My Italy

Chapter 240 London Peace Talks (3)

Although Popkov just said this, it immediately aroused fierce opposition.

"Our country firmly opposes your request. One-third of the Macedonian region is occupied by our people and cannot be occupied by your country alone. This request of your country tramples on the dignity of our country."

The person who spoke so righteously was the Foreign Minister Jeremic from Serbia. The foreign minister, who was a lawyer, stood up angrily and accused the Bulgarians of unreasonable demands.

In addition to the Serbs, the Greeks also opposed the Bulgarian demands.

"Your country's request is too unreasonable, and our country cannot accept it either."

That's right, apart from allowing themselves to tear off a piece of flesh from the Ottomans as a victorious country, the other main purpose of the two countries' participation in the peace talks is not to allow Bulgaria to gain too many benefits.

If Bulgaria gets too much, the balance between the three countries will be broken. This is a scene that no one wants to see.

Facing the opposition from the delegations of Serbia and Greece, Bulgaria is obviously also prepared. Popkov spoke. "It is reasonable for our country to acquire the Macedonian region. You must know that Macedonia was our original territory before this. In addition, many local people have always had relations with our country. Many of their relatives and friends are in our country. I think that regardless of the national history or language and culture Considering the above, all Macedonia should belong to our country.”

Although Popkov said it wonderfully, how could Serbia and Greece allow Bulgaria to obtain the Macedonian region.

I saw Mavros, who had been teased by Bakona just now, speaking with contempt. "In terms of history, our country is no worse than yours. During the time of Alexander the Great, Macedonia was a part of our country, and this region was also deeply influenced by our country in terms of culture and customs. From all aspects, it should belong to our country."

When he heard that the other party shamelessly put the founder of the Macedonian Empire, Alexander the Great, on the head of his country, Popkov was surprised by the shamelessness of the Greeks. "You are so shameless."

"Who are you talking about!"

"Talking about you!"

Seeing that the venue was about to turn into scolding, and feeling the need to stop it, British Foreign Secretary Sir Wilson knocked on the table.

"Everyone, please calm down. This is a negotiation, not a quarrel."

After all, it was the British Empire that had more dignity. Facing Sir Wilson, the melee between the three countries stopped immediately.

Afterwards, Sir Wilson whispered to the envoys from several other countries, and then to Despretis, the head of the Italian delegation.

Faced with this situation, delegations from several Balkan countries only heard a few words from Prime Minister Despretis: "That's okay."

After whispering to Prime Minister Despretis, Sir Wilson then spoke. "Since the Macedonia region is of great importance and involves too many countries, can we skip this topic and continue to listen to the conditions of other countries?"

Although this is a question, but combined with the previous words of the Italian Prime Minister, who can not understand it. There was a roar of approval, except for the Bulgarian delegation. The leader of the Bulgarian team, Prime Minister Stambolov, cast a questioning look at Depretis, but he suppressed it with a calm gesture.

Since the hotspot area of ​​Macedonia has been skipped, it is the turn of Serbia and Greece to speak next. They stated their country's requirements one after another. In addition to the Ottoman region of Epirus, Greece also claimed Western Macedonia.

As for Serbia, it announced that it would add the Ottoman Zlatibor Corridor to itself. This corridor is an important link between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia, which is very beneficial to the expansion of Serbia’s territory. In addition, the valley section of the upper reaches of the Morava River and parts of northern Macedonia are within the scope of Serbia's declaration.

Compared with these two countries, the Montenegrin delegation led by the Grand Duke of Montenegro Nicholas I is much more low-key this time. They only need to be close to the 6,000 square kilometers of Durmitor area in Montenegro.

Well, now the conditions claimed by the countries in the Balkan Peninsula seriously overlap, the most serious of which is Macedonia.

After all parties had finished speaking, Prime Minister Despretis suddenly spoke as a representative of Italy. "I took a look at the scope of the requirements of each country. I don't want to express any opinions on this, but I have something to ask the representatives of Serbia and Greece."

Facing the most powerful people from all parties involved this time, the representatives of the two countries knew that what was coming next would definitely not be good, but they could only ask the question. "I wonder what Prime Minister DePretis wants to ask?"

"Nothing, I just want to ask what contribution the two countries made to this war. Which important town did you capture, or which Ottoman army did you annihilate?"

Depretis almost said directly that the two countries had no contribution to this war, so how could they have the nerve to ask for so much. Even though the delegations of the two countries were thick-skinned, they were still irritated by these words.

As for the Bulgarian delegation on the side, they felt very relieved when they saw this scene. The two countries just declared a war and then occupied some border cities that had been abandoned by the Ottomans. They actually had the audacity to make so many demands. If it weren't for the three countries of Britain, Austria and Russia standing behind it, it would have been repaired long ago.

At this time, facing the sudden display of power from the Italians, Sir Wilson, who knew that the two countries could not resist it, glanced at the representatives of Russia and Austria sitting next to him, but the representatives of these two countries were completely motionless. Sir Wilson, who could only stand up on his own, tried to smooth things over.

"Every country has put forward its own plan, and everyone has understood each other, so I think the morning's discussion is almost done, otherwise we can discuss it in the afternoon."

Regarding Sir Wilson's proposed delaying method, the representatives of the two countries immediately commented. "Sir, that's very good. I didn't eat much in the morning, so I'm a little hungry."

"Just listen to Sir's advice."

"We don't have any objection either."

Faced with this situation, the talks could only be suspended.

Then the delegations from various countries walked out of the venue one after another.

And naturally, Italy, Bulgaria and Montenegro came together. Moreover, the two prime ministers and the Grand Duke came together, obviously discussing something, and other members of the delegation naturally fell behind them.

After walking to a deserted corner, Despretis spoke openly to Montenegro. "Your Highness Nicholas, our country will definitely support your country's request."

The discerning Grand Duke of Montenegro immediately thanked him cheerfully. "Thanks to my friends from Italy for their selfless help, I will leave first."

After seeing off the Grand Duke of Montenegro, Despretis continued. "Why didn't your country tell our country that you wanted the whole of Macedonia? This made our country very passive."

Yes, Italy has said that it will win Macedonia for Bulgaria, but not the entire Macedonia. The entire Macedonia area is more than 70,000 square kilometers, which is larger than Serbia and Greece. If such a territory is obtained by Bulgaria, the two countries will stop fighting. Bulgaria will be the powerful country in the Balkans.

Not to mention Serbia and Greece, even Italy will not agree.

Faced with Depretis’ question, Bulgarian Prime Minister Stambolov opened his mouth to explain. "Our country mainly announced that it wants the entire Macedonia in order to have a way out in subsequent negotiations."

Regarding the Bulgarian Prime Minister's explanation, Depretis stopped thinking about whether it was reasonable or not, and continued to speak. "Your Excellency needs to pay attention. I have a hunch that the most you can get is the northern Macedonia region, and this is with the support of our country."

Faced with Depretis' words, Stambolov looked surprised. "How is it possible? Our country is the second largest contributor."

Faced with the Bulgarian Prime Minister's exclamation, Depretis said nothing, patted the other party on the shoulder and left.

Because when he said in Bulgaria that he wanted the whole of Macedonia, when he saw the special envoys of Austria and Russia, his expression immediately turned ugly, and then the two of them actually started talking. It is obvious that Bulgaria's good appetite unites the two Balkan competitors, Austria and Russia.

Under such circumstances, if Bulgaria can get northern Macedonia, it is already a very good result.

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