Chapter 868

Bern. Affected by the tense situation in Europe, Switzerland, a neutral country, was also having a hard time.

As the "roof of Europe," Switzerland was not as strategically unimportant as the keyboard warriors thought.

On the contrary, Switzerland, located in the center of Western Europe, bordered by Austria to the east, Italy to the south, France to the west, and Baden and Württemberg to the north, had been an important transportation route in Europe since ancient times.

Because of its mountainous terrain, Switzerland had many strategic locations, such as St. Gotha and St. Bernard, which were battlegrounds for the military.

The European war was about to break out, and as a neutral country, Switzerland became the center of the storm. Which side to take became a problem.

As the rotating president, Benhard Haimer, unfortunately, was caught up in it. The only thing that comforted him was that the other countries were still trying to lure him with benefits and did not directly force him to take a side.

This was inevitable. Switzerland was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it had the famous Swiss mercenaries. Anyone with a discerning eye would know that this was a tough nut to crack.

Under the system of all soldiers, Switzerland was still possible to pull out three to five hundred thousand troops. Although Switzerland was still a poor loser and could not gather the weapons and equipment for so many troops.

But as long as they took a side, these problems would not be a problem. Neither the Fao nor the EU would complain about having more troops.

Benhard Hymer explained: "Your Excellency, Switzerland is a neutral country, we will not participate in the disputes of the European continent."

Benhard Haimer had said similar words countless times, but there was still an endless stream of people coming to visit.

In most people's view, he was waiting for a good price. Only Benhard Haimer himself knew that he really did not want Switzerland to participate in the European dispute.

There was no other way, Switzerland's assets were too weak. They could still take advantage of the geographical advantage to participate in the war. If they took the initiative to attack, then they could only fight.

For a small country like Switzerland, participating in the Fao dispute would have limited benefits if they won, and would lose everything if they lost. It was not worth it.

The Austrian Minister, Eli Decaz, shook his head. "Your Excellency, don't be so absolute. There are many things in this world that everyone is forced to do.

If possible, we also do not want to go to war, but the French do not agree.

I think you know how ambitious the French are. If we do not stand up to stop them and allow them to expand into Central Europe, we will suffer in the future. "

Benhard Haimer remained silent. In the depths of his heart, he had already cursed countless times. In essence, the French's ambitions were also indulged by Austria.

If Austria hadn't allowed the French to swallow up Italy, there wouldn't be such a powerful French Empire today. Naturally, there wouldn't be such troubles now.

Thinking was one thing, but saying it was absolutely impossible. Switzerland also needed Austria to support them. Otherwise, Switzerland would be in real danger after the French annexed Belgium and the Rhineland.

"Your Excellency, it is indeed very important to curb the expansion of the French, but our strength is limited, and we really do not have the ability to participate in this war."

It was impossible for him to participate in the war, not even in this lifetime. In order to contain the French, we only need to support them in spirit.

Elie Decaz was not at all surprised by Bernhard Heimer's refusal. There was no real benefit, and it was only to check the expansion of France, which was not enough for the Swiss to risk their lives.

"Alright then. If your country isn't willing to participate in the war, you can remain neutral for now.

As long as you open the checkpoint at the critical moment, let our army pass, and catch the French off guard.

In return, you can get the Comté region. If you are willing to send troops, you can also get the Sava region. "

He had to admit that Austria was very generous in the distribution of benefits. Even Benhard Haimer, who was determined to remain neutral, could not help but feel a little tempted.

The Comté region included the Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône, and Belfort provinces, with a total area of 16202 square kilometers, equivalent to two-fifths of Switzerland.

If the Sava region was added, it would be more than half of Switzerland. This was already the limit, and the Swiss couldn't eat any more.

After hesitating for a moment, Benhard Haimer resisted the temptation. No matter how great the benefits were, it would be after defeating the French. If they lost on the battlefield, there would be nothing.

Based on the data on paper, the Austrian side obviously had a big advantage, but they could not stop the French army's reputation.

Napoleon also defeated the anti-French coalition under a disadvantageous situation. No one knew if the French could replicate the miracle of their ancestors, so Benhard Haimer did not dare to take the risk.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency. We have no ambition for the French territory. Switzerland is only a small country, and has never thought of expanding. "

He had to refuse. If he was indecisive at this time, it would spread that Switzerland was spying on France's territory. If the French knew, the Swiss government would not be able to handle it.

Eli Decaz smiled and said, "Your Excellency, don't worry. After the war, the French are too busy to take care of themselves, and it is impossible for them to ask your country for these lands.

You know, a large part of the French territory was seized, and after the war, it will definitely be returned to the original owner.

For example, the states in the Regions of Italy will be re-independent, and the Hautes-Pyrenees that they seized from Spain will be returned, and the Lorraine and Alsace that occupied the German Region will also be returned. As for the north …

If your country is worried about security, Austria can provide you with protection. After the war, we will sign a treaty to jointly contain France. "

After listening to Eli Decaz's explanation, Benhard Haimer's heart was in turmoil. If Austria's plan succeeded, the current Great France Empire would shrink at least by half.

As long as the other countries could fulfill the treaty, France would lose the possibility of re-emergence. Even if Napoleon came back to life, his neighbors would not give him a chance to grow.

If that was all, Switzerland was also one of the vested interests, and Benhard Haimer had no reason to object.

But along with the division of the spoils, it also established Austria's position as the overlord of Europe, which was not what Benhard Haimer wanted to see.

Austria seemed harmless and rarely stirred up trouble on the European continent, but no one could become the overlord of Europe, and Austria would also be so obedient.

If the situation changed, and Austria had the idea of attacking Switzerland, they would be in danger.

Not to mention that it was impossible, this was the ancestral land of the House of Habsburg, and almost all the previous Habsburg monarchs had the idea of this place.

After calming down, Benhard Haimer flatly refused, "Your Excellency, Switzerland is a neutral country, which was established as early as the Vienna Conference.

This is our fundamental national policy, and it will not change because of the changes in the outside world. So although your proposal is tempting, we can only regretfully refuse.

But you can rest assured that we will still stand with your country on the issue of containing France. Today's conversation will not be known by a third party. "

Although he refused, Benhard Haimer still did not want to offend Austria. Deep down, he felt that Austria would most likely win.

Without so many reasons, just based on the plan just now, Austria had the advantage.

Although the French were strong, they could not withstand the enemy! Once the European war broke out, France would face internal and external troubles.

Seeing that it was impossible, Eli Decaz did not continue to force it. He waved his hand and said, "Well, if your country is not willing to participate in the war, we will not force you.

But out of the need to attack France, I hope that your country can set up trade obstacles for the French after the war breaks out. "

Not being able to negotiate now did not mean that it would not be able to negotiate in the future. When the anti-French coalition forces had the advantage on the battlefield, it would be much easier to pull Switzerland into the coalition.

If it really did not work, they would just use coercion and temptation. Small countries were fence-sitters, and the so-called principles were worthless in the face of survival.

After hesitating for a moment, Benhard Haimer replied, "Setting up trade obstacles, this is not a problem.

France is not a member of the free trade system, and does not apply the principle of free trade. After the war breaks out, we can ban the flow of strategic goods into France. "

Benhard Haimer did not feel any pressure to make a verbal promise. The embargo of strategic goods also had to be looked at according to the actual situation.

If the anti-French coalition forces had an obvious advantage, then it would really be a embargo against France. It was the survival instinct of small countries to stand on the side of the winner, and there was no need to consider it at all.

If the two sides were in a deadlock, then they would ban in name and smuggle in secret, and both sides could be explained.

On the other hand …