Chapter 172: Entry of France
Chapter 169 The French Entry
On March 21, 1851, the Tsarist government appointed Duke Alexander Mareshkov as a special envoy to Constantinople to negotiate with the Ottoman government.
The diplomatic community was in an uproar at the news. Duke Alexander Maishkov had been governor of Finland, commanded the wars with Persia and the Ottomans, and served as commander of the Black Sea Fleet and Minister of the Navy.
As the core of the ruling group of the Tsarist government, the fact that Duke Alexander Mareshkov was the special envoy for the negotiations was enough to show the importance of the Russians.
This attention seems to be releasing a signal to the outside world that the Russians want to solve the problem through negotiation.
However, considering that Duke Mareshkov was part of the main warring faction and also commanded the last Russo-Turkish war, it seems that this was another demonstration to the Ottomans.
Before traveling to Constantinople, Duke Mareshkov went first to Sarabia to review the troops stationed there, and then to Sevastopol to review the Black Sea Fleet.
Even Russia made a landing maneuver against the target of Constantinople. Only after the completion of the maneuvers, on March 12, Duke Mareshkov took the warship “Thor” and left for Constantinople.
Mareshkov was not a qualified diplomat, he himself despised diplomacy and etiquette, and as a stalwart of the war party, he opposed all concessions to the Ottoman Empire.
Franz did not look favorably on this Constantinople negotiation; the Russian appetite was so great that the Ottoman Empire could not compromise.
In the Russian and Ottoman government negotiations at the same time, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also not idle, and the Ottoman diplomatic negotiations also opened, but Franz did not pay attention to this negotiation, directly authorized the Minister in Constantinople, Mestsel in charge.
Meistersell’s Palace
It was a windy and sunny afternoon, Franz was fishing. It seemed to be his good luck that the fish just wouldn’t bite.
In contrast, the neighboring father, Archduke Karl, has already harvested three, the largest of which weighs three pounds. If nothing else, this unlucky fish will probably be on the dinner table tonight.
The maid’s crisp voice rang out, “Your Majesty, Mr. Metternich requests an audience.”
“Take him to the gazebo, I’ll be right there.” Franz said indifferently
After saying that, Franz put down his fishing rod and said to his father and a few younger brothers who were not far away, “You guys continue, I’m going to work.”
Without even thinking, Archduke Karl blurted out, “Go on, unlucky boy, may God wish you good luck!”
Franz choked, he was going to say “Fish eat bad luck”. He wanted to say, “Fish eat bad luck”, but there was no such proverb in Austria, and people would not be able to understand it if he said it.
His good upbringing allowed him to filter out his father’s words, and he simply glared at his younger brothers, who were laughing and watching the fun.
Seemingly remembering the days of being dominated by horrible homework, the few little ones very sensibly curbed their smiles, and Franz left satisfied.
If Archduke Nakaar didn’t have a problem, can’t he still clean up a few little kids? Based on the principle that it was better to have fun alone than to have fun with others, Franz directly copied the pain he had experienced to his several younger brothers.
There’s nothing more to it than being watched by more than thirty governesses, and having never-ending lessons and homework.
Franz is a good older brother, this education expenses he directly wrapped up. European aristocrats are very important to the education of their children, in this issue, there is no one to help them to intercede.
Then, the three little ones have become good children, they are not the school bully, for the sake of the good life under the blue sky and white clouds, decisively surrendered to the evil elder brother.
Otherwise, now they are still bitterly gnawing on books, where would they have the opportunity to come over to cultivate aristocratic temperament (fishing and playing).
Perhaps in Archduke Karl’s view, Franz really was a complete unlucky egg. What’s so great about being an emperor? Every day there are endless official business to deal with, and even vacations will have things come to his door.
Franz never expressed any opinion about his father’s views. If he had an ounce of ambition, he would be the one sitting on the throne right now.
In Archduke Karl’s opinion, laboring to be emperor was not as comfortable as eating, drinking, and having fun.
Under this notion, many times Archduke Karl looked at Franz with pity.
Franz could do nothing about it. He could not say: if you do not have your own efforts, you, the Habsburg family rice worm, will not be long before there is no rice to eat.
……
“Your Majesty, news has just come that the French have intervened in Jerusalem, and the Catholic Church wants our support.”
This news brought by Metternich made Franz only marvel at the power of historical revision. But upon careful analysis, it was a foregone conclusion.
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte had to enlist popular support if he wanted a restoration. The present crisis in the Holy Land, which seemed like a nuisance to others, was an opportunity to him.
Not only could he take advantage of the opportunity to increase France’s foreign influence, but he could also gain the support of the Catholics. How could he refuse such a good thing that could kill two birds with one stone?
As for the consequences of doing so, it is only to offend the Russians and Ottomans. Others were afraid of the woolly bear, but he was not. Anyway, with the German Confederation in the way, the Russians will not be able to cross the border, so what is there to be afraid of?
The attitude of the Ottomans can be ignored, now the Ottomans are no longer the Ottomans of the past, any of the European powers can step on them.
Franz thought about it and said, “In that case, the French have already entered. It seems that the Russians are in trouble, and I’m afraid that this Russo-Turkish war is not going to be a good one.
But this has nothing to do with us, since the French have already made their move in Jerusalem, with that strong power of theirs, I’m sure they don’t need our help, just support them verbally.”
Help? The French government is not likely to let Austria intervene, this is Louis Napoleon Bonaparte’s time to gain prestige, how can Austria join to share his “credit”?
