While the battle for Constantinople was in full swing, the conference that would decide the fate of the Kingdom of Greece also began.
The venue was once again Paris. In order to raise France's international standing, Napoleon III had become particularly keen on hosting such events after taking the throne.
No one intended to argue with France over such a trivial matter. No matter where negotiations were held, the final outcome would be the same.
Neither the London Government nor the Austrian Government lacked such a small measure of prestige. They were not belligerents whose honor was at stake, forcing them to fight over victory or defeat.
People of this era did not lack an internationalist spirit. The Greek Government had lobbied everywhere and drawn quite a few countries into the conference, though apart from the major powers, most had no right to speak.
Britain, France, and Russia were at war, and the Greek question was also tied to this conflict. Britain and France unceremoniously excluded the Russians from the conference, which was also a blow to the Kingdom of Greece.
Otto I had originally wanted to hold the conference in Athens, inviting representatives from every country under the banner of a neutral state and using international pressure to force the British to withdraw.
Clearly, the Greek Government did not have that much influence. The French proposed holding the conference in Paris; the Vienna Government did not care either way, and the British had no desire to quarrel with France over such a minor issue. Thus, the matter was settled.
The Greek Foreign Minister, Skebata, said with fury written all over his face, "The Allied troops entered our territory without permission, gravely violating our sovereignty.
"As a neutral country, we lodge the strongest protest against this wanton trampling of our