"Your Excellency Bacona, on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands, I am protesting on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands against your country's gross interference in the Dutch colonies. Dutch Borneo is a sacred and inviolable territory of the Netherlands, and with the actions of your colonial government, we have reason to doubt whether your country wants to become a saboteur in Southeast Asia. ”

Inside the Rome Foreign Office, the Dutch ambassador to Rome, Frank Ferico, is protesting to Foreign Minister Bacona.

What makes the Dutch ambassador so backbone, the British ambassador who accompanied him is very telling.

In the face of the protests of the Dutch, Bakona, as foreign secretary, immediately said. "What is Your Excellency protesting to me, I still want your country to protest. If it weren't for the fact that your colonial government was not binding, it would not have caused our merchants to lose tens of millions of lira in Dutch Borneo. The refusal of your colonial government to pay compensation has clearly angered the Borneo government, which has no choice but to express its attitude with excesses. ”

In any case, in the mouth of Foreign Minister Bacona, it was the fault of the Dutch colonial government that caused this situation, and it was their atrocities against Italian merchants that made the current situation possible.

Although the people present were all experts in diplomacy, Dutch Ambassador Ferico was still a little annoyed by Bacona's shameless words. "Do you mean that our country should not put an end to the rebellion?"

"No, I'm just saying that your country did not restrain the colonial army, which caused losses to our merchants."

It looked like Bacona was going to give in, but then his voice changed. "Of course, if your country must think like this, then we can't help it."

Yes, Bacona's words are completely representative of Italy's bullying, although Italy is not as good as other powers, but it is not something that the little Dutch can resist.

Although the Dutch are richer than the Italians, the difference in population between the two is nearly ten times that of national power. Like the Celestial Empire in later generations, although it is not ranked in terms of per capita income, it is one of the most powerful countries in the world. Although Italy did not reach that height, it was still a great power in front of the Dutch.

And Bacona's attitude made the British ambassador Holly Mandison, who came with him, a little dissatisfied.

"Your Excellency Bacona, such an attitude in your country is not conducive to solving the problem. Although the Dutch were a little rough in dealing with the rebellion, this is not a condition for your country to coerce. ”

Facing the British ambassador who came forward to clearly favor the Dutch, Bacona looked at the other party and asked. "May I ask what Your Excellency meant, or does London mean?"

Bakona's meaning by this is obviously to ask the ambassador in front of him whether he represents the official opinion. In some respects, personal opinions differ greatly from official opinions.

Holly Mandison, as a senior diplomat, naturally understood Bacona's words.

"I'm sorry, this is my personal opinion, although it does not represent the London side, but this is also the opinion of the majority of my colleagues."

Bacona naturally knew what Ambassador Mandison meant, although it had not yet risen to the government level. But if the situation continues to deteriorate, that doesn't mean London won't end up in the game.

In fact, inside London, there is also a vacillation about the Italian manufacturing in Southeast Asia. Although the British Empire was dissatisfied with Italy in Southeast Asia, the two countries were in cooperation in many places, such as the containment of Russia and the restriction of France.

Although this kind of cooperation and confrontation is the norm for all countries, it is also necessary to consider the attitude of the other side, and the most important thing is not to stiffen the relationship between the two countries. It is precisely for this reason that Ambassador Mandison said that it was his own opinion.

"I still respect your country's opinion, but I would also like to see that I and most of my colleagues will listen to Italy's opinion. Our country is very concerned about the loss of businessmen in Dutch Borneo, not only in the will of the Borneo government, but also in the will of the entire Italian people. ”

Bacona made it clear that Italy was only interested in Dutch Borneo and would not endanger the rest of the Dutch colonies. With the exception of Borneo, Italy did not contribute to expanding its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia.

Although Bacona said this, everyone is playing diplomacy, and they are playing a lot of tricks in front of them and behind the scenes, so Ambassador Mandison then said. "Your Excellency Bacona, we have come this time to protest to your country, and it is natural that others will be concerned about your country's purpose. Of course, Japan does not want conflict or war in Southeast Asia, and I hope that Your Excellency will be clear about our posture. ”

After Ambassador Mandison finished speaking, he glanced at Ambassador Ferico of the Netherlands. "I guess that's what Ambassador Ferico thinks is too."

How could Ferico refute the invitation to come to the aid of Ambassador Mandison, this is the time to show the strong friendship between Britain and the Netherlands.

"Ambassador Mandison's words are also my country's attitude, that there should be no conflict and war in Southeast Asia."

In the face of the Anglo-Dutch ambassador's words, Bakona nodded slightly to indicate that he understood. "I already know what the two ambassadors mean, but here I have a question, that is, how to calculate the losses suffered by our country?"

With that, Bacona looked at the Dutch ambassador. "Your Excellency Ferrico, although our country is equally reluctant to see conflict and war in Borneo, there is a premise for this, and that is that your country will compensate for the losses this time. This is the premise for your two countries to sit down and negotiate calmly, and I hope that your government will cherish this prerequisite. ”

In the face of Bacona's insistent compensation, Ferico, who is the ambassador of the Netherlands, just wanted to speak, but at this time he saw Mandison take the lead in speaking. "Your country's request, I think this also needs to be discussed, so please wait patiently."

"There is no problem with this, and my country does not want to be rude to a European country, so seven days should be enough, and my country will let the colonial government wait for seven days."

Faced with the seven-day period given by Bakona, the two ambassadors knew that this was a preliminary achievement. After glancing at each other, he said. "Please wait for our good news."

"Then I'll wait for your good news."

After seeing off the two ambassadors, Bacona picked up the phone and dialed it. "Prime Minister, it's me Bakona...... The Dutch and British ambassadors have just come to see me...... Yes...... From talking to them, we were right in our previous judgment that the British would not stand out for the Dutch. Especially when we are only looking for Borneo interests, the British are hesitant...... Good...... I know what to do. ”

When Bacona hung up, DePretis put down a document in his hand and muttered to himself. "It seems that the British are really not going to come out to help the Dutch."

The help that De Pretis said was to intervene in Italy's operations with military force, and it was not necessarily and impossible to send troops directly, which was clearly seen by the Italian leadership. Because at the moment the British are not focused on Italy, the Russians who break through everywhere are their main targets, followed by the French who are second in the navy. To put it mildly, Austria-Hungary has a higher priority than Italy. In addition to its own territory and colonies, Italy rarely participates in international disputes, and stays at ease in its own acres and thirds of land, although Italy is not so conspicuous, but the advantage is also to let the powers know that Italy does not want to compete with them for interests.

Of course, after next year, it is unknown whether this view will still be the same. But the perception hasn't changed, has it?