Rise of Australia

Chapter 145 The Way to Win Tsarist Russia

Germany's diplomatic situation is currently complicated, although it has formed a triple alliance with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy to counter the two-state agreement established by France and Russia.

But in fact, Germany still has a lot of contact with the Tsarist Russian Empire, and is trying to extract the Tsarist Russian Empire from the French-Russian agreement, and even pull it into the allies.

With the all-round rise of Germany in industry, economy and military, Germany's diplomatic situation has also ushered in tremendous changes.

Before the unification of Germany, the hegemony of the European continent had always been France.But since the Kingdom of Prussia set foot in France to establish the German Empire, the hegemony of the European continent, especially Western Europe, has been transferred to the German Empire.

But don't forget that although the British Empire did not personally participate in the disputes on the European continent, it has always pursued an isolation policy.

But at the same time, the British Empire was also supporting relatively weaker parties in the struggle for European hegemony, such as the former Kingdom of Prussia.

Germany gained greater advantages in Western Europe, especially when the army and navy developed in an all-round way, and when the overall strength was able to threaten the British Empire, the British Empire no longer supported Germany, and even began to compete with Germany in some places.

At present, there are several powerful powers in the European continent, and France is Germany's mortal enemy and strategic target. There is an irreconcilable state between the two countries, and it is basically impossible to resolve the conflict.

After the coronation of Edward VII, the British Empire has gradually changed its foreign policy.From the original isolation policy, it has gradually begun to participate in European affairs and exert greater influence on Europe.

However, the British Empire did not clearly stand on either side of the two major military groups in Europe, but temporarily maintained neutrality in these two military groups.

At present, the British Empire is also the target of the two major military blocs vying to win over, and even William II has repeatedly shown favor and win over Britain.

In addition to the two old powers of Britain and France, the only powerful countries in the European continent other than the German Empire are the Tsarist Russian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Needless to say, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is a member of the Triple Alliance and the only reliable ally of the German Empire.

The Tsarist Russian Empire is also the goal that the German Empire has been wooing, but because of the good relationship and close economic exchanges between France and Russia, it is not easy to make the Tsarist Russian Empire fall to the German Empire, and it is even basically impossible to achieve.

More importantly, like Germany and France, there were irreconcilable territorial conflicts between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire.

Both countries are adjacent to the Balkans, the powder keg of Europe, and both want to try to establish their own spheres of influence in the Balkans.

This situation further made it impossible for Germany and Tsarist Russia to unite, and it was basically impossible to resolve territorial disputes.

Similarly, as an ally of the German Empire, the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also had some territorial conflicts.

Although the conflict between the two countries was initially resolved after the reconciliation of the German Empire, it was precisely because of this that the formal Triple Alliance was established.

But how can the mere resolution of contradictions be satisfactory?The Kingdom of Italy was not satisfied with the simple concession of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This is also an important reason why the Kingdom of Italy rebelled against the water and joined the Allied Powers in the original history.

The German Empire did not understand the truth, that is, the importance of long distance and close attack to a country.

As great powers with the same ambitions and aspirations, as long as they are adjacent to each other, many territorial issues will arise.

This is just like France and Germany, the two countries will basically become hostile, because this is the general trend of the country.

Even if it is subsided and resolved in a short period of time due to external forces, the problem itself is still there.As long as the two countries do not have a winner, and there is no division of territory recognized by both parties, even if an alliance is established, it will still be divided due to interest disputes.

Unlike the neighboring allies of the German Empire, the shortest distance between the Russian and French alliances is also the whole of Germany, and there will be no territorial disputes. This is also the reason why the two countries can cooperate closely.

Hearing Wilhelm II's inquiry, Foreign Minister Andrew smiled and replied: "I wonder if His Majesty the Kaiser has heard of the strategy of long distance and close attack?"

"Long distance and close attack?" William II repeated, and asked with a little interest: "Then how do you go far and close?"

