Chapter 218: Chapter 105: Come to Nothing

Translator: 549690339

London

No matter what, the British Government was an obstacle that could not be circumvented. Since the process of German unification was halted by the joint opposition of the nations, Prime Minister Felix had turned his route to London.

Actually, the plan for joint intervention had been underway for a while, and the fact that it could be dragged out until an agreement was reached with the South German States was thanks to the Russians holding things back.

In this respect, the Tsarist Government was still very credible, of course, the public relations fees spread out by Austria had also played a role.

Otherwise, it was estimated that just as they were wrapping things up with the Kingdom of Saxon, this joint declaration would have appeared, and then it would have been very difficult for Austria to proceed with the rest of the plan.

Unable to establish a fait accompli, dealing with it at the negotiating table, achieving these goals was almost impossible.

The joint declaration had been published for so long, and the international conference hadn’t been called yet, that was leaving time for Austria’s PR work.

In other words, Austria got the advantage, and we are green with envy, if we can’t get enough compensation, we are going to make trouble.

This was Franz’s view, if the international conference were to be called immediately, Austria would have no time to maneuver. No, it should be said that there was no time to travel to London.

At the strong insistence of Napoleon III, the international conference was to be held in Paris, and the Paris Government, being so close at hand, clearly had an opportunity for public relations.

There’s no need to mention the Russians, without Mao Xiong’s support, Austria would not dare to make any rash moves, obviously, there was already a deal between the two. How could the shrewd John Bull tolerate such a thing happening?

The meeting was originally planned for July, but was dragged out to late August at the British’s request.

Faced with this situation, the Austrian Government naturally had no choice, and Prime Minister Felix had to personally make the trip to London.

Prime Minister Felix retorted, “Mr. Henry, the importance of the Lombardy-Venetia Kingdom to Austria must be clear to you. The economic value there is even above the South German Region.

Venice is Austria’s largest foreign trade port, and a majority of Austria’s naval ports are in the Veneto region. Do you think we can let go?”

The British Prime Minister George Hamilton-Gordon smiled and said, “Mr. Felix, your country does not lack ports. Rijeka and Trieste are both excellent ports, and in the Dalmatia Region, your country has many ports that can be developed.”

Felix shook his head and said, “Mr. Henry, theoretically, as long as it is seaside, it can be transformed into a quality port, but what about the development cost?

The Dalmatia Region is the poorest province in Austria; the local transportation is enough to render any port valueless.

So as for the proposal to give up the Lombardy-Venetia Kingdom, let’s not talk about it anymore, it’s impossible for us to agree.”

The British wanted to unite the Italian Area, at the same time counterbalancing Austria and France, balancing the powers in the Mediterranean.

However, on this issue, they faced opposition from Austria, France, and Spain simultaneously, making the unification of the Italian Area seem far off into the future.

The Lombardy-Venetia Kingdom was Austria’s compensation for giving up the Austrian Netherlands, with a territory of 46,991 square kilometers and a population of about 5.16 million, predominantly Italians, with some German People.

This was the most fertile land in the Italian Area, with Italy’s largest plain—the Po River Plain. More than half of Italy’s industry was concentrated here, as well as the busiest port in the Mediterranean—Venice. At one point, it accounted for 30% of Austria’s fiscal revenue.

With such enormous economic interests, the Vienna Government naturally could not give up easily. Even now, the British were recognizing the new Holy Roman Empire as a condition, and yet Prime Minister Felix flatly refused.

Unable to achieve this goal, Prime Minister George Hamilton-Gordon once again put forth a new condition, “Mr. Felix, your country cannot give up the Italian Area, but surely stopping support for the Russians is not an issue, right?

You surely do not want to watch the Russians swallow the Ottoman Empire, extend their tentacles deep into the Mediterranean, and break the balance of Europe?”

Having arrived in London, Felix already had a feeling that the real goal of the British was to dismantle the Russian-Austrian Alliance, and now it was plain to see.

“Mr. Henry, I think there’s been a misunderstanding on your part. In the Near East War, we will maintain neutrality; we have never supported the Russians.

From the outbreak of the war until now, the Austrian Government has always maintained neutrality and doing business with the Russians, that adheres to the principle of free trade.”

Free trade was initiated by the British, and it was one of the national policies of the British Government; naturally, Prime Minister George Hamilton-Gordon could not contradict his own policy.

George Hamilton-Gordon asked, “So has your country already decided to join the free trade system?”

Felix equivocated, “Mr. Henry, Austria’s situation is different from that of your country. Many people in our country worry that once we join the free trade system established by your country, there will be an economic impact.

