My Italy

Chapter 292 The First Balkan Crisis

When Italy only wanted to develop itself, a conflict that had just occurred in the Balkans forced Italy into it.

Prevoše is a small village on the edge of the new territory of Seborgia. Due to the unclear demarcation of the border, both countries claim this small village as their own.

Since both parties claim the village, it has become a small focus for both parties. One early morning in April, a patrol from Bulgaria discovered that the Serbs were actually building a sentry post here, so they stepped forward to stop it.

Of course, the Serbian army was unwilling to let the security forces come to stop them, so while the two parties were pushing and shouting, it was unknown who encountered the gun and went off, and an unexpected fierce battle began. The final result was that the Serbian army suffered more than 20 casualties, and the Bulgarian army also suffered more than 10 casualties. Then the two armies began to gather here, and a confrontation began.

"Dear His Majesty King Carlo, the despicable Serbs, they shot our patrol officers and soldiers and occupied Prevoše that belongs to our country. Now our country needs your help."

Poznyakov, the Bulgarian ambassador to Rome, is paying an urgent visit to Carlo.

Facing the Bulgarian ambassador asking for help, Carlo already knew the news, but he didn't want to give an answer right away.

"Ambassador Poznyakov, as friends who have worked hand in hand with you, we will not sit idly by and ignore the situation you mentioned, but please rest assured. I will convene the ministers to discuss it."

After seeing off the Bulgarian ambassador, Carlo immediately called Foreign Minister Bakona. "What's going on? I remember that the Bulgarians didn't suffer. They still have the advantage. Why are they so anxious to ask for our support?"

Facing the king's question, Bacona immediately answered his doubts. "Your Majesty, according to the latest news, Greece and the Ottomans have just expressed their strong opposition to Bulgaria's invasion of neighboring countries, and Romania also condemns this act."

Bacona's words immediately changed Carlo's expression. This situation was too unfriendly to Italy.

Except for Italy, Bulgaria is surrounded by a circle of enemies.

Carlo was a little puzzled by this. "I know that the two countries, Cecil and Bulgaria, have disputes with Bulgaria in Macedonia, and the Ottomans are unwilling to lose so much territory. So why is Romania like this?"

In fact, Carlo said it very euphemistically. This is not a dispute between Bulgaria and Sechi. Ever since Bulgaria acquired most of Macedonia, the relationship between the two countries and Bulgaria has deteriorated. Newspapers of the two countries have been talking about it every day. Bulgaria usurped the interests of both countries.

Affected by the domestic media, many radicals from the two countries often cross the border to Bulgaria's new territories to cause trouble. This led to suppression by Bulgaria, and the resentment between the people of the two countries towards Bulgaria became more and more profound. (There are two ethnic groups, the Serbian and Greeks, in the Bulgarian-occupied Macedonia. Radicals from the two countries used this opportunity to cause trouble, which also triggered Bulgaria’s suppression. This was a disaster for the two ethnic groups in Bulgaria, the Serbian and Greek.)

The conflict between Serbia and Bulgaria in Prevoše is also an explicit outbreak of these ethnic issues. Regardless of who is right in this conflict, it is now time to choose sides. It is obvious that Greece and Ottoman side with Serbia.

Even Romania, a somewhat unrelated country, stood opposite Bulgaria. This was something Carlo couldn't understand. Are all Bulgarian diplomats pigs? They can’t see the situation clearly?

Facing Carlo's question, Bacona immediately explained. "Why Romania stands opposite Bulgaria? The main issue is the Great Bulgarianism..."

In Bacona's narration, Carlo finally understood why Bulgaria pushed Romania into the opposite direction. The blame was on Big Bulgarism. Great Bulgarianism, which attempted to incorporate Macedonia and Thrace into its own territory, reached a new peak immediately after Bulgaria acquired central and northern Macedonia. Greater Bulgarism, which was originally very popular in the country, has since become the consensus of the vast majority of Bulgarians, who are eager to see Bulgaria return to its past glory.

But they didn't notice the increasingly ugly expressions on the faces of their neighbor Romanians.

As the strongest country in the Balkans, Romania is extremely wary of Bulgaria. On the one hand, there is the special relationship between Bulgaria and Russia, and on the other hand, after annexing most of Macedonia, Bulgaria has become a challenger to Romania, the strongest country in the Balkans.

Therefore, it is only natural that Romania stands on the opposite side of Bulgaria. No one wants to see their neighbor being too powerful, not to mention that this neighbor may have ulterior motives. Don't think that the Romanians are worrying in vain. Historically, as Bulgaria became stronger, it had a lot of trouble with the Romanians living in the lower reaches of the Danube River.

"It's going to be difficult now."

Carlo then thought of something again and continued to ask. "What about other countries' attitudes towards this?"

Of course, Bacona knew that His Majesty was asking about the attitude of the great powers, so he immediately spoke. "At present, no other country has taken a position except Russia, and the Russians are calling for restraint."

Yes, the conflict between Serbia and Bulgaria is very difficult for the Russians. Both parties to the conflict are considered little brothers to Russia. Although the little brother Bulgaria has conflicts from time to time, with the special relationship between the two countries, it can barely be regarded as Russia's sphere of influence.

In this current situation, what else can Russia do besides calling on both parties to exercise restraint? Preferring to either side will definitely offend the other.

As for other major powers not taking a stand, they just want to wait and see. There is also a possibility that they are waiting for participating countries to choose their teams.

Although other countries can wait, Carlo understands that Italy cannot wait.

But before that, Italy must figure out the attitude of one of the countries.

"Bacona, send a telegram to Britain and inquire about the other party's attitude towards this conflict."

Yes, what Carlo wanted to ask about was the attitude of the British. Although Britain does not have many interests in the Balkans, it has not shown much interest. But when it comes to the issue of containing Russia, the British Empire is not as careless as it seems on the surface. They must have their own ideas, and Carlo wanted to know London's opinion, because Italy was also unwilling to see Russia profiting from this conflict.

As for the attitude of Austria-Hungary, another stakeholder country, he could also guess a little bit. It is nothing more than waiting for others to come to beg for it, because this conflict is also an opportunity for Austria-Hungary. Although the two countries are allies, seeing the huge benefits Italy has gained in the Balkans, it is impossible to say that Vienna will not be tempted.

Of course, no matter what others do, Italy's interests in the Balkans must be protected. For this reason, Italy cannot sit back and watch the storm unfold like other countries.

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