The auction ended, but the impact of the auction continued. The warship trade had always been related to politics, and this time was no exception.
The temporary compromise between Britain and Austria was naturally the highlight. The active participation of the other countries in the auction was also a political signal to show the outside world's recognition of Austria's hegemony.
It was human nature to lean towards the pros and cons. Now that the dust had settled, showing goodwill might not make the Government of Vienna look favorably upon them, but not showing goodwill would definitely make them "look favorably upon them."
In this context, regardless of whether or not they needed to buy warships, the representatives of the various countries had at least made a bid, and the atmosphere was absolutely heated.
Of course, it was mainly because of the split auction. The lowest starting price was only 200,000 DH, and everyone still had the ability to make a bid. If it was all a large fleet, it wouldn't be so lively.
No one dared to make a bid without money. What if it was a deal? Confiscating the deposit was a small matter, but it would be considered as deliberately causing trouble.
The final transaction price of the world's second naval fleet, together with the ship-building technology and engineers, was only 130 million DH. This included more than 30 million DH after deducting the insider trading of the anti-French alliance. It was simply the price of cabbages on the floor.
However, Franz was satisfied. Unlike the future where the rich were everywhere, there were too few countries with purchasing power.
Other than the defeated France, only Britain, Austria, and Russia had a fiscal revenue of more than 100 million DH. There were less than ten countries with a fiscal revenue of more than 20 million DH.
After deducting Britain's 60 million DH, they could get nearly 40 million DH from other countries. It was impossible not to be satisfied.
"After the settlement, distribute it to our allies according to the compensation ratio. They are all waiting for the flour to make bread!"
Splitting the money was necessary. Austria had never been a master of monopolizing the profits. When it came to sharing, the Government of Vienna had always done a good job. This was also an important reason why Austria could have a good international reputation.
…
Foreign Minister Wesenberg: "I had a meeting with the Spanish representative yesterday afternoon. The Spanish hope that we fulfill our previous promise and support them in the upcoming war in the Philippines.
Considering the need to rebuild the international order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that we fulfill our promise and support Spain in cutting off the Japanese's tentacles in Southeast Asia. "
Verbal promises were naturally not binding. If it was during normal times, Austria wouldn't mind helping the Japanese seize the Philippine Islands.
After all, the Government of Vienna also coveted the Philippines Islands, but due to political influence, it could not do anything.
If it fell into the hands of the Japanese, this pressure would no longer exist. Austria could wait for Spain to give up the Philippines, then find an excuse to beat up the Japanese and take the Philippines islands.
He didn't know if the Japanese were lucky or unlucky. Of all times, he came just as Austria was rebuilding the international order.
The anti-French alliance had not been dissolved yet. Once Spain brought the Philippines War to the Vienna Peace Conference for discussion, Austria would definitely help their relatives first before helping reason.
The tragedy was that the Japanese did neither. Not only would the Government of Vienna not support them, even the European countries would not support them.
The only people who hoped that the Government of Japan would win were the French. Unfortunately, the defeated France had no right to speak.
Once the Vienna Peace Conference made a decision, the Government of Austria, as the rule-maker and the party with vested interests, would definitely support Spain to maintain the authority of the Peace Conference.
Seeing that the duck in his hand had flown away, Franz said with annoyance, "Tell the Spanish that we can support them, but we will not participate in the war.
Tell them to make full preparations and show the prestige of the European world. Don't learn from the French in Vietnam and make a fool of yourself. "
There was no doubt that the Spanish also calculated Austria's position, so they came to ask for support. As long as some benefits were promised, Franz's reminder would also be more subtle.
…
On April 2, 1892, in the Royal Austrian Opera House, the Vienna Peace Conference officially kicked off.
There were no flowers, no applause, and no so-called opening ceremony. There was only a large, cold, round table and a few rows of chairs.
There was no doubt that not everyone was qualified to sit at the negotiating table. In addition to the anti-French alliance countries, those who could appear at the negotiating table were at least regional powers with weight.
"This time, I invited you here mainly to ask you to be witnesses to deal with the follow-up affairs of the anti-French war and establish a new international order.
As for the issue of order, we will slowly discuss it later. For now, let's deal with the aftermath of the anti-French war. "
Wesenberg emphasized the word "witness", and the meaning was very obvious: You don't need to get involved in the aftermath of the anti-French war. Let the anti-French alliance handle it ourselves. If there are any problems, we can slowly deal with it later when the international order is established.
This kind of undisguised statement undoubtedly hurt many of the representatives. We are participating in an international conference, but they don't even let us express our opinions, it's simply …
Before everyone could react, the Belgian representative, who was already prepared, began to accuse France's atrocities.
A lot of evidence was brought to the table. Even the missing and murdered soldiers that the French used as an excuse to declare war were now being reinterpreted.
After the Belgian representative finished, the representative of the German Confederation followed, and then the various Italian states took turns to accuse France.
Witnesses, historical information, photos, and the confessions of the French soldiers were all there. In a sense, the reason why the Vienna Peace Conference dragged on for so long was to allow everyone to collect evidence.
