Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 67 British provocation, Dutch counterattack

On February 1862, 2, seeking to facilitate the cooling of relations between the Belgian cabinet government and the royal family and the Dutch-speaking peoples, Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck issued an appointment approved by William IV. He gave the Dutch Embassy in Belgium A new position for Ambassador John Carr, appointing him as Special Coordinator for Belgian-Dutch issues, seeking to facilitate dialogue between Belgium and the heads of the six Dutch-speaking provinces in their country
However, when relations between Belgium and the Netherlands are currently not harmonious, some people are skeptical about the role of the Netherlands, believing that this is just the Netherlands' effort to open up and intervene in Belgium.

Smith, the president of the University of Cambridge, was specially invited by the British "Financial News" to be questioned. He believed that the appointment by the Dutch government and the Dutch royal family was intended to strengthen the extension of the Netherlands' recent series of diplomatic actions and gradually make it clear that the intention is to achieve The Netherlands is the third party to tensions within Belgium, and instability in Belgium will affect the security of the Netherlands.

Therefore, the fact that the Netherlands holds the position of special envoy in the official capacity of the Netherlands Ambassador to Belgium is even more legitimate and recognized.

It also highlights that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is taking advantage of Belgium's current chaotic period to step up its offensive in the gap between the local government and the cabinet, injecting Dutch factors into it, so that the Netherlands can become an external force that Leopold I has to rely on, and have more influence on the Netherlands. It also adds uncertainty to Belgium's domestic general election.

The Neue Rotterdam Zeitung, which has great influence on Belgium, published a statement issued by Dutch Foreign Minister Hesbert von on that day, announcing that Ambassador John Carr had been appointed as the head of the Belgian embassy and would start serving concurrently immediately. Special Coordinator for Belgium-Dutch-speaking Areas, he described this appointment as demonstrating the Netherlands' commitment to helping the Dutch in Belgium and giving them more confidence when 'communicating' with the Belgian royal family and the internal government.

Hesbert von emphasized that John Karl, on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will coordinate the Dutch-speaking area's growing dissatisfaction with the Belgian government and royal family on issues related to the Dutch-speaking area's policies.Carry out targeted policies, plans and projects to help the Dutch-speaking community obtain the greatest benefits.

The statement also said: "Specifically, he will conduct effective communication between the Dutch-speaking region and the Belgian government to avoid sudden surprises and support the Dutch-speaking provinces and the Belgian government to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement through negotiation."

Hesbert von also claimed, "The people of the Dutch-speaking area are facing various interest infringements from the Belgian government, and their livelihood difficulties are becoming more and more urgent. As the former motherland of those Dutch people, we have the obligation to do something for them." What, in an attempt to help them achieve the prosperous economic life that the Netherlands is developing at today’s speed.”

However, when John Cardon submitted his appointment letter to Belgian Prime Minister Alban in Brussels the day after the Dutch appointment came out, and declared that it was an honor to serve the Dutch in the Dutch-speaking area, Alban did not He accepted the appointment letter and stated that he did not agree with Holland's view of the situation and his overly sensitive sensory characteristics.

Alban took action personally. At the press conference, he said that this was an internal matter within Belgium and that foreign countries were not allowed to interfere at will. He also said that Belgium was happy and economically prosperous, and that it had even caught up with the Netherlands.

"There is no need for some people in the Netherlands with ulterior motives to worry, let alone the Netherlands's role in dictating the internal affairs of Belgium."

The prime minister also criticized the Netherlands for setting up a special coordinator for the Belgian-Dutch-speaking region in an attempt to interfere in Belgium's internal affairs. Belgium was firmly dissatisfied and did not recognize the appointment of the Netherlands.

He urged the Netherlands to stop using the ethnic identity of the Dutch-speaking area to interfere in Belgium's internal affairs, stressing that Belgium will take necessary measures when necessary to deal with the Netherlands' infringement of Belgium's own sovereignty and the interests of national unity, and criticized the Netherlands' intention to use Belgium's To create conflicts in the country in order to achieve some ulterior motives.

The position of Special Coordinator for the Belgian-Dutch-speaking Region has existed in the Netherlands a few years ago, but it has only begun to be appointed now, which has attracted many people's attention.

In Europe's most influential newspaper "European Times", Hermann Van Peron, a special political expert, believes:
In fact, the reason why the Netherlands started to establish it a few years ago and only appoints it now is actually very simple. The Dutch government is comparing this position to the British. A few years ago, there were rumors that the British Empire invited Belgium to participate in overseas colonies and help Belgium in its construction. The Navy made the correlation.

As Britain announced its policy of supporting Belgium on February 2, for the above reasons, the Netherlands immediately showed the sword that had already been hung over Belgium's head in order to show that the Netherlands was already ready. , to deal with the predictable tricks of Britain and Belgium.

Herman Van Peron believes that with the public appearance of this position in the Netherlands, it does not matter whether Belgium admits it or not.He believes that people in the Dutch-speaking area will affirm the appointment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Therefore, in the future, Belgium will need to face more complicated situations.

