Chapter 305 Birmingham Peace Agreement

The next point of contention between the two sides is to restore the territorial status of the Papal State before the last war. The Papal State is located in the middle of the Apennine Peninsula. Once the previous territory is restored, Italy can be cut off in the middle.

Friedrich: "The status of the Papal State is transcendent, but the Kingdom of Italy continues to encroach on the territory of the Papal State through successive conspiracies. We should put the Papal State in a special position. The Papal State does not participate in international affairs. affairs, but no country is allowed to invade the Papal State, otherwise the invader is the enemy of God, and anyone has the right to destroy him."

In other words, turning the Papal State into a vase, or a permanent neutral country, will have no impact on other countries. Only the forces in Italy that want to unify will be affected, as uncomfortable as a fish bone stuck in the neck.

Gamor, of course, objected: "The Kingdom of Italy does not recognize the existence of the Papal State. It is just a puppet of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

Friedrich: "Even being a puppet is better than being destroyed by an evil country like Sardinia! Is this the attitude of your Kingdom of Sardinia towards the Pope and God?"

When it came to religious issues, the Austro-Hungarian Empire gained an advantage. After all, the Papal State still had some influence among believers in the world.

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Earl Granville said: "Okay, since we all have differences, let's analyze and discuss them one by one."

The Austro-Hungarian Empire's ideal state for Italy is to dismember Italy and recover the Venetian-Lombardy region. However, the idea of ​​the Kingdom of Italy is no longer important. Now it depends on the attitudes of Britain and Russia.

The British have interests in the Kingdom of Sardinia, so they hope to keep the Kingdom of Italy intact, but it is impossible to expect the Austro-Hungarian Empire to stop its troops and allow Italy to unify. Especially now, when Italy's defeat is certain, the best thing is to let the Russians be the villain.

So Count Granville said to the Russian Foreign Minister: "Your Excellency Gorchakov, what do you think of this matter?"

Gorchakov: "I don't have much opinion, but I think the integrity and unity of the Kingdom of Italy should be respected. We also support the independence of the Kingdom of Naples."

Everyone supports and everyone opposes it. Gorchakov did not mention the Papal State. After all, for religious reasons, Gorchakov would not speak well for the Papal State. It is best to get it over with as soon as possible, and then the Orthodox Church will gain the right to speak in Christianity.

The reason for expressing goodwill towards the Kingdom of Naples is naturally because the independence of the Kingdom of Naples will basically not change, unless a country really goes to war with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This country can be Britain, France, or even Prussia, but it must not be Russia.

Although Russia is very angry with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is impossible to fight with the Austro-Hungarian Empire for Italy, especially now that the Kingdom of Italy has ceased to exist in name only, the Kingdom of Naples has been restored, and the value of the Kingdom of Italy has also been greatly reduced. A complete Italy can barely contain the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and one-third of Italy can only be defeated by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even if Russia sends troops now, there is a high probability that it will not change the current situation in Italy. At most, it will give Hungary and Czechoslovakia some blows in the east. If Russia does this, Austria will probably not be surprised but happy. One of the foundations for the continued existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is Russia. exist. Even if it succeeds, the final results will not fall into their own hands, but will let the British get a free advantage.

Therefore, intervening in Italy is a thankless task for Russia. Gorchakov is not at all interested in the provocation of the British. If he really wants to help Italy, it depends on the attitude of the British.

Seeing that Gorchakov was not interested in the Kingdom of Italy, Count Granville had no choice. It just so happens that France has been abolished at this time, and there is currently nothing that can be done about Italy. It is impossible for Britain to really come!

Count Granville still knew that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had become the biggest winner this time, which was a matter of winning big and winning small. Since the Austro-Hungarian Empire cannot be stopped, try to minimize the Austro-Hungarian Empire's gains.

Count Granville: "The Kingdom of Italy bears a lot of responsibility for this war, but the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not without its responsibilities. The war could have been completely avoided. I think it would be better for both of you to take a step back. After all, the war is here. At this point, the results are already obvious.”

By saying this, Count Granville recognized on behalf of Britain that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had won the war, but he also wanted to fight for the Kingdom of Italy.

Friedrich: "We can make concessions, but at most Sicily can remain within the Kingdom of Italy, but that's all."

The people of Sicily were originally opposed to the rule of the Kingdom of Naples, so this could still be given up. If it weren't for the instigation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the pressure on the Kingdom of Italy, the Kingdom of Naples would not even intend to take over this hot potato.

Gamor: "Austro-Hungary has no sincerity for peace. Sicily is already under our control, so it cannot be counted as a condition for negotiation."

Friedrich: "Haha, the initiative to change the war situation is now in our hands. If we want to further dismember Italy, no one can stop us."

Friedrich's words aroused opposition from Britain and Russia, but they also realized that if the Kingdom of Italy did not surrender, the Kingdom of Sardinia might not even exist by then. Although the situation in Italy is already very bad, it is relatively Comparing the Papal State and the Kingdom of Naples, they still have an overall advantage.

Count Granville said: "Venice can return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but Lombardy cannot. The Kingdom of Naples will no longer merge with Sicily, and will never restore the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Papal State will remain unchanged."

Friedrich: "Lombardy must return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Papal State's demand to take back its eastern territories is reasonable."

Gamor: "No! Lombardy and Venice are both indivisible territories of the Kingdom of Italy. We firmly oppose the hegemony and aggression of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

Friedrich spread his hands and said: "Your Excellency Count Granville, you have also seen it. It is not that we in the Austro-Hungarian Empire do not want to negotiate. Since the Italians have made their choice, don't blame us for continuing the war!"

Count Granville threatened Gamor with a cold face: "Italy, as the initiator of the war, should accept punishment and not continue to be evil."

In essence, Count Granville still protects the Kingdom of Italy, and he also wants the Kingdom of Italy to cooperate with him. If Italy loses this time, it will lose. If Italy had not performed poorly on the battlefield, Britain would not be so passive, so Italy can only Accept British mediation and accept defeat.

Count Granville said to Friedrich: "Venice can be given to your country, but Lombardy must not return to Austria. This is Britain's bottom line."

Friedrich bargained: "Lombardy does not need to completely return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but the eastern third must accept Austro-Hungarian rule."

This was a benefit promised to the Hungarians, so they naturally had to get it. After careful consideration, Earl Granville agreed to this.

As a result, under Anglo-Austrian consultations, the Italian-Austrian War ended, the Austro-Hungarian Empire acquired Venice and one-third of Lombardy, the Papal State recovered its territory along the eastern Adriatic Sea, and the Kingdom of Naples became independent and recognized by the international community.

As for the Kingdom of Italy, under the threat of the British, they were forced to sign the peace agreement. The British essentially preserved the Kingdom of Italy. The Kingdom of Sardinia, Sardinia, Sicily, and most of Lombardy remained within the Kingdom of Italy. , the overall strength in the Italian region is still first.

The meeting took place in Birmingham, England, so the "1871 Peace Agreement between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire" is also called the "Birmingham Peace Agreement."