As the shocking evidence was presented, the scene was moving, and many of the representatives at the conference shed tears.
Of course, no one knew if they were truly moved or not. After all, there were many cameras in the hall, recording this historic scene.
As the representative of France, President Robert lowered his head and tried to reduce his presence as much as possible.
There was no other way. The more tragic the content of the anti-French alliance's accusations and the more evidence they presented, the more disadvantageous it would be for France. At the same time, it also meant that France would have to pay a higher price.
Refute?
Not to mention, he didn't even have the opportunity to speak. Even if he was allowed to speak, he didn't know where to start.
As a revolutionary, Robert's understanding of the war was limited to the information left behind by the previous government and the domestic media reports.
The things recorded by their own people were naturally embellished. Many of the key details were glossed over. They wanted to understand the specific situation, but they couldn't find the parties involved.
Robert always thought that this was just an ordinary war for European hegemony. There were many similar cases in history.
Judging from the scope of the war, the French army only stayed in Central Europe and the Regions of Italy, far less than during the Napoleonic era when they fought all the way to Moscow.
In President Robert's view, the current consequences were the most serious, and the punishment would be slightly heavier than the last time. It would be fine in a few years.
However, reality was cruel. Just from the losses of the anti-French alliance, Robert knew that France was in big trouble this time.
After the anti-French alliance defined the nature of the war as "invasion" and "anti-invasion", Robert finally couldn't hold it in anymore. He knew very well that if he didn't speak up now, it would be even more difficult to explain later.
"Protest!"
"France is also a victim of this war. The war was started by Napoleon Iv. We can't let all of France pay for his personal mistake.
We demand that the conference issue a warrant to arrest the war criminal Napoleon Iv and give an explanation to the millions of people who died in this war … "
Without waiting for Robert to finish, Wesenberg, as the host of the conference, yelled, "Shut up!"
"Mr. Robert, don't you feel ashamed that you're unwilling to take responsibility and push the blame to the emperor you're loyal to?
Sorry, I forgot that you already have a revolution. I'm a rebel, so of course I don't feel ashamed.
However, you can do such a shameless thing, but we can't do it. Putting a warrant on the arrest of an emperor, even an emperor in exile, is also not allowed by the international community. "
"Shameless!"
"Disrespecting the emperor!"
…
A series of curses continued to play in the conference room. Obviously, Robert made a mistake by pushing the blame to the wrong person. Most of the representatives participating in the conference were from monarchies, and pushing the blame to the emperor was obviously a "taboo".
Especially when there was a camera recording, for the sake of political correctness, the representatives from various countries had to stand up and make a stand.
Including the representatives of the republic that Robert had high hopes for, they also joined the war of words and scolded him.
Support?
What a joke. Going against so many monarchies for the sake of France, they must be tired of living.
Before the slow Robert could think of a way to deal with it, a cup was already flying towards him, brushing past him, followed by documents and pens.
Chaos. Ever since someone took the lead to use violence, followers gathered, and the scene completely fell into chaos.
Obviously, there were many smart people. There was a camera recording in the back, so how could they miss such a good opportunity?
Frankly speaking, if it weren't for the host of the conference, Wesenberg wouldn't have minded joining in. After all, there weren't many opportunities to show loyalty, so how could they miss it when it was delivered to their doorstep?
No matter what, Robert was the president of France, and if something happened in Vienna, Austria would be in an awkward position.
"Guards, quickly maintain order!"
When everyone was pulled apart, the simple-minded Mr. Robert had a bloody nose, a swollen face, and a broken head.
Fortunately, the wound wasn't deep, and Austria's medical facilities were good, so he was saved in time, or else the Vienna Peace Conference would become a joke.
…
In the Vienna Palace, after receiving the news, Franz suspected that the French had sent a suicide soldier to deliberately cause trouble in order to reduce the war punishment.
This speculation was well-founded. According to the footage recorded by the camera, the first glass of water flew out from the British delegation.
In an instant, Franz imagined the British and French colluding, using a suicide soldier in exchange for preserving the strength of France.
It turned out that he was completely overthinking. The French, under the nose of the coalition forces, didn't have the ability to manipulate these things.
According to the information gathered, President Robert was also an important leader of the revolutionary party. He had led many workers' uprisings and played an important role in the Paris Revolution.
Other than not being very politically smart, this hot-blooded and brave revolutionary had almost no shortcomings in life and work.
Thinking about it, the revolutionary government in Paris couldn't elect a president because no one was willing to take this hot potato.
Robert, who was excluded from the center of power after the success of the revolution, was elected president because he was used as a scapegoat.
As for national interests, it was completely overthinking. The anti-French alliance was so strong, and France didn't have the capital to negotiate at all.
Whether they sent the world's most powerful diplomat or sent a pig, there would be no essential difference in the final result.
But if Robert had a little bit of political sense, he wouldn't take the task that was bound to make him infamous when everyone was retreating.
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