Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 83 The future direction of the Netherlands

Chapter 83 The future direction of the Netherlands
However, things seemed to be completely beyond the expectations of everyone outside. The British government surprisingly chose not to make any comments, which only increased everyone's imagination: Britain, are you afraid?Or is it working secretly with energy that may burst out suddenly?
As the initiator of this action, France, Prussia and the Netherlands surprisingly maintained a tacit understanding with the United Kingdom and did not issue any statement on this to explain the reasons and goals of this joint fleet voyage.

This caused a lot of discussion among ordinary people, and even politicians from various countries were paying attention, staring at the direction of the combined fleet, trying to determine the plans of the three countries.

Downing Street, seat of the British Empire's Cabinet.

Downing Street is located in Whitehall, central London, on the corner of Parade Ground and St James's Park, just minutes from the Palace of Westminster.

Downing Street was built by Dr. George Downing, the first Sir Downing from 1632 to 1689. The street is named after his surname. Downing himself was a soldier and diplomat.

He worked for Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II. Later, Charles II gave Downing a piece of land close to St. James Park. After construction, that piece of land is now Downing Street.

Downing Street is now the official residence of members of the British cabinet, including the Prime Minister.

"Viscount, I think we have been too indulgent towards the three countries. Judging from the fact that the three countries have chosen to provocatively form a joint fleet this time, we should at least express our opposition. After all, the empire's interests and status in the Atlantic Ocean have always been In the past, it was all about suppressing all countries. Now with the combination of the Three Kingdoms, the British Empire's navy has the wrong feeling of being surpassed by the Three Kingdoms. The result can be drawn from the huge reaction of the Chinese people this time. Not to mention them, Even I feel depressed.”

Palmerston declined to comment on what Business Secretary Richard Cobden said.

Instead:

"If you find that there are several big men around you waiting for the piece of fat beef in your hand, you should form them into two teams for a duel, and then announce that the winner standing at the end can get the beef. Half of it, when the last person standing comes to you and asks for beef, we will go and beat each other head on.

In essence, the problem the British Empire is facing now is similar to that of the protagonist holding beef.

As the country with the most colonies in the world, being envied by others is something to be thankful for, and being remembered by others proves how strong our national power is.

Therefore, the very existence of Britain's every move is a manifestation of its extensive influence on countries around the world. Countries around the world have a strange look at it that envy and seduce other countries. "

Especially in this era of rapid rise of emerging powers in the world, it goes without saying that Prussia and even the Tsarist Empire only rose in the past hundred years.

The United States and Italy have also established a foundation. We need to use special methods to maintain the status of the British Empire in the world. My predecessors have done a good job, and we should also use this residual heat, and even add fire. Establishing our own continued policy implementation.

Therefore, this time the three countries seemed to be targeting the UK, but in fact it was just a bold move. They were all trying to avoid the UK.

France will not be willing to cooperate sincerely with others easily, it will only be bound by interests.

When they feel that the benefits are not big enough, and when more benefits can be obtained by cooperating with another group of people, then the trilateral agreement will become a fiction.

Haha, now the Three Kingdoms are shouting happily, but in fact, the three countries also have their own agendas, and their interests are paramount.

Since they want to express themselves, as long as the fundamental interests of the UK are not involved, why not let them vent their anger to the public and then let them have a duel?
"But Prime Minister, is it possible that they will continue to act?"

Richard Cobden had entered the British cabinet a few years ago. He used to have his own team in the Whig Party. In 1859, he even competed with Palmerston for the position of Prime Minister in the National Party. , ultimately lost to the other party, but the other party also generously invited him to take up the post of Minister of Commerce. In line with the principle of non-confrontation in the face of general trends, he accepted the offer with a conciliatory attitude and did not reject the other party's kindness.

However, when it comes to policy, he sometimes insists on his own ideas, such as his famous opposition to the Corn Laws.

"But, aren't we just acting?"

"Then Prime Minister, what should we do next? Domestic public opinion is now very dissatisfied with our cabinet. If we don't take countermeasures, then the Tory Party will really turn around in the next general election."

Palmerston said with wisdom: "Since the Three Kingdoms are going to play such a game, it's a good idea for us to play with them and ask our people in South America to start turning on the propaganda machine and spread a message in South America. That is, the three-nation coalition is preparing to land in the southern United States to support the south in its fight against the northern United States. After that, the world will simultaneously publicize it."

