Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 15 Pressure from France and the Netherlands?
On January 1862, 1, many people in Europe were discussing how Belgium's largest cross-border dispute this year would progress in the end.

Napoleon III and French Prime Minister Olivier came out in person to greet Leopold I and Belgian Prime Minister Orban respectively.

In the end, the soldiers who crossed the border from the French Empire were released and returned to their original French home base.

This made Europe stunned. Belgium just gave in?

Many people speculate whether this is a relationship driven by the UK?
Many people sighed with secret pity for this, including Alexander II of the Russian Empire, William I of the Kingdom of Prussia, and Prime Minister Bismarck.

But this does not include William IV of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and his ministers, because what he wants is this result, and he knows that the good show will be staged next.

“We sincerely hope that Belgium will be peaceful and stable, but we also hope that Belgium will be fair and just and develop into a country under the rule of law that Europeans believe in, so that people in the Dutch-speaking area can be safer.

Therefore, we suggest that King Leopold I provide a written explanation for this incident, otherwise the Netherlands will seek justice for the people in the Dutch-speaking area. "

1862 1 Month 22 Day.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hesbert von stood up, held a press conference, and said seriously to the media from various countries:

"I hope Belgium can resolve this matter quickly to avoid triggering the anger of the Dutch-speaking people in its territory and causing the consequences to be out of control."

"Your Excellency, Foreign Secretary, I wonder what position the Netherlands will take on this matter? And how to help them get justice?"

Hesbert Feng said with some dissatisfaction:
"Belgium has been away from Dutch rule for more than 32 years. In fact, we only admit that it started in 1839, so it is 23 years, a generation.

We originally hoped with helplessness and blessings that they would be better off, but now seeing the ethnic environment Belgium is facing today, I am really dissatisfied!

How can such control measures enable our Dutch people to survive there more safely? Such a battle between the two ethnic groups will one day brew into a greater disaster. Who will be responsible for this?
His Majesty Leopold I?Or should we blame it on the two ethnic groups themselves?

This is something worth thinking about. Therefore, I implore His Majesty Leopold I to resolve this matter quickly. This is the most direct and loyal warning from the Kingdom of the Netherlands regarding this matter."

"What if Belgium is laissez-faire or inefficient?"

Hesbert Feng smiled and said: "If this is the case, we will implement punitive measures."

"What measure?"

Hesbert Feng glanced at the "European Times" reporter meaningfully, and then said: "We will impose sanctions on Belgium. As for what sanctions, everyone can wait and see!"

The Netherlands wants to sanction Belgium!

The Netherlands actually wants to impose direct sanctions on Belgium because of the unfair situation of the Dutch in Belgium?
The threatening words of the Dutch Foreign Minister were directly reprinted by major newspapers on the same day, and the news was quickly sold in various countries.

For a moment, everyone was shocked by his words. They also realized that although the Netherlands had declined, the financial empire and maritime hegemon that had made countless money relying on tulips seemed to have briefly regained its former glory.

But I just don’t know how long it can last!
Dutch Foreign Minister Hesbert von's remarks that "if the Belgian government cannot properly seek justice for the Dutch-speaking people, it will impose sanctions on Belgium" triggered strong dissatisfaction in Brussels.

The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an urgent appointment with Dirk Klein, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Belgium, and made serious representations.

At the same time, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the news in Belgium's French-language newspaper Aftonbladet and Dutch-language newspaper "Standard", and also announced that Belgian Prime Minister Walter Ferrer Orbon had informed Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck yesterday. Dissatisfied telegrams were sent.

Alban criticized Hesbert von for making extremely erroneous remarks on Belgium's domestic issues, which was a gross interference in Belgium's domestic sovereignty, created difficulties for Belgium in governing national differences, and failed to provide any help to all parties to resolve disputes. effect.

At the same time, the provocation to touch the results of the Vienna Peace Conference at this time also violates the basic norms of relations between European countries and the long-standing mutual trust between Belgium and the Netherlands.

Albon said that Belgium firmly opposed this and warned the Kingdom of the Netherlands that it cannot undermine Belgium's unity in any form, otherwise it will face consequences that are unacceptable to the Netherlands.

Talking about the consequences of Alban caused a lot of discussion, and many people speculated that the British Empire might test the pressure on the Netherlands for the sake of Belgium.But some people believe that this may be a bluff by Belgium. In fact, it is asking the Netherlands not to help the Dutch, who have the largest population in Belgium, so that the Dutch in Belgium can calm down their anger and accept the Belgian government's conciliatory actions.

