Chapter 174: The Outbreak of the Near East War
On February 21, 1852, the Ottoman Empire rejected the Russians’ rude demands, ending the Constantinople negotiations in failure, and the Russo-Turkish War became inevitable.
This was not unexpected. No one could have agreed to the Russians’ demands.
If it was just nibbling at some scraps, the rotten Ottoman government might have endured it. But wanting to swallow them whole, there was no room for compromise.
A week later, the Ottoman government also rejected Austria’s conditions, and the countdown to war began.
From a military perspective, fighting a two-front war was foolish.
In theory, if Austria occupied Moldavia and Wallachia, it would separate the Balkans between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, greatly reducing military pressure on the Ottoman Empire.
But politically, the Ottoman government could absolutely not compromise. Showing any weakness now might jeopardize British and French support.
If Britain and France were to come to a compromise with Russia, then the four powers could jointly carve up the Ottoman Empire together, which would be truly disastrous.
Although the Ottoman Empire was declining, they were still a “strong country” on the surface. As long as their inherent weakness was not exposed, Britain and France will still have confidence in them.
The four powers of Europe split into two camps while other countries naturally maintained neutrality, following their respective leaders in lip service. Participating in the war? They were civilized people, how could they engage in violence?
The Ottoman Empire’s reputation in Europe was very poor. Of course, Russia’s reputation was not much better either. They were both rotten and unpopular in Europe.
It was just that the Ottoman Empire’s reputation was even worse. Franz also dug up the Ottomans’ old misdeeds, so Russian public support was slightly higher.
The public response emboldened Russia. Nicholas I styled himself the liberator of Christendom, a banner Franz also took up.
On March 27, 1852, the Russian Empire formally declared war on the Ottoman Empire, marking the outbreak of the ninth Russo-Turkish War.
On March 28, under Nicholas I’s orders, Russia launched an offensive against the Ottoman Empire.
The Russian government was very rule-abiding this time, strictly following international conventions without any sneak attacks.
Vienna
Before the Russo-Turkish War erupted, Russia had notified Austria according to their treaty. Franz immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for war, while also convening an expanded meeting of the military and cabinet.
Marshal Radetzky pointed at the military map and analyzed, “Everyone look. According to the judgment of our general staff, the Russians have three possible routes of attack this time.
One, attack from the Caucasus. Two, attack from the Balkan Peninsula. Three, attack from the sea.
A Russian attack from the Caucasus does not concern us much, we can ignore it.
If they attack from the Balkan Peninsula, then they would have to occupy the two principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia first. According to our agreement, this is our sphere of influence.
Then we must take action, otherwise the westward strategy would fall apart. If Russia reveals the secret treaty, Britain, France and Prussia would watch us like hawks.
If they attack from the sea, then there are many more potential landing points, any Black Sea port city of the Ottoman Empire is possible.
Militarily, all three routes of attack are feasible. Russia may choose one or two, or attack all three simultaneously.”
With no British or French intervention, Russia had too many options. The decaying Ottoman Empire was full of holes everywhere, impossible to defend.
Once Britain and France intervened, seaborne attacks would cease. The Black Sea Fleet could still bully the Ottoman Navy, but could only submit to the British and French navies.
What troubled Austria the most was Russia attacking down the Balkan Peninsula. If Russia occupied the Danube River Basin, it would be difficult to make them withdraw.
The treaty was made to be torn up from the moment it was signed. As long as the stakes were big enough, any alliance was unreliable.
Metternich thought for a moment and said, “The westward strategy must absolutely not be exposed. If it draws the attention of other countries, unifying Southern Germany would become difficult for us.”
Everyone nodded. Austria had paid too high a price for the westward strategy already. Exposure at the critical moment would mean massive losses.
Austria’s goal of unifying Southern Germany was not to devastate the region.
If they ambush them, with collaborators’ help, occupying Munich at once would basically mean declaring the war over.
Essentially, the westward strategy was “30% military, 70% political”. Austria would mainly induce the Southern German States to surrender politically, with military force only assisting.
If the plan was exposed, and the Southern German States resisted desperately with support of the powers, even achieving victory would be pyrrhic.
