Chapter 145 A way to win over Tsarist Russia

Germany's diplomatic situation is currently complicated. Although it has formed a Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Italy to fight against the two-nation entente established by France and Russia.

But in fact, Germany still had a lot of contact with the Tsarist Empire, and tried to pull the Tsarist Empire out of the Franco-Russian Entente, or even pull it into the Allies.

With the all-round rise of Germany in industry, economy and military, Germany's diplomatic situation has also ushered in tremendous changes.

Before the unification of Germany, the hegemon on the European continent had always been France. But since the Kingdom of Prussia set foot on France to establish the German Empire, the hegemony of the European continent, especially Western Europe, has been transferred to the German Empire.

But don’t forget that although the British Empire did not personally participate in disputes on the European continent, it had always pursued an isolation policy.

But at the same time, the British Empire was also supporting the relatively weak parties in the struggle for European hegemony, such as the former Kingdom of Prussia.

Germany gained greater advantages in Western Europe, especially when its army and navy were fully developed and its comprehensive strength was able to threaten the British Empire. The British Empire no longer supported Germany and even began to compete with Germany in some places.

Among the relatively powerful powers on the European continent, France is Germany's mortal enemy and strategic target. There is an irreconcilable state between the two countries, and it is basically impossible to resolve the conflict.

After the coronation of Edward VII, the British Empire gradually changed its foreign policy. From the original isolation policy, it has begun to gradually participate in European affairs and exert greater influence on Europe.

However, the British Empire did not clearly stand on either side of the two major European military blocs, but temporarily remained neutral between the two military blocs.

At present, the British Empire is also the target of two major military groups competing to win over. Even William II has repeatedly shown goodwill and wooed Britain.

Apart from the two established powers, Britain and France, the only other powerful countries in continental Europe other than the German Empire were the Tsarist Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Needless to say, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is a member of the Triple Alliance and the only ally that the German Empire can rely on at present.

The Tsarist Empire has also been a target that the German Empire has been wooing. However, due to the good relations and close economic exchanges between France and Russia, it is not easy to turn the Tsarist Empire to the German Empire, and it is even basically impossible to achieve.

More importantly, like Germany and France, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire also had irreconcilable territorial conflicts.

Both countries are adjacent to the Balkans, Europe's powder keg, and both want to try to establish their own spheres of influence in the Balkans.

This situation further made it impossible for Germany and Tsarist Russia to unite, and it was basically impossible to resolve territorial disputes.

Similarly, as allies of the German Empire, the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also had some territorial conflicts.

Although the conflicts between the two countries were initially resolved through the mediation of the German Empire, it was precisely because of this that the formal Three Kingdoms Alliance was established.

But how can the mere resolution of contradictions satisfy people? The Kingdom of Italy was not satisfied with the simple concession of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This was also an important reason why the Kingdom of Italy rebelled and joined the Allied Powers in history.

The German Empire did not understand the importance of distant relations and close attacks to a country.

As great powers with the same ambitions and ambitions, many territorial issues will arise as long as they are adjacent to each other.

This is just like France and Germany. The two countries will basically become hostile because this is the general trend of the country.

Even if it is calmed down and solved in a short period of time due to external forces, the problem itself is still there. As long as there is no winner between the two countries and there is no mutually agreed division of territory, even if an alliance is established, conflicts of interest will lead to division.

Unlike the neighboring allies of the German Empire, the closest distance between the Russian and French alliances is the entirety of Germany. There will be no territorial disputes. This is why the two countries can cooperate closely.

Upon hearing Wilhelm II's inquiry, Foreign Minister Andrew smiled and replied: "I wonder if His Majesty the Kaiser has ever heard of the strategy of distant diplomacy and close attack?"

"Distant friendship and close attack?" William II repeated, and asked with slight interest: "So how to make distant friendship and how to attack closely?"

"Your Majesty the Kaiser, if you count all the neighboring countries of Germany, you will rarely find any that do not have historical territorial disputes with the German Empire. Even your country's current ally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the Kingdom of Prussia in the German region before the establishment of Germany. The biggest enemy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy also have the same problem, and there is a lot of territorial disputes. Although through your country’s efforts, the three countries have been brought together to form an alliance, but I think such an alliance It is loose and extremely easy to break from the inside." Minister Andrew explained.

