(If I don’t finish writing it later, I’ll revise it in an hour)
"Our country is full of sympathy for what your country is going through."
In Paris, the new French Prime Minister Charles de Frescine was talking to Ambassador Osman about France's attitude in his office.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, thank you for France's concern for our country. I wonder if our country's request for your country's help has resulted in any results?"
Ambassador Osman was eager to know France's attitude as soon as he arrived. Faced with the ambassador's inquiry, Fresinet smiled. "Our country has always attached great importance to the friendly relations between the two countries, so your country wants to
The issuance of bonds can be fully supported by the Paris Banking Group. In addition, our country has a number of decommissioned weapons and equipment that can also be sold to you, but the price is..."
Having said this, how could the Ottoman ambassador not understand that it would be good to be able to buy weapons and ammunition at this time, and there is no need to care too much about the price.
"I understand, please rest assured that Osman will pay a suitable price for these weapons."
Since the Ottomans are so on the road, Fresine doesn't mind selling them some other weapons. "As for our latest torpedo boats, they are a powerful tool for protecting the coast from enemy attacks. I wonder if your country is interested?"
"Every Ottoman can feel your country's goodwill, but this matter needs Istanbul to decide, so please don't be offended, Prime Minister."
Faced with the kindness of the French Prime Minister, Ambassador Osman could not make up his mind, because he could not make the decision on the matter, so he could only report it first. Of course, he was still very satisfied with France's attitude, which was really a traditional good ally.
"It's okay, I look forward to your good news."
Although it is not big, only more than 600 meters long, the interior of the palace is extremely luxurious. In order to build the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ottoman Empire invested a lot of money and owed a large amount of foreign debt. It is said that in order to decorate the entire palace,
A total of fourteen tons of gold and forty tons of silver were used.
Therefore, after the palace was built, the sultans chose this place as their residence. Of course, Abdul Hamid II also chose to sit here, but compared with the previous sultans, Abdul Hamid II
German II seemed to live in seclusion here, and could not easily see the Ottoman monarch.
But this time? The threat from Italy? Let Hamid II appear in front of everyone again.
"Message from Rome? Italy wants to use the murder of missionaries in Syria to launch a war against our country."
In the palace, in front of the Sultan and other important ministers? Halim Pasha, who was in charge of diplomacy, told the contents of this discussion.
"Halim, is this news accurate?"
The person asking the question was the Ottoman Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha. The Grand Vizier is equivalent to the position of Prime Minister? It’s just called differently.
"The news is very accurate? This is a telegram sent by the Ambassador to Rome, Mansu. In addition, I also sent someone to inquire about it. Currently, Italy is spreading bad news about our country. In addition, from our international friends, we also learned that Italy
News that the army has canceled vacations and begun mobilizing retired officers and soldiers. And Italy sent a message to the European debt market? They will issue a huge bond."
As Halim Pasha spoke about the current situation in Italy, everyone present looked unhappy. Everyone had been in politics for a long time, so they couldn't figure out what the Italians wanted to do.
As for the international friends Halim Pasha mentioned, no one can have more than three or five close friends.
So after Halim Pasha finished speaking, Kamil Pasha, the Grand Vizier, stood up.
"The current situation is already obvious. The Italians' hostile attitude towards our country is very clear? They can't wait to seize North Africa and Albania from the empire? Our country must not let the Italians succeed in their attempts."
Just as Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha was speaking, a loud bell-like voice sounded.
"They can't even hope to achieve it? His Majesty the Sultan's army will let these Italians know? What is wishful thinking?"
Was it the Minister of War, Field Marshal Osman Nuri Pasha, who spoke? I saw this veteran expressing his attitude angrily.
Is this one of the few famous generals in the Ottoman Empire? In the 10th Turkish-Russian War, he led an army of the Ottoman Empire to hold off 300,000 Russian troops in Pleven for five months. If it were not for the ammunition,
He was still able to hold on despite the lack of food and grass. However, he failed to break through and was captured, which made him less than perfect in the Turkish-Russian War.
However, despite this, after returning to the Ottoman Empire at the end of the war, Nuri Pasha was still warmly welcomed, and Sultan Hamid II personally hosted a welcome ceremony for him.
This also shows his status in the eyes of the Sudan. This is his second time as Minister of War.
Faced with the threat of war in Italy, the old commander stepped forward without hesitation to lead the Ottoman army onto the battlefield again.
Although the words of the Minister of War were very inspiring, Kamil Pasha still had something to say. "Marshal Nuri Pasha, I can understand your mood, and I am as angry as you. But wanting to fight is not good for the empire.
It’s very difficult for me.”
Why did Kamil Pasha say this? Because the Ottoman Empire's treasury is empty and currently cannot even get out five million Ottoman lire.
Speaking of which, the Ottoman Empire was not weaker than Italy in terms of population and economy. Logically speaking, its fiscal revenue should be very good.
Unfortunately, Kamil Pasha, as the Grand Vizier, knows best that the Ottoman Empire is currently heavily in debt, local finances are in a mess, and officials are very corrupt. For every lira turned over to the treasury, at least five or six lira have been stolen.
These officials put it in their own pockets.
This also resulted in the income of the Ottoman government being far less than that of the European powers. In addition, His Majesty the Sultan had to live a decent life, so there was less money to distribute.
In addition, the Ottomans borrowed a lot from foreign countries, all of which must be repaid. In addition, after deducting 7,788 expenses, the Ottoman Empire had a deficit of nearly 100 million Ottoman liras every year.
You must know that although Italy's annual deficit is higher than that of the Ottomans, it is because of large-scale construction and the advancement of its own industrialization. However, the Ottomans have reduced these two huge expenditures, but still have such a high deficit. It is conceivable that the Ottomans
How bad the finances are.
Faced with such a situation, how could Kamil Pasha, the grand vizier, dare to start a war? After all, once the war started, it would require massive financial support. And in a situation like Osman's, where could he find these funds?
"Then let's find loans from other countries. We can't give up these two territories to the Italians just because we are short of money."
As for Kamil Pasha saying that he had no money, Nuri Pasha would certainly not care about the government's financial issues. He was the Minister of War, not the Grand Vizier.
