Chapter 806 "Small meetings" to accomplish big things
"This is the end of today's meeting. I declare the meeting to be adjourned. I wish everyone a happy stay in Venice." Count Ellenthal said with finality.
Then everyone began to leave, but the two protagonists, East England and England, were left behind by Alan Tal.
"Please stay here, everyone. Although there is no result at the meeting, I have a general understanding of the situation on both sides. Are you interested in coming to the manor where I live tonight to have a gathering?" Ellenthal invited the representatives of East and Britain. road.
Hermann and von der Leyen originally planned to ask Ehrenthal about the relevant situation after the meeting. Now Ehrenthal plans to bring Britain in. It is clear at a glance that Ehrenthal has something in mind.
The two looked at each other, and after von der Leyen nodded affirmatively, Hermann said: "Of course, it's a great honor."
Salisbury also said: "Yes, for your sake I will go to the appointment."
From the beginning to the end, Ellenthal did not invite the Portuguese or the Boers, because these two countries were not the protagonists of the South African War, or their strength did not reach the level that Ellenthal valued. If we talk about the last century's Portugal, Ellenthal may also intend to win over, but now Portugal has even its underwear stripped off by East Africa.
So the Austro-Hungarian Empire was full of contempt for Portugal, but Ellenthal did not show it as a diplomat, and most of the people present at the meeting were like this.
Of course, the only good thing is that the United Kingdom is also in a disadvantageous situation in East Africa, which actually shows that Portugal still has some strength. After all, the United Kingdom, as the world's most powerful country, can't find any excuses.
Several people then took a carriage and headed towards Ellenthal's manor on the outskirts of Venice.
At this time, it was already eleven o'clock in the evening in Venice, and the sky had begun to get dark. Many people noticed that Ellenthal and his party left alone, including the Portuguese.
This made Portuguese representative Gers feel dissatisfied and nervous. This was not good news. After all, if Portugal was avoided, it would be hard to say how Britain would negotiate.
The British situation in South Africa is very embarrassing now. It is entirely possible if the British decide to sacrifice Portugal's interests to negotiate with East Africa. And if the British do this, Portugal will be really helpless.
Alantar and others who had already left had no intention of paying attention to Gers's little thoughts. This is the tragedy of a "weak country". Two losses to East Africa have completely confirmed Portugal's status as a weak country. The last partition The countries of the West African Conference also brought the Portuguese to participate, so it will be difficult to say in the future.
At night, Venice has begun to enter nightlife. As one of the most prosperous cities in Europe, even though it declined due to the war, Venice is still a very emotional city.
There is noisy noise in the tavern. Workers who have just finished the night shift are getting drunk here. Factories in the streets and alleys are operating day and night. Dark sewage with a foul smell is discharged directly into the waterways of Venice.
Following the investment from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Venice's economy has begun to improve. As an important textile industry center, factory orders are flowing in, and most of these orders come from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In fact, this is also easy to understand. The industry of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is mainly concentrated in Bohemia. To be honest, the location of Bohemia would not be at ease if Ernst was the ruler of this country.
Just like the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the previous life, more than 70% of the military industry and at least 60% of the large-scale industry were directly separated from Austria as Czechoslovakia became independent. This is also an important reason why Ernst concentrated East African industry in Matabele Province. The central area always makes people look more secure. Of course, from an economic point of view, the coastal areas are definitely more cost-effective.
"Count Von der Leyen, Count Hermann and Lord Salisbury, in fact, the war in South Africa is not a complicated issue. For all of us, it should be certain now that both countries want to cease the war. , On this basis, both parties may wish to present their true opinions and talk calmly. Anyway, there are no outsiders present, and this is not a formal meeting."
Even if Ellenthal said this, in fact, the small meeting of four people had already begun to determine the solution to the situation in South Africa. If everyone here unanimously agreed, then the subsequent meetings would be nothing more than a show.
However, as Ellenthal finished speaking, both parties did not make a sound. Instead, they stared with big eyes and small eyes, and the scene turned cold.
At this time, it was time for Earl Ellenthal to play his role again. He said to Earl Salisbury: "Your Excellency Salisbury, what is the bottom line of your UK? Why don't you reveal it first? The Kingdom of Hechingen The representatives are evaluating, and this is the attitude to resolve the war in South Africa.”
"Hmph!" Salisbury said angrily: "Our British attitude is very simple. As the loser of the war, Portugal can compensate East Africa for its losses and give some land as compensation to East Africa, but East Africa cannot annex Angola and Mozambique. Secondly the Boer Republic must be preserved and finally the East African Defense Forces withdraw from Cape Town and Natal.”
Von der Leyen said: "Your Excellency's idea is a bit too naive. It is impossible for us in Hechingen to allow the Portuguese colonies in southern Africa to continue to exist. After all, we have already suffered twice. If we continue to retain the Portuguese colonies, I am afraid that there will be a third war between Portugal and the Kingdom, and the damage caused by the war to the Kingdom will be huge."
There is nothing wrong with von der Leyen’s words. As the “initiator” of the two wars, Portugal should at least take responsibility for its actions.
However, Ellenthal also heard the part that can be reconciled between the two, that is, Britain is not too optimistic about Portugal, and the first goal of East Africa is the Portuguese colony and it is bound to win. This should also be the case in East Africa. The bottom line is, of course, it is easy to persuade the British to give up Portugal. They can find supplies from other sources.
This point can be easily solved. After all, the South African War was not limited to the two Portuguese colonies. The core interests of the British were Cape Town and the Boer Republic.
It would be hard to say if East Africa had not achieved military victory in these two places, but now that the Boer Republic and Natal have fallen, Cape Town is at the end of its tether.
Ellenthal said: "In this case, Portugal is indeed a negative factor that undermines regional stability. On this point, I agree with Count von der Leyen."
"Of course..." Ellenthal changed the topic: "If this is just the case, it is unreasonable for Portugal. After all, Portugal has to bear huge war reparations. East Africa certainly cannot claim to be in debt while taking land. The Portuguese government is tired of paying such an astronomical sum."
“However, it is a foregone conclusion that Portugal lost the war, so East Africa deserves the territory. However, East Africa should be a little more relaxed in terms of war reparations and provide appropriate chips based on Portugal’s economic level.”
Regarding this point, Von der Leyen said: "For your sake, we can ask for less war reparations, but it is absolutely impossible for us to give up Angola and Mozambique."
“We can give up eight million pounds of war losses, but forty million pounds cannot be less. After all, the cost of this war has plunged East Africa into long-term economic stagnation, and the losses in national production and military casualties far exceed this figure.”
(End of this chapter)