My Italian

Italy was bitten to death as long as the attitude of Borneo, along with the two ambassadors, also let the senior leaders of the UK and the Netherlands know.

In London, Gladstone, who became prime minister for the fourth time, was extremely embarrassed by the failure of the second Irish self-government bill during his tenure, but the idealistic prime minister still paid attention to the dispute between Italy and the Netherlands. (A few simple words about Irish self-government are unclear. Just to say that Ireland has been resisting British rule, and the two cannot pee in the same pot.)

"How much influence does Italy have on taking Dutch Borneo this time?"

In the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Gladstone, who has entered a political end, asked his Foreign Secretary Rossberry.

Archibald Philip Primrose, the fifth Earl of Rosebery as foreign secretary, was much younger than the aged Prime Minister. I saw him answer.

"It is impossible to say that there is no influence. The Governor of Malaya, Roxas, sent a telegram to me complaining that Italy is becoming more and more prominent in Southeast Asia, and they have squeezed the interests of too many British businessmen. The Chinese on the face are running around in Southeast Asia, competing with Chinese businessmen."

Prime Minister Gladstone then spoke as the Foreign Secretary's words fell. "If that's the case, let Roxas come up with a way to save, so we can talk to the Italians accordingly."

Yes, it is quite normal for the British to use this Italian-Dutch conflict for their own benefit.

The United Kingdom is not a living **, and you need to consider the issue of gain and loss when doing things. Italy did not threaten the core Dutch colonies. Although Borneo was not small in size, it was a subsidiary of the Dutch colonies. What was the British Empire doing in a hurry to catch up.

Besides, the Dutch are not the younger brother of the British Empire, and it is good enough that the British Empire can help them stop their losses. And a small country must have the consciousness of a small country, don't think about what the British Empire can do for you, think more about what you can do for the British Empire. Provide as much help as it can. If you don't even know this, don't play politics.

The Dutch have some speculation about the intentions of the British, but the so-called good money is hard to give up, and the Dutch do not want to give up until the last moment.

A royal meeting is being held in the palace, and the Dutch are also discussing the problem of dealing with Italy.

The thirteen-year-old Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, who was in the shape of a loli, tried her best to maintain the demeanor of the queen, and behind her sat the regent Emma Dowager.

In front of them, the two ministers were arguing fiercely, and the bald Foreign Minister Marco was especially loud.

"Your Excellency West, I understand your concern for the colonies, but at present our country cannot compete with Italy at all. Although our country has the support of the British, the British support is limited, and they will not take chestnuts out of the fire for us. I think the military Fang should also be well aware of this, so I hope your Excellency can take a problem-solving attitude instead of messing around."

The head of the military, Admiral West, who was accused by Foreign Secretary Marko, is defending himself. "What Your Excellency Marko said is completely disregarding the facts. Our military does not call it a slapstick. This is a justified and justified argument."

In the face of Admiral West's defense, Marko froze, only to see him slap the table and stand up.

"That's not called a hooligan. You sent 30,000 troops from the mainland to defend Borneo. Have you ever thought about how much it will cost, and how to solve the problem of safety? In addition, the possibility of transportation routes being blocked is too great. Relying on the help of friendly forces is too risky to be a credible plan at all."

In the face of the Foreign Secretary's accusation, Admiral West looked at his pocket watch and said with a disdainful expression. "Mr. Marko, you have never been a soldier, so you don't know the operation of the army. There is no 100% chance of success in any combat plan. We can only try to maximize its success rate. So please rest assured, Your Excellency, This is the best way for us to mobilize the best and choose, and it is definitely not what you think."

Facing Admiral West's expression of "You don't understand military affairs", Marco was even more angry, but at this time he pulled him back to his seat with one hand.

Pulling him back to his seat was Dutch Prime Minister Heisbet. The independent prime minister who came to power in order to balance liberals and Christians has a good reputation in the Netherlands.

I saw that after he had appeased the Foreign Minister, he opened his mouth and said. "Admiral, I have also read the military's plan. It is very exciting, but I have only one doubt. Then I think the military also has enough funds to deploy so many troops in Borneo."

Clearly, what Prime Minister Haysbet said was that the government was not going to spend the money. How can I do things without money, especially if more than 30,000 people and equipment have to be transported half a world away.

No, after hearing the Prime Minister's words, Admiral West immediately jumped. "This is to protect the kingdom's territory, and the government should pay for it."

Facing the words of Admiral West, Prime Minister Haysbet spread his hands. "But at the moment the government has no money."

"How can there be no money?"

"Then listen carefully, the total fiscal expenditure this year is..."

The Prime Minister disclosed the expenses one by one. As a soldier, Admiral West was qualified, but what could he understand about the government's financial expenditures, so the Admiral was surprised to find that there was no extra funds in the government.

"Then we can borrow money. I think with the credit of the kingdom, borrowing is not a big problem."

"Your Excellency is right, it's not really big. But borrowing takes time. The more urgent we need, the higher the bank's requirements. I think Your Excellency should know this. In addition, Italy only gave us seven days to reply. , It's already the third day. Is there any way for your Excellency to transport the army in four days. Even if we delay, it won't be too long."

The Prime Minister's words were unanimously nodded by the government, and Admiral West, who was the head of the military, was immediately furious and slapped the table.

