Chapter 237: International political diplomacy (1/2)
At a critical juncture, the bureaucrats of the Tsarist government were rare and efficient.
Everyone is a clever person who knows the seriousness of the consequences. If he had no eyesight, he would have been eliminated in the internal struggle of the bureaucracy.
With such a large demand for weapons and ammunition, obviously it cannot be taken out at once, and it must be ordered for production. Even if Franz was prepared, it would not be possible to hoard hundreds of huge artillery pieces and tens of thousands of tons of artillery shells and leave them there.
If the Russians do not buy, who can he sell these arms to?
The Austrian Army does not have access to these big guys who are inconvenient to move. The navy is a poor ghost. It simply does not have the money to purchase so many artillery pieces. Moreover, coastal defense does not need so many artillery pieces.
After the decision was made, the Tsarist government immediately sent someone to place an order with Austria. Unfortunately, the production capacity of the artillery was insufficient.
Since the Austrian Army usually purchases up to 6- and 12-pound guns, these are the most commonly used active-duty equipment, and 24-pound field guns are rarely equipped. Most naval cruisers of this era were 24 pound guns, and the capital ships were equipped with 48 pound guns.
Now also attacking the fortifications of Constantinople, the power of these artillery is obviously not enough. The Russians needed heavy cannons of more than 68 pounds. Obviously most of these guns were used as shore guns, and the actual demand was very small.
(Note: The caliber error of artillery in this era is relatively large. The error of several millimeters of the same section of the same batch is a common thing; the same gun, produced by different arsenals, the caliber error may be as high as a dozen millimeters. Use the caliber to measure the size of the gun. Would be out of date.)
These heavy artillery were not only siege weapons, but even the British and French warships were enough to cause deadly threats. Obviously, the Russians wanted to change the current dilemma of passive beatings.
The market demand is small, and naturally there are fewer production lines set up by military enterprises. Many arsenals only have the ability to produce large artillery. It will take time to open the production line after the order is received.
Not enough capacity? It doesn't matter, aren't Russia and Austria allies? Franz is an enthusiastic person, and active-duty equipment can also be sold. As long as the Austrian army has it, just pick it.
The era of breech art is about to come, these artillery will be eliminated soon, and now it should be replaced in advance.
Junk? You don't have to buy it. After a few months, new products will be available.
Obviously, the Tsarist government can't wait, and the frontline Russian army can't wait. Regardless of what is old and not old, it can be used normally, and it is a big deal for Austrians to provide after-sales maintenance services.
Even the artillery ordered by the Austrian Navy was cut off by the Russians. After all, the Navy did not fight in a short time, so it is better to satisfy allies for Russia-Austria friendship!
It turns out that any plan is ideal. After more than two months of delay, Austria only collected more than 150 cannons, and the rest could only be counted with 24 pounds and 48 pounds.
The artillery was in hand and meant that it was ready to attack. It is easy to transport from Austria to Bulgaria via the Danube River, and it is more troublesome to transport to the front.
Moving the big guys with tens of tons or hundreds of tons is quite troublesome to transport. Originally, these artillery were used as shore guns. As long as the power is large enough, it does not matter if it is heavier or larger. It is naturally troublesome to transport it now.
The artillery was not in place, and Menshekov slowed down the frontline offensive. He did not want the Russian army to die for nothing. The gray animals were worthless, but if they died more, it would be distressing!
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Athens
The Secretary of the Army said terrorly: ”His Majesty, the British crossed the border and entered our borders on the grounds of pursuing the enemy. This is a document sent from the front. Please tell me what to do.
Otto I flicked through the files, what should I do? Do you need to ask such a simple question? Of course nothing.
Block the British, they don't have that strength. It is even more impossible to help the British to defeat the soldiers. No matter how the Greek government is, it cannot be shameless.
”Let the local governments find a way to hide the soldiers who have fled back. If not, send them back. You must be careful not to let the British grasp the handle.” Otto I ordered
At this point, it's not going to work without paying a price. Politically, the British approach actually gave him a chance to get out.
The British Empire is a maritime overlord and top power. Losing to them is more acceptable to the people than losing to the Ottomans.
This is not because the government has not worked hard, it is really that the enemy is too powerful.
If Otto I was shameless, they could also brag about how they attacked the Ottoman Empire. They did not expect that they would be attacked by the British, and they lost it. This is a crime of non-war.
As for whether it will cause a wave of anti-British anti-British civil affairs, we can't care so much now. Since the last conflict between Britain and Greece, the relationship between the two countries has not been good, and it may be necessary to add another.
The Foreign Minister reminded: ”His Majesty, judging from the current situation, the results of the Near East War have nothing to do with us.
The British army entered the Greek peninsula. Now that we have lost our choice, we must consider the aftermath. ”
Although they have confidence in the Russians, the British are here. If they don't want to do anything and wait for the Russians to win, they will first become exile governments.
Thinking of Otto I here, I had a headache. My family had just been kicked out of the Bavarian kingdom. If it had not been for Austria ’s attention and exchange of the Lombard throne, it would be the government in exile.
Now that the family's resources are devoted to the Kingdom of Lombardy, there is no energy to support him again. After so many years of pure investment, no return can be seen, and many people in the family are dissatisfied.
In history, after the abdication of Otto I, the Bavarian royal family was sent to take over the throne. As a result, his brother and nephew were unwilling to take over the mess, and it was George I's turn.
Without external support, the problems he faced were more troublesome than in history, and if they were bad, they would be ousted by the British.
After lingering a few steps, Otto I said: ”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send someone to negotiate with the British secretly, and the situation can only be stopped.
At the same time, I sent people to contact the Russians, French, and Austrians. Presumably they did not want to see the British family dominate. Now we need their diplomatic support. ”
”Yes, Your Majesty!” The Foreign Minister replied.
This is the era of the great powers. Without the support of the great powers, it is difficult for them to get out of this crisis this time.
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