Holy Roman Empire

President Juarez nodded, this is the way to deal with the problem.That kind of shouting to go to war at every turn is clearly making trouble on purpose.

If he wins the fight, President Juarez also wants to show his strength.But there is no way, the strength gap between the two sides is too great, they can't beat Austria at all.

President Juarez sternly warned: "I think you all know the seriousness of the matter. Deal with the shooting as soon as possible, and don't leave any clues to the Austrians.

If someone deliberately makes troubles on this issue, he is treasonous, and there is no pardon for this kind of national traitor! "

With a bunch of pig teammates, President Juarez's heart is very tired.Deep down in his heart, he had an ominous premonition that something big was about to happen.

His tired body made it impossible for him to continue thinking.Years make people old, and just holding a meeting to subdue the forces of all parties made Juárez a little powerless.

The political struggle was too complicated to give him a moment's peace of mind.The real culprit of the shooting has not been caught for a long time, which cast a shadow over the incident.

If a Chinese medicine doctor sees Juarez, they will come to the conclusion that the oil is exhausted and the lamp is dry.Now he is only supported by one breath, once this breath is released, his life will come to an end.

Chapter 83 June's Debt

People's hearts are complicated. On the surface, President Juarez overwhelmed the opposing forces from all sides, but secretly the situation in Mexico City is turbulent.

The blockade on the Austrian embassy was also lifted after the shooting.Originally, supplies were prohibited from entering, but now the Mexican government has taken the initiative to send supplies to the door.

There is no way, President Juarez is really scared.The Austrian soldiers have caused so much trouble just by wandering around. If they were allowed to wander around every day, I don’t know how many troubles would arise.

If a few more die, even if the shooting has nothing to do with them, the Republican government will not be able to escape by then.Juarez has already experienced the dominance of the great powers.

Ten years ago, the Mexican government was on the verge of bankruptcy, and Juarez announced a two-year suspension of foreign debt payments, ready to bargain with creditors.

The result, of course, was a severe social beating, the Mexican Republican government became an underground regime, and he returned to Mexico City ten years later.

There can be several decades in life. If there were no lost ten years, perhaps Juarez's social reforms would have been successful.

Only after losing, do we know how to cherish.Only after experiencing it first-hand can we know fear.

Now in the Republican government, except for the second-year boys, there is no one who is not afraid of the big powers.Juarez refused to acknowledge the debts left by Maximilian I, but in fact he did not obediently repay the money.

In order to appease the radicals, they have been saying that "after the situation stabilizes, the debt will not be repaid", but in fact it is not a slogan.

The French feared that the fall of Maximilian I would wipe out these debts.In fact, the republican government headed by President Juárez has already been persuaded, and they dare not really renege on their debts.

The so-called toughness is just chanting political slogans.In actual actions, it is still very honest, even if it is patchwork, the foreign debt must be paid first.

Governor Hummel marched very fast without sending troops to intercept him, arriving in Mexico City in less than a week.

President Juárez's response has not been ineffective.Austria wanted to save face. There was no war, and the army led by Governor Hummel had no excuse to attack the city, so they set up camp outside the city.

The handling of the "shooting case" was left at the judicial level, and the ministers of various countries were witnesses, waiting for the Mexican government to provide evidence to close the case.

Everything was developing for the better. At this time, the feast prepared by Minister Compton was staged.Hundreds of "Austrian citizens" came to protest and prepared evidence.

Undoubtedly, these were the families of the soldiers, or groups of relatives and friends.In the week before the Republicans entered the city, their property was severely damaged and some people were even killed.

Under normal circumstances, these small people have no choice but to accept.This time it was different. With Minister Compton secretly planning, their courage suddenly grew.

Extraterritoriality makes them fearless.How foreign citizens treat the Mexican government, they follow suit.

Minister Compton, who had been chatting happily just now, immediately changed his face and snapped: "Your Excellency, your country's military has disregarded international law and acted recklessly, damaging the personal and property safety of Austrian citizens. Now, on behalf of the Vienna government, I would like to report You issued an official diplomatic note.

