Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

“If the German Empire adopts a policy of supporting Austria-Hungary in the Russian-Austrian competition in the Balkans, it will have to accept the breakdown of German-Russian relations and therefore provide France with the result of a potential ally. However, under the circumstances at that time, it completely ruled out abandoning Austria-Hungary. Possibility. Preserving the independence and great power status of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was an important part of Bismarck's European order. Once Austria-Hungary disintegrated under external pressure, it would not only endanger the balance of power in Europe, but also cause Germany to lose its room for maneuver in diplomacy, and it would also break the German Empire's domestic A delicate political balance, Bismarck's faction dominates. Therefore, after we understand the degree of support between Germany and Austria, we can calmly deploy the Netherlands' overall foreign policy towards Germany and Austria, and at the same time, for the neighboring countries of the two countries , it is also a kind of diplomatic investment for Tsarist Russia and Britain and France. If we insist on another plan to deal with the Anglo-German-Austrian alliance, then I can say that the Netherlands already has a preliminary plan, but it involves diplomatic secrets. We currently do not I am very sorry to be able to make it public.”

Joseph Baite's words on the radio shocked the Dutch people, but the envoys abroad had different expressions.

In particular, the German and Austrian embassies in the Netherlands were very anxious and wanted to know the answer. However, after being designated as an "enemy", he is no longer "qualified" to seek direct answers, so it is useless to rush.

The people in the French, Russian and other embassies next to them showed joy. Apparently, the words of the Dutch Foreign Minister Beit really gave them a breath of fresh air from the suffocation of the Anglo-German-Austrian alliance.

Hermann Van Peron asked on the radio: "The Bulgarian crisis from 1878 to 1880 reopened the problem of the East in Europe and created the prospect of confrontation between Germany and Austria. The Russian army fought bloody battles in the Russo-Turkish War, with 200,000 soldiers. More than 70,000 people died on the battlefields in Romania and Bulgaria, but what they gained was that Romania and Bulgaria supported pro-Russian people to come to power. Can the Netherlands win over the Ottoman Empire?"

Beit's Foreign Minister replied on the radio: "In March 1881, Grand Duke Alexander was forced to abdicate under Russian pressure. In June, Tsar Alexander III's special envoy Kalbas failed to force the Bulgarian regency to elect a Grand Duke of Russia's liking. The candidate failed, Russia and Bulgaria severed diplomatic relations, and Russia's influence in Bulgaria was completely lost.

The dignity of Tsar Alexander III was trampled to the utmost extent. The Balkan Peninsula has formed a critical situation in which the Tsarist Russian army is about to invade and trigger a conflict between great powers.

Once Russia marches into Bulgaria, it will surely more firmly control Romania, which the Ottoman Empire has been spying on. By then, Hungary will be surrounded by Russian Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. Austro-Hungary's Danube lifeline may also be cut off. Maintaining power and influence in the Balkans is not only a status symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but also the survival of the empire.

In the same way, the Ottoman Empire hopes to maintain its influence on the Balkan Peninsula and is absolutely unwilling for the Russian Empire to continue to expand its influence. Therefore, the alliance between the Netherlands and Russia is a kind of dissuasion for the Ottoman Empire to join."

It was difficult for the Ottoman Empire to be persuaded to join the Dutch ally, and people at the Ottoman Embassy in the Netherlands couldn't help but feel bitter. The German and Austrian embassies were naturally relieved.

The Russian Embassy naturally breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little uncomfortable.

No matter how you look at it, it seems that in the Netherlands, it has become a commodity, and you can pick and choose.

Hermann Van Peron asked sharply in his broadcast: "In other words, the Ottoman Empire had to give up the Ottoman Empire because it was wooing Tsarist Russia?"

Foreign Minister Beit replied with a smile: "No, the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the United Kingdom is well known to be close. No one makes our government think that the Ottoman Empire will abandon its decades-old allies to live with the Netherlands."

Hermann Van Peron: "Hahaha"

It seems that Dutch Foreign Minister Beit's statement touched Vienna, and Austria-Hungary was directly annoyed.

On November 5, 1881, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Karnow gave a speech in the Hungarian Parliament and said: "Russia has no right to occupy Bulgaria and decide its fate alone, otherwise it will lead to war."

Karno's words immediately caused an uproar in Russian public opinion. It was generally believed that Russian-Austrian coordination had lost its meaning. The Russian military and the Pan-Slavic faction were considering launching a military attack on Austria-Hungary.

Germany was quiet and seemed to be motionless, but many people speculated that the most direct purpose of the alliance between Bismarck and Austria-Hungary was to restrain Russia and Austria and prevent the two countries from getting too close and sudden conflicts. Bismarck's basic policy at this time was to implement a two-way policy for the two countries to resolve their differences within the framework of the Three Reichs Alliance. In response to the tough policies that Austria-Hungary might adopt with the connivance of Britain and Germany, he repeatedly issued warnings that Bulgaria was a force of Russia. The scope of the Russo-Austrian alliance was only defensive in nature before. Germany was naturally unwilling to help deal with Russia, so after conniving with Austria-Hungary and bringing Britain into partnership, Britain could be allowed to help Austria-Hungary. Germany was naturally willing to support Austria-Hungary in dealing with Tsarist Russia. , weakening the huge pressure that Tsarist Russia exerted on Germany in the east.

This is the speculation of many people in the Dutch government and the public. Many experts have also published these opinions in newspapers. Naturally, these reports have also spread over Europe. The Bismarck government has not denied it, and Germany, Austria, Hungary, the United Kingdom, etc. have also There was no direct condemnation or statement. Obviously, these are just speculations.

It was not until November 7, 1881, that Bismarck repeatedly stated in London that Germany was willing to support Russia's interest policies in Bulgaria, but the great construction sites of the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not be sacrificed, and the way out lay in a compromise between Germany and Austria on dividing the sphere of influence in the Balkan Peninsula.

Russia and Austria chose to remain silent. However, Britain, which was receiving the German and Austrian emperor and prime minister, expressed its respect for the change in the relationship between Germany and Austria and Russia.

Royal Palace of the Netherlands.

William IV smiled and said to Queen Alexandra: "Bismarck acted as an honest broker. Although he temporarily avoided the issue of choosing between Russia and Austria, he hinted at the danger of alienating the two countries, so he brought Britain in. , hiding in the dark. This guy avoided the question that Austria-Hungary directly expressed dissatisfaction with Berlin: Does the German-Austrian alliance still have the value of setting up a code? Germany has two allies, and Austria-Hungary only has half of it? "

Next to him is Queen Alexandra of the Netherlands, who has been married to the Netherlands for 17 years.

Queen Alexandra responded with a smile: "If the conclusion of the German-Austrian Alliance this year has intensified Russia's sense of isolation and forced it to come to our Dutch orbit, then at this moment, it can only deepen Russia's hostility, William, don't you Is this the result you want?"