Chapter 158 Petroleum Exploitation Rights
The ancient Roman Empire, which ruled across three continents in Asia, Europe and Africa, shook the whole of Europe, West Asia and North Africa, and was the hegemon of the world. The Italian kingdom www.biquge.info pen ~ fun ~ pavilion also boasted of inheriting the mantle of the Roman Empire, and they always did not want to recreate the glory of the ancient Roman Empire.
Despite the fact that there are many European powers, it is very difficult for the Kingdom of Italy to rise. However, the kings and governments of the Kingdom of Italy fought for this. The Kingdom of Italy has been actively preparing for further outward expansion in order to achieve its goal of turning the Mediterranean Sea into its own bathtub. And their first target was undoubtedly the declining Ottoman Turkish Empire.
In Europe, the Ottoman Turkish Empire was no longer the great power that beat the European countries to the point of throwing away their armor. The size of their territory has been shrinking again and again. Although, North Africa was still nominally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But in fact, it has become the object of coveting and invasion by various countries. Many places have become colonies of European countries.
Italy had been trying to seize the Turkish provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica (present-day Libya) as a base for expansion in North Africa.
Tripolitania and Cyrenaica are a desert of limited economic value but strategic importance for Turkey in North Africa. It confronts Sicily and controls the narrower seas of the central Mediterranean. In 1881, in the process of dividing up the Turkish Poltai government's possession of North Africa, Algeria (which was gradually reduced to a colony by the French invasion in 1830) and Tunisia (1881) became French protectorates, so that the titular possessions of the Ottoman Turkish Empire in North Africa were also owned by the Western colonists, and France was prepared to annex the Ottoman Turkish provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica on this ground. This attempt was opposed by European countries, especially Italy, which had long wanted to establish a colony in North Africa. To this end, Italy actively engaged in political and diplomatic activities, reached agreements and tacit understandings with the great powers (the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria), recognized Italian interests in North Africa. In preparation for the annexation of the provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, Italy continued to emigrate and send merchants to the two provinces from 1880 to 1911, buying land and actively expanding its power. sending naval officers to change into fishermen's clothes and carry out coastal surveys in the name of fishing for sponges off the coast of Tripolitania; He instructed Italian Catholic priests to go deep into the interior to collect intelligence in the name of missionary work. Drawing lessons from its defeat in Ethiopia in 1896, Italy is constantly spying on the timing of its choice.
"Your Majesty, the outbreak of the Moroccan crisis is a godsend for us. If we miss this opportunity, we will have a hard time finding such a good opportunity. So, we can't afford to let go of this opportunity. "Giovanni? Jolletti said.
"Well, I couldn't agree more. Still, before going to war against the Ottoman Turkish Empire, we would better be able to get the support of other countries! "Vittorio? Emanuele III said.
Giovanni? Prime Minister Giolitti nodded: "Britain, France and other countries, there should be no objections." This time we did not support Germany, and they reciprocated by acquiescing to our actions. As for the Germans, although there is something dissatisfied with us. But I don't think the Germans would have foolishly pushed us over the side of the Entente. ”
"Well, that's the truth. However, it is better to send an envoy to Germany and try to get the support of the Germans! "Vittorio? Emanuele III said.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Giovanni? Prime Minister Giolitti has no objection to this.
On the one hand, the Kingdom of Italy was preparing for invasion of Tripoli and Cyrenaica, and on the other hand, it was actively active in European countries in order to gain more support.
When the Italian envoy arrived in Germany, he was not summoned by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II is still angry, how can he give the Italians a good face? Even Reich Chancellor Bernhardt? Feng? Billo did not meet with the Italian envoy, which made the Italians very dissatisfied with this.
German Foreign Minister von ? Kidren? In his talks with the Italian envoys, Vasit bluntly claimed that the German Empire was very angry at the betrayal of the Kingdom of Italy. The Italian envoy, the natural idea, managed to explain. But fools know that that's simply perfunctory.
However, just when the Italian envoy thought that he could not complete the task, Qin Tian took the initiative to meet him, which made the Italian envoy very surprised. After all, because of the second Moroccan crisis, the relationship between Italy and Germany has already had a major crisis. Qin Tian's initiative to meet with him will undoubtedly bring about a turning point in the relations between the two countries.
Qin Tian met with the Italian envoy in his office.
"Hello, Your Highness the Crown Prince." The Italian envoy was humble.
"Hello, Your Excellency. I am personally very dissatisfied with the performance of the Kingdom of Italy in the Moroccan crisis. Qin Tian said.
"Your Royal Highness, there must be some misunderstanding in this. Italy, however, attached great importance to its relations with the German Empire. The Italian envoy hurriedly said.
Fortunately, Qin Tian did not continue to dwell on this issue.
"Your Excellency, is your country ready to take action against the Ottoman Turkish Empire?" Qin Tian asked.
The Italian envoy nodded, there was nothing to hide on this issue. The actions of the Kingdom of Italy are not unknown to other countries.
"Your Excellency, as an ally, although the Kingdom of Italy has behaved incompetently. However, the empire attached great importance to its relationship with the Kingdom of Italy. That is why we are happy to see the expansion of the Kingdom of Italy in North Africa. We are also willing to support the expansion of the Kingdom of Italy. In terms of armament and war materiel, we can provide a part of it if the Kingdom of Italy needs it. Qin Tian said.
The Italian envoy was overjoyed, he didn't expect that Qin Tian's attitude would be like this, this was simply an unexpected joy!
However, the Italian envoy also knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. The German Empire's support for the Kingdom of Italy was also clearly motivated.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what price does the Kingdom of Italy have to pay?"
"Once the Kingdom of Italy occupies Tripoli and Cyrenaica, I hope that Deutsche Örgygnerg will be able to gain the right to extract oil there!" Qin Tian said.
"Extracting oil? Is there oil there? "The Italian envoy did not know anything about this.
"Your Royal Highness, I will report to the country immediately!" The Italian envoy said he didn't think it was a matter at all and that the Italian government would definitely agree to the condition.