Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

The situation in the world is changing every day.

Italy had just suffered a defeat in Ethiopia. After Giuseppe Garibaldi on the eastern front took the last boatload of soldiers out of Djibouti on June 10, Italy only had Crown Prince Umberto on the western front still standing guard. Mekele in northwest Ethiopia.

However, as Ethiopian Crown Prince Menelik gradually increased his troops, Crown Prince Umberto eventually withdrew from the area, sending the 50,000 people back and forth to Eritrea.

The invasion war launched by Italy finally ended in failure.

But will Italy be willing to do so?

Many people speculate that Italy, whose ambition remains unchanged, will never give up, because from the time it announced its withdrawal to now, Italy has not signed any agreement with Ethiopia.

From this, many people speculated that this was an excuse for the next invasion.

At present, the main priority is to counter the rebellion in Libya.

However, if we leave Italy, the world will stop turning around?

Of course not.

Because right now in London, we have the answer.

Queen Victoria faced this difficult question on her desk.

Sitting opposite her were Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston, Foreign Secretary Russell, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Creston.

"That guy Franz Joseph I of the Austrian Empire is so tempted by his desire?"

Queen Victoria looked at the letter she had just read on the table in a funny and angry way, and asked Viscount Palmerston.

Viscount Palmerston nodded and said: "Yes, this distinguished Emperor of the Austrian Empire wants to take advantage of the opportunity to enter."

Queen Victoria said angrily: "He is good at choosing a date, and he actually chose it after Italy failed."

"Your Majesty, Austria has no choice, but Emmanuel II took the lead."

Hearing Creston's joking interjection made everyone present smile heartily.

Originally, Austria had been preparing to use force against Ethiopia as early as the beginning of the year. To this end, it also issued a conscription of 50,000 troops. However, before the conscription was more than half, Italy, with the approval of the United Kingdom, used the British-controlled Suez Canal to quickly launch an attack. attack.

This is good. Italy originally broke away from Austria and became an independent country. Later, it launched a war with Austria because of Venice a few years ago. With the support of France, it successfully defeated Austria, causing Austria to lose face again and again.

Now Italy is forcing itself ahead to occupy Austria's favorite colonies, which makes the whole of Austria very angry.

As a result, the original recruitment of 50,000 troops to troops in Ethiopia was slow, but some people claimed that the recruitment was to deal with the Italian recruitment, and the troops were fully recruited in just one month.

The person who came up with the idea was Archduke Rainer Ferdinand, now the Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire.

Although many Austrians were enthusiastic, they saw Italy's defeats again and again. No Austrian would think that Italy was a weak country.

This is known from the previous battles between Italy and Austria. Italian soldiers are not weaker than Austrian soldiers at all.

Even Italy ended up with this failure, can Austria do it?

This made the Austrians hesitate.

European countries were even jealous of Austria's good fortune.

However, it is under such circumstances that the United Kingdom, in order to fight against the alliance of Britain, Italy, and Austria formed by France, Prussia, and the Netherlands some time ago, now it has once again welcomed another ally after agreeing to invade Ethiopia for Italy some time ago. Same request to use the Suez Canal.

"Austria wants to invade Ethiopia behind Italy. Let's talk about what Britain should do?" Queen Victoria asked the question to several people present.

Russell, the foreign minister who had been silent, said at this time: "Your Majesty, Austria has suffered successive defeats. Facing the encroachment of Prussian and Italian power, its strength has been greatly weakened. This is already a bit precarious for our balancing policy in Europe. If Austria is increasingly suppressed by other countries, its role in putting pressure on and balancing neighboring powers will be reduced. Other countries will shift their attention from the mainland to overseas, and Britain's overseas policy will face greater challenges. Many challenges.

Just like the recent swarm of countries swarming to devour African colonies.

Therefore, I feel that one more Ethiopian colony in the British overseas colonies is not much, and one less will not cause too much loss. We might as well let Austria show its prestige, so that Austria's position can be more consolidated, which will be more effective for the United Kingdom. of significance. "

When Queen Victoria heard this, she looked at the other people.

Viscount Palmerston nodded to Queen Victoria, acknowledging Russell's analysis.

"Austria has indeed become weaker and a major battle is needed to heal the latest wounds."

Creston also said: "Franz Joseph I has learned to take advantage recently, but I also feel that his position is beginning to be consistent with that of the United Kingdom. Compared with Prussia, I believe that Austria can bring more diplomacy to the United Kingdom. Benefit"

After listening to what several people said, Queen Victoria picked up the pen on the table and signed her signature.

She then said: "I hope Austria will not perform too poorly."

