Greece’s Roman Road

Prime Minister Trikupis made an emergency visit to Serbia and Bulgaria amid tensions between the Ottomans and Greece.

Unsurprisingly, the results were frustrating, with the two countries showing indifference to a three-nation alliance or a separate alliance with Greece.

First, Serbia suffered heavy losses in the last war and was almost destroyed by Bulgaria. Second, the big brother of Serbia at this time, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, did not allow such an alliance to appear (in 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, the two countries Before you turn your face, it's an ally)

The attitude of the Bulgarians is rather subtle. This is due to the position of relegation. Bulgarian territory, especially after acquiring Eastern Rumelia Province, directly threatens the core territory of the Ottomans - Constantinople.

Under this circumstance, when an alliance with Greece occurs, Bulgaria must bear the main pressure of the Ottoman Empire when the war occurs. However, Bulgaria is not clear about the strength of the Ottoman army at this time.

With the help of a large number of German officers, the combat effectiveness of the Ottoman army is uncertain.

There is also the international environment. At this time, the major European countries still tend to maintain the stability of the European situation. For example, at the Berlin Conference in 1881, the major countries made it clear that they would maintain the current situation in Europe, and there was no unanimous agreement of other countries. , prohibiting parties from unilaterally changing the ownership of European territories.

To sum up, the two countries are indifferent to Greece's request for alliance.

........

November 15, 1896, Palace, Syntagma Square, meeting room.

High-level military and political leaders of Greece gathered together to discuss state affairs.

Trikupis first told the crowd that the Balkan alliance's plan went bankrupt.

"In any case, there is no room for delay in Crete," King George said solemnly.

"The situation of the Greek economy shrinking has not changed, and the Ottoman Empire's trade discrimination is the main reason" Trikupis said with a tired and authentic expression.

As soon as I returned from a visit to Bulgaria, I received a notice to convene a royal meeting, and there was no chance for a break at all.

"There is no reason to delay any longer"

"In the current situation, with every day of delay, Ottoman's preparations will increase, while Greece is the opposite," Constantine said.

"The material reserve of the Ministry of Armament has been completed, and 20 million rounds of ammunition and 1.5 million shells are currently stored in the military supply warehouse," said Minister of Armaments Giannis.

"Also, the fleet that departed from Matadi in the Congo this morning has arrived at the port of Piraeus."

"A total of 40,000 native soldiers have been stationed outside Athens."

"The two warships Congo and Banning are ready to carry out maritime missions," echoed Constantine.

Constantine believed that since this war was inevitable, it would be better to take advantage of this powerful moment - Italy fell into the Ethiopian war, and had no scruples about the situation in the Balkans, especially the Balkan Adriatic region, and went to war with Eisman. .

King George looked around the crowd, and seemed to be asking, but also seemed to be answering: "We have no choice, do we?"

There was silence in the conference room for a moment.

"From now on, Greece's military power can use any means to safeguard Greece's interests"

On November 16, with the authorization of the king, Greece sent an army of 2,000 people to land on Crete.

It was also on the same day that the Ottoman ambassador to Greece, Nemiars, came to meet King George.

Accompanied by Crown Prince Constantine and Prime Minister Terry Kupis, King George I received the ambassador.

Nemiasr, wearing a robe with Turkish characteristics and holding a red letterbox, solemnly came to the king.

Seeing the king sitting on the throne, the crown prince and the prime minister on the left and right, the ambassador took out the ultimatum from the red mailbox in his hand and solemnly read out:

"As Sultan; descendant of Muhammad; brother of sun and moon; grandson and spokesman of God; ruler of the kingdoms of Macedonia, Babylon, Jerusalem, Upper and Lower Egypt;"

"The emperor of emperors; the king of kings;"

"The extraordinary knight who never fails; the steadfast guardian of the tomb of **** Christ; the true believer, chosen by the Lord; the hope and consolation of the MSLs; the great guardian of Christians."

"—I advise you, King George of Greece, to stop using military force to interfere and harass my territory, Crete."

"You have three days to make the right choice"

After Nemiars finished reading, he bowed and stepped forward, holding the ultimatum with both hands.

Constantine stepped forward, made an ultimatum, and handed it over to King George.

Holding the ultimatum, King Qiao Shi looked solemn and said to the Turkish ambassador Nemiyas: "It's a pity, Mr. Ambassador, it's another brutal war."

After the meeting, Constantine quietly came to the study in the palace, his mind was blank, and he sat there silently, not saying a word.

With a sound of "squeak", Queen Olga of Greece pushed open the door and walked in. Standing behind Constantine, she looked at Constantine in deep thought, put her hands on his shoulders, and said, "Constantine Ding, you are the heir to the Schleswig-Holstein-Zonderberg-Glücksburg dynasty in Greece, so you must be persistent and lead everyone to victory, no matter what, you cannot show it in front of everyone. show weakness"

"All the Greeks are looking at you~www.wuxiaspot.com~ expect you to lead them to victory, you are the leader and the focus of attention"

"Don't let everyone down"

Seeing her son who was about to lead the army to the front line of Macedonia in Thessaly, Queen Olga encouraged him.

With the general mobilization order issued by Greece, the war officially broke out.

On the morning of November 17, all the Greek newspapers had nothing on their front pages except for the bold and striking word "war".

News of the outbreak of war between the two countries spread throughout Europe.

The Ministry of Defense Building, King George signed his name on the General Staff's operational plan - "Project Athena" document.

Afterwards, in front of everyone, he announced loudly: "The Crown Prince of Constantine is appointed as the commander of the Thessaly Legion, with full command of the Thessaly Legion, against the Turkish army."

The Thessaly Legion is the main military force of the Greek army. At present, Greece mainly has two legions, Epirus and Thessaly.

Among them, the Epirus Legion had only one division, 12,000 men.

The Thessaly Legion occupied most of the armed forces of the Greek Army.

Although he had expected this for a long time, at the moment of the appointment, Constantine still felt a heavy pressure that was almost breathless.

........

On November 18, when Constantine arrived at the Athens railway station, he saw a dark crowd of people at the railway station. There were scenes of reluctance to part with relatives everywhere: women came to see off their sons and husbands, and the train windows , the soldiers who were urgently drafted into the army leaned out, looking for familiar voices in the crowd.

The whistle of "woo woo" was melodious, and the train leading to the war officially started.

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