Hearing the news that seemed like a fantasy, everyone was stunned. Americans want to build the "Siberian Railway", isn't this the sun coming out of the west
The Americans want to strengthen economic exchanges and cooperation between Russia and the United States, which everyone is reluctant to accept. After all, the divided United States is seriously lacking in the market for commodity sales.
As members of the fringe world, and there is no conflict of interest, the relationship between Russia and the United States has been good in recent years. It's just a little funny that Americans want to build the "Siberian Railway".
The Trans-Siberian Railway has such a great effect, and it can promote the economic and trade cooperation between Russia and the United States. How can we not know
Everyone knows that the cost of railway transportation is much higher than that of sea transportation when the distance difference is not large, not to mention the special railway such as the Trans-Siberian Railway, the transportation cost is even higher.
Whether it is from the east coast or the west coast, it is better to ship the goods directly to the Russian Empire than to go to the Far East for transit.
Really want to say to promote the economic and trade between the two countries, in fact, there are. Only not to promote commercial trade between the Siberian region and the United States.
Unlike Siberia in later generations, the Siberia region of this year can be said to be nothing but big.
The Siberia area of more than 13 million square kilometers has a population of less than 7 million. This is still the result of Ottoman immigration. Otherwise, this number can be folded in half.
The development of Siberia was only after the railway was opened to traffic. Mainly thanks to Stalin's exile policy, which increased the local population.
With such a small population, it is still spread over an area of more than 13 million square kilometers. Talking about trade is a joke.
The purchasing power of the market in Siberia is probably not one-tenth of that of St. Petersburg.
To say that Americans have taken a fancy to this "vast and uninhabited" market and want to go deep into farming and management, it is estimated that a normal person would not believe it.
Nicholas II asked: "What do Americans want?"
There is no love or hate for no reason in the world, especially between countries. As a normal person, Nicholas II did not believe that without interests, Americans would come to do charity.
You must know that the construction cost of the Trans-Siberian Railway is not a small amount. It ranks second in the entire history of mankind, second only to the Shinra Ring Railway.
The Tsarist government had completed the exploration of the Trans-Siberian Railway several years earlier. If it weren't for the scary budget costs and the lack of pockets of the tsarist government, the railway would have already started construction.
Although the financial resources of the United States of this year are stronger than that of the Russian Empire, it is also limited, and it is also heavily in debt.
His own railway was not completed, and he suddenly came to say that he wanted to help build the Siberian Railway. Nicholas II couldn't help but doubt their motives.
Foreign Secretary Mikhailovich explained: "In recent years, the United States has encountered bottlenecks in its development and urgently needs to open up a larger market for the sale of goods.
It's just that the world has now been divided up, including America, which was originally regarded as a back garden by the Americans, and now it has become the sphere of influence of Britain and Shinra, and there is no room for them to intervene.
In order to change this situation, the Americans turned their attention to the Far East for expansion. It's just that their strength is limited and they are unable to compete with the British, and it is even difficult to suppress the Japanese.
Without foreign intervention, it is only a matter of time before the Americans are expelled from the competition in the Far East.
Judging from the current international situation, we are the only ones who can provide help to the Americans at present, and it is possible to provide help.
Apart from joining forces with us, they simply could not cope with the Anglo-Japanese alliance. The Americans proposed to build the Trans-Siberian Railway, which seems to be helping us, but in fact this is their strategic helplessness.
Of course, Americans are not vegetarians, and their appetites are quite good.
In addition to working with us to expand in the Far East, they also want the exclusive rights to the Trans-Siberian Railway and most-favored-nation status in international trade. "
Since defeating Napoleon, the Russians have had a "fascinated confidence", especially after the capture of Constantinople, it has reached its peak.
The Russian-Prussian War once woke up the tsarist government, but after the war was won, everyone was soon addicted to it.
This "confidence" is also reflected in political diplomacy. The strategy, including going south to India, is based on this "confidence of mystery".
After hearing this explanation, everyone, including Nicholas II, was moved.
Most-favored-nation treatment is the same as not giving it. Anyway, the Russian Empire is already the world of Shinra's industrial and commercial products, and it would be good to let an American in and act as their competitor.