Several other people had strange expressions on their faces.

Will Austria follow in the footsteps of Italy?

On June 20, 1863, the eyes of the world were focused on Vienna.

Because on this day, Italy had just announced its complete withdrawal from Ethiopia for ten days, and a press conference was held in Vienna, the capital of Austria. The press conference was conducted by Austrian Prime Minister Archduke Rainer Ferdinand.

"We started recruiting troops to enter Ethiopia a few months ago, but there was an accident. Although the accident has now disappeared, it does not affect our preparations for this."

"Did Archduke Ferdinand say that Austria would move forward with sending troops to Ethiopia?"

"Naturally, we will proceed as planned."

"Would this be embarrassing for Italy?"

"Does this have anything to do with Austria?"

“Isn’t the Austrian Empire afraid that it will fall into the same situation as the Kingdom of Italy?”

"What two words did you add after calling Austria just now?"

"empire"

"Isn't that right? Austria is an upright empire. Will we be as good as other countries?"

As Archduke Rainer Ferdinand announced in Vienna that the Austrian Empire would send 50,000 troops to march into Djibouti, he also called on Tewodros II, expressing the hope that he would recognize the situation and surrender to Austria to Joseph I.

The world is once again in an uproar.

Austria actually chose this time to invade Ethiopia?

Austria, on the other hand, really knows how to choose its time. It is all about making money.

When William IV saw the news, he was also stunned. He had never experienced anything like this in his previous life. Italy invaded Ethiopia several times and failed many times. This was a shame to white Europeans. But Austria has never appeared in Africa, not even as a colony.

However, William IV also became happy.

“It’s no wonder that Austria, which originally had no colonies, now owns Nigeria and is at odds with Prussia. Nigeria and Cameroon are quarreling every now and then.

This has become a common thing in Europe, but I don't know if Ethiopia is successfully conquered by Austria, will Prussia in Somalia next to it become the target of Austria's attack. "

William IV felt a little expectant when he thought about it.

At the same time, William IV also felt that Africa seemed to be getting more and more lively, so lively that almost everywhere had the potential to become a powder keg.

In southern Africa, due to the struggle for Southern Rhodesia, the four countries of Britain, Prussia, the Netherlands, and Portugal have been facing each other for several months, and the stalemate continues.

It depends on who blinks first.

Although Spain and France have close relations, the competition for interests in Mali and other West African colonies is unambiguous.

In the Gulf of Guinea in western Central Africa, it is even hotter and makes people sweat.

Prussia and Austria, the two giants of the German Confederation, came to Africa from Europe and continued in Nigeria and Cameroon.

Next to Ghana, Denmark, Sweden in Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire in Tsarist Russia are also taking turns to be troubled by border divisions.

Anyone with a clear eye on the situation in Libya knows that someone is manipulating it, but Italy can only handle it in a low-key manner.

Ethiopia has just experienced a war with Italy and is preparing to develop its economy in order to recover. Unexpectedly, Austria wants to take advantage of it?

William IV suddenly understood that the butterfly that stirred up changes in the world was due to flapping its wings. It has brought about changes in the world.

"The world situation has begun to change. I just don't know whether Britain will become weaker more quickly, and then European heroes will compete more overseas to share the dominance of Britain and France. Or will Britain and France become more and more centralized, and other countries will be faster? Annihilation"

Tewodros II of Ethiopia looked at the intelligence sent back from Europe, his face full of anger.

And his son, Crown Prince Menelik, was urgently recalled to Addis Abel.

"Father, Austria is prepared because we have just finished fighting. They think this is the time when we need the most cultivation and are the weakest. They really know how to pick the time."

Looking at Crown Prince Menelik, Tewodros II smiled and said, "Then do you think we are weak?"

Crown Prince Menelik was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "Not only have we not become weaker, but we have become stronger."

Tewodros II: "Where is the strength?"

Crown Prince Menelik said confidently: "The borrowing of foreign troops has now helped us eradicate all the major local forces in the country, making your rule more conducive to my father."

Seeing Tewodros II nod in approval, he added: "And more importantly, let everyone in our country realize the greatness of our father, and that only under the leadership of our royal family can we resist the invasion of European countries. This is a huge medal of honor that will make my father recognized by the nation, almost like a god."

Tewodros II said: "Your analysis is good, but there is another point. For this reason, we have opened up contacts with Prussia and the Netherlands, and these two countries are also the most important factors in whether we can defeat Austria again in the future. "

Menelik was surprised and said: "Father, do you want to use barbarians to control barbarians?"

Tewodros II: "Is there a better way?"