Chapter 226: Complicating Responses
Although Britain and Russia reacted to Serbia and Greece's moves, the reaction was not very violent. However, if it is to say that Serbia and Greece suddenly appeared to stir up the situation this time, apart from Italy, which reacted most violently, it was Bulgaria that reacted fiercely, or rather, more fiercely than Italy.
In Sofia, an equally intense meeting unfolded.
"This move by Serbia and Greece is definitely a conspiracy against our country, and they do not want to see our country gain Macedonia, so they will collude to embarrass our country in this way."
At a meeting convened by King Ferdinand I, Stambolov, as Prime Minister, spoke impassionedly about his thoughts on the sudden intervention of the two countries.
His views drew echoes from others, including Grekov, the foreign minister, who praised him loudly. "The prime minister is right, the purpose of Serbia and Greece this time is definitely to prevent our country from having a good time, and they do not want to see our country recover Macedonia."
Of course, there are also Bulgarians' own considerations for such a one-sided attitude. Prior to this, Bulgaria and Serbia and Greece had been at odds with each other, but they had also cooperated in the confrontation because of the Macedonian region and the Ottoman factor.
The territory of Greater Bulgaria, Greater Serbia, and Greater Greece that each of the three countries proclaimed included the Macedonian region, which is why the three countries continued to be dirty, because these three countries were all competing, and they all had intentions for the Macedonian region.
However, because the Ottoman forces occupying Macedonia were too strong for them to shake alone, cooperation was possible.
Therefore, under this kind of relationship, the situation between the three countries is extremely complicated, and maybe one day the two countries will deal with one country, and tomorrow they will change allies and opponents for other reasons.
Of course, if this situation had not been for Italy's intervention, it would have been a long time before the three countries felt that they could shake the Ottoman Empire with their own power, and they would have considered taking action against it. Of course, the most anxious Greece tried to do evil once, but after being beaten by the Ottomans, the other two countries knew that they could not act alone, and then there was a joint Balkan war.
As for now, thanks to Carlo's change to Italy, now Bulgaria has come out of the blues from its original not-so-leading position, and it is no wonder that the other two countries do not jump to their feet.
But Bulgaria didn't take this to heart, because they felt that it was really profitable. Can you find a strong ally and still have no ambitions for Macedonia? No matter how you look at it, it's earned.
That's why they are so angry with the Cypriots and Greece who suddenly jumped into the war? This is clearly a reluctance to see Bulgaria occupy Macedonia.
Of course, although the Bulgarians are very angry, but still retain their sanity? Otherwise, there would not have been discussions in Sofia about the two countries' participation in the war.
Facing the surge of officials? Ferdinand, the king of Bulgaria, spoke. "Prime Minister, what do you mean?"
Ferdinand from the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Kohali family? Although he has been the king of Bulgaria for several years, the real power in Bulgaria is now largely in the hands of the prime minister. And his questioning words? I also want to hear the opinion of the Prime Minister. Of course he said this? At the same time, other officials should pay attention to his prime minister to see what good advice the prime minister who holds power in Bulgaria has any suggestions.
Facing the eyes of the king and other officials, how could Stambolov, as the prime minister, have no idea, I saw him say confidently.
"Your Majesty, colleagues? At this time? Our priority is still to complete the next operation to block the Thracian passage, and of course we need to ask our allies what they mean. Of course, the relationship between His Majesty and Austria-Hungary, this is a way out for us. ”
That's right, in this environment of complicating the situation? No matter how anxious Bulgaria is, it is useless, the first goal must be clear? The rest rested more on Italy, an ally. Of course, the prime minister has not forgotten the role of his own king? At this time, relying on this king from a famous family may have unexpected gains.
Stambolov's words? Let those present nod their heads secretly? A figure worthy of being the Prime Minister of Bulgaria? After a while, I thought of a solution.
Of course, more people are looking to the king, hoping that he will stand up for the interests of Bulgaria.
Ferdinand I certainly knew what they were expecting, and the Prime Minister's advice was very beneficial to him, since it was the first time in a short time that he had been involved in major Bulgarian politics in a big way, and it was very good for him to increase his prestige.