If too much blood was shed on both sides, ruling these lands later would be difficult. Austria was annexing Southern Germany to increase national power, not to add internal troubles.
Marshal Radetzky thought for a moment and said, “Then we only have two options. One, immediately launch the westward strategy and catch them unprepared.
However, French intervention would be very likely then, so we must prepare to fight France first.
Two, continue executing the contingency Balkan strategy to release smoke screens externally.
As long as we ignite the flames of war in the Balkans, even if the secret treaty leaks, Britain and France would still be misled by us.”
Clearly, taking action now did not align with Austria’s interests. That would just be playing the scapegoat for Russia. If Austria provoked France, even with British support, the Ottoman Empire would still not be able to withstand Russia.
Releasing smoke screens was not easy either. Starting a war was easy, but ending it was hard. Perhaps the British-French coalition would vent their anger on Austria before seeking out Russia.
Prime Minister Felix said solemnly, “We anticipated this situation long ago. Once Russia takes military action, we will also follow up immediately. They can attack down the Balkan Peninsula if they want.
But we must also send troops to occupy the two principalities in the Danube River Basin. We cannot let Russia swallow them whole.”
As long as the Russo-Turkish War could not be swiftly decided, they would need Austria’s support and Russia would not violate the agreement.
Franz nodded in agreement. That would do. No strategy could guarantee perfection. As emperor, he naturally could not rush ahead, but had to leave room to maneuver.
In case something happened midway leading to failure, someone had to take the blame! The cabinet was the most suitable choice. Politics was just that cruel.
Of course, Franz was a good boss. Taking the blame for him will cause no issues. At most they would be dismissed for a few years until the storm passes before coming back.
Such things happened far too often in history. Almost every successful emperor had done this.
……
On March 28, 1852, following Russia, Austria also delivered a declaration of war against the Ottoman Empire, expanding the Near East War.
Constantinople
After receiving the declarations of war from Russia and Austria, the Ottoman government abandoned their last shred of hope. Abdulmejid I also reciprocated with declarations of war against both countries.
In terms of courage, Abdulmejid I was still a competent emperor, not shrinking back at this time.
In theory, Abdulmejid I now commanded an army of a million after reforms, and with British and French support and modernized weapons, as defenders they were not without a chance.
“What did the British and French representatives say? When can they send reinforcements?” Abdulmejid I asked concernedly.
The Foreign Minister replied, “Your Majesty, the British and French representatives have stated their support, but sending reinforcements will still take some time.
If we agree, the British and French navy can immediately enter the Black Sea to contain the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Britain and France also agree to let the military instructors helping us train the army participate in this war, but they must fight as commanders.”
Inviting gods in is easy, seeing gods off is hard. Letting the British and French fleet enter the Black Sea was easy, but making them leave would be difficult.
Containing Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was one aspect. For Britain and France, controlling the Black Sea Straits also increased their influence over the Ottoman Empire, accompanied by tremendous economic benefits.
Abdulmejid I frowned. He knew British and French aid was hard to obtain. Not making demands before the war erupted, weren’t they just waiting for this?
How could concessions the Ottoman Empire could make before the Near East War erupted be greater than after it started?
Now that they were desperate, the British and French military instructors participating as commanders were seizing control of the Ottoman military.
Once the Ottoman government compromised, it would be hard for the Ottoman Empire to shake off British and French control in the future. This was an unconcealed plot, yet even knowing it was a pitfall ahead, Abdulmejid I still had to jump in.
“Tell them, as long as the British and French reinforcements can arrive early, I agree!” Abdulmejid I said through gritted teeth.
To him, agreeing to such conditions was undoubtedly humiliating, but reality left him no choices.
With the out break of the Near East War, the Ottoman Empire needed British and French support. They needed Britain and France to provide weapons, funds, and reinforcements to win the war.
……
On March 28, 1852, Russian forces attacked from the Caucasus region. On March 29, Russian forces attacked the Danube River Basin, with Austria also invading the Danube River Basin on the same day.
Facing simultaneous Russian and Austrian invasion, the autonomous governments of Moldavia and Wallachia simply surrendered.
There was no thought of fighting for the Ottoman Empire. The Romanians certainly had no intention of dying for the Sultan as they had been going against the Ottoman Empire for a long time already.
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