Chapter 305 Birmingham Peace Agreement
The next point of contention between the two sides was the restoration of the territorial status of the Papal States before the last war. The Papal States were located in the central part of the Apennine Peninsula. Once the previous territory was restored, Italy could be cut in half.
Friedrich: "The Papal States has a transcendent status, but the Kingdom of Italy has been constantly encroaching on the Papal States' territory through various conspiracies and intrigues. We should place the Papal States in a special position. The Papal States do not participate in international affairs, but no country may invade the Papal States. Otherwise, the invader is the enemy of God, and anyone has the right to destroy him."
In other words, the Papal States will be turned into a vase, or a permanently neutral country. This will have no impact on other countries. Only the forces within Italy that want to unify will be affected, which will be as painful as a fishbone stuck in the neck.
Of course, Gamorre objected: "The Kingdom of Italy does not recognize the existence of the Papal States. It is just a puppet of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
Friedrich: "It's better to be a puppet than to be destroyed by an evil country like Sardinia! Is this the attitude of your Kingdom of Sardinia towards the Pope and God?"
Once religious issues were involved, the Austro-Hungarian Empire would gain the upper hand, after all, the Papal States still had some influence among believers around the world.
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Earl Granville said, "Well, since there are disagreements, let's analyze and discuss them one by one."
The Austro-Hungarian Empire's ideal state for Italy was to dismember Italy and at the same time recover the Venice-Lombardy region. The idea of the Kingdom of Italy was no longer important, and now it depended on the attitudes of Britain and Russia.
Britain had interests in the Kingdom of Sardinia, so it hoped to maintain the integrity of the Kingdom of Italy. However, it was impossible to expect the Austro-Hungarian Empire to withdraw its troops and allow Italy to unify. The British themselves could not send lobster soldiers ashore to fight against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, especially now that Italy's defeat was certain. It would be best to let the Russians be the bad guy.
Then Earl Granville said to the Russian Foreign Minister: "Mr. Gorchakov, what do you think of this matter?"
Gorchakov: "I don't have too many opinions, but I think the integrity and unity of the Kingdom of Italy should be respected, and we also support the independence of the Kingdom of Naples."
Both support and both oppose. Gorchakov did not mention the Papal States. After all, considering the faith, Gorchakov would not speak well of the Papal States. It would be better for it to end quickly and then the Orthodox Church to gain the right to speak on Christianity.
The reason for expressing goodwill towards the Kingdom of Naples was naturally because the independence of the Kingdom of Naples would basically not change, unless a country really went to war with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This country could be Britain, France, or even Prussia, but it definitely could not be Russia.
Although Russia was very angry with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was impossible for Russia to fight with the Austro-Hungarian Empire for Italy, especially now that the Kingdom of Italy was in name only and the Kingdom of Naples had been restored. The value of the Kingdom of Italy was greatly reduced. The intact Italy could barely contain the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and one-third of Italy could only be beaten by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even if Russia sent troops now, it would probably not change the current situation in Italy. At most, it would give Hungary and Czechoslovakia some blows in the east. If Russia did this, Austria would probably be happy instead of surprised. One of the foundations for the continued existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the existence of Russia. Even if it succeeded, the final results would not fall into its own hands, but let the British pick it up for free.
Therefore, intervening in Italy is a thankless task for Russia. Gorchakov does not care about the British instigation at all. If he really wants to help Italy, it depends on the attitude of the British.
Seeing that Gorchakov was not interested in the Kingdom of Italy, Count Granville had no other options. It just so happened that France had been abolished at this time and was temporarily powerless to do anything about the Italian region. It was impossible for Britain to do anything about it!
Count Granville was still clear that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had become the biggest winner this time, that is, a matter of winning big or small. Since the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not be stopped, the Austro-Hungarian Empire's gains should be minimized as much as possible.
Count Granville: "The Kingdom of Italy bears much responsibility for this war, but the Austro-Hungarian Empire is also not without responsibility. The war could have been completely avoided. I think it would be better for both countries to take a step back. After all, the war has reached this point and the outcome is already obvious."
By saying this, Earl Granville acknowledged on behalf of Britain that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had won the war, but he still wanted to fight for the Kingdom of Italy.
Friedrich: "We can make concessions, but at most Sicily can continue to remain in the Kingdom of Italy, but that's it."
The people of Sicily had always opposed the rule of the Kingdom of Naples, so this issue could still be abandoned. If it were not for the instigation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the pressure on the Kingdom of Italy, the Kingdom of Naples would not have intended to take over this hot potato.
Gamor: "Austria-Hungary has no sincerity for peace. Sicily is already under our control, so it cannot be considered a condition for negotiation."
Friedrich: "Haha, now the initiative of changing the war situation is in our hands. If we want to further dismember Italy, no one can stop us."
Frederick's words aroused opposition from Britain and Russia, but they also realized that if the Kingdom of Italy did not surrender, even the Kingdom of Sardinia might no longer exist. Although the situation in Italy is very bad now, it still has an overall advantage over the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples.
Count Granville said: "Venice can return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but Lombardy cannot. The Kingdom of Naples will no longer be merged with Sicily, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies will never be restored. The Papal States will remain unchanged."
Friedrich: "Lombardy must return to Austria-Hungary, and the Papal States' demand for the return of their eastern territories is reasonable."
Gamor: "No! Lombardy and Venice are both integral territories of the Kingdom of Italy. We firmly oppose the hegemony and aggression of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
Friedrich spread his hands and said, "Lord Granville, you have also seen that it is not that our Austro-Hungarian Empire does not want to negotiate. Now that the Italians have made their choice, don't blame us for continuing the war!"
Count Granville threatened Gamor with a cold face: "Italy, as the instigator of the war, should be punished and should not continue to be ungrateful."
Earl Granville was essentially defending the Kingdom of Italy and wanted the Kingdom of Italy to cooperate with him. This time, Italy lost and it lost. If Italy had not performed so poorly on the battlefield, Britain would not have been so passive. Therefore, Italy could only accept Britain's mediation and accept the result of defeat.
Count Granville said to Frederick: "Venice can be given to your country, but Lombardy must not return to Austria. This is Britain's bottom line."
Friedrich bargained: "Lombardy can not completely return to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but the eastern one-third must accept the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
This was a benefit promised to the Hungarians, so naturally they had to get it. After careful consideration, Earl Granville agreed to this.
So, under the consultation between Britain and Austria, the Italo-Austrian War ended, the Austro-Hungarian Empire acquired Venice and one-third of Lombardy, the Papal States recovered the territory along the eastern Adriatic coast, and the Kingdom of Naples became independent and recognized by the international community.
As for the Kingdom of Italy, it was forced to sign the peace agreement under the threat of the British. The British essentially preserved the Kingdom of Italy. The Kingdom of Sardinia, Sardinia, Sicily, and most of Lombardy remained within the territory of the Kingdom of Italy, and its overall strength in the Italian region was still the first.
The meeting was held in Birmingham, England, so the "Peace Agreement between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1871" is also known as the "Birmingham Peace Agreement".
(End of this chapter)
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