly about tangible benefits is the most effective approach; forcing the issue will only set you up to be isolated and vulnerable to betrayal at any ti.
Just as now, Franz believes that the Congo Basin is Austrias most valuable colony, while the Austrian governnt considers the Gulf of Guinea Austrias most valuable colonial territory.
Although he knew this, Franz had no plans to convince them.
The benefits of the Gulf of Guinea are visible and can be recouped in 1-2 years, whereas the Congo Basin will not pay for itself without sustained investnt for over 3-5 years.
It was absurd to talk about the future. The international situation was changing rapidly, and the future ownership of colonies was unpredictable. What prospects for developnt could one speak of?
The attitudes of European countries toward colonies are generally similar: colonies that can produce short-term profits are considered valuable, while those that cannot produce returns are considered worthless.
Archduke Louis objected: Your Majesty, we dont need to invest too much effort in the diterranean. Apart from the island of Corfu, other areas are quite insignificant.
They lack both strategic and economic value. Why not seize the opportunity to expand our influence in the Pacific? Recently, there have been reports that Britain and France are planning major operations in the Far East, and we could get involved in that.
Franz shook his head and said, Following behind Britain and France, how much benefit can we obtain? A round trip for our Navy to the Far East would take a year, and with the ti spent at war, it could take two years. Having battle lines stretched too long does us no good. Only interests that can be defended are real interests.
This reasoning was not entirely convincing, but it appealed to everyones sentints. There were no radicals in the Austrian cabinet. Franz felt that he was already quite radical, and any more radicals in the Austrian governnt would cause trouble.
Throughout world history, countries ruled by radicals have always ended tragically. Even when they succeed, its only a temporary success that inevitably leads to significant losses.
Just like now, if radicals were in power, who would use diplomatic ans? Theyd go straight for it.
In many peoples eyes, it was just bullying the Ottoman Empire, nothing to worry about.
But in reality? As you continue to expand and conquer territory, the number of enemies grows. With every success, failure cos ever closer.
Every country has its limits of tolerance. In the history of the First World War, it was certainly not only because countries saw Germany as a threat that they started the war.
More importantly, it was Germanys constant expansion and provocations that rattled the nerves of various countries. The first few tis it didn't affect interests much, so everyone tolerated it. But after several provocations, there was nothing left to say except to give them a good beating.
If the governnt of Wilhelm II could have restrained itself, not antagonized the British, and bided its ti for a few more years, would the situation have been so dire?
The answer is: No!
As long as the Germans didnt blindly expand their navy and rush to enlist Italy, the German-Austrian alliance and the Franco-Russian entente would have been evenly matched from an outside-world perspective. Under the European continental balance strategy, John Bull wouldnt have personally intervened.
Other situations cannot be guaranteed, but buying ti for another ten years should have been possible.
What does ten years an? It ans that Germanys national strength can continue to advance, that its population can increase by ten million, and that its advantage over sluggish France will beco even more pronounced. The French wont even be able to afford a war of attrition on the Western Front.
It also ans that the Russian Empire will continue to decline, with more intense internal conflicts, reducing pressure on the Eastern Front.
With one side strengthened and the other weakened, even if total victory cant be achieved, its still possible to defeat France and Russia, forcing the British to compromise and share world hegemony.
History doesnt deal with what ifs. The radical Junker aristocrats both brought the glory of the German Empire and buried it with their own hands.
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