On May 20, 1874, the Tsarist government declared war on Poland. On the afternoon of that day, the Russian Army crossed the border and launched an attack on the Polish Kingdom. The Russo-Polish War broke out again.
From the beginning of the Russo-Polish conflict to the outbreak of the war, it was less than a week. This efficiency refreshed Franz's understanding of the Tsarist government.
The results of Alexander Ii Of Russia's reform had already been reflected in efficiency. According to the Tsarist government's previous efficiency, it would take a few months to get it done.
The sudden war between Russia and Poland stunned many people. The European governments had no time to react before the war had already begun.
In London, Prime Minister Gelston felt exhausted. On one hand, he was busy with the domestic election, and on the other hand, he had to pay attention to the changes in the European situation. Even the Irish issue was postponed.
"The war in the Near East is still ongoing, and the Russians have provoked a war with the Poles. Have they forgotten the lesson of the last multi-front war so quickly? Who can tell me what happened in between? "
With his rich political experience, Prime Minister Gelston was certain that the Russo-Polish war was definitely not caused by a single conflict. Over the years, the number of conflicts between Russia and Poland had exceeded three digits, but this time, a war broke out.
Looking at the Russians' quick actions, it was clearly premeditated. The war in the Near East distracted Britannia's attention, and the Government of London directly believed that the Russians were preparing for war against the Osman Empire.
For this reason, the British were still thinking of ways to protect the Osman Empire. Now there was no need to worry. The Tsarist government provoked the Russo-Polish war and had no more energy to devote to the war in the Near East.
Foreign Minister Macklin: "Your Excellency, according to the information we have gathered, the Poles are in big trouble this time.
The Government of Berlin was not active in sending troops to rescue the Polish Kingdom. After the war broke out, they did not send troops, and even the military mobilization was very slow.
The Polish throne election was imminent, and William I's support was very high. Under normal circumstances, the election was in the bag.
The biggest obstacle was the current Polish government. There were some signs that the Polish government was prepared to use abnormal means to interfere in the election and kick William I out.
The people of Prussia were ambitious towards Poland, so it was not surprising that they used the method of killing with a borrowed knife to oust the Polish government in advance.
Judging from the current situation, Prussia and Russia should have secretly reached an agreement. The Government of Vienna hasn't taken any action yet. We can't make an accurate judgment on their role in this.
By the way, Prussia's diplomats have been very active recently, frequently meeting with the senior officials of various European countries. Only three days ago I was in deep communication with the Prussia Minister in London on the Polish question.
To counter the threat of Russia, they want to form Prussia, the Polish Confederation, and seek our support.
If I'm not mistaken, the people of Prussia have also contacted the Fao. I just don't know if they have reached a deal. "
Prime Minister Gelston nodded. This explanation made sense. The war between Russia and Poland suddenly broke out. It would be completely unreasonable if the two countries did not notice it beforehand.
If Prussia and Russia secretly colluded, then everything could be explained. The people of Prussia helped the Tsarist government cover up and created the conditions for the Russian Army to attack Poland. It was not surprising that the Polish government was kept in the dark.
Unlike other governments, the Polish government was a hodgepodge, and almost every power had a spy buried in it.
The Kingdom of Prussia had the strongest power in Poland, and many people had been bribed by the Government of Berlin. In addition, the Polish government was looking for trouble and was like fire and water with the military. It was too easy to intercept part of the intelligence.
Prime Minister Gelston frowned. "If the Austrians are involved, then it will be the fourth time that Prussia has carved up Poland.
This is not a good sign. If they continue, I'm afraid there will be only a few countries left on the European continent.
If Austria wasn't involved, then what benefits did Prussia and Russia offer in exchange for the acquiescence of the Government of Vienna?
Similarly, how many benefits did the Government of Berlin promise the French in exchange for the support of the Government of Paris, or did the people of Prussia not get their support?
These questions must be clarified. I don't think that Prussia and Russia can privately carve up the Kingdom of Poland without the understanding of the Fao and Russia.
The benefits of being able to bribe the Fao and Russia are definitely not small. Prussia and Russia are both poor, and their industrial and economic strength are very average. The promise shouldn't be economic, so the answer is obvious.
No matter what, we can't let them reach a deal, or the Fao and Russia will be completely big. "
The British's foreign policy had always been based on interests. When analyzing problems, they would also add a lot of interest factors into it.
With this set of analysis, many obscure problems became clear, and a lot of things could be known by directly tracing back to the interests.
The strategy of a great country couldn't be hidden at all, and countless pairs of eyes were watching. However, it was impossible for any country to only have one set of strategies. Among the many strategies, there was also a distinction between primary and secondary, and this order would change with the changes in the international situation.
Currently, all the countries in Europe recognized that the most important strategy of the French was to digest the Regions of Italy, followed by expansion into Central Europe and the territory west of the Rhine River.
Austria's most important strategy was to unify the German Region, mainly to unify the German Federal Empire, which had a high level of popular support, followed by expansion into the Osman Empire.
Because of the mutual restraint between the European countries, the second strategy of the French couldn't be implemented, and Austria's most important strategy couldn't be carried out either.
