London
Prime Minister John Russell was having a headache over the Italian issue. After the Battle of Osa Venezia, he knew that things were going to be troublesome. Maybe the interests of the British Empire in Italy would be lost.
"Mr Palmerston, this Ossa War is about to end, what position do you think we should take?" John Russell asked
Foreign Minister Palmerston said calmly: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, we still have a lot of interests in the Kingdom of Sardinia. In order to ensure the interests of the British Empire, the Kingdom of Sardinia must be preserved.
However, we must also consider the attitude of the Austrians. This war was provoked by the Sardinians, and they must be given an explanation! "
The world theme of this era is the hegemony of Britain and Russia. The British Empire is not yet powerful, and the Austrian Empire is also a member of the great powers. The benefits that should be taken cannot be deprived.
Henry-John Temple, the Minister of State, frowned and said: "Mr Palmerston, the problem is that the Austrians will not let it go, and no great power can stand indifferent to the provocation of dignity.
The Sardinians have already angered the Austrian government this time, so they did not hesitate to compromise with the French. Information from Paris showed that Fao may have signed a secret agreement.
If Fao joins forces now, then the Kingdom of Sardinia will become history, even if we oppose it, it will not help! "
On the Italian issue, the three countries of Britain, France and Austria have the greatest discourse power. Because of the geopolitical relationship, the Italian region has always been the focus of contention between France and Austria, and the British mediate and maintain the balance.
In order to better contain France and Austria, after entering the 19th century, the British spread the idea of unification in Italy. After the outbreak of the European Revolution, the London government began to support the Sardinian Kingdom to unify Italy.
No doubt, this time they were having fun. Austria just stretched out one hand and crippled the Kingdom of Sardinia, and even colluded with the rival French in an attempt to carve up Italy.
Palmerston smiled and said: "Mr Temple, things are not so bad, the French are so conflicted, they change governments faster than women change clothes.
The political proposition of the previous government does not mean that this government also agrees with it. If it is not possible, we can still wait for the next government.
As long as we put diplomatic pressure on them, the French government will not have the energy to expand outward. Without the participation of the French, Austria does not have such a good appetite that it can eat the Kingdom of Sardinia in one bite. "
After listening to Palmerston's metaphor, everyone laughed. The British never smirked at mocking France's old enemy.
If Fao joins forces, then there is nothing to say, no one can stop them from carving up Italy.
But now the French are no longer in the state, and in just a few months after the establishment of the republican government, they have changed several governments successively.
Originally, the British intended to support a pro-British government, but after seeing the speed of the French changing the government, they stopped.
There is no way, they can't keep up with the rhythm. There are still revolutions in France every now and then, and there are a lot of chaotic power groups.
Who knows who is standing at the end
If you invest in the wrong target, it’s okay to waste resources, and if you gain another enemy, you will lose a lot.
After a pause, Prime Minister Russell asked again: "Mr. Palmerston, how is the Foreign Office going to convince the Austrian government? If they insist on destroying the Kingdom of Sardinia, what measures are the Foreign Office going to take?"
His meaning is obvious. The British Empire's participation in the Italian issue is limited to diplomacy.
There is no need to think about sending troops directly to help the Kingdom of Sardinia to fight. Regardless of whether it can win or not, under the basic national policy of continental balance, Austria is also an indispensable part of the British mainland policy.
Palmerston thought for a while and said: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, the Austrian Empire has just experienced a civil strife, and the Hungarian rebellion has not been extinguished so far. The most important issue for them now is to deal with internal conflicts.
They should have no plans to annex the Sardinian kingdom, and even the secret contract of Offa may be a cover. Metternich's old fox is not easy to deal with. This time, the Sardinian kingdom will inevitably bleed.
If the interests of the Italian region cannot satisfy the Austrians, then let us appease them with the interests of the Balkans and let them compete with the Ottomans for hegemony in the Near East! "
This is the operation that the British Empire is best at - moving disasters to Jiangdong. The weak nature of the Ottoman Empire has not been exposed, and on the surface, they are also one of the great powers.
The Habsburg Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire have been enemies for centuries. From the Middle Ages to the present, the two sides have experienced battles, no one thousand or eight hundred, and hatred has long been buried.
"The situation in the Near East is already very complicated. If we encourage Austria to enter, the situation will become even more chaotic. If the Austrian government and the Russians join forces, can we control it?" Minister of State Henry John Temple questioned road
Austria and the Ottoman Empire are a feud, and the contradiction between the two sides is very deep. If the British Empire supports it, the Austrian government will definitely not mind suppressing this old enemy.
The problem is that the Russians and the Ottoman Empire were also feuding. Russia and Austria are allies, and if they have a common enemy, it will be difficult for them not to unite.
Palmerston explained confidently: "Russia and Austria are allies, but in the Balkans, they also have conflicts of interest.
Austria has long been eyeing the Danube Valley, but the appetite of the Russians has no end. It is a matter of time before they clash, and the Russian-Austrian alliance, which is a headache for us, will naturally collapse! "
Interest is always the best catalyst. Now the biggest enemy of the British is the Russians, and many foreign policies revolve around the Russians.
It is not easy to defeat Russia as a competitor. Unlike any enemy in the past, Mao Xiong not only has a strong army, but also is in the easternmost part of Europe and is geographically invincible.
To defeat the Russians, it is necessary to divide the Russian allies and isolate them, and the British are very patient in this regard.
…
Vienna
After the victory of the Battle of Venice, Franz was thinking about the aftermath. For Austria, the Italian region was like a chicken rib. It was a pity to eat without meat.
It is easy to occupy the kingdom of Sardinia, but difficult to rule the kingdom of Sardinia.
"Mr. Metternich, what do the French say, when will they send troops?" Franz asked with concern
The Kingdom of Sardinia is not easy to rule, but this does not prevent him from using it to deceive people. If the French can be fooled in, then the British Empire will not have the time to stare at Austria.
(It will be put on the shelves next Friday, it has been confirmed, then everyone will cover Haiyue!!)