The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1557: Chapter 6: Arrogant Young Men (Part 2)

Arthur smiled helplessly: “Journalists are always good at exaggerating, you know.”

Although Arthur said this, he still eagerly picked up the freshly printed newspaper.

The Times Special Report: “Russian Seizure of British Merchant Ship Shocks Government Into Inaction”

—— By James Langworth, Special Correspondent in Constantinople for The Times

Yesterday, we received confirmed news that a British-flagged merchant ship, the “Vickers”, was forcibly seized by Russian armed personnel at the port of Soujuk-Karl on the Black Sea coast, and was immediately taken to a Russian port. This heinous act not only flagrantly violated Britain’s freedom of navigation but also directly challenged our maritime dignity.

The “Vickers” departed from Constantinople earlier this October, intending to deliver goods, including trade salt, to the Chechelk Region. However, the Russians promptly intercepted it under the pretext of a so-called “blockade policy.” We cannot help but ask: since when could Russia unilaterally announce a blockade on the Black Sea coast without any international recognition? How did rightful British trade become the target of Russian fleet interference?

More appallingly, Russia not only blatantly seized a British ship but also claimed the incident involved espionage activities, absurdly accusing British merchants of attempting to ship weapons to the Chechnya Tribe to incite resistance against Petersburg’s rule. Such unfounded accusations are typical Russian sophistry. The real aim is to further consolidate its aggressive expansion in the Caucasus and prevent the Chechens from obtaining even the most basic survival supplies.

Russia claims that the purpose of this seizure is to prevent the spread of plague, but this is just another political deception. The real motive is clearly to sever the Chechens’ connection with the outside world to achieve its disgraceful expansion goals in the Caucasus Region. The Russian Commander even boasted: “Even if the sky collapses, Russians can hold it up with bayonets.”

This is undoubtedly a mockery and insult to Great Britain; the “Vickers” incident is not a simple maritime dispute—it is a heavy slap, fiercely landing on England’s face. Petersburg openly provokes us, and England can only bow its head in acceptance. Let me ask, if our government remains indifferent to this matter, what guarantees are left for the future safety of British trade navigation? Today it’s the ‘Vickers’, tomorrow could it be an even larger British fleet?

Moreover, the “Vickers” incident is far from isolated. We must clearly realize what severe consequences Britain’s appeasement of Russian expansion will lead to. As the Edinburgh Review stated: “Once Chechnya is conquered, the Caucasus Region becomes exposed to the Russians, and Persia will be at Petersburg’s mercy. Thus, Russia’s border will instantly advance twelve hundred miles towards the border of British India.”

Should Britain tolerate Russia’s conduct today, what of British merchants’ interests in Persia, India, and even the Balkan Region tomorrow? Today it’s the Black Sea; tomorrow will be the coast of British India!

However, in the face of such blatant provocation, our government’s response is disappointing.

Russia disregards international law, tramples on British merchant ship navigation freedom, and even restricts the rightful business activities of its own subjects. Our merchant ships are intercepted, our trade is blocked, our merchants are seized, yet what is Viscount Palmerston’s response? Our Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerson, has so far been limited to expressing so-called “strong concern” in correspondences with Saint Petersburg!

In fact, Viscount Palmerson’s cowardice did not start today. Under his leadership, our diplomatic policy has already fallen into total collapse:

On the Belgian issue, he failed to effectively support King Leopold, resulting in France’s growing influence in the Low Countries!

On the Spanish issue, his vacillating on Queen Isabella II’s regime has greatly weakened Britain’s influence in the Iberian Peninsula!

On Eastern issues, his concessions to Russia have led to Petersburg’s increasingly unscrupulous expansion along the Black Sea coast!

And now, the Vickers incident further exposes his cowardly nature!

We hereby sternly call on the government to no longer tolerate such incompetent diplomacy!

Respected Viscount Palmerston, are you serving Britain’s interests or bowing to Petersburg’s crown? Is your stance protecting British merchants or considering the Tsar’s gains and losses?

If you cannot take effective action, then step aside for someone who can defend British dignity!

We call upon the government as follows:

Firstly, immediately dispatch the Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet to the Constantinople anchorage. If necessary, directly enter the Black Sea through the Dardanelles Strait with actual force to safeguard British merchant ships!

Secondly, issue an ultimatum to the Russian government, demanding the immediate release of the “Vickers” and related seized personnel, and compensation for this incident!

Thirdly, conduct a full review of Viscount Palmerson’s foreign policy. If he continues to insist on concessions, the British people have the right to demand a replacement of the Foreign Secretary with someone better able to protect the people’s interests!

The British people will not tolerate weakness! Britain’s enemies will not respect softness!

Even with Arthur’s strong heart, he couldn’t help but feel his heartbeat racing while reading this article.

He knew before that David Eckett had a fierce personality, but he had not anticipated that this staunch anti-Russian figure could be this fiery.

What’s more troublesome is that his execution ability was exceptionally high; within less than half a year, he had already contacted a shipping company willing to transport this special cargo.

The silver lining is that David Eckett did not immediately ship Colt Company firearms to the Caucasus but chose to first use the Vickers, equipped with basic living supplies like salt, to test the Russians’ bottom line.

If the Russians turned a blind eye to the Vickers, then he would subsequently provide the Chechen Tribe with more valuable and scarce firearms and medicines.

It’s just that the Russians’ bottom line seemed far higher than Eckett imagined, with just a small batch of living supplies prompting a strong reaction from Petersburg.

But considering from another perspective, Petersburg’s extreme reaction might have played right into Eckett’s hands.

As Arthur saw in The Times today, a British merchant ship intercepted could incite British public anti-Russian sentiment, forcing the government to take direct action to protect national merchant ships. Furthermore, this move might even persuade the Royal Navy to enter the Black Sea, challenging the secret agreement between Russia and the Ottomans regarding the Dardanelles Strait.

For David Eckett, no matter the outcome, he could personally accept it.

But by doing so, he inevitably put Arthur in a difficult position.

David Eckett didn’t care about his political future or the Cabinet’s perception of him; as a pure anti-Russian, he merely wished to support the Chechens and cause the Russians discomfort as much as possible.

However, Arthur’s stance was vastly different; the Yorkshire swineherd only wished to garner as much political prestige from the event. To that end, establishing himself as an anti-Russian was acceptable. Nonetheless, he never imagined causing such a rift with the Cabinet.

David Eckett’s actions were even considered too radical by the Radical Party.

Sir Peel crossed his legs, looked gradually at the silent Arthur, and asked: “Do you have anything to say now?”

Arthur’s complexion changed gradually: “The viewpoint of The Times is too radical; its wording is also overly exaggerated.”

“Exaggerated?” Sir Peel leisurely swirled his wine glass, yet did not move his gaze from Arthur’s face: “So, do you think Viscount Palmerson’s current anger towards you is also an exaggerated emotional expression?”

Arthur replied: “Sir, Viscount Palmerson’s attitude is always unpredictable, just like how he was a Tory ten years ago, but now he’s a member of the Whig Cabinet.”

The Duke of Wellington put down his wine glass, paced slowly to Arthur: “Your actions have given the Foreign Office a headache, and Palmerson has even threatened to personally deal with you and Eckett, these two self-righteous young men. Now, Eckett has been ordered to return to London. As for you, if not for Peel and I consistently defending you before His Majesty the King, you might already be undergoing a formal investigation on Downing Street.”

“I…” Arthur just began to speak and paused: “Wait, you and Sir Peel defended me?”