Holy Roman Empire

Anyway, they are all dead, and the Vienna government says they are Austrian citizens, so Austrian citizenship is nothing more than a matter of applying for a new nationality.

It doesn't matter if the number is too large.The big number itself is to divert everyone's attention.

Shifting everyone's focus to quantity, I couldn't help but accept the statement that Austrian citizens were killed in the Ottoman Empire deep in my heart.

Quantity issues, the big deal is to rehabilitate them after the war.It is enough to replace citizens with "immigrants whose applications are pending approval", lower the number of citizens killed, and blame the unscrupulous media for not being rigorous.

Anyway, until the dust settles, the Vienna government will not state the number of victims in official documents.How the outside world interprets it is up to you.

……

On April 1882, 4, when the European world was still immersed in the Paris Revolution, a news article published by a Balkan daily that "the Ottoman Empire massacred Austrian citizens" broke the situation.

The number "1867", which was declared red, attracted melon-eating people all over the place.Subsequently, many newspapers followed up and reported, but the number was diversified.

The largest number has exceeded 2, and at least [-] people died. They were hit by mistake when the Ottoman Empire massacred domestic minorities.

The quantity is not important, in short, the Austrians are angry.Those bloody photos have touched everyone's bottom line, and all walks of life have asked the government to punish the Ottoman Empire.

Affected by this, on April 1882, 4, the Vienna government formally sent a letter to the Ottoman Empire to negotiate on the massacre.

The Ottoman government, who didn't know anything, received the Austrian diplomatic note in a daze, and it took a while to react—no, it was dangerous.

It was originally to find fault, so the negotiation could not go smoothly. On April 1882, 4, the Vienna government unilaterally announced the breakdown of the negotiations.

The reason is: Austria asked to send an investigation team to conduct field investigations deep into the territory of the Ottoman Empire, but was rejected by the Ottoman government.

The massacre of ethnic minorities exists, and not long ago there were several Armenian villages destroyed in internal ethnic conflicts, but this was not the main reason for the Ottoman government's refusal.

As long as it can be proved that no Austrian citizens were massacred, these things are minor issues, and at worst they will be scolded by public opinion for a while, anyway, they have always been criticized by European public opinion.

The problem is that while sending the investigation team, Austria also asked to send troops for protection, and the number was as high as one division, so there was no way to bear it.

The Russo-Prussian War had demonstrated the transport capabilities of airships, and it would be suicidal to put an Austrian infantry division inland.

The reasons for the refusal were naturally selectively ignored by the Austrian media.The Ottoman Empire is full of barbarians. For the safety of the investigation team, they must send troops to protect them!

How many people?

It's only an infantry division. As long as the Ottoman government has no ghosts in its heart, it shouldn't be afraid.

The angles of thinking of the two sides are not on the same channel, and the final conclusions are naturally different.

After the negotiations broke down, the voice of revenge in Austria suddenly rose.

The voices of the war faction gradually overwhelmed the anti-war faction, and the atmosphere of war became more and more intense.

……

Chapter 10 Accidents

The incident fermented too quickly, and politicians from various European countries were stunned.Negotiations broke down so quickly, this is completely out of routine!

Under normal circumstances, don't they quarrel for a few months first, and wait until they are ready for war and mobilize the emotions of the people before they officially turn their faces?

Mediation must be mediation, even if it is to gain a sense of presence, you must express your opinion.

Before April ended, the Vienna government had received diplomatic notes from more than a dozen countries, all calling for calm and peace.

Perhaps moved by everyone's sincerity, the Vienna government made concessions and decided to restart the second round of negotiations on April 1882, 4, but the international mediation proposed by various countries was declined.

……

Affected by the tense situation in the Near East, Sir Gladstone, who is known as Britain's greatest prime minister, is now unable to calm down.

Gladstone: "Gentlemen, the situation is very clear. The Austrian government is determined to start a war, and the massacre is just an excuse for them.

From the standpoint of Britain, I don't want to see anything destabilizing the Near East happen.It's a pity that France is engaged in a civil war, and we can't intervene if we want to.

What we are going to discuss today is how to ensure that Britain's interests will not be impacted after the situation in the Near East undergoes major changes. "

Foreign Minister George: "It is inevitable to be hit, at least our interests in the Ottoman Empire are destined to be unable to be guaranteed.

If we simply want to make up for the losses caused by the war, we can also exchange benefits with Austria.

However, I don't recommend doing this.Judging from the current situation, Ottoman's defeat is a matter of time.

