Greece’s Roman Road

In February 1885, Banning reported to Constantine by telegram that the fundraising problem of the Congolese Railway Company was finally resolved.

Among them, the royal family invested 1 million francs, and the Bruce Court family invested 500,000 pounds in the initial investment and also got the corresponding shares.

The Belgians got their share of 15 million of the 25 million francs, and the rest went to private parties in Britain and Germany.

The reason why the Belgians get such a large share is also because Belgium is relatively weak compared to Britain, France and Germany. As the major shareholders of the Congolese railway company, the Congolese government is more convenient to exert influence in management, rather than often. Facing the pressure of great powers.

At the same time, a Kivu Province Gold Mining Company was established to be responsible for the gold deposits discovered in the previous exploration, and the shares were distributed by the shareholders who invested in the railway this time.

The Congolese government used the ownership of gold mines as a bargaining chip, and the Greek head office occupied 30% of the shares of the gold mining company.

In any case, railway construction in Congo is finally on track.

Time entered September, and the Greek ambassador to Bulgaria reported that there was turmoil in Eastern Rumelia, Turkey. The locals occupied the Ottoman Governor's Palace and demanded a merger with Bulgaria.

On September 18, 1885, the Grand Duke of Bulgaria announced the annexation of Eastern Rumelia Province, and went to Plovdiv, the capital of Eastern Rumelia, the next day, and was enthusiastically welcomed by the Bulgarian people there;

Most of the inhabitants of Eastern Rumelia are Bulgarians.

The situation across the Balkans suddenly heated up.

Before that, Bulgaria's territory was only north of the Balkan Mountains and Mosia to the south of the lower Danube River, with an area of ​​about 64,000 square kilometers.

Eastern Rumelia is a piece of land south of the Balkan Mountains, with an area of ​​about 30,000 square kilometers. (that is, the southern part of present-day Bulgaria)

This is undoubtedly a challenge for Bulgaria to the international landscape.

The situation throughout the Balkans is complicated. The decline of the original host, Ottoman Turkey, has led to the shrinking of its sphere of influence.

And the Balkan territories of Ottoman Turkey are coveted by all countries.

Especially in Russia and Austria-Hungary.

In the Balkans, the game of great powers, religious contradictions, and the rise of nationalism are all mixed together, affecting the whole body.

Constantine, who smelled the wind, immediately rushed back to Athens. He intuitively told him that there would be a political turmoil in Athens.

This is not that Constantine is unfounded.

After the Russo-Turkish War of 1878, the victorious Russia forced Ottoman Turkey to sign the Treaty of San Stefano, declaring the establishment of a Bulgarian protectorate in the Balkans.

The Bulgarian territory in the treaty includes Mosia, Eastern Rumelia, and all of Macedonia, covering an area of ​​160,000 square kilometers.

This contains almost all of the Ottoman Turkish part of Europe.

This naturally caused opposition from neighboring countries, including Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Greece, and the United Kingdom.

This is a clear reason, Russia defeated the Ottoman Turks, allowing Bulgaria to become independent from the Ottoman Turks, and both countries are Slavs (Bulgarian and Russian are very similar, both countries believe in Orthodox Christianity, even the same religion , can communicate without barriers).

Naturally, the Russians think that Bulgaria should be grateful to them and view the new Bulgaria as a parent.

On April 17, 1879, Tsar Alexander II appointed his 22-year-old nephew, Alexander von Battenberg, as the first Grand Duke of the Bulgarian Protectorate.

It was for Alexander I of Bulgaria.

Von Battenberg's father was the Duke of Hesse in Germany. Before coming to Bulgaria, he was a lieutenant in the German army and joined the Russian army in the Russo-Turkish War in 1877;

Most of the ministers of the new Bulgarian Principality are Russians, and all officers above the company level in the Bulgarian army are Russians, and the bailiffs can only be promoted to captain at most;

In the eyes of all countries, this is not to be mentioned too much: this is Bulgaria's independence, this is clearly Russia's annexation of Bulgaria itself!

Under the pressure of various countries, the Treaty of St. Snowfat was abolished and the treaty was re-signed at the Berlin Conference.

Dad gave in, and Bulgaria's territory naturally shrunk dramatically.

The independent Bulgarian territory is only Mosia.

Macedonia, Eastern Rumelia province still belongs to Ottoman.

But this decision ignored the will of the local people, which led to the action of the Eastern Rumelia people's uprising.

The Russians hoped that von Battenberg would play the role of "Emperor" well; however, what the Russians did not expect was that von Battenberg soon showed a nationalist side, and he did not want to be the puppet of the Russians. Nor do they want Bulgaria to become Russia's plaything.

On March 13, 1881, Alexander II was assassinated in St. Petersburg; Alexander III succeeded; the new Russian Tsar had no emotional connection with Battenberg;

At the funeral of Alexander II, Alexander III and Battenberg reached the first compromise: 12 ministers to protect the country, 8 to be appointed by Russia, and 4 to be appointed by Battenberg;

The Russians, who claim to be liberators, have a superior attitude and brutally interfere in Bulgarian politics, which naturally arouses the resentment of the Bulgarians.

Since then, the relationship between the Bulgarian Grand Duke and the Russian Tsar has deteriorated.

On March 3, 1883, UU Kanshu www.uukanshu.com Baoguo Prime Minister Major General Sobolev and Minister of War Major General von Kolbas "suggested" to Battenberg that their status should be: Sobolev is for Russia Governor-General in Bulgaria, Kaurbas as Regent;

This is the blatant Russian control of Bulgaria.

The original brother-country relationship has cast a shadow.

This has also led to the current Russians' attitude of announcing the annexation of Eastern Rumelia in Bulgaria, and they are opposed to it.

Bulgaria annexed Eastern Rumelia, which violated the agreement of the Three Kingdoms Alliance of Germany, Austria and Russia: any territorial change in the Balkans must be implemented with the unanimous consent of the three countries.

On September 24, Bulgaria announced a general mobilization, mainly against the Ottomans.

The Ottoman authorities did not know whether Bulgaria had the support of other major powers behind this act, so they hesitated.

There is no doubt that the Bulgarians' behavior of taking back their country at all costs will have strong psychological implications for the Greeks.

Constantine can imagine how excited the current Greeks are after getting the news:

Since the Bulgarians can disregard the agreement between the great powers and acquire territory from the Ottomans, why can't Greece?

Isn't this the time for Greece to regain its territory and liberate its people?

Constantine was worried that the Greek government would be kidnapped by the fanatical atmosphere of the people, and would go its own way regardless of the wishes of the international community, mainly the powers.

For the current Greece, it is impossible for Greece to achieve any results without the permission of the foreign powers.

And the determination of countries to maintain the situation in the Balkans will not be shaken.

In their eyes, disobedient children will be punished.

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