Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

After Davis said this, Russell would certainly not doubt the other party's intentions. The Netherlands actually wanted Britain to compensate the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the losses caused by dissuading those Dutch people to retreat?

“Why did the Netherlands turn to cooperation with the UK?

You must know that the Netherlands is in South Africa, and the Republic of the Orange Free State, a country where almost all people are of Dutch origin, has always had close relations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Many Dutch people in the Transvaal Republic also miss their motherland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Our cabinet is very concerned about their living environment.”

Davis said seriously.

However, this seriousness was used to seek more compensation from Britain, so the two British people opposite him could not feel that his seriousness was a compliment.

Russell: "It's true that the mainland of the Netherlands is too small, but the Netherlands has a large amount of territory overseas, including East India near the equator, New Guinea to the south, and northern Australia and even North America that we just transferred to you. The Alaska Peninsula in the north, these huge overseas territories, not to mention the few four to five million people, can still accommodate them even if they increase ten times."

Why does the UK want to cooperate with the Netherlands? You must know that Britain is the most powerful country, and there is no need to look at the looks of other countries. However, the evolution of the European situation in the past six months has embarrassed the British diplomatic community under his leadership. It turns out that Britain really cannot control it with just its navy. Europe, not only that, the UK also faces the challenges posed by a grouped Europe.

However, many people in the UK see clearly that behind these groups, almost all are put together by the Netherlands. As long as they win over the Netherlands first and insert themselves into the necks of these European power groups, I believe other countries will not be able to do anything no matter what their plans are. We will no longer dare to form a separate alliance of forces against Britain.

However, Russell and Robert certainly did not know the real situation. Davis's words were a reconciliation line for the Netherlands. Britain was too powerful. Davis knew clearly that the current Netherlands was far from the British. Opponent, although the Dutch navy is good, it is nothing more.

However, if Britain wants to win the Netherlands, it will have to break its muscles and bones. In that case, Britain's European maritime hegemony will definitely be shaken by this. After all, the Dutch navy is ranked eighth in the world, and its tonnage is more than one-third that of the British navy. If you want to win the Netherlands, you will have to use the world's navy. Only when British fleets from all over the country gathered in the North Sea could they capture the Dutch navy in one fell swoop. However, in that case, the British colonial forces in various places would be shaken without the suppression of the British navy.

What's more, he also knows that there is a navy hidden in the East India that is not weaker than the mainland. If the mainland is invaded by the British, the naval fleet from the East India will be dispatched to the northwest. With more than 60,000 army troops, the British in Malaya and even the Indian subcontinent will become the target of Dutch attacks there. At that time, the British will definitely retreat quickly.

Davis: "It's quite big, but I heard that these people are a bit picky. They like the land used by the British Empire because it has a more intimate feel. After all, they have lived with the British Empire in South Africa for more than half of their lives. century."

Russell's face turned green and red.

No way! Robert felt like vomiting.

Robert frowned when he heard this and thought to himself, what would he do if he were Russell, the British Foreign Secretary at this time.

“The Netherlands wants South Australia and Western Australia in Australia?”

In Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria sat on the throne with a displeased face.

She was followed by the calm British Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston and the British Foreign Secretary Russell with a wry smile. In addition, there was the British Crown Prince Edward.

Russell said with a wry smile: "Yes, the Dutch ambassador said that this is compensation for those guys from the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic."

"Compensation" Queen Victoria hadn't spoken yet, but Crown Prince Edward said angrily: "How dare the Netherlands ask for compensation? Your Majesty has buried nearly 50,000 British soldiers in South Africa and their bodies are still exploding there, causing the British The damage to our face has been so great internationally. For such a culprit, the Netherlands sheltered them and the British let them go. Unexpectedly, they dared to ask for our territory. This is because they think the British gunboat shells are misfiring. Of?

Your Majesty, I think it is a wrong choice to win over the Netherlands and negotiate peace with these South African Dutch. We should avenge the lost soldiers, so that we can restore the people's trust in the royal family and the cabinet. "

Crown Prince Edward admitted that he was almost moved to tears by what he said, but when he finished speaking, he found that no one had spoken. Viscount Palmerston smiled and said nothing, without making any waves.

Russell was calm with a hint of respect, like encouragement, but also like a polite gesture, but he couldn't figure out the root cause.

When his eyes fell on Queen Victoria, she was told to shut up, and then ignored him. Queen Victoria said coldly: "Does the Netherlands feel that Britain is too kind, so it always feels that British things are more valuable?" Is it easier to use?"

The smiling Viscount Palmerston said: "The Netherlands is paving the way for the future."

