It was the third day that the news of the Near East war reached London. Even though they were mentally prepared, after receiving the news, the Government of the United Kingdom still had a headache.
Even Queen Victoria, who rarely interfered with politics, could not sit still. She called for a high-level meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Victoria asked, "The Near East war has broken out. Russia and Austria have joined forces. The Osman is in big trouble. What does the government plan to do to protect our interests in the Near East?"
The Osman Empire had accumulated its power for a long time. Even though it had declined in this era, it still had some power. In addition, the Osman government had just completed a system reform. On the surface, they looked like a modern empire.
From Queen Victoria's point of view, even if the Osman Empire was not a match for Russia and Austria, they had such a large territory and millions of soldiers. At most, they would lose some flesh and would not die in a short period of time.
This was the mainstream view of Europe. No one knew how weak the Osman Empire was.
Prime Minister John Russell, who was prepared, replied, "Your Majesty, we have joined forces with France. We are prepared to intervene in this war."
Prince Albert questioned, "Prime Minister, this war between Russia and Turkey is different from the past. The Austrians are also participating.
Even if we join forces with the French, I'm afraid we can't make them compromise, right? Otherwise, this war won't even start! "
Queen Victoria did not like to get involved in politics, but Prince Albert was different. He was involved in many of the major decisions of the United Kingdom.
John Russell explained, "Your Royal Highness, the alliance between the Russians and Austrians is only temporary. Because of their interests, they will part ways sooner or later.
Our current enemy is Russia. We can put Austria aside for now. Even if we give them the Balkans, they won't be able to eat it.
The government is prepared to join forces with the French to support the Osman Empire and Russia. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs can handle it. "
Sending troops to intervene in the Near East war? Regardless of whether it was in history or now, the British were not prepared to participate in the war.
Historically, the British had sent troops to participate in the Crimean War. That was when the Osman Empire could not withstand it and the French were willing to be the main force.
Now, the millions of lions of the Osman Empire were still there. Before the war started, who knew if these troops were just for show?
Many people in the Government of the United Kingdom thought that it was enough to provide the Osman Empire with loans and equipment.
Of course, it was possible to send help from the Navy. It was also in the Black Sea Strait.
They had no confidence in their ground forces against the Russians, but they were not afraid of their navy suppressing the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
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Paris
Compared to the British, Napoleon Napoleon III was more active. From his point of view, the Near Eastern War was the best opportunity to divert the internal conflict.
If he could defeat the Russians and avenge his uncle's Waterloo, he would gain enormous political capital.
It didn't matter even if they lost. After all, the war was fought in the Ottoman Empire, and they could blame it on their allies. As long as the French army could win a few battles, they could use it as propaganda.
It was fine if he lost. The war was fought in the Osman Empire and they could blame it on their allies. As long as the French won a few victories, they could use it as propaganda.
However, the British will support us if we send troops to support the Osman Empire. They want to teach the Russians a lesson on the battlefield. "Napoleon Napoleon III replied," Your Majesty, the Government of London is still hesitant.
The British did not plan to send troops to support the Osman Empire. They want to teach the Russians a lesson on the battlefield. "
This conclusion was made very hastily. The Osman Empire had not been defeated yet. The British did not have to participate. If the Osman Empire suffered a great defeat, the British would not be able to sit still.
If the Osman Empire was defeated, all their early investments would be for naught. Even their interests in the Mediterranean Sea would be lost.
Napoleon Napoleon III dared to send troops to intervene in the Eastern war because the Osman Empire had a certain amount of strength. Otherwise, they would have to fight the Russians alone. In fact, the French were also very timid.
There was no other reason. There were too many gray beasts. Quantitative change led to qualitative change. Napoleon was killed by the Russians. In addition, there was still the Austrian Empire. They had to take it seriously.
"Humph!"
Napoleon Napoleon III snorted coldly to express his dissatisfaction. The British clearly wanted them to be the first to stand out.
"Tell the British not to forget that there is still Austria. If they don't send troops to support the Osman Empire, I'm afraid it won't be long before we hear the news of their defeat, "Napoleon Napoleon III said after some thought.
It was very important for the British to use diplomatic means to break up the Russian-Austrian alliance. It was not impossible to pay some price for it.
But it was different for Napoleon Napoleon III. The stage had been set up, and the audience was waiting to watch the show. He couldn't suddenly stop the show.
Napoleon III., who had ascended to the throne as Napoleon's successor, was justified in avenging his uncle. The eyes of the French people were upon him, and he could not afford to retreat.
There was no other way. The French people in this era were so capricious. Since Napoleon Napoleon III made a promise to everyone before he succeeded the throne, he must fulfill it.
In history, Napoleon Napoleon III did this. The Crimean War ended Russia's hegemony in Europe and won the support of the people.
"Your Majesty, if the Russians and Austrians really join forces, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to defeat them in the Near East," Rouet reminded.
He was not called Deputy Emperor for nothing. If they lost the war, he would be the scapegoat. It was necessary to be prepared to take precautions.
"Don't worry, they won't join forces sincerely. With the appetite of the Russians, Austria will not dare to let them get the Black Sea Strait," Napoleon Napoleon III said with certainty.
An overly powerful Russian Empire was not in Austria's interest. If the Russians annexed the Osman Empire, Austria would be under great pressure.
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On April 11, 1852, the Government of Austria and the Government of Russia signed the Balkans Treaty after some negotiations.
On April 11, 1852, the Austrian and Russian governments signed the Balkan Treaty after a series of negotiations.
Both sides got what they needed. Austria got the pre-agreed territory and successfully concealed the strategy of westward expansion. The Russians got the opportunity to continue fighting in the The Balkans and increased the odds of winning the war.
Both sides got what they needed. Austria got the pre-agreed territory and successfully concealed the strategy of westward expansion. The Russians got the opportunity to continue fighting in the The Balkans and increased the odds of winning the war.
Looking at the map, without Austria's material support, after occupying the two Danube Principalities, the Russian Army would lose the ability to continue attacking.
The sudden release of the Russians dumbfounded the Sudanese government that was prepared to see a conflict between Russia and Austria.
There was no time to hesitate. The 250,000 Russian Army set off along the Danube River and headed straight for Bulgaria.
Anyone with a little military knowledge knew that once Bulgaria fell, the capital of the Osman Empire would be in danger.
In fact, if the Government of Sudan did not invite the British and French Navy into the Black Sea, the Russians' attack would be even smoother. It was much easier to transport supplies by sea than by land.
With the military strength of the Russians, if they did not lose their sea power, they could choose to land in more places and exhaust the Osman Empire.
Before the first wave subsided, another wave arose.
The Russians came prepared. Through the contact of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Bulgarians were now ready to welcome the Emperor's army.
Not only the Bulgarians, but the other ethnic groups in the Osman Empire were also ready to move. However, at this time, they still lacked an effective organization. Nationalism had not spread, and the outbreak of combat power was limited.
In short, the Osman Empire was in a prelude to a storm. With the addition of Austria as an enemy, they faced greater trouble.