Order your government to hand over the relevant responsible persons within 24 hours, accept legal sanctions, and compensate the losses of our citizens! "

This excuse is still a bit far-fetched, and everyone knows what's going on.But the following people did get Austrian citizenship.

From a legal point of view, as long as these people become Austrian citizens, before the Mexican Republican Army acts, they are protected by Austria.

There is no doubt that this time must have been before this.It is impossible for Minister Compton to make such a mistake. The documents issued can prove that they were naturalized before the Republican Army entered the city.

Regardless of whether it complies with the procedures, it is Austria's internal affairs, and it is not up to outsiders to intervene.

President Juarez's face changed drastically, and other issues were easy to talk about. "Handing over the person responsible" is absolutely impossible.If the people were handed over, the army would have to mutiny.

Moreover, even if they committed a crime, they should be dealt with by Mexico's law. How can they be tried by the Austrians?

Counting on the mediation of Britain and France, it is a pity that the envoys of Britain and France began to wander after seeing the evidence provided by the Austrians.

It's not that they don't want to help, the key is that the evidence is in front of them.The Austrians had paperwork proving that these were Austrian citizens, as well as photographs taken by photographers of the atrocities committed by the Mexican Republican Army.

The three countries of Britain, France and Austria are still allies in name, and they cannot support the Mexican Republican government when Austria is in power.

President Juárez knows that the Austrians are making trouble at this time and deliberately making things difficult for them by raising these conditions are definitely not just to stand up for these "citizens".

It is difficult to solve the problem without clarifying the real purpose of the Austrians.At this time, the Austrian army was already approaching the city, and it was too late to resist.

The only thing that comforts him is that the Austrians are still taking international influence into account, and they didn't directly take action regardless, which proves that there is still room for maneuver.

The great powers of this era have a common feature. When reasoning fails to achieve their goals, they will choose to use cannons to speak.

The role of bridge between the two parties fell to the British Minister Edward.They are the best at this kind of thing. More than half of the international conflicts in the world in this era have not lost the shadow of the British.

……

That night, the British Minister Edward appeared in the Austrian embassy.

Putting down the coffee in his hand, Edward asked gracefully: "Mr. Compton, the London government is also paying close attention to your country's actions in Mexico.

We are allies, if you need help, you are welcome.Just what exactly do you want to achieve? "

The "help" of the British is not so much a help as a warning.When expanding overseas, Austria was not prepared to borrow British manpower, and Franz might not be able to pay back that stuff.

Minister Compton naturally understood the hidden meaning.Emphasizing "ally" is nothing more than saying that Britain's interests cannot be harmed.Proposing "help" is nothing more than a warning not to go too far.

Picking up the coffee on the table, Minister Compton took a sip and said calmly: "The evil republican thinking must be curbed.

If you don't teach the Mexicans a lesson, wouldn't it make republicanism more rampant?If it spreads to the European continent, I am afraid that everyone will feel bad. "

This explanation obviously did not satisfy Edward. When did the Vienna government become so internationalist?

We must know that since Franz came to power, he first indulged the Russian Empire, and then became France, which does not look like a responsible European power.

The Austrians were fighting republican ideas, Edward believed it.As the backbone of the monarchy, the power of the Austrian emperor was no weaker than that of the tsar.

It's just that Austria's reforms started early, social reforms have been completed, these developments are very good, and the society is very stable.

On the issue of cracking down on republican ideas, the position of the monarchy is the same. This is a battle for the right to speak in the ideological circles, and no one will give up easily.

Edward asked uncertainly: "Your Excellency Compton, so your country is preparing to restore Maximilian I?"

In terms of interests, doing so is not in the interests of Austria, and the price to be paid for the restoration of Maximilian I is too high.

However, in a country with a strong imperial power like Austria, it is often not possible to only look at interests. The will of the emperor can also determine the direction of the country.

