No Diplomacy for Weak Nations

"What? The Austrians want to annex the Ottoman Empire?"

Alexander III had only just been crowned emperor and had not even had time to celebrate before this bad news arrived.

Foreign Minister Osier Rivera replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Not long ago, we applied to the Vienna Government for a loan, and they made this demand."

Alexander III shook his head and answered firmly, "No, absolutely not!

"Once we let the Austrians annex the Ottoman Empire, their influence will reach deep into Central Asia. No one can guarantee that they will not become our competitors.

"If Central Asia falls into the hands of the native khanates, we can still take it back someday. But if it falls into Austria's hands, reclaiming it will be nearly impossible.

"We are badly weakened now. We simply have no ability to compete with them.

"The Austrians want to seize control of our lifeblood. If they take Central Asia, they will have the power to split the Russian Empire in two.

"Together with the Dardanelles, which they already control, the Russian Empire of the future will have to dance to their tune."

The reasoning was sound, but Osier Rivera did not agree. Being controlled by others was far too broad an issue.

It was not merely a matter of the Dardanelles. In many respects, the Russian Empire was subject to Austria. Armaments, finance, and the economy—the three core lifelines were all inseparable from Austria.

After hesitating for a moment, Osier Rivera reminded him, "Your Majesty, solving the Dardanelles issue would not be difficult.

"Many years ago, we had already made contact with the Austrians. The Vienna Government agreed that we could buy it back with money or exchange territory for it.

"For certain special reasons, the deal was not completed in the end. This also shows