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. Could it be that they've already forgotten the lesson of their failure on multiple fronts? 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 certain signs that the Polish government was prepared to use abnormal means to interfere in the election and kick William I out.
Prussia was ambitious towards Poland, so it was not surprising that they used a borrowed knife to remove the Polish government in advance.
Based on the current situation, Prussia and Russia should have secretly reached a deal. The Government of Vienna hasn't made a move yet, and we can't accurately determine their role in this.
Right, Prussia's diplomats have been very active recently, frequently meeting with the European countries. Only three days ago I was in deep communication with the Prussian minister in London on the question of Poland.
To counter the Russian menace, they wish to form a Prussian-Polish Confederation, and seek our support.
If I'm not mistaken, the Prussians have also been in contact with France and Austria. I just don't know if they have reached an agreement. "
Prime Minister Gelston, Prime Prime Prime Prime War Prime Prime Prime Prime Prime Was. Poland and Prime Poland war Poland., of Poland, Poland, and First, the Polish of.
If Prussia and Russia were secretly colluding, then everything could be explained. 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 the governments of other countries, the Polish government was a hodgepodge, and almost every major power had planted a mole in it.
The Kingdom of Prussia had the strongest power in Poland, and many people were bribed by the Government of Berlin. In addition, the Polish government was courting death, and they were 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 Poland is divided by 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 Government of Vienna's acquiescence?
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 without the understanding of the Fao and Russia, Poland and Russia can privately divide the Kingdom of Poland.
The benefits of being able to bribe the Fao and Russia are definitely not small. Both Poland and Russia are 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 else the Fao and Russia will be completely big. "
The British's foreign policy has always been based on interests. When analyzing a problem, they would also add a lot of interest factors.
Using this analysis method, many obscure problems became clear, and a lot of things could be known by directly tracing back to the interests.
The strategy of a big 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 strategy. Among the many strategies, there was also a division of priority, 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 the expansion into Central Europe and the territory west of the Rhine River.
And Austria's most important strategy was to unify the German Region, mainly to unify the German Federal Empire, which had high popular support, followed by the expansion into the Osman Empire.
Because of the mutual restraint between the European countries, the French second strategy 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 the people of Prussia want to annex Poland, let them give up the Rhineland region. Anyway, it's an enclave for Prussia, and the French are eyeing it covetously.
Instead of leaving it for 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 region 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 region, the Government of Berlin's position would be greatly reduced. In exchange for annexing the Polish Kingdom, many people would probably agree.
The British also didn't have good intentions in giving the Rhineland region to the German Federal Empire. Once the Rhineland region was incorporated into the German Confederation, the Fao and Russia could only continue to restrain each other.
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 region, Austria would have to stand on the side of the German Confederation. The Government of Vienna wouldn't dare to make concessions.
On the other hand, if Austria wanted to annex the German Federal Empire, the French wouldn't agree. If Austria's power extended to the west of the Rhine River, 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 was a matter for the future. The foreign policy of the Government of London had always been focused on the present and not chasing the illusory future.
No one could guarantee what would happen in a few decades or even a hundred years. 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 region, they have to pay a price.
After getting the Rhineland region, the strength of the German Confederation will greatly increase, and it will be a powerful country second only to Spain in Europe.
We have to work hard to persuade the people of Prussia 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 people of Prussia would give up the Rhineland region, 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, a lot of problems could 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 their 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 – Polish 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 be over. On May 23, 1874, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its position: the Government of Vienna was absolutely neutral in the Prussian – Polish war.
This time, everyone could rest assured. The so-called full-scale war in Europe didn't exist, and the small countries didn't have to worry about picking sides.
In Ankara, the decision of the Government of Vienna disappointed Abdul Aziz I. Originally, he was counting on the outbreak of the European war to share their military pressure.
Now there was no need to think about it. The European countries weren't stupid. Who would be willing to go to war 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 the territory in Europe, and the legal foundation was the biggest problem. Austria had no legal basis in Poland, and the land occupation was not legal at all.
This was different from the expansion in the The Balkans. Taking land from the Osman Empire didn't need to worry about legal issues, and they didn't need to worry about public condemnation. The Government of Vienna had the title of "liberator," not invader.
Taking Poland was different. Even though it wasn't 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, the Polish government was so poor that they couldn't even collect the military expenses for the war. It was normal for Austria to have no interest in the Polish region.
