"Special Envoy Cabrera, I am very sorry that my country's current state is not at all able to agree to your request, and I hope that your country can understand."

In a hidden room in the palace, Carlo, as King of Italy, made a very rare appearance and apologized to a secret envoy. There is a reason why Carlo needs to lower his profile.

Because this Cabrera envoy was a diplomatic envoy secretly sent by Germany. The main thing is to let Italy make some small moves on the Italian-French border during the confrontation between Germany and France, attract the attention of the French, and relieve some of the pressure on Germany.

Of course, Germany also knew that it was impossible to attract people without benefits, so it also did not give some benefits, that is, to give Italy certain preferential treatment when importing Ruhr coal and iron ore.

And in the face of the Germans' request and the benefits offered, how could Carlo, who had just negotiated with the French, accept it. Therefore, in the face of this Cabrera envoy, Carlo refused the request of the Germans on the grounds that the current Italian naval and land forces were too weak to be able to create trouble on the Italian-French border.

The reasons given by Carlo are very reasonable, and there is no excuse at all. Because at present, the Italian army of the navy and land is really at the weakest time in history. In the army, the total strength of the Italian army is only 193,000, how can it be offensive at all. Not to mention the current Italian mainland plus more than 2 million square kilometers of colonial land, these 10 square kilometers are not enough for a single soldier, you can imagine how great the pressure on the Italian army is at present, and it belongs to the kind that has a weak heart.

As for the Navy, not to mention. Last year it became known that the main Italian warships were sold to the Russians. Now the only one that can take the lead is the Dreadnought. Relying on this cross-era battleship to trouble the French, it can only be said that the Italian Navy is floating.

Some people may say, "What are you afraid of, but there is still the German Navy."

The crux of the matter was that the German Navy was in the North Sea and Italy was in the Mediterranean. If you look at the map, it is easier to count on the rescue of the German navy than to pray for God to come. And the long coastline of Italy mainland would be difficult to do if the navy did not have an advantage.

Therefore, when the naval and land armies did not have an advantage, Italy refused on the grounds of its own safety, which could not be justified.

Faced with Carlo's series of reasons, Cabrera, as a special envoy, couldn't help but think of the Marquis de Bilo's admonition before leaving. "Cabrera, the purpose of your trip is important, but it is more important to find out the attitude of the Italians. In particular, in the event of a conflict between our country and France, whether it is willing to take our side, even if it does not use military means, needs to at least show this posture in other ways. ”

So in the face of Carlo's refusal, the Cabrera envoy was not discouraged at all, only to see him speak. "Your Majesty, I can understand your country's difficulties, but if your country does nothing, is it inappropriate, and is your country still willing to implement the alliance treaty between your two countries?"

Regarding the words of Cabrera's envoy, Carlo said without hesitation. "In this regard, please also be assured that the terms and conditions signed between your country and your country will be implemented. As long as your country is attacked by either Russia and France, our country will certainly mobilize its troops to join your country in declaring war on it. ”

Carlo also made it clear that Italy would fulfill its alliance obligations only when it was under attack. As for the signatory countries attacking each other, then I'm sorry and can only remain neutral. Of course, it makes sense to sell some of the supplies that your allies need.

As a diplomatic envoy, Viscount Cabrera, who is familiar with the rules of diplomacy, of course understands the meaning of Carlo's words. He knew how to reply to Berlin.

Of course, news of Italy's support for Germany soon reached Berlin. Although Italy refused direct military action on the grounds of its current weakness, it was otherwise consistent with Austria-Hungary in other respects.

And for Rome's statement, Berlin also breathed a sigh of relief. You must know that over the years, Berlin has always been more intimate with Vienna, whether it is for exchanges or wooing, there are more diplomats going to Vienna.

Grain stew

Therefore, Berlin still has doubts about whether Italy is willing to fulfill the alliance treaty. And this time Carlo answered without hesitation, so that Cabrera envoy got a satisfactory answer. You must know that on the question of who has the final say in Italy, who in various countries does not know that the answer is this Carlo monarch, as long as this monarch agrees, then it is eight or nine and ten.

Compared with the Italian cheerfulness, Vienna's reply was a bit of a grind. Fortunately, in addition to the condition of direct sending troops, the two countries are willing to support other parties.

Therefore, Germany, which was already inclined to settle the dispute peacefully, made waves again at this time. Radicals, including a group of Junker aristocrats, saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

France's ally, Russia, was so weak, and the pressure on Germany's defense in the east was greatly reduced, so it was natural to take this opportunity to launch a war against France and relieve Germany of the greatest threat to Germany on the continent, the armed forces of the French.

In the face of the proposals of these radicals, the conservative faction led by Prime Minister Bilo directly suppressed the radicals who had risen again. First, they refuted the argument that the British would not participate.

In the eyes of the conservatives, the British Empire would not watch Germany become the hegemon of Central and Western Europe. If a war broke out between Germany and France, then the British Empire would definitely enter the war. Its large navy would directly cut off Germany's maritime trade routes.

Moreover, the entry of Britain would have a knock-on effect, and it would be difficult for the two allies to make up their minds to continue to support Germany. In addition, the entry of the British will also make the Russians in the east ready to move, so that Germany will face attacks from all sides, which is not the work of a wise man.

And just as the Germans were bickering over this, news suddenly came from France. As a hardliner in France against Germany, Foreign Minister Delcasse offered to resign. The post of Minister for Foreign Affairs is concurrently held by Prime Minister Rouvière. The reason for France's sudden decision to change its foreign minister was that there was a high level of opposition to the war against Germany in France.

By this time, France had become a usurious country, profiting mainly from the export of foreign capital. Although the degree of antipathy towards Germany is relatively high at home, how many French people would like to see it if war breaks out.

Besides, how many people on the French government's side were able to hold out after the pressure from the British. Moreover, many people are also soberly aware of the fact that France's national strength has been surpassed by Germany. If the British were really reluctant to intervene, then the French alone could not help the Germans at all.

That's right, every time a war breaks out, all parties involved are running for victory, and if you don't see a chance of victory in the first place, who wants to start a war.

Therefore, the situation of being afraid of the two ends of the wolf with a hemp pole was opened up after France took the lead in making concessions.

And the news from France made Kaiser Wilhelm II also make up his mind to choose peace.

And the relaxation of relations between Germany and France has made European countries breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, Morocco, which caused the outbreak between the two countries, made concessions after some discussion. France withdrew some of its control over Morocco, but joined Spain in retaining police control over Morocco.

It can be said that France took a step back in order not to quarrel with Germany over Morocco. The annexation of Morocco was temporarily abandoned, but some of its police control was still in control. Germany, on the other hand, showed its strength and showed the countries that Germany was determined to be in the colonies.

Of course, it is still too early to say who will take advantage of the two countries, but the relationship between Germany and France will certainly be worse than before, and of course the relationship between Britain and Germany will be worse.