After all, your country’s industrial strength is simply too strong; all the countries of the world combined might not match up to you.”

Indeed, the Great Britain Empire’s industrial strength was unmatched, no other country in the world could compare.

However, once all nations have completed industrialization, the small area and scarce resources of the British Isles will expose their weakness, and the outcome will be different.

Can’t the British see this problem? The answer is: no, they can’t.

The Great Britain Empire is so illustrious now that they overlook potential crises. Otherwise, they would start preparing now. If not to remain at the peak forever, at least to extend their time as the world’s hegemon.

Theoretically, the best option would be to shift the focus of development to Canada and compete with the Americans for America. It is not impossible for the Great Britain Empire to overpower the United States of this era.

Secondly, there is the development of Australia and the annexation of the Southeast Asia region. With such an area to support them, they can also sustain a superpower.

Thirdly, the development of the African Continent should be considered. In this era, the total population of Africa is at most twenty million, and due to the prevalence of the slave trade, the population of Africa is still declining.

The Americans can turn Indians into a minority; the more professional John Bull can also turn Uncle Blacks into protected animals.

Any of these three options would require a massive investment of manpower, material, and financial resources, impossible unless the British elite were all transmigrators.

Despite being a flattery, in this era, it was a compliment. George Hamilton-Gordon was very pleased to receive Felix’s praise, but that did not affect the following negotiations.

George Hamilton-Gordon was sure that as long as they relented on the issue of the Germany Region, the Austrian Government would not mind joining the free trade system immediately.

This was clearly not Austria’s bottom line. George Hamilton-Gordon continued to probe, “Mr. Felix, since your country remained neutral in the Near East conflict, do you plan to return the lands occupied from the Ottoman Empire after the war?”

Felix could only sigh, realizing that this master of continental balance of power had quickly considered the post-Near East conflict issues.

“We will have to discuss this issue with the Ottoman Government. If they can pay enough ransom, we do not mind returning the lands we now occupy.”

This “ransom” was obviously beyond what the Ottoman Empire could afford; it was merely a way to make the British concede on the issue of Austria re-establishing the Holy Roman Empire.

In terms of territory, the several states Austria has set its sights on together hardly amount to 140,000 square kilometers, less than half of the territory currently occupied by Austria in the Ottoman Empire.

Kingdom of Bavaria: 75,865 square kilometers

Württemberg Kingdom: 20,682 square kilometers

Grand Duchy of Baden: 15,070 square kilometers

Kingdom of Saxon: 14,993 square kilometers

Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt: about 10,000 square kilometers

Free City of Frankfurt: 248.31 square kilometers

But the accounting shouldn’t be done this way. Austria’s annexation of the South German Region is not for the sake of land, but rather for the population; the population on these German Sub-States exceeds ten million.

This population can effectively compensate for the weakness of the Austrian main ethnic group, making the seemingly powerful Austrian Empire into a truly great Empire.

As for the lands of the Balkan Peninsula, what would it matter to return them to the Ottoman Empire? Can the current Ottoman Empire keep it?

Take the Two Principalities of the Danube Basin as an example; as long as Austria insists on opposing their independence, the Ottoman Empire could only give them back, unless they want to be neighbors with the Tsarist Government.

If Russia had won or drawn in this Near East conflict, the Ottoman Empire would be in a difficult position, sandwiched between the Russians and Austria. Managing such an exclave is a joke, isn’t it?

Austria can give up the Balkan Peninsula, but only if England and France win the Near East conflict. Only then will Prime Minister Felix’s promise be fulfilled.

George Hamilton-Gordon quickly realized this issue. In such an inland area, the influence of the Great Britain Empire is too low.

Don’t be misled by Austria’s seemingly high regard for them; the real power of speech lies mainly with the Russians, followed by the French.

London Government’s recognition is good, but opposition likewise cannot change the final result. As long as one of the French-Russian supports Austria, rebuilding Shinra won’t be a problem.

In the end, no agreement was reached. With no significant benefits from Austria and no leverage to make the Austrian Government yield, John Bull naturally couldn’t give a clear answer.

They couldn’t intervene in the South German Region, yet they couldn’t give up Northern Germany either. It’s in the coastal regions where they could find the prestige of Britannia.

These issues would be a headache for the British. Felix wouldn’t worry for them; after all, he did bring Austria’s goodwill.

With an ambiguous answer, Prime Minister Felix set off on his return journey. As for the upcoming Paris Conference, let Metternich handle it; it must be admitted that in this area, he is the most professional.