Mediterranean Hegemony Road

The problem in Italy has come to an end for the time being, and the rest of the compensation problem is everyone's private problem.

In line with the principle of first easy and then difficult, everyone turned their attention to the Austro-Hungarian Empire again. This time, the two countries mainly asked for war reparations from the Austria-Hungary Empire, with Britain and France as witnesses.

In this world war, the Vienna government is not completely without gains. Although it lost more than 100,000 square kilometers of territory, it also weakened the biggest factor of instability in the country.

First used the World War to severely damage the Kingdom of Hungary, and then used the Germans to abolish the Hungarian government. After the end of the World War, the Kingdom of Hungary was unable to maintain its rule.

Like Austria, the Hungarians in the Kingdom of Hungary are also less than half. After the war, they were unable to suppress the local minorities. The Vienna government took the opportunity to announce the abolition of the dual monarchy.

After the war, the proportion of the population of various ethnic groups also changed slightly, both increasing and decreasing:

Before and after the war

Germanic 24%, 24.8%

Hungarians 2o%, 16.8%

Czechs 13%, 12.8%

Poles 1o%, 7.9%

Ukrainian 8%, 4.6%

Romanians 6%, 13.6%

Croatian 5%, 4.8%

Slovaks 4%, 3.9%

Serbs 4%, 3.7%

Slovenian 3, % 2.9%

Italians 3%, 3.1%

Although the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has shrunk considerably,

But the population decline is not too much, the total population is still more than 50 million (including the repatriated Romanians), so the ethnic issue is still the biggest problem plaguing this old empire!

As far as Constantine knew, the Vienna government was already preparing to repatriate Italians after the war, and if German Poland became independent, they would repatriate Poles, and there were even proposals to send other Slavic gifts out of the country, but because these people There were too many who supported the Habsburg family and were rejected by Ferdinand II.

Everyone is good at learning, but Constantine is still not optimistic about a multi-ethnic country like the Austria-Hungary Empire. If the national integration cannot be completed, something will happen sooner or later!

Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire switched jobs on the way, and the Allies agreed not to pursue their war crimes, Bulgaria and Maoxiong did not agree not to ask them for war reparations!

On October 28, the five countries of Britain, France, Russia, and Austria gathered together to discuss the issue of war reparations. In fact, before the Austro-Hungarian Empire defected, a preliminary agreement had been reached with Bulgaria and France.

Namely: Austria-Hungary took over the 430 million pounds owed by Bulgaria to the French, offset the war reparations, and Bulgaria released all prisoners of war.

Now it's just a matter of ransom in the middle of the Danube plain, but after Ferdinand throws in millions of Romanians, it won't be worth it.

Without much pressure, Constantine naturally said very relaxed: "Austro-Hungary joined the Allies at the beginning of the war, which seriously endangered world peace. Fortunately, in the end, the Bulgarian government decided not to pursue their war crimes!

Regarding the issue of war reparations, we had a preliminary agreement before, and now as long as the Vienna government pays the land ransom of 3ooo, we can withdraw our troops! "

There is no way to do this. Once the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapses, Bulgaria will not be able to find the owner even if it wants to pay reparations. The small country after independence has no ability to pay its debts.

And out of national strategic considerations, the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire also helps to stabilize southern Europe, so Bulgaria can concentrate on building the Asia Minor Peninsula!

Leopold von Bechtold said with reason and reason: "Dear Mr. Constantine, we have no opinion on your request, but the issue of the Middle Danube Plain as agreed before, still needs to be discussed.

According to our original agreement, as long as the Austro-Hungarian Empire made a significant contribution in this world war, your country will reduce or exempt the ransom.

And in this war, your country has won Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Transylvania and other regions, and we have to pay 430 million pounds of war reparations, which is enough to make up for your country's losses.

We therefore demand that your country withdraw the newly increased immigration from the Middle Danube Plain and forfeit the ransom! "

The controversy over this issue is only 30 million pounds. Both Britain and France are watching the show, and they did not end up in person. If Constantine proposed 300 million pounds, it is estimated that it would not be so simple!

Constantine thought for a while and said, "Well, in view of the long-term friendly relationship between our two countries, then we will deduct another 10 million pounds. You only need to pay 20 million pounds!"

Leopold von Berchtold cried and said: "Mr. Konstantin, you know that the finances of the Austro-Hungarian Empire may collapse at any time, and it is really unable to pay this huge sum of money, otherwise it would be better, We don’t want the plains in the middle of the Danube, and we won’t pay the war reparations, do you think?”

Constantine was so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood. The central Danube plain is very good, but unfortunately, where there are already Romanians, Bulgaria has no experience in the dual empire.

After hesitating again and again, Constantine finally said: "10 million pounds, this is our last bottom line!"

Leopold von Bechtold spread his hands and said, "Mr. Constantine, as you know, our money is used to pay off debts, so we have no ability to pay!"

Forced to suppress his anger, Konstantin decided to leave this question to Metev. This kind of wrangling is really not suitable for him.

Metev smiled and said: "If your country is unable to pay, can we consider establishing a Romanian kingdom in the middle of the Danube plain and let this kingdom pay for the expenses, of course they are still a member of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. !"

This is complete nonsense. If this is true, it is estimated that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will collapse soon, and Ferdinand is definitely impossible to agree.

Leopold von Bechtold said with a wry smile: "Mr. Metev, are you going to dismember the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Then we don't have to pay the war reparations!"

Metev said calmly: "Nothing, we are just a proposal, don't you have many kingdoms in your country, and adding one more is no big deal!"