"Since the Prime Minister has said so, then I will take the Foreign Secretary and go on a trip to Vienna and Berlin."
Ferdinand I's words made the people on the scene crack and full of praise for it, what His Majesty is wise and the like, and he said it like he didn't want money.
Of course, Ferdinand himself knows how many of them can just talk casually.
When Bulgaria was discussing countermeasures against Serbia and Greece, there was actually another country that reacted equally violently, and that was Austria-Hungary.
In Vienna, an Austro-Hungarian conference was taking place here. The question of deliberation also comes from the question that came out of Sehi.
"Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, the actions of Serbia and Greece this time have had a very great impact, and the telegram from Italy is asking about our attitude."
Count Gustav Karnoki, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Austria-Hungary, spoke about the theme of the meeting in the presence of the Emperor and his ministers.
Of course, the telegram sent by Italy was just an introduction, and it was more about Austria-Hungary's own interests in this war.
When Count Karnoki finished speaking, Count Eduard Tafe, the Austrian Prime Minister beside him, spoke. "I think that the current war in the Balkans needs to be paid attention to by our country, because it is very important for our country to expand its influence on the Balkan map in the future. Because the war is suspected of getting out of control at the moment, I think it's best not to intervene at the moment, but we can give more assistance to our possible allies. ”
It was clear that the Austrian chancellor did not want Austria-Hungary to intervene in the war.
"Count Taffy is right, and I agree with it."
This time the Hungarian Prime Minister Tisza Kallmann, the prime minister who held the power of the Kingdom of Hungary, was very famous in Hungary. So his words basically represent the attitude of the Kingdom of Hungary.
Facing the words of the two prime ministers of the kingdom, Count Karnoki, who was the first person in the imperial government, then shook his head and said. "I very much agree with the two of them, and of course I don't want to bring Austria-Hungary into this war, but I don't think the Bosnia-Herzegovina issue can be delayed."
At this point, Count Karnoki turned his head to Tisza Kallman, the Hungarian prime minister, because of this prime minister's obstruction, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was unable to reach a decision to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It should be noted here that the Austro-Hungarian dualist empire needed the unanimous approval of the prime ministers of the two kingdoms when making major decisions abroad.
Isn't it inconceivable, that this decision had to be made in order to gain the support of the Hungarians during the European Revolution of 1848 and later the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This also led to a surge in the power of the Hungarians in the Empire, and any resolution that might threaten their position was strongly opposed by them.
The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the eyes of the Hungarians, threatened their political position. Because there is a large number of Serbs in the area. Especially after the annexation of the region, the proportion of Serbian countries in the country will reach the top three, and if the Kingdom of Serbia is annexed, then its population will be about the same as that of Hungarians.
In this case, then their position in the empire will also be greatly reduced, so this is the reason for the opposition of the Hungarians.
And in the face of the gaze cast by Count Karnoki, Hungarian Prime Minister Tisza Kallman simply ignored it.
Seeing that the other party was not enlightened, Count Karnoki could only turn his gaze to Emperor Joseph. As emperor, Franz Joseph I, of course, knew what this meant, and at this time he had to act on his own, otherwise the Bosnian problem would never be solved, which would seriously affect the interests of Austria-Hungary.
"Tisza Kallman, I assure you that the status of the Hungarians will not be diminished."
In the face of the emperor's words, although Tisza Kalman was unwilling, but in the face of the emperor's gaze, after several inner struggles, he could only choose to acquiesce. "Then do as Your Majesty wishes, and we, in the Kingdom of Hungary, respect Your Majesty's opinion."
Well, the biggest problem was finally solved, and then Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to the Ottoman Empire, demanding that the other side must give an answer to the Bosnia and Herzegovina issue.
In the face of the Ottoman Empire, which had long been in great difficulty, the pressure from Austria-Hungary made them have no capital to refuse, so they could only agree.
Of course, they did not get nothing, and the benevolent Austro-Hungarian Empire still paid 2.4 million pounds to compensate the region.
However, this money does not have much effect on the current war situation.
Of course, the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary further increased the instability in the Balkans and turned the situation in an unpredictable direction.