For Nicholas II, who wanted to get rid of the influence of Shinra, he was just worried that the Americans were useless, and even if the market was opened, they would not be able to compete with Shinra.
Joint expansion in the Far East is not a condition at all. The expansion of the Russian Empire in the Far East itself requires allies to share the pressure.
As for dominating the Far East and completing the Yellow Russia plan, that is the future and will not affect the current US-Russian cooperation at all.
It can be said that the requirements of the Americans, except that the railway franchise is somewhat embarrassing, all other conditions are within everyone's bottom line.
Prime Minister Sergei Witte: "It's a good thing that the Americans are willing to help build the Trans-Siberian Railway, but it shouldn't be now.
The strength of the empire is not unlimited. The French rebellion needs to be suppressed by the empire. The Central Asian Railway is halfway through. We really do not have the ability to start another big project.
Judging from the current construction progress, if the later projects progress smoothly, the Central Asia Railway can be opened to traffic in 1899, and it will not exceed 1900 at the latest.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can talk to the United States to put the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway in three years, so that we can take it easy. "
Even if the Americans were willing to help, the Tsarist government would have to pay for the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and would have to bear the bulk of it.
Including the construction of the Central Asia Railway, it seems that the Vienna government is assisting the construction, but the labor and raw materials are still provided by the tsarist government.
In the age of lack of mechanical equipment, almost all processes were done manually. Labor and raw materials account for more than 80 percent of railway construction costs.
As for the demolition and demolition that the railway construction in later generations will face, it does not exist at all now. Including taxes on all aspects, it is now all zero.
On the surface, the tsarist government did not spend much money, but it hurt the national strength! Free labor is not unlimited, and once the recruitment is over, it will be a big deal.
Foreign Minister Mikhailovich shook his head: "I'm afraid this will not work, the American steel giant is leading the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway.
They pushed this plan, the main purpose is to clear their own inventory. If the time is delayed by three years, their losses will be very large.
What's more, the US government will change in two years. If the project is not finalized as soon as possible, a new government will come to power…”
Unlike the surplus of agricultural products, which can only be scrapped, the surplus of steel can still be backlogged. But this backlog time is also limited, and the longer the backlog time is, the higher the cost.
Capitalists are the most realistic. Once it involves harming their own interests, it is useless to say anything.
If the capitalists are not easy to handle, then the US government will be even more difficult to handle. If it can be re-elected, it will be fine. If the government changes, the continuity of the policy cannot be expected at all.
This government is pro-Russian, and the next government may be anti-Russian. The speed of American politics changing face is comparable to that of women changing clothes.
Nicholas II's indecisive character was exposed, and he was unable to make up his mind. Now he wants to build the Trans-Siberian Railway, but he is worried that the railway will consume too much national strength and will not be able to support it.
…
The scorching sun is scorching the earth, and Franz is currently taking refuge in the Albis Mountains, with a small pond in the mountains. There is quite a bit of the charm of "spring eyes silently cherish the trickle, the shade of the tree shines on the water and loves the softness of the water".
Since having a son as a strong man, Franz has been liberated from the tedious government affairs and has lived a beautiful life of traveling.
People like to toss once they are free. If it weren't for the pain of taking the transportation of these years, maybe Franz has already started to fulfill his dream of traveling around the world in the last life.
If you think about being accompanied by beautiful women all the way, you can be intoxicated with money and taste the exotic customs, which is definitely a kind of enjoyment.
It's a pity that I didn't have money in my last life, so I couldn't put it into action; now I have money, and the conditions for traveling around the world are no longer available.
If you can't travel around the world, then travel around Shinra. If you go to a place with poor mountains and bad waters to suffer, then indulge yourself in the bustling comfort zone.
Anyway, at his current age, Franz doesn't have to worry about killing his will and degrading himself.
Lao Tzu ran out to play at will, which was hard on Frederick. Although he has been involved in government affairs for many years, now he has suddenly become a decision maker, and he is still tired.
There is no way, any decision now involves great interests, so he can't be careful.
As crown prince, Frederick did not have the unequivocal prestige of Franz. Before making a decision, it is necessary to coordinate the relationship between all parties.
Fortunately, the bureaucrats of the Vienna government have been trained by Franz in recent years, and no one dares to stab the crown prince. Otherwise, Frederick's day will be even more difficult.
