"Count Zolny, our country is also very sad about what happened to your crown prince, so we also fully agree with your country's feelings. Therefore, our country is still very willing to support your country within the scope of its ability."
Sure enough, Count Zolny's intuition was right. This opening and the words of Prime Minister Cruz were obviously sympathetic to the experience of Archduke Ferdinand, but the core of it was the word "within one's ability". The scope of this "one's ability" is large.
It's big enough to help Austria-Hungary fight a war, but small enough to not be able to help with any trade disputes.
Of course, for Count Zolni, the Italian Prime Minister's opening was just a skillful use of words.
"Thank you very much for your sympathy for the murder of our crown prince. Our country is also extremely sad about this. Therefore, our crown prince's death cannot be in vain. This is the testimony of the murderer of the crown prince. Behind it is the instructions from the Serbian military and intelligence agencies, as well as the instructions given
Its convenience. Therefore, our country believes that the Kingdom of Serbia must punish it and eliminate its military and intelligence agencies that create terrorist acts."
Although Count Zolny's words were said euphemistically, whoever was present and was not a seasoned old fox would certainly be able to discern the intention behind his words. If nothing else, just to eliminate Serbia's hostility would definitely require military means to overthrow its regime.
, whether this country can still exist by then is a question.
Of course, Count Zolny's words cannot be directly refuted. After all, he is a righteous person. No country wants to see a terrorist organization causing trouble in its own country.
So Prime Minister Cruz stood up and said. "Count Zolny, we completely agree with your country's approach. Only by eradicating the terrorist ideas in the Kingdom of Serbia can we bring it back to normal track. Our country fully agrees with your country's ideas."
Agreed."
Although Prime Minister Cruz expressed Italy's agreement, if you listen carefully, you will find that although Prime Minister Cruz said that he agreed, he did not say how he agreed with the law. It was verbal agreement but substantial help. The difference is huge.
What a difference.
As Count Zolny, who has spent half his life in the diplomatic world, how could he not understand the meaning of his words, but he seemed to be a normal person.
“Thank you very much for your country’s support for our country. We are allies on the same front as your country in dismantling Serbia’s terrorist ideology. Therefore, our country has a heartless request, that is, we hope that your country can assist our country.
, and work together to eliminate the terrorist ideology in Serbia.
In addition, I have another piece of news that I would like to inform you. In view of the complicated public sentiment in Tyrol, our country is willing to hold a referendum in the region. The people in the region will vote on their own in a referendum and let them decide on their own.
Of course, considering the complex public sentiment in the area and the heavy workload, our country has decided to divide it into three parts for a referendum. Currently, it is discussed that the Trento region further south will hold the first batch of referendums, and the time is set to be one month
after."
Well, as a big country, Count Zolny is also very experienced, and the division of territory is so fresh and refined. Of course, this has a lot to do with the complexity of the Austro-Hungarian nation. After all, speaking directly of territorial division would hurt Vienna.
of self-esteem.
What's more important is that Austria-Hungary can't afford to lose face. Italy has only been independent for a long time. Before, it was Austria-Hungary's younger brother. Over the years, it has surpassed itself, and it's difficult to deal with it emotionally.
If it were not for the need to face the threat from Russia, Austria-Hungary would definitely not be willing to give this important piece of land to Italy. And the argument is so trendy, a referendum?
Who doesn’t know that this area is a gathering place for Italians, and it is basically inhabited by Italians. As long as there is no fraud in the referendum, it will definitely belong to Italy.
Therefore, everyone was as happy as eating ice cream in the dog days of Count Zolny. This scene of Austrians bowing their heads and begging for help, especially from Italy, is a rare sight in a hundred years.
Although the scene was difficult to see, everyone was very clear-headed and did not get carried away by the news.
"Count Zolny, since we are going to give a referendum to the Tyrol region, why not vote for the entire region together? It would be too troublesome to divide it into three parts. Let's increase the manpower in the region at our country's expense for the referendum vote.
."
Prime Minister Cruz fully demonstrated the standards of a qualified prime minister. He also used the topic of the referendum to demonstrate the negotiations between the two countries on the Tyrol region.
Of course, everyone knows that this is obviously a referendum, but in reality it is the benefit of Italy firmly standing behind it.
Therefore, no one dares to underestimate every word spoken by the other party, which is a reflection of the conditions after negotiation.
"We appreciate your country's kindness, but it is related to the referendum in the region, so your country does not need to provide funds and manpower. As for a referendum in the entire region, this is impossible. Our country has its own national conditions. The region is divided into three times.
Holding a referendum also shows that our country attaches great importance to the public opinion in the region."
"No, the referendum in this region can only be held once, because holding it multiple times will cause possible instability in the region, which is very detrimental to the stability of the border between your two countries."
At this time, the two were no longer well-dressed big men, but like two grocery shopping customers and hawkers, arguing over every detail. The two argued from morning to afternoon, and ended in the evening.
Don't get me wrong, this is not an agreement, but the two of them are low on energy and need to rest. In addition, Count Zolny needs to be given some private space to report the situation to Vienna.
This kind of negotiation lasted for three days. During these three days, the conditions of the two parties gradually overlapped. This means that the negotiation has come to an end and is about to be concluded.
Finally, after some wrangling, the two finally finished talking and reached a consensus.
For a diplomatic negotiation involving many aspects such as war, territory, etc., it is extremely fast to conclude the negotiation in three days. Just to test the attitudes of the two parties, three days is not enough.
But who knew that now is an extraordinary period, and everything needs to be simplified, so the negotiation between the two did not involve diplomacy. Otherwise, it would not be considered a negotiation if it had not lasted for three to five months.
The final result of three days of emergency talks was that Austria-Hungary would give the southern Tyrol region to Italy in one month, and after another six months, no matter what happens, Austria-Hungary would give the remaining northern Tyrol region to Italy.
Of course, Italy will also have to pay a price for acquiring the Tyrol region, and will cooperate with Austria-Hungary's punitive actions against Serbia. In addition, if Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary, Italy must also maintain the same attitude as Austria-Hungary.
In addition, if Austria-Hungary deals with the Kingdom of Serbia in the future, Italy must also maintain a supportive attitude.
At this point, Austria-Hungary has received the full support of Italy, which reassures Austria-Hungary about the security of its southern part and also found a reliable helper.
In addition to the good news from Italy, news also came from Berlin. Germany once again reiterated its commitment to Austria-Hungary. The Kaiser did not forget his previous remarks because of the death of Archduke Ferdinand.
These two pieces of good news have given Austria-Hungary a lot of confidence. Now they will let the Serbians know the terrible consequences of such a stupid assassination.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
I will resume the third update tomorrow. Something has delayed me. I am sorry.
