The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1056 Conditions
"Recognize the independence of Belgium and the Principality of Alsace-Lorraine, have a three-year armistice with Algeria, and cede the colony of Texas. Don't you think it's too much to ask for?"

Although Cavaignac is well aware of the current situation, he does not quite understand the state of France at this time.

He still considered Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine, as well as Algeria, to be French territory.

In fact, these lands were no longer under French control, and this was the biggest concession that Franz could make.

If the problems of the Principality of Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine cannot be resolved, then Franz will be the sinner of the nation and the confederacy.

“The Principality of Belgium and the Principality of Alsace-Lorraine are both part of the German Confederation, and your country only needs to recognize this fact.

As for the war between your country and Algeria, it has caused too many casualties, so we hope that both of you can suspend the war to give the people a chance to breathe.

As far as I know, the so-called Texas colony has never accepted the leadership of the Second French Republic. All the officials sent by your country to accept it have mysteriously disappeared.

So this is not a loss for your country. "

Cavaignac naturally cannot agree with Franz's words, although what the latter said is true.

"The appetite of the Austrian Empire is too much. Put aside the Belgian issue for the time being. Alsace-Lorraine has been a part of France since ancient times!"

Cavaignac spoke confidently, but Franz still said calmly.

"On this day two hundred years ago, your country took Alsace-Lorraine from our hands. How can it be said since ancient times?

Today I am just trying to recover this debt for my ancestors. "

In the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, Austria ceded Alsace-Lorraine to France.

Cavaignac is not a good politician, as you can tell from the fact that he chose democratic elections after taking control of the political situation, and eventually lost power.

"Then there's no other way?"

Franz smiled.

"Of course, it can be done through a democratic referendum."

“Democratic referendum?”

"Yes, isn't this what your government has been pursuing?"

At this moment, Cavaignac said with hope again in his eyes.

"So as long as the people of Alsace-Lorraine are willing to stay in France, will the German Confederation give up its claims there?"

Franz just smiled and didn't answer. He was just teaching Cavaignac how to explain to the country, and he didn't really want to give up Alsace-Lorraine.

In fact, Franz was very confident about the referendums in the two places. After two Alsace-Lorraine crises, coupled with a series of tragic defeats and massacres by the French army, he did not believe that the locals still generally had illusions about France.

However, Franz cannot support such things, after all, he is a representative of autocracy and power. And no one can guarantee whether the French will operate behind the scenes.

It would be fine if Franz did not participate, but once he does, if something goes wrong, he will shoot himself in the foot.

And to take a step back, why did Franz help Cavaignac because he felt that things were going too smoothly to stimulate himself?
Cavaignac is not stupid, he understands what Franz means. This is indeed a good escape route and can stop many people's mouths.

Even if you want to blame, you can only blame those Germans who have no Gallic ancestry. Afterwards, at the right time, it can be said that some big powers secretly manipulated the election.
Thinking of this, Cavaignac felt a lot more at ease. Since there is a way to solve it, the Alsace-Lorraine problem is no longer a problem.

Franz naturally understands the truth, so he needs the French to vote in their own referendum. After all, whoever takes the initiative first and who is the passive one. As for whether Cavaignac will jump over the wall and create a result where everyone in Alsace and Lorraine hopes to stay in France?

It is of course possible that Cavaignac might even take this opportunity to declare war on the German Confederation again.

But conditions did not allow it. At this time, France had no power to fight anymore, and the reasons that applied to the French also applied to the German nationalists.

So in the end the French could only give a referendum result that satisfied Franz, which would save a lot of trouble in the future.

"The Algerian problem is an internal rebellion within our country. Does the German Confederation also want to intervene?"

I have to say that this Mr. Cavaignac is still very smart. He actually learned what he learned and put it into practice, calling the actions of the German Confederation interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Cavaignac's intention was obvious, which was to slap Franz hard in the face. Although you may lose money on the table, you cannot admit defeat verbally.

Franz smiled lightly, with a bit of contempt in it.

"We are just worried about the humanitarian problems caused by continuing the war. If your country wants to continue the war, then please do so.

If you feel it is a civil war in your country, then follow the rules of a civil war.

But I must remind you that if your country's war endangers our interests, it will no longer be a civil war in your country, and we do not have to abide by the armistice agreement made at this time. "

Although Franz's words were high-sounding, everyone knew the threat contained in them. What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't even think of getting at the negotiation table.

This article seems to be protecting Duke Omar of Algeria, but in fact it is also a protection for the fragile French Second Republic at this time.

Popular uprisings, rebels, royalists and careerists who are ready to move. If France does not cease the war with Algeria, then Duke Omar may take advantage of the chaos to counterattack and ultimately succeed.

Although the Orleans family was considered a pro-Austrian force in France at this time, Franz did not think that Duke Aumer would feel dependent on the Austrian Empire after taking power in France.

I am afraid that after Duke Omer eliminates his domestic enemies, the Austrian Empire, a former foreign aid, will become his biggest enemy.

This has nothing to do with the personal qualities of Duke Aumer. In fact, France only wants to expand in two directions on the European continent, one is Italy and the other is Germany.

These two regions happen to be Austria's territory, and both sides are regional powers and strong countries, so from a geopolitical perspective, the contradictions between the two sides cannot be reconciled.

Unless one country gains an overwhelming advantage and the other country is in long-term chaos, the conflict is likely to stop.

Theoretically speaking, Cavaignac won this game, but he was not happy at all. Instead, he began to sweat profusely.

At this time, France was completely passive in the war with Algeria. The defection of the Great Eastern Fleet directly reversed the situation in the Mediterranean.

The Duke of Aumer could easily destroy the fragile coastal defenses of southern France with his powerful fleet.

France's naval strength has never been weak in history, especially as it is a hegemonic presence in the Mediterranean, so its emphasis on coastal defense is far less than that of Austria and Venice.

At this time, France had no time to improvise and could only sit back and watch Duke Omar plunder supplies and people everywhere.
The primary issue for Duke Omar is to keep Algeria alive. At this time, Algeria needs to import most of its supplies from Austria.

Once the Austrian Empire stops supplying, the Principality of Algeria will become the French Viceroyalty of Algeria.

In order to completely eliminate the Algerians, the French destroyed a large amount of farmland and replanted it with grapes, which resulted in extremely high food prices in Algeria.

The Duke of Omar in history also had a heavy army, but he fled without firing a shot. What was more terrible than not having a navy powerful enough to fight the Great Eastern Fleet was that Algeria did not have enough food reserves to support the war.

I must say that our book friends are still very powerful. Everything I am going to write has been guessed by some people, but this referendum cannot be led by Germans or local people.