Hirobumi Ito glanced around, then answered stiffly, "Your Majesty, this Continental War is no ordinary conflict. On the surface, the French expanded in Europe, provoking Austria's dissatisfaction and triggering the war. In essence, however, it is still a struggle for continental hegemony.
The United Kingdom and Russia have had their attention tied down by the Afghan War and lack the strength to intervene in continental affairs in the short term, giving France and Austria an opportunity to defeat their rivals.
Thus far, seven European nations—France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Montenegro, and Armenia—have been drawn into the war. The remaining European countries are still watching from the sidelines, but they may yet be pulled in as well.
Though France is powerful, it fights alone. If the war drags on and more European nations become involved, even a fierce tiger will find itself no match for a pack of wolves.
According to intelligence from Europe, the French have already mobilized more than five million troops, while the Anti-French Alliance has mobilized over seven million. If the conflict in the colonies of France and Austria is included, the number will rise dramatically.
A war involving more than ten million men is simply not something we have the strength to meddle in. In my view, any strategy of moving south before the Continental War has been decided would be unwise."
There was nothing wrong with that. Politically speaking, once a country had declared war, even if it was merely there to make up the numbers, it counted. Greece, Montenegro, and Armenia—the three little beans waving flags and shouting—were likewise member states of the Anti-French Alliance.
They had also made important contributions to the anti-French cause. Though they had achieved little militarily, their political contributions were by no means small.
Ordinary people could not see