v3 Chapter 399： Is Italy different from the Ottomans?

Although it has always said that it wants to diversify its sources of arms, it wants to expand the share of Dutch weapons and the United Kingdom, and even Prussia has a part, but the best equipment of those countries has not been given to Italy. Of course, the most important thing is that Italy itself wants to Use arms business to ease relations with the French Empire.

For example, the steam battleships that Italy has been buying from the French Empire, the kind of battleships that do not need sails for power operation, such battleships in the world currently only have the technology and manufacturing capabilities of Britain, France and the Netherlands, and even the United States, which is equally advanced in the shipbuilding industry, is currently It can only do some miniaturized warships and steam merchant ships.

Prussia wants to buy it, but at present neither Britain, France nor the Netherlands has any plans to sell Prussia.

Some time ago, it was said that Prime Minister Bismarck asked Prussia to explore its own technology, create its own battleship manufacturing system, and break the monopoly of Britain, France and the Netherlands.

It comes and goes freely by the power of steam, and from now on, it no longer needs to look at the wind direction of the sky to walk on the sea, and the superimposed combat power is not a little bit in terms of combat power.

Think about it, this is for the security of a country like Italy, which is facing three countries. Considering the current poor relationship with Austria-Hungary, the British Empire and France are fighting in the Mediterranean. These strategic security issues. Therefore, the Italian-French relationship, I think, is very, very important to Italy.

At the same time, both Italy and the French Empire have common interests in Africa. One occupies a large colony in the east and the other occupies a large area in the west. I checked, the two countries are bounded by Libya and Algeria, and the two words are bounded in East Africa and West Africa. Development, it can be said that there is a very tacit understanding of operating their respective scopes.

This is something that some allies rarely have. The logic behind this is as follows. The French Empire needs to face the pressure of the British Empire in the west. At the same time, it is not very close to the Netherlands and Prussia in the north. France still needs subordinates. Should a large number of troops be placed in the east to guard against Italy? If so, how can the security interests of the French Empire be maintained? Therefore, under the situation that the French Empire knew that its competitive relationship with Britain could not be changed, and that there were conflicts with the Netherlands and Prussia in the short term, it was not easy to unlock the situation. To ease the Italian-French relationship in the east became Napoleon III's easiest and most caustic action. .

Italy not only wants the advanced arms of the French Empire, but also wants to gain favorable strategic interests, and the French Empire needs to ease relations, so in the end, this ice-breaking trip between the two countries can be regarded as a natural cooperation.

Moreover, when many countries in Europe cut off or reduce the demand for economic and industrial products of the French Empire, if the blockade can be broken and the huge market of Italy can be accepted, it will be a huge breakthrough for the French Empire. This is very important for the French Empire. In this regard, the most suitable countries for the French Empire are Italy and Spain. At present, Spain seems to be more wary of France than Italy.

On the third side, I think Inmanuel II seems to like William I and Napoleon III very much in terms of personality, because he is also a strong man, maybe the new hero cherishes each other, these factors are actually included.

"European Times": Your Majesty, as you mentioned earlier, Italy is also a member of the International Hague Tribunal who wants to dominate or be a very important member, so in this storm of sanctions against the French Empire, Italy follows the Dutch sanctions France's performance did make the French Empire somewhat dissatisfied, but Italy's close relationship with the French Empire made Britain dissatisfied. What do you think of Italy's attitude? What kind of impact do you think Italy will have on the relationship between the French Empire and the British Empire?

William IV: Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire made a statement yesterday. You can read the relevant report in the Austrian "Crown" this morning. His Majesty Franz Joseph I even called it shaky in English. , our Dutch dialect can be directly understood as unstable and dangling. Franz Joseph I mocked the name of the Italian opponent, which shows that Franz Joseph I was dissatisfied with Italy.

On the other hand, every time Italy visited Britain and France, it would bring along private goods and ask the kings and government officials of the two countries to agree that Venice belongs to Italy, which obviously angered Franz Joseph I. People think it is expected.

"European Times": So what do you think the change in the relationship between Italy and France and the United Kingdom means for the Netherlands?

William IV: I think it is very good. If Italy can really follow the old policy of both sides, it means that Italy has made a very smart strategic choice, because in a sense, Italy, Britain and France are also a big triangle. The same as Tsarist Russia, Prussia, and Austria before Central and Eastern Europe.

