Chapter 885 Preparations for Austria
As soon as there was a commotion among the people, the whole world knew what the French wanted to do. The two countries began to prepare for war, and the other neighbors were not idle.
Switzerland recruited 50,000 militiamen for half a year of military training; Spain expanded five infantry divisions, which were announced to suppress colonial rebellions.
The Austrian government announced a six-month delay for retired officers and soldiers this year, while conducting anti-invasion drills across the country.
Although it wasn't stated explicitly, everyone knew it was for the French. The situation on the European continent suddenly became tense, and the French government at the center of the storm was embarrassed.
explain?
That's getting worse and worse. Even if they knew that the French people's goals were mostly Bieber and Germany, everyone still raised their vigilance, for fear that the French people would play dark and dark.
Affected by the tense situation in Europe, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs became lively. European countries have expressed their positions one after another, hoping that Austria can check and balance France's ambitions.
Franz has never been bothered by stereotyped diplomatic rhetoric. After flipping through it, he frowned and asked, "Is there any substantive content?
This kind of meaningless spiritual support can only be used to fool children, which means nothing to us. "
The specific support is not mentioned. Anyway, they are supporting the confrontation between Austria and the French. It is best for France and Austria to fight with each other.
Naturally, there is no later content in the diplomatic note, but Franz will also make up his mind. If he is in another European country, he will do the same.
Pointless support is better than none at all. At least it proves that Austria's popularity is not bad, and it has not been isolated by everyone.
When necessary, it can also be used to boost morale, increase the justice of one's own side, and gain an advantage in public opinion.
Foreign Minister Weisenberg: "Yes! The Principality of Baden invited us to garrison troops to jointly defend against the French invasion; Belgium proposed that the three countries conduct a military exercise to deter the French's ambitions."
Since ancient times, inviting foreign troops to enter has always been a politically risky affair.
Franz was slightly surprised when Baden bypassed the central government and invited Austrian troops to garrison. But considering the complex relationship between the two countries, he is not surprised.
Although the Holy Roman Empire has collapsed for decades, the brand has not fallen, especially after the rise of nationalism, the Holy Roman Empire is the legal basis of Greater German thought.
Generally speaking, the main force opposed to the entry of foreign troops is nationalism, but in the eyes of nationalism in Baden, it is also a member of the German nation, and Austria is also its own.
The internal hidden danger is gone, and the external German federal government has no right to interfere in Baden's internal affairs. If the central government is dissatisfied, it will send troops to guard the frontier.
The imperial parliament is still in progress, and the states are arguing about the distribution of troops. Hanover, as the central government, is under pressure to defend the Rhineland region. It is too embarrassing to reinforce Baden.
In addition to these factors, the core factor that the Baden government dared to invite Austria to garrison was because of the affinity between the two countries.
Austria swallowed someone, and it was impossible to turn around and swallow Baden, otherwise the Habsburg dynasty would not be able to mix in the aristocratic circle.
After thinking for a while, Franz shook his head: "Both of these proposals are unrealistic. Garrisoning Baden at this time will not only irritate the French, but also worsen our relationship with the German Confederation.
Once the French move eastward, the German Confederation is the best meat shield. What we need to do now is to encourage them to fight the French to the death as much as possible, rather than bear the pressure of the French for them.
The Belgian exercise plan is even more unreliable. The troops participating in the exercise cost too much money. After all, the French haven't come over yet, and they don't have the courage to take the initiative to find the bad luck of the French.
Fewer troops are involved, not only will it not deter the French, but it will also stimulate the ambition of the French. It is possible that the French government will attack first and directly kill the troops participating in the exercise. "
No doubt, these are excuses. In the final analysis, there is only one real reason. Franz is unwilling to be taken advantage of and rush to the front line of resistance to the law.
Human nature can't stand the test. Don't look at what everyone is saying now. If the French are really defeated, the object of everyone's defense will become Austria.
Rather than being thankless, it is better to sit at home and wait for the situation to develop. After the two countries were severely beaten by the French, the situation of helping out was very different.
Prime Minister Carr said worriedly: "The situation in France has changed too suddenly, some people can't understand it, and it always feels like someone is manipulating behind it.
Guided by public opinion, the French have stimulated their self-esteem, and it is understandable that they advocate tough measures against Germany.
But what are the Italians running to join in the fun? I don't believe they have such a strong sense of belonging to the French government. "
It has been less than 20 years since France really annexed Italy. The older generation is still alive, and the younger generation also grew up in that special era. Talking about a sense of belonging is a joke.
It is good that the Bonaparte family came from Italy, but their roots are too shallow, and they have no strength at all in Italy.
Apart from the influence left over from the Napoleonic era, it can be said to be nothing. To transform influence into strength, it cannot be accomplished without cooperation.
Italian capitalists who originally supported the French government were directly pushed to the opposite side because they lost in the process of competing with French capital.
If it weren't for the shock and awe of the strength of France, the Italian region would have long been in chaos. At least the royal families of the states that were vacated wanted to regain power.