Leopold von Berchtold really wanted to give him a bit of science, and kingdoms are different from kingdom to kingdom, but he still managed to hold back his anger and said: "Three million pounds, that's our bottom line. , of course, if your country can get the local Romanians away, the price is negotiable!"

Metev shook his head and said, "Five million pounds, it can't be any less. If it's less, we'll take over this area for you and use local taxes to pay off your debts!"

Leopold von Bechtol nodded helplessly on the surface, but in fact he was already happy, Bulgaria's appetite was actually much smaller than they thought!

Originally, after seeing the war reparations paid by the Italians, the Vienna government was ready to smash the pot and sell iron. I didn't expect Bulgaria to let them go so gently. Apart from the previous agreement, there was no mention of war reparations. Well, this surprised him very much!

In fact, Bulgaria has to make concessions now. Britain and France will not tolerate Bulgaria's excessive weakening of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even Ferdinand does not want the Austro-Hungarian Empire to collapse, so they have to let them go.

The Bulgarian problem was easily resolved. The head of the Russian delegation, Sassonov, was in a bad mood. The Bulgarians let the Austro-Hungarian Empire so easily, which was also very unfavorable for his subsequent negotiations. The most important thing was Russia. Now there is no threat to the strength of Austria-Hungary, the only reliance is the support of allies!

Russian Foreign Minister Sassunov said: "The Russian Empire can also give up pursuing your country's war crimes, but the economic losses caused by your country to the Russian Empire must be paid!

According to our statistics, in the two years of war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire caused more than 3 million casualties to the Russian Empire, and millions of civilians were displaced. The direct economic loss exceeded 300 million pounds, and the indirect economic loss was even more. Over £500 million!

We therefore ask your country to pay our £800 million war reparations to cover our war losses and restore the economy! "

The faces of the people changed greatly. The Russians proposed that the casualties were real, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire did not give them in vain. It is normal to cause such heavy casualties to the bears.

But no one knows about this economic loss. After all, the Russian Empire is now in a mess, not to mention outsiders, even the Tsarist government has estimated the data, and there is no way to verify it.

In terms of war and military spending, it is estimated that the Russian Empire has spent six or seven billion pounds in the past two and a half years, but at least half of the funds have gone into personal pockets.

Leopold von Bechtol's face changed greatly, this is really a lion's mouth, and now he has to be thankful that the bears had a civil war, and they didn't have much right to speak, otherwise they would be miserable.

"Mr. Sassonoff, let alone 800 million pounds, we can't afford even 100 million pounds, and now there are still millions of poor people in our country who need assistance, and the government has no money at all!

Even if I think the economy is back to its pre-war peak, our GNI was only £600m in 1914, do you think we might be able to afford it? "

As soon as Leopold von Bechtol finished speaking, he was supported by Britain and France, and the United Kingdom cooperated - George said: "Yes, Mr. Sassnov, your demands are too high, it has been The actual situation!

I suggest that you still refer to the previous Bulgarian standards, and your country should come up with a reasonable compensation figure! "

French President Poengale also stabbed the Russian at this time, he smiled and said: "Mr. Sassonoff, I personally suggest that your country limit the amount of war reparations to less than 200 million pounds, which is more sincere! "

Seeing the joint target of Britain and France, Sassonov had to ask Bulgaria for help, and now the tsarist government is still waiting to use the war reparations to fight the civil war!

After hesitating for a while, Metev said first: "In view of the contribution of the Russian Empire in this world war, and the price they paid, I think it must be taken care of when war reparations are made.

Of course, 800 million pounds of war indemnity is indeed too high, but 200 million pounds of indemnity is indeed too low. It is better for everyone to calm down and think about it. Mr. Sassonoff will propose a new amount of indemnity! "

Metev's proposal made Satsunov relieved. He was really worried about being sold by the Allies. Now it seems that Bulgaria still supports them, so there is more to talk about later.

After a moment of silence, Satsunov said slowly: "Okay, everyone, wait a moment, I need to send a telegram back and let the country re-authorize!"

Everyone nodded. Although everyone is a plenipotentiary, once the bottom line is crossed, they still need to be authorized again.

In order to buy time for Satsunov, Konstantin suggested: "It's getting late, why don't we adjourn the meeting today and continue tomorrow?"

...

The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, the remaining bullet marks still tell the story of the war that just passed.

Nicholas II received a call from Satsunov, and his mood was instantly bad. The negotiations in the Austro-Hungarian Empire went very poorly. The attitude of Britain and France directly told him that it was impossible to make a big profit.

However, the Russian Empire is now in urgent need of war reparations to quell the rebellion. Even if it knows that it is a loss, it can only swallow the bitter fruit.

Nicholas II asked with concern: "Has Galisinov's batch of gold been shipped back?"

That's right, the gold in Kazan in history. Now that the world war is over, St. Petersburg has been freed from danger, but Kazan may have a war, so Nicholas II requested it to be transported back to St. Petersburg again.

Chief of General Staff Galisinov said confidently: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will arrive in St. Petersburg at noon tomorrow!"

After hearing this, Nicholas II's mood improved a lot. As long as he had these family backgrounds, he would have the confidence to suppress the rebellion.

Nicholas II nodded and said with a wry smile: "Well, call Satsunov and activate our No. 1 alternative!"

For the Russian Empire to participate in this peace meeting, naturally there will not be only one set of plans. According to different situations, they have also formulated different response plans.

The current situation is obviously bad, but not the worst, at least one Bulgaria is supporting them, and there is still talk!

...

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