"Your Majesty, Italy hopes to receive support from Portugal."
Prime Minister Toni told the Honorable Emperor Pedro III about the diplomatic request of Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti.
After Italy announced its claim to the Ottoman Turkish territories in North Africa, there was an outcry from the European powers.
Except for the German Empire's clear support for the Kingdom of Italy, other European powers did not support Italy's territorial claims, and even its ally Austria-Hungary did not speak out for Italy.
Austria-Hungary and Italy became allies. They were brought together only through Germany's efforts to bridge the gap. They were never of the same mind.
The so-called Three Kingdoms Alliance is just a defensive treaty. If any of the three countries is attacked by a great power or several hostile powers, the Three Kingdoms Military Alliance will be activated.
Historically, Italy stood on the fence in the early stages of the war because Austria-Hungary and Germany initiated the war first, so according to the treaty, it was legal for Italy not to end.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is also an Allied Power, has territorial disputes with Italy. This time Italy's territorial claim in North Africa is a blatant act of territorial expansion. How could Austria-Hungary support it?
For Austria-Hungary, silent opposition is already the greatest support for Italy.
Of course, Italy also knows about its relationship with Austria-Hungary. What kind of ally? It is Yile. Therefore, it has not spoken out about this ally, and Italy has no entanglement.
For Italy, Austria-Hungary’s lack of opposition is the greatest support!
European powers, except Germany, are generally opposed to Italian expansion, but many other small European countries support Italy.
The countries with this knowledge are also limited to the Balkans.
There are a bunch of countries in the Balkans, such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, etc. These countries have a real blood feud with Ottoman Turkey.
However, after these countries became independent, they did not dare to go to war against Ottoman Turkey alone without the support of the great powers.
The centipede is dead but not stiff.
Although the Ottoman Turkey was a skinny camel, it was not something that these fighting little rams from the Balkans could handle.
Greece once overestimated its capabilities and launched a war against the Ottoman Turks on its own. As a result, Greece was defeated in the Greco-Turkish War and ceded territory to pay compensation.
The results of this war have told these small countries in the Balkans that without the support of the great powers, you are nothing. The so-called liberation by force by yourself is pure fart.
When Italy and Ottoman Turkey have a territorial dispute, the Balkan countries will of course support Italy. They want Italy to inflict heavy losses on Ottoman Turkey and benefit from it.
Of course Italy also knew that the Balkan countries were unreliable, so he began to lobby European countries other than the Allies.
Portugal, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries have no conflict of interest with Italy. Italy hopes that these countries will support him so that the Ottoman Turks can use their weapons to defeat the enemy.
Italy would be very willing to gain territory in North Africa without fighting a war.
Portugal and Spain are the focus of Italy's win over. After all, they are both southern European countries and Latin civilization. If there is support from these two countries, Italy will gain a huge advantage in European diplomacy.
Portugal is the focus of Italy's efforts to win over. Now that Portugal and Brazil have reunited, their strength has skyrocketed and their glory days have returned. If Portugal's support is obtained, Italy will gain a greater advantage over the Ottoman Turkey.
The current Prime Minister of Italy is Giovanni Giolitti. He is a veteran elite politician in the Kingdom of Italy. He has served as Prime Minister for the third time and will have two more times in the future.
(Giolitti, leader of the Liberal Party, served as Prime Minister of Italy five times between 1892 and 1921, namely 1892~1893, 1903~1905, 1906~1909, 1911~1914, 1920~1921)
Giolitti was an excellent politician who improved the living standards of ordinary people through extensive and progressive social reforms when he was in power. The era of his governance is called the Giolitti Era.
Giovanni Giolitti is very confident in Portugal because the relationship between the two countries is very close.
There are a large number of Italians in the Portuguese United Empire, and there are also several important Italian ministers in the cabinet government. The two countries have in-depth exchanges in economic, cultural, military, diplomatic and other aspects.
The second prime minister, Toni, is of Italian descent, and he is inclined to help the Kingdom of Italy with its political requests.
But being willing to help is one thing, but at the national level, Tony still knows the difference. When he conveyed the Italian Prime Minister's intention, he did not add too much of his own feelings.
"Tony, do you think we in Portugal should help Italy?" Tang Ningping said slowly after tasting the milk tea.
"Your Majesty, I think Italy should be helped." Tony quickly came to his conclusion.
"Can you tell me the reason? My Prime Minister!"
"Your Majesty, when I come to this conclusion, although there is a personal aspect on my part, it is more of a national consideration."
Tony said calmly: "Italy is a country in the center of the Mediterranean. It is also a great power, and its relationship with us has always been very good and is a friendly relationship.
Ottoman Turkey is a pagan country, and we in Portugal have no friendship with these MSL countries. Italy is now oppressing Ottoman Turkey. As a friendly country to Italy, it is understandable that we in Portugal express support."
Portugal has never had a good relationship with these green countries in history, and has had a hostile relationship for a long time.
Portugal's movement to regain its lost territories targeted the Moorish Green Country, and in the subsequent Age of Discovery, Portugal was in tit-for-tat confrontation with the Ottoman Turks.
In order to compete for hegemony in the Indian Ocean, Portugal fought against the Ottoman Turks in a series of wars such as the Diu War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Goa War.
Portugal had a glorious history and the country prospered because Portugal gained control of the eastern seas.
Although there is no dispute between Portugal and Ottoman Turkey now, the territory is not bordering, and there is no major diplomatic conflict, Portugal will not mind if it can add insult to injury to Ottoman Turkey.
"Your Majesty, our Portuguese situation in Europe, because of the existence of the old powers, the area we can influence is southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Italy is an important country in Southern Europe and a friendly country to us. If we can be better connected with Italy, I believe Portugal's influence in Europe will be greatly increased.
Italy only wants us for political support and does not require us to participate in the war. Supporting Italy will not cause us any big losses to Portugal, but will gain more friendship from Italy."
"What Mr. Prime Minister said makes sense. Portugal and Italy are friendly countries, and this kind of legitimate diplomatic support is deserved."
Diplomatic support for Italy is nothing more than a simple effort for Portugal and does not cost much.
“As a friendly country to Italy, Portugal’s mere support seems too insincere.
Tony, ask Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti if he needs other support, such as arms, food and supplies. If Italy needs it, Portugal will be happy to provide it. Even if Italy needs military support at a critical moment, we will
Portugal will also seriously consider helping."
This chapter has been completed!