Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 636 The Élysée Palace
The Kingdom of Greece strongly criticized the Ottoman search of Galata, particularly highlighting the persecution of Greeks in bold bold text in the newspapers. This sparked outrage within Greece.

The people were outraged and held rallies in the capital, Athens, demanding that the government send troops to rescue their oppressed compatriots. Parliament approved 2 million drachmas for military expenses and prepared to expand the army to 50,000 men. This was a significant undertaking given the country's total population of 145 million.

What shocked bankers in London and Paris even more was the Ottoman Empire's severe crackdown on the financial district. Did this mean that the new Ottoman government would no longer allow them to freely lend and invest, and that the era of free finance had ended in the Ottoman Empire?

Led by the Rothschild family in London and Paris, discussions began via telegram with numerous bankers. This also alarmed the British and French governments, who worried about the potential confiscation of their majority stakes in the Ottoman Bank.

The Earl of Granville, the British Foreign Secretary, visited the Élysée Palace, which became the official residence of the French President after the Tuileries Palace was burned down by the Paris Commune.

President McMahon has been battling wits with republicans in his efforts to restore the monarchy for the past few years, and he has already prepared his coronation attire and carriage. However, due to the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the majority of the public now supports the republicans.

McMahon saw an opportunity in the renewed crisis in the East. If another Crimean War were to occur, the calls for a French monarchy would undoubtedly be at their peak.

"Ah, Your Excellency, how are you!"

"Hello, Your Excellency President!"

President McMahon received Earl Grenville in the drawing room of the Élysée Palace. After a few tacit pleasantries, the two quickly steered the conversation toward the East.

“Your Excellency the President,” Earl Granville said, taking a sip of his Bordeaux wine, his tone carrying the characteristic British reserve and concern, “you are surely aware of what has happened in Constantinople. That Persian’s ambitions extend far beyond being a sultan. He is systematically destroying the order we have built up over centuries in the Ottoman Empire.”

McMahon nodded in deep agreement: “Count, you are absolutely right. The search of Galata and the crackdown on the financial district are not just targeting the Greeks or bankers; they are declaring war on the commercial and financial rules of all of Europe! They are challenging the cornerstone of our civilized world.” He deliberately elevated the issue to the level of a clash of civilizations to suit his inner desire to reshape France’s image as a “defender of civilization.”

“What is even more disturbing is his currency reform and military mobilization. He is trying to establish a self-sufficient imperial economy that is not affected by us. Once he successfully integrates the resources and population of the Ottoman Empire, coupled with the strength of Iran itself, a behemoth that we cannot control will emerge in the East. At that time, the balance of power in the Mediterranean will be completely broken.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about!” McMahon continued, his voice rising a few decibels, tinged with a theatrical fervor. “France cannot stand idly by and watch a hostile, expansionist power rise on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. This is not just a matter of economic interests, but also of national honor and security! Think about it, if he gains a foothold, will our territories in North Africa remain secure? Our traditional influence in the Levant will vanish!” He paused, observing Granville’s reaction, before revealing his true intention: “Your Excellency, I believe it is time to take decisive action. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the Crimean War, waiting for the Russians to strike first before reacting passively. We should take the initiative to defend the integrity of the Ottoman Empire…of course, while respecting the Sultan’s sovereignty.”

He cleverly used the word "integrity," but what he implied was maintaining the Ottoman Empire's weakness and vulnerability to interference.

The Earl of Granville, being astute enough, immediately discerned McMahon's underlying message. He quickly weighed the options: the French wanted to use this crisis to divert attention from domestic problems, and even create public opinion and a war-like atmosphere for McMahon's restoration of the monarchy. This was a double-edged sword for Britain. On the one hand, a forceful French intervention aligned with Britain's traditional strategy of containing Russia and would also exert significant pressure on Nasser al-Din; but on the other hand, if France overextended itself, or if McMahon actually succeeded in his restoration, it could trigger new instability on the European continent.

“London shares Your Excellency’s concerns,” Granville responded cautiously. “Naserdin’s actions have indeed crossed the line. We believe that the first step should be a unified diplomatic effort to send the strongest possible protest note to Constantinople, demanding that it immediately cease its hostile actions against European commercial and financial interests, guarantee the safety and rights of its Greek-speaking residents, and clarify its future policy direction.”

“Of course, diplomacy is the first step,” McMahon said urgently. “But we must prepare for the worst. I propose that our Mediterranean fleet hold a joint exercise, in the Aegean Sea, near Smyrna (Izmir). That would be enough to send a clear and unambiguous signal to that Sultan.”

Granville hesitated for a moment. A joint military demonstration was risky, potentially escalating the conflict, but it was precisely what was needed to pressure Nasserdin at the moment. “Joint exercises…can be considered. But their scale and control must be extremely careful. We cannot give the Russians the impression that we are provoking them, thus giving them a pretext to actually start a war.” He never forgot that containing Russia was the cornerstone of Britain’s Eastern policy.

“As for the Greeks,” Granville continued, “we can offer them moral support and limited military aid to encourage them to put pressure on the border, but we must keep them under strict control and not let the situation get out of control. The Athenian army is no match for the Ottomans.”

Athens, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria were all cannon fodder. Even if they were all together, they couldn't defeat a behemoth like the Ottomans. Their only purpose was to provide an excuse for Britain, France, and Russia to send troops, nothing more.

McMahon agreed, but he was more concerned with how to translate this concern into more concrete action. “Your Excellency, I believe we also need to respond on the financial front. Mr. Rothschild and other bankers’ concerns are valid. We should jointly announce a suspension of all new loans to the Ottoman Empire until its financial policies return to rationality and transparency.”

"agree!"

(End of this chapter)