Although Maximilian I was incompetent, he was Franz's younger brother, and this alone might make Franz spend all his money.

Similar situations have not only appeared once or twice in European history.Edward was not sure if this kind of thing would happen in Austria, after all, Franz's image to the outside world was too perfect.

Minister Compton shook his head and replied: "It would be best if His Majesty Maximilian I could be supported to restore him.

It's just that because of some special problems, the major forces in Mexico don't welcome His Majesty very much.

Our conditions are very simple. The Mexican government has three options: first, continue to support Maximilian I as emperor, then these small issues need not be mentioned, and a constitutional monarchy is also acceptable;

Second, make up for the losses of Austrian citizens and bear the cost of this dispatch, a total of 1200 million Aegis.If there is no money, cede Chiapas, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and the Yucatan Peninsula to pay off the debt. "

Needless to say, the third way, Edward also knows.The most common method used by everyone is to use force to solve the problem if negotiations fail.If the Mexican government thinks it can win, it can try to solve it by force.

Edward thought for a while and said: "Your country's appetite is still so good, it's just such a condition, can the Mexicans bear it?"

Obviously, Edward does not want to see Austria's unscrupulous expansion in Mexico. If it is not restricted, it will eat up the whole of Mexico sooner or later.

Compton smiled slightly, and argued: "You can't say that, as long as the Mexican government restores Maximilian I, there is no need to pay any price.

If they are patriotic enough, they should accept our kindness.You must know that His Majesty Maximilian I is benevolent and will not hold them accountable for conspiracy to rebel. "

Edward rolled his eyes directly, accepting the restoration of Maximilian I, how could things be so simple.

Groups such as constitutionalists, conservatives, and Catholics are fine, and it doesn't matter if there is an extra empty emperor, but for the republicans, it is a disaster.

It is equivalent to denying their legitimacy from beginning to end, and the political impact can make President Juarez go away.

The option that seems to pay the least cost is actually the most unacceptable option for the republican government.When this condition is put forward, whether the Mexicans accept it or not, the Mexican government will split.

The conditions proposed by Minister Compton were made entirely to intensify the internal contradictions of the Mexican government.

Other political power groups will use this as an excuse to attack the republican government for their own selfishness, regardless of national interests.

No matter what choice President Juárez makes, there will be a lot of trouble.Such an obvious target, if it has nothing to do with the Habsburg family, it would be a ghost.

Now Maximilian I is already alone, even if he is restored again, he will only be a rubber stamp emperor, no one will ignore him at all, and he will not be able to bring any benefits to Austria.This worthless condition is clearly aimed at the republican government.

Edward didn't say anything more. President Juarez led the rebel army to overthrow the rule of Maximilian I and slapped the Habsburg family in the face.

Now that he is going to take revenge, he deserves to be in trouble.When it comes to this level, Edward doesn't want to get involved.

Deep down, he has begun to observe a moment of silence for President Juarez.Who made him unlucky to catch up with the heyday of the Habsburg dynasty.

Chapter 84 Unfair duel

There is no doubt that the conditions offered by Minister Compton are not acceptable to the Mexican Republican government.Three choices, they dare not choose any one.

Why would President Juarez lead a rebellion if he could compromise on the issue of the monarchy?You know, when Maximiliano I came to the throne, he pardoned political prisoners and promised him a high position.

If you accept the restoration of Maximilian I at this time, it will be a complete negation of the ten-year revolution.This uprising was not anti-imperialist or anti-feudal, but a political seizure of power.

There is no need to consider compensation, if there is so much money.The republicans have already put down the domestic opposition forces by force, so why do they need to compromise?

Fighting a war with the Austrians is also not something the republic government can afford.Having played against the French, President Juárez still knows the level of military combat power of the great powers.

Under normal circumstances, there are often 10,000 French troops chasing [-]+ insurgents, and the scene is simply unbearable.Except under special circumstances, the rebel army has almost never achieved a decent victory.

It can be seen from the data that from the French invasion in 1861 to the withdrawal of the French army in 1871, the two sides fought hundreds of times, and the number of French deaths was less than [-].

