At the end of September 1914, German Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire became increasingly impatient as Kingdom of Italy was still unable to express its stance on whether to declare war on Allied Powers.
German Imperial Foreign Minister von Kidron Wachth, Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Baron Leopold von Bersidore, went to the Kingdom of Italy capital Rome to visit Kingdom of Italy. Of course, its real purpose is to get Kingdom of Italy to join Allied Powers in fighting.
Of course, this time, they have received the official authorization from German Emperor Wilhelm II and Austro-Hungarian Empire Emperor Franz Joseph I, and they can show a tough attitude in negotiations with the Italy people. If the Italy people really want to betray their covenant, then they must be prepared for a war with Kingdom of Italy. However, it would be best if Kingdom of Italy could fulfill the covenant.
Kingdom of Italy attaches great importance to the joint visit of the German Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire's Foreign Minister. Although Kingdom of Italy has not yet made a final decision on whether to join Allied Powers in the battle, they obviously cannot completely offend Allied Powers before making a final decision. In that case, it would be equivalent to actively blocking the escape route, and the opportunity to have both sides would be lost. Even if they are on the Allied Powers side, they will definitely not get any benefits. Unless Kingdom of Italy really wants to remain neutral in this war, then they may have to join Allied Powers in the end. That is unacceptable to Italy. This means that their interests will suffer great losses.
However, what Italy people don't know is that German Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire will no longer give them a choice in this game.
Prime Minister of Italy Antonio Salandra held a banquet at Prime Minister's residence to entertain the visiting Germany and Foreign Minister of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Italy Cabinet ministers all attended this banquet. At the banquet, everyone drank and drank, with smiles on their faces, full of laughter. From this aspect, this banquet was undoubtedly very successful. However, this seems to be just an appearance. In fact, both sides have their own agenda. As for Italy, he tried every possible means to find out the bottom line of Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire, but being able to become Foreign Minister, whether Feng? Kidron? Wachth or Leopold? Baron von Bersidore, they are all like old foxes. How could Italy people easily figure out their bottom line? Therefore, Italy people can be regarded as working in vain.
After the banquet, von Kidron Wachth and Baron Leopold von Bersidore returned to the hotel where they stayed to rest. But Antonio Salandra Prime Minister and Italian Foreign Minister Paul Sedley couldn't sleep. They drank strong coffee to drive away their sleepiness and discussed how to deceive Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire in tomorrow's meeting.
"Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire, I'm afraid it's someone with bad intentions this time! If we don't express our stance clearly, I'm afraid it will arouse strong anger from both of them. Prime Minister, what should we do this time?" Paul? Sedley was a little worried.
Antonio Salandra Prime Minister also looked a little unhappy. What Kingdom of Italy wants is to play both sides and grab the maximum benefit. If they fall out with Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire now, then all their plans will be in vain.
"Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire, what are they thinking? Aren't they afraid of forcing us to Allied Powers? Damn it, is it possible, do they think they have a chance to win? However, it is obvious that they cannot have an absolute advantage in the current battle situation." Antonio Salandra was full of confusion.
In fact, this is entirely due to these Italy people overestimating their abilities. They regard themselves as an indispensable force in determining the outcome of this war, and believe that Allied Powers and Allied Powers will desperately try to win over them. Therefore, they can speak loudly, make undue demands, force Allied Powers and Allied Powers, and flatter them according to their intentions. In another time and space, Allied Powers and Allied Powers indeed accepted their unreasonable conditions in order to win over Kingdom of Italy. It's just that the bad check issued by Allied Powers is bigger and more tempting. Therefore, the Italy people finally chose to betray Allied Powers and join the Allied Powers fight.
However, in this time and space, everything is different. We are fully aware that Kingdom of Italy is just Oscar who is strong on the outside but hard on the inside, and we will not give the Italy people another chance to rip off the company. Whether Italy people join the Allied Powers battle will not have a big impact on the future battle situation. Therefore, Oscar does not care at all whether the Italy people will betray the covenant and join Allied Powers.
If Kingdom of Italy has as much strength as United States, maybe Oscar will give it a serious thought. But unfortunately, Kingdom of Italy is not United States. They have ambitions but no corresponding strength. Therefore, the final result is that all efforts are in vain.
"Prime Minister, let's wait until Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire put forward specific requirements tomorrow, and then we will respond depending on the situation. However, no matter what, we must delay as much time as possible." Paul? Sedley said.
Antonio Salandra nodded, there was no other way. He always had a hunch that this time might be a difficulty for Kingdom of Italy.
The next day, the formal talks began in the reception room of Prime Minister's residence. German Foreign Minister von Kidron Wachth and Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Leopold von Bersidore sat on one side, Prime Minister of Italy Antonio Salandra and Foreign Minister Paul Sedley sat on the other.
Except for the translators and record-keepers from both sides, there was no one else in the reception room. The content of this meeting is also highly confidential.
"Prime Minister, Your Excellency Foreign Minister. It has been almost two months since the war broke out. However, Kingdom of Italy has been making excuses to delay joining the war. Are you trying to break the alliance? His Majesty the Emperor is very dissatisfied with this. We came to Rome this time because we hope Kingdom of Italy can give us a clear answer immediately. "Feng Kidron Wachth has a very tough attitude.
"Austro-Hungarian Empire has the same attitude. We can't wait like this forever. Whether Kingdom of Italy still wants to fulfill the covenant, we must give us an answer immediately!" Leopold von Bersidore also said.