Antonio Salandra and Paul Sedley were stunned. They had no idea that German Foreign Minister and Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister would say such ruthless words. This made the two of them feel a little annoyed and a little frightened at the same time.
"Damn, what's going on? Are they crazy? Aren't they afraid of pushing us into Allied Powers's arms?" Antonio Salandra roared in his heart. Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire really acted out of common sense, which seemed to make their calculations all along end in failure!
"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, Kingdom of Italy, as a member of Allied Powers, we have never thought of betraying the covenant." Antonio Salandra Prime Minister said quickly.
No matter what, we cannot admit that Italy wants to betray the covenant. That will not only make Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire regard them as enemies, but it will also have a great negative impact on Kingdom of Italy's credibility. Of course, Kingdom of Italy has long since lost any credibility. But even if you want to bear such a reputation, the prerequisite is that you must obtain huge benefits for it. Otherwise, wouldn't the reputation be in vain?
"So, Kingdom of Italy intends to fulfill the covenant and declare war on Allied Powers? In this case, that would be the best." Von Kidron Wachth said.
"No, no. Your Excellency Foreign Minister. If Kingdom of Italy is not ready yet and hastily joins the war, it will be very detrimental to us." Antonio Salandra said.
"Prime Minister, are you kidding? It has been two months since the war broke out, and Kingdom of Italy is not ready for war yet? What is the truth?" Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Leopold von Berchtold said with some dissatisfaction. Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire were fighting Allied Powers and suffered heavy losses. As an ally, Italy was actually slacking off behind his back, which naturally made him very unhappy.
"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, this war broke out so suddenly that we were not prepared at all and were caught off guard. That's why we were not ready for the war for a long time. Once we are ready, we will definitely join the war immediately." Paul? Sedley said.
Paul? Sedley's answer was obviously perfunctory. This point is very clear to both von Kidron Wachth and Leopold von Bersidore. Of course they will not give Austro-Hungarian Empire such a chance.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Your Excellency, Foreign Minister. The Empire's patience is limited. And the Kingdom of Italy's recent performance has exhausted the Empire's patience. Therefore, the Empire hopes that the Kingdom of Italy will give us a reply within three days. If the Kingdom of Italy cannot give us a reply within three days, then we will regard the Kingdom of Italy as having been perfunctory with us and trying to betray the alliance. At that time, the Empire will directly regard the Kingdom of Italy as an enemy of the Empire." Von Kidron Vachter said.
"Austro-Hungarian Empire's attitude is the same. You only have three days. Whether you continue to be our ally or become an enemy depends on your own choice." Leopold von Bersidore also said arrogantly.
Although everyone is a member of Allied Powers, Austro-Hungarian Empire and Kingdom of Italy have considerable conflicts. Kingdom of Italy I have always been salivating over Balkan Peninsula. But Austro-Hungarian Empire has been expanding to Balkan Peninsula, and has achieved good results, which naturally makes Kingdom of Italy very jealous.
Antonio Salandra and Paul Sedley were completely stunned. They never expected that Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire would actually give them the same request as Ultimatum. The two of them had no doubt at all whether the Germany people were playing tricks on them and deliberately intimidating them. Obviously, if Kingdom of Italy does not respond within three days, or does not fulfill the treaty, Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire will really declare war on Italy.
The attitudes of Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire greatly exceeded Kingdom of Italy's expectations. At the same time, this made them very angry. They were actually threatened by Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire. This clearly meant that they were not regarded as allies.
"Your Excellencies Foreign Minister, is this the attitude of Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire towards their allies?" Antonio Salandra looked angry.
"If Kingdom of Italy is really our ally, of course we will treat it as an ally. However, if Kingdom of Italy really wants to be our ally, then it must adopt the attitude of being an ally." Von Kidron Wachth's answer was full of gunpowder.
"Three days is too short. We simply cannot respond in such a short period of time." Paul? Sedley still tried to delay time.
"Three days are enough! I think if Kingdom of Italy really wanted to fulfill the covenant, he would have made a decision long ago." Feng Kidron Wachth said directly.
Antonio Salandra was silent for a while, and then said, "If Kingdom of Italy fulfills the covenant, can our interests and demands be met?"
"If it is a legitimate interest claim, we will consider it."
"Kingdom of Italy needs Austro-Hungarian Empire to Trieste, the entire Slovenia, Croatia to the Adriatic Sea coastal area is ceded to us! If Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire agree, Kingdom of Italy will fulfill the covenant." Antonio Salandra said. Kingdom of Italy has long been salivating over Austro-Hungarian Empire's territory on Balkan Peninsula.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!" Leopold von Bersidore immediately objected.
However, Antonio Salandra didn't even look at him, but stared at von Kidron Wachth. He knew very well that it was the Germany people who really made the decision.
"Such a request is too much. Austro-Hungarian Empire is also an ally of Germany. We cannot harm the interests of our allies. If Kingdom of Italy fulfills its covenant, then after the war is won, Kingdom of Italy will get its due share of benefits." Von Kidron Wachth said.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Antonio Salandra's eyes, and von Kidron Wachth's answer was tantamount to a direct rejection of Kingdom of Italy's request. If Kingdom of Italy still wants to obtain those benefits, it will be impossible to fulfill the covenant.