"His Majesty the Kaiser, counting all the neighboring countries of Germany, it is rare to find that there is no historical territorial dispute with the German Empire. Even the current ally of your country, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the Kingdom of Prussia in the German region before the establishment of Germany The biggest enemy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy also have the same problem, and there are no small disputes in terms of territory. Although through your efforts, the three countries have been brought together to form an alliance, but I think such an alliance is If it is loose, it is extremely easy to break through from the inside." Minister Andrew explained.

"Looking closely at your country's two allies, only the Austro-Hungarian Empire can really feel that the German Empire can share part of the battlefield pressure. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire also has a big problem. The ethnic composition in the country is too complicated. It is not easy to communicate with each other. Although after the integration of His Majesty Emperor Joseph, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has temporarily condensed into a united country. But if it is really faced with the predicament of war, the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is very likely. I think Germany is currently The first task of the German Empire is to try to win over other major powers in Europe, including the British Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire, which are countries that the German Empire should try its best to win." Foreign Minister Andrew said.

William II did not nod, but looked closely at Minister Andrew.

The method mentioned by Minister Andrew is exactly what the German Empire is currently implementing, and it has not been successful.

Although Germany has worked hard to win over the British Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire, one of these two countries had previously pursued isolationism, and the other had a very good and close economic and political relationship with France in Europe, so Germany's win over ultimately failed.

But regardless of whether the method is successful or not, this is already a decision proposed and tried by the German Empire.

If Minister Andrew didn't have a good explanation, then even if William II had a good impression of Australia, and no matter how close Germany's current relationship with Australia is, they would not be entertained out of thin air.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is different from the past. According to the analysis of the current situation of the island country, His Highness believes that the conflict between the island country and the Tsarist Russian Empire will become more and more intense, and a war will even break out within a few years." Minister Andrew also said No longer trying to be a joke, he explained with a smile: "The island country imported a large amount of army weapons and equipment and warships from the British Empire and Australia, and also signed a treaty on the import of mineral resources with us. There are indications that their goals are no longer on their own. domestically, but to try to gain hegemony in East Asia.”

"From an international point of view, the island nation has already won the support of two major powers, including the British Empire and the United States, and because its base camp is in East Asia, there is basically no logistical pressure. But in contrast to the Tsarist Empire, its ally France does not support it. Their actions in East Asia have not been supported by any powers other than them. Under the premise that most of the power of the Tsarist Russian Empire is placed in Eastern Europe, I don’t think that a small part of the Tsarist Russian army and fleet will be the opponent of the island country. This is a serious crisis for the Russian Empire."

"But this is also an opportunity for the German Empire. From the perspective of the British Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire, His Highness believes that it is the Tsarist Russian Empire that is more able to favor and even unite with the German Empire. The British Empire is an old power like France, and it also has a large number of colonies. The idea that Germany wants to compete for more overseas colonies is also a shock to the British Empire. And because Germany's recent development is getting faster and faster, the navy is also having an impact on the British Empire. This is the pride of the British Empire in the navy It is unacceptable that Germany and the British Empire in conflict are unlikely to unite, or even become hostile."

William II nodded.Arthur's thoughts mentioned by Minister Andrew are actually the current thoughts of Wilhelm II and most German officials.

Australia's export of weapons, equipment and warships to the island countries seems to be supporting possible enemies of the German Empire, but in fact it is also helping the German Empire to create opportunities to win over the Tsarist Russian Empire.

If the German Empire can win over the Tsarist Russian Empire, what does it matter even if the island country rises in the Far East?

Even if the island country is given decades of development time, it is absolutely impossible to catch up with the development of the German Empire.

It is the confidence of Wilhelm II and all German officials in the German Empire and all German people.

"As for how to win over the Tsarist Empire, His Royal Highness has the following proposals. First, try to weaken the economic ties between France and the Tsarist Empire. After France provided a large amount of loans to the Tsarist Empire, the economy of the Tsarist Empire was basically tied to France. Certainly, this is also the reason why the two countries can unite. As long as France’s economic influence on the Tsarist Empire can be weakened, then the plan to unite the Tsarist Russian Empire will have completed the first step.” Minister Andrew said with a smile.

"Oh? And then?" Seeing that Minister Andrew had finally gotten to the point, William II asked with some interest.