The so-called heavy damage to France and the defeat of the French by the rebel army were all needed for political propaganda.In fact, the French have always been playing against them.

It's just that Napoleon III's patience was exhausted, and he realized the essence of Maximilian I's mud that could not support the wall, and felt that the investment was not proportional to the gain, so he stopped the loss.

If the Mexican Republican government had really been as powerful as it announced, they would have defaulted on their debts long ago.The French can be defeated, are you afraid of debt collection by force?

The Russians are a typical example. After the tsarist government announced its default, in addition to protests and economic sanctions, has anyone in Europe proposed to use force to collect debts?

It's not that the creditors are kind, but mainly because the payment is not proportional to the income.The price to be paid for attacking the Russian Empire is unknown how many times the debt.

Everyone chose to negotiate very tacitly, such as deferred payment, compensation in kind, debt interest relief, etc., and everyone used these methods very flexibly.

Weak countries have no diplomacy, and words without strength have no weight.Now the Mexican government has to accept Austria's political blackmail. Even if they know that Compton's demands are very excessive, they still have to sit down and talk slowly.

Asking prices all over the sky, and paying back the money on the ground.

President Juarez knew very well that after Maximilian I was ousted from power, the Vienna government would inevitably become hostile to the Mexican government, and the relationship between the two countries would not be normalized for a long time to come.

It's just that they didn't expect that the Austrians would actually play like this.In recent years, Franz has paid attention to eating, and still deceived many people.Suddenly lowered the lower limit, Juarez naturally did not react.

You must know that if these victims had known that they had become Austrian citizens, there would have been no subsequent tragedies.As long as the identity of a foreign citizen is indicated, the Republican Army will naturally commit no crime.

British citizens and French citizens can all testify to this point. The Mexican Republican Army is also a well-behaved army and absolutely treats international friends well.

President Juarez asked eagerly: "How is the contact, are they willing to..."

There is another way to get out of the current predicament, and that is to get those "Austrian citizens" to change their mouths, perhaps to give up their accountability, then the reason for Austria's blackmail will no longer exist.

The republicans are very experienced in this area, so they just fool around and find some eloquent people to do ideological work.Patriotism is a good banner to let them take care of the overall situation.

First fool people into unconsciousness, and then pay for the damages. This time, the Republican government was generous and gave several times more money.

In any case, the money used to buy these people is much less than the price of accepting blackmail from the Austrians.

The middle-aged man lowered his head and replied: "The situation is not optimistic, most people are hesitant, they are worried..."

Before he could finish speaking, President Juárez waved his hand and said, "Okay, I understand. You are tired too. This is another night of sleepless nights. Go down and rest!"

If the strengths of the two countries are equal, then you can make a fuss about it. Unfortunately, the strength gap between Mexico and Austria is too great.

If you can't let everyone change their mouths, it is tantamount to doing useless work.If the great powers are willing to explain the truth to you, that is interesting enough. If they want to play tricks on this, they will just change their bayonets and talk.

President Juarez had no hope that this little trick would work.No matter how nicely they say it, during the purges, the seeds of hatred were sown.

Talk about patriotism?People love the Mexican Empire, not the Mexican Republic.As supporters of Maximilian I, it is their pursuit to restore the emperor.

Now that Austria is intervening, it is too late for them to be happy. How can they speak for the republican government?

Besides, everyone is now an Austrian citizen. Wouldn't it be treason if they suddenly changed their minds?The usual way of fooling around is already a dead end here.

It's just that it's better than not doing it well. As long as these people accept the compensation, they will have more reasons to bargain at the negotiating table.

Personal honor and disgrace, President Juarez no longer cares about it.From the moment he made up his mind to overthrow the rule of Maximilian I, he prepared for the worst.

The Austrians deliberately targeted this time, directly hitting the weakness of the Republican government.Unable to accept the restoration of Maximilian I, no matter what the final result is, they are destined to be criticized.