In Tokyo, after receiving the news that Austria was interfering in the affairs of the Philippines, Emperor Meiji held an Imperial Conference overnight.
It couldn't be helped, this was the deterrence of the top powers. Like most ordinary people in this era, the Emperor of Meiji also suffered from Oceophobia.
Emperor Meiji was already very nervous about challenging Spain. If Austria came along, life would really be difficult.
Although the south strategy went very smoothly, the Spanish were more useless than expected. In just a month, the Japanese Army occupied half of the Philippines, which could be described as a glorious result.
But this was only on the surface. The Japanese Army's rapid advance only caught Spain off guard. In essence, Spain's overall strength was still above Japan.
No matter how powerful the Meiji Restoration was, it only developed for more than 20 years. It couldn't be compared to the hundred years of accumulation of the old empires.
Of course, since they dared to challenge, the Government of Japan also had its own advantages, such as: closer to the mainland, stronger combat power, higher morale.
Having a military advantage didn't mean that everything was fine. As the first country to challenge the white people, Japan fell into a political and diplomatic disadvantage.
It was fine to fight alone, but the key was that there was no support. It could be said that they were more isolated than France. On the other hand, Spain at least had the sympathy of the European world.
The interference of the big powers became the biggest risk of this trip south. Discovering Austria's movement, even if it was only a trivial matter, Emperor Meiji didn't dare to take it lightly.
Ito Hirobumi analyzed, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Austria is busy with the European war and probably doesn't really want to interfere in the affairs of the Philippines.
We went south under the banner of England and France, so it's normal for the Austrians to be vigilant.
It just so happened that the Nanyang Chinese came to us at this time, so they pushed the boat with the current and came to test us to see if we have any signs of continuing south.
General Yamagata Aritomo did a very good job and decisively chose to retreat without causing a conflict. Now the Austrians should be relieved. "
They had to think more. The Japanese Army entered Nanyang under the invitation of England and France, and it was obvious that they were going to Austria. Although the Government of Japan explained afterwards, this would also cause Austria to be dissatisfied.
The superpowers definitely had their own tempers. It was normal for them to create some small obstacles and retaliate a little.
Oyama Iwao questioned, "Ito-kun, this is a disgrace to the Great Japanese Empire. How can it be called good?
Today, when Austria comes, we must make concessions; tomorrow, when England and France come, do we still have to make concessions?
Step by step, step by step. This was how the ambitions of the great powers were spoiled. If they did not learn to say no to the great powers, the Great Japanese Empire would never be able to truly stand up!
Don't talk about testing us. Austria has never taken us seriously, and the Government of Vienna won't even bother.
I think it's most likely the personal behavior of a diplomat. It's unknown whether the Government of Austria knows about this.
Austria isn't the ruler of Europe yet, but they're already so overbearing. If we let them win the war, will they force us out of the Philippines?
I suggest that we ignore the unreasonable demands of the Austrians and deal with this incident forcefully to show the outside world that we are tough on the outside world.
Anyway, the war on the European continent is so tragic that it's impossible for the Austrians to push us to the opposite side at this time. "
Not being able to seize the position of commander-in-chief and being forced to stay in the headquarters to make plans was fine, but the key was that the strategy made in the headquarters became unrecognizable at the frontlines.
Oyama Iwao had no choice but to endure facing the leader of the Japanese Army, Yamanagi Aritomo, but he still suppressed his anger.
Now that this incident happened, he naturally couldn't help but vent. Moreover, his identity also required him to be tough on the outside world. Otherwise, how could he establish prestige in the army?
Moreover, his analysis was not wrong. In the short term, Austria really didn't have the time to care about Southeast Asia. Even if they went too far, they couldn't immediately settle the score.
As for settling the score later, they could still rely on Austria's thigh. The Royal Navy was at its peak. As long as the British didn't agree, even if Austria wanted to settle the score later, it would be difficult to do anything.
Ito Hirobumi rubbed his forehead. This kind of reasonable rebuttal was the most troublesome, but he didn't want to offend Austria.
The Japanese Army learned from the French and had a kind of blind confidence in France. However, as a politician, Ito Hirobumi didn't see it the same way.
The scale of the war on the European continent was huge. Although the combat power of the troops was important, it was more dependent on the overall strength of the country.
In the eyes of many politicians, France had already lost the war from the moment the war entered a state of anxiety. Just as Ito Hirobumi was in a dilemma, a shocking news came.
"Your Majesty, I just received a telegram. The Russians have declared war on France!"
Emperor Meiji couldn't care less about self-restraint. He snatched the telegram from his attendant and quickly browsed through it.
Although they didn't know what happened, everyone knew that there was no need to continue the dispute just now. From the moment the Russians entered the war, France was powerless to reverse the situation.
A possible victory and a destined victory were two different concepts. Under the circumstances where they weren't sure that Austria would win, there were still people who dared to gamble. Now that the outcome was set, they couldn't ignore the attitude of the future overlord of Europe.
…
In London, George had just disembarked from the ship when he received the grievous news. He didn't have time to rest and rushed to the Royal Palace to attend the Imperial Conference.
The matter was too serious. Even Queen Victoria, who didn't meddle in politics, couldn't sit still.
At this moment, the aged Queen Victoria asked in a trembling voice, "According to what you said, the monarch shouldn't meddle in politics. In recent years, I haven't meddled in politics.
