Chapter 239 What is Franz doing again?
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister! The French are humiliating Prussia. This time, it is time to let the French know the achievements of the Prussian army's reforms over the years." Moltke watched Bismarck seriously and said slowly but sonorously.
His sharp eyes reveal a strong desire to win and lose. Moltke is the clearest about the development of the Prussian army over the years. He has the urge to create a career for his son when he grows up.
"General Moltke, don't worry now. The war will come sooner or later. This is also the attitude of me and His Majesty, but the victory of the war is never just a matter of the battlefield. Now we are indeed developing very fast, but we must also recognize the reality, France It is a top power, and its strength should not be underestimated. I also want the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do more work to try to prevent other countries from interfering in this war and create conditions for our victory on the battlefield." Bismarck said unhurriedly.
Earlier, under Bismarck's operation, the offensive and defensive alliance treaties had been secretly signed with the southern German states. Therefore, this seemingly French-Prussian battle is actually a German-French battle. Germany has already appeared. Now As long as France sends the certification, the so-called offensive and defensive alliance can become the real Germany. It can be seen that France is capable and can be called the father of the three countries of the United States, Italy and Germany, and all three countries are later powers.
"There are only three countries now, which are the uncertain factors in our war with France. I think you know that if we can't convince them, it will probably cause us to work in vain in the end."
Last time, Prussia isolated the Austrian Empire diplomatically, promised France to cede part of the territory of the Rhineland region (the famous Ruhr industrial area is here), acquiesced to France's annexation of parts of Belgium and Luxembourg between France and Prussia; A large amount of borrowing, with very high interest rates, allowed British capital to make money lying down with the rapid development of the Prussian economy; signed a preferential trade agreement with Tsarist Russia, as well as a private alliance; finally, it took advantage of the territorial disputes between Italy and Austria to unite the north and the south of Italy Attack Austria. After some operations, Bismarck's diplomatic ability can be seen.
"Britain and Tsarist Russia are okay to say, the most important thing now is the attitude of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but the possibility of the Austro-Hungarian Empire sending troops is very small, but in the end it depends on Emperor Franz's personal thoughts..."
In order to break the restrictions imposed on Russia by the "Paris Peace Treaty" in 1856, Russia chose to maintain "good faith neutrality" in the Franco-Prussian War, and deployed 100,000 troops on the Russian-Austrian border. At the same time, it promised Prussia that if Austria joined the Franco-Prussian War, it would also send troops to help prussia.
The subsequent development was also as Russia hoped. The Prussian army won the Franco-Prussian War and finally unified Germany to establish the German Empire. In return for Russia’s neutrality, at the London Conference held in March 1871, Bismarck helped Russia break free from the shackles of the Black Sea neutrality clause stipulated in the "Paris Peace Treaty", reaffirmed the principle of closing the strait and prohibiting the passage of foreign warships, and guaranteed Russian interests.
As for Britain, there is a saying that those who owe money are the uncles. Prussia borrowed a lot of money from Britain in previous wars. If Prussia loses...
Of course, the most important thing is that France is too powerful. France under Napoleon III can be said to be the strongest in French history. Its national power is infinitely close to that of Britain. At the same time, it is the second largest colonial empire in the world. supremacy.
So Tsarist Russia and Britain both supported Prussia, and the only ally France could win was the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
However, Napoleon III's foreign policy has always been called stupid, otherwise he would not let the unification of Italy, let alone the unification of Italy, France sent troops to protect the Papal State in the final step of the unification of Italy, which led to the breakdown of French-Italian relations.
At this time, Napoleon III still did not realize the seriousness of the problem. If he could win over the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the success or failure is still uncertain.
"Boom boom boom..."
Just as Bismarck was about to say something, there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Come in!" Although I was very upset that someone interrupted my speech, I knew at this time that the conversation between the Imperial Prime Minister and the Imperial Chief of Staff must be very important.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, General Moltke! This is an important message from the intelligence agency."
A moment.
"Okay, okay! You also have a look at this information." Bismarck handed the document to Moltke.
Text of the document: "July 1st, the Austro-Hungarian army has changed. The elite troops in Slovakia have been transferred away, and their whereabouts are temporarily unknown. The new troops can be confirmed to be from southern Austria for the time being. ——Slovakia Intelligence Service"
"What's on Franz's mind?" Moltke said puzzled.
You must know that Russia has just deployed 100,000 soldiers in the border area. At this time, Austria secretly transferred the elite troops from the Slovak region. This is a military center not far from Prussia and Tsarist Russia. To the west you can support the Czech Republic, and to the east you can support the Galicia region.
"The only regions that Austria can pay attention to and benefit from are the Balkans and Italy, but this is obviously not the time for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to launch a war. Franz's decision is indeed unpredictable. Do you think it is possible that this is really the case?" It's just an ordinary defense change for the Austro-Hungarian Empire!" Bismarck said to Moltke.
"Even if the defense is changed, it is not possible to secretly transfer the elite from the Slovak region at this time! I don't believe that Franz dared to bet that we and Tsarist Russia will not attack the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
"Could it be that Hungary is making trouble again! But I haven't heard of any recent moves by Hungary." Bismarck said strangely.
"Hungary is indeed an unstable factor in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but there is no need for elite troops to deal with Hungary."
"Then what is Franz's real intention?" Both of them pondered.
First exclude Italy, not to mention that Italy has Prussia as an ally, if the Austro-Hungarian Empire dares to attack Italy, the French will not agree.
The second is the Balkan Peninsula, which is possible, but the Ottoman Empire on the Balkan Peninsula is already dying. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire wants to attack the Ottoman Empire, ordinary troops can solve it.
Furthermore, Tsarist Russia will not let the Austro-Hungarian Empire expand in the Balkans, so the Austro-Hungarian Empire really wants to attack the Balkans. Instead, it should deploy more troops on the Austrian-Russian border to deal with the pressure from Tsarist Russia. So what does Franz want to do? Is it really an ordinary defense change?
"Forget it, in short, we can be sure that the Austro-Hungarian Empire has no plans to intervene in Prussia recently. Anyway, there are many people who made mistakes in decision-making. Maybe Franz was fooled by some 'stupid' around him."
Saying so, Bismarck still went through the recent major events in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in his mind, and nothing major happened.
When the Kingdom of East Africa was established a few days ago, the first voice of the Austro-Hungarian Empire should be regarded as a relatively big move, but the Kingdom of East Africa has nothing to pay attention to. Did the royal family of Hexingen start an overseas business? It is indeed a bit eye-catching, but this Isn’t going to Africa looking for death when you go to Africa? At that time, Bismarck also commented that Prince Constantine had the same adventurous spirit as his son Ernst.
If the good Prince of Prussia doesn’t do it, go to the cursed continent of Africa, what are you planning? Now the whole of Germany knows that the royal family of Hechingen is very rich, but Africa and some parts of South America are a paradise for explorers. It is meaningless to open up a colony there and become the king. At most, you can be an African chief, and Europe is the world. center. That is to say, Prince Constantine's status is not low, and everyone sells his face.
"Well, at least this move shows that the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not interested in Germany. I think our army can also focus more on France." Moltke said.
Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not interested in Germany, it is completely flat, because Hungary will definitely object to Germany's attention, and will make small moves behind it, but Austria can solve it by itself, and Hungary will catch up with it. Join in, after all, the benefits cannot be left to the Austrians.
(end of this chapter)