Chapter 1134: The Helplessness of a Small Country
Chapter 1113 – The Helplessness of a Small Country
South Africa’s smoke has risen again, and the international situation, which was already tense, has become more and more unmanageable. The critical moment of standing in line has arrived, and there is no longer any room for hesitation.
The smell of gunpowder filled the whole world, at this moment, Europe is like sitting on the powder keg that lit the fuse, waiting for the final verdict of fate.
Amsterdam, along with the international tensions, this prosperous international metropolis, although the traffic is still busy, but not the laughter of the past.
The situation is tense, the capital market is the most sensitive. Not waiting for the Dutch government to make the final decision, the stock market was the first to crash.
Capitalists have waved money “buy buy”, regardless of whether the quality, as long as the asset is someone bid.
Especially the most popular daily necessities, not waiting for the general public to react, the price of goods is rubbing up, the most critical is the shortage of goods.
There was no way around it, once the two hegemons, Shen Luo and Britain, went to war, the North Sea was bound to be blockaded, and oceanic trade would definitely not be able to go on.
Domestic production of goods can not go out, overseas industrial raw materials can not come in, the impact on the fragile Netherlands is too great.
Although there is still the European continent, but as a trading country on the sea, most of the Dutch economy rely on ocean trade to support.
With the blockade of the sea trade routes, the link between the mainland and the colonies was interrupted. No colonies can be plundered, purely spell manufacturing strength, the Netherlands can not be much competitive.
Realizing the crisis, the capitalists are taking practical actions to recover their losses as much as possible.
The traffic at this moment is actually the last madness before the storm. Goods that can be loaded onto ships for export must be sent out immediately, and goods that need to be imported must also be rushed.
Affected by the depressing atmosphere, the pedestrians on the road are “coming and going in a hurry”, and even the stores on both sides are quiet.
Especially those selling high-grade luxury goods, it was even more crowded. On the contrary, the inconspicuous daily necessities grocery store, in front of a long line.
The Dutch government is not unprepared, since Franz opened the first government interference in the market, the imitators have never been less, the difference lies only in the size of the interference.
Seeing the outbreak of the rush, in order to stabilize the situation in the country, the Dutch government can only start the emergency plan, the daily necessities – “limited purchase”.
However, this is not difficult to defeat the wisdom of the Dutch people, limit the purchase of the big deal a few more times in line. Even if the store has a record, but Amsterdam is not the only daily grocery store.
In the era of no Internet, want to really make sense to limit the purchase, it is too difficult.
For the capitalists, as long as someone pays, who isn’t selling to?
Unless the government directly intervenes in the franchise, the role of “purchase restrictions” is only to buy time for the mobilization of supplies.
“Franchise” is not possible, unlike later generations of European state-owned stores everywhere, this year’s European countries rarely directly owned enterprises.
There is no mature business model, directly to the bureaucrats to complete, it is better to let go, let the capitalists tossed.
At least the government can lose less money, less scolding, do not need to face the anger of the people.
As the people are feeling the tension, the pressure on the top echelons of the government, who are in control of the country, is even greater.
Since the Czarist government decided to support Shenla, the Dutch government realized that the “Neutrality Movement” was going to fail and started to look for a new solution.
Unfortunately, time waits for no one, the new program has not been pounded out, but the news of the Anglo-Australian conflict in South Africa came first.
“Fortunes come in twos, and misfortunes come in twos.”
Not waiting for the Dutch government to react, followed by news of Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and other countries taking sides.
To this day, the only continental countries that have not yet taken a stand are now the Netherlands and the Nordic Confederation.
Even Portugal, which is the farthest away from God’s Law, surrendered to the Vienna government this morning.
The real reason that the Kingdom of Portugal was able to quickly make up its mind to betray its British allies and turn to the camp of Godroe is not complicated. It is summarized in one sentence – the Kingdom of Spain has chosen the Holy Roman Empire.
Anyone who knows a little bit about the feud between Spain and Portugal knows that the two countries were once united in history. The emerging nationalism of Greater Spain included Portugal in its ideal territory.
In the two camps against the background of the times, the Kingdom of Portugal, if you continue to follow the Britannia mix, may be Spain to take advantage of the opportunity to be annexed.
In favor of the British army strength is limited, light guarding their own territory is difficult, simply can not support them strongly.
One-on-one, Portugal will not be able to defeat Spain, especially if Spain is supported by Shen Luo.
Although theoretically speaking, out of the need to stabilize the hegemony, Shen Luo must limit the growth of the strength of each country, and it is unlikely to support the annexation of Portugal by Spain.
