War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Metternich was very angry, but the reality was that he really had no good solution. If the Swiss really ignored the bombing of the St. Gallen Pass and the two small roads in Ticeno, then the Austrian Empire would not be able to enter even with thousands of troops.

In fact, in the past, the Swiss Confederation was able to overthrow the Holy Roman Empire and even defeat Austria to the point of losing its ancestral territory. In addition to the instigation of the great powers, it was difficult to deploy troops in the Swiss mountainous areas, and the inability to keep up with supplies was also a big problem.

Note: The birthplace of the Habsburg family is Eagleburg in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland.

Although it cannot be taken by force, Prince Metternich is a man known as the "Prime Minister of Europe" and he has his own way of solving problems.

That’s right! This is a meeting! Don't underestimate the power of international conferences, they are a knife that can kill without blood.

Compared with investing tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of troops into the battlefield, this approach seems cheap, efficient and elegant.

As a veteran who has been involved in diplomacy for more than half a century, Prince Metternich knows very well what can and cannot be touched.

He plans to spend a month preparing for a diplomatic conference, and the specific date may be postponed for another two months.

After all, it was still winter and St. Petersburg was not navigable. It might take a month to send the message. It might be April 1847 when Russia selected its representatives and then sent them over.

This was probably the largest diplomatic conference in the world since the end of Napoleon.

In addition to France and the Kingdom of Sardinia, which border Switzerland, there are also important regional powers such as Russia, Sweden, Spain, and Prussia, as well as all the princely states of the entire German Confederation.

Who allowed the Swiss Confederation to border Baden and face Württemberg and Bavaria across the lake?

So many countries were invited but only the UK was not included. This was not only to facilitate the exclusion of British forces, but also to avenge the UK's decision to hold the London Conference alone without Austria as the chair.

(The London Conference in the book did not take place, but it is impossible not to remember the British approach.)

There are only three paths the British can take at this time, either to sabotage the Congress of Vienna and prevent it from happening, just like what Austria (Franz) did back then.

Either join if you can't beat them, come uninvited, and then take the opportunity to repair the relationship, or take the opportunity to cause trouble so that Austria cannot achieve its goals.

Finally, there is another way, which is not to acknowledge all the results of the meeting. Palmerston used it during the Second Congress of Vienna, but to no avail.

It is unlikely that this approach will work at this time, because Austria, France, the Kingdom of Sardinia and South Germany completely surround Switzerland.

In fact, if you look carefully, there is Liechtenstein, with a population of less than 3,000, and an army of less than 100 people. Grand Duke Alois II of Liechtenstein serves as his own commander-in-chief.

Once the agreement is reached, it will be difficult for the UK to shake it, just like how Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg divided Belgium before.

London, England.

John Russell cursed as soon as he got the news.

"Easy! Ease! Ease the relationship! Why don't you understand?"

He really didn't know who gave Joseph Roy the courage. In this situation, how could Britain have the energy to participate in matters on the European continent.

The most terrifying thing was that Palmerston, who had just returned from the Tory rebellion, gave him a big gift upon meeting him.

How could he be so bold as to frighten the Austrians and the French with credentials that were not signed by himself or the Queen?

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, please sign this letter of credence."

Palmerston did not answer John Russell's words, but the letter of credence that was about to be sent to Europe pushed the latter.

"I really regret letting you, a traitor, continue to be foreign minister, causing me to have to wipe your ass."

Although John Russell was very unhappy, he was still prepared to fulfill his obligations as a party leader.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, you are wrong. You are solving the worries of the British Empire, not my personal problems."

Palmerston has done many ridiculous things, such as messing with the Queen's maid at the Queen's Castle, so his words sound like sophistry to others.

"Mr. Palmerston, please don't be pretentious. It is your fault for provoking the Swiss Civil War. You know full well that we in the UK cannot really end up joining their side."

"But this allows the Austrians themselves to destroy the Vienna System, and no matter which side wins, the contradiction between France and Austria will further deepen. In the end, it will be our British Empire that will benefit."

John Russell's personal talents were far inferior to those of Palmerston and Robert Peel. In history, the former became the British Prime Minister twice and was ousted twice. He lacked economic, internal affairs, and diplomatic talents. Even his brother felt that He was an incompetent Prime Minister, so Lord Russell at this time simply could not understand what Palmerston was doing.

"What do you mean?"

"My Lord Prime Minister, I am saying that what makes our country great is its glorious independence policy.

We have more important things to do than what is happening on the continent, such as solving the problem of overproduction in our factories, the unreasonable demands of the Americans, and the Irish on the Shannon.”

Palmerston obviously had his own plan, but John Russell hated such a smart guy. The latter did not pay attention to those so-called problems, but pointed the finger at Palmerston himself.

"Since you know that we are facing so many problems, why do you take the initiative to provoke those guys on the European continent?"

Faced with the Prime Minister's doubts, Palmerston appeared very calm.

"If we don't find something for them to do, can we do our thing with peace of mind? The navies of Austria and France are no longer what they used to be. Although the previous intervention in the Viceroyalty of La Plata failed, the European countries The navy is no longer something we can ignore.

And some problems may require the help of the Army to solve, such as Canada's border and eastern trade issues.

Switzerland is located at the junction of the three countries, and its geographical location is very important. No one of the three countries will give up easily. "

“But if either France or Austria gets Switzerland, wouldn’t it affect the balance of power on the European continent?”

"No, Mr. Prime Minister, Switzerland's terrain is mainly mountainous. The terrain is narrow and difficult to navigate. It is difficult to maintain supplies, let alone the army.

Moreover, the population is sparse and the economy is weak, so the impact on the two big countries is minimal. But the impact of the already fragile balance on the European continent is enough to set off huge waves in the future.

The most important thing is that after the Swiss barrier disappears, Austria will directly border France. By then, both sides will have no choice but to fight. "

When Palmerston said this, everyone present showed evil smiles, and John Russell also knew what to do next.

"When they fight until both sides are injured, we can reap the benefits."

"Yes, that's it."

"Okay! I'll go find the Queen to sign it right away."

——

This is Lord John Russell who wants to take credit——