"The way the German Empire can win over the Tsarist Russian Empire is to help it maintain its advantage in East Asia and maintain its hegemony. The Tsarist Russian Empire's army in East Asia has poor weaponry and equipment, and the training quality of its soldiers is low. If such an army breaks out of war , it would be nice to be able to defend the territory, let alone win the war. The German Empire can provide a large amount of loans to the Tsarist Empire in various names, and encourage and support its expansion of troops in East Asia and the replacement of weapons and equipment. As long as the Tsarist Empire is in East Asia If China's hegemony can be maintained, then it will naturally be full of goodwill towards the German Empire, which has extended a helping hand to them in this crisis." Minister Andrew said: "Of course, this is only a plan on the surface. Secretly, your country still needs Master some public opinion institutions in the Tsarist Russian Empire, that is, various newspapers and printing houses. On the basis of the German Empire helping the Tsarist Russian Empire to protect the hegemony in East Asia, carry out a lot of propaganda within the Tsarist Russian Empire, and strengthen the German Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire. Friendliness and intimacy, which will also determine the thinking of the top leaders of the Russian Empire."

Arthur's proposal to William II is very simple, that is, on the premise that Germany successfully helps the Tsarist Russian Empire, conduct a large amount of propaganda within the Tsarist Russian Empire through public opinion, gain the favor of the Tsarist Russian Empire's people, and thus affect the high-level strategy of the Tsarist Russian Empire .

Public opinion has a huge impact on a country, especially public opinion among the people.As long as you can grasp the public opinion of a country, you can even influence a country's strategic choices.

Just imagine, a Tsarist Russian Empire where all the people in the whole country are full of affection for the German Empire. Even if a war broke out with the German Empire because of the agreement, would the people at the bottom be more enthusiastic about such a war?
Even if you have to raise your gun to the enemy due to the order from above, you will not be so cruel due to various mentality reasons.

Such wars often develop into false wars, and the two sides will not invest too much troops, and the area where the real war breaks out is actually very small.

After all, the so-called will not accept military orders abroad.Especially on the battlefield, a qualified commander must always consider the feelings of his soldiers.

If you act recklessly regardless of the feelings of the soldiers, you have to worry about whether the army will cause a mutiny.

"Oh? Create public opinion? What a good proposal, hahaha. It's a good plan to start from the bottom of Russia and influence the top of Russia." William II nodded and said quite satisfied.

Although it is only the early 20th century, the influence of public opinion on a country is already enormous.

Especially in European countries like Britain, France and Germany, although the exploitation of the people by domestic capitalists still exists, even very violently.

But the rights that people jointly possess are already very powerful, and can even shake the ruling foundation of a national government.

If most Tsarist Russians unite, even the powerful Tsarist Russian Empire government will have to consider the opinions of the people.

"But there is still one problem, Minister Andrew. France will not sit back and watch us win over the Russian Empire with loans and arms sales. I am afraid that as soon as we provide loans to the Russian Empire, France will provide more loans and give away a batch of weapons." After being happy, William II expressed his doubts again.

At present, France and the Tsarist Russian Empire are still allies who have signed an agreement.Although France does not support the Russian Empire's actions in the Far East, this does not mean that France will abandon the Russian Empire.

On the contrary, France attaches great importance to the ally of the Tsarist Russian Empire, and will never do things like the German Empire to win over the Tsarist Russian Empire.

Although France has gradually fallen behind the German Empire in terms of industry and economy, France can also provide what the German Empire can provide to the Russian Empire.

What's more, France currently has a better relationship with the Tsarist Russian Empire than the German Empire. If the German Empire so straightforwardly wins over the Tsarist Russian Empire, it will definitely be stopped by France as before.

"Yes, Your Highness. It is also a European country, and your country and France are neighbors. Germany's act of wooing the Tsarist Empire will definitely be known to France, and it will definitely be stopped by France." Minister Andrew nodded and said. To: "So this time the German Empire cannot be directly involved, and another country that can provide a large amount of weapons and equipment and has no relationship with France is needed to do this."

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(End of this chapter)