But the theory is just a theory, in the past years, the Vienna government has done unreasonable things to go.
After the minister in Lisbon poked through the windowpaper, the Kingdom of Portugal soon made the right choice.
In order to survive, offending the British was not a concern. Anyway, there were so many countries that supported Shinra now that even if the British won the war, they were not capable of liquidation.
The most serious consequence was nothing more than losing overseas colonies. It was already a long-term loss, and losing them would just ease the financial burden.
As for the damage to domestic interest groups, that’s not something politicians care about now. In the face of survival, everything must give way.
Accompanied by the Portuguese government’s rapid stand, the Dutch government’s pressure became instantly greater. Being targeted by two big countries at the same time, that feeling is definitely not wonderful.
……
Looking at the telegram in her hand, Queen Wilhelmina said with a somewhat trembling voice, “Suspension of commercial trade exchanges, the Vienna government is giving a final order!”
Perhaps influenced by Franz’s butterfly effect, Queen Wilhelmina’s participation in politics is far higher than that of the same period in history.
Not only her, but monarchs all over Europe were almost all affected. Along with the strong rise of the Holy Roman Empire, Britain’s constitutional monarchy, the influence is far less marketable than in the original time and space.
Although countries also follow the example of constitutional monarchy, but “constitutional” and “constitutional”, there is also a difference.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Prime Minister Christie replied.
“When the conflict in South Africa broke out, the countdown to war between the Holy Roman Empire and Britain began. It is not surprising that the government of Vienna chose to show its hand at this time.
The only difference is that the attitude of the Vienna government, this time, is much tougher than at any time in the past, leaving no room for negotiation.
Perhaps this is the hegemony!
Not only us, but also the Nordic Confederation has received the last word. There is not much time left for us, and we have to make a choice before war breaks out.”
It was obvious that Christie was not at peace inside. It was obvious that the Vienna government had changed its previous gentle and elegant image and suddenly showed a strong style, which still touched his heart.
But touch to touch, to this point, realize that it is already too late. The Holy Roman Empire, which has become a great power, is simply not something they can shake.
“Ai!”
After sighing, Minister of the Interior Anwen Henriques lamented, “Choice, we simply don’t have a choice now!
Once the hegemony war between Shinra and Britannia breaks out, there is no one in the whole of Europe who can stand alone.
The British would allow us to be neutral, but no matter how powerful the Royal Navy is, the warships can’t go ashore; whereas Shen Luo’s land forces can kill their way to Amsterdam.
From the moment the Czarist government made its choice, our plan had failed. Now the countries of Europe are coming down to take sides, which was expected.
Originally, the neutrality campaign we launched upset the Vienna government. If we continue to carry on with our dead weight, there’s no chance that we’ll be used by them to make a stand.”
Not Anwen Henriques goat, really the Netherlands does not have the capital to carry on, but where the strength is a little stronger, it is not so blatantly threatened.
Look at the next door of the Nordic countries to know, although the same was issued a final disk, but in the wording to be much more polite, and even can be discussed again.
Of course, the Vienna government is now the slightest bit unforgiving, and the Dutch government before the neutralization campaign is not unrelated.
To realize that in recent decades, the Netherlands and Vienna are also very close, in international politics and diplomacy, the two countries often maintain the same position.
If the war is not too involved, involving the core interests of their respective countries, the two governments would not have been so stiff.
Foreign Minister Van Tove waved his hand and said: ”Anwen is right, now the position of the Vienna government is too strong, we really have no choice.
Not only do we have to take sides, but it’s best to make our position known before the Nordic Confederation, or else there will be less trouble to follow.
As for the British side, the Foreign Office will do its best to avoid turning the mainland into a battlefield as much as possible.
But it may not be of much use. If the British want to land and fight, there are only three places to choose from, and we happen to be one of them.
For the sake of national security, I suggest strengthening the defense of the coastal areas. For example: increase the number of shore guns, or follow the example of the Holy Roman Empire by forming air force naval defense formations.
Then, just bet on luck with France and Belgium! May God favor the Netherland Kingdom!”
Politics is never simple, and even taking sides takes time. The first to defect over, and the last to do so, often enjoy very different treatment.
At this point in time, the first to stand in line is definitely not going to make it, and the only thing the Dutch government can do now is not to be the last.
Obviously, the best time for political speculation has already passed, and the most that can be done by standing in line now is to follow the soup, and it is not known whether it can make up for the losses incurred in the war.
There is no way out, the situation has developed to this point, even if there is no benefit, the Dutch government must follow the line.
(End of chapter)