"Recognition of the independence of Belgium and the Duchy of Alsace-Lorraine, a three-year truce with Algeria, cession of the colony of Texas. Don't you think it's too much to ask? ”

Although Kafenjak was well aware of the current situation, he did not quite understand the state of affairs in France at this time.

He continued to consider Belgium and the Alsace-Lorraine region, as well as Algeria, to be French territory.

In fact, these lands were out of French control, and that was the biggest concession Franz could make.

If the problems of the Duchy of Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine could not be solved, then Franz was the sinner of the nation and the Confederacy.

"The Principality of Belgium and the Principality of Alsace-Lorraine were both part of the German Confederation, and your country needs only acknowledge this fact.

As for the war between your country and Algeria, there have been too many casualties, so we hope that both of you will suspend the war and give the people a chance to breathe.

As far as I know, the so-called Texas colonies have never been under the leadership of the Second French Republic, and all the officials sent by your country have inexplicably disappeared.

So this is not a loss for your country. ”

It was naturally impossible for Kafenjac to agree with Franz's words, although the latter was telling the truth.

"The appetite of the Austrian Empire is too great, the question of Belgium is set aside for the time being, and Alsace-Lorraine has been part of France since ancient times!"

Kafenjak was right, and Franz was still unfazed.

"Just two hundred years ago today, your country took Alsace Lorraine from our hands, where did you say that it has been said since ancient times?

I'm just trying to get this account back for my ancestors. ”

In 1648, at the Peace of Westphalia, Austria ceded Alsace Lorraine to France.

Kafenjak was not a good politician, as evidenced by the fact that he would choose democratic elections after taking control of the political situation, and eventually lose power.

"There's no other way?"

Franz smiled.

"Of course there is, it can be in the form of a democratic referendum."

"A democratic referendum?"

"That's right, isn't that what your government has been pursuing?"

At this moment, Kafenjak's eyes lit up with hope again.

"So as long as the people of Alsace Lorraine were willing to remain in France, would the German Confederation abandon its claims to the region?"

Franz just smiled and didn't answer, he was just teaching Kafenjak how to explain it to the country, and he didn't really want to give up Alsace Lorraine.

In fact, Franz was so confident in the referendums that after the two Alsace Lorraine crises, coupled with a series of crushing defeats and massacres by the French army, he did not believe that the locals still had general illusions about France.

But Franz could not support such a thing, after all, he was the representative of autocracy and power. And no one can guarantee that the French will not have a black-box operation.

It's fine if Franz doesn't get involved, but if he does, if something really goes wrong, it's shooting himself in the foot.

And if you take 10,000 steps back, why did Franz help Kafenjak because he felt that things were going too smoothly to find excitement for himself?

Kafenjak wasn't stupid, he understood what Franz meant. This is indeed a good way out and can gag a lot of people's mouths.

Even if it is to blame, it can only be blamed on those Germans who have no Gallic ancestry, and it can be said that some great powers are secretly manipulating the elections at the right time

Thinking of this, Kafenjak's heart was much more settled, and since there was a way to solve it, the Alsace Lorraine problem was no longer a problem.

Franz naturally understands the reason, so he needs the French to referendum themselves, after all, whoever makes the first move will be passive.

As for whether Kafenjak will jump over the wall and come up with a result that all the Alsatian Lorrainians want to stay in France?

Of course, it is possible, and Kafenjak may even take the opportunity to declare war on the German Confederation again.

But the conditions did not allow it, and France at this time had no strength to fight again, and the same reasons applied to the French were to the German nationalists.

So in the end, the French could only give a referendum result that satisfied Franz, which saved a lot of trouble in the future.

"The Algerian question is an internal rebellion in our country, and will the German Confederation also intervene?"

I have to say that this Mr. Kafenjak is still very clever, and he will actually learn and sell on the spot, and call the actions of the German Confederation interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Kafenjak's intention was obvious, to slap Franz in the face. Although you will lose on the table, you can't admit defeat in words.

Franz smiled indifferently, with a hint of contempt.

"We are just worried about the humanitarian problems that come with the continuation of the war. If your country wants to continue the war, then please.

If you feel that it is a civil war in your country, then please follow the rules of civil war.

But I must remind you that if your war endangers our interests, it is no longer your civil war, and we are not required to observe the armistice that has been established at this time. ”

Although Franz said it soundly, everyone knew the threat. What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get at the negotiating table.

This article seems to protect the Duke of Omar in Algeria, but in fact it is also a protection for the fragile Second French Republic at this time.

Popular uprisings, rebels, royal parties and careerists, if France does not cease war with Algeria, then it is possible for Duke Omar to take advantage of the chaos and eventually succeed.

Although the Orleans family was considered a pro-Austrian force in France at this time, Franz did not think that the Duke of Omar would have a sense of dependence with the Austrian Empire after taking power in France.

I am afraid that after Duke Omar has eliminated his enemies at home, the Austrian Empire, which was once a foreign aid, will become his greatest enemy.

This has nothing to do with the personal qualities of the Duke of Omar, in fact there are only two directions in which France wants to expand on the European continent, one is Italy and the other is Germany.

These two regions happen to be the territory of Austria, and both sides are regional powers and powers, so from a geopolitical point of view, the contradictions between the two sides cannot be reconciled.

Contradictions are unlikely to cease unless one country gains an overwhelming advantage and the other is in prolonged chaos.

Theoretically, Kafenjak won the game, but he was not happy at all and began to sweat profusely.

At this time, France was completely in a passive position in the war with Algeria, and the defection of the Great Eastern fleet directly reversed the situation in the Mediterranean.

The Duke of Omar could easily destroy the fragile coastal defenses of southern France with a powerful fleet.

France's naval strength has always been not weak in history, especially in the Mediterranean, so it attaches far less importance to coastal defense than Austria and Venice.

At this time, it was too late for France to temporarily cram, so it could only sit back and watch Duke Omar loot supplies and people everywhere.

For Duke Omar, the first issue was to keep Algeria alive, when most of Algeria's supplies had to be imported from Austria in large quantities.

Once the Austrian Empire ceased supply, the Duchy of Algeria would become the French Viceroyalty of Algeria.

In order to completely exterminate the Algerians, the French destroyed a large amount of farmland and converted it into grapes, which led to extremely high food prices in Algeria.

The historical Duke of Omar also had a heavy army, but he fled without firing a shot, and even worse than not having a strong enough navy to fight the Great Eastern Fleet was that Algeria did not have enough food reserves to support the war.

I must say that our book friends are still very powerful. I've guessed everything I'm going to write, but this referendum can't be dominated by Germany or the locals.