Because those Dutch-speaking areas will have more reasons to resist the Alban government, and local governments will also challenge the Alban government in various ways. Needless to say, in terms of foreign trade, they have already signed a similar agreement with the Netherlands. Regarding the customs union agreement of the North German Confederation, he believed that Leopold I and Alban would definitely not worry about this, because Belgium would also benefit economically from this.

On the contrary, they are worried that with the emergence of the Customs Union, they are afraid that after the establishment of the North German State, the alliance established by Prussia, which was originally ignored by Austria as the leader, will eventually gradually form an invisible political alliance structure. .

If the same happened to the Dutch-speaking provinces and the Netherlands, it would be an unacceptable consequence for them.

Therefore, their obstruction has been condemned by local governments and people, because it will cause them economic losses, which will cause more estrangements between the cabinet government and local governments.

But if they agree, a Pandora's box will be opened, and they will lose the possibility of controlling Belgium.

In fact, the Netherlands has already started to play the Dutch-speaking card.

Starting in January this year, provinces in the Dutch-speaking area began to visit provinces in the Netherlands one after another. During their visit to Amsterdam at the same time, the heads of the six provinces were received by Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck, which aroused the dissatisfaction of the Belgian cabinet government at that time.Smith, the president of the University of Cambridge, said in the "Financial Times" that as the British announced the policy of aiding Belgium to take effect, the 'Dutch brand' has been officially launched by the Netherlands. It has become a special but unique way for the Netherlands to 'sanction' Belgium. It is another key part of Belgium's seven inches and becomes part of the Dutch attack on Belgium.

Even compared to the previous infiltration methods used by Napoleon III in the French-speaking area, the Netherlands' approach was actually more severe and aggressive than Napoleon III's.

Smith believes that the Netherlands’ appointment of the special coordinator for the Belgium-Dutch-speaking area aims to further strengthen the rationality of its diplomatic control over Belgium, while highlighting the serious internal conflicts in Belgium and warning Europe that the Netherlands’ interests in Belgium will not be allowed to be harmed. , especially to warn the Belgian government with the help of the British Empire.

Hermann Van Peron expected that the Kingdom of the Netherlands will have further contact with Belgian local government leaders in the future, and even invited them to visit the Dutch Royal Palace directly, giving them more support for coming to the Netherlands.

He even predicted that the Netherlands would not face Britain alone, but would unite with its two new allies, France and Prussia, to play the 'Dutch card', the 'French card', and the 'Plain-speaking faction'.

However, among the three countries, Prussia may not be as 'effortful' as the other two, because as we all know, Prussia's "Prussian-speaking faction" has too little influence, and its influence is only in the eastern provinces of Luxembourg and Liège in Belgium.

At a time when the international order is changing rapidly, the general election results in West Flanders, Belgium's westernmost and only coastal province, and East Flanders, which is also a western constituency, are once again eye-catching.

A few days ago, Joseph Beit defeated a noble senator in a duel in the easternmost part of Belgium, and achieved a performance that made the whole of Europe shine.

Many people have labeled Joseph Beit a political star.Even major newspapers in Europe, such as "European Times", "Financial Times", "Le Figaro", "New Rotterdamer", "London Times", etc., have reported on his use of techniques against opponents. , when these newspaper reports came out, Europeans were inconceivable by such means of attacking opponents.

It's that simple?
Although everyone finds it incredible, the result is right in front of them.

Therefore, every Belgian candidate and the team behind them are very cautious now, not daring to be careless, for fear of losing Jingzhou.

Western constituency voters fought an equally harsh campaign.

A ruthless calculation of pros and cons, but this time the unlucky one is a battle-hardened sitting senator.

"Al Zeman is the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee of the Belgian Senator. He has achieved a high status and great influence among the political agitators and 'spoil dividers' in Brussels. Such a giant exists, No one dares to say that he can defeat the other party, not to mention that he has been running the Senate for 6 years and this is his second term."

Joseph Beit's most important aide, Hester, accurately analyzed the situation in the Western Conference. They did not feel too carried away by the victory they had just won. Apart from the initial celebration, they had used the fastest time to cool down the feeling. Excited, in the state, ready to face the next semi-finals in Belgium.

Now that the results have been determined, in addition to Joseph Beit, the first winner in the eastern constituency, there is also the current Prime Minister Orbán in the central constituency who also successfully defeated his opponent in the capital district yesterday and is sitting back and waiting for others to go to Brussels for the Prime Minister's Office. See.

The French-speaking south is now stirring, and the west is starting.The North has been assigned to the Eastern Constituency, so there are no candidates from the North.Now there are three clear candidates for the final four. There is almost no suspense. Joseph Beit in the eastern constituency, Alban in the central constituency, and Merant in the southern constituency. As for the western constituency, many people are not optimistic about the candidates who just participated last year. Jules Danetang was selected as a senator and was elected because he was only 31 years old and his opponent, Al Zeman, had too strong qualifications and connections.

Most importantly, he was not an out-of-towner like his Joseph Beit counterpart.

Therefore, when many people are not optimistic about Jules Danetang, Beite said: "Don't draw too early conclusions. Before the truth is confirmed, anyone may be a suspect, let alone the election. In short, My sixth sense tells me that this Danetang will be my lifelong rival."

However, Danetang is generally not favored. Can he really kill the opponent and become Beit's opponent?

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(End of this chapter)