Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 21 The turmoil caused by the revelations

“Belgium’s civil war continues, and the Netherlands’ expansion into the Pacific Ocean continues?

Is this title eye-catching enough?

This was the hottest topic in the West throughout January 1862.

Not enough?there are more.

The British Empire is coming?
It wants to build a naval military base in the central seaport city of Ostad on the Belgian coast?
According to a leaked "confidential intelligence report" of the Belgian government, the British Empire's first military base on the European continent was established in Gibraltar in southern Europe.

The British Empire intends to establish a permanent military base in the central coastal area of ​​Belgium. This is also the second British military base on the European continent.

But the strange thing is that neither Belgium nor the British Empire has denied or acknowledged the leaked information. "

There are now influential newspapers in the West, including the Financial Times/The Times of London/The Times in the British Empire, Le Figaro/Le Monde in France, and the Berliner Zeitung in Prussia. /"Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung".

Austria's "Crown"/"La Stampa", Spain's "Madrid"/"La Vanguardia", Sweden's "Domestic Post"/"Nordic Times", Norway's "Aftenposten", the Netherlands "Daily Report" 》/"Hanselsblatt"/"Neo Rotterdam Zeitung", "Voice of Tsarist Russia"/"St. Petersburg Daily News" of the Tsarist Empire, America's "New York Post"/"Chicago Times" and so on.

They all have great influence in their own countries, and it is difficult for other countries to get involved, except for one newspaper, which was founded five years ago and is headquartered in the Principality of Luxembourg, far away from the Netherlands. With the same geographical location, in the middle of the four wars, it has become the fastest-growing newspaper in the history of Europe, with the widest scope, distributed in the most countries, and the most recognized for its credibility.

It was the most influential "European Times" in Europe for five years from 1857 to 1862.

In addition to Luxembourg and the Netherlands, it also has branches in the Kingdom of Belgium, the French Empire, the British Empire, the Kingdom of Portugal, and the Kingdom of Spain. Even Italy, which has recently begun to become independent, the Ottoman Empire in eastern Europe, and the Tsarist Russian Empire have its branches. , and Luxembourg's close neighbors, the Kingdom of Austria, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Bavaria, the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Württemberg, etc. in the German Confederation, "European Times" all have their own publishing divisions. It can be said that it has created history and become The newspaper is read every day throughout Europe, so its influence is obvious.

Her consistent style is to be fair, just, open and strategic, and her position is impartial. These are the sources of her recognition.

The appearance of new issues every day is enough to attract people's attention.
The new day of February 1862, 2 finally arrived.Just like before, they didn't want to leave as soon as their eyes fell. The news in this issue was the same as before because it was so exciting.

According to an exclusive report received by Luxembourg's "European Times" from an informed source, based on the investigation results of a tripartite civilian joint agency of France, the Netherlands and Prussia, using the resources of these agencies, intelligence results from the highly confidential military intelligence departments of the respective countries showed that, If the base is built, it will not only be able to supply the British Empire's huge warships with fuel and daily necessities, but also be able to replenish ammunition and provide warship repairs, etc. The British Empire will use this as a way to become more capable of substantively ruling the western coast of Europe. For Europe's western seaboard countries, this could be a horrific nightmare.

The British Empire would find a forward base in the south of the sea to influence the policies of European countries.This threat is causing consequences in the eyes of the Netherlands, France, and even the German Confederation. This threat is sounding the alarm for France and the Netherlands.

However, these private organizations refused to disclose more details, saying that they did not obtain more supporting information because they were afraid of leaking the secrets of various countries.

The report attempts to prove that the British Empire indeed intends to do this. The information is a research report and proposal from within Belgium, which were reviewed and approved by Prime Minister Valvater Frère Alban and are now ready to be sent. It went to the Belgian Parliament for a vote. If passed, it will take effect immediately as long as King Leopold I of Belgium signs it.

Such a statement is so conclusive that it is hard to believe that it is just groundless and purely fictitious.

The second source of information was a colonel from the Dunkirk flotilla of the navy in northern France. In an interview with this newspaper, he said: "The frequency of warships from the British Empire has increased in the past month. This is obviously very... It may be preparations for the construction of a naval base.”

The colonel also said: "If the troops from the United Kingdom really enter Belgium, it will be the most significant threat in France's history. It will be the time when France needs to face the most powerful enemy threat, and the threat level will even exceed It’s like the Holy Alliance period, because at that time there was only one alliance with divided hearts, and now there is a maritime overlord who builds a bunker next to France’s bed and watches you sleep, can France sleep?”

The third piece of information comes from an expert from the Kingdom of the Netherlands who is familiar with Belgium’s internal political situation and is also a specially invited expert of this newspaper. Hermann Van Rompuy, dean of the School of Diplomacy at Leiden University, revealed in an interview: " The Netherlands is very worried that the British Empire will establish a base in Belgium. After all, it is about 100 kilometers away from the Netherlands. This will make the UK threaten the Dutch mainland so close for the first time. This is a very scary thing. I think we are not the only ones. I don’t want this base to be settled and completed, and other European countries will not agree with Belgium’s approach. Therefore, I use the "European Times" to say, if you do this in the British Empire, be careful of arousing public outrage!"

Finally, the dean also vigilantly told this newspaper that he mentioned that in the report submitted to Congress by the Netherlands at the beginning of this year, the British Empire may consider establishing naval bases in Belgium, Norway, Portugal, and Sicily, Italy, and said that this is The operation of casting a wide net and catching every fish is a net profit move, which can be described as "well-intentioned". It reminds all countries to be careful about luring wolves into the house. The story of the Netherlands and Belgium in 1830 is a lesson for the past!
There are many sources of information and no beginning or end. Some French and Dutch private and government personnel have expressed specious concerns and statements on various occasions. Even the intelligence and public opinion circles of Prussia and Hanover have joined in. There are so many of them. With their own people and mouths, they can piece together a new excuse to spread the seeds of the so-called "British Empire Threat Theory" internationally.
　Today is the 10th day since the beginning of this book.

　　收藏数据：11月28日14、11月29日28、11月30日26、12月1日25、12月2日29、12月3日55、12月4日38、12月5日61、12月6日73、12月7日58，合计407个收藏。截止13点已经是435个，希望新的书友继续收藏下，看看今天能不能够500收藏。

　　Old book friends, please vote, the new book really needs support, thank you all!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)