The news of the outbreak of the Near East War had reached London three days ago. Even though they had long been mentally prepared, the senior officials of the British Government still found themselves with splitting headaches upon receiving the news.
Even Queen Victoria, who rarely interfered in politics, could no longer sit still and convened a high-level meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Victoria asked, "With the Near East War breaking out, the Russians and Austrians have gotten mixed up together. The Ottomans are in deep trouble this time. If we are to safeguard our interests in the Near East, what does the Government intend to do?"
The Ottoman Empire had long carried the weight of its former prestige. Although it had already declined in this era, it still retained a measure of its tiger's might. Moreover, the Ottoman Government had just completed institutional reforms, and on the surface, they appeared to be a modern empire.
In Queen Victoria's view, even if the Ottoman Empire was no match for Russia and Austria, it possessed such vast territory and an army of a million men. At worst, it would have to cut off a piece of flesh; it would not die anytime soon.
This was also Europe's mainstream view. No one truly knew just how weak the Ottoman Empire was.
Prime Minister John Russell, who had been prepared, replied, "Your Majesty, we have already joined forces with France and are preparing to intervene in this war together."
Prince Albert questioned, "Prime Minister, this Russo-Turkish War is different from those in the past. The Austrians have joined the war as well.
"Even if we join hands with the French, I'm afraid we still cannot force them into compromise. Otherwise, this war would never have begun in the first place!"
Queen Victoria disliked