The big and small matters of the Empire are handled by you. But who can tell me why the international situation has developed to this stage? "
The struggle between the monarch and the prime minister was a common occurrence since ancient times. People only knew that Queen Victoria rarely meddled in politics, but they didn't know that it was the result of the struggle for power.
Ever since Prince Albert passed away, Queen Victoria lost her powerful political arm. She gradually lost her strength in the struggle for power.
However, Queen Victoria wasn't an ordinary person. She knew that she couldn't control the cabinet, so she decisively chose to advance by retreating.
On one hand, she reduced her involvement in politics, and on the other hand, she firmly held onto power. In short, I can authorize you to use power, but I also have the right to take it back.
This was the reason why Edward VII was able to rebuild his monarchy. After all, the power had always been in the hands of the royal family. It was just that they didn't use it.
In contrast, the future King of England couldn't do it. From the moment George V gave up his power, he couldn't take it back.
Facing the Queen's questioning, everyone lowered their heads. Everyone knew that a crisis was coming. It wasn't just a crisis for Britannia, but also for them. If they didn't handle it well, their political lives would be over.
As the person directly responsible, Foreign Minister George braced himself and explained, "Your Majesty, Russia's declaration of war against France was too sudden and illogical.
In recent years, Austria has developed too quickly. We didn't have the time to suppress them, and they became a giant.
The main reason for this mistake was that the successive governments had a wrong consensus — that Austria was nothing to worry about.
Geographically, Austria was sandwiched between France and Russia. It blocked the French's eastward advance and the Russians' westward advance.
The seeds of crisis were planted. In theory, the stronger Austria was, the more hostile France and Russia would be. We just had to push them from behind the scenes, and France and Russia would join forces.
Based on this judgment, we have always focused on France and Russia. You know that both France and Russia are restless. The French are always jumping up and down, and the Russians even directly invaded Afghanistan … "
Before George could finish, Queen Victoria interrupted him forcefully, "I don't care if it's in line with your logic. In short, Russia has now declared war on France.
Your so-called plan of France and Russia joining forces to check and balance Austria is a pile of sh * t. It's even worse than sh * t.
What's more ridiculous is that this European war was initiated by you. I still remember that you vowed to use this war to make Fao and France suffer losses on both sides, and to attack both enemies at the same time.
Now, you have seen the results. The mission is half completed, and we have successfully weakened the French. If there are no accidents, France will no longer be a threat to us after the war.
Doesn't that sound good? The old enemy of Britannia has been defeated. You are all heroes of Britannia.
But is this what we need? Without the French, who will help us check and balance Austria? Are we counting on Russia?
Are you sure they want to go west to fight with Austria for supremacy in Europe, and not go south to fight with us for India? "
Whether it was the balance of Europe being broken, Austria becoming the new hegemon, or Russia invading India, they were the biggest threats to Britannia.
Anyone with a discerning eye knew that since Russia declared war on France at this time, it must be because Russia and Austria had reached an agreement.
There was only one hegemon in Europe, and Austria was now the dominant power. The Government of Vienna would definitely not give in on this issue, so it could only be that Russia's strategic direction had changed.
With the vast glaciers of Siberia, even if the Russians wanted to go east, they couldn't cross it. At least before there was no railway, they couldn't support their ambitions.
Needless to say, in the north, the Nordic Confederation was a hedgehog without much meat. It was obviously not the Hairy Bear's cup of tea.
Looking around, in addition to going west to fight with Austria for supremacy in Europe, the only way was to go south to seize India.
The Queen, who had turned into a big flamethrower, was invincible. No one dared to go up at this time.
An explanation was a cover-up. Things had already happened. Whether it was reasonable or not, it was the truth. If it was unreasonable, it could only mean that one's brain wasn't enough.
Perhaps it was because she had enough, or perhaps she was old and physically weak. After venting her anger, Queen Victoria softened her tone and asked, "Prime Minister, what are you going to do next?"
It was impossible to deal with it personally. Now it was a mess that could explode at any time. The responsibility must be borne by this government, which was why Gladstone's cabinet hadn't fallen yet.
"Your Majesty, Russia's participation in the war happened too suddenly. We don't know what happened in the middle. The urgent task is to figure out the reason and then find a targeted way to protect the French.
The government has already taken action. At present, a dozen neutral countries have been persuaded. When the time comes, they will mediate this war with us. "
It was true that a dozen neutral countries were roped in, but it was a pity that there were preconditions. The Government of London promised everyone that Britain and Russia would take the lead in forming the Intervention Alliance, and everyone would just follow along. That was why the countries agreed to participate.
At this point, even if the countries continued to fulfill the agreement, it was useless. In this day and age, it wasn't about the number of countries having the right to speak. The key was still about strength.
If the small countries were to mediate this war, they might be scared to the point of wetting their pants at the negotiating table. Not everyone dared to take the hit when the superpowers started to act like hooligans.
Anyway, the European countries couldn't be counted on. As long as the anti-French Alliance gave a little warning, everyone would be obedient.
Queen Victoria wasn't satisfied with such an unreliable plan. She said coldly, "Is that so? May God bless Britannia. I hope the French can hold on long enough for you to have a chance to take action. "
The plan was unreliable, but it was better than nothing. Before there was a better way, she could only make do with it.
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