Chapter 307: Leave no way out (ask for a monthly ticket)
"Your Excellency, the two foreign ministers, the Kingdom of Italy is a member of the Allied Powers, but we have never thought of breaking the alliance." Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra said hastily.
No matter what, it cannot be admitted that Italy wants to betray the covenant. Not only will Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire regard them as enemies, but it will also have a great adverse effect on the credibility of the Kingdom of Italy. Of course, the Kingdom of Italy has long since lost its credibility. But even if you want to bear such infamy, the prerequisite is to obtain huge benefits for it. Otherwise, wouldn\'t it be in vain?
"So, is the Kingdom of Italy planning to fulfill the covenant and declare war on the Allied Powers? If that\'s the case, it would be great." Von Kidren Wachter said.
"No, no. Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Kingdom of Italy is not ready yet. If we rashly join the war, it will be very detrimental to us." Antonio Salandra said.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, are you joking? It has been two months since the outbreak of the war, and the Kingdom of Italy is still not ready for war? What is the reason for this?" Leopold von Bergido, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Er said with some dissatisfaction. Germany and Austria-Hungary were fighting the Allies with heavy losses. As an ally, the Italians were actually lazy behind the scenes, which naturally made him very unhappy.
"Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, this war broke out so suddenly that we were not prepared at all, and we were caught off guard. That\'s why we haven\'t been ready for war for a long time. Once we are ready, we will definitely immediately Into the war," said Paul Sedley.
Paul Sedley\'s answer is obviously perfunctory. This point, whether it is von? Kidren? Wacht or Leopold? von? Berchdor are very clear. Of course they would not give such a chance to Austria-Hungary.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Your Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs. The patience of the Empire is limited. The recent performance of the Kingdom of Italy has exhausted the patience of the Empire. Therefore, the Empire hopes that the Kingdom of Italy will give us an answer within three days. If If the Kingdom of Italy fails to give us an answer within three days, then we will regard the Kingdom of Italy as perfunctory to us and attempt to betray the covenant. At that time, the Empire will directly regard the Kingdom of Italy as an enemy of the Empire." Von Ki Deren Wachter said.
"The attitude of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is also the same. You only have three days. Whether you will continue to be our ally or become our enemy depends on your own choice." Leopold von Berchdor also Said arrogantly.
Although everyone is a member of the Allied Powers, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy have considerable conflicts. The Kingdom of Italy has always coveted the Balkan Peninsula. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has been expanding to the Balkan Peninsula, and has achieved good results, which will naturally make the Kingdom of Italy very jealous.
Antonio Salandra and Paul Sedley were completely overwhelmed. They never expected that Germany and Austria-Hungary would actually give them a request similar to an ultimatum. Neither of them doubted at all whether the Germans were playing tricks to intimidate them. Obviously, if the Kingdom of Italy does not respond within three days, or does not fulfill the treaty, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire will really declare war on Italy.
The attitudes of Germany and Austria-Hungary greatly exceeded the expectations of the Kingdom of Italy. At the same time, this made them very angry. They were so threatened by Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is clear that they did not regard them as allies.
"Your Excellency, the two Foreign Ministers, is this the attitude of Germany and Austria-Hungary towards their allies?" Antonio Salandra looked angry.
"If the Kingdom of Italy is really our ally, of course we will treat it as an ally. But if the Kingdom of Italy really wants to be our ally, then we have to show the attitude of being an ally." Feng ? Kidren? Wacht\'s answer, full of gunpowder.
"Three days is too short, we simply can\'t reply in such a short time." Paul Sedley still tried to delay the time.
"Three days is enough! I think that if the Kingdom of Italy really wanted to fulfill the covenant, it would have made a decision long ago." Von Kidren Wachter said directly.
Antonio Salandra was silent for a while, and then said: "If the Kingdom of Italy fulfills the covenant, can our interests be satisfied?"
"If it is a legitimate interest request, we will consider it."
"The Kingdom of Italy needs the Austro-Hungarian Empire to cede Trieste, the entire Slovenia, and the Adriatic coastal area of Croatia to us! If Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire agree, the Kingdom of Italy will fulfill the covenant." Antonio Salan Della said. The Kingdom of Italy has long coveted the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire on the Balkan Peninsula.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!" Leopold von Berchdor immediately objected.
It\'s just that Antonio Sarandra didn\'t even look at him, but stared at von Kidren Wachter. He knew very well that it was the Germans who really made the decision.
"Such a request is too much. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is also an ally of Germany, and it is impossible for us to damage the interests of our allies. If the Kingdom of Italy fulfills the covenant, then, after the victory of the war, the Kingdom of Italy will get its due share of benefits Yes," von Kiedren Wachter said.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Antonio Salandra\'s eyes, and von Kidren Wachter\'s answer was tantamount to directly rejecting the request of the Kingdom of Italy. If the Kingdom of Italy still wants to obtain those benefits, it will be impossible to fulfill the covenant.