What will happen after that is hard to say.If the Austrians just want to beat Osman to divert domestic conflicts, that's fine.

If Austria annexed the Ottoman Empire in one go, the threat to us would be too great. "

After finishing speaking, George got up and walked to the hanging map, pointing with a bong: "There is only one Persia left from India."

This is a real problem that must be faced squarely.The Ottoman Empire has declined, and Persia has declined more than Ottoman. It is completely impossible to expect Persia to block Austria.

If it is said that "the Vienna government has no interest in India", this statement is probably believed by Franz, but the London government would never believe it anyway.

When Austria's influence extended to the Persian Gulf, it aroused the concerns of the London government.It's just that there is still a gap, and everyone is very relieved of the Royal Navy.

It's different now. Let Austria expand all the way, and it will be neighbors on land.You can't expect the lobster soldiers to kill the Quartet and frighten the enemy, right?

Colonial Minister Primrose complained: "This is simply terrible. Judging from the current situation, the Vienna government has made it clear that it wants to annex Ottomans, and there is no need to doubt their ambitions.

If we don't want to have a defense of India, we must keep the Austrians out of the Mesopotamia. "

The cruel reality is just like Primrose's mood at this time. As the colonial minister, any issue related to India's security may bring him irreparable political disasters.

Foreign Secretary George resolutely added: "No, this is nothing, there are worse things to come!

If the Austrians don't eat alone and take the Russians to carve up Ottoman, then we will be threatened by two great powers at the same time.

In the style of the Vienna government, the chances of this happening are very high.Even because of the plan to carve up India, the Russia-Austria alliance can continue. "

If the land is besieged by Russia and Austria, then there is nothing to say.

No country in the world can withstand a blow of this level, even if they operate in India for a long time, it will be useless.

Thinking of this terrible result, Gladstone said without doubt: "Immediately stop supporting the French Revolutionary Party and help Napoleon IV stabilize the domestic situation as soon as possible."

Britain needs allies, never more than now.Facing the Russian-Austrian combination that may appear, without a human shield, they really can't shout.

Foreign Minister George added: "The French alone are not enough. We must find more allies. The Nordic Federation can also be pulled over. Perhaps now we should speed up the establishment of North Germany."

The aftermath of the Russo-Prussian War broke out. After losing the gold medalist Prussia, France alone could no longer hold the field.

……

A wave of unrest, a wave of up again.

Influenced by the wave of revolutions in Europe, Ottoman nationalism also became active.

After the "massacre" incident broke out, Ottoman nationalists felt that their dignity was insulted, believing that Austria was interfering in their internal affairs.

At the critical moment of resuming negotiations between the two Olympics, a massive anti-imperialist movement broke out in the Ottoman Empire.

Instigated by patriotic youths, the people of Ankara held placards and gathered in the embassy area to protest.

These are all small problems. The mentality of the big hooligans is very good, and being protested is a daily operation.The more times you go through it, the more you will get used to it.

The point is that an accident happened during the protest, and the Greek minister Sextus was beaten to death by the protesters, and the matter became serious.

Even Franz was stunned. What does this matter to the Greeks?

It can't be said that the Greek imperialists invaded Ottomans and wanted to pay for it with blood?

Out of the utmost malice, Franz had every reason to suspect that Austrian agents had done it, but there was no proof.

More news came and solved the mystery in everyone's mind.

It is said that when the Greek envoy was returning from a trip, a carriage hit and killed a child crossing the road, which stimulated the passionate Ottoman people, and the conflict broke out.

The great powers can't afford it, so can little Greece?

By the time the Ottoman police arrived on the battlefield, Sextus, the unlucky minister, together with the coachman and guards, had already seen God.

A country's minister was beaten to death, no matter how the Ottoman government explained, it was useless.

Originally it was the Ottoman government who held Sextus responsible for the car accident, but unfortunately the person involved was already dead, and the dead did not need to be held responsible.

At this point, the relationship of responsibility has changed.Greece, which has become a victim, will naturally not admit that the carriage hit people.

The Greek government insisted that the Ottomans were barbaric, brutally killed Minister Sextus, and demanded that the Ottoman government hand over all suspects and accept investigation by the Greek government.

That's right, it means "all". The Greek government believes that those who participated in the protest that day are all suspects, and asked the Ottoman government to hand over these people to them for review by the Greek government.

This is impossible. The number of people who participated in the protest that day was as high as five figures. Even if the Ottoman government wanted to calm things down, it was impossible to hand them over.

……

After figuring out the cause and effect, Franz said with a smile: "So, the Greeks want to grab a bargain."