Foreign Secretary Weisenberg explained: "
The problem in the Italian region, the embassy in Rome has already figured it out.
There is a shadow of the Italian Independence Organization behind it, and their participation is to provoke the European War and create opportunities for the independence of the Italian region.
From the source of funding for the event, the signs point directly to the British. Combined with the current international situation, the British government does have the motive to provoke a continental war. "
It is best to check the activity funds. There are two major funders of the Italian independent organization. The Austrian government did not pay, it must be the British government's pocket.
Even if other countries have the heart, they don't have the guts. If the news is leaked and the cauldron of the European War is detained, it can crush people to death.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Marc Leo von Josef: "The truth is no longer important, the point is is it possible to avoid war?
If possible, finally push the time back ten years, even five years, and then we will be able to kill the French in one go. "
A one-time solution to the French is ideal. The anti-French war did not really solve France, which is enough to explain many problems.
On the European continent, it is easy to defeat a country, but difficult to completely eliminate it. Regardless of the price to be paid on the battlefield, the key is international intervention.
As a European power like France, if it can't be solved at one time, it will have endless troubles if it stays.
Austria did not ignore the power of European intervention, which meant that after a battle with the French, there would be an additional mortal enemy to the west.
Otherwise, as early as during the Paris Revolution, Austria would have fallen victim to the French, and there is no need to wait until now.
Wesenberg shook his head: "I'm afraid this question should be asked of the French. If they want to implement a Central European strategy, this war cannot be avoided.
From the current situation, we have to prepare for the worst. Just shock and deterrence, I am afraid that can not dispel the ambitions of the French. "
Austria's development plan for the Near East has begun to reveal its true colors. The ordinary people's feelings are not deep, but they cannot be concealed from shrewd politicians.
The tsarist government was fooled into Central Asia, half because it wanted to recapture Central Asia and wash away its previous shame; the other half was forced to help.
Seeing the growing neighbor of Austria, while the Russian Empire is going from bad to worse, anyone will feel the pressure.
If there is no choice, then Russia and Austria will definitely part ways, and finally go to opposite sides because of strategic conflict.
As a result, the British came to the door at this time. The tsarist government, which was about to stop after the recovery of Central Asia, did not resist the temptation of India to rush forward after seeing the waste of the British army.
Strategically speaking, the Tsarist government's decision was not wrong. Beating the British on land is definitely better than fighting Austria; the benefits that can be gained by defeating the British are also greater than the benefits of beating Austria.
Anyway, as long as India is annexed, the shortcomings of the Russian Empire will be made up, and naturally there is no need to be afraid of Austria.
The Russians took the initiative to attack, and the British responded passively. Among the great powers, France and Austria were left alone.
After the production capacity crisis broke out, the French interest groups and careerists who suffered heavy losses couldn't bear it when the British provoked it.
The problem has been clarified, and politicians can't be ostriches if they want to. If the China-EU strategy is not completed, France will always be at a disadvantage in the future international competition.
Franz, who had been silent for a long time, said slowly: "Don't expect it, at this point, the French government has no choice.
Unless the French government is a bunch of guys who have no ambition and just want to eat and die, war will break out sooner or later.
From now on, the country will enter a three-level alert state. All military-industrial enterprises must be operational from now on.
The local governments keep a register of retired officers and soldiers within their jurisdictions, and the government must ensure that within a week after the outbreak of the war, 500,000 reserve troops can be mobilized.
Ordered the Governor of the Middle East and the Governor of East Africa to prepare for the first level of war, and once the French invaded Central Europe, they would seize the Suez Canal and Egypt.
Inform the governments of the states that an imperial conference will be held on the 11th of next month to discuss the issue of resisting the French invasion. "
No matter where the French attack is, Franz is determined to pay attention and head towards the Suez Canal.
As for the rest of Africa, it is not a strategic location and is blocked by a vast desert. Franz is not interested for the time being.
For the Vienna government, this impending war is both a disaster and an opportunity.
Before that, the Vienna government only got the right to issue banknotes and tariffs. The command of the army belonged to the emperor, and the central government had no right to intervene.
Although the judicial system is unified, in order to protect judicial justice from outside interference, the judicial system of the New Holy Roman Empire is independent of the government, including the courts, anti-corruption bureaus and other judicial departments, which only need to be accountable to the emperor.
In this context, the central government is naturally powerless to the highly autonomous state government.
Except through economic means, the Vienna government has never issued a formal executive order to the state government.
Theoretically speaking, if the state government is angry, the central government can also intervene.
It is a pity that it has enjoyed the dividend of expansion. In recent years, Austria's overall economic development has been good. The reputation of the state governments is good, and the central government has no chance to intervene.
It's different now, once the war breaks out. There is no way for the state governments to refuse the unification of the central government, especially the states that are located on the front line. They cannot stand it without the support of the central government.
How to do it is a matter between the cabinet and the state government. that power
Struggle has always been fought, and no one will send it to the door if you don't stand still.