Chapter 906: The Wallflower
Chapter 888 The Wallflower
Bern, affected by the tense situation in Europe, Switzerland, a neutral country, is also having a hard time.
As the “Roof of Europe”, Switzerland is not a strategically unimportant location, as the keyboard warriors of the latter days would have us believe.
On the contrary, is located in the center of Western Europe, Switzerland, east of Austria, Italy, Italy, west of France, north of Baden and Württemberg, since ancient times is an important European transportation, strategic position is very important.
Because of its mountainous terrain, Switzerland has many strategic locations, such as St. Gotthard and St. Bernard, all of which are highly sought after by soldiers.
The outbreak of the Continental War is imminent, as a neutral country, Switzerland has become the center of the storm, how to take sides has become a problem.
Benhard Helmer, as the rotating president, was very unfortunate to catch up. The only thing he is glad about is that the countries are still mainly using lure and not directly forcing them to take sides.
This is the inevitable result, Switzerland is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and there are famous Swiss mercenaries, a discerning person will know that this is a hard bone.
Under the system of universal soldiers, it is still possible for Switzerland to pull out 300,000 to 500,000 troops. Although now Switzerland is still a poor loser, so many troops of weapons and equipment can not get together.
But as long as the team, these problems will not be a problem, France and Austria will not mind their own side of the soldiers.
Benhard Helmer explained, “Your Excellency the Minister, Switzerland is a neutral country, we are not going to participate in the European strife.”
Similar words, Benhard Hemmer already do not know how many times to say, but come to visit the people are still endless.
In most people’s opinion, he is waiting for the price to sell, only Benhard Hemmer himself knows clearly, he is really not willing to let Switzerland to participate in the continental disputes.
There is no way, Switzerland’s family is really too thin. Defend the mainland can also take advantage of the geographical advantage, to participate in the war initiative, then you can only fight hard.
For such a small country as Switzerland, participation in the French and Austrian disputes, win a limited gain, lose the family net loss, completely is not worth the loss.
Austrian Minister Elie de Katz shook his head: ”Your Excellency the Führer, don’t say it so absolutely. There are many things in this world that everyone is forced to do.
If possible, we wouldn’t want to have this war, but the French won’t agree.
I’m sure you’re well aware of how ambitious the French are. If we don’t stand up to stop them now and allow them to expand into Central Europe, we will surely suffer greatly in the future.”
Benhad Helmer was silent, and deep down he had already carried out countless spats. Essentially, the French ambition was also indulged by Austria.
If Austria hadn’t indulged the French in swallowing Italy southward back then, there wouldn’t be this bullish French empire today, and naturally, there wouldn’t be the current troubles.
Thinking about it, saying it is impossible. Now Switzerland also need Austria top up, or wait for the French annexation of Belgium and the Rhineland region, Switzerland is really dangerous.
“Your Excellency the Minister, curbing the French expansion is indeed very important, but our strength is limited and we really don’t have the ability to get involved in this war.”
Joining the war is impossible, not in this lifetime. Containing the French is fine, we can just support it mentally.
Benhard Hemmer’s refusal was not at all surprising to Elie de Katz; there was no tangible benefit to be gained, and simply to contain French expansion was not enough to make the Swiss sell out.
“Well then, if your country does not wish to enter the war, it can be neutralized first.
Just let go of the barriers at the critical moment and let our troops through to catch the French off guard.
In return, after the war your country can get the Contai region. If your country is willing to send troops, you can also get the Savoy region.”
It had to be admitted that Austria was very generous when it came to the distribution of benefits. Even Benhard Helmer, who had made up his mind to be neutral, was not a little moved.
The Comté region contains the provinces of Dou, Jura, Haute-Saône and the local province of Belfort, with a total area of up to 16,202 square kilometers, equivalent to two-fifths of Switzerland.
If you add the Savoy region, that’s half of Switzerland. That’s the limit, they couldn’t eat more if they gave it to Switzerland.
