Chapter 806 "Small meetings" lead to big things
"Today's meeting will end here first. I will adjourn the meeting and wish everyone a happy stay in Venice." Count Ellenthal said with finality.
Then everyone began to leave, but the two protagonists, East England and England, were left behind by Ellen Tal.
"Everyone, please stay. Although there is no result at the meeting, I have roughly understood the situation of both parties. Are you interested in coming to the manor where I live tonight and everyone getting together." Ellen Tal Invited the representatives of East and Britain.
Hermann and von der Leyen originally planned to ask Ehrenthal about the relevant situation after the meeting. Now Ehrenthal plans to bring Britain in. It is clear at a glance that Ehrenthal has something in mind.
The two looked at each other, and then von der Leyen nodded affirmatively. Hermann said: "Of course, it's a great honor."
Salisbury also said: "Yes, for your sake I will go to the appointment to save my face.”
From beginning to end, Ellenthal. Neither Portugal nor the Boers were invited, because these two countries were not the protagonists of the South African War, or their strength did not reach the level that Ellenthal valued. If we talk about Portugal in the last century, Ellenthal might have been interested. To win over, now Portugal has even its underwear stripped off by East Africa.
So the Austro-Hungarian Empire was full of contempt for Portugal, but Ellenthal did not show it as a diplomat, and most of the people present at the meeting were like this.
Of course, the only good thing is that Britain is also in a disadvantageous situation in East Africa, which shows that Portugal still has some strength. After all, Britain, as the world's most powerful country, can't find any excuses.
Then several people took a carriage and headed towards Ellenthal's manor on the outskirts of Venice.
At this time, it was already eleven o'clock in the evening in Venice, and the sky had begun to get dark. Many people noticed that Ellenthal and his party left alone, including the Portuguese.
This made Portuguese representative Gers feel dissatisfied and nervous. This was not good news. After all, if Portugal was avoided, it would be hard to say how Britain would negotiate.
The British situation in South Africa is very embarrassing now. If the British decide to sacrifice Portugal's interests to negotiate with East Africa, it is entirely possible. And if the British do this, Portugal will really be unable to recover.
As for Gers's little thoughts, Ellenthal and others who have left have no intention to pay attention to it. This is the tragedy of a "weak country". Two losses to East Africa have completely confirmed Portugal's weakness. The country’s status as a country, the last conference to carve up West Africa was attended by the Portuguese, so it will be hard to say in the future.
At night, Venice has begun to enter nightlife. As one of the most prosperous cities in Europe, even though it declined due to the war, Venice is still a very emotional city.
Noisy sounds spread in the tavern, workers who have just finished the night shift are getting drunk here, factories in the streets and alleys are operating day and night, and dark sewage with a foul smell is discharged directly into the waterways of Venice.
After the investment from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Venice's economy has begun to improve. As an important textile industry center, factory orders are flowing in, and most of these orders come from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the past, Venice was just an economic colony sucked by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which regained Venice, obviously changed its previous policy.
In fact, this is also easy to understand. The industry of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is mainly concentrated in Bohemia, and the location of Bohemia. To be honest, if Ernst was the ruler of this country, it would definitely be I won't be reassured.
Just like the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the previous life, more than 70% of the military industry and at least 60% of the large-scale industry directly broke away from Austria as Czechoslovakia became independent. This is also an important reason why Ernst concentrated East African industries in Matabele Province. The central area always makes people look more secure. Of course, from an economic point of view, the coastal areas are definitely more cost-effective.
“Count von der Leyen, Count Hermann and Lord Salisbury, in fact, the war in South Africa is not a complicated issue. For all of us, it should be What is certain is that both countries want to cease the war. On this basis, both sides might as well put their true Come up with your opinions and talk about it calmly. There are no outsiders present anyway. This is not a formal meeting."
Even if Ellenthal said so, the small meeting between the four of them had actually begun. To determine the solution to the situation in South Africa, if everyone here agrees, then the subsequent meetings will be nothing more than a show.
However, as Ellenthal finished speaking, the two parties did not say anything. Instead, they stared with big eyes and small eyes, and the scene became cold.
At this time, it was time for Earl Ellenthal to play his role again. He said to Earl Salisbury: "Your Excellency Salisbury, what is the bottom line of your UK? Why don't you reveal it first? The Kingdom of Hechingen The representative is making an evaluation. This is the attitude to solve the South African War. "
"Huh!" Salisbury said angrily: "Our British attitude is very simple. As the loser of the war, Portugal. The losses in East Africa can be compensated and some land can be compensated to East Africa, but East Africa cannot annex Angola and Mozambique, followed by the Boer Republic must be retained, and finally the East African Defense Forces withdraw from Cape Town and Natal."
Feng. Delian said: "Your Excellency's idea is a bit too naive. It is impossible for us in Hechingen to allow the Portuguese colonies in southern Africa to continue to exist. After all, we have already suffered twice. If we continue to retain the Portuguese colonies, I am afraid that There will be a third war between Portugal and the Kingdom, and the damage caused by the war to the Kingdom will be huge."
There is nothing wrong with von der Leyen's words, as the "initiator" of the two wars. , Portugal should at least take responsibility for its actions.
However, Ellenthal also heard the part that can be reconciled between the two, that is, Britain is not too optimistic about Portugal, and the first goal in East Africa is the Portuguese colony and it is bound to win. , this should also be the bottom line in East Africa. Of course, it is easy to persuade the British to give up Portugal. The British can be supplied from other sources.
This is easy to solve. After all, the South African War was not limited to the two Portuguese colonies. The core interests of the British were Cape Town and the Boer Republic.
It would be hard to say if East Africa had not achieved military victory in these two places, but now that the Boer Republic and Natal have fallen, Cape Town is at the end of its tether.
Ellenthal said: "In this case, Portugal is indeed a negative factor that undermines regional stability. On this point, I agree with Count von der Leyen."
"Of course... ..." Ellenthal changed the subject and said: "If this is just the case, it is unreasonable for Portugal. After all, Portugal has to bear huge war reparations. East Africa certainly cannot take land while also demanding that it is already heavily in debt. The Portuguese government paid such an astronomical sum.”
“However, it is a foregone conclusion that Portugal lost the war, so East Africa deserves the territory. However, East Africa should be more relaxed in terms of war compensation. According to Portugal’s economy. Open the appropriate chips horizontally ”
Regarding this, Von der Leyen said: "For your sake, we can ask for less war reparations, but it is absolutely impossible for us to give up Angola and Mozambique."
"We can Give up 8 million pounds in war losses, but 40 million pounds cannot be less. After all, the cost of this war has plunged East Africa into long-term economic stagnation, and the losses in national production and military casualties far exceed this figure."
(End of this chapter)