…
Prime Minister Karl: "His Royal Highness, the Russian troops stationed in France sent a telegram to the Allied Command last night, hoping that the commander can solve the logistical problems for them."
From what seemed like a bland report, Frederick knew trouble was coming.
For a long time, the Vienna government had controlled the Allied Command, and naturally no one would have an opinion during the European Continental War. After the war, the situation was completely different.
No one wants to have a mother-in-law on their head, and the anti-French alliance countries are no exception. In view of this situation, the Vienna government, which pays attention to eating, naturally did not insist.
Soon the Allied Command was reduced from the highest military command of the alliance to a liaison and coordination agency.
Except when politically needed, to stand up and brush up on the sense of presence, most of the time, he does not bother about specific military commands.
No matter how the real power changes, the Allied Command is still the highest military command of the Anti-French Alliance in name.
Now that the Russians are asking for help, the Allied Command, which is nominally the highest command organization, cannot sit idly by.
Perhaps in the eyes of the outside world, the Russians came to the door at this time, providing an opportunity for the Vienna government to re-intervene in the command of the troops stationed in France.
However, Frederick preferred not to have this opportunity. Intervening in the command of various countries' troops stationed in France seems to be of great benefit, but in fact it is useless to Shinra.
France is like this now, and it can't squeeze oil at all. Excessive in-depth military command in France, in addition to taking the blame for hatred, what else can there be
You can't use this as an opportunity to intervene in the internal military and political power of various countries, right
Not to mention implementing it, but if there is any sign of it, Shinra will fall into the spotlight.
Similar tragic cases, the Habsburg dynasty has experienced it personally. When he was young, his blood was boiling, and he casually shouted a few unified slogans. After he succeeded to the throne, he was targeted by the princes in various ways.
The current situation is similar. European countries are willing to recognize the overlord of Shinra. In addition to their own strength, the most important thing is that Franz does not like to toss.
It's rare to meet a boss who doesn't do anything, and everyone naturally wants to flatter. Others are flattering to be flattering, but you still have to be self-aware.
If it really floats, Napoleon is an example. In a heads-up fight across Europe, even if you win on the battlefield, you lose politically.
In this context, the telegram of the Russian army stationed in France is a hot potato. If it is not handled properly, it will bring great trouble to the Vienna government.
Similar things have not been encountered by the Vienna government. It's just that Franz dealt with it before, and Frederick was just a bystander. Now that I've encountered it, it's still a bit of a headache.
After a moment of silence, Frederick asked, "What advice does the Prime Minister have?"
"Now we have two choices, either to allocate a part of the supplies to the Russian army on the front line, and take the opportunity to take the command of the Russian army, but we must grasp the degree of it and not intervene too much.
Either send a diplomatic note to the tsarist government urging them to supply the front lines as soon as possible. But in this way, the effectiveness of the Allied Command will be abolished, and it will no longer be able to do so in the future..."
Frederick secretly sighed, the two choices given by Prime Minister Karl are actually one choice.
Sending a note to the tsarist government in the name of the anti-French alliance, urging the Russians to provide supplies to the front-line troops, isn't it also meddling in Russia's internal affairs
What's more, it has to catch up with the majesty of the Allied Command. This kind of thankless thing is obviously better to do less.
Providing logistical supplies to the Russian army is also not a good job. It seems that he has obtained the command of the Russian army stationed in France, but it has also deteriorated the relationship between the two countries.
It can be said that no matter what choice the Vienna government makes now, it will ultimately affect Russia-Austria relations. A bad operation may also affect the international image of Shinra.
However, not choosing is not enough. Since the Prime Minister proposed it, it is obviously the result of careful consideration. There may be a better way to deal with it, but we haven't thought of it yet.
After pondering for a while, Frederick nodded: "The most important thing on the battlefield is efficiency, the Russians are busy now, and they must be too late to deal with the time themselves.
For the overall situation, we will suffer a little loss and provide logistical supplies to the Russian army on the front line. When the situation in France has stabilized, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will communicate with the tsarist government. "
Other abilities are uncertain, but the ability to speak nonsense with open eyes, Frederick has moved closer to Franz.