African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 315: Chapter 302 Mediation

As the Austro-Hungarian Empire launched multiple offensives, Italy soon couldn’t withstand them. By the end of 1870, the Austro-Hungarian army had crossed Venice and Lombardy, heading toward the territory of the former Kingdom of Sardinia.

Seeing that the Kingdom of Italy was losing its foothold, the British had to step in for urgent mediation. After contacting the Russians, representatives from Prussia, France, and Austria were dispatched, and on January 3, 1871, the Italian and Austrian sides negotiated a ceasefire in Birmingham.

Birmingham.

Gamoer, the Italian diplomat: ”The Austro-Hungarian Empire openly dispatched troops to launch an aggressive war against the Kingdom of Italy, causing massive losses to the Kingdom of Italy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire must withdraw its forces from the Kingdom of Italy entirely and compensate for the losses incurred.”

”Pfft!” Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Friedrich couldn’t help but burst into laughter, as if Italy had actually conquered Vienna!

Friedrich: ”Your ability to distort facts is superior; it’s always been clear from the start who’s responsible for the war. Italy, ignoring Austro-Hungary’s repeated protests, insisted on attacking the sovereign Pope Country, an action intolerable to any Catholic nation. The Kingdom of Sardinia, I should say, has always been a war monger, so Sardinia must pay for its actions!”

Gamoer: ”The Kingdom of Sardinia has been tasked with the mission of unifying the Italian regions. Our actions are supported by the entire Italian region, it’s the people’s will, not war mongering.”

Friedrich: ”Oh! People’s will is indeed interesting. What I see isn’t people’s will; the military and civilians of the Pope Country joined Austro-Hungary in opposing Sardinia’s invasion. Meanwhile, the citizens of Venice vigorously cooperated with Austro-Hungarian troops to eliminate Sardinian forces in the city, and the Kingdom of Naples is restored. All these show that the emergence of the Kingdom of Italy is a mistake; you are just forcibly bringing everyone together through violence.”

Gamoer: ”All this is due to your Austro-Hungary manipulating from behind the scenes, colluding with Italy’s enemies, opposing Italian unification for selfish motives.”

Friedrich: ”Mr. Gamoer, words shouldn’t be spoken recklessly. Clearly, it’s your own actions that lack public support, leading the Pope Country to invite Austro-Hungarian military intervention to block Sardinia’s aggressive actions. Prior to this, our Austro-Hungarian Empire used to exercise restraint, yet Sardinia ignored Austro-Hungary’s warnings for its own selfishness, which finally triggered the war.”

Gamoer: ”Hmph! How do you explain the presence of Austro-Hungarian troops in the city of Rome? Pope Country is separated from Austria’s mainland by the Adriatic Sea and the Kingdom of Italy, and the sudden appearance of Austro-Hungarian troops in Rome proves your premeditation, digging a pit just waiting for us in Italy to jump in.”

”Hahaha!” Friedrich laughed heartily, ”You did say it’s a pit, but if your Sardinia wasn’t too greedy, who could force you to jump in? Besides, the Austro-Hungarian troops were invited by His Holiness the Pope to replace France in protecting Pope Country’s safety. From the standpoint of both logic and common sense, Austro-Hungary hasn’t overstepped its bounds.”

The two countries, Italy and Austria, launched a heated debate on who was the just side in the war.

”Enough, stop arguing!” British Minister of Foreign Affairs Count Granville interrupted their speeches. ”You were called here to solve the problem, not to argue. The situation in Italy has seriously affected regional stability, so both sides should first state what they want as outcomes. We won’t discuss right or wrong for now; instead, let’s aim for better peace negotiations going forward.”

Gamoer: ”The Kingdom of Italy’s stance is consistent: Austro-Hungary must unconditionally withdraw its troops from areas including Venice and Lombardy and cease interference in Italy’s internal affairs. This is the bottom line for our Kingdom of Italy.”

Friedrich: ”Hmph, the war has reached this point, and you still want to easily call it off? That’s quite daring. If every small nation provokes a big nation like this, is it all going to end with just an apology without accountability?”

Count Granville reminded: ”Your Excellency Friedrich, let’s wait and discuss those words later. For now, bring forth Austro-Hungary’s ceasefire demands.”

Friedrich: ”As the instigator of the war, the Kingdom of Italy must be punished. The Kingdom of Sardinia does not meet conditions to unify Italy, so the Kingdom of Italy should revert to the name Kingdom of Sardinia, acknowledge the independence of the Two Sicilies, and guarantee never to invade Pope Country or the Kingdom of Naples again. Finally, Austro-Hungary will reclaim Venice and Lombardy.”

”That’s impossible!” Gamoer said sternly, ”Our Kingdom of Italy will absolutely not agree.”

Count Granville also spoke: ”Your country’s demands are too harsh, and since Venice and Lombardy are considered Italian territories inhabited by Italians, Your Excellency Friedrich, perhaps your country should come up with a different plan!”

As a Briton, Count Granville naturally didn’t want to see Austro-Hungary continue to strengthen, so he said so.

Friedrich sneered: ”Venice and Lombardy were original territories of Austro-Hungary ten years ago, and as for Italians living there, if Sardinia wants them, we can send them to you. Furthermore, if merely having different nationalities living in one area can mark national borders, I think Ireland and Scotland...”

Friedrich didn’t continue, but the meaning was clear to Count Granville.

Count Granville was somewhat displeased: ”Today, we’re only discussing the Italian problem, not unnecessary topics. As for the Venice and Lombardy issue, set it aside for now. Next, let’s discuss the issue of the Two Sicilies.”

Gamoer: ”The Two Sicilies no longer exists long ago. The current ruling regime of the Kingdom of Naples is illegal.”

Friedrich: ”That’s not for you to decide. The Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily are both historical countries, their monarch is originally the monarch of the two countries, so the Two Sicilies should exist independently.”

The Two Sicilies consists of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples. Today, the Kingdom of Naples belongs to the Austro-Hungarian side, while Sicily where the original Kingdom of Sicily was situated is under Italian rule. Austro-Hungary naturally hopes to strengthen Naples’ power.

Count Granville said: ”Since there’s also a dispute over this clause, let’s pass it for now.”