Richard Cobden was stunned at first, then showed a look of shock, and then said happily: "High, it's really high."

Other cabinet members also brightened up when they heard this. One stance towards the United States completely exposed the differences between the three countries to the world.

On April 1862, 4, the American "Southern Herald" first reported the news that the march direction of the joint navy of the Netherlands, France and Prussia had been determined to land in Florida, the United States, which would help the south resist the invasion from the north.

For a time, the entire southern United States fell into cheers. Even some people from the Southern Alliance of the United States stood up to express their appreciation for the support of the three countries and expressed many thanks.

Even Robert Edward Lee, the commander-in-chief of the South, stood up. "We are very grateful to the three countries for their support. We sincerely thank them. They have been very helpful to us. It is said that this time the three countries will provide army support of more than 1 people, and naval support is our most urgent. For this reason, we have The most delicious dinner is ready for them when they arrive.”

With the confirmation of the top figure in the southern military, everyone looked at the north of the United States with strange eyes.

Europe!

Amsterdam.

When William IV heard the news, he felt very strange.

This has nothing to do with it. The United Fleet has not even started yet, and it is like being ordered by others. The Three Kingdoms sailed, but the purpose is controlled by others?
Without thinking, he also knew that the initiator behind this time was the United Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, should we refute each other externally?"

Haysbet Feng said worriedly: "The British are really cruel this time, but as long as we publicly refute the other party, we can greatly embarrass them.

It is said that public opinion within the UK has fermented, and there is a risk of attacking their cabinet at any time. If we refute, their public opinion may become even more dangerous, and this government may step down."

William IV did not answer, but looked at Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck. "How does the Prime Minister feel about this?"

"No," Tolbeck objected: "Your Majesty, I feel that we don't know whether to refute. Instead, we should contact France and Prussia immediately to silence the matter and order the fleet to change its direction. The direction is exactly the Florida in this public opinion.”

Tolbeck said something astonishing.

To the surprise of all the Privy Council members present.

William IV asked with great interest: "Why?"

"Your Majesty and everyone, have you ever thought about it? We have been having many conflicts with the northern United States recently. Although it is temporarily due to British reasons, it seems to have eased the tense conflicts between the two countries, but the fundamental conflicts have not been completely resolved.

In the past, I have been thinking about how the Netherlands can complete its dissolved relationship with the United States and how to deal with this emerging power. After all, the Netherlands is too small, but there is no way to start.

Britain's move this time is directly based on the attitude of the three countries towards the United States. Although it clearly clarifies the differences between the three countries, it is a directly heart-breaking move.

But it is not an opportunity for the Netherlands to ease relations with the United States.

Your Majesty, the population of the Netherlands needs to grow recently, but the United States has 60 Dutch people. If we can speed up the withdrawal of these Dutch people because of this matter, just like we did in South Africa during this period, then the final winner will be The Netherlands is definitely one of the countries with the most.

When others think that the Netherlands is competing for territory with other countries, what they actually don't know is that His Majesty's actions these days are just to unite the Dutch people in the world.

As long as more than one million people return, the Dutch population policy will continue further.

We can even put these millions of people directly in overseas territories, such as Alaska or East India.

For example, His Majesty plans to capture Madagascar and Tanzania, as well as places such as Queensland and the Northern Territory in northern Australia that he plans to trade.

Especially in Australia, according to British data, the population is only about 100 million, and New Zealand has only tens of thousands. If we step up our population policy, then according to His Majesty’s long-term goal of winning Australia, the speed will increase. Much faster. "

The Privy Council was quiet, and at the same time everyone showed hope.

William IV looked around at everyone and said: "You don't need me to explain the current position of the Netherlands. You all know what the situation is. This is the place where the four wars were fought. There is no danger to defend. It can be a granary, but it can also be said that the fruits of the war are harvested. battlefield.

If the Netherlands wants to grow, it needs an environmental space that can develop stably. As for the island of Madagascar, which is at the lowest level, its sphere of influence is Tanzania, the Kingdom of Congo and Angola, which we had an alliance with a hundred years ago, which is the development direction I chose.

But our goal is the Australian continent. As long as we win it, it will be a leapfrog development for us. Think about it, when the Dutch East Indies are connected, how big is the area of ​​the Netherlands, and how big is the development space? How extensive it is
Chapter 1

(End of this chapter)