My Italian: Chapter 261 Treaty of Rome
"I don't agree with this condition."
Depretis, who rushed to the palace excitedly and reported the rich conditions of Bulgaria to Carlo, was beaten in the head.
He never thought of the king's conditions for the Bulgarians, and he refused as soon as he opened his mouth.
To that end, DePretis felt the need to explain. "Your Majesty, the conditions for the Bulgarians are already very good. The expansion of the port in Thessaloniki and the financing of the railway to Sofia can not only influence Bulgaria economically, but also have many political benefits..."
Listening to the Prime Minister explaining the benefits of Bulgaria's rich conditions to himself, Carlo felt agitated, and he couldn't help interrupting the other party's speech. "Prime Minister, the conditions for the Bulgarians are premised. This is to help them keep Thessaloniki. Have you considered that other countries may have different views?"
In the face of Carlo's words, Depretis immediately explained. "Your Majesty, we have considered this before, but we don't think it's a big problem. The attitude of the two countries will be discussed by the Bulgarians, and we are mainly facing the pressure of Britain, France, Austria and Russia. In this regard, we After comprehensive consideration, the government believes that the attitudes of Germany and France need not be considered because they have little interest in the Balkans. Although the United Kingdom is inclined to the Balkan issue due to its relationship with Greece, its influence on the Balkan Peninsula It is also mainly dominated by Greece, and is not very interested in other regions and countries. Austria-Hungary is our ally, as long as we allow some of the benefits obtained from Bulgaria, we believe that we can gain the understanding of the other party, so the only Russian attitude that needs to be considered.
However, although Russia has the ability to exert influence on the Balkans, it is separated by Romania after all, so it is quite inconvenient in terms of actual influence and measures. In addition, the exchanges between our country and Russia are not intensive. Even if they want to take measures, it is only in terms of economic diplomacy. We can bear this. "
After Depretis's analysis, it seems that Italy only needs to put in a certain amount of pressure to reap enough rewards.
This is very incredible in Carlo's view. When did the government become so confident that it completely regarded the pressure of Austria-Hungary and Russia as nothing.
In fact, this is a discrepancy between Carlo and the government's perception of Italy. In Carlo's mind, Italy is still a big country with poor and weak national strength. Although it has the strength to crush other small countries, in the struggle against the big countries, it has is a natural disadvantage.
On the government's side, it may be the result of Carlo's efforts to correct it. In the eyes of other Italian officials, Italy has expanded its territory one after another, and has the upper hand everywhere, so now Italy is no longer the one that was weak in the Tunisia crisis. Unbearable look. Whether economically, militarily or politically, Italy has the confidence to make its voice heard in Europe, and other major powers must also give Italy the necessary respect.
It is also the deviation of these two perceptions that led to the disagreement between Carlo and the government on the attitude towards Bulgaria.
The government believed that this condition was sufficient for the Bulgarians, while Carlo felt that Italy was not currently strong enough to fight Austria-Hungary and Russia in the Balkans.
Therefore, in the face of Prime Minister Depretis' explanation, Carlo, after thinking about it, still believes that Italy's focus cannot be shifted to the Balkans, even if this time Italy has already won a large tract of territory in the region.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we cannot accept Bulgaria's request this time. Our country's current focus still needs to be placed at home, and improving our country's national strength is the first priority at present. Too much energy in the Balkans will only drag down our country's economy."
In the face of Carlo's explanation, Prime Minister Depretis disagreed. "But we need a market, and Bulgaria's conditions this time are very conducive to our country's development of the market in the Balkans, which can also promote economic development."
De Pretis has already sent someone to calculate that, according to Bulgaria's conditions, it will bring nearly 20 million lira to Italy every year. This interest is already very good, enough to make Italy make the choice to fully support Bulgaria. Even if it pays a certain price, it is worth it.
However, although Depretis said how tempting the benefits of Bulgaria are, Carlo still did not change his words, and saw that he continued to ask Prime Minister Depretis. "Your Excellency Prime Minister, what do you say is the core of our country's current diplomacy?"
