Greece’s Roman Road

On July 6, Lundhardt, the Greek ambassador to Constantinople, received a note from Athens and returned to Athens to report his duties.

After learning the news, Constantine, eager to understand the situation of the Ottoman Empire, immediately summoned Prime Minister Alexandros, Minister of Foreign Affairs Venizelos, and Ambassador Lundhardt to the Palace of the Constitution Square without waiting for corrections after his journey. discussion.

After the greeting, Lundhardt naturally understood the reason why the crown prince hurriedly summoned him to report the information in the Ottoman country to everyone.

“Although after the revolutionary army entered Constantinople, there were still armed forces loyal to Sultan Hamid II who rebelled and revolted again to support Hamid II and oppose the revolution. Tired of it, the vast majority of people are pro-revolutionary and they want change."

"The Ottoman Revolutionary Organization in Macedonia, the United Progress Association organized the Macedonian Revolutionary Army, which has entered Constantinople and suppressed the armed forces opposed to the revolution under the banner of Hamid II, the United and Progressive Association in Ottoman The political power of the empire cannot be underestimated.”

"Although the Germans did not express their attitude, like other major powers, they were in a wait-and-see state with regard to the civil strife in the Ottoman Empire, but there are various signs that they have a positive attitude towards the Ottoman revolution," Lundhardt reported to everyone.

"The most effective new army in the Ottoman Empire at present is mainly commanded by officers who are trained and trained by the Germans. These people all support the Association for Unity and Progress. If there is no German action, this would not be justified."

"The German embassy is currently the hottest power center in Constantinople. It has a huge influence in the Ottomans, and high-ranking Ottoman officials frequently enter and leave the German embassy."

It is not surprising that the Germans supported the Ottoman Empire.

Among the major powers in Europe, if there is any country that is really happy to see the Ottoman Empire recover and reverse its decline, it is probably only Germany.

Britain and France, although they were on the side of the Ottoman Empire in the battle between the Ottomans and Russia, mainly from their own interests, did not want to see Russia expand into the Mediterranean, because it would greatly weaken the British and French in the Far East (India). and Southeast Asia), and Mediterranean interests.

They wanted the Ottoman Empire to be a firewall, firmly blocking Russia's tentacles into the Mediterranean.

On the issue of Russia's entry into the Mediterranean, as a Mediterranean country, Italy's position is similar to that of Britain and France.

As for Austria-Hungary and Russia, as opponents that have repeatedly fought with the Ottoman Empire in history, the weaker the Ottoman Empire, the greater their benefits.

Only Germany is different.

Germany does not have a border with the Ottomans, and the strength of the Ottomans has risen sharply, which is beneficial to Germany.

A powerful Ottoman can divert Russia's attention and ease Germany's pressure in the East.

And Austria-Hungary, an ally of Germany, in order to compete against Russia in the Balkans, or a Slavic country, will naturally be more tame with the support of Germany.

"Mr. Lundhardt, according to your observations, can the Ottoman Empire be reborn through this revolution?" Prime Minister Alexandros asked.

"I heard that since the Ottoman uprising, the various ethnic groups in the Ottoman Empire that originally wanted to gain autonomy are now watching. It is said that the Progress and Unification Association supports the establishment of a parliament, advocates ethnic equality, and alleviates ethnic conflicts."

Among the various ethnic groups in the Ottomans, the most active supporters of autonomy are the Armenians and Arabs.

Alexandros' idea of ​​taking advantage of the civil strife in the Ottoman Empire to follow the example of the expansion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was not supported by the crown prince and Venizelos, and such a good opportunity could only be given up.

Although the Ottoman Empire has been losing ground since the 19th century, so far, its territory is still the largest country on the Mediterranean coast, Libya, the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia Minor. The total area of ​​these territories is still two or three million square kilometers.

The total population is about 20 million.

If the Ottomans really rely on this revolution to rejuvenate and develop the potential of this land, Greece will be very passive, trembling in front of the Ottoman Empire, and the gap between the main indicators is too great.

As the Prime Minister of Greece, Alexandros is naturally very worried about this.

"Then it's hard to say. There are many contradictions within the Ottoman Empire, not only feudal autocracy, religious contradictions, ethnic contradictions, separatist forces, political corruption, stagnant economic development, and widespread poverty" Lundhardt pondered for a moment. said later.

"These contradictions are intertwined and intricate, and the main members of the Progressive Unification Association are very young, most of them are young officers in their twenties and thirties. They have no political experience and lack outstanding politicians, even if their intentions are good. , if you want to change the status quo of the Ottoman Empire, I'm afraid it's still..."

Speaking of this, Lundhardt shook his head, obviously not optimistic about them.

Hearing these words, Alexandros calmed down.

After that, the conference room was quiet for a while, and everyone was pondering the information given by Lundhardt.

Constantine stood up, pushed open the window of the conference room, and the dull air immediately dissipated.

"Although Greece cannot take military action, it should indeed change its current policy," Venizelos said suddenly.

"Greece should be prepared, as it was before the war of 1896, for possible changes in the situation in Europe"

The three of them were startled when they heard the words, and looked at Venizelos.

"After nearly 30 years of peace in Europe, the contradictions between the great powers are becoming more and more prominent now."

Since the Franco-Prussian War (1871), there have been no major wars between the major powers in Europe.

"And now the allies of Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary have taken shape, France and Russia are getting closer, and two opposing military blocs have taken shape," Venizelos said solemnly.

"And after the Second Boer War, Britain's confidence was frustrated, and it was no longer as arrogant as before, or more confident, and abandoned its glorious and isolated foreign policy."

In the Second Boer War, in order to deal with the Boers with a population of just over 300,000, the British sent 450,000 troops to South Africa at the peak, which lasted nearly three years and cost 200 million pounds.

The poor performance of the British Army was ridiculed by European countries, and it also greatly touched the British interior.

After the Boer War, Britain and Japan formed an alliance, an unexpected decision that stunned the world.

"In recent years, the contradiction between Britain and France has gradually eased, and the two sides have reached a compromise on the colonial side."

"In this way, the situation of two military blocs in Europe is very clear."

Alexandros frowned, feeling disbelief at Venizelos' statement, and said, "It's too broad, is there any definite evidence?"

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