The train is speeding along the railway line, and the clanking sound of the wheels passing over the joints of the rails is continuous and powerful, like a lullaby that induces drowsiness.
However, amidst this clanging sound, Carlo was not sleepy at all, because he was checking the results of this visit. That's right. The Italian delegation has returned. After solving the colonial issue with Germany, everything else will not be a problem.
.
The clear instructions from the German government allowed Italy to quickly complete negotiations with major companies.
Sometimes I have to say that the Germans are doing a good job, because the technologies they brought back this time are all very good. The barrel self-tightening technology they brought back from Krupp, the dye technology they brought back from Farben Chemicals, and the technology they brought back from Bayer
The pharmaceutical technology that came back, as well as various technologies brought by other companies.
These technologies are urgently needed for the development of Italian industry. Of course, in addition to these, there are various other technologies.
Carlo was reviewing these technologies, but he said he was reviewing them, but he was actually testing the results.
Carlo was very satisfied with his visit to Germany. Although Germany forced Italy to open its colonies, the Germans did not treat them badly. All technologies were needed by Italy.
Carlo looked at these documents selflessly, completely unaware of a figure appearing in front of him.
"Your Majesty, we are about to arrive in Rome!"
The voice of the captain of the guard came from beside him, asking Carlo to put down the documents in his hand.
"It's all here now, I almost forgot about it."
After putting down the document in his hand, Carlo turned to look at his captain of the bodyguard and rubbed his swollen eyes.
There were only a few people in the carriage where Carlo was, so he didn't act so formal.
After a while, the buildings of Rome appeared outside the train window, and the speed of the train gradually slowed down.
Of course, this also reminds passengers that this trip is about to arrive at the station.
After the train stopped, the people on the platform who were in charge of greeting them immediately came forward, headed by senior cabinet officials including Prime Minister Despretis and others.
"Your Majesty, you have had a hard time visiting Germany this time."
Facing the Prime Minister's greeting, Carlo immediately stepped forward to hold his hand and said, "It's nothing, we are all working for Italy."
When Carlo said this, the Prime Minister's hesitant expression caught his attention.
"What's the matter, Prime Minister?"
"The French government sent a note, hoping that our country would participate in negotiating a treaty on the Suez Canal."
"What?"
When faced with the Prime Minister's words, Carlo was a little surprised because he had not received the news at all.
Well, the Prime Minister didn’t know about this news for long. This is because after France failed to win over Egypt, in order to prevent the British from monopolizing the Suez Canal, they tried to unite other countries to force the British to make the Suez Canal an open channel to other countries.
Public canal.
Of course, in addition to inviting Italy, France has also extended invitations to other countries. Which countries are they?
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Ottomans are all countries that have a need for the Suez Canal. Just look at these countries. They all have colonies in the East or have huge interests in the East.
Such a massive action is enough to show that other countries are worried about Britain's control of the Suez Canal. There is no way, this canal is too important to all countries, and no one wants this canal to be controlled by one of the countries.
Even the British Empire, which was at its peak, could not reassure other countries.
After hearing what the Prime Minister said, Carlo thought for a moment and said, "Then let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond to France's note and inform them that we in Italy are very happy with this."
There is no way, Italy's current overseas colonies need to pass through the Suez Canal. Since France is the organizer, why doesn't Italy participate? Even if the British want to deal with this, they should look to France.
When Carlo answered, the Prime Minister and others also breathed a sigh of relief. You must know that Carlo started his career as an anti-French, and he was able to agree to this note from France. This also shows that the young king is not a brainless anti-French.
, there is also a choice.
"By the way, does France have any conditions for negotiation this time?"
After leaving the train station, Carlo, who was sitting in the carriage, asked the Prime Minister who was sitting with him.
"some."
The Prime Minister took out a thick stack of documents from the briefcase he carried with him and said, "This is France's plan for the Suez Canal."
After receiving the document from the Prime Minister, Carlo began to read it. This document listed sufficiently detailed terms.
As Article 1 states: The Suez Maritime Canal shall, in time of war as in peacetime, be freely open to all merchant ships or warships regardless of flag. Therefore, the contracting parties agree not to interfere with the canal in time of war as in peacetime.
Free to use. Canals should in no way be subject to blockades.
This prevents the British from using the Suez Canal to threaten other countries, which is very important to all countries.
In addition, as enumerated in Article 2, the Contracting Parties consider the Freshwater Canal to be an indispensable part of the Maritime Canal and note the commitment of His Highness the Governor of Egypt to the International Suez Canal Company regarding the canal on the river. The Contracting Parties undertake not to interfere with the canal and
The safety of its tributaries does not hinder the use of the canal.
This is to prevent the Egyptians and the contracting parties from any sabotage activities on the canal. This is also for the benefit of all countries.
Additionally Article 3: The Contracting Parties undertake to respect the factories, facilities, buildings and works belonging to the Maritime Canal and the River Canal.
Article 4: In accordance with the provisions of Article 1 of this Treaty, the Ocean Canal shall serve as a free navigation channel during wartime and shall remain open even to warships of belligerent countries. The contracting parties agree not to use the canal and its ports and within a radius of three miles of these ports.
Any act of war or hostility, or any act aimed at obstructing the free navigation of the canal, shall not be allowed, even if the Ottoman Empire is a belligerent.
Unless there are special needs, warships of the belligerents shall not load or store military supplies in the canal and its ports. The above-mentioned warships shall pass through the canal as quickly as possible in accordance with the regulations currently in force, and shall not make any stop unless necessary for official duties.
.
The warship shall not stay at the anchorage in Port Said and Suez for more than twenty-four hours unless it is in distress. If it is in distress, it must leave as soon as possible. The period between the departure of a belligerent ship from a port and the departure of the enemy ship
There should be a twenty-four hour interval.
Article 5: During wartime, the warring parties are not allowed to load or unload troops, ammunition or military supplies in the canal and its ports. However, if a sudden obstacle occurs in the canal, troops and corresponding equipment in detachments of no more than one thousand people may be loaded and unloaded.
Quantities of military supplies.
These regulations are all to ensure the safety of the canal.
These terms were very beneficial to Italy, but the negotiation lacked the British who actually controlled the Suez Canal, which made Carlo have some concerns about it, but he kept it in his heart and did not say it out loud.
However, when he returned to the palace, he was interrupted by the visiting Minister of War before he was eager to reunite with his family.
"Your Majesty, the army's new rifle has been prototyped. Would you like to take a look?"