After a moment’s hesitation, Bernhard Hemmer resisted the temptation. The benefits would be greater if the French were defeated, but if they lost on the battlefield, there would be nothing left.
On paper, the Austrian side was clearly superior, but the reputation of the French army could not be denied.
Napoleon was also under the disadvantage of defeating the anti-French coalition, who does not know whether the French will copy the miracle of the ancestor, Benhard Hemmer did not dare to follow the risk.
“I’m sorry, Your Excellency the Minister. We have no ambitions for French territory, Switzerland is just a small country that has never wanted to expand abroad.”
It had to be refused, if he was indecisive at this point, word would get out that Switzerland was spying on French territory, and if the French found out, the Swiss government could not afford it.
Elie Decazi laughed, “Your Excellency the Führer, don’t worry. After the war, the French will not be able to take care of themselves and will not be able to claim these lands from your country.
You should know that a large portion of the French territory was looted, and it will definitely be returned to its rightful owner after the war.
For example: the states in the Italian region will regain their independence, the Upper Pyrenees they seized from Spain will need to be returned, as will Lorraine and Alsace, which encroached on the German region, and the northern ……
If your country is concerned about security, Austria is fully capable of giving you protection, and after the war we will also sign a treaty to jointly contain France.”
Listening to Elie Decaz’s explanation, Benhard Hemmer’s heart was in turmoil. If Austria’s plan was allowed to succeed, the current Great French Empire would shrink by at least half.
As long as the countries were able to fulfill their obligations, France would lose the possibility of a resurgence. Not even if Napoleon came back to life, the neighbors would not give him a chance to become bigger.
If that was all, Switzerland was among those with a vested interest, and Bernhard Helmer had absolutely no reason to oppose it.
But along with the division of the spoils came the establishment of Austria’s continental supremacy, which was not what Bernhard Hemmer wanted to see.
Austria now seems harmless, seldom in the European continent to make things, but who can not become the continental hegemony of Austria will also be so peaceful.
In case the situation changes, Austria hit the idea of Switzerland, they will be dangerous.
Don’t say it’s impossible, this is the ancestral land of the Habsburg dynasty, almost all the Habsburg monarchs have been playing the idea of this place.
After calming down, Benhard Hemmer flatly refused, “Your Excellency the Minister, Switzerland is a neutral country, as early as during the Vienna Conference, it was established.
This is our fundamental national policy and will not change due to changes in the outside world. So even though your offer is very tempting, we can only regretfully refuse it.
But rest assured, we still stand with your country on the issue of containing France, and today’s conversation will definitely not be known to a third person.”
Refusal aside, Bernhard Helmer still didn’t want to offend Austria. Deep down, he felt that Austria would more than likely win.
Without so many reasons, just with that plan just now, Austria had the advantage.
Although the French were powerful, they couldn’t help but have many enemies! Once the continental war broke out, France was going to face internal and external problems.
See things can not be done, Elie Decazi did not continue to force, waved his hand and said: “Well then, your country is not willing to participate in the war, borrowed we are not forced.
However, out of the need to combat France, I hope that after the war breaks out, your country will be able to put obstacles in the way of the French in terms of trade.”
Just because we can’t talk about it now doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it in the future. When the anti-French coalition forces have dominated the battlefield, it will be much less difficult to pull Switzerland into the fold.
If it is really not possible, the big deal is to bully and seduce. Small countries are all wallflowers, and the so-called principles are worthless in the face of survival.
After hesitating for a while, Bernhard Hemmer replied: “Setting up trade barriers, this is no problem.
France is not part of the free trade system and does not apply free trade principles. When war breaks out, we can ban the flow of strategic goods into France.”
Verbally committed, Bernhard Helmer was not pressured. The embargo on strategic goods also had to be seen in the light of the actual situation.
If the anti-French allies have a clear advantage, then the embargo is really on France. Siding with the victor is a survival instinct for small countries and does not need to be considered at all.
If there is a stalemate between the two sides, then a nominal embargo, secretly smuggling, both sides can be accounted for.
On the contrary ……
(End of chapter)