"Looking carefully at your country's two allies, the only one that can really share some of the battlefield pressure with the German Empire is the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But the Austro-Hungarian Empire itself also has big problems. The ethnic composition in the country is too complex, and there are conflicts between the armies of various ethnic groups. Communication is not easy. Although after the integration of His Majesty Emperor Joseph, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has temporarily condensed into a united country. But if it really faces the dilemma of war, the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is very likely. I think Germany is currently The first task is to try to win over other big countries in Europe, including the British Empire and the Russian Empire, which are the countries that the German Empire should try its best to win over." Foreign Minister Andrew said.

William II did not nod, but looked closely at Minister Andrew.

The method mentioned by Minister Andrew is exactly what the German Empire is currently implementing, and it is also a method that has never been successful.

Although Germany has tried hard to win over the British Empire and the Russian Empire, one of the two countries previously pursued isolationism, and the other had very good and close economic and political relations with France in Europe. Therefore, Germany's efforts to win over eventually failed.

But regardless of whether the method is successful or not, this is a decision that the German Empire has proposed and tried.

If Minister Andrew does not have a good explanation, then even if William II has a good impression of Australia and no matter how close the relationship between Germany and Australia is, they will not be entertained out of thin air.

"Your Majesty, the situation now is different from the past. Based on the analysis of the current situation of the island country, His Highness believes that the conflict between the island country and the Russian Empire will become more and more intense, and a war will even break out within a few years." Minister Andrew also No longer trying to be pretentious, he explained with a smile: "The island country has imported a large amount of army weapons and equipment and warships from the British Empire and Australia, and has also signed an import treaty with us on mineral resources. Various signs indicate that their goals are no longer focused on this country. domestically, but to try to gain hegemony in East Asia.”

"Currently, from an international perspective, the island country has received support from two major powers, including the British Empire and the United States, and because its base camp is in East Asia, there is basically no pressure on logistics. But looking at the Tsarist Empire, its ally France does not support it. Their actions in East Asia were not supported by any other great power except themselves. Under the premise that most of the power of the Tsarist Russian Empire was placed in Eastern Europe, I do not think that a small number of Tsarist Russian troops and fleets would be the opponents of the island country. This was a serious crisis for the Russian Empire."

"But this is also an opportunity for the German Empire. As far as the British Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire are concerned, His Highness believes that it is the Tsarist Russian Empire that is more able to favor or even unite the German Empire. The British Empire is an old power like France and also has a large number of colonies. .Germany's desire to compete for more overseas colonies is also an impact on the British Empire. And because Germany has been developing faster and faster recently, the navy is also impacting the British Empire. This is a great blow to the British Empire's pride in the navy. It is unacceptable for Germany and the British Empire to unite under the conflict, and the possibility of a union between Germany and the British Empire is very small, and it may even lead to hostility."

William II nodded. The thoughts of Arthur mentioned by Minister Andrew are actually the current thoughts of William II and most German officials.

Australia's export of weapons, equipment and warships to island countries seems to be supporting possible enemies of the German Empire, but in fact it is also helping the German Empire create opportunities to win over the Russian Empire.

If the German Empire can win over the Russian Empire, what does it matter if the island country rises in the Far East?

Even if the island country is given a few more decades to develop, it is absolutely impossible to catch up with the development of the German Empire.

It was the confidence that Wilhelm II and all German officials had in the German Empire and all German people.

"As for how to win over the Tsarist Russian Empire, His Highness the Duke has the following suggestions. First, try to weaken the economic ties between France and the Tsarist Russian Empire. After France provided a large amount of loans to the Tsarist Russian Empire, the economy of the Tsarist Russian Empire was basically tied to France. This is the reason why the two countries can unite. As long as France's economic influence on the Russian Empire can be weakened, the plan to unite the Russian Empire will have completed the first step." Minister Andrew said with a smile.

