Chapter 693

On December 21, 1887, British Prime Minister Gladstone publicly declared war on Afghanistan in response to congressional inquiries, and the Second Anglo-Afghan War broke out.

These days, the British Empire didn't need congressional authorization to bully a small country. In fact, if it weren't for the uproar caused by the Waters assassination, Afghanistan wouldn't even be qualified to enjoy the declaration of war.

Like most small indigenous countries in this era, the European world had never recognized the Government of Afghanistan at all.

In the eyes of most Europeans, the Afghan Kingdom was similar to the indigenous tribes. Even though the British army was defeated in the last war in Afghanistan, it still didn't change the perception of the outside world.

Because the Indian colonial army couldn't represent the true combat power of Britannia, it was only the East India Company that fought Afghanistan, not the entire British Empire.

This could be seen from the declaration of war on Afghanistan. Knowing that Afghanistan might be wronged, the Government of the United Kingdom still declared war and didn't even bother to investigate.

From the beginning of the declaration of war, Franz retired and became a happy onlooker.

However, he waited and waited, but there was no good show. The Government of the United Kingdom shouted earth-shattering slogans, but there was no actual action.

They said they would send troops after Christmas, but they waited until February and there was no war. If they waited any longer, it would be the next Christmas.

At this time, if he didn't know that the British were playing with a declaration of war, Franz would have been an emperor for so many years.

…

Franz asked, "How are the Russians preparing?"

Foreign Minister Wesenberg: "The Tsarist government has assembled two infantry divisions and a cavalry division in Central Asia, as well as a large number of strategic materials.

Once the ice melts and the domestic roads are open, they will launch an attack on Central Asia. "

The British didn't move, but it didn't mean that the Russians wouldn't move. Compared to the cunning British, the Russians were easier to fool.

Perhaps it was due to genetic inheritance, but the Russians had always had no resistance to the land, especially when they had once occupied Central Asia.

Seeing that their new underlings were in danger, the Austrians encouraged them. After weighing the pros and cons and finding no danger, the Tsarist government decided to do it.

Prime Minister Carr: "The Government of the United Kingdom didn't declare war on Afghanistan. It seems that they are aware of the danger. Now it's up to them to give up.

The Russians have just recovered and can at most eat one or two Central Asian Khaganates. It is impossible for them to sweep Central Asia and go south to the Indian Ocean in one go.

The British government now had two choices. Either it stopped the arms race and concentrated on destroying Afghanistan and fighting the Russians in Central Asia, or it gave up half of Central Asia to the Russians and went all out in the arms race.

No matter what choice is made, the British have a good chance of winning. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that the London government has lost its mind and started an arms race and a strategy to conquer Central Asia at the same time.

From Austria's point of view, of course, they wanted Britain to go to Central Asia and fight to the death with the Russians. No matter who won, Austria would be the winner.

It didn't matter if they were allies. If the British could kill the Russians, Franz didn't mind giving them a medal that weighed 100 tons. It was definitely made of pure gold.

Vice versa. As long as the Russians could go south to India, Franz didn't mind giving them full support. Of course, it was fine if they sold everything they had. The relationship wasn't that bad.

In contrast, the arms race was not worth it. Instead of spending money to fight the British, it was better to use the money to develop the country.

Foreign Minister Wesenberg: "The British won't be so unwise to start an arms race and Central Asia at the same time.

The Government of the United Kingdom should be very confused right now. They don't know which side to focus on. After all, they are fighting against three major countries.

Maybe we should help them and control the intensity of the arms race so that the British can rest assured and go north to play with the Russians.

On this issue, I believe the French will have a common language with us.

Napoleon Iv is busy eradicating dissidents and participating in the arms race is like forcing a duck onto a perch. If he can end it early, he has no reason to refuse. "

Prime Minister Carr asked, "How do we explain to the Russians? We promised to contain the British. I'm afraid it won't make sense to give up now. "

Russia and Austria were allies. Even the Russians rarely broke the agreement without permission, let alone Austria who cherished their reputation.

Austria had dominated Europe for hundreds of years and relied on diplomacy. Especially after the war against France and before the revival of Austria, they relied on diplomacy to maintain their status as a major country.

After so many years of operation, the international reputation of the Government of Austria was very valuable.

Unless they were sure that they could kill the Russians and get rid of the threat on the eastern front, the Government of Austria wouldn't easily break the agreement.

Minister of Finance Mark replied, "This problem is easy to solve. We just need to let the Russians know that we lent them the funds to build ships and are unable to continue the arms race."

