Chapter 306 Persecution

At the end of September 1914, the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were unable to express their views on the Kingdom of Italy. Whether they wanted to declare war on the Allied Powers became more and more impatient.

German Empire Foreign Minister von Kiedren Wachter, Austria-Hungarian Foreign Minister Baron Leopold von Berchdor, jointly went to Rome, the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, to visit the Kingdom of Italy. Of course, its real purpose is to let the Kingdom of Italy join the Allies in fighting.

Of course, this time, they have been officially authorized by Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and they can show a tough attitude in negotiations with the Italians. If the Italians really want to abandon the covenant, then they have to prepare for war with the Kingdom of Italy. However, if the Kingdom of Italy can fulfill the covenant, that would be the best.

The Kingdom of Italy attaches great importance to the joint visit of the foreign ministers of the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although the Kingdom of Italy has not yet made a final decision on whether to join the Allied Powers, they obviously cannot completely offend the Allied Powers before making a final decision. In that case, it would be tantamount to actively blocking the back road, and losing the opportunity to have both sides. Even, when they are on the side of the Allied Powers, they will definitely not get any benefits. Unless the Kingdom of Italy really wanted to remain neutral in this war, they might have to join the Allies in the end. That is unacceptable for Italy. This means that their interests will be greatly lost.

However, what the Italians don't know is that neither the German Empire nor the Austro-Hungarian Empire will give them a choice anymore.

Italian Prime Minister Antonio Salandra held a banquet in the Prime Minister's Palace for the visiting foreign ministers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The ministers of the Italian cabinet all attended this banquet. At the banquet, everyone was drinking and drinking, with smiles on their faces, full of laughter. From this point of view, the banquet this time was undoubtedly very successful. However, this seems to be just an appearance. In fact, both sides have their own ghosts. On the Italian side, they tried their best to find out the bottom line of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but no matter whether it was von Kidren Wachter or Baron Leopold von Berchidor, he could be the Minister of Foreign Affairs. People like old foxes, how could it be easy for the Italians to figure out their bottom line? Therefore, the Italians can be regarded as a waste of work.

After the banquet, von Kidren Wachter and Baron Leopold von Berchdor returned to the hotel where they were staying and rested. But Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra and Italian Foreign Minister Paul Sedley couldn't fall asleep. They drank strong coffee to drive away sleepiness and discussed how to fool the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in tomorrow's talks.

"Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, I am afraid that the visitors this time are not good! If we don't make a clear statement, I am afraid that it will arouse the strong anger of the two countries. Your Excellency Prime Minister, what should we do this time?" Paul Said Leigh is worried.

Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra's expression was also a bit unsightly. What the Kingdom of Italy wants to do is to take advantage of both sides and maximize its benefits. If they fall out with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire now, then their long-term layout will be in vain.

"Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, what do they think? Aren't they afraid that they will push us to one side of the Allied Powers? Damn it, is it possible that they think they have the chance to win? But, in the current battle situation, they obviously You can’t have an absolute advantage.” Antonio Salandra was full of puzzlement.

In fact, this is entirely due to these Italians, who overestimated their abilities too much. They regarded themselves as an indispensable force in determining the outcome of this war, and believed that the Allies and Allied Powers would try their best to win them over. Therefore, they can open their mouths, make those unreasonable demands, and force the allies and allies to curry favor with them according to their intentions. In another time and space, in order to win over the Kingdom of Italy, the Allied Powers and the Entente Powers did accept their unreasonable conditions. It's just that the empty check issued by the Allied Powers is bigger and more attractive. Therefore, the Italians finally chose to betray the Allies and join the Allies to fight.

However, in this time and space, everything is different. Qin Tian, ​​who is deeply aware that the Kingdom of Italy is nothing more than a strong outsider, will not give the Italians another chance to blackmail them. Whether the Italians join the Allied Powers will have little impact on the future of the war. Therefore, Qin Tian didn't care at all whether the Italians would betray the covenant and join the Allied Powers.

If the Kingdom of Italy had the power as powerful as the United States, maybe Qin Tian would think about it. But alas, the Kingdom of Italy is not the United States. They have ambitions in vain, but they do not have the corresponding strength. Therefore, the final result is that the bamboo basket fetches water in vain.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, let's wait until tomorrow when Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire make specific requests, and then we will reply according to the situation. However, no matter what, we must delay as much as possible." Paul Sedley Said.

Antonio Salandra nodded, there was no other way. He always had a premonition that this time might be a difficulty for the Kingdom of Italy.

The next day, the formal talks started in the reception room of the Prime Minister's Palace. German Foreign Minister von Kiedren Wachter and Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Leopold von Berchdor sat on one side, Italian Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra and Foreign Minister Paul Sedley side.

Except for the translators and recorders of both sides, there was no one else in the meeting room. The content of this meeting is also highly confidential.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The war has broken out for almost two months. However, the Kingdom of Italy has been making excuses and delaying participation in the war. Are you trying to break the covenant? Your Majesty the Emperor, I am very dissatisfied with this. We are here this time. Rome, I just hope that the Kingdom of Italy can give us a clear answer immediately." Von Kidren Wascht's attitude was very tough.

"The Austro-Hungarian Empire has the same attitude. We can't wait like this forever. Whether the Kingdom of Italy still wants to fulfill the covenant, we must give us an answer immediately!" Leopold von Berchdor also said.