"Oh? Then what?" Seeing that Minister Andrew finally got to the point, William II asked with slight interest.

"The way the German Empire was able to win over the Tsarist Empire was to help it maintain its advantage in East Asia and maintain its hegemony. The Russian Empire's army in East Asia had poor weapons and equipment, and the training quality of its soldiers was low. If a war broke out with such an army, , it would be good to be able to defend the territory, let alone win the war. The German Empire can provide large amounts of loans to the Tsarist Empire under various names, and encourage and support its expansion of the army in East Asia and the replacement of weapons and equipment. As long as the Tsarist Empire in East Asia If their hegemony can be maintained, then they will naturally have a good impression of the German Empire who extended a helping hand to them in this crisis." Minister Andrew said: "Of course, this is only a plan on the surface. Secretly, your country also needs Control some public opinion institutions in the Tsarist Empire, that is, various newspapers and printing plants. On the basis of the German Empire helping the Tsarist Russian Empire to protect its hegemony in East Asia, it will conduct a large amount of propaganda within the Tsarist Russian Empire and strengthen the public awareness of the German Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire. Friendliness and intimacy will also determine the thoughts of the top brass of the Russian Empire.”

Arthur's proposal to William II was very simple, that is, on the premise that Germany successfully helped the Tsarist Russian Empire, he would use public opinion to conduct a large amount of propaganda within the Tsarist Russian Empire to gain the favor of the people of the Tsarist Russian Empire, thus affecting the strategy of the top brass of the Tsarist Russian Empire. .

Public opinion has a huge impact on a country, especially public opinion. As long as you can control the public opinion of a country, you can even influence a country's strategic decisions.

Just imagine, in a Tsarist Russian Empire where all the people in the country had a good impression of the German Empire, even if a war broke out with the German Empire due to the Entente, would the people at the bottom be very enthusiastic about such a war?

Even if you are forced to raise your gun at the enemy due to orders from above, you will not be so cruel due to various mental reasons.

Such wars often develop into false wars. The two sides do not invest too much troops, and the area where the war actually breaks out is very small.

After all, as the saying goes, military orders abroad will be subject to certain restrictions. Especially on the battlefield, a qualified commander must always consider the feelings of the soldiers under his command.

If you act recklessly regardless of the feelings of the soldiers, then you have to worry about whether the army will cause a mutiny.

"Oh? Creating public opinion? What a good idea, hahaha. It's a good plan to start from the bottom of Russia and influence the top of Russia." William II nodded and said with satisfaction.

Although it is still early in the 20th century, public opinion has a huge influence on a country.

Especially in European countries like Britain, France and Germany, although the exploitation of the people by domestic capitalists still exists, it is even very intense.

But the rights that people unite have are so powerful that they can even shake the foundation of a country's government.

If most of the Tsarist Russians unite, even the powerful Tsarist Russian imperial government will have to consider the opinions of the people.

"But there is still a problem, Minister Andrew. France will not sit back and watch us win over the Russian Empire through loans and sales of weapons. I am afraid that as soon as we provide loans to the Russian Empire, France will provide more loans and give away a batch of weapons." After being happy, William II expressed his doubts again.

At present, France and the Russian Empire are still allies who have signed the Entente. Although France does not support the actions of the Russian Empire in the Far East, this does not mean that France will abandon the Russian Empire.

On the contrary, France attaches great importance to the Tsarist Russian Empire as an ally, and will never let the German Empire win over the Tsarist Russian Empire like this.

Although France has gradually fallen behind the German Empire in terms of industry and economy, France can also provide what the German Empire can provide to the Russian Empire.

What's more, France currently has a better relationship with the Tsarist Russian Empire than the German Empire. If the German Empire so directly woos the Tsarist Russian Empire, it will definitely be blocked by France just like before.

"Yes, Your Highness. You are also a European country, and your country and France are neighboring countries. Germany's behavior of wooing the Russian Empire will definitely be known to France and will definitely be stopped by France." Minister Andrew nodded and said To: "Therefore, we cannot directly win over the German Empire this time. We need another country that can provide a large amount of weapons and equipment and has no connection with France to do this."

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