"You are betraying your country and should be shot in the army."

With Admiral West's move, the scene fell into a tense atmosphere. As the queen, Wilhelmina looked at the prime minister and the general nervously, fearing that they would fight over it.

It's just that the young queen didn't notice that most of the people present didn't show nervous expressions, even if they were both angry and arrogant.

Because they are not worried that the two will conflict at all, they are all insiders.

Yes, this conflict between military and political chiefs is actually a play, and this is not just a play written for the young queen. Believe it or not, the content of this meeting will be leaked before night.

The reason is very simple. The senior military and political officials in the Netherlands do not know the gap between themselves and Italy. They are very aware of how big the gap is. But sometimes knowing is one thing and how to do it is another.

As a small country, Dutch politicians have their own way of doing things.

For example, when encountering a problem as difficult as Italy's, it requires the cooperation of senior military and political officials.

First, the military needs to take a tough stance that the Dutch must not give in. Then the government took out practical difficulties and said that this battle could not be fought. In the end, with the government's emotional and rational attitude, the military finally had no choice but to accept the reality.

Of course, it is not often that the military benefits from the government and suffers losses, and the military will make certain concessions to the government afterwards, which can be regarded as a model of tacit cooperation between the military and the government. Although high-ranking military and political officials in the Netherlands did not use this kind of cooperation in the right way, it was of great benefit to the stability of the Netherlands.

Moreover, the senior military and political officials present knew that the Netherlands would suffer in the end, but at least the uninitiated public should know that the senior military and political officials also tried their best to stop it.

So this scene is a must, and it won't end until Hua Deng's first meeting in front of the imperial court.

The senior military and political officials at the meeting left the palace in their respective carriages. As the protagonist of this scene, the 69-year-old Prime Minister Haysbet is naturally tired.

However, although he was not lightly tired, today's business was not over yet. Not long after he got home, the housekeeper came to report the visit of French Ambassador Eureka.

"How long has the Eureka ambassador been here?"

Before entering the house, Prime Minister Haysbet asked about the situation.

"The ambassador has been here for a while. He is the one to visit."

The housekeeper is also a confidant. He knows what the Prime Minister wants to ask, and puts himself out of the tray.

When a person came to visit, Prime Minister Haysbet grasped the key information, and he knew it.

"Ambassador Eureka, welcome, welcome, what kind of wind brought your Excellency here."

As soon as he entered the door, Prime Minister Haysbet put on a warm smile and greeted the French ambassador in the living room.

"Prime Minister Haysbet, this presumptuous intrusion is inappropriate, but on behalf of France, I express my sincere concern about your country's current difficulties."

Ambassador Eureka impatiently expressed France's concern as soon as he opened his mouth, which made Prime Minister Haysbet's heart sink, only to see his expression unchanged. "Thank you for your concern, and everyone in the Netherlands is very grateful for that."

In the face of Prime Minister Haysbet's calm words, Ambassador Eureka had no time to waste. Because he has his own channels and knows the attitude of the Dutch, he cannot talk slowly like the prime minister in front of him.

"Prime Minister Haysbet, our country is very indignant about Italy's persecution of your country in Borneo. We believe that your country needs help, and our country is willing to give some help. For this reason, our government is willing to sell a batch of goods to your country. Arms, which can be used to defend your country's interests. Here's a list of weapons."

Facing the list handed over by the French ambassador, Prime Minister Haysbet took a look and said. "Actually, Ambassador Gui can submit this matter through normal channels, and there is no need to go directly to my house."

Although Prime Minister Haysbet did not take a close look, he could see at a glance that France's list of weapons made a lot of money, but is the Netherlands lacking weapons?

Ambassador Eureka also knew what it meant, and immediately asked a question. "Our country also wants to help your country militarily, but does your country dare to accept it?"

Well, apart from the military help of weapons, isn't that just sending troops to support? Prime Minister Haysbet really didn't dare to accept this.

Because the Netherlands is afraid to accept such help from France, for the simple reason that it runs counter to Dutch foreign policy.

The neutrality that the Netherlands relies on at home is biased towards Germany. After all, the powerful Germany is on the side, and there is Belgium across the distance from France~www.NovelMTL.com~ The Netherlands does not dare to get too close to France. In the colonies, it is the United Kingdom. France's current relationship with Britain and Germany is not very good, and accepting France's help will do more harm than good. Even if the Netherlands suffered a loss on the Borneo issue, the vast Spice Islands were still in its hands.

And what is France's intention to help itself, how can the Netherlands not know, isn't it just to add to Italy.

For this reason, Prime Minister Haysbet can only speak his mind. "My country is grateful to France for its selfless help. I need to read the list of your ambassador in detail before I can give an answer."

In the face of Prime Minister Haysbet's somewhat expelling reply, the visiting Ambassador Eureka knew that the Dutch were a little afraid to accept France's kindness.

In fact, this visit to Prime Minister Haysbet was not his original intention, but the order of Paris had to be implemented, so he had to go there only once, and the result was unexpected. The timid Dutch did not dare to express a tough attitude on the Borneo issue.

"Alright then, I'll wait for your reply and leave first."

After the French ambassador left, Prime Minister Haysbet looked a little serious. It seems that on the Borneo issue, the Netherlands can no longer delay, it must be resolved as soon as possible.