Chapter 119: Deceit

With the passage of time, the anti-French movement in Germany gradually spread to Austria. Watermark Ad Test Watermark Ad Test

Although the voices calling for the interruption of Franco-Austrian trade are not high, the calls for the people to boycott French goods are endless.

As a result, in the first quarter of 1889, the total volume of Franco-Austrian import and export trade fell sharply by 36.8% compared with the same period last year, and there were almost no goods with French labels on the market.

It was not only Austria that was affected, but also the anti-French wave, driven by interests, gradually spread throughout the European world.

Even Britain, which had just formed an alliance with France, also broke out in a boycott of French goods. Capital only cares about profits, but it doesn't care about international relations.

Peers are enemies, and French goods are boycotted, so their own goods can be sold more. Why let go of the opportunity to make money?

Seeing the European world show solidarity with Germany and Belgium with concrete actions, the French government, which was at the center of the storm, also panicked.

Isn't it just bullying the weak, the great powers are all doing this, why can't it work when they come here?

Receiving the news of the boycott by the European world, Napoleon IV was completely confused, and he did not understand why this was happening.

Foreign Secretary Karel Kadlec: "Your Majesty, there must be someone behind the sudden outbreak of a boycott movement in Europe.

It certainly won't be the two countries, if they had this influence, they would have mobilized it a long time ago, and there would be no need to compromise with us at all.

Only Britain and Austria have the strength to influence public opinion in Europe to target us at the same time.

I'm afraid this is just the beginning, if we don't deal with it well, there will be more actions against us in the future. ”

The truth doesn't matter anymore, anyway, this basin has to be deducted. Otherwise, the French Foreign Ministry is incompetent and does not take timely action to curb the spread of the anti-French movement.

Economy Secretary Elsa: "The current situation cannot be sustained, no matter who the enemy is.

Every day of delay is a huge disservice to the domestic economy. ”

France's withdrawal from the free trade system does not mean that it is not dependent on the international market. On the contrary, the French economy is still inseparable from the international market.

As long as France still imports industrial raw materials, it must export industrial and commercial products in exchange for foreign exchange in order to achieve a balance between import and export trade.

Boycotted by the European world, France's exports have fallen sharply, which has seriously affected the survival of domestic export enterprises.

Napoleon IV had a headache, and now there were only two ways in front of them: either resist hard and wait for the news to fade before dealing with it; Either abandon the aggressive terms and calm the storm.

Of course, there is a third option, which is to go straight to the past regardless of it.

There is no doubt that the third option is impossible. If the European world had not responded en masse, Napoleon IV would have dared to take a risk, so forget it now!

Since the rise of nationalism, public opinion has not been easy to mess with. Choosing to oppose the European people, who knows if it will trigger a new round of anti-French war?

On this issue, the French people have set an example. During the Polish Revolution, the Volunteer Army was able to be organized spontaneously, and if it weren't for the countries along the way, it might have really passed.

Treating others on his own, this risk Napoleon IV had to consider. The most important thing is that the British allies do not help, not only do they not help at this time, but they follow the blind coaxing.

However, it seems that the British are not to blame for this. The relationship between the two countries and Britain has always been good, and they are close to becoming allies, and they can barely be regarded as quasi-junior brothers.

Even if the British needed the support of France now, they could not easily give up the pieces they had propped up.

did not jump out directly and put it right with the French government, which is already considered to be a face-saving thing.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin advised: "Judging by the current indications, the Austrian government must have intervened, and the British are probably behind it."

From the very beginning, the Government of London was opposed to our use of radical measures against Belgium and Germany. If things escalate, it's hard for us to get support.

Now that we have completed the bottom line of testing countries, let's accept it now!

Treat it coldly for a while, and then look for the right time to do it when the situation calms down. ”

Instigated?

The answer is: no!

The international situation seems to be the opposition of the two major alliances, but in fact there is still some distance from real confrontation, and even Britain and Russia, which have the worst relations, have not really started fighting.

This means that if France rashly moves against Belgium and Germany, it will invite the joint intervention of the three countries.

Even if the British were able to abide by the treaty and paddle in the face of their allies, the French government would not have the strength to confront the two empires in the face of possible joint Russian-Austrian intervention.

After hesitating for a moment, Napoleon IV nodded helplessly: "It's really time to slow down." Protest to the Austrian government and strongly condemn their shameless behavior in blackmailing France.

Aren't the British about to occupy Afghanistan, let them do more; In addition, we sent people to secretly contact the Russians and tell them that we have no objection to their entry into the Indian Ocean now. ”

Europe is too small to fit the four big countries. There are many contradictions between Russia and Austria, not to mention between Britain and France.

If there is a chance to kill each other, everyone will not be polite. The allies were only temporary, but the contradictions lasted for hundreds of years.

Austria wanted to provoke a war in Central Asia to weaken Britain and Russia, but why not France?

Otherwise, with a blank check from the British, how would Napoleon IV accept it.

As for the Sino-European issue, it is entirely possible to wait for the war between Britain and Russia to start before dealing with it. Without Britain and Russia, France would not have been able to crisscross Europe.

……

At the Vienna Palace, a letter of protest from the French government was received, and Franz silently memorized the black cauldron.

Explain, that's impossible. Carrying a black pot can be exchanged for the support of the people in Germany, and Franz really can't find a reason to refuse.

Although this turmoil was really not planned by him. Austria also has no ability to influence public opinion in so many countries at the same time in such a short period of time.

But the French insisted that Austria did it, and Franz was willing to carry this black cauldron, which would be regarded as a stone hammer.

It is estimated that the European governments that secretly indulged in the development of the anti-French movement, at this moment, thanks to the fearless spirit of Austria, have resisted all the hatred of the French.

As for whether someone will jump out to take credit, that's completely overthinking. This kind of thing to offend the French to death, except that Austria has an interest to do, who would dare to take this pot?

Do you really think that France is a soft persimmon, and you can pinch it as much as you want? If it were a small country, the Paris government would not protest at all and would have taken direct action.

Anyway, there is a reason for it, as long as the French do not destroy the country and eat the land, they just beat you up and ask for a war reparation, and it will not cause a group fight in European countries.

Putting down the documents in his hand, Franz smiled: "Since the French have sent them to the door themselves, we can't live up to their kindness."

Mobilize the media in Germany to publicize the efforts we have made to protect the interests of our fellow Germans. ”

……