Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 1137 Reinforced version of the German-Austrian Covenant

“The German-Austrian Covenant is the practical effect of each taking what he needs.

After Austria-Hungary launched the war to invade Mexico, the relationship between Vienna and Berlin became closer, because the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the only country in the world that used German as its official language along with the German Empire.

Many people said that newspapers in the Netherlands and other countries reported the news and openly discussed the changes in German diplomacy, especially Germany's statement of support for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's invasion of Mexico, in order to arouse the attention and response of international public opinion, thereby further undermining the German Empire's international image.

The message we in the Netherlands want to convey is clear: First, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a participant in the war, sought military support from the German Empire, which revealed that it was deeply entangled in the Mexican War, and its domestic military industry production may be overwhelmed.

Secondly, Vienna has to seek help from its former little brother, the German Empire, which defeated it in 1867 and competed with it as the leading country in the German region. This is a national shame for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it also reflects the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s national power. Significantly weakened.

Third, since most countries in the world began to explicitly ban arms transactions with Austria-Hungary last year because of the Mexican War, the German Empire's move may trigger a backlash in Latin America. Some people have even proposed to sue Germany at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He roasted himself on the basis of international law and became an accomplice of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which destroyed the global security system.

This meeting between Bismarck and Count Andrassy will bring a more united scene to the Latin American Security Summit in Latin America.

Because at the Latin American Summit, it was determined that Austria-Hungary was a disruptor of stability in Latin America.

Germany's support for Austria-Hungary may have put itself on the opposite side of Latin American countries.

Even the Uruguay State expressed at the meeting that it did not support the German Empire's use of its own territory to invade other Latin American countries.

In short, the meeting between Bismarck and Count Andrassy and the Latin American Security Summit formed two events that attracted attention, but they were related.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire had always conducted its meetings with Germany on an equal and dignified basis, but this time during the meeting between Bismarck and Count Andrassy, ​​the Austro-Hungarian Empire seemed to bow its head.

This changed the subordination relationship between the two countries for hundreds of years, which already heralded the summary of the great power status of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

News of the meeting between the two men was first disclosed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Australian Times. Dutch Foreign Minister Mari Philip quoted Dutch intelligence showing that Austria-Hungary and the German Empire were actively promoting the political and military affairs of the two countries. High-level talks were held to obtain more weapons to support the Austro-Hungarian invasion of Mexico.

Previously, the Minister of Defense of the Austro-Hungarian Empire visited Berlin two months ago and visited Berlin's weapons and equipment accompanied by the elder Moltke.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that at that time, the prime ministers and the military of Germany and Austria first conducted telegrams and letters to negotiate, and then began follow-up discussions on the arms deal.

In addition to short-term international public opinion and practical benefits, the meeting between Bismarck and Count Andrassy also sent a geopolitical signal to France, Tsarist Russia and even the Netherlands, adding variables to the subsequent international game.

For the Netherlands, the closeness of the two countries has further expanded to the cooperation of heavy weapons. It can be said that Germany is retaliating against the Netherlands for preventing it from expanding its influence in the United States. According to the logic of the German Empire, if the Netherlands can intervene in Germany's expansion into Latin America and expand its sphere of influence, Germany may also cause trouble to the Netherlands.

Even with its soft power inferior to that of the Netherlands, the German Empire stated that it would show no mercy when it needed to use its hard power. At the same time, Germany's approach also showed that they still have enough strength in marginalized Latin America to become a disruptor in international politics there. By uniting with Austria-Hungary, which had been waging war in Latin America for more than a year, they opposed the Dutch policies and interests in Latin America, making it impossible for the Netherlands to do whatever they wanted in Latin America.

Although conservatives in the German Empire still have doubts about the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in the context of the conflict of interests between Germany and the Netherlands in Latin America, Germany is relatively easier to accept the risks of Austria-Hungary acquiring German weapons, especially the current weapons of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They are all destined to fight in the battlefields of Latin America and Mexico.

Compared with Berlin, Vienna is obviously the party that has gained more practical benefits from supporting the summit between the two prime ministers.

Austria-Hungary has obtained international public opinion openly supported by Germany, shifting its own risk of being condemned, and at the same time, it can alleviate the current weapons arsenal that Austria-Hungary faces has dropped to a historically low level. At the same time, it also solved part of the food crisis.

In the long run, the German Empire's statement this time will make the Austro-Hungarian Empire no longer isolate itself due to the war. This is viewed from a strategic level.

At the same time, the German Empire is currently the strongest overlord in land wars. It has a deep understanding of the fact that Germany defeated the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Therefore, acquiring German artillery technology will strengthen its own national defense technological breakthroughs.

This is one of the military aspects. A wider range of military cooperation between the two countries will definitely be beneficial to Austria-Hungary. After all, in this way, Austria-Hungary and the German Empire will be together in front of the world, and Germany has the obligation to cooperate with Austria-Hungary. If our interests demand it, we must stand up to defend the legitimacy and significance of this war and explain it.

From the perspective of the United Kingdom and Italy, the summit between the two countries will make the Netherlands more clear about the two countries' determination to expand their influence in Latin America. The German-Austrian summit can be understood as a measure for Vienna and Berlin to hedge their influence. The two countries revealed that By lifting each other's international isolation, they can reduce the pressure they face from other countries.

As allies of Germany and Austria-Hungary, the United Kingdom and Italy also have different attitudes towards this. The United Kingdom clearly supports the actions of the two countries, but Italy is indeed undecided.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Italy stated that the matter of the summit between the German and Austrian prime ministers is a matter between them and Italy will not comment.

Closer German-Austrian military cooperation may not necessarily be in the interests of the Kingdom of Italy. After all, the Kingdom of Italy became independent from the Austrian Empire in the 1860s. This may make its former suzerain country, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, more powerful. Will it run away one day? They came and demanded to regain their territory, which made Milan very wary.

At the same time, Germany and Austria are getting closer, making Italy more difficult, because the western border of the Kingdom of Italy is the Second French Empire, which is the mortal enemy of Germany. Italy's strengthened relationship with them will make Italy need to face the hostility of France. .

Therefore, Italy actually does not want to get too close to them.

The German-Austrian Summit came to an end. The first theme of the Latin American Security Summit was how to end the Austro-Hungarian invasion of Mexico. In the end, the participants unanimously agreed that they would make every effort to promote this matter.

(End of this chapter)