However, the Netherlands seems to be very tough. Today, January 1862, 1, Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck made a public response to Alban's remarks.

According to the Luxembourg-based "European Times", Europe's largest and most influential newspaper.

Tolbeck said at a regular press conference that the Netherlands does not agree with Belgium's handling of the matter because the Dutch in Belgium are also Dutch. Like the Dutch in the country, they are all descendants of the same race as the Germanic Dutch. We will fight to the death. Defend the interests of our blood relatives at any cost.

One blow caused a thousand-foot wave!

The Dutch are a very proud nation. Especially from the 16th century to the end of the 18th century, they have always been a world-class maritime hegemon. In Europe, they are even compared with Spain. One is in the Atlantic Ocean and the other is in the Indian Ocean. It can be said that they are the two strongest countries. stable.

It was not until the end of the 18th century that the British were exhausted by the four wars, and because France cooperated with the British in attacking the Netherlands on land, the Netherlands fell to the status of a second-rate power. However, this does not mean that the Dutch accepted this with peace of mind. Fall.

Originally, it was forcibly assigned to Belgium in 1830, which made many people in Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands dissatisfied. Now they are seeing their compatriots being bullied like this after becoming foreigners. Who can tolerate it?
So as the incident unfolded, the Dutch in the Netherlands and the Dutch in Belgium were aroused to share the same hatred. This surprised many people, especially in the "Daily Telegraph", where many celebrities appeared every day. Sign to express your willingness to support your compatriots in their fight.

In Belgium, the support from the Netherlands is more suitable to stimulate the pride and centripetal force of the Dutch in Belgium.

Although they saw in the Belgian "Standard" and "Soircheon" that the king and the government were forced to have no choice but to hang their heads in the face of the power of the French Empire.

However, in the eyes of those Dutch people who have been emotionally aroused by the Netherlands, they have become out-and-out cowards. They surrender without firing a shot and ignore the national interests of the Dutch people under their rule. In doing so, they are betraying the country. Benefit.

As a result, northern Belgium expressed dissatisfaction, accusing the government and the king of being weak and incompetent. People of Dutch origin in the government also expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Albon and King Leopold I with the same hatred.

Even the Dutch among the Catholic Church had to stand up and express their opposition at this time.

It was at this time that West Flanders Senator Joseph Beit stood up and announced that he would coexist with everyone in the Dutch-speaking area, spreading public opinion, condemning Prime Minister Orbang as the consequences of his arbitrary actions, and demanding To change everything, cowardly policies must be overturned.

At the same time, we will establish a fairer government, and he will run for the post of prime minister in three months, which can provide everyone with a different and fairer choice.

Joseph Beiter was born into a middle-class family in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands in 1825. When he was 4 years old, his family moved to the province of West Flanders. In 1830, Belgium separated from the Netherlands and became a kingdom, and his family also became Belgians.

In 1847, Ghent University, which became the most influential university in Belgium and founded by the former King William I of the Netherlands in 1817, enrolled graduates in history and political science. In that year, he chose to further his studies in law school and took a Dutch degree. Wife of a nobleman, father of two sons.

In 1850, he was admitted to a bar society in Brussels. After entering the legal profession, he was quickly elected to the Brutus Parliament of West Flanders, where he worked in 1850 and 1851.

In 1852, Beit, as an immigrant and a registered independent, but as a liberal, ran for public office in the local government and was successfully elected, thus entering politics.

Two years later, in 2, the 1854-year-old Beit became his secretary to the then President of the Senate of the Parliament in Brussels, Sjeman. In 29, he was elected as a senator of the Kingdom of Belgium in Brussels, becoming the youngest senator in the history of Belgium. Member of Parliament, only 1856 years old.

This record was not broken until five years later, when Jules Danetang, a liberal from Limburg, was elected to the Senate at the age of 5.

He looks both good and evil with Jules Danetant's face, but he makes people feel the difference in his heroic spirit.

However, Joseph Bait looks upright and upright, making people believe him and feel that what he says is the truth.

Therefore, Beit also received a lot of support within the Catholic Party.

Many people speculate that if he runs for office, the two originally distinct factions will become muddled, and the results will be unpredictable.

And because Belgium was founded under the promotion of Viscount Palmerston of the British Empire, the attitude of the British Empire is the focus of attention of all countries.

(End of this chapter)