Everyone's eyes lit up. Although it was a little sinister, it was indeed a good solution.

The Tsarist government had limited resources. If the war in Central Asia was resolved quickly, it would be fine. However, if the war continued, the Russians were bound to borrow money from Austria.

At that time, the Austrian financial community wouldn't buy the Russians' account. The Government of Vienna, for the sake of friendship between the two countries, would lend them the funds to fight the war — perfect.

Seeing that everyone had a unified position, Franz smiled. "Then it's settled. The Ministry of Finance will be responsible for giving an explanation to the Russians.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will secretly contact the French to facilitate this war in Central Asia and weaken the British and Russians as much as possible. "

…

While Austria was taking action, the British weren't idle either. They were forced to do so. The Government of the United Kingdom was also under a lot of pressure to fight against three major countries at the same time.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It might not be applicable in international struggles, but it could be effective in a single incident.

The maritime civilization gave the British a sense of crisis. After discovering that they were fighting against the three countries at the same time, the Government of the United Kingdom began to seek a solution.

Russia and Austria had been together for many years. It was unrealistic to want Austria's support, so the Government of the United Kingdom targeted the French.

On March 1, 1888, the British Foreign Minister, Sir George, visited Paris. The Government of London had high expectations. Sir George also publicly said that this was an ice-breaking journey in Anglo-French relations.

Napoleon Iv himself didn't welcome the unexpected guests. The reason could be found by looking at the Palace of Versailles not far away.

After the destruction of the Paris Revolution, only 70% of the Palace of Versailles had been restored, and the rest was still under construction.

The British happened to be the culprit that triggered the Paris Revolution. Even after the revolution was suppressed, many of the leaders of the revolutionary party were sent out by the British.

With national hatred and family hatred together, Napoleon Iv naturally didn't have a good impression of the British. To be exact, he didn't have a good impression of the two black hands, Britain and Austria.

There was no reason for Napoleon Iv to be absent from the routine welcome banquet. This should be the first time since the era of Napoleon Iii that the French Emperor didn't give the British face.

In addition to the deterioration of diplomatic relations, it was more because of the change in the balance of power between Britain and France.

As the world's first land power and the world's second naval power, France no longer recognized the hegemony of the British.

In particular, the younger generation of France, including Napoleon Iv himself, had no fear of the British. They were only eager to challenge them.

It just happened to confirm the saying: whoever was the hegemon of the world had the most enemies in the world.

…

In the Palace of Versailles, Napoleon Iv asked with a gloomy face, "The British have sent themselves to our door. What do you think they want from us?"

Although he was unhappy with the British, diplomatic activities still had to be carried out as usual. In the end, whether or not they could reach a conclusion depended on their interests, not their personal feelings.

Foreign Minister Karel Kadlec said, "Your Majesty, the British are anxious.

The Russians are eager to try in Central Asia. A war is about to break out, and there is the shadow of Austria behind them.

If the situation gets out of control, it is likely that Russia and Austria will join forces to expand to India.

If they can't find someone to contain Austria, the British will have to fight against Russia and Austria alone. Even if they can win in the end, they will suffer heavy losses and even lose India. "

The struggle for a colony was not only about the victory and defeat on the surface, but also about the governance of the colony.

Especially in a densely populated area like India, once the idea of nationalism was introduced, the cost of governance would be beyond imagination.

There was no moral integrity in the game between the great powers. Things that hurt others without benefiting oneself were often done by everyone.

Prime Minister Terence Burkin sneered, "That's just the British's problem. Russia and Austria can't swallow India even if they join forces.

The British have been operating in India for so many years. Even if they can't defend it, they can instigate local independence.

The Austrians shouldn't have such illusions, but it's hard to say for the Russians. They have plans to overthrow Russia.

India should be easier to take than the Empire of the Far East. With the greed of the Tsarist government, they won't give up as long as there is an opportunity.

Because of the Russo-Austrian Alliance, even if Austria doesn't do it themselves, they won't stop the Russians from expanding into India.

This is also our opportunity to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. Maybe we can even pick up some benefits.

What we need to do now is to compare the offers of all parties and choose the party with the greatest benefits to join. "

Terence Burkin's opinion could be said to represent the mainstream of the Government of France. It was true that everyone hated the British, but they wouldn't go against the interests.

As long as the British offered high enough, everything was possible.

After hesitating for a while, Napoleon Iv nodded, indicating that he agreed with this point of view.

From the look of worry on his face, it was clear that he was not willing to do so. There was no other way. Between countries, interests came first.

…