Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

v3 Chapter 397: The Great Triangle of Britain, France an

On May 20, 1868, Inmanuel II of the Kingdom of Italy officially visited Paris, France, and London, the British Empire, to mediate between the British Empire and the French Empire. In the middle, what kind of ambitions does Inmanuel II have in sympathy with Queen Victoria?

Facing such a situation, William IV was a little confused by Inmanuel II's actions at this time.

There is no fundamental conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the French Empire. Both sides have historically been countries in the Tianzhu region, and there are few border conflicts.

The geopolitics of the British Empire is to contain any country on the Eurasian continent that may challenge the British Empire's maritime hegemony. The French Empire has actually helped Italy attract a lot of firepower from the British Empire, because the British Empire will be in the Mediterranean. I'm competing with France, The intention is that Egypt in the east and Gibraltar in the west are the strongholds to control the import and export of the entire Mediterranean Sea, and even encroach on the central Mediterranean.

Therefore, on the Mediterranean issue, there is no fundamental conflict of interests between the two countries. After all, the common opponent is the existence of the British Empire.

Both countries are Catholic-Catholic countries, which are different from Protestantism in England. Therefore, both countries respect the Roman-Ma-Holy See. On the contrary, the British Empire is very wary of this.

The religious-sectarian interests of the two countries have many common interests. If Italy can get closer to the French Empire, or even form an alliance, it will be beneficial to both sides. France and Italy are complementary in many aspects.

For example, Italy's location and population, France's advanced agriculture and industrial technology that is not far behind Britain, and the naval cooperation between the two countries are very intimidating against British hegemony in the Mediterranean. The alliance between the two countries will change the progress of Italy's industry, and it will also change the current pattern of Europe.

At the same time, the rumors that the two countries will form a new Roman alliance have never been denied by officials of the two countries. This makes people know that this is a signal that the two countries are trying to get closer, and maybe it is also a signal that the two countries are deliberately testing other countries.

In a sense, the British Empire, the French Empire, and Italy are also a big triangle, and Italy is the relatively weak side of the triangle.

Therefore, Italy adopts a policy of flattering on both sides, which is an optimal solution in terms of geopolitical strategy.

The French Empire was very satisfied with Italy's support for Venice at the beginning, but then after Italy defeated Austria, France kicked and asked for territory, but Italy was very dissatisfied after it was given.

Therefore, the relationship between the two countries has changed from fickle to bad.

Therefore, during the recent visit of Inmanuel II in Paris, Napoleon III did not mention this territorial claim, but supported Italy by extending his sovereignty over Venice again. At the same time, Napoleon III stated that he would never interfere in the internal affairs of Italy.

About Inmanuel II's trip to England and France, "European Times" interviewed William IV.

"The stability of the Mediterranean is inseparable from the friendly relations between the British Empire, the French Empire and the Kingdom of Italy.

"European Times": In Manuel II's visit to the French Empire Paris is the highlight of this visit. The second visit of Inmanuel II was the first visit of Inmanuel II to the French Empire since the two countries fought together against the Austrian Empire in Venice in 1859, and during this visit, Inmanuel II also shared Napoleon III reviewed the war soldiers who helped Italy resist the Austrians. Inmanuel II also issued medals to some of them, which made the Parisians very happy. We noticed that before the visit, both countries had made a Low-key, so how do you interpret it? Do you think the current conditions are ripe for a warmer relationship between Italy and France?

William IV: This question is very worth thinking about. Italy is a country with a somewhat conspicuous position. Everyone knows that it is Rome-Ma-Holy-See, so it is born with a great power status.

Therefore, we treat Inmanuel II as the king of a big country. From a geopolitical point of view, Italy and France are both located in the central and northern part of the Mediterranean Sea on the European continent, and they are two neighboring powerful countries in Europe.

The population of Italy and France is 35 million, and the other is more than 24 million. The total is nearly 60 million, which is comparable to the population of the Russian Empire. The industries of the two countries are naturally far from comparable to the traditional agricultural country of the Russian Empire.

Therefore, the relationship between Italy and France can never be underestimated, because it is a matter of the fate of nearly a third of Europe's population, right?

Although Italy joined the International Court of Justice in The Hague and built a geopolitical encirclement to the north and south of the French Empire, it also has its own independent tradition and is not constrained. Italy joined this organization and, to a certain extent, hopes to be in Europe. Being able to play the role of leader or leader in the pattern~lightnovelpub.net~ The Netherlands knows this, and the UK and France also know this mentality of Italy, so London and Paris both acquiesce to the role of Italy as a great power, and both agree with this. The Italian government should be happy to visit the two countries as a major power.

But Italy also sees a problem, that is, can the promises of Britain and France be credible? I think to judge whether the commitments of various countries are reliable, there is a litmus test, that is, when countries are dealing with internal issues, whether foreign countries intervene and whether they respect your national interests.

William IV went on to say that Italy's location and strategic significance are very important, so major countries will take it as a strategic priority to win over it. Therefore, it is foreseeable that there will be incense pot pots for some time in the future.

However, if Italy does not take advantage of this rare opportunity, it will lose its historical opportunity for development, which will be a pity for many people in the future.

"European Times": What role can the Netherlands play in this? What can the Netherlands gain and lose from it?

William IV: We play a role in promoting. Everyone knows that the rise of the Netherlands is almost synchronous with Italy, both around 1860. The Netherlands is mainly ahead economically, but military and political. Both countries have risen after being recognized by other countries.

But the way the Netherlands has risen is different. We chose not to be in Europe, but focused on the Far East, where we built another nest, our new home.

So we are far away from the European continent, more stable and safer.

Italy, on the other hand, is in Europe and the opposite African continent. Inmanuel II pressed the treasure by his side, so the two countries have taken different paths in this regard.

I don't know the result yet, so I don't answer.

As for what the Netherlands lost and gained?