Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 766 Battle for Chopin

On September 1879, 9, when Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Beit was received by Oscar II during his visit to Stockholm, Sweden, the two of them publicly called on those between the Pan-Slavic movement and the anti-Pan-Slavic movement to calm down and hope that All parties can resolve this dispute as soon as possible.

Oscar II: "As a close neighbor, Sweden will not blindly support any party. We will abide by Sweden's neutral position for more than 60 years and will not be overly involved in things outside of Northern Europe. Therefore, we call for a return to the peace of the past ten years, and It’s not turmoil.”

Joseph Beit: "We in the Netherlands also hold the same idea. The Netherlands is a peaceful country. We have had very few wars in the past 20 years. As the founder of many international organizations, we have made many contributions to peace. . So this sudden incident has sounded the alarm for us. We still need to work hard and continue to take more measures to maintain peace."

Many countries expressed support for the two men's appeal in Stockholm.

However, the United Kingdom and Tsarist Russia, one of the parties involved, did not respond directly.

Tsarist Russia suspected that there must be something wrong in their minds.

The UK is in a global confrontation with the Netherlands.

Especially for the latter, the United Kingdom even suspected that the Netherlands, which had always been unwilling to take advantage of the situation, took the initiative to get involved this time. What was its intention?
On September 1879, 9, Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Beit visited Berlin, the capital of the German Empire, where he met Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bismarck and received a courtesy reception from William I.

At the subsequent press conference, Joseph Beit praised Polish humanity: "Born in Warsaw, the soul belongs to Poland and the talent belongs to the world. This is our Majesty's evaluation of the famous musician Chopin. Therefore, the Netherlands has great respect for the Polish nation. Chopin In the eyes of many people in the Netherlands, he has the same status as Copernicus, the founder of the heliocentric theory. Chopin is a symbol of Poland and a business card of democracy, and the things he carries have transcended the scope of music and piano."

With dissatisfaction on Bismarck's face, Joseph Beit announced in Berlin: "The Dutch like music, especially composers who explore the harmony and rhythm of democratic folk dances and folk songs to form ingenious democracy and unity. These The style forms the character of the many national music schools that currently exist in the great country of the Netherlands.”

"So what Mr. Joseph said, does it mean that the Netherlands will accept ethnic musicians from all over the world, including the Polish nation?" A reporter said without taking it seriously: "Including those in the German Empire who want to immigrate to the Netherlands. people?"

Seeing Bismarck looking at him with some annoyance, Joseph Beit said without hesitation: "Yes, the Netherlands accepts people from all over the world who are willing to come to the Netherlands. I think God is kind. We in the Netherlands are willing to face the sea on all sides, creating a natural A paradise environment for survival, so, as you said, we are willing to provide refugees with a place to live and stay, so that they can have a place to stay.”

Everyone looked at Bismarck, and saw that the latter's expression changed suddenly, and he stared at Joseph Baite.

It was the reporter from the British "London Times" who was just over there. He asked: "Your Excellency Bismarck, do you think the remarks of the Dutch Foreign Minister harm the interests of the German Empire?"

He further provoked: "Just now the Netherlands expressed its willingness to accept the Poles, and even said in front of you that it would not exclude the Germans. As far as I know, not long ago, the Prime Minister asked the entire vassal states under the German Empire to unite to restrict their citizens from migrating to the Netherlands. Your Excellency Joseph is doing this directly in person. This is a challenge to your authority. Please express your opinion."

"I have nothing to say. Governing a country is naturally not as flexible as one's own right and left hand, and can be driven at any time. But we don't think the Dutch approach is right or wrong, because all our interests are from the standpoint of our own country. So, next we can only strengthen the protection of the continuation and complete implementation of the policies we have formulated, instead of looking at what others say or do."

Bismarck: "As for the Polish nation, I think that within the scope of the German state, we will protect the interests of the Poles, but if it exceeds a certain level, we will enforce it according to national laws. It is the same for everyone, including me."

What happened in Berlin soon spread throughout Europe.When Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Beit commented on the famous Polish musician Chopin, "Born in Warsaw, his soul belongs to Poland, his talent belongs to the world", everyone suddenly woke up and remembered Chopin.

As a result, Chopin's music became popular again in major music exhibition halls. At this time, Pan-Slavs and Poles began to compete for Chopin, a historical celebrity.

St. Petersburg, Hermitage.

Alexander II sat on the throne, looking at the letter in his hand with a gloomy expression.

This letter came from the Polish province and contained information about the development of the situation there.

Since Alexander II was attacked some time ago, the entire Tsarist Russian Empire has begun to have random thoughts. The Tsar was assassinated, and the country was naturally on alert. So the entire Tsarist Russian Empire began to carry out manhunts everywhere, and the Pan-Associated Russian Empire promoted by the Slavs The Slavic Action caused turmoil in the entire border area, creating a chilling effect on the various conquered tribes.Lithuanians, Finns, and Poles were the first to resist. As they gained a firm foothold, pro-Russian countries such as the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Romania in the south, which had been promoted from principalities to kingdoms in the past few years, also began to rebel. The Kingdom of Bulgaria, which Britain and Russia jointly support for promotion, has a tendency to break away from the influence of Tsarist Russia.

Just at this moment, Prime Minister Gorchakov arrived.

Alexander II said in a short story: "There is currently the biggest commotion in Poland. Joseph Beit mentioned Chopin and his purpose of igniting the fire is very clear. My Prime Minister, what should we do now?"

Gorchakov's eyes were sharp, "Your Majesty, since the Netherlands moved to Yuandu, the status of the Netherlands' European territory has declined in our Tsarist Russia's strategy. In the past, it was our Tsarist Russia's largest direct gateway to Europe, but now its status is straight Decline, I have already begun to think that the Netherlands has lost its previous value to us?"

Alexander II: "You mean?"

Gorchakov: "Just take advantage of this opportunity to declare to the outside world that the relationship between the Netherlands and us is weakening. I think the UK will relax its vigilance against us and focus on dealing with the Netherlands who challenge them in the Far East and South America."

"I have to think carefully. After all, the Netherlands has had a natural strategic relationship with us for hundreds of years. If it is suddenly severed, will the gain outweigh the loss?" Alexander II looked at Gorchakov and said: "Besides, what about our benefits? ?”

Gorchakov: "Now that the Poles have emerged, this time we can completely incorporate them once and for all."

Alexander II clenched his fists, and this scene naturally fell into Gorchakov's hands.

He further said: "As long as we capture the Poles and fully control Warsaw, then we will have no worries in the west, and we will no longer have to worry about civil strife when facing Sweden or Germany in Northern Europe in the future."

Alexander II was moved.

(End of this chapter)