Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Confederate States of America, Washington, White House Office.

Today, President Lincoln is looking at the report of the Amsterdam Peace Institute in his hand with envy. This is the document he has come into contact with the most in recent years.

There was only one person beside Lincoln, and that person was Secretary of the Interior Washburne.

“In contrast, the Netherlands’ strategy of playing both sides this time was just right.

Although the African wars occurred in these years, it was difficult for the Netherlands to continue to exist in South Africa, which the Netherlands had operated for hundreds of years. The Tolbeck government even faced domestic impeachment by the opposition Christian faction, but in the end it was not passed because the liberals held a majority in the House of Representatives. Even since then, the Tolbek cabinet government has become stronger and more united.

Mr. President, although the Netherlands compromised with Britain on South Africa, they gained British recognition in Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar and other places. Later, they won northern Angola and northern Mozambique through the war with Portugal. Almost all of central Africa belonged to them.

Australia was transferred to the Netherlands by the British and became their foundation. Now the Netherlands has the depth of a great power. It is not appropriate for the Commonwealth of America to be at odds with them at the moment."

The Lincoln government raised its head, looked at the report, pursed its lips slightly, narrowed its eyes, and said with a hint: "You have a close relationship with Amsterdam. Do you think the Netherlands will support us in completely taking over the Confederate States of Southern America?" ? Tell the truth”

Washburn's whole body was shocked. He raised his head and looked at Lincoln carefully. He saw that there seemed to be no malice in the other person's eyes, but for some reason, Washburn's heart was trembling slightly and he was a little uneasy.

Did he notice something? But recently, I have tried my best to have few contacts with people in the Netherlands. Could it be that something went wrong?

His thoughts turned quickly, and he pretended to be calm as he said: "The Netherlands has always put its interests first, and the interests of the Federal Republic of America and the Netherlands have been complementary over the years, and currently, there seems to be no change, and the Confederacy of the South The country is almost tied to the United Kingdom, and it is difficult for the Netherlands to gain benefits. Therefore, I feel that the Netherlands still wants to be friendly with us, and it is sincere. However, if it turns against the United Kingdom or even goes to war because of us, then the Netherlands does not seem to be very reliable."

Lincoln hummed, nodded slightly, and said without changing his smile: "In other words, the Netherlands will not support us in conquering the Davis government in the south?"

Washburn said: "It should be like this."

Lincoln blinked more often, and after a long while, he sighed, "Could it be that the great United States is going to be split in my hands? This makes me a sinner in the history of the United States."

He felt dissatisfied when he thought that later history books would record that President Lincoln had become the "historical scandal" that split America into two.

This is the hatred of a person who is about to achieve success but makes a wrong step at the last moment.

No, he didn't want to be such a person who was nailed to the pillar of history and whipped. He wanted to make changes and stared at Washburn with extremely sharp eyes for a long time.

The latter couldn't help but close his body and lean back slightly. It was obvious that he was calmed by Lincoln's expression.

Lincoln will put enough pressure on the opponent before he regains his momentum.

Then he said with a smile: "Since you said that, it seems that the Netherlands is really unwilling to get involved in this matter, but no matter, tell me, if we launch a war against British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, will the UK be furious? ?”

What!

Washburn's heart skipped a beat. President Lincoln wanted to attack British Columbia, the British territory in western Canada?

"Well, yes, a few days ago, Secretary of State Seward talked to me and thought it was feasible. He even believed that because Britain showed support for the Confederacy, the reason was the support from the English, but Vancouver is the best place in Western Canada An excellent port, between the Ariasga and Alexander Islands to the south and the Commonwealth of America to the north, Vancouver's location is very important to the United Kingdom. Since most of them are native Indians, compared to the Confederate States, England is actually There are less than 100,000 people.

Therefore, as long as we do not massacre them or use them to blackmail the other party, we can even ask the British to use British Columbia to appease us on the issue of the Confederate States and let us recognize the independence of the South. It's not impossible.

We can even go one step further, not just British Columbia, but also the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan to the east, which can be used to stabilize the dissatisfaction of the progressive faction in the country.

Seward's proposal?

This guy has been getting crazier and crazier lately. Apparently the forces behind him have been hungry recently, so they should be worried.

Especially when this report from the Amsterdam Peace Research Institute came out, it seemed that America was only the fifth arms exporter.

When Washburn thought about the American military industrial giant represented by this guy, it was really possible.

"This is a good idea, but I'm afraid that if people in Buckingham Palace and Downing Street break out, then we will be in a difficult situation."

Lincoln said: "Hahaha, are you in a difficult situation?"

"Sixty-six years ago, my father and mother were under extreme oppression after Ireland was invaded by England. Like everyone else, they fled Ireland to North America starting in the early 19th century and lived a wandering life. Finally, they settled in Hardin County, Kentucky. Live by farming and hunting.

And your family immigrated to Maine from Ireland during your grandfather's generation. Your father is even more awesome. He actually trained four senators, which can be called a model father in America.

In the end, I met you in Illinois. That year, you became my secretary when I was running for Illinois Congress. And when I left the Whig Party in 1856 to join the founding of the Communist Party, you also left with me. . "

Lincoln said sincerely to Washburn: "In the end, when I ran for president for the first time on behalf of the Communist Party in 1860, you gave me advice and you played a major role in my victory and election.

And we are all great Irish people. You know, when we face the English, we always have only hatred.

Therefore, the greed of the English must be stopped. The best way to stop them is to fight violence with violence, so Seward's strategy is good. Since the Confederacy of the South is so firmly valued by the United Kingdom, we will slow down for a while. We will start from the north. We will The English drove out of North America and made North America the new home of the Irish. Don’t the English like the island of Ireland? Just take it and let their Canada make up for us. "

When Washburn heard this, he fell silent.

Lincoln's father was a pure Irishman, but his mother was a Scottish Celt, so they were actually of the same ancestry.

So he can be considered a pure Irishman.

This is also the reason why the relationship between the two was so close in the beginning and has remained unchanged over the years. Building a strong Ireland is their common aspiration.

Lincoln said: "I know that the Dutch have a good relationship with you, and this is a good network. For Ireland to be strong, it must have certain support. Therefore, the support of the Netherlands is a good opportunity for us. The Netherlands You have to grasp this line well. If necessary, you can make certain concessions. For example, this time the Netherlands and we are discussing the steam battleship, you can lobby privately. In this case, the chance will be greater, and Mili Strong, willing to compensate the Netherlands elsewhere”

Washburn looked up at Lincoln, as if he wanted to make some compensation?

Lincoln thought for a while and said: "For example, America allowed Dutch people to invest more in the Far East of the Netherlands. You know, William IV valued this very much."

When Washburn heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up. It was really like this. In this way, he became more confident in his relationship with Holland.