But once the Fao and Russia reached a compromise, and Prussia and Russia acquiesced to their actions, the situation would be completely different. The remaining countries couldn't oppose it even if they wanted to.
Minister of Finance Laruke Lloyd said, "The situation isn't that bad. If it really comes to that, the Fao and Russia will have a showdown.
Obviously, the current Fao and Russia aren't ready for war. I don't think a war will break out between them, at least until the cleanup is completed.
Of course, in order to prevent this from happening, I think it's necessary to strengthen the German Federal Empire.
If Prussia wants to annex Poland, then let them give up the Rhineland. Anyway, it's an enclave for Prussia, and the French are eyeing it.
Instead of leaving it to the French to strengthen, it's better to throw it to the German Federal Empire. At that time, the Fao and Russia can only restrain each other. "
This was an overt plot. Now that the French Empire was at its peak, it would be a tragedy as their neighbor, and the pressure on their national defense would increase.
The Rhineland was just an enclave, and with the Russian Empire as their enemy in the east, once the French decided to make a move, the Kingdom of Prussia wouldn't be able to resist at all.
Since they couldn't protect the Rhineland, the Government of Berlin's position would be greatly reduced. In exchange for annexing the Polish Kingdom, many people would probably agree.
Giving the Rhineland to the German Federal Empire, the British also didn't have good intentions. Once the Rhineland was incorporated into the German Confederation, the Fao and Russia could only keep each other in check.
Even if the Government of Vienna wanted to compromise and divide the enlarged German Federal Empire with the French, the German people wouldn't agree!
Nationalism determined that once the French set their sights on the Rhineland, Austria would have to stand on the side of the German Confederation. The Government of Vienna wouldn't dare to make any concessions.
On the contrary, if Austria wanted to annex the German Federal Empire, the French wouldn't agree. If Austria's influence extended to the west of the Rhine, how could France's strategic security be guaranteed?
Only when one side fell could the other side's goal be achieved. In this context, the British could play a balance between the Fao and Russia.
Whether or not there would be a power imbalance between the Fao and Russia, that was a matter for the future. The Government of London's foreign policy had always been focused on the present and not chasing the illusory future.
No one could guarantee what would happen decades or centuries later. Today they were allies, tomorrow they might be enemies, and the day after that they might become allies again. Preparing for a rainy day in diplomacy was a joke.
Prime Minister Gelston said, "This problem isn't urgent. Leak the news to the German Confederation first. If they want to get the Rhineland, they have to pay a price.
After getting the Rhineland, the German Confederation's strength will greatly increase, and it will be second only to Spain in Europe.
We have to work hard to persuade the Prussia people and settle the French. They can't just not pay a price! "
Prime Minister Gelston made a judgment in a short period of time. It was very likely that the Prussia people would give up the Rhineland, which meant that they could get rid of the threat of the French.
As for the losses, they could let the German Federal Empire make up for it. The German Federal Empire was almost the wealthiest region in Germany, and its finances were much stronger than the Government of Berlin. It wouldn't be a problem to sell it for a good price.
With this money, many problems would be easily solved. In the next Prussian war, the Kingdom of Prussia would no longer have no chance of winning.
As a broker, Britannia could also gain political benefits and expand its influence in the German Confederation.
…
The outside world naturally knew nothing about what happened inside the Government of London. Everyone's attention was attracted by the war.
The Near Eastern War and the Prussian War broke out at the same time, and everyone was waiting for the reaction of Prussia and Austria. Many people were guessing if there would be a full-scale war in Europe.
Prussia, Poland, and the Osman Empire could be seen as allies. When it came to fighting against Russia, they were only missing a piece of paper.
Russia and Austria were also allies. In theory, the Tsarist government now had a chance to drag Austria into the water. Once a full-scale war broke out between the two sides, Prussia and Osman would definitely not be able to defeat Russia and Austria, so they could only drag Austria into the water.
At this point, the fantasy should end. On May 23, 1874, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its position: the Government of Vienna was absolutely neutral in the Prussian War.
This time, everyone could rest assured that the so-called full-scale war in Europe did not exist, and the small countries did not have to worry about the problem of choosing sides.
Ankara, the decision of the Government of Vienna disappointed Abdul Aziz I. Originally, he had hoped that the European war would break out to share the military pressure.
Now, there was no need to think about it. The European countries were not stupid. Who would be willing to fight without benefits? The Government of Vienna remained neutral in the Russo-Polish war, which was not surprising to everyone.
It was very difficult to expand territory in Europe, and the legal basis was the biggest problem. Austria had no legal basis for Poland, and the land occupation was not legal at all.
This was different from the expansion in the The Balkans. There was no need to worry about legal issues or public condemnation when taking land from the Osman Empire. The Government of Vienna had the title of "liberator," not invader.
Taking Poland was different. Although the Great Popo was not popular, it was still a sovereign country recognized by everyone. Taking the territory of the Polish Kingdom was an invasion.
Unable to take the territory, and the Polish government was so poor that they could not even collect the military expenses for the war. It was normal for Austria to not be interested in the Polish region.
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