In the face of Carlo's question, Depretis answered without hesitation. "It's an alliance treaty with Germany."
Yes, even Prime Minister Depretis knows that the current core of Italian diplomacy is the Three Emperors Alliance. Italy relies on this alliance to be able to thrive in the past decade.
Hearing Depretis' answer, Carlo continued to ask. "So is it worth it for us to fight Austria-Hungary for the Balkans?"
In fact, Carlo asked not Austria-Hungary, but Germany behind it. In the Three Emperors Alliance, Italy is far less close than the other two countries. This is not only known to Carlo, but also to everyone in the Italian political arena.
Given the huge benefits Italy has gained in the Three Emperors Alliance, Italy is now inseparable from this relationship. Not to mention the large territories that Italy is about to acquire, which also takes time to digest.
Not to mention that in order to get Germany to agree to support this war, it has already hated the other side. If Austria-Hungary is offended again, what should be the way forward.
In this era, there are no clear boundaries and diplomatic relations between countries are not fixed, so Italy must take into account the attitude of its allies.
Depretis, who also knew this, was silent after hearing Carlo. Before, he was carried away by the interests, and the problem was too simple. It was only after Carlo proposed it that he realized that if he fully supported it, it would definitely hurt the relationship with Austria-Hungary. Compared with that point of interest, the Three Emperors Alliance could be more important.
"It seems that the conditions of the Bulgarians are not good. It's a pity."
With Depretis's words, it also declared that the Bulgarian attempt was a complete failure.
The next negotiation is also difficult to support in Bulgaria, which lacks Italian support.
Faced with a host of other countries with malicious intent, the Bulgarian delegation was in a dilemma in the venue.
A few days later, the blue-faced Bulgarian delegation even left in anger.
"These **** guys, they don't want to see our country fully reclaimed."
A member of the delegation who couldn't help but couldn't help cursing after walking out of the venue.
Prime Minister Stambolov, the head of the delegation, was indifferent to the scolding behind him. Because after Italy rejected their offer, he was mentally prepared.
However, thinking that Thessalonica was to be returned to the Ottomans, he felt as if he had been stabbed by a knife. In particular, Adrianople must also be returned to the Ottomans, which is even more heartbreaking.
But this time, although he left the venue angrily, Stambolov knew that this time, it was just to show the dissatisfaction of Bulgaria to other countries. In the end, they still needed to return to the venue~www.mtlnovel.com~ After all, they paid so many sacrifices , most of the Macedonian region must take it, otherwise it will fail the people in the country who are eagerly looking forward to it.
So after a month of wrangling, the rather dissatisfied Bulgarians could only sign the treaty.
After more than a month of negotiations, all countries finally signed the contract. Under this contract, the Ottomans lost most of their European and African territories in the war. Only South Macedonia (now Greek Macedonia) and East Thrace were left.
Among these lost territories, Italy took the most, in Europe; they took Albania and Kosovo, as well as the South Dodecan Islands headed by Rhode Island, which were also included in their pockets. (Considering the feelings of other countries, Italy has withdrawn half of the least important Dodecan Islands)
And they also ensured the independence of Crete, which can also be counted among its vassals. Coupled with the Libyan area it has acquired, it can be regarded as a huge profit.
In addition to Italy, it seems that the aggrieved Bulgarians gained the second most territory, and most of the Macedonia region was in their pockets. Although the most coveted Thessaloniki was not obtained, at least the gains were greater than the sacrifices, and it was considered a big profit.
As for Greece and Serbia, although they each won a piece of territory by virtue of other factors, they are not comparable to Bulgaria. Therefore, in the face of the increasingly powerful Bulgarians, the two countries responded quickly, which made the future situation in the Balkans more and more turbulent.
As for the weakest Grand Duchy of Montenegro, a little benefit can make them suffer.
The war is over as nations sign contracts. But as long as the discerning eye can see, the turmoil in the Balkans has only begun. As for the future, this requires the wisdom of all countries.