"What do you say?" Crown Prince Edward felt aggrieved and angry at being ignored just now, and felt that the Whigs were indeed abominable, if Disraeli was here. He is absolutely sure that you won't be as aggrieved as you were just now.

So, I couldn't help but ask at this time.

I saw Viscount Palmerston walking to the map that had been placed on the map, pointing to the location of the Netherlands on the map, and said: "Your Majesty, Crown Prince, please see, this is the location of the Netherlands' territory in Europe. This is On the left, we are facing them across the sea. To the south is the French Empire, to the east is the Kingdom of Prussia, a large country in the seemingly messy German Confederation, and to the north is the Kingdom of Hanover.

It is the first level. The land neighbors on the second level are the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Bavaria, the Principality of Württemberg, the Austrian Empire, the Kingdom of Denmark, Sweden, and the Tsarist Russian Empire. They are almost surrounded by the Netherlands. Compared with the army, A difficult opponent to defeat.

Therefore, if the Netherlands wants to rise, it can only find a place for development overseas. South Africa was originally good, but it became our overseas colony after the Vienna Peace Conference. "

"Where is East India?" Crown Prince Edward asked again.

"It was also the site of the Fourth War. Kalimantan was originally big enough, but we occupied Malaya in the north. This was definitely a natural fear for them who were threatened by the surrounding powers.

So, with northern Australia and the Northern Territory falling into their hands, and now Western Australia and South Australia to the south, it is clear that William IV of the Netherlands is thirsting for ideas."

"The Netherlands actually wants the entire Australian continent? Wishful thinking," Crown Prince Edward sneered.

But to his surprise, Queen Victoria lost her previous coldness and replaced it with calmness. "Do you think the Netherlands is confident that they can take the remaining Australia from us?"

Unlike her previous son, Prince Edward, who would spend all day drinking and drinking, Queen Victoria was very familiar with Viscount Palmerston and knew that he would never fire off cannons. Now that he had brought it up, it would definitely make him feel irritated before he brought it up. .

Seeing this, Crown Prince Edward secretly hated Viscount Palmerston. Of course, he only feared and did not dare to hate Victoria, his mother who had been extremely strict with him since childhood.

"Yes, I have become interested in the Netherlands recently, so I took out the history of the Netherlands' recent exchanges with other countries, and made a surprising discovery, that is, they are actually carrying out foreign affairs along a secret line. Various foreign policies, especially after William IV succeeded to the throne of the Netherlands, formed an alliance with France and Prussia, then exchanged territory with Tsarist Russia, fought against our influence in Belgium, and finally divided Belgium.

In order to stay safe and fearful of British retaliation, the war in South Africa was ignited.

The British suddenly had no time to worry about anything else, and the threat to the Netherlands landed safely.

What a beautiful move.

Your Majesty, the Netherlands has a developed industry. With the rise of plastics, the Netherlands has occupied half of the country, and the various products derived from it are supported by the global market. This country's technological strength cannot be underestimated, and its navy is also good. ,

In this case, Britain's hostility to it may damage the foundation created by Britain's ancestors over hundreds of years.

Therefore, I think that instead of being at odds with the Netherlands, it is better to make peace with it. As I said last time, a Netherlands with eased relations with the United Kingdom can build a security wall for the United Kingdom on the Atlantic coast of Europe, making the United Kingdom Added free guards in central and northern Europe. "

"Does Prime Minister Yi mean that we need to bow to the Netherlands?" Edward asked disdainfully.

It's not that he is brainless, but that he recently had trouble with William IV because of an incident, so he really doesn't want Britain to reconcile with the Netherlands. In that case, he will face some competition and get enough support.

"Okay, Edward, you are here to listen to politics and study, not to discuss national affairs together. Your current strength is not worthy."

Queen Victoria made the final decision. After criticizing Edward, she said, "Does the Netherlands want Australia to develop its own strength that is not threatened by European countries?"

"Yes, they are afraid that after European countries may launch a war against the Netherlands, the Netherlands can retain its strength in the Far East and fight back, just like a cat, adding one more life to live on,"

"In this case, we think we can cooperate with the Netherlands. After all, it is far away from us. For us, it is a good opportunity to lose our opponents."

When Edward saw what they said, he understood that nothing could be worse for him than this.

Queen Victoria frowned and asked: "However, South Australia and Western Australia are so big. Is it too natural for the Netherlands to want to evacuate South Africa in exchange for such a large place?"

Ahem!

Russell stood up and said astonishingly: "Her Majesty the Queen, that Davis said that if Her Majesty the Queen agrees, then the Netherlands can tell the British the secret of the huge gold treasure in South Africa, but in that case, please also ask The British Empire gave the remaining territory of Australia to the Netherlands"

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