Metternich frowned and said: “Your Majesty, things are not so simple. Not only the Russians are in trouble, even we are in trouble.”
Franz was slightly stunned, he didn’t realize that this had anything to do with Austria.
Metternich explained, “Your Majesty, the French meddling in this conflict means that Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is ready to seize power, and it won’t be long before we hear about the disappearance of his restoration.
When that happens, an absolutely pro-British French government will emerge. In international affairs, Britain and France will further deepen their cooperation.
A bipolar pattern emerges in the world, the Russo-Austrian alliance and the Anglo-French alliance. With the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, the conflicts between the two alliances would become deeper and deeper, and would even lead to war.
Britain and Russia have the advantage of geographic location, the two countries are unlikely to break out in a full-scale war, at most a localized conflict.
But it’s different with us and the French, under the contradictions of the two alliances, it’s very likely that Austria and France will directly break out into war in the future.”
Franz froze, Metternich’s analysis made him question who exactly was the traveler.
He had also considered the possibility of war breaking out between Austria and France, but he had always thought that it was in the Italian issue, now it seemed that the contradiction between the two major alliances was the trigger for the future Austro-French conflict.
Against this background, Austria had only two ways to go. Either to join forces with the Russians and hit the French hard in the coming war. Without this battering ram, the British would also wimp out.
Or do nothing and wait for the Franco-Prussian conflict to escalate. The French had been eyeing the Rhineland for more than a day or two, and as industrialization progressed, the Prussian government attached more and more importance to the land, and the likelihood of concessions was almost zero.
In later years, the power of German industry, the Rhineland region’s contribution is huge, the mineral resources here for the Kingdom of Prussia, is indispensable, and can not be replaced.
As for the possibility of compromise between the two countries? Franz could answer unequivocally – no, not to mention the many times in history that Bismarck promised to cede the Rhineland to the French.
But in the end, the Prussian government still preferred to engage in military adventures and a duel with the French, rather than actually cede this area.
This was the future of the Prussian Kingdom, and from the beginning of industrialization, the Prussian government had realized the importance of this area. If the Kingdom of Prussia gave up this area, then the Ruhr industrial zone would be cool.
Franz frowned and said, ”It seems like we can’t do anything now. The French being caught up in the Russo-Turkish War is good for the westward strategy we are preparing.
Once the westward strategy is completed and the South German region is integrated, the power contrast between France and Austria has changed. Even if there is a war in the future, the chances of us winning are high.”
This was not Franz’s confidence, but the truth. The strength of Austria, which had integrated the South German region, had definitely not grown by the half a star on the surface.
Many people in this era overestimated France, that is Napoleon swept across the continent of Europe to everyone’s heart, ignoring today’s France, themselves are not the France of the year.
Whether it is in the comprehensive national strength, or in the army combat power, they are not the first power that makes the world tremble.
Metternich had a phobia of France, as long as it is said that the outbreak of war with the French, he held a pessimistic attitude, as if Napoleon is back again.
Franz could do nothing about this problem. Metternich was a politician who came from that era, personally participated in the war against France, and was beaten out of his heart by Napoleon, simply no solution.
Fortunately, the Austrian army’s performance that year was not too bad, the two sides fought back and forth, and was not taken away by the French in a wave, and the generals who came from that year did not wimp out.
Marshal Radetzky as the head of the military hardliners, for the failure of that year, but very unconvinced, but also want to find an opportunity to get back.
If the military is not tough enough, Franz will actually also go. Who let the performance of the Austro-Hungarian army in the latter part of the world, leaving him the impression of waste?
Franz personally understand the Austrian army is very clear, the Austrian Empire is absolutely not equal to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, whether in military morale, or in the training of soldiers, are much stronger than the Austro-Hungarian period.
Metternich shook his head and said: ”Your Majesty, a France with constant infighting is indeed not enough to worry about. But once Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is allowed to be restored, the infighting in the French government will be suppressed.
At that time, we must take into account the situation of the Franco-Prussian alliance. As long as we put enough pressure on them, it is possible for Prussia and France to reach a compromise.”
Franz’s heart was stunned, if Austria annexed the South German region, the power changed radically.
Then both Prussia and France will feel threatened, and in order to solve this threat, as long as one side makes concessions, joining forces to give Austria a hard time, it seems not impossible.
Then Franz shook his head again, this problem is too early to consider. The French are very proud of themselves, and it is almost impossible to make them give in to the Kingdom of Prussia without experiencing defeat.
It was certain that even if they won against Austria, the French would not be able to let Prussia unify the German region. So was it necessary for the Prussian government to take a risk for this?
If France and Austria were to fight alone, or if Prussia and Austria were to fight alone, the Russians might watch the show and use their power to weaken Austria a little; if Prussia and France were to join forces, as long as the Russians did not want to fall into a state of isolation, the sending of troops would become inevitable.
The French were too far away to feel threatened by the Russians, but the near-by Kingdom of Prussia was not. It is possible that in the end, Austria is still by the combination of France and Prussia, the Kingdom of Prussia will first be the Russian-Austrian combination on the destruction.
Franz thought for a moment and said, “It seems that next, we have to be a little more restrained. To be scorned by the countries, then it will be a big trouble.”
No matter what the alliance was, it was necessary to speak in terms of interests. Once there was a conflict of interests, turning the other cheek was faster than turning over a book.
In order to avoid the worst case scenario, Franz chose to play the goat first.
(End of chapter)