Published at 13th of February 2023 07:05:25 AM

Paul Boselli was silent, he was thinking about how to answer the German Foreign Minister von Kidrun Wachter's question. He knew that if Germany and AustriHungary were offended at the same time, the Kingdom of Italy would be doomed. The mighty German army can destroy the Kingdom of Italy in an instant, and they don't even have a chance to turn the tables.

The conditions put forward by Germany are also very harsh for the Kingdom of Italy. However, compared with the conditions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is slightly more relaxed.

"Your Excellency, the conditions proposed by Germany are too harsh. The Kingdom of Italy cannot bear it. If the German Empire can lower it a little, the Kingdom of Italy can accept it." Paul Boselli said.

Wacht shook his head: "Unfortunately, this is already the bottom line of the empire, and there may not be any reduction."

Wachter's attitude is undoubtedly relatively tough. Of course, he is entitled to be so tough. The great strength of the German Empire allowed him to raise these conditions.

Paul Boselli thought for a while, and then said: "Your Excellency, I need to report to the country."

This is undoubtedly a euphemism. In the face of Germany's request, even in the Kingdom of Italy, there is probably no way to refuse it.

Wacht nodded in satisfaction and said no more. He knew that Italy could not refuse Germany's request, and Germany's interests would be satisfied.

Crown Prince Karl's face suddenly became very ugly. The Germans and Italians traded right in front of him. This is completely ignoring him and provoking the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If he can bear it, then there is a ghost.

"Is Italy intending to meet the demands of Germany, but reject the demands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?" Crown Prince Karl asked.

"His Royal Highness, I did not say to meet the requirements of the German Empire. In addition, your country's requirements are too harsh." Paul Boselli said again.

"Hmph! Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is the German Empire planning to abandon the covenant and make peace with Italy alone?" Crown Prince Karl looked at Vachter.

"His Royal Highness, I just raised the request of the German Empire. Whether the Kingdom of Italy agrees or not is their business. If you and the Kingdom of Italy are unable to reach an agreement because of the harsh conditions proposed by your country, which will lead to a stalemate in the peace talks .It is impossible for the German Empire to accompany you all the time, right? "Wachter said.

This time the peace talks broke up unhappy, and no agreement was reached. The harsh conditions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were unacceptable to the Kingdom of Italy. Although, the conditions of the German Empire are also very harsh. But in the absence of a solution, the Italians obviously would rather accept the demands of the German Empire than the demands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After the peace talks, Paul Boselli immediately contacted Rome and reported the demands of Germany and AustriHungary to the country.

The problem was immediately thrown to King Vittorio Emanuele III and Prime Minister Antonio Salandra. How to choose depends on their decision.

"Bastard! The Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are not good things, they are all robbers! They actually proposed such harsh conditions!" Vittorio Emanuele III saw Paul Boselli send Immediately after the telegram came back, he began to curse.

"It is true that the demands made by the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are more stringent than the other. However, we can imagine this from the peace treaty reached between the Germans and the French." Antonio Salandra said.

"Your Excellency, what should we do now? Should we agree to their request?" Vittorio Emanuele III was very unwilling. At the same time, he also regretted it very much. Originally, the Kingdom of Italy did not need to be treated like this, they should have belonged to the victors. But because of his own greed, he was on the wrong team, and the Kingdom of Italy will now suffer a disaster.

"Of course we can't agree to their conditions. If the Kingdom of Italy agrees to their conditions, then we will be no different from subjugation." Antonio Salandra shook his head.

"But if we refuse, they will continue to attack Italy. It is impossible for our army to resist them." Vittorio Emanuele III's eyes flashed with horror.

He was extremely disappointed with the fighting power of the Italian Kingdom's army. He couldn't understand why their army's combat effectiveness would become so bad after more than forty years. Italy and Germany were unified almost at the same time. However, the fighting power of the German army is getting stronger and stronger, while the fighting power of the army of the Kingdom of Italy is getting worse and worse, and it has become two extremes.

"Your Majesty, my idea is that we can agree to the conditions of the Germans. But the conditions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we have to think carefully. The Germans are too powerful. They almost defeated the Allied Powers. If we refuse The conditions of the Germans, they can easily destroy us. Therefore, we cannot refuse the conditions of the Germans, we can only agree. What's more, although the conditions of the Germans are harsh, they are much better than those of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. said Antonio Sarandra.

Vittorio Emanuele III nodded. Although he was a little bit pained, he also knew that there was no way to do it. If Germany is rejected, then the demise of Italy may be unavoidable.

"Your Majesty, from the telegram sent back by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we can clearly see that there is a big difference in the attitude of the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire towards us. The German Empire seems not very satisfied with the Austro-Hungarian Empire's proposal. Those conditions. For us, this may be an opportunity." Antonio Salandra said.

"For example, in our colonies, the Germans only wanted Libya. But the Austro-Hungarian Empire asked us to hand over all the colonies to them. In this case, don't the demands of the two countries overlap? From this we can see that, The two countries did not discuss, but had differences. As long as the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire do not unite against us, the pressure on us will undoubtedly be much less." Antonio Sarandra said.

"Yes, this is our chance. No matter what, we have to pay as little price as possible." Vittorio Emanuele III said.

Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra nodded again and again.