Chapter 389: There's a Pit, but You Still Have to Jump
London. Prime Minister John Russell was deeply dissatisfied with the current situation in Europe.
The Paris Government had actually provided the Russians with a loan. Though the amount was not particularly large by British standards—merely 100 million Francs—the political implications behind it were terrifying.
Everyone had originally agreed that Britain and France would contribute money and manpower together to support the Kingdom of Prussia in fighting a proxy war against the Russians.
Yet now, just as the Kingdom of Prussia had fallen into crisis on the battlefield, the French could not wait to kick them when they were down.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Paris Government, this was cutting their losses in time to secure greater returns. But from the British standpoint, Prime Minister John Russell could not tolerate it.
"The situation in Europe is deteriorating. France and Russia are drawing closer, and the Paris Government's stance has changed. They intend to join forces with the Russians to carve up Prussia.
"Perhaps Austria should be added as well. So long as France and Russia support Austria's annexation of the German Confederation, it will become a three-way partition of the European Continent by Russia, France, and Austria.
"This is the worst possible outcome. Every one of Russia, France, and Austria possesses the strength to challenge us. If they divide up Europe, they will become even harder to restrain.
"For Britain's strategic security, we must prevent all this from happening."
John Russell possessed a keen sense of crisis. This seemed to be a common trait of island nations, and also the driving force behind their success.
Maintaining the balance of power on the European Continent was the London Government's national policy. Europe still retained its balance for now, but the