Or it is the same as the largest triangle in Europe, Britain, France and Russia. Or the European Religious Triangle: Protestant - Catholic, Orthodox the same.

These iron triangles are very important. The British Empire and the French Empire are stronger than Italy. He is the weaker side of the Mediterranean triangle. So at this time, Italy adopts a policy that caters to both sides. I think this is the best strategy in terms of geopolitical strategy.

"European Times": Is the Kingdom of Italy the same as the Ottoman Empire?

William IV: The Ottoman Empire was different. Between a neighboring power and a foreign power, he chose to rely on a foreign power and formed an alliance with the British Empire, intending to attack the strength of the Tsarist Russian Empire. Finally, the neighboring great power, Tsarist Russia. The empire became hot, the two countries fought, and in the end, their own domestic life was ruined, but the foreign powers were safe and sound.

So it's an unwise geopolitical choice, a country like Prussia is smart, right?

Italy has a very good relationship with the Tsarist Russia Empire, and the relationship with the British Empire is so good that the royal family is married, and it is in peace with the French Empire.

Flattering on all sides, it can obtain economic benefits and political support from all sides. It has opened up the road to buy iron ore in Northern Europe and accelerated its own industrial development, selling industrial products to the Russian Empire and Northern Europe, and at the same time with the French Empire. Don't commit the river water, be in peace with each other.

"Sword Comes"

Although it is married to the United Kingdom, it is very close to the United Kingdom to prevent it from being infiltrated by the United Kingdom. Normally, the British Empire should not be happy, but Prussia has a good relationship with the United Kingdom. This is a smart country. I think the kings and prime ministers of European countries Decision-making ability and strategic thinking are very important.

"European Times": In fact, Italy's diplomatic attention to the French Empire is not limited to border issues and economic issues. What kind of attitude the Netherlands holds on the Venice issue and the Mediterranean issue will also affect Italian domestic public opinion.

Many Italians believe that the Netherlands seems to be easing relations with the Austrian Empire at this stage, because in the previous Austro-Prussian war, the Netherlands had become a party to take the initiative to ease the relationship with the Austria-Hungary Empire. It will take a stand against Italy's claim that the status of Venice belongs to Italy, but in fact it is interfering with Italian-sovereignty.

William IV: The consistent principle of Dutch diplomacy is to never interfere in the internal policies of other European countries, right?

The issue of Venice’s ownership is said to have nothing to do with the Netherlands. It is a conflict between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They sit down and talk about it cheaply, clarify this issue, and find a feasible plan. We will not actually participate. in,

Of course, if the two countries agree, the Netherlands can actually make a positive side, that is, the Netherlands can push the two of them to negotiate a settlement, we can act as a middleman, and we do have the will to ease the relationship with Austria-Hungary. , At the same time, although we have a strategic partnership with Italy The two countries are even cooperating in the International Hague Court, but we also respect the rights and interests of Italy and any third country, they are the problem party, right?

According to the Netherlands, the marriage of the two of you is your business. I can make some suggestions, but if you do not accept my suggestion, that is your business. But if the Netherlands blames Italy or Austria-Hungary, I think this It is water without a source, a tree without roots, and there is no logic.

In the face of the rising influence of Italy in southern Europe, the French Empire, which has always regarded southern Europe as its back-garden, is actually unwilling, and Britain is also unwilling to give up easily.

A few years ago, Italy and Spain joined the International Hague Tribunal at the same time. The two countries seemed to cooperate with the Netherlands to sanction the French Empire. In fact, the moral sanctions promoted by the Netherlands were just an excuse. Who knows how they feel?

In particular, the marriage between Italy and Portugal, Louis I married the princess of Inmanuel II, made the relationship between the two countries closer. Italy's influence in southern Europe has risen sharply, looming threatening the status of the sole hegemon of the great power in southern Europe, making Napoleon III I feel that my country's security is under great threat.

In the face of the possible anger of the French Empire, in the context of intensified strategic competition between Britain and France, Italy, knowing that its own strength alone could not compete with the French Empire, began to turn to the British Empire.

Italy is very clear that in the face of France's power and huge colonial development potential, unless it cooperates with Britain, it cannot effectively check and balance.

The strength of the French Empire over Italy and other countries in southern Europe. In Manuel II last year, he proposed a diplomatic strategy of giving priority to neighboring countries to further consolidate Italy's position as the second Mediterranean empire in southern Europe and create a major power in Europe and the world. Good surrounding environment.