The "Minister Murder Case" provided the Greek government with the best opportunity to intervene.

Austria needs a reasonable pretext for war. Binding the Greek "Minister Killing Case" together will undoubtedly increase the persuasiveness of the "Massacre Case".

It is impossible for the Ottoman government to clean up the case. There is water in the "massacre case", but the "murder of the minister" actually killed a minister.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg replied: "Yes. Shortly after the incident, the Greek government contacted us and expressed their willingness to jointly send troops to crusade against the barbaric Ottoman Empire.

Although the attitude of the Greeks is good, their appetites are not small.Not only is he interested in the islands in the Aegean Sea, but he also wants to get a share of the Asia Minor peninsula. "

For a country with a heavy historical burden like Greece, the dream of a great power is indispensable.

It's a pity that Greece's luck is not very good. Any neighbor in the surrounding area has the strength to beat them, and no matter how ambitious they are, they can only hold back.

Ottoman is their only chance to expand their territory. If they miss it again, they really can only go home and dream.

Franz said nonchalantly: "This world is fair, and rewards and sacrifices are equal.

If the Greeks want a share of the Asia Minor peninsula, let them prove their strength first.

Tell the Greeks that in this war we distribute the spoils according to our contribution, and we can contribute as much as we want on the battlefield to take as much land as we want. "

There is no doubt that "distribute loot according to contribution" is a huge pit.Contributions on the battlefield must rely on strength, and no matter how weak the Ottoman Empire is, it cannot be compared with Greece.

As far as their family background is concerned, if they can't restrain their greed, they might all get involved.

In this cruel world, determining the distribution of benefits is always power.It is more reliable to count on the integrity of the Vienna government than to count on fairness.

Chapter 11 The Anti-Turkish Alliance

The sudden murder of the minister caused the European public opinion, which was already unfavorable to Ottoman, to tilt one-sidedly. Politicians, experts, and scholars who were originally inclined to Ottoman also shut up at this time.

Affected by this, the Vienna government terminated the second round of negotiations on May 1882, 5, the third day after the incident.

Immediately afterwards, the Vienna government issued a war order to the Ottoman government on May 5, ordering the Ottoman government to hand over the real culprit of the "massacre" within a week.

This is not a matter of disagreement, but simply impossible.

The group of people involved in the massacre is too vague. There is no exact definition of the identity, number, and location of the deceased. It is hard to know how to start an investigation.

Not to mention a week, even if the Ottoman government was given a year, they would not be able to find out the real culprit.

At the same time that the Vienna government issued an announcement, the Greek government also issued a war order to the Ottoman Empire. The content was similar, and they all asked the Ottoman government to hand over the murderer.

Everyone knows that war is coming, and the international community has set its sights on London and St. Petersburg. Now these two are the only ones that can have influence on this war.

The same is true of France, but they have two governments, and one must oppose the other if they support it.

At the critical moment of winning the hearts of the people, people with brain problems will support Ottoman at this time and offend the religious forces in the country.

At the Gatchina Palace in St. Petersburg, Dimitri Pasha, the Ottoman ambassador to Russia, had been waiting in the living room for more than three hours, and the cigars he carried with him were almost burned out.

At this moment, Alexander III is fishing leisurely. Although it is not yet possible to "the tsar is on vacation, let Europe wait", it is already possible to make the Ottomans wait.

"Your Majesty, the ministers have arrived." The maid's crisp voice sounded

"Bring them here!" said Alexander III

As for the Ottoman envoy waiting, let him continue to wait, Alexander III was not prepared to see him at all.

If it weren't for the purpose of showing the Austrians and increasing the bargaining chip on the negotiating table, the Ottoman envoy might not even be able to enter the palace.

Alexander III, who seemed to have a smile on his face, was not in a good mood at this time, but his good upbringing made him unable to show his emotions.

This sudden war in the Near East was different from the previous ones. The Austrian government did not communicate with them in advance, which shocked Alexander III's self-esteem.

The world is realistic. During the First Near East War, the Russian Empire was at its peak, and everything revolved around the Tsarist government. With their strong strength, they got the dream of Constantinople.

The situation changed during the Second Near East War. The main force of the war became Austria, and the Russian Empire could only play as an auxiliary.

Even if it is an auxiliary, it has been coordinated in advance, and the status of the Russian Empire in the alliance is still not low.

The world is changeable, and at this moment, the power balance between Russia and Austria has undergone earth-shaking changes, and they are actually in a dispensable position.