Chapter 662 Bulgaria’s Preparations for Joining the Union
Chapter 662 Bulgaria’s preparations for joining the Union
Author: Butter toasted buns
Chapter 662 Bulgaria’s preparations for joining the Union
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. As a major player in several Balkan wars, the Bulgarians have fully defended the title of Balkan Prussia.
Of course, this also allowed Bulgaria to gain a large land population, and also made it stand out among the Balkan countries and become a powerful country in the region.
However, Bulgaria's development and growth is not a good thing for its neighboring countries, because the ethnic groups in the Balkans are mixed, which can easily lead to territorial disputes.
Therefore, after the Second Balkan War, Greece united with Serbia and Romania to fight against Bulgaria (known as the Third Balkan War in history). As a result of the war, Bulgaria suffered a huge loss, not only losing the territory captured in the Second Balkan War
, and also lost most of the territory in the First Balkan War (Italian-Turkish War).
After the Third Balkan War, the voice of revenge in Bulgaria has never subsided. However, given that Bulgaria’s severely weakened strength, there is no way to regain the lost territory from the three countries. Therefore, Bulgaria’s domestic nationalism turned its guns and blamed the target.
Put it on the government.
Therefore, the domestic political situation in Bulgaria has been very turbulent in the past few years. The anger from nationalists has made the Bulgarian authorities as if they were roasting on fire. In the past few years, Bulgaria has had four prime ministers. One of them was Ignev.
Prime Minister Skye was also assassinated for calling on the people to remain calm and to re-accumulate strength.
This shows that the Bulgarian nationalists have reached all kinds of crazy levels, which can show the negative side of nationalism. The cry for revenge in Bulgaria has made the other three countries always remain highly vigilant against it, and are ready to join forces again to fight again.
A meal in Bulgaria.
It can be said that had it not been for the outbreak of war, Bulgaria would have been beaten again by the three countries if it had not been self-destructed. This is extremely dangerous.
As for why the Bulgarian people are so violent?
The reason is very simple. In the original history, Bulgaria did not occupy much of Macedonia. It was more reflected in the agreement. Although the things that have not been obtained are missed, it will not make people excessive.
And now Bulgaria has occupied most of Macedonia for nearly two decades, and it is suddenly divided between Serbia and Greece. In the eyes of the Bulgarian people, this is already a land cessation as compensation, and it also cedes a land as large as Bulgaria, which will be three-tenths of it.
The Bulgarian people were cut off, so it would be abnormal not to have an overreaction.
This is also the main reason for the political turmoil in Bulgaria in recent years.
After the war broke out, both the Bulgarian government and the people were already eager to give it a try. They had not forgotten that Serbia had taken away the most territory from Bulgaria. If they had not been unable to defeat it at the moment, they would have wanted to teach this shameless man a lesson.
However, it has been delayed until now and has not participated in the war. The main reason is that the conditions have not been negotiated, because Austria-Hungary has not agreed to Bulgaria's request.
Again, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which led the war in Serbia, was unwilling to offer too many benefits to win over Bulgaria. This is actually a typical case of high ambition and low power.
As for who has the deepest experience of two-front warfare at present, it is not Germany that everyone thinks of but Austria-Hungary.
The two Serbian campaigns launched by Vienna were fought heroically by the Serbians on the one hand, and Russia's help on the other. In fact, it was mainly Russia's help.
In the First Serbian Battle, the main reason for Austria-Hungary's defeat was the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Galicia, which forced Vienna to withdraw its troops from attacking Serbia and devote them to the defense of Russia.
As for the Second Serbian Battle, the same was true. After the Austro-Hungarian army entered Serbia, Russia launched a campaign to siege Przemysl. The Przemysl Fortress was the Austro-Hungarian fortress in the Carpathian Mountains. If
If it were lost here, the Russians would invade the hinterland of Austria-Hungary, so the fortress could not be lost under any circumstances. So Austria-Hungary immediately withdrew from Serbia and assembled its forces to try to relieve it.
Unfortunately, the Austro-Hungarian army was defeated by the Russians again, and the fortress was still under siege.
Forget about the third time, it ended in vain in the Russian attack.
The successive defeats woke up the senior leaders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Coupled with Italy's dissuasion, the Austro-Hungarian Empire finally recognized the fact that it would be very difficult to seize Serbia by itself and Italy, which did not contribute much.
Therefore, after receiving the instructions from Vienna, the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador Bateman and the Italian Ambassador went to visit Prime Minister Radoslavov.
After a brief greeting, the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador Bateman was ready to present Austro-Hungarian conditions.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Bulgaria can only get everything it wants by joining our camp. Taking into account the situation of your country, our country is willing to return to you the land it originally seized from your country after liberating the Kingdom of Serbia. In addition, our country is also willing to provide you with
Your country provides 50 million kronor in economic assistance and 30 million kroner in weapons and equipment."
After the Austro-Hungarian ambassador finished speaking, Toledo, who was the Italian ambassador, then spoke. "Prime Minister Radoslavov, the friendship between your two countries has been going on for a long time. Now our country is very willing to see your country join our camp. If
If your country joins, our country is also willing to provide 60 million lire in economic assistance and 40 million lire in arms assistance.”
After hearing the conditions given by the two ambassadors, Prime Minister Radoslavov was very happy. With these funds and arms, the government can at least breathe a sigh of relief and can form two more divisions. However, although he is happy,
But the Bulgarian Prime Minister looked very embarrassed.
"I'm very sorry. I am very willing to join your camp from the bottom of my heart. But you two also know that such an important decision requires His Majesty the King to convene all cabinet ministers to discuss it together, so I would like to invite you two
How about waiting for some time?"
Prime Minister Radoslavov's words, how could the two ambassadors not know that the other's words were excuses. If your king hadn't planned to come closer, there would have been no time for you, the pro-German, Italian-Austrian Prime Minister, to come to power.
At this time, Ambassador Bateman asked, "There must be a time limit. Can the Prime Minister please tell us how long we need to wait?"
Obviously, these words are telling Bulgaria that Italy and Austria need direct generosity from Bulgaria, and there is no possibility of continuing to delay to get more benefits.
"Well, considering that we have to call all the ministers to attend the meeting and discuss and resolve differences and other issues, how about a month?"
How can a meeting be held to discuss issues for a month? It seems that the Bulgarian Prime Minister has fallen into an old habit.
At this time, Ambassador Bateman said, "Our country believes that ten days is enough to negotiate a result."
"Our country thinks so too." At this time, Ambassador Toledo also expressed his attitude of advancing and retreating together with the Austrian and Hungarian ambassadors.
Seeing the serious attitude of the Italian and Austrian ambassadors, Prime Minister Radoslavov felt the pressure. It seemed that it was impossible to use the time to gain more benefits.
"Don't worry, two ambassadors, I will definitely give you a reply in ten days."
After sending these two people away, the prime minister called his secretary. "Get the car ready. I'm going to meet the king."
Soon, the prime minister came to the palace.
"Your Majesty, the ambassadors of Italy and Austria just came to visit me..."
Radoslavov reported the conditions given by the two ambassadors and the alliance's unwillingness to wait to King Ferdinand I.
The king listened to the Prime Minister's report attentively, and asked one or two questions from time to time.
After the Prime Minister finished his report, King Ferdinand spoke. "It is not difficult to understand. Britain and France are attacking Paris, while Russia has also launched an attack on the Eastern Front. The alliance camp is under pressure and needs an additional ally to share some of the pressure.
"
"So you found us?"
In response to the Prime Minister's praise, Ferdinand I nodded and replied. "That should be the case, then we are valuable allies. In this case, then talk to them and try to propose whether the Nis region can be handed over to us. In addition, you can
Talk more about assistance, whether it’s money or arms, we need it all.”
"I'm afraid Italy and Austria won't agree with this condition, right?"
After hearing the conditions offered by the king, Prime Minister Radoslavov felt that it was difficult to negotiate the conditions.
Facing the Prime Minister's words, King Ferdinand did not think that the negotiation was impossible. "Then tell them that we in Bulgaria are willing to send an army to help them fight. As long as we are not sent to the Eastern Front, we can send up to 150,000 people."
."
It is obvious that the Bulgarian king intends to use the army as a bargaining chip so that Bulgaria can gain more benefits. The performance of the three countries of Germany, Italy and Austria on the battlefield made the king believe that this war will definitely end with the victory of the alliance camp. Look.
Looking at the performance of Britain and France in Paris, they lost more than 80,000 people in one day. This performance makes it difficult for people to believe that the Entente camp can win.
When Radoslavov heard the king say how to increase his bargaining chip, his eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, this idea is really brilliant. I believe that even if we are unwilling to confront Russia, the Western Front and North Africa will
The battle line will definitely need troops."
At this time, the Bulgarian Prime Minister was full of